"The Hammy Camel"

Give them credit: that title may have been applied after the fact, but it sounds very much like something Barks would've come up with himself.

Yes, okay. I will now simultaneously drink an intensely hoppy IPA (this one, to be specific) and write this blog entry. Good times. I mean, not "simultaneously" in the sense that I'm drinking at the same moment I'm typing, but...WHATEVER. Happy Third Day of Christmas.

I mean, in a way it's surprising that I forgot about this one; I remember this opening quite well. The contrast between HDL's present and the rest is fun. Also, it cracks me up that Scrooge's idea of an appropriate Christmas present is a postcard.

The progression in Donald's thinking here is interesting, from trying to seem grateful in spite of the shock to just being annoyed about the whole thing. Is this realistic? Probably. At first, the shock is preventing him from thinking clearly, but as that wears off and the whole thing starts to sink in...explosion.

It's also really well-done how HDL's pleas just bounce off Donald, leaving him in the same pose for all four panels. If you look closely enough, you can see that it isn't just the same image copied four times (to me, the placement of his left eyebrow is the most obvious tell), but they're pretty darned close. Impressive.

I dunno about this questionable idea that Camels are the key to finding uranium mines, however. Why uranium in particular, anyway? Is it just because this was on everyone's minds what with the Cold War? Is it just an excuse for the later glow-in-the-dark stuff? Or what?

Seriously, people, washing dishes is NOT A BIG DEAL. Crikey. But, as well all know, it is nevertheless Barks' go-to forfeit in wagers like this. Okay!

I mean, really. Okay, you can think, well, a camel could be useful in trying to find isolated mines'n'things. I'll buy it. But how does Donald think this is going to work, exactly? Does he imagine Abdul's just going to automatically home in on a mine? Seems odd.

...well that doesn't sound healthy. Is he related to the camel in Gottfredson's "Sacred Jewel" who's only drunk when he's sober and vice versa? Hmm.

And that is...nine dollars' worth of soda. I dunno. I know inflation is a significant thing (I'm always surprised by how low characters' salaries seem in period pieces like Mad Men), but still...is that really worthy of such euphoria? Well, maybe it is; maybe my privilege is showing.

This whole thing where Donald's anger gives way to remorse reminds me of his behavior in "Luck of the North." 'Course, the camel is more worthy of sympathy than Gladstone.

Aw...:( :( :(

And THAT is...a pretty accurate summation of how little kids deal with perceived ghosties. Well done!

What never ceases to bemuse me is how blase these old stories can be about radiation. Hint: if you think your camel may be irradiated, immediately move upwind of him and contact a hazmat team as quickly as possible.

THAT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY BIG RELIEF. You should be GRATEFUL, Donald. JEEZ.

And now we get THIS Gladstone-ish bit of luck. My only question is, exactly how long is a glowing camel really going to enrapture audiences? Maybe they'll tune in the first time, and maybe the show'll get some viewership the second time from word-of-mouth, but more than that? I dunno, man. Does the camel actually do anything? Or does it just sit there and glow? Also, isn't the paint going to wear off sooner rather than later? How come this alleged "TV agent" doesn't ask any questions about why this glowing is occurring? SO MANY QUESTIONS.  Clearly, I was lying when I said that that first one was my only one.

And here's another question: do you think Barks had ever...seen a dishwasher? Because this one looks like it would very quickly reduce your tableware to fine shards of crockery. He appears to have conflated it with a clothes washer.

Oh well, that's that. In other news, I finished my beer. Did I like it? Mmm...I didn't love it. I like an IPA to be a little less hoppy, with a more pronounced smokey flavor. Who knows? Your mileage may vary.