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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Jul 28, 2017 1:38:55 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 13"Rock, Roll Over and Writhe!"Cover Date: June, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Dr. Reich, Rev. Joon Moon Yuk, and his Yucchies Special Guests: Daimon Hellstorm, Winda Wester & KISS Official Plot: With the rock band Kiss materializing out of Winda's mind, panic erupts in the sanitarium. After subduing the security, the Catman tells Howard the word, which is "When you meet reality head-on -- Kiss it, smack in the face!" before disappearing back into Winda's mind, but not before one of the sanitarium nurses can snap a picture of the spectacle. When nurse Barbara brings this photo and an x-ray of Howard to the headmaster Dr. Reich, the doctor is upset when he hears that Doc Avery has called in an exorcist to deal with Winda, he commands Barbara to stop Avery before its too late to their plans. While in a padded cell, Howard snaps out of his drug induced stupor and tells Winda a little about his life. How as a duckling he was the first born and subject to high expectations. Growing up he started off as a folk singer, but moved from job to job until he was caught in the dimensional Nexus that brought him to Earth. When Barbara comes down to tell Avery to desist in bringing in an exorcist, she finds that she is too late and that the Doc has called in his old university friend Daimon Hellstrom to help. Viewing Winda, Daimon concludes that Winda is not possessed by demons, but has some latent psychic abilities, and deems her fit for release, however he doesn't quite diagnose Howard. When the two go out to discuss Howard's origins, Daimon and Avery finds members of the Yucchies on the premises. When they realize that they were let in the compound, they realize that they had come for Winda. The two then rush inside. Meanwhile, Barbara grabs Winda away while Cecil keeps Howard restrained, Howard is eventually knocked out and left in the padded cell by himself. In Dr. Reich's office, Reverend Yucc (who survived the house explosion two issues ago) is meeting with Dr. Reich to see Winda and perform a ceremony himself. Going down to the cellar, Reverend Yucc tortures Winda by hitting her in the face with a rose. While upstairs Howard is revived by Daimon and Avery, and the three go down to the basement. There Hellstrom tries to access his Satanic abilities and turn into Son of Satan, however Reverend Yucc -- aware of Hellstrom's nature -- casts a counter spell that interferes with the transformation, instead of turning Hellstrom into the Son of Satan, Hellstrom's Satanic half is transferred to Howard instead turning him into the Duck of Satan. Brodie's View:After being told to, "KISS (reality), smack it in the face!," the band that showed up at the end of last issue, vanish, leading us into the rest of the story. That is the discovery of a few things; one is Howard's backstory, showing what he did in life before ending up in our universe. The second is that the mental hospital Howard and Winda Wester have been sent to is controlled by a mysterious German figure that obviously hints at being a certain infamous WW II leader, who wants Winda for some horrific purpose. Speaking of Winda, thanks to our Guest Star, Daimon Hellstorm, we reveal that Winda isn't possessed, but rather in possession of psychic abilities that caused to manifest KISS last/this issue. However, our Hitler-esque Director of the Asylum isn't convinced, and recruits the returning Reverend Soon Moon Yuc (and his Yucchies), who obviously didn't die a few issues ago, to help him unleash the demon within Winda. Daimon and Howard try to stop them, but as Daimon tries to summon his Son of Satan persona, Yuc winds up doing a counter spell, causing the entity to fly into Howard, transforming him into the SON OF SATAN (!!!). Of course, this obviously leads into the next issue, as our hero, still recovering from his nervous breakdown, now is possessed by Hellstorm's satanic half, and, boy, is there going to be some HELL to pay. (Of course you knew I was going there) GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Jul 28, 2017 23:46:59 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 14"A Duck Possessed!"Cover Date: July, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Dr. Reich & Rev. Joon Moon Yuk Special Guests: Daimon Hellstorm, Winda Wester, Beverly Switzer, and Paul Same Official Plot: Possessed by the Satanic portion of Daimon Hellstrom's soul, Howard frees Winda and the two fly out of the mental hospital. However, the demonically possessed and evil Howard leaves Winda alone on the side of the road when she almost makes them crash when she touches his satanic trident. While back at the hospital, Doc Avery threatens to write up Dr. Reich for what is happening in the institution, and Daimon speeds off to try and catch up with Howard and Winda. Howard has flown to Cleveland seeking out Beverly, and finds her in Paul Same's apartment (having gone there after realizing Howard was gone and figured Cleveland would be the first place he'd go) Howard flies to Sunspot Slope where he begins demanding that Beverly explain what she was doing with the doctor while he was sick and what her true feelings are for him. Daimon and Winda (who was picked up by Daimon) arrive and Daimon runs down Howard with the car as the two bail from it. Howard destroys the car and attacks Daimon. However when the Satanic soul, now in full control now that Howard's consciousness was knocked out, attacks Daimon, Daimon uses the opportunity to reclaim his demonic half. In the process of doing so, Howard's soul is dissipated into a smoke that allows him to simultaneously live the lives of everyone in Cleveland before Son of Satan reconstitutes his soul and returns it to his body. Later, at Paul Same's apartment, Daimon calls Doc Avery who tells him that Winda and Howard are free to go, while in Dr. Reich's office, Dr. Reich orders Barbara and Reverend Yuc to pack up and relocate to Yuc's private university where they will begin the next phase of their plan. Brodie's View:In our last issue, Howard the Duck was possessed by the Satanic part of Daimon Hellstorm (AKA The Son of Satan), and grabbing Winda Wester, bolts out of the mental institute they had been locked up in, and after dropping Winda like a sack of hot potatoes, speeds off towards Cleveland. His is, of course, heading towards his kinda sorta girlfriend, Beverly Switzer, who has returned there, waiting for Howard. Meanwhile, Winda ends up meeting up with Daimon, and the two of them head after our feathered hero, hoping to get Hellstorm's satanic half back before the possessed Howard can do too much damage. Howard busts into Beverly's (and Paul Same, the former Winki Man, who shares the apartment with Bev) apartment, and snatches the redhead. Howard takes her to a Lover's Lane type of place, and forces her to answer about her feelings for him. At this point, Daimon shows up, and after a brief fight, he takes back the satanic portion of his being, leaving Howard in a comatose state. During this state, we get another great Gerber writing moment, as Howard bonds with everyone in Cleveland, revealing their inner thoughts, fears, and the very essences of their beings. Finally, Daimon is able to bring Howard back, bringing an end to this story arc (a furthering or Fuhrering of this plot is hinted at, as Dr. Reich is finally revealed to be, we assume, Adolph Hitler, and he hints that he, Joon Moon Yuk, and his underling (Barbara) will use this whole deal as an opportunity to move into the next step of their plan. However, it's a plan we never get to see, as Gerber moves on to other plots, and never gets to come back to continue this one. Ah well. In our next review, we will be dealing with our one and only Annual in this run, as Howard and company head to the Middle East. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Jul 30, 2017 1:17:32 GMT -5
Howard the Duck Annual #1"Thief of Bagmom!"Cover Date: August, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Val Mayerik Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Roxxon Oil & Caliph Special Guests: Winda Wester, Beverly Switzer, Wigid, Abu Ho Dadi, Ali Wazoo, and Paul Same Official Plot: Howard wakes up in the morning to find that Paul, Beverly, and Winda have all gone out shopping without him, and he grumpily reflects on his lot in life. Almost spilling his coffee, Howard is relieved until the inevitable spilling occurs when Winda bursts into the room causing him to startle and spill his coffee all over himself. The grumpy duck then vents his anger and frustration at everyone, until Bev and the others start showing off what they had purchased. When the Persian rug which they had bought suddenly flies off with Beverly and Winda on it and flies off to point unknown. Howard and Paul aren't left puzzling out for too long when two Arabian soldiers burst into the room and start demanding where the carpet is. However, the two begin fighting off their attackers until their neighbors show up to see what all the commotion is. When the know Arabian knights realize the police may be contacted, they try to escape by jumping out the window, but plummet five stories to their deaths. Wondering how they are going to find Winda and Bev, the two spy a lamp that was also one of their purchases. Deducing that if the carpet was magic, maybe the lamp is as well. Rubbing the lamp, Paul wishes to be brought to the girls, all it says is "Gotcha" in smoke, but suddenly the phone rings. When Howard answers it, it's a radio station calling to ask who is buried in Grant's Tomb, Howard responds with "I dunno -- Grant I guess!", and wins a contest to the Mideastern country of Bagamon. The country itself is walled out from the outside world and is still ruled by a Caliph, who is behind in the times and has a son Hassim who has been educated in American and a court magician named Wijid. Hassim is trying to get his father to modernize the city, while Wijid has presented the caliph with a carving of a donkey. When Beverly and Winda suddenly appear on the flying carpet, they are forcibly made part of the caliph's harem. Meanwhile, Howard and Paul are forced to parachute into the town, and come across a thief who tries to kill them. Using the lamp to eliminate the language barrier, Howard and Paul end up teaming up with the thief when they are spotted by the authorities. The thief, Ali Wazoo, takes Howard and Paul down to the thieves underground railroad, where they travel to the thieves oasis hideout. There they meet the Prince of Rogues, and while planning how to rescue Winda and Bev, they spot Hassim talking to members of Roxxon Oil who are trying to secure rights to drill for oil in Bagamon, and Hassam is working with them in enticing the caliph to let them do so. Hearing that Hassim intends to use western consumer goods and the American woman inducted into his father's harem to try and convince him to sign the deal, Howard storms after them trying to rally the Roxxon representatives sense of nationalism by convincing them to do something about two American's who are being held against their will. Believing that his father would be totally sold with a talking duck as a gift, Hassam and the Roxxon reps kidnap Howard and drive away. Howard is brought before the caliph who is having his harem entertain him, and Wijid has modified his mule statue with jewels and a coin box for people to ride. When Hassim and the Roxxon reps show up presenting the consumer goods and Howard as as gift to try and convince him to sign off the rights, Howard tries to talk the caliph out of it. However, the caliph is distracted by a dance that Bev and Winda are putting on and Hassim's constant badgering to sign the contract. When the thieves burst through the floor and attack, also confirming Howard's claims that Hassim intends to exploit the countries oil riches. With his plan foiled, Hassim tries to escape in a plane with Winda and Bev as his hostages. Howard chases after him in the statue of the donkey, which has also been modified to fly by Wijid. Howard rescues the girls, and uses the donkey's "missile launcher" (a metal statue that throws spikes) to destroy the propeller on Hassim's plane, causing him to crash in Israel. Afterwords, in gratitude, the caliph sends Howard, Bev, Winda and Paul home on a cruise ship. There Paul tries to use his last wish on something the genie inside the lamp refuses to grant, when Howard asks what it is, Paul says he doesn't want to say, however Winda picks up on the hint and is flattered. Brodie's View:After a bit of character stuff involving our ever reliably rage filled hero, who is pissed at having to share an apartment with now Three humans: Beverly, Paul Same, and Winda Wester, we embark on a kind of one and done adventure that while isn't that bad, is probably best done as an Annual, as, let's face it, it really isn't that great of a story. That's not to say that Gerber doesn't try his best with this, as he does try to use silly humor, rather than the Arab bashing type of story that most writers would have came out with during this period. Long story short, a carpet that Bev and Winda buy to brighten up their apartment turns out to be a magic one, and flies the two women to the mythical land of Bagmon, with Howard and Paul chasing after (we get several hints that our starving artist has a crush on the speech impediment suffering Winda). They end up getting caught up in drama involving Arab families and the villainous Roxxon oil, who had their fingers in different pies in the rest of the Marvel Universe. Anyways, after goofy jokes and Bev and Winda doing an interesting take on "Lullaby of Broadway" (not too shabby, as both are dressed in almost bikinis), a big melee breaks out, and Howard ends up both rescuing the women and taking out the main bad guy (with a flying horse no less). Anyways, it is what it is, and I will add that the artist for this Annual was the artist who helped co-create Howard in our very first review (he'll be back for a future arc involving some of the characters from that story). Now, onto the next issue, which will introduce the character that's usually thought of as being Howard's nemesis (if he really has one, other than stupid people)......DR. BONG!!!! GRADE: B
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Jul 30, 2017 23:31:52 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 15"The Island of Doctor Bong"Cover Date: August, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Doctor Bong Special Guests: Winda Wester, Beverly Switzer, and Paul Same Official Plot: While on their cruise home from the nation of Bagamon, Howard, Beverly, Winda and Paul relax and enjoy the much-needed vacation. Howard finally has shut out the voices in his head, however he is knocked overboard when a shuffle board puck hit by Winda strikes him in the head. Realizing Howard can't swim, everyone rushes to toss him a life ring, when suddenly out of the water comes a giant sea monster wearing a top hat (Yes, a top hat). While the creature attacks the ship, Howard notices that it has a button on its side that activates its pleasure centers. Pushing the button, the sea monster enters a euphoria and leaves the ship alone. Pulled back ashore, Howard is considered a hero and the captain of the ship holds a formal dinner and invites Howard and his friends along. When the main course turns out to be duck a l'orange, Howard runs up to the front of the ship to throw up. Resting in a deck chair, Howard is almost creamed by a giant falling rock. When everyone else comes outside to check what the noise was, the ship is suddenly bombarded with rocks, killing some of the passengers and incapacitating the boat. As the crew tries as many ways as possible to call for help (even going so far as sending out a message in a bottle) one of the boulders cracks open like an egg and a giant stone swan flies out. As Beverly instinctively grabs onto it, Howard grabs onto her to be pulled along for the ride. They are deposited on a nearby bell-shaped island and end up landing in quicksand. Sinking, the pair are rescued by a bunch of humanoid animals, one of which is a humanoid duck. Rescued, they are met by the creatures' master, Dr. Bong, who welcomes them to his island. Brodie's View:Fifteen issues in, and we're finally up to the introduction of the one lasting villain from this whole series, or at least the one that would make appearances in other Marvel Books, DOCTOR BONG!!!! (lol) Once again, you can definitely tell Gerber must have been smoking some good shit to name a villain after the device he used to smoke said shit. (Double lol) Anyways, this all begins with Howard and his supporting characters (Bev, Winda Wester, and Paul Same) on a cruise ship, enjoying life after the crazy last few issues (and Annual). However, this doesn't last long, as they are soon attacked by a sea monster wearing a top hat ( ) , and later giant boulders being launched at their ship. One of the boulders breaks open, revealing a giant swan, who, of course, Howard and Bev are soon swept away by, as, let's face it, they are the two main characters. Eventually, they are transported to a mysterious island, where they quickly land themselves in a pool of quicksand. However, they are rescued by strange Island of Dr. Moreau-esque creatures, including a strange man duck. It is then that we are introduced to the good Doctor, who, of course, has a head shaped like a giant bell. This sets up a confrontation that....we don't get for a couple of issues, as Gerber fell behind on his writing. The result of this we'll see in the next issue, which is one of the most unusual issues in this entire run, and that's saying a LOT. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 1, 2017 1:26:13 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 16"Zen and the Art of Comic Book Writing"Cover Date: September, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan, Alan Weiss, Ed Hannigan, Marie Severin, Dave Cockrum, Tom Palmer, Al Milgrom, John Buscema, Dick Giordano, & Michael Nasser Feature Character/s: Howard the Duck & Steve Gerber Villain(s): Doctor Bong Special Guests: Winda Wester, Beverly Switzer, Omega, James-Michael Starling, Man-Thing, Kidney Lady, Dr. Doom, & Shang-Chi Official Plot: With a deadline looming, and instead of presenting readers with a reprint, series writer Steve Gerber submits a written essay on why the continuation of last issue's story is late and talks about moving from New York to Las Vegas, and about his experiences, observations, and criticisms of the comic book industry. Brodie's View:Wow. Talk about perhaps the greatest filler issue ever created. Long story short, Steve Gerber fell behind on finishing the script for what should have been this issue, which would have continued the story set up last issue. Instead of just perhaps delving into the cemetery of lost scripts, which a certain no budget movie director has had to do from time to time, or even perhaps reprinting Howard's early appearances, Gerber does something truly interesting; he kind of writes these little essays/inner conversations on his life, comic writing, expectations on him from various sources, and even a nonsense two page prose story that he then analyzes and critiques. The only illustrations in this issue are two page spreads, drawn by various artists, depicting Howard and other characters (including himself at points) in various scenes, many directly having to do with what he's discussing. This is such an amazing issue, which seems to often happen when Gerber is left to just do whatever the hell he wants to do, writing-wise. I can't imagine the audiences who bought this issue thinking they were getting typical HOWARD zaniness were too happy with this, but reading this as its own thing, it's f**king amazing. This is a writer just going nuts for an issue, but in a really interesting way. The last segment is a "Fan Letter" written by Gerber to himself, critiquing himself for even doing an issue like this ( ). Whew! Okay, back to our story in the next issue, as Howard finally gets to fully face....DOCTOR BONG!!! Promise. GRADE: A+
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 1, 2017 23:40:21 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 17"Doctor Bong"Cover Date: October, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Doctor Bong Special Guests: Winda Wester, Beverly Switzer, Fifi, and Paul Same Official Plot: When we last left Howard and Beverly they were confronted by Dr. Bong, who had invited them to come to his castle. Howard refuses, however, as he walks away Dr. Bong clangs his bell immobilizing Howard and has his legion of mutates to take Howard to a room in the castle while he shows Beverly around. When Beverly asks how Dr. Bong can afford such an expensive set up, a castle with high tech gadgets, Dr. Bong tells her it's merely props and that nothing is functional. He then shows her the nerve center of his castle: A room with a single office setup and a typewriter. Meanwhile, Howard wakes up to find himself locked in a room in Dr. Bong's castle. He also comes across a book that turns out to be Beverly's old diary. Howard is interrupted by the entrance of Fifi, one of Dr. Bong's creations that is a female humanoid duck, come to bring him a meal. Meanwhile, back aboard the S.S. Damned, the stones suddenly vanish and all the damage (And death) caused by the strange rockfall disappear, turning out to be a clever illusion. When Dr. Bong appears and demands they leave, lest they suffer a worse fate, Winda and Paul try to appeal to the captain to help them rescue their friends Beverly and Howard. The captain refuses and sets course back for the states, Winda and Paul then watch as Dr. Bong's island suddenly disappears. Back in Dr. Bong's castle, the Doctor tells Beverly about his life: How he, Lester Verde, was picked on as a boy. One day, his mother encouraged him to write down silly names of the kids who picked on him, telling him that the pen is mightier than the sword. It was advice he took to heart, and soon became a brilliant writer who could manipulate the words he wrote to pretty much tell the truth but in the most devastating and damning way. When his writing style was criticized in his university writing class, he wrote an article that got his teacher fired on allegations he was a drug user. This is where, in his art class, he first met Beverly who was modeling for the class. When Lester tried to ask her out, Beverly rejected him. When Lester saw that she had a boyfriend, he used his influence to end their relationship by telling his parents that she wasn't Jewish, Lester would later be pulled out of school and eventually die in a winter car accident trying to see Beverly. Getting a job writing headlines for various tabloids, Lester would eventually be assigned a job as a rock critic, but to give his work some edge he eventually got involved with the rock band Mildren Horowitz and His Band, and got personally involved with their brutal and vile stage acts. During one such act, a prop guillotine ended up cutting off Lester's hand. As Bong continues his story, upstairs Howard is told by Fifi that Bong intends to experiment on Howard as well in order to turn him into a creature similar to the ones that live with Dr. Bong. Not wanting to be experimented on, Howard bolts out of the room and crashes in on Bong and Beverly, but Howard is quickly subdued by Bong's creatures and taken to his lab for experimentation. Bong gives Beverly an ultimatum: Become his wife, or Howard dies. Brodie's View:We finally get our continuation of our story from # 15, and we get the origin story for Doctor Bong; he was a nerdy writer that had an obsession for Beverly, who shunned him for more attractive dudes. Bong, or Lester as he was known then, decided to mess with Bev's life in many ways using his writing skills. He then joined a theatrical rock group as someone who would get "killed" in different ways during their performances (ala Alice Cooper). However, during one of those performances, he would lose his hand to a prop guillotine. Somewhere along the line, Lester/Bong decided to don a giant bell helmet, and hide away at an island, where he would genetically evolve animals into humanoid creatures. This ties to Howard, who awakens (after being BOOOOONNNNGGGGGed into unconsciousness by DB at the beginning of the issue) locked in a room, and being serviced by a hot duck/humanoid maid named Fifi. Of course, this all leads to Bong's plans, which involves Beverly marrying him and Howard being evolved into a duck humanoid like Fifi and the muscle duck we saw near the end of #15. Needless to say, Howard wants no part of this, and tries to break free to rescue Bev, but is brought low by Bong's creatures. At the end of the issue, Bong forces Bev to choose between marrying him, or watching her kinda sorta boyfriend Howard get turned into Duck Soup! Needless to say, we continue this in the next issue, as we will see our hero undergo a shocking transformation. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 2, 2017 20:08:01 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 18"Metamorphosis!"Cover Date: November, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Doctor Bong Special Guests: Beverly Switzer & Fifi Official Plot: Placed in Dr. Bong's Evolo-Chamber device, Howard is about to undergo an experiment conducted by Dr. Bong. However, Beverly won't allow it and starts trying to stop the process by fiddling with the controls. It begins a chain reaction which causes an explosion. Howard is saved by Fifi who carries the Duck to safety, while Dr. Bong and Beverly assume that Howard was destroyed in the explosion. Beverly tries to escape, and soon finds that Bong's castle has been transported to the Himalayan mountains. Bong catches up to her and teleports away with her so that they can get married as part of her deal with him. Meanwhile, Fifi takes Howard back up to his room where he transforms into a human being. Given a new set of clothes, he and Fifi escape Bong's castle in a Bongsaucer. While somewhere out at sea, Dr. Bong appears aboard a Russian vessel that is in danger of being attacked by a US boat for coming too close to American waters. Bong offers to take the ship to safety if the Captain agrees to marry him and Beverly aboard the ship. As this is occurring, Fifi and Howard cross over into American airspace just near New York City, but are shot down by US military planes when they are unable to communicate with them via radio. The ship crashes in central park, and Fifi dies as a result of the crash, however Howard manages to slip away and cusses out the crowd of gawkers that had come to comment about Fifi's duck-like features. Wandering off to a park bench to figure himself out, Howard is badgered about his next course of action, or if he should just give up on life or not, by a haunting image of his duck self. He is snapped out of his thoughts when a police officer tells him not to sleep on the park bench and move along. Howard then travels off in the lonely night trying to figure out what he should do next. Brodie's View:Howard goes through some Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (!!!) this issue, as his "Evolution" at the hands of Doctor Bong (who is, at the time, more concerned with marrying Howard's gal pal, Beverly) goes horribly wrong (and probably not helped by Bong's evolved female duck person, Fifi, who busts Howard out of the Evolving machine before it can finish the process), and ends up transforming our webbed footed hero into....a Human. While Bong is trying to seal the deal on the marriage, the newly human Howard and Fifi escape in one of Bong's "Bongsaucer" (lol), but suddenly finding themselves in American airspace, they are shot down by the military. This causes the saucer to crash land in NYC (again!!!), instantly killing Fifi (too bad, that could have made for an interesting love triangle...or square, I guess....counting Bong). Howard ends up crawling away from the wreckage just fine, but baffled as to what to do as now being just a schlubby looking dude stuck in the hard, cold city. This sets up a pretty interesting little series of side stories for our hero (although, the Bong storyline is never too far removed), and in the next issue, we'll see Howard dealing with the various crazies in NYC, as he figures out what the hell he's going to do next. (Double ) GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 3, 2017 22:41:44 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 19"Howard the Human"Cover Date: December, 1977 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck (Human) Villain(s): Doctor Bong Special Guests: Beverly Switzer, Mad Dog, Elton, & Amy Pope Official Plot: Wandering the streets of New York trying to figure out what to do with himself now that he's been turned into a human, Howard gets firsthand experience of life on the streets in New York City. Ending up in Grand Central Station, Howard goes to the bathroom to clean himself up and ends up meeting the drunken derelict named Mad Dog, who asks him for change (and just about anything of value that Howard can give up) Howard is talked into buying the man some coffee, however when the coffee shop owner will not allow Mad Dog into the shop, Mad Dog snaps and goes into a rampage in the store. Inside, Lisa Pope is listening to her former co-worker Elton (both are unemployed) pour his heart out to her. However finding him pathetic, she notices Howard's apathy to the situation when Howard walks away from the fight and chases after him finding him interesting. Taking him home, she tells Howard all about her life, and about her issues with Elton before coercing him into bed and having sex with him. While at the castle of Dr. Bong, Bong learns that Howard had survived and managed to escape to New York. Furious that his fowl foe had escaped, Bong teleports himself to New York to find Howard. Outside Lisa Pope's apartment, Elton has been waiting outside, feeling that Lisa doesn't know what she's doing throwing herself at a strange man bursts into her apartment thinking that Howard is taking advantage of her "delicate womanhood." When the two focus their attention to Howard, they're both shocked find not a man, but a Duck. Howard, oblivious to the fact that he's changed back into a duck, decides to take a shower. While there he realized that his coital encounter with Lisa had caused the mutation to reverse itself, before Howard can do much else Dr. Bong appears in the shower with him vowing to destroy his foe once and for all. Brodie's View:After being "Evolved" into being a normal human last issue, our hero must deal with the various crazies of 1977 New York in this issue. First he encounters a crazed homeless man, who after Howard buys him a cup of coffee, takes him kind of under his "wing." Of course, this doesn't last very long, as when the coffee shop owner goes to kick the homeless man out, he goes berserk, getting into a brawl with a dude named Elton, who was trying to get with the other major character Howard interacts with in this issue, a very 70's girl named Amy Pope. Amy isn't very interested in Elton, who is trying his best to woo her, and instead finds herself drawn to Howard, who could really care less about her New Age yammering. Of course, as is typically the case, this ends up getting Howard laid (or as we can very much assume; it isn't shown, but the lead up and follow up really hints at this happening). The twist is that Howard's adrenal glands fire up during sex, ending up causing him to transform back into his duck form. Unfortunately, none of those who witnessed this craziness (Howard, Amy, and Elton, who busts in to confront the guy who nailed his wannabe girlfriend, only to find a duck in her bed) really get the chance to process it all, as the issue ends with Doctor Bong suddenly popping in to take our feathered hero out....ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! Obviously, this continues next issue, but not completely, as it ends up leading into yet another side story, but an entertaining one. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 5, 2017 0:39:11 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 20"Scrubba-Dub-Death!"Cover Date: January, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Doctor Bong & Sudd Special Guests: Lee Switzer Official Plot: While taking a shower in Lisa Pope's apartment, Howard's much needed shower is interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Bong who has come to kill Howard once and for all. However Howard manages to escape Bong and make it out onto the streets, where he manages to strike Bong's bell helmet with a tire iron activating his teleportation device and sending him to points unknown. Realizing that he's now nude, Howard steals some unflattering clothing (proclaiming him a "Foxy Lady") and tries to get a job, he ends up taking a dish-washing job at a restaurant. He is shown the ropes by the exiting dishwasher, Sudd, who is leaving this job to work for SOOFI (Save Our Offspring From Indecency) a group that tries to ban offensive material. When Sudd accidentally leaves some cleaner in the microwave and turns it on, it explodes turning him into a monster made out of soap suds, and goes on a rampage destroying all things that he finds offensive. In the slum neighbourhood that Sudd is ravaging, the locals who are sick of the drug dealing and other crimes cheer on the monster in spite of its murderous rampage. Feeling responsible, Howard and the shop owner find an antidote printed on the side of a bottle of the same cleaner and mix a batch which they throw on Sudd, causing him to dissipate, ending his rampage but bringing the ire of the neighbourhood who believed that Sudd was doing what nobody else was willing to do. Brodie's View:While we get a bit of action, and the continuation of the whole Doctor Bong story, that only is the beginning of this issue. Bong comes for the now re-ducked Howard, who manages to get a lucky shot in, ringing Bong's bell head, which teleports him away to parts unknown (Howard and Bong would not do battle again until shortly after Gerber leaves the book, which means I won't get to review/read the end of that particular storyline, although, we do get Bong and Bev as a side plot until the end of Gerber's run). Howard, then figuring that Beverly is lost to him forever, realizes he needs something new to do with his life. He gets a job as a dishwasher in a restaurant (which, little does he realize, is owned by Bev's uncle, Lee Switzer, who makes his first appearance here), and the dumb ass that trains him leads us to our next side story, as he is under the sway of an organization called SOOFI (Save Our Offspring From Indecency), and is very much a true believer of that group's mission. However, Howard is willing to live and let live until an accident with cleaning material and a microwave transforms the jack ass into a soap creature called Sudd, who is now psychotic in his mission to clean the filth from New York....by any means necessary. Lee and Howard realize they have to do something, as Sudd is on the streets of New York, killing everyone that he considers "filth." Howard winds up mixing up an antidote, ending the threat of Sudd, but there is a twist, as now the regular folk of NYC want to kill Howard (and Lee) for stopping someone from cleaning up the streets. (lol) Of course, as all endings like this (or most of them), this is going to lead to a bigger story, as Howard will indeed come across SOOFI, who I'm sure won't be happy that Howard put a stop to one of their members before he could accomplish their mission. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 9, 2017 17:53:12 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 21"If You Knew Soofi...!"Cover Date: February, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Carmine Infantino Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): S.O.O.F.I & The Supreme Soofi Special Guests: Lee Switzer Official Plot: Fleeing from an angry mob for destroying Sudd, Howard flees his boss into his apartment. Deciding to leave and setup someplace else, Howard learns his boss hailed from Cleveland. More surprising, Howard also learns that his boss is named Beverly Switzler (call him Lee for short), and is the uncle of Beverly. Leaving the apartment, Lee tells Howard that he can make himself at home as the apartment is rented out for the rest of the month. Meanwhile, all across the city, members of S.O.O.F.I. (Save Our Offspring From Indecency) have launched a campaign of terror against all those they find offensive. Blowing up adult theaters and offensive rock concerts with their suicide bombers dressed up as smiley faced cleaners. Their campaign of terror has those who are in support of removing offensive materials from society at odds with SOOFI's violent means to eliminate the perceived problem. Watching the news Howard, is suddenly roused by a knock at the door. There to greet him is the Supreme SOOFI, leader of the SOOFI movement. The Supreme SOOFI knocks out Howard with one of their gasses Formula 410. When Howard wakes up he finds himself dressed up tacky clothing. Confronted by the Supreme SOOFI once more, the Supreme one has decided to select Howard as the first to be put in the SOOFI brainwashing device, as their numbers have been thinned out in their campaign. Using the Blanditron device on Howard, the Supreme SOOFI is shocked when it doesn't work when Howard punches her in the face, breaking her mask. With her movement ruined, Howard leaves the Supreme SOOFI behind begging Howard to return and join her ranks. Brodie's View:Steve Gerber/Howard takes on the forces of censorship Part 2, as after resolving where our feathered hero (and Beverly's Uncle, Lee Switzler) found him/themselves at the end of last issue (surrounded by an angry mob that wanted their heads after Howard stopped the soap creature, Sudd, from "cleaning up the streets of New York"), Howard finally meets the person responsible for Sudd's existence (or at the very least, his mission) in the first place. After losing the mob thanks to a few homeless/eccentrics, Lee takes Howard back to Cleveland, and allows him to use the apartment he has there (as well as paying him $50 for the work he put in, washing dishes). This is also where Howard finds out that Lee is Bev's uncle. However, the good times don't last long, as Howard is ambushed and kidnapped by S.O.O.F.I, who while angry at Howard to taking out one of their operatives, also see the purpose that Howard could serve to their cause (and a violent one at that, as we see S.O.O.F.I members blowing up places they see as being "obscene"). The Supreme Soofi, a large figure with a giant smiley face helmet, tries to talk Howard into joining the cause, and then tries to literally brainwash him when that doesn't work. This only serves to piss Howard off, who punches the S.S ( ) in the mush, destroying the mask, and revealing a woman beneath. Now, the identity of the woman isn't revealed, as we only see her from the rear, but it's theorized that it was meant to be Anita Bryant, who was a crusader against all things she considered "obscene" in the 70's, which would make a lot of sense, and how great of Gerber to thumb his nose at Bryant and what she represented. Now that this story comes to its close, we move on to the 2nd to the last story arc I'll be reviewing for this run ( ), and this will be one taking us back to the beginning in some ways, as it involves the characters who surrounded Howard when he first was introduced....oh, and it will somewhat spoof a movie that was SUPER popular at that exact moment. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 10, 2017 22:37:21 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 22"May the Farce Be With You!"Cover Date: March, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Val Mayerik Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Bzzk' Joh Special Guests: Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek, The Man Thing, & Sombra Official Plot: Relaxing on the roof of Lee Beverly's apartment, Howard is waiting for Paul and Winda to arrive in New York from their cruise. Howard is suddenly attacked by a giant salt shaker with simian arms and legs and a giant house fly, both of which he is able to fight off. Howard is suddenly visited by Dakimh the Enchanter and the Man-Thing, who have come to gather him to help them save the universe again. In spite of Howard's protests, they are all teleported back to the Land Between Night and Day, where they are reunited with Korek and Jennifer Kale. There, Dakimh brings them to the Eternal Waters to show them a story and tells all present of a distant time in the realm of Megrim a realm ruled by a demon named Sombra, who once every millennium or two chooses a mate from the realm's strongest warrior. The most recent winner produced an offspring named Bzzk'Joh (Pronounced Berserk Joe) Bzz'Joh is now a powerful force in the universe which Dakimh hopes to eliminate with the Farce, a powerful universal energy source which would allow those to "Yok it Up". When Dakimh endows Howard with a rifle that utilizes the Farce before disappearing. Howard, still refusing to help and retreating to the kitchen of Dakimh's castle for a meal, is attacked by a giant pickle. Howard is saved by the timely arrival of the Man-Thing who destroys the pickle monster by burning it when it begins to fear him. As Howard laments over his situation, they are suddenly startled by Jennifer screaming. Rushing back to the Eternal Waters, Howard and Man-Thing find that Bzzk'Jho has appeared out of the water and grabbed Jennifer. Brodie's View:It's kind of back to the beginning in this, the second to last storyline we deal with in this run, as Howard is reunited with the characters that he made his debut with (some of the MAN THING supporting cast: Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek, and, of course, The Man Thing), but sent on an adventure far sillier than one that would have happened in Manny's book. It starts with Howard chilling on the roof of the apartment building he is currently living in, waiting for Winda Wester and Paul Same to return from the cruise that launched the whole Doctor Bong storyline. However, he doesn't wait long, as he is suddenly attacked by a sentient salt shaker ( ) and a giant house fly, both of who he is able to defeat. This leads to his being summoned by Dakimh, very reluctantly, I might add, and zapped away to help "save the universe" once again. Of course, as I said before, this mission is far sillier than what would happen in the MAN THING book, as Howard is slated to lead the group against a demon named Bzz' Joh (called Berserk Joe by Howard), and he, himself, will hopefully be able to defeat "Joe" with a mystical energy called "The Farce" (lol); basically beating this demon with his sense of humor. Howard eventually gets with this program, but ends up doing battle with a giant pickle ( ) alongside the Man Thing, both of which team up to defeat this vinegary villain, but this distraction leads to "Joe" kidnapping Jennifer Kale. Of course we continue this in the next issue, as we'll see even more STAR WARS inspired goofiness. GRADE: A
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 11, 2017 23:50:10 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 23"Star Waaugh"Cover Date: April, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Val Mayerik Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): Bzzk' Joh Special Guests: Jennifer Kale, Korrek, The Man Thing, Naac-P30, & Tutu Official Plot: With Jennifer grabbed by Bzzk'Jho, he pulls her down into the Eternal Waters, however not before Jennifer uses her magical powers to animate Naac-P30, and Tutu, two Druid Droids that help Howard, Korrek and Man-Thing stop Jho. When Howard still refuses to help, Korrek threatens Howard. Howard concedes when he tries to use the gun that was given to him by Dakimh and it turns out that all it does is shoot a comedic flag. Boarding Dakimh's ship the Epoch Weasel into the universe to get to Jho's base the Imperium Emporium, the group escapes one of their delivery truck weapons. However their ship is damaged forcing them to land at the Hollywok Cantina. There they try to find transport dealing with Real Californians. Being told to speak to Big Mac about getting transport, Korrek tries to do so politely, however he violently attacks Mac when he refuses to help transport them causing the Real Californians to attack them. Howard manages to dispel them using the Farce through his gun incapacitating them all. Securing a new ship, the group manages to burst into Bzzk'Joh's Imperium Emporium, a giant space ship themed after a box store. There they fight through Jho's army, and free Jennifer and escape just as the Emporium is set to explode, destroying Jho and all his followers in a massive explosion. Brodie's View:It's the second half of our little "Star Wars" inspired story, as if one couldn't tell from both the title and the cover itself. Basically, it's Howard, Korrek (the Barbarian), and The Man Thing trying to save Jennifer Kale from a demon warrior named Bzzk' Joh (or Berserk Joe, as Howard nicknames him). While she's being kidnapped, Kale uses her powers to animate two droids (two very familiar looking/sounding droids, might I add ) to help them in their quest. Howard tries to stop Joe using the gun given to him by Dakimh (last issue), and all it shoots out is a comedic flag, as Howard clearly hasn't embraced the power of the "Farce." The good guys eventually find their way at a very Gerber-esque take on the Cantina from STAR WARS, known as the Hollywok Cantina (lol), populated by, among others, dudes in business suits who spout meaningless drivel known as Real Californians (Double lol). Korrak has to end up asking another demon/alien known as Big Mac, who looks a lot like Mayor McCheese from the old McDonalds advertising, but after Mac refuses to help, the barbarian attacks, causing a full fledged melee that Howard ends by using his gun (which works like gangbusters this time). Finally, the good guys end up busting into Joe's ship, The Imperial Emporium, which is a replica of a big box store. Needless to say, Howard and crew kick ass, and rescue Kale, but not before causing the Emporium to explode, killing Joe and his followers. This was a really fun two parter that, while poked fun pretty liberally at STAR WARS, poked more fun at the late 70's consumerist culture that was springing up as the 70's were starting to move into the super consumer 80's. One only wonders what Gerber would have made of our current society, and how STAR WARS grew even more into a giant ever reaching cash cow. Anyways, in the next issue, we get the fallout from this little adventure, and our last "Howard Encounters Various City Crazies" issue, as we move towards, sniff, our last storyline. GRADE: A
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 13, 2017 0:16:38 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 24"Where Do You Go -- What Do You Do -- The Night After You Saved The Universe?" Cover Date: May, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): None Special Guests: Jennifer Kale, Korrek, The Man Thing, Winda Wester, Paul Same, Doctor Bong, & The Kidney Lady (The last two in dream form only) Official Plot: Jennifer Kale, Korrek, and the Man-Thing drop Howard off back at Lee Switzler's apartment in New York before departing once more. Howard realizes that Winda and Paul's ship should be pulling in at dawn. Finding that he cannot sleep, or distract his mind with television, Howard decides to take a walk outside to mull over everything that has happened to him in the last while and figure out what to do with himself. Along his walk, his foot is grabbed by a drunken man who is dreaming about a woman who left him and is crying for her to stay. Howard is unable to pull his foot free and soon becomes a target for three thieves who hope to rob them. Howard manages to dispel them and free himself by putting out his cigar on the drunk man's hand causing him to scream loud enough to scare the thieves away. Bumping into a bag lady, causing her to drop all her possessions, Howard apologizes only to be chewed out by the woman who gathers up her things and spits in his face. Later, when a woman is attacked by a man at a bus stop, Howard rushes to her rescue to find that she's punched him out, and that they were husband and wife having another failed attempt at spicing up their romance life. Howard decides to stop at an all night donut shop to find that owner tied up and the register cleaned out. Howard unties the man and accepts a free coffee as he listens to the owner talk about how a customer tied him up and robbed him over a pastry that broke one of his teeth. Realizing it's dawn, Howard rushes to the port just in time for Paul and Winda's arrival. Reunited once again, Howard jumps into Winda's arms and passes out from exhaustion. Brodie's View:We get the bridge between the last two issue's double part story, and the three parter that will....sniff...end this run, and it's our last "Howard Walks the Streets and Deals With Various Crazies" issue. High off of the events of the last two issues, and not wanting to miss meeting Winda Wester and Paul Same, who are finally returning from the cruise from several issues ago (where Doctor Bong made his first appearance, and kidnapped Beverly and Howard from the ship), Howard is unable to sleep (having bad dreams involving the before mentioned Doctor, and the Kidney Lady, who makes her last appearance in this run), and decides to go for a walk to clear his head. He is bothered by a drunk homeless guy, and almost attacked by a group of young thugs, before putting his cigar on the homeless guy's head (lol), causing the bum to scream, which sends the thugs running. He then runs into a homeless woman, literally, causing her to drop her things. He tries to help her, but she chews him out and spits in his face, scurrying away. He then hears a woman scream that she's being attacked, but when he goes to try to help her, discovers that the man who was going to "attack" her was her husband, and that this is all part of weird sex games they play to spice up their love life. Finally, he goes to a donut store, only to find the store owner tied up. After freeing the owner, he treats Howard to coffee, as they talk about various things. Finally, Howard realizes that it's dawn, and rushes off to meet Winda and Paul. However, he doesn't get a chance to talk with them, as he passes out from exhaustion, missing the fact that the two have come into a mysterious sum of money. We'll find out more, of course, in our next issue, which begins our last storyline; one that will involve the first (and only) previously established villains from the Marvel Universe that Howard will do battle with. Plus, we get some update on what's happening on the Doctor Bong/Beverly front. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 14, 2017 1:34:19 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 25"Getting Smooth!"Cover Date: June, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): The Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime (Princess Python, Clown, Cannonball, & The Great Gambonnos) & Doctor Bong Special Guests: Winda Wester, Paul Same, Beverly Switzer, Lee Switzer, and Iris Raritan (1st Appearance of the last) Official Plot: When Paul has $2000 cash to blow, he takes Howard out to buy a new suit and then takes the fowl and Winda out to the most fancy restaurant in the city, the Fifth Season. Along the way, Howard recounts the events that led to Paul's current monetary windfall, how while on the cruise he made money after drawing a portrait of Iris Raritan, a rich socialite. Loving the drawing, she also introduced him to others who would be willing to pay top dollar for his work. Arriving at the restaurant, they have some trouble getting in, until Paul advises the waiter that he is a friend of Raritan. There they meet Iris who is arranging a Circus show for a party she's throwing with a "Mr. Thraller" (Secretly the Ringmaster of the Circus of Crime.) She then invites Paul, Howard and Winda to the party. While at Dr. Bong's castle, Beverly, feeling neglected bursts in on Dr. Bong's work and demands that he pay attention to her, a request he eventually complies with. While back in New York, the trio prepare for the party when Howard gets a phone call from Lee Switzler in Cleveland who offers Howard a job. At the party, the trio hob-nob with the rich and Howard and Winda find it a hard time adjusting to being the subject of the idle rich's scrutiny. When the Circus of Crime appears and puts on a show, soon everyone is put under a hypnotic spell and robbed. Believing Howard may be a money making addition to their circus, they take the mallard with them. While the party goers begin to snap out of their trances, Howard is taken away in the Circus of Crime's truck. In order to force Howard into working for them, the Ringmaster threatens to implicate Howard with their crimes. Brodie's View: The beginning of the end happens here, as we enter our last three part storyline, and surprisingly, even though we get a bit with Beverly and Doctor Bong, the rest of this story concerns villains familiar to long time Marvel readers, The Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime(!!!). Going back to Bev and Bong for a second, their part basically concerns Beverly coming to accept that she has to be married to the Machiavellian villain, but getting pissed that he spends more time working in his lab than....working her . Little does she know, Bong is trying desperately to find a way to eliminate Howard once and for all, as he can't stand having any kind of competition for Beverly's affections. However, the lure of a hot redhead trumps revenge for now, and Doctor Bong does some....bonging. Back to our feathered hero, though, we see that he has been reunited with supporting characters Winda Wester and Paul Same, but the latter has, thanks to his artistic ability, come into a little bit of money, which he is throwing around a bit too much for Howard's tastes. Like we saw in his first appearance, Paul seems to lust after the life of wealth and being wealthy; a trait that neither Howard nor Winda seem to really share, but for the sake of their friend, they go along. This is where our main story for this last little snatch of stories kicks in, as the three are invited to a society function; none invited realizing that it's all a front for The Ringmaster and his Circus criminals to rob later, after hypnotizing the guests into allowing them to do it. Before that, we get quite a bit of Howard and Winda cracking on these stuffy rich people; unimpressed with their arrogance. However, after the Circus ends up robbing the guests, the Ringmaster decides that he wants Howard to be part of his circus, so, they steal him too. The issue ends with The Ringmaster basically blackmailing Howard into joining their Circus, which Howard begrudgingly agrees to (Ulp! ). I will say that it was interesting to see Howard interacting with such classic Marvel villains. Of course, in the next issue, we will see the results of Howard joining the Circus of Crime, and how long Howard will play along before snapping as usual. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 14, 2017 2:04:21 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 26"Repercussions!"Cover Date: July, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): The Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime (Princess Python, Clown, Cannonball, & The Great Gambonnos) & Lance Special Guests: Winda Wester, Paul Same, Lee Switzer, Ignanz Hubley, Jake the Bartender, and Iris Raritan Official Plot: Forced to be part of the Circus of Crime's act, doing a comedy routine, Howard is forced into furthering their criminal goals. When Howard questions if Ringmaster has any idea how his thefts effect people's lives and questions his showmanship, he is violently shoved. Almost prophetically, one of the circus patrons Ignatz Hubley, drinking the last of his earnings since he's been unemployed realizes that his money had been stolen when he has to go home and pay his wife the money he promised to keep for her. Enraged, Ignatz gets himself a gun and tries to hold up a gas station. Meanwhile, Iris having known that she was hiring the Circus of Crime in hopes of catching them for a lark, is tracking them with Winda and Paul in order to rescue Howard from their clutches. However, Paul and Winda become sick of Iris' selfish spoiled-rich-girl attitude and leave her. Winda is attacked and raped by a man on the street, and Paul ends up going to the gas station which is being held up by Ignatz. Coincidences continue to pile upon each other, as the Circus of Crime's truck stops at the same gas station and the Ringmaster is also held at gun point. When the other Circus members and Howard enter the gas station, Ignatz tries to make a run for it. He is run down by Iris, the collision causes Ignatz to fire his gun which strikes Paul. Later at a hospital, Howard calls Lee to come up and watch over Winda and Paul -- both hospitalized -- while Howard makes Iris realize that her actions had consequences to them, and Howard begins to plan how they are going to capture the Circus of Crime. Brodie's View:Holy Crap! Things start out pretty light in this issue, but get kinda dark (at least for this book) and heavy by the end. We start the issue with The Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime ripping off a crowd, with Howard providing a bit of reluctant stand up to loosen the crowd up first. The relationship between Howard and the Circus is kind of an abusive one, as The Ringmaster basically kicks Howard a few different times for getting belligerent, and basically states that our hero will remain with the Circus indefinitely. One of the members, Cannonball, tries to make Howard sympathetic to Ringo and the Circus, and their "cause," but Howard doesn't buy it, and is looking for any opportunity to escape. We also see Winda, Pau :ol, and the woman whose party started this whole deal in the first place, Iris Raritan, on the trail of the Ringmaster and his crew, with Iris revealing that she knew they were going to be robbed the whole time, and is hoping to catch the criminal as a lark. This, of course, pisses both Paul and Winda off, who end up splitting, but being separated. This proves to be VERY disastrous for both, but we'll get back to that in a second. One of the people that the CoC robbed, a very Archie Bunker looking drunk named Ignatz, realizes that he's been robbed when he goes to pay for his drink, and rather than just telling his wife, tries to rob a gas station. Meanwhile, Winda, who is trying to find Paul, instead runs into a creep named Lance, who attacks and rapes her (!!! See, I told you things gets dark), putting her into the hospital in the process. Meanwhile, as Ignatz is robbing the gas station, all our other characters converge there at the same time, with The Ringmaster trying to rehypnotize the guy, only for Ignatz to freak out, and try to shoot Ringo (destroying his hat in the process), but hitting Paul (who happened to be there as well) as well, hospitalizing him. Ignatz runs outside, only to get hit by Iris, who is pulling up in her car. The issue ends with Howard confronting Iris, who is remorseful over her immaturity, telling her that actions have consequences. They then start to make plans on taking down The Ringmaster and his Circus. Needless to say, this all continues and concludes in the next issue , as we see the end of this run and Steve Gerber's 70's run at Marvel all in one fell swoop. Did I happen to mention.... GRADE: A
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 14, 2017 2:34:39 GMT -5
Howard the Duck # 27"Circus Maximus"Cover Date: September, 1978 Writer: Steve Gerber Artist: Gene Colan Feature Character: Howard the Duck Villain(s): The Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime (Princess Python, Clown, Cannonball, & The Great Gambonnos) & Doctor Bong Special Guests: Winda Wester, Paul Same (Both behind the scenes), Lee Switzer, Beverly Switzer, and Iris Raritan Official Plot: Howard has a bad dream where a court, judged by Beverly and watched by a jury of many Howards, over the charges about if he's negative. After the kangaroo court session's sentencing, Howard -- angry -- exclaims that he's not negative, he's angry. He is suddenly awoken by Lee who has just arrived and Howard and Iris decide to leave the hospital in order to track down the Circus of Crime and bring them down. Meanwhile, in Dr. Bong's castle, Beverly has finally adjusted to her married life and is thankful to Dr. Bong into forcing her to marry him. However, she begins to have second thoughts when Bong tells her that he intends to hunt down and kill Howard. Meanwhile, Howard and Iris have tracked down the Circus of Crime and take pictures of them robbing people during one of their acts. When they are spotted, Howard and Iris fight off the Circus members with ease, Howard then leaves Iris with the evidence against the Circus of Crime while Howard decides to wander off to Cleveland alone to mull over his memories of the place. Brodie's View:Well, this is it, Folks, as Boys II Men once sang, The End of The Road, both for Steve Gerber and us. I will say that the best part of this issue happens at the beginning of it, as in a dream, Howard is put on trial by himself, the world, and Beverly for his cynicism and anger. What's interesting about this is that, as always, it very much seems like Gerber is using Howard to vent his very real anger at what was happening to him at Marvel, and it's fitting that he uses this last issue as an opportunity to vent that. Once he is woken up, we basically get a resolving of the whole Ringmaster and Circus of Crime storyline, as Howard and Iris (his very reluctantly taken on partner) infiltrate the Circus, and after a bit of a fight, take out Ringo and his crew, with Howard being able to resist Ringo's Hypno-hat due to pure anger, and beating the shit out of him. We end the issue with Howard finding out that Paul and Winda will live, but splitting off from Iris to drown in his memories. We also get to see a bit of a storyline that Gerber never gets to resolve, as we see a bit of Beverly and Doctor Bong, as she has seemingly accepted her life as his wife, until he talks about ruling the world and killing Howard. As I said before though, this is a storyline set up that Gerber will not stick around to complete. The next couple of issues would be fillers, as Gerber would have a huge falling out with Marvel, leaving for a good number of years. He would leave a half written issue, which would be finished for #29 (after #28 being written by another writer). Bill Mantlo would be brought in to finish the last two issues of the book, resolving the Doctor Bong/Beverly storyline, and finishing things off with Paul and Winda. He would then write the Howard the Duck magazine sized comic, which would run into the early 80's before also ending. Of course, there would be a brief Howard revival around the time the ill fated movie came out in 1986, but that would soon fizzle out, with Howard only making small appearances for the next nearly 20 years. Marvel and Gerber would eventually mend fences, with the writer brought back to write a Marvel MAX Limited Series that was pretty awesome, as it allowed Gerber to take the piss out of the state of the comic book industry during that period. Seriously, check it out. Sadly, Gerber would never write Howard again, as he would develop cancer and pass away in early 2008. However, his body of work, very much including this run, would speak for itself. Gerber's entire Howard The Duck run would be collected in a few different formats, but one of the cheapest ways to go is the MARVEL ESSENTIAL, which is what I was using. If my run of reviews on this hasn't convinced you to go buy this, then I'll say it again.....GO BUY THIS BOOK!!! This run stands up there with any other great run from the 70's. GRADE: A-
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Aug 14, 2017 2:36:06 GMT -5
Okay, I triple bombed you because I'm going to be, pretty much, losing my computer internet until next weekend, and I wanted to finish this run before I did. When I return fully, we'll be going back to our MARVEL TWO IN ONE reviews, as I finally got the next MARVEL ESSENTIAL for it.
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Sept 10, 2017 1:38:29 GMT -5
Soon
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Sept 12, 2017 0:53:33 GMT -5
And without further adieu.....
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Sept 12, 2017 0:53:52 GMT -5
Marvel Two In One # 53"The Pegasus Project Part 1: The Inner War"Cover Date: July, 1979 Writer(s): Mark Gruenwald & Ralph Macchio Artist: John Byrne Feature Character(s): The Thing and Quasar Villain(s): Solar, Deathlok, & the Nth Command (Thomas Lightner) Special Guests: Thundra, Wundarr, Herkimer Oglethorpe, Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. (Jeannine O'Connell & Myron Wilburn) Official Plot: Feeling guilty that he has neglected his adopted "son" Wundarr, the Thing decides to pay a visit to Project Pegasus to see if the young man has recovered from his coma since being exposed to the energies of the Cosmic Cube. After passing the security screening he is granted access and given a priority access card. When he meets Quasar, the new chief of security, Ben mistakens him for the Crusader -- an insane Uranian super-hero which the Fantastic Four previously battled and thought dead. After a brief scuffle, Quasar reveals that he is really Wendel Vaughn, who's father had recovered the Crusaders Quantum Bands following his death and gave them over to his son. With the misunderstanding cleared up, Quasar takes Ben to see Wundarr. Along the way, Ben runs into Thomas Lightner, who seems innocent enough but gives Ben the creeps. For good reason however, because after the two heroes leave Lightner's presence, he calls in his mysterious employer and tells his master at an organization called Nth Command to initate the next phase of a feindish plot. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, Thundra is walking the streets when he runs into a musclebound man threatening wrestling promoter Herkimer J. Oglethorpe. Easily beating the ruffian, Oglethorpe decides to offer her a career in the wrestling league which he promotes for. Back at Project Pegasus, Quasar takes Thing to Wundarr's room, and explains that since the man-child had been exposed to the Cosmic Cube he's been a living spongue, absorbing energies in his vacinity, even the Thing's own strength. Trying to rouse the boy doesn't work and so the two decide to retire for the night to check on the boys status in the morning. As they try to rest, Lightner knocks out some guards and allows Nth Command's operative: The cyborg Deathlok entry into the compound. Unable to sleep, the Thing decides to pace around the compound, lost in thought he is unaware that he is walking right into the waiting aim of Deathlok who is programmed to kill anyone who gets in his way. This story is continued next issue.... Brodie's View:We officially enter what many consider to be the Best part of this whole run with this issue, as we see the first part of what will be a multi part storyline that will return us to the Project known as P.E.G.A.S.U.S," and through that, the return of the Steve Gerber created superhuman known as Wundarr, who will play a big part in the events to come. As a bonus, we start will a three issue run with the Great John Byrne, who was really entering his period of awesomeness that would last through most of the 80's, and the person that will follow him for the rest of this storyline is no slouch himself. But as for this issue, we see things begin slowly, with Ben visiting Wundarr at Pegasus, which leads to his brief confrontation with this issue's Guest Star, Quasar, who Ben automatically mistakes as a threat before finding out otherwise. With that cleared up, Ben heads back to Wundarr, but first encounters Thomas Lightner, who, we revealed in our last Pegasus story (MTIO #42-3), was acting as a secret saboteur, unleashing the various threats that are locked up within it. The first of these threats shows up at the end of the issue, as Ben, looking for a late night poker game, is being stalked by what appears to be the cyborg who played a big part in events 20-30 issues back, DEATHLOK! Of course, this is all leading to a major confrontation next issue, as well as other Pegasus (and Lightner) related mischief. We also see a side plot started with the amazonian warrior woman, Thundra, becoming involved with....a Womens' Professional Wrestling group. Of course, after a couple of issues of building, we'll see them getting involved in this whole deal (one of them being a future Thunderbolt and Avenger ) as well. Things (no pun intended) about about to get very interesting here, as we, like I said enter this period of kick ass-ness, and, as I said before.....JOHN F'N BYRNE ART for the next two issues! Always a great thing, right? (Double ) GRADE: A
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