Senormac Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 Just wondering what happened here. The Disney characters all seem to be WAY more popular. In Cartoons, comics and media. Aside from Carl Barks being a genius, is this just an example of the power of marketing at work? The humble Watcher lurking and Dave2739 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAY1979 Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senormac Posted November 15, 2023 Author Share Posted November 15, 2023 yea, this thread was a dud The humble Watcher lurking 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJD Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Paging @sagii - why are the books I collect better than the books you collect? But, seriously, I think generally speaking Disney comics have had better quality stories on average, though not always. There was some Disney drek over the years, and some of the Bugs Bunny Four Colors series books are pretty good, but those are exceptions. When I was collecting funny animal books as a kid, the Disneys were consistently better reading than the Looney Tunes characters, some of which were dismal. And, as you say, Disney had Barks (and Barks reprints by the time I came along). But I'd argue that when it comes to animated shorts, the WB characters and the cartoons have been more successful - especially in the 1960s and beyond - than Disney cartoon shorts. And for the same reason - the average quality is better. Some of the WB cartoons have become iconic - the coyote and roadrunner, for example 'ACME' anvils, anyone? Senormac, The humble Watcher lurking and southern cross 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sagii Posted November 15, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2023 @AJD to be continued... The humble Watcher lurking, SkOw, Larryw7 and 2 others 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sagii Posted November 15, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted November 15, 2023 (edited) A lot to unpack here, but @AJD did make most of the points I'd argue: on the comics front, yes the Disney gang outrank the Looney Tunes, the Barks factor has a lot to do with this as having a celebrated creator connected with comic content adds to the collectibility. Not to say the LT comics are subpar, some great Bugs and Porky FC stories and art inside during the golden age. LTMM1 has always been sought after to be fair and has always commanded a premium, but the LT comics (keys, cool cover, early issues and high grade) have jumped in value in recent years (believe me I know, books I once could put a proxy bid on hours in advance and be sure to win , is no longer happening for me). A good thing though, so I'm ok with that. I collect the comics because I have a decades long emotional connection to the characters. Also on the comics front, the comics stories can't capture that zany kinetic magic of the LT shorts, so there's that. Which brings me to rest of the OP's post. Way more popular? Matter of opinion, I know many people and have come across many IG accounts and other corners of social media who LT devotees, considering them to be the best shorts ever. Disney as an empire is in a league of its own. But speaking Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto, Goofy, Scrooge, Huey, Duey and Louie (removing the Princess' Bambi and the like), Warner Bros LT staple is the original Marvel universe of who's who: Bugs, Daffy, Porky, Pepe, Sylvester, Tweety, Granny, Taz, Marvin the Martian, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Foghorn Leghorn, Penelope cat, Petunia, Elmer, Yosemite Sam, Gomlsmer, Hazel the Witch, The Goofy Gophers, Speedy Gonzalez, no contest there, sorry and like @AJD said, many a classic short there in the annals of animation history. And Space Jam gave the fanfave Lola Bunny. In the end I guess it's a case of DC v Marvel. Marvel it could be stated, is more 'popular', but that in no way diminishes the DC universe overall. It could be argued like the OP stated, a marketing issue. LT content is still being produced to this day (mostly for Warner streaming app MAX) but they are still out there. Warner has dropped the ball getting the word out, but I've recently been sounding the alarm that The LT franchise and Superman have been two of most mishandled IP's in recent years. What is going on over there? I'll close with these last two points: Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an acclaimed landmark film, one of its most lauded moments was the meeting of Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. Consider that one of Warners stipulations before loaning out their characters to the Disney produced movie was that Bugs and Mickey have equal screen time down to second. Disney agreed, affirming their respect for the rival studios mascots historical impact. I mean freaking Mickey Mouse!! You could not build a Mt Rushmore of cartoon characters without Bugs Bunny ( and Mickey Mouse), a line i love from Comiclink promotions (don't know who the other two would be, but that much is certain). My opinion is in no way intended as a knock on Disney, but rather my love for the iconic Looney Tunes brand. @Senormac Edited November 15, 2023 by sagii Senormac, Jayman, The humble Watcher lurking and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The humble Watcher lurking Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 On 11/14/2023 at 8:03 PM, Senormac said: yea, this thread was a dud In the 1970s and 1980s the Looney Tunes characters became more popular do to countless reruns in circulation, but Disney characters took back becoming more popular with the Disney Parks, Disney Channel, and now Disney Plus. Seems like Warner Bros hasn`t done much with the IP. I certainly love these characters. Senormac and Larryw7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookery Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 On 11/15/2023 at 11:51 AM, sagii said: You could not build a Mt Rushmore of comic book characters without Bugs Bunny ( and Mickey Mouse), a line i love from Comiclink promotions (don't know who the other two would be, but that much is certain). (I assume we're talking animation here)... Probably Bullwinkle. And maybe for historical significance, Betty Boop. The humble Watcher lurking and Senormac 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagii Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 On 11/15/2023 at 4:50 PM, Bookery said: (I assume we're talking animation here)... Probably Bullwinkle. And maybe for historical significance, Betty Boop. I did, corrected my post to 'cartoon characters' (not comic book characters) And those two are certainly worthy The humble Watcher lurking and Senormac 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Senormac Posted November 16, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2023 (edited) On 11/15/2023 at 8:51 AM, sagii said: Also on the comics front, the comics stories can't capture that zany kinetic magic of the LT shorts, so there's that. Yes, that's something. Thanks for the long and thoughtful post. I know my mom never read my comics but would actually laugh at Road Runner cartoons. Saturday mornings were all about Warner Bros. The music in those shorts was top notch and probably an introduction to classical music for a lot of kids. Great cartoon examples you posted Humble Watcher. The early Bugs fc's are beautiful. That 164 in your sig lines is sweet sagii. Edited November 16, 2023 by Senormac PopKulture, Larryw7, Jayman and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senormac Posted November 16, 2023 Author Share Posted November 16, 2023 ADAMANTIUM, sagii, The humble Watcher lurking and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 A fav of mine… sagii, Senormac and Larryw7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADAMANTIUM Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 (edited) Isn't the Animaniacs Warner Brothers and therefore similarly Looney Tunes? Probably not specifically but I remember watching that new, and it hit home. Looney Tunes were on reruns, but you "knew you were watching older reruns," if that makes sense, not the same hit at home. Idk or even know where to watch cartoons, except for Looney Tunes which is ironic, and I mean on reg TV with no cable. Looney is on metrics svengoolie channel in the morning. There are Bible cartoons and PBS cartoons. That about sums it up for no cable and or not counting streaming Edited November 17, 2023 by ADAMANTIUM sagii and Senormac 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagii Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/16/2023 at 10:18 PM, Jayman said: A fav of mine… That's a good one, and a great read! Senormac and Jayman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagii Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/16/2023 at 9:45 AM, Senormac said: Yes, that's something. Thanks for the long and thoughtful post. I know my mom never read my comics but would actually laugh at Road Runner cartoons. Saturday mornings were all about Warner Bros. The music in those shorts was top notch and probably an introduction to classical music for a lot of kids. Great cartoon examples you posted Humble Watcher. The early Bugs fc's are beautiful. That 164 in your sig lines is sweet sagii. Thanks, classic cover imho Sorry for the long response , but felt i had to tackle your post with nuance, balance and context. Cool Thread! Senormac and Jayman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senormac Posted November 17, 2023 Author Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/16/2023 at 7:18 PM, Jayman said: A fav of mine… Yes. Outstanding book. I also love the cover where Bugs is going to the moon or some such space adventure. I never owned it, but at one time I had a very respectable FC collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageComics Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/14/2023 at 8:03 PM, Senormac said: yea, this thread was a dud Ever since they put a leash on me nobody wants to post here anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senormac Posted November 17, 2023 Author Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/16/2023 at 8:43 PM, ADAMANTIUM said: Isn't the Animaniacs Warner Brothers and therefore similarly Looney Tunes? Probably not specifically but I remember watching that new, and it hit home. Looney Tunes were on reruns, but you "knew you were watching older reruns," if that makes sense, not the same hit at home. Idk or even know where to watch cartoons, except for Looney Tunes which is ironic, and I mean on reg TV with no cable. Looney is on metrics svengoolie channel in the morning. There are Bible cartoons and PBS cartoons. That about sums it up for no cable and or not counting streaming I believe Animaniacs is indeed Warner Bros. My kids watched it and had the Nintendo game. ADAMANTIUM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/17/2023 at 3:55 PM, Senormac said: Yes. Outstanding book. I also love the cover where Bugs is going to the moon or some such space adventure. I never owned it, but at one time I had a very respectable FC collection. Another fav and the first Bugs cover I went for! OtherEric, Senormac, AJD and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senormac Posted November 17, 2023 Author Share Posted November 17, 2023 That's the one Jayman !! Jayman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...