If you are a GeekDad who grew up in the 60s or 70s, then you likely grew up watching the animated exploits of Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose. This past weekend, “Rocky and Bullwinkle” creator Alex Anderson passed away. His wife said he had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease; he was 90 years old.
Anderson, who also created Dudley Do-Right and his nemesis, Snidely Whiplash, fought a long battle over control of the characters he created. For years, Anderson was cut out of royalties and credit for these great characters. It wasn’t until he pursued legal action in the 90s that he received the credit he rightly deserved.
The “Rocky and Bullwinkle” series is recognized as one of the first mass marketed cartoons to be targeted at both kids and adults. Its formula of cartoon action that appeals to kids, mixed with clever jokes and references that appeal to adults, is widely used today by cartoons from “Spongebob Squarepants” to many Pixar films. The original series, Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, aired for five years, before being syndicated.
