Howard Duckson is an extra-terrestrial anthropomorphic duck and a former resident specimen in Taneleer Tivan's museum dubbed Howard the Duck. Following the Blip, Howard was transported to Earth to fight in the battle against Thanos' army. He currently resides on Knowhere after the Guardians of the Galaxy rebuilt it.
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]
A few months later, Howard went to Contraxia, where he had a date with one of the Ravagers, Molly, in the Iron Lotus. During the date, Howard attempted to charm Molly, telling her a joke about his species, saying that she's out of luck until she's gone duck. Howard then laughed hysterically alongside Molly.[1]
By 2026, Howard was still living on Knowhere. At one point, he played a card game with Kraglin Obfonteri, Broker, Cosmo and a few other Knowhere residents, where he insisted Obfonteri apologize to Cosmo for calling her a "bad dog", although Obfonteri insisted.[6]
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, fighting for the fate of the entire universe. He also sided with Cosmo when Kraglin called her a "bad dog" and attempted to get Kraglin to take back what he said.
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.
Howard became a specimen in the Collector's Museum. He would later be freed after Carina destroyed much of the museum in an explosion using the Power Stone.
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 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 in the film Howard the Duck, which premiered on August 1, 1986, exactly twenty eight years before the North American premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy. The film received generally negative reviews and is considered a box office failure. 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.[7]
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.”[8]
Anthony Russo revealed that Howard was supposed to appear in Avengers: Infinity War in a scene where Star-Lord would have interrupted Howard in the middle of a poker game, asking for information. Russo added that Howard would have been voiced by Ken Jeong rather than Seth Green.[9] 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 the finished VFX 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 granted.[10]
