Duckman - Seasons 3 and 4 (part I of VII)

Goodness. Is it January, already? Well, time to get to work.

Noir Gang: (w: Eva Almos & Ed Scharlach; d: Raymie Muzquiz) In this self-acknowledged "film-noir parody", Duckman and Cornfed both fall for their latest client, the lovely - and dangerous - Tamara LeBoink (Bebe Neuwirth). Filmed...okay, drawn in black-and-white, this episode is very amusing in its film references with a well-worked plot.

Forbidden Fruit: (w: Jeff Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: Paul Demeyer) A pretty French nanny comes to stay with the family and though Duckman tries to stay on his best behavior, he ends up in the middle of a harassment firestorm. Some good points about how women ought to be treated are undercut by some really stupid wordplaying ('mailman to personperson'?!). Still, this is a good episode, worth savoring for the scenes with Fluffy and Uranus.

Grandma-ma's Flatulent Adventure: (w: Bill Canterbury & Gene Laufenberg; d: Norton Virgien) Grandma-ma's constant excursions into danger lead to a stay in a nursing home. Unfortunately, Duckman loses her on the way there. Pretty enjoyable (especially in detailing Grandma-ma's journeys) and surprisingly touching (the flashback and Duckman's eulogy). By the way, this is the episode that originated 'The Funky Duckman'.

Color of Naught: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: John Eng) Angela (from "About Face") returns and with her is a new miracle cream that makes one attractive...but it doesn't seem to work on Duckman. The fourth wall is smashed quite appealingly in this episode, with perhaps, the best ever reveal of King Chicken's motives.

Sperms of Endearment: (w: Bill Canterbury & Gene Laufenberg; d: Jeff McGrath) Bernice's desire for her own children leads her to a sperm bank...and a rather surprising donor. Not too bad, with some funny moments thanks to Bernice's failed dates and Cornfed's obligatory appearance.

A Room with a Bellevue: (w: Joshua Sternin & Jeffrey Ventimiglia; d: Peter Avanzino) Duckman's been having a particularly rough day and a bit of blowing off steam lands him in an insane asylum. However, life is so wonderful there, he doesn't want to leave. Let's face it: life can suck, sometimes. The solution in this episode, though unconventional, is entertaining, helped by some choice ranting and the aftermath of Duckman's electroshock treatment.

Apocalypse Not: (w: Bill Canterbury & Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Raymie Muzquiz) A disaster-preparedness drill leads the entire town underground. Duckman, however, believes that he has free run of the now-deserted city. The disaster movie cliches are a howl, as is Duckman's wanton destruction. A side-splitter, from beginning to end.

Disc two coming soon.