THEDUCKTALES

Let it be known right away: Carl Barks had nothing to do with any elements of the Disney franchise DuckTales. DuckTales started in 1987 as a television series and later gave birth to the usual string of merchandise that follows a Disney success - comic books, videos, and video games, to name a few. Still, Barks was, in fact, credited for Story in some of the TV shorts simply because the stories to some extent were built on his comic book storylines. But he never received any kind of royalty.

Barks did once comment on DuckTales by simply stating that 'They are good for the business', but that they were cramming too many ideas into too short a time: 'Sometimes I feel that they are not using the ducks!' No doubt, Barks did not like the DuckTales very much which is also emphasized by the fact that he never owned a television set until he was well up in his seventies. He simply never got used to the staggering fast pace of the cartoons and the never-ending rapid cuts.

This page will give you a brief rundown on two of the most recognized types of DuckTales: The TV series and the comics.

THE TV SERIES

The early 1980s were a low-period for the Disney TV animation series which were, in general, low-budget, throwaway investments. Then the decision was made to venture into high-quality, prestigious half-hour shorts. The decision - risky as it was at the time - gave birth to an instant success. DuckTales.
The cast of characters was novel, too. The comic book star, Donald Duck, was reduced to being an occasional guest star. The recurrent stars of the series were Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Gyro Gearloose, Gladstone Gander, the Beagle Boys, and Magica de Spell also frequently appeared, as did brandnew characters such as Launchpad McQuack, Bentina Beakly, and Webby Vanderquack.
The Disney Company was very careful to maintain the integrity and personalities of its famous characters as they were adapted to their new format. As a result, the plot lines and background of the series remain remarkably consistent with the plot lines of the already established comic book stories. The stories often revolve around legends and mythology just as they did in Barks' long adventure stories with Scrooge.

The series was produced from 1987 to 1990, and is still seen in syndication all over the globe. A listing of all the shorts can be seen HERE.

The episodes in which Carl Barks' name and/or stories were involved are as follows:

7. Luck o' the Ducks
The title bears a resemblance to FC0256 Luck of the North

8. 'Til Nephews Do Us Part
The title bears a resemblance to the 1983 painting 'Til Death Do Us Part

10. The Duck in the Iron Mask
The title bears a resemblance to WDCS041 The Duck in the Iron Pants

18. The Status Seekers
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$41 The Status Seeker

24. Down and Out in Duckburg
Uses elements from FC0495 'The Horseradish Story'

33. The Golden Fleecing
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$12 The Golden Fleecing

42. Microducks From Outer Space
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$65 Micro-Ducks from Outer Space

43. Robot Robbers
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$58 The Giant Robot Robbers

45. Lost Crown Of Genghis Khan
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$14 The Lost Crown of Genghis Khan

54. Earth Quack
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$13 Land Beneath the Ground

56. Scrooge's Pet
Uses elements from U$09 The Lemming with the Locket

58. Back To The Klondike
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was FC0456 Back to Klondike

81. Liquid Assets
Uses elements from U$386 Only a Poor Old Man and FC0495 'The Movable Money Bin Tank'

84. The Billionaire Beagle Boys Club
Uses elements from FC0495 'The Movable Money Bin Tank'

89. The Unbreakable Bin
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$38 The Unsafe Safe

96. The Land of Trala La
Barks was credited for Story. His comic book version was U$06 'Tralla La'

THE COMIC BOOKS

Gladstone #1

Disney Comics #1

The TV series were followed by two series of comic books; The publisher Gladstone ran 13 issues from 1988 to 1990, and Disney Comics ran 18 issues from 1990 to 1991.
It is remarkable that the contents were not simple adaptations of the TV series but new stories produced especially for the comic book media. Storymen and scripters were (among others) Frank Ridgeway, John Lustig, and William van Horn, and the drawings were made by Robert Bat, Carlos Valenti, the Jaime Diaz Studio, and many others.

In the Gladstone series (except Nos. 6 and 8) one Carl Barks-adventure story was added.

A listing of all the stories can be seen HERE.