Scrooge McDuck is challenged to a race around the world by rival John D. Rockerduck. The challenge for Scrooge is not to make it in 80 days or less, but to spend 80 bucks or less. Can the frugal Scrooge find a way to complete the journey on very tight budget?
Uncle Scrooge – Around the World in 80 Bucks
Writer: Staff Di If
Artists: Fransesc Bargada Studio
Letterer: Jose Macasocol Jr.
Published by Boom Kids
Scrooge is known for his penny pinching, tight wallet and grumpy attitude. He only seems to lighten up when the chance to make a buck or two comes along. In this story Scrooge is challenged to a race around the world by a business rival. However, Scrooge has to do the whole trip with less than 80 bucks in little used money purse.
The story opens with Scrooge at the Duckburg Billionaires Club, reading the paper. His rival, John D Rockerduck is boasting about his latest vacation, travelling around the work in his luxurious yacht. He asks McDuck how he’ll be spending his vacation, to which Scrooge replies, that he’ll be at home making money from travelers like Rockerduck staying at his hotels, and buying gas at his gas stations. Rockerduck thinks that Scrooge is jealous and soon the challenge is issued. McDuck must travel around the world visiting famous landmarks and can spend no more then $80 for the whole trip. Scrooge is so confident that he even says he’ll bring along a partner and still not go over budget.
In comes Donald Duck, Scrooge’s nephew and in this adventure his Passpartout. Donald doesn’t believe it can be done but has no other vacation plans as he nephews have gone to a Woodchucks camp for the summer. Rockerduck is not going to sit idly by however and let McDuck have an easy time of it. He has arranged for a saboteur to prevent Scrooge from succeeding.
The story unfolds as Scrooge finds ways to spend as little as possible to get where he needs to go and in some cases actually earn a few bucks along the way. Rockerduck continually attempts to undermine Scrooge and Donald’s plans, sometimes successfully, but not in the way he would have hoped.
The art is very typically Disney style. The characters are drawn and colored in the same way they always have in both film and comic. It’s a wonderful throwback to a simple drawing style that puts more emphasis on the story then the images.
Bottom Line: Is It Right For Kids?
As a parent, this is the kind of book that I love to see. It has a fun and simple story that young kids will find easy to follow. The images are clean and colorful with just the right amount of detail when needed. Kids can even learn a few things along the way. This book is very right for kids. Young and old will enjoy this story. 4 out of 5 Stars.
