Marvel Immersion Project: Howard the Duck #25-31

I'll be moving on from Howard soon.  The end for the series was messy - unfortunate yet oddly appropriate.  It's on to the X-men next for me.


My Recent Reads

Howard the Duck #25
Originally Published June 1, 1978
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Gene Colan

• Paul and Winda are finally back in town.  Paul has a wad of cash from rich ship passengers who paid him for portraits.  
• Paul's not shy about spreading cash around, buying Howard a new jacket and new cigars.  The big spending makes Howard nervous.
• The trio attends a party thrown by Paul's new patron, Iris Raritan.  The entertainment is supplied by some old friends of ours, The Circus of Crime!

Howard the Duck #26
July 1, 1978
Gerber/Colan

• The Circus of Crime kidnaps Howard to be a part of their act.  They drag him to Pennsylvania for their next act where, of course, they rob the audience.  
• In true Marvel hero fashion, Iris, Winda and Paul follow the troupe via tracking device.  
• The story converge at a gas station.  One of the circus victims has a gun.  The gun goes off.  No one's dead but damage is done.
• Meanwhile, Winda is attacked by a drunk when she spurns his advances.
• Two notable music references:
• "76 Trombones"

• "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down."  The Band concert documentary The Last Waltz was released in April 1978.

Howard the Duck #27
September 1, 1978
Gerber/Colan

• Lee comes to Pennsylvania to help Howard and company.
• Howard and Iris head to Cleveland where they finally have their showdown with the Circus of Crime.
• Bev is surprised to find herself happy in her forced marriage to Dr. Bong.  However, she is horrified to learn that Bong still intends to kill Howard.

Howard the Duck #28
November 1, 1978
Marv Wolfman/Carmine Infantino

• Here it is, the first Howard story without Steve Gerber as head writer.
• In a break from the ongoing narrative, Howard gets caught up in a domestic espionage scandal while out at dinner with Bev.  The government is putting laughing gas in the city water supply.
• Meanwhile, a psychiatrist is distraught as several patients report sightings of a talking duck. 

Howard the Duck #29
January 1, 1979
Gerber/Will Meugniot

• Howard is recruited by struggling comedian Joey Goniff to be the face of a telethon in Las Vegas.  
• The plan works out only too well, at least in terms of raising the money, and Howard is disgusted by the crass commercialism.

Howard the Duck #30
March 1, 1979
Bill Mantlo/Colan

• A friend of Lee's builds an "Iron Duck" costume for Howard in order to prepare the latter for a final battle with Dr. Bong

Howard the Duck #31
May 1, 1979
Mantlo/Colan & Al Milgrom

• The final battle itself.
• Bev comes to Howard's rescue, revealing her true loyalties in the end.
• On the final page, the gang's all back together.
• This was the last issue before a seven-year hiatus for the series.