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Quote from user: Baar Baar JinxI seem to recall reading that when Disney themselves took over the line in 1989-90, they had decided to restart the numbering on all the titles at number 1, including Uncle Scrooge and WDC&S, and that it was only at the intervention of Bob Foster that the traditional numbering survived (can anyone confirm this story)? If so, this gives me pause; it just goes to show how little the non-fan understands the history and the legacy of these books, and that's worrisome with the looming possibility of a Disney/Marvel takeover. Mashups of the Ducks and Marvel supheroes may be a little far-fetched, but I'm afraid the titles may nevertheless be very different from what we know and love. As was mentioned before, they can't market them the way they market their superhero line; this is a niche product and while it may not make them money, it has a very dedicated and loyal following. I'm not sure that holds a lot of water for them, though.

I guess we should be grateful that Boom didn't restart numbering on the titles themselves, since it was obvious that in the beginning, they didn't really know what made the books tick either (though they made up for it admirably at the end).
Let please anyone who will continue the titles if Boom stops publishing them do the math: Disney has been working on these titles for 60, and for WDC even 70 years to get their numbering this high. If they start all over again, it's just not these series anymore.

I emailed Boom's Chip Mosher--who used to comment here occasionally--to ask him what the deal is, but have heard nothing in response. Given that he was perfectly willing to argue over email in the past, I can only assume that he's not allowed to comment on the situation, which, alas, would seem to confirm our fears.

Quote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderDisney has been working on these titles
The publishers have, *not* Disney. The only time Disney did the comics themselves (without much success) was the short period between 1990 and 1993, when they'd taken away Gladstone's license.

Quote from user: GeoXSo somebody clear this up for me: is there concrete evidence that Marvel would be taking over, or is this basically hearsay? I honestly don't know.

My biggest concern is that there won't be classic comics, period; not that Marvel would be publishing them. I choose, perhaps naïvely, to remain optimistic about the potential of a Marvel license. Believe me, my rage will be towering if they reset the issue numbers or anything like that, but I think the idea that they would be completely tone-deaf and fuck around in stupid and alienating ways is perhaps a bit premature.
At this point everything's hearsay, but it stands to reason, I think. Boom was doing very well with the classic titles (as well as the Disney Afternoon line, which also it appears they're losing, given the changes in subscription offers); I can't think of any reason that they would stop publishing the books unless the license was taken away from them. Only Disney could do that, and Disney has their own comic publishing arm now (Marvel); it therefore doesn't make sense for them to take Boom's license away unless they planned to take over. This is what they did with the Pixar/Muppet titles (ironically all it appears they're doing in reprinting Boom's stuff) as well. Deep down, I guess we all knew it was a matter of time.

I certainly hope they're not considering cancelling the classics altogether. I honestly don't think that's likely. The titles have just been around too long. As to the quality of the classics under Marvel, I will try to remain optimistic as well but a lot of things have to go right from the very beginning.

Fools! You will never know what Boom doesn't want you to know, which is only that next month's Darkwing Duck sure is great! Mwah-ha-ha!
In all seriousness, I would rather a company worth a damn (like Fantagraphics) handle things.

Fantagraphics is great, but they don't publish regular comic books, do they? Bow 'bout Dark Horse? Their Little Lulu reprint series is just swell.

Quote from user: JanoQuote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderDisney has been working on these titles
The publishers have, *not* Disney. The only time Disney did the comics themselves (without much success) was the short period between 1990 and 1993, when they'd taken away Gladstone's license.
I know, I know. But it seemed to take a little long to name all the publishers: Dell, Gold Key, Whitman, Gladstone, Disney, Gladstone, Gemstone, Boom and Kaboom.
Side-question: did Dell publish Walt Disney's Comics and Stories since 1940, or did they start later?

Back on topic. Let's face it: we need some kind of second Gladstone. Any chance that there are any kids that read Gladstone comics 20 years ago, and a few individuals who want to start a really tiny publishing company?

Quote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderI know, I know. But it seemed to take a little long to name all the publishers: Dell, Gold Key, Whitman, Gladstone, Disney, Gladstone, Gemstone, Boom and Kaboom.
Side-question: did Dell publish Walt Disney's Comics and Stories since 1940, or did they start later?
I still think it's an important distinction to make. The Disney Company never struck me as particularly interested in comics. Even in 1990, when they started their own line, I think it was more a move to capitalize on the popularity of the Disney Afternoon TV block at the time, than a love for the Barks/Gottfredson's legacies or because they thought they could do a better job than Gladstone. The comics were another way to market DuckTales, CDRR, TaleSpin, etc. When that wasn't viable and only the classics seemed to have a future, they were quick to wash their hands off the whole enterprise.

Quote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderBack on topic. Let's face it: we need some kind of second Gladstone. Any chance that there are any kids that read Gladstone comics 20 years ago, and a few individuals who want to start a really tiny publishing company?
But it's unlikely they will be granted the license, at least at this juncture, since I suspect Marvel will be the main Disney comics publisher from now on. Granted, we don't know the exact circumstances under which Boom seems to have lost their license yet, but I doubt it was because they were tired of the franchise. It seems unlikely that any other publisher will be allowed to step up to the plate, at least until Marvel has had their (second) whack at the books.