Speedy Gonzales, Author of the Universe

It tells you that I have been writing about cartoons and comic art for much too long, but is it a stretch to read into this cool coloring book cover from the 1960s an allegory regarding Speedy's place in the pantheon of Warner Brothers animated stars? Here, the diminutive "Mexican" rat is revealed as author of the Warners universe with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd reduced to mere representations, charming simulacras, explicated by the all-knowing Speedy.

original source (note, the illustration has been color-enhanced).

See Ya Later Gladiator: Speedy Gonzales and Daffy Duck

By the late 60s, Warner Brothers had self-mutilated its lauded animation division, farming out work in agreements with sub-contractors and hack, in-house "producers." The result? Not exactly animation history! Like this video I just stumbled across from 1968, " See Ya Later Gladiator:



The comments on imbd.com are right on the mark.

I will say this: the "Mexican" scientist who invents the machine is a curious Tex[t]-Mextian anti-type.