2014

Kontturi, Katja

This doctoral dissertation deals with the Disney comics by Don Rosa and analyzes both their fantastic and postmodern features. Originally conventional Disney comics are combined with different fantasy worlds and references to genuine history in the hands of Rosa. The aim of this thesis is to examine how comics as a form depict the elements of fantasy genre both visually and textually. Transcending the frame borders and using intertextual references to different media are also essential for the research. The study argues that Rosa has brought the concept of history and memory to Disney comics. Ducks remember their past and refer to previous events. Rosa’s depiction shows Duckburg as a special place between the normal primary world and the fantastic secondary world which is one of the key arguments in the dissertation. The research is based on the theoretical framework of literary theories of fantasy genre as well as theories of postmodernism. Furthermore, it applies the analytic tools of comics (Scott McCloud) and close reading in analyzing the form and contents of Rosa’s comics. The primary corpus of the study is Don Rosa’s original comics published between the years 1987-2006 of which 48 relevant comics have been chosen based on their dealings with fantasy worlds, fantastic and historical events as well as postmodern features. The aim of this dissertation is to create a model for analyzing fantastic features in comics. With the help of familiar Disney comics the model offers concrete examples how visual and textual fantasy can be broken down and analyzed thoroughly.