Back in 2024, Amanda Deibert tackled writing the daring do-gooding duck who likes to get dangerous: Disney’s mighty mallard Darkwing Duck in a new series from Dynmaite Entertainment. Deibert–who counts among her phenomenal comic projects series like Red Sonja, Wonder Woman, and Teen Titans GO!–took Darkwing, his sidekick Launchpad McQuack, his adopted daughter Gosalyn, and the rest of the gang on raucous romps against vicious villains. All the while, Darkwing must balance his superheroics with his life and responsibilities in his role as alter ego Drake Mallard. Deibert’s deft dialogue and humor that reached heights of high hilarity made Darkwing one of Dynamite’s must-read books.

When the comic debuted, Deibert was kind enough to speak with me about her love of Darkwing Duck, her work on the series, and the fun she was having working in that corner of the Disney universe.

Due to technical difficulties, this interview was never published. Those difficulties have been rectified and the interview is being published here, edited with considerations of the time that has passed between the interview and today.

 

FreakSugar: Before we get to the book, what is your personal history with Darkwing Duck?

Amanda Deibert: Well, I’m a 90s kid so I grew up with Darkwing! It was fun to go back and re-visit him and even more fun to share that with my little girl.

FS: Where do we find Darkwing at the beginning of the first issue?

AD: So I decided to jump right into the series as if it were a continuation of the show in a way. Darkwing is already the terror that flaps in the night and he is about to be honored with his very own statue at a HUGE celebratory ceremony… which will obviously go very, very wrong.

FS: Did you have any particular goals when taking on this project?

AD: My goal was to bring all the nostalgia for those who know and love the character and give moments to all of our favorite characters and to also bring that into the modern space for the newer generations to enjoy. It’s a delicate dance, but I think I was able to pull it off.

FS: The original Darkwing Duck cartoon is such a beloved series to so many. Why do you think it resonated so much and has so much staying power?

AD: Humor is a huge part of that. Darkwing takes himself so seriously that it is hilarious. It’s fun, it’s action-packed and it makes us laugh. What is not to love?

 

 

FS: Do you have a favorite Darkwing villain or other supporting cast member?

AD: I love Morgana. I had a lot of fun with her appearance in this comic.

FS: Are there any other Disney characters you’d like to take a stab at writing?

AD: This question is HARD because there is a huge universe with SO MANY characters I’d love to play with. This is causing me to go into option paralysis. I will say I have been asked to do another Disney series and I’ve turned in a synopsis so we’ll see what happens there…

FS: The art and look of the book are so spot on. What can you tell us about the collaboration with the rest of the creative team?

AD: Carlo Lauro is astoundingly great. So many of the visual easter eggs hidden throughout are entirely his creation and it is a joy and delight! He’s wonderful.

FS: If you had one final pitch for Darkwing Duck, what would it be?

AD: I do have one… but I am keeping that to myself because I am hoping to actually write it one day, haha.

Darkwing Duck Vol 1: F.O.W.L. Play is on sale now from Dynamite Entertainment.

From the official trade paperback description:

He is the terror that flaps in the night… He is the ferocious fowl who plucks the evil eye from the face of foul play… He is Darkwing Duck! Alongside his trusty sidekick Lauchpad McQuack, Darkwing hyper-vigilantly defends St. Canard from the dastardly, devilish demons who would wage wanton war! By night, our caped defender lurks in the shadows, striking fear (and maybe confusion?) in the heart of the criminal underworld…but by day, no one suspects that Darkwing is also mild-mannered Drake Mallard, a well-meaning father to his adorable adopted daughter, Gosalyn! Can Darkwing successfully navigate his two separate lives, all while looking incredibly cool and impossibly handsome? (Hint: Probably not, but…) You’ll have to read to find out!