Disney LongBox Reviews: Mickey Mouse #14

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse has now returned from its four month hiatus. We return once more with another tale featuring Eurasia Toft and her Atlantis seeking adventures along with  a small taste of Australian published gag comics. 

 

Dark Mines of the Phantom Metal

Originally Published in Topolino #2880 (2011)

Country of Origin: Italy

First Time Published in North America

Our tale begins with a re-cap of the previous adventures featuring Eurasia Toft and the gang as they are once again following a lead towards discovering Atlantis as Eurasia spends the airplane ride reading notes about Atlantis  to some kids to keep them busy.

Eurasia reveals to Goofy the book she was reading was written by an expert on Atlantis and that he lived in Cornwall. She organized this trip to go talk with the professor over the clues she had found so far. But soon discovers that the professor has no intentions to talk to them after disaster struck recently.

The professor informs them that he is currently researching ancient megaliths and pyramids rather than Atlantis these days. He believes Avalon and Treveggen had ties to Atlantis until he informs them that a shady man warned him not to talk about Atlantis anymore or great evil will happen. The professor reveals that his house was obliterated the night before

He informs them that a daffy billionaire named Count Zoox who is also researching about Atlantis lives nearby and that the gang should go talk to him. They make their way to the party as the count shows off his latest discovery, an Atlantean toothpick and plate. Eurasia soon corrects him saying it was a commercial tablet of Phonenican origin.

The audience is not convinced as they decide to leave as Mickey observes the count giving money to a sea captain named Boiler. He senses that there is more to Boiler than meets the eye since finding ancient relics should not cost that much money. They reach the site where Zoox’s men are. To their shock, they only find two persons working on searching near the coast rather than further off. Goofy suspects the money isn’t going to research at all. The employee informs them that Boiler usually hangs out near the village port.

The gang head to the port and sees Boiler hiring more men for his operation, the three men he met refuses to go since they had heard about the dangers associated with the Atlantean search. Boiler eventually buys them out as Eurasia suggest going undercover as barflies to get a sneak at Boiler’s operations. The plan nearly fails when Boiler refuses to hire Eurasia but Goofy tells him that either he hires all of them or none of them.

The next morning, Boiler takes them on his boat and informs Mickey and the gang to put sacks on their heads as to not reveal the location of his operation.

Just why is he doing this ? What is Boiler really up to ? Could the Violet Hare Gang appear again? Is there something wrong with Zoox, could he hiding his real goal ? Well, you will have to read the rest of this story to find out, my dear friends.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

What a great way to re-start the Mickey Mouse comic book series by including elements from the very first issue last year. We have yet another tale featuring fan favourite Eurasia Toft on her quest to find Atlantis and evading the forces of the Violet Hare Gang.

The villains in this story were fairly interesting with Zoox reminding me of the Mad Hatter from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland just by his appearance and his accent. Boiler, however could have easily been replaced by Pete since he is essentially just the captain of the henchmen. I do like the design of the henchman with the crab claw, it reminds me of something I would see in early superhero comics.

While the last story was handled by a different crew, for this one however, Casty returns on writing and artistic duties. I love the way he draws Mickey and Goofy in his tales, it has that Scarpa feel.

SCARPA
CASTY 

Overall a very fun story worth checking out for all ages, can’t wait until the next story featuring Eurasia Toft.

Goofy Gift

Originally Published in Mickey Mouse #3 (1953)

Originally Published in Australia

First Time Published in North America 

In this one-pager, Goofy buys Mickey an unusual gift for his birthday.

 

CREDITS: 

WRITERS: ANDREA *CASTY* CASTELLAN WITH JONATHAN H.GRAY ( STORY 1) UNKNOWN ( STORY 2)

ARTISTS: ANDREA *CASTY* CASTELLAN ( STORY 1) DICK MOORES ( STORY 2)

EDITOR: SARAH GAYDOS

ARCHIVAL EDITOR : DAVID GERSTEIN

PUBLISHED BY IDW PUBLISHING