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<DIV>Daniel Von Eijermen wrote: </DIV>
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<DIV>"Well, and *I'm* biased because of my love for Barks and everything
involved <BR>with him. And in general, I hate sequels. It's like chewing the cud
to me. I look at it as running around in the same old circle. I'd rather see new
situations, <BR>instead of variations of old subjects."</DIV>
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<DIV>Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Daniel expressed his approval of
Geoffrey Blum's new Duck stories? To me, at least, these stories are a lot more
derivative than Rosa's. Blum recycles a huge amount of Barksian dialogue--more
than Rosa has ever used, even in his early days--such as "root-te-toot!
root-te-toot! I'm a girl from the Institute" or "that dime is my boodle-bringer,
the sparkplug of my vast financial empire." Or how about "Oh, what a short
biography my life is going to make." In addition, the gimmick of
Donald-as-a-reporter messing up Scrooge's plans (as used by Blum in DIME
AND DIME AGAIN) is taken directly from Barks' LOST BENEATH THE
SEA. Isn't this chewing the cud? Rosa may spin new plot ideas from old
Barks tales, but he doesn't try to claim that his stories are based on Barksian
"outlines." So far Blum has brought nothing new or interesting to the Duck
universe (oops, I hadn't meant to use that U word) while Rosa has rejuvenated
Jose and Panchito, fleshed out the personalities of Scrooge's family, and
introduced the Black Knight, to name a few of his achievements. Blum's only
innovation is the forcible inclusion of modern technology--or so it seems to me.
In fact, Blum has borrowed from the "Rosa universe" with his use of
Blackheart/Grandpa Beagle (who, as Daniel has pointed out, does not exist in the
"pure Barks universe"). </DIV>
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<DIV>I don't take Rosa's "universe" as immovable (for instance, I disagree with
him when he says Mickey doesn't exist in the ducks' world) but I enjoy (most of)
his work and I appreciate his attempts to come up with origins for the
characters. GYRO'S FIRST INVENTION is a new favorite of mine, but if someone
else writes a story saying Gyro invented the Helper as a boy and used him to
help with various childhood inventions, I won't complain. So long as the basic
personalities of the characters are maintained (Scrooge is rich and stingy, the
Nephews are resourceful, Donald is irresponsible, Gladstone is lucky, etc.)
there's lots of room for variation in their "histories." DUCKTALES was unpopular
because they changed the Duck Family dynamic, replaced Donald with Launchpad,
made the Nephews Scrooge's adopted kids, introduced Webby and Mrs. Beakley, and
completely changed the personality and appearance of the Beagle Boys. Don hasn't
done anything like that, so I don't see what the problem is. The fault, if there
is a fault, lies with the rabid Rosa-rooters who dig up
not-meant-for-publication "Death of Scrooge" drawings or try to force the "Rosa
Universe" down people's throats. Don's never encouraged people to do this, so if
there's any attacking to be done (and I don't see why there should be any on a
list dedicated to <EM>comic </EM>books) Daniel should start a private e-mail war
with someone like Sigvald and leave Don--and the rest of us--alone. </DIV>
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<DIV>When John Wayne's ALAMO was released in this country, actor Chill
Wills tried to get an Oscar for his role in the movie by telling
everyone that they were unAmerican if they didn't support the film. Wayne
disapproved and told Wills so, but everyone blamed Wayne and the film bombed out
at the Oscar ceremony. Unlike the Oscar board, we should make a distinction
between the author and the "followers", and act accordingly</DIV>
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