CBR Live! Archive
Comics Should Be Good Top 50 Countdown! - #31
- by Brian Cronin
- in Top 50 Countdown
Here's #31! Click here for the master list!
Enjoy!
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #31
In 1942, Dorothy Strebe, of Disney's publications department (which was being handled by Western Comics at the time), sent a plot to a former DC animator who was to write and draw his first story for the Disney comic, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories.
Her note said "Here is a 10-page story for Donald Duck. Hope that you like it ... you are to stage it, of course ... and if you see that it can be strengthened, or that it deviates from Donald either in narration or action, please make the improvements."
The pay for the issue was $12.50 for each page.
Disney must have been impressed with what he came up with, because they allowed him to write the next issue by himself, and so began Carl Barks' legendary career doing Disney comic books.
In this issue, the story by Barks was about Donald and his nephews putting together a victory garden. Victory gardens were something that American did during World War II to grow vegetables to supplement the US economy during the war.
Donald's plan, though, is threatened by some dastardly crows!
Amazing Spider-Man #31, with the first Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn (and the beginning of the classic Master Planner storyline), definitely gives this issue a run for its money, but ultimately, Barks is more important to comic history than either of those characters.
Other notable #31s were, I dunno, pretty much every issue of Moore's Swamp Thing was great, same with Lee/Kirby's FF, Morrison's Doom Patrol and Gaiman's Sandman - nothing jumps out, though - not like first Barks' Disney story or first Gwen/Harry.
Thanks to the Carl Barks Guidebook for the information! And the INDUCKS resource for the scan!
- Posted on June 26, 2008 @ 06:50 PM
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13 Comments
sononsj
June 26, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Wow, I would have thought that ASM #31 was definitely more notable than the one you picked. Interesting choice.
Brian Cronin
June 26, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I think Barks is more important to comic history than either Harry or Gwen.
Now if it was Mary Jane versus Barks...hmmmm....
sononsj
June 26, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Well, it's arguable, but ok, sure. It's also notable for being the start of the acclaimed Master Planner storyline, but I expect ASM #33 to get the 33 spot for that...!
Brian Cronin
June 26, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Oh yeah, it's definitely a close second in my book!
And #33...we shall see
....
Dan K
June 26, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I own a copy of ASM #31 and aside from the brief apperances of Gwen and Harry it's not a classic issue (not next to #33 in any case).
I think you made the right call Brian. Barks was a genius. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this on order! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carl-Barks-Collection-v-1/dp/1603600639/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214535458&sr=8-1
MarkAndrew
June 27, 2008 at 12:46 am
Nope. Good one. I was thinking the Barks Ducks wouldn't make it, since Uncle Scrooge was introduced in Four Color 346 or something. (Not the actual number.)
I can't think of another # 31 that's even close.
Ralph
June 27, 2008 at 5:40 am
Congratulations for your choice. Barks is a genius.
avengers63
June 27, 2008 at 5:59 am
Kudos for this selection. I love seeing appreciative nods to the greats of the industry who were NOT part of the "spandex & capes" group.
I'm wondering if there's anything in store for Burne Hogarth or Tex Avery...
Jeff Ryan
June 27, 2008 at 6:50 am
Quasar #31: Wendell's trapped in the New Universe of all misbegotten places, and his powers are weakening. So he uses the last of them to write a giant "I need help" sign over Manhattan, and ends up having the Star Brand passed onto him, which lets him escape back to his section of the Omniverse. (This was the first time anyone from the 616 universe itneracted with the forgotton New Universe folks, beating Warren Ellis to the punch by about 15 years!)
buttler
June 27, 2008 at 12:54 pm
But . . . but Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #31 had the first appearance of Elastic Lad! And Marvel Premiere #31 introduced Woodgod!
Bill Reed
June 27, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Dammit, Cronin! How'd you miss that one!?
buttler
June 27, 2008 at 5:03 pm
It would be nice if we could find Woodgod appearances for each number to run alongside Jeff's Quasar recaps, but that would be . . . very, very difficult.
buttler
July 2, 2008 at 12:24 am
And hey, what about Cave Carson? Brave & the Bold #31, baby!