"King of the Golden River"

Hmmm...does that title remind anyone of anything? I will note that given that this was first published in 1961, some three years after Barks' (and several years after the Barks story was first published in Italy), and given that the English title here is a literal translation of the Italian, it's at least possible that there was some influence (and I do wonder whether this was chosen for localization due to the perceived Barks assocation--this was originally going to be called "The Other Golden Helmet"--good call not sticking with that, guys). Yes, I'm perfectly aware that Barks got the idea from a story by John Ruskin, but which one seems like a more likely influence? As we'll see, this might have certain thematic similarities with its predecessor. How well are these executed? Well...note that we're talking about Guido Martina here, and place your bets accordingly.

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"The Blight Before Christmas"

Now I've read all of the slew of IDW Christmas stories—an enjoyable pastime for sure, though there's a lot of variation quality-wise. Still and all, though, I am at least glad that there's ONE story that can easily go into the “read every year” rotation. “Glad” might be an understatement, actually; I'm rather dizzy with excitement. It's only the second Italian story to join this company, and after years of no new Christmas stories of any kind, it's pretty great. And I say all this in spite of being fully cognizant that “The Blight Before Christmas” doesn't really hold together as a story all that well. That doesn't matter to me; it has more than enough charm to get itself over regardless.

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"The Diabolical Duck Avenger"

Well, it's my birthday, so let's celebrate by not leaving this blog barren anymore, shall we? First of all, big fat credit goes to IDW for the fantastic covers they did for the two issues to feature this story. First, there's Marco Rota, from 1983:

Man, that's just THE BEST. Then there's the new art, by Dave Alvarez:

Not quite AS cool, but hey, who can match Rota at his best? It's still plenty good enough. And it's not just the art; it's also the logo and the use of those text boxes. The whole thing is a class act, I say! Let it be known far and wide!

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Two cool images found in Picsou Magazine

First, a rather cool self-portrait of Giovan Battista Carpi with ducks and mice--and, perhaps of more interest to fans, a photograph of Carpi with Carl Barks hisself:

...so was Carpi unusually short, or was Barks unusually tall?  My knowledge regarding the relative heights of Disney artists is tragically limited.

Second, the bizarre image that Luciano Bottaro produced in response to the question that famously prompted Don Rosa to draw the ducks at Scrooge's grave:

Right, then!  As you were.

Master McDucato, Chapter VII: "Dawn of the New World"

As our final installment opens, we see that Charles VIII of France has occupied Florence.  Reading up on the man, it's kind of hilariously pathetic how useless he was as a king: his main thing was these Italian wars, which accomplished nothing and got France big into debt, and then he died at the age of twenty-seven after whacking his head on a lintel (I'll bet that's why this story's never been published in France--they don't want to be reminded of the guy).  You may note that the individual we see in this story sure doesn't look like he's in his twenties, but, well, never mind.
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Master McDucato, Chapter VI: "Lorenzo the Magnificent"

Golly gee!  After that big ol' cliffhanger, I wonder how this chapter is going to deal with that whole "Palio" business?

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Master McDucato, Chapter V: "The Cave of the Winds"

Here's where it gets weird.  Weirder?  Weirdest?  I dunno.

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Master McDucato, Chapter IV: "The Pirates of Montecristo"

So who doesn't like pirates?  Eh?  Eh?  Well, actually, I feel like they're a bit played out.  You really have to do something special with them to make 'em register.  Regardless, though, here it is: another chapter, another historically dubious moment:

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Master McDucato, Chapter III: "The Phoney Florins"

Here's where shit starts to get real, and other meaningless clichés.

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Master McDucato, Chapter II: "The Dungeon Tower"

Chapter II!  We open, at any rate, with a bang:
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Master McDucato, Chapter I: "Exile"

I think it's time to blow this scene…get everybody and their stuff together…

Right!  Our epic journey begins NOW!  

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Tuscan History Week

People who've read this story will instantly know what I'm talking about; those who haven't, won't.  This may come to be known as my crowning folly, but for better or worse, here it is.  I've been so close to this damn thing for so long that I am very thankful to be getting it out there, thus exorcising it from my system.

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"War and Peace"

Listen, I have just one word for you people:
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"Sandoduck and the Pearl of Labuan"

The Duck Comics Revue institute of Giovan Battista Carpi Studies is proud to present this, a 1976 story based on the work of Emilio Salgari, a late nineteenth-early twentieth century Italian writer of adventure novels.  Huge in Italy, apparently, but I must admit, I had never even heard of him before reading this story.  Some of his stuff is available in English translation, but he doesn't have much cultural cachet in the US.  In particular, this is based on his Tigers of Malaysia series about a band of heroic pirates led by a fella named Sandokan.  It's true that, not having read Salgari, I may not be the ideal person to write about this, but I'm not worried: I'm sure that if this unfamiliarity causes me to miss anything, someone in the audience will let me know in comments.
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"That Missing Candelabra"

Right now you're probably not wondering, hey--what happened to those "Disney Literature Classics" you were all het up about?  What's going on here?  Where am I?  Who am I?  But that's too bad, 'cause I'm gonna tell you anyway.
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