Bugs Scares Up Some Pre-Halloween Snacks

This cover from the Bugs Bunny comic book (np, 73 1960, attributed to Ralph Heimdahl) shows the unhurried hare kicking back behind a carrot-patch scarecrow, But would Bugs be so nonchalant if he realized its October Eve...and that means tomorrow is October 1, me here in Tulgey Wood for Countdown to Halloween 2023! Starting tomorrow, it's time for tricks and treats. To regular visitors, welcome back and I hope you savor the sweets I toss into your trick-or-treat bag. To new visitors, a special welcome—Tulgey Wood is full of fun treats and even a few ghastly tricks, so I hope you enjoy your Halloween-time visit to Tulgey madness. Be sure and stop by the other blogs participating "crypt keepers" focus on the more horrific side of Halloween, including strong language and mature themes).Most of all, be sure and ring the doorbell throughout this macabre month right through October 31st as we Countdown to Halloween 2023 here in Tulgey Wood.

Searching For Spin And Marty In Sketches Magazine

Just posted on my Tulgey Wood YouTube channel: a video exploring the colorful way in which Walt Disney's Magazine (aka Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club Magazine) covered some of the Mickey Mouse Club serials. Specifically the "Annette" and "Spin and Marty" are the series-within-the-series at which I take a look, so please click here. You'll see I mention putting the Sketches article I wrote about "Spin and Marty" on my blog—so here it is. As in the pages of Walt Disney's Magazine I display in the video, the article features rare color photos, so enjoy. 

Happy Halloween 2022!

It may seen like a trick but it's time for a treat—because we made it to October 31st. To make our arrival all the sweeter, here's a look at this year's Krsipy Kreme doughnuts. Enjoy—and keep right on being spooky. See you at Thanksgiving! 

Mickey's Creature Feature

We need more monsters as we Countdown To Halloween 2022. So let's turn to Mickey Mouse! Among the invited guests to the Hollywood debut of his latest movie in Walt Disney's Mickey's Gala Premiere (1933) are some movie stars who just happen to be movie monsters. These caricatures, like all the caricatures in the short, are designed by Joe Grant. The legendary Disney artist was a staff artist at the Los Angeles Record, drawing Hollywood caricatures at the time when his art attracted Walt attention, and he signed Joe to create the movie-star designs for Mickey's Gala Premiere. They couldn't leave out the monsters, could they? 

Superman Vs. The Robots

As noted, TCM is showcasing robots as the Monster of the Month for October 2022.  And that reminds me, seems like one way or the other, Superman battled more than his fair share of robots. Even I incorporated a robot battle for the Man of Steel in the Porky Pig/Lex Luthor comic book I wrote for DC (with great art by the always excellent John Loter). Case in point: the cover of Action Comics no. 36 May 1941 by artist Fred Ray. All part of the Countdown to Halloween 2022. 

Bedknobs, Broomsticks And Oscars

On this day in 1971, Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks premiered in London. To celebrate this magical musical, Dean Brinkerhoff and I produced an episode of our YouTube series, Digging the Details, to honor  the film's 50th last year and the 50th anniversary of its Oscar nominations and win this year. Please click below as Dean and I dig such details as the special effects, the Sherman Brothers songs, the Special Edition, and more. Please click here and watch as Dean and I discuss this wonderfully witchy Disney movie. 

The Munsters And Their Kool Karriage On Colorforms

A new Munsters movie (starring Daniel Roebuck in an excellent turn as the Count aka Grandpa) brings to mind the original TV series and the merch it inspired. Here's a look at the beautifully presented Colorforms Cartoon Kit featuring the cool Munster Koach. Perfect to drive us on our way during our Countdown To Halloween 2022. 

Sixty Amazing Years

Spider-Man was introduced in August 1962, and he's met up with some pretty horrific characters over the decades. so to celebrate 60 Amazing Years of the amazing arachnid-dude with one of his most monsterific comic books, from July 1974, just for our Countdown To Halloween 2022. Keep on swinging, Spidey—and stay spooky. 

TCM Star Of The Month: Robots!

Each October, Turner Classic Movies selects as its Star of the Month a Monster (or Monsters). The usual suspects (true superstars, all) such as Dracula and the Frankenstein monster have been represented, so now it's time to turn the spotlight on a different kind of creature: the robot. Imaginative choice, as there have been a number of mechanical figures running amok across the screen. Click here for more info. 

Spooky Is the Spooky Season's Spooks-person

Casper's "tuff little" counterpart Spooky was the star of several comic-book series, including the "Giant Size" publication, Spooky's Spooktown. This issue (#33, January 1970) boasts a Halloween-themed cover where Spooky gets spooked by a trick-or-treater decked out in a Spooky costume (officially licensed, no doubt). Don't you think this funny little spook should be the official spooks-person of the spooky season? I do. After all, his very name says "spooky."