This is the fifth post that pits non-superheroes from the DC universe against characters from the Marvel universe. The first post looked at Westerns and Western heroes (http://foxhugh.com/2009/02/13/dc-vs-marvel-western-heroes/), the second post looked at war comics and war heroes (http://foxhugh.com/2009/03/21/dc-vs-marvel-war-heroes/), the third post looked at women’s comics and working women (http://foxhugh.com/2009/04/11/dc-vs-marvel-working-women) and the fourth post looked at space operas and spacemen (http://foxhugh.com/2009/04/20/dc-vs-marvel-spacemen/).
What is a funny animal in comic books? A funny animal is an anthropomorphic animal that is generally in humorous situations. Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny are both famous examples of funny animals. Disney and Looney Tunes funny animals are much more famous and relevant than DC and Marvel funny animals and many readers may be surprised that DC and Marvel even have had their own funny animals. This is a bit of a media mystery. Superheroes have dominated comic books but not other media such as video. Funny animals would seem to be a natural genre for comic books and why they are so much more popular and prevalent in video than comic books is an interesting topic that deserves attention.
The funny animals of DC include Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew, Dodo and the Frog, Doodles Duck, Flippity & Flop, J. Rufus Lion, Nutsy Squirrel, Peter Panda, Peter Porkchops, Racoon Kids, Tito and his Burrito and the Three Mouseketeers. Warner Bros had a video series of Krypto the Super Dog. Warner Bros is the parent company of DC. Krypto is the dog of Superboy in DC but was rebotted by Warner Bros. DC also licensed the Fox and the Crow from Columbia and this comic book title ran
Funny Stuff was the title in which many of DC’s funny animals appeared including Dunbar Dodo and Fennimore Frog, J. Rufus Lion, the Three Mouseketeers, Peter Porkchops and the Racoon Kids. The Funny Stuff title ran from 1947 to 1957.
The funny animals of Marvel include Spider Ham, Super Rabbit and Top Dog. Spider Ham is a parody of Spider-Man. Marvel has far fewer funny animals than DC and they are all superhero parodies. Howard the Duck would be Marvel’s top funny animals. There was even a live action movie about Howard the Duck. The problem is that Howard the Duck is more superhero than funny animal. Howard the Duck exists in the mainstream Marvel Universe and is more a science fiction story than a funny animal story.
The only DC collection of funny animals that is around today is Captain Carrot and the Zoo crew, another superhero parody. Captain Carrot is more or less a parody of Superman. The other members of the Zoo Crew include Alley-Kat-Abra, Pig-Iron, Rubberduck, Yankee Poodle, Fastback, Little Cheese, and American Eagle. The top funny animal of DC is Captain Carrot. The top funny animal of Marvel is Spider Ham. The two top funny animals go at it.
Spider Ham is a spider that was turned into an anthropomorphic pig with more or less than same powers as Spider Man. Captain Carrot, as mentioned, has more or less the same superpowers as Superman but must eat a cosmic irradiated carrot to get the superpowers and they wear off after 24 hours. Captain Carrot keeps two carrots holstered on his belt for supplies. Superman can beat Spiderman easily so therefore Captain Carrot easily defeats Spider Ham.
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Other DC vs. Marvel Posts
WereVerse Universe Baby!
Marvel had several more funny animals characters during the golden age that you did not mention; Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal, Krazy Krow, Buck Duck, Dopey Duck, Wacky Duck, and the Monkey and the Bear.
I did a lot of research, as I always do, and didnt run into the characters you mentioned. You comments acting as addendum make this post the most definitive article out there about funny animals! Thanks for the extra info! Ver constructive comments. Of course this post is part of a series and I am sure you can add constructive comments to the other posts:
Existing article in the series at:
http://foxhugh.wordpress.com/dc-vs-marvel/
Future installments planned:
DC vs. Marvel: Alien Empires
DC vs. Marvel: Ancient Egyptians
DC vs. Marvel: Atlanteans
DC vs. Marvel: Big Bang Beings
DC vs. Marvel: Earth Law Enforcement Agencies
DC vs. Marvel: Greco-Romans
DC vs. Marvel: Subterraneans – Warlord vs. Kazar, Cave Carson, Mole Man
DC vs. Marvel: Medieval Knights
DC vs. Marvel: Mystics – Good vs. Evil
DC vs. Marvel: Real Geniuses – Good vs. Evil
DC vs. Marvel: Small Worlds – Small, Microscopic, Subatomic
DC vs. Marvel: WW I – Good vs. Evil