The creatives behind Disney XD’s DuckTales TV show reboot have confirmed that Darkwing Duck will be appearing on the series. Darkwing Duck the TV show, like the original DuckTales TV series, was one of the core programs that made up the Disney animated television programming block that was the Disney Afternoon in the 1990s (along with other shows like Talespin and Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers). Running for a total of three seasons and 91 episodes, Darkwing Duck was a Noir/superhero-inspired adventure series that revolve around the escapades of its namesake (true identity: Drake Mallard) and his battle against crime in the city of St. Canard.
Darkwing Duck the TV show was itself a spinoff of DuckTales and included recurring DuckTales characters such as Launchpad McQuack (who was Darkwing’s sidekick/roommate) as well as Gizmoduck (who is being voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda in the DuckTales reboot series), among its character ranks. However, whereas the original DuckTales and Darkwing Duck series existed in alternate universes (according to Darkwing Duck creator Tad Stones, anyway), it appears that will not be the case with the new version of DuckTales.
As reported by EW, DuckTales reboot executive producer Matt Youngberg and co-producer/story editor Francisco Angones showed off a sizzle reel for the series at its San Diego Comic-Con 2017 panel. Among other things, the DuckTales footage included an appearance by Darkwing Duck (in concept art form) as well as brief glimpses at other familiar elements of the Darkwing Duck property - namely, the Ratcatcher (aka. Darkwing’s specially-equipped motorcycle) and Megavolt, Darkwing’s electricity-powered supervillain nemesis.
The inclusion of Darkwing Duck the character is yet another aspect of the DuckTales reboot TV series that will set it apart from its (beloved) predecessor. Most of the other alterations that the DuckTales reboot is making to the original show’s design are more cosmetic than anything else; including, making side characters such as Webby Vanderquack and Donald Duck more central to the proceedings, this time around. Similarly, the reboot TV series features the same classic DuckTales opening theme song and lyrics, albeit with a few audial modifications (though nothing so dramatic as to make it unrecognizable to kids of the ’90s).
Of course, with shared universes and spinoffs being all the rage in television and film alike right now, one can’t help but speculate that the DuckTales reboot could end up laying the foundation for a similar Darkwing Duck reboot/revival to happen on Disney XD, somewhere down the line. DuckTales has already been renewed for a second season ahead of its official premiere, so the Mouse House clearly has high hopes for the show. If the show both lives up to the legacy of its predecessor and helps to bring back another Disney Afternoon favorite in the process, then you certainly won’t hear us complaining about Disney XD creating a “Duckverse” of its own.
DuckTales premieres on Disney XD with a one hour special titled ‘Woo-Oo’ on August 12th, before airing episodes on a weekly basis starting September 23rd.
Source: EW
