Michael Mouse

by Mitch Lohmeier

Originally serialized on Mitch’s Instagram between November 2020 and October 2022.

Genres: Comics, Fiction

72 pages, Paperback

First published November 29, 2023

Reviews

[Phishy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lol wtf did I just read

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty... goofy stuff. Mickey Mouse is a bad influence and gets the now family man Donald Duck out for some more shenanigans. Lots of cocaine and violence as a drug deal goes bad because of Goofy's violent tendencies. It's funny and outrageous. I felt really bad for the duck.

[Magda Beret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kompletnie szalona historia. Zbrodnia i kara. O tym, jak chwila słabości może zniszczyć życie własne i naszych najbliższych. Postacie Disneya w nowym, zupełnie niebajkowym wydaniu. Narkotyki, napady, pościgi, morderstwa...

Szokujący efekt utrzymuje się do końca. Happy endu nie będzie.

[Phil I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest comics I’ve read in ages. Bravo.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for school

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

an Original Work with Original Characters

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mitch Lohmeier's twisted take on classic Disney characters takes numerous dark turns as he spins a lurid tale of one man's duck's spiral into oblivion. Originally serialized on Instagram from 2020 to 2022, Floating World Comics collects the entirety of Lohmeier's Michael Mouse saga into one delightful volume. Despite the title, Michael Mouse (the obvious Mickey Mouse pastiche) is not the main character. Instead we follow David Duck, who is a recovering drug addict trying to piece together his life again with his wife and two kids. But David gives into temptation when Michael offers him drugs once again, and subsequently lures him into a drug deal. Joined by the degenerate Goony, the trio embark a blood-soaked odyssey through a series of murders, shoot-outs, car chases and more. David is the only reluctant partner here, offering his hesitancy more than once and it's clear that he really wants to get back to his family. But the tragedy of Michael Mouse lies in David's crippling drug addiction that ensures he'll always make the wrong choice.

The premise here isn't novel, since crude parodies of classic cartoon characters have existed for a long time. But Lohmeier's approach isn't about reinventing or subversion via parody; he's really just spinning an engrossing crime drama steeped with tragedy. It just happens to star iconic characters. The artwork is fantastic too - Lohmeier doesn't attempt any strong character redesigns and instead focuses on capturing the action is inventive and engaging ways. The subdued colors allow the main distinction here - you definitely won't be confusing this with Carl Barks or Don Rosa. The artwork features a sheen of grime that adds to the horror that is the story found in Michael Mouse, making this unquestionably a true depiction of tragedy.

And just one last note: Lohmeier illustrates the best depiction of slowly burning to death I've ever seen in a comic. If that doesn't sell you on Michael Mouse, I don't know what will.

[Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s kind of a cheap trick for relatively unknown cartoonists to make bootleg/parody comics using famous characters. Not only does it mean benefitting from ready-made iconic character designs, it's also an easy way to gain attention beyond one’s existing fanbase, and indeed I imagine it's one of the few viable ways for an alternative humour comic to spark the interest of mainstream comic readers. Plus, if it prompts a reaction from the IP holder, there might even be some free press.

Because of this, the more discerning comic reader might well dismiss these kinds of comics out of hand. A Disney spoof that reimagines Mickey, Goofy and Donald as degenerate drug addicts and criminals? Probably just unimaginative shock schlock.

And yet I think it'd be a mistake to turn your nose up at this particular example of the phenomenon. Yes, a big part of its humour hinges on the dissonance of seeing familiar, wholesome cartoon characters in explicit situations – which is hardly the most original or sophisticated premise – but Mitch Lohmeier’s masterful execution elevates it far beyond the lowest-common-denominator trash it might appear to be. Vitally, Lohmeier understands that emotional gut punches can be more brutal than graphic violence or profanity, so he balances the comic’s wacky plot and irreverent humour with a genuinely dark undercurrent. In a manner reminiscent of Simon Hanselmann, he doesn't just settle for trying to make his readers snicker at his comic’s absurd premise and outlandish events; he complements these elements with a stark look at their grim consequences, giving his characters some real pathos in the process.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too bad it wasn’t longer.

Fascinating Disney parody featuring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy recast as Michael, David, and Goony. The narrative follows Dave Duck, a “reformed” coke addict who is incapable of saying “no” to sadistic manipulator Michael. What follows is a crime story that could easily have been a Jim Thompson plot, but with cartoon animals.

For what it is, the story is funny in kind of a sad way. If I can find any fault, it would be with the way Lohmeier adds a dark fade effect to certain panels. Sometimes it adds drama. But others it makes the panel difficult to follow. This probably is just nitpicking on my part. Please Mitch, publish more of these on paper, the rest of this web series is a really fun read.

[Ozro Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is something seen a thousand times before, in places from Mad Magazine to Family Guy cutaway gags or even just what we all used to draw in middle school. It's Mickey & Pals being edgy, doing drugs and saying bad words. But somehow it just really works here, despite the fact that it probably should've fallen flat once you got past the initial pitch.

It goes to show how talented craft can elevate even the most overdone ideas. The story is surprisingly engaging, and the art and layouts are a perfect fit for the parody. The presentation is also a blast, complete with a faux Little Golden Book spine.

[salem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've ran into Mitch at festivals so many times yet never actually committed to buying a copy of Michael Mouse. Last night I finally read it on Instagram and JESUS I need to buy a physical copy! I don't even know how to summarize the story, so much happens and every panel takes a turn. It kept my attention the whole time and was just such a wild ride from start to finish. Please read this.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So dumb. Zero pacing, just one gag trope after another. Glossy pages with a baffling “distressed background. Ugly Instagram-esque filters on some of the panels. Seems manifested almost out of pure obligation. I feel stupider having read it. I think that was the intent though. The Golden Book-style spine was a nice touch.

[Zac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be for Disney what Simon Hanselmann was for Meg & Mog but this is less wacky and more just a straightforward crime story. Very good but very bleak. Pretty consistently just grid layouts but with a few interesting artistic choices within the panels - I like the way the lighting was done (e.g. the blue from the cop car lights) and the police sketches were a funny touch.

[Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilariously bleak. There’s a short rant towards Michael Mouse about how he thinks he is god that most definitely could be directed at Disney. I’ve read and seen a million stories just like this one, but somehow it didn’t get old.

[Andrew Rules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legit amazed he hasn't been sued yet

[Valéria. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Betzim Gdolot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. Very crude, dark and grotesque

[Christoph Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

Michael Mouse is a drug pusher, David Duck is a pushover and Goony is a... goon.

I love this.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book. The page 34 middle two rows had me laughing out loud.

[Danae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot to rate this. It was so fucking funny. Exactly my speed.

[Joshua K · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the hell was that? I like the general idea, it just kinda feels like a Mad Magazine bit taken to its farthest extreme. I chuckled a fair bit but nothing revolutionary is happening here.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult rated mickey mouse. Good WTF read lol