Graphic Novel Reviews: Walt Disney's World of the Dragonlords
The Disney studios astonish me. For years, they've turned out one bad movie after another, all the while literally sitting on storyboards for what could be some of the greatest animated films ever made -- first Don Rosa's The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, and now this masterpiece by Byron Erickson and Giorgio Cavazzano. Originally comissioned as a 12-issue serial by Disney's German publisher, last year Gemstone Comics presented Walt Disney's World of the Dragonlords to English-reading audiences for the first time, and like Rosa's book, this is a Disney comic that far surpasses its contemporaries to tell a story worthy of the finest graphic novel libraries.
Huey, Dewey and Louie are on a picnic with their uncles Donald and Scrooge when a rift opens up in the fabric of reality. A human magician and warrior from another reality have escaped to Duckburg, with the dragon-riding creatures called the Morg hot on their tails. The ducks are pulled along to their homeworld and get embroiled in the fight by the human resistance to free themselves -- and their former friends, the dragons, from the despicable Morg.
This really is a true fantasy epic. The ducks are separated early and, caught up in a war, find themselves working sometimes at cross-purposes, sometimes together without realizing it. New characters are introduced -- friends and enemies both, and we see our heroes from every angle. The nephews are brave, Donald is determined, Scrooge is conniving -- all characterizations that perfectly match our heroes, and further the story. The publishers wanted a story focusing on the nephews, as they were apparently the most popular characters among their readership at the time, and the boys fall into their starring roles with ease. They show bravery and compassion far beyond their years, and never even fall back to the time honored (but often overused) Junior Woodchuck's Guidebook for assistance. Although Donald and Scrooge aren't in the forefront, they get their moments as well. Scrooge has a nice reversal of character, while Donald's sheer determination to find and save his nephews makes him a far more admirable character than he usually is. The book isn't entirely serious, though -- there are a lot of comical moments throughout, including a nice subplot back in Duckburg with a worried Daisy trying to find the missing ducks and a lost Morg getting along in the Ducks' world.
Cavazzano's artwork is right on the money as well -- he handles the Ducks and the fantasy elements with equal ease, and the final result is a wonderful comic that has a unique look while still remaining faithful to the characters.
Simply put, this long Disney adventure is one of the true masterpieces of the form. It's the sort of book parents can read with their children and both sit on the edge of their seats, and there's something seriously wrong with Disney for not pursuing the other avenues to tell this incredible story.
Huey, Dewey and Louie are on a picnic with their uncles Donald and Scrooge when a rift opens up in the fabric of reality. A human magician and warrior from another reality have escaped to Duckburg, with the dragon-riding creatures called the Morg hot on their tails. The ducks are pulled along to their homeworld and get embroiled in the fight by the human resistance to free themselves -- and their former friends, the dragons, from the despicable Morg.
This really is a true fantasy epic. The ducks are separated early and, caught up in a war, find themselves working sometimes at cross-purposes, sometimes together without realizing it. New characters are introduced -- friends and enemies both, and we see our heroes from every angle. The nephews are brave, Donald is determined, Scrooge is conniving -- all characterizations that perfectly match our heroes, and further the story. The publishers wanted a story focusing on the nephews, as they were apparently the most popular characters among their readership at the time, and the boys fall into their starring roles with ease. They show bravery and compassion far beyond their years, and never even fall back to the time honored (but often overused) Junior Woodchuck's Guidebook for assistance. Although Donald and Scrooge aren't in the forefront, they get their moments as well. Scrooge has a nice reversal of character, while Donald's sheer determination to find and save his nephews makes him a far more admirable character than he usually is. The book isn't entirely serious, though -- there are a lot of comical moments throughout, including a nice subplot back in Duckburg with a worried Daisy trying to find the missing ducks and a lost Morg getting along in the Ducks' world.
Cavazzano's artwork is right on the money as well -- he handles the Ducks and the fantasy elements with equal ease, and the final result is a wonderful comic that has a unique look while still remaining faithful to the characters.
Simply put, this long Disney adventure is one of the true masterpieces of the form. It's the sort of book parents can read with their children and both sit on the edge of their seats, and there's something seriously wrong with Disney for not pursuing the other avenues to tell this incredible story.