Friday 29 October 2010

SPECTACLED BIG BAD WOLF (1945)


Recently, I've began reading the earliest 'Li'l Wolf' comics in Walt Disney's Comics & Stories in chronological order. I was surprised to see the Big Bad Wolf in spectacles in one occasion, while reading a newspaper, in the first installement (no. 52, dated Jan. 1945). I am not sure if he was ever again portrayed wearing eyeglasses.
In any case, this story sets the pattern of the relation between the Big Bad Wolf and his son as the father urges him to be a 'bad wolf' just like himself rather than the benevolent kid the Li'l Wolf is. For this end, in this first story, he forces him to catch small forest animals for food. The ending is however somewhat unsatisfactory as the Big Bad Wolf himself is caught in a trap set up by Li'l Wolf and his forest friends and is oblidged to promise not to force his son to become a bad wolf. The three little pigs are nowhere to be seen in neither this story nor the next one in no. 53.
The first 13 'Li'l Wolf' comics in WDC&S were by Carl Buettner.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

CHRISTMAS DECORATION LIGHTS WITH BIG BAD WOLF AND HIS SONS


This colorful christmas decoration lights set featuring characters from Disney's 'Silly Symphony' cartoon series was recently sold on ebay for 41 US dlrs. Note that the Big Bad Wolf's sons from the cartoon short Three Little Wolves (1936) are also featured.

Other characters featured include Elmer Elephant and Robber Kitten.

Besides this lights set, the same company also marketed a set of bells with a similar cast of characters:

Tuesday 26 October 2010

THREE LITTLE PIGS REDRAWN AS BEAR CUBS ON TURKISH COVER FROM 1936


Above photo is of the cover of no. 79 (dated May 21st, 1936) of Turkish children's magazine Afacan. The cover illustration originates from the cover of no. 13 (dated May 2nd, 1936) of Britain's Mickey Mouse Weekly (see below), but has been partially modified with the Three Little Pigs redrawn as bear cubs in an apparent self-censorship to appease Islamic sensibilities.

Nevertheless, the three little pigs would regularly be featured in Turkish Disney comics from early 1950s onwards.

Thursday 7 October 2010

BIG BAD WOLF ON THE COVER OF MMW ANNIVERSARY ISSUE (1957)


Above image is of the cover of no. 874 (dated Feb. 9th, 1957) of Britain's Mickey Mouse Weekly. The "birthday" referred to in the illustration is not actually of Mickey Mouse himself but of MMW.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

BIG BAD WOLF GAG ON THE COVER OF MMW (1940)


Above scan is of a detail featuring a British-made Big Bad Wolg gag from the cover of no. 234 (dated July 27th, 1940) of Britain's Mickey Mouse Weekly. Below is the full picture of the cover: