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WONDERWORLD TOONS

Membership: 'Dingaling Duck', 'Gerry Giraffe', Hopalong Hippo, Maxie Mouse, 'Murgatroid Mutt', unnamed others

Purpose: Entertain the masses and serve Alden Maas

Aliases: None

Affiliations: The Messiah (Alden Maas)

Enemies: Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Mole Man (Harvey Rupert Elder), Thing (Ben Grimm)

Base of Operations: Maas Island, ten miles off the shore of California

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#263 (February, 1984)

History:

(Fantastic Four I#264 (fb) - BTS) -  The Wonderworld Toons were all creations of Alden Maas, a world famous cartoonist and entrepreneur who used his imagination to build a large entertainment empire he called 'Wonderworld'. It included cartoons and themeparks which employed actors to dress up like the famous cartoon characters such as Maxie Mouse.

(Fantastic Four I#264 (fb) - BTS) - Maas had animatronic copies of his Wonderworld toons created. These robotic versions of the cuddly cartoon characters were vicious, blood thirsty, proficient in the use of fire arms and fiercely loyal to their creator. They were stationed on Maas Island where they served as his bodyguards.

(Fantastic Four I#263) - When the Thing visited Wonderworld following the Human Torch's seemingly fatal racing incident at the park's circuit, several actors dressed as cartoons were seen on the grounds.

(Fantastic Four I#264) - Maas alerted his batallion of Wonderworld Toons when Thing came to Maas Island to rescue the kidnapped Human Torch. After rescuing Johnny with help from the Moleman and his Moloids, Thing led the others to Maas' innersanctum. Before the heroes could breach the command center, they found themselves besieged by the Wonderworld Toons. Led by Maxie Mouse, they opened fire on their opponents in an attempt to protect the Messiah. However, they proved no match for the assembled might of the two FF members, Mole Man and his Subterranean slave army.

Comments: Created by John Byrne (writer, pencils, inks).

In the actual issues, only Maxie Mouse and Hopalong Hippo were named. Others like 'Dingaling Duck' and 'Gerry Giraffe' received their names when Snood listed them in his 2004 Alden Maas profile.

Loki mentions that they were pretty obvious parodies of some of Disney's characters:

  1. Maxie Mouse = Mickey Mouse
  2. Dingaling Duck = Donald Duck (he looks closer to Warner Bros' Daffy, but given the other matches are Disney ones, he's got to be Donald)
  3. Murgatroid Mutt = Goofy (a.k.a. Dippy Dawg in his first appearance)
  4. Wonderworld = Disney World

    5. Profile by Norvo.

    CLARIFICATIONS:
    Wonderworld's toons have no known connections to:

    'Dingaling Duck'

    Created by Alden Maas as part of his cavalry of Wonderworld toon characters, Dingaling was a tough talking duck who liked action. His animatronic robot version could talk and was good with firearms. Dingaling took part in the defense of Maas Island when Thing, Human Torch and the Mole Man attacked. Dingaling immediately opened fire, but was quickly taken out by the Torch who melted him to slag.

    --Fantastic Four I#264





    'Gerry Giraffe'

    Created by Alden Maas as part of his cavalry of Wonderworld toon characters, Gerry was a giraffe who liked to go on safari. His animatronic robot version could talk and wielded a shotgun. Gerry took part in the defense of Maas Island when Thing, Human Torch and the Mole Man attacked. He proved no match for the power of his assailants and was easily destroyed.

    --Fantastic Four I#264





    Hopalong Hippo

    Created by Alden Maas as part of his cavalry of Wonderworld toon characters, Hopalong Hippo was a massive, anthropomorphized hippopotamus who relied on his substantial bulk in combat. His animatronic robot version could talk and was good with firearms. Hopalong took part in the defense of Maas Island when Thing, Human Torch and the Mole Man attacked. Thanks to his stature an strength, he was more than a match for the multiple Moloids trying to pin him down. Just as he was about to crush a Moloid, yelling "Little wormies, you're no match for Hoppalong Hippo!" he was beheaded with a single swing from Thing's fist. As the Hippo fell, Thing thought to himself how weird it felt to attack cartoons he grew up with.

    --Fantastic Four I#264









    Maxie Mouse

    Created by Alden Maas as part of his cavalry of Wonderworld toon characters, Maxie was a mouse with a can do attitude who wasn't afraid of adventures. Maxie led the Wonderworld Toons' defense of Maas Island when Thing, Human Torch and the Mole Man attacked. He was one of the first to fall when he fired at the Human Torch only to find his opponents' great heat melted the bullets before impact. Maxie died when the Torch burned through his chest, melting crucial components.

    --Fantastic Four I#264




    'Murgatroid Mutt'

    Created by Alden Maas as part of his cavalry of Wonderworld toon characters, Murgatroid was a dog. His animatronic robot version could talk and wielded a shotgun. Murgatroid took part in the defense of Maas Island when Thing, Human Torch and the Mole Man attacked. He proved no match for the Mole Man and the power of his blast staff.

    --Fantastic Four I#264











    images: (without ads)
    Fantastic Four I#234, p13, pan1 (main image)
    Fantastic Four I#233, p14, pan2 (park performers)
    Fantastic Four I#233, p14, pan3 (performers at the park)
    Fantastic Four I#234, p13, pan1 (Dingaling Duck)
    Fantastic Four I#234, p13, pan1 (Gerry Giraffe)
    Fantastic Four I#264, p14, pan3 (Hoppalong Hippo)
    Fantastic Four I#264, p14, pan1 (Maxie Mouse)
    Fantastic Four I#264, p14, pan2 (Murgatroid Mutt)

    Appearances:
    Fantastic Four I#263 (February, 1984) - John Byrne (writer, pencils, inks), Bob Budiansky (editor)
    Fantastic Four I#264 (March, 1984) - John Byrne (writer, pencils, inks), Bob Budiansky (editor) 

    First Posted: 08/03/2020
    Last updated: 08/11/2020

    Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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