Darkwing Duck #1

 
  Darkwing Duck #1-4
  So im going unofficial with this one. maybe its laziness, but rather than repost old pictures from reviews ive done before on this series ill just go into the good and bad of this book. plus ill go on to talk about the direction of which this series is going. and what it means for you the readers in picking this up, borrowing, or leaving it on the shelves.
 
    So this trade paper back coming out this week is the sum up of the return as well as the ending of the first story arc in which many of the fans out there will be a long line of darkwing duck comics. Boom! has made itself into a huge success and a up and comer into the comic industry with this major release of this beloved icon of the 90's. so its fitting im going all out for this annual to talk about the paper back and its possible future on the shelves in the store, or in your house.
 

The Story

 
     This arch takes place many years after the series ended on television. though many of us can still remember the disney version of the comic book heroes. darkwing is out of the super hero business as it has been slow, or so we think. he basks in what is left of his former glory as old flashbacks pop in front of him of the times of himself and launchpad fought villains that plagued the city of St.Canard.
 
     Though it is not explained at first why Drake Mallard left being darkwing duck the story unraveled more into why he left as he gets back into the old suit in order to save gosalyn's friend, honker. along the way he is reminded how much the city needs him as much as he needs to be darkwing, we are also reintroduced to old villains that made the series its staple with characters with a batman-esque feel; Quackerjack, Bushroot, Megavolt, Liquidator. 
 
    This dysney series is not without its cameos and works well with its other disney staples such as duck tales, rescue rangers, and using characters from other disney films such as UP!, and Little Mermaid. all working together and bringing new life to this old franchise. at the same time while making it feel new, making every character essentially the same based on their arch type. such as Darkwing can be arrogant when it comes to his fame. 
 
   In the end we are brought together with the same villain that started the series which is fitting to begin this new one. Taurus Bulba. with a great conclusion that is left open for the city to get back to its old ways as well as breed new villains and story ideas. this is but a starter for what good may come from this.
 

The Pretty Colours

 
   Going back to my previous reviews on this series. i find that the art itself really recaptures the essence of the series itself from its former glory days. this series is very very very cartoony in nature, and for that some people may not be into this series. the bright colors on the characters makes them stand out, for which they should. you want to have great characters like this be able to stand out in a dark or gray scene.
 
   there was no real change to character designs at all which is a good thing. it would be harder to market this series if they decided to change the style of the characters themselves. what i do have to give praise for in this book, is that in the first while even after dawning the cloak and hat again, you can really feel how much older darkwing is from the original cartoon, he gives a pressence of an old man. and that changes quickly as he gets back into the game. his posture becomes more straight and pronounced which is why i give praise to this, for its those type of actions which are hard to convey in a comic book. especially for a cartoon. 
 
 In the end the cartoony look of the story goes really well with the story that is being told. they give a great dark ambiance to St.Canard which it should rightfully have since this is loosely based on Gotham city with a Metropolis look.....anyways!. giving the art high praise for this as it does what it was meant to do. it does the characters justice as well helps convey the story rather well.
 

Overall Thoughts

     The story and character development over this story arc was well thought out and well put together. they ended this story with an open end to leave for more characters as well as old ones to return. with new positions and uses for old characters. new level of detail on character development with a whole new level of crazy being added onto Quackerjack. Ian Brill is taken care of this story as if it was his child.
 
   The art and designing, I found it melded well with the story and the series itself. there is no question which i hate to gush over this cause i used to watch this show close to 16 years ago. so for me being a man-child it is easy to get right into this and find that the art really brings back memories of the series and helps me move through this book rather easy.
 
  Overall the story itself gets a 4.5 out of 5. those of you know me will know ill never give a 5 for a book. nothing is perfect nor will anything ever be. i thought this book was great. my main thing i want to focus on is either to pick it up or not. This book is great for those who watched the show or have a family. for kids this is a great kids soft cover book that they can read which would be different outside of the norm. for adults this is a great collector for nostalgic purpose if you wanted to get back into this series. for others out there who are more into mature stories and dark grittier back drops and such, this would not be for you. though as much as i want to push it onto people. this cartoon like story would be great for those who best loved the series or kids. 
 
 

More to come...

     This segment here i wish to dedicate as too the future of this series. whether or not to invest in this or just to wait for trades. from the trends that we have seen at comic cons, and fan expos in north america, Boom! Studios is coming up as a front runner to the independents. much of the franchise can be said of Disney, but 3 titles this year alone are coming out with Stan lee's name on the title. one i personally look forward too is The Traveler.
 
    Darkwing Duck has really put the company on the map with its selling out. this book being just a sum up of a great starter to a series which seems to have a strong push and devotion from people who love the series as much as some of us did back when we watched the show on weekday afternoon or Saturday morning. With #5 already out and the new story arc Crisis of the Infinite Darkwing's, we are seeing great story based on parody titles from famous comic books. 
 
    For those who are currently following the series, i can only say as long as Ian Brill is at the helm of writing for the Darkwing duck series, I'm sure there will be many empty spots on comic book shelves in those stores from die hard fans. Especially now with boom having a range of comics from Kids with muppets and Disney super heroes like the Incredibles, to mature comics like 28 Days later, and Dracula comics, it is no wonder that they are moving up in the list of comic publications. for those mature readers out there who have an inner kid or want to get something new for their kid or loved one. would suggest checking out Boom! Studios and possibly giving a read at Darkwing Duck: The Duck Knight Returns...