Saturday, July 28, 2018

Uncle Scrooge #37 Review



Tutcom-Baktu-Uss! What an adventure.


Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Romano Scarpa
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: July 25, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
A Review by: Lordy Andy

As the story title suggests, money is the root of upheaval, even of the space-time continuum itself. The greed of Scrooge McDuck knows no bounds, and his unregulated sociopathic behavior once again puts the lives of his family and associates at risk. Along for the ride are Donald Duck and Gyro Gearloose, but it's all of Earth's existence that may come to an end due to Scrooge’s unquenchable thirst for wealth.
The story opens with Scrooge giving a tour, (to nobody in particular), of the McDuck Museum. Two pages are dedicated to just some of the historic treasures Scrooge has obtained over his years. But when the tour reaches the sarcophagus of King Tutanbuono, Scrooge discovers that the ancient pharaoh has awoken from his 4,000 year slumber.

In shock, Scrooge summons Donald to the scene, who offers no helpful input. So McDuck must call on the aid of Gyro Screwloose, who with the help of his Cerebro-Colander, teaches the king from antiquity the English-language in a matter of minutes. The Tut then shares a sob story of betrayal and promises Scrooge great wealth if he helps him return to his own time and avenge his dissidents.



Without hesitation, McDuck agrees, and the four are off in Screwloose's flying time machine. Ignoring Gyro's concern over the calibration of the machine’s Time Leapin' Lever, Scrooge and team blindly make the jump back to 4800 BCE.

It is no surprise that the Pharaoh soon betrays and enslaves our feathery friends, but what is surprising is where and when the story goes from there. Following numerous narrow escapes under the fire of spears, arrows, and eventually guns. The team winds up 84,000 years into the future in a post-apocalyptic landscape brought on by the “Great Wealth Wars”. An eerie video of the planet’s lone survivor warns that the actions of the Banking Warlords eventually dimmed the sun and destabilized the moon’s orbit.

None of this seems to disturb Scrooge in any way, and it isn’t until the moon begins it’s crash course towards Earth, that Scrooge considers a retreat to 2018 CE, where he'll settle for his meager millions. Unfortunately back on board the ever so clumsy, Donald broke the Time Leapin' Lever. Will Gyro fix the lever in time, or will the three parish with all other existence? Pick up the issue out this week to find out.

The lessons learned in this issue are none at all. It seems Donald Duck will blindly follow his Uncle into harm’s way without question. Gyro Loosescrew, whose ingenious mind may make him one of the most powerful beings in the Duck Universe, continues to allow McDuck to use and abuse his inventions without compensation. And Scrooge himself may be the most self-absorbed duck the world may ever know.



Bits and Pieces:

The writing of Siegel provides plenty of unexpected twists and turns, as well as good humor throughout. And though the art of Scarpa and Conte at times feels manufactured, it gets the job done. Some of the closing action panels being some of the best art in the issue... Uncle Scrooge #37 is a zany trip through the infinite possible timelines of the Duck multiverse, and a fun read as well.

8.8/10

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