The Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation’s Golden Age
As the animation and broader entertainment industries increasingly join the re-emerging workers’ rights movement, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of labor organization in Toon Town. Author Jake S. Friedman takes readers back to 1941, when one of Walt Disney’s leading animators, Art Babbitt, led a strike that divided the studio’s employees and nearly toppled the House of Mouse. The Disney Revolt brings the story to life in fascinating detail with research gleaned from previously lost records, including transcripts of conversations among insiders. Struggling artists! Iconic picket signs! Mafia ties! — It’s a real life film noir guest starring Mickey Mouse. [Chicago Review Press | HC $30, PB $20]
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir 1
ZAG’s teen Parisian superheros pop on the page in the new manga-style adaptation. Written by Koma Warita (Free Life Fantasy Online: Immortal Princess), illustrated by Riku Tsuchida. [Kodansha | $11]
Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures (2nd Edition)
An undisputed classic of the animator’s training library from one of the Disney studio’s greatest artists and mentors, edited by Don Hahn. [CRC Press | HC $150]
Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition): Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
Pixar co-founder and longtime president Ed Catmull updates and expands his 2014 best-seller on creative leadership with all that the has learned in the last nine extremely eventful years. [Random House | HC $32]
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
The latest chapter in Sony’s spooky family comedy franchise sees Dracula confronting a terrifying fate — being human! — when Van Helsing’s “Monsterfication Ray” goes awry, transforming Johnny into a beautiful beastie and zapping Drac’s vampire powers. Special features include the mini movie Monster Pets, making-of featurette, filmmaker commentary and more. [Sony | BD $35, DVD $30]
Ranking of Kings: Season 1, Part 2
With Kage at his side, Bojii continues his quest to prove his royal mettle and face his fiercest enemy yet: his father. The four-disc set includes previews, textless opening and closing songs. The Limited Edition comes beautifully boxed with a full-color booklet, four art cards and a Kage patch! [Crunchyroll | LE BD $90, BD $70]
Smiling Friends: The Complete First Season
Get your jollies with Adult Swim’s delightful Aussie import, following the adventures of Pim and Charlie (voiced by series co-creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel) — two Smiling Friends co. employees determined to turn your frown upside down! [Warner | BD $30, DVD $25]
Gay Purr-ee
Judy Garland and Robert Goulet voice a pair of star-crossed cats in this 1962 animated musical from director Abe Levitow, making its Blu-ray debut. [Warner Archive Collection | $23]
Junk Head
The award-winning 2021 stop-motion sci-fi feature from Japanese director Takehide Hori, based on his short of the same name, is set in a distant future where mankind faces extinction due to infertility [Synergetic Dist. | $23]
The Life of Budori Gusuko
Another new-to-Blu-ray score this month is Gisaburou Sugii’s adaptation of the Japanese children’s novel, animated by Tezuka Prod.: Once upon a time, when he lived in the forest with his parents and younger sister, Budori Gusuko’s life was wonderful. Then the weather began to change… [Sentai Filmworks | $25]
