Gumby celebrated his 50th anniversary this past Friday, and to commemorate it, DMGI is taking the claymation celebrity digital:

Starting [Friday], classic TV episodes from the 1950s and 60s, including the pilot “Gumby on the Moon,” are launching on Google and AOL/In2TV, as well as a dedicated Gumby area on YouTube at the DMGI channel http://www.youtube.com/dmgivideo.

Over the next few months all 200+ Gumby episodes will roll out to the digital channels. For his anniversary close-up, the original Clayboy has had a makeover. Joe Clokey, son of Gumby creator, Art Clokey, has digitally remastered each episode from the classic TV series. The original soundtrack has also been restored. Gumby’s digital debut will be the first time the beloved series has been seen in its original format in over twenty years. After more than 40 years, the 50s episodes have also been restored to their original eleven minute format (from previously re-edited two six minute shorts).

This comes on the heels of Gumby’s recent foray into comics, thanks to writer Bob Burden, artist Rick Geary, and new publishers Wildcard Ink. Only two issues have been published so far, though — possibly due to Burden’s taking ill last summer — and the combination of less-than-impressive direct market sales for both, their web site seemingly not having been updated recently, and their year-to-year licensing deal suggests further new adventures may not be forthcoming any time soon.

Of course, for true nostalgists — or, cultural necrophiliacs, if you prefer — there’s nothing like the real thing, unless it’s the real thing lovingly restored by the son of its original creator and made available for free!