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matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Teen Titans Go!, DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts, Arrow, Black Lightning, The Flash, Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic, Marvel Super Hero Adventures, American Dad!, Riverdale, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and a volume of the Carl Barks Library from Fantagraphics.
Star Trek: Discovery "Project Daedalus"
Gut-punch ending for Ariam. The episode surprised me by not only giving us her backstory, but by redeeming her and making me upset she died because of Burnham and Tilly. Star Trek does nothing but sucky deaths. This might have been the first good one. Ever. In 60 years.
Spock is either being written out of character, or the writers are well aware of how messed up he is. For the record, I understand why he's mad at Michael and her trying to turn their meeting into a "second chance". After what she did when they were kids, I don't think she actually deserves one.
The stuff with Stamets and Spock was great. I love Stamets' mocking surprise that his machines couldn't hear him. Both he and Spock are dispassionate enough towards each other to give each other sound advice without overthinking it. Which is something I love.
Now we know what the threat is. It's a pretty huge one in my mind. But I also think that the heroes have a legit shot to win, Red Angel or no. The Red Angel is just the Prime Timeline's ace in the hole. Tilly won them some breathing space by appealing to Ariam's final humanity.
Why is it the spacesuits in this show are more elaborate and high-tech than those in First Contact set over a hundred years later? This show tech is not consistent.
That was a pretty great anyways. ****1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "The Metric System Vs. Freedom"
I get that's a satire and slam at Trumpism and American exceptionalism, but I'm not sure the kids in the audience will get that distinction. It seems to me that portraying scientists as evil to little kids is a REALLY bad idea for many reasons. But this is like the least responsible kids show ever so it doesn't actually surprise me.
I like Beast Boy saying he hates liters too. Robin for example.
The runner's nipples joke was super gross.
I'm calling this week a dud. *.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "Pack Bat"
Not sure I'm on-board with a Babs who is a pig. **1/2.
Arrow "Training Day"
There were a lot of things wrong with that, but my impression was still mostly favorable. The way Oliver smiled at the end of the teaser was so wonderful and infectious that I was totally willing to give the episode a TON of slack.
I think both the SCPD AND Team Arrow did things wrong tonight. I agree with Dinah that if they are deputized, the vigilantes have to go through proper protocols, and can't go around torturing people for confessions. Because not only do their actions have legal standing on whether or not the perp is arrested and put on trial, but they also represent the police department as a whole. On the other hand, it's ridiculous to take away the costumes and weapon because those are the vigilantes' entire selling points to begin with. Without them they are just regular cops, and their skills and meaning to the city are far bigger than that.
Liked the stuff with William and Mia for once.
Interesting we got another idea about who Conner Hawke might be. Maybe he's John's kid, but he could also be Bronze Tiger's.
Emiko didn't deny killing Diaz, did she? I think Laurel is overestimating how mad Oliver would be in learning the truth. He'd probably thank her for taking the decision out of Felicity's hands. Also I don't see how trying to out Laurel as Black Siren would even work as a threat. Team Arrow already knows the truth. I suppose she could go to the SCPD, but Siren Laurel was uncommonly cunning for the past couple of seasons in that I'm pretty sure the cops aren't even aware she existed. Unlike Emiko killing Diaz, there are no witnesses willing to come forward, and no proof Laurel was Siren.
Dinah doing the whole "You're under arrest thing" was painfully cheesy.
Yeah, this episode wasn't perfect. But I still liked it. ***1/2.
Black Lightning "The Book Of The Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha"
I feel like there is a deleted scene out there that shows WHY Tobias killed Todd, because as far as I knew, Todd was doing a good job.
For the record, Jefferson's rules were pretty good ones to follow.
Odell backing down from Lynn alarmed me. Granted Lynn was scary, and I would have too, but I also know since that he knows the truth he probably has a very nefarious reason for doing so. Gulp.
I forget the white scientist's name but it's very endearing Tobias is not impressed with her and prefers Cutter. Tobias is the guy who PREFERS the underling who dotes on him to the one who challenges him when he makes mistakes. That's partly why I think Tobias is a lousy and ineffective villain but it's also consistent.
Good week. ****.
The Flash "Failure Is An Orphan"
And that's the reason I didn't trust Grace after that horrible head-trip.
The reason I doubted it was over is because Ralph should have and would have been there if it was. And yeah, this is going to be worse.
Kamandi shout-out. I missed who the first person Thawne referenced was though.
Barry revealing his identity was dumb.
I mostly enjoyed the episode but I think I'd have a better feel for how effective it is after rewatching it after seeing the entire season. As of now I'll give it a positive grade. ***1/2.
Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic "America"
Isn't Attuna from and a threat to Atlantis? How can it be possible he got into trouble via "aimless wandering"? Methinks the comic was trying to fit in a moral that didn't exist. **.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures "Meet Thor!"
Spidey doing Thor's voice is one way to save on hiring a guest star. **1/2.
American Dad! "Twinanigans"
The ending was truly horrific. What bothers me is that it was played for laughs and as if I'd find it funny. What disturbs me is the realization that many of the show's fans WILL find it funny.
I've never been to Spencer's Gifts and after that I'm like "I'm not missing anything." I dug the confusing non-resolution.
If Klaus hadn't yet decided what the hoops were he shouldn't even be there. That was funny.
I love the twin talent agents. I love the weak one that the stronger one fed on in the womb. That was an example of a dark joke that was actually funny.
I think the thing that tells me the episode is unsuccessful is that I didn't believe the central conceit that Roger is a terrible actor. Roger Smith. A terrible actor. How can the writers even give us a plot with that idea with a straight face? All the guy does is act in various roles convincingly. I don't buy it for a second, which means I didn't buy the rest of the episode either. **1/2.
Riverdale "Chapter Fifty: American Dreams"
What a great ending. Jughead's gonna save Jellybean, protect his Dad, and run his Mom out of town. Love how he talked about it like he was discussing the weather. I'm looking forward to all that.
What frustrates me about Veronica and Reggie is that Reggie's asks aren't unreasonable. He has literally been the only person who has stood by her side when everything was hell in her life and the town. She may think buying him back his car makes them even, but it really doesn't. I don't think she understands how much she actually depends on him and how many problems he's been solving that she isn't even aware of. Girl's probably gonna have to learn that the hard way.
This continuity's Reggie is not the same jerkish comedic alpha male from the comics. He's studious and ambituous. I just wish Veronica would wake up and realize what a gift he is to her. Anyone else would love to have an employee like him to promote, much less as a doting boyfriend.
Yeah, the Cheryl and Tony sex scenes were hot, but I feel they were not only inappropriate for Archie Comics, but for network television. I know based on Buffy at least the CW/UPN/WB isn't as restrictive about that stuff as the other networks, but it's freaking 8:00. Kids could be watching. Get a sense of propriety, Riverdale.
Jughead's speech was amazing. Him promising to run his mom out of town was made especially sweet immediately following it.
Alice has a lot of nerve trying to get FP back. Yeah, Gladys is bad news. But FP doesn't know that, and Alice certainly doesn't. Hot Mess Cooper Sr. had no right to spring that on her when she did.
Did that dude just bite Archie's neck? I think that's a Mike Tyson reference, although Tyson prefers to eat ears. But that's totally nuts. Although that also describes the whole Red Paladin thing.
Just based on the last five minutes, I loved that episode. ****1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Gintars"
I liked Jake's line about telling Charles he didn't have the high ground when he stormed off.
I like Dr. Yee as much as Holt and Amy. Mostly because I like Reggie Lee.
It was kind of cool to see Jake and Boyle's friendship go through a real trial. Adoption is hard, and I like Charles telling Jake he wants him to listen more. He still loves the hats though.
Good episode. ****.
Walt Disney's Donald Duck "The Ghost Sheriff Of Last Gasp" The Carl Barks Library Volume 15
A volume comprised entirely of ten pagers, one story Barks only drew, and one gag strip Barks only (probably) wrote. There are some hidden comedic gems in this volume, but I'm like Don Rosa in preferring the longer adventures. Barks is good at slapstick comedy. But that's never been the selling point of the Ducks for me.
The best story wasn't even written by Barks (Donald Duck Tells About Kites). Worst stories are the unresolved "Too Safe Safe", and the dull "Descent Interval". Volume Overall: ***1/2.
The Ghost Sheriff Of Last Gasp:
That was pretty dumb. Unlikely plot turns and sloppy writing mar this cliche of a story. The jail walls crumble because they are old? Stupid stuff. Interestingly, I really liked the last page resolution. Wild Bill's hiccups being cured by Donald's phony looking Hollywood guns was a pretty final funny gag. Even I can admit that. **1/2.
Wispy Willie:
Donald seems pretty on the ball against most of Scrooge's tricks (although it is left ambiguous as to whether or not he actually saw through them at all), but I laughed at how dumb it was he kept agreeing to do menial work for the scientist for no reason or benefit to himself whatsoever. The scientist doesn't even tell him what the mold he wants him to gather is for and he's all "Okay." Scrooge is a jerk for firing his employees because Donald saw through their disguises. I like that the moral of the story is that Huey, Dewey, and Louie cannot pick who they are related to. Because both of their uncles are impossible. ****.
The Hammy Camel:
Slight story (VERY slight). I laughed at the visuals of the ducks rolling up in their sleeping bags against the ghost camel. What I especially love about Donald is that as the night goes on he feels increasingly guilty over chasing away the camel. And the happy ending seems a bit ludicrous (maybe the guy who wanted a glowing camel should have just spent 50 cents on it instead of 1000 bucks a week) but it was a good resolution to get the nephews a dishwasher. ***1/2.
Fix-Up Mix-Up:
An essential Carl Barks theme: Never assume any job, no matter how ordinary seeming, in the service industry is easy. You can't just read a single book on a hard job and learn everything you need to know about it. Honestly? Donald seems a bit too big of a dope here. And I won't cry for Daisy for her fox coat being ruined. She's lucky nobody threw paint on it. **1/2.
Turkey Trot At One Whistle:
Hairy Harry is like the worst bad guy name ever. He looks almost exactly like a bearded Beagle Boy. The story however was not terrible. ***1/2.
Raffle Reversal:
Yeah, it's pretty easy to see why Carl Barks wound up detesting Gladstone Gander. How could you not? I hope Donald caught him at the end of the story and whaled on him a little. Even still, Donald IS pretty hard to root for himself here. ***.
Flour Follies:
For some reason the nephew's confusion over Donald eating out a parlor and two bedrooms strikes me as a hilarious closing joke. For the record, the mess in this issue? Totally Scrooge's fault. 100%. Penny Wise's intriguing backstory with Scrooge (she is supposedly the only person Scrooge fears and could ruin him) seems to be the best Don Rosa story Don Rosa never got around to writing. ****.
The Price Of Fame:
"You lucky, lucky, little nobody." Great closing line. Here's an opinion: The nephews deserved to be miserable. Because Donald was right the first time: They were insulting him within earshot and trying to provoke a reaction out of him. Maybe they'll think twice about provoking those specific kinds of reactions from now on. For the record, I sincerely don't see Simon Cowell ever telling a bad singer the public would be too ignorant to appreciate them. Speaking of bad singing, a comic book is the only plausible place for Donald Freaking Duck to have a good singing voice. The fact that nobody in the story comments on how hard he is to understand is why I envision an entirely different voice for Comic Donald for when I read him. For the record, in this story at least, Donald Duck is clearly insane. ****.
Midgets Madness:
Apparently in G-rated comics, people chew gum for their nerves. One piece of gum sticking up the entire car was a dumb ending. I liked Donald telling the nephews they were making him look "unglamorous" and them seeing his point. ***1/2.
Salmon Derby:
I think Barks cheated a little bit with Gladstone's luck powers here, but I can't say I object to actually seeing Donald win the day for once. ****.
Cheltenham's Choice:
Chentenham reminds me greatly of Chip. I think Donald's "lesson" with the alligator sucked because it was so potentially dangerous. Donald is often a great parent. That showed him being a bad one. ***.
Traveling Truants:
Speaking of which, Donald was laying it on a little thick here. It's ironic because this is one of the stories where the nephews misbehave and deserve to be punished, and Donald is going overboard. I did like the last couple of pages where all four of them get lost because none of them, even Donald, paid attention in school. And the solution is for all of them to go back, including Donald, for geography lessons. What strikes me as interesting about Barks' family oriented ten-pagers is that even if I often don't agree with the lessons Donald is teaching the nephews, the stories are often resolved in a way where everybody learns the proper lesson anyways. Donald tricks in reality are mean and dangerous. But I think they are harmless and funny instead if he and the nephews learn from how foolish they are. ***1/2.
Donald Rants About Ants:
"The gage of battle has been flung!" is like the greatest line ever. And Antofagasta Ax-Toothed Ants would be a good name for a band. This shows that Donald's actual knowledge of the outside world is extremely superficial and limited. He's using an allegory for animals he knows nothing about. Similar to Barks I think, as I've never heard of ants who act like termites before. In Barks' defense, and to his eternal credit, he was smart enough to make these particular wood-eaters an entirely fictional species. I suspect that Barks went into a pet shop one day and saw an ant-farm and said to himself "That's a ten-pager". Barks was famous for writing stories about real-world science that interested him. I suspect that is what happened here. ***1/2.
Too Safe Safe:
This proves that just because you CAN invent something, it doesn't mean that you SHOULD. The dark lightbulb and upside-down mirror also state this explicitly. I like the way Gyro comes up with inventions. The fat cat in the story looks like Lucifer from Cinderella. Barks appears to have written himself into a corner. He couldn't figure a way out of the problem, so the story remains unresolved. This is a weak effort by Barks *1/2.
Search For Cuspidoria:
I thought Scrooge was being insensitive all throughout the story about how much little kids love Christmas, but by the end, he turns it around himself. And Barks is kind enough to reward him anyways for learning the right lesson. Karma does not always exist in Barks stories (Hello, Gladstone). But in Scrooge stories, happy endings tend to be earned more often than not. ****.
New Year's Revolutions:
I thought the resolution for Donald was a terrible idea. For one thing, even though the nephews WERE tricked into breaking their vow by Donald first, having them behave is a far easier ask than Donald never losing his temper. I like the way Louie thought to actually wind him up, but as the other nephews noted, they probably would have just been better off doing the dishes after all. ****.
Iceboat To Beaver Island:
Best gag was at the very beginning of the nephews telling the wiseguy Donald was on his iceboat because he was trying to get a job. Then the guy quips "What, is he selling earplugs?" That was a pretty good burn. ***1/2.
The Daffy Taffy Pull:
Honestly, as badly as things were going for Donald, in a story where Gladstone Gander makes an appearance, it could have gone much worse. I saw how and why the nephews were making him anxious and fraying his nerves at the beginning, but all in all, Gladstone did him a favor. It was not the story to be told in a wraparound in a psychiatrist's office after Donald has a mental breakdown. I like the idea of the guy who bought the taffy to throw into the ocean being called a "crank" but I still think that is probably too kind a word for him. ***.
Donald Duck Tells About Kites:
This is a perfect how-to guide about kites for kids. I have never read this story before, but it's an amazingly helpful thing for kids who want to fly kites about how to make their own and tells them various important safety tips. The lineman who retrieves the kite from the telephone pole is probably human so the kids reading the story would identify with his authority, which shows that Barks was smart, and got how children reacted to things like that. It's a small but effective touch. And he didn't even write the story! I didn't fly kites TOO much as a kid, but I did sometimes. I don't know if modern kids do or not. I didn't like it as much as many kids because I wasn't very good at it. For the record, Grandma stopping the spanking because that is the wrong end to learn lessons from shows that Donald is not the only wise teacher in the story. I'm a little bummed the story ends with Donald chasing Dewey with a switch because Grandma had it right the first time. *****.
A Descent Interval:
Slight story with a ridiculously unlikely ending. Barks was coasting with this one. **.
Tennis Match:
Barks supposedly only wrote this one-page gag and Tony Strobl drew it. Let me just say there is a reason Barks is known as the Good Duck Artist. For the record, the archivists who put this volume together aren't even 100% certain Barks wrote it, but it seems more likely than not, and it seemed safer to add for the sake of completion. ***.
The Daffy Taffy Pull Deleted Scene:
I still don't get why Barks cut this. Supposedly because his many pre-literate readers wouldn't understand it? The thing is, Barks does talky stuff all the time. It's hard to believe he cut this serviceable scene because it wasn't up to his best standards in the same volume that contains "Too Safe Safe" and "A Descent Interval". ****.
Covers:
I like the cover where Donald shaves initials into the nephews' scalps at the barbershop so he can tell them apart. Sadly, I must also point out each of the nephews' shirts on that cover are the wrong colors. ***1/2.
Star Trek: Discovery "Project Daedalus"
Gut-punch ending for Ariam. The episode surprised me by not only giving us her backstory, but by redeeming her and making me upset she died because of Burnham and Tilly. Star Trek does nothing but sucky deaths. This might have been the first good one. Ever. In 60 years.
Spock is either being written out of character, or the writers are well aware of how messed up he is. For the record, I understand why he's mad at Michael and her trying to turn their meeting into a "second chance". After what she did when they were kids, I don't think she actually deserves one.
The stuff with Stamets and Spock was great. I love Stamets' mocking surprise that his machines couldn't hear him. Both he and Spock are dispassionate enough towards each other to give each other sound advice without overthinking it. Which is something I love.
Now we know what the threat is. It's a pretty huge one in my mind. But I also think that the heroes have a legit shot to win, Red Angel or no. The Red Angel is just the Prime Timeline's ace in the hole. Tilly won them some breathing space by appealing to Ariam's final humanity.
Why is it the spacesuits in this show are more elaborate and high-tech than those in First Contact set over a hundred years later? This show tech is not consistent.
That was a pretty great anyways. ****1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "The Metric System Vs. Freedom"
I get that's a satire and slam at Trumpism and American exceptionalism, but I'm not sure the kids in the audience will get that distinction. It seems to me that portraying scientists as evil to little kids is a REALLY bad idea for many reasons. But this is like the least responsible kids show ever so it doesn't actually surprise me.
I like Beast Boy saying he hates liters too. Robin for example.
The runner's nipples joke was super gross.
I'm calling this week a dud. *.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "Pack Bat"
Not sure I'm on-board with a Babs who is a pig. **1/2.
Arrow "Training Day"
There were a lot of things wrong with that, but my impression was still mostly favorable. The way Oliver smiled at the end of the teaser was so wonderful and infectious that I was totally willing to give the episode a TON of slack.
I think both the SCPD AND Team Arrow did things wrong tonight. I agree with Dinah that if they are deputized, the vigilantes have to go through proper protocols, and can't go around torturing people for confessions. Because not only do their actions have legal standing on whether or not the perp is arrested and put on trial, but they also represent the police department as a whole. On the other hand, it's ridiculous to take away the costumes and weapon because those are the vigilantes' entire selling points to begin with. Without them they are just regular cops, and their skills and meaning to the city are far bigger than that.
Liked the stuff with William and Mia for once.
Interesting we got another idea about who Conner Hawke might be. Maybe he's John's kid, but he could also be Bronze Tiger's.
Emiko didn't deny killing Diaz, did she? I think Laurel is overestimating how mad Oliver would be in learning the truth. He'd probably thank her for taking the decision out of Felicity's hands. Also I don't see how trying to out Laurel as Black Siren would even work as a threat. Team Arrow already knows the truth. I suppose she could go to the SCPD, but Siren Laurel was uncommonly cunning for the past couple of seasons in that I'm pretty sure the cops aren't even aware she existed. Unlike Emiko killing Diaz, there are no witnesses willing to come forward, and no proof Laurel was Siren.
Dinah doing the whole "You're under arrest thing" was painfully cheesy.
Yeah, this episode wasn't perfect. But I still liked it. ***1/2.
Black Lightning "The Book Of The Apocalypse: Chapter One: The Alpha"
I feel like there is a deleted scene out there that shows WHY Tobias killed Todd, because as far as I knew, Todd was doing a good job.
For the record, Jefferson's rules were pretty good ones to follow.
Odell backing down from Lynn alarmed me. Granted Lynn was scary, and I would have too, but I also know since that he knows the truth he probably has a very nefarious reason for doing so. Gulp.
I forget the white scientist's name but it's very endearing Tobias is not impressed with her and prefers Cutter. Tobias is the guy who PREFERS the underling who dotes on him to the one who challenges him when he makes mistakes. That's partly why I think Tobias is a lousy and ineffective villain but it's also consistent.
Good week. ****.
The Flash "Failure Is An Orphan"
And that's the reason I didn't trust Grace after that horrible head-trip.
The reason I doubted it was over is because Ralph should have and would have been there if it was. And yeah, this is going to be worse.
Kamandi shout-out. I missed who the first person Thawne referenced was though.
Barry revealing his identity was dumb.
I mostly enjoyed the episode but I think I'd have a better feel for how effective it is after rewatching it after seeing the entire season. As of now I'll give it a positive grade. ***1/2.
Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic "America"
Isn't Attuna from and a threat to Atlantis? How can it be possible he got into trouble via "aimless wandering"? Methinks the comic was trying to fit in a moral that didn't exist. **.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures "Meet Thor!"
Spidey doing Thor's voice is one way to save on hiring a guest star. **1/2.
American Dad! "Twinanigans"
The ending was truly horrific. What bothers me is that it was played for laughs and as if I'd find it funny. What disturbs me is the realization that many of the show's fans WILL find it funny.
I've never been to Spencer's Gifts and after that I'm like "I'm not missing anything." I dug the confusing non-resolution.
If Klaus hadn't yet decided what the hoops were he shouldn't even be there. That was funny.
I love the twin talent agents. I love the weak one that the stronger one fed on in the womb. That was an example of a dark joke that was actually funny.
I think the thing that tells me the episode is unsuccessful is that I didn't believe the central conceit that Roger is a terrible actor. Roger Smith. A terrible actor. How can the writers even give us a plot with that idea with a straight face? All the guy does is act in various roles convincingly. I don't buy it for a second, which means I didn't buy the rest of the episode either. **1/2.
Riverdale "Chapter Fifty: American Dreams"
What a great ending. Jughead's gonna save Jellybean, protect his Dad, and run his Mom out of town. Love how he talked about it like he was discussing the weather. I'm looking forward to all that.
What frustrates me about Veronica and Reggie is that Reggie's asks aren't unreasonable. He has literally been the only person who has stood by her side when everything was hell in her life and the town. She may think buying him back his car makes them even, but it really doesn't. I don't think she understands how much she actually depends on him and how many problems he's been solving that she isn't even aware of. Girl's probably gonna have to learn that the hard way.
This continuity's Reggie is not the same jerkish comedic alpha male from the comics. He's studious and ambituous. I just wish Veronica would wake up and realize what a gift he is to her. Anyone else would love to have an employee like him to promote, much less as a doting boyfriend.
Yeah, the Cheryl and Tony sex scenes were hot, but I feel they were not only inappropriate for Archie Comics, but for network television. I know based on Buffy at least the CW/UPN/WB isn't as restrictive about that stuff as the other networks, but it's freaking 8:00. Kids could be watching. Get a sense of propriety, Riverdale.
Jughead's speech was amazing. Him promising to run his mom out of town was made especially sweet immediately following it.
Alice has a lot of nerve trying to get FP back. Yeah, Gladys is bad news. But FP doesn't know that, and Alice certainly doesn't. Hot Mess Cooper Sr. had no right to spring that on her when she did.
Did that dude just bite Archie's neck? I think that's a Mike Tyson reference, although Tyson prefers to eat ears. But that's totally nuts. Although that also describes the whole Red Paladin thing.
Just based on the last five minutes, I loved that episode. ****1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Gintars"
I liked Jake's line about telling Charles he didn't have the high ground when he stormed off.
I like Dr. Yee as much as Holt and Amy. Mostly because I like Reggie Lee.
It was kind of cool to see Jake and Boyle's friendship go through a real trial. Adoption is hard, and I like Charles telling Jake he wants him to listen more. He still loves the hats though.
Good episode. ****.
Walt Disney's Donald Duck "The Ghost Sheriff Of Last Gasp" The Carl Barks Library Volume 15
A volume comprised entirely of ten pagers, one story Barks only drew, and one gag strip Barks only (probably) wrote. There are some hidden comedic gems in this volume, but I'm like Don Rosa in preferring the longer adventures. Barks is good at slapstick comedy. But that's never been the selling point of the Ducks for me.
The best story wasn't even written by Barks (Donald Duck Tells About Kites). Worst stories are the unresolved "Too Safe Safe", and the dull "Descent Interval". Volume Overall: ***1/2.
The Ghost Sheriff Of Last Gasp:
That was pretty dumb. Unlikely plot turns and sloppy writing mar this cliche of a story. The jail walls crumble because they are old? Stupid stuff. Interestingly, I really liked the last page resolution. Wild Bill's hiccups being cured by Donald's phony looking Hollywood guns was a pretty final funny gag. Even I can admit that. **1/2.
Wispy Willie:
Donald seems pretty on the ball against most of Scrooge's tricks (although it is left ambiguous as to whether or not he actually saw through them at all), but I laughed at how dumb it was he kept agreeing to do menial work for the scientist for no reason or benefit to himself whatsoever. The scientist doesn't even tell him what the mold he wants him to gather is for and he's all "Okay." Scrooge is a jerk for firing his employees because Donald saw through their disguises. I like that the moral of the story is that Huey, Dewey, and Louie cannot pick who they are related to. Because both of their uncles are impossible. ****.
The Hammy Camel:
Slight story (VERY slight). I laughed at the visuals of the ducks rolling up in their sleeping bags against the ghost camel. What I especially love about Donald is that as the night goes on he feels increasingly guilty over chasing away the camel. And the happy ending seems a bit ludicrous (maybe the guy who wanted a glowing camel should have just spent 50 cents on it instead of 1000 bucks a week) but it was a good resolution to get the nephews a dishwasher. ***1/2.
Fix-Up Mix-Up:
An essential Carl Barks theme: Never assume any job, no matter how ordinary seeming, in the service industry is easy. You can't just read a single book on a hard job and learn everything you need to know about it. Honestly? Donald seems a bit too big of a dope here. And I won't cry for Daisy for her fox coat being ruined. She's lucky nobody threw paint on it. **1/2.
Turkey Trot At One Whistle:
Hairy Harry is like the worst bad guy name ever. He looks almost exactly like a bearded Beagle Boy. The story however was not terrible. ***1/2.
Raffle Reversal:
Yeah, it's pretty easy to see why Carl Barks wound up detesting Gladstone Gander. How could you not? I hope Donald caught him at the end of the story and whaled on him a little. Even still, Donald IS pretty hard to root for himself here. ***.
Flour Follies:
For some reason the nephew's confusion over Donald eating out a parlor and two bedrooms strikes me as a hilarious closing joke. For the record, the mess in this issue? Totally Scrooge's fault. 100%. Penny Wise's intriguing backstory with Scrooge (she is supposedly the only person Scrooge fears and could ruin him) seems to be the best Don Rosa story Don Rosa never got around to writing. ****.
The Price Of Fame:
"You lucky, lucky, little nobody." Great closing line. Here's an opinion: The nephews deserved to be miserable. Because Donald was right the first time: They were insulting him within earshot and trying to provoke a reaction out of him. Maybe they'll think twice about provoking those specific kinds of reactions from now on. For the record, I sincerely don't see Simon Cowell ever telling a bad singer the public would be too ignorant to appreciate them. Speaking of bad singing, a comic book is the only plausible place for Donald Freaking Duck to have a good singing voice. The fact that nobody in the story comments on how hard he is to understand is why I envision an entirely different voice for Comic Donald for when I read him. For the record, in this story at least, Donald Duck is clearly insane. ****.
Midgets Madness:
Apparently in G-rated comics, people chew gum for their nerves. One piece of gum sticking up the entire car was a dumb ending. I liked Donald telling the nephews they were making him look "unglamorous" and them seeing his point. ***1/2.
Salmon Derby:
I think Barks cheated a little bit with Gladstone's luck powers here, but I can't say I object to actually seeing Donald win the day for once. ****.
Cheltenham's Choice:
Chentenham reminds me greatly of Chip. I think Donald's "lesson" with the alligator sucked because it was so potentially dangerous. Donald is often a great parent. That showed him being a bad one. ***.
Traveling Truants:
Speaking of which, Donald was laying it on a little thick here. It's ironic because this is one of the stories where the nephews misbehave and deserve to be punished, and Donald is going overboard. I did like the last couple of pages where all four of them get lost because none of them, even Donald, paid attention in school. And the solution is for all of them to go back, including Donald, for geography lessons. What strikes me as interesting about Barks' family oriented ten-pagers is that even if I often don't agree with the lessons Donald is teaching the nephews, the stories are often resolved in a way where everybody learns the proper lesson anyways. Donald tricks in reality are mean and dangerous. But I think they are harmless and funny instead if he and the nephews learn from how foolish they are. ***1/2.
Donald Rants About Ants:
"The gage of battle has been flung!" is like the greatest line ever. And Antofagasta Ax-Toothed Ants would be a good name for a band. This shows that Donald's actual knowledge of the outside world is extremely superficial and limited. He's using an allegory for animals he knows nothing about. Similar to Barks I think, as I've never heard of ants who act like termites before. In Barks' defense, and to his eternal credit, he was smart enough to make these particular wood-eaters an entirely fictional species. I suspect that Barks went into a pet shop one day and saw an ant-farm and said to himself "That's a ten-pager". Barks was famous for writing stories about real-world science that interested him. I suspect that is what happened here. ***1/2.
Too Safe Safe:
This proves that just because you CAN invent something, it doesn't mean that you SHOULD. The dark lightbulb and upside-down mirror also state this explicitly. I like the way Gyro comes up with inventions. The fat cat in the story looks like Lucifer from Cinderella. Barks appears to have written himself into a corner. He couldn't figure a way out of the problem, so the story remains unresolved. This is a weak effort by Barks *1/2.
Search For Cuspidoria:
I thought Scrooge was being insensitive all throughout the story about how much little kids love Christmas, but by the end, he turns it around himself. And Barks is kind enough to reward him anyways for learning the right lesson. Karma does not always exist in Barks stories (Hello, Gladstone). But in Scrooge stories, happy endings tend to be earned more often than not. ****.
New Year's Revolutions:
I thought the resolution for Donald was a terrible idea. For one thing, even though the nephews WERE tricked into breaking their vow by Donald first, having them behave is a far easier ask than Donald never losing his temper. I like the way Louie thought to actually wind him up, but as the other nephews noted, they probably would have just been better off doing the dishes after all. ****.
Iceboat To Beaver Island:
Best gag was at the very beginning of the nephews telling the wiseguy Donald was on his iceboat because he was trying to get a job. Then the guy quips "What, is he selling earplugs?" That was a pretty good burn. ***1/2.
The Daffy Taffy Pull:
Honestly, as badly as things were going for Donald, in a story where Gladstone Gander makes an appearance, it could have gone much worse. I saw how and why the nephews were making him anxious and fraying his nerves at the beginning, but all in all, Gladstone did him a favor. It was not the story to be told in a wraparound in a psychiatrist's office after Donald has a mental breakdown. I like the idea of the guy who bought the taffy to throw into the ocean being called a "crank" but I still think that is probably too kind a word for him. ***.
Donald Duck Tells About Kites:
This is a perfect how-to guide about kites for kids. I have never read this story before, but it's an amazingly helpful thing for kids who want to fly kites about how to make their own and tells them various important safety tips. The lineman who retrieves the kite from the telephone pole is probably human so the kids reading the story would identify with his authority, which shows that Barks was smart, and got how children reacted to things like that. It's a small but effective touch. And he didn't even write the story! I didn't fly kites TOO much as a kid, but I did sometimes. I don't know if modern kids do or not. I didn't like it as much as many kids because I wasn't very good at it. For the record, Grandma stopping the spanking because that is the wrong end to learn lessons from shows that Donald is not the only wise teacher in the story. I'm a little bummed the story ends with Donald chasing Dewey with a switch because Grandma had it right the first time. *****.
A Descent Interval:
Slight story with a ridiculously unlikely ending. Barks was coasting with this one. **.
Tennis Match:
Barks supposedly only wrote this one-page gag and Tony Strobl drew it. Let me just say there is a reason Barks is known as the Good Duck Artist. For the record, the archivists who put this volume together aren't even 100% certain Barks wrote it, but it seems more likely than not, and it seemed safer to add for the sake of completion. ***.
The Daffy Taffy Pull Deleted Scene:
I still don't get why Barks cut this. Supposedly because his many pre-literate readers wouldn't understand it? The thing is, Barks does talky stuff all the time. It's hard to believe he cut this serviceable scene because it wasn't up to his best standards in the same volume that contains "Too Safe Safe" and "A Descent Interval". ****.
Covers:
I like the cover where Donald shaves initials into the nephews' scalps at the barbershop so he can tell them apart. Sadly, I must also point out each of the nephews' shirts on that cover are the wrong colors. ***1/2.
