Is your honey pot empty? Oh, bother! Fill it up with dozens of classic comic book stories never before collected—from the vintage American Winnie the Pooh comic book and from Disney comics magazines around the world! Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and the gang rejoin us in a bounty of epic-length cartoon adaptations and delightfully droll gag tales.See Christopher Robin’s whole gang chase bees with balloons, bounce into dire winter weather, hunt hungry Heffalumps and even confront the dreadful Snagglefrizzle! Tall tales, chivalry, stuff and fluff are all here for Pooh Bear—Winnie the Pooh Bear!
David Gerstein is an American comics author and editor as well as an animation historian. Gerstein has five books and countless comic book credits to his name. He has written many Disney comics stories, usually featuring Mickey Mouse and/or Donald Duck and provided American English script doctoring for Mickey and Donald stories that were originally written in a different language. Past employments include Egmont Creative A/S, a Danish comics studio, and Gemstone Publishing. His current work is with various affiliates of Egmont, and Fantagraphics Books. Recurring gags in Gerstein's writing (both original stories and script doctoring of others') include quotations from Shakespeare, Gilbert and Sullivan, and T.S. Eliot, often paraphrased in a humorous manner.
Individually, none of these stories are that great, but I'm just so happy to see this project reprinting Pooh comic book stories from past years and from around the world (USA, France, Norway, and Finland). Only a few of these stories are from the comic books I read in the 1970s, so much of it was new to me.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
A serviceable adaptation of the 1977 movie that stitched together all of Disney's Winnie the Pooh short films.
This is not a comprehensive adaptation though, as several scenes are skipped entirely or summarized in a single caption. But what's here gives me the little nostalgic kick I'm looking for.
The Heffalump Invasion
Christopher Robin reads a little bit about Heffalumps from a book, and all the residents of the Hundred-Acre Wood immediately run off in a panic and decide they are pretty sure they see a Heffalump hiding amongst the trees. Hijinks give way to embarrassment.
A Hard Day's Knight
Sir Brian Botany, a knight, and Dragon are odd additions to the Pooh canon, derived from A. A. Milne's book of verse, When We Were Very Young. They show up here in a newspaper comic strip gag that's pretty feeble.
Eep of the Gra
Kanga has opened a nursery school for the little critters of the Hundred Acre Wood. But one little gopher is left behind at the end of the day and a negligent, scatterbrained Kanga doesn't know his name or who his parent is. When asked who he is, he can only say "Eep of the Gra," but when Pooh asks around no one recognizes that name, not even Christopher Robin, who is doing some yardwork next to his rather hostile "Keep off the Grass" sign. Hmmmmm.
Caboose On the Loose
Christopher Robin reads a little bit about Heffalumps cabooses from a book, and all the residents of the Hundred-Acre Wood immediately run off in a panic and decide they are pretty sure they see a Heffalump caboose hiding amongst the trees. Hijinks give way to embarrassment.
How Not to Chase a Dragon
Roo thinks he sees a Heffalump in the forest, but it turns into Pooh and friends meeting Sir Brian Botany and Dragon for the first time. Pooh helps the knight see that not all dragons need slaying.
Something For a Rainy Day
When a bridge washes out and leaves Eeyore stranded in the middle of a stream, Rabbit determines that a new bridge must be built. He recruits Beaver -- who looks and talks a lot like Gopher and is also "not in the book" -- to help in the effort. But a honey pot and umbrella come into play, evoking Milne's original chapter, "In Which Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded by Water."
Bouncing Battle
Tigger and Rabbit decide to have a contest to determine which of them is the better bouncer. But it turns out, they aren't the only bouncers in the Hundred-Acre Wood.
Good News, Bad News
A little gag from the comic strip with some silly word play between Piglet and Pooh that almost sounds like Milne.
Cure Quest
Pooh, Piglet and Rabbit set out to climb a mountain in order to find the rare boodleberry that might help Roo get over his cold more quickly. A few slapstick gags about the crew falling off the mountain give way to a clever, ironic ending.
Shoulder Arms
Sir Brian annoys Dragon by reading over his shoulder in this one-page comic strip gag.
Pancake Penalty
Rabbit tries to get out of making pancakes for Pooh and Piglet by challenging them to finding two identical snowflakes. Christopher Robin intervenes to explain and set them on the path to turning the table (flipping the pancakes?)
Snow Searching
Pooh and Piglet are building a snowman when Eeyore approaches to let them know he has lost his tail again. Gopher shows up and offers to help in the search, but the tail turns up in an unexpected (but unsurprising) place.
Second Childhood
Another comic strip gag page. Piglet gets all philosophical and meta on Pooh.
Tall Tale
A small incident between Pooh and Tigger gets warped and blown out of proportion when the other residents of the Hundred-Acre Wood play a game of telephone gossiping about it.
Bubble Trouble
Christopher Robin gives Pooh some bubble gum, and the silly things they end up doing with it are supposed to be a story.
Christopher Robin, Wishing Star
Christopher Robin tries to make Pooh and Piglet's wishes come true but gets frustrated when things don't work out the way he planned.
Lineage Lineup
Sir Brian is bragging about the paintings in his castle in this comic strip gag page and actually makes sense for once.
Eeyore's Cloud Mystery
Eeyore wants to touch the clouds, so Tigger helps him to the top of a tree. But then Tigger bounces off and forgets about him for a bit. "Figures," as Eeyore would say. An unlikely development and impossible misunderstanding provides a happy ending.
The Best Piglet Around
Piglet feels down after he realizes all his friends are the best at something, but he's just a big nothing. This sort of feels like a first draft of Piget's Big Movie.
Never Work On an Empty Stomach
When Pooh runs out of honey, he makes the rounds of his friends, hoping that they will reward him with a smackerel if he helps them out with chores. But honey is hard to come by . . . until one of those unlikely developments so common in short comic book stories.
The Great Unknown
Pooh and friends go hunting for the North Pole. Hijinks and misunderstandings ensue.
Gopher's Vacation
After a cave-in, a frustrated Gopher decides to try Pooh's idea of taking a vacation above ground. But he's such an annoying houseguest -- quickly passed between Pooh's friends like a hot potato -- everyone is eager to get him back down the hole.
Snagglefrizzle is Coming!
Piglet's friends help him overcome his fear of an imaginary creature upon which he has become fixated by expanding upon its mythology with their own ideas of what it is.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents:
COVER • Art by Kari Korhonen • Color by Sanoma • First published on Finnish Nalle Puh 2006-11, November 10, 2006 (D2006-141)
TITLE PAGE • Art by Pete Alvarado • Color by Western Publishing • Color restoration by David Gerstein • Originally published on American Winnie the Pooh 1, January 1977 (W WTP1-00)
~ FEATURES AND FEATURETTES ~ • Character figures by Disney Consumer Products artist from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh home video package, 1996 • Extended background by Disney Publishing Worldwide from French Disney les classiques du dessin animé en bande dessinée 26, 1998 (PMF 22-A)
In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie the Pooh’s Theatrical Career, and the Adaptations Begin • Introduction by David Gerstein • Image drawn by John Ushler for the Treasury of Classic Tales Sunday strip (1966) • Painting from 1969 Disneyland Records read-along booklet
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh • Adaptation by Didier le Bornec • Translation and Dialogue by Joe Torcivia, Didier le Bornec, and David Gerstein • Pencils by Daniel Perez • Inks by Comicup Studio • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Disney Publishing Worldwide • First published in French Disney les classiques du dessin animé en bande dessinée 26: Les aventures de Winnie l'ourson, 1998 (E GN 98-06) • Based on a screenplay by Larry Clemmons, Vance Gerry, Ken Anderson, Ted Berman, Ralph Wright, Xavier Atencio, Julius Svendsen, and Eric Cleworth; based on the original works by A. A. Milne.
~ SHORTS ~ • Cover drawing by Kari Korhornen • Color by Raimo Hyvönen • First published on Finnish Nalle Puh 2009-04 (2009)
In Which Piglet Finds His Place in Very Small Adventures, and Tigger’s Attention Span Is Satisfied • Introduction by David Gerstein with Jim Fanning • Cover art by Joaquín Cañizares Sanchez first published on Finnish Nalle Puh 1988-02 (1988) • Sir Brian Botany model sheet courtesy Disney Publishing Worldwide, circa 1977
The Heffalump Invasion • Story by Vic Lockman • Art by Pete Alvarado • Lettering by Bill Spicer • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in American Winnie the Pooh 1, January 1977 (W WTP1-03)
A Hard Day's Knight • Story by Don Ferguson • Art by Sparky Moore • Lettering by Carson Van Osten • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in American Winnie the Pooh comic strip, July 16, 1978 (ZW 78-07-16)
Eep of the Gra • Story by Vic Lockman • Pencils by Pete Alvarado • Inks and Lettering by Bill Wright • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in American Winnie the Pooh 2, May 1977 (W WTP 2-02)
Caboose On the Loose • Story by Vic Lockman • Pencils by Pete Alvarado • Inks and Lettering by Bill Wright • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in American Winnie the Pooh 3, September 1977 (W WTP 3-01)
How Not to Chase a Dragon • Story by Vic Lockman • Pencils by Pete Alvarado • Inks and Lettering by Bill Wright • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in American Winnie the Pooh 14, August 1979 (W WTP 14-01)
Something For a Rainy Day • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Carlos Valenti • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Sanoma and Big Doors Studio • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1985-04, April 2, 1985 (S 84044)
Bouncing Battle • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Rubén Torreiro • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Sanoma and Big Doors Studio • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1985-04, April 2, 1985 (S 84058)
Good News, Bad News • Story by Don Ferguson • Art by Sparky Moore • Lettering by Larry Mayer • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in American Winnie the Pooh comic strip, April 1, 1984 (ZW 84-04-01)
Cure Quest • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by the Jaime Diaz Studio • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1986-01, December 20, 1985 (S 85050)
Shoulder Arms • Story by Don Ferguson • Art by Sparky Moore • Lettering by Larry Mayer • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in American Winnie the Pooh comic strip, August 25, 1985 (ZW 85-08-25)
Pancake Penalty • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Carlos Grangel • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1987-01, December 30, 1986 (S 85344, D/WIN 314)
Snow Searching • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Carlos Grangel • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Digikore Studies • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 1988-12, December 1988 (S 86019, D/WIN 333)
Second Childhood • Story by Don Ferguson • Art by Sparky Moore • Lettering by Larry Mayer • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in American Winnie the Pooh comic strip, April 13, 1986 (ZW 86-04-13)
Tall Tale • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Carlos Grangel • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1987-06, June 9, 1987 (5 86088, D/WIN 359)
Bubble Trouble • Story by Jim Fanning • Art by Rubén Torreiro • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in Norwegian Ole Brumm 1990-01, January 1990 (S 88101)
Christopher Robin, Wishing Star • Story by Ed Nofziger • Dialogue by Ed Nofziger and David Gerstein • Art by Joaquín Cañizares Sanchez • Lettering by David Gerstein • Color by Digikore Studios • Included in Egmont overseas pool, 1990 (S 88149, D/WIN 512)
Lineage Lineup • Story by Don Ferguson • Art by Sparky Moore • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in American Winnie the Pooh comic strip, June 7, 1987 (ZW 81-08-16)
Eeyore's Cloud Mystery • Story by Ed Nofziger • Dialogue by Ed Nofziger and Joe Torcivia • Art by Joaquín Cañizares Sanchez • Lettering by David Gerstein • Color by Digikore Studios • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 1990-11, November 1990 (S 88230, D/WIN 516)
The Best Piglet Around • Story and Art by Kari Korhonen • Translation and Dialogue by Jonathan H. Gray • Lettering by David Gerstein • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 1999-10, October 1999 (D 98231)
Never Work On an Empty Stomach • Story by Kari Korhonen • Translation and Dialogue by Joe Torcivia • Art by Fernando Güell • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 2006-07, July 14, 2006 (D2006-052)
The Great Unknown • Story by Kari Korhonen • Translation and Dialogue by David Gerstein • Art by Fernando Güell • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 2007-01, January 12, 2007 (D 2006-054)
Gopher's Vacation • Story by Kari Korhonen • Translation and Dialogue by Joe Torcivia • Art by Fernando Güell • Lettering by Paul Baresh • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 2007-03, March 9, 2007 (D 2006-140)
Snagglefrizzle is Coming! • Story by Kari Korhonen • Translation and Dialogue by Jonathan H. Gray • Art by Fernando Güell • Lettering by David Gerstein • Color by Big Doors Studio • First published in Finnish Nalle Puh 2007-10, October 11, 2007 (D 2006-141)
CONTRIBUTORS • Cover vignette by Kari Horhonen first published on Finnish Nalle Puh 1998-04 (1988) with color restoration by David Gerstein • Painting from 1969 Disneyland Records read-along booklet