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

The last disc. I've finally made it. (More on that, later.)

Short, Plush and Deadly (w: Lisa Latham; d: Jeff McGrath & Steve Ressel): The family goes on a camping trip. Also, Cornfed nearly dies due to bug bites. It's something of a weird coincidence that this and "Westward, No!" would be right next to each other in the show's production order. While this manages to suck less than that episode (thanks to some sharp lines throughout) the whole thing is dragged down by...well, why don't I let Fluffy and Uranus tell it: "You're being insulting, abusive, degrading..." "And not in the way we like!" Jerkass Duckman makes an unwelcome return, though seeing Fluffy and Uranus hulk out and threaten to go Prophecy on his hide was nice, even if the beatdown he deserved never came to pass.

How to Suck in Business Without Really Trying (w: Ellis Weiner; d: Jaime Diaz): Art DeSalvo convinces the financially-strapped Duckman to sell his likeness to the Variecom company. Unfortunately, this means that he can no longer use the name 'Duckman'. What follows is a Kafkaesque story, with a lot of laughs and a terrific song - "I've Finally Made It".

You've Come a Wrong Way, Baby (w: Gene Laufenberg & Howard Marguiles; d: Stig Bergquist): Bernice catches Mambo smoking. Her subsequent crusade against tobacco leads her and the family at the home of tobacco company head Walt Evergreen (Jim Varney). This episode is all over the place: the family ends up having to pick tobacco, but then, Agnes Delrooney reveals herself (making one question the placement of "Crime, Punishment..."), sending her and Duckman on the run and the deus ex machina ending with Tony Randall (an impersonation; the real Randall 'wouldn't return [their] calls'). It's entertaining enough, and Varney is terrific.

Hamlet 2: This Time It's Personal (w: David Misch; d: Anthony Bell): No "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" to be found here. It's essentially Duckman getting stuck in the story of "Hamlet" and Cornfed trying to get him out of it. Pretty clever re-telling, highlighted by the play put on by Duckman and the boys.

Das Sub (w: Gene Grillo and Michael Markowitz; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman is sentenced to community service and acts as a substitute teacher. The main story is decent enough, but the bits with Duckman infuriating the judge (Burt Reynolds!) with nonsensical defenses of horror movie franchises provide the biggest laughs.

Where No Duckman Has Gone Before (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Steve Loter): Captain Eric Tiberius Duckman finds himself locked in a death struggle with the nefarious Khan Chicken. Yep, it's a "Star Trek" parody, and an uproarious one, at that. A lot of sharp references lead to a disturbing (though still somewhat funny) ending.

Four Weddings Inconceivable (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Steve Ressel): The wedding of Dr. Ben Stein and the lovely Dana Reynard inspires a number of marriage proposals: Cornfed to Beverly, King Chicken to Bernice and Duckman to Honey ("Cock Tales for Four"). The drama nearly overwhelms the humor, but this is a good episode and would've made a fantastic series finale if not for one surprise. (About the surprise: if there are any "Duckman" writers out there in the blogosphere, and I know of at least one, thank you for your fine work and could you please tell me where you were going with the surprise? I'm willing to pay cash, credit and first-born children.)

Special features include:

- The opening of "I, Duckman" broken down to storyboards. (Personally, I like the gag used in the episode where, as Duckman ranted, he disappeared little by little, as opposed to in the boarding process where he shrank into nothingness.)

- A series of walk cycles and expressions for the characters. It was quite fascinating to see how something like a walk could define a character.

- The original, unaired pilot, with comments from Everett Peck and Gregg Berger ("Cornfed"). Some nice bits of information, but it was mostly stuff covered in the first set. Also, it would've been nice to a) see the pilot in full and b) hear some of the original choices for casting of the characters. Still, what's here is quite nice.

Overall, it was worth the wait to get the entire series on DVD.

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

Ebony, Baby (w: Gene Grillo; d: Steve Loter): In seeking a better class of women, Duckman gets entangled in the world of private investigator Ebony Sable. Entertaining, if unremarkable, mix of blaxploitation tropes, helped by some good meta jokes.

Vuuck, as in Duck (w: Brett Baer & David Finkel; d: Jeff McGrath): The dying owner of a minor league baseball team bequeaths the ball club to Duckman, who (surprise, surprise) becomes more concerned with business than the joy of the game. Amusing, especially the scenes with the new players.

Crime, Punishment, War, Peace and the Idiot (w: Howard Margulies; d: Stig Bergquist): Grandma-ma remembers how, as a young woman, she was torn between two lovers and how she came to America. Hilarious takeoff of Russian literature (as if you couldn't tell from the episode title). I especially loved the names of the townsfolk.

Kidney, Popsicle and Nuts (w: David Silverman & Stephen Sustaric; d: Jaime Diaz): Duckman's in need of a new kidney, but the only person who can provide a new one is his father...who's a paranoid hermit hiding out in the Midwest. Not too bad, though what was with the James Brown cameo?

The Tami Show (w: Eva Almos & Ed Scharlach; d: Anthony Bell): Duckman accidentally backs over a cute young woman who, while staying at the house to recuperate, takes over the family. In other words, Sleeping with the Hand that Rocks the Unlawful Fatal Attraction. No classic, but immensely enjoyable.

My Feral Lady (w: Dan Gerson; story: Gerson & Reid Harrison; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman gets a mail-order bride, who proves to be a little too wild. (Not in the good way.) The scenes of adjusting "Kathy Lee" to society are terrific, as is the song at the end.

Westward, No! (w: Jed Spingarn; d: Steve Loter): Duckman and Beverly go with Cornfed to help his Aunt Jane with her catfish(!) drive. There's no easy way to say it, but this episode sucks. The problems begin and end with the moronic decision to have Duckman act so unbearably jerkassy, ruining the progress of the drive and making time with Beverly (not coincidentally, Spingarn would go on to put "Johnny Bravo" through these same paces in that show's second season). Sure, Duckman isn't exactly Mr. Personality, but I've never wanted to reach into the screen and give him a Bernice-like beatdown like I did here. A few stray gags (including an amusing - if incredibly pointless - cameo from Ron Palillo) do not make up for the bad taste left by this misfire.

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

Told you so.

Ajax and Ajaxer (w: Bill Canterbury; d: Peter Avanzino): While doing surveillance work for a shady scientist, Cornfed accidentally ingests a formula that lowers his intelligence. This leads to a friendship with his intellectual equal - Ajax. Though the setup is an afterthought, the scenes with Cornfed and Ajax are a delight, especially Cornfed's impression of Duckman and the reveal of Merv Griffin's office.

With Friends Like These... (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Steve Loter): No one shows up at Duckman's birthday party because (except for Cornfed) he has no friends, so he sets out to find some. He happens upon a group with their own theme song and audience track. Peculiar, but entertaining. I love the name of the gang's coffee house hangout.

A Trophied Duck (w: Bill Canterbury; d: Jeff McGrath): Duckman thinks he is to be feted at a convention of private detectives, but it's all a ruse perpetrated by Lauren Simone, an old rival at detective school. It starts out promisingly, with the convention and Duckman having to step up when Cornfed is abducted...then it falls apart with the last few minutes.

A Star is Abhorred (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Jaime Diaz): Bernice's hatred of Duckman fuels a surprising passion for song, propelling her to stardom. Not too bad, with some amusing songs, but no masterpiece. The final scene is a surprise, though.

Bev Takes a Holiday (w: Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Stig Bergquist and Toni Vian): Duckman believes that he sees Beatrice's apparition...but it's really a long-lost sister of hers. Whether a network mandate or a way to 'give Nancy Travis a break from all the screaming she [has] to do as Bernice' (as someone at Jump the Shark cannily theorized), Beverly is a nice addition, and Duckman's memories of Beatrice are very good.

Love! Anger! Kvetching! (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): Duckman's dying (and very obnoxious) Uncle Mo comes to stay, but a curse dictates that Mo can't be thrown out. Mo's insults (delivered with relish by Robert Klein) are a riot and I enjoyed the horror movie/film school editing flourishes.

Duckman and Cornfed in 'Haunted Society Plumbers' (w: Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Peter Avanzino): The very rare Sharon Stone disappears from a fancy gathering and it's up to plumbers/detectives/comedy duo impersonators Duckman and Cornfed to save the day. Any chance to see these two riff on old routines is a good one, and the surprise at the end is very worthwhile.

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

Been away from this, I know.

Dammit, Hollywood (w: Michael Markowitz and Jeff Reno; d: Peter Shin): At the same time a deposed Hollywood hotshot (a delightfully hammy Brendan Fraser) signs over control to the first idiot who happens along, Duckman demands a refund for the swill that the studio released. Achingly funny (and still quite pointed) satire of Tinseltown. The rampage of the (barely-disguised) mega-stars is a highlight.

Coolio Runnings (w: Bill Canterbury and Gene Laufenberg and David Misch; d: Jeff McGrath): There's a father-son relay race coming up and Duckman would rather adopt Coolio and run the race with him than klutzy Ajax. Nice title, but the story's sitcommier than one would expect from the show. Not bad, but no classic, either.

Aged Heat 2: Women in Heat (w: Eva Almos & Ed Scharlach; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman's periodic destruction of Fluffy and Uranus has finally caught up with him, getting him shipped to jail...for ladies. (!) Part women in prison movie, part dance movie and part Lifetime original movie, this has something for everyone.

All About Elliott (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Peter Shin): Duckman takes on an intern, Elliott (Chris Elliott...har har), who indulges his every vice, leading Cornfed to find out the truth. Elliott definitely gets under one's skin, but perhaps that was the point. Seeing Cornfed on the receiving end of the kind of angry mobs that his partner usually attracts made for an interesting change.

From Brad to Worse (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman recognizes a homeless man as an old classmate and feels compelled to help him...especially since the man's terrible state is Duckman's fault. Pretty good, helped by some hilarious flashbacks and Peter Scolari's fine voice work as Brad.

Bonfire of the Panties (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): Duckman's been feeling edgy about his dateless streak, so Cornfed and the boys whip up a love potion for him, thus turning the living room "into an episode of 'Weird Science'!", as Bernice colorfully puts it. Starts out as a cartoony romp (don't miss the Wizard of Oz reference), then turns surprisingly sweet when Duckman runs into Courtney Thorne-Smith.

Role With It (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): A trip to Las Vegas leads to group therapy for the family. Quite amusing (I'm a sucker for a good live-action in animation gag) and insightful (Duckman's deconstruction of friends and family). The ending number is a catchy one.

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

You know how it goes...

They Craved Duckman's Brain!: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Donovan Cook) Duckman gets left in an MRI machine, which leads to a potential cure for cancer within his head. Very funny, especially the Trek conversation. Ron Perlman shines as a health care smoothie that doesn't want the cure to get out.

The Road to Dendron: (w: Bill Canterbury & Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Peter Shin) While chaperoning Ajax on a class trip to Dendron, Duckman and Cornfed get wrapped up in a scheme involving a princess and murder. Unabashed homage to Hope/Crosby road movies that's bound to entertain even if you're not familiar with the source material.

Exile in Guyville: (w: Ellen L. Fogle; d: Jeff McGrath) Duckman's new design for lingerie leads to a rift between men and women, literally separating the genders. Shifts from good points about the genders to over-the-top stereotypes, but is quite amusing.

The Longest Weekend: (w: David Misch; d: Raymie Muzquiz) The higher-brow residents of Duckman's neighborhood have all kinds of regulations made, leading to all-out war. Funny, though it's enough to make one wish that its points on the futility of war were dated.

The Amazing Colossal Duckman: (w: Bill Canterbury; d: John Eng) Thanks to an unusual cocktail (which includes battery acid!), Duckman gets a rare disease that causes him to grow whenever he gets upset. This leads to a lot of slapstick involving Duckman trying (and failing) to keep cool. The scenes at home are the best.

Cock Tales for Four: (w: Doug Chamberlin & Chris Webb; d: Donovan Cook and Bob Hathcock) Duckman and Bernice go to meet Ajax's girlfriend's parents...who happen to be King Chicken and his boozy wife, Honey. I think this episode plays better now than when I first saw it. It's more sedate than a regular viewer is used to, interspersing plentiful amounts of drama amongst the humor. It grows on you.

Disc four...later.

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

Here we go again...

Clear and Presidente Danger: (w: Doug Chamberlin & Chris Webb; d: John Eng) Duckman wins a vacation to a Latin American country and his ranting leads him from one throne to another (it makes sense when you watch it). Amusing, as Duckman goes mad with power, forcing Cornfed to find a way to overthrow him.

The Girls of Route Canal: (w: Brian Kahn; d: Donovan Cook & Raymie Muzquiz) Charles and Mambo are in love and seek advice on winning the girls of their dreams. Unfortunately, they must settle for Duckman, who tells them how he met and wooed Beatrice. Some surprisingly wistful moments shine through the humor. Also, one has to like Beatrice's former husband, Richard (voiced by - and drawn to resemble - David Duchovny).

The Mallardian Candidate: (w: David Misch; d: Peter Shin) Iggy Catalpa ("Joking the Chicken") comes to Duckman with a case: that sock that disappears in the laundry. There is the possibility that this could be a front for a darker purpose. The mastermind of the scheme is a little off-putting, but this is a terrific episode, highlighted by a hilarious dinner scene.

Pig Amok: (w: Spencer Green; d: Jeff McGrath) Cornfed suffers from a rare genetic disease that will kill him unless he loses his virginity. Uneven, with some funny moments (the funeral, the historical film) and some interesting if superfluous guest appearances.

The Once and Future Duck: (w: Dean Batali & Rob Des Hotel; d: Peter Avanzino) A hole in the space-time continuum finds Duckman meeting various alternate versions of himself with differing opinions on whether or not he should attend Charles and Mambo's tuba recital. I won't lie; it's all about the alternate selves. Every one of them is a riot (favorite: Max Cady Duckman). There's also a neat cameo from Rhonda Shear.

Planet of the Dopes: (w: Monica Piper; d: Raymie Muzquiz) A neglected Ajax is abducted by a race of aliens, while his family searches for him. Officially titled 'The One with Lisa Kudrow in a Small Role', this is a decent outing, especially in its depiction of the planet Betamax...at least, before it adopts the teachings of 'Dod'.

Aged Heat: (w: Bill Canterbury & Gene Laufenberg; d: John Eng) Psychotic criminal Agnes Delrooney (Brian Doyle-Murray!) needs a place to cool her heels following a robbery. She decides to hide out at Duckman's place. Oh, and she looks exactly like Grandma-ma. One could quibble about the predictability of the inevitable 'which one's which?'/'this person isn't who they say' schtick, but it's so likably absurd.

Disc three...watch for it.

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.

Duckman - Seasons 1 and 2 (part III of III)

Disc three, season two, like I said:

Papa Oom M.O.W. M.O.W.: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Norton Virgien) While trying to cop a feel from some comely ladies, Duckman ends up averting a Presidential assassination...and, in the process, becomes a celebrity. Markowitz’s script sings from beginning to end, with some killer lines, razor-sharp commentary about the media and a truly-inspired ‘USA Original Movie’. Definitely an all-time favorite.

Married Alive: (w: Bernie Keating; d: Raymie Muzquiz) Bernice’s impending marriage to mogul billionaire Baron von Dillweed has Duckman in a good mood, until he learns that the boys are going with. Surprisingly, this leads to Duckman solving a case that may have to do with his potential new brother-in-law. Pretty good, with a fine mystery and some funny lines (mainly in Baron von Dillweed’s office/car).

Days of Whining and Neurosis: (w: Gary Glasberg; d: John Eng) The head of a prominent celebrity rehab center is found dead, so Duckman and Cornfed go undercover to investigate. The verbal jabs at celebrities and their addictions fly fast and furious in this episode. No classic, but incredibly hilarious.

Inherit the Judgment: the Dope’s Trial: (w: Michael Markowitz; d; Jeff McGrath) Which came first - the chicken or the egg? Duckman’s answer to this question lands him in a world of trouble in the small backwoods town where he’s stranded...which happens to be King Chicken’s hometown. The titular trial is amusing, particularly when Duckman assumes his own defense...even after he’s cleared.

America the Beautiful: (w: Bill Canterbury and Gene Laufenberg; d Paul Demeyer) Duckman goes in search of a supermodel named America. As it turns out, she’s lost her way. Well, it’s a good thing that we were warned about the "heavy-handed allegory" ahead of time, but, to be honest, this episode is pretty funny, mainly with America’s ex-boyfriends. The ending musical number does overegg the pudding, somewhat.

The Germ Turns: (w: Jim Pond & Bill Fuller; d: Bob Hathcock) At a new-age fair, Duckman gets to see his mother, who, for her negligent parenting, has been reincarnated as a germ. Wishing to avoid this fate, Duckman sets out to spend as much time with his boys as possible. Duckman’s half-assed over-parenting (especially with Ajax) is a riot and Katey Sagal is quite good as Duckman’s mom.

In the Nam of the Father: (w: Jeff Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: Norton Virgien) A young pig comes into the office claiming to be Cornfed’s son. This prompts memories of Vietnam, leading Cornfed to find the man’s mother. Duckman and his family tag along, as he promised them a vacation. The episode divides its time between Cornfed’s interesting introspection, Nam humor that may not be to every taste and some side-splitting film references as Duckman suffers flashbacks.

Research and Destroy: (w: Jay Moriarty; story: Jeff Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: John Eng) Ajax’s stream-of-consciousness poetry becomes a sensation, gaining the attention of a greeting card magnate. It’s not hard to draw parallels between the originality and creativity being drained from Ajax’s work and...well, anything. This episode speaks to me in a way I didn’t remember in my younger days. It’s also quite funny, with Bernice chewing out a bouncer and the shared reactions to people talking about the soul of creativity.

Clip Job: (w: David Misch; d: Jeff McGrath) In what has to be the strangest and most original framing device for a clip show, Duckman is kidnapped by a fanatical TV critic (a hilarious Ben Stiller) who believes that the show "Duckman" is responsible for the nation’s moral decay. Quite good, even if I don't recognize some of the characters toward the end.

No special features on this disc (probably wasn’t enough room), but I look forward to picking up where I left off in January.

Duckman - Seasons 1 and 2 (part II of III)

Moving on from part one to part (and, by extension, disc) two:

Not-So-Easy Riders: (w: Joe Ansolabehere & Steve Viksten; d: Paul Demeyer) Owing $30,000 to the IRS and with less than a day to pay it, Duckman hits the road, with Cornfed in tow. Dogging their trail is the merciless Agent Dennehey (John Spencer, amusing). Though Duckman renouncing material possessions late in the episode isn’t totally convincing, this is still a funny installment, especially in Duckman’s desperate attempts to raise the cash for the back taxes.

It’s the Thing of the Principal: (w: Ron Lux; story: Lux & Eugene Stein; d: Igor Kovalyov) Ajax isn’t himself, lately. There’s a simple explanation for that: he’s in love. Unfortunately, it’s with the cute vice-principal (causing a minor misnomer with the episode title). When the two of them decide to get married, Duckman and Bernice trail them to a hotel, posing as a newlywed couple. The episode detours from the main story to explore the tension (sexual and otherwise) between Duckman and Bernice…which would be a problem if it weren’t so damned funny.

Cellar Beware: (w: Ladd Graham; d: Norton Virgien) Frightened by a sales pitch from home security salesman Terry 'Duke' Tetzloff (John Astin), Duckman quickly has installed the Interlopen Fuhrer 2000, which proves to be too effective when Duckman tries to fix it himself. A good episode, highlighted by Astin’s voice-work, Bernice’s sniping and the escape from the security system’s firepower. [Apparently, this is missing the scene where Duckman breaks into I’ve Written a Letter to Daddy (presumably because Warner Bros. wouldn’t cough up the rights; the song was written for Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?), but the edit is fairly seamless.]

American Dicks: (w: Jeffrey Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: John Eng) The reality series "American Dicks" (pause for laughter) goes to Duckman to solve the show’s 100th case...mainly because a detective’s strike has exhausted all of the other options. I can never get enough of the faux-shaky cam gags that come with a reality TV take-off in animation, and this is no exception. The crossovers with other "American (fill in the blanks)" shows are also amusing.

About Face: (w: Jim Pond & Bill Fuller; d: Raymie Muzquiz) Duckman falls in love with the voice of a helpline worker, but when he meets the woman - named Angela - he finds that her voice is the one beautiful thing about her. A complete makeover could change things, however. In spite of the comic trappings (the emergency montage, the total darkness scene), this is a fine stab at drama, as Duckman starts to feel that he isn’t good enough for the beautiful swan that Angela becomes. The last scene is a heartbreaker.

Joking the Chicken: (w: Jeffrey Astrov, Mike Sikowitz and Michael Markowitz; d: Jeff McGrath) A group of comics asks Duckman to investigate rising comic Iggy Catalpa, whose clean humor seems to win over the public. Some fine satire - courtesy of a Congressional hearing and a rousing speech at the end - and amusing one-liners from Catalpa’s manager, the suspicious Moe Needleman, make this a riot. Though juvenile, the title is also funny.

Features on this disc include:

- 'Six Degrees of Duckman', which allow you to peruse the main characters’ bios, likes, dislikes as well as short reels showing them at their best…or worst.

- 'Designing Duckman', where creator Everett Peck and show runners Ron Osborn and Jeff Reno talk about how the show was developed beyond its former life as a Dark Horse comic.

- 'What the Hell Are You Starin’ At?!' features Peck, Reno, Osborn and the voice actors examining the mythos and characters.

The last disc contains the whole of season two. Stay tuned.

Duckman - Seasons 1 and 2 (part I of III)

For years, I’d seen people talking about buying bootleg DVD sets of "Duckman". My thinking was that a true fan of the show would wait for an official release. Thankfully, my patience paid off.

I’d like to say that I’m exactly the wrong person to provide an objective review of "Duckman" - Seasons 1 and 2. (In fact, this guy could provide an objective review, if that’s what you desire.) As I said in the past, I loved the show as a kid and, re-watching the episodes years later, I still love the show. In fact, I can probably count on one hand (and still have fingers left over) the number of "Duckman" episodes I outright hate...and you’ll be hearing about them this winter when Seasons 3 and 4 are released.

For now, though, here are the episodes you can find in the set (by disc; here’s what on the first one):

I, Duckman: (w: Jeff Reno & Ron Osborn; no director credited) Duckman feels that no one cares about him, but a package from a bomber might change his way of thinking. Unlike a number of first episodes of American cartoons that fall apart trying to nail down what they’re about, this is a pretty strong pilot, ably establishing the characters and their relationships. There’s also a hilarious montage of Duckman trying to trace his life through home movies.

TV or Not to Be: (w: Bernie Keating; d: Raymie Muzquiz) Duckman seeks out a sacred painting for televangelist Mother Mirabelle, refusing to let a conflict of interest - he thinks that she’s a fraud - get in his way. An interesting mystery angle and an amusing near-death experience mark this outing.

Gripes of Wrath: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Norton Virgien) A stray comment made by Duckman at a technology fair causes a super-computer to create a perfect society...but can it last? There’s a pretty good sub-plot involving Duckman being a better father to Charles and Mambo, but the third act is the highlight, where society goes to hell. The "pretentious role-playing" dialogue in this scene is a howl.

Psyche: (w: Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz; d: Paul Demeyer) Duckman and Cornfed take on a most unusual case: following a pair of buxom twins to see what they do that makes guys drool over them. A trip into Duckman’s subconscious (or psyche; see what I did there?) shows that his reluctance may have something to do with his departed wife, Beatrice. The design of the twins notwithstanding, this episode is quite good, ably mixing humor (the scenes in the surgeon’s office) with deep character study.

Gland of Opportunity: (w: Ron Lux & Eugene Stein; d: John Eng) A trip to an amusement park leads to a trip to the emergency room for Duckman. When he leaves (the hospital) with vigor and lust for life, it’s attributed to the adrenal gland of recently deceased daredevil Vile Kyle. Pretty funny, especially in Duckman pulling his sons from school and the JFK references in Cornfed’s theories about Duckman’s transplant.

Ride the High School: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Raymie Muzquiz) Even though "he hasn’t mastered the four-slice toaster", Ajax is accepted into a school for the gifted. This is the episode that introduced Duckman’s nemesis, King Chicken (the always delightful Tim Curry), and his scheme is quite clever. Also, the dialogue is sharp throughout.

A Civil War: (w: Bob Kushell; d: Norton Virgien) Sick of being shown up by Cornfed’s skills (though you’d think he’d be used to it, at this point), Duckman fires him. A neat look at the partnership between Duckman and Cornfed, including an amazing look at how it got started.

Features include a commentary on "I, Duckman" and a handful of 30-second spots which advertised the impending premiere.

Stay tuned for my review of disc two.

"And to think: Entertainment Weekly panned us."

As a DVD collector and television viewer, there is always that lingering fear that your favorite show won't be released in complete form.

Thankfully, Paramount has seen fit to assuage me. The first two seasons of "Duckman" will be released a week from today (and I hope to purchase and review the set right here at the blog...no, really!), and only moments ago do I get news about the last two seasons.

Here's a small taste from, in my opinion, one of the best episodes from the later years - "Dammit, Hollywood!":



(By the way, they really did. Elitist schmucks.)

I don't know about you...

...but this is definitely a time for celebration:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Duckman-DVDs-Planned/8731

Time to put your down down and thrust your pelvis, hunh!