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Disney Comics (publishing)

From Alfawiki
Disney Comics
Company typeImprint
IndustryComic book publishing
Founded1990
Defunct1993
FateClosed comic book publishing arm
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Len Wein (Editor-in-Chief), Art Young (Editor), Marv Wolfman (Editor)
ProductsComic books featuring Disney characters
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company
ParentDisney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Comics was a comic book imprint under Disney Publishing Worldwide, operated by The Walt Disney Company between 1990 and 1993. This imprint was connected to W. D. Publications, Inc., a Disney-owned subsidiary responsible for releasing Disney comics during that era. Established in 1990 by W. D. Publications, Disney Comics aimed to decrease dependency on external publishers such as Gladstone Publishing. Prior to this, Disney licensed its comic properties to other American publishers.

Following the discontinuation of the Disney Comics line, Disney maintained comic publications through the magazine Disney Adventures (1990–2007) and continued licensing its properties to various US-based publishers. After acquiring Marvel Entertainment in 2009, Disney reentered the comic periodical market. Beginning in 2011, Marvel and Disney Publishing co-produced Disney/Pixar Presents magazine; however, they did not resurrect the Disney Comics brand. Instead, publishers like Boom! Studios and later IDW Publishing took over producing comics featuring classic Disney characters.

Initial titles

Within its first year and a half, Disney Comics released the following series:

Initial collections

During its debut year, Disney Comics issued eight trade paperback volumes under the Disney Comics Album banner, showcasing classic tales accompanied by editorial introductions reminiscent of the earlier Gladstone Comic Album. The collection included:

  1. Donald Duck and Gyro Gearloose
  2. Uncle Scrooge and the Phantom of Notre Duck
  3. Donald Duck in Dangerous Disguise
  4. Mickey Mouse Outwits the Phantom Blot
  5. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers: The Secret Casebook
  6. Uncle Scrooge in Tralla-La
  7. Donald Duck in Too Many Pets!
  8. Super Goof — The World's Silliest Super-Hero!

These were supplemented by oversized seasonal specials. Most of these editions were exclusive to Disney Comics, with the exception of Spring Fever, which was later revived by Gemstone Publishing.

Planned expansion

Disney announced ambitious plans for growth including new imprints designed to reach varied audiences. At a Comic-Con presentation, a preview of a realistic European barbarian comic served as an example of these initiatives.

Vista Comics was created to produce superhero titles based on Disney films such as Tron and The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, with writer and television story-editor Martin Pasko leading the effort.

Touchmark Comics, inspired by Disney’s adult-oriented Touchstone Pictures label, was overseen by former DC Comics editor Art Young. This imprint acquired scripts including Enigma by Peter Milligan and Sebastian O by Grant Morrison.

Hollywood Comics corresponded with the Hollywood Pictures film division and launched with a 64-page graphic novel adaptation of the movie Arachnophobia. Additionally, an adaptation of the video game Final Fantasy II, scripted by Kurt Busiek, was planned.

Editor-in-Chief Len Wein introduced a Marvel-style approach to handling Disney characters. While this direction faced criticism from traditionalist fans, it garnered support from creators within the comic book industry as a constructive alternative to former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter. Before establishing the division, Disney executives expressed their intention for it to become a major competitor alongside leading publishers such as DC and Marvel.

The "Disney Implosion"

In 1991, a wave of cancellations swept through Disney's comic book lineup due to inflated expectations and disappointing sales figures. This phenomenon, referred to as the Disney Implosion by Dana Gabbard, editor of Duckburg Times, drew parallels to the 1970s DC Implosion. Following this significant reduction, only three titles remained in publication: Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Uncle Scrooge, and Donald Duck Adventures.

Remaining titles

After the widespread cancellations, these three flagship series persisted, accompanied by a handful of limited-run mini-series connected to television programs or movies, such as:

  • Darkwing Duck (4 issues, 1991)
  • The Little Mermaid (4 issues, 1992)
  • Dinosaurs (2 issues, 1992–1993)
  • Disney's Comics in 3-D (2 issues, 1992)
  • The New Adventures of Beauty and the Beast (2 issues, 1992)
  • Sebastian (2 issues, 1992)
  • The Return of Aladdin (2 issues, 1993)

Plans for expanding the line were abandoned; editor Art Young departed to return to DC Comics, with several unpublished Touchmark projects moving over to DC’s Vertigo imprint. While Wein exited the company, Marv Wolfman concentrated his efforts on editing Disney Adventures. Editors Bob Foster, Cris Palomino, and David Seidman worked to rejuvenate the surviving titles by focusing on iconic Disney characters and rare reprint material. Despite this brief revival, Disney ultimately closed its comic book publishing arm in 1993.

Imprint

In November 2013, Disney Publishing Worldwide brought back Disney Comics as a U.S.-based imprint dedicated to selective publishing ventures. The imprint’s inaugural release was the original graphic novel Space Mountain, which debuted on May 7, 2014.

External links

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