Kate Culkin has an in-depth article on the newly formed Walt Disney comics imprint spearheaded by Ahmet Zappa and Christian Beranek:

Kingdom Comics plans to release its first book in summer 2009. All publications will be at least 120 pages and consist of a self-contained story, although successful works may spawn sequels. When the graphic novels draw on the Disney vaults, it will be to reimagine less successful live-action features, especially from the 1970s and ’80s, in original ways. “Disney wants to put a lot behind this and there is a good chance these stories will become the next film franchises,” according to Beranek. Zappa and Beranek will coauthor some books, but they are actively seeking other writers as well as artists. At Heroes Con, Beranek and Zappa announced the first creators who will work on the line, writers Scott Lobdell and Steve Niles, with more to be announced soon. “All I can say is, I think the fans will be happy,” Beranek promised.

That’s the question a group of Disney animators will answer this summer in a self-published anthology that’ll debut in San Diego. You can find more details here.

Disney is in final negotiations with Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who worked on The Mask of Zorro and the Pirates of the Caribbean films, to write a new Lone Ranger film:

The writing duo, best known for their work on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, are in final negotiations to write a live-action big-screen adaptation of “The Lone Ranger” for Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

The project will be made by Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films in association with Entertainment Rights.

“Ranger,” owned by Classic Media, began life as a 1930s radio show. Its popularity led to movie serials, TV shows, comic strips and comic books, toys, novels and more.

If they’re looking for inspiration, they should take a look at the Dynamite Lone Ranger series.

TorrentFreak reports that the latest issue of Donald Duck magazine in The Netherlands depicts Donald and his nephews as music pirates who are threatened by the head of a record label — one Scrooge McDuck.

According to the website, the comic strip provides a lesson in copyright as Huey, Dewey and Lewey illegally download an album because they’re low on cash; they’ll buy it later when they have the funds. However, Donald decides there’s money to be made by copying and selling CDs. The boys are horrified, and tell him about copyright, adding, “If nobody buys CDs anymore, the record labels and artists will become beggars.”

Of course, Donald’s plan is thwarted by Uncle Scrooge, who warns him that’ll he’ll have to pay a hefty fine if he doesn’t stop pirating music.

Although some Dutch websites suspect anti-piracy group BREIN was behind the strip, the magazine’s editor said there was no outside involvement.

In related news, an Italian court has ordered Donald and his girlfriend Daisy, Mickey Mouse and Tweety Bird to testify in a counterfeiting trial.

Lawyers say the summons, which cites the fictional characters as damaged parties, seems to be a clerical error. The criminal trial involves a Chinese man accused of counterfeiting Disney and Warner Bros. products.

So Tornante, Michael Eisner’s media investment company, has purchased Topps, makers of trading cards, HeroClix and Bazooka Joe bubble gum. USA Today talked to Eisner, former CEO of Disney, here, where he revealed some lofty plans for Bazooka Joe:

He wants Topps to create a movie, TV, Internet and publishing franchise around Bazooka Joe, the eye-patch-wearing kid introduced in 1953 on the waxy comics that wrap Topps’ Bazooka bubble gum.

“Bazooka Joe could be the next big hero,” Eisner, 65, says. “I’m not saying it’s going to be Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which he oversaw as CEO of Paramount Pictures. “But that would be the goal. Bazooka Joe is my new Mickey Mouse.”

The idea, he says, is to help Topps strengthen its connection with kids and be considered “a real media company that is up there, and at least talked about, with the other media companies that we all know.”

Neatorama points out the gallery of French illustrator Serge Kliaving, who creates mashups of cute Disney characters and images from superhero and gore comics. Look for pieces featuring Venom, Ultron and Iron Man.