Animation Source Forums

I think this topic has never been brought up.

As you all know, there's no hope from Universal to make new Balto films (considering they've closed their animation unit, and that it's a 15 years old franchise they don't care much about now)

But : what would you think about official Balto comic books?

The reason I'm asking this, is because (as you know if you read the news posted on the site), Boom! Comics is publishing NEW stories for Darkwing Duck and Rescue Rangers, which are two Disney franchises that have been airing 20 years ago and even if they rarely aired since then, they've still kept a strong popularity. (and I'm very, I mean VEEEEERRRYYY looking forward possible TaleSpin comics...)

Take a gander at the quality of THAT and tell me you wouldn't want the same thing happening with Balto?


The Darkwing comic books are very successful for Boom, and it works well because making a comic only requires a very, very small budget when compared to making a film (even the Balto sequels required 4M$ of budget each!) And they don't require a lot of sales either (Darkwing #1 only sold 6400 copies in the US, yet it's considered a big success, especially for a kids comics)

Of course Boom! wouldn't be able to do that considering they own the Disney licences, and Disney wouldn't agree for them to do competition products.

But there are a lot of independants comics books companies like that, so...you never know. If the fans were to show some of them how much we would want that to happen, it could become possible.

To be honest, the Balto II, and Balto III movies were awful, I don't think they could honestly do much better for a kids comic for Balto.

I could see it happening.

Personally, I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they made Balto comics. xD

Particularly if it was a new team (which I imagine it would be if led by Boom! or a company similar) who made the new stories.
Comics would lead to a HUGE open door for side-stories about the other pups from Balto & Jenna's litter, what happened to Niju and Nava, what happened to Aleu and the pack, Balto's past, what happened to Steele ... SO many oppurtunities ...

That's a matter of personal opinion, Question. You ought to make that clear. Some of us enjoyed one or both of the sequels. Stating that the sequels "were awful", especially as if it is supposed to be taken as fact, is off-topic. And a little insensitive.


Now, as to the question of the comics, I think it could be a good idea IF it were done by the right company, and if they had good artists and story writers involved. Especially now, what with the upcoming release of the live-action Cruelest Miles movie (due out in 2012 if I recall). The movie and such comics could boost each other, if planned well by a marketing and sales entity. Besides, there is no doubt in my mind that there will be a comic adaption of the Cruelest Miles movie around the time of its release. That seems to be quite common nowadays. Almost every adventure, science fiction or fantasy (or even horror) movie has a comic book adaption done either just before its release, during or shortly thereafter.

The series was only about Timon & Pumbaa. There were short-stories in Disney magazines (I used to read them in "Disney & Me" magazine xD) which featured Simba & Nala, usually.
There were some TLK comics though. As far as I know they weren't released in English and were translated by fans though.
You can see them here: http://www.mylionking.com/gallery/lk/comics/

They're not as good quality as the new Chip 'n Dale ones though, I would like to see more comics of such good quality based on classic animated films.

...Well, if they made a comic of Balto at all....Thats where my allowance would be going towards....I LOVE the idea. So if it does happen I'd be more than happy to have a few balto comics on my shelf!

~Snowy

As I recall, there was a comic book series way back featuring characters from Lady and the Tramp, focusing mainly on Scamp. And Lilo and Stitch had some comics that pre-dated the TV series. So it's possible that a single movie could be made into a comic book format, or become the basis for spin-off comics.

All the Disney animated films got some comics released in the 90's, at least in Europe (I had one Lion King comic even before it was released in theaters)

As for the "reset button", it doesn't change much, when it comes to comics where it's (usually) not applied. (the Darkwing and Rescue Rangers comics are continuous stories) Gargoyles is also a Disney series that was adapted into comics recently, yet it didn't use the "reset button" at the end of each episode.

Yeah, I agree, I'd put those on the list for sure.

I'm not much for comics, but if there ever was a Balto one I would buy it.

I've read comic books for most of my life. I would definitely like to see Balto comic books, I'd be even more interested in writing them.

In my opinion, a Balto comic would be just awesome! I've thought of that often and if it would happen one day (what I don't think, but everythings possible) I could'nt wait to read it....