MIGHTY MITES
The sequential cartoon feature “Mighty Mites” created by Emily Hearn and Mark Thurman, began with the first issue of Owl magazine and was one of the most if not the most successful feature produced for the magazine. It ran a quarter of a century from Owl, 1-1 January 1976 to 26-9, November 2001. The feature then continued under the title “M Team” into 2002. Annabel Slaight President of Owl Communications mentions in Canadian Family May/June 1997 that the feature was enjoyed worldwide by millions of kids and that many of the early readers are now adults with their children enjoying the “Mites”. At least one scientist, has remarked that it prompted her to enter the natural sciences. A book Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land was published in 1981. Unfortunately there was no follow up. A “Mighty Mites” live action segment on Owl TV appeared on CBC from 1985 to 1990, on CTV from 1990 to 1994 and a dubbed version appeared on Télé Hibou. It also appeared on U.S. and U.K. television. This television series followed the cartoon feature’s intent of that period quite closely. In Canadian Family May/June 1997, Annabel talked of a new live action series that was in the works. The result may have been the “Mighty Mites”, a fifteen minute program that appeared on CBeehies from July 25 2010 to 24 September 2010, but was so unlike the cartoon feature it probably constitutes another project altogether.
As stated above, the “Mighty Mites” were created by Emily Hearn and Mark Thurman. Their objective was to provide information about the natural world in a way that would hold the readers’ attention. This objective created a cartoon feature with a dual personality. If one looks at purely informational cartoon features as say in the booklets brought out by Ganes Productions Ltd. in the 1960’s one finds information presented in a static manner. There are no suspense characteristics like conflict: person against person, person against nature or person against him or herself, timelines, and character and/or relationship development. A look at adventure cartoons like “Captain Canuck”. or “Northguard” and one finds they are all about, these suspense characteristics designed to hold a reader’s attention. Emily and Mark combined the two approaches to create a primarily informational cartoon with just enough adventure to hold the reader’s attention. Naturally there is a tension between these two elements. How the various authors handled this tension over the lifetime of the “Mighty Mites” is the subject of the rest of this entry.
During the Emily/Mark period the “Mighty Mites” involved the three children of the “Mite” family, two teenagers “Mark” and “Sophie” and their younger brother “Nick” or “Nicky” as he was called. The family name pointed to the characteristic that allowed these children to explore the natural world. Mites belong to the family of arachnids that can be so small as to be almost invisible. The children invented a “shrink drink” that reduces them to mite size and pills that restores them to their normal size. In spite of this special ability, Owl readers are able to easily identify with them. They come from a family very much like the families of their readers in 1970/80 North America. Both genders are represented. “Mark” and “Sophie” are approximately the readers’ ages. There is a collegial attitude among the youngsters they are non judgmental and help each other. Another aspect of the feature, that the readers might have appreciated is the empowerment given to these otherwise ordinary characters. They are the inventors of the shrinking formula, and their ability is unknown to they parents.
They are, however, not the story, they are simply the means to reach the real object of the feature which is to teach readers about the natural world. “Mark”, “Sophie” and “Nicky” are principally observers of the action which centers on creatures interacting with each other and/or their environment. Put another way, the reader learns through what the characters learn. Sometimes the siblings as observers get caught up in the action, which adds an element of suspense to hold the reader’s attention, but rarely are they central to it. The theme to investigate and learn always remains dominant. To help this objective, small boxes explaining characteristics of the creatures and their behaviour are implanted throughout the stories. For some reason that cannot be lack of technical capability the feature is black and white rather than colour. Was colour thought of as a distraction from the information? Another interesting aspect of these stories that may have been done to give precedence to the information side of the feature is that the “Mites” themselves tend to be drawn in a simplified manner while the natural world is drawn in detail.
Throughout the Emily/Mark era, the series remains essentially the same but there are some alterations. In the early stories the “Mites” investigate nature in their locality likely similar to the localities of the readers enabling them look at their neighbourhoods with new understanding. As the series progresses the “Mites” area of exploration becomes worldwide. The adventure side of the series becomes more prominent as the “Mites” tend to face more dangerous situations in their investigations. The idea that the “Mites” invented the shrink drink and restoring pills is revised. Annabel Slaight President of Owl Communications states in Canadian Family May/June 1997 that the “Mites” inadvertently drank the juice from a rare Amazonian plant. This must have occurred between Owl 5-8, October 1980 when we are told the “Mites” invented the drink and in Owl 8-4, April 1983 when we are told they have “simply discovered a way to shrink to any size they want and grow big again.” This new approach copies the comic book habit of accidental acquisition of superpowers. Still later, long after Emily and Mark have left the feature, we are told in Owl Summer 2001, in the “Top Secret Mites Handbook”, that “Mrs. Mite”, now described as a chemist, invented the shrinking formula. By this time the concept of three ordinary kids simply shrinking in order to explore nature has long disappeared.
In 1981, Emily and Mark authored their only book Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land and the “Mites”. The “Mites” add time travel to their adventures, but it remains subservient to the investigate and learn theme. The story starts in present day Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta. Chasing a tumble weed they decide to shrink, in order to catch a ride on it. They are blown into a canyon where they encounter a jack rabbit. They return to their original size and try to climb out of the canyon. That’s when they find some dinosaur bones and are transported back into the age of the dinosaurs. Through their various encounters with these creatures the reader learns about the world of the dinosaurs. They eventually figure out a way to get back to the present.
In 1991 Emily and Mark left the series and a new creative team Harold Eastman and Thach Bui appear. Harold Eastman was born, in 1951, in Ontario but grew up in Edmonton. He will remain with the series till it ends. Thach Bui already an established cartoonist and illustrator was the first of a quick turn over of visual artists. The appearance of the feature alters, but its investigative intent remains the same. One notable change is in panel layout. In keeping with late twentieth century changes in comic book cartooning practice, it is more diversified and creates a more dynamic flow in storytelling. The other notable change is the update in the appearances of “Mark”, “Sophia” and “Nick”. Previously they could be described as mid-twentieth century children. Now their appearances are late twentieth century. “Sophia” no longer wears glasses, and her hair is no longer drawn back in pigtails but flows over her shoulders. “Mark” now sports the standard – at that time – reversed baseball cap. “Nick” for some reason is given glasses. Accompanying these changes is the fading of the family unit aspect of the series. The “Mites” have subtly shifted from neighbourhood kids exploring the world around them to free roving adventurers. What we are witnessing is the beginning of a trend which makes the characters increasingly remote from the readers. Under Thach’s watch, in Owl Summer 1993 issue the “Mites” make their first appearance in colour, which brings them more in line with what appears in DC and Marvel comic books.
By the January 1994 issue, “The Mites” have a new visual artist Goran Delić another accomplished illustrator, cartoonist, and animator. The purpose of the series remains as established by Emily and Mark, but the feature continues to slide towards more emphasis on the adventure side of the spectrum as the “Mites” have more dangerous close calls reducing space for the descriptive side of the feature. The “Mites” continue to work as a collegial unit, each contributing something to the exploration.
In the summer of 1994, there was a reorganization in the company publishing Owl. The Young Naturalists were replaced by a new company Owl Communications. The “Mighty Mites” in Owl September 1994 also exhibited a drastic change. Goran Delić left and Paul McCusker who was a graduate of Sheridan College entered and would stay with the series for slightly more than six years. Paul first heard that Owl Communications was looking for a new illustrator through four friends including Thach Bui and Mike Cherkas. He sent in samples and was hired. Although they were a team, Harold and Paul met on only a few occasions. The procedure while Paul worked on the “Mites” was that he received a script which was similar to a screen play from Harold. He “would do a rough 8.5”X11” thumbnail layout of each page.” This would be sent to the Editors, Harold and the Art Director who would send the pages back “with any comments, concerns, changes that they required.” Paul then did a finished pencil stage on 12”X17” Strathmore two ply matt. The lettering in English was placed on an acetate overlay so that it could be replaced with French for the French editor of Owl. Photocopies of these were sent to the editors for further comment and changes if required. The pencils were inked. Then photocopies with a colour guide were sent to Digital Chameleon in Winnipeg. It is likely this procedure was more or less followed when Thach and Goran were illustrators. From the description of the procedure given by Paul, we can see that the editorial direction of “Mighty Mites” was determined by Harold and the editorial team. From the direction that “Mighty Mites” takes it is evident that within that group there existed a strong influence from DC and Marvel publications which was absent during the Emily/Mark period. .
The change in illustrators was not as drastic as the changes in the feature itself. As the new title states these are the “New Mighty Mites”. The “Mites” as a neighbourhood family with which young readers could identify completely disappears. “Mark” and “Sophia” are gone. Only “Nick” remains. He is now an environmentalist and has founded “BioNet” an online network that provides information about the natural world and environmental degradation. The nature explanations that Emily and Mark had integrated into each “Mighty Mite” story are now highlighted as “Biobytes” and “Interact” presumably part of “Nicks” “BioNet” network. “Keisha” enters the picture. She is a female ecologist and wild animal healer of African descent perhaps an effort on the part of Owl editors to diversify the racial make- up of the “The Mites”. The other new character is Seth a “junk foodaholic” and tech wizard. The collegial atmosphere of the “Mite” family has been replaced by a more confrontational attitude among the new more individualized characters reminiscent of the confrontational attitude found within superhero groups. It can be summed up that the characters no longer have anything in common with the readers. Most significant, these characters are no longer simply the means through which the reader explores nature. They have become an end in themselves. Their adventures no longer function to simply hold the reader’s attention so that he or she absorbs information about the natural world. Now, these adventures compete with the descriptions of the natural world for the attention of the reader.
There is a strong shift in the feature toward technology. Something that was almost totally absent in the early stories. Gone is the simple on demand change in size through which the “Mighty Mites” could quickly get to exploring the world surrounding them, which left no need to transport them. Now the “MCDIT” also called a “Molecular Compression and Digital Transfer Unit” and reminiscent of the “Transporter Unit” in Star Trek alters the size of the new “Mites” and transports them to their destinations. A “Talisman” devise held by each member keeps them in communication with “Seth” and linked to the “MCDIT”. The “MCDIT” itself becomes a dominant feature in the story drawing the attention of the reader to itself. This technology of course has to be housed in a secret base of operations; an abandoned warehouse called the “Black Hole” reminiscent of the secret headquarters of so many superheroes and another change drawing attention to itself and away from the original intent of the feature to explore nature.
There are other shifts to the narrative side as opposed to the descriptive side of the feature. The format has changed from what can be best described as a series of individual descriptions of different aspects of nature to a continuous story line centered on the adventures of the new characters with cliff hangers at the end of each issue’s episode. The new structure is reminiscent of the film serials of the 1930’s and 40’s. Good guy versus bad guy themes are introduced with the entry of the mysterious “Blade”. Over the next few issues the nefarious organization the “League Against Militant Environmentalists” or “L.A.M.E.” plus various other environmental destroyers is added. Even the interactions between the characters and the natural world shift toward a more person against nature theme. The original theme of investigate and learn has been reduced to a secondary role.
The first bad guy, “Blade” who it turns out is a young woman, is an ambiguous figure initially appearing to be sinister but evolving more into a trickster character. In Owl May 1996 “Blade” even saves “Nick” from death as he falls toward contact with a poisonous toad. “Blade’s” answer to “The Mites” why? is, “I don’t want to lose the fun I’m having” suggesting that the conflict is not really serious. Then after creating more headaches for the “Mites” including hacking into “MCDIT”, “Blade” disappears and “Mighty Mites” more or less returns to its early emphasis on descriptions of nature.
With the Jan/Feb 1998 issue the “conflict between “Blade” and the “ Mites” returns with more physical confrontations between the two. The conflicts have taken on a more serious tone. “Blade” is now collecting wild specimens as it turns out for their genetic material which will be used by a mysterious and definitely bad guy corporation called “Gene Blender Technologies Inc.”. This episode is followed by another series of adventures focusing on describing natural world. This seesaw reveals again the tension between focusing the feature on information about the nature and focusing it on entertainment.
In issue September 1999 we see the emergence of what can be called the “Mighty Mite World”. New characters, new organizations and more conflicts are added. “Epiphytia Base” an organization to defend the environment is introduced as is a new even more sinister organization “Forestec” a genetic engineering company, although this could be simply a new more simplified name for the cumbersome Gene Blender Technologies Inc.”. This new version begins when “Nick” and “Keisha” are invited by “Seth” to a garage where they find an old Cadillac on blocks with a message by “Seth” to check the back seat. The result is a shaft to a tunnel which leads to a whole new headquarters which reminds one of the “Batcave”. Just in case the reader doesn’t make this connection, when “Nick” and “Keisha” finally realize that the shadowy figure they meet is “Seth” he replies “Who’d you expect …? Bruce Wayne?” “Seth” then explains that when he returned to the “Hole” after the “Mites” had all been away for the Summer, he discovered it had been destroyed (immediately, the “Mites” think of “Blade”), but how did this new facility they see come into being?
To explain this “Seth” invites “Nick” and “Keisha” to enter the new “MCDIT” and teleport to Owl October 1999. Here we complete entry into a world that has nothing in common with the reader’s world. We are introduced to “Dr. Eve Wang Lai” who one suspects is a Southeast Asian female version of “Professor Charles Francis Xavier” founder of the “X-Men”. In her origin story which also introduces us to the villain “Forestec” we learn that Dr. Lai had discovered “Forestic” working on a plan called “Bio-Control”. “Forestec” attempted to kill her to prevent this plan from being exposed. After that attempt, “Dr. Lai” used her fortune to build “Epiphytia Base” deep in the Africa Rainforest dedicated to fighting Forestec. When the “Mites’ Hole” was destroyed, she realized she and the “Mites” were fighting the same enemy. She had contacted “Seth” and offered to finance a new base for the “Mites”. “Seth” had accepted. The “Mites” are given a tour of “Epiphytia”. During these episodes the explore and learn about nature aspect of the feature completely disappears. Only the adventure aspect is remains.
In issue November 1999, this good guy verses bad guy conflict is further developed. A more sinister “Blade” re-enters the story and a new character who is obscured in shadow is introduced. He is “Blade’s” boss and wants to use her as bait to get the “Mites” to lead him to someone he wants. The information aspect reappears but in a very different form. It now functions as a kind of nod to the original concept squeezed into the conflict between the “Mites” and “Blade/ Forestec”. The “Biobytes” and “Interact” panels scattered throughout the story have been replaced by a single panel tacked on at the end of the narrative. The action now flows uninterrupted by commentary on the nature and habits of various species. In addition, since the beginning of the Eastman/McCusker era we have seen a trend away from an observe and learn tone toward an adventures with wild animals tone. This trend is now completed.
In issues January/February 2000, a science fiction/fantasy aspect is added to the feature. Through a malfunction in the MCDIT which now appears to be capable of time travel, “Nick” & “Keisha” who were intending to meet with “Blade” are transported to the last ice age encountering Mammoths and early man. The issue ends, however, with “Blade negotiating with “Seth”. She says she has changed her moniker back to her real name which is “Breanna” and that she has broken with “Forestec”, but the final panel shows her planning with her boss to set the Mites up. However, there is ambiguity here. When the boss calls her “Blade” she vehemently corrects him. She is now “Breanna”. It is hard to determine why the detour into the ice age in this narrative as other than a nod to the original intention of the feature to provide instruction. That nod seems to continue in the next episode. Seth discovers the malfunction and attempts to bring “Nick” and “Keisha” home but instead sends them to another location and an encounter with Flying Frogs. After this brief diversion a returned “Nick” and “Keisha” counsel with each other and “Dr. Wang Lai”. They decide they will meet with “Breanna” on neutral ground in Australia, but clearly none of them trust her.
In April 2000 the narrative continues. We learn the mysterious boss is after “Dr. Wang Lai”. The Mites are still arguing whether Breanna has really changed. There is an increasing tension between “Breanna” and her boss who forcibly places a radio locator in her ear. The “Mites” arrive in sub-tropical Australia to meet “Breanna” where there is another adventure with wild animals – tree kangaroos – digression during which “Breanna” saves “Keisha’s” life. “Nick” now trusting “Breanna” gives her vital information about their operation to the chagrin of “Keisha” still not trusting her. “Breanna”, of course wants to meet with “Dr. Lai”. The panel at the end of the episode describing the tree kangaroos takes care of the informational aspect of the feature.
After returning from their Australia adventure the “Mites” “MCDIT” to hold counsel with “Dr. Lai”. They decide to bring “Breanna” to Africa but before “Dr. Lai” brings “Breanna” to “Epiphytia Base” she will show “Breanna” a group of Lowland Gorillas. Here “Breanna” sees how they live and then she is shown a truck load of dead gorillas. The truck “Breanna” is told belongs to “Forestec” and that it hires hunters to kill the gorillas for meat for the forest workers. The panel at the end of the story fills in the informational side of the feature. Breanna triggers the radio locator in her ear that will allow “Forestic” to locate “Dr. Lai”. “Forestec” helicopters are seen approaching the base, but “Breanna” hasn’t betrayed “Dr Lai” and the “Mites”. She threw the locator into a swamp. Since she has betrayed “Forestec” it is no longer safe for her to return home and so “Dr. Lai” keeps her at the camp to work with her.
This narrative arch disappears, and we are presented with a series of disconnected, random and disjointed episodes which appear to be attempting to satisfy the conflicting mandates of showcasing principle characters and providing information about wild creatures. .
This episode opens with a mite sized “Keisha” spying on a “Forestec” chemical plant. What led to this mission is completely absent. Almost immediately this action is interrupted by Keisha’s encounter with a Firefly which she decides to ride. The encounter is quickly replaced by “Keisha’s” attempt to MCDIT back to the “Hole” during which she is captured by “Forestec” but rescued by “Seth’s” technical wizardry. The only reason for “Keisha’s” encounter with the Firefly appears to be justification for the file at the end. We will see this justification many times in the episodes that follow.
“Forestec” disappears completely from the next seven issues. This episode appears to be a showcase for “Breanna”. She and “Seth” go to the Congo jungle in search of the Mokele-Mbembe a mythical mini dinosaur. They encounter it and thwart some bad guys trying to kill it and take it back as a specimen. In this issue the exploration of nature reads much like “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not”.
A delightful story in which Seth’s seven-year-old niece makes an appearance. “Seth is showcased and a brief origin story for the MCDIT is presented. The MCDIT was first invented by the military in order to shrink and transport soldiers to any part of the world where they would be returned to full size. Notice how the initial scientific reason for shrinking in size used by Emily and Mark is now replaced by a warfare need. The military couldn’t make it work but “Seth” could. Also interesting the story introduces us to the authors Harold Eastman and Paul McCusker, reminiscent of the fifteenth anniversary issue of the “Mites” in which we were treated to a glimpse of Emily and Mark. No animal information panel needed.
“Nick” and “Kesha” meet the Monk Saki a New World monkey. The story quickly leaves this creature and focuses on “Nick” and “Kesha” averting a disastrous oil from a ruptured pipeline. The information panel at the end describes the Monk Saki..
In this issue we have two parallel stories one about the “Mites” planning a surprise birthday party for “Keisha’. The second is an encounter with a Hummingbird. The information panel describes the Hummingbird.
“Nick” and “Keisha” save a snow leopard from hunters. The panel describes the snow leopard.
Nick and Keisha enter the world of the water spider, where they are saved from drowning by riding on the spider’s back. The panel describes the water spider. Here we are told “Nick’s” parents know about their digitizing. During the Eastman/Thurman period the “Mites” parents were unaware of their digitizing.
The Mites thwart an illegal trade in exotic animals for pets, and the injured snow leopard is returned to the wild. The panel describes the exotic animal trade.
In another shift the serial returns to “Forestec” and the mystery man with the glasses. At the same time the “Mighty Mites” make another jump into science fiction. Riding “Forestec’s MCDIT” they go to Mars and discover life which they bring back to “Dr. Wang Lai” who also returns to the serial. “Nick” thinks the voice of the mystery man with glasses is familiar. The panel describes Mars.
Owl Summer 2001 is a digest version which completes the recreation of the world of the “Mites” leaving out and revising nearly all the features from of the Eastman/McCusker era. “Keisha” and “Seth” are described while there are no references to “Mark” and “Sophie”. The “MCDIT” digitizes the “Mites” as opposed to earlier when they digitized at will. Most interesting the “Mites” mother now turns out to be a famous biologist who invented the original shrinking formulae whereas originally the “Mites” mother was neither a biologist or inventor of the shrinking formulae and neither parent knew about their ability to shrink.
In Owl September 2001 the conflict with “Forestec” returns and appears to pick up where it left off with “Breanna’s” defection. “Forestec” has stolen from and erased the time travel “MCDIT” program that Dr. Wang Lai’s “Epiphytia Base” now called “E Base” and “Seth” have been working on. “Joey” from “E-Base” and “Seth”, “MCDIT” into “Forestec’s” headquarters and attend a meeting revealing its plans to go back to 1921 and dump genetically altered algae into the ocean which 80 years later (in the present) will cause the oceans to die. “Forestec” will have the antidote and hold the world to ransom. Using their own copy of the time travel program “Nick” and “Keisha” go back to 1921 to prevent this operation but arrive too late. A major change has occurred. The information panel at the end of each episode has been eliminated removing the feature’s initial intent and prime reason for its existence, educating the reader about the natural world. “Mighty Mites” is now a purely action-adventure serial.
While the algae pollution is causing a world crisis, a new action line begins. The man with the glasses goes back in history in an attempt to remove important persons from the environmental movement and alter history. The “Mites” go back and successfully thwart his attempts. As a result the man in glasses threatens “Nick” and calls him “Nicko”. Nick remembers only one person ever called him that. Back at “E Base” they discover that the man with glasses is after a new target with the initials NM, Nick’s initials.
In this final chapter the three “Mites” go back in time and arrive at a place where the original three “Mites” “Mark”, “Sophie” and “Nick” are rock climbing. Here they encounter the man with glasses who it turns out is “Mark” “Nick’s” older brother. Notice that here “Mark” calls “Nick” “Nicko” whereas during the Hearn/Thurman period he was “Nicky”. It is another disconnect with the original feature. During the earlier event at that place a rock fell and hit “Mark”. Now “Mark” intends to alter the rock’s fall so that it will hit “Nick” and kill or incapacitate him. “Mark” succeeds and the rock hits “Nick” while “Keisha”, “Nick” and “Seth” can only look on and shout an unsuccessful warning. Following a panel of chaos, we return to the present day, in the hospital with both “Nick” and “Mark” in adjacent beds. An explanation follows. When the rock originally hit “Mark” in the head it changed his personality, and he became the ruthless man with glasses. “Mark” by altering the trajectory of the stone to hit “Nick” who was not injured in the same a drastic way, changed “Mark’s” history so that he never became the ruthless man with glasses never organized “Forestec” and of course never dumped the mutant algae in the oceans.
This was the end of the “Mighty Mites”. Paul McCusker left the series. He felt that after seven years doing the feature “…it was time to move on.” The “Mighty Mites” did not appear in the December issue. When the feature returns in January/February with illustrator Denis Rodier . The last link with the original “Mighty Mites” has been eliminated. They are now called the “M Team”, a title not unlike the “X-Men”. The characters are now costumed heroes. The original concept of ordinary kids exploring the mysteries of nature which had been declining in the series is completely gone. We are looking at a typical action-adventure serial. The motifs and attitudes of popular culture which had been increasing are now the foundation of the series. The feature, however, was in its final days. It lasted less than a year. The original audience would find nothing to attract them to this new version. Did the new version attract a new audience? Apparently not.
MEDIUM:
BOOK GRAPHIC:
Content story & Cover book front:
Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land. Writ., Emily Hearn. Illus., Mark Thurman. Greey de Pencier Books,1981.
PERIODICAL TEXT & GRAPHIC:
Content information & adventure:
| Owl …: “Mighty Mites…” Co-car., Emily Hearn & Mark Thurman. Young Naturalist Foundation. Black & white. |
| 1-1, January 1976: Visit to a bee hive:20-23.
1-2, Spring, 1976: An encounter with Canada Geese: 18-21. 1-3, Summer, 1976: Following raccoons in the neighbourhood: 20-23. 1-4, September, 1976: Visiting a bat cave: 18-21. 1-5, October, 1976: Visiting a local swamp: 18-21. 1-6, November, 1976: About white-tailed deer: 18-21. 1-7, December 1976, Christmas Tree Adventure: 18-21. 2-1, January 1977: About otters: 24-27. 2-2, February 1977: “Go On A Wild Ride”: 18-21. Riding on Snow Buntings. 2-3, March 1977: “About rabbits and owls: 18-21. 2-4, April 1977: “In Hide And Seek”: 18-21. Sophia nearly eaten by Sea Gull. 2-5, May 1977: “Visit A Tiny World”: 18-21. About ants. 3-2, February 1978; “On A Quick Brown Fox”: 18-21. About a fox and an owl. 3-3, March 1978: “Riding A Curious Creature”: 18-21.About a mole and a pike. 3-10: December 1978: “Go Up And Down”: 18-21. About eagles and mountain goats.” 5-8, October 1980: “Milkweed Mysteries”: 18-21. About milkweed and catapillars. 8-4, April 1983: “In a Deadly Trap”: 22-25. Nick nearly trapped in a Venus Fly Trap. 8-6, Summer 1983: “Meet a hungry gooseberry”: 18-21. Mark encounters a Sea Gooseberry 8-10: December 1983: “visit a penguin burrow”: 20-23. 9-1 January 1984: “in a sticky situation”: 20-23. Mites ride afruit eating bat. 9-3, March 1984: “meet some unusual travellers”: 20-23. Encounter with Garter snakes. 10-4, April 1985: “go to fishing school”: 18-21. Encounter with Kingfisher. 10-7, September 1985: “meet a drag racer”: 18-21. Meet a Pronghorn antelope. 10-8, October 1985: “Meet the Blob”: 18-21. Encounter with a slim mould. 11-1, January 1986: “a Birthday Surprise”: 18-21. Creators themselves appear. 11-5, May 1986: “…in a Paper House”: 20-23. Visit a wasp nest. 11-8, October 1986: “ … on a Mouse Hunt”: 18-21. Encounter with owl. 11-10, December 1986: “ … and the Stowaways”: 18-21. Hummingbirds & mites. 12-1, January 1987: “… in Snowy Adventure”: 20-23. Exploring snowflakes. 12-3, March 1987: “… Meet a Mighty Toad”: 20-23. 12-5, May 1987: “… in Borneo”: 18-21. Nick nearly eaten by spider. 12-6, Summer 1987: “… Dive Into Danger”: 18-21. Nick trapped by crayfish. 12-9, November 1987: “… in the Galapagos”: 20-23. Bird uses stick to spear grub. 13-1, January 1988: “… Up a Gum Tree”: 20-23. Observing Koalas. 13-2, Feb. 1988: “… Meet a Mighty Mite”: 20-23. 13-3, March 1988: “… in Bolivia”: 18-21. Adventure with an armadillo. 16-1, January 1991: “… Take a Clock Walk”: 24-27. Explore a clack mechanism. |
| Owl …: “The Mites…” Co-car., Thach Bui & Harold Eastman. Young Naturalist Foundation. Black & white. |
| 16-8, October 1991: “… Find an All-Natural Raincoast”: 25-47. Frog protects itself against drying out.
17-8, October 1992” “… Discover a Secret Entrance”: 24-27. Enter a bird’s nest. 17-10, December 1992: “… Tight-Rope Trouble”: 22-25. Close encounter with a spider. 18-2, February 1993: “… Coral Caper”: 22-25. 18-5 May 1993: “… Turning Up The Heat”: 8-11. Encounter with Collar Lizard. 18-6, Summer 1993: “… In The Pirate Isles”: 27-28. First story in colour. |
| Owl …: “Mighty Mites…” Co-car., Goran Delić & Harold Eastman. Young Naturalist Foundation. Colour. |
| 19-1, January 1994: “… Caterpillar Pop”: 18-21. Caterpillar & ant help each other.
19-3, March 1994: “… A Little Egg-stra Warmth”: 18-21. Encounter with Penguins. 19-4, April 1994: “… Three’s A Crowd”: 24-27. Encounter with Lemmings. 19-5, May 1994: “… Sand Sampler”: 24-24. Encounter with Mallee Fowl eggs. |
Owl Communications takes over publishing Owl from Young Naturalist Foundation.
Owl, 19-6, Summer 1994: “… Glider Trouble”. Co-car., Goran Delić & Harold Eastman: 24-27.
Encounter with Sugar Glider, New Guinea. Owl Communications. Colour.
Content serial & information:
| Owl …: “New Mighty Mites”…. Co-car., Harold Eastman & Paul McCusker. Owl Communications Colour. | ||
| 19-7, September 1994: 18-21.
19-8, October 1994: 18-21. 19-9, November 1994: 24-27 19-10, December 1994: 18-21. 20-1, January 1995: 24-27. 20-2, February 1995: 24-27. 20-3, March 1995: 24-27. 20-4, April 1995: 8-11. 20-5, May 1995: 24-27. |
20-6, Summer 1995: 24-27.
20-7, September 1995: 24-27. 20-8, October 1995: 24-27. 20-9, October 1995: 24-27. 20-10, December 1995: 24-27. 21-1, January 1996: 24-27. 21-2, February 1996: 24-27. 21-3, March 1996: 24-27. 21-4, April !996: 24-27. 21-5, May 1996: 24-27. |
21-6, Summer, 1996: 24-27.
21-7, September, 1996: 24-27. 21-8, October 1996: 24-27. 21-9, November 1996: 24-27. 21-10, December 1996: 24-27. 22-1, Jan/Feb, 1997: 24-27. 22-2, March 1997: 24-27. 22-3, April 1997: 24-27. 22-4, May 1997: 24-27. 22-5, Summer 1997: 24-27. |
In September or October 1997, Bayard Press Canada which is owned by les Pères Agustins de l’Assomption ( part of the larger organization headquartered in France) in Québec city purchases Owl Communications.
Owl 22-7, November 1997: “New Mighty Mites”. Co-car., Harold Eastman & Paul McCusker: 24-27. Bayard Press Canada Colour.
The title “New Mighty Mites” reverts to “Mighty Mites”.
| Owl …: “Mighty Mites”…. Co-car., Harold Eastman & Paul McCusker: … Bayard Press Canada Colour. | ||
| 23-1, Jan/Feb 1998: 24-27.’
23-4, May 1998: 24-27. 23-5, Sum. 1998: 24-27. 23-6, Sept. 1998: 24-27. 23-7, Oct. 1998: 24-27. 23-8, Nov. 1998: 24-27. 23-9, Dec. 1998: 24-27. 24-1, Jan/Feb, 1999: 24-27. 24-2, March 1999: 24-27. 24-3 April 1999: 24-27. 24-4 May 1999: 24-27. 24-5, Sum. 1999: 24-27. |
24-6, Sept. 1999: 28-31.
24-7, Oct. 1999: 28-31. 24-8, Nov. 1999: 28-31. 24-9, Dec. 1999: 28-31. 25-1, Jan/Feb, 2000: 28-31. 25-1, Jan/Feb. 2000: 29-31. 25-2, March 2000: 28-31. 25-3, April 2000: 28-31. 25-4, May 2000: 28-31. 25-5, Summer 2000: 28-31. 25-6, Sept. 2000: 26-29. 25-7, Oct. 2000: 28-31. |
25-8, Nov. 2000: 28-31.
25-8, Dec. 2000: 28-31. 26-1, Jan/Feb. 2001: 28-31. 26-2, March 2001: 26-29. 26-3, April 2003: 28-31. 26-4, May 2001: 26-29. 26-5, June 2001: 28-31. 26-7, September 2001: 28-30. 26-8, October 2001: 26-29. 26-9, November 2001: 26-29. Conclusion of Mighty Mites |
Owl, 26-6, Summer 2001: “Top Secret Mites Handbook”: Co-car., Harold Eastman & Paul McCusker:
44-58. A special double edition of Owl in digest size. The handbook provides background for the “Mighty Mites” series.
Owl, Jan/Feb. 2002:”The M-Team” Writ., Harold Eastman. Illus., Denis Rodler. Col., Digital Chameleon: 28-31.
SOURCE:
Content book:
Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land. Writ., Emily Hearn. Illus., Mark Thurman. Greey de Pencier Books, 1981.
Content periodical:
Owl November, 2000: “Mighty Mites: The Faces Behind”: 27.
Owl Canadian Family, “Mighty Happenings.” Pres., Annabel Slaight. May/June 1997: 6.
Internet:
“Owlkids: The Mighty Mites”, Writ., Kendra. 19, March 2014. https://www.owlkids.com/mightymites/.
Accessed 12 Dec. 2022.
“Mighty Mites -TV Time” https://www.tvtime.com/en/show/193281 Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
“Owl TV” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OWL/TV Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
Correspondence:
Email 5 May 2021 from Paul McCusker.
GALLERY:
Owl, 1-1 January 1976: 20. Illus., Mark Thurman.
Owl, 1-1 January 1976: 21. Illus., Mark Thurman.
Owl, 1-1 January 1976: 22. Illus., Mark Thurman.
Owl, 1-1 January 1974: 23. Illus., Mark Thurman.
Left to right: Mark, Sophia, Nick. Mighty Mites in Dinosaur Land, 1981: Front cover.
Owl, 16-1, January 1991: 24. Illustrator, Mark Thurman.
Owl, 16-8, October 1991: 24. Illustrator Tach Bui.
Owl, 18-6, Summer 1993: 23. This story had to be cut and reassembled into a booklet to be read.
Owl 19-1, Jan. 1994: 18. Illus., Goran Delić.
Owl, 19-5, May 1994: 27. Illus., Goran Delić.
Owl, 19-7, September 1994. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl 21-2, March 1996: 27. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-6, June 1996: 27. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-9, November 1996: 26. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-10, December 1996: 24. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-10, December 1996: 25. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-10, December 1996: 26. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 21-10, December 1996: 27. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 24-7, October 1999: 31. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 25-8, November 2000:30. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 25-8, November 2000:30. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, November 2001: 26. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, November 2001: 27. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, November 2001: 28. Illus., Paul McCusker.
Owl, 27-1, January/February 2002: 29. Illustrator Denis Rodier.