Looney Tunes (1994 Series) #119

October 4, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Bouncing Baby Bunny and other stories

When Bugs Bunny gets lost in yet another directional mishap, he winds up in the clutches of an angry gorilla.

Writers: Bill Matheny, Craig Boldman & Earl Kress
Pencils: David Alvarez & Mike DeCarlo
Inks: Mike DeCarlo
Colors: Dave Tanguay
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher & Nick J. Napolitano
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Dave Alvarez & Mike DeCarlo
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

Historically, one of the big problems with Looney Tunes comics has been that the crazy, madcap style of humor that make the cartoons masterpieces didn’t translate as well to the comic book page. Somehow, DC Comics has finally found the way to overcome that hurdle – this issue seems to bottle the essence of those toons and make them great.

“Bouncing Baby Bunny,” the opening gambit, is classic Bugs Bunny. Bugs, dressed as a baby for a costume contest, gets lost (as usual) and winds up in the arms of a gorilla who wants him for her very own… but her mate isn’t too happy about it. This isn’t that original a concept – almost the same story was done in the cartoons more than once – but it comes across very well.

Another highlight of the issue include “Ragin’ Cage.” Tweety Bird gets himself a high-tech cage to keep off the advances of the ravenous Sylvester. People think Tweety is so innocent, but this cartoon, like the best of his cartoons, shows what a sadistic little monster he can be – not that Sylvester doesn’t deserve it. We also get “The Ugly Duckling,” which isn’t so much an adaptation of that classic fable as it is a story about Daffy Duck’s dismay at being cast in that role. The issue also includes several one or two-page stories that amount to gag strips – set-up and punchline, and the punchlines for the most part are pretty good.

If you love the Looney Tunes, chances are you’ll find this title to your liking. It took over 50 years and many different publishers, but DC has finally figured out how to do these characters right.

Rating: 8/10

Looney Tunes (1994 Series) #118

August 31, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Duck, Dodgers & other stories

A trilogy of tales starring that protector of the spaceways – Duck Dodgers!

Writer: Earl Kress
Pencils: Neal Sternecky, Dave Alvarez & Walter Carzon
Inks: Scott McRae, Mike DeCarlo & Ruben Torreiro
Colors: Dave Tanguay
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Joan Hilty
Cover Art: Dave Alvarez & Mike DeCarlo
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

First of all, let me thank DC Comics for instituting their new “Johnny DC” line, linking together their various young readers titles and trying to make some good comics for kids again, and second, let me thank whoever at DC decides which books to send out in advance each week for including stuff like Looney Tunes, just because I finally have an excuse to talk about Daffy Duck in a professional manner.

As big a fan as I am of the Looney Tunes cartoons – the funniest cartoons ever made in my opinion – historically their comic books haven’t been as great as those of their Disney counterparts. That’s probably because the Looney Tunes style of humor is so kinetic, so visual, that it doesn’t translate as well to the comic book page. Since DC began publishing a new Looney Tunes series several years ago, however, many of those problems have been addressed and a string of talented writers and artists have gotten better and better at putting that classic style on paper.

This issue is a spotlight on Daffy’s alter-ego, Duck Dodgers in the 24th and a Half Century! Based on the new cartoon series (which in turn is based on the classic shorts), Earl Kress serves up three delightfully goofy shorts. In the first, Marvin the Martian plans to use a giant billiard cue to knock the Earth out of its orbit. (He’s always wanted to get rid of Earth because it blocks his view of Venus.) Next, Dodgers and his sidekick (Porky Pig, who is never named in this role other than “Cadet”) have to quell a breakout on the prison planet for evil birthday clowns (yes, it’s as silly as it sounds, and that’s a good thing), and the third story is the latest plot of the Queen of Mars to ensnare Dodgers in her clutches in a romantic sense. This issue manages to hit all the major themes of the cartoon show, with wonderfully funny stories and great, kinetic, artwork that gets the gags across as well as anything.

I loved seeing this Duck Dodgers spotlight, but I hope DC doesn’t shift the book too much in that direction (anyone remember when the book became “G.I. Joe starring Snake-Eyes”?). Dodgers certainly has a place, and I wouldn’t mind seeing a story with him in every issue, but with so many great characters to choose from, it’d be a shame to shy away from Bugs Bunny, Sylvester and Tweety or all the other greats for very long.

Rating: 8/10