Looney Tunes (comics)





After their popularity soared in the 1930s, the Looney Tunes franchise ventured into comics from the 1940s-1950s (Dell Comics) all the way to the modern age of comics in the 1990s and in the 21st century (DC Comics), apart from their theatrical shorts, feature films, and TV shows.

The Four Color anthology title (1930-1962) by Dell Comics spotlighted various characters to try out whether they merited additional appearances or spin-off series. Porky Pig received his first spotlight issue in 1942. The story Porky of the Mounties (July, 1944) by Carl Barks is considered a highlight for the character. Bugs Bunny received his own spotlight in 1943. Both characters continued having several issues to themselves over the following decade. Sylvester Cat and Tweety Bird received their first spotlight issue in 1952. Followed by Daffy Duck in 1953. Petunia Pig, Elmer Fudd, Mary Jane and Sniffles also received spotlight issues in 1953, but they never "graduated" to having titles of their own. Elmer did however have several subsequent issues to himself. Wile E Coyote and The Road Runner received their first spoltlight issue in 1958. Though the Road Runner (as "Beep Beep") got top billing. They were featured in several subsequent issues. Speedy Gonzales had his first and only spotlight issue in 1960.

Dell Comics eventually gave the Looney Tunes characters their own spin-offs. The Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics (1941-1955) lasted for 165 issues under that name. Then was renamed to simply Looney Tunes (1955-1962) and lasted for another 81 issues. A total of 246 issues under either name. The Bugs Bunny magazine (1952-1962) lasted for 58 regular issues. Plus various holiday-themed specials (Halloween, Christmas, etc). The Porky Pig magazine (1952-1962) lasted for 57 issues. The Tweety and Sylvester magazine (1954-1962) lasted for 34 issues. The Daffy magazine (1956-1962, later renamed to Daffy Duck) lasted for 27 issues. Beep Beep the Road Runner magazine (1960-1962) lasted for 11 issues.

The Bugs Bunny magazine by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1962 to 1984. A total of 160 issues. The Tweety and Sylvester magazine by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1963 to 1984. A total of 121 issues. The Daffy Duck magazine by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1962 to 1984. A total of 113 issues. The Porky Pig magazine by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1965 to 1984. A total of 108 issues. The Beep Beep the Road Runner magazine (1966-1984) by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted for 105 issues. The Yosemite Sam magazine from Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1970 to 1984. A total of 81 issues, though most had him co-starring with Bugs Bunny. The Looney Tunes magazine by Gold Key Comics/Whitman lasted from 1975 to 1984. A total of 47 issues.

The Looney Tunes Magazine (1989-1992), published first by DC and then by the Welsh Publishing Group, lasted for 10 issues. It was then renamed to Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes Magazine, but that didn't help either the sales or the longevity of the title. The current Looney Tunes magazine by DC was launched in April, 1994. Still ongoing as of 2012, with over 200 issues published.

Tropes
"Wile E.: ETHELBERT? I'll...I'll be a laughingstock!
 * Crossover: Happens in the four issue "Superman & Bugs Bunny" with DC characters and Looney Tunes characters.
 * Death by Cameo: Issue #75 of the DC title shows that Elmer apparently killed
 * Delicious Fruit Pies: Even the Looney Tunes ensemble was employed to plug Hostess' confectioneries. Except for the one where Wile E. Coyote actually SUCCEEDS in capturing the Road Runner and Daffy Duck shows up to rescue him, they generally make more sense than the Superhero ones.
 * Embarrassing Middle Name: In a revelation that was immortalized on Jeopardy!, Wile E. Coyote seeks out his Uncle Kraft E., who revealed that the 'E' stands for "Ethelbert".

Kraft E.: It's my middle name, too! Why do you think I went to live on top of that mountain, away from people?"


 * Mark Evanier himself stated that he "didn't intend it as anything more than one joke on one page of one story in one issue."
 * Even the Rats Won't Touch It: Honey Bunny's cooking. According to Bugs, "The mice in [her] house have to send out for cheese sandwiches!"
 * Hair Decorations: Mary Jane wears a black or red bow on her blonde hair in the comics. Also Petunia Pig wears bows on her pigtails.
 * Girlish Pigtails: Petunia Pig.
 * Go-Karting with Bowser: In a lot of the Dell/Gold Key stories, Elmer is just a normal guy living in a neighborhood, and he and Bugs get along pretty well.
 * Milestone Celebration: Issue #6 ran a story celebrating Taz's 40th birthday, and issue #38 featured a special story for Marvin the Martian's 50th birthday.
 * Rhymes on a Dime: The Road Runner in the Dell/Gold Key comics. He was given a first name--Beep Beep--and three sons who spoke in rhyme as well.
 * Subbing for Santa: In issue #73.
 * Zettai Ryouki: Mary Jane.