Howard the Duck was supposed to get laid (sort of) in his debut issue cover-dated January 1976 — and though I no longer remember why he didn’t get laid, I have proof of that editorial alteration thanks to papers discovered in my late sister-in-law Ellen Vartanoff’s collection.

In that issue, there’s a scene where Howard lands in a nest and explains how it “reminds me of where I was first hatched.” But that is not how the word balloon was originally lettered. (more…)

As I told you last month, I’m hoping to fund our trip to next year’s Melbourne Worldcon through the sale of artwork from my collection so I can avoid going into debt. Don’t worry—I’m only getting rid of those pieces for which I feel no sentimental attachment. (Those I’ll won’t be selling until my poverty-stricken old age, I guess.)

The auction for my Bob Stanley oil painting has already closed, and started us on our way. The auctions for two other pieces have only just begun, though. Both, as it turns out, are of artwork I purchased 34 (gulp!) years ago in the art gallery of the 1975 Marvel Comics Convention.

The first is a large ink and watercolor scene of Howard the Duck, bought directly from artist Val Mayerik. A scan of the drawing is below, and you can check out the auction here. Keep in mind how early this piece was in Howard’s career—the misanthropic duck wasn’t to get his own title for another year. (more…)

Today was supposed to have been Steve Gerber’s 62nd birthday. In a just world, he’d still be with us. In a just world, when Steve was still alive, he would have participated financially in the success of Howard the Duck, instead of having to engage in legal battles which proved expensive and exhausting.

Sure, all most people remember now is the punch line that the Howard the Duck film became, but remember, too, there was a valid reason the film got made in the first place. Long before the film, the character had been a genuine hit. So on Steve’s birthday that might have been, should have been, let’s take a look back at a happier time—the moment Marvel Comics seemed to recognize exactly what it had on its hands.

There’s plenty of interesting info in this memo, but the two items of note today, the two things which would have thrilled Steve, are a note (on the first page) that “Howard the Duck will go to a monthly frequency, effective #9, December,” and a request (on the second page) to “Please schedule a new $1.50 special, (Treasury size) entitled HOWARD THE DUCK #1, 1976, 80 pages.”

Steve must have been thrilled that his creation had done so well in the marketplace that it went monthly and spawned a treasury edition.

Unfortunately, that joy wouldn’t last. A bitter battle was still to come.

But spare a thought for Steve on his birthday today anyway, OK?