For this first in a new blog series dedicated to taking "a closer look" at Annette Funicello related merchandise and memorabilia, we're going to compare three different editions of the Walt Disney's Zorro: The Spaniard's Secret comic book; the United State's release, the Australian release and the Mexican release.
While all three versions contain the same 26-page story that combines the three consecutive episodes Annette guest-starred in on the Zorro television series (The Missing Father, Please Believe Me and The Brooch), there are notable differences in their presentation and method of release.
Lets take a closer look...
*Click on images to view larger
You may recall the story of how Walt Disney presented Annette with a script to appear in the popular Zorro series opposite her crush Guy Williams for her sixteenth birthday. Walt Disney's Zorro: The Spaniard's Secret is a retelling of those three episodes that Annette guest-starred in, which were broadcast in February - March 1959. Less than six months after the last of her three episodes aired on March 12, Dell Publishing released the United States edition of the comic book (#1037) in September, 1959 as part of their Four-Color Comics series. The Australian edition was released by W.G. Publications in 1960, followed by an April 1961 release in Mexico by Editorial Novaro.
When comparing the covers, the U.S. and Mexican editions are bright and colorful while the Australian release is a bit dull in comparison due to the publishers using a matte grade paper - the same used for interior pages of most comic books and similar publications.
{Fun fact: In her episode of the '80s Disney Channel docuseries Disney Family Album, while flipping through a photo album and discussing her stint on the Zorro series, Annette comes to the photo of herself and Guy Williams that was used for the cover of this comic book and remarks, "Look! The love of my life. Too bad I was so ugly."}
Inside the front cover all three editions give an introduction to the story using still images from the television series. The Australian version frames this page in yellow and edits down some of the still images to make room for publication and copyright information. The inside cover of the Mexican edition has been edited the same way, minus the yellow border and with text translated to Spanish.
Publication and copyright information is printed at the bottom of the first page in the U.S. edition of the comicbook. With this information appearing on the inside front cover of the other two releases, the Australian version fills this space with simple text that reads: " Disney Comics are Good Comics" and the Mexican version uses uncolored comic art featuring characters from the story.
While the glossy U.S. and Mexican covers of The Spaniard's Secret outshine their Australian counterpart, when it comes to the inside pages, it's the Australian version, with its bold and dense coloring that arguably comes out on top.
Aside from the text translation in the Mexican issue, the story itself appears the same in all three comic books.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT
Differences in the three comic book editions are more obvious at the end of the featured story. The following shows the variety of additional content provided in each release.
The Guards: The U.S. version includes this one page story about a boy named Emanuel, who with a few friends, ends a string of cattle theft plaguing a local California mission.
Cleto: The Mexican version included this one page comic.
The Mission of San Portola: This four page comic about a pueblo that comes together to guard the local mission and its golden candlesticks from bandits was included in all three editions.
A Name Transplanted: Included in the U.S. and Mexican versions, this one page illustrated piece tells a variety of legends as to how California got its name.
Canyon of No Escape: One page "Zorro" comic that appeared on the inside back cover of the U.S. and Mexican editions.
Each of the three editions of The Spaniard's Secret feature a unique back cover. The U.S. version uses Emblem of an Ensign, a one page illustrated piece on how the grizzly bear came to be used on the California state flag. The Australian version features the final page of The Mission of San Portola - the only additional content included in that comic book beyond the feature story. The Mexican version may be the edition that wraps this adventure-filled comic up best...with a great vintage advertisement for an ice cold Coca-Cola.
For more information on Annette's guest-appearance in Walt Disney's popular television series ZORRO, check out the TIMELINE feature on the home page of our website.
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