Summary

  • Howard the Duck's 50th anniversary special officially confirms his full name: Howard Duckson.
  • The anniversary special celebrates Howard the Duck's enduring presence, from cinematic cameos to comic book adventures, over the past half-century of Marvel Comics.
  • Howard is a beloved cult icon in the Marvel Universe, making his Avengers: Endgame cameo one of the most exciting, even if it was blink-and-miss-it.

The full name of an unsung hero of the Howard the Duck anniversary special reveals the character's legal name to be: Howard Duckson. Though his true role in the battle at the climax of Avengers: Endgame is known only to a few, Howard has nevertheless proved to be one of Marvel's most enduring, and amusing characters.

Howard the Duck #1 features short, "What If"-style stories from several standout comic book creators – including writers such as Chip Zdarsky, Daniel Kibblesmith, and Jason Loo, as well as art by Annie Wu and Derek Charm, along with many more. The issue opens by proclaiming, "Meet Howard Duckson (yes, that is his real name, check the Wikis!)"

Howard the Duck 50th anniversary special cover, Howard's cake smashed by Mjolnir

For over fifty years, Howard has been an integral, if often overlooked part of the Marvel Universe – including its cinematic counterpart. The anniversary special reflects on some missed opportunities from over the years, depicting the paths not traveled by Mr. Duckson.

Howard the Duck reading an issue of Deadpool
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Howard the Duck Gets an Appropriately Nutty 50th Anniversary Celebration (Review)

Howard the Duck is a cult icon at Marvel, and now he is getting an appropriately nutty 50th anniversary celebration.

2023's Howard the Duck anniversary special is a love letter to the character, though it stops short of validating him as the true hero of Endame's final battle.

Howard The Duck's Full Name Isn't Exactly A Surprise

Cracking the Case of Howard the Duck's Name

Howard the Duck is one of Marvel's most memorable non-superhero figures. Just several years after his introduction in 1973's Adventure into Fear #19 – written by Steve Gerber, with art by Val Mayerik – the talking Duck's break-our popularity was evident enough to warrant his own solo series. Long before the MCU reigned supreme at the box office, 1986's Howard the Duck was the first theatrically released Marvel film of the modern era. 2023's Howard the Duck anniversary special is a love letter to the character, though it stops short of validating him as the true hero of Endame's final battle.

Over the years, Howard the Duck has introduced some of joke from the original Howard series. However, most enduring of all is the issue's unequivocale confirmation of Howard's full surname, Duckson.

The battle at the of Avengers: Endgame is far too vast for every individual participant to be cataloged, but attentive viewers quickly identified Howard the Duck among the many heroes charging into the fight at the end of the movie.

Yes, Howard The Duck Really Is In The Avengers: Endgame Final Battle

Howard the Duck Makes History

The battle at the end of Avengers: Endgame is far too vast for every individual participant to be cataloged, but attentive viewers quickly identified Howard the Duck among the many heroes charging into the fight at the end of the movie. Howard confidently wields an imposing looking weapon, and unhesitatingly keeps up with the rest of the MCU's heroes. This cameo presents a ripe opportunity for a future tie-in comic – or perhaps a future MCU Howard the Duck film will open with his previously unseen actions in the battle, proving definitively that Howard Duckson played a more major role than it previously appeared.

Howard the Duck #1 (2023) is available now from Marvel Comics.