In the introduction to last year’s Uncle Scrooge and the The Infinity Dime, writer Jason Aaron described Scrooge McDuck as “one of the greatest adventurer characters in comic book history.” If Aaron didn’t prove his point with that one-shot, he is well on the way to doing it again with the follow-up. Simply put, Uncle Scrooge: Earth’s Mightiest Duck is a Duck Tales adventure cranked up to 11.
The story opens with the richest duck in the world in the middle of a nightmare come true. His money bin has been emptied and he’s under attack by money-snatching robots. Duckburg has also been replaced by an empty wasteland with no sign of other people.
Duckburg has fallen under the thrall of the alien Connoisseurs who came to Earth intending to take everything of value. Somehow, they came up short when it came to Uncle Scrooge and his fortune. This leaves them hunting down Scrooge’s friends, family, and employees. However, they are just as clueless as to where Scrooge is and what happened to his fortune.
Earth’s Mightiest Duck blends other genres with Uncle Scrooge
It spoils little to reveal that the opening sequence is a literal nightmare. Half the comic takes place inside the mind of Uncle Scrooge as the Connoisseurs try to learn where he hid his fortune. This leads to a brilliant sequence in which Scrooge must save his younger self as his memories are erased. My expectations for this issue were high, but I was not expecting a psychodrama inspired by Inception and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
The other half of the issue is equally exciting, with Donald Duck introduced as the most difficult prisoner the Connoisseurs had to deal with. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are also introduced as the Resistance. The general tone of this half of the book is darker and closer to the European Disney comics than the Duck Tales cartoons. Fittingly, these sections are illustrated by several artists better known in Europe than the USA.
There may be a temptation to dismiss Uncle Scrooge: Earth’s Mightiest Duck as kids stuff. Don’t make that mistake! This may be an All Ages comic, but that doesn’t mean only children can enjoy it. Indeed, this comic about a “poor old duck” is sure to appeal to both the young and young at heart.
Grade: 10/10.
Uncle Scrooge: Earth’s Mightiest Duck #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
