The Disney Afternoon Returns...In a New Form.

I've been trapped on this island for some time now, the island is VERY unusual, with bizarre natural (or perhaps supernatural--there is a large mysterious green flame that comes and goes) phenomenons, as well as a strangely diverse flora and fauna population.  I'm not sure where exactly I am, but I fairly certain the island is located in the Pacific Ocean, somewhere in the subtropical region.  I am unsure as to why my powers are virtually non-existent here, but I have a few theories.  Considering my strange situation, I was determined to think like the greats...like, Yen Sid, Mickey, Walt, and Merlin.  In my first two weeks here, I catalogued the fauna of the island.  I counted 18 distinct species, several of which were predatory, and if I hadn't had some of my talismans with me, I would be dead.

With little else to do, I determined to write down my thoughts and experiences while I'm here.  Recently I used a Master Control Program that I uploaded onto a computer network that was left behind by a previous occupant on the island, I started writing this log.  The whole island seems to have been inhabited, and abandoned--quite recently.  There are modern buildings including an abandoned hotel.  After using my talismans to rid the hotel of the local wildlife, I began inhabiting the abandoned hotel, and started using the abandoned computer network to write my thoughts and experiences.  Maybe the MPC can transfer some of what I write to the outside world, and eventually I'll get rescued.  Until then, I'll just write.

One power that I've found to be only slightly hampered is my power of absorption.  This is where I go into a meditative state, and allow the Disney Collective to enter my mind.  Disney is a HUGE entity, with TV shows, Movies, Video Games, Comics, and more...so even as a Disney Wizard, it's impossible for me to know everything about Disney.  But with my power of absorption, I can incorporate and learn a lot about what's happening in the Wonderful World of Disney.

Here's where this island has limited me...I can't learn of anything new...I have no idea what the latest Disney Animated Film is...or even several before that...(I cannot specify when I am writing this, or how long I've been here, as a Disney Wizard is forbidden to appear dated...even when it's clear that I am, and I have been here a while)

So...yes, I know nothing of what has come recently, but I am aware when something pre-existing changes...or gets updated or transformed.  For example...I know that TRON has gotten a sequel.  I haven't seen it yet, but I know it has come out.  That's what gave me the idea to use my powers to create an MPC and take control of the active computer network here.  (For the record, I can use my powers to see the sequel...but it would take a lot of effort, so I might as well wait)

Because of this...I am also aware that several new comic adaptations have appeared.  Comics of things near and dear to my Heart.

The Disney Afternoon is why I became a Disney Wizard.  There is a special kind of magic found there and no where else.   And...it seems I'm not the only one who thinks so.  The brilliant people of BOOM! Comics have picked up the licenses to to comic adaptations of two (or three, depending on how you look at it) of Disney Afternoon's titles.

I am the terror, that flaps in the night, I am the Disney Afternoon's best chance at rebirth, I am

DARKWING DUCK!

The eponymous "super-hero" was a breath of fresh air when he first appeared on the scene in 1991.  A caped Batman Parody, who despite his huge ego, was truly trying to do what was right and protect his beloved city of St. Canard.  Darkwing is joined by his adopted daughter Gosalyn, his sidekick Launchpad McQuack (Yes, Scrooge McDuck's infamous pilot, this technically is a spin off of Ducktales, but LP's piloting skills seem to have improved somewhat, and Scrooge has nothing to do with this series), his sometimes-girlfriend-sometimes-spell-slinging-enemy Morgana Macawber, and his rival and fellow hero Gizmoduck. (Also of Ducktales fame)

The comic series is written by Ian Brill, and let me just say...he's brilliant.  Issue #7 came out recently, part of Darkwing's Second story arc "Crisis on Infinite Darkwings".  (And yes, while my specialty is Disney Magic, I DO get the DC joke)  Darkwing was always an affectionate parody of the superhero genre.  He has not lost his humor, nor his heart (which was always Darkwing's core) and Mr. Brill weaves together an excellent story that brings all the characters I mentioned above back together.  (Except Gizmoduck, but I feel certain that he'll be showing up very soon to take back something rather important to him)  I recommend Darkwing Duck to any fans of the titular hero, and all fans of the Disney Afternoon.

Darkwing's villains are BIG bads though.  Taurus Bulba, a crime boss.  NegaDuck, a psychotic evil Darkwing with pan-dimensional conquest goals.  Bushroot, the ultimate eco-terrorist.  Etc.  But sometimes, some crimes, go slipping through the cracks, but these two gumshoes are picking up the slack.  There's no case too big, no case too small for...

Chip N' Dale's Rescue Rangers.

Another part of the Disney Afternoon, and another new Comic series by BOOM!   Chip N' Dale's Rescue Rangers was an action/adventure story to Darkwing's superheroes.  Like Ducktales and Talespin, Chip N Dale's Rescue Rangers took pre-existing Disney Characters, and re-defined them.  It teamed Chip and Dale (of Donald Duck fame) up with Monterey Jack; a cheese-obsessed Australian Mouse, Gadget Hackwrench, a ditzy genius savant; and Zipper, the cutest fly ever.  They fought crime.  Big and especially little.  It's better than it sounds, seriously.  And the characters are brought to life again by Ian Brill.  It's nice having a Disney Afternoon fan on staff at BOOM!

Chip N Dale are only on their first issue, so they have some catching up to do with Darkwing.  The issue itself hints at an epic story arc that is just beginning.  That said, the story jumps around a lot with no timestamps, so it took me my second read through to figure out what was flashback, and what was the present.  And I would have liked to have seen Zipper deal with the spider army that attacked his family.  Still, Chip N' Dale's flaws are few, and I am eager to read more.

There's also a Ducktales comic, but it's more of a tie-in to the already existing "Uncle Scrooge" series.  Not a bad series mind you, but it doesn't feel like Disney Afternoon's Ducktales to me.  It just feels like Uncle Scrooge with "Ducktales" characters shoehorned in.   Still, Chip N Dale and Darkwing make it a great time to be a Disney Afternoon fan.  There's only two things that could make it better:

And

A Talespin Comic, and a new Gargoyles comic.  In the case of Gargoyles, it needs to be a Greg Weisman written comic taking place after his latest issue by SLG.  Gargoyles was actually the first Disney Afternoon series to get revived as a comic, written by the SHOW'S CREATOR no less.  Not even DW and CNDRR can say that (Although Tad Stones does approve of what Ian Brill is doing, and is pleased that Darkwing and the Rangers have a new home at BOOM!)  Unfortunately the most excellent comic run, was riddled with delays and printing errors that doomed the series. (Which was a HUGE shame, it was a fantastic comic) SLG, the small company that was releasing the comic dropped the license when it expired, because it was too expensive.  Greg Weisman is still very much in love with his series, and would LEAP at the chance to continue it.  It's my prayer that BOOM! realizes this and hires Greg to continue his series.

And if all four series were running concurrently...I think that my powers as the Disney Wizard would be unmatched...and my inner fanboy would be in comic Heaven.  Darkwing Duck, Chip N Dale's Rescue Rangers, Talespin, and Gargoyles all coming out with new comics and new stories...it'd be like the Disney Afternoon had truly come back for all those in the 90s, who grew up with these cartoons.