The Art of Rediscovering Howard the Duck in a Post-What If...? World
So there I was, minding my own business, binge-watching the latest season of Marvel’s What If...?—a show that dares to ask, "What if this plot twist melted your brain?"—when BAM! Howard the Duck waddles in like he owns the multiverse. And suddenly, I felt the pull. The universe whispered, “Johnny, you need to rewatch Howard the Duck.”
Let’s set the stage: Howard the Duck (1986) was Marvel’s first feature-length film. Yeah, let that sink in. Before Iron Man built his first suit in a cave, before Cap wielded Mjolnir, before Marvel was a cinematic juggernaut, there was Howard—a wisecracking, cigar-smoking, anthropomorphic duck who crash-landed on Earth. It’s as if George Lucas saw the phrase “Why not?” written in the stars and decided to make a movie out of it.
Back in the day, Howard the Duck was considered a “quack-tastrophe.” Critics roasted it harder than a Thanksgiving turkey, and audiences didn’t know what to make of it. Is it a kid's movie? Is it an adult comedy? Is it some fever dream cooked up by a stressed-out screenwriter? (Spoiler: it’s all three.)
But rewatching it now, after Howard’s MCU glow-up, I can’t help but appreciate it for what it is: pure chaotic energy. First off, the practical effects are weirdly charming. Howard’s animatronic expressions might have terrified me as a kid, but now they’re like a warm hug from the ‘80s. And then there’s Lea Thompson, who delivers her role with an unshakable sincerity that makes you forget she’s acting opposite a talking duck.
And let’s talk plot: Howard goes from crashing on Earth to battling an interdimensional demon alongside a rock band and Jeffrey Jones as a possessed scientist. Tell me that doesn’t sound like a Marvel multiverse storyline waiting to happen. Sure, the pacing is wonky, and some jokes don’t land, but Howard the Duck is a bold swing—something modern superhero movies often play too safe to attempt.
Now that Marvel has embraced the weirder side of their universe (What If...?, I’m looking at you), Howard doesn’t feel so out of place anymore. He’s popped up in Guardians of the Galaxy (briefly), showed up in Endgame, and stole scenes in What If...?. He’s proof that Marvel isn’t afraid to lean into the absurd, and honestly? That’s where the magic happens.
So, is Howard the Duck worth rewatching? Absolutely. It’s a messy, lovable relic of a time when superhero movies didn’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a reminder that even Marvel’s most bizarre character can find a place in the spotlight. Plus, you’ll appreciate how far we’ve come—from Howard’s animatronic mug to Rocket Raccoon’s CGI fur.
Grab some popcorn, fire up your streaming service of choice (or blow the dust off that old VHS), and give Howard the Duck another shot. Who knows? You might just find yourself rooting for the little guy—and if not, hey, at least you’ll have some a-maize-ing material for your next podcast rant.
Quack on, my friends. Quack on.