10 Comic Book Characters Who've Never Had A Decent Movie

2. Howard The Duck

Howard the Duck
Universal Pictures

“Are you ready for an incredible story?” asks Howard T Duck (Ed Gale). We sure are, and Steve Gerber’s short-lived (1976-79) comic book had more than enough stories to make an interesting film.

Finding himself “trapped in a world he never made”, Howard encountered such colourful characters as Pro-Rata, the cosmic accountant, battled Bessie The Hell Cow and even ran for President against Jimmy Carter, prompting the headline: “Carter Yells Fowl!”

Got that? Now forget all about it, because the screen incarnation is the invention of a focus group, a “cute” and “lovable” character whose blandness gives Scrappy Doo a run for his money. When he’s not reading Rolling Egg magazine or enjoying Mae Nest movies, Howard attempts “witty” banter with Tim Robbins. “I know why you want a tool box,” Howard says at one point. “You got a screw loose!”

To think this movie laid an egg at the box office.

Contributor

Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'