The Mystery Cartoon Character Game, ongoing.

Yeah, the only animated version of Maxwell Smart that got it right was "Inspector Gadget." Then again, he was voiced by Don Adams.

Nope, Maxwell Smart is not the character.

I'm afraid you misunderstood. None of us guessed Maxwell Smart, since he was never animated. We were merely commenting on the character I posted clues about.

Oh... you were commenting on OUB's post. I see now. Well then... nevermind.

*sigh* My fault again. I'm to blame for everything that goes wrong. /lol
Okay, let's get back on track again. I posit Hercules from the film by Walt Disney Pictures, and the film debut of Arnold "Strong" Schwarzenegger. Hercules has the strong part down pat, being the son of Zeus and Hera. He's smart enough to figure out how to defeat very strong opponents. The greed part is kind of iffy, perhaps trying too hard to become a god by popularity. "You've done really well, son. Really well. You're ... just not there yet."

Hercules it is not. Here be the next three.

I spend my time guarding my gold.
I originated in a book.
I have death breath.

Oh, now I've got him. We are seeking a villainous character, greedy and proud like Daffy Duck, but also competent and dangerous.
This would be Tolkien's dragon Smaug from The Hobbit. Smaug came from a dragon homeland somewhere in the Iron Hills to lay siege to Lonely Mountain. There, Smaug likely slayed Thrain, the dwarf king, and summarily acquired the huge hoard of gold stored therein. The Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass adaptation really captured the menace and magnificence of this monster.

And you are the winner OUB! Take it away.

Yay, I've been tagged a Winner. I feel all warm inside, even though outside is in the teens.
Well, time to think up a new Mystery Character, such as ...

1) This character made his debut in an animated feature film. Direct-to-video sequels followed.

2) The audience sees this character being born. Don't worry, it's not nearly as gruesome as it sounds.

3) Since this is not a Disney feature, this character's mother is shown very much alive. Unfortunately, she doesn't stay that way.

Though I never saw the film series, I know the answer. Littlefoot, from "The Land Before Time."

1. He made his debut in the first film. All sequels were direct to video.

2. He was born in the first film, but not in the gruesome way.

3. His mother was alive, until her efforts to save him cost her her life.

Exactly, this is Littlefoot, the long-neck brontosaur from Don Bluth's The Land Before Time series. Actually, Bluth only worked on the initial film; all sequels were farmed out.

That's another +1 for EmeraldIsle, and control of the query board.

Thanks, OUB. Now here's one that should be a true no-brainer:

1. Although my story's been filmed in live action many times, I didn't become a cartoon character until 1978--100 years after my author's death.

2. I share my name with the Green Hornet's car.

3. By the Chinese zodiac, both 1978 and 2014 are years of my species.

Aha! Had to look up the name of the Green Hornet's car, but the third clue gave me the hint I needed--that the character was a horse. Black Beauty.

Yes, Glowworm, it most certainly is Black Beauty.

1. The classic tale was mostly filmed in live action. Hanna-Barbera's animated version aired in 1978, which by coincidence was the 100th anniversary of Anna Sewell's death.

2. Self-explanatory.

3. Both 1978 and 2014 are the Year Of The Horse, according to the Chinese zodiac.

So you're up again, Glowworm. Congratulations on a job well done.

Thanks, I've been out on a trip recently, hence the lack of my participation lately, but now I am back--at least for a little while.

Here's one.

1. I am a talented musician.
2. I have to do something for someone else because my life is at stake.
3. My sight wrecks everything for the one I am working for.

Don't have the answer this time. Maybe one of the others will get it.

Ok, here's the answer. It's the mouse from "Pizzicato Pussycat."

1. He's a very talented musician.

2. He agrees to play his tiny piano hidden inside a grand piano that the cat pretends to play, rather than be killed.

3. Unfortunately, during their concert, the cat accidentally breaks the rodent's glasses so that he can't read the notes. As a result, the cat plays horribly, and is exposed as a fraud.

Well done, Emeraldisle! It is indeed the mouse pianist from "Pizzicato Pussycat." I always had a soft spot for that short. The mouse wears glasses, just like me!

Thanks, Glowworm. BTW, I wear glasses, too.

Anyway, here's one many can probably relate to right now, just like me:

1. I make plans to leave my natural habitat, and never go back.

2. After several botched attempts, I set sail in an ice boat for a nice, warm tropical island, and take everything with me, including my igloo and wood-burning stove.

3. Despite the hardships, I eventually arrive at my final destination in a bathtub.

This sounds very familiar but I can't think of the title.

BTW- I wear glasses too!