Comics Review: Disney's "DARKWING DUCK #3" Unveils a Secret History

DARKWING DUCK VOLUME 2 #3

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Daniel Kibblesmith

ART: Ted Brandt & Ro Stein

COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Tad Stones

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ted Brandt & Ro Stein; Ciro Cangialosi; Nicoletta Baldari; Tad Stones

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2025)

Rated “All Ages”

“Year One” Part Three of Twelve: “Where Did Darkwing Learn Martial Arts?”

“Darkwing Duck” was an animated superhero comedy television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation.  It originally aired for three seasons (for a total of 91 episodes) from 1991 to 1992, both as part of the syndicated programming block, “The Disney Afternoon,” and as part of ABC's Saturday morning lineup.  “Darkwing Duck” focused on a suburban duck, Drake Mallard, and his superhero alter-ego, “Darkwing Duck.”  The character was a parody of the pulp fiction vigilante character, The Shadow, and his alter-ego, Kent Allard.

A little over two years ago, Dynamite Entertainment launched a new Darkwing Duck comic book series.  Now, it has recently relaunched the series with Darkwing Duck Volume 2.  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Ted Brandt & Ro Stein; and colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The new series revisits Darkwing Duck's first year as a superhero.

Darkwing Duck Volume 2 #3 (“Where Did Darkwing Learn Martial Arts?”) opens as Darkwing Duck (“DW”) decides to share with his adopted daughter, Gosalyn, the first chapter of his book, “The Secret History of Darkwing Duck!”  As a costumed crimefighter with years of experience safeguarding the streets of St. Canard, Darkwing Duck is, of course, a seasoned master of hand-to-hand (or wing-to-wing) combat.  So how did DW become proficient in the exquisite arts of combat?

Now, Darkwing Duck is transporting (or will attempt to transport) Gosalyn back to his earliest days at the Training Temple of the Venerable One, an old master who imparts wisdom and verbal take-downs in equal measure.  Will DW learned the value of patience or self-control?  Or will standing up to bullies cause the Venerable One to expel him?  “The Ancient Book of Ancientness” may have those answers and more.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Darkwing Duck Volume 2, Issue #3, one of a few Darkwing Duck comic books that I have ever read.

I continue to find myself drawn to the work of the new Darkwing Duck comic book's creative team.  Writer Daniel Kibblesmith continues to spin delightful, imaginative yarns, this time featuring a glimpse into Darkwing's formative years.  Kibblesmith offers enjoyable characters while operating the mechanics of a superhero's past in an even earlier time than a “Year One” story arc.

The art team of illustrators Ted Brandt & Ro Stein and colorist Dearbhla Kelly once again offer a spry chapter of storytelling that sparks on the page with adventure and humor.  Brandt & Stein continue to capture the Disney graphical aesthetic via genuinely entertaining storytelling.  Kelly's coloring hints at the faraway nature of this chapter's setting.  Letterer Jeff Eckleberry keeps the energy going with battery-charged sound effects, captions, and word balloons.

I hope that Dynamite can find continued success with its Darkwing Duck comic books.  There is an audience for this title, and it could be you, dear readers.  It is pure comic book fun.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Darkwing Duck will want to try Dynamite's new Darkwing Duck Volume 2 comic book series.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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