Unlike their Disney counterparts, the personalities of Warner Brothers’ cartoon crew tended to flatten a bit in the pages of Western’s Dell Comics. Never flat, though, was the beautiful comic book art. The following two stories from Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies No. 82, August 1948 were certainly done by artists that knew their business. They simply weren't capable of drawing a character, no matter how peripheral, that lacked good design – moonlighting Warner animators?
Okay, Mykal, confess ! You bought this comic while sleep-shopping ! You blog posts at all hours of the day and night, just like Elmer Fudd used to ! Was this gag strip what inspired Mr. Magoo ? I agree that animators drew this Looney Tunes comic; it really resembles art from any one of Bud Clampett's Bugs Bunny episodes. And that cover (fingers smacking lips) PURE AMERICANA !
ReplyDeleteLesdexicuss: What? Whose that? Dude, you woke me up! I was catching a catnap. Welp, back to blogging. Hey! How did that post get there? -- Mykal
ReplyDeletePS: Those Looney Tune Merrie Melodies covers were nearly always astonishing! -- Myka . . . ZZZZzzzzz . . .
This is beeeeyoootiful artwork. seems like in the comics, more times than not, Bugs always came out the loser as apposed to the cartoons where he won every time.
ReplyDeleteKW: Yeah, in the comics, he was just an aggresive bumbler more often than not, always getting into trouble, sometimes winning, sometimes not. Gone was the smart-aleck wise guy that would wink at the audiance. The artwork was always mighty fine, though. -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteYeah in some of the '40 stories, Bugs is the aggressive bumbler but gradually, the Chuck Jones version became more prominent. That's the version in which, to quote Chuck, Bugs is a "counterrevolutionary"--he's victimized and then gets even with the one who victimized him. By 1950, we see more of the smart-aleck wise guy winking at the audience. A good example is is the Bugs Bunny story in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies #135.
DeleteShade: I'd forgotten about that early cartoon bugs, pre 1950s. Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteYou're welcome, Mykal. Since most of these posts are 3 years old, I didn't expect to get a quick response to my comment. If you can, please check out Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies #135. It also includes a Bugs Bunny half page gag strip.
Deletebugs the boxer is awesome. i love that brut that he is fighting what a great character!
ReplyDeleteBrad: Love the new avatar!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that boxer was based on a Chuck Jones cartoon character called The Crusher, which appeared the same year as this comic, in a cartoon called "Rabbit Punch." Great drawing and design in the comic. I love the way the character stays consistant throughout, from any angle. -- Mykal
The Looney Tunes gang of characters is among my favorite animated properties, in many ways superior to Disney stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut, am I the only one who is seeing the "white box" effect on some bloggers sites.
I've noticed it inplace on several of your blogs lately, Mykal and over at Ten Cent Dreams for instance.
It's like some pages are not comign through and a white space appears instead.
Chuck: I haven't noticed it on my pages or Ten Cent Dreams, but it certainly is a concern. Which pages specifically on my blog or at Ten Cent Dreams do you see it happening? Thanks, Chuck, for letting me know. -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteNo hint of it today, Mykal! Perhaps it was a temporary snafu isloated on my end.
ReplyDeleteWeird!
Thanks, Chuck, for leting me know. -- Mykal
ReplyDeletesometimes if you see the White Box, you can just hit refresh and it'll skeedaddle.
ReplyDeleteI dunno if it is a good idea. but i was thinking to have a real movie of elmer fudd played by dann florek who currently acting in law and order svu. he has the same looks as elmer. jus think abt tht and anyone knows any hollywood directors u can pass on the idea
ReplyDelete