Would you believe that, despite the tagline, I haven't reviewed a Gottfredson story yet? Clearly, I have been delinquent in my duties and obligations! Since May is his birthday month, I am dedicating my time to reviewing the Fourth Volume of his astounding library published by Fantagraphics.
*I will also fit in Mickey Mouse Versus the Mouseton Society of Evil. Unfortunately, the preorder address was my parents' home. When I ordered the volume last August, I assumed a different job location. The best laid plans of mice and bloggers.
Volume Four is the most read in my collection. The binding is nearly faded away. Compare that to Volume 12, which looks barely touched. Gottfredson was at his storytelling best, churning out classic after classic serial, including my personal favorite, "Mickey Mouse Joins the Foreign Legion." When people ask me why Mickey is my favorite character, I point to this volume.
All that praise leads me to my ironic lede. The first story, "Oscar the Ostrich" is my least favorite in the volume. I have never cared much for the animated-preferred scenario of Mickey versus mischievous and troublesome animal and the tale, coming right after the magnificent and high-staked "Pirate Submarine," pales in comparison. However, there are still amusing moments and Floyd's art brings a level of kinetic energy to the newspaper.
Oscar the Ostrich
Lesson Learned: Jerkish animals are financially ruinous
Historically, this tale holds an important milestone as the first appearance of Goofy under his current moniker. The name Dippy Dawg has been retired and the Social Security card updated. However, some old vestiges of the strip remain. The tale begins with Mickey and Horace Horsecollar talking shop and the latter showing off his newly purchased and renovated secondhand automobile.
Horace allows Mickey to borrow the car to take Minnie for a pleasant Sunday drive. The lovebirds use the opportunity to drop exposition about the "Pirate Submarine" when an ostrich hops into the backseat. The perils of open-air cars.
Mickey explains how he only take chances with his stuff and not other peoples, bringing down the god of irony down upon his red shorts. Oscar eats the upholstery and the flower on Minnie's hat. Horace is understandably outraged and forces Mickey to keep the giant bird.
Mickey heads to the local pet shop where Tony Dinero, taking a break from Lady and Tramp, lies and pretends he has never seen Oscar before. The Mouse decides to give Oscar away but the bird's jerk behavior and wanton destruction makes him impossible to give away.
Goofy stops by to talk with Mickey and Oscar decides to risk his future in the strip to by hammering the Goof's head like a woodpecker. Goofy, displaying the masochistic behavior characterized on Goof Troop, keeps trying to make friends with the angry, flightless bird.
Mickey, becoming increasingly desperate to unload the most annoying feathered creation since Big Bird, LOCKS OSCAR IN A WOODEN CAGE and leaves him by the roadside! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse would be a thousand times better with this Mickey.
Of course, it doesn't work as the thumbless bird breaks free and zooms by the car with a beep beep! The sheriff tracks Mickey down and tells him to appear in court because of property damages. The toxic relationship reflects on how Mickey hasn't become a core consultant for the police. At this point, Mickey and law aren't best pals. Of course, Mouseton law in the early years was one step above Somalia.
The judge fines Mickey $264.13 or risk prison for five years. He has two weeks to raise the cash or risk becoming a cellmate's lover. He decides to use Oscar in a delivery service plan. See, once upon a time, grocery stores delivered to their customers. Then, the practice went away. Now, it has begun to return. There is nothing new under the sun!
It starts off promising before the hungry and jerkish Oscar eats multiple and expensive groceries. Mickey decides to give up - seems out of character - and turns himself into the police. They make some gallows humor before throwing him out on the street. There, he discovers that a wacky animal race is taking place with a rich prize of $300.
Mickey hawks some items for the $10 entry fee (he was quite poor before opening the theme parks) and then the sheriff shows up. Mickey the fugitive takes off for the course and pays his entry fee. Contestants include Goofy with his horse and Donald Duck in a bathtub.
The Duck floods the track with water but Mickey and Oscar trudge through the muck. Donald is hoisted by his own petard after getting stuck in the mud.
Goofy knocks out Oscar with his special glove but the bird rejuvenates and remembers he bleeping hates the Goof. Anger leads to the Dark Side and second place as Oscar's pecking eliminates Goofy's vehicle and his already meager IQ.
There is only one contestant left but he doesn't have a name, so Mickey obviously passes him for the win. Oscar eats the winner's flower arrangement because he is a menace. Mickey is about to win $300 when Tony Dinero barges in and says he owns the bird. Because winning has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan.
Mouseton law is Mouseton law and Dinero has the $300 dollars and laughs in the Mouse's face. He gives Mickey $25 as a mocking reward but our hero is smarter than a stereotype and rushes the Sheriff over. Mickey tricks Dinero into admitting he has always owned Oscar and the man's continuing ownership of an Italian restaurant for dog dating takes a hit.
The scene cuts to Mickey and Minnie on a moonlight scroll. Mickey admits it is time for a good rest and once again the gods of irony strikes. A message attached to the door says Captain Churchmouse needs his help. Cliffhanger!
Re-reading the serial for this review has grown my opinion. It is still my least favorite of the volume but the energy is great and there are some fun gags. The story forms a nice interlude between "Pirate Submarine" and "Foreign Legion."
Speaking of "Foreign Legion," it is my all-time favorite Mickey story! You won't want to miss that review!
One and an half ears up!
