Let nothing, up to and including a pack of Tibetan Yetis, deter you from getting to your local comic book shop to pick up a copy of DONALD DUCK # 4 (Legacy Numbering # 371) from IDW!
In it, you’ll find "The Perfect Calm" or "Are We There Yeti?", an original 1974 story from the Italian publication ALMANACCO TOPOLINO # 211 written by Rodolfo Cimino, with "perfectly calm"... er, superbly complementary (and sometimes "perfectly weird") art by the great Romano Scarpa, with full translation and dialogue by yours truly!
There, he meets an old Tibetan sage who introduces him to the state-of-being known as "The Perfect Calm"!
Donald is quick to embrace this philosophy, as the latest in his long line of All-Consuming Obsessions, like this one...
But, instead of a quest for a set of outdated walkie-talkies...
...He's off to Tibet, on a quest to achieve "The Perfect Calm", with his nephews in hot protective pursuit!
There, they find Yetis...
...And, "The Perfect Calm"!
And just wait until Donald brings "The Perfect Calm" back to Duckburg! Hoo-Boy!
The issue is rounded-out by "Hampered", a 1937 three-page British comic...
...And Ludwig Von Drake and Grandma Duck in "Chore Chump", by Don R. Christensen and Paul Murry.
I must point out that Don once told me that he preferred the "R." in his name, because there were two other "Don Christensens" in animation, and this was his way of differentiating himself from them. So, perhaps in future credits, IDW could use the "R." (which Don sometimes wrote as "ARR" for effect) as part of his name.
So, walk in a "Perfectly Calm" manner, or run in a total frenzy - makes no difference to me, as long as you pick up a a copy of DONALD DUCK # 4 (Legacy Numbering # 371) from IDW!
It will be one of the more bizarre - not to mention outright fun - reads you will have this year! I make that "Perfectly Calm" guarantee!
As always, once you’ve read the issue, please come back and join the discussion in our Comments Section!
Just remember, I do not speak for IDW, or anyone in its employ. I speak strictly for myself as both a long-time fan and as a dialogue creator – and those opinions are strictly my own.
I’ll meet you back here for another lively comment thread! Not sure if DONALD will be here, though... 3...2... 1... Bye, Donald!
Maybe, we'll even get comments from some Yetis!
Bonus Closing Pun: This issue is SO GOOD, it would be foolish "Tibet" against it!
75 comments:
It may be a little while before I get to the comic shop to get this issue, but fortunately, the Disney comics (plus Popeye Classics and Archie) are on my pull list, so they will be there waiting for me. This story looks interesting. Personally, I think that that picture of Donald peacefully fishing and emitting a strange glow of calmness would have made a good cover idea...so against type for Donald Duck, who is usually either angry or dashing around in a frenetic flurry of feathers.
Deb:
I know everyone isn’t going to drop everything, leave their jobs at midday, and run out and get this on the day of release (…but wouldn’t it be a perfect world, if we all COULD), so I try to “tease” as much as possible without actually spoiling things with these posts. So, I look forward to your coming back with comments once you do.
Just for the record, I actually DID drop everything, left my job at midday, and ran out to get this on the day of release – but I only do that when it’s “one of mine”, like today. More likely, I’ll wait for a free evening or weekend day like most folks.
To tease something else, I still have that post on the new ARCHIE # 1, completed since the week of its release, but other posts have had such action in their threads (keeping them alive for an extended period – as I hope is also the case with THIS ONE), that it’s still awaiting its’ release. So, when you DO finally see it, it’s most likely that I will have read the new ARCHIE # 2. And, for all I know, something else may come up that will need to be posted before it as well. …But, that’s Blog-biz. It’s kinda like I’m the editor of my own newspaper or magazine – or Blog-post traffic cop. And, as one yourself, you know that’s a fun place to be!
And speaking of Deb’s Blog, everyone go check out the cover sketch she did for “The Perfect Calm” and another related sketch of “Yeti-Hoodoo-ed, Perfectly-Calmed, Flower-Sniffing Donald”… before she even read the story!
The cover, in particular, has a nice William Van Horn vibe to it – sold, especially, by the little SIGN bearing the title in the upper right! And, it might as well have actually been taken from the start of the final third of the story!
You can see it HERE!
BTW, anyone catch a subtle thing I did with the Yetis?
I'll take guesses from anyone who reads the story (you won't necessarily get it from my excerpted illustrations alone), and let you know who gets it first.
To be accurate, I have read about this story on GeoX's blog, Duck Comics Revue, so I was at least familiar with the basic plot. For my drawing of Donald meditating, I based his pose on a painting of the Buddha meditating beneath the Bodhi tree (I even put the heart-shaped leaves on Donald's tree). It is not easy getting Donald to look right in that position, especìally his legs. Disney Ducks just DO NOT sit that way. Putting Uncle Scrooge and the nephews behind the tree was the only way I could fit them into the picture without obscuring the tree, which was important to the image of Donald's "enlightenment". I had fun drawing that one, even if it was frustrating at times getting it to come out just right.
Deb:
I actually read the post on “The Perfect Calm” on GeoX’s Blog back at the time he wrote it (even commented on it) – and completely forgot about it, until our friend Elaine reminded me of it while I had the script in a working phase. It was very much right on, and I will link to it for everyone’s “further reading” once I’m in a better position to do so.
And, judging by the finished product, whatever “frustration” you may have experienced was all worth it in the end! Nice work!
Deb: I actually perfer the cover you did over the one IDW published.
I think both covers have their respective merits, Clapton. And both illustrate different and individual aspects of the story.
Though it’s not something I can easily articulate the reasons for, I also think that different eras and different publishers would have produced different covers for the same story.
For instance, I’d say (and, again, this is just a “feeling” on my part) that sixties Gold Key would have run a cover not unlike the one IDW ran, Yeti’s and all and with a cover caption – while seventies Gold Key would not have created an illustrative cover for it at all. Whitman would just have reprinted whatever Gold Key ran in the first place.
Dell, in the Four Color days, would have had the ducks facing a formidable mountain (or range of mountains), indicating a more stark and less defined adventure to come. No Yeti’s or any more specific danger illustrated. Post Four Color, Dell would not have illustrated the interior contents, opting for a gag cover.
Gladstone (Series One or Two) would have opted for a cover far more in Deb’s mode – and, per the vibe Deb’s cover gave me, would have had it done by William Van Horn.
Gemstone, would be more of a toss-up – either going the “Calm” or “Adventurous” route. I could see either approach.
Disney Comics and Boom! would both have exploited the Yeti’s – perhaps even more than did IDW. Though, Disney would likely have had Donald more front and center, rather than charging from an upper angle.
And, needless to say, IDW did what is in keeping with the fine approach they have taken for this entire line. Dynamic and illustrative of the story therein - but with nice and unrelated alternate covers. I absolutely LOVE the Von Drake one!
Hmmm… Never thought I’d devote this much thought to cover methodology, but these discussions go to some interesting and wonderful places.
I'm flattered that you liked it, Clapton, but my idea wouldn't have made an exciting cover. It really is sort of a nostalgia for Gladstone sort of cover. The action-packed cover with the Yetis doubtless would bring in more modern readers and impulse buyers, which a new series needs.
So great to see this story in English! Since you're going to link to the page on GeoX's blog, I don't have to repeat here all the reasons I like this story of enlightenment vs. capitalism. But I do enjoy how Scrooge's attempt to market satori backfires. Interesting to see how you got around a couple of problems in the text: the fact that the Ducks can walk from Duckburg to Tibet (since in Italian stories Duckburg is generally in Italy), the claim that Scrooge will run out of money in a couple of months. Also, how you inserted explanations for stuff the original did not explain: how the effects of satori-by-osmosis would wear off, why Donald would not bliss out again from contact with the yetis.
Favorite touches in your script: the judge wishing Donald a happy great-day-of-gifts; Scrooge's plan to trademark the Perfect Calm; the "ancient sideburned duck"; the world's need for "erratically emotional wastrels" (or at least for one, initials D.D.!). And it's just as well that in your version the ski-horned goat will never actually be caught and roasted on that spit...since I do really love that goat. Possibly the most Seussian animal I've ever encountered in the pages of a Disney comic.
I'm more ambivalent about the yetis speaking in yeti-accented English. Doesn't that undermine Donald's success in speaking their language? But maybe I'm just so used to the yetis only communicating by "ooga ooga googaroo" (here, "snurf snorf") throughout....
"Chore Chump" was a good introduction to the characters of Grandma Duck, Gus Goose, and Ludwig Von Drake. It looks like David Gerstein has a master plan that involves introducing characters to the reading audience so that they can be used later (Fethry, Belle Duck, Ellsworth, etc.). It's so terrific to know that someone has a long-term plan for the future of Disney comics in America!
Joe: It was the presence of Ludwig on the B-cover that led to our Ludwig backup story (unceremoniously bunting an unrelated four-page Donald ahead to #7). And we'll have more Ludwig in the future.
Deb: I like your idea—while at the same time recognizing that it has that 1990s Van Horn flavor. As far as (perfectly) calm vs adventurous covers, though, nothing beat early Gemstone, where two covers in a row had Donald asleep (328, 329) and only by mistake were they not followed by one that showed him slowly waking up (331, really meant for 330!). Not my doing... I insist!
I don't personally prefer action-packed covers to gag covers, but I agree with you on impulse buyers, which is why the action scenes are usually our default "A" covers for each book. It's a long time since a Disney comic had a cover with characters in an enormous pot, isn't it?
("You just like seeing ducks getting cooked," says my girlfriend.)
David:
Was “Flag Bragger” the story that got bumped for Ludwig? I remember discussing that one with you early on. If so, and nothing against that story, I actually like Ludwig better, following “The Perfect Calm”, so that Donald doesn’t have two consecutive “snowy mountain” treks.
More Ludwig in the future? Ooh! Ooh! I just happened to enjoy writing his dialogue for some past meeting he had with Mickey … Just sayin’
I have always preferred adventure illustrative covers for three of the “Core Four” titles, leaving great gag covers for WDC&S. But, I think IDW’s alternate cover policy is a great way to give everyone what they want. And, in general, the alternate covers have been SO GOOD, that I’ve purchased most of them anyway.
Elaine:
Guilty on all counts you mention… and glad you enjoyed all of those… er, “guilty pleasures”!
To me, the entire story turns on the line: “ Who’da thunk the world needs erratically emotional wastrels to survive! ”. That’s what makes it for me! And hooray for all of us who keep the world spinning! Take a collective bow, erratically emotional wastrels of the world!
And, you ALMOST hit upon : “the subtle thing I did with the Yetis", that I mention in a comment above. I won’t reveal it just yet but, if no one actually recognizes it without additional prompting, I will make it known before the end of this thread. How’s that for teasing! I think you may feel less “ambivalent” once you know.
David is (as they say) “The Man with the Plan” - and Sarah Gaydos and IDW should be thanked for supporting those efforts – because we’ve seen just how bad these comics can be, with less committed and less enthusiastic - or wrongly focused - editorial structures.
And here, for your additional reading pleasure, is the Blog post by our friend GeoX on “The Perfect Calm”, from back in 2012 – when an American publication of this story seemed an impossible dream.
You’ll find comments from Elaine, David, our friend “ComicBookRehab”, and me - and lots of other interesting stuff. And check out how similar Geo’s interpretation of “The Perfect Calm” was to what we have today.
And again, as I mentioned above, I’d forgotten completely about this post, my comments, etc. until Elaine reminded me of it – while my script for “The Perfect Calm” was near completion. So, I was not influenced by anything you read here – in any way other than coincidentally.
You can read GeoX’s post HERE. Enjoy.
I already e-mailed you my praise, Joe, but again, fine job on "The Perfect Calm". Wholesome humor mixed with Scarpa's brilliant cartooning make an excellent diversion during a stressful couple of weeks here.
As for the conversation on the covers... Well, you three (Joe, David, Jonathan) have heard my comments in-person already, but I will say that I quite like the Alvarez cover here.
Thank you, Thad!
“Wholesome Humor” is just another of my many middle-names! Excuse me while I chase (and not hunt) a Ski-Horned Goat!
I really liked the wide-eyed, scared expressions Alvarez gave the boys! That’s not something you saw too often, outside of DuckTales.
And, also glad if this issue provided you with your very own mild case of “The Perfect Calm” during a stressful period. The Old Sage would be proud. But, now it’s time for me to “Exit Sage Right”!
Joe: Yes, "Flag Bragger" got bumped ahead for Ludwig. But it seems I originally chose it for the same reason you'd have discarded it—I actively liked the "snowy mountain" theme continuing for two stories in a row.
Leave hunting ski-horned goats to me! (...damn roast won't fit in the oven with these things on top...)
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #715 was the last issue I can think of that showed anyone being cooked in a large pot (Donald Duck, by the Big Bad Wolf).
Yeah, can we get IDW to do merch? Because I want a T-shirt showing six vignettes of Donald (five different emotional states plus sleep-in-hammock) with the caption: "...because the world needs erratically emotional wastrels."
In an ideal world, Deb would be hired to create the T-shirt designs. Then we could all get Retro-Duck Ts, too! And I do really like the fact that Donald in her latest gets to sit under the Bodhi Tree.
Before I posted my earlier comment, I tried out various theories on the yetis' speaking English. E.g.: Do they pick it up from Donald? But no, they're speaking yeti-accented English already in the panel where they're threatening the boys. So I'm clearly missing the subtle thing. And when Donald speaks their language, why does one yeti say "Where are you?" Something I'm not getting. I will patiently await your reveal (or some commenter's explanation) later in this thread.
Elaine:
Between Captain Retro-Duck and “erratically emotional wastrels ” and related images, Deb and I could probably go into some creative business together! I write ‘em! She draws ‘em! Oh, wait… We’d need Disney as a partner for that. Never mind!
On the Yetis, You’re actually pretty close, but expand outwardly a little more. I’ll hold off and see if someone gets it exactly, before revealing. Just know that I planned this from the outset, and wondered if anyone would look closely enough to notice it.
Unrelated to this mystery, you write: “And when Donald speaks their language, why does one yeti say "Where are you?"”
All I can say is go back and read the “double-hyphenated phrase” Donald speaks in Yeti-ese, directly before this – and put it together with the Yeti’s response. (It’s easy to do, as the panel is illustrated in this post!). Say it out loud, if need be. As a further hint to what this might be, read the FOURTH WORD of my paragraph that precedes this one, as it in some way relates to our “mystery” (Oops!) bit of dialogue.
…Or, maybe it’s just all nonsense syllables to fill balloon space, and there’s nothing there at all! I might tell, if you or anyone guesses it. Hee-Hee!
Being sued by major entertainment companies really isn't one of my hobbies, so I will leave the merchandising of Disney's intellectual property to Disney, thank you very much. But thanks for the praise for my artwork.
OK, then, this is Scooby-Doo-related? If so, I do not feel backwards for not getting it, because my sole exposure to Scooby-Doo is the Flintstones & Jetsons issues of Scooby-Doo Team-Up, which I bought (and enjoyed) thanks to a certain blogger. And what exactly is the deal with Scooby-Doo's barking speech? Is it heard by humans as just barking?
And Deb and Joe, I do know that one needs a Disney license to produce Disney stuff! That's why I started by imagining that IDW would get a license to do Disney comics merch. It's a pure pipe dream, that someday I might be able to buy Disney purely-comics-related stuff in the USA...as opposed to buying it from various European eBays. And on a related note...if the IDW comics continue to sell well, might they actually be sold (gasp!) at Disney World and Disneyland?
Jinkies, Elaine!
You’ve solved that mystery, and without the reluctant assistance of a quasi-English-speaking dog, too!
In the earlier originals, I feel Scooby’s “speech” was understood by those who hung with him by mere means of constant exposure. Though, anyone on the street would probably be puzzled. By the more recent, and magnificently “un-Scooby-like”, SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERY INCORPORATED, Scooby was practically speaking the king’s English, and was undoubtedly understood by everyone.
Oddly, in the SCOOBY-DOO comics that Mark Evanier wrote for Gold Key in the seventies, Scooby THOUGHT a lot, commenting on the unfording events in his thoughts. It was not unlike the approach Evanier would later take for RUFFERTO, the loyal canine companion of GROO THE WANDERER!
The notion of who can understand Scooby’s speech, and the degree to which it can be understood, sometimes makes for good humor in the SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP comic. That’s a title I recommend to anyone who enjoys the IDW Disney titles. Its writer, Sholly Fisch, taps into the same type of character humor that we do – coming from the perspective of someone who knows and loves the properties in question. I’d sure like to compare notes with Mr. Fisch someday. I feel he’d really like what we do at IDW.
To me, the Scooby thing is kinda like Stewie on FAMILY GUY. Sometimes he’s perfectly understood by everyone. Sometimes he’s heard strictly as a baby. And, splitting the difference, sometimes he’s only understood by Brian – himself a talking DOG, whom everyone perfectly understands. Go fig…
And, you’d think that if ANY Disney comic books were ever made for display at the theme parks, it would be those with the Disneyland / Disney World alternate covers that IDW has created.
Oh, and there’s that darned “Yeti thing” still nagging at us…
Of course! I wasn't even thinking of the alternate "RI" covers with theme park designs. I haven't actually seen any of those covers "in person", just on the web. So, I do hope those at least have been sold at the Disney theme parks! (And what does "RI" stand for, anyway? Other than Rhode Island?) Does anyone know whether the IDW comics are being sold at Disney World/Disneyland? (Sometimes people report on DCF whether they've ever seen Disney comics for sale there...but DCF is still out of commission.) Not to mention, all the Disney stores.
Wait, the Scooby-Doo connection *wasn't* the subtle thing you did with the yetis? There's a *more* subtle thing?
Ok I've been to busy to write a comment on the actual content of the issue (I will eventually). But 2 things semi related to the conversation of the thread. 1) I found out the other day that Sholly Fisch wrote the "All New Batman Brave and the bold" comic tie in with the tv show. I'm gonna have to check that out cause that sound like a perfect fit for Fisch. 2) I've actually seen some Disney Comics tv-shirts recently. One had a Floyd Gottfredson-esque Mickey with his hand in his pockets, another had Mickey holding a gun! I know that's not the merch you had in mind but I just wanted to point it out.
Elaine:
I, too, have never seen a Disney Theme Park alternate cover for sale in any comic shop I’ve visited. So, I figure they have to be going SOMEWHERE – and, hopefully, not just to “investors” on e-bay. Has anyone seen them “in-person”, I wonder? And, I honestly do not know what “RI” stands for. Perhaps David could enlighten us both.
And, nope… “the subtle Yeti thing” was something broader than a mere throwaway gag reference. One might say the gag was a “subset” of the greater concept. As I said above, expand more outwardly. It’s more a “forest-thing” than individual “trees”.
In a way, I’m glad no one picked up on it yet, because it’ll be all the more fun for those who are waiting for me to reveal it. Then, you can praise or pan its execution and its merits, as you each see fit. I’m just pleased to see it adding to the discussion… ‘cause that’s what I want most – a fun ongoing discussion of these wonderful comics.
Clapton:
I wonder if those are authorized items. After all, Mickey holding a gun?
Is that “All New Batman Brave and the Bold comic” a new one that’s out now? I could easily see that being the Bat-equivalent of SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP, especially in the very capable hands of Sholly Fisch. Indeed, given all of the Batman character appearances in SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP to date (with Harley Quin and Poison Ivy in the next issue), I’d say you practically have that already!
I think that Sholly Fisch and I “write from the same place”, with regard to the fan-based humor, high regard and great respect we hold for our respective characters. I’d like to have a conversation with him someday, because I think it would be great fun… not unlike those I have with David, Jonathan, and Thad. Imagine us all in the same room, or restaurant table! It’s one great big Mutual Admiration Society, with gags a flyin’!
Sholly, on the VERY off-chance you’re reading this, drop us a comment and let’s do lunch!
You might have answered this somewhere else, but I’ve been wondering: when translating Italian stories, do you have to work from the original Italian script (and do you know Italian?), or are you doing the localization/dialogue work from an already translated script?
Also, this issue of Donald Duck got me to finally start my own blog about Disney comics! Check it out if you want. And to make up for this shameless advertising, I linked back to your blog from my post about this issue :)
Nice work, Hex! And welcome to the Blog-o-sphere!
Just so you know, I’d never let anyone link, through my Blog, back to some commercial enterprise – but a new Blog about Disney comics? Sure! And I hope to see much more such work for you. And, feel free to discuss the new IDW issues – especially if you’re enjoying them. HERE is a direct link to this new Blog.
Everyone, responding to Hex’s inaugural Blog post, please address your comments to HIS BLOG – and let him experience the kind of lively discussion we have here. The more places to do so, the merrier, I always say. I expect he will get his share of reaction to his interesting observations, though I’ll spoil nothing in advance.
To your question, I used to work from an already-translated, basic-English script back at Boom! Studios and Gemstone. And did so initially, also at IDW. But now (starting, in fact, with “The Perfect Calm”), I translate directly from a PDF of the Italian finished art with Italian dialogue, using translation software. From that, I write the American English scripts that appear in the comics. All of my future stories, UNCLE SCROOGE # 7, MICKEY MOUSE # 6, and more will be done that way.
And, although I am of 100 % Italian heritage, alas, I do not speak the language… More’s the pity.
Thank's for the answer and the link.
It was a trick question though, what I really wanted to know was if you invented that bad goat joke yourself. I think I got the answer :)
The cover for Mickey Mouse #6 got posted on PREVIEWsworld a couple of days ago. I'm looking forward to see how Eega Beeva will deal with that planet-eating worm!
Aw, there’s no need to “trick” me, Hex. Just ask.
If I *can* give an answer, I always will. And, yes… All that “Bad Goat Joke” stuff was mine.
If you’ve been following my comments all along, you’ll know that I consider the story in MM # 6, that we called “Plan Dine from Outer Space”, to be one of the BEST Mickeys I’ve seen in a long time – and we JUST HAD an amazing first two issues from IDW… so, just imagine!
I REALLY enjoyed working on that one! Even more than I ordinarily do!
Maybe the joke was so bad I didn't think you would admit it? Alright I'll stop joking now.
I think it's interesting to know the process behind a comic too, so it was a real question. I once visited the office of Egmont Creative in Copenhagen, Denmark. Even if most their Disney comcis are probably not going to be printed in English, all the orignal scripts are written in English. And they prepare the stories for translation from the beginnig. I've always wondered if the Italians had such good system too, preparing the stories for an international market. I don't know anything about that, but I've had the impression they don't.
Hex:
Anyone who’s spent any time around here knows that I don’t only ADMIT to my bad jokes, I REVEL in them!
I won’t presume to speak for any creative and editorial process I’ve not witnessed firsthand, but the Italian stories I get all require translation.
I finally got The Perfect Calm today, and have been blissfully picking flowers, chasing butterflies, fishing and sleeping since (okay, not really...). I will agree, it is quite a unique story. The beginning with Donald's mishaps landing him in jail was very Barksian, but the story as a whole reminds me of something William Van Horn would have cooked up, especially with the very comedy-heavy English script. The Yetis really steal any scene they're in, especially with their mix of "Snarf! Snorf!" grunting and slangy lines like "Diggh Outtt!" and "Gooo, mann Gooo!" The philosophical aspect of the story is quite an interesting one...for old-school capitalists like Uncle Scrooge, mass freedom from desire would be very bad for business! The story is written in such a jokey way, though, that you can't really take it too seriously. I doubt the author knew all that much about Eastern philosophy, which is okay. Philosophical treatises seldom make entertaining Duck adventures. It was a fun comic. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my "Yeti-hoodooed" state of blissful calmness.
Oh, golly… I was afraid of this!
Poor Deb’s taken such a massive hit, she’s even changed her Google name to “Perfectly Calm Deb”!
YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE LINGERED ON THOSE YETI PAGES FOR SO LONG, DEB! (…I mean, “Perfectly Calm Deb”)! TO DO SO, FOR SUCH A PROLONGED EXPOSURE, CAN BE DANGEROUS! CAN YOU HEAR ME? AM I GETTING THROUGH? …Oh, dear!
The Old Sage warned you that, with total immersion in “The Perfect Calm”, all passion, initiative, and consumption cease. He failed to mention “loss of CREATIVITY” as another direct effect. That means you’ll have to rejoin Donald in Yeti-Land until the effects subside, or Fluffy and Mervin will cease to exist!
As it is, I dared not look at any of the pages for very long myself, as I had a Super Goof script to turn in this week! …Yes, I did for real! And, if I failed in that, you all might have been stuck with a reprint of “Ultraheroes”, so begin thanking me now!
While “Perfectly Calm Deb” is recovering, I should point out that, even in her "Yeti-hoodooed" state of blissful calmness, she too has inched us ever so closer to a realization of “the subtle Yeti thing” I keep yammering about. Though, by the time she fully recovers, she may no longer remember what it was – recalling only the punchlines to way too many “Bad Goat Jokes”.
Finally, “Perfectly Calm Deb” writes: “I doubt the author knew all that much about Eastern philosophy…” Well, neither did the translator and scripter, so that made for a good match! :-)
I finally got my copy and read it. One of the best of the recent Donald issues, which have of course all been good.
The challenge as I see it for the post-Barks writers/authors is to take Donald and company in new directions while retaining the characterizations and situations that have made these classic characters worth coming back to over the years. The "Perfect Calm" story succeeds in striking this balance--the traditional Donald in a non-traditional Donald story, yet one that is consistent with his circumstances and temperament.
This could be seen as an ultimate expression of the old "mastery" stories, wherein Donald becomes an "expert" at whatever craft he is pursuing, such as barbering, glass-blowing, line repair, etc. Only in this instance he becomes a "master" of calmness, with the usual disastrous results, except that in this case the disaster is brought about by others, particularly Uncle Scrooge--who is likewise in a slightly different role than usual but is at the same time perfectly in character. Donald seems to have an interesting facet to his personality which is generally brought out from time to time in the comics, although there are moments when his animated persona reflects this as well--of being able to grasp a concept and take it to the nth degree with almost total perfection. It's a good balance to his irascibility and hot temper.
Another aspect of this story that is used to good effect is the gag of the protagonist in jail, which I have commented on previously in several various contexts. Whereas many Donald adventures might end at the point where Donald's exuberance combined with his bad luck have landed him once again in the slammer, this story uses Donald's incarceration as an impetus for the adventure that is to come. Instead of merely seeing him confined in a jail cell and leaving him there, we get to see what happens during and after his confinement, and a further story arc that results. There were some nice touches in this sequence in terms of dialogue and art. I liked Donald's response to "how do you plead?" when he said "On my knees?". This moment is both hilarious and poignant at the same time. It's also interesting to note that Huey, Dewey, and Louie aren't bent out of shape by Donald's going to jail--they take it in stride and casually send him a cake, as though this is a situation that they are used to. I also liked the touch that Donald gave the cake to a Beagle Boy in a nearby cell--a nice nod to continuity as well as underscoring his new philosophy. Then, too, the sequence provided a great introduction to the philosopher who mentors Donald. Given his temperament and his propensity for bad luck, it's inevitable that Donald occasionally goes to jail--this is usually handled effectively by the writers and artists (as in Barks' water ski story and the implied ending of "Lost in the Andes") but in this instance the device proves to be a veritable gold mine in terms of plot development.
The rest of the tale involving Donald's quest and its hysterical results is a great extension of the premise that is established in those early scenes. This story almost begs for a sequel.
And now you say there is a new Super Goof story coming? I can hardly wait!
Thanks, Joe!
Ah, Scarecrow… I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… PERFECT (-ly Calm?) ANALYSIS, my friend!
If “The Perfect Calm” were ever to appear in a Mickey Mouse Floyd Gottfredson Library hardcover sort of book, your insights into exactly WHY this story works so well – despite its many offbeat, if not outright bizarre, elements – would make the perfect (…There’s that word again!) introductory text piece to precede such a presentation of the story!
As far as a sequel, I suppose if the Ducks could “Return to Plain Awful” and Tralla-La, they could also return to Yeti-Land. And, I’d want to be the one to dialogue it! I’ve sort of become paternally protective of those crazy Yetis and their Ski-Horned Goats! Not to mention, that I’d do anything to push out a few more “Bad Goat Jokes”.
Yes, a new (to the USA) long Super Goof story, coming just in time for Christmas! Need I say how much I’m loving that?
A sequel to The Perfect Calm would have a good starting point...Scrooge going to "Yeti-land" to find Donald and give him a piece of his mind (possibly with Launchpad as Scrooge's pilot). Perhaps if you could contrive a way that McDuck could recieve "the perfect calm" once it has worn off on Donald (who at this time would probably have had his fill of goat chasing, and be ready to get home to catch up on all of the Captain Retro-Duck episodes and tall, fizzy sodas he misses). Glomgold, Magica and the Beagle Boys would probably wonder what was up with the new "Perfectly Calm" Scrooge and think he was up to something... Just a thought...
Well, Deb… Scrooge being “Perfectly Calmed”, WOULD be an even bigger threat to his empire than his trademarking and mass-distribution of that particular philosophy. And, as long as I could revive the “Bad Goat Jokes”, I’m in!
“What’s Black, White, and Red All Over?”
“A Newspaper that a Goat with Bleeding Gums has just Eaten!”
Oh, and welcome back from your own “Perfectly Calm” journey, (Regular) Deb!
Hey, folks! While you’re still pinpointing that “the subtle Yeti thing”, try laying some “Bad Goat Jokes” of your own on us!
Just remember two things: They’re BAD, and they’re about GOATS! After that, anything within the bounds of common decency goes! I may be sorry I asked…
Joe: Ugh! I have still been to busy to write a fleshed out detailed comment on the ACTUAL issue at hand. Regardless, I really think you should consider writing sequels to some stories you've localized. It seems to me that you've thought very hard about the concepts of each story you localize. I feel you could find creative ways to build and expand on elements from these stories and turn them into something that's your own. (Also Deb's comment got me wondering, Does IDW have the rights to use Launchpad?)
Why do goats make such good comic book writers?
PICK ONE:
*They think editors' notes are delicious.
*They know how to milk a joke.
*Their scripts are mohair-larious than others.
Wonderful, TCJ!
Ask and I shall receive… and I didn’t even have to “go-at” you to get this!
Clapton:
Of this you can be sure… I sure DO “think very hard about the concepts of each story I localize.”
And, I’d like to think that, in doing so, I *DO* turn them into something of my own. We probably wouldn’t be talking about “Captain Retro-Duck” and “Bad Goat Jokes”, if not.
Don’t really know about Launchpad. Licenses fall in different ways.
I will welcome your comments on “The Perfect Calm” , whenever they arrive. No rush.
What's the difference between a baby one-percenter and a goat? The baby only *thinks* the nanny is his mother.
WOW! This is working out even better than I’d hoped!
I think you’ve just “Trumped” an entire tribe of Mountain Goat Marauders with that one, Elaine! Marvelous!
If they keep rolling in like this, I’m gonna need a bigger “Mitt” to catch ‘em all!
Oh, wait… we’re doing “Bad Goat Jokes”, not “Bad One-Percenter” jokes! Gotta stay focused… Must “keep my eyes on the prize”… before a goat eats it! …Ah, that’s better! Just not “better” than Elaine’s joke!
What does Donald Trump and a billy goat have in common? They have the same hairdue!
And, from “The Perfect Calm” we go to “The Perfect Hybrid” of “Bad Goat Jokes” and “Bad One-Percenter Jokes”, with Clapton!
Gotta love the creativity ‘round here!
Bah—or rather, baa! When it comes to bad goat jokes, there's nothing I (tin-)can't do... when roused to angora that is! Butt in my effort to curry favor and not grow the beard too early, I'll have to ruminant over the possibilities awhile. Just call me the Man of Lamancha...
...Or, given your penchant for exotic and oddball edibles, perhaps we should call you “Man of La MUNCH-a”!
Can you all see how this guy and I collaborate so well? Gotta love it!
What did one goat say to the other goat?
Baaaa!
Goat-ta love bad goat jokes!
We sure love ‘em around here, Deb!
Just curious about the two goats… Did one of ‘em try to “horn in” on the other?
And, if a goat feels great, does he exclaim: “Top o’ th’ world, Maaaaa!”
Stay tuned (or whatever you do with a Blog), everyone, because tomorrow evening, Tuesday, August 25, I will reveal “the subtle thing I did with the Yetis".
Meanwhile, as of this comment posting, you still have a full night and day to keep guessing… and, of course, to continue contributing your “Bad Goat Jokes”! ...There's NO time limit on “Bad Goat Jokes”! So, keep 'em coming!
You gotta admit, the “Gold Key Comics Club” was never THIS much fun!
…Come to think of it, the “Gold Key Comics Club” wasn’t fun at all. It just annoyingly took up six pages from story content every issue. We’re MUCH BETTER than that!
The "Goat Key Comics Club" is even better—because once you're locked in, the goat swallows the key. Be careful, though... he'll eat your comics, too.
(I'm normal, ain't I?)
No, David… You’re not! But that’s very likely why we’re such great friends!
“Goat Key Comics Club”?! Why didn’t *I* think of that! …I’m so ashamed!
I must “goat" sit in the corner for a while and “chew" on the “iron-y” of finding myself on the "horns" of this dilemma!
Before de-"riding" the “Goat Key Comics Club” too much, I really should take into account that it was done strictly for the “kids”!
What do you get when a lady goat swallows an owl?
A Hootenanny!
Can't take credit for that one. It might possibly have come from the dreaded Gold Key Comics Club joke pages.
Here's one that's original...and really bad.
What is a goat's favorite soap opera?
"As the World Churns."
Scarecrow:
Did I mention “iron-y before? Imagine a joke once submitted to the “Gold Key Comics Club” ending up here! …You are an evil genius! :-)
And this thread has become WAY more fun than I’d ever imagined, all because of some guys that rode goats and made bad jokes! Keep ‘em coming!
Goat... That is all.
I guess you can’t go more minimalist than that, Clapton!
Mickey Mouse #3 will be out tomorrow, but according to the preview on comicbookresources it WON'T contain anything by Norman after all... WHY?! Also, according to the November solicitations we will have to wait AT LEAST until December for a new William Van Horn story... Again, why?!
Caballero:
As much as I dislike disappointing you, or anyone who comments on my Blog, I’m afraid these are questions I cannot answer.
As I always say: “I do not speak for IDW, or anyone in its employ”. At best, I can speak to the specific content that I create, or am otherwise involved with, or comment on the finished, published product as any reader would, as I am not a part of the editorial process.
So, my answer is… I dunno!
But, I suppose, if there is an answer to be had, you stand a chance of getting it right here… so stay tuned, and perhaps one will come your way.
As to that “subtle Yeti thing”, note when we first see the Yetis, that Yeti-speak is strictly limited to “Snurf! Snorf!”, and the like… and by the time the Ducks depart Casa Yeti, the Yeti’s are understandable. At least, as understandable as the early version of Scooby-Doo – or worse, Bubba Duck.
That “really subtitle thing” is that YOU, the readers, come to understand the Yetis, when they’re talking about a “tasty snack”… even BEFORE DONALD DOES, because Don is still in a state of non-consciousness at the time. So, you are not getting this through “his” filter, but your own!
And, once Donald achieves consciousness and begins conversing with the Yeti’s, the conversation is less intelligible to the readers at first (though Don completely comprehends it in their initial exchange) – but Yeti-speak becomes decidedly clearer for the READERS as the panels pass.
That is because, and I’ve hinted at it in my earlier responses to Elaine and Deb, by the mere act of reading / viewing the panels featuring the Yetis, each reader has (by that exposure) been given his or her own minor case of “The Perfect Calm”! Removed, of course, from Donald’s more severe case by the distance we readers maintain by being OUTSIDE the comic book!
The mere fact that you “felt good” while reading this story is not completely due to the talents of Cimino and Scarpa (or me), but because each of you were under the influence of “The Perfect Calm” yourselves! Whoooooo!
Needless to say, by this time, we have all reverted to our normal selves due to Don’s self-exile to Yeti-Ville – or maybe just us “closing the comic”. But, wasn’t it really cool to mass-participate in a comic book story, even if unknowingly?
And, hey… For all I know, unlike the comic characters, perhaps we CAN become temporarily re-infected just by reading the story again, simply because it’s so enjoyable!
…Whadda ya think, folks?
Joe and Caballero: Joe, you actually DO know (about the Norman story) Remember this comment by IDW's archival editor (and brilliant weirdo) David Gerstein. To quote the boss man : "...the "Norman" story in MICKEY #3 turns out to not be by Norman at all.
It is this one (with the title "Reform and Void" replacing the unofficial Inducks title). But while preparing it for print, I was taking with Norman and found—to my surprise—that he disclaimed credit for this and some other early 1990s daily strip stories. While he did write quite a few, he didn't write as many as Inducks claims he did; it seems Inducks got some wrong information long, long ago, shortly after the stories first appeared in newspapers. It should have been marked as uncertain info, and today would be; but in those early days of the Inducks, it was not.
We haven't updated the Inducks yet, but "Reform and Void" is really written by Colette Bezio, a freelance Disney strip writer with whom I talked at length about a month ago. Her comics career isn't generally chronicled, but she wrote more than a dozen 1990s Mickey continuities, scattered over several years of the strip. I'm proud to correct the record, and I think you'll enjoy "Reform and Void"—even if Norman's contributions have been... er, voided!" David, hope you don't mind me quoting you, I just figured you wouldn't want to repeat yourself.
You’re right about that, Clapton! My bad for forgetting!
See, one answer has come already!
Thanks for the thorough answer, Clapton! It's great to hear that it's one of those Mickey strips from the 90s, even if it's not by Norman. I'm looking forward to reading it!
I, too, am looking forward to it, Caballero, as it represents a truly “lost era” in Mickey’s comics history.
And, while I also thank Clapton for the reminder, I want to be certain that everyone knows he was quoting our Fearless Archival Editing Leader, David Gerstein, on this.
Hmmm...I really like the idea there, that the reader is coming under the influence of the Perfect Calm, and thus becoming able to understand the yetis' speech. It's really hard to get that across, though, especially when you're bouncing from reader's perspective to Donald's to reader's. As you can tell, I was just more mystified (why can we understand them now? why can't we understand them now?). It certainly didn't occur to me that HDL might just be hearing "snurf snorf" throughout the entire story. Am I understanding you right, that that's how you imagined it? Since they're immune to the Perfect Calm? I assumed that HDL were hearing the yetis' speech as we read it, on the pages depicting the wild goat chase. That's why it didn't make sense to me when Huey remarks that Donald received "a crash course in their lingo"--since the yetis' lingo seemed quite understandable at that point. I couldn't fit together the idea that Donald understands the yetis' speech only through enlightenment with the fact that the yetis' speech was mostly understandable on its own.
And once Donald wakes up on p. 17, we're not really getting stuff through his filter, since, as you point out, Donald understands the yetis completely in their initial exchange, which is incomprehensible to the reader. So whose filter are we using then? The kids'? Why don't we continue to understand the yetis in those panels? Maybe it would have made more sense in your scheme of reader-enlightenment to present that initial exchange in Yetishy English (English with lots of repeated letters and a few "rf" suffixes). And then to have the kids in the bottom panel of p. 17 indicate that they're just hearing incomprehensible Yetish. "What are they snurfing about?"
This still would have preserved your subtle point about reader-enlightenment, given that the reader would begin to understand Yetish while Donald was still unconscious.
Now I must go read my new Mickey Mouse and WDCS!
Well, I *did say* it was “subtle”, Elaine!
And you do indeed understand it as I imagined it.
HD&L are, as you say, “…hearing "snurf snorf" throughout the entire story”. Notice that never once do THEY have an actual exchange with the Yetis. It all filters through Donald. Yes, they say “Good Bye” and “Thanks…” as they leave – but that’s more in the vein of a universally understood type of communication, as is the Yeti response of “Soooooh-Lonnnggh!”. And the boys are just happy to get out because, despite Donald’s new state of being, they still feel the “Old Don” will inadvertently seep through and (as they say) “…tongue-slip them into a Yeti-War!”
The reason that “…Huey remarks that Donald received "a crash course in their lingo!” is precisely because they do not comprehend the “Yeti lingo” themselves - but Don is fully fluent in it.
The reason WE READERS are not privy to the Donald and Yeti exchange on page 17 is that OUR OWN dose of “The Perfect Calm” is not yet strong enough for full comprehension, due to our being “removed” from the story to the extent we are. We get a little something on Page 16, but our own understanding only increases as WE move on through the story.
So, only Don and the Yeti’s ACTUALLY know what was said on Page 17, but one might extrapolate that it had less to do with “Scooby-Doo” than it did with cooking, drying towels (one of which Mrs. Yeti uses to wave good-bye to the Ducks), and the Ski-Horned Goat chase. Clearly HD&L were not in on this, as it is Donald who must assure them that they are in no danger.
The boys’ remarks at the bottom of page 17 DO indicate a complete lack of comprehension, beyond that which they glean visually from Panel 6’s “chummy” shift in attitude – contrasted by the presence of the roasting spit. So, they still are unaware of what "What [they’re all] snurfing about?"
I liked the way this worked out. I hope all of you did too. Reader-enlightenment rules!
Yes, it's clear that HDL (like the reader) don't understand the exchange between Donald and the yetis on p. 17, and clear from the follow-up that it had to do with cooking, towels, goat chase et al. What wasn't clear to me as the reader is that HDL don't understand the yetis on pp. 18-19. True, they have no actual exchange with the yetis (perforce, since in the original the yetis speak only Yetish, by which I mean "ooga/snurf"). But it still wasn't clear that HDL weren't hearing what I was reading on the page. I do think that the reader needed a clearer demonstration of that--that once I could understand the yetis, I needed to be told that HDL didn't hear what I was reading. Huey's comment about the "crash course in their lingo" didn't communicate that to me--that HDL were only hearing "snurf snorf" instead of what I was reading. And that only the enlightened (now including the reader) understands the yetis.
My own suggestion of HDL saying "What are they snurfing about?" on the bottom panel of p. 17 would of course only work if Donald and the yetis were speaking Yetishy English (English with repeated letters etc., representing "Yetish as understandable to the enlightened") in their exchange, rather that Yetish (snurf snorf). As the story stands, the clearer indication that HDL are only hearing Yetish would have had to come on pp. 18-19.
In terms of the reader's understanding, it seems a bit strange to me that the reader gets what they're saying so clearly on p. 16 and then regresses to initial complete incomprehension on p. 17, because "our own dose of the Perfect Calm is not yet strong enough for full comprehension." Not a very smooth progression towards enlightenment--more a bouncing back and forth. That's why it seems to me that it would have made more sense in your scheme to have Donald and the yetis speaking Yetishy English on p. 17.
But it's quite possible that this will work for other readers, and that I was mystified because I have for years read this story in a version where the yetis are incomprehensible to the reader throughout, and clearly only comprehensible to Donald. My "expectation set" may have gotten in the way of getting your point. Any reactions from other readers, who encountered this story for the first time in IDW?
Elaine:
I liken the readers’ comprehension that occurred on Page 16, and the readers’ subsequent incomprehension of the exchange on Page 17 to “getting the gist” of a simple dialogue in a foreign language vs. a more complex one – which Donald had with the Yetis on Page 17.
Meaning, you can understand *something* in the simple dialogue, and nothing in the more complex one.
Besides, the readers *needed to know* the Yetis’ original intent of “tasty snacking”, before Donald’s “Yetian Intervention” for what follows to make sense. It was necessary to imbue the readers with just that much of the ability to comprehend Yeti-Speak. But, no more than that.
Though, I suppose HD&L COULD have more explicitly indicated they were hearing “Snurfs and Snorfs” throughout. However, because they failed to achieve “The Perfect Calm”, one might infer that they did not understand the Yetis – bolstered by the lack of any actual exchange between them. Yes, it was subtle, perhaps a tad too subtle. This was a product of being bound by the existing art and the balloons therein. And, within those constraints, I felt it was executed as well as it could possibly be. The fact that it hampered or stalled no one’s reading of the story, or was flagged at any editorial level, also speaks well for its execution.
In a way, you *may* have even been predisposed to see it differently, precisely because you experienced it in non-English forms prior to DD # 4. And, because I completely forgot about the GeoX Blog post, and translated it from scratch – completely cold, I may have seen it differently from your own interpretation.
Pages of “Ooga-Ooga” were not going to sit well with me, when I felt I had the freedom to have made it more interesting to the readers. The reader getting a small dose of “The Perfect Calm” was just my own “internal joke” to myself. And the kind of thing these Blog posts are made to share. No one need know that to enjoy the story.
As of this writing, you’ve seen any and all reaction to it.
I hadn't noticed the subtle gradual shift from incomprehensibility to almost clear speech by the Yetis until you pointed it out. It does make the story a bit more interesting than all "ooga ooga" or "snarf snorf" would have been, and it did help to clarify that the Yetis intended to make a meal of Donald's poor nephew. Apparently, they don't eat anything they can communicate with, as Donald's speaking to them in their own language seems to have kept all four of them from being invited to a duck dinner. ("You bring the ducks!" as Popeye's pal Wimpy would say!) Upon rereading it, if the story has a weakness, it is that it has so many plot points that feel a bit contrived, like the Perfect Calm seeming to be something people catch from Donald almost like a disease, Scrooge and his nephews being immune because they are related to Donald, and how it would even eventually wear off for Donald, too. The Yetis wanting to eat Donald's nephews but only chasing the ski-horned goat for sport is also a bit inconsistent. Little quirks like that seem to be typical of the Italian Disney comics, and in a way give them their own unique voice. You wouldn't confuse them for one of the cookie-cutter Egmont stories that often slavishly imitate Carl Barks' work, that's for sure!
Deb:
As I mentioned to Elaine, pages of “Ooga-Ooga” would not be something I’d care to read, and I’d imagine the same would apply to my readers. So, I set out to make it more lively and interesting. You seem to agree with that choice, and I thank you for that. But, neither you nor I have had this story previously ingrained as reading a certain way, as Elaine did - so results can (and do) vary. The reader being mildly exposed to “The Perfect Calm” was just something that occurred to me while writing that section, and I ran with it.
Now that I’ve thought more about Yeti-speak these past few days than I did at any time since preparing the script back in April and May, I realize now just how much their language (in its more “understandable state”) owes to the Tasmanian Devil. I didn’t specifically “think Taz” at the time, but that’s sorta what came out.
All such stories have their holes. Recall the major one I had to fix in “The Treasure of Marco Topo”, where all our heroes – including Brigitta and Trudy (if you can call Trudy a “hero”) were out-and-out celebrities in Italy. I’ve considered it part of my job to fix these, as they apply to the cultural and fannish background of the American audience for whom I am writing. It’s part of the fun for me – and, as you indicate, part of what makes these stories uniquely enjoyable.
And, try this one on for size… Maybe only the READERS (by the Yetis’ words) and the nephews (by the Yeti’s actions) interpreted intent to make a meal of the boys! Donald, once fully communicating with them, in that exchange we were not completely privy to, never seemed to feel that way. At least, once their dialogue began. …I’ll confess this thought comes only *now* – and was not a part of my original scripting intent.
And, again to everyone… Wasn’t it cool to have actually been a small part of a comic book story, however removed? I sure think so!
Honestly, the way the Yetis spoke reminded me more of Bubba Duck than Taz, which I don't mean as a bad thing. Bubba wasn't much as a continuing character, but his introductory story was a fun mini-series (except for that awful Bubba Duck song!). If we never saw him again after that, Bubba would have gone out on a high note. Bubba had a friendly-sounding voice, where Taz just sounds mean and stupid. The Yetis seemed like they were smarter and friendlier than Taz. I could almost hear Frank Welker reading the Yeti's lines in my head. You've suceeded in one thing with your localization...making me like the Yetis!
Yeah, you’re right, Deb! More Bubba than Taz! Though, when Taz HAD dialogue in the Gold Key DAFFY DUCK series, that was more what I was thinking of.
And, one more “Bad Goat Joke”, ‘cause I can’t resist…
Where does Bat-Goat fight crime?
In “Goat-Ham City’!”
72 COMMENTS? WAK!!! Well, this is like walking into a cocktail party while everyone's about 4-5 drinks in! The crowd is mysteriously "Snarfa-Snorfing," Deb's changing her name, and goat jokes are flying!
Up until this evening had anyone asked if I'd read Donald Duck #4, my reply would have been "Not yeti." Glad to say I now have read it, and it's another satisfying read from IDW! To date, each issue of the four titles have featured a great variety of stories from different eras, giving the books a welcome sense of texture.
What could be a pretty silly story if told through an apathetic dialogue artist (or worse, auto-translate!) "The Perfect Calm" starts to gel quite nicely by the time Scrooge exploits his nephew's newfound inner peace. In fact, this yarn would have been pretty easy fodder for a DuckTales episode, with very minor tweaks. Those ski-horned sledding goats have a look as though they were designed for WDTVA at the time.
The British gag by Haughton is a nice palette cleanser, with some sharp art of that early era—these pages are wonderful in that it is content we'd otherwise never really have the opportunity to see. Another treat was to find Ludwig Von Drake on a cover AND inside the book, well-depicted by Paul Murry! Thrilled to hear David's news that we'll see more of the Professor down the line.
I've yet to make the annual sojourn to Disneyland—when I do, I'll keep an eye open for any comic book news or related merchandise. I do know that the Animation Galleries in both California parks have been selling issues of the "Disney Kingdoms" comics by Marvel such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Figment, but no word on the "Core Four" books or if they will carry the trade paperback editions of the IDW books when those begin circulating.
As for the goat jokes, I'll let William Conrad handle this... "Stay tuned for Dan's next TIAH comment, titled: Goat Set a Watchman or Savings That Can't be Bleat!"
Now, make that 74 COMMENTS, Dan! …And ”WAK!” right back!
Hard to believe that quiet, modest, mild-mannered, and unassuming me could host such an out-of-control “cocktail party”, with commenters hanging from the chandeliers and “Bad Goat Jokes” flowing like water from a firehose opened full! Why, at any moment, I’m expecting Frank, Dean, and Sammy to show up! And, why not, as those Yetis look as if they were once in a “rat pack” themselves!
Seriously, I’m overjoyed at the nature of the discussions we have around here – and the out-and-out FUN had by all who visit and participate. I sure never envisioned this sort of reaction when I started my Blog SEVEN YEARS AGO, this past August 14! I hope IDW gets from this some sense of how much so many of us enjoy what they’ve been doing – and that they “keep this course” for a very long time to come!
I’m equally gratified to find how much this particular story’s dialogue is enjoyed by the readers of DONALD DUCK # 4, as this is my first full-translation from a story’s native language. A situation that will be the norm going forward.
An unimagined by-product of this situation is the notion of “Bad Goat Jokes”, as a non-editorially-initiated effort on my part to soften what looked to be a politically sensitive aspect of this otherwise wonderful story. It was sort of born of the bit in FREAKAZOID! where the family of Freakazoid’s alter-ego Dexter Douglas were tortured at the hands of Communist dictators by being forced to comedy specials starring Marty Ingles, in the episode “Mission: Freakazoid”!
And, just LOOK at where those “Bad Goat Jokes” have gone to from there, up to and including invoking Rocky and Bullwinkle’s great narrator William Conrad, courtesy of you, Dan!
>Choke!< Sorta, “goats” you right here, doesn’t it!
...Or, to paraphrase that memorable line from “Jaws”, to contain all this great humor and high spirit, “You’re gonna need a bigger Goat”!
Oh, wait... 75 COMMENTS now!
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