"Darkwing Duck" (1991) TV series 1991-1995

Writers:

Duane Capizzi (writer)
Kevin Hopps (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

8 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Comedy | Action | Mystery

Plot:

A bumbling superhero battles crime with the help of his daughter and pilot sidekick.

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Duck | Bird | Haunted House | Super Villain

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jim Cummings	...	Darkwing Duck / ... (69 episodes, 1991-1993)
Terence McGovern	...	Launchpad McQuack / ... (61 episodes, 1991-1993)
Christine Cavanaugh	...	Gosalyn Waddlemeyer-Mallard / ... (56 episodes, 1991-1993)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | USA:30 min (91 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:G | Greece:K | Argentina:Atp | USA:TV-Y

Company:

Walt Disney Television Animation

Trivia:

The occupation of Drake Mallard, the real-life identity of Darkwing Duck, is never mentioned, nor do his neighbors, the Muddlefoots, ever suspect he is doing anything suspicious.

Quotes:

Darkwing Duck: I am the terror that flaps in the night, I am the smoke that smokes Smoked Oysters.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man: I, Duckman (#1.1)" (1994)

The Terror that Flaps - an absolute gem

Probably the best cartoon to come out of Disney in quite a while, Darkwing Duck was somewhat darker than the average Disney fare and managed to touch upon some serious issues. However, it also could be extremely funny, with Darkwing's over-dramatic entrances, his ego 'the size of a small planet' and his arguments with his daughter.

There's a whole new set of villains to be thwarted by the terror that flaps: NegaDuck, Megavolt, Quackerjack, Liquidator (a parody of Penguin from Batman) and Bushroot; collectively the Fearsome Five. Not to mention the evil F.O.W.L. and its chief agent, Steelbeak.

Fortunately, DW has help. DuckTales' Launchpad McQuack is on his usual form, performing some excellent crashes in DW's Thunderquack and playing a good sidekick; GizmoDuck occasionally shows up fresh from Duckberg to drive DW crazy; Gosalyn, his daughter (who has a greater capacity for getting into trouble than Huey, Dewey and Louie put together!); and, last but not least, Morgana McCawber, sorceress and one-time crook.

As you can probably tell, this is my favourite Disney cartoon bar none. A couple of videos were released in Britain, and DW played on the Disney Channel for a while, but it has been far too long since Darkwing graced our terrestrial screens. Any Americans who have the Disney Channel and/or Toon Disney should count themselves very lucky indeed to be able to watch this absolute gem.