Magica De Spell is a fictional character from the Scrooge McDuck universe, which includes comic books and animated series. Created by Carl Barks, she first appeared in the comic “The Midas Touch” in December 1961.
Magica is a sorceress and one of the main antagonists in the series, often pitted against Scrooge McDuck and his family.
She is characterized by her relentless pursuit of Scrooge’s Number One Dime, which she believes will amplify her magical abilities, given that it’s the first dime earned by the wealthiest duck in the world.
DuckTales’ Magica De Spell
From the mystical realm of Mt. Vesuvius, Magica De Spell swoops into DuckTales, leaving a trail of enchanting chaos. With her raven-shaped shadow, this sassy sorceress doesn’t just cast spells; she captivates the audience with her charmingly nefarious antics.
She’s not your typical cackling witch but a character imbued with an unusual mix of ambition, cunning, and a dash of humor. This blend transforms her into a glamorous figure we can’t help but admire.
The Spellbook of Schemes
Magica De Spell’s obsession with Scrooge McDuck’s Number One Dime is legendary. Her scheming plots to snatch this lucky coin are as eclectic as they are relentless.
From turning herself into an innocent, wide-eyed niece to commanding a horde of inanimate objects, her creativity knows no bounds. Her tricks make every episode a veritable Pandora’s box of delightful unpredictability.
Fashionably Fearsome
Initially introduced as a mysterious black shadow with piercing red eyes in “The Beagle Birthday Massacre!”, she stepped into the spotlight with a speaking role in “Terror of the Terra-firmians!”.
In “The Shadow War!” once she possesses Scrooge’s prized Number One Dime, her true form is revealed: a tall, slender duck adorned with green feathers, haunting yellow eyes with triangular pupils, and chic, short black hair.
She’s naturally web-footed, but she began donning low-heeled shoes as showcased in “The Phantom and the Sorceress!”.
Her signature look is a sleek black dress complemented by long fingerless gloves and a flowing black cape. A significant shift occurs when her magical staff shatters, causing her vibrant green feathers to pale to white as her magical abilities wane.
Yet, by the conclusion of “The Phantom and the Sorceress!”, she reclaims her amulet from Lena, restoring her powers and her original green hue.
The Power of Persistence
While Magica may be a villain, she teaches us an important lesson about persistence. Despite her numerous failed attempts at acquiring Scrooge’s dime, she never gives up. Instead, she regroups, re-strategizes, and comes back stronger. Her resilience is as admirable as instructive, reminding us that the magic lies in trying again in the face of failure.
In the Shadow of a Raven
One of the most intriguing aspects of Magica De Spell is her living shadow, Poe. Transformed from a raven into an ethereal sidekick due to a spell gone awry, Poe is the perfect foil to Magica. Their interactions add a layer of warmth and humor to her character, showing us that even a villain can have a soft spot.
Enchantingly Unforgettable
Magica De Spell’s entrancing charm lies not just in her magical powers but in her larger-than-life personality. She’s a captivating blend of mischief and ambition, a villainess who turns every setback into a setup for a grand comeback.
This raven-haired sorceress from DuckTales has indeed cast a spell, making her an unforgettable figure in the realm of animated antagonists.
Personality
Magica De Spell is a paradox, a villainess who captivates while she conspires. Her personality is a heady brew of ambition, cunning, humor, and surprising depth. She’s persistent, never letting failure deter her from her ultimate goal. Yet, she’s not a one-note character defined only by her desire for Scrooge’s dime.
Magica is quick-witted, resourceful, and has a flair for the dramatic, adding a layer of appeal to her character. She’s a villain, yes, but one who’s compellingly charismatic. Her interactions with her shadow, Poe, reveals a softer side to her, adding depth to her character. This charisma, cunning, and complexity blend makes Magica De Spell a memorable character.
Powers and Abilities
Magica wields immense magical power. She can teleport across vast distances, manipulate matter on a sub-molecular scale, and shape-shift into any animal.
Moreover, she’s known for her fondness for “foof bombs.” This penchant dates back to her initial appearance in the comics. Notably, in the Darkwing Duck/DuckTales crossover arc, “Dangerous Currency,” she employs hypnotic variants of these bombs to deceive the Phantom Blot.
Interestingly, the comics often depict garlic as Magica’s Achilles heel. This common kitchen ingredient repels witchcraft, stripping her of her magical prowess when she’s close to it. Consequently, Scrooge frequently uses garlic to safeguard his money bin during her assaults. While Magica’s appearance is deceivingly youthful, many references, especially by fellow witches and wizards, hint at her being centuries old.
Topolino
In Disney Italy comics, Magica fondly referred to as Amelia, stands out as a prominent figure. Her tagline, “la fattucchiera che ammalia,” translates to “the bewitching witch.”
Undergoing a youthful transformation, Amelia sports longer hair, more rounded eyes, reduced eyelashes, and forgoes her signature eyeshadow. Yet, her youthful veneer doesn’t deter her from her relentless pursuit of Scrooge’s coveted Number One Dime.
Her trusted raven, Gennarino, formerly known as Ratface, is Accompanying her on her escapades. Occasionally, she teams up with other magical cohorts, such as Roberta, the techno-witch and magic scientist who shares a unique bond with Amelia.
Contrary to her villainous reputation, many tales cast her in a leading role, delving deeper into her psyche and rendering her a more relatable and empathetic character.
Her Italian roots shine through in various sports-themed narratives where she passionately cheers for the Italian National Team, with soccer being a recurring theme. Furthermore, she graces numerous Disney Parodies, invariably stepping into the shoes of a witch or a mysterious dark lady.
A Voice to Charm the Stars
June Foray’s phenomenal voice acting transformed Magica into a character of enchanting depth. With a thick Eastern European accent, she breathed life into a villainess as cunning as she is comedic.
It’s a perfect paradox: a voice so alluring, it becomes music to our ears, even while plotting dastardly deeds.
Relatives
- Minima De Spell (niece)
- Nonna Caraldina (grandmother)
- Matilda (cousin)
- Tragica De Spell (great-grandmother)
- Lena De Spell (creation/”niece”)
Pets
- Ratface (raven)
- Poe De Spell (raven)
- Bradford Buzzard (vulture; reboot series only)
Creator’s Inspiration: Magica De Spell
- Creator’s Inspiration: Magica De Spell was created by the legendary comic book artist and writer Carl Barks. He was inspired by Italian actress Sophia Loren while creating Magica’s character.
- Unique Living Situation: Magica lives in a fascinating location – a spooky, decrepit manor on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, a famous volcano in Italy.
- Sibling Sidekick: Her sidekick is a raven named Poe, actually her brother. Due to a magical mishap, Poe was transformed into a non-anthropomorphic raven. Magica has been trying to reverse this spell ever since.
- Avid Collector: Magica is an obsessive collector of “lucky dimes.” Her ultimate goal is to melt Scrooge McDuck’s first earned dime and her amassed collection of lucky coins into an amulet. She believes this will give her the Midas Touch – the ability to turn anything she touches into gold.
- Reimagined for the Reboot: In the 2017 reboot of “DuckTales,” Magica’s character was reimagined. Her backstory was fleshed out more, and she was portrayed as being trapped in Scrooge’s Number One Dime, with her niece Lena working to free her. This version of Magica was voiced by Catherine Tate, best known for her role as Donna Noble in “Doctor Who.”
- Symbolism: The character of Magica De Spell often symbolizes greed and obsession as she relentlessly pursues Scrooge’s Number One Dime to gain more power. Despite her numerous failures, she never gives up, illustrating the lengths to which obsession and greed can drive individuals.