“Alle” will secure the Onkel Skrue classic after it became known that several Andeby stories are to be withdrawn from production – allegedly due to offensive content. Collector Ruben Olsrud believes the measure is rash.
On Tuesday, it became known that several Andeby classics are allegedly to be stopped from all future publication.
According to a Facebook post from cartoonist Don Rosa, it concerns the stories “World’s richest man” and “A dream for life” from the larger work “Skrue McDuck’s life and life”.
This has caused demand to skyrocket.
– The demand for “Skrue McDuck’s life and life” has skyrocketed after it became known through VG a couple of days ago that a couple of the stories will be dropped in future editions. This is the most requested single title in the last two days, writes Norli marketing manager Caroline H. Heitmann in an e-mail to VG.
– The last books that the publisher Egmont had in stock are on their way out to the bookshops, and the book will probably be completely sold out early next week, she adds.
Speculation about zombies
The publisher Egmont distributes Donald Duck in Norway.
Kjell Frostrud Johnsen is director of Egmont Kids Media Nordic, and confirms to VG that they have experienced “somewhat increased demand” in recent days from booksellers for the book “Skrue McDuck’s life and life”.
Egmont has not commented on the background for wanting to stop the distribution of certain publications – or which publications apply.
– We are familiar with the case, and this also applies to some publications in Norway, informed press contact Tonje Tornes to Nettavisen Monday.
It is speculated that the controversy, among other things, concerns the character “Bombie The Zombie”.
He is a dark-skinned zombie that Uncle Skrue encounters in Africa. The character appears in the latter of the two stories.
Donald Duck collector: – A difficult case
Ruben Olsrud (22) from Løten has been hooked on Donald Duck since he was eight years old.
He says he understands that the publisher is reacting to certain elements in “Skrue McDuck’s life and life”, such as the character “Bombie The Zombie”, but he himself is divided on the question.
– In a way, it is a misinterpretation. This is a zombie, not a human. At the same time, it has many similarities with caricatures of African people, with rings in their noses and big lips. It is a difficult matter, he says to VG.
He reserves the right that it has not been confirmed which stories from Don Rosa’s universe may go out of distribution.
With both feet firmly planted in the collecting environment, he has recorded how many Donald Duck enthusiasts react to certain releases going out of distribution.
– The vast majority do not want any of that. Many see it as part of a terrible woke culture. At the same time, there are people who understand the objections, and suggest that the stories should be marked with an information poster at the front of the story.
He himself supports the latter solution, and points out that Disney has done the same in several films that may seem off-putting or offensive.
Olsrud says that he already has several editions of the magnum opus “Skrue McDuck’s life and life”, but that he is considering getting a nice edition of this in English language.
– At the same time, it’s a bit silly to spend thousands of kroner on a story that I already have. I live on a student budget, he says.
