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Hey Disney Afternoon fans! Boy do we have a treat for you. D23 uncovered the mother lode of TaleSpin concept, line, title card, and background art in the Disney Television Animation archives. Enjoy the beautiful depiction of an artist’s imagining of the cockpit of the Sea Duck and the cold interior of Shere Kahn’s office. Those and the beautiful line art of our dear “Papa Bear” and Kit, plus the many colorful backgrounds,
show off the artistry that brought one of our favorite Disney Afternoon shows to life.
Donald Duck’s Comic Debut Paperinik il diabolico vendicatore (The Diabolical Duck Avenger), Italian Topolino 706 (1969)
“Everybody’s always picking on me! But they really admire Duck Avenger!” —Donald Duck
The Lowdown
Every sweepstakes addict has his day. Donald’s came when he “won” Villa Rose, a mansion once owned by a “modern-day Robin Hood.” Donald found this vigilante’s hi-tech gadgets in the basement—and used them to become a super-selfish superhero! “Duck Avenger” has been busting crooks ever since… but also getting even with Donald’s personal pet peeve.
Duck Avenger’s existential dilemma. From Legacy (2005; version from US advertising, 2006); story by Andreas Pihl, art by Mårdon Smet.
The Gimmicks
Alas, Gladstone isn’t just a lucky pest. He’s also the true winner of the deed to Villa Rose! If he ever learns Duck Avenger’s true identity, he could claim all the super-gear and bust Donald bad.
So Donald has to conceal his hero’s duty! Even Donald’s nephews and Daisy are kept in the dark. Only inventor Gyro Gearloose knows the score… and helps humanity by helping Donald with his tech!
Donald first gets used to his vigilante gear in Paperinik il diabolico vendicatore (The Diabolical Duck Avenger, 1969); story by Elisa Penna and Guido Martina, art by Giovan Battista Carpi.
The Creators
Duck Avenger was birthed by Italian editor Elisa Penna, writer Guido Martina, and artist Giovan Battista Carpi—all of whom got sick of seeing Donald as a loser. Yet… forced to hide his I.D., Donald still can’t exactly win.
Duck Avenger versus the Evronians on the cover of PK: Paperinik New Adventures 00 (1996); art by Marco Ghiglione.
The Family
Classic Duck Avenger stories feature classic foes like the Beagle Boys—and friends like Super Daisy (guess who… though Donald can’t!)
A 1990s “New Adventures” sub-series teams Duck Avenger with One, a sentient supercomputer in Ducklair Tower. Enemies include the alien Evronians and Angus Fangus, a tough newsman who’s sure Duck Avenger is a crook!
Daisy takes her lumps becoming a hero, too. From Paperinika e il filo di Arianna (Super Daisy and Ariadne’s Thread, 1973); story by Guido Martina, art by Giorgio Cavazzano.
The Bloopers
While most U.S. Disney comics call Duck Avenger by that name, a few have used his British name of “Superduck”—and one video game called him “Platyrhynchos Kineticus,” or PK for short (because Duck Avenger’s Italian name is Paperinik).
Debut The Man of Tomorrow serial; Mickey Mouse daily strip (September 26, 1947)
“I see where your primitive pmind might have ptrouble with the idea!” —Eega Beeva
The Lowdown
Exploring a cavern in 2447 Mouseton, eccentric tech guru Pittisborum Psercy Pystachi Pseter Psersimmon Plummer-Push stumbled through a time warp into Mickey’s era. Our hero couldn’t pronounce this futuristic human’s name so he called his eager new friend Eega Beeva. What else would you name a feisty little guy who sleeps on bedposts instead of beds… and puts a “p” in front of every noun—pardon, “pnoun”—in his sentences?
This sketch for an aborted 1947 ad campaign tried to tie Eega’s debut into Mickey’s 20th anniversary—forgetting that Mickey was born in 1928, not 1927!
The Gimmicks
Eega loves his exotic pet: the dog/cat crossbreed Pflip the Thnuckle-Booh. He loves showing off the “magic pocket” in his smock, capable of carrying anything! But Eega hates the fact that like all future folks, he must eat kumquats to survive (!)—and he hates greed so much that he’s allergic to money.
Eega Beeva invents the “Atombrella” (1949)—a personal defense against atom bombs… and anything else! Story by Bill Walsh, art by Floyd Gottfredson.
The Creators
Eega was birthed by Mickey Mouse strip team Bill Walsh (writer) and Floyd Gottfredson (artist), who kept our time-traveler timely until 1950. Eega’s “future” was left for others to carry on.
We all have our favorite foods, but with Eega it’s an obsession! From The Incredible Black Comet (1962); story by Roberto Catalano, art by Romano Scarpa and Rodolfo Cimino.
The Bloopers
Eega Beeva is extra-popular in Italy, where local Disney comics mistakenly claimed he came from 2000, not 2447—and that he was an alien from outer space. He’s 100 percent human… unlucky for us!
Eega’s pet Thnuckle-Booh Pflip turns red when he senses danger. From “Coming Up Short” (2004); story by Stefan Petrucha, art by Francisco Rodriguez.
Jack Sparrow costume worn by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, an exhibition which encompasses nearly 300 artifacts from nine decades of Disney history, at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) from October 16, 2013 (the actual 90th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company) through May 4, 2014.
Presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives showcases the creative accomplishments and innovations of one of Chicago’s native sons, Walt Disney, and the ongoing legacy of the company that bears his name. From Mickey Mouse to Mary Poppins to Captain Jack Sparrow, the exhibition features many artifacts that have not been widely seen by the public—including drawings; props; costumes; artwork from classic Disney animation, theme park attractions, TV shows and live action films; plus items from contemporary Disney milestones.
Disneyland ticket No. 1 purchased by Roy O. Disney.
“The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives showcases the creativity and innovation that has defined Disney for 90 years,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re proud of this heritage, and we are very pleased to share this rare glimpse into our rich history with Chicago’s world-renowned Museum of Science and Industry.”
Mouse ears worn by Jimmie Dodd on the Mickey Mouse Club.
Traveling costume worn by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.
In addition to myriad fascinating artifacts that are sure to stir childhood memories and be familiar icons to many, the exhibition will feature hands-on, interactive stations that will bring Disney technological breakthroughs in animation and motion pictures to life. Guests can try their luck in recording sound effects for a film, explore the wonders of Disney’s revolutionary MultiPlane film camera and even learn to draw some of their favorite Disney characters in the Animation Academy.
“Through this exhibit we’re pleased to showcase Walt Disney as both a master storyteller and an impressive innovator whose creative legacy continues to inspire people of all ages,” said David Mosena, president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. “Guests will be immersed in Walt Disney’s ‘can do’ spirit, optimistic outlook and never ending curiosity that propelled him through his impressive career. This spirit continues to be the creative inspiration behind many of the incredible experiences created by Disney today.”
Among the extraordinary items to be featured:
Clips from several of Walt Disney’s earliest animated works, before there was a Mickey.
The original script, written by Walt Disney, for the 1928 cartoon short Steamboat Willie, which introduced movie theater audiences to Mickey Mouse for the very first time.
A partial recreation of Walt Disney’s formal office from the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., including original furnishings and many of his personal items.
Hand-drawn artwork, hand-sculpted models and props used in the production of some of Disney’s most iconic and renowned animated features, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Sleeping Beauty.
A recreation of a working animator’s office from the Disney Studios featuring authentic animator’s furniture, and models.
Animation models and artwork from contemporary Disney animation film hits, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin.
Props from classic Disney live-action films, including Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Rocketeer, The Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Enchanted.
A special area of the exhibition that is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the release of Mary Poppins, with film clips, interviews with the movie’s creators and rare behind-the-scenes photos.
A salute to Disneyland® Park in California and Magic Kingdom® Park in Florida, showcasing artwork, Audio-Animatronics® characters, and memorabilia from such popular attractions as it’s a small world, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, The Hall of Presidents, as well as early plans andcorrespondence for Walt Disney’s vision of Epcot.
This exhibit is not included in Museum Entry and will require an additional timed-entry ticket, which is $9 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for children 3-11. Tickets will go on sale at msichicago.org on September 4, 2013. D23 Gold and Silver Members will receive a special discount on exhibit entry.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website with members-only content at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9–11, 2013. Fans can join at
Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
About The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI)
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) offers a wide array of world-class, relevant and uniquely interactive exhibitions designed to inspire the inventive genius in everyone. Through its Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE), MSI also aspires to a larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering. Come visit and find your inspiration! MSI is open 9:30 – 4 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day. The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, find MSI online at msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago area.
Full of pirate ghosts, zombie dogs, witches, witches, and more witches, here are your unlucky 13 Disney movies that will get you in the macabre mood for this Halloween’s spooky season.
Before they terrorized our beloved heroes and heroines, Disney’s infamous villains went through many different versions in the hands of inspired animators. Take a look at these original character concepts and see if you can figure out which Disney villain each would eventually become.
Pull away the purple hair, tilt the crown to the side, and you’ll be closer to this character’s sweet style.2. Just add glowing red eyes and you have the scariest Disney villain, ever.3. You’ll never figure this one out. Here’s a hint: He uses antlers in all of his decorating.4. Must have been before she inked herself.5. He keeps the dog but loses the powdered white wig.6. This is Disney Legend Mary Blair’s interpretation of this famous literary character.7. Had they kept the bug ears, would this Disney villain have transformed into a giant cockroach instead of a ferocious dragon?
ANSWERS: 1) King Candy from Wreck-It Ralph. 2) The Horned King from The Black Cauldron. 3) Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. 4), Ursula from The Little Mermaid. 5) Governor Ratcliffe from Pocahontas. 6) Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. 7) Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.
Each year we count down to the opening of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday and see how Jack Skellington has decked the halls for Halloween and Christmas. Decorations like the latest haunted gingerbread house—it’s bigger than ever this year at 8’ wide and 13’ tall and has an animated zero flying around the top of it—have become a tradition for Disneyland chefs and for Nightmare fans riding the attraction.
Brian Sandahl, art director of Haunted Mansion Holiday, and his team are bringing in new animation effects for new tricks and treats.
This year, it’s easy to remember when the attraction opens. It’s celebrating its 13th year, opening on September . . . Friday . . . the 13th, in the year 2013—the 13s have finally aligned for Halloween at Disneyland. It’s also the day Disney Parks—Disneyland and Walt Disney World—is kicking off its Halloween festivities. This year, Brian Sandahl, art director of Haunted Mansion Holiday, and his team are bringing in new animation effects for new tricks and treats.
When you visit, pay special attention to the Haunted Mansion’s stretching room. Brian’s team has developed new animation effects that will bring this room to life—or death—like never before. Also, check out the portraits on the walls as you exit the stretching room and as you wait to board your doom buggy.
Jack Skellington changes into Sandy Claws as you are looking.
“We’ve always switched out these portraits,” Brian says, “so Jack Skellington changes into Sandy Claws as you are looking at them. Zero is in the portrait, too. But this year, Zero takes off and flies through all the portraits. He flies into the Jack-O-Lantern portrait, lights it up, and plays around with the scenes in the portraits. These two animation are really cool and we’ve never done animation effects in our 13-year history.”
For the attraction’s actual 13th anniversary—celebrated on October 4—Disneyland, as part of “Limited Time Magic” will be placing 13 themed collections of 13 objects around the Haunted Mansion. “We’ll be introducing 13 surprises around the rooms of the Haunted Mansion so guests will be able to count—kind of like a scavenger hunt—the items that Jack Skellington has placed in each room. There will be 13 candles on Madame Leota’s séance table and more additions like that. And if you miss them, you’ll have to get back on and ride again!”
Friday the 13th—September 13—will offer extra chills at the Disneyland Resort. On that day, The Happiest Place on Earth gets spookier as Halloween Time returns with Disney villains, Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes, a Día de los Muertos celebration and the special after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park. In addition, popular attractions are transformed for the season into Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy as the Disneyland Resort celebrates Halloween Time through Halloween, Thursday, October 31.
Notorious Disney villains, including Maleficent, Captain Hook and Hades will host a wicked dance party
Both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort will stay open until the 13th Hour (1:00 a.m.) and notorious Disney villains, including Maleficent, Captain Hook and Hades will host a wicked dance party, plus lots more spooky fun.
At Walt Disney World Resort, the hub of the villains’ festivities will be staged “dead” center of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Hades’ Hangout—the hottest club north of the Underworld. The “Lord of the dead,” Hades, will host spine-tingling fun while his henchmen, dancers, interactive DJ and hot-house band keep the nighttime activities on fire. Hades’ 13 devilish Disney brutes will be waiting in Villain Encounters surrounding Hades’ Hangout for greetings and autographs with guests.
“Villainy in the Sky” will set the sky ablaze
To celebrate the imminent arrival of the midnight witching hour, “Villainy in the Sky” will set the sky ablaze with spectacular fireworks and keep the party going until the 13th hour. It’s all happening for a limited time only from 8:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. on September 13 as part of Limited Time Magic at Disney Parks.
It’s a place on The Walt Disney Studios Lot that even on the warmest of autumn days will
give you goose bumps.
Beneath the Studio’s courtyards, streets, and brick-and-mortar buildings is a maze of concrete corridors originally constructed to house and maintain plumbing and electrical systems. There’s even a passageway that leads from the Animation Building to the Ink & Paint Building, which in the early days of the Studio during inclement weather was used to transport animation cels from one building to another. With low ceilings, pipes of every shape and size, and hidden rooms adjoining the long hallways, it’s a fitting backdrop for a spooky movie—and indeed this creepy concatenation of hallways is still sometimes used for film and television shoots. It was down in these murky depths, below the Ink & Paint Building, that Studio personnel once ventured to visit “The Morgue,” the aptly named set of rooms which, up until 1989, housed old scripts and a breathtaking collection of animation art—from concept art to cels. In the spirit of Halloween, D23 takes a look at the mystery of this resting place for animation art that was tucked beneath the grounds of the Studio for nearly 40 years.
The Walt Disney Studios was originally built to be Walt Disney’s ultimate creative complex for animation, and some of the most iconic Disney animated films of all time have been produced there—Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and many, many others. But when the films wrapped, all the creative inspiration, research, concept art, and animation had to be shelved somewhere to make room for the next project. A set of rooms beneath the Ink & Paint Building, which had just enough room to store everything, became that work’s final resting place.
Walt visited the morgue in the September 25, 1957 Disneyland television series episode “Adventure in Wildwood Heart.” “In our morgue, these shelves, tables, and file cabinets hold all our history as a motion picture studio,” he says in the episode, which you can see for yourself in the Walt Disney’s Legacy Collection, True-Life Adventures series, Volume 4: Nature’s Mysteries, available on DVD. “Here are the drawings, models, sketches, and backgrounds for every film we’ve ever made,” Walt points out in the introduction. “In these file cabinets are research materials of every kind and description. This room represents the repository, the well of our experience. And experience is the key to progress.” He then goes on to introduce A True-Life Fantasy: Perri, about the life of a squirrel in the forest and the only True-Life Fantasy ever produced.
While most morgues house dead bodies, the Walt Disney Studios morgue was home to retired research and artwork in the hope it would inspire future artists. “They called it a morgue because that was a newspaper term for used, but still useable material such as photographs, back issues, and clippings,” Fox Carney, manager, Research, Animation Research Library, tells D23. “They probably took that from being familiar from the newspaper industry and terminology. The morgue wasn’t where things went to die. It was based upon what was used in the production for what was reusable or used for inspiration.” The Disney morgue housed ghosts of animation. Each file in the rows of shelves and cabinets had imprints of the past. And if you were to study the brush strokes and the textures of each piece of artwork long enough, the Studio felt, you could get a feel for how the original animator created the piece.
The morgue lost its name and cozy underground location in 1989, when it was moved to a larger Glendale facility, but you can still visit its original location—it’s now home to a copy center and some janitorial offices—on the Studio Lot today by walking down a long flight of stairs on the north side of the Ink & Paint Building and navigating a few corners of underground hallways. Though the maquettes, backgrounds, paintings and animation sketches are now long gone—safely stored in the state-of-the-art Disney Animation Research Library in Glendale—the spirit of the Walt Disney Studios morgue lives on today in the way Disney continues to build on the creative energy of the past. Fox sums it up nicely: “For Disney to invest the resources it takes into preserving and maintaining the art shows the commitment the Company has to its legacy.” And there is nothing scary about preserving such a rich, inspiring, and amazing history.
You can’t miss the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation building. Its larger-than-life Sorcerer Mickey hat perched atop the entryway is a symbol of the heart and imagination at the core of all Disney animated films. But it’s not only recognized for its unique design or location just a few yards from The Walt Disney Studios lot. The fanciful structure is revered more so for the creativity housed within its walls, creativity that has produced some of Disney’s most endearing animated films.
For those who haven’t had a chance to stroll through the building, Disney Animated, a new premium iPad app created by Disney Interactive and Walt Disney Animation Studios in collaboration with leading app developer Touch Press, provides a unique gateway—one that’ll transport animation connoisseurs and Disney fans alike inside the world of Disney animation like never before.
“If you’re asking me to sum up what this app is, it’s awesomeness,” Dave Bossert, co-author of Disney Animated and producer/creative director, Walt Disney Animation Studios Special Projects, says enthusiastically. “That’s what it is. It’s digital awesomeness.”
Dave Bossert, co-author of Disney Animated and producer/creative director, in his office at the iconic Roy E. Disney Animation building in Burbank, California.
The app, available for download in the App Store, is chock-full of interactive experiences that can’t technically be duplicated through any other medium. Unlike a book or a film that creates a one-way experience for a viewer, Disney Animated allows users to touch, swipe, and scrub through a phenomenal amount of text, art, sound, images, and interviews spanning all eras of Walt Disney Animation Studios history.
“It’s a wonderful coffee-table-style app and a great tool for somebody who’s interested in animation,” Dave says about the new app. “It gives a great overview of how we’re making our movies at Walt Disney Animation Studios today.” As someone who has been a part of countless Walt Disney Animation Studios projects in his 30 years at the company, Dave also spoke to the ingenuity of Disney Animated. “This is the first time we’ve ever done something like this at the company or anywhere,” he explains. “We have created a product that virtually has information, props, and stills from all 53 animated films, including sneak peeks at Frozen, which hasn’t yet been released.”
Along with examining treasured artifacts and intricate artwork, users can now walk through Disney’s time-honored animation process through hands-on activities adapted from actual tools Disney animators use—all with the swipe of a finger or a flick of the wrist, of course.
But similar to most productions, there were some challenges along the way during the yearlong development process, namely selecting which assets would live in the app. That’s where Disney’s Animation Research Library stepped in.
After sorting through nearly 70 million archival pieces, a remarkable assortment of gems were chosen for Disney Animated. “One of the rarely seen items we chose was the maquette of Hyacinth from Fantasia,” Dave reveals. “You can spin it around and look at it from every angle. It’s genuinely one-of-a-kind, and fans now have an exclusive opportunity to take a closer look.”
In addition to giving users endless, magical experiences with Disney Animated, the team hopes the app will convey an important message to animation fans and also inspire future generations of animators. “With the app, we want to tell people that we’ve been in this business for decades,” Dave points out. “You have the essence of Walt Disney Animation Studios in the palm of your hand. It’s an incredible, invaluable resource.”
