Disney villains to feature on US stamps

LOS ANGELES - The US Postal Service released a sheet of 20 Forever stamps featuring 10 classic Disney villains.

The characters include the Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Captain Hook from Peter Pan, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, Scar from The Lion King and more.

Each stamp showcases one Disney villain set against a blue background, with his or her name on the left edge.

The US Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who was joined by Disney officials, dedicated the stamps at the weekend during the annual Disney fan even D23 Expo, which is taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center in southern California.

"The Postal Service is highlighting the Disney villains and the pioneering spirit of the (Walt Disney Animation Studios') Ink and Paint Department that brought many of these characters to life," Brennan said in a statement.

"These stamps are our way of saying that Disney villains will forever entertain us and serve as a tribute Disney's artistry and storytelling skill."

The Ink & Paint Department, based in Burbank in Los Angeles, has helped create the company's iconic animated films since 1932.

In 2012, Disney joined with the US Postal Service and released stamps featuring characters from Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Monsters, Inc.

Disney's D23 Expo began on July 14 and lasted for three days, providing thousands of fans from all over the world with unprecedented access to Disney films and television shows.

This year fans got sneak previews of the upcoming Avengers and Star Wars movies.

Xinhua