We welcome our Italian friend to DuckTalks to discuss his role as the illustrator for Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck comic series which grappling hooked into comic shops this year. Ciao Carlo Lauro! Diventiamo Perocolosi! or in English, Let’s Get Dangerous!

DuckTalks: What are some of your fandoms (what are you a fan of)?

Carlo: I am a child of the 80s, born in ’85 to be precise. I grew up on bread and cartoons. I loved and still love Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, Ducktales, and the whole Disney Afternoon. Later on, I discovered the existence of anime and manga, especially sensei Akira Toriyama – Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball and so on.

DuckTalks: How did you get into the comic industry, and what is it like to draw Disney Ducks?

Carlo: The dream of being a comic artist has always been in my mind, but after studies I put it aside for economic reasons. Fortunately in 2014, I created a zombie parody comic with my friend/partner Roberto Megna as writer. It was my first comic. Since then I’ve collaborated with almost all Italian publishers, juggling between one style and another. I started working for Disney in 2021 thanks to Arancia Studio, designing characters and drawing 3 out of the 8 stories of Daisy and the Mysteries of Paris (currently published by Panini Italia). Also through Arancia I handled a few Donald Duck stories and in late 2022 Darkwing Duck arrived.

DuckTalks: How did you land Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck?

Carlo: Through Arancia Studio…I did some tests on the character and the setting and after a while they gave me the good news.

DuckTalks: What research did you do on Darkwing Duck for the comic?

Carlo: First of all I bought the issues made by the great Brill/Silvani/Dalhouse, then I did a rewatch of the cartoons (thanks Disney+) and studied all the references and model sheets I found on the internet.

DuckTalks: What challenges have you found for illustrating a comic for such an established and beloved fan favorite IP?

Carlo: I know how much DW is loved by the audience, and as a fan I was afraid I wouldn’t handle the various characters well. Initially I was pretty stiff, but issue after issue I made that world my own, and I’m trying to give the utmost dignity to each issue.

DuckTalks: What is your favorite classic Darkwing Duck episode?

Carlo: Monster R Us is in my top 5 for sure. Anyway, I’d definitely put Dry Hard in first place.

DuckTalks: Who is your favorite Darkwing Duck Villain and why?

Carlo: I love the whole Fearsome Five, each in their own way makes me laugh like no other.
As for the stories we’re making, I love Dr. noGood, He perfectly mimics the manipulator and villain of action movies, I hope he succeeds 😉

DuckTalks: Trick Question: Darkwing Duck or Gizmoduck?

Carlo: No contest, DW is the best. Every time he speaks, you know for sure that you will end up laughing. I loved him as a child and I still love him. Anyway, Gizmoduck has a place in my heart, next to PK as well.

DuckTalks: Do you have a favorite cover for the Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck comic series?

Carlo: It’s not easy to choose one of all. Dynamite involved a bunch of great artists. Nakayama, Li, Andolfo, Forstner, Edgar! Look at those names, how could I choose ONLY one? I love them all.

DuckTalks: We love the Easter eggs you incorporate into the pages of the book. Is there a favorite one or maybe one that you haven’t seen anyone notice?

Carlo: Yes, I enjoy having you look for the small details. My favorite? I could have one (which deals with ghost he he he), but I prefer each reader to find their own.

DuckTalks: We saw in your art portfolio (carlocidlauro.artstation.com) that you are a fan of DuckTales (2017). Do you have a favorite character and episode?

Carlo: DuckTales is one of those series that you have to watch, whether you are a fan or not. It’s damn well written and has a pressing pace with every episode. My favorite episode (actually it’s a double episode) is the finale of the first season, the battle against Magica. I’ve seen it so many times, I love everything about it. We could stay here chatting about that episode for hours, but I’ll just
mention Donald voiced by Don Cheadle and the music theme The Moon taken from the
videogame.

DuckTalks: Was there anything in that series’ art direction that influenced you?

Carlo: The art of the new Ducktales has been much discussed on the internet, those who criticized it and still do and those who love it, like me – since the first images released, I loved everything! The new
designs of the ducks, the backgrounds, the colors. How wonderful!

DuckTalks: What other Disney comics have you worked on?

Carlo: I worked on Daisy and the Mysteries of Paris, written by Mirka Andolfo and Luca Blengino – Daisy as a swordswoman, protector of the Queen of France, during the French Revolution! I drew a Uncle Scrooge Christmas story, a few episodes of Young Donald, and a look & find book about Scrooge.

DuckTalks: Dynamite Comics has started comic series based on the Disney Villains. Which Disney Villain is your all time favorite? Which Disney Villain(s) would you want to illustrate a variant cover?

Carlo: Yes, I hope these series will also arrive in Italy, they are beautiful and are having a huge impact on the public. My favorite Villain is Hades. I’d like to do a cover on him. I would love it.

**Note to Nate Cosby…get Carlo Lauro a Hades variant cover assignment**

DuckTalks: Any upcoming projects that you can talk about?

Carlo: As for Disney, at the moment I’m on DW and Young Donald. But I also have my own projects, such as Ghostgun, which is a Spaghetti Western manga! Written by Roberto Megna, it’s about Toe seeking out for the best gunslinger in the West to steal his title – action, powers and humor reminiscent of Dragon Ball and One Piece!

DuckTalks: What is your dream comic assignment?

Carlo: Right now I’m happy like this, DW is giving me so much satisfaction.

Carlo: Thank you, guys, for the questions and the support you’re giving to Darkwing Duck, Dynamite and me as an illustrator, it means so much to me. Thank you all.

You can follow the work of Carlo Cid Lauro on his website: http://carlocidlauro.artstation.com and his social media accounts: Twitter and Instagram

Give Carlo a follow!

The next dangerous issue of Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck #6 will be available at your local comic book shop on June 28th, 2023. An exciting new Justice Ducks storyline will kick off in July. Stay Dangerous!