SMA's Awesomest Episodes Ever: Darkwing Duck Vol. 1

In this feature I discuss different episodes from various television shows that have stuck with me well past childhood.

It's no surprise most fans of the cartoon series, Darkwing Duck know that the titular character's creation is heavily based on/inspired by DC Comics' Batman. In the episode, "Time and Punishment" the writers of the series penned a love letter/parody of the classic Batman story, The Dark Knight Returns (DKR).

In DKR, we find a future, older Batman who retired from his crusade shortly after the haunting death of his partner Robin (Jason Todd). Fueled by an unyielding sense of justice and the violent emergence of the criminal gang, The Mutants, Batman once-again dons his costume to restore order to the chaos.

Much like DKR Batman, Darkwing Duck forged his persona of Darkwarrior Duck from loss; specifically the presumed loss of his daughter, Gosalyn. As a noted rebel to authority, Gosalyn disobeyed her father during a bust of the villainous duo QuackerJack and Megavolt as they were about to travel to the future in their time machine, the Timetop. Gosalyn accidentally hitched a ride to the future to find the criminals of her home St. Canard were gone under her father's watch, but a much more disturbing reality remained in his wake.

For decades, Darkwing thought his daughter ran away and from the loss, resigned himself to a malaise towards crimefighting. In seeing the streets as unsafe for everyone, Darkwing becomes Darkwarrior to purge the streets of criminals in his beloved city. However, driven by loss, anger, and bitterness Darkwarrior placed every citizen in his crosshairs for even the slightest offense.

The attitude of Darkwarrior Duck is very reminiscent of DKR Batman in his zero-tolerance handling of criminals. Nice touches were added in the design of Darkwarrior's costume and car--clearly inspired by the DKR Batmobile. As an added bonus the writers even included a nod to the creative team of DKR when Darkwarrior learned of a crime happening at the corner of Miller and Varley St. (DKR was written/illustrated by Frank Miller and colored by Lynn Varley) As a comic fan, this was a easy way to win me over and the nods to DKR were just icing on the cake.

Still making an impact today, BOOM! Studios recently began a new ongoing comic series for Darkwing Duck with the inaugural arc entitled, "The Duck Knight Returns."

SMA Sketchbook Profile Week 5: Usagi Yojimbo

Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo is, of course, a favorite of mine hence his inclusion in my sketchbook. However, my introduction to the character was not through his comic, but through the immensely popular "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" animates series of the late 80s and early 90s. As a kid, I was notorious into turning everything into a sword; from appropriately-sized sticks from outdoors to discarded paper towel rolls. I had pet rabbits growing up and so the imagery of a sword-wielding rabbit with a unwavering sense of honor really captured my attention and admiration. In short, he looked cool and was badass. Plus, since we're both vegetarian, he's extra cool! ;)

I've been a fan of Khary Randolph for a long time before we've every met. I frequented his website looking for new art and was amazed at what he (and still does) develop. I also uphold a personal desire to include an number of talented Black artists in my book and Khary is definitely in the upper echelon. At the time, Khary had a stint working on the TMNT comic, so this request was a cakewalk for him.

We finally met at Wizard World Chicago back in 2008 and I had the chance to gush in person. Khary’s got a quiet cool, in his personality and in his work, so it was pretty easy for me to choose the silent samurai and baddest bunny rabbit in comics for him to sketch.

The stoic pose, falling flower petals, and color contrast (accentuated by the red marker to illustrate a warrior’s work is never over) seals the deal and his cool.

Throwing in the badass “Whut” quote, gives this piece 1000 extra points, because seriously, if you just took out a dude looking that cool what else would you say to wide-eyed onlookers?

New Banner, Same Goodness

I made a new banner in Photoshop over the weekend. I wanted a classic/retro feel, but still energetic. I'm really, really into green this year, which I'm pleased with since it was my original favorite color. Hope you like it!

SMA Sketchbook Profile Week 4: Space Ghost

I first met Matt Kindt at Wizardworld Chicago in 2008 where he was a member of Top Shelf's booth. Previously, I was introduced to his work from a Wizard article that highlighted his WWII-era graphic novel, "Superspy" (a Great read!) His smooth brushwork, and classic style instantly made me fall in love with his work. My book was very much still in the early stages, and presented with this huge talent at the show, I knew adding Kindt was a necessity. I told him the theme of my book and he asked eagerly if anyone had done Space Ghost. With nothing but a few sketches under my belt, I replied, "No," and let him have at it. I love Alex Toth and for future sketches I will have more of the characters he designed in my book.

I returned in about an hour to check on the sketch and was blown away. The whole image is an epic scene that tells some rad space tale of Space Ghost, literally with his back to the wall--battle-weary--and wading in water against some tenacled monster. Epic and still one of my favorites years later.

SMA Sketchbook Profile Week 3: Captain N: The Gamemaster

...aaand, we're back.

This week brings us to our next installment in this (sorta) weekly column. Back at Wizardworld Chicago '08, when this book just got underway I was digging into my brain for characters I needed to have in this book. Initially, I had another artist in mind for this character, but the trouble was, realistically, the price for sketches. Captain N is such a simple character to draw, given that he looks like a regular kid and only wears a Letterman jacket with a "N" on it. I'm not against paying for sketches but, I really want to get a bang for my buck, and a more visually interesting character would be more worthwhile to pay a chunk for.

Thanks to my friend Dave, I soon learned that comic legend Geoff Darrow was at this show and is also a super-nice guy. He was doing sketches to raise funds for a charity and invited anyone who walked up to his table. Darrow is a huge comic legend and incredibly talented, so adding a good cause to the mix, made this even more of a no-brainer for me to add him to the book. As with a few of the characters I choose for this book, Captain N was a little obscure to Geoff, but he did happen to remember the production company that produced the show, called DIC (that was also the reason he included it in his signature).

We had a good chat and literally as soon as Geoff drew the trademark "N" on the jacket, I had the biggest grin on my face.

This book is all about fun, and features tremendous talent, and it was a pleasure to have Mr. Darrow be a part of it.

SMA's Classic Commercial Reviews: That's a Blow Pop!

More than just cartoons, I want to take a look some other classic bits spiraling out of Saturday morning adventures. Specifically the commercials. The advertising in between Voltron and He-Man made some big bucks for your favorite candy/cereal company, and to this day they are still pretty fondly remembered. We'll start with one of my faves: Blow Pop.

No lie. I still remember this commercial pretty much word-for-word, even after not seeing it for years and years. What a concept, right?! It's gum inside of a lollypop! Two ways to rot your teeth!

I really used to hate when the gum would just start to come through the candy coating and it would be like razor sharp and totally cut you if it caught your gums the wrong way. Then the stick would get soggy and then that's all she wrote.

I'm a sour apple kinda guy, and pretty much every bag that I got, it was always the most scarce flavor.

Anyway back to the commercial. We begin with a behind-the-scenes kinda look at the making of the Blow Pop commercial that is not without its hi-jinks of its young cast. There's constant reminders from the director "Stephanie" (who sounds like she's 12) about what to say and when to say it. How this production got funded? Who knows. What's this "Stephanie's" credentials and previous body of work? Who cares, apparently. I really like the kid who name drops the company's name in an awesome super soda-like belch voice at 0:11.

Now flavors:
Cherry: pretty laid back, kinda a mix between Southern comfort-and L.A. laidbackness.
Grape: A female duo collab: much like those girls you see at the mall who are best friends with friendship bracelets and seem to ALWAYS BE THERE.
Strawberry: is apparently for the "Back in my day..." age group whose voices can sound like they need oil and tongues can only detect one flavor.
Sour Apple: To my (and the director's) dismay, he's the dunce of the group with incredibly slow reflexes and poor short-term memory,. (probably causes by a late night mall venture with the grape twins)
Watermelon: The most phenotypically nerd-looking one of the bunch who is on cue and not without the urge to showboat "Ta-daa!"

Just when everyone start's to get in a rhythm and enjoy themselves, they forget the most important part...to mention the advertiser! Amateurs...

Looking back on this now, I would love this have featured some really popular actors of today. If like Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zoe Saldana, etc. were in this, how awesome would that be?!

SMA Sketchbook Profile Week 2: Underdog & Danger Mouse

I know. I already fell behind...but I got good stuff coming!

This week's installment brings two classic cartoon characters that I first met thanks to the Nickelodeon network. Underdog and Danger Mouse lovingly childlike and rendered by the phenomenal Tiny Titans duo of Franco Aureliani and Art Baltazar respectively.

These are two classic characters who I feel should be in a Cartoon Hall of Fame (in such a thing did exist). I feel the Tiny Titans team have brought so much vigor and enthusiasm to All Ages comics, so naturally I wanted them to take that same energy and etch these characters in time for me in my sketchbook.

Underdog is kinda a Superman analogue with similar powers and identity, while Danger Mouse is your cavalier super spy with, of course, a wicked awesome car.

People still get excited when I open up my book to reveal these two.