For alternate versions of Howard the Duck, see Howard the Duck's Character Hub |
- "You know what they say: You're out of luck, until you've gone Duck."
- ―Howard the Duck[src]
Howard Duckson is an extraterrestrial anthropomorphic duck and a former resident specimen in Taneleer Tivan's museum. Following the Blip, Howard was transported to Earth to fight in the battle against Thanos' army.
Biography
Inside the Collector's Museum

Howard drinking with the Collector
By 2014, Howard was a specimen being held captive in Taneleer Tivan's museum when the Guardians of the Galaxy brought the Orb to him. Angry how Tivan had treated her and her predecessors, Carina unleashed the Orb's power, destroying much of the museum.[2]
After the mishap, a battered, beaten-up Tivan sat in his museum, drinking from a green cup. Seconds later, Cosmo approached Tivan and began to lick his face. Howard, who was undamaged in his broken containment cell, watched on and remarked how "gross" the act was. Howard was also drinking out of a similar cup.[3]
Partying in Contraxia

Howard joking with a woman on Contraxia
A few months later, Howard went to Contraxia, where he had a date with a woman in the Iron Lotus. During the date, Howard attempted to charm the woman, telling her a joke about his species, saying that she's out of luck until she's gone duck. Howard then laughed hysterically alongside the woman.[1]
Battle of Earth

In 2018, Howard survived the Snap.[4] Five years later, Howard was with the Ravagers in Contraxia when they were recruited and transported by the Masters of the Mystic Arts via Inter-Dimensional Portal to the destroyed Avengers Compound on Earth to join the battle against an alternate Thanos and his army.[5]
Personality
Howard is a person of debauchery, prompting to have a drink after the explosion on Knowhere and is later seen having another drink while chatting up a woman in the Iron Lotus. He is also arrogant, as he laughed hysterically at his own joke which he told to the woman.
However, Howard is not without honor, as he sided with the heroes against Thanos during the Battle of Earth.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Anthropomorphic Physiology: Howard resembles a humanoid duck, having a cognitive and intellectual ability equivalent or superior to the most sensitive species in the galaxy. As such, he is bipedal, can talk and use weapons designed to be wielded by normal-sized humanoids. Howard's anatomy is compatible with the atmospheres of Knowhere, Contraxia and Earth.
- Superhuman Durability: Howard is highly durable, as he was able to survive an explosion caused by the Power Stone in the Collector's Museum, which would normally be sufficient to kill an animal of his size, as well as injure a normal-sized human.
Abilities
- Marksman: During the Battle of Earth, Howard used a submachine gun to combat Thanos' army.
Equipment
Weapons
- Gun: Howard the Duck used a submachine gun during the Battle of Earth.
Facilities
- Collector's Museum:
Howard sitting in his museum cell
Relationships
Appearances
Appearances for Howard the Duck |
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In chronological order: |
Trivia
- In the comics, Howard Duckson was abducted from his home universe by the extra-dimensional overlord Thog and brought to Earth. He made the most of a bad situation the only way he knew how: by making it worse. Angry and argumentative, he waddled across Earth, searching for his place in it, ultimately becoming a private eye. He walks the mean streets and attempts to keep his sanity with his love interest, Beverly Switzler.
Behind the Scenes
- Howard made his theatrical debut in the film Howard the Duck, which premiered in August 1, 1986, exactly twenty eight years before the North American premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy. The film was universally panned and is widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. It was one of the first theatrical films based on a Marvel Comics character (after the loosely adapted 1940s Captain America serials, and Red Sonja). Howard the Duck was James Gunn's favorite character during his childhood, and he has hated the film since its release.[6]
- Seth Green was uncredited for his appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy.
- In 2013, Joss Whedon was asked what Marvel characters he wanted to adapt after finishing Avengers: Age of Ultron, to which he jokingly replied: “I think it's time for the Howard the Duck reboot that nobody expects.”[7]
- Howard the Duck in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the second live-action incarnation of the character, following an incarnation portrayed by Chip Zien and Ed Gale.
- Anthony Russo revealed that Howard was supposed to appear in Avengers: Infinity War in a scene where Star-Lord would have interrupted a poker game he was in the middle of for information. Russo added that Howard would have been voiced by Ken Jeong rather than Seth Green.[8] Ken Jeong would later go to play a security guard in Avengers: Endgame.
- Howard the Duck wasn't originally intended to appear in Avengers: Endgame. However, one month ahead the film's release, when Anthony and Joe Russo watched in VFX the finished footage for the Battle of Earth sequence, the latter opined that it would be great to add Howard in a cameo appearance to the scene, and his request was complied.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy
- ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy Post-credits Scene
- ↑ 'Avengers: Infinity War' Directors Reveal Who Died And Survived Off Screen
- ↑ Avengers: Endgame
- ↑ Here's How Much 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Director James Gunn Hates 'Howard the Duck' the Movie
- ↑ Joss Whedon thinks ‘it’s time’ for a ‘Howard the Duck’ reboot
- ↑ Howard the Duck Featured in Early Draft of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Script
- ↑ AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors On Deleted Scenes, Quicksilver Rumors, Why Bucky Isn't Captain America, More