What do you think?
Rate this book
Howard the Duck #0-2
Howard the Duck
Trapped in a world he’s grown quite accustomed to! Howard the Duck returns, courtesy of the sensational creative team of Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones — they’re the duckiest! The furious fowl is taking on weird cases as the Marvel Universe’s newest and most feathery private investigator — and his new job will take him everywhere from the Savage Land to across the cosmos! Howie shares offbeat adventures with Rocket Raccoon, Squirrel Girl, Gwenpool, She-Hulk and more — but his strangest case of all may just be the disappearance of Hollywood’s Lea Thompson! Plus, what’s a duck to do when the Ten Realms go to waugh…sorry, we mean war?
COLLECTING: Howard the Duck (2015A) 1-5, Howard the Duck (2015B) 1-11, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) 6, War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) 1 (Howard the Duck story)
COLLECTING: Howard the Duck (2015A) 1-5, Howard the Duck (2015B) 1-11, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) 6, War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) 1 (Howard the Duck story)
464 pages, Hardcover
Published February 15, 2022
8 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
873 books854 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 15, 2023
I’ve decided it’s impossible for me to read anything Chip Zdarsky’s been involved with and not like it at least a little bit. And that’s only if I don’t wind up out-and-out loving it.
Chip’s run on Howard the Duck isn’t my favorite thing he’s ever done. I think his particular brand of humor works best in his creator-owned stuff, because he can cut entirely loose, and his serious drama writing is applied best with serious dramatic characters (see: DD, Batman, his newsletter on OCCASION).
Howard falls into a weird Zdarsky middle camp of zaniness and relative obscurity that makes for some really engaging stories when it’s just Howard and his goons, gooning around, but falls a little flatter when characters like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange get involved. It’s not that it’s not well-written or well-drawn. On the contrary, Quinones work gets soooo much better as the book goes on. It’s just that it makes what’s going on in Howard’s story feel outside of canon or like it’s an Elseworlds tale with some of Chip’s portrayal of the Marvel universe.
Howard’s book skipped out on Secret Wars and Civil War II, which, god bless, but it makes for a read that feels disconnected from the “real” Marvel universe at large, while synthesizing it extremely well with characters like Gwenpool and Squirrel Girl. It’s all silly to think about, I suppose, because this is a comic book about a talking duck detective who frequently goes to space, but that’s the beauty of the business, baby!
Anyway, I didn’t leave my experience with Howard wowed, but I definitely left charmed. It’s a worthy addition to the Zdarsky canon and the most thoughtfully constructed omnibus I’ve ever laid my hands on. (Seriously, ordering the issues in a clear way that makes sense and has direct liner notes from the writers? So rad! Thanks, guys!)
4 stars!! Waugh!
Chip’s run on Howard the Duck isn’t my favorite thing he’s ever done. I think his particular brand of humor works best in his creator-owned stuff, because he can cut entirely loose, and his serious drama writing is applied best with serious dramatic characters (see: DD, Batman, his newsletter on OCCASION).
Howard falls into a weird Zdarsky middle camp of zaniness and relative obscurity that makes for some really engaging stories when it’s just Howard and his goons, gooning around, but falls a little flatter when characters like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange get involved. It’s not that it’s not well-written or well-drawn. On the contrary, Quinones work gets soooo much better as the book goes on. It’s just that it makes what’s going on in Howard’s story feel outside of canon or like it’s an Elseworlds tale with some of Chip’s portrayal of the Marvel universe.
Howard’s book skipped out on Secret Wars and Civil War II, which, god bless, but it makes for a read that feels disconnected from the “real” Marvel universe at large, while synthesizing it extremely well with characters like Gwenpool and Squirrel Girl. It’s all silly to think about, I suppose, because this is a comic book about a talking duck detective who frequently goes to space, but that’s the beauty of the business, baby!
Anyway, I didn’t leave my experience with Howard wowed, but I definitely left charmed. It’s a worthy addition to the Zdarsky canon and the most thoughtfully constructed omnibus I’ve ever laid my hands on. (Seriously, ordering the issues in a clear way that makes sense and has direct liner notes from the writers? So rad! Thanks, guys!)
4 stars!! Waugh!
June 8, 2022
Howard the Duck returns in his own series, and he's done by the great team of Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones. I was excited to jump in as Zdarsky had one of my favorite reads from last year and the work I'd seen from Quinones was great! The book was also like $40 so you can never go wrong with that. We see Zdarsky and Quinones have fun with this title as they take Howard all over the Marvel Universe and cameo lots of fun characters. After Howard starts his own P.I. firm he helps people find their cat, get's ducknapped into space, harnesses the powers of the Silver Surfer, becomes a nexus portal, and even has a 'Truman Show' moment towards the end of the series. (I'd love to see Jim Carrey play a duck) All this while being accompanied by a shape-shifting hipster, a robotic cat, and everyone's favorite Aunt in the Marvel Universe.
I found most of the book to be enjoyable and funny, however sometimes the pacing was a bit meh for me. The middle of this read didn't really appeal to me and honestly the best part of the book was the first arc. (First 5 issues) I understand what Chip and Joe were trying to do with some of the stuff in-between but when they did their "filler" issues the series felt boring to me and not as fun or engaging. The ending was creative but felt meh for how short it was. The book for the most part was pretty funny with a couple of corny bits here and there, but there are some really solid themes they continue through the run that always left me with a good laugh.
This was my first time reading along with Joe Quinones's artwork and I loved it, especially for the vibe of the book. It was a great fit that felt so fun and fresh. A for sure highlight for the read.
Overall, the book was pretty good, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect more from Chip. There are some issues that don't feel as fun as the rest of the run and really only about 5 issues were really great. Everything else was just kind of good but mainly cause it fit together. Not too bad but not too great either.
I found most of the book to be enjoyable and funny, however sometimes the pacing was a bit meh for me. The middle of this read didn't really appeal to me and honestly the best part of the book was the first arc. (First 5 issues) I understand what Chip and Joe were trying to do with some of the stuff in-between but when they did their "filler" issues the series felt boring to me and not as fun or engaging. The ending was creative but felt meh for how short it was. The book for the most part was pretty funny with a couple of corny bits here and there, but there are some really solid themes they continue through the run that always left me with a good laugh.
This was my first time reading along with Joe Quinones's artwork and I loved it, especially for the vibe of the book. It was a great fit that felt so fun and fresh. A for sure highlight for the read.
Overall, the book was pretty good, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect more from Chip. There are some issues that don't feel as fun as the rest of the run and really only about 5 issues were really great. Everything else was just kind of good but mainly cause it fit together. Not too bad but not too great either.
April 18, 2022
Hilarious book that gets a little bit more meta with each issue. With all the plates this plot spins, I really love that the omnibus puts the entire run in a sensible reading order. It's a faithful interpretation-- you can tell that everyone on the creative team has a lot of love for the character and his myriad history. The ending does come a bit out of nowhere, but I think even Steve Gerber struggled to put an end to Howard's story in his lifetime. I do think the man himself would be proud of this run, and it's worth the time to read as a longstanding fan of Howard or as someone coming to the character for the first time.
June 25, 2024
Probably the best use of Howard the Duck since Steve Gerber's original Howard stories.
Chip Zdarsky's Howard is a little mellower, a little less edgy, a little more settled and at home in the Marvel universe... but he's still the grouchy, sarcastic and often downright MEAN anti-hero who keeps being swept up on these big and wacky adventures that somehow both exemplify and parody the bigger Marvel comics trends.
The "adult" edge from Steve Gerber's stories is mostly missing. Gone are the cigars (though that does fit with an earlier She-Hulk comic where Howard made a cameo and said Jen had made him quit smoking), the alcohol consumption is notably lower, there are fewer innuendoes and sex jokes, and the sometimes pessimistic and frustrated real world satire of Gerber's stories has been swapped out for a more upbeat and cheeky satire on Marvel and the comics industry.
I think the biggest difference here is that (in broad strokes, anyway) Steve Gerbers Howard the Duck tended towards a nihilistic/existensialist tone, while Chip Zdarsky's Howard the Duck is more absurdist. The result is similar but with a notable difference in tone that has made a lot of people dismiss Chip Zdarsky's take on the Duck as shallower, less "intellectual" and as such inferior.
But you know what? The Marvel universe, the comic book industry and the world in general wasn't the same in 2015 as it was back in the 1970s when Steve Gerber first wrote Howard's adventures. Both Gerber and Zdarsky write a Howard who reacts to the weirdness of the world around them, but since the worlds they react to are different, of course the reactions will be different.
Steve Gerber's original Howard stories took place during the Bronze Age of comics. The Comics Code had been relaxed and a lot of superhero comics were exploring darker themes with more social commentary with a bit of "comics have finally grown up!" attitude while still struggling to either break free from or reconcile this with the Silver Age storytelling and characters. Gerber's cynical satire was the perfect counterpart to those comics, often pointing out that for all their supposed maturity a lot of these stories could still be pretty stupid.
Chip Zdarsky's Howard, however, lives in the Marvel Universe of the mid-2010s, the Modern Age of comics, where everything is bombastic and focused on huge events and the biggest Marvel stuff is dictated by the MCU movies that the comics desperately try to emulate. Everything is bigger, grander, snappier, snarkier, more multiverse-filled, with a huge tendency towards claiming "nothing will ever be the same again!" while at the same time clinging so hard to nostalgia that nothing can ever really change. And Zdarsky's stories reflect and respond to this with a mix of eye-rolling and a "still you gotta laugh" attitude that often point out that for all their stupidity a lot of these stories can still be pretty fun.
And it works. Arguably Chip Zdaesky's Howard the Duck (much like Ryan North's Squirrel Girl, which is also seen here as they did a crossover) is a better tongue-in-cheek reflection of his era's Marvel Universe than Steve Gerber's Howard was of his. It's seldom laugh-out-loud funny, but then neither were Gerber's stories... but both Gerber and Zdardsky bring a lot of wry smirks and "yep, hit the nail on the head there!" moments.
Chip Zdarsky's Howard is a little mellower, a little less edgy, a little more settled and at home in the Marvel universe... but he's still the grouchy, sarcastic and often downright MEAN anti-hero who keeps being swept up on these big and wacky adventures that somehow both exemplify and parody the bigger Marvel comics trends.
The "adult" edge from Steve Gerber's stories is mostly missing. Gone are the cigars (though that does fit with an earlier She-Hulk comic where Howard made a cameo and said Jen had made him quit smoking), the alcohol consumption is notably lower, there are fewer innuendoes and sex jokes, and the sometimes pessimistic and frustrated real world satire of Gerber's stories has been swapped out for a more upbeat and cheeky satire on Marvel and the comics industry.
I think the biggest difference here is that (in broad strokes, anyway) Steve Gerbers Howard the Duck tended towards a nihilistic/existensialist tone, while Chip Zdarsky's Howard the Duck is more absurdist. The result is similar but with a notable difference in tone that has made a lot of people dismiss Chip Zdarsky's take on the Duck as shallower, less "intellectual" and as such inferior.
But you know what? The Marvel universe, the comic book industry and the world in general wasn't the same in 2015 as it was back in the 1970s when Steve Gerber first wrote Howard's adventures. Both Gerber and Zdarsky write a Howard who reacts to the weirdness of the world around them, but since the worlds they react to are different, of course the reactions will be different.
Steve Gerber's original Howard stories took place during the Bronze Age of comics. The Comics Code had been relaxed and a lot of superhero comics were exploring darker themes with more social commentary with a bit of "comics have finally grown up!" attitude while still struggling to either break free from or reconcile this with the Silver Age storytelling and characters. Gerber's cynical satire was the perfect counterpart to those comics, often pointing out that for all their supposed maturity a lot of these stories could still be pretty stupid.
Chip Zdarsky's Howard, however, lives in the Marvel Universe of the mid-2010s, the Modern Age of comics, where everything is bombastic and focused on huge events and the biggest Marvel stuff is dictated by the MCU movies that the comics desperately try to emulate. Everything is bigger, grander, snappier, snarkier, more multiverse-filled, with a huge tendency towards claiming "nothing will ever be the same again!" while at the same time clinging so hard to nostalgia that nothing can ever really change. And Zdarsky's stories reflect and respond to this with a mix of eye-rolling and a "still you gotta laugh" attitude that often point out that for all their stupidity a lot of these stories can still be pretty fun.
And it works. Arguably Chip Zdaesky's Howard the Duck (much like Ryan North's Squirrel Girl, which is also seen here as they did a crossover) is a better tongue-in-cheek reflection of his era's Marvel Universe than Steve Gerber's Howard was of his. It's seldom laugh-out-loud funny, but then neither were Gerber's stories... but both Gerber and Zdardsky bring a lot of wry smirks and "yep, hit the nail on the head there!" moments.
March 26, 2022
I went into this knowing nothing about Howard the Duck, other than he was an old Marvel character and had a scene after the credits in Guardians of the Galaxy… I saw a preview of the book and thought it looked funny with some interesting art. I’ve also struggled to resist cheaper omnibuses lately. I’m weak…
Anyways, I thought this book was hilarious and goofy and it was exactly what I needed after reading some depressing Captain America. It made me realize I should read more funny comics and I’m really happy I took a chance on it.
Anyways, I thought this book was hilarious and goofy and it was exactly what I needed after reading some depressing Captain America. It made me realize I should read more funny comics and I’m really happy I took a chance on it.
August 5, 2025
This is a very fun read due to the deconstruction of the Marvel Universe. Not taking it too seriously while at the same time exploring some existential issues.
There’s some misses, specifically politically that makes it even more obvious when you read it after the years have passed and how things have transpired in that sphere.
Nevertheless, quick read for all ages that makes fun of its own absurdity.
There’s some misses, specifically politically that makes it even more obvious when you read it after the years have passed and how things have transpired in that sphere.
Nevertheless, quick read for all ages that makes fun of its own absurdity.
April 6, 2022
This is one of my favorite comics. I have all of the individual comics and many of the variant covers and then I also bought some of Joe Quinones' original art from the third issue, and then I also bought Chip Zdarsky's painting for the variant cover of the final issue and then I bought this hardcover omnibus of all these comics I already have, why not?
March 10, 2024
At first it was funny, but on the long run, that easy humor full of easter egg on the marvel universe, but also the pop culture of the 8o-90s, became a bit to much. Too much craziness and not enough consistent narrative to keep me fully engage, even reading it slowly, a couple of pages here and there. Not bad, very light, I'm glad I've read it, but it was in no way essential for me to do so.
March 6, 2022
This is a popcorn series, packed with action and adventure.
Particularly enjoyed the cosmic parts.
Made me want to go back and read the Gerber stuff.
No background reading required. Easy to jump into without any duck knowledge.
Particularly enjoyed the cosmic parts.
Made me want to go back and read the Gerber stuff.
No background reading required. Easy to jump into without any duck knowledge.
July 15, 2022
Starts strong and has a decent ending with Zdarsky and Quinones as ‘themselves’ making a big appearance, but the stuff in the middle is terrible. The Squirrel Girl crossovers, in particular, were dreadful and unfunny.
December 28, 2025
super strange and obscure character but the story is really fun and involves all kinds of characters with a fun storyline. this book curates the comics and orders them for the most clarity. Solid read!
Read
March 17, 2022<3 chip
May 26, 2022
Funny witty series that has made me a fan of Howard the Duck.
October 30, 2022
Howard the Duck!!!!!!!!!
January 10, 2023
I love me some Duck!
This one starts off really good, moves on to just good, drags a bit during the Squirrel Girl crossover, and then ends great!
This one starts off really good, moves on to just good, drags a bit during the Squirrel Girl crossover, and then ends great!
July 11, 2023
Silly and goofy! I loved every second of this!
May 26, 2025
Kevin Feige,
Let me write a Howard the Duck movie.
Signed,
Jay
Let me write a Howard the Duck movie.
Signed,
Jay
December 16, 2023
¡Cómo me divertí leyendo este comic, por Dios!
Hasta las portadas variantes me hicieron reír.
Hasta las portadas variantes me hicieron reír.
October 29, 2024
A pretty entertaining run that joins Howard starting a new detective agency and begrudgingly getting involved in super powered hijinks. The humor was the focus here and generally landed for me along with the light hearted tone but nothing ever had me laughing out loud or giddy while reading. I enjoyed the jabs at the marvel universe, Spidey in particular, and the many background gags but the experience overall was just a fun forgettable romp.
December 27, 2022
probably like a 7.7 out of 10, fun bullshit and tara is amazing. Outside of the humor, Tara, and Biggs it’s an okay story with a theme of closure and wanting rest. nothing outstanding but a fun, good read and a great opening for Chip Zdarksys future in marvel
June 21, 2024
Beautiful thank you everyone involved
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews