Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. 40th Edition

The ultimate history of a modern hero

On November 18, 1928, the world’s most famous Mouse made his very first public debut. Today, we celebrate 90+ years of Mickey in one of the most expansive illustrated publications on the Disney universe. Starting with the first sketches of a character who was almost named Mortimer, we trace the career of Walt Disney’smost famous creation, one met with an explosion of worldwide popularity preceded only by the earlier successes of Charlie Chaplin.

Mickey Mouse has left an indelible mark on everyday culture as well as high art, becoming a favored subject for Pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Roy Lichtenstein. As Walt Disney once said: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.” And an end to the success story is nowhere in sight. Today, 90+ years after his creation, Mickey remains as lovable and popular as ever.