Two 90s Disney classics are returning to comic books: Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck. Dynamite Comics announced the return of these iconic shows’ characters at San Diego Comic Con. From reprints to new ongoings, there is a lot for fans of Disney’s ’90s era to be excited about.
Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck were both part of The Disney Afternoon, a lineup of cartoons and shows that ran from 1990 to 1997. It included the two previously mentioned hit series, as well as TaleSpin, DuckTales, and Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers. With many of these shows and their characters making big returns to television in recent years courtesy of Disney Channel and Disney+, it’s exciting to see that comics are jumping in and giving Gargoyles a revival as well.
At San Diego Comic Con, Dynamite Entertainment announced plans to release both Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck comics. These include not just a new ongoing for Gargoyles, but also reprints of previous comic runs for both properties. Greg Weisman, the original creator of Gargoyles, is onboard for the return and ready to write what is said to be a “new season” of the series in comic form. There has been no announcement of creative teams for Darkwing Duck or what the series will be about, but considering there is an upcoming Disney+ reboot, it seems possible for the comics to have a connection to it.
Disney Comics have had a rather trying history as titles have changed publishers numerous times with varying success over several decades. Both Gargoyles and Darkwing Ducks have previously had comic runs and were slated to have additional runs before eventually being cancelled. The hit runs from the 90s for both properties will be reprinted as facsimiles while there will also be new series and new graphic novels according to Dynamite. These include works for Gargoyles from Amanda Conner, Joe Madureira, Grant Miehm, Jimmy Palmiotti, Martin Pasko, and Mort Todd. Darkwing Duck’s 1991 limited series by Len Wein, John Blair Moore, Gary Martin, George Wildman, Gail Bailey, and Gaspar Saladino will also be released as a facsimile edition.
Gargoyles ran for three seasons, although creator Greg Weisman rewrote the third season in comics following his removal from the series during an upheaval during its production at Disney. His third season proved to be rather different from the one that aired, being seen in the eight issue 2006 series of the same name from Slave Labor Graphics. Now the comics are slated to pick up in this vein, continuing the show in a different format. Darkwing Duck has faced numerous publication issues, including creator credit and licensing, as it has shifted around from Disney Comics and Marvel to BOOM! Studios, Joe Books, and IDW Publishing. Now, Dynamite will have a chance to revive the hero with new adventures.
Gargoyles‘ upcoming comic revival is slated to begin later in 2022, while Darkwing Duck fans won’t be able to get dangerous until 2023.
