Sorry to have been away for such a long time... home remodeling construction, reorganizing the house - and especially Dana Gabbard's premature passing - have taken quite a bit out of me. So, I say to those of you who have stuck with me through this draining period, let's resume with something unusual!
This is the back cover of my copy of WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES #185 (Dell Comics, Cover Date: February, 1956)... Notice anything unusual?
No? Okay, let's dolly-in a little closer...
Yeah, it's just what it looks like... Mickey Mouse (uncharacteristically cheerful, I might add) preparing to cross the River Styx and meet the Devil head-on (...or would that be HORN-head-on), before a wall of hellfire!
Given a bit more "contrast" for better viewing!
Now, I'll admit to having some "pretty far out there" thoughts when I was a kid - and, in a quiet moment, when my guard's down, I'll admit to still having a few as a (decidedly) young senior citizen... but I'd sure like to meet the kid who self-enhanced his or her copy of WDC&S #185 with THIS particular adornment!
...On second thought, perhaps not!
I sometimes write about the "GHOSTS" that inhabit the older, pre-owned issues in my comic collection... but this one not only comes with a "ghost", but a devil to boot!
Scary, eh?
11 comments:
Well, to be fair, he did draw in an angel, too. Which I suppose would explain why Mickey's smiling. He knows that in his upcoming battle with devils and bears, he's not alone.
And what's that in Mickey's hand? A ticket for the ferry?
And you're SURE it didn't come that way? Maybe someone didn't keep an eye on his kid at the printing plant!
Could be, JoeC!
After all, anything can happen in Poughkeepsie…
…Or, what happens in Poughkeepsie doesn’t always stay in Poughkeepsie…
…Or, just try saying “Precocious Kid at Poughkeepsie Printing Plant” ten times fast…
…Or, somethin’.
Sergio:
Yeah, I think Mickey would have no problem with the bear… but, with the devil, even HE would need reinforcements!
Elaine:
You write: “And what's that in Mickey's hand? A ticket for the ferry?”
Of course! You don’t think Mickey would cross the River Styx, and not “pay the ferryman”!
To quickly digress, some folks really think it’s horrible to find “little enhancements” like this added to old comics, but I think it’s sorta fun – unless it becomes TOO INTRUSIVE. Then, you just get a better copy, as I did HERE!
Or HERE!
…And, even in these examples, it was fun! I didn’t even get another copy of that second one!
Mickey’s not afraid of the Devil…he’s already been through the Inferno in the Italian comics already.
Hmm. Perhaps the kid had heard of the ever-legendary "Mickey's Inferno" and wanted to pretend they owned a copy of *that* issue? Besides, between that and him sharing “Fantasia” with Chernabog, it's not as though Mickey meeting the Devil is entirely unheard-of, odd as it seems!
Deb and Achille:
I was considering bringing up "Mickey's Inferno" as a possible "inspiration" for the (presumed) kid, but figured how could an (again presumed) American kid possibly have heard of an Italian story from 1949 - especially back in the late 1950s, when such things were TRULY unknown?
Even *I* didn't know there were Italian Disney comics until at least the early-mid 1970s, and I've made a life's work of this type of scholarship!
...Maybe the (thrice-presumed) kid had an Italian cousin, or sumpthin'!
Slightly OT but why do many people often confuse Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts comic strip with Bud Fisher’s Mutt and Jeff comic strip? I never really understood that, despite the fact King Features Syndicate owns both comics.
Frankly, I have no idea why that might be… and never even knew that it was!
As a near-lifelong Mutt and Jeff fan, and having only occasionally seen Mutts, neither the graphic styles nor the types of humor are anything alike.
Going way out on the proverbial limb, “MUTT (and Jeff)” and “MUTTS” have similar names – and there are two “main buddy characters” in each strip. “Mooch the Cat”, also looking like a variation of Desdemona (aka “Cicero’s Cat”) from the Mutt and Jeff strip, could possibly add another layer of confusion… But, if true, you’ve really got me!
Maybe it’s all just one great big conspiracy theory pushed by that devil Mickey is going to soundly defeat! :-)
Post a Comment