This Valentine's Day, I stopped by a local independent bookshop for an extra gift for my bride. I got her something. But I also ended up getting myself a treat. As I've mentioned before, I want the entire run of these books. But they are NOT cheap. The store I was at had a small used book section and they had a volume for a price that was just right for me!
Like with all of the other volumes in this series, despite the name of just 1 story, there are several adventures, shorts and one-page gags starring Donald Duck, his nephews and several others. During this period of time, Uncle Scrooge makes his first appearances after the holiday tale 'Christmas on Bear Mountain'. The title story has Scrooge in some financial trouble. So McDuck takes his nephew and his nephew's nephews to the family castle in Scotland to unearth a missing inheritance. With hints of the Hound of the Baskervilles and the William Castle feature 13 Ghosts, this is a classic horror mystery romp that I've read before. But that familiarity, my enjoyment wasn't lacking. Ironically, knowing what I do about the massive money bins owned by Scrooge McDuck, I don't see how the small chest of jewels the guys find would help the old miser out of any sort of money troubles.
This book also featured the debut of Donald Duck's familiar adversary for girlfriend Daisy's hand, Gladstone Gander. In these first couple of stories, Gladstone is that cousin who just gets under your skin. He keeps trying to one up you, so you boast back at him. Thanks to a stupid bet made on a hot July day, Gladstone's holiday appearance at Donald's home could mean that Donald and his nephews might end up homeless this Christmas. That is unless Donald will take a swim in the frozen pond behind his domicile.
The other main treat of this book is the Western epic 'The Sheriff of Bullet Valley.' This is another work I've read before. But the nostalgia brought about from reading this as a little kid made my re-read all that much more special. Donald and the nephews are going on vacation when they stop in Bullet Valley. The community has been besieged by a dastardly cow rustler that everyone knows is guilty. They just can't figure out how the villain is changing the brands on the other ranch's cattle. Inspired by a slew of Westerns, Donald volunteers to save the day. In an episode that doesn't see Huey, Dewey and Louie coming to Donald's rescue, this is a very unusual and violent Disney story. Especially, since Donald gets shot and left for dead in this one!
Donald's nephews are quite the intrepid Junior Woodchucks who come to Donald's frequent rescue. They're still those mischievous scamps who try to outsmart their uncle for their own gain. Uncle Scrooge isn't yet the world's richest duck who neurotically fears everyone is trying to rob him. Gladstone gets under everyone's skin. But he's not the luckiest duck on earth yet. We get to see the early stories of Carl Barks' comic book career. Perfection hasn't yet been achieved. But, there's definite signs of genius throughout this amazing book!
I want more!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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