An unexpected Marvel hero is using the Star-Lord handle as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Between dealing with intergalactic threats like Ego and the High Evolutionary, the Guardians always find time to help the little people. In a new Marvel issue, however, one of the aliens they’ve helped notes that Star-Lord looks very different from what she expected.
The new Star-Lord’s excuse is that the camera adds ten pounds, and a foot of height. It also removes the feathers? That’s right, the newest member of the Guardians of the Galaxy is a character MCU fans may remember from the post-credits scene of the first Guardians movie, Howard the Duck. As part of the character’s 50th anniversary, Marvel is releasing an anthology of “What If…?” alternate universe stories featuring Howard joining the Guardians, being recruited to the X-Men, and as the American president.
Referencing the noise Howard makes, these are actually “Waugh If…?” stories, digging into the character’s long history.
Marvel’s Best Writers and Artists Pay Tribute to Howard the Duck
The list of names participating in the anniversary tribute is a who’s who of top talent. Batman and Daredevil writer Chip Zdarsky reunites with his partner on the 2015 Howard the Duck run, Joe Quinones, for a story poking fun at the multiverse. Indie game designer and zine icon Merritt K writes the Guardians story, with art by zombie comic Outbreaks creator Will Robson. The main cover is a referential pastiche, with Howard in the foreground courtesy of artists Ed McGuinness and Laura Martin, and Thor taking on Hulk in the background in existing work by classic Marvel artists Gil Kane and Ernie Chan. Emmy-nominated comedy writer Daniel Kibblesmith writes the story about Howard winning his 1976 presidential campaign, with art by character designer Annie Wu.
Howard the Duck Was a Pioneer in Mainstream Satirical Comics
Character | Howard the Duck |
Created by | Steve Gerber & Val Mayerik |
First Appearance | December 1973, Adventure Into Fear #19, “The Enchanter’s Apprentice” |
Powers | Martial Art Quak-Fu, Iron Duck armor, sharp tongue |
Howard the Duck was introduced in 1973’s Adventure Into Fear #19, a straightforward horror anthology comic where readers also encountered demons, monsters, and Morbius the Living Vampire. In a story about an evil wizard collapsing realities, Korrek the Barbarian and Man-Thing fight to stop him and are greeted by someone from a more cartoony reality: the wisecracking Howard the Duck. Howard would continue to appear in side stories of Man-Thing’s own series, going up against parody monsters like Garko the Man-Frog and Hellcow. He graduated to his own comic with Howard the Duck #1 in 1976, still being written by Steve Gerber, but illustrated by a variety of artists.
Because he was trapped in our reality, the slogan for his comic was “Trapped in a world he never made!“; hence, the subtitle on this special, “Trapped in an Anniversary Celebration he wants no part of!” Howard’s stories parodied other Marvel characters and themes, with his appearance being contrasted against more realistic comic art. As creator Steve Gerber said in a 1977 interview, “If Wile E. Coyote gets run over by a steamroller, the result is a pancake-flat coyote…If Howard gets run over by a steamroller, the result is blood on asphalt.” He often broke the fourth wall, with winks to the audience about this silly comic book universe, but was a participant in it just the same. Howard the Duck usually appears in other stories as an Easter egg for eagle-eyed fans; celebrating the many What Ifs of his silly career, like wielding the Infinity Gauntlet or becoming the Guardians of the Galaxy‘s new Star-Lord is an appropriate celebration of the character.
Howard the Duck #1 is available November 29 from Marvel Comics.
Howard the Duck #1 (2023) | |
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Guardians of the Galaxy
- Release Date:
- 2014-08-01
- Director:
- James Gunn
- Cast:
- Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, Michael Rooker, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Benicio Del Toro, Glenn Close, Dave Bautista, Chris Pratt2, Bradley Cooper, John C. Reilly
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Runtime:
- 122 Mins
- Writers:
- James Gunn, Nicole Perlman
- Summary:
- Peter Quill, a man of the ’80s, finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict spanning the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, attempting to earn his title of Star-Lord with a team of ex-cons that includes a genetically engineered raccoon (Rocket Raccoon), a sentient alien tree of royal descent (Groot), an unstoppable killing machine out for revenge for his family (Drax the Destroyer), and a powerful assassin who vows revenge against her master (Gamora).The movie is another franchise added to the ever growing Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as part of its Phase 2 expansion. Based on the comic characters of the same name, Guardians Of The Galaxy premiered on August 1, 2014 and became a blockbuster hit. Director James Gunn also co-wrote the script with Nicole Perlman. Walt Disney Studios and Motion Pictures distributed the film.Actor Chris Pratt leads the cast as Peter Quill, a human who is hinted to have alien descent towards the end of the movie. Zoe Saldana plays the role of Gamora, an orphaned alien who was adopted by Thanos and trained to become his personal assassin. Thanos plays a pivotal role in the MCU and is portrayed by actor Josh Brolin. The other members of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” include cast members Dave Bautista as Drax and Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as the voices behind Groot and Rocket respectively. Drax the Destroyer is the only survivor of his planet who seeks to avenge the death of his family. Rocket is a genetically engineered racoon who has exceptional battle skills. He works alongside Groot, a humanoid tree.Actor Michael Rooker plays the character Yondu, the leader of the Ravagers who has a love-hate relationship with Peter, who grew up in his care. Ronan the Accuser, the main villain, is played by Lee Pace. A second installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was also released on April 19, 2017.
