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"Wardrobe's Big Surprise" is the second issue of the Marvel Comics serial of Beauty and the Beast, released on October 1994.

Summary[]

The servants put on a surprise birthday party for Wardrobe.

Synopsis[]

Continuing where the last issue left off, whilst the Beast is getting impatient for his dinner in the dining room, Madame de la Grande Bouche is upstairs wallowing in memories of her former life as a opera diva before she became a lady-in-waiting and before the curse, saddened how she is reminded of how another year has passed her by, and wishes that she might be an opera star again if only the Master and Belle were to fall in love.

Meanwhile, down in the kitchen, Lumiere berates a busy Cogsworth for counting candles while a still-waiting Master's dinner is not ready yet. Chef Bouche retorts that he was boiling the soup starter as fast as he can, and Mrs. Potts points out that they still have their hands full with the preperations for Madame de la Grande Bouche surprise birthday party. When the soup starter is finally served, the Beast's table manners leave something to be desired, ruining the mood.

Meanwhile, back in the local village, Gaston, dressed in his dress suit, and still puzzeling over how to marry Belle if he cannot find her. LeFou suggests that Gaston should announce that he will choose a bride soon in the village square, as sure the news would spread far and wide and would reach Belle too and bring her running (the two of them failing to recognise the simple fact that Belle's just not attracted to Gaston). A plan that Gaston agrees with, and the Bimbette Triplets swoon over him, and he takes credit for Le Fou's idea.

Back in the Castle, the Beast is still stuffing his face while Belle decides to finish her dinner by the fire, an idea Lumiere likes, but changes his tune when the Beast shoots the idea down. Belle asserts that she'll stay at the table if Beast will start minding his table manners, a request that Lumiere urges he acquiesce to Belle's simple request.

Cogsworth checks-up on preperations for the Ballet in the Ballroom. Down in the Kitchen, Mrs. Potts agrees to let Chip stay up for a slice of birthday cake afterwhich he must go to sleep. Chef Bouche presents the finished birthday cake, and it's made apparent that Cogsworth has forgotten to arrange an escort for Madame de la Grande Bouche for her party.

Meanwhile, that evening in the village, eligible girls start to swarm into the village square for a chance to marry Gaston, who cannot spot Belle.

Back at the castle, Lumiere and Cogsworth bicker as they both head up to escort Madame de la Grande Bouche down to her party without spoiling the surprise, each arguing that the other is incapable of this simple task. Madame de la Grande Bouche, however, is too depressed to come down, and their respective attempts to persuade her to come downstairs fails.

Downstairs in the dining room, Beast and Belle are finishing their dinner, and the Beast is complaining when Lumiere and Cogsworth come in hoping that their master can get Madame de la Grande Bouche to come down for the party. The Beast, however, snaps that they should just cancel the party, refusing to help. However, Belle, having heard the problem, offers to help instead.

Upstairs, Belle hears Madame de la Grande Bouche crying from outside her bedroom, and asks her what's bothering her and if she can help. Madame de la Grande Bouche expresses her depression over having had nothing to do and having an inside full of ballgowns that don't get worn. Belle allows herself to be 'persuaded' to wear one of the dresses, which help to lift Madame de la Grande Bouche spirits. In a certain yellow ballgown, Belle goes back down pretending to forget about a tiara, so Madame de la Grande Bouche follows her down with the tiara, only to be caught by surprise by her birthday party.

After Madame de la Grande Bouche makes her wish when blowing out her birthday cake's candles (to be an opera star again), and opening her presents after everyone's had a slice, Mrs. Potts tells Chip he has to go to bed as it's past his bedtime. At the Ballet performance, Belle notices that the Beast is crying before he leaves early and wonders why. As he returns to his quarters, the Beast dwells on how because of his outward appearance he'll never be able earn Belle's love.

Trivia[]

  • Not counting the flashback to the opening of the film in Issue 5, this is the only issue where the Bimbettes do not attempt to interfere with Gaston's attempts at wooing Belle and/or make any plots to land him to themselves. Instead, they are seen simply reacting to Gaston's boasts when announcing the wife auction.
  • This is the first Beauty and the Beast entry to indicate that the Wardrobe was a former opera singer. It would later be incorporated into the musical. It is unknown if Barbara Slate, the writer for this issue, had consulted Linda Woolverton, the writer for both the 1991 film and the musical, before writing the plot for this issue.
  • This issue as well as stuff stated later in the serial implies that the Wardrobe's birthday took place in mid-December, at least a week before Christmas. However, Disneystrology had her representing the birthday of November 19.

Gallery[]


v - e - d
Beauty and the beast logo
Media
Films: Beauty and the Beast (video/soundtrack/The Legacy Collection) • The Enchanted Christmas (video) • Belle's Magical World (video) • Beauty and the Beast (2017) (video/soundtrack)

Shows: Sing Me a Story with BelleBelle's Tales of FriendshipHouse of MouseA Poem Is...Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (soundtrack) • Chibi Tiny Tales
Books: The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's PrinceThe New Adventures of Beauty and the BeastWinter WonderlandTale as Old as Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the BeastDisney Princess BeginningsAs Old as Time (A Twisted Tale)Royal Weddings
Marvel Comics: A Chance For RomanceWardrobe's Big SurpriseThe Wishful WalkAlmost Amour!Lyrical Love Part 1 and 2Dove Tales Part 1 and 2
Video Games: Beauty and the BeastBelle's QuestRoar of the BeastA Board Game AdventureDisney InfinityDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionKingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts IIKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysKingdom Hearts χKingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Union χDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Crossy RoadDisney Magic KingdomsBeauty and the Beast: Perfect MatchDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Speedstorm
Stage: Musical (cast album)

Disney Parks
Animated Film: Beauty and the Beast Sing-AlongCastle of Magical DreamsDisney Animation BuildingDisney Friends of the MonthEnchanted Tale of Beauty and the BeastFairy Tale ForestLe Pays des Contes de FéesMickey's PhilharMagicPrincess PavilionSorcerer's WorkshopVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Live-Action Film: Disney Movie MagicDisney Illuminations
Entertainment: A Table is WaitingBeauty and the Beast Live on StageCinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicEnchanted Tales with BelleFantasmic!Feel the MagicMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldOnce Upon a MouseThe PavilionRoyal Princess Music CelebrationRoyal TheatreThe Golden MickeysThe Starlit Princess Waltz
Restaurants: Be Our Guest RestaurantGaston's TavernRed Rose TaverneMaurice's Treats
Shops: Bonjour! Village Gifts
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Festival of Fantasy ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeJubilation!Mickey's Rainy Day ExpressMove It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyMickey's Soundsational ParadePaint the Night ParadeThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLightsVillains Cursed CaravanWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsNightfall Glow
Fireworks: Celebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsHarmoniousIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsMomentousOnce Upon a TimeWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Mickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Frightfully Fun ParadeIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsLet's Get WickedMaze of Madness: The Nightmare Experiment ContinuesThe Disney Villains Halloween Showtime
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney Christmas StoriesDisney Holidays in HollywoodDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: BelleBeastLumiereCogsworthMrs. PottsThe Potts Children (Chip Potts) • Chef BoucheVillagersMauricePhilippeGastonLeFouBimbettesSultanWardrobeFifiEnchantressMonsieur D'ArqueWolvesMusic BoxCoat RackGaston's BuddiesThe BooksellerPalanquin

Enchanted Christmas: AngeliqueWall HangerForteFifeWine GlassesOrnamentsAxe
Belle's Magical World: WebsterCraneLe PlumeWitherspoonChandeleriaTubalooTresChaudePunch BowlFrappeEgg BeaterConcertinaSongbird
Deleted Characters: ClariceCharleyMargueriteBelle's SistersBelle's SuitorsBelle's Mother
Sing Me a Story with Belle: HarmonyBig BookLewis and Carol the Bookworms
Book Characters: Countess de la PerleThunderLoveDeath
Remake: CadenzaJean PottsMonsieur ToiletteThe KingThe Queen

Songs
Original: PrologueBelleGastonBe Our GuestSomething ThereHuman AgainBeauty and the BeastThe Mob Song

Broadway: No Matter WhatMeHomeHow Long Must This Go On?If I Can't Love HerMaison Des LunesA Change in MeEnd Duet
Enchanted Christmas: StoriesAs Long As There's ChristmasDon't Fall in LoveA Cut Above the Rest
Belle's Magical World: A Little ThoughtListen With Our Hearts
Remake: AriaHow Does a Moment Last ForeverDays in the SunEvermore

Locations
Beast's Castle (Library/Ballroom/The West Wing/Belle's Room) • Belle's CottageVillageThe Black ForestTavern
Objects
The Enchanted RoseEnchanted MirrorMaurice's Machine
See Also
Beauty and the Beast Jr.Disney RenaissanceOriginal Screenplay
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