Hewey, Dewey, and Louie had a father who passed away, but I can't recall his name. Having been orphaned very young, they were taken under the wing of their uncle, Donald, and also watched over (to some extent) by Daisy, Donald's sometime girlfriend. It is ludicrous to assert that a hunter shot their father, because in the world of Donald Duck the ducks are themselves among the ruling races...and are themselves hunters on occasion.

Duckburg, as you know, is a great city, and is named after the ducks who founded it in the pioneering times. It is very much like Toronto, but not quite so far north. It's in the area corresponding to the American Midwest, near the Great Lakes.

The Beagle Boys differ from most criminals, in that they are all closely related by blood...they are all members of the Beagle family...this accounting for their great homogeneity of appearance. They are born into the criminal trade and are proud of it. Some have even been born in prison. Their special vendetta against Scrooge McDuck is due primarily to the fact that he's the richest duck on Earth, and they can't resist the challenge. He's also a very worthy opponent. The Beagle Boys have become quite fond of Scrooge over the years, although tempers can become frayed at times, in the heat of the action...and they have a mean image to live up to.

An even worthier opponent, possibly, is found in the three ducklings, Hewey, Dewey and Louie....the Junior Woodchucks organization...and the Official Hound. When it comes to sheer resourcefulness and craft they are unsurpassed. This has proven to be the downfall of the Beagle Boys' best laid plans on many occasions, not to mention Donald Duck's plans to avoid such tasks as spring cleaning for Daisy!

Donald is "everyduck". He's conventional, but a bit eccentric. His reach usually exceeds his grasp, but he never gives up. He is a very sympathetic character, plagued by a short temper and an inability to get along with his neighbours (particularly the notorious "Jones").

An interesting character in the same community is the inventor, Gyro Gearloose. He has had great difficulties over the years in gaining recognition, but never stops trying. His nemesis is the lowly toaster...a device which refuses utterly to be perfected, even by Gyro.

Also worthy of mention is Gyro's "helper"....a little mechanical man with a lightbulb for a head. He's clever, and clearly has a living soul. This alone should serve to crown Gyro as the greatest inventor of all time.

For the REAL duck stories...read Carl Barks. Don Rosa is okay too.

Quack!!!