One of the things I love most about indexing comic books for the GRAND COMIC DATABASE (GCD) is the optional assignation of "Unofficial Titles" to untitled stories and covers. My unofficial title for the cover of DINKY DUCK #8 (St. John Comics, Cover Date: February, 1954) is... (wait for it...)
"Schematic for a Good Ski-Medic"
There's a title even *I'm* impressed by :-) I also LOVE this cover! Perfectly capturing the characters of obnoxious egotist Rudy Rooster, and his overly-loyal and faithful pup Dinky Duck.
A similar Carl Barks cover had HD&L "standing-by" with a med-kit as Donald was about to ski, but Dinky actually going down the mountain AFTER Rudy, shows his (oft-misplaced) concern AND much better carries the gag!
Of course, it could (...and probably SHOULD) be said that, as good Junior Woodchucks, you'd expect the Duck boys to take the more sensible approach!
2 comments:
Oh, that is indeed a marvelous title!
I agree that the Dinky Duck composition is more dynamic and therefore punchier, although I do like the more psychological angle Barks goes for; the contrast between HD&L's slightly-over-earnest smiles and Donald's wary frown is brilliant. One imagines that the triplets aren't really anticipating having to actually patch up their uncle, but rather, engaging in a bit of psychological warfare, making sure he notices that they've already got the medical kit ready in the hopes of dissuading him from trying at all.
Achille:
Sorry for the long wait to publish this comment, but it was “lost” among NINE other spam comments… which is the vast majority of what this once-robust Blog receives these days. I don’t know why so much of the fun activity we used to have here has gone away, but it has me seriously considering ending the thing for good. If you (or anyone else) have sensed a lack of enthusiasm ‘round here as of late, this is why! Should I bring things to a close, I’ll announce it – but I’m definitely leaning in this direction.
Now to your very welcome comments:
That’s actually a great point about HD&L resorting to “psychological warfare” to dissuade Donald from probably injury! That is a sign of just how much Barks “evolved” the nephews from their early strip and screen appearances! …And just another reason we should all be thankful that Carl Barks and Donald Duck crossed paths when they did!
And the Dinky Duck cover is just as perfect in illustrating the comic-book dynamic of Dinky and Rudy!
One of the “too-long-buried” treasures I’ve discovered in recent years are the Terrytoons character comics published by St. John! They are really very well done, as seen in my posts about them here! Just as the Disney comics are better than the Disney animated shorts, so it is with the St. John comics and their Terrytoons animated counterparts! …Just remember, not all Terrytoons comics are as good as the St. Johns. I’d even have to include most of them from Dell and Gold Key, much less “other” publishers!
And, in my book, if you’re better than Dell and Gold Key at any licensed property, that’s REALLY something! I'm not sure I can think of another such case!
Oh, and thanks for the compliment on my Dinky title! One of my most favorite things about doing indexing for GCD is that, if a story, cover, etc. has no official title, you can optionally make one up – though it must be contained in brackets, designating it as unofficial. I never miss a chance at one of those! Keeps the creative juices flowing! :-)
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