Disney-comics digest #840.

[MASSENGALE MELANIE O]

On Wed, 8 Nov 1995 disney-comics at Minsk.DoCS.UU.SE wrote:

> ======================================================================
> Date: Tue, 7 Nov 1995 07:56:04 -0500
> From: TKlein28 at aol.com
> Subject: WDC&S 600
> 
> I've just had a chance to read this issue, and I have some thoughts. First,
> it surprises me a little that I don't recall reading any of these stories
> before, as I'm sure I have the Rosa, Jippes and Van Horn stories in their
> original appearances. I guess that's good in a way -- got to enjoy them
> again!

I just picked up this issue and it is indeed marvelous!  What a showcase
of great Duck talent!

>      The Barks story from WDC&S 32  is an interesting look at EARLY Barks,
> before he had quite solidified his style, I think. Donald seems a little more
> elastic and stretched out, as in his earlies cartoon appearances, and the
> gorilla is pretty scary. The lettering is less polished and larger than many
> of his later stories, but has a nice bounce -- I would bet he did it himself.
> The plot is a bit nastier than we think of as Barks, as well, with him
> planning to whip the boys at the end.

Early Barks does have a curiously "rubbery" quality, and the slapstick
humor matches it.  It is clearly the inspiration for Van Horn's Duck
interpretations.

(snips)

>      Don's Family Tree is a delight. I think he did a terrific job visually,
> as well as in research and planning. I particularly like all the relevant
> objects lying on or hanging from the tree, and look forward with delight to
> the story revealing the nephews' father.

I loved the family tree.  If I read it correctly, then Gus Goose is
Donald's second cousin.  Many thanks to Don Rosa for "filling in the
blanks."  I do hope we see more of these "obscure" relatives in future
Duck stories!

>      My favorite part of the Rosa story from WDC&S 523  is on the top of the
> last page, when the nephews have finally seen something their guidebook can't
> explain. These three silent panels of classic comic timing had me laughing
> out loud, and show the film influences of Don Rosa -- this is a perfect
> Oliver Hardy "take". Well done!

Don Rosa, IMHO, is the greatest talent working in comics today.  I hadn't
seen this story before, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  DR also shows some
underground comics influence, as his detail and crosshatching are strongly
reminiscent of R. Crumb.

>      The Van Horn story from WDC&S 537 was a pleasure to read. I love his
> loose flowing style, and really like his lettering, too. This is less
> frenetic than a lot of his stories, but a funny idea.

I liked the story better than most of the Van Horn efforts I've seen.  VH
is strongly derivative of Early Barks, both in slapstick humor and
"Manneristic" looking Ducks.

Regards,

Melanie