I may not have been alive when DuckTales first hit TV back in 1987, but there is not a single person I know who doesn’t have fond memories of the Duck Triplets traveling with Launchpad McQuack (one of the best names in TV history) and their grandfather Scrooge McDuck as they set out to find even more treasures for Scrooge to possess. The image of Scrooge diving headfirst into a sea of gold coins is one that I remember vividly to this day. Back in 2015, when Disney announced that DuckTales would be returning in 2017 with an all new series on Disney XD, i’m positive a countless amount of adults chimed a unanimous “DuckTales! Woo-oo!” and felt only mild embarrassment afterwards.
In 2016 Disney released the first sneak peak of the new animation for the series, and to the relief of many fans everywhere, it looked stupendous. The quick look not only perfectly captured the adventure and whimsicality of DuckTales, but also felt like the perfect blend of the old animation and cartoon strip style.
Disney has just given fans of the old show, and soon to be new fans, another glimpse at the new animation for the upcoming series and it has once again raised my excitement for 2017 and has me eagerly awaiting how well the art style will come to life when it is animated. Both teasers have also prominently featured Donald Duck, who in the original series had gone to join the Navy, indicating that he will be a part of the new adventures. The only downside so far is the absence of Launchpad McQuack, who hopefully hasn’t been replaced by dear uncle Donald.
The show has all the makings of a great animated series. E! News has reported that Matt Youngberg, who has been involved with animated greats such Teen Titans, Ben 10, and X-Men: Evolution, is set as executive producer for the series. On top of that, Sean Jimenez, who has worked on modern day animation phenomenons Adventure Time and Gravity Falls, is attached as art director for the series.
Marc Buhaj, senior vice president of programming and general manager of Disney XD, said in a statement “DuckTales has a special place in Disney’s TV animation history, it drew its inspiration from Disney Legend Carl Barks’ comic books and through its storytelling and artistic showmanship, set an enduring standard for animated entertainment that connects with both kids and adults”. “Our new series will bring that same energy and adventurous spirit to a new generation.”
Disney will also be releasing DuckTalesCinestory Volume 1 in comic book form, a retelling of the original first five episodes of the 1987 TV series, which will feature the new teaser art on the back cover. The comic book will be available at San Diego Comic-Con 2016 to those lucky few, and will be made available in comic book stores September 27.