Dynamite Comics will make sure that we get even more dangerous in 2025 with a brand-new Darkwing Duck comic series written by Daniel Kibblesmith and illustrated by Brandt&Stein. We are thrilled to share with you our interview with Daniel Kibblesmith. Let’s get dangerous!
DuckTalks: I think what makes me most excited for your Darkwing Duck run is that you are an obsessed fan of Darkwing Duck like us. You grew up watching the Darkwing Duck animated series on the Disney Afternoon. People not around during those years simply do not understand how amazing and important that block of television was for kids returning home from school. Please take us back to your memories of watching the Disney Afternoon.
Daniel Kibblesmith: It’s true — it is VERY hard to explain to people who grew up in the on-demand and/or streaming era that television was essentially constructed like the radio (if they have any experience with the radio). But with much fewer stations, as a kid without cable, and if you missed an episode (or loved an episode), unless you were in the regular habit of recording things on VHS, there was a real chance you’d never see it again. My whole childhood revolved around animation and I was already a big DuckTales fan, so the Disney Afternoon was huge arrival and became a significant part of the shared culture of children at that time.
DuckTalks: What made Darkwing Duck stand out as a favorite?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Darkwing was obviously the stand-out to me. It had all the comedy and adventure I loved from DuckTales, (and the sidekick), but around that time, I was also becoming a little more cautiously curious about action shows and superhero comics. For me, Darkwing was the perfect bridge from “little kid” cartoons to “big kid” cartoons. It was a Disney Afternoon show, but it was also a more sophisticated comedy than had been aimed at kids in a long time, and a thrilling, pulpy, superhero show. It started teaching me the language of the genre and helped set me on the career path I’m on today (clearly).
DuckTalks: What are some of your other favorite Disney Afternoon shows?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Rescue Rangers was probably my #2, very similar blend of action and genre-comedy. To this day, I am unclear on whether Monterey Jack is a parody of something. It seems like the answer must be yes, but I can’t find it. Maybe it’s a 1940s air combat movie I haven’t seen.
DuckTalks: This is probably the hardest question that you can get asked in an interview. What is your favorite Disney Afternoon theme song?
Daniel Kibblesmith: I’m going to sidestep controversy here and just give an answer everyone can agree on: The Moon level of DuckTales the Nintendo game.
DuckTalks: Did you own any of the classic Playmates Darkwing Duck figures or toys growing up or any of the latest Darkwing Duck toys and collectibles?
Daniel Kibblesmith: I have nothing from back then! When I got this job, I did get a Darkwing Duck chibi-figure for my shelf of characters I’ve worked on. It’s made by Funko, but it doesn’t have the creepy eyes, it has the normal eyes.
DuckTalks: Have you played the Darkwing Duck NES game?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Yes. Not nearly as much as the DuckTales one, that I owned. Darkwing was a multiple rental.
DuckTalks: Where does the color purple rank as a favorite color?
Daniel Kibblesmith: It actually is my favorite color. I assume independently of Darkwing Duck, but I guess I don’t actually know.
DuckTalks: Which villain in the Darkwing Duck Rogue Gallery of villains is your favorite?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Megavolt. But I also have a huge soft spot for Liquidator. The entire Rogue’s Gallery is one of the best in superhero fiction. I’d put it up against almost anything to come out of classic comics.
DuckTalks: Will there be any new original villains for Darkwing to battle in your Darkwing Duck comic series?
Daniel Kibblesmith: That’s a secret. I will say, the more copies we sell, the villains we’ll see, from classics to deep cuts to team-ups. Pre-order now!
DuckTalks: What is your favorite episode of the Darkwing Duck animated series?
Daniel Kibblesmith: It’s still the pilot. The character defining comedy and action. Stakes and pathos and tenderness not usually seen in TV animation. A weirdly sophisticated spy plot. It was clear that this was an evolutionary leap in family TV.
DuckTalks: Have you watched the Darkwing Duck episodes of the DuckTales (2017) animated series?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Yes!
DuckTalks: Do you have a favorite “I am the Terror…” line?
Daniel Kibblesmith: “I am the weed-whacker in the garden of evil” goes pretty hard.
DuckTalks: With the rumor that there is a Darkwing Duck animated show eventually coming down the pipeline, was there anything that you were told would be off limits for this new Darkwing Duck comic series?
Daniel Kibblesmith: I also work in animation, so if anyone IS putting together a Darkwing Duck television reboot, they know where to find me. In terms of this project, no notes related to any show in the works. So far I haven’t found anything “off limits,” but I think that’s because everyone knows and loves this property so much, we’re all pretty on the same page about the tone, the characterization, and what stories feel like classic Darkwing.
DuckTalks: I am impressed that you did your extensive research by consuming all of the previous Darkwing Duck comic series. Can you tell me what you liked about those other Darkwing Duck comic series and how will your comic run be different?
Daniel Kibblesmith: What I liked about them best is that they were structured like comic books. Darkwing had already been a half-hour episodic TV show, so these other creators took advantage of the medium of comics to do more serialized stories, some status quo changes, things that felt like the reached beyond the show. And now that I know that’s been done, it inspired me to do the opposite. Back to basics, episodic, single-issue stories with one classic villain. My goal is to make each issue feel like a new or “lost” episode of the show.
DuckTalks: What dangerous details can you share about your upcoming Darkwing Duck run? Any exclusive info you can give us?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Launchpad’s real name is Launch Patterson. This isn’t true, Disney please don’t send robot pirate skeletons at me.
DuckTalks: Tad Stones will be contributing to this comic series with a must own comic cover for each issue. How does it feel working on this series with the Legend and having his support for your Darkwing Duck comic?
Daniel Kibblesmith: It’s incredibly significant. This would’ve been a dream job for regardless, but having access to Tad is gargantuan. His art immediately brings you back to those original feelings of first experiencing these characters. He’s been invaluable with insights about what makes them work, comically and as well-rounded characters. And his role, just as the godfather of this entire world makes the whole thing feel very real and very high pressure. In a good way — I’m trying to deliver scripts worthy of the show and all the art I’ve seen from Ted Brandt and Ro Stein, all the coloring by Dearbhla Kelly, all the input from our editor Nate Cosby — we all care about this deeply and want it to feel right to fans like us.
DuckTalks: You currently have two new holiday comic releases this season with Marvel Comics’ Holiday Tales to Astonish #1 and The Powerpuff Girls: Holiday Snowdown Showdown #1. Any chance that you could talk Dynamite into doing a Darkwing Duck Holiday Special comic?
Daniel Kibblesmith: Have they not done that yet? They know where to find me. “I am the terror that jingles your bells…”
DuckTalks: Thanks for getting dangerous with us for this interview.
Daniel Kibblesmith: You’re welcome! On sale in February, but call your local comic shop and pre-order now. My understanding is that they help much, much more than day-of sales. But then, when you go to pick up your pre-ordered Darkwing Duck #1, you can tell your friend “QUICK, THEY ONLY HAVE ONE COPY LEFT!” and that helps too. The more we sell, the more “I am the terror…” lines you get to force me to come up with. It’s harder than it sounds, the show burned through a lot of good ones.
You can also check out our interview with the Darkwing Duck illustrating team Brandt&Stein at the link below.
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.
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