DARKWING DUCK #4, from Dynamite Comics on 4/19/23, brings the Quacking Avenger out of retirement when Bushroot attacks St. Canard’s school for children.
The Details
- Written by: Amanda Deibert
- Art by: Carlo Lauro
- Colors by: Carlo Lauro
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Leirix Li (cover A)
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: April 19, 2023
Is It Good?
DARKWING DUCK #4 brings Drake Mallard’s “retirement” to a quick end with a story that’s not all it’s “quacked” up to me (ahem). On the whole DARKWING DUCK #4 is a fairly standard Darkwing Duck adventure with a clear setup, conflict, and resolution, but Darkwing’s re-emergence comes too fast and too easy, leaving the remainder of the issue to wrap up less important matters.
When last we left Drake Mallard, he was struggling to acclimate to retired life. Now, Bushtoot takes advantage of DW’s retirement to wreak havoc on St. Canard at the urging of [REDACTED]. Amanda Deibert plants the seed of a mastermind manipulating lesser villains from the shadows, which gives the issue foreshadowing of bigger troubles to come. The fight against Bushroot is fun, and DW whips out a new gadget with practical uses for yardwork and Bushroot’s plant powers.
Deibert’s pacing and dialog are spot-on, especially the quippy puns. The resolution for the fight against Bushroot makes sense. And there’s a certain satisfaction in seeing DW back in the cape and mask where he belongs.
That said, this issue has a few minuses in the way the resolution plays out. First, getting DW back into costume didn’t take as much arm-twisting as it should have, leaving you feeling like his retirement was half-hearted at best. Second, DW’s new gadget wraps up the fight in a page and a half at the midway point, leaving you feeling like Bushroot wasn’t that much of a threat in the first place, further undercutting the gravity of DW’s retirement. Lastly, the rest of the issue is spent with Drake trying to convince Launchpad to come back to resume sidekick duties, which means half the issue is devoted to undoing a minor plot point that didn’t need half an issue to undo.
What does all that mean? It means Deibert delivered a passable issue but didn’t stick the landing to pay off the potential of the arc’s setup.
Story issues aside, Carlo Lauro’s art is fantastic. The line work, figure designs, and coloring are a near-perfect translation of Darkwing Duck from screen to print. In particular, Lauro nails the character acting so well you can almost hear the characters speaking in their cartoon voices.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DARKWING DUCK #3 review to find out how Honker got turned into pudding.
We begin with Drak and Morgana enjoying domestic bliss on a sunny day when Gosalyn comes running, calling for help. Goaslyn explains the school is under attack by Bushroot, and she begs Drake to come out of retirement. Drake refuses to un-retire, but he runs to the school to help.
Son, Drake, Morgana, and Goaslyn arrive at the school to find it overrun by Bushroot’s vines. Drake tries to fight the overgrowth the best he can, but it’s clear he can’t fight Bushroot as Drake Mallard. After a quick sprint to the school’s tool shed, Darkwing Duck soon arrives to prune Bushroot’s plans.
We conclude the issue with an early Fall, another camping trip to Transylvania, and a modern solution to yard work.
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Final Thoughts
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DARKWING DUCK #4 delivers a serviceable ending to Darkwing Duck’s retirement and Bushroot’s attack on St. Canarad with great action and fantastic art. That said, Burshroot’s defeat and Drake’s “retirement’ ends too quickly and easily, leaving half the issue to deal with uninteresting family matters.
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