Post by alquackskey on Jun 17, 2021 18:15:47 GMT
Feathery Society Weekly Discussion Thread
Week 4
Main Subject
Raider of the Copper Hill - Don Rosa (1993)
I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link (D 92083)
The fourth chapter in "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" - The era of the cattle baron has passed, but Scrooge's search for wealth continues! He goes into the prospecting game - just as copper becomes widely desired. As such, Scrooge has a great deal of competition, and plenty of learning to do!
On his way, he meets Howard Rockerduck, a former prospector that managed to strike it rich - the man kindly teaches Scrooge the right way to go about prospecting.
That's not all that Scrooge learns, of course - as Howard himself once learned, people change when money is involved; a lesson that Scrooge learns the hard way.
What would you say are the highlights of this chapter? Are there any moments, panels etc that you think are underappreciated? Perhaps overappreciated?
How do you feel about the story in the grand scheme - how do you feel about Scrooge's personal progress in this chapter? How does it stand as an individual story, and how does it stand as a chapter in a saga?
How do you feel about the morals shown in this chapter? Do you think it was handled well? What are your thoughts to the reactions of the characters in-universe to the messages and morals shown?
And, of course, any thoughts not covered here are welcomed and encouraged!
Secondary Subject
Boat Buster - Carl Barks (1961)
I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link (W WDC 255-01)
In the very first appearance of John D. Rockerduck (and Barks' only use of the character), he gets into a fierce argument with Uncle Scrooge over their gasoline - specifically, whose is more powerful.
Naturally, the two make a bet on who has the better fuel - which results in Donald having to pilot one of the boats. The nephews and Uncle Scrooge prepare for the many ways in which Donald could make mistakes - and account for almost everything that could go wrong!
What are your thoughts on Rockerduck's introduction? Is it in-line with more prominent later characterizations, or is it a case of Early Instalment Weirdness?
How do you feel about the conflict? Given the current climate, is two old billionaires fighting over who has better gasoline a little too dated of a storyline, or does it still hold up as a fun little battle?
How do you feel about the ending and Donald's overall use in this story? Is it a little too hard on him, or are the hijinx around him still fun to read?
Cover Art Discussion
From Left to Right: Uncle Scrooge #288, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #255, Picsou Magazine #364
Character Discussion
Howard Rockerduck
The father of John D. Rockerduck, Howard is quite the opposite in terms of personality - despite his wealth, he's kind-hearted and relatively easy-going.
Unlike his family, he has no trouble associating with 'the commoners', and often acknowledges his roots.
Howard is one of the many figures to have played a significant role in Scrooge's life - both in teaching him the art of prospecting, and unknowingly playing an integral role in giving him his number one dime.
What are your thoughts on Howard as a character?
Would you like to see him used a little more? If so, in what context? If not, is it out of dislike or disinterest in the character?
Are there any aspects of his personality or story that you find particularly interesting?
Fanon Discussion
Is Scrooge, as a whole, a relatable character? Does his wealth make him, in a sense, difficult to relate to or sympathize with?
Scrooge McDuck is known to many as the richest duck in the world - most of his stories revolve around protecting/maintaining his wealth or increasing it, as well as battles and feuds with other wealthy figures.
Though some writers view him in different contexts (The idea that Scrooge chases money and treasure for the thrill of adventure or sentiment vs the idea that Scrooge is just that greedy), one cannot deny that Scrooge's wealth is a fundamental aspect of his character.
Does this make him difficult to relate to or sympathize with?
Often, Scrooge's struggles pertain to his wealth and status - for example, the fear that someone like Glomgold might become the richest duck in the world, or that someone like the Maharajah of Howdoyoustan is more wealthy than he is.
Then there are elements like Scrooge's nature as a cheapskate - most obviously, paying his family thirty cents an hour.
Do these factors lean a little too heavily into his capitalistic side for him to be likeable/relatable on some level, or is the disconnect from reality enough that you can look past it?
Do you enjoy the conflicts around Scrooge's wealth? Do you find them a little too hard to take seriously? (For example, the fear that this billionaire/trillionaire/multiplujillionaire might only be the second/third richest?)
Is there, perhaps, an element of Scrooge's character that's a little too dated for a general modern audience to relate to or do you think that his stories remain timeless?
Again, it's a complex topic, so any input, including any that's not discussed above, is always welcome!
Next Week's Topics:
Main Subject: The New Laird of the Castle McDuck - Don Rosa (1993) [I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link]
Secondary Subject: The History of the Clan McDuck - Don Rosa (1994) [I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link]
Character Discussion: The Clan McDuck prior to the generation of Dirty Dingus McDuck
Notes:
I figured that, seeing as I have a few things to say in this one, I may as well give it a separate section instead of just putting it in brackets.
So, for one, it's a bi-weekly discussion now - as in, every two weeks.
There have been a few comments on the volume of content in the threads, and it's been mentioned that there's a lot in it. As such, I feel like two weeks is a little more breathing room for everyone.
That includes myself - keeping up has been difficult thus far, and I feel like the extra time would make it so that I'm not scrambling to get the thread out.
I've not been active on here at all because of the amount I've got on my plate right now, so hopefully this will ease things on that front, too.
I also want to comment on formatting issues - I've been copy/pasting the same template each week, which causes issues for spacing.
It's not a significant issue, but if anyone has noticed that the spacing looks odd at times, that's why.
Last note - unless people want it back, I won't be putting out the fanon discussion topic until the actual discussion.
I haven't been getting any suggestions, and I'm getting to the topics fairly late.
If people put forward topics, I can put them up early - likewise, if people want me to come up with a topic earlier, I can. However, as it stands, I don't think there's any tremendous loss in leaving it until the time comes.
That's all - hope people are enjoying the threads!
I plan on going back and commenting on them when I have the time - I've wanted to engage, and have read people's comments, I just haven't been able to get involved myself!
Week 4
Main Subject
Raider of the Copper Hill - Don Rosa (1993)
I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link (D 92083)
The fourth chapter in "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" - The era of the cattle baron has passed, but Scrooge's search for wealth continues! He goes into the prospecting game - just as copper becomes widely desired. As such, Scrooge has a great deal of competition, and plenty of learning to do!
On his way, he meets Howard Rockerduck, a former prospector that managed to strike it rich - the man kindly teaches Scrooge the right way to go about prospecting.
That's not all that Scrooge learns, of course - as Howard himself once learned, people change when money is involved; a lesson that Scrooge learns the hard way.
What would you say are the highlights of this chapter? Are there any moments, panels etc that you think are underappreciated? Perhaps overappreciated?
How do you feel about the story in the grand scheme - how do you feel about Scrooge's personal progress in this chapter? How does it stand as an individual story, and how does it stand as a chapter in a saga?
How do you feel about the morals shown in this chapter? Do you think it was handled well? What are your thoughts to the reactions of the characters in-universe to the messages and morals shown?
And, of course, any thoughts not covered here are welcomed and encouraged!
Secondary Subject
Boat Buster - Carl Barks (1961)
I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link (W WDC 255-01)
In the very first appearance of John D. Rockerduck (and Barks' only use of the character), he gets into a fierce argument with Uncle Scrooge over their gasoline - specifically, whose is more powerful.
Naturally, the two make a bet on who has the better fuel - which results in Donald having to pilot one of the boats. The nephews and Uncle Scrooge prepare for the many ways in which Donald could make mistakes - and account for almost everything that could go wrong!
What are your thoughts on Rockerduck's introduction? Is it in-line with more prominent later characterizations, or is it a case of Early Instalment Weirdness?
How do you feel about the conflict? Given the current climate, is two old billionaires fighting over who has better gasoline a little too dated of a storyline, or does it still hold up as a fun little battle?
How do you feel about the ending and Donald's overall use in this story? Is it a little too hard on him, or are the hijinx around him still fun to read?
Cover Art Discussion
From Left to Right: Uncle Scrooge #288, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #255, Picsou Magazine #364
Character Discussion
Howard Rockerduck
The father of John D. Rockerduck, Howard is quite the opposite in terms of personality - despite his wealth, he's kind-hearted and relatively easy-going.
Unlike his family, he has no trouble associating with 'the commoners', and often acknowledges his roots.
Howard is one of the many figures to have played a significant role in Scrooge's life - both in teaching him the art of prospecting, and unknowingly playing an integral role in giving him his number one dime.
What are your thoughts on Howard as a character?
Would you like to see him used a little more? If so, in what context? If not, is it out of dislike or disinterest in the character?
Are there any aspects of his personality or story that you find particularly interesting?
Fanon Discussion
Is Scrooge, as a whole, a relatable character? Does his wealth make him, in a sense, difficult to relate to or sympathize with?
Scrooge McDuck is known to many as the richest duck in the world - most of his stories revolve around protecting/maintaining his wealth or increasing it, as well as battles and feuds with other wealthy figures.
Though some writers view him in different contexts (The idea that Scrooge chases money and treasure for the thrill of adventure or sentiment vs the idea that Scrooge is just that greedy), one cannot deny that Scrooge's wealth is a fundamental aspect of his character.
Does this make him difficult to relate to or sympathize with?
Often, Scrooge's struggles pertain to his wealth and status - for example, the fear that someone like Glomgold might become the richest duck in the world, or that someone like the Maharajah of Howdoyoustan is more wealthy than he is.
Then there are elements like Scrooge's nature as a cheapskate - most obviously, paying his family thirty cents an hour.
Do these factors lean a little too heavily into his capitalistic side for him to be likeable/relatable on some level, or is the disconnect from reality enough that you can look past it?
Do you enjoy the conflicts around Scrooge's wealth? Do you find them a little too hard to take seriously? (For example, the fear that this billionaire/trillionaire/multiplujillionaire might only be the second/third richest?)
Is there, perhaps, an element of Scrooge's character that's a little too dated for a general modern audience to relate to or do you think that his stories remain timeless?
Again, it's a complex topic, so any input, including any that's not discussed above, is always welcome!
Next Week's Topics:
Main Subject: The New Laird of the Castle McDuck - Don Rosa (1993) [I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link]
Secondary Subject: The History of the Clan McDuck - Don Rosa (1994) [I.N.D.U.C.K.S Link]
Character Discussion: The Clan McDuck prior to the generation of Dirty Dingus McDuck
Notes:
I figured that, seeing as I have a few things to say in this one, I may as well give it a separate section instead of just putting it in brackets.
So, for one, it's a bi-weekly discussion now - as in, every two weeks.
There have been a few comments on the volume of content in the threads, and it's been mentioned that there's a lot in it. As such, I feel like two weeks is a little more breathing room for everyone.
That includes myself - keeping up has been difficult thus far, and I feel like the extra time would make it so that I'm not scrambling to get the thread out.
I've not been active on here at all because of the amount I've got on my plate right now, so hopefully this will ease things on that front, too.
I also want to comment on formatting issues - I've been copy/pasting the same template each week, which causes issues for spacing.
It's not a significant issue, but if anyone has noticed that the spacing looks odd at times, that's why.
Last note - unless people want it back, I won't be putting out the fanon discussion topic until the actual discussion.
I haven't been getting any suggestions, and I'm getting to the topics fairly late.
If people put forward topics, I can put them up early - likewise, if people want me to come up with a topic earlier, I can. However, as it stands, I don't think there's any tremendous loss in leaving it until the time comes.
That's all - hope people are enjoying the threads!
I plan on going back and commenting on them when I have the time - I've wanted to engage, and have read people's comments, I just haven't been able to get involved myself!