Written by Denis-Pierre Filippi
Art by Silvio Camboni
Published by Fantagraphics Books
I have to say that I am truly enjoying the European Disney albums that Fantagraphics has been importing regularly for the past few years.
The one I just finished, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and the Amazing Lost Ocean, may well be the best one yet. Originally published, we are told, in 2018 in France, this 60-page adventure is a real page-turner, with a number of unexpected twists and heavily detailed painted artwork that can only be described as lush!
For decades now, Disney comics have been more popular and well-respected in countries like Brazil, Germany, France, Norway, and Italy.
They were so popular in fact that several of the countries began developing their own comics stories utilizing the familiar US cartoon and comic characters that began in American Dell comics way back at the end of the 1930s.
Initially, those new writers and artists made a point—perhaps contractually—of having their stories stay on-model, looking and reading as much as possible like the US versions.
In time, though, entirely new characters were created, new concepts explored, longer stories written, more modern types of humor added in, and more individualistic art styles applied. No longer did everything have to look like it was drawn by Paul Murry or Carl Barks!
Corporate Disney, I’ve read, wasn’t always happy with these foreign “updates,” but, over time, some began to reach the American market via Gladstone and Gemstone, and now Fantagraphics, and quite often they are pretty amazing. Mickey Mouse and the Amazing Lost Ocean, in fact, is pretty amazing!
It’s a science-fiction story set in a post-apocalyptic near-future that has based much of its society around steampunk concepts and looks.
We start out with our traditional heroes, Mickey Mouse and Goofy, on a scientific salvage expedition in the Arctic, only this time Minnie Mouse is along as well. Minnie is portrayed as not just an equal to her male cohorts but possibly as the one who might be termed the leader of the group!
Black Pete…err…Peg-Leg Pete…I mean, Steampunk Pete shows up in a Jules Verne-style airship to throw the proverbial monkey wrench into the situation. During their battles, using mind-controlled robots undersea, a major mistake happens and all water on Earth water loses its gravity! If that’s not wild enough, later on, after Mickey awakens from a five-year coma (!), Pete is actually helping the gang against their real enemies!
The writing, by Denis-Pierre Filipi and translated by Jonathan H. Gray, has everyone recognizably in character despite being in situations unlike we’ve ever seen them in before. I particularly liked the portrayal of Goofy, who, although a valued member of the team, still gets some ditzy dialogue here and there.
Mickey and Pete “sound” just like they should, and leaving only Minnie as a version completely new to me, albeit one that I particularly liked right from the start.
Enough simply cannot be said about the stunningly beautiful artwork from Silvio Camboni!
In the Arctic sections, one can almost feel the cold winds blowing; in the underwater sequences, I almost got the bends; in the forest scenes, you can practically smell the vegetation. Nearly every single page is packed to the gills, colorful with sound effects sometimes and little gags often incorporated into the paintings.
Best of all, though, are the characters’ expressions. In spite of all that’s new and over-the-top in this story, the reader never has any doubt that the heroes of this far-flung adventure are most definitely our old friends.
Although not specifically aimed at children, Mickey Mouse and the Amazing Lost Ocean is both an engrossing adventure and visually just a joyously fun treat for any reader of any age.
Booksteve recommends.
””””
You must be logged in to post a comment Login