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Darkwing Duck #1

Darkwing Duck, Vol. 1: The Duck Knight Returns

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It has been a year since Darkwing Duck has been seen in the city of St. Canard, the mighty metropolis the masked mallard had sworn to protect! The streets of St. Canard are crime-free, patrolled by the new robotic Crimebots of the Quackwerks Corporation. Whatever become of the self-styled Terror That Flaps In The Night? And when Quackerjack decides to "put the old band back together," will Drake Mallard answer the call of justice? Written by Aaron Sparrow and Ian Brill, with stunning artwork by modern duck master James Silvani, colors by DC Comics superstar Andrew Dalhouse, and Eisner and Harvey Award nominated letterer Deron Bennett, this is one collection not to be missed!

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2010

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Ian Brill

94 books1 follower

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5 stars
140 (45%)
4 stars
116 (37%)
3 stars
42 (13%)
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6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Adam Graham.
Author 57 books67 followers
December 14, 2013
: "Daring duck mystery, champion of the right, swoops down from the shadows, darkwing owns the night..."
If you grew up watching the Disney Afternoon like I did, you know the rest. Darkwing Duck, the legendary crimefighter of St. Canard bravely fought evil and crime of all sorts from 1991-95. After his initial run in the Disney Afternoon, he had two thirteen episode seasons on ABC's Saturday Morning.

The show was influential on me and my writing for two reasons. First was it's focus on combining the superhero and comedy elements with an eye towards parody. The second was introducing a family life in the superhero with the responsibility of raising an adopted daughter.

So when I found out that Boom Studios made a sequel graphic novel bringing the Darkwing Duck universe back after more than a decade, my interest was piqued, so I picked up The Duck Knight Returns

The plot finds Darkwing in retirement living exclusively as Drake Mallard and being a cog in the giant machine of Quackwerks that runs St. Canard and employees all its citizens.

However, something suspicious is going on. When his daughter Goslin's best friend Honker Muddlefoot is arrested for having downloaded music (which Goslin affirms on behalf of the Walt Disney Corporation is wrong but not worthy of cruel imprisonment), Darkwing goes back into action in time to see that his four biggest rivals (minus Negaduck) are also getting back into the swing of things with Bushroot, Megavolt, the Liquidator, and Quackerjack ready to wreak havoc. This looks like a job for Darkwing Duck.

The book which collects the first four issues of Boom's Darkwing Duck Comic strikes a perfect balance. It's clearly geared towards kids but also towards fans of the original series who have grown up. It explores themes of compromise, growing older, and has a bit of a cyberpunk feel to it without getting too heavy for younger readers. It recaptures the characters and fun of the series perfectly while having the right amount of serious moments to make it more than a trip down memory lane.

It's adorned with colorful art and lots of bonus cover art that makes it a visually stimulating read.

In addition, the book offers some interesting text in the back with some background on how the original series came about that true fans love. The series was originally began as "Double O Duck" but changed radically to resemble a Silver Age superhero show. It still held onto some of the original Bond-elements with Darkwing's battles for SHUSH against F.O.W.L. (The Fiendish Organ for World Larceny.)

It was interesting to learn about because it always seemed like Darkwing Duck had two different types of adventures. There were his battles with FOWL and his battles with Fiendish Five (either solo or together) and related supervillains and never the twain met.

Anyway, it was a very satisfying blast from the past.
Profile Image for John Yelverton.
4,280 reviews37 followers
October 4, 2011
Darkwing Duck is back, and just as great as he ever was in the cartoon show!
Profile Image for Rachel.
383 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2019
Did you know this existed? I didn't, but I discovered it while perusing the shelves of Vancouver's wonderful Pulp Fiction books. I didn't know that I needed it in my life, but it turns out that I absolutely, positively did.

Ian Brill perfectly captures the spirit and tone of this beloved series, I felt genuinely awed by how right-on it was. Darkwing Duck has retired and is going through the motions of being a regular duck with a mundane office job. How could this have happened? Where has Launchpad gone? Can you imagine Gosalyn is now in an expensive private school?

Reading this was pure joy and I'll absolutely be looking for other issues.
Profile Image for Alena.
43 reviews60 followers
December 28, 2010
From a strictly storytelling standpoint, I probably should have rated this four stars; there are a few weak points in the narrative that fall short of perfection. But considering how much potential there was for this to be awful (I can't count the number of bad comic-book adaptations I've read over the years), it gets a full five for being a TREMENDOUS amount of fun to read, for being hilariously true to character, and for including homages to all the other Disney cartoons I grew up with (DuckTales, Rescue Rangers). The artwork is good, the jokes are funny, and I am absolutely thrilled at the announcement that the title has been expanded from a short miniseries to an ongoing series.
Profile Image for Anastasia.
73 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2011
"I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am the classic rock act that never retires, I am.. DARKWING DUCK!" Darkwing Duck is back, at least in comic book form! If you loved the cartoon as a child, you'll find certain familiarity with the characters and storyline inside this graphic novel. Looking forward to more DW.
Profile Image for Stephen Chase.
1,309 reviews13 followers
February 15, 2021
The greatest retelling of the Disney cartoon hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ian.
1,217 reviews6 followers
July 1, 2017
The text captures the tone and pacing of the show, and the art is spot-on. Pity the story's incoherent.
Profile Image for Yuiko.
1,626 reviews17 followers
July 30, 2020
This really takes me back I use to adore the cartoons as a kid. The comic isn't bad just a tad bored with it . Non the less I still liked it check it out
Profile Image for Dani Shuping.
572 reviews41 followers
July 14, 2012
Darkwing Duck was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. The show had just the right blend of action and humor and cheesy villains to capture (and hold) my attention...come to think of it probably still does. So when I was walking around Heroescon and saw a comic series based upon the show it had my attention. The artist that was there and I talked to him for a few minutes and then proceeded to buy a copy of the book (autographed of course) and heck even my dad bought a copy of it because he remembered just how awesome Darkwing Duck was. And I put aside my normal fears of comics being based upon childhood memories and dived into the work. And was glad that I did.

It's been over a year since Crackerjack, Megavolt, Darkwing Duck or any of the other caped folks have been seen. Oh they're still out there...just in their normal everyday roles as citizens of St. Canard. It's also been a year since Quackwerks has taken over everything, including the police force. No need for theatrics anymore. Nope everything is boring and quiet. Until the robots of Quackwerks being going to far and arresting anyone and everyone. Until the villains being rebelling. And Darkwing Duck will rise once more and reveal Quackwerks for what it really is.

While walking around the con floor what really caught my attention about this comic (other than it was Darkwing Duck) was the artwork. It looked just like what I remembered from the TV show. In fact I thought James had worked on the TV show, he hadn't, but still...his depiction of Darkwing was just that spot on perfect. His steely gaze, the tilt of his bill, and just his general movements throughout the comic made me feel like I was 12 and watching the cartoon again. Some of my favorite scenes are not the fight sequences, but when Drake (aka Darkwing) is being an office drone. James just captures the essence of the character perfectly and how he has such a hard time making it up 140+ flights of stairs. In fact when I think back to the cartoon it's that type of sequence that really defined Darkwing for me. The color choices are a bit darker, a bit grittier than what I remember from the show, but it still fits well with the overall theme of the work and my memories of the show.

But what really makes this show is the writing. It has just the right blend of humor and action as the cartoon did. And I know that I keep coming back to what the cartoon was like, but that's because Darkwing to me will always be that cartoon so yes the writers and artists have a lot to live up to. Thankfully though they are definitely up to the task. I love how Ian sets things up as to why Darkwing has retired and why all of the super criminals are gone as well. Ian does a great job of just capturing the feel of the characters, especially Gosalyn and just how she creates trouble without trying too. I just love her conversation with Drake as she tries to convince him that the school is part of an evil plot to take over the world. The one character that I wish they showed more of though was Honker. He appears very briefly in the comic and I always liked his character. He was the yin to Gosalyn's yang. Overall though the only part of the story that I thought needed a bit of tweaking was when we see the biggest bad being introduced. It's like we suddenly jumped a few pages there and it threw me for a minute or so. Other than I absolutely loved this collection.

It's clear that Boom! studios and the folks that worked on this comic enjoyed Darkwing Duck and didn't want its story to end. I really enjoyed this collection and I look forwrd to reading the other adventuers of Darkwing. If you were a fan of the cartoon or if you’re just looking for something with some off beat humor and action then this is the collection for you.
Profile Image for Alice, as in Wonderland.
132 reviews20 followers
February 17, 2015
There's no reason not to read the Darkwing Duck comics. Can you think of a reason? You're wrong, it doesn't exist. The original show itself took place during an era of animation that was fond and full of memories but, for the most part, lacked structure. Nothing connected one episode to the next and therefore there wasn't a lot that forced characters to deal with consequences, and all emotion was contained in within the twenty minute or so storylines they had. Still, like a lot of animation from the era, the show was funny, goofy, and full of touching moments. Darkwing's major strong point was the fact that a lot of was centered around Darkwing's complete devotion to his adopted daughter, Gosalyn.

So really, all the comic book does is have all of that funny, goofy, awesomeness, FEELINGS, and then add a storyline to it, which cranks everything up to eleven. The comic is hysterical and at the same time tempered by moments of real fear and drama that continue to emphasize the connection between Darkwing and Gosalyn, which was what made the original show great to begin with. The art is great and horribly nostalgic for anyone who did grow up with the original cartoons, but the quality of the art itself and all the jokes are new and crisp for a new generation of Darkwing fans. Seriously, this comic is so great aughhhh everyone should read it, old or young. It's got something for everyone, from guard flamingos, to the gut-wrenching knowledge of alternate Gosalyns that didn't make it, to the pleasantly perplexing and pompous alliteration that Darkwing Duck is known for. I guess the only thing that the comic is missing is Jim Cummings reading it aloud in the voices, but that's still not a reason to not read this flipping masterpiece of a comic book.
Profile Image for Justyn Rampa.
659 reviews25 followers
May 8, 2013
So in an effort to find younger titles to purchase on a regular basis for my library system, I realized that some of my favorite parts of the Disney Afternoon had been adapted to graphic novels. I had tiptoed around Darkwing Duck, one of my favorites, and finally purchased the first volume from my local comic shop on Free Comic Book Day.

You're welcome economy;-)

I was ready to be disappointed, because I LOVED DARKWING DUCK!!! But after years of reading more Batman comics and growing up and not drawing fan art of MegaVolt. Oh yeah, I'd still do that shit in a heartbeat! Anyway, I was worried that the comic would disappoint...

But it didn't, not at all.

It was like reading a wonderfully written episode of Darkwing Duck with some incredible splash pages showcasing the fantastic art of James Silvani. There really isn't more too it than that. This made me very happy. I hear the second volume elevates the story a bit by getting a bit more complicated, so that is why I ultimately decided on a four star because I think the second volume will be more ambitious. For duck's sake, it is called "Crisis on Infinite Darkwings"! Also, the reveal on the last page of volume 1 made me very happy indeed!
Profile Image for VOID Munashii.
17 reviews
April 7, 2011
As someone who watched Disney Afternoon when I was in school, I have always been a fan of Darkwing Duck, and this first volume of the comic book perfectly captures the feel of the old cartoon. It's great to see all those old characters again, including cameos from some other Disney Afternoon characters like Gadget from "Chip N Dale's Rescue Rangers" and Gyro Gearloose and the Gizmoduck armour from "Ducktales".

Taking place around a year and a half after the end of the series, St. Canard is nearly crime free thanks to Quackwerks and their Crimebots, so Darkwing and all of his former enemies have been put out of business. As a result they, like everyone else in the city, are now Quackwerks employees, but some of the former villains are not happy with this, and want things to go back to the way they were.

Once the villains returns, Drake Mallard has no choice but to once again don the garb of Darkwing Duck, fight his old enemies, and uncover the secret of who or what is behind Quackwerks in the first place.

If you are a fan of the old show, then I definitely recommend this book to you.
742 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2015
From what I’ve read, this comic was fully intended as a somewhat nostalgic project, geared toward people who watched the cartoon growing up. It uses the cliché of the superhero coming back onto the scene after in absence, and in this case Darkwing gave up crime-fighting a year previously when the robots made by a mega-corporation called Quackwerks went into action. Former heroes and villains of St. Canard work at Quackwerks until Darkwing starts noticing some shady activity and investigates the company, finding an old nemesis in charge. At about the same time, other villains try for revenge on the corporation. The humor is similar to that on the show, and there are flashbacks to increasingly odd past adventures. The story incorporates a good many elements from the show, and also takes advantage of the connection to DuckTales, featuring appearances by Scrooge McDuck, Gyro Gearloose, and Magica de Spell. On the cartoon, I remember Magica making a brief appearance along with the Beagle Boys, and Scrooge was mentioned, but this comic does more with the DuckTales characters (who, in these three cases, were actually Carl Barks’s creations). There’s even a brief Rescue Rangers reference.
Profile Image for R.A. Danger.
Author 1 book6 followers
December 12, 2010
Our story starts a year from when Darkwing was a hero and now is working for Quackwerks, in fact every villain is now doing one job or an other with Quackwerks (and hating it). So the four villains decide to go back to been villains and get whoever (three guess) behind the making of Quackwerks. As for Negaduck, let’s just say Quackerjack is sore at him.
On the other side Gosalyn is think teachers and principles are villains: as for Drake he is reliving the past though flashbacks. So he doesn’t become Darkwing Duck again until some Quackwerks bust down the door (look like the wall as well) and proclaim a life sentence on Honker for downloading a song. This scene made me think of Darkwarrior Duck.
So the hunt is on to figure out who is behind Quackwerks and what the plans, really is about.
There is a short cameo of Gadget in here.
Is it me or do I see three of the same covers (only in a couple of covers) in this graphic novel. Also in here are a few pages of sketches and the origin of Darkwing by Tad Stone.
Profile Image for Cass Winters.
135 reviews11 followers
August 26, 2016
During my childhood I had the pleasure of watching several episodes of "Darkwing Duck" and enjoyed them. When I saw this at the local library I decided I would pick it up to read. I am pleased that I did. It was an enjoyable read that picks up greatly where the series left off. It feels like a natural progression of where that series was and what happened in it. I would highly recommend this to those people that have a bit of Disney nostalgia for classic shows that are no longer on the air. I would also recommend this to people that are interested in seeing what these great shows involved.

Since this is a graphic novel/comic book review I want to briefly state that the artwork here is done masterfully and does not distract from the story. It looks very similar to the original cartoon artwork, so it will not be a disappointment to those fans that are picking it up for this sole reason.
Profile Image for Michael.
406 reviews24 followers
December 27, 2010
Put this one in the "I have no intention of growing up" file. I just found out a few weeks ago that they've brought Darkwing Duck back in comic book form.

It's a triumphant return for the terror that flaps in the night. There's a surprisingly timely story here that is well written and funny. The art is terrific, and very reminiscent of the cartoon. And despite the Dark Knight allusions, it's still family friendly, so no worries if you've got kids you want to introduce this to.

And for fans of the old Disney Afternoon, there are also some fun references to the other shows in the lineup.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next collection.
Profile Image for Amanda.
94 reviews67 followers
November 6, 2015
I've heard nostalgia is a tricky and horrible thing. Nostalgia sends blinds you and sends you running back into the arms of things that are better left forgotten in the past.

Fuck that this was awesome.

It was a wonderfully preserved piece of my childhood resurfacing after twenty years. This comic still managed to capture the heart and soul of the show I once loved. It toed the line of being silly and serious. Most important being that it captured the spirit of the characters. Even after twenty years just reading I could hear their voices and remember various traits about them all over again.

This one was an easy five stars for me.
Profile Image for Rosa.
1,831 reviews14 followers
August 6, 2012
St Canard becomes a dystopia. Everyone is working for Quackworks and no one has seen any superhero's or villains for over a year. Until one night when DW goes back out after an overreaction on the bots part and some of the super villains reappear after deciding they have had enough.

The writers and illustrators did a great job bringing the shows characters to the page. I could hear the voices of all the characters speaking. I can't wait to read the next one I think that I may have to rewatch the show. I love the note from the creator of the original show at the end of the book.
1,064 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2015
A terrific revival of a Disney property that needs more love. This first volume is a great reintroduction to Darkwing Duck and his world, combining callbacks to the original show and other clever references with some interesting new twists. (I admit I'm not sure this will work as well for new readers, although I think they give it a good try.) The original show's sense of humor is back in full force, and the detailed artwork is great to look at as well. Definitely recommended. (A-)
Profile Image for Timothy McNeil.
480 reviews12 followers
May 22, 2016
For some reason, the writers of the comic book version of Darkwing Duck are convinced that the readers need near constant reminder that there is an overarching joke going on in regards to the concept of the show/comic. The end product suffers for it, here and in the 2016 re-launch comics.

In this instance, the art is solid (and very close to the show) and both DW and Quackerjack come off as true to form. The rest...not so much.
Profile Image for Rose.
398 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2012
If you grew up with this character, you need to read this graphic novel. It's a reintroduction, continuation, and plot-thread-tying conclusion, all in one. It's charmingly illustrated and *gorgeously* written. If you were a Darkwing fan, pick this one up -- your Inner Child will thank you, and your adult sensibilities will appreciate the real craft to this story.
2,122 reviews5 followers
August 24, 2015
I was a huge fan of the Darkwing Duck cartoon back when it aired, and it's not that this comic is bad, but it didn't quite capture the cartoon feel for me. Perhaps too much time has gone by, or perhaps if I watched the cartoon now it wouldn't thrill me like it used to either. The art is great and the script isn't bad, but it didn't really move me.
Profile Image for Diz.
1,703 reviews111 followers
November 19, 2015
This was a lot of fun. The art is spot on and it brings back memories of watching the old Darkwing Duck cartoon. I also really enjoyed seeing the easter eggs for other Disney Afternoon shows. The weak point is the writing. This is not really written for kids. It's written for adults who used to watch this show as kids, so the tone is a bit different, which feels a bit off.
Profile Image for Marcus Ferrell.
80 reviews3 followers
April 27, 2011
I wasn't expecting much of a Disney comic, so I was more than blown away by how much I enjoyed this book. There are some great visual gags, some callbacks to other Disney afternoon shows, and a plethora of puns. It's well written, funny, and I really dig the inking. Well done!
Profile Image for Ondra Král.
1,400 reviews121 followers
April 3, 2015
Po 18 letech lidi z Boomu vzali Darkwinga z populárního Disney seriálu a napsali komiksového pokračování. A vůbec to není blbé! Na dětský superhrdinský komiks dokonce hodně slušné.
Na vyšší hodnocení mi chybí nejspíš nostalgie - na Darkwingovi jsem přeci jen nevyrůstal.
Profile Image for Becky.
Author 2 books118 followers
January 2, 2011
A story about family and heroics and what makes life worth living. Also: GOSMODUCK. Delightful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2011
Reading these Darkwing Duck Comics makes me want to go out and buy the all the seasons of the cartoon. You are never too old for Darkwing Duck.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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