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Welcome to the latest instalment of our Dissected feature here on Nerdly, where one of our comic gurus, Ian Wells, delves into comics history and looks back at Comics Interview, the long-running journal of interviews and criticism from David Anthony Kraft (Dak).

SalicrUp Front

First of all, credit where credit is due. The little cartoon of David that accompanies every Upfront this time is sporting a hat like Grim Jack and is captioned ‘Grim Dak’. I do love a good pun. We get a peak behind the creative process at Ci as here Dak outlines the duties of Jim Salicrup as Editorial Consultant. Now he doesn’t go big on detail, it is more a chance to pay tribute to a friend. That is something that always comes across in the pages of Ci, everyone who works on it seems like friends first, working colleagues second. The pair have known...

Monsters like Swamp Thing and Man-Thing offer a unique blend of horror and fantasy in comics. Marvel's Tomb of Dracula follows the iconic villain in compelling tales that lead to the debut of Blade. The Incredible Hulk cleverly borrows inspiration from Jekyll and Hyde, becoming a symbol of Marvel's style.

Since the earliest days of comics, monsters have been a fixture of the medium, with the upcoming Dcu series Creature Commandos being a testament to their enduring popularity. Whether it was zombies, Solomon Grundy, or the mossy hero Heap, creatures of all shapes and sizes have brought out the best creativity the business has to offer. Through the adventures and horror of these monsters, writers and artists have crafted tales of empathy, fear, action and more, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

Monsters offer an unlikely versatility and range to comics, whether they're adapted from literature or created as...

Howard the Duck's 50th anniversary special officially confirms his full name: Howard Duckson. The anniversary special celebrates Howard the Duck's enduring presence, from cinematic cameos to comic book adventures, over the past half-century of Marvel Comics. Howard is a beloved cult icon in the Marvel Universe, making his Avengers: Endgame cameo one of the most exciting, even if it was blink-and-miss-it.

The full name of an unsung hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been officially confirmed, as the Howard the Duck anniversary special reveals the character's legal name to be: Howard Duckson. Though his true role in the battle at the climax of Avengers: Endgame is known only to a few, Howard has nevertheless proved to be one of Marvel's most enduring, and amusing characters.

Howard the Duck #1 features short, "What If"-style stories from several standout comic book creators – including writers such as Chip Zdarsky, Daniel Kibblesmith, and Jason Loo,...

Howard the Duck introduced a wide variety of kooky characters, like Heathcliff Rochester, a Regency-era cosplaying real estate agent. Sudd, the Scrubbing Bubble That Walks Like a Man, was a wild character who spread the puritanical Soofi agenda before Howard stopped him. Howard the Duck faced bizarre foes like the Spanker, a pointed commentary on corporal punishment, and Doctor Bong, the weirdest villain he ever encountered.

Howard the Duck is a Marvel character like no other. A talking, anthropomorphic duck from another dimension, Howard is the brainchild of writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. From the get go, Howard’s solo title pits the fowl against a wide variety of screwball characters, in a variety of outlandish situations. From Regency-era real estate agents to vampire cows, Howard the Duck gave the Marvel Universe a number of kooky characters, and here are the 10 best, ranked.

Heathcliff Rochester First Appearance: Howard...

Howard the Duck hilariously encounters a Commissioner Gordon pastiche and exposes his hypocrisy and bluster. The story of a vampire cow named Bessie sets the tone for Howard the Duck's cynical take on heroism. Howard's dark sense of humor shines as he sabotages a children's TV program and parodies Spider-Man's origin.

Howard the Duck first waddled into the Marvel Universe in 1973, and brought with him a unique sensibility that has yet to be duplicated in American comics. The creation of Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik, Howard the Duck’s earliest adventures were a mixture of heavy social commentary and surreal, laugh out loud moments. Here are 10 of the funniest moments from the Gerber era of Howard the Duck.

Howard the Duck “Meets’ Commissioner Gordon Appearing in: Giant Size Man-Thing #5 by Steve Gerber and Frank Brunner Close

Howard learns a brutal lesson about Earth in this story: no good deed goes unpunished.

Welcome to the reboot of our regular 100 Word Hits column, in association with comics retailer The Unreality Store, in which Matthew De Monti brings us short, sharp reviews of the Retro comic books in one hundred words. Comics from all eras and all publishers, including Marvel, DC, indies, superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, westerns and much more!

In this special episode, Matt reviews a gaggle of Marvel Comics releases, including Darkweb #1 by Zeb Wells & Adam Kubert; Spider-Man: Legacy of Evil #1 by Kurt Busiek & Mark Texeira; Iron Man #232 by David Michelinie & Barry Windsor-Smith; The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe by Garth Ennis & Doug Braithwaite; Rom #17 & #18 by Bill Mantlo & Sal Buscema; and Howard the Duck: King-Sized Annual #1 by Steve Gerber & Val Mayerik.

Howard the Duck's 50th anniversary special takes a satirical approach, exploring how he could be integrated into the Marvel Universe. The first story imagines what would've happened if Howard's presidential campaign had been successful, with greedy aliens profiting from conformist versions of superhero stories. The story also includes digs at Disney, who initially felt that Howard was too similar to Donald Duck, highlighting the conglomerate's trend of acquiring studios and IPs for profit.

Howard the Duck has always had a biting satirical bent, so it makes sense that his 50th anniversary special wouldn't pull any punches. Despite starring in the first ever Marvel theatrical movie, Howard has been relegated to cameo appearances and Easter eggs in the years since. That may be why the special's first "What If..." story goes straight for the McU's nonstop content machine.

Renamed "Waugh If..." after the character's duckish sigh, each story in the special...

Howard the Duck, despite turning 50, is deemed "cameo material" by Marvel, highlighting his limited role in the Marvel Universe. This special one-shot explores Howard's history and reveals his unsuccessful stint as President of the United States. The decline in quality after Steve Gerber's departure led to Howard's character drifting through the Marvel Universe without finding a true place to call home.

Warning: contains spoilers for Howard the Duck #1!

Marvel has just called out a harsh truth about Howard the Duck, calling him “cameo material.” Howard the Duck turns 50 this year, and to celebrate, Marvel has released a special one-shot featuring a bevy of all-star creators. Howard the Duck takes readers on a journey through Howard’s history, and in the process makes a harsh revelation about Howard’s role in the Marvel Universe.

Howard the Duck is written and drawn by a variety of creators, including Chip Zdarsky, Annie Wu and Jason Loo.

Marvel celebrates Howard the Duck's 50th anniversary with a nutty one-shot that captures his satirical and surreal charm. Howard the Duck broke new ground in the Marvel Universe as an outsider character who criticizes and pokes fun at society. The one-shot tribute hits on Howard's infamous presidential run and interactions with other Marvel heroes, honoring his darkly humorous tone.

Warning: contains spoilers for Howard the Duck #1!

Marvel has given Howard the Duck an appropriately nutty celebration for his 50th anniversary. A cult icon since his debut, Howard the Duck has wandered the Marvel Universe, trapped in a world he never made, as his tagline goes. Howard’s profile has increased in recent years, thanks in large part to an MCU cameo. Now, on the occasion of Howard’s golden anniversary, Marvel has released a special one-shot to celebrate—and it perfectly captures what makes him great.

Howard the Duck is a “jam” issue,...

The new Star-Lord's look surprises the aliens he helps, as he's revealed to be Howard the Duck, who joins the Guardians as part of an anthology celebrating his 50th anniversary. The tribute anthology features top talent like Chip Zdarsky, Joe Quinones, and Daniel Kibblesmith, offering humorous alternate universe stories involving Howard as a Guardian, an X-Men member, and the American president. Howard the Duck, a satirical character, debuted in 1973 and parodied other Marvel characters and themes. His appearance contrasted against realistic comic art, and he often broke the fourth wall, making winks to the audience.

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...

Welcome to the reboot of our regular 100 Word Hits column, in association with comics retailer The Unreality Store, in which Matthew De Monti brings us short, sharp reviews of the Retro comic books in one hundred words. Comics from all eras and all publishers, including Marvel, DC, indies, superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, westerns and much more!

In this episode, Matt discusses Marvel Comics’ Howard The Duck Annual #1 from writer Steve Gerber and penciller Val Mayerik.

Howard the Duck is the ultimate hero in his first annual issue! Howard must save his roommates and friends from an evil plot by Roxxon Oil. Set in the mystical world of Arabia, this comic is chock full of genies, magic carpets, sultans…and thieves!

It took a very long time for Hollywood to take Marvel Comics seriously, and "Howard the Duck" gets a lot of the blame for that. By the mid-1980s, films like "Star Wars" and "Superman: The Movie" had incited a proper revolution in the film industry. Genres that previously weren't big hits — financially or critically — didn't just make lots of money, but they made movie stars out of actors nobody had previously heard of, and even won awards. All of a sudden, sci-fi/fantasy and pulp heroes weren't just "kids' stuff." They were surefire recipes for four-quadrant success.

But even though Marvel was churning out superhero TV shows like nobody's business — not just Saturday morning cartoons but primetime hits like "The Incredible Hulk" and "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" — Marvel's first big budget foray into live-action theatrical features wasn't based on one of their most iconic costumed crimefighters. Instead it was "Howard the Duck,...

An awesome new piece of Howard the Duck cosplay shows why his most recent comic design can't be beaten. A cult figure in the Marvel Universe, Howard the Duck has flirted with the mainstream on a few occasions, most notably in the end-credits scene of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Howard has appeared in the background of the MCU several times since, as well as the animated What If...? series, but has yet to achieve the charm of the comic incarnation.

In a universe full of colorful and epic characters, Howard the Duck still stands out. A talking, anthropomorphic duck from another dimension, Howard found himself stranded in the human world. Created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik, Howard is the quintessential stranger in a strange land. As befitting such a character, Howard became a cult figure among the counterculture, and his stories remain a high mark of 1970s mainstream comics.

February 2023 marks 50 years of "Howard the Duck", with Marvel Comics paying tribute to the 'social satirist' with a year-long series of variant comic book covers:

"...'Howard the Duck' was created by writer Steve Gerber and illustrator Val Mayerik, debuting in Marvel's 'Adventure into Fear' #19 (Dec. 1973), as a 'Man-Thing' back up story. 

"Marvel's 'Howard the Duck #1 was published  in 2015.

"He is abruptly abducted from his home planet by an unseen force and randomly dropped into the Florida Everglades by the demon-lord 'Thog the Nether-Spawn'. 

"He meets the 'Man-Thing', who had been attacked by 'Korrek of Katharta' and the three of them are confronted by warriors of the 'Congress of Realities'.

"He then meets 'Dakimh the Enchanter' who banishes the warriors and transports Howard, Man-Thing, and Korrek to his castle, where they are joined by 'Jennifer Kale'. They then travel to the realm of 'Therea' and destroy Thog.

Next year marks 50 years of Marvel's "Howard the Duck", with Marvel Comics paying tribute to the 'social satirist' with a year-long series of variant comic book covers, starting February 2023:

"...'Howard the Duck' was created by writer Steve Gerber and illustrator Val Mayerik, debuting in Marvel's 'Adventure into Fear' #19 (Dec. 1973), as a 'Man-Thing' back up story. 

"Marvel's 'Howard the Duck #1 was published  in 2015.

"He is abruptly abducted from his home planet by an unseen force and randomly dropped into the Florida Everglades by the demon-lord 'Thog the Nether-Spawn'. He meets the 'Man-Thing', who had been attacked by 'Korrek of Katharta' and the three of them are confronted by warriors of the 'Congress of Realities'.

"He then meets 'Dakimh the Enchanter' who banishes the warriors and transports Howard, Man-Thing, and Korrek to his castle, where they are joined by 'Jennifer Kale'. They then travel...

With Howard the Duck's 50th anniversary at Marvel Comics fast approaching, the publisher has revealed new variant covers starring the pint-sized hero alongside other heroes and villains. Included among the batch of covers is Howard wielding the Infinity Gauntlet in a new image from Ron Lim, as he gains one of the most powerful cosmic artifacts in the Marvel Universe while standing above Adam Warlock. Howard may be the most unlikely hero ever to wield the reality-changing weapon.

Marvel revealed four new covers for Howard the Duck's 50th-anniversary celebrations, as the hero, created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik, takes the spotlight in the series of new variants. The covers feature Howard the Duck alongside the Planet of the Apes in a cover by David Talaski, the hero teaming up with the Cosmic Ghost Rider in a variant from Cory Smith, and Howard appearing alongside Black Cat and Mary Jane Watson...

Few creative personalities dominated the popular sensibilities of the '80's like George Lucas. From "Star Wars" to the "Indiana Jones" series, Lucas built his brand on a particular synthesis of nostalgic properties and modern effects work. So it only makes sense that "Howard the Duck," a Marvel comics series that originated in the early '70's naturally appealed to him as a property just as Lucas' career was picking up steam with "American Graffiti." 

Written by Steve Gerber and drawn by Val Mayerik, the comic contained an absurd satire on modern life and parodies of the pulpy noir films that Lucas grew up with, and...

The post How George Lucas' Howard the Duck Led to Toy Story appeared first on /Film.

HBO Max and J.J. Abrams are doubling down on DC.

The streamer is developing a series based on Madame X, the DC Comics character otherwise known as Madame Xanadu.

It comes from writer and exec producer Angela Robinson, who has worked on series including HBO’s Hung and True Blood and wrote her own Web series at DC Comics.

The character, also known as Nima or Nimue, is a clairvoyant who uses tarot cards to tell the future, she can levitate objects, teleport and banish minor demons. She is immortal, never aging and unable to be killed in any manner, thanks to her deal with Death. She first appeared in 1978, having been designed by Michael William Kaluta with a storyline developed by David Michelinie and Val Mayerik and in later comics has a full time-job as a psychic at a law firm to help solve crimes.

On screen, the character...

Gavin Jasper Jun 14, 2019

Jessica Jones Season 3 puts our hard-drinking hero up against a disturbed new villain, and Gregory Sallinger has roots in Marvel Comics.

The release of Jessica Jones Season 3 is pretty monumental because this is the end of the line for the long-running Netflix/Marvel relationship. When you add it all up, it’s the 13th season of The Defenders corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and between that and the actual movie part of the McU trying to get ready for the likes of the Eternals and Shang-Chi, well, we’re a long way from the A-list Marvel characters. For her final season, Jessica Jones’ big villain is Jeremy Bobb (Russian Doll) playing Gregory Salinger, who appears to be a garden-variety serial killer, but who Marvel fans will recognize as Foolkiller.

Foolkiller was never in any Marvel cartoon. I’m fairly certain he has never made a video game appearance.

(Spoilers ahead for “Avengers: Endgame” — which presumably you’ve already seen if you’re reading articles about the new “Spider-Man: Far From Home” trailer which has these same spoilers in it)

So here we are. “Avengers: Endgame” is over, and Thanos has been dealt with and some of the longest-running heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are dead, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr). And now it’s time to move on toward the next stage of the McU, starting with “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” which got its second trailer on Monday.

This new trailer gives us some big details that the previous one held back because they’re related to “Endgame.” Those details specifically relate to Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a quartet of monsters known in Marvel Comics lore as the Elementals.

Also Read: 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Second Trailer Ushers In the Multiverse (Video)

In the trailer,...

Kevin Smith is obviously excited about working on Marvel and Hulu’s Howard The Duck animated series; he can’t stop talking about it! He already talked about getting to “do fowl things” with series. Now he continues to gush about what is being done with these shows and also reveals that he’s already asked original Howard The Duck movie star Lea Thompson to be a part of the show and voice one of the characters, so that’s cool! Here’s what he says:

“Last week Huli announced a deal to carry four new Marvel animated shows: Modok, Hit Monkey, Tigra and Dazzler and Howard The Duck!” Smith shared on Instagram. “This is fantastic news to me as a fan, but as a professional, it’s quacking me up because They Hired Me To Write It! Mercifully, they hired the great Dave Willis to write it too, so...

“The Walking Dead” actress Jeryl Prescott has been cast in the role of Madame Xanadu in the DC Universe’s upcoming series “Swamp Thing,” Warner Bros. TV announced Friday.

Her character is described as “a centuries-old sorceress who finds herself reluctantly drawn into battle against the escalating supernatural forces plaguing a small Louisiana town. A blind fortune teller and magical crusader, Xanadu’s heart is in the right place despite her unorthodox methods in the fight against evil.”

Prescott joins Maria Sten, who plays Liz Tremayne, and Crystal Reed, who plays Abby Arcane.

Also Read: 'Swamp Thing' Adds Maria Sten for DC Universe Series

Madame Xanadu was created by writer David Michelinie and artists Val Mayerik and Michael William Kaluta, first appearing in the first issue of DC Comics’ short-lived horror anthology comic series “Doorway to Nightmare,” which was published in February 1978. In the comics, she was originally known as Nimue Inwudu,...

Take another look @ Marvel Comics' booze-guzzling three-foot-tall anthropomorphic 'Howard The Duck', as Disney continues developing the character, originally a parody of 'Donald Duck', for new live-action opportunities:

'Howard the Duck' was created by writer Steve Gerber and illustrator Val Mayerik, as an 'existentialist' expression, with its main joke, according to Gerber, is that there is no joke: "that life's most serious moments and most incredibly dumb moments are often distinguishable only by a momentary point of view..."

Howard found himself on Earth due to a shift in the 'Cosmic Axis' from a world similar to Earth.

Howard's near-constant companion and occasional girlfriend is former art model and Cleveland native 'Beverly Switzler'. 

"Howard the Duck" debuted in Marvel's "Adventure into Fear" #19 in 1973, and by 1976 was given his own title. 

George Lucas then produced a live-action version in 1986.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Howard The Duck...

As we look back at what came before ‘Iron Man,’ we marvel at the miracle that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Earlier this week, the Fsr team brainstormed the plot of Avengers 4 based on the idea that its mysterious subtitle was a potential spoiler for the still unseen Avengers: Infinity War. It was a fun exercise that briefly allowed me to nerd out over a few spandex epics penned by personal favorites, Brian Michael Bendis and Jonathan Hickman. The resulting conversation spawned some excitement, and a good heap of cynicism as well…or better yet, apathy. How much further can the Marvel Cinematic Universe expand? Will Thanos ever sit up from his chair, and prove he’s the big bad Mad Titan comic book fanboys claim him to be? Next week, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will mark the 15th entry in Marvel’s unprecedented shared universe machine, and by the time we get to Avengers...

Samuel Goldwyn Films and Ambi Group have teamed up for the Us release of Lavender, directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly and co-written by Colin Frizzell. The film will have its initial premiere on Dish on February 3rd, but you check out the trailer for the film in today’s Highlights. Following right behind, we also have a trailer for Garden Party Massacre as well as preview pages from Dark Horse Comics’ Eerie Volume 23 hardcover for you to enjoy.

Watch the Latest Trailer for Lavender: Press Release: “Los Angeles (Jan. 26, 2017) – Samuel Goldwyn Films and Ambi Group will partner on the domestic release for the anticipated thriller, “Lavender.” Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly (“The Last Exorcism Part II”) who co-wrote the film with Colin Frizzell (“Resident Evil: Apocalypse”), the film stars Abbie Cornish (“Limitless”), Diego Klattenhoff (TV’s “The Blacklist”), Justin Long (“Live Free or Die Hard”) and Dermot Mulroney (“My Best Friend...

He’s a person just like we are… only he’s also a duck! This March, that fine fowl returns to the pages of Marvel Comics in Howard the Duck #1 – the new ongoing series from writer Chip Zdarsky (Original Sins) and artist Joe Quinones (Savage Wolverine).

Straight from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy…post-credits scene comes the comic book return of the Marvel Universe’s most satirical sort. Join him as he takes on the Marvel Universe’s strangest cases only a talking duck can quack as New York City’s newest private investigator! New York City is full of the strange and the weird – a talking duck gumshoe shouldn’t be that much of a shocker!

Be there when Howard the Duck ventures through the Marvel Universe, trapped in a world he’s grown accustomed to, as the Marvel Universe’s new resident private investigator. Marvel as he takes on the Black Cat,...

Take another look @ Marvel Comics' cigar-smoking, three-foot-tall anthropomorphic 'Howard The Duck', including his post-credits scene in Marvel Studios "Guardians Of The Galaxy", on the news that Disney is developing the character for further opportunities:

'Howard the Duck' was created by writer Steve Gerber and illustrator Val Mayerik, as an 'existentialist' expression, with its main joke, according to Gerber, is that there is no joke: "that life's most serious moments and most incredibly dumb moments are often distinguishable only by a momentary point of view..."

Howard found himself on Earth due to a shift in the 'Cosmic Axis' from a world similar to Earth.

Howard's near-constant companion and occasional girlfriend is former art model and Cleveland native 'Beverly Switzler'. 

"Howard the Duck" debuted in Marvel's "Adventure into Fear" #19 in 1973, and by 1976 was given his own title. 

George Lucas then produced a live-action version in 1986.

Click the...

Sneak Peek footage from the "Guardians Of The Galaxy" 'post-credits' scene revealing a cameo from Marvel Comics' cigar-smoking, three-foot-tall anthropomorphic 'Howard The Duck', previously adapted to the big screen by Lucasfilm and currently in development @ Disney for further opportunities:

'Howard the Duck' was created by writer Steve Gerber and illustrator Val Mayerik, as an 'existentialist' expression, with its main joke, according to Gerber, is that there is no joke: "that life's most serious moments and most incredibly dumb moments are often distinguishable only by a momentary point of view..."

Howard found himself on Earth due to a shift in the 'Cosmic Axis' from a world similar to Earth.

Howard's near-constant companion and occasional girlfriend is former art model and Cleveland native 'Beverly Switzler'. 

"Howard the Duck" debuted in Marvel's "Adventure into Fear" #19 in 1973, and by 1976 was given his own title. George Lucas then produced a...