"Howard The Duck"---The Alien Fowl's Beginnings

Created by Steve Gerber (writer) and Val Mayerik (artist); Howard the Duck was introduced in "Adventure Into Fear"#19, in a Man-Thing story. This two-part adventure concluded in "Man-Thing"#1. Howard is teleported by Thog the Overmaster, to an inter-dimensional realm, where he meets the Man-Thing, Korrek the Barbarian,Jennifer Kale, and Dakimh the Enchanter. Near the end of the story, Howard and his companions are jumping  from one floating dimensional  stepping stone to another, when he slips; apparently falling forever through the inter-dimensional realm.

Howard made his re-appearance in "Giant-Size Man-Thing'#4. After falling through space, he plops on Earth. He is thought to be some mutant creature by the humans (who he thinks of as hair-less apes). He battled Garko the Man-Frog, as well as the vampire Hell-Cow ("Giant-Size Man-Thing"#5), before he got his own comic book.

"Howard The Duck"#1 premiered in 1975. In this issue, Howard meets Beverly ( a pretty human, who is an artist's model), whom he befriends, and who will eventually become his love interest. Howard goes up against Pro-Rata, the Cosmic Accountant; with the help of Spider-Man and Beverly.

Howard was drawn by Frank Brunner and Gene Colan, during his early years; while Steve Gerber continued to write the first 27 issues.

Howard learned "quack-fu", after a few issues. He even ran for President in H.T.D.#8 (see above image). Fans liked this idea so much that Howard was sometimes put down as a write-in candidate on the REAL Presidential ballot!!! Can you believe that??? Howard also co-starred  with "The Defenders" in an over-sized comic book special.

"Howard The Duck" was given his own Black & White magazine series, which featured decidedly more  "adult" themes in the stories (not for the kiddies).

In 1986, "Howard The Duck" was made into a live- action movie (produced by George Lucas), but it bombed at the Box Office. He made an appearance in the " Ultimate Spider-Man" animated series on TV.

Howard has made many appearances with other Marvel Superheroes. He is still a beloved comic book character to this day.