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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.
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 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]
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.
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 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]
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.
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]
