Carl Barks (1901–2000)

The humour has aged perhaps surprisingly well (excepting the fat joke at the end of "Serenade for a Senorita"), but beyond Barks' trademark rustic wisdom being imparted in the final panels, there isn't all that much beyond the humour to enjoy here. That said, I was pleased to experience a surprising amount of actual tension and concern for their well-being when interacting with the wolf in "The Intrepid Wolf Trappers"!

"Lost in the Andes" and "Son of the Sun" are among my favourite Duck adventures. "Return to Plain Awful" isn't quite on the same level, but still a solid and fun effort. And while this publication series historically tend to stretch the logic of what's a natural third story to include, this time all three stories work quite well together (assuming one reads "Son of the Sun" in the middle rather than at the end like it has been placed in the collection), sharing cast, location and many themes.

"Vacation time", included in this volume, is probably the best Carl Banks story I ever read. The art is so beautiful, you can see that drawing those forest panels was a labor of love. No other Bank's story has such details, lavish backgrounds and colors. A sight for the eyes. And it's so great to read a story where Donald is truly in charge. He truly shine in this story.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Introduction. Greed, Gold, and the Good Life / Giles Moran -- Tralla-La [from Uncle Scrooge #6 (1954)] / Carl Barks, writer and illustrator -- Teahouse of the Waggin' Dragon [from Walt Disney Huey, Dewey and Louie: Junior Woodchucks #19 (March 1973)] / Carl Barks, writer; Kay Wright, illustrator -- Isle of Golden Geese [from Uncle Scrooge #45 (1963)] / Carl Barks, writer and illustrator