While Darkwing Duck might be the terror that flaps in the night, Negaduck is the blister on the foot of justice. He's bad to the beak and always on the lookout for ways to spread more chaos. Spinning out of the Darkwing Duck comic book, Dynamite Entertainment's Negaduck #1 promises a villainous good time from the on-set, following Negaduck's exploits outside of Darkwing's purview. The first issue -- written by Jeff Parker, drawn and colored by Ciro Cangialosi, and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry -- is a great showcase for the villain's potential as a central character and delivers on the comedic focus.
Negaduck doesn't take days off. After escaping from a high-security prison, he's quickly back in St. Canard. Embracing his freedom, Negaduck aims to pull the greatest criminal act the city has ever seen. However, every time he makes a move, he notices his fellow villains are doing something similar. This infuriates him on a fundamental level -- he's supposed to be the greatest villain in the world! When he finds out the mastermind threat Taurus Bulba is scheming something big, works to find out what the scheme really is -- stumbling into something much larger in the process.
Parker hits the sweet spot with Negaduck #1. The story flows like a breezy, fiendish delight. It showcases the dastardly mallard's cartoonish brand of villainy and how his threat level is slightly above mild irritation. In fact, shaving off someone's eyebrows would elevate him into Legion of Doom territory compared to some of his other schemes. The Justice Ducks need to keep an eye on him, that's for sure, even if his current efforts are stalled by competition. The writer also taps into Negaduck's vanity to strong effect, as he can't believe all the other Darkwing rogues are pulling off the same crimes he planned out. Yet, it builds to a solid humorous turn when he has the realization he can just steal someone else's plan since that's what bad guys do -- they steal.
Much like the main Darkwing Duck series, Negaduck's solo title leans toward comedy and makes for lighthearted entertainment. Cangialosi toes the art line of the Disney series well, keeping in line with the animated show and spin-off comics. Negaduck #1 is illustrated in the same style as Darkwing Duck, boasting easy-on-the-eye line work and character designs that aren't overflowing with intricate detail or too many shadows. At the same time, the art pays homage to the backdrops of St. Canard from the animated series, nailing down the familiar aesthetic that many fans will feel instantly comfortable with. It's an impressive juggling act from Cangialosi, blending a personal touch with the standard Disney look.
Cangialosi also colors the book and injects the flamboyant flair that's become synonymous with Disney animation. Despite Negaduck being the "darker" version of Darkwing Duck, his book is the antithesis of his personality -- lending it an additional layer of comedy. The bulk of the story takes place during a happy and sunny day, further contrasting his cartoonish attempts to be evil. St. Canard looks like a city that has never experienced pollution or fracking, so the flowers bloom brighter, and the flora shines with a lushness unlike any other place. It's practically heavenly, a perfect contrast to the central character.
Eckleberry is also no stranger to Dynamite Entertainment's Disney range, having lettered numerous other books, and he brings a consistency and flow to the speech bubbles and the occasional effect. As far as spin-offs go, there might have been some hesitancy surrounding the legs of a series like this. However, Negaduck #1 shows there's a lot of potential baked into an exploration of Darkwing Duck's nemesis. His adventures set the stage for his own fun series. It's a laugh-a-minute riot that makes for a quackin' good time, leaning into the comical approach inherent to Disney's classic riff on superhero tropes.