Life and Times of Uncle Scrooge (Comics)

Life and Times of Uncle Scrooge: copyright The Walt Disney Company

Several people think that comics are a silly, childish media format. Among many considerations, some say that the art is, usually, too simple; others, that the structures are repetitive and appellative, lacking of historical; others, say that the stories are superficial, and don’t treat philosophical and social questions. I respectfully disagree of these opinions.

Of course, there are comic’s stories with these characteristics. Even the good ones may have a bit of these problems, but can deliver fun and entertaining. Although, the best comics are able to excel at all points, from the art style, to the plot and characters. They are not numerous, but the quality of them is undeniable.

For me, one of the top comics of all time is called: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. Written and drawn by Keno Don Hugo Rosa, or just Don Rosa, it has been first published from 1992 to 1994. This work granted to Don Rosa a Will Eisner Award (or the comic’s Oscar) in 1997, and it was reprinted in many “collection edition” along the years.

Life and Times Companion Cover

As the title may suggest, the comic tells the biography of Uncle Scrooge, the well-known Disney characters. For those who doesn’t know, Scrooge is Donald’s uncle, by the mother side of the family, and the richest man of the world (in the Disney’s comics universe, men, ducks, pigs, gooses, dogs, and many others anthropomorphically beings naturally live together). “Life and Times” shows how Uncle Scrooge got his big fortune, though it’s not its main objective.

"King of the Klondike" is one of the key parts of the story

The plot of the comic story, and the reason why it’s one of the best stories of all time, is about Scrooge’s life, family and achievements, both material and personal. The story begins when he was a little duck, living with his poor family in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1877. Besides being poor, Uncle Scrooge is part of the McDuck clan, a very ancient and, in the past, powerful family.

Life and Times shows the past story of Uncle Scrooge

In order to conquer the clan proud, and to give his family a better life, the young duck start to travel around the world to get money. As he travels, Scrooge learns that, most of the times, the experiences lived are far more important than material goods, or that the ends do not always justify the means. The Life and Times ends when the duck turns to how we know him today, but, as Don Rosa does in others stories, with a different motivation: it’s not the amount of money that makes him rich, but the ways of how he get every penny that matters.

Don Rosa self (drawing) portrait - believe me, its equal

The story takes you to Scotland, United States, Australia, South Africa, Canada, among many others places. Each place was researched by the author, to turns the comic’s art a real face of the locations. Don Rosa is able to deliver fantastic environment drawings and fascinating and charismatic characters. Each frame is a well worked painting, which makes you feel as in the story.

The art work is amazing

More than a great art style, the author delivers a perfect plot, showing us the growing of Scrooge as he pass for misfortunes, problems and conquests. There are moments that almost make you cry, as well moments that make you feel angry, curious or impressed. All these feeling are present, with a lot of smart humor and an exciting adventure. Each chapter makes you want for more, as a stingy looking for a penny (literally speaking).

As this Disney comic universe doesn’t have a proper official history, the Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck isn’t a sanctioned biography of the rich duck. However, Don Rosa aimed to build a complete and self-sustained comic, with lots of references to historical facts, locations and people, and also references to his inspiration Carl Barks. For those who doesn’t know, Barks is considered the best “duck stories” artist of all time, being responsible for the most significant stories of Donald Duck and its family, and, inclusive, the creation of Scrooge McDuck.

Carl Barks (1901-2000)

Another great point of Life and Times is the new approach that Don Rosa has given to Scrooge McDuck. Most of the others authors show the duck as a “money hunter”, that looks for riches just to have them, regardless of the adventures or risks involved. For Don Rosa, the richness is not in having gold for itself: you need to deserve it, and never pass through the family, friends or anyone else to get it. That’s why his Scrooge McDuck is more proud of the adventures than the money, and that’s also why his stories are far more interesting. Inclusive, the famous “Number One Dime”, portrayed as the responsible to give good luck to the duck, and help him to be rich, is changed, for Rosa, to a symbol of how the hard work can lead you to anywhere you want, if you never forget your origins.

For Uncle Scrooge, the adventures lived are more valuable than all his money

Probably the best biography created for a comic character, “The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck” is an epic adventure, with incomparable art and plot. Based on citation made for Barks, in his comics, about the past of Donald’s uncle, and also in many real elements, Don Rosa created a forever literature classic. And, after reading, you will want to keep the comic inside a strongbox, safety protected as a treasure. Not because you’re a greedy miser, but because you will want to keep this classic for a next reading, full of adventures, humor, and, mainly, a fascinating and realistic saga.