Public-domain horror has given us killer Pooh bear, murderous childhood icons, like Steamboat Willie-era Mickey, and a graveyard’s worth of “sure, why not?” premises. Some are fun, some are… choices.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Betty Boop and “Blondie” are joining Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh in the public domain. The first appearances of the classic cartoon and comic characters are among the pieces of ...