My Favorite Design of Mickey

 

I usually go out to library to buy some DVDs of old movies and some books that peek my interest. One of them was a collection of comics from the Carl Barks era of Donald Duck and also includes this interesting adaptation of Metropolis starring Mickey Mouse.

For one thing, I absolutely love this design of Mickey. The floppy ears, the cute expressions, just that old movie feel in my perspective. 

I love this cover so much. I also love the outline. That bold outline. Whereas the other corners are pretty thick. It's amazing, it almost makes me want to change my art style, it's maybe more appealing that way when it comes to publishing art.

 

These frames are just outstanding, each one is just cineamtic, so much personality. We get some stellar expressions. Something about it just gives Mickey and the others more character. It's more natural than the characters reacting kinda almost always optimistically. 

Just a quick example of what I like about old movies, I almost love all the climax sequences. I could make a full post on scenes I enjoy and feel inspired to, but one in particular is from The Third Man (1949), the Sewer scene is just phenomenal. Something about Harry Lime's reaction to what's he being chased by, and we have these cool environments that make the scene fun and explanatory.

It's very clear that movie directors aren't only influenced by movies, I see a connection to novels like chapter books and comic books. That's why I always liked storyboards. Next post I'm going to talk about a certain movie director who used storyboards as much as animators do.

I like some of the honest reactions we get here. Also a little sidenote is that the female lead isn't Minnie Mouse at all. It's just so cool to see an iconic character be with someone who while yes looks identical, has different facial features and a tougher more lively personality.

Almost like Oswald and Ortensia. There's just something more cuter but pleasent about their relationship, and not just a carbon copy.

Her name is Minerva, and she just reminds me of what I love about female leads, she's brave, not overly talkative and has a decent amount of emotional depth. She's a good character and I wished there was more of her.

I liked comics as a kid. I remember having alot of the Archie Sonic's and Spongebob comics, and I remember liking the illustrations and creativity. Even remember in elementary school in library class we got ourselves Rutabaga The Adventure Chef which I adored. I apparently got the 2nd book and was also just incredible. Eric Colossal, extremely talented.

But anyways, I still do collect comics, but I usually feel fine reading them only once, but there are some stories I keep on coming back to just like with some movies. 

I have difficulties drawing other things except for characters, I'm not sure if I ever might be animator for hire, I always felt more persuaded to designing, directing and storyboard art, but I would love to study more on drawing different angles and vehicles. Such as the image above, the design of the car is amazing.

I need to talk about the artists, I respect all the artists work that went into this. But from what I seen, Jonathan H. Gray and Paolo Mottura were responsible for the artwork. Mottura in particular outside of comics, his art is just incredible. He might be my favorite Disney artist.

He designed a couple of old movie parodies and this is his best. Obviously from Roman Holiday, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

It's great because the film is B&W and the original movie posters aren't as visually stunning and lively in my taste. So beautiful, and really cute.

Here is his more incredible art. 

Love the sunset, also love Goofy's design. He looks really calm and appreciates the natural environments of what looks like The Grand Canyon? Not specifically a geologist myself on knowing that completely but still cool.

Another case where he designed Metropolis related artwork. This is just outstanding. Love these limited color tones. It's very passionate and honestly pays excellent tribute to the original Fritz Lang movie. I never actually seen it, but from what I researched so far, looks astonishing. It's a silent film but I grown more fond of them after I saw Safety Last and The Passion of Joan of Arc.