This November, dynamite and disney will release duck story with writers Brandon Montclair Leading a new comic centered around Duckburg’s famous poultry. Montclair spoke with The Beat about the upcoming book and what fans old and new can expect from Scrooge and the crew.
DEANNA DESTITO: How excited are you about writing DuckTales?
Brandon Montclair: It’s always exciting when an editor contacts you because they’re a fan of your work and want to work with you to develop it. Nate Cosby Contact me about writing a Disney book. Because I’ve done so much Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur For Marvel, I would look at children’s books in the direct market. Dynamite/Disney stuff is popular. All works have an excellent team of creators. And a very interesting cast of characters. I’m also starting to crave the monthly series again. Do you know the story of the tortoise and the hare? I have several original graphic novels…and they’re all turtles! So I’m interested in putting it on the shelves again. The fast pace of each month (even though you’re forced to be fast) feels good.
I know a lot of Disney properties, but not all. I’m lucky that my entire career I’ve been developing games I love or working with creators I love…and almost always both. So I was spoiled. I had no idea what Nate was thinking until our follow-up. But when I heard it, I quickly said yes “Duck Tales”. I can’t remember what I was expecting or hoping for… whatever it was, I must have quickly forgotten it because I was so excited.
DESTITO: As a kid, I watched this show religiously. What can new and old fans expect from this book?
Montclair: The new Dynamite book is entirely based on the 1987 comic. Since many of the original comics were taken from classic comics, we were able to bring all of that into our stories. so there are many Carl Backus and Don Rosa. That’s right: because when you have a legendary legacy, you use it!
What we bring to the book for fans of classic comics is how we use flashbacks. Scrooge McDuck’s new adventures rival the excitement of any hero: but Huey, Dewey and Louie have always wondered how their uncle made his endless millions. No one told stories better than Scrooge. So to do this, Thomas Ronda I Hail the Master: Flashbacks—of which there are several in each issue—will be completed in the classic 8-page style of Uncle Scrooge creator Carl Backus.
As for the main story of each chapter…and your favorite characters from the show every time you see them…it will all feel very familiar. I think when you have something that works perfectly, you can’t screw it up. This is who I am, and it’s not the only way to do things. Take The Incredible Hulk for example: my pitch for this series is that a scientist, when he gets angry, he blacks out and unleashes his inner monster, and when he wakes up – he wishes he hadn’t done anything too bad , but as the story develops, you will see that the monster is the real hero. In other words: not unlike the characters played by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. But Bill Mantlo, Peter David, and Greg Pak (just to name a few) have taken the Hulk in all kinds of cool directions.
But, again, about duck story: I think this is a perfect arrangement. I’d be more than happy to tell a hundred stories that won’t change that. I’m lucky enough to have a lot of creator-owned stuff that’s all my own. I was lucky enough to be able to produce a thousand pages of Moongirls: New Characters in the Shared Universe. So I’ve never been caught creatively. Therefore, new duck story will feel old in some ways DuckTales.
DESTITO: Will we see fan-favorite characters?
Montclair: The first five issues specifically focus on the “four cores”. Scrooge, Huey, Dewey and Louie. The title of this story is “The Four Corners of Your World”. Ostensibly, this has to do with DuckBurg and the mysterious happenings outside the door. But the title also signifies the four characters who drive the series’ entire narrative. Three boys idolize the coolest uncle you can imagine. What impact does this kind of worship have on an old man who seemingly only cares about money his whole life? That’s what it’s about… mostly… but it also touches on Launchpad’s clash of styles, Webby’s actual abilities, the mind of Gyro Gearloose, Generator Gizmoduck, misterioso Magica De Spell, what (if anything) makes Beagle Boy Things are different, Dufus gets another big chance, what happened behind Duckworth’s stiff demeanor, and what happened to Bubba the Cave Duck?
DESTITO: Will you bring anything new to this universe?
Montclair: New stories about old favorites! It’s a love letter to the 1987 show (and the comics that inspired it). Having said that: what’s new is what Tommaso and I and the rest of the team can bring to the table with our skills and style.
DESTITO: How was it working with this creative team?
Montclair: The cooperation is still in its early stages. So we’ll have to see. But what’s really surprising is how well this book comes together on the page. Often some kinks need to be worked out to get into a team rhythm. But the first few pages beat like a tight drum. This was largely due to Tommaso’s experience working at a studio that produced a large number of Disney books for the European market. But more important is his talent. duck story and $uncle crutch Internationally it’s huge – I don’t know the guy yet, but I think it feels like I’m writing Superman. This character connects you to the comic itself, exhilarating and terrifying you at the same time (so work hard!).
DESTITO: If you could make a DuckTales connection, which world or character would you choose?
Montclair: There are so many ways to answer this question! Consumption between Uncle Scrooge and Richie Rich? Star Wars has Scrooge as Obi-Wan, Launchpad as Han Solo, Huey, Dewey and Louie as the three Luke Skywalkers…that’s starting to dry up…who’s going to play Darth Vader? Scrooge trades three nephews for seven dwarfs before realizing bloodline is more important than mountain mining rights?
I have a good one: Indiana Jones. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are both fans of the classic comic book Uncle Scrooge. Go google for inspiration on giant, rolling boulders Guide to the Lost Ark. Perhaps Indy is the only character as good as Scrooge McDuck in his adventures in search of ancient treasure!
Check out some preview pages here!
