'Toon Reviews 12: DuckTales Vol. 2 Part 21: Double-O-Duck

Double-O-Duck

With a comedic character like Launchpad getting roped into something as big a deal as a spy mission, you can bet that this spy-centered episode will have its own unique edge to it.  Not only is that the case, but this setup makes for a really great episode.  After an opening you’d expect from a spy story with a mysterious figure sneaking around with two agents following him and a lot of well-constructed gags, Launchpad, who’s introduced through innocently going about his day, is mistaken for that very spy, Bruno von Beak.  As amusing as it is to watch Launchpad act clueless to the fact that the agents think he’s an actual spy, it’s refreshing that this routine doesn’t last too long when Scrooge gets involved and sees Launchpad for who he really is.  Even with the truth known, the fact that the agents see a striking resemblance to Bruno in Launchpad and Scrooge hears of a way to make money off this mission sets Launchpad on a mission as Bruno’s double to spy on a suspicious mastermind known as Dr. Nogood.  As we follow Launchpad as he goes on his mission, we’re treated to a lot of memorable moments that serve as a comedic foil to the typical beats of spy stories.  Most of the time, we have a Launchpad spin on the use of cool spy gadgets which have their own creative design like a gun toupee, a comb phone, a camera bowtie, literal elevator shoes, and a spy vehicle that can transform into anything he needs.  The spin is that every time Launchpad uses the gadgets, his typical shtick of not being aware of how they work causes them to be set off at the wrong times or them to not work right when he needs them to resulting in effective humorous hijinks.  Launchpad’s lack of understanding is also put to humorous use in the mission itself, the standout gag being Launchpad hearing about New Delhi and flying all the way there only to realize that he was meant to go to an actual deli named New Deli.  Now, unlike in “The Right Duck” where Launchpad’s flaws had him constantly mess up until the end which made him seem like a huge nuisance, here, in spite of his bumbling ways, he’s competent enough to be helpful in some way which is what’s so great about Launchpad.  For one thing, when he meets up with one of Dr. Nogood’s partners, the seductive Feathers Galore, he has the right mind to get away from her constant kisses which eventually turn out to be dangerous.  Also, even though it takes a few attempts, he forms a clever plan of hiding in a pickle barrel to be free to uncover Dr. Nogood’s secret fortress and later drop in on his big plan which is to erase the markings off of all money to make it worthless, so he can be the richest man in the world with his own gold stash.  Finally, at the climax, it turns out that Launchpad’s getting away was more effective than it seems when he finds Feathers Galore punished for failing to keep him imprisoned.  This persuades her to work with him and together through enjoyable interactions, and more examples of Launchpad fumbling through his use of the gadgets working to comedic effect, they beat Dr. Nogood, though some could reasonably argue that his demise is a little too brutal.  Overall, after a disappointing performance that didn’t do justice for him in his last starring role, Launchpad returns to greatness in this humorous take on the spy genre big on entertainment and creativity. 10/10

The Ranking:

1. The Treasure of the Golden Suns Part 5: Too Much of a Gold Thing
2. Catch as Cash Can Part 2: A Whale of a Bad Time
3. Catch as Cash Can Part 1: A Drain on the Economy
4. Back to the Klondike
5. Double-O-Duck
6. Raiders of the Lost Harp
7. The Treasure of the Golden Suns Part 2: Wronguay in Ronguay
8. The Treasure of the Golden Suns Part 4: Cold Duck
9. Time Teasers
10. The Treasure of the Golden Suns Part 1: Don’t Give up the Ship
11. Catch as Cash Can Part 4: Working for Scales
12. Ducks of the West
13. The Treasure of the Golden Suns Part 3: Three Ducks of the Condor
14. Merit-Time Adventure
15. Back Out in the Outback
16. Scroogerello
17. Catch as Cash Can Part 3: Aqua Ducks
18. Scrooge’s Pet
19. Horse Scents
20. The Golden Fleecing
21. The Right Duck

Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where we head over to Ireland for "Luck o' the Ducks."

If you would like to check out other DuckTales reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.