Good copy of HOWARD THE DUCK ESSENTIAL Vol. 1.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you've ever loved a book and then seen it butchered by a movie version, then you'll understand. What was arguably the most brilliant comic of the 70s, Howard The Duck, was not immune to the Hollywood treatment that most comic-book-- and indeed book adaptations are subject to...
As I've said this was a brilliant comic, very adult for its time. Filled with both parody and satire about the times and all time, and funny without being forced, both experimental and freewheeling-- writer Steve Gerber found a singular voice in Howard the Duck, and spewed forth with wit and wisdom rarely seen in comics-- ...
This affordable black and white edition collects the complete Steve Gerber Howard The Duck from the 1970's, and includes the debut material from Fear #19 as presented in Marvel Treasury Edition #12 (along with the Treasury's meeting with the Defenders), Giant-Size Man-Thing #4 (Man-Frog) and 5 (Hell cow), Howard The Duck Annual #1, and Howard The Duck #1-27. It's all here in one convenient place! No more searching for back issues in smelly stores. This is a beautiful easy-to-read volume that makes a great story even more of a pleasure to read.
Don't let stories about mutated frogs, turnips, and cows bitten by Dracula who rise from the grave to stalk the country-side as vampire-cows stop you from picking this up, there is an undercurrent to the stories that transcends the subject matter and yet never ignores or belittles it. ...Wauuugghhhh!!! You just have to read it for yourself.
Artists include: Val Mayerik, Frank Brunner, John Buscema, Gene Colan, Carmine Infantino, Klaus Janson, Tom Palmer and Steve Leialoha.
Highest recommendation!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By RJ Buck
Format:Paperback
At least, that verdict is my opinion after thirty years of reading everything from Eisner to Barks to EC to Miller to Lee and Kirby and a whole lot more. Twenty five years after they first appeared, these Howard the Duck stories by Steve Gerber continue to move me like no other comics I have read. Explaining why isn't easy. Certainly what I wrote about the other Howard volume applies equally here: "If I had to list one feature of Gerber's writing that stands out above all others, it would be characterisation. This may be a comic book about a talking duck and his girlfriend, but these two are more vivid and realised than nearly all the characters you'll find in comics, film or TV. However, characterisation is just for starters - Gerber puts more care and intelligence into his comics than you'll find arguably anywhere." But there is so much more: great satiric insight into 1970's America, weird humour and fabulous artwork by Gene Colan. And that still doesn't capture it. Ultimately, I really can't say why Howard the Duck remains so meaningful after all this time - beyond suggesting Gerber exposed something of his soul here in a very special way. The only drawbacks to this volume are that it's not in colour and the great HTD newspaper series does not appear(Marvel take heed!). Very, very highly recommended for anyone who likes comics with thinking - as is the other Howard volume available and Steve Gerber's Nevada.
Postscript from ten years later: 2012 ... What I wrote then was sincere. At the time, no other comic series meant as much to me as this. But 10 years later, I have found one that shakes me to my core. Four very special issues of which are collected in this volume (which I've also reviewed) Cloak & Dagger: Child of Darkness, Child of Light. Bill Mantlo's comic is so different from Gerber's but in addition to possessing real intelligence, it moves my heart like no other comic.
Postscript from ten years later: 2012 ... What I wrote then was sincere. At the time, no other comic series meant as much to me as this. But 10 years later, I have found one that shakes me to my core. Four very special issues of which are collected in this volume (which I've also reviewed) Cloak & Dagger: Child of Darkness, Child of Light. Bill Mantlo's comic is so different from Gerber's but in addition to possessing real intelligence, it moves my heart like no other comic.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chu
Format:Paperback
So, tonight, my local comic book store had this great 50% off sale on TPB's, and I happened to pick up Essential Howard the Duck.
Now, being in comic fandom for a good few years, I'd always read about Howard the Duck. But except for a few appearances in the back of Wizard magazine and vague memories of the horrendous live -action movie, all I had going for me was what came down through the grapevine - and all that came down to me was some really positive buzz. So it was with great anticipation that I sat down with the book tonight.
And boy, did Marvel's favourite anthropomorphic fowl not disappoint. Ahead of his time? Try ahead of -our- time. What an astonishing book - I'm honestly speaking when I say that it deserves much more praise than it's getting nowadays.
This is some great stuff, bringing in metaliterary commentary on social trends and Western culture's normative cultural ethos. Even if the new volume of She-Hulk is attempting to continue the humourous vein set in the '70s and '80s by books like this and She-Hulk volume 1, it seems that the cultural, ethical discussions prevalent even in mainstream comic media in the Bronze Era (is that what they're calling it these days?) has been wholly excised from these modern series.
With its thinly veiled but highly positive social commentary, and constant nods to classic literature (a seemingly tormented, wild man who watches over a young girl in a late-1800s style house is called "Heathcliff Rochester," a nod to the Bronte sisters), philosophy (Howards has Hegel), and other intellectual landmarks in the western canon, Howard the Duck has a little bit of everything for everybody. Very highly recommended.
Now, being in comic fandom for a good few years, I'd always read about Howard the Duck. But except for a few appearances in the back of Wizard magazine and vague memories of the horrendous live -action movie, all I had going for me was what came down through the grapevine - and all that came down to me was some really positive buzz. So it was with great anticipation that I sat down with the book tonight.
And boy, did Marvel's favourite anthropomorphic fowl not disappoint. Ahead of his time? Try ahead of -our- time. What an astonishing book - I'm honestly speaking when I say that it deserves much more praise than it's getting nowadays.
This is some great stuff, bringing in metaliterary commentary on social trends and Western culture's normative cultural ethos. Even if the new volume of She-Hulk is attempting to continue the humourous vein set in the '70s and '80s by books like this and She-Hulk volume 1, it seems that the cultural, ethical discussions prevalent even in mainstream comic media in the Bronze Era (is that what they're calling it these days?) has been wholly excised from these modern series.
With its thinly veiled but highly positive social commentary, and constant nods to classic literature (a seemingly tormented, wild man who watches over a young girl in a late-1800s style house is called "Heathcliff Rochester," a nod to the Bronte sisters), philosophy (Howards has Hegel), and other intellectual landmarks in the western canon, Howard the Duck has a little bit of everything for everybody. Very highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic 70s Insanity
The main reason why I think I enjoyed Howard the Duck growing up during the 70s and buying comic books was the fact that it really was unique. Read more
Published 10 months ago by abrnt1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Fowl Play
In the beginning there was Howard The Duck...these words are completley true and this book has all the evidence you need. I would rate this for everyone. Read more
Published 13 months ago by James
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looks brand new
I got this as a valentine's day gift for my husband. He loves it and it is great condition as expected, shipped quickly.
Published on March 6, 2011 by Jemmy Delva
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tails (get it, tails?) you won't find in other 1970s Marvel Comics!
I read an article recently that described Steve Gerber's Howard the Duck as the "first above ground, underground comic." I like that description. Read more
Published on July 19, 2010 by Hwy61Joe
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get OMNIBUS version, this is not complete...
I grew up reading Howard The Duck. I still have all the copies in near mint. I didn't want to read these collectibles, so I decided to order The Essential Howard The Duck. Read more
Published on October 31, 2008 by Thorough Burro
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best way to experience HtD, but it works.
If your experience with Howard the Duck begins and ends with Willard Huyck's 1986 cinematic stinkbomb, then you really don't know Howard. There's a lot to like about this comic. Read more
Published on January 17, 2008 by Neal Stanifer
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Life's too far in the future to think about. Right now, I could use...
In a strange and very perverse sense, it might just be appropriate that the appallingly awful HTD movie is Howard's predominant image in the public eye. Why, you ask? Read more
Published on May 10, 2006 by scott welles
4.0 out of 5 stars
But, y-you're a duck!
I began collecting horror comics in the early 1970's "boom" that included "The Tomb of Dracula," and gradually began to sample super-hero books like "The Amazing Spider-Man. Read more
Published on March 18, 2006 by Alan Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great collection
I've loved some of the choices Marvel has made with their Essentials line. Instead of just sticking with the Marvel main-stays, Spider-man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, etc. Read more
Published on August 17, 2005 by M. Pierson
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Had to See It to Believe It
The seventies were a relatively interesting time for comic books. The Golden Age was long gone and the Silver Age was coming to an end. Read more
Published on July 29, 2005 by Ricky Hunter
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