Disney LongBox Reviews: Uncle Scrooge #20
In this month’s Uncle Scrooge, Scrooge and Donald must outwit a giant octopus while on the hunt for a long lost treasure. Scrooge then send Rumpus off to camp to cure off his excessive sleep walking. Ready to hoist the sails and read this review ? Good, let’s begin…
Tyrant of the Tides
Originally Published in Topolino #3000 (2013)
Country of Origin: Italy
(First USA Publication)
Scrooge and Donald arrive at Coot University after hearing that something happened to Ludwig Von Drake . They find him feeling a bit more wacky than unsual.
One of the professors informs Scrooge that Ludwig was attacked in his office last night and that the attacker left his calling card in his office which includes a message.
The atttacker is revealed to be the Tyrant of the Tides and warns Scrooge not to go venturing in the ocean ever again. He barged in Ludwig’s office with a strange weapon which wiped Ludwig’s mind, he also stole all the research papers of Project 3000.
The professors advise him to continue on without Ludwig. Scrooge refuses thinking that the sea air will clear Ludwig’s mind. Donald grumbles at the thought of being included in another of Scrooge’s wild adventures.
Scooge soon tells Donald about the real Nautilus submarine that Robert Fulton invented for Napoleon Bonaparte that never got built due to Napoleon losing the batttle at Trafalgar. He kept on making newer models with a battery that allowed his ship to go 3000 leagues under the sea.
Scrooge is after that battery so he goes on with his plans to find the Nautilus, Ludwig makes matter worse by ridding the ship of its bean and cracker supplies throwing it overboard to the fishes and seagulls.
Scrooge explains to Donald that the battery can change the entire travelling industry by reducing car and plane pollution by building cars that could go underwater plus reaching new real estate underwater by making underwater houses and entire cities.
Will Scrooge be able to find the battery and make even more riches ? Will Ludwig ever get back to normal ? What threats will the Tryant bring onto our unexpecting heroes ? Find out by reading the story.
FINAL THOUGHTS :
Artibani does it again with another epic Scrooge adventure after his previous credit in Scrooge’s Last Adventure , but this time with a scientific caper rather than another plot about Scrooge’s fortune.
I like the messages of this story that too much of a good thing can lead to more consequences than intended. Scrooge’s plan is a good one but it would cause far too much trouble than it’s worth.. Ludwig and the scientists being the bad guys was a very good twist since it was not predictable like other Disney stories.
The art is fantastic in this story featuring lots of colours and shadings over expressive characters and detailed backgrounds.
Astray For a Day
Originally Published in Aku Ankka #23 (2012)
Country of Origin: Finland
(First USA Publication)
The plot begins with Scrooge sending Uncle Rumpus to a nature camp for a cure to his constant sleepwalking.
Rumpus, however, has had enough of running as he goes to bed, but his sleepwaking habits soon kick in as he gets himself lost in the forest. Rumpus tries finding a way back to the camp through the woods.
Will poor Rumpus find his way back or remain lost in the woods for good ?
FINAL THOUGHTS :
This story does a good job of showing the dangers and comedy of sleepwalking. It is also nice to see another story with Uncle Rumpus, who is slowly starting to appear in more stories than before.
CREDITS:
WRITERS: Francesco Artibani ( Story 1) William Van Horn ( Story 2)
ARTISTS: Corrado Mastantuono ( Story 1) William Van Horn ( Story 2)
PUBLISHER: Sarah Gaydos
ARCHIVAL EDITOR: David Gerstein
PUBLISHER: IDW Publishing