In it’s first lap as a Disney story teller, Marvel, collaborates with Walt Disney Imagineering on a magical tale of a theme park attraction that nearly was. Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird is a five issue story, written by Brandon Seifert, of a family tasked with the burden of managing the magical, mysterious and Weird found in the world. This tale is very similar to the style of Marvel’s Runaways (2003) where the heroes of the story are teens forced to live by their wits and the lessons they tried to ignore from their parents. What makes this series a unique treasure for Disney fans is the archived source of the story. Inspired by the early designs of legendary Imagineer Rolly Crump for Haunted Mansion ride elements, The Museum of the Weird was intended to expand the ride we enjoy today. Walt Disney’s passing left this attractions fate to be determined by others. Elements of the museum can be found in and around the Haunted Mansion rides today.
I enjoyed this series and recommend it to those fans of adventure who appreciate concepts that are beyond belief. I loved exploring every panel of the book for the bold icons of the weird and familiar elements from the Haunted Mansion rides (I won’t spoil the journey for you). I hope this series encourages a new generation of Imagineers to expand this world further as attractions, movies or a special teen driven TV project for Disney XD. The comic series has concluded at five issues setting the stage for Disney Kingdoms next story: Figment.
For more information on Rolly Crump and the Museum of the Weird, visit www.doombuggies.com or hauntedmansion.wiki/Museum_Of_The_Weird
