This digest-sized (or as the publisher puts it, "take-along comic") landed on my doorstep from Gemstone Publishing, and while I'm always pleased to check out different genres and storytelling styles, I wasn't sure these Disney stories, clearly designed for kids, would hold my attention. But this book did grab my attention, or, the credits page did. The writers on these stories are all known for far more complex, mature comics storytelling, and I was interested in what these well-established creators might have to say in a book designed for a younger audience. I really enjoyed the modern tones they brought to these icons of pop culture. Donald Duck Adventures is still clearly meant for kids, but adults can at least be guaranteed not to be bored when sharing this reading experience with the younger set.
The first story features the title character and his three nephews in a story writer Terry (Eno & Plum, The Dreaming) Laban clearly designed as a moral tale about the dangers of the media, greed and interfering with nature. I like that Donald Duck ends up as the villain of the piece and the reformed hero by the end. There's definitely a classic tone to the simple storytelling, but Laban manages to acknowledge the time in which it is written and presented as well. Flemming Andersen's line art is clearly influenced by Sergio (Groo) Aragones's style, but the Disney approach to cartooning isn't sacrificed in the process either.
Andersen also illustrates the third and final story in the book, which is billed as an Uncle Scrooge story but really has Donald, Huey, Louie and Dewey as the heroes once again. The more cosmic nature of the plot allows the artist to play with an even looser style. The script -- by Mr. Monster creator Michael T. Gilbert -- is a great tribute to classic time-travel stories. Uncle Scrooge's greedy yet adventurous character shines through; he's not entirely likeable but hardly a destestable villain either. The sci-fi satire is really a lot of fun, not the least of which is the Star Trek-inspired title for the story itself.
The middle story -- co-written by Veils and Flashpoint scribe Pat McGreal -- is an enjoyable sendup of Hollywood, but what's most interesting about it is how unpredictable it is. The writers don't follow the typical paths of storytelling. At times, the writing felt almost random in nature, but ultimately, I enjoyed the unconventional tone in the plotting. Gonzalez's art boasts a much more typically Disney look to it. The story is demanding -- there are a lot of peripheral characters and a wide variety of backdrops, but the artist seems to handle all of them with seeming ease.
One can find Disney fare on newsstands in the form of the company's Disney Adventures entertainment magazine, which includes some comics, but it's a shame these Gemstone-published books aren't seen in wider distribution. Any parent willing to grab up an Archie digest off a department store rack should be given a choice, and Donald Duck Adventures merits consideration for young readers. 6/10
