Looney Tunes: September 1997
Cover
Once again the standard cover is replaced by a design more fitting for the lead story. The full comic title is: Looney Tunes presents Jerkules, done in the style of Greek artwork. The words Looney Tunes arc over the word presents, with silhouettes of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner at the ends of the arc. Wile E. is about to loose an arrow after Road Runner.
At the top of framed picture is the word Jerkules and beneath is a surprised and worried Daffy, his sword quivering as he stares up at a dragon-like monster of which we can only see the foot, belly, and shadow. The shadow shows five heads, each at the end of a long neck.
Credits
Synopsis
Daffy is filling in for Hercules, who is off on a movie deal, and he's enjoying himself as beautiful women fan him and serve him food and drink. His only complaint is that they don't get his name right. That quickly changes when Zeus summons him to Mount Olympus without giving him time to change. King Elmerthius has asked for Hercules' help, but will get Daffy instead. As suddenly as he was summoned to Olympus, he appears before Elmerthius.
The king has twelve tasks to be performed, all intended to make Hercules look like a failure. Daffy's, or rather, Jerkules' first task is to bring back the hydra - alive, no less. He ignores the Hercules Guide which mentions a safe method and blunders on in. One head of the hydra asks him to tell about himself and he promptly bores the hydra to sleep. Upset, he wakes the monster and gets chased.
Elmerthius is upset that Jerkules led the hydra right into the palace zoo instead of failing completely. The next task is to clean the Augean stables. Jerkules gets the job done by calling in a service. Next he brings back the bull from the isle of Crete, plucks the golden apples of the Hesperides, and brings back the golden belt of the Amazons.
The king is now furious. At least until he gets news that Jerkules' success is overshadowing Hercules. As Elmerthius is explaining, Hercules makes his entrance. He makes it through the wall without regard for things, such as doors. Since Hercules demands a task to show his greatness Elmerthius obliges with the final task: bring back Dervish, the watchdog of Hades.
Jerkules is rewarded, sort of, with doing a movie. He's still standing in for Hercules. And Hercules? He's found Dervish, and Dervish is Taz...
Did You Notice...
Page 1: The title, timing of the comics release, and movie deal all refer to the Disney movie Hercules.- Page 1: It's probably simple and obvious coincidence, but young Hercules was called Jerkules at one point in the Disney film.
- Page 2: The god on the far right is Hermes, wearing his winged hat and holding a caduceus. The goddess in the red dress must be Hera, Zeus' wife. Who else would talk to Zeus that way?
- Page 2: Elmerthius is the Elmer-ized version of Eurystheus, who was the king with the labors for Hercules.
- Page 2: Dot Warner's image, and part of Yakko's image, is on Hercules' wristpiece. But only on this page, which just goes to show that Animaniacs items are now rare and sought after to the point even Hercules' Animaniacs items aren't safe. (That's a hint, Warner
Bros. Consumer Products, the Studio Stores seem to be missing the Warners...PN)
- Page 3: The twelve tasks fit the legend and although we only see five, they're carried off well for only four having pages.
- Page 7: Taz's likeness is on the lamp in the first panel, in an Atlas-like pose.
- Page 8: Acme Cleaners even groomed the horse.
- Page 9: Bringing back the guardian dog of Hades was indeed the final of the twelve labors.
- Page 10: Having Taz, who whirls, take the part of Dervish makes for nice subtle pun on a dance.
Technical Nits
Page 1: Blue seems an unusual color for a grape beverage.- Page 7: The telephone is just a bit of an anachronism, but the gag it sets up is worth it.
- Page 9: The watchdog of Hades is Cereberus, not Dervish, but again this is made for by the whirling dervish pun it makes possible.
Thanks to Justin Mansfield for help with the mythology.
Credits
Synopsis
Bugs is eating at Crabby's Seafood Grotto, run by Daffy. The two have a disagreement about the all-you-can-eat carrot chowder. Bugs wants to eat, but Daffy wants more money. After more confusion over what taking someone out is supposed to mean, Crusher, the Grotto's bouncer, throws Bugs out.
Bugs mutters about not recommending the place to his friends, but then has an idea. A phone call is made and Taz shows up quickly. Lobster is the Tasmanian Devil's choice and Daffy is thrilled, until he realizes Taz has no money and so makes the excuse of being out of lobster. Taz is rather insistent. Again Crusher is called. He shows up, lobsters in hand and promptly gets attacked.
Daffy begs for Bugs' help, even agreeing to a free meal. Bugs then turns Taz's attention away from lobster, but unfortunately for Daffy the Tasmanian Devil decides that duck would make a nice meal...
Did You Notice...
- Page 11: The title refers to Disney's film(s) 101 Dalmatians. The reference ends there, however. Released not very much later, the November 1997 issue of Animaniacs (#31) starts off with 101 Darnations which matches up a bit more with the films.
- Page 16: Since the story starts with a mention of the special and carrot chowder and Taz decides to pass on the special we know one thing Taz isn't likely to eat.
- Page 17: Taz shakes from Daffy: a notepad, coins, a yo-yo, a top and the stick or handle that should have the top's string on it but doesn't.
- Page 18: The flowers in Daffy's speech balloon in the lower left pane indicate an overly cute and polite tone.
Technical Nits
- Page 15: The sun seems to be moving in an usual way in the lower three panels.
- Page 16: Bugs tells Taz to put on a coat and hat in panel one, but there is no coat. Daffy also offers to take the nonexistent coat.
- The red splotches on Crusher's apron disappear and reappear through the story.
Credits
Synopsis
Sylvester has finished telling Junior the cat version of the birds and the bees and moves on to mousing. Junior, to his father's annoyance, has mice as pets and not as food. So, attempting to use child psychology, he and Junior trade roles. The idea being that Junior gets to see how a young cat should act with regard to mice.
On the edge of town the kangaroo, Hippity Hopper, escapes from Bob's Kangaroo City. Thus when Sylvester rounds a corner as he chases a mouse he suddenly encounters a 'giant alien space mouse.' Naturally Sylvester Junior never sees Hippity but only a real mouse. Junior takes his father's rantings as a test of his own fathering status and gives firm orders to catch the mouse.
Sylvester takes up the chase again, this time lead to a rooftop and then a chimney. He starts down the chimney only to get kicked out and sent flying by the kangaroo. Further ranting convinces Junior that different psychology is in order.
Sylvester tries, and fails, to explain how his son is his 'father' to a psychiatrist. Meanwhile outside Junior and the mouse relax in a pool and Hippity is about to dive...
Did You Notice...
- Page 30: The mouse's thought balloon sums things up in nicely with a single picture.
- Page 24: The spelling 'Hippity' is used here. 'Hippety' may be the more common spelling of the name, but 'Hippity' isn't really wrong. (EC)
Technical Nits
- Page 24: It seems odd for a milkshake at an amusement park to be in what appears to be a real glass and not a disposable cup.
- Page 30: It also seems odd for a psychiatrist to make a housecall.
Other items:
There are also two one page cartoons.
- Elmer waits for an elevator.
- This is rather subtle. Notice the breifcase.
-
- Daffy paces back and forth.
- And makes a pun.
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Last updated 13 March 2004