Black Pete

Black Pete (formerly known as Peg-Leg Pete) is a fictional character from the Walt Disney Company stables. He is an anthropomorphic cat (occasionaly depicted with a peg-leg), best known as the archnemesis of Mickey Mouse. Though he is usually associated with the Mickey Mouse universe, Pete actually appeared in cartoons long before Mickey, and is thus Disney's oldest continuing character.

Pete has used many aliases over the years. They include but are far from limited to Bootleg Pete, Louie the Leg, Mr. Sylvester Macaroni, Pegleg Pedro, Pierre the Trapper, Pistol Pete and Terrible Tom. His real name was apparently revealed in the story "Mickey's Strange Mission" (first published in February, 1961) by Carl Fallberg and Paul Murry. There Mickey acquires a photo of Pete at age 10 which identifies him as Percy P. Percival and depicts him dressed in a school uniform of the early 20th century. Pete feels that both the name and the picture could ruin his tough-guy reputation. Consequently Mickey uses them as blackmail material against his old enemy.

Ancestry and Family

Comic book stories have depicted Pete as being descended from a long line of villains, highwaymen and outlaws. Even historical figures such as Attila the Hun, Blackbeard and Antonio López de Santa Anna have been included among his ancestors.

His mother is known only as Maw Pete and was mentioned in the story "Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold" by Carl Barks and Jack Hannah (first published October, 1942) as a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Her first actual appearance however was in 'The River Pirates' (first published September, 1968) by Carl Fallberg and Paul Murry. The same story introduced Li'l Pete, Black Pete's fraternal ( non-identical) twin brother who seems to be afflicted with dwarfism.

In December, 1998, the Mickey Mouse comic strip introduced an older sister of Pete. Petula is the host of the cooking show "Petula's Pantry". She finds time however to seek revenge against Mickey for condemning her "Baby Brother" to life imprisonment.

Better known and more enduring as characters are two cousins of Pete, created by Romano Scarpa. Trudy appeared first, introduced in "Topolino e la collana Chirikawa" ("Mickey Mouse and the Chirikawa Necklace", first published on March 10, 1960). This female version of Pete and (persumably distant) cousin was introduced as a childhood acquaintance of his. However Trudy soon became his girlfriend, his partner-in-crime and roommate—whenever they hold residence out of prison that is. Their relationship seems to have evolved to a long-standing common-law marriage. This is occasionaly used in contrast to Mickey's eternal engagement to Minnie Mouse and Goofy's determination to remain a bachelor.

The second cousin to be introduced was criminal mad scientist Plottigat. He first appeared in " Topolino e il Pippo-lupo " (" Mickey Mouse and Goofy the (were)wolf", first published on January 9, 1977). Plottigat is a firm believer in the saying "Knowledge is Power". He considers himself superior to most others in both intellect and education, therefore a rightful leader. However, Plottigat oftens finds himself employed by gangs under Pete or even Phantom Blot. Both of the latter are considered better connected within the Mouseton version of organized crime.

Other Notes

Black Pete first appeared in the Alice Comedies in "Alice Solves the Puzzle". Next he appeared in the "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" series as Oswald's continuing adversary, then as Mickey's enemy beginning with Steamboat Willie.

In the comics Pete teams up with Sylvester Shyster, Eli Squinch, or Weasel.

Sometimes he teams up with other bad guys in the Disney universe, such as Scrooge McDuck's enemies the Beagle Boys, Magica De Spell, Mad Madam Mim, Captain Hook, and the witch from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

On the TV show Goof Troop he has a family who includes his wife Peg and their two children PJ (short for Pete Junior) and Pistol, and their dog Chainsaw. They live next door to Goofy and his son Max.

In Goof Troop, Pete is actually portrayed as a dog instead of a cat, as evidenced by the fact that his daughter Pistol has "doggie ears" like Goofy and Max, who are doglike animorphic characters.

Pete reverted back to his evil ways on Mickey Mouse Works. In House of Mouse he plays the role of the evil landlord. Several episodes involved his attempts to close the club.

In the 2004 made-for-video animated remake of The Three Musketeers (with Mickey, Donald Duck, and Goofy playing the title roles), Pete again appeared under the name Peg-Leg Pete as a villain.