Set sail for your local comic shop, and pick up a copy of
UNCLE SCROOGE # 2 (Legacy Numbering # 406) from IDW!
In it, you’ll find “Shiver Me Timbers”, by Jan Kruse,
Bas Heymans, and Jonathan Gray. And, if that
magnificent cover by Jonathan is any indication, this is gonna be a great
one!
As with last issue, I waited until today to read this
story so I can experience the fun “as it happens”! ...And did Jonathan ever leave a few surprises in wait for me!
"Super Goof" AND "Moby Duck" references! A sure way to warm this old "Gold Key-Era" reader's heart!
No spoilers but, on a purely personal note, I must thank him for THIS...
...and THIS!
"Super Goof" AND "Moby Duck" references! A sure way to warm this old "Gold Key-Era" reader's heart!
Just as before, you’ll find a 10 page
back-up titled “Meteor Rights” – by Frank Jonker, Paul Hoogma, and Maximino
Tortajada Aguilar, dialogued by yours truly, and featuring Scrooge, Donald
and the nephews… and the return of Flintheart Glomgold.
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| Click to Enlarge, if you dare! |
They get more than they bargain for. Hoo-Boy, do they ever!
If anyone enjoyed the way I set Scrooge and Flinty against
each other in the “auction scene” in THIS STORY, you’re going to love my polar
opposite handling of them in “Meteor Rights”.
Look for a reference to one of my all time favorite Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge stories, and an "untold incident" that occurred thereafter! Them's all the hints yer gettin' on this!
And all of this Scrooge-a-rific Awesomeness (...Um, did I just say "Scrooge-a-rific Awesomeness "?) is edited by Sarah Gaydos and the incomparable David Gerstein!
Look for a reference to one of my all time favorite Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge stories, and an "untold incident" that occurred thereafter! Them's all the hints yer gettin' on this!
And all of this Scrooge-a-rific Awesomeness (...Um, did I just say "Scrooge-a-rific Awesomeness "?) is edited by Sarah Gaydos and the incomparable David Gerstein!
Just like last time, once you’ve read the issue, please come
back and join the discussion in our Comments Section!
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| I said "DISCUSSION", guys! |
I’ll be happy to discuss the
lead story, particularly Jonathan’s work, from the perspective of a fellow
fan – and my own from the perspective of being part of the creative
process. So, bring your comments and questions, folks!
Just remember, I do not speak for IDW, or anyone in its
employ. I speak strictly for myself as both a long-time fan and as a dialogue creator – and
those opinions are strictly my own.
So, rather than merely “set sail”, why don't you “streak like a meteor” to get
your copy of UNCLE SCROOGE # 2 (Legacy Numbering # 406) from IDW!
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| Alternate Cover: Someone tell that "Beagle Boy Octopus" to stop obscuring my name! |
Meet you back here to discuss it!
BONUS COVERAGE:
HERE is a review of the issue, published the day of release!
Anyone willing to call one of my gags "...one of the funniest jokes I've heard in a while", is worthy of a link 'round here!
BONUS COVERAGE:
HERE is a review of the issue, published the day of release!
Anyone willing to call one of my gags "...one of the funniest jokes I've heard in a while", is worthy of a link 'round here!
20 comments:
Another amazing issue of Uncle Scrooge featuring two new to the US stories with great localizat-ions from, in my opinion, 2 of the greatest comic scripters of all time.
This has been a very busy time for me so reading this comic has put me in the happiest, most optimistic mood I've been in all week. As such I feel that I need to re read this issue before I can say anything other than "That was really good!"
Joe, Thank you and the rest of the IDW team for putting a smile on my face.
Clapton:
On behalf of Jonathan Gray, as well as myself, I thank you for those very kind words!
As I mentioned to David Gerstein in our last meeting, I feel David has assembled an “All Star Team” of translators / scripters for these comics that will also include Thad Komorowski and Gary Leach (both of whom you’ll be seeing shortly) as well as Jonathan and Yours Truly. To me, that is an impressive line-up of people who know and love these comics! And, hopefully, David might even slip a script in on us himself, every now and then. …I know I’m excited about seeing work from every one of these folks, because I know they ALL do it so well!
You’ll be seeing something from me once a month thru August – with August being my first Full Translation and Dialogue for the lead story in DONALD DUCK # 4.
I’m also extremely pleased that UNCLE SCROOGE # 2 managed to make such a difference in your day! Because, throughout life, it’s been like that for me as well. From coming home from grade school and finding a Gold Key subscription copy waiting for me, to the present day, comics like these have an uncanny, almost “magical” ability to turn a day around! It did so for me, even today! …Sincerely!
Naturally, now that we’re both in such a great mood, please come back after re-reading and share your impressions!
And again, killer work, as usual, Joe. Picked up a copy yesterday. I'm usually never at a loss for words, but I really don't have much to add beyond that it's nice to regularly read Disney comics that are FUN again.
And, speaking of that “All Star Team” of translators / scripters… Here’s Thad!
Thanks for the shout-out, Thad! And, yes… the fact that they are FUN again is thanks to our fearless archival-editing leader bringing such good stories and good talents together! Long may he wave… or archive… or edit... or whatever it is he does!
:-)
OK, first, I really love Jonathan Gray's cover art.
Second, I was happy to see "Shiver Me Timbers"--enhanced by Jonathan Gray's localization, complete with many Monkey Island references! (Probably lots of other references that I *didn't* get, too...but I get the Monkey Island ones. He even managed to sneak an Elaine Marley reference into an all-male story, by naming one of the pirates Marlaine!) From now on, every time I come to an explanatory flashback in a comic story, I'm going to hear a pirate's voice saying, "Here be our backstories!" BTW, I thought it was lucky for our sake that Jan Kruse's choice of scary legends came from America (headless horseman), Scotland (Nessie) and England (Arthur & Co.), and not from European traditions unfamiliar to us.
Third, I *loved* the platinum planetoid. Also enjoyed the "monster that ate the other monster." And Flinty's deferring to a more deserving billionaire. And the play on words in becoming the richest duck for good.
I enjoyed this issue overall more than #1. I think it's a better issue to give to kids who are unfamiliar with the characters, to try to get them hooked. I intend to give a copy to a couple of young brothers on my block!
Elaine:
I’d say we ALL love Jonathan’s cover art! He really outdid himself on this one!
Your comments on his referencing the various legends all the more confirm my initial feelings that I was glad HE was assigned this story, rather than it having been assigned to me. I would not have been able to tap into nearly as many of those legends as well he did. No doubt, if I were translating directly from the native language (as I am now also doing) as did he, I would have misinterpreted or overly “gagged” something merely because it might not have been hiding in the obscure corners of my knowledge base.
…And, that’s the mark of a great overall editor, like David! Jonathan was clearly the better choice for “Shiver Me Timbers” – whereas my penchant for greater wackiness and “embracing the oddities” will better serve a story like the upcoming “The Perfect Calm” in DONALD DUCK # 4. And David has the ability to easily recognize that and play to our respective strengths!
Re: “The Platinum Planetoid”… For more years than I’d care to admit, I wondered exactly how Flintheart Glomgold could stay virtually even wealth-wise with Scrooge, once McDuck claimed the ultimate treasure-of- treasures in Carl Barks’ “The Twenty-Four Carat Moon”. A forever-favorite story of mine ever since I read its first American reprint in WALT DISNEY COMICS DIGEST # 6, in late 1968. ...NOTE MY ICON.
There HAD to have been some untold-tale that followed, or NO ONE could ever again approach Scrooge in net-worth. (For the moment, let’s not think about how the existence of THAT MUCH GOLD could destroy the Earth’s economy!) And, if I’ve (logically? You decide!) contributed in any way to the legend of Scrooge and Glomgold as “Money Champs”, I’m pleased to have done so – even if only to sate my own decades-old restlessness! …If not, readers can always regard it as a throw-away gag, smile for a moment, and move on.
“The Monster that Ate the Other Monster” was established as a favorite horror film of Donald’s in my script for DONALD DUCK # 366 (“Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold Again”), but it was David’s doing to reference it again here – rather appropriately, I’d say! …Giving credit where it’s due, to a great editor!
Loved Issue # 1, but I also feel Issue # 2 was better overall. I’d call that “momentum”!
And, so glad you’re introducing other young folks to this wonderful stuff! Imagine if they carry it forward with them as long as we have!
Ok I've reread this issue and I've found out I like it even more the 2nd time around. "Shiver" is an extremely creative and funny new Uncle Scrooge Adventure. The premise was original and Bes Heyman's artwork was a very interesting combination of 40s and 50s Barks in a way that is completely Bes's own. In my intital comment I forgot to mention this issue's THIRD all star scripter, David Gertsein. Even though he just scripted a one pager he still deserves credit where credit is due. The one pager was hilarious and while I dislike the stretchy Italian art style it's drawn in I do thinks it fits the the one pagers tone. Meteor was hilarious. The part in the meteor field was so wonderfully overdone I was crying laughing. This issue has convinced me that IDW is the permeant home for American Monthly Disney Comics. On an unrelated note Sholly Fisch the writer of Scooby Doo Team Up has written the last couple issues of Looney Tunes. Do you know if they or any other of Sholly's non-Scooby work is worth tracking down.
Clapton:
You write: “The part in the meteor field was so wonderfully overdone I was crying laughing.”
Thank you! That means that I’ve done my job, because that was exactly what I was going for! If I’m handed a wonderful situation like that, I say why not make the utmost of it!
But, I must say that, while the particulars of the wording were indeed mine, the fact that I WAS “handed that wonderful situation” by the original Dutch writers – and, most importantly, that the characters themselves were SO FULLY REALIZED by decades of preceding comic-book material – is why it all came together so naturally.
From what we’ve seen thus far, and from what I know is upcoming, I certainly second your declaration that IDW be “…the permanent home for American Monthly Disney Comics.” And I say this sincerely as one who READS those comics!
Moving on to Scholly Fisch… Over the decades, since the premiere of SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU in 1969, those characters have become, by following a different but not completely dissimilar pop-cultural path, just as “fully realized” as the Disney/Barks/Gottfredson characters.
And, as a writer, Scholly Fisch revels in those qualities in SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP to an even greater extent than we do in the IDW Disney comics! That’s why SDTU is most likely my favorite current comic book not featuring a Duck or Mouse! It’s a book that “moves the needle for me” to such an extent that (just like with UNCLE SCROOGE), I purposefully go to the comic shop on the day it’s out!
Fisch does, and continues to do so superbly with the Scooby-Doo characters and their team-up mates, exactly what I try to do in my Disney comic book scripts. Tap into what made those characters great (oddities and all) and put that front and center for everyone to see and enjoy… as I did with “Meteor Rights”. It sure would be interesting to compare notes with Fisch someday.
Now, I’ve known of Scholly Fisch as a writer of various DC titles before SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP, but SDTU is what REALLY put him on the map for me.
That said, I also know that he has additional work published in the current LOONEY TUNES and SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU titles from DC - and I’d recommend his work based on current reputation alone. …BUT, because both those titles, as I currently understand the situation, are largely REPRINTS of LOONEY and SCOOBY DC issues I already bought (and have in my collection) in the ‘90s and earlier 2000’s, I’ve chosen to forego collecting them.
I hope I don’t regret that decision in the future…
I really liked the newest Uncle Scrooge issue. Shiver Me Timbers has perhaps the weirdest thing I've ever seen in an Uncle Scrooge comic...the ducks being assisted by a disembodied hand, eye and foot. Thankfully, it was drawn in such a way that it was more funny than gruesome, and Jonathan Gray's script helps to keep it light. Meteor Rights is a story that could have easily ended up being another fairly forgettable filler story, but the lively scripting really helped punch it up. I really haven't warmed to the one-page gags, but it could just be that I need to get used to the really exaggerated art style of these gag pages. Congrats to all involved for another fun issue.
As much as I enjoyed the first two issues of Uncle Scrooge, I'm really looking forward to the other new titles, too. It will be nice once these books are in full swing to be able to read Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney's Comics and Stories every month. With these books, Peanuts and Popeye Classics, I'll finally have a good-sized pull list at my local comic shop.
Better late than never. I thank you for forwarding me the link of when the issue would be released. I looked forward to the second issue more than the first. I streaked to my comic book shop once I clarified that they had a copy. Oddly they had only three issues available.
I second Elaine’s appreciation of Jonathan Gray’s cover. He has a great drawing style.
Among the allusions Jonathan Gray infused that I loved were: Captain Haddock’s catchphrase, and the Donald Duck theme song. A line that I laughed out loud was when Uncle Scrooge said “Don’t tempt the nut with the skewer, Donald.” His dialogue had a kick to them. I wonder if he took after you in applying alliteration.
After I watched the Marx Brothers’ film, “Monkey Business” I read your story. Great job as always, Joe!
Glomgold and Scrooge were listing how much gum each had was a good touch. What else was left that they could compare about. I also enjoyed the references to “The Second Richest Duck” in addition to “The Twenty-Four Carat Moon”.
I could hear the voice actors in my head as read the story. The lines that I was in hysterics over were Scrooge telling Donald, “Stop! You can bicker over baked goods in some domestic comedy! “. The other was Glomgold’s when he was under the meteorite’s effect was, “Out with thee, vile cannonballs. “ You utilized the character’s being sweet to each other perfectly. I liked your creation of the term “duckicide”.
Maximino Tortajada Aguilar’s expression of hostility as Scrooge and Glomgold were bickering was drawn very well. I can’t wait to see more of his in work in future issues! I’m glad that there is a new era of Disney comic book artists that build on the foundation that Carl Barks provided.
Adel:
I saw Jonathan’s cover as early as January, 2015! I was amazed then, and remain amazed now!
Look again and you might notice that we had a “Donald Duck Theme Song Double Header”, in that Donald’s theme song was also quoted in “Meteor Rights”, on Page 8, Panel 1.
Consider me deeply honored (…in my interpretation of your comments, at least) to be read as a chaser to a Marx Brothers film!
After “string”, as established by Barks, un-chewed sticks of gum seemed a logical degree of minutiae for Scrooge and Glomgold to extend their rivalry to.
The line: “Stop! You can bicker over baked goods in some domestic comedy!” was intended by me to give readers who know how these stories work the impression that Scrooge had actually INTERRUPTED the ending of a Barks-style 10-page domestic comedy from WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES to drag them on this adventure! Kudos to you for picking up on that!
And, to give credit where it is deservedly due, the term “Duckicide” was actually contributed by David. These books are a great collaborative effort by folks who can be so like-minded that it’s often scary!
Deb:
The disembodied hand, eye, and foot were certainly DRAWN in such a way to be completely disarming (as opposed to how they might have been depicted in some horror comic), and that, along with Jonathan’s superbly clever script, is a very large part of the story’s charm. Consider that these… um, “parts” belonged to “undead pirates” – and the final fate of said pirates as depicted in the last panel, and you’ve got some first-class understated stuff!
When I saw “Meteor Rights” in its untranslated form (art with Dutch text), I was practically drooling to get ahold of it! Very glad you enjoyed the results!
And, yes… IDW has also largely increased the size of my own once-dormant comic shop pull-list! All problems should be so “nice-to-have”! Darn them for being so great!
Oh, and it looks as if DONALD DUCK # 1 should be out this week.
A perfect accompaniment to “Monkey Business” on this long weekend was your story.
Hewy’s dialogue on page page 8, panel 2 “The air smells like buttery cinnamon cakes” appealed to my olfactory senses. I’m surprised that I overlooked your reference to Donald’s theme song. The characters reverting to their behavior before encountering the meteorite was a perfect ending.
Was “Fig-a-Licious” another contribution of David Gerstein’s or yours? In either case, it was a delicious description of the contents coming from the nephews.
We all agree that David Gerstein has assembled the "A-Team' for this line of Disney comics. I am appreciating the stories that will be printed here for the first time. It is great to see the talents from this wave of Disney artists, along with the excellent scripting from you, Thad, Jonathan, and David.
Adel:
“Fig-a-Licious” was mine. It seemed to be the best thing to say in the space allotted.
…And that’s another consideration we dialoguers face routinely. To find a way to convey the joke or feeling you want within a finite amount of pre-existing space! I can't say I've always done well with that...
“The air smells like buttery cinnamon cakes” (also mine) might have been the best way to convey what was being experienced by all the Ducks! Somehow, I’d like to think that everyone reading that line (at least momentarily) joined in on the experience. …Imagine what “…air smell[ing] like buttery cinnamon cakes” must be like! Ahhhhh! …Not a care in the world!
…And let’s not forget our old friend Gary Leach (…a part of this wonderful madness since Gladstone Series I) and also a member of the IDW “A-Team”! …Though, sometimes I feel more that David’s assembled a force for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! “Good Morning, Mr. Gerstein… Your mission, should you decide to accept it… etc., etc. …Tape will self-destruct… Blah-blah-blah, etc.
Yo, Joe are you allowed to have a post on IDW disney comics you don't work on? I was kind of looking forward to reading your opinion on it but I could see how IDW would not want one of their scripters disliking one of their comics, not that there's anything to dislike about these amazing comics.
Clapton:
I’m allowed to have a post on anything I want, because I am the overlord and master of this Blog. :-)
My overwhelmingly favorable opinion of IDW is because I *have* an overwhelmingly favorable opinion of IDW. Not because they pay me to write and (as of the August releases) translate scripts. And certainly not because they have – or have ever attempted to exert – any influence over the contents of this Blog. So, fear not.
The reason I’ve not yet reviewed IDW’s DONALD DUCK # 1, is simply because life’s circumstances did not allow for me to pick it up on the day of release, and prepare a suitable post on it.
However, if you (ALL of you) stop by at 7:30 AM or later, on Saturday, May 23, there will be such a post waiting!
And, yes… There ISN’T anything to dislike about these amazing comics! As you will see tomorrow, even when I’m not in them! Looking forward to your comments on that post!
Tried to comment here a week ago but apparently it didn't go through on mobile. Ah well, here we go.
I actually happened to be by the comic book shop Saturday before last so I was able to drop by and pick up US 2, which I might have had to wait a while on otherwise (as is happening with DD 1). The store had equal amounts of the regular and variant cover, and I rather enjoyed being able to take my pick. This time, the main cover was an easy pick for me, but looking at some upcoming issues the choice is going to be getting a lot tougher.
As for the issue quality, I think they outdid even the first. I haven't yet read the Rota story, as he's a personal favorite and I'm sort of saving it, but I went for the second full-length as soon as I got the issue. Major, major props to you and David on the dialogue and translation this time around. It was simply brimming with wordplay and cleverness. I rarely laugh aloud when reading even at direct jokes, but I found myself chuckling at the "Deucedly Disquieting!", which was just one of many brilliant pieces of dialogue. The 24 Carat Moon joke was also fantastic. I tip my hat to you, and look forward to whenever I can grab the upcoming issues. It's going to be hard for me to pick one line to subscribe to at my store. I graduated high school two weeks ago, so perhaps I can swing a paid internship or part-time job in college to fund my addiction.
On a closing tangent, my family went to WDW over the last week and I was disappointed to see a few individual issues of the parks-related Marvel series on sale in Downtown Disney but no IDW. Hopefully once the TPBs come around they'll sell those in the stores like they did with the Boom ones?
Abe:
I’ve never been much of a fan of multiple covers, but IDW is an exception that often makes it so tough to choose that I take them both. They’re all good but, in this case, Jonathan’s “Pirate Ship Cover” really outdoes the competition by far! The coloring really works well too!
In the case of DONALD DUCK # 1, I actually prefer the alternate “Donald Falls Outside the Panels” cover to the main one! Wonderful stuff!
And, thank you… "Deucedly Disquieting!" just seemed the right thing for such a stuffed shirt to say at the moment. And, as you know from my response to Elaine, the “24 Carat Moon” thing has been straining to get out for a very long time!
I do hope that IDW’s excellent material does eventually find its way into the Disney theme parks, because it DESERVES to be there.
Finally, for the feat of surviving the ordeal of High School I’d like to send you something completely worthless – really, no value whatsoever (but, hopefully, interesting) for your graduation! I just know that, however worthless, I would have enjoyed receiving something like this when I graduated ages ago! To take me up on this, please send a comment to this Blog with your contact information, address, e-mail, etc. I will not publish the comment, but will send your utterly worthless, non-expectation-raising gift!
Congratulations!
***THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE*** Now having savored the contents of Donald Duck #1 and the issue at hand for THIS post, I must admit IDW's Uncle Scrooge #2 packs a mighty wallop... what a perfect blend of tales and talents.
Jonathan's dialogue for "Shiver Me Timbers" adds a delightful sense of fun and Barksian flair such as "Ye Odds! Ye Bodkins!" In the wrong hands, this story could have been translated as straight dialogue, and played less with the personalities of the ducks and their aggressors. I think we can all appreciate Scrooge appropriating the lyrics to Donald's animated theme song for his own!
Followed up by Joe's perfect tone for "Meteor Rights" in which we discover Flinty's reactions to the events of The 24-Carat Moon. Perhaps the finest "insider" touch here is that Joe gracefully maintained comic book canon as Glomgold states that he "Picked the right week to visit from Capetown!" We are assured this rendition of the second richest duck is not a DuckTales hybrid, but indeed the surly Afrikaner from Barks... a fact backed up later in the tale as "A Boer with a boat!" All this, plus an especially relevant riff on a David Bowie tune!
I agree 100% with Thad about the IDW team brining forth Walt Disney comic books that are FUN again. There's going to be a second reading of this issue over the next week—I need only pick up some Fig Newmans to snack on while I enjoy a second pass (thankfully, my nephews reside a few states away from my cookie jar!)
– Dan
Dan:
First, I don’t think it’s possible for David, Jonathan, Thad, or me to “translate as straight dialogue, and play less with the personalities of the ducks and their aggressors”, so fear not!
Thank you for ALL that praise, but sometimes it’s difficult to discern “where David Gerstein begins and Joe Torcivia ends”. Not that I’m MAKING this comparison, mind you (I wouldn’t DARE!), but I suspect it was the same way with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. …Though I’m certain David and I will never have the epic falling-out that they did. :-)
As we began to ramp up toward the first IDW releases, and unlike in previous cases at Gemstone and Boom!, there were no English translations of the stories I was assigned. So, as you see in the credits, David would do a “translation”, from which I would produce a full dialogue script. Naturally, as the obsessively great professional that he is (…and that we love him for BEING), he would not turn over a bare-bones translation, but embellish it somewhat with certain touches of his own. Some of which I retained (or expanded upon – like the “Major Tom” bit), and some of which I would discard in favor of something I might have deemed better.
“Duckburg 100” (UNCLE SCROOGE # 3) will have less David and more me, and “Sound Blot Plot” (MICKEY MOUSE # 2) will be closer to the situation I described for “Meteor Rights” -- still “more me”, but also more David than in “Duckburg 100” . As they say, “It’s complicated!”
As of “The Perfect Calm”, scheduled for DONALD DUCK # 4, I have done / will be doing my own translations for all future stories. And, then you can blame me for the entire mess that results!
So, to sort out the items you cite:
“I Picked the right week to visit from Capetown!” and “A Boer with a boat” were David’s.
“Major Tom” originated with David, but became an expanded hybrid of ours… and only because I couldn’t find a way to successfully overlay it with anything from STAR TREK or LOST IN SPACE.
And, “The 24-Carat Moon” and, “Fig Newmans” are mine.
No other Blog supplies information like THIS!
If you find more goodies on your “second reading”, I’ll properly credit those for you as well!
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