In my field of business, March is madness, but I survived the month and the latest edition of Mickey Mouse arrived in my mailbox. So, it is time for the review of the thrilling conclusion of Ripples in Time!
Quick recap of Part I: the villainous Rhyming Man returned in another mad attempt for world domination. A series of vibrations have occurred, caused by interference with the timeline. Our heroes, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and time traveler Uma, track down the Rhyming Man to a laboratory, who escapes via a time machine.
No, that is not Minnie Mouse in a blonde wig
Proving the adage that heroes react while villains act, the trio and the scientists discuss what to do next. Goofy apparently had no clue who the Rhyming Man was (Mickey never shared his stories and Goofy has never faced him?) and Mickey casually drops how he and Eega Beeva clashed with the foe. "World-famous villain? Yeah, I beat those by lunch."
Uma asked about him and Mickey is like, "Yeah, he is my other time traveling buddy. I am the everyman mouse with fantastical friends."
Next crossover should be Uma and Eega Beeva.
The scientists ask how Uma is and she mentions her status and her assignment. Goofy inserts some delightful word play "verse-spoutin' vermin." Mickey questions them about how the villainous villanelle broke in.
The scientists use a flashback to explain how the Rhyming Man broke in earlier after the trio left and blackmailed the duo.
By the way, the i in the Rhyming Man's speech bubbles aren't capitalized because he is a fan of e.e. cummings.
Does this mean Mickey and Goofy fought in the Crusades??? I know in one Italian story Mickey served under Robert E. Lee!
The physical evidence explains why he went around defacing books. Another reason why reading is more important than Netflix. Uma discovers he went to the year 2053 - the Browns finally win a Super Bowl that season - which is Uma's year. The scientists figure out that the disruptions are coming from his presence there. Mickey is all gung-ho to catch him - adrenaline junkie - but the scientists explain his traveling would only cause more trouble.
Uma says she will go and catch him - no harm, no foul by returning to her time. The only catch? Her time is so advanced that a return window has become obscure. Mickey is still eager to go (nothing good on TV) but Uma denies his request on the reasonable grounds of continuum destruction.
Mickey, remembering the script from The Amazing Lost Ocean, suggests using the scientists' hologram machine that allows people to virtually go to the future. How convenient. This is why I don't care for time travel stories.
Uma likes the idea and heads back to the future before Goofy can return Chernov's disc. That will be an important plot point. Mickey dismisses his concern and asks him if he is ready for a peek at the world of tomorrow (I get that reference!)
Joe Torcivia, our clever dialogue man, drops another reference with Uma's world to come quote. Which works on two levels since the Rhyming Man starred in that adventure. I might have chortled with glee.
Mickey is amazed by the futuristic world but frankly it looks the same as the city in Darkenblot.
I love how future clothes are always so tacky.
"Bad vibes give me worse vibes" is a lame line that crosses over into being hilarious.
The Rhyming Man heads to a library to collect additional information and checks out. He discovers that inflation (are we sure this isn't set in the present?) has accelerated to unprecedented levels and the bill comes to $45,000.16. Interestingly, the future still takes cash!
Two things: 1. I like how an unexpected thing like incredible cost trips up a devious plan. 2. Why is a library charging to checkout? Did something get lost in translation?
Like a true villain, he decides to shoplift, grabs one CD, and darts for the exit. He races out the door and runs into the trio. A massive ripple arrives, allowing him to slip away.
They decide to lay a trap, like a fly with honey. The word triggers Uma's memory about the H.O.N.E.Y. (Hypertechno-Logical Omnidisc Numerically Encoded By Year). Of course, that disk was the one she dropped back in 2026. But no worries, she has a plan.
The Rhyming Man rants about how the disc he stole only covers ships and fish. His mood might explain why he falls for the trio's most transparent trap in recorded history. They brag about having an important disc and Mr. Poet falls for it. Uma grabs him and returns to 2026.
They subdue the Rhyming Man until Goofy, once again proving loose lips sink ships, opens his gawrsh-dang mouth and mentions the omnidisc. The Rhyming Man gains a second wind and breaks free. The trio chases him across some gorgeous twilight artwork. They head to the Williamsbird Bridge - because Spiderman homages are great for brand synergy.
(Thoughts on the new Spiderman trailer?)
I would have enjoyed this twist even more had the Crosstalk update on the inner cover not spoiled it.
Despite his lack of rhymes, he is still a physical threat (if not as fun), and rushes at the heroes. He plunges over the side, quoting "I appear to be doomed" and falls into the water. Because if a story features the Rhyming Man, he must plunge into the murky depths - it is the law.
They wonder if he will ever come back - and Mickey knowing how these things work - says yes.
Artistic homage to the World to Come
Uma immediately dips out, forcing Mickey to recount the story to the scientists. Dr. Marlin says he knows why she left early and says he will remember your adventure. The scene cuts to the future where Uma reports back to her superiors.
Ripples in Time works well enough as a fun story to attract readers. The interplay between the trio carries the story. The Rhyming Man doesn't really do as much as in his previous jaunts and the final twist, if I am reading it correctly, suggests that the outcome was predestined, so even if he obtained the disc, it only contained cartoons. That is not much better than "it is just a dream" trope.
Torcivia's scripting once again does a great job of enhancing the plot. I assume the references to other stories are his own. It is a nice touch that adds to the richness of Mickey Mouse's comic universe.
I can't wait for the next issue. But until then, the Mickey Mouse Versus the Mouseton Society of Evil releases this month. I already preordered. I suggest you follow in my footsteps!
One and an half ears up!
