Post by That Duckfan on Sept 6, 2021 21:28:05 GMT
F DBG 8
Disney by Glénat 8, 2019
Horrifikland
Story by Lewis Trondheim
Art by Alexis Nesme
Coloring by Alexis Nesme
44 pages
In another return by Lewis Trondheim, Horrifikland follows Mickey, Donald, and Goofy around an abandoned horror-themed amusement park in search of a small black cat. It's heavily inspired by 1937's Lonesome Ghosts, but in visual style and in story matter, but takes an approach of its own. Other visual references appear to be from old Mickey Mouse Weekly comics (featuring a wide range of antropomorphic animals), Floyd Gottfredson (as seen in the appearances of Peg-Leg Pete and Sylvester Shyster), and period cartoon storyboards. The latter is especially noticeable in the facial expressions and angles Nesme uses. He's obviously not used to drawing cartoon-sized characters, who come off as comparatively flat to his intricately drawn backgrounds. The coloring is of a very high standard, often used to great effect to suggest three-dimensional spaces. I especially love the little old town they live in, which is reminiscent of Disney's Pinocchio. The classic trio, whose designs are not bound by those rules, stand out in contrast.
Mickey, Donald, and Goofy share another adventure as amateur detectives. As they explore the various attraction of the old amusement park, we also follow Pete and Shyster in their ill-fated attempt to get the widow who owns the property to sign away her rights. The two are virtually incidental to the main story, stumbling through pratfalls far away from the main cast, and their reactions serve as a funny counterpoint to our heroes' more measured response. The cat is eventually found, and Mickey even performs a Scooby Doo deduction on the ghosts roaming the place --- they're neighboring senior citizens who are bored and are concerned about the falling value of their homes.
The story was alright, but nothing to deserve such a luxurious presentation. I'm not the biggest fan of horror or its comedy equivalent, and this comic doesn't have the great reaction shots of something like Lonesome Ghosts. Comics have different a different rhythm. I do think this is a great storyboard for an animated short, which would be much better at delivering this type of humor.
Check this one out if you're a fan of Disney horror. For others, maybe check out another issue first.
Next time: Super Mickey by Pieter De Poortere