Bre'r Rabbit (Broer Konijn) is still a popular comic book element in Our Dutch Disney Weekly. I'm working on two Broer Konijn stories as I write this. I hope The Disney Company won't drop him from their traditional characters (especially for their publications franchisees).
As for "The Life and Times of Moby Duck", -I surely can think of many worthy projects I'd rather have produced than THAT. And that wouldn't be much higher than a hardbound volume of The Wuzzles' stories!
Author
Topic: 'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
(77 messages)
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 61 -
2010-06-04 at 23:49:41
Dutch Duckfan Down Under
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 62 -
2010-06-10 at 16:25:26
Very unfortunately, more recent stories depict him as a fraud, robbing Bre'r Bears carrot field.
Lars Jensen
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 63 -
2010-06-10 at 17:05:32
Quote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderVery unfortunately, more recent stories depict him as a fraud, robbing Bre'r Bears carrot field.
Depict whom?
Depict whom?
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 64 -
2010-06-11 at 00:43:51
He must been Br'er Rabbit (who pretends to be Br'er Bear's friend, but steals carrots from his carrot patch.
GeoX
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 65 -
2010-06-11 at 01:39:03
I thought the POINT of the character is that he's basically a descendant of African trickster-god types. Of COURSE he steals stuff. What would you expect?
(Unless, of course, Disney's bowdlerized him even more than I thought--I'm not terribly familiar with the character's comics)
(Unless, of course, Disney's bowdlerized him even more than I thought--I'm not terribly familiar with the character's comics)
Lars Jensen
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 66 -
2010-06-11 at 10:56:20
Quote from user: GeoXI thought the POINT of the character is that he's basically a descendant of African trickster-god types. Of COURSE he steals stuff.
If it is indeed Br'er Rabbit Dutch Duckfan Down Under is talking about, then yes, that's the point of Br'er Rabbit. He's a trickster. And in the old American comics he did trickster-y things all the time.
If it is indeed Br'er Rabbit Dutch Duckfan Down Under is talking about, then yes, that's the point of Br'er Rabbit. He's a trickster. And in the old American comics he did trickster-y things all the time.
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 67 -
2010-06-12 at 01:01:40
Quote from user: Lars JensenQuote from user: GeoXI thought the POINT of the character is that he's basically a descendant of African trickster-god types. Of COURSE he steals stuff.
If it is indeed Br'er Rabbit Dutch Duckfan Down Under is talking about, then yes, that's the point of Br'er Rabbit. He's a trickster. And in the old American comics he did trickster-y things all the time.
Yes. Dutch Duckfan Down Under,.....What would you want Broer Konijn (Br'er Rabbit) to do, if not to lie and pretend to be Br'er Bear's friend, and then to steal from his carrot patch? Isn't that the main essence of his character, other than to escape being eaten by Br'er Fox?
If it is indeed Br'er Rabbit Dutch Duckfan Down Under is talking about, then yes, that's the point of Br'er Rabbit. He's a trickster. And in the old American comics he did trickster-y things all the time.
Yes. Dutch Duckfan Down Under,.....What would you want Broer Konijn (Br'er Rabbit) to do, if not to lie and pretend to be Br'er Bear's friend, and then to steal from his carrot patch? Isn't that the main essence of his character, other than to escape being eaten by Br'er Fox?
Ramapith
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 68 -
2010-06-13 at 18:33:04
I don't think swindling Brer Bear, in particular, is the essence of Brer Rabbit's character, but being a trickster and a schemer certainly is.
Brer Rabbit is sympathetic, some of the time, because often his tricks are necessary to save him from harm. And at other times, his tricks deflate egos that genuinely need to be deflated.
And at other times, his tricks are incredibly creative and/or complicated; we have to admire the effort he puts into pulling them off!
Of course, sometimes his tricks, as with any prankster, are totally indefensible. He just can't resist the urge to play them.
Brer Rabbit's trickster nature also explains what some have perceived as Brer Bear's split personality (see my overdetailed analysis partway down this page).
Brer Rabbit is sympathetic, some of the time, because often his tricks are necessary to save him from harm. And at other times, his tricks deflate egos that genuinely need to be deflated.
And at other times, his tricks are incredibly creative and/or complicated; we have to admire the effort he puts into pulling them off!
Of course, sometimes his tricks, as with any prankster, are totally indefensible. He just can't resist the urge to play them.
Brer Rabbit's trickster nature also explains what some have perceived as Brer Bear's split personality (see my overdetailed analysis partway down this page).
GeoX
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 69 -
2010-06-13 at 22:19:57
That's super interesting. It's a good example of the way that a series of decisions, each perfectly rational in itself, can nonetheless ultimately lead to perverse results.
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 70 -
2010-06-14 at 01:56:39
I think that Dutch Duckfan Down Under was not saying that Br'er Rabbit's main reason for existence is to rob Br'er Bear's carrot patch. I think that he was bemoaning the fact that a big percentage of recent Broer Konijn stories in The Dutch Weekly have had him stealing Br'er Bear's carrots as the theme. Many of these stories are drawn by Comicup Spanish artists, but are written by Dutch artists. I agree with him that with so many stories being similar to that, they are getting boring. And we also get tired of seeing Br'er Rabbit onlyin his non-sympathetic role.
The two stories I am working on are longer (8 pages each), and I am trying to write them and draw them in the classic style of the late 1940s Paul Murray drawn stories. They will HAVE to be well written, and feel like those classic stories, to be accepted by Sanoma at the big 8-page size.
The two stories I am working on are longer (8 pages each), and I am trying to write them and draw them in the classic style of the late 1940s Paul Murray drawn stories. They will HAVE to be well written, and feel like those classic stories, to be accepted by Sanoma at the big 8-page size.
Dutch Duckfan Down Under
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 71 -
2010-06-17 at 16:30:34
Quote from user: Robb_KI think that Dutch Duckfan Down Under was not saying that Br'er Rabbit's main reason for existence is to rob Br'er Bear's carrot patch. I think that he was bemoaning the fact that a big percentage of recent Broer Konijn stories in The Dutch Weekly have had him stealing Br'er Bear's carrots as the theme. Many of these stories are drawn by Comicup Spanish artists, but are written by Dutch artists. I agree with him that with so many stories being similar to that, they are getting boring. And we also get tired of seeing Br'er Rabbit onlyin his non-sympathetic role.
It's kinda of what I mean. But it also shows Brer Rabbit as a robber, and Brer Bear as just an honest fellow who is more stupid than a donkey's end. He doesn't need to be punished. And it also shows Brer Terrapin as a profiteer, the only thing he's doing is eating Brer Rabbits' (or actually, Brer Bears) carrots at the end. He doesn't do a single bit more. You get annoyed if you see that every two weeks for a year. And the tricks get worse and worse, even a four year old wouldn't be as dumb as Brer Bear.
Surprisingly, Brer Bear has new carrots at the start of every story. Last week Brer Rabbit stole them, and now he's grown new ones already. What kind of super growth formula does he have? :)
It's kinda of what I mean. But it also shows Brer Rabbit as a robber, and Brer Bear as just an honest fellow who is more stupid than a donkey's end. He doesn't need to be punished. And it also shows Brer Terrapin as a profiteer, the only thing he's doing is eating Brer Rabbits' (or actually, Brer Bears) carrots at the end. He doesn't do a single bit more. You get annoyed if you see that every two weeks for a year. And the tricks get worse and worse, even a four year old wouldn't be as dumb as Brer Bear.
Surprisingly, Brer Bear has new carrots at the start of every story. Last week Brer Rabbit stole them, and now he's grown new ones already. What kind of super growth formula does he have? :)
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 72 -
2010-06-17 at 19:55:59
To combat that, in both of the Broer Konijn (Br'er Rabbit) stories on which I am currently working, I use The Rabbit in a sympathetic, heroic role. He foils villainous crooks who are attempting to steal from the poor, gullible forest villagers. To add some spice, his relationship with Molly gets into trouble, and he also teams up with one of his most hated enemies. They are both 8 pages. First, I hope they are accepted. Second, I hope they'll be printed intact, rather than divided into 2 "episodes" of 4 pages each.
I have the same problem with an 8-page José Carioca story I've already finished. Usually they are printed in 3-page mini-episodes. I hope this one can be printed intact. If NOT, I hope it is only divided in half (rather than 3, 3 and 2 page segments). I have tried to capture the 1940s feel of the original newspaper strips' stories (and artwork). I hope the final artist will continue with that-and improve on it).
I have the same problem with an 8-page José Carioca story I've already finished. Usually they are printed in 3-page mini-episodes. I hope this one can be printed intact. If NOT, I hope it is only divided in half (rather than 3, 3 and 2 page segments). I have tried to capture the 1940s feel of the original newspaper strips' stories (and artwork). I hope the final artist will continue with that-and improve on it).
Gerd Syllwasschy
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 73 -
2010-06-17 at 21:39:11
You mean to say Sanoma cuts eight-pagers, of all things, into weekly portions? Astounding.
Lars Jensen
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 74 -
2010-06-17 at 22:55:21
Quote from user: Dutch Duckfan Down UnderBut it also shows Brer Rabbit as a robber, and Brer Bear as just an honest fellow who is more stupid than a donkey's end. He doesn't need to be punished.
I haven't read those recent Dutch stories. But are you sure you aren't exaggerating? In many older stories, Brer Rabbit is simply portrayed as an occasional thief. A robber is someone who physically assaults someone and steals what they have (like, say, a stick-up guy or a bank robber), and as far as I know Brer Rabbit has never done that kind of thing.
And when Brer Bear tends to his carrot field, that doesn't mean he is shown as an honest fellow either. Just as someone who occasionally does honest work.
I haven't read those recent Dutch stories. But are you sure you aren't exaggerating? In many older stories, Brer Rabbit is simply portrayed as an occasional thief. A robber is someone who physically assaults someone and steals what they have (like, say, a stick-up guy or a bank robber), and as far as I know Brer Rabbit has never done that kind of thing.
And when Brer Bear tends to his carrot field, that doesn't mean he is shown as an honest fellow either. Just as someone who occasionally does honest work.
Robb_K
'Song of the South' makes Time's 'Top 10 Controversial Cartoons' list
Message 75 -
2010-06-18 at 05:25:37
Quote from user: Gerd SyllwasschyYou mean to say Sanoma cuts eight-pagers, of all things, into weekly portions? Astounding.
They have cut the José Carioca newspaper strip epic story into 3-page segments. If I turn in an 8-page Br'er Rabbit story, if they like the story, they may ask me to situate a suspense point at the end of 4 pages, so it can be published in two pieces (in two consecutive weeks). That is because Broer Konijn is not really a leading story character in The Netherlands. However, if my stories have enough of the classic feel, and my partner finishing artist (who I will leave a secret, at this point) draws it in Murray's style, Thom Roep may decide to allow it to be published as an 8-pager, as a lead story, and, perhaps the artist can also make a special Broer Konijn cover for that weekly book. Perhaps we can do that for the José Carioca 8-pager, as well. That will be less likely to not get split in two. But 4 pages is a "long story" for Carioca (almost always 3, except when the panels are miniscule size in a "miniboek". But, if we get the two Br'er Rabbit stories printed intact (8 pg.), and the Carioca is split in two (4pg.), I'll be happy.
They have cut the José Carioca newspaper strip epic story into 3-page segments. If I turn in an 8-page Br'er Rabbit story, if they like the story, they may ask me to situate a suspense point at the end of 4 pages, so it can be published in two pieces (in two consecutive weeks). That is because Broer Konijn is not really a leading story character in The Netherlands. However, if my stories have enough of the classic feel, and my partner finishing artist (who I will leave a secret, at this point) draws it in Murray's style, Thom Roep may decide to allow it to be published as an 8-pager, as a lead story, and, perhaps the artist can also make a special Broer Konijn cover for that weekly book. Perhaps we can do that for the José Carioca 8-pager, as well. That will be less likely to not get split in two. But 4 pages is a "long story" for Carioca (almost always 3, except when the panels are miniscule size in a "miniboek". But, if we get the two Br'er Rabbit stories printed intact (8 pg.), and the Carioca is split in two (4pg.), I'll be happy.