New web comic - Mousetrapped! And new as in just started!

[thewayne]

Now here's the interesting bit about this particular comic - it's based upon the original Mickey Mouse - Steamboat Willie!

Steamboat Willie was the first animated incarnation of what would become Mickey Mouse, and the Disney Megalith guarded the copyrights on him like a rabid... rat. They got copyright extension laws passed, but eventually, that stopped working and now Willie has fallen into the public domain and anyone can use Willy - AND ONLY WILLIE! - any way they want in the USA.

And here is a very clever interpretation.

The comic is by Randy Milholland, and the most recent strip is on top. Since it's only been going since the first of the year, there's not far to get to the bottom of the page and start scrolling up. He also provides lots of commentary about other public domain comic entities that he plans to introduce into his comic.

I think it's going to be an interesting ride!

https://mousetrappedcomic.blog/

Comments

[blue_green_dream]

Thank you for posting this! I've been dismayed about the report that there's a Steamboat Willie horror movie coming out (because really? Really?), and this comic is a great way to showcase how to use public domain characters. It's not a cash grab, not something done for shock value, and something that is attempting to put some positivity out in the world. I appreciate the recommendation!

[thewayne]

Completely agreed!  I knew about the SW horror movie and was kind of disgusted by it, it was rather heartening to see this Mouse Trapped appear.  I've enjoyed the week that he's posted thus far, and his commentary - typos aside - has been quite interesting.  I know several people who read my blog are also web comic fans and might enjoy it.  Have fun!

[richardf8]

He's the one who's been working on Popeye for KFS, isn't he?

[blue_green_dream]

I feel the same re: the horror movie. It's a cynical cash grab that is once again rehashing that sort of tired Internet humor/shock value for the sake of shock value edgelord schlock that leaves me exhausted. If this is a product of the collective cultural psyche, what does that say about us?

This comic is much nicer, and frankly far more creative. I look forward to seeing where it goes.

[thewayne]

Couldn't tell you, I came across mention of it off of Two Lumps.

[disneydream06]

It still blows my mind that something like Mickey Mouse can lose it's copyright. :o :o :o
Hugs, Jon

[thewayne]

Life of creator plus 75 years.  That's it.  And it's not Mickey Mouse, it's his progenitor, Steamboat Willie.

[disneydream06]

Does Mickey lose it next then?
I don't really know how this stuff works. :o

[thewayne]

No idea.

[thewayne]

I just read today's Mousetrapped, and he says he's the Sunday artist for Popeye.  He also does the web comic Something Positive, which has a 22 year archive!

[disneydream06]

The whole concept still just flabbergasts me. :o

[felisdemens]

Randy is clever. I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes with this.

[thewayne]

I've really been enjoying the story thus far.  I'm not a Mickey Mouse fan, overall, and obviously this is Steamboat Willie - I like what's developing.