Peter Pig was created in 1934 as a companion for Donald Duck
in the Aesopian cartoon The Wise Little Hen
(Donald's first
appearance). He also appeared in 1935's Mickey Mouse cartoon
The Band Concert
.
Peter's role in comics is slightly more interesting. He first
appeared in a comic version of Hen
in late 1934.
He then went on to co-star with a mature Donald
in some stories produced in Europe, among them
Donald Duck, Foreign Correspondent
and
Donald Duck in Redskin Country
(both by Federico Pedrocchi).
Peter is a rotund swine usually seen in a sweater and cap (and
nothing else). While fundamentally lazy and greedy, Peter will steel
his wits about him when necessary -- be it to outwit Mrs. Hen or
crooked reporter John Gatto. Peter's greatest moments of triumph come
when he is opposed to Gatto, particularly in Donald Duck, Foreign
Correspondent
. Peter does, however, have a slow temper and natural
hogly cowardice. Still, he can overcome them when necessary -- or
when prodded by the more impatient Donald. When the two get in an
argument that brings Donald to blows, the poor pig doesn't stand a
chance.
Peter had a treasure map tattooed on his chest at one point in
the story Donald Duck in Redskin Country
. He didn't have it removed
before the story was over, but it may have occurred since then. For a
time, Donald and Peter held jobs working for Mr. Linus O'Type at the
Altro Mondo
(= other world)
newspaper.
It seems likely that Peter was a friend of Donald early in his life. Once Italian comics began using Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Peter Pig vanished -- perhaps for good (I am not certain of this).
Peter is not to be confused with Percy Pig.
[By David Gerstein]
Find the names in other languages for: Peter Pig
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