Magica De Spell, the iconic Disney villain, is known for her relentless pursuit of Scrooge McDuck’s lucky dime. This isn’t just about greed; for Magica, that first coin earned by the richest duck in the world is the key to unimaginable power. Melted down and forged into an amulet, it promises to grant her abilities that range from Midas-like riches to outright magical dominance, depending on the tale being told. The classic setup is simple yet endlessly versatile: Magica concocts a new scheme to snatch the dime, and inevitably, fails. This formula has fueled countless stories, allowing for creative remixes involving time-traveling Gyro Gearlooses, gravity-bending spells, and even quests for coins from inflation-adjusted pirate duck billionaires.
However, the most captivating Magica stories often shift perspective, placing us squarely in the witch’s pointy shoes. These narratives, reminiscent of Pinky and the Brain or Wile E. Coyote cartoons, transform Magica into a sympathetic, almost endearing character. While still the villain, her unwavering determination and tireless efforts against the often-cantankerous Scrooge make you almost root for her success. It’s a compelling paradox: a character expending monumental energy on a “lazy” path to wealth, when her formidable skills could undoubtedly lead to triumph in more conventional endeavors.
Magica with a punk mohawk
Consider the comic “Amelia e le due numero 1,” which translates roughly to “Amelia and the Number Twos,” likely titled “Double or Nothing” in English. Penned by Antonella Pandini and illustrated by Alessia Martusciello, this gem was first published in Italy in 2000, showcasing the creative storytelling often found within Euro Disney comics.
Diving into the Multiverse with Magica
Multiverse stories are a popular trope today, offering exciting “what-if” scenarios and alternate versions of beloved characters. Magica De Spell, ever resourceful, decides to exploit this concept for her own dime-grabbing purposes. Her plan, deceptively simple yet conceptually rich, is to bypass the challenge of stealing Scrooge’s dime in her universe by finding a parallel reality where it’s easier.
Scanning the multiverse, she discovers two promising candidates. In one universe, Scrooge and Magica are strangers. Scrooge remains his usual self, while this Magica focuses solely on being the most formidable witch, sporting a striking punk mohawk and a fiercely independent attitude. This immediately showcases how Euro Disney comics can playfully reimagine familiar characters.
Magica in a corporate look alongside Scrooge McDuck
The second universe is even more intriguing. Here, Magica is Scrooge’s trusted confidante and business partner, adopting a modern, “corporate” aesthetic. Scrooge in this reality is remarkably benign and charitable, happily married to Brigitta Macbridge, a Euro Disney comics mainstay. Even the Money Bin is adorned with flowers! It seems that the absence of constant dime-related threats and Magica’s positive influence have brought out the best in Scrooge.
This “Good!Magica” isn’t an act; her partnership with Scrooge is genuine. This alternate universe is a true reflection of how different things could be. While Original!Magica initially finds this universe repulsive, her inherent pettiness is also intrigued by the ease of obtaining a dime in such a reality.
Double Trouble and Cosmic Consequences
Magica effortlessly snatches the dime from the benevolent Scrooge and returns home. However, in true comedic villain fashion, she doesn’t know when to quit. Driven by greed, she decides to “double dip,” returning to the other universe for a second dime, aiming to forge a “Cosmic Amulet of Even Moar Power.”
Magica confronted by her alternate selves
She quickly secures the second coin, but by this point, the Magicas of these alternate universes have caught on to her incursions. Good!Magica rushes to defend her business partner, while Punk!Magica is simply enraged that Original!Magica dared to steal what she believes should have been hers.
A magical duel ensues. While some portrayals of Magica, like in Ducktales or purist comic interpretations, limit her to potions and trickery, here she’s flying on broomsticks and unleashing magic blasts. This dynamic, visually engaging magic battle is a testament to the artistic freedom found in Euro Disney comics. Ultimately, OG!Magica manages to banish her duplicates back to their respective universes and seals the dimensional portals.
Celebrating her apparent victory, Magica forges her amulet. But her triumph is short-lived. The amulet, crafted from materials from different realities, becomes an unstable, unnatural object that tears apart the fabric of reality.
Magica trapped in a void
Magica finds herself stranded in an empty black void, mocked by her alternate selves. Tripping at the finish line is a recurring theme in Magica-centric stories, but this cosmic-scale failure is arguably her most spectacular.
In the end, Magica is forced to undo her amulet. The story concludes with a classic comic book flourish: she crashes back through all the realities, getting bombarded with witch-repelling garlic (apparently a thing in this universe) from Scrooge’s Money Bin at each stop.
Magica crashing through realities
While the multiverse concept is even more prevalent today, this comedic 31-page comic remains a delightful and visually appealing read. It exemplifies the creativity and character focus that Euro Disney comics often deliver. While a dedicated Magica animated series might be a long shot, these comics offer a rich trove of stories where she takes center stage, showcasing her enduring appeal.
Chin up, Magica! There’s always next time, especially within the imaginative world of Euro Disney comics!
ELSEWHERE IN THE EURO MULTIVERSE
This volume also includes other quirky and imaginative stories, typical of the Euro Disney style:
- Cousin Fethry hilariously bluffs his way into a lawyer’s license.
- Donald Duck develops amnesia and becomes an entrepreneur, much to Scrooge and Daisy’s annoyance.
- A vampire story featuring Mickey Mouse in Transylvania, with a character named Van Mousing.
- Donald Duck gets mistaken for a spy in an international espionage plot involving an elephant with a map to a uranium mine on its ear.
- Donald faces a perilous journey to deliver a package during a blizzard, encountering counterfeiters and a bomb.
Mickey Mouse as a vampire in Transylvania
These brief glimpses highlight the diverse and entertaining content found within Euro Disney comics, proving that they are a treasure trove for Disney fans seeking imaginative and humorous adventures beyond the usual animated fare.
