The Resurrection of Doom - Part 1

Okay, fans and scholars, here's an interesting morsel I just found in my files. It's the graphic novel sequel to the story in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In the movie, Roger's nemesis was an evil toon named Doom, who dies in the end. After the success of the movie and its graphic novel adaptation, I felt there was a need for a follow-up. I pitched my idea for The Resurrection of Doom, and was given the go ahead to do it. I wrote the story, and did the breakdowns and layouts. Final art was done by Dan Spiegle (Illustrative style), pencils by Todd Kurosawa (Toon art) and inked by William Langley (Toon art). Lettering by Carrie Spiegle, coloring by Jo Meugniot.

On the left is my original script/breakdown/layout. On the right, the final, printed page. This is how I write comics. I'm not a big advocate of scripts from a typewriter or computer printer. I know most writers work that way, but I just can't see doing it any other way than with sketches like this.

The artists who worked on this were the perfect choice for the team collaboration. Dan Spiegle is one of the best illustrative story artists in the world and he's been doing it for 50+ years. Todd Kurosawa draws beautifully and his animation style is just right. Bill Langley draws extremely well and has one of the most elegant ink lines I've ever seen. Dan's daughter, Carrie Spiegle, is a terrific letterer and Jo Meugniot is a superb colorist. All of these people played key roles in the early days of Disney Comics (1990 - 93).

I'd forgotten that certain things were changed for legal reasons, and I think they were sound decisions. As funny as some of the characters depicted might be to fans with a knowledge of Disney characters, the generic alternatives work just as well. For example, the photo of Walt Disney's original studio in Kansas City was changed to a photo of my father standing next a friend's new car, back in the 20s. Even the narration was changed to fit the new image. The new character names are just as funny.

Much as I like the idea that Doom was a character actor who played various Disney character roles, the switch to non-Disney characters was maybe funnier. (Although, the idea of Doom running around town in his Queen of Hearts costume long after Alice in Wonderland was done makes me chuckle. Sort of a Sunset Boulevard thing.)

I'll post more pages next time, along with the cover, featuring great art by Ron Dias. Until then...

This material is presented here for historical and educational purposes. All material is Copyright Walt Disney and Amblin Entertainment, Inc, All rights reserved. Originally published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc., in 1989.