HOWARD THE DUCK v.2 #2
"Endangered Species"
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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Marvel Comics/MAX Comics
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Phil Winslade
Colors: Chris Chuckry
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Stuart Moore
Price: $2.99 US/$4.75 CAN |
I was blown away by the satire of the first issue, so I was awaiting the second with bated breath. Unfortunately, the same level of wit isn't to be found in this issue. Though the art is richly detailed and the script conveys the title character's rather goofy despair nicely, little happens in this issue, and it boasts some rather gratuitous scenes.
Howard, now sporting the body of a walking mouse, and Bethany return to their junkyard home, and after the events at Global Branded Content-Dot Com, they decide to take a shower together. And that's when the genetic goop that Howard was immersed in kicks in again. As Howard continues to metamorphosize, Dr. Bong continues to telephone, begging Bethany for reconciliation.
Winslade's art stuns with its incredible level of detail. The two-page spread toward the end of the book was particularly impressive. The level of detail reminded me of the meticulous art of George Perez. I also detected some Alan Davis influence in the visuals as well. Furthermore, the inventive designs for the alter-Howards were fun and entertaining in their inherent weirdness. The nudity was unfortunately distracting, though, but I would imagine that the responsibility for that lies in Gerber's script.
Sure, it's only one-page of nudity, but it's terribly gratuitous. Gerber makes the mistake of including this "mature" element simply because the imprint allows for it. It adds nothing to the story, save for a forced joke about the precarious placement of a lengthy snout. To my surprise, the plot hasn't moved forward at all by the end of the issue.
Still, there are elements in the story that are entertaining. Howard's self-pity could be touching if it weren't for the hilariously bizarre circumstances of his life. Furthermore, Gerber's brief look at American paranoia and overcompensation in the wake of Sept.11 remains thoroughly relevant even months after the fact.
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