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Uncle Scrooge: Timeless Tales #1
Uncle Scrooge: Timeless Tales, Vol. 1
Jumpin’ jacksnipes! The first six issues of IDW’s epic Uncle Scrooge come together in a giant collectors’ hardback edition―with all the excitement, all the variant covers, and even a Beagle-busting extra or two! Enjoy international tightwad tales by fan favorites Romano Scarpa, Mau and Bas Heymans, Giorgio Cavazzano, Freddy Milton, Marco Rota and more... brought into canon “Duck English” by Jonathan Gray and other prized Carl Barks pundits. What Scrooge McDuck fan could resist a bargain like this?
- GenresComics
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 26, 2024
Its been a long time since I read a graphic novel like this so I thought it would be a good change from regular books. And what can be better than Uncle Scrooge going on those endless adventures? And who remembers watching Duck Tales?? I just loved that show!
Well Uncle Scrooge is at it again in this very thick heavy book. And in most of the tales either someone is trying to get into his money bin to rob him, cheat him somehow to get money or else he has some money making scheme. The story with the pirate ship was one of his money making schemes that definitely had gone wrong.
I did notice a few odd things in here. One of the stories at the beginning of the book had skinny Beagle Boys? Weren't they always kind of fat or big? And even weirder is the long story where Uncle Donald and the nephews visit Disneyland.. I know that the characters belong to Disney but for some reason it just seems so weird to see them visiting the park? Seeing them go on the various rides? I guess its because all of those episodes of Duck Tales and they never went to the Disneyland? So it seems so weird...
I did enjoy most of the stories in here although I did start to lose interest near the end of the book. I wasn't very interested in the one about Scrooge's ancestor. But I did like the one about the inventions. But I do feel very iffy about that long story where they visit Disneyland - and the little "secret" at the end was very easy to guess.
But do you know what is amazing? Is those full page color pictures way at the back of the book! There is one where they are all on a pirate ship! Too bad its not the Black Pearl! That would be awesome. Hmmm...thinking about that I bet poor Uncle Scrooge better hope he never runs across Sparrow! Haha! That would be funny.
But when I was reading the very first story about the Beagle Boys trying to steal the Money Bin it occured to me " why doesn't Uncle Scrooge put his money into an actual bank?" Like the kind of banks we have? I guess you cannot swim in it then.
Then there is the story where 3 people were given $100 and they had to save it. Well Donald is one of the people. And oddly Scrooge wanted him to spend it. You would think he would try to teach his nephew how to be like him...but he is a very bad uncle I guess.
But reading this certainly gave me some insights into the characters. And then I started to wonder stuff I never really thought about before.
But these stories are fun and entertaining. Which is what they are supposed to be.
Well Uncle Scrooge is at it again in this very thick heavy book. And in most of the tales either someone is trying to get into his money bin to rob him, cheat him somehow to get money or else he has some money making scheme. The story with the pirate ship was one of his money making schemes that definitely had gone wrong.
I did notice a few odd things in here. One of the stories at the beginning of the book had skinny Beagle Boys? Weren't they always kind of fat or big? And even weirder is the long story where Uncle Donald and the nephews visit Disneyland.. I know that the characters belong to Disney but for some reason it just seems so weird to see them visiting the park? Seeing them go on the various rides? I guess its because all of those episodes of Duck Tales and they never went to the Disneyland? So it seems so weird...
I did enjoy most of the stories in here although I did start to lose interest near the end of the book. I wasn't very interested in the one about Scrooge's ancestor. But I did like the one about the inventions. But I do feel very iffy about that long story where they visit Disneyland - and the little "secret" at the end was very easy to guess.
But do you know what is amazing? Is those full page color pictures way at the back of the book! There is one where they are all on a pirate ship! Too bad its not the Black Pearl! That would be awesome. Hmmm...thinking about that I bet poor Uncle Scrooge better hope he never runs across Sparrow! Haha! That would be funny.
But when I was reading the very first story about the Beagle Boys trying to steal the Money Bin it occured to me " why doesn't Uncle Scrooge put his money into an actual bank?" Like the kind of banks we have? I guess you cannot swim in it then.
Then there is the story where 3 people were given $100 and they had to save it. Well Donald is one of the people. And oddly Scrooge wanted him to spend it. You would think he would try to teach his nephew how to be like him...but he is a very bad uncle I guess.
But reading this certainly gave me some insights into the characters. And then I started to wonder stuff I never really thought about before.
But these stories are fun and entertaining. Which is what they are supposed to be.
November 18, 2019
3.5. I can't go to 4 stars because frankly, for nearly the first half of the book, I thought I was going to get rid of this one. The thing I liked about it most (perhaps still like about it most) is the vibrant cover and very attractive binding. I love the Duck collections and will happily expand my bookcase to having a full shelf. Unfortunately for my wallet, it looks like I might have to start collecting these overseas anthologies in addition to the Carl Barks ones.
Unlike the disappointing Don Rosa, all these stories share the bright, visually appealing, uncluttered style that makes Barks's work so timeless. Not all the art is up to par with his, nor is the writing (and I don't think the translations always quite work), but it comes a lot closer.
"The Inventors' Picnic," starring Gyro Gearloose, was definitely my favorite. I identified with his worry over being honored for his creativity yet fearing that all his best work was already in his past. Do I really deserve this? he frets, while absently creating a flurry of new inventions for his friends, worrying all the while that he'll never invent anything worthwhile again.
I liked that his friends came through for him in the end, standing up for him when the other inventors turned on him. And he's Gyro, so of course he came up with a clever invention to turn the tide, saving everyone's lives while changing their opinions of him back to a flattering one. Yet it's still relatable to anyone of a creative mindset, because he still trails off at the end, thinking well...it still wasn't his best or most unique invention.
It's a nice break in the midst of Scrooge stories that sometimes lean a little bit too much on Scrooge's miserly ways. I love Scrooge McDuck. But there were a few points in here where I started to wonder why, when he's kind of awful to everyone. Why should I be rooting for the obscenely rich duck to continue to get everything he wants while trampling over the poor? Maybe Barks handled that dynamic better, or maybe it usually gets buried more in the midst of really engaging adventure stories where you see how resourceful and smart Scrooge really is - and truly invested in his nephews, who were oddly absent for a lot of these stories. I like the inclusion of Donald but missed the extra doses of heart and intelligence that Huey, Dewey, and Louie generally provide.
"The Grand Canyon Conquest!" was a fun but strangely LONG romp through Disneyland, Las Vegas, and the titular canyon. Not a lot of it made sense (why would the criminals go to Disneyland in the middle of a chase?? was this a comic or a tourism brochure?), but it was still enjoyable. Maybe I just settled into that mindset as I read. Not all of the stories really hold up to deep scrutiny, but they're fun to read, and that's the important part.
I do wish these collections included the mini essays from the Barks editions. There was a short intro that explained a little bit about the characters that are unique to overseas audiences, but the only comic that had its own introductory essay (and was greatly enhanced by it) was the final one, "Rainbow Raiders." As someone who was brand new to these authors and their versions of the Ducks' stories, I would've been really interested to find out more about the individual artists and authors, Barks's connection to them (like that little sketch he did of Brigitta for Romano Scarpa, the character's creator), and more tidbits that would connect me to the stories and fill in gaps I don't have as a longtime reader.
Still, a good collection, and one I'll be keeping.
Unlike the disappointing Don Rosa, all these stories share the bright, visually appealing, uncluttered style that makes Barks's work so timeless. Not all the art is up to par with his, nor is the writing (and I don't think the translations always quite work), but it comes a lot closer.
"The Inventors' Picnic," starring Gyro Gearloose, was definitely my favorite. I identified with his worry over being honored for his creativity yet fearing that all his best work was already in his past. Do I really deserve this? he frets, while absently creating a flurry of new inventions for his friends, worrying all the while that he'll never invent anything worthwhile again.
I liked that his friends came through for him in the end, standing up for him when the other inventors turned on him. And he's Gyro, so of course he came up with a clever invention to turn the tide, saving everyone's lives while changing their opinions of him back to a flattering one. Yet it's still relatable to anyone of a creative mindset, because he still trails off at the end, thinking well...it still wasn't his best or most unique invention.
It's a nice break in the midst of Scrooge stories that sometimes lean a little bit too much on Scrooge's miserly ways. I love Scrooge McDuck. But there were a few points in here where I started to wonder why, when he's kind of awful to everyone. Why should I be rooting for the obscenely rich duck to continue to get everything he wants while trampling over the poor? Maybe Barks handled that dynamic better, or maybe it usually gets buried more in the midst of really engaging adventure stories where you see how resourceful and smart Scrooge really is - and truly invested in his nephews, who were oddly absent for a lot of these stories. I like the inclusion of Donald but missed the extra doses of heart and intelligence that Huey, Dewey, and Louie generally provide.
"The Grand Canyon Conquest!" was a fun but strangely LONG romp through Disneyland, Las Vegas, and the titular canyon. Not a lot of it made sense (why would the criminals go to Disneyland in the middle of a chase?? was this a comic or a tourism brochure?), but it was still enjoyable. Maybe I just settled into that mindset as I read. Not all of the stories really hold up to deep scrutiny, but they're fun to read, and that's the important part.
I do wish these collections included the mini essays from the Barks editions. There was a short intro that explained a little bit about the characters that are unique to overseas audiences, but the only comic that had its own introductory essay (and was greatly enhanced by it) was the final one, "Rainbow Raiders." As someone who was brand new to these authors and their versions of the Ducks' stories, I would've been really interested to find out more about the individual artists and authors, Barks's connection to them (like that little sketch he did of Brigitta for Romano Scarpa, the character's creator), and more tidbits that would connect me to the stories and fill in gaps I don't have as a longtime reader.
Still, a good collection, and one I'll be keeping.
November 14, 2018
While everyone who has read a Donald Duck or Scrooge comic knows who the creator, Carl Barks is, fewer know that there is actually a whole entire, separate world of these comics that were made independently outside of North America. These are stories lifted from several different publications, stuff that would have otherwise fallen into gaps in the annals of time. Most of these stories were penned and drawn with a similar characterization to what a Don Rosa or Carl Barks comic might entail, but yet, feel distinct enough to stand on their own.
There is no traditional "serial" or ongoing with these stories; these are all one-shot adventures with the occasional one-page funny or blurb thrown in as an intermission. Anyone can pick this up and instantly know the character dynamics from the get-go, even if they have never read a Scrooge McDuck story. The printing and colors in this book are absolutely gorgeous and high quality, making each page pop and shine far better than their original counterparts.
The plots themselves within these stories are basic, but serviceable; they're mostly used for sensible chuckles and fun shenanigans, all of which involving the richest duck in the world, Uncle Scrooge, needing to protect or expand his wealth at the expense of his poor nephew, Donald Duck, Huey, Louie, and Dewey notwithstanding. There is a slight complaint I do have to make with the stories, however. While the translations are faithful to their contemporary American counterparts down to verbal tics and attitude, there's some odd localization choices made here and there. A couple of times, the characters mentioned cell phones, which is odd given that the stories that referenced them were drafted up before the 1980s.
Standing at a little over 200 pages, there is a surprising amount of content within to dig into and appreciate. To those who want to really get started with Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck comics, I'd highly suggest to check out the Fantagraphics imprints as they have the complete collections of Carl Banks and Don Rosa ready to read at your fingertips. As for this, the Timeless Tales collection by IDW are more of a fun treat for those who have already read everything and anything involving Duckburg otherwise.
There is no traditional "serial" or ongoing with these stories; these are all one-shot adventures with the occasional one-page funny or blurb thrown in as an intermission. Anyone can pick this up and instantly know the character dynamics from the get-go, even if they have never read a Scrooge McDuck story. The printing and colors in this book are absolutely gorgeous and high quality, making each page pop and shine far better than their original counterparts.
The plots themselves within these stories are basic, but serviceable; they're mostly used for sensible chuckles and fun shenanigans, all of which involving the richest duck in the world, Uncle Scrooge, needing to protect or expand his wealth at the expense of his poor nephew, Donald Duck, Huey, Louie, and Dewey notwithstanding. There is a slight complaint I do have to make with the stories, however. While the translations are faithful to their contemporary American counterparts down to verbal tics and attitude, there's some odd localization choices made here and there. A couple of times, the characters mentioned cell phones, which is odd given that the stories that referenced them were drafted up before the 1980s.
Standing at a little over 200 pages, there is a surprising amount of content within to dig into and appreciate. To those who want to really get started with Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck comics, I'd highly suggest to check out the Fantagraphics imprints as they have the complete collections of Carl Banks and Don Rosa ready to read at your fingertips. As for this, the Timeless Tales collection by IDW are more of a fun treat for those who have already read everything and anything involving Duckburg otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews