The Second-Richest Duck is a Disney Ducks Comic Universe comic book written and drawn by Carl Barks. It was printed in September 1956, in Uncle Scrooge #15. It is remembered for being the debut of Flintheart Glomgold, Scrooge's arch-rival for the title of World's Richest Duck.
One day out, Scrooge McDuck runs into his nephew Donald Duck, and is appalled that Donald plans to buy an ice cream soda. Scrooge takes Donald to his Money Bin, extolling the virtues of thriftiness- Not only does he still have the first dime he earned (Tied to a string) he’s even got a giant ball of string saved up. Donald would much rather have the ice cream soda, and the fed-up Scrooge kicks him out.
While looking for discarded newspapers in the park (To avoid the need to buy them) Scrooge finds an article declaring that an Afrikaner mine owner named Flintheart Glomgold has been declared the world’s richest duck. With his title in jeopardy, Scrooge does an audit of his accounts, and learns that he still has more money than this Glomgold. He decides to go to Africa and settle the score personally, taking Donald, Huey, Dewey and Louie along in case he loses and needs to be carried back.
On the boat to Africa, Scrooge tries to add to his string ball (Which he brought along his list of possessions) but runs into trouble when a supposed stray string belongs to another old duck, with a string ball of his own. Arriving at Glomgold’s headquarters, the Ducks find that it is a Money Bin as well, and seems to have everything Scrooge has- including a cannon to "welcome" visitors. We then meet Flintheart Glomgold, the same old duck from the boat!
Scrooge and Glomgold start comparing their wealth, and by the next morning have found they are even in just about everything. The only thing left is their balls of string. The two old ducks decide to unravel their string across the African landscape to see whose is longer. Scrooge figures he’ll win with his nephews’ help, but Glomgold thinks that his knowledge of the territory gives him the edge.
And so the last contest begins, with Scrooge and Glomgold trying to avoid natural hazards while simultaneously trying to sabotage each other. Both balls of string are destroyed by increasing amounts. At the end, both strings are of equal length, but then Scrooge reveals his trump card- He adds the string holding his Number One Dime, winning the contest! As the Ducks journey home (With the defeated Glomgold having to be carried back) Scrooge talks again about the importance of saving up. Donald, however, would still rather have an ice cream soda.
This story has examples of:
- Animal Stampede: This being Africa written in the 50s, of course the Ducks have to contend with one of these during the string contest.
- Chekhov's Gun: The string Scrooge has on his Number One Dime. He shows it off at the beginning of the story, and it is used at the end to win the string contest.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Glomgold isn't nearly as antagonistic as he'd eventually become as Scrooge's official Arch-Enemy. He doesn't even do anything particularly dishonest until the sequel story The Money-Champ. Hell, Scrooge arguably comes off as a bigger jerk in this story.
- Lame Comeback: Glomgold calls Scrooge "shorty". They're the exact same height.
- Let Me at Him!: Both Scrooge and Glomgold get so worked up comparing their wealth that they have to be restrained by the nephews.
- Morality Chain: When the Ducks hide in the trees to avoid the stampede, Scrooge actually tries to shake Glomgold off his branch. When one of the triplets tells him off, Scrooge stops.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Reaching Glomgold's money bin, Scrooge notes how much of Glomgold's defenses mirror his own.
- Oblivious to His Own Description: Donald is vastly amused by Scrooge's inability to see the resemblance between himself and Glomgold:Glomgold: I've read about you in the newspapers I find in the park!
Scrooge: [aside] The tightwad doesn't even buy newspapers! Can you believe it? - Poor Communication Kills: Scrooge sent a telegram to alert Glomgold of his visit. But since Scrooge is too cheap to pay to send and Glomgold is too cheap to pay for receiving, it never arrived. Thus, Glomgold didn't know Scrooge was coming.
- Slipping a Mickey: Among dirty tricks, Scrooge gives Glomgold some coffee, which is drugged.
