Detectives in Disgrace

 

As October marches on, it is time to look at the third issue of Mickey Mouse Adventures as the Phantom Blot makes his triumphant return in Detectives in Disgrace. Written by Jack Sutter with the plot by Paul Halas. Drawn by Antoni Bancells Pujadas.

The Phantom Blot’s history is murky and mysterious as himself. One of Floyd Gottfredson’s most enduring one shots, he has since become one of Mickey’s tenacious and enduring foes. First appearing in the classic Mickey Outwits the Phantom Blot, he only appeared in reprints of the story before both the Americans and the Italians hit upon the idea of reintroducing him to the Disney comic world in the 1960s thus proving the character’s durability. The Western version often downplayed the Blot’s threatening side in favor of more comedic adventures and tone. Not unsurprisingly since most of Western’s material lean towards the childlike. 

When the Blot is “on,” he truly serves as an inspiring and devoted foe. Some of his best stories like this tale and Darkenblot detail the stories of a determined foe with strategic cunning mixed with personal revenge on the Mouse. He is Mickey’s Machiavellian foe.

The story starts in a basement where a group of master criminals dressed like 1920s gangsters (the classic look) are discussing how to deal with Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Apparently, the dynamic duo has put half of the society in jail! (Mickey should run for office with a record like that!). Hilariously, the suggestions range from dumping them in the river, shooting them, and blowing them up. And then the most dangerous criminal of them all the Phantom Blot arrives to disdainfully turn down some crude methods.

I say hilariously because while the Phantom Blot’s resulting plan is outrageously successful, it is also complicated and convoluted compared to merely pugging Mickey and Dippy Dawg with lead. But it is a Disney comic and because of the guidelines, the suggestion can be made but possibly carried out? Nope. Won’t fly. Parents will be mad! I am not suggesting that mob hits become a basic characteristic of Mickey comics but it is amusing to see how even the most evil villains are forced into these plans. And not even the best stories are immune from it. Mickey Mouse Joins the Foreign Legion (my all-time favorite MM comic) uses this same trope. Trigger Hawkes, Pete’s accomplice, suggests just killing Mickey but Pete, in deference of the standard, vetoes it saying they will get caught. Now, Pete’s caution works in the framework of the story, shooting Mickey would raise suspicion in the Legion but here shooting Mickey and Goofy would be the simplest maneuver. But no, the Phantom Blot wants a smear campaign which fits with his original character.

So the underworld decides to follow old Blotty. And the Blot harkening back to his Gottfredson’s roots leaves a note stating how he will rob the Vandergilt’s Jewelry Shop at 3 pm. Mickey and Goofy set up a trap but the Blot is able to escape and the newspaper article has the Blot promising to rob the Savings Bank next.

Mickey and Goofy capture the Blot but it turns out that they fell for a dummy. The newspaper article mocks Mickey and Goofy while showcasing the Blot’s next challenge. And the Blot in typical grandiose fashion will have a television crew on hand. So Chief O’Hara hatches a plot with as he puts it “real police officers.” Which is pretty amusing considering he usually needs Mickey to catch the special criminals. Man, no respect for the Mouse. Mickey and Goofy are assigned the back door and special walkie-talkies but the Blot is listening in and he makes a slight adjustment to the equipment.

The Blot slips through the air conditioning vents (a classic staple) and uses the walkie-talkie to send out fake instructions to the duo. Thus, Mickey and Goofy drive off to apprehend the villain while the Blot hangs ten on the car. Of course as must be the case in these stories, O’Hara takes what he sees at face value and sees they will have to arrest Mickey Mouse. The Blot jumps off and Mickey and Goofy learn the sad truth. This time, their gaff makes the evening news.

The low rent criminals are all celebrating their gains and petty crimes but the Blot has his eyes set on a bigger prize. Anyway that night at Mickey’s house, he catches a clumsy criminal trying to rob his house. The thief lets a reference slip about robbing Fort Knocks (get it?) and Mickey ponders the possibility. The following day, Mickey and Goofy leave on the train (in the 1990s?) to the delight of the Blot and friends but Mickey and Goofy jump off.

The following morning, the Blot’s crew kidnaps security officers for their uniforms as part of the Fort Knocks swipe but Mickey and Goofy are also there in disguise. (It is now that I am regretting that this spoof on Goldfinger didn’t include gassing some gangsters) but they are caught because their ID cards are fake. But of course, Mickey has a plan for escaping jail. Meanwhile the Blot and cronies have hijacked the gold and ready to blow Fort Knocks. So Mickey in his second Indiana Jones ploy of the series hitches a ride under one of the trucks.

The siren alarms whistle while Mickey is trying to figure out why the convoy is slowing down rather than speeding up. The Blot’s plan is to disguise his vehicles as standard delivery trucks and head to the secret airfield outside of town.

Goofy is unable to hold on much longer and is luckily dumped off near a phone. But Mickey showing that daring and risk disconnects the truck’s fuel line forcing a stoppage. He sneaks into the driver’s seat and guns the engine as the fuel line is reconnected. 

He crashes the truck to barricade the convoy as the Phantom Blot begins to think Mickey is behind the proceedings. Suddenly, the police alerted by Goofy arrive to seize the crowd. But the Blot makes a run for it with Mickey on his tail. He and Mickey have a battle among the rocks which ends in Mickey submerged in the pond and the Blot dashing for his plane. Mickey foils his escape by shoving a massive boulder upon his plane to capture him. And Chief O’Hara, Mickey, and Goofy all share a hearty laugh at the end.

Out of all the stories thus far in the line, this tale was definitely the finest one. Its length (20+ pages) allowed for more development and stronger character moments. The Phantom Blot, when written correctly, is always a fun villain. Mickey was given plenty of active character moments that allowed his inventiveness and resolve to shine through.

Great story.

Two Ears Up!

Next up: Mickey comes face-to-face with the furry version of Kraven the Hunter!