Disney’s Ducks have taken over the world. Inspired by the classic work of Carl “The Good Duck Man” Barks, Donald and his webbed kin continue to appear in stories from cartoonists around the globe – although there is a particular affinity for the Ducks in Northern Europe, where Scrooge-biographer Don Rosa is a household name.
In recent times Fantagraphics, which has been bringing out all kinds of recent Disney material, has even returned to periodical format Disney comics with stories from European creators, all under the editorial guidance of David Gerstein.
Such a story is “Dime Novels,” a complete standalone chapter from “The Klondike Years” saga by fan-favorite Finnish writer/artist Kari Korhonena, a look at Scrooge McDuck’s legendary past as defined by Barks and Rosa, with a new direction. And it’s on sale this week.
When Scrooge’s Uncle Pothole gets back in the steamboat game, his pulp fiction business gets sold to a certain Mr. Grey—a historic Wild West novelist! This self-styled rider of the purple sage plans to turn Scrooge into a franchise known from coast to coast… but borrowing Scrooge’s Number One Dime isn’t a smart opening move!
“The McDuck Journals: The Klondike Years!” In a rip-roaring, multi-chapter saga complete in this issue, Scrooge himself narrates untold 1890s tales of his mining days in the Yukon! A rogues’ gallery including Soapy Slick, the Beagle Boys, Cobalt Blue, and Septimus Sharky are all set on Scrooge’s path by a mystery tycoon who wants to force him back to Scotland—for good! Along the way, the mighty miser tames bears, fights a Skagway hotel war, and even outswims a riverboat! (It’s easy when you know how.)
Coming to Scrooge’s rescue is his old pal Ratchet Gearloose, inventor granddad of the future Gyro… and Ratchet’s never-before-seen twin brother Gadget, who with Ratchet secretly beat the Wright Brothers to inventing airplanes!
Also included in this exclusive Beat preview is a first look at this month’s Disney Comics “Crosstalk” editor’s column, in which we’re sharing the story behind “The McDuck Journals” with North American readers for the first time!
“The McDuck Journals: The Klondike Years”
Story and Art: Kari Korhonen
Dialogue: Kari Korhonen with David Gerstein
“Mush!” – a classic Golden Age short
Story and Art: Carl Barks
Covers A and B: Kari Korhonen
Limited Incentive Cover C: Jan-Roman Pikula
Covers A and B available at https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/disney-legacy-comic-books and at your favorite comic shop.
Cover C exclusively available at comic shops!
$5.99 – 40 pages of comics!
