Week 4: Donald Duck and the Secret of Atlantis

Donald Duck

The Secret of Atlantis

My favorite comic I read out of all of those to choose from was Donald Duck in the Secret of

Atlantis. It has a similar appeal to the Peanuts series, with its cute characters and snarky comedy. However, since it's a much longer story than a comic strip, there are deeper meanings and dynamics that can be surmised.

Donald and Scrooge's dynamic seems to always be the same- they're in a pissing contest trying to get the better of one another. Scrooge seems to be older, though when the nephews, Hooey, Dooey, and Looey, are introduced, it places both the "uncas" on almost the same level because they are 'adults', though I would say Scrooge is definitely still representing an older generation than Donald. All the nephews are placed on a pedestal in terms of morality and intellect. Maybe this is to appeal to the reader, who is probably younger (maybe even a child).

Scrooge is obviously very greedy and in an endless pursuit of wealth, but he's also cautious with his money, perhaps for a reason. This may be commenting on the the older generation at the time, but I'm not exactly sure which generation. Perhaps they were old enough to have lived through major financial hardship like the depression and that's why he's weary to spend his money?

Meanwhile Donald is representing a younger generation and mindset. He is much more willing to spend his money on pleasurable things like soda- something Scrooge would never dream of! These characters could obviously take lessons from each other, one how to be responsible and the other on how to enjoy life more! After all, what's the point of all that money if you don't enjoy anything?