This issue contains three stories covering sixty plus years of everybody’s favorite mouse. In the first story, Mikey and Goofy have taken to the high seas trying to rescue Mikey’s archeologist friend Eurasia. This originally appeared in Italy in 2005. The Italians do love their comics. It shows with Giorgio Cavazzano’s art which gorgeous. Mickey, Goofy, and Eurasia take on a mad scientist bent on taken over the world. The scientist has an army of purple goons and a giant robot. The story is fun and filled with adventure. Just not sure how much today’s younger reader would appreciate it. Indeed some of the references like “Goodnight Gracie” will fly over their heads. This might make for a more nostalgic read.
The second story features Goofy and his bird friend Ellsworth. Ellsworth is a fairly forgotten character these days. He’s kind of a tough guy bird with a heart of gold or at least silver. Think Jimmy Cagney as this was written in the 50s. In this filler feature, he is protecting a nest of baby birds from a cat. Once again the art is glorious as this is from back in the days when papers seemed to care about Sunday comics and didn’t shrink them. The story though will appeal more to older readers than younger. Still it’s a sweet, easy read.
The third story, once again stars Mickey and Goofy, this one from Brazilian Mickey in 1981. This is a jungle romp with Mickey’s futuristic friend Eega Beeva and his pet Pflip and a magic fountain of legend. The “bad guys” are a bunch of elves called the Gneezle Gnob who are just trying to protect their land. The story has a quirky “Little Abner” feel. Using phrasing like “Hankering,” “Keen” and “Pardon my Presumption” could be confusing to today’s younger reader but once again an enjoyable look at Mickey for older readers.
Summary: a fun glimpse of Mickey and company through the decades. The character has been drawn remained remarkably constant which says something for the enduring feel and appeal of the world’s most famous mouse.
Publisher: IDW
Story 1: Shadow of the Colossus (2/2)
Writer: Andrea Castellan
Artist: Giorgio Cavazzano
From Italian Topolino 2005
Story 2: Cat Crusader
Writer: Bill Walsh
Artist: Manuel Gonzales
From: Mickey Mouse Sunday comic 1951
Story 3: Second Childhood at Gneezle Gnob
Writer: Ivan Saidenberg
Artist Roberto O. Fukue
From Brazilian Mickey 348, 1981
