Speaking of Mickey Mouse Mysteries (MMM) I have ther first few issues of those as published in Italy, and I thought they 
were pretty good, from what I saw.  I noticed they were even later presented in foreign markets (like when I was in China) 
as primarily text (with a few B&W illustrations scattered within) softback books (the size of a regular paperback novel).

However, still topping my list of desired publications for Gemstone to present to the American audience is Romano 
Scarpa's Mickey Mouse stories.  I seem to recall someone expressing the only problem with presenting them is a 
formatting issue?  Not sure.

Fortunately, Gladstone and Gemstone dustted-off and revived such wonderful characters like Horace Horsecollar, 
Clarabelle Cow, Eega Beeva, Mickey's pal Butch, the Blot and a few others for us, and are presently keeping them in the 
forefront so we don't forget them again, but this is only a beginning to me.

I would very much like to see Trudy, Atomo Bleep-Bleep, Bruto, Zenobia  and other Scarpa Mickey/Goofy-related creations 
finally hit our shores.  Goofy has received some nice attention by Romano with his romance with Queen Zenobia and his 
long lost Tarzan-like brother (Pappo), as well as the stories with him and Ellswoth Bheezer.

Before Bruto, Ellsworth's adopted son and Mickey's pet/companion, is introduced to the US, however, I'd like to see some 
long overdue reprinting of the American comics featuring Goofy & Ellsworth, so we can get caught up on "who" Ellsworth is.  
At this point, poor Ellsworth is a forgotten American Disney creation (along with others like Tanglefoot, Butch the Bulldog 
and Glory-Bee).  The Ellsworth gags would be lovely to see in English again!  Then the full-length stories by Scarpa with 
Ells as the lead, culminating with the introduction of Bruto.  Though certainly not ENDING with that tale, since so many 
more Goofy & Ellsworth and Mickey & Bruto stories exist.

Atomo Bleep-Bleep (Atomino Bip-Bip)  story is very cool, and revives Professor Einmug, so we don't only have Doc E. Static 
(a very good character also) as a plot device for Mickey.  Atomo should be "blue" (not "pink") in color, and served as a 
companion for many Mickey-centered & even Ellsworth-centered adventures.

Then there's Trudy.  She has gained a lot of popularity and publication in many stories by Scarpa and others, it is about 
time we see her step foot on American soil!

These Scarpa stories, tending to be longer than 10-pagers, would be perfect for the "take-along" format of MICKEY MOUSE 
ADVENTURES.

Stepping away from Scarpa for a moment, I'd like to re-emphasize my interest in seeing the long-lost reprints of Jose 
Carioca & Panchito newspaper stories.  Those which were published originally in the mid-to-late 40s and never seen 
again by American audiences.  Today, while I really loved Don Rosa's "Return of the Three Caballeros", I feel it's sad to 
think that we Americans are under the delusion that Rosa was the first to take pen and paper and revive these wonderful 
characters after their debut in the cartoon and comic-book versions of the film THE THREE CABALLEROS.  I know that 
Jose has a life of his own, almost devoid of Disney influence in Brazillian comics, but the long forgotten newpaper stories 
of the adventures of Jose, and those of Panchito really need to see publication again.

Mybe the early Ellsworth "gags", Jose & Panchito stories would be best suited to the DISNEY COMICS & STORIES format?

There's so much more that I really want to see in Gemstone, but I'd settle for seeing those listed above tackled first.
To date, we've seen more of Scarpa's Duck-related stories (which I also enjoy) than we have of his Mouse-related ones.  
The Mouse stories, IMHO, show Romano as stepping into the grand shoes/tradition of Floyd Gottfredson, which is how 
many of us, I presume, really enjoy Mickey to be presented in the first place.  

We need more grand Mickey stories!

Thanks,

Rich Bellacera
xephyr@cwnet.com




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