Wednesday, April 1, 2015

It’s April, and We’re NOT Foolin’!



April, 2015 sees the long-awaited return of the "Core Four" Disney comic book titles, courtesy of IDW - in my view, one of the very best publishers of comic material presently in the business.  

And, what better way to kick things off than with UNCLE SCROOGE!  

Carl Barks' lovable miser has been entertaining generations of comic book readers and fans since achieving his own title in 1952...


...And the tradition resumes this month with IDW's UNCLE SCROOGE # 1 (Traditional Numbering # 405)!  

The return of UNCLE SCROOGE is very special for me, on a personal level, as well.  For those of you who may have enjoyed my past scripting efforts for these comics, the return of UNCLE SCROOGE is also a "return for me" too... so far, in the first three issues. 

So, if you can tolerate my unbridled enthusiasm for a few paragraphs, please permit me to run down those moments I hope we'll be sharing in the pages of this classic comic book series.   


Cover by Giorgio Cavazzano

UNCLE SCROOGE # 1 (Traditional Numbering # 405.  Available: April, 2015)

"Stinker, Tailor, Scrooge, and Sly" (Backup to lead feature: 16 pages)  Original story by the great Romano Scarpa.  

Scrooge, Brigitta MacBridge, Jubal Pomp, and a sinister Brutopian tailor  (...Yes, really!)  

Can Scrooge get "the goods" on that Brutopian "sew and sew"?  Join us later this month to find out!  


Cover by Jonathan Gray

UNCLE SCROOGE # 2 (Traditional Numbering # 406. Available: May, 2015)

"Meteor Rights" (Backup to lead feature: 10 pages)  Original Dutch story.

A potentially precious meteor has fallen to Earth, in the Dismal Swamp outside Duckburg.  Uncle Scrooge and Flintheart Glomgold both want it.  

They get more than they bargain for.  Hoo-Boy, do they ever!  


Cover by Marco Rota

UNCLE SCROOGE # 3 (Traditional Numbering # 407. Available: June, 2015)

"The Duckburg 100" (Lead Feature: 32 pages)  Original story by the great Romano Scarpa.  

As a promotional gimmick, a bank is issuing 100 dollar awards to lucky random recipients.  All's well until Scrooge finds out he OWNS the bank!  

Do "the bucks stop here"?  They will, if Scrooge has anything to say about it!  ...And wait'll you see Donald's latest obsession! 

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The first two issues lead off with superb work from Jonathan Gray.  I can say that simply because it IS Jonathan Gray... and when is his work anything other than superb!   

Indeed, I've declined to read Jonathan's work in advance simply because *I* want to have something great to read when the issues are released, just like the rest of you!   

Finally, no such post would be complete without mentioning the superlative efforts of David Gerstein, Sarah Gaydos, and everyone at IDW, who have made this all possible!    

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Please note: The specific issue contents described in this post are as I understand them to be at this time, and are always subject to change.  I do not speak for IDW, or anyone in its employ.  My words - and my enthusiasm for these comics - are strictly my own.  Though I sincerely hope you'll join me in that enthusiasm.  


...And it all starts THIS MONTH!  

Welcome Back, Uncle Scrooge! 

6 comments:

Elaine said...

Counting down the days, now!

Love that Jonathan Gray cover, sea serpent and all!

And...I just used the expression "Disney Core Four" in a post on The Mary Sue, in a discussion of comics on our pull lists. Thought you'd like to know that I'm spreading the word(s)!

Joe Torcivia said...

I’m counting down the days too, Elaine… and I already know what’s on (…um, lessee – 16, 10, 32…) 58 (Yeah, that’s it, 58) of those pages!

I saw Jonathan’s cover to #2 as far back as January! It’s wonderful! Still refuse to read the story ‘till publication! I want to savor it in its “native” format, and not a PDF on a computer screen!

And, thank you for continuing to spread the word of the “Core Four”!

I’m looking forward to your coming back here for ongoing discussions, once these comics begin to appear!

Deb said...

I wish I knew how to post an image here: http://debbie.fluffyandmervin.com/uploads/moneybags.png Hopefully, many of Uncle Scrooge's fans will be more like his DuckTales alter-ego "Uncle Moneybags", rather than pinching their pennies and passing these new comics up. I'm looking forward to them.

Joe Torcivia said...

Ah, yes… “Uncle Moneybags”, from DuckTales’ “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. McDuck”. Great image, Deb!

HERE is Deb’s link. Go see it.

Considering they are no longer 7.99 square-bound issues, and are now competitively priced with other contemporary comic book titles, I see no reason for buyers to “pinch”, no matter how much they may subscribe to Scrooge’s philosophy. I know I am ordering everything they offer through my local shop.

From “my little corner of things”, I can see that every effort (and then some) is being made to make these comics the best they can be. And the more I see, the more I like! I certainly trust all of the persons whom I know are involved creatively and editorially.

Oh, and unless something is changed along the way, look for at least two DuckTales references within the dialogue of “Duckburg 100”, though they’re not obvious ones. And those are the best kind!

Dean Rekich said...

I am so excited about getting Disney comics back! Not only that, but we get the Core Four back! And not only that, but the first 3 months are chock full of new-to-North America stories!

Just a few years ago it was so bleak for Disney comics fans in the USA. Now we have monthly Disney comics back, *plus* Barks, Rosa, and Gottfredson libraries.
I almost want to ask Fantagraphics for perhaps a Scarpa Library or some others, but I don't want to push my luck! :)

I am a long time reader of this blog, but am a first time commenter.

Joe Torcivia said...

Welcome, Dean!

I remember you from years past. Please comment as often as you’d like. We have a fun place here, and you are always welcome.

As you no doubt know, I cannot wait for this to begin! With both IDW *and* Fantagraphics, we are now living in great times!

Make sure you join us for the discussions to come, when the comics are actually released!