Posted by Arthur in Interesting Links
In a recent post on his Prehistoric Pop Culture Blog, David Gerstein talks about the first appearance of Fethry Duck, Donald’s cousin and “Duckburg’s most highly motivated citizen”. The character was created by Dick Kinney and artist Al Hubbard for a 1964 story titled “The Health Nut” (still available here) and David has published some rare sketches that Kinney created for the story. The artwork was discovered several years ago in a previously lost box at the Disney studios. More »
May 10th 2009 | 11:38 pm CET |
Posted by Arthur in Germany, New Titles
Ehapa, publisher of Disney comics in Germany, has recently announced that it is planning to launch an English version of its hugely popular Lustiges Taschenbuch. The 256-page books feature 3-tier Italian and Danish Disney comic stories starring Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Not much is known about the new English title, but the chief editor wrote in a German forum this week that the English version of the pocket books will launch on July 1st and will contain only stories that have already previously been published in Germany. More »
May 2nd 2009 | 7:37 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in United States
Today, May 2nd, is Free Comic Book Day in the United States. Unfortunately no entry from Gemstone Publishing this year, but there is one other Disney comic: Disney/Pixar’s Cars #1, the first issue in BOOM! Studios’ new line of Disney/Pixar-based comics. The free comic includes an exciting excerpt from Cars #1, revealing the plucky origin of Lightning McQueen! In addition, readers will be treated to never-before-seen sketches, character designs and script pages! Visit freecomicbookday.com to find a participating store near you! More »
May 2nd 2009 | 3:13 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in Don Rosa, Interviews
Frank Stajano has the fifth part of his interview with Don Rosa on his Comics Podcast website. In this part Don Rosa talks about the twelve beautiful posters he did for Scrooge’s 60th anniversary in 2008. Each poster depicts a part of Scrooge’s life with scenes from some of Rosa’s favorite Barks stories. You can read the interview or listen to the podcast. Be sure to also check out the other parts of the interview: 4, 3, 2 and 1.
April 27th 2009 | 10:16 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in India, New Titles
Disney Publishing Worldwide has announced a licensing agreement with Indian publisher Junior Diamond to publish Disney comic books in India. Two new titles are scheduled to launch this month: Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse will each be available in English and Hindi and the publisher is planning additional versions in regional languages for the south India market. The 32-page monthly comic books, which will sell for Rs. 25 (approximately US$ 0.50) will each have a printrun of 50,000 copies. More »
April 17th 2009 | 11:29 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in Anniversaries, Italy
Italian weekly magazine Topolino (Mickey Mouse) is celebrating its 60th birthday this week. A ‘Topolino’ title has actually been around since 1932 (Topolino Giornale), but the book format as we know it today was started in April 1949. The magazine, still loved by children and adults and found anywhere in Italy where magazines are sold, maintains its market leadership with original comic stories and themed editorials. In recent years summer specials have sometimes driven up sales of the weekly comic to over one million copies. More »
April 7th 2009 | 8:43 pm CET |
Posted by Arthur in Carl Barks
In a story that has Disney comics fans around the world buzzing with excitement, a collector in Italy has uncovered what he believes is the original artwork of Carl Barks’ lost Golden Apples story from 1952. Olaf S. Pirlo, a life-long collector and afficianado of Disney comics, in particular the art of famous Disney artist Carl Barks, was able to obtain several boxes with archived material from the offices of Western Publishing in California, for which Barks worked for three decades. The Golden Apples story is to be published in a special collector’s book in Italy this summer and is expected to be picked up by other Disney publishers across Europe later in the year. More »
April 1st 2009 | 3:13 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in Disney comics, United States
Two days ago I posted that Gemstone ended it’s Disney license, but it looks like no final decision regarding Gemstone’s Disney comics has been reached after all. The following statement from Steve Geppi, President of Gemstone, was posted in their Scoop newsletter yesterday:
“In the past few days, there have been a number of rumors circulating about Gemstone Publishing. As has been the case with many businesses across a wide array of industries, there has been a reduction in staff at Gemstone, and this included the departure of many valued employees. This, however, is not the end of Gemstone Publishing.”
“Our flagship title, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, remains a vital tool for comic book collectors throughout North America and around the world and it continues to be a highly profitable item for the retailers who carry it. I look forward to making announcements regarding new developments for the Guide’s 40th anniversary next year.”
“At this time, no final decision has been made regarding The EC Archives or our comic books featuring Disney’s standard characters, but it seems certain that both lines will continue in some form. We all anticipate resolving the issues facing us and moving forward, and I will be happy to announce the specifics once things have been finalized.”
More »
March 31st 2009 | 1:45 pm CET |
Posted by Arthur in Disney comics, Events, United States
It looks like Gemstone Publishing will no longer be making any new Disney comics in the United States. The news comes after it was revealed last month that owner Steve Geppi is facing financial problems. Gary Leach, who has been doing art and editorial work for US Disney comics for over two decades, reported on the DCML yesterday that “Gemstone is not renewing the Disney comics license, and won’t be putting out any more issues”. This sad news means the end of Disney comics in the United States, at least those with classic Disney characters like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Gary added that “Disney is looking for someone else to take the license” and he believes that they do have some candidates, although nothing is nailed down at this point.
More »
March 29th 2009 | 1:37 am CET |
Posted by Arthur in Disney comics
D23, Disney’s new community for fans, has daily comic strips with Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Scamp on their website.
Head on over to http://d23.disney.go.com/comics.html to view today’s comics. It would be great if they could add an archive and RSS feed, but this is a good start.
March 13th 2009 | 3:33 pm CET |
Update: In 
