Walt Disney Comics and Stories #556

A trio of stories from years gone by, helps to make this holiday season bright. 

The first adventure takes place in Duckburg. A surprise blizzard on Christmas Eve throws the city into chaos. Being unseasonably warm, none of the stores stocked up on sleds and skis which are suddenly in huge supply. Scrooge McDuck has promised to provide Duckburg with those needed supplies. However, his inventory is several towns over. With the snow piling up and travel options running thin, it's up to Donald and his nephews to save Christmas and bring those toys to Duckburg!

Up next is Silly Symphonies newspaper strip character Bucky Bug. It's Christmas Eve and the local metal-smith is stuck in bed with a bad back. His injury means that the holiday chimes won't be assembled in time for the Christmas festivities. But there is a plan B. The craftsman's son has the talents to install the bells. But he's gone travelling. So it's up to Bucky and his BFF Bo to find him before it's too late!

This issue wraps up in sunny, arid Arizona. Mickey and Goofy are on vacation when their jalopy breaks down. A dust up with the dastardly Pete draws Mickey into a plan to save a ranch from being lost in a lopsided bet against the big bully. Not one to let Pete get away with his antics, Mickey has become the newest ranch hand in a rodeo competition. Only Mickey doesn't have any experience in busting cattle and the contest is just a couple of days away!

It's not Christmas without at least 1 holiday story starring Uncle Scrooge and Donald. I'm not sure who crafted this story as the author and artist credits are unknown. It's not Carl Barks and the eyes are right for it to be Don Rosa. Regardless, the opening story was great. I just wish that the comedic twist to this story wasn't given away by the cover!

When I saw that Bucky Bug was one of the features in this issue, my heart jumped for joy. I just love those old school Christmas touches to these Disney holiday books. I finally learned why Bucky and friends always speak in rhymes. It's cause of Bucky being the star of Disney's Silly Symphonies strip. The rhyming is actually singing. Only there's no music notes to be seen.

I really wish that the Mickey and Goofy story was Christmas themed too. Maybe the pair went out west for Christmas to escape the bitter cold. It was a very exciting story and having Pete involved was the next best thing to be expected if you can't have the Phantom Blot as the antagonist. This is not the first issue I've come across where the capper isn't Christmas themed. Was it so hard for Gladstone and Disney to produce an all-holiday issue? At least I got my Uncle Scrooge and Bucky Bug!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.