Funnies Talkback: Mickey Mouse & Friends #267

[Thad]

Mickey Mouse and Friends 267 resumes the excitement in a less scientific, more horrific manner. Mickey is forcibly adopted by a dotty old lady who's convinced that he's her runaway son. Making matters worse, Mick learns that the old lady's real son is a werewolf! Our mouse must save himself from the ferocious beast, but the only help he's got is-- Pluto! "Mother Knows Best" is brought to you by Swedish writer/artist Peter Härdfeldt, whose classic Big Bad Wolf stories may have inspired him to this monstrous lupine offshoot.

Another kind of offshoot is found in "The Goofy Dynasty," by writer Stefan Petrucha (The X-Files). Tycoon Mabel Gofasty considers making Goofy her heir and sets out to test his upper-class manners and business skills. Klutz that he is, Goofy doesn't exactly pass the tests. But even worse, the tycoon has another heir-- who wants Goofy out of the picture, and will stop at nothing to get him there! A short Donald Duck gag story wraps the book.


So what did everyone think of this issue? Don't think that because I premote the Gemstones on my website that you have to be biased positively.....


-Thad

[rodney]

I haven't actually read the issue yet, I probably will this weekend, but I wanted to mention that I wouldn't complain if Gemstone never printed a cover by Tello again. His Mickey is hideous.

[Thad]

The lead Mickey story was certainly interesting, but not the greatest thing ever. I don't mind sci-fi/horror stories to this degree (werewolves, etc.), but Gemstone has been printing them much too often, and hopefully no more "Shambor" stories show up (I don't know about you, but I'm reminded of "Lordo f the Rings" and "Dungeons & Dragons" when I read those...).

I thought the Goofy story was good, Petrucha is a pretty decent writer, I've liked the other stories I've seen by him.

I know I can't wait to see the early Murry stories Gemstone is going to publish starting in October (since those are the closest we're going to get as far as Gottfredson goes... for now...). But, Rodney, you're right... Those Mickey covers ARE hideous... Here's this month's for anyone interested...

http://funnies.goldenagecartoons.com/mickey267.jpg


-Thad

[Cartoon King]

For some reason I just can't really get into the newer crop of Mickey stories. I for one am glad to hear that they will be reprinting early Murry stories. :mickey: His work was serialized in WDC&S and often spanned several issues per story. I have purchased some random back issues of WDC&S off Ebay, but only have a couple of complete stories. It's no fun reading "Return of the Phantom Blot" Part Three, not knowing what comes in the before and after chapters. But what I have read of his work, I find it much more digestible than the newer stuff. (Kind of like comparing Chuck Jones "Fast and Furry-ous" to the "Whizzard of Ow".

The Goofy story was fairly good, but I was more pleased with the Donald Duck story, "Survival". It was actually pretty funny at times. :donald:

I also agree with Rodney about the cover.

[Thad]

I never could get into the Murry stories at all really, they're really the 'skipper' in WDC&S for me, along with Bucky Bug (same with Mary Jane & Sniffles in LT&MM and Tito & Burrito in REAL SCREEN). I think the problem is that Mickey is characterized all wrong, putting him in what I like to call the "Andy Panda Story", which can use any two characters. Gottfredson's Mickey had real personality and was likeable and interesting, a trait not even found in the actual cartoons after 1938 or so.


-Thad

[rodney]

Good Donald story in this one. Easily the best story in the book. The Mickey story was okay, but could've been fleshed out a little more. Mystery stories with no mystery aren't so great, and seem to be a staple of the Gemstone lineup lately, but I'm confident that all that will be changing in October. The Goofy story was alright. Nothing special in my mind.