[I spoil the main plot and the ending of this story.]
"The Warhol of the Worlds" is a short story/script by Gary K. Wolf. It was published as part of a collection in 2012. (I don't know exactly when the original story was published, but I am willing to bet it was pretty close to the collection itself due to subject matter.)
This story is actually an intended radio script that parodies the original infamous "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast that caused all of the panic. In this version, the aliens come down in a giant tin can and land directly in Toontown, instantly murdering almost every single famous toon rabbit ever conceived. That is to say they all turned into angels and floated up into the sky. They're probably okay.
The script stars "Dan Blather" as he reports on this completely silly alien invasion. There are a lot of silly cartoon noises used to portray quick movement and other silly stuff. There is nothing even remotely serious about it at all. Even the normal people seem to act like cartoon characters.
Roger Rabbit seems to be the only bunny that doesn't get killed. That makes sense since it's Gary's original character. Pretty cheeky to kill off all other bunnies but his own.
I will say, however, that there is a little bit of political jabs made in this one which was not really desired. It made me roll my eyes when I got to it. It also felt kind of shoved into it. It really reflects some of the polarized politics we had around the time the collection was published, which honestly did not go away to this very day.
I did like that the actual Martian invading happened to be none other than Marvin the Martian, although the story sort of ends with it all being a joke... or a dream... or something. I'm not quite sure. Sort of hit me like the ending of "The Mysterious Stranger." There was no real point to any of it but to just make you laugh. And to be fair... it did.
"The Warhol of the Worlds" is a short read, and it is funny or silly enough to recommend. Just keep in mind that it's probably my least favorite of his Toontown stories. It would have gotten a few more points with me if he had stayed out of politics.
This blog was written on June 17, 2026.
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