Dan O'Neill & The Air Pirates: A Short Film
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- Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
- This is the untold story of Dan O'Neill and his underground comic collective "The Air Pirates" which would take on the brass at Disney in a notorious decade-long legal battle over copyright infringement and freedom of speech. Dan O'Neill's battle against Walt Disney Productions would be the longest legal copyright case in history.
In 1970, Dan O'Neill founded the underground comics collective, The Air Pirates, to satirize Disney. The group included Bobby London, Shary Flenniken, Gary Hallgren, and Ted Richards.
The original Air Pirates were a gang of Mickey Mouse antagonists from the 1930s. Dan O'Neill saw Mickey Mouse as a symbol of conformist hypocrisy in American culture, and therefore a ripe target for satire.
Now in 2024, with the cartoon image of the Mouse reaching the public domain, Dan O'Neill finally has the last laugh as drawing a cartoon mouse will no longer be considered a federal crime. - Розваги
And now that Mickey has left copyright, will O'Neill draw more satire of Mickey Mouse free of the worry of being sued by the conglomerate, or will he choose another character to satirize? Or does he feel he's pretty much made his point & he's now too old to go on with the crusade?
Engagement
That was definitely my first thought - I want to see Dan O'Neil's Minnie Mouse using a steam-powered adult toy that goes "TOOT-TOOT" as it pumps in and out.
Her very own Steamboat Willie.
“Left” copyright?
@@hatednyc if he has "entered" the public domain, he has also left copyright, sense most people word it as entered the public domain, left or leaving copyright is also appropriate
They did lose copyright but not trademark
My mom had a copy of Air Pirates. It was the only time I thought Mickey was funny. I have loved Dan O’Niell all my life, pure genius.
is mickey supposed to be funny?
@@SirFunky Mickey was supposed to be funny back when he was invented (his playing a cow's teats like a xylophone in *_Steamboat Willie,_* frex, were classic Bugs Bunny/Felix the Cat-style chaos humor).
He was also, in his daily newspaper comic strip, a genuine adventure hero. Not a "funny" satirical figure, even, but a genuine adventure character like Buz Sawyer. He actually did fight a crew of air pirates - Dan O'Neil didn't make them up.
Later, though (and by "later", I mean, by the 1940s), Mickey became a corporate icon and had to become more bland and respectable. That's why Dan and his plucky crew decided to steal him back into the hands of his fans and restore him to the gun-toting. plane-heisting he-mouse he once was, and for good measure turn him into the pot-smoking, pussy-eating stud they knew he'd been all along.
9:58 These guys did "If this gets copyright-claimed, that means it's canon" before it was cool.
Time truly is a flat circle
The rats eating it's own tail brothers.
Thank you for this gem. I'd always heard of "the guy Disney sued into oblivion," never sought more than that though.
They didn't sue him into oblivion though. That isn't at all accurate.
Great doc. It's sad that people take freedom of speech for granted, when there are people like Dan who have put so much on the line to really champion it. Collectively we owe people like that. Also it's important to remember that every dollar Disney would have sued him for in the 70s is worth 6x what a dollar is worth today.
Honestly surprised the thumbnail made it past UA-cam censors. Meanwhile True Crime channels have to bleep the word “abuse”.
0:39 - "..aggravated assault on Mickey Mouse"
Am I the only one that sees; Dan O`Neill with a baseball bat, in a dark ally standing over a bloody Mickey Mouse?
More power too you, Dan O´Neill.
The 7th day Steam Boat Willie lost it's copyright. This is going to be "good"
When they said that the Mickey copyright was ending, the Air Pirates and the Mouse Liberation Front were the first things I thought of.😁
This popped up in my recommended! Very enjoyable short doc, congrats! I always have loved underground cartoons from the 60s-70s even though im a young 20 year old. There is just something about living on the edge of society as these guys did that is very fascinating and admirable for their commitment to art.
In one more year, 2025, the version of Mickey with gloves will enter the public domain, and the Air Pirates can be reprinted without fear of legal reprisals.
Yay!
Air Pirates! You love to see it. I did an episode for my R. Crumb series CANONICALLY CRUMB last year when Disney used Mr.Natural in their Chip n' Dale movie. Interestingly the same judge that ruled against Air Pirates in Disney's favour ruled against Crumb's copyright on Keep on Truckin' putting that image in the public domain and costing the artist millions. You can't get a fair shake in America.
Good job! subbed
❤❤❤ Thank you! 🙏
I'm surprised they would even use such a character in that atrocious movie. But then again, they even had Randy Marsh from South Park in that film, which I can't imagine Trey and Matt would EVER let Disney have.
@@BlazeHeartPanther I talk about it quite a bit in the video
Thanks for examining this chapter in the history of modern comix! I bought the AIR PIRATES FUNNIES for 50¢ at my local headshop when I was a young teen. When I heard that Dan O'Neill had taken on Disney, his valiant stand elevated him to god status in my eyes. This documentary is the first time I've heard it all laid out nice and neat. Thanks for tying up some loose ends that I've wondered about for decades.
I was just looking at eBay for the current Air Pirates comix rates and holy cow if you still have that copy you’re sitting on a nice little golden goose egg there.
@@euthymialy Naw, I lost my undergrounds in a divorce. I still can't believe what I gave up just to get away from that bastard. Live and learn...
@@Susie_Floozie oh man 😢 sometimes getting away safe and whole is what really matters, but it’s ok to grieve what you had to leave behind. My heart hurts for you reading that, I hope you’re in an infinitely better place.
@@euthymialy Yeah, I'm fine now--thanks. I simply had to stop getting married. I'm much happier now by myself.
In 2024, I want to see Dan O'Neil's Minnie Mouse using a steam-powered adult toy that goes "TOOT-TOOT" as it pumps in and out.
Her very own Steamboat Willie.
Bonk XD
Remember Wally Wood's poster of Disneyland and all the characters engaged in all kinds of "stuff?" Disney landed hard on him...
I bet. That was the "Disneyland Orgy" poster he made for a magazine.
>"1 reply"
>it's been censored
Someone should tell youtube's ad partners (sorry - "sponsors") that they're trying to lure minors away from UA-cam Kids again
@@tahunuva4254 Wasn't me (I'm 46), but because I used a word their bots spotted, it was enough to get it censored.
@@tahunuva4254 This was what I mentioned... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Realist#Disneyland_Memorial_Orgy_poster
Damn, man. My expectations for future Chibson USA content just went through the roof. This one needs to get out there hahahaha.
Amazing work on this for sure.
We have a big one coming soon…🙏🤘🔥
And now Mickey belongs to all of us.
I LOVE everything about this. We need more counter-culture heroes like these. Now I gotta find some of these comics! ☮💙
A small plug here,
Has anyone here read the recent graphic novel Michael Mouse? It’s a rather grim work that depicts a dark skewering of the Disney characters with them portrayed as drug addicted characters who are on their last legs and aren’t above engaging in illegal and immoral activity including murder. It’s an unforgettable grim read and something you won’t forget if Disney was a part of your childhood.
But it would never have existed without The Air Pirates and Dan O’Neill.
Perfect timing! This was a great documentary and I absolutely commend Dan O'Neill for fighting for free speech and fair use in this world full of greedy corpos like Disney that want to destroy creativity. We need more people like him.
I initially came her for extra large picks... and now I get to watch an amazing mini doc? 👏👏👏👏
So cool!! Thought you guys only made shitposts. Never expected a fully fletched documentary! Mad respects
I grew up down the road from Gary Hallgren just north of Bellingham wa. back in the 60's. His father and mine worked at the Bellingham Herald Newspaper together and became friends so I can remember many fine barbecues in their back yard. Gary was several years older than me so I only remember him as a Beatnik Artist with cool drawings and even a nude drawing in his room. He must of moved out after graduation but our families still hung out together. His mom and dad were incredible crack- ups and I have fond memories. Of course I left home and by then it was the Hippie Days so Air Pirates was one of my favorites along with Zap Comic and The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers. I am happy to see Gary is still out there and still doing it. He is a Hero!
Man, this was really silenced by Disney! First time I've ever heard of "The Air Pirates" absolutely AMAZING.
I'm a big Disney fan, but I am also a big lover of parody and satire and am a huge advocate for freedom of speech and fair use in creative and imaginative works.
So I bet O'Neil is jumping for joy feeling blessed he is still alive to witness this huge catalystic shift for the creative community for this particular IP to come finally into the public domain.
This is punk rock and I love it.
This will be a useful video for introducing people to the Air Pirates Funnies. I like talking about it whenever people bring up Mickey Mouse and copyright and the first amendment.
I love his work,sadly I'm old enough to have bought Air Pirates.
That's not sad, that's awesome. You have a lense honed by time that many don't have. 🤙🙏
Dan O’Niell is a hero nothing more to be said.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Most of all, remember: Big Rother loves you!
Parody and satire should always be allowed in a society. The powerful and wealthy think they are above the law, they are not!
'We'll take over your imagination, we'll imagine this for you'
Boy does that sound familiar......
I love this style of documentary, you did an incredible job here
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this story before, thanks for this excellent little documentary!
This is so awesome - nice one Chibs!
I was the one who thunk up the plan to get Disney off Dan's back. Tis a fun story going in to my forthcoming book Comic Book Store Wars. Am over on Facebook where I write about all sorts of comics business history. I first met Dan in 1972.
I still have a huge box filled with all my underground comics from back in the 70s including O'Neills
Wonderful little documentary !
I remember reading those comics ca.1970. Great documentary..
Amazing documentary! This deserves way more attention 🙌
Awesome short film!!! we need it this!
We wouldn't have rule34 if it wasn't for these pioneers. Major Respect. 🙌
Yes we would, Yu Maroon!
My only thought is "How is that thumbnail allowed on UA-cam?"
> My only thought is "How is that thumbnail allowed on UA-cam?"
Are you advocating for censorship?
When it involves covering certain body parts on a website that demands those body parts be covered, yeah.
@@rabbitcreative
I'm intensely anti-censorship, but I have the same question
Love Dan O’Neill and Odd Bodkins!
Thank you for making this
I love this thank you for uploading
Not a single mention, but I KNOW you all remember the piano races.
The background music did not have to go this hard but it fucking SLAPS
HEY DAN ONEIL: Always remember , Minnie Mouse is just Mickey in Drag !
I think I have a new hero
❤🎉Steamboat Willie has left the House 🏠 of Mouse 🐁 🪤 🎉❤and into the wider world 🌎 of Public Domain 😅
This is so great, we need this realistic work today more than ever
👏 Very well done, an informative piece. Thank you.
fantastic documentary, and very well-timed too. i didn't know this story in regards to disney and mickey mouse. keep up the documentary making, you've got an eye for interesting subjects and good execution to see it through to the end
Fantastic!
I really appreciate this film! It gives some perspective to the sacrifices made by the OGs of the culture wars.
Bro's got huge balls. Thanks for sharing. Glad I also abused Mickey recently.
After 54 years he’s finally won :)
Very cool story. I didn't know about this!
Dan O'Neill was my favorite underground artist. I waited every morning to read Odd Bodkins in the Chronicle during college. He turned me into the unapologetic liberal I am today.
I want a movie on this so bad
Has O'neil released a book of the entire collection like in one big art book? I can't find anything other than eBay listings seeling the original comic books.
And the people who want to silence people like these are still here.
This guy is a legend. I only hope its not terribly difficult walking around with balls that big.
Time to reissue and make some money.
The *Mickey and the Air Pirates* comics were already reissued at least once, in the 1980s or 1990s, with each issue featuring a black cover with no illustration to avoid trademark infringement.
I remember reading Howard Cruse's essays back in the 80s. Fascinating history there.
Thanks !
I love those zap comics, fritz the cat etc.
Dan O'Neill is so great. "That's five for the whales and one for the ugly suit!"
What a legend
Seth McFarlane must've been inspired by Dan O'Neil , , ,one of the Family Guy episodes has a moment where Minnie Mouse has to disrobe while crying in front of young Walt Disney who keeps taunting her at his drawing table ""you wanna be famous dont ya kid ??""😂🤣
This, presumably, is a parody of a similar scene in the movie, *Fame* (1980).
Thanks Dan 🤙🙏
This guy is my absolute fuckin’ hero!
How am I hearing about this guy just now?
That was great! Thanks
Fun! 🤩🔥
I remember seeing a video of Dan explaining this on a park on big piece of paper on youtube once and I think the video is lost now thats how I came across the Air Pirates and what it was about and the Disney lawsuit
Couldn’t help but notice a lot of creative commons licensed content in the credits. The bright side, as it were.
Is this where the idea for the “Evil” Mickey from South Park came from
It's fine to see the Air Pirates story illuminated, but the filmmakers left out a lot. Where was Bobby London? Gary Hallgren? Publisher Ron Turner who had the chutzpah to bankroll such an obviously moneylosing proposition? No one from the film crew ever contacted me and yet my art was used in the film.
Yeah, I wondered why Ron Turner wasn’t included as well. At least they filmed Ted before he passed. I worked for Last Gasp and Rip Off Press 1976-1983. Met nearly everyone active in SF at the time. Dan lived in the basement of a comedy club in North Beach for a few months in the early 90s and I hung around a lot for his wild stories. This was after one Mitchell brother shot the other. Dan considered himself the third Mitchell brother so he was in a fairly poor emotional state at the time.
Bobby London was really sorry he got involved in the Air Pirates studio. He won't talk about it. Dan and Bobby are both good people, though.
That was Kool, I forgot about y'all, thanks for the flash-back. Just not their kind. As a electromechanical troubleshooter I worked for an entire state just ice department. I found out the really hard way how the world works and was forced into homelessness in high school right after reading the newspaper article shown of early 1979. I invented an alternative energy device and pound sandia said it had to have multiple redundancies because if anyone failed it would burn itself to the ground! Breaking the laws of physics. I was told a secret back in the late sixties and have searched and found something very significant that we all should at least understand to survive. I published it eight years ago and there is an concerted active obfuscation going on. Now that the tail has wagged the rat at a hundred years, happen to know how to set up a corporation, S or C, to watch over my work till 2115?
Ha ha. Wonderful! I love it!
This guy's insane
I love him
When I was a kid I had a shirt that had Mickey Mouse giving the finger and saying "Fuck you, Iran!"
Awesome
People interested in this topic, look up Negativland’s battle over their album "U2"
Sonic Outlaws: ua-cam.com/video/7UvW0Nq79Jw/v-deo.htmlsi=GbxkV_qcSnzWhzHz
This past week, my children, Mickey and Minnie Mouse lapsed into the public domain.
It is now legal to do just about anything you want with those characters.
So have at it!
I wonder how long they could have continued publishing the *Air Pirates* comics under the radar if they hadn't deliberately drawn Disney's attention to them.
It’s so funny when they talk of ‘great precision’ as though the design of Mickey isn’t a simple one which would be more difficult to mess up than to get right.
how is that thumbnail still on youtube?
Yes king! Go off on that mouse!
What’s Awesome For Dan O’Niell’s Mickey Mouse 1st Adult Comic on 1970s, But I feel sorry For Bad Luck., But 1920s Version Of Mickey Is Join In on public domain., You Could Use For Like!!, But Except Officially 1930s To Modern Version Of Mickey Mouse., It’s Still Copyrights.
Thank you for posting this! Been a huge fan of the air pirates story since I stumbled into my dad's old comic collection in high school, and I dont think most people are aware.
Dan is a free speech hero. Nothing but respect for hippies that didn't lose it.
The '70s were more civilized times.
A more civilized Weapon for a more Civilized age!
4:10 it’s very inclusive for them to add a dog to their team.
An American hero.
God, I hate Disney. No matter what happens, Disney will always find a way to be on the wrong side.
JOIN THE DARKSIDE!!!!
We have Cookies!
13:40 This is the whole point.
Okay, Dan O'niell should shit on disney more by makeing his own version of a full feature length Steam Boat Willie. Be funnier if it is a hit and makes more money than Wish. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I'm crying watching this ass I've had little luck contacting various Air Pirates to interview as I'm DeSoc and the 2nd generation of M.L.F. we fight for the users we are the 5th Column and we warned the world about Dizney in the 90's and the 20'oughts and only now with the tide about to turn as the Rat going to eat it's own tail...the 2nd gen is here, Crimson Red Irregulars checking in. The resistance is real.
Shary Flennigan rarely posts on Instagram. Dan O’Neill is not on any social media. Ted Richards passed away last year.
F□cling heros.