MICKEY RAT No. 2 by Bob Armstrong (1972).

For some strange reason, the litigious Walt Disney organization never sued Bob Armstrong for his seedy, alcoholic, drug-induced version of squeaky (no pun intended) clean Mickey Mouse. The name and resemblance weren't subtle. Armstrong's lead story this issue, "Feelin' Kinda Disney," depicts a giant roc bird dropping a huge turd on The Magic Kingdom. Patrons assume it's a new park attraction and Mickey, who landed on the stinky pile, is happy to take the customers' money till he's nabbed by the Disney police (a cross between the Keystone Kops and the Beagle Boys). The second feature stars Mickey's burned-out jazz musician cousin, Dizzy Ratstein. In a final adventure, Mickey lands on Easter Island and maybe finds love. Even the ads here are interesting.

The back cover pushes the 78 rpm "Ordinary" record by R. Crumb & His Keep-on-Truckin Orchestra (which included Armstrong) and pictures the band. Another ad offers the rare and elusive Mr. Natural and Mickey Rat sterling silver rings! (These are among the holy grails for underground comix collectors.) We don't have the rings (for sale) but we do have Bob Armstrong's self-portrait button as well as Mickey Rat and Dizzy Ratstein on cool '70s buttons elsewhere in this web store (just use our trusty search engine). Mickey Rat #2 is published by Kitchen Sink Press. First printing. NM/Mint. $10.00