Post by Baar Baar Jinx on Oct 30, 2018 15:52:52 GMT
As we all know, characters from Disney movies, classic shorts, TV shows and games often make appearances in the comics, causing a mixing of different "worlds". Everyone has their own level of "tolerance" for this, or their own individual ability to accept such stories and situations into their headacanon. Some think it's perfectly fine, even natural, and others have reservations that are born of MEAS incompatibility, anachronistic considerations or purism. I call this lumping vs splitting. This comes up a lot in our discussions, so I thought I'd try and create a scale for it. I'm trying to approach it from a comics-based perspective (which I imagine is the way most on this forum would). Here's a draft of my first attempt; it's far from perfect of course, so please provide feedback, and also, what level are you?
Level 1 (extreme lumper): Everything Disney exists in the same universe, regardless of MEAS level or time period in which the primary story occurs. Thus, Dumbo (an MEAS-2 character) can freely interact with Scrooge (an MEAS-4b) and Wart from Sword in the Stone (set in the Middle Ages). The Big Bad Wolf can visit Grandma Duck's farm and try to eat her. Vic Lockman wrote stories at this level. (My guess is that our fellow Feathery Society member, Scrooge MacDuck also has a headcanon that exists at this level (?).)
Level 2: Disney characters can interact, but only if there is an MEAS and time period compatibility. So, Pongo from 101 Dalmations can talk to Pluto, but not to Mickey. The Rescuers can have an adventure with Chip N' Dale but not with HD&L.
Level 3: The traditional characters (Mouse and Duck universes) exist separately from the world of Disney movies, TV shows and games starring non-traditional characters, although any cartoon short or TV show starring the traditional characters exists in the same universe as the comics. (My guess is that most people on this forum have a headcanon at this level). There could be an issue with Disney Afternoon shows or DuckTales '17, since they often directly contradict the comics universe, but if you consider Cartoon-Donald and Comics-Donald to be the same character, for example, this is the level you're at.
Level 4: The comics universe starring the traditional characters (Mouse and Duck universes) is separate from anything animated, including the classic cartoons and TV shows. But Mickey and Donald coexist and interact, and Duckburg and Mouseton are twin cities in Calisota. Cartoon versions of the traditional characters are not the same as the comics versions (which is the main distinction between this level and Level 3).
Level 5 (extreme splitter): Level 4 plus Separation of Duck and Mouse. Mickey and Donald don't exist in the same universe and can never acknowledge each other's existence except as throwaway jokes or as fictional characters set in each other's worlds (Rosa writes at this level, and my headcanon exists at this level as well. Barks wrote at this level, but did draw several stories written by others set at other levels).
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Level 1 (extreme lumper): Everything Disney exists in the same universe, regardless of MEAS level or time period in which the primary story occurs. Thus, Dumbo (an MEAS-2 character) can freely interact with Scrooge (an MEAS-4b) and Wart from Sword in the Stone (set in the Middle Ages). The Big Bad Wolf can visit Grandma Duck's farm and try to eat her. Vic Lockman wrote stories at this level. (My guess is that our fellow Feathery Society member, Scrooge MacDuck also has a headcanon that exists at this level (?).)
Level 2: Disney characters can interact, but only if there is an MEAS and time period compatibility. So, Pongo from 101 Dalmations can talk to Pluto, but not to Mickey. The Rescuers can have an adventure with Chip N' Dale but not with HD&L.
Level 3: The traditional characters (Mouse and Duck universes) exist separately from the world of Disney movies, TV shows and games starring non-traditional characters, although any cartoon short or TV show starring the traditional characters exists in the same universe as the comics. (My guess is that most people on this forum have a headcanon at this level). There could be an issue with Disney Afternoon shows or DuckTales '17, since they often directly contradict the comics universe, but if you consider Cartoon-Donald and Comics-Donald to be the same character, for example, this is the level you're at.
Level 4: The comics universe starring the traditional characters (Mouse and Duck universes) is separate from anything animated, including the classic cartoons and TV shows. But Mickey and Donald coexist and interact, and Duckburg and Mouseton are twin cities in Calisota. Cartoon versions of the traditional characters are not the same as the comics versions (which is the main distinction between this level and Level 3).
Level 5 (extreme splitter): Level 4 plus Separation of Duck and Mouse. Mickey and Donald don't exist in the same universe and can never acknowledge each other's existence except as throwaway jokes or as fictional characters set in each other's worlds (Rosa writes at this level, and my headcanon exists at this level as well. Barks wrote at this level, but did draw several stories written by others set at other levels).
Comments and suggestions are welcome.