As explained in editor David Gerstein’ note to readers, “Finnish writer/artist Kari Korhonen began The McDuck Journals—a new series of tales set in Scrooge’s past” in 2019. Thanks to Fantagraphics, the comics are now making their North American debut in Uncle Scrooge #4 (legacy number 464). The issue is available in two different covers, both illustrated by Korhonen.
Buy Uncle Scrooge #4 (Legacy #464): The McDuck Journals: The Klondike YearsThe Klondike Years, Chapter One: “Home Sweet Home” opens with narrator Scrooge informing readers he “arrived in Skagway, Alaska after traveling the world for more than a decade,” but he has yet to make his fortune. He hopes the Klondike Gold Rush will change that, but having no money for mining equipment he gets a job working for hotel owner Brunhilde Quackfaster. He proves to be such a boon for her business it angers her competitor Soapy Slick, who is working with a mystery duck in Scotland who wants Scrooge to return.
Chapter Two: “Dawson or Bust” sees Scrooge heading deeper into the Yukon for his gold pursuit. He runs into Blackheart Beagle (who also works for the mystery duck), his Uncle Pothole, and twins Ratchet and Gadget Gearloose. In Chapter Three: “Law of the North,” he saves a trio of fellas and may have started the Canadian Mounties. His journal and first dime are stolen in Chapter Four: “Dime Novels,” sending all the way down to San Francisco to recover them.
Chapter Five: “Family Matters” opens months later with Scrooge working his first claim. Uncle Bhaltair, who was coming for a visit, has been kidnapped by villains from the previous stories for a very McDuck reason. Scrooge and his other relations unite to rescue him, making for a thrilling climax to the tale.
The book concludes with “Mush!” a one-page story from Uncle Scrooge #13 (1955) and a one-page excerpt of “The Invisible Intruder,” from Uncle Scrooge #44 (1963). Both tie into page 4 of this issue and both feature artwork by the legendary Carl Barks, writer and illustrator for many Duck comics.
Korhonen has written a fun throwback adventure. It’s nice to see Scrooge as a more heroic figure than he or nephew Donald are in many of Barks’s classic stories where they are often motivated by their greed and/or selfishness. Korhonen’s art is colorful and pops off the digital screen. The character’s moods are well defined by their expressions. Objects within the panels have soft edges and when paired with Scrooge’s narration, create a sense of him relating memories. The issue left me very curious what’s to come next in The McDuck Journals.
