When Megavolt rejoins his former teammates and decides to come out of super villain retirement, the citizens of St. Canard find that they’re not as safe as they thought they were. Meanwhile, Darkwing begins his investigation into the founders of Quackwerks Crimebots.
Darkwing Duck #2
Written by Ian Brill
Art by James Silvani
Colors by Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by Deron Bennett
Edited by Aaron Sparrow
Designed by Erika Terriquez
Cover A by Magic Eye Studios
Cover A Colors by Jake Myler
Cover B by James Silvani
Cover C by Jake Myler
Published by Boom Studios
Previously in Darkwing Duck: It has been a year since Darkwing had his last adventure against Megavolt. In that time, St. Canard has all but gotten rid of their super villain problem with the help of Quackwerks’s Crimebots. In an effort to still aid law enforcement, Drake Mallard (Darkwing’s secret identity) took a position working at Quackwerks. As fate would have it, Drake shares a cubicle with the very person he last fought as Darkwing; Megavolt. While suspicious that Drake is indeed Darkwing, Megavolt goes about his work day as a perfectly functional member of society, that is, until his old teammates decide to pull him out of retirement. Later, at the home of Drake and Gosalyn Mallard, a team of Crimebots crash through his wall to apprehend Gosalyn’s friend, Honker, for illegally downloading music over the internet. Feeling that the Crimebots acted in an extreme nature, Drake once again took on his Darkwing Duck persona to investigate.
VILLAINS GONE WILD
This issue opens with Quacker Jack, Bush Root, the Liquidator and Megavolt standing in a toy factory that Quacker Jack used to be employed at. Upset that the bosses rejected his concept for a Quacker Jack toy, he decided that he’d blow the factory up. Across town on the rooftop of Quackwerk’s a cloud of smoke appears and the words “I am the terror that flaps in the night” can be heard as Darkwing enters the building to investigate who the founders of Quackwerk’s Crimebots are. Sneaking down to his cubicle, D.W. runs a search on the origin of the company when suddenly he is grabbed from behind. Apparently there is a retirement party going on and Darkwing is confused for the singer of the band. Not one to shy away from the public eye, Darkwing serenades the crowd.
Speeding through the streets, the Fearsome Four head to a toy store so that Quacker Jack can exact more of his revenge. When asked why they’re doing everything Quacker Jack wants to do, Bush Root explains that they’ve all decided to take turns helping each other get their revenge. After blowing up the store, the four head back out to their car when they are set upon by a team of Crimebots. When one of the bots calls the group the Fearsome Five and mentions that Negaduck is missing, Quacker Jack goes ballistic at the sound of Negaduck’s name and destroys all the robots. Sifting through the robot debris, Quacker Jack uses the broken parts to remake Mr. Banana Brain, his puppet friend. As police reports of the Fearsome Four’s come over the air waves, Gosalyn wakes from her bed and heads out to find Launch Pad McQuack. Darkwing finishes his number and talks with the man whose retiring at the party. He tells Darkwing that someone should investigate the strange goings on with the Crimebots and gives D.W. the security codes to get into the restricted area. After getting past some guard dogs and flamingos, Darkwing finds himself looking over an assembly line of Crimebots. Just as he’s discovered and attacked by the bots, the ceiling collapse and down come Lauchpad and Gosalyn in the Thunderquack plane.
MY INNER CHILD SMILED TODAY
When I was young and going to school, sadly, I didn’t read comics. What I did do, was run home everyday to see the Disney Afternoon cartoons. I’d started watching around season three where the line up was Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck and Goof Troop. Of all the shows that have come and gone from that two hour block of “after school programming”, none were more loved by me than Darkwing Duck. Darkwing was my gateway (drug) into Batman the Animated Series which was a major factor in my love of comics today (along with the Xmen cartoon). My love of all things comic book can be traced back to this one show so when I heard that a Darkwing comic book was coming out, it was MANDATORY that I buy the first issue. I’m so happy that I did. The writing seems to have grown up along with the fans and the art is a lot more appealing than I would have expected it to be. It has a sharp, colorful glow to it that just looks awesome. Yes the comic is still kid friendly but I’m more than confident that the kids-at-heart are going to love this too.
FUN FOR ALL AND ALL FOR FUN
It wouldn’t be Darkwing without a few blunders here and there. Like when Darkwing types “founder” into the computer at Quackwerks and a picture of “Flounder” of the Little Mermaid pops up. Or when Darkwing gases the guard dogs in the restricted section and suddenly he’s attacked by guard flamingos. The nerd in me sang when they did the “I am the terror that flaps in the night” line, followed by a very quick and very audible HA when he said “and I … am talking to myself.” Reading through this comic is really making me relive a lot of good times from my child hood. I’m glad that the humor translates just as well today as it did when I was a child. I may have to go out and buy the DVD’s now.
HEY! ISN’T THAT … THAT LOOKS LIKE … COOL!
It’s the comedy that really makes the book feel unique and not like another composite superhero rip off. Now that is another topic right there. While not meaning to use the words “rip off”, I think a better term would be homage. And this book is full of them. The title of the story alone is called The Duck Knight Returns and features Darkwing jumping through a dark sky as a lightning bolt fries his tail feathers, similar to Batman’s Dark Knight Returns cover. Even Quacker Jack is acting a little darker and more (dare I say) Joker-ish. In the toy factory that Quacker Jack worked at, you can find a wide variety of cameo characters such as the cast of Toy Story (Rex, Barbie, Wheezy, Bopeep and Woody), Superman and his villain Toyman, Kermit and Fozzie, a Star Wars AT-ST and what looks like it could be Mr. Freeze’s ballerina snow globe. Personally, I think it’s funny that this is a Disney product, which means that they now own Marvel, and it’s comic references are all DC products but it’s published by Boom Studios.
THANK YOU BOOM STUDIOS
I’ve enjoyed reading this title so much; I’ve asked my LCS to add it to my pull list from now on. This is the first and only comic on my list that is targeted toward a younger demographic. It is a very easy title to get into with only two issues out but they make it even easier by adding a “Previously in Darkwing Duck” section to the back of the front cover. Right now is a great time to get into a cartoon comic book (see my Batman Beyond #2 review for more cartoon fun). I give this comic five out of five stars because every time I read it, it puts a smile on my face, it’s visually appealing, very well written, full of nostalgia, and makes me eager to run to the comic shop for the next issue.
1 Comment
LIQUIDATOORRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!