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Howard the Duck #1

Howard the Duck #1 released today with anticipation.  When most hear this title, they think of the 1986 Lucasfilm movie of the same name. Thanks to this film, Howard has had a difficult time getting back on his webbed feet. If it was not for the popularity of Guardians of the Galaxy and its end-credits scene, this wise cracking duck may have never returned to the comic page.

Chip Zdarsky (zdarsky​) , famous Image’s Sex Criminals, helms this book by bringing Howard into 2015 and making him a private detective. Being issue #1, the story is somewhat shallow: Howard, as a private investigator, takes a job to find a stolen necklace. While this “go-out-and-find” quest does seem mundane, Zdarsky sprinkles in cameos from several of Marvel’s heavy hitters. For example, Howard’s office is shared with Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, with whom he annoys on a seemingly consistent basis. Spider-Man and Rocket Raccoon are there as well, but the banter between Jennifer and Howard is charming and fits with the characters.

Joe Quinones’ (joequinones)  art steals the show. He takes the titular character and adds life to this anthropomorphic waterfowl. The panels are simple, yet complex, filled with easter-eggs and detail, while not detracting from the overall flow. Even his design for Howard channels the traditional look while making him disgustingly cute.

I never thought I would be writing these words, but Howard the Duck #1 is excellent. I laughed, I cried, and I was thankful that this was not another 1986 film.

[Read Howard The Duck #1 on comiXology]

Dane Cypel is a digital editor at comiXology and freelance illustrator based in Manhattan.