Dynamite Comics’ fourth comic series from the world of the Daring Duck of Mystery and the Champion of Right features a dynamite duo of dangerous talent in the team of Brandt&Stein. Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Brandt&Stein.

DuckTalks: How did you get into the comic industry?

B&S: Through tumblr, believe it or not! Jeremy Whitley was looking for a fill-in artist for volume 3 of Princeless, and we applied. Since then most of our work was found through twitter, until we had enough contacts that it became more self-sustaining. 

DuckTalks: You two live across the pond in England. How were you first introduced to Darkwing Duck and how popular is he in the United Kingdom?

B&S: Both of us watched Darkwing and DuckTales as kids, though we couldn’t tell you what tv channel they were on. And while we don’t have any reliable stats or anything, I think most folks we know that are our age know DW!

DuckTalks: What additional research did you have to do on Darkwing Duck for the new comic series?

B&S: We obviously rewatched a bunch of the old episodes, but beyond that we also rewatched the 2017 DuckTales and read the art book for that show extensively to get a feel for doing a DW that feels both classic and fresh.

DuckTalks: You get bonus points for mentioning DuckTales (2017) and the amazing The Art of DuckTales book.

DuckTalks: Have you had the chance to read any of the other Darkwing Duck, Negaduck, and Justice Ducks comic series from Dynamite?

B&S: Unfortunately not! The terrible thing about working in comics is you really don’t have time to read much more than the tiniest fraction of books being produced. 

DuckTalks: What is your favorite classic Darkwing Duck episode?

B&S: Trading Faces! It was a fun idea and brilliantly executed in the way they showed which character was in which body. 

DuckTalks: Who is your favorite villain from Darkwing Duck’s rogue gallery of villains?

B&S: Ro can’t decide between Megavolt and Bushroot, but Ted is firmly team Megavolt. 

DuckTalks: For your cover of Darkwing Duck #1, you went with a humorous shot of Darkwing getting shocked by Megavolt while Launchpad and Gosalyn enjoy a roller coaster. Much respect with going with a funny cover over a Batman tribute cover that we have so often seen with DW comics.

B&S: Thanks! DW may have elements of Batman in there, but his core is pure Disney comedic animation, so we tried to use that as our North Star when doing all the covers. It’s a funny book; it should look funny!

DuckTalks: Do you prefer illustrating action or comedy?

B&S: We don’t see them as separate! On literally any level. Our Image book CROWDED was hyperviolent but still got laughs during the violence. Any action sequence, be it escape, fight, or whatever, can be funny if that supports the story and you approach it with proper timing and reactions. 

DuckTalks: Tad Stones will be contributing a variant cover for each issue of this new Darkwing Duck comic series. How does it feel to work on this Darkwing Duck project with Darkwing’s dad?

B&S: Oh, it’s been a huge honour. We even got to colour a few of Tad’s covers, which was just the biggest delight and honestly something of a surreal experience. 

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

B&S: As with any existing property, the key is to focus on what makes it brilliant and popular, and then find a way to make that yours. We’ve been having a blast really leaning into that cartoony sensibility that DW always had, and trying to replicate that on the page as best we can. 

DuckTalks: When there’s trouble…are you calling DW or Gizmoduck?

B&S: When there’s trouble, you call DW! No question.

DuckTalks: Thanks for getting dangerous with us!

Here are a couple preview pages by Brandt&Stein for Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck #1. Darkwing Duck #1 arrives in comic book shops early in February 2025 with covers by Brandt&Stein, Tad Stones, Ciro Cangialosi, Nicoletta Baldari, and Mark Bagley. Pick your favorite cover or Let’s Get Dangerous and get them all. Make sure to preorder Darkwing Duck #1 at your local comic book shop and let them know to add the Dynamite Comics Darkwing Duck series to your pull list.