Title: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Volume(s): 1 Author(s): Don Rosa Format: Unflipped; Left-to-Right Publisher: Gemstone Publishing MSRP: $16.99 Genre(s): Drama Rated: All Ages

At the beginning of "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck," the narrator tells us a little bit about Scrooge McDuck, informs us that his money tells his life story, and then asks the question of how Scrooge got all that money. Scrooge then breaks the fourth wall and tells the narrator that how he got his money is none of his business. We almost agree with Scrooge. Sometimes a character’s history is pretty anticlimatic when you find out all the life-changing moments, and since Disney comics aren't known for their writing but more for their ability to shut children up for an hour or so, the idea of being disappointed in Scrooge’s history just seems like most people would rather figure out his history themselves. I say this because Scrooge has always been an interesting character for Disney to produce. Unlike most Disney characters, who promoted humor (Goofy), good will (Mickey), and tolerance (Donald), Scrooge promoted money, power, greed, and stepping on those smaller than you to earn those.

It's not surprising that Scrooge was banished to comics that sold better overseas than in America, the "Duck Tales" TV series (which to date has been his only real public appearance), and making a cameo appearance in Disney's direct-to-video movie "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas," where he spent what little screen time he had regretting the way he's lived his life. So with that in mind, I approached this Eisner Award-winning (no joke) serial "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" hoping that the writer wouldn't go all PC on me and try to justify Scrooge’s behavior. Thankfully, he doesn't. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Disney characters are just so darn popular regardless who they are, "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" could be seen as a fascinating story based on its own merits. Now we all know the basic story of Scrooge McDuck: rich duck, cheapskate, loves money more than people, is so cheap that he hires his three nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) to do his dirty work, and turns into an action star whenever he is being robbed of his money. That part we know. What this book tells is the story of the young, poor Scrooge, who came to America from Scotland to make a fortune, and somewhere along the way lost his humanity. It begins in 1877, and young Scrooge McDuck has decided that he wants to help raise money to help support his family.

Scrooge gets a job being a shoe-shiner and, due to a prank from his dad, gets his number-one dime, which he can't spend since he is in Scotland and the dime is an American dime. Frustrated by being duped, Scrooge vows to become more aggressive in his job and less trustworthy of customers. From there he will go to America, join the gold rush, help run a ranch, makes friends with the President of the United States, and, of course, make all that money he keeps in his famous money bin. The first thing you'll notice is that Scrooge is a very different character in the beginning of the book than he is later on. While the cover promises exotic locations and grand journeys, the real emotional pull to this book is not all the places Scrooge goes to, but how each of those locations help shape his personality later on in his life. One experience may make Scrooge do something particular later on in life, and one bum who scams him can change Scrooge’s opinion of people in general. Every journey, every treasure discovered, every person Scrooge meets, all of these things mold Scrooge into the person he eventually becomes, and watching the transformation is both interesting as well as heart-wrenching. One particular emotional pull this book offers is Scrooge’s relationship to his two sisters, Matilda and Hortense (the latter would eventually be Donald Duck's mother).

We see Scrooge and his sisters have the kind of brother/sister love that most families only wish they had, but Scrooge’s sisters eventually hate Scrooge more and more as he loses focus of his true goal in life. The most damning thing about Scrooge, though, is that his life may be the most tragic of all the Disney characters. Scrooge comes from a poor family, sets out to make a fortune so that he can support his family, and along the way loses focus of life. A two-week trip home turns into a twenty-year trip home, as Scrooge makes side trip after side trip after side trip. It's not that Scrooge doesn't want to go home, but how can we expect him to go home when there is another business opportunity that can be taken care of on the way? When he finally gets home, the first thing he wants is a count of all his money, which is when his sisters leave him and tell him that they will never speak to him again until he realizes what is truly valuable in life. For a moment, Scrooge realizes what a mistake it would be to throw his family away, but then he gets a letter from the city congratulating him on becoming the richest duck in the world. He gives up his family to celebrate his success and newfound respect. But that's what he wanted... right? To have money, respect, and everything money could buy. If you're in that position, why put up with your short-tempered sister and her brat of a son?

Still, when you are nearing the end of your lifespan, and you have nothing but time to think about your life, what grade would you give your life? I know this part of the review must sound too much like Dr. Phil for some people, but these are the kind of questions that are raised by the end of the book. The biggest one of all is this: did Scrooge McDuck truly become the richest duck in the world, or did he become the biggest loser of all time? The answer to that question is so complicated, that people may be discussing it for years after reading this book. I see a duck who accomplished everything he set out to do but missed out on all the great things life truly had to offer while he was pursuing his dreams. He made his family proud, and then he lost them in one bad moment. He made friends and enemies in his life, but in the end, only a few people still truly remember him. But he made a difference. Yes, he made a difference in the world. He made a difference in his life, and he saved the family name from ridicule and shame. Isn't that worth celebrating at least? Here's another question: when was the last time you put so much thought into a Disney comic? Keep in mind, folks, this is not a fan created story like "Chip & Dale's Rescue Rangers: Of Mice and Mayhem" was. No, this is an official Disney book and story, one of the very few that you will find truly challenging and emotionally rewarding.

The fact that a Disney comic dares to ask such questions, dares to challenge you about whether you like the main character or not, dares to give characters as many faults as they have virtues, and dares to stand above the rest is truly something to note. It also proves that the management of Disney doesn't really pay attention to their comics line these days. Not to sound pessimistic, but Disney doesn't really like making comics that are entertaining, but comics that are marketable. If management was paying close attention to this book, it never would have hit the shelf, because Disney doesn't make "sophisticated comics." Well, thank God Disney doesn't pay much attention to their comics line, otherwise this book may have turned out to be pretty mediocre; but instead it’s a great example of comic literature. If you want a lesson in creating complicated and gripping children's comics (and I use that term with hesitation), then look no further than "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck." One thing I do ask, though, is for those of you who are interested in buying this book: don't let the price get in the way. Yes, I know that $16.99 is a lot of money for a graphic novel, and yes I know that the $17 for 236 pages of entertainment could be used to buy two manga books for $20 and get a little over four hundred pages of manga, but please make a rare exception for this book.

I know it's got the Disney name, and some people may be cautious of the comic for that alone, but this is one of the best stories about a character that you can't completely love, yet can't completely hate either. This is an emotional, fun journey that you need to read, and the price and Disney name shouldn't get in the way of that.

- -Review By Kevin T. Rodriguez- -