Promotional artwork used as the cover for the VHS release.
"Comic Book Capers" (originally titled "Comic Book Classics" according to the series' production bible) is the eleventh episode of Darkwing Duck, and the second episode to premiere on the Disney Afternoon.
Synopsis[]
Darkwing and Launchpad run from the giant Megavolt in the comic book.
Darkwing objects strongly when he finds that the Awesome Comic Book Corporation's comic book based on his adventures is portraying him as a coward, so he decides to write and draw the comic himself. As he writes the comic, he gets continually distracted and, as a result, Gosalyn, Launchpad, Binkie Muddlefoot, and even Megavolt all make their own modifications to the story. He eventually gets the book finished, but when he shows it to the publisher, it's rejected, so he decides to instead sell the comic to Disney.
Trivia[]
- Mickey Mouse is mentioned by Launchpad about how Darkwing is "starring in his own comic book, just like Mickey Mouse." (Ironically, the current Mickey Mouse comic book at the time, Mickey Mouse Adventures, got cancelled shortly after this episode aired.)
- The comic book panels shown in this episode depict Darkwing's outfit as being colored black instead of purple. This is possibly a nod to how, in the Donald Duck comics, Donald's sailor suit is typically colored black instead of the usual blue.
- The following shots are used in the opening
- Darkwing Duck kicking down the bathroom door.
- Darkwing and Launchpad jumping out of the bank's window.
- Darkwing being pelted with a pie.
Goofs[]
- When Drake returns to the attic and yells "Are you reading my comic book?!", he's wearing his Darkwing apparel in the shot. He goes back to wearing his normal clothing in the next shot he's in.
Memorable quotes[]
Megavolt: So, how do you wanna go, Darkwing? Regular, or extra crispy? Darkwing: What about, peacefully, in my sleep, at an obscenely old age? |
Darkwing: [going over the comic] I can't believe this! It's, this is, it's... Executive: It's gripping, isn't it? We at the Awesome Comic Book Corporation have the very highest hopes for this issue. And frankly, Mr. Darkwing, we smell a blockbuster hit. Hehehehe. Darkwing: Oh, it's not hard to smell this thing, sir... BECAUSE IT STINKS! Executive: I-is there something wrong with it? Darkwing: WRONG!? Oh no, nothing's wrong... EXCEPT ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! This thing has nothing to do with reality! Executive: We, uh, perhaps took some dramatic license, merely to humanize the character, you understand. Darkwing: [snorting] Your dramatic license... [snort] ...has just... [snort] ...been REVOKED!! Executive: Heheh, you see, we uh, felt you might seem uh, too courageous, too daring, and too larger-than-life. Darkwing: Well, OF COURSE! THAT'S WHAT A HERO IS!! This thing would ruin me! I'd be a laughing stock! No villain would cower before me again! Look, bub, little impressionable children all over the world will be reading this. How can they pattern their lives after me if they think I'm a coward? [storming out] If you're gonna do a comic book based on my life, YOU'RE GONNA DO IT RIGHT! |
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"In a word, Darkwing Duck was... Hmm. Does 'phenomenal' have one F or two?" |
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"Boy, that DW's really somethin'. Starrin' in his own comic book. Just like Mickey Mouse!" |
[In the comic] Launchpad: Uh, DW? Darkwing: What is it, Launchpad? [gets zapped by one of Megavolt's rays] Launchpad: Do you know much about washing machines? [cut back to reality] Drake: What!? Launchpad: Well, I was wonderin', if I dropped a box of soap in the washer, and the lid was stuck shut with the thing on high, what would happen? Drake: I suppose, the washer might explode in a mountain of suds. [That exact thing happens right as he says that.] Launchpad: [sigh] I was afraid it'd be somethin' like that. |
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"Did Hemingway have this problem? No, because he didn't live next door to the Muddlefoots!" |
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"Ha! They call me mad! They call me insane! They were right. But I'M running things now!" |
Darkwing: Your little game is over, you revolting revisionist! Give it back, so I can finish off the scene where I finish you off! Megavolt: Wrong! In the last scene I'm gonna finish you off! Darkwing: Sorry pal, this thing's reality-based. You don't stand a chance against me! Megavolt: That's what you think, you hackneyed hack! In this edition, I'm now ten times bigger and more powerful! Darkwing: No way! Lemme see that. Where? Megavolt: Right there. [points to a panel of his giant self chasing Darkwing and Launchpad] Darkwing: What?! What kind of crazy science fiction are you trying to write? In any case, you oughta be twenty times smaller! [As he says this, Megavolt in the comic shrinks.] Megavolt: What do you think you're doing?! I'm bigger! Darkwing: Have it your way. [Comic!Megavolt grows back to giant size.] I can beat you no matter what size shoe you wear. |
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"Ah. Saved by my faithful pet, Super Bunny. Wait. Since when do I have a faithful pet named Super Bunny?" |
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"Never send a bunny to do a duck's job." |
Executive: [after reading Darkwing's rewritten script] Well... Darkwing: Yes? Executive: I hate it! Darkwing: No! Executive: Yes! I'm also repelled, repulsed, reviled, and revolted by it! Not to mention despising and detesting it! However... Darkwing: Yes? Executive: I am intrigued by the rabbit character, and plan to spin off a new comic book - The Adventures of Super Bunny! Darkwing: Bu-bu-bunny rabbit!? Why of all the--! Ahem. Sir, I have only one response to this development. [whistles] [The executive looks around, and then suddenly receives a pie to the face from Little Running Gag.] Darkwing: Come, come, Little Running Gag. Let's see if we can sell this epic to Disney. Maybe they'll make a TV series out of it! |
Voice cast[]
- Dan Castellaneta - Megavolt
- Jim Cummings - Darkwing Duck/Drake Mallard
- Terry McGovern - Launchpad McQuack
- Christine Cavanaugh - Gosalyn Mallard
- Susan Tolsky - Binkie Muddlefoot
External links[]
- Disney Wiki: Comic Book Capers
- Darkwing Duck Wiki: Comic Book Capers
- "Comic Book Capers" at the Internet Movie Database
- "Comic Book Capers" recap at TV Tropes