DARKWING DUCK #9, from Dynamite Comics on 9/27/23, finds Darkwing Duck making his search for Launchpad harder when he refuses to ask for help.
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: September 27, 2023
Is DARKWING DUCK #9 Good?
We’re trying. We really are. But Amanda Deibert appears to have lost purpose or direction in whatever story she’s trying to tell. DARKWING DUCK #9 has a light, cartoony atmosphere fit for the intended age of the target readers, but the story (if you can call it that) hasn’t moved an inch.
When last we left Darkwing Duck and his fowl friends, they ran through a polar maze to track down Launchpad’s special compass. Despite partnering up with Gizmoduck, the group didn’t find the maze and lost Launchpad for their effort. Now, Darkwing Duck (DW) stubbornly refuses to ask for help from the heroes who can give it, leading to a wild goose chase (duck chase?) that leads back to the ally DW likes the least.
Darkwing Duck has a personality shortcoming that often comes up in his stories – stubborn pride. Here, Deibert plays DW’s pride to the hilt and beyond, which some readers may feel harms his hero status rather than making him seem endearing. It’s one thing to be stubborn. It’s another thing to be almost belligerent in your stubbornness.
What’s great about DARKWING DUCK #9? The art’s great, and Stegmutt’s cameo is amusing. That’s about all you can say.
What’s not so great about DARKWING DUCK #9? DW’s nearly belligerent stubbornness makes him come across as downright unlikable. The plot goes nowhere, literally and figuratively. And we still have no idea who took Launchpad’s special compass or why. The villain glimpsed in the first issue of the arc hasn’t been seen, referenced, or alluded to in any way. This comic is legitimately a story about nothing.
How’s the art? Carlo Lauro’s Disney-approved pencils/inks are spectacular. Yes, we’re faulting Deibert for delivering a non-story, but you can at least appreciate Lauro for making nothing look good.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s DARKWING DUCK #9 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DARKWING DUCK #8 review to find out how Gizmoduck helped DW escape an icy maze.
We begin with Morgana conjuring a spell over her crystal ball to locate Launchpad and his compass. The crystal ball only shows the ocean, suggesting an opportunity for Neptunia to lend a hand. DW adamantly refuses to ask Neptunia for help, so the gang piles into the Thunderquack and aimlessly crisscrosses the ocean.
DW spots movement near an outcropping of rocks, and when he flies in to investigate, Neptunia is waiting with an offer to help. DW refuses and heads back to St. Canard when the Mayor calls for help stopping other criminals from creating havoc.
We conclude the issue with stolen quackware, false burglaries, and prehistoric assistance.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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DARKWING DUCK #9 treads water in an issue about nothing when Darkwing Duck moves from place to place at random while steadfastly refusing help. Deibert’s story is going nowhere, but Lauro’s art is excellent.
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