Disney Comics Revived ...By IDW?
 I know. it's confusing. When Disney bought Marvel a few years ago, the company pulled its licensed comics from Boom! Studios. We all assumed that meant that since they owned a comic book company now, Mickey Mouse would rub shoulders on the shelves with Spider-Man.
It just hasn't been that simple. At all. Marvel Comics published tie-ins for TRON and John Carter, somewhat superheroic books. And they have a series of mini-series called "Disney Kingdoms" that have included Seekers of the Weird, Figment, and the upcoming Big Thunder Mountain, all based on concepts from the Disney resorts.
But the graphic novel Space Mountain came from Hyperion Press, an imprint owned by Disney prior to purchasing Marvel. (They also own a few scattered IPs from the ashes of Crossgen Comics.) A few months ago, Disney announced that Joe Books, an imprint from Canada, would be handling Frozen graphic novels.
Now this. Don't get me wrong. I think IDW is a great publisher. I'm excited to see Don Rosa's work get an oversized Artist Edition. IDW's handling of those has been nothing short of masterful. Micro Fun Packs? Brilliant innovation to get kids into comics.
I love that all these titles are coming back, and in a world of constant reboots at number one, I find something really pleasing about Walt Disney's Comics and Stories retaining its original numbering, from Gold Key to Gemstone to Boom to IDW.
Just keep an eye out. Is this a move to bring IDW into the Disney fold, or is it a strict licensing deal? And why isn't Marvel publishing Mickey Mouse? Or at least Super Goof?
From IDW:
IDW Publishing is proud to announce that they will debut a new collection of Disney Comics beginning in March 2015 with the publication of Don Rosa’s Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Artist’s Edition, followed by four extra-length comic series launches in April, May, June, and July.
April sees the debut of Uncle Scrooge #1, which will feature the best tales from creators around the world starring the iconic tycoon adventurer. Donald Duck #1 launches in May, Mickey Mouse #1 in June, and in July, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories will maintain the original numbering and launch with #721 as the first IDW issue.
“The chance to bring Disney comics to fans, both old and new, is a fantastic opportunity,” said IDW editor Sarah Gaydos. “We cannot wait to get these into the hands of readers!”
All four premiere issues will offer 48 pages of content for $3.99, with subsequent issues offering 40 pages per issue for that same cover price.
“It’s the best bargain in the business,” said IDW archival editor David Gerstein. “No wonder it’s attracted Scrooge McDuck! And we’ll be attracting a big following, too—with stories by epic talents like Romano Scarpa, Daan Jippes, Casty, Giorgio Cavazzano, and Al Taliaferro.”
Each issue will feature two regular covers, as well as a unique cover that places the characters in different environments that feature theme park attractions—including April’s Adventureland-themed cover—and other very familiar settings and costumes. If you aren’t already an avid collector, you will be! Some examples of what fans can expect to see are:
April 2015 - Adventureland
May 2015 - Tomorrowland
- Uncle Scrooge #2 (40p)
- Donald Duck #1 (48p)
June 2015 - So special we cannot tell you yet!
- Uncle Scrooge #3 (40p)
- Donald Duck #2 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #1 (48p)
July 2015 - Fantasyland
- Uncle Scrooge #4 (40p)
- Donald Duck #3 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #2 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #721 (48p)
August 2015 – EPCOT Center
- Uncle Scrooge #5 (40p)
- Donald Duck #4 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #3 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #722 (40p)
- Uncle Scrooge TPB, Vol. 1
September 2015 - Frontierland
- Uncle Scrooge #6 (40p)
- Donald Duck #5 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #4 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #723 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse TPB, Vol. 1
October 2015 - Haunted Mansion
- Uncle Scrooge #7 (40p)
- Donald Duck #6 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #5 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #724 (40p)
- Donald Duck TPB, Vol. 1
November 2015 - Toontown
- Uncle Scrooge #8 (40p)
- Donald Duck #7 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #6 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #725 (40p)
- Uncle Scrooge TPB, Vol. 2
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories TPB, Vol. 1
December 2015 – Top Secret!
- Uncle Scrooge #9 (40p)
- Donald Duck #8 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse #7 (40p)
- Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #726 (40p)
- Mickey Mouse TPB Vol 2
The new IDW titles including Donald, Mickey, and Scrooge will be #1s, but will continue their classic legacy number inside the issues.
In addition to the monthly comics released in print, IDW will also be bringing Disney Comics into new territories with Micro Comic Fun Packs, and subsequent Artist’s Editions, too. Details on titles and release schedules will follow.
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