The launch of Disney+ has reunited streamers with the popular shows featured in the Disney Afternoon animation block of programming. So much so that a certain crimefighting duck is currently trending on Twitter. How much do you know about this beloved hero?
Created by Tad Stones, Darkwing Duck hit the afternoon cartoon scene in 1991 and hung tough in that time slot for four years. The superheroic alter ego of Drake Mallard first cropped up in an opening episode titled, “Darkly Dawns the Duck.” As the "Terror that Flaps in the Night," Darkwing had a pulp hero quality about him – not so different than the Shadow. He started out acting alone and then as fans and episodes racked up, supporting cast flocked to him quickly.
Similar to Batman, Darkwing has no superpowers, relying only on his own intelligence and gadgets to fight crime. His weapons of choice are his gas gun, which fires a variety of different gas capsules, boxing gloves, cartoon bombs, and grappling that can fire random objects. He is typically seen traveling via his small airplane the Thunderquack and his motorcycle, the Ratcatcher.
The perfect blend of arrogance, bravado, and tongue in cheek humor, Darkwing was also a great dad to his adopted daughter, Goslyn and as patient, as he was snippy with his hulking aviator sidekick and #1 fan, Launchpad McQuack – of DuckTales fame. As a superhero, Darkwing had many enemies, most notably Morgana Macawber. He later helped reform the sorceress rogue with her becoming his love interest and eventual girlfriend.
Ninety new episodes were produced between ’91 and ’93, but the show continued to air reruns in its afternoon slot for another two years. Darkwing also cropped up in Disney Afternoon comics and straight-to-video adventures including Darkly Dawns the Duck, Justice Ducks Unite, Comic Book Capers and Birth of Negaduck. More recently, Darkwing joined the cast of Disney’s DuckTales reboot for the series sophomore season.
Darkwing Duck features the voice talents of Jim Cummings, Kath Soucie, Christine Cavanaugh, Tim Curry, Dan Castellaneta, Michael Bell, Tino Insana, and Jack Angel. The original series is currently streaming on Disney+.
