Let’s Get Dangerous?
In 1991 one of my all-time favorite cartoons debuted and featured a superhero like no other…the terror that flaps in the night, Darkwing Duck! This cartoon followed the dangerous misadventures of the alter ego of Drake Mallard, Darkwing Duck. By day Drake Mallard is an ordinary suburban duck raising his adopted daughter, Gosalyn but at night with the help of his sidekick Launchpad McQuack, Darkwing Duck is the defender and the one true superhero of St. Canard.
When I found out that one of my favorite comic book companies, Dynamite Comics (Army of Darkness, the Boys) was bringing Darkwing back in my favorite media form (comic book) my 12-year-old self was ecstatic. The comic series features all the loveable characters from the cartoon like Gosalyn Launchpad, and the Muddlefoots, with a cameo from Morgana Macawber, and villains like Megavolt and Quackerjack.
This series doesn’t disappoint and will bring you right back to your childhood (especially if you’re from my generation). It’s penned by writer Amanda Deibert (Wonder Woman ’77, Red Sonja: Black, White, Red) with art by Carlo Lauro (Disney, Panini) and featuring a whole slew of variant cover artists, including Cat Staggs (Star Trek, The X-Files) and Alan Quah (Nightwing, The Amazing Spider-Man.
At the time of this publication, there have only been three issues released but so far the stories have been well-written and entertaining. Deibert does a great job of keeping Darkwing true to his egotistic self with silly one-liners and well-placed comic relief. The artwork by Lauro is fantastic. It has the classic feel of Darkwing Duck with a modern tone. The Darkwing artwork has bold colors contrasted with dark tones.
In the first issue, we’re introduced to mild-mannered Drake Mallard and his shadowy alter ego, Darkwing Duck along with a majority of the series’ supporting characters. In this issue, Darkwing is trying to navigate two separate lives: fatherhood and superhero. This humorous adventure follows Darkwing and his trusty crew as they defend St. Canard from the dreadful Megavolt.
In the second issue, Darkwing must face off with Quackerjack to stop his reign of terror over the fine civilians of St. Canard. As Darkwing becomes an overprotective parent of Gosalyn, he loses the focus he once had to be a superhero. After his crisis of conscience, Darkwing decides to retire and in issue three hangs up his cape forever to live the rest of his life as Drake Mallard. He convinces his girlfriend, Morgana to join him for a suburban life in St. Canard and raise his daughter Gosalyn. By the end of issue three we’re left wondering, will Drake Mallard stay in retirement, or will Darkwing Duck suit up and get dangerous? I can’t wait to find out.
While kiddish, the storytelling combined with bold artwork is still captivating. Overall, this comic hits all the marks for a nostalgic escape into the Darkwing Duck universe. Although the series is good so far and I think it has the potential to be a great series, I’m giving this series 4 out of 5 Ka-POWS.
Issue four is scheduled to hit comic book shops on April 19th, 2023. If you were a fan of the cartoon, I highly recommend this book. Since it’s early in its run, issues 1–3 should be fairly easy to find and there’s plenty of time to get caught up before the next issue hits shops.
