In 1942, Western Publishing began creating original comic-book stories about Donald and other Disney characters. Bob Karp worked on the earliest of these, a story called Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold. The script was by Karp and illustrated by Carl Barks and Jack Hannah. This story introduced the comic book personalities of Donald Duck and his nephews. The storyline was originally developed for a Mickey Mouse feature cartoon in which Mickey, Donald, and Goofy meet Yellow Beak and encounter Pete, but the cartoon was never produced. Barks would later repeat the treasure-hunting theme in many more stories.
Barks soon took over the major development of the comic-book version of the duck as both writer and illustrator. Under his pen, the comic version of Donald diverged even further from his animated counterpart, becoming more adventurous, less temperamental, and more eloquent. Black Pete was the only other major character from the Mickey Mouse comic strip to feature in Barks' new Donald Duck universe.
Based on the cover of the first Disney comic book to feature original story and art created expressly for the comic book medium, the Walt Disney Classics Collection releases the first release in it's new series, Classic Comics Series. The debut sculpture features Donald Duck & Yellow Beak and is Limited to Production Year 2008. Pirate Gold is sculpted by Bruce Lau.
Have never been a comic book fan, but I think I will love this series!
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember Yellow Beak from my childhood, so I think he's really neat on this piece. I love Donald's reaction.
Also love the way this continues a bit of a pirate theme for the WDCC.
As mentioned in an earlier entry, I Love! Love! Love! this piece.
ReplyDeleteAm a bit or a purist, wasn't happy when they drifted in the Holiday Princess Series and even into the Theme Park related stuff so not sure if this series will be my cup of tea but have NO complaints on the initial release and like you Matthew, glad to see the Pirate Theme carrying over.
I love this piece. Don, I knew you would. I think that Bruce did a fantastic job. Glad to see a new series.
ReplyDeleteThink this one ranks my favorite of the 2nd qtr releases (Peg doesn't count as she's technically a 3rd qtr piece).
ReplyDeleteI am a Disney Comic Book fan, so loving this new series inclusion in WDCC. Had hoped to see more following the Carl Barks Scrooge tribute piece, so looking forward to future releases in this series.
Hoping a recreation of the Comic Book cover and/or the original story accompanies the release, such as how Scrooge came with a mini-litho showing the Barks scene that inspired it.
The jury's still out on this series for me but we'll see. I do like this piece though. I like seeing the shorts represented but its been a year now since we've seen a new series added from the full featured movies. There are sooo many that can still be done. That was what really attracted me to WDCC initially and I hope they don't lose sight of that.
ReplyDeleteHi Geoffrey,
ReplyDeleteAs posted earlier, not sure my feelings on this series overall, thought the initial release won me over :) Will keep an open mind to future releases and happy for those collectors into this genre.
Never followed the Disney comics. When it came to comics, give me Batman and Justice League.
Any suggestions for series you like either to see done or return in addition to the Tribute Series?
Actually Don. The biggest disappointment for me is the missing holiday series pieces. Even though they were different series' but there has almost always been a holiday pieces added to the collection. I really missed not having a holiday piece in 2007
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on that Matthew. Loved the holiday card series and I was sad to see it go. I hope that the series will one day make another appearance.
ReplyDeleteGeoffrey - Hoping our discussion on the Cafe about revisiting Mickey's Christmas Carol won't go unnoticed. This is the perfect vehicle (at least in my opinion) for another Holiday Series.
ReplyDeleteJeff - The Holiday Card Series is one I'd like to see return. If nothing else, to do the card featured in Sketches that showed the Matterhorn and some of the Disney characters sledding by in tobogans. I seem to recall Pinocchio and Jose Carioca.
Don I hope you are right that they will take notice. There are so many opportunities for other Holiday pieces. Its really too bad that the Holiday Card Series didn't do well. I loved them as well Jeff.
ReplyDeleteIt like they stop everything too soon. Just like the princess ones. Finish out what was started. They need to add Ariel and Jasmine to the set as well. Make them limited editions of 500-750 if they didn't do well. I'm sure they would sell out at those numbers. One can only hope I guess huh!
This piece will go great with my Mike Kupka Pirate Donald 2D that I have.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you Don, this is a fun piece.