Joe Carioca again...

[PAULO BARRETO]

Greetings, earthlings...

        In my first days in this mailing list I came across a discussion
about Jose Carioca's popularity in Brazil and the odd Moe/Carioca
series.  Well...  While browsing my comics collection I found volume 1
of _Anos de ouro do Ze' Carioca_, the unabridged facsimile collection of
the first 13 issues of Joe's title (I-10-1961 thru VI-13-1961).
Although the first Brazilian Disney title dates back to 1950 and cover
art has always been done in Brazil, the first Brazilian-made story was
published in _Ze' Carioca_ premiere issue.

        Yes, Joe has been always very popular for decades, but that
didn't prevent Brazilian studios from doing such wacky crossovers in
their first stories (when they weren't so self-assured, I guess). Here
are some examples:

        _Ze' Carioca contra o Goleiro Gasta~o_ (ZC479): Joe plays big
league soccer and meets Gladstone Gander as an irritatingly lucky
opponent goalkeeper.  Donald and HDL play supporting roles.

        _Odisse'ia em Disneyla^ndia_ (ZC481): Joe must bring a Duckburg
citizen to a TV show to win big prize.  Appearances by Litte Pigs &
Wolf, Goofy, $crooge, Gladstone, Donald and Daisy.  Now plot starts
bringing up some distinction between Joe's world and Disney mainstream
world.

        _O Tesouro do Capita~o Gancho_ (ZC485): Captain Hook looks for a
treasure and meets Joe on a lake in (ha, ha, ha) Sa~o Paulo.  Peter Pan
and Tinker Bell go to rescue.  Now for the lyrics transcription debate:
the smash hit "Banho de lua" *is* transcribed verbatim!

        _Papagaios de Opini+o_ (ZC489): Joe opens a successful school
for pet parrots; birds get extra-smart but misbehaved; Joe is sued;
Ellsworth (that's him!!!!!) is his attorney.  Some political slant as
pet shop animals make out a "revolution" against evil owner.

        Those stories are scarcely reprinted (if at all), but the
quality doesn't quite match up with present high standards.  Some years
later Joe dropped that WWII-age suit and bow tie and moved from a
something decent home to a shack amid a community of his own (that's a
probable explanation for Disney's veto to those stories, especially the
ones by Cannini).  Then in the late 70's/early 80's Joe drops the straw
hat and moves again, to a plain dull neighborhood.  Now in 1992
Disney dresses him like a kiddie rap singer...  What next?  I'd like to
see Disney "reheat" another off-Duckburg character in 10-year intervals
for a change. :)

           _____m__(0/\0)__m_____  Paulo Barreto
                                   mad%hlbbs at ibase.org.br
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