Throwback Thursday takes us back to crime-ridden streets of St. Canard and a hero who flaps in the night. Darkwing Duck‘s two-part opener “Darkly Dawns the Duck” introduces us to the little-known hero of St. Canard, Darkwing Duck (Jim Cummings) whose first big case sets him against the even machinations of Taurus Bulba (Tim Curry), a devilishly-clever criminal mastermind who is still operating his gang from inside prison. Bulba has his sights on a device that disrupts gravitational bonds and allows manipulation on a micro scale along with the inventor’s granddaughter Gosalyn (Christine Cavanaugh), and orphan who is the only living soul who knows the code to turn it on. Darkwing’s attempt to prevent the robbery actually makes him the #1 suspect in the crime (leading police to chase after the hero for most of the two-part episode).
Although things don’t exactly go to plan, Darkwing is able to take down Taurus Bulba and save the day (although to less fanfare than he would like). Along with introducing Darkwing to both Goaslyn and his number one fan Launchpad McQuack (Terence McGovern), “Darkly Dawns the Duck” also features several tropes for which series will become known for including Darkwing’s egocentric entrances, plans going awry (whether it being taking down a villain or making breakfast), the headquarters atop the Audubon Bay Bridge, both the Ratcatcher and the Thunderquack, and Gosalyn’s spirit and penchant for mischief. Darkwing being a good super-hero (just nowhere need as good as he thinks he is), and his relationships with Gosalyn and Launchpad, all of which sets the stage not just for the opener but all that will follow.
