The Howard the Duck Holiday Special

Larry Hama is not Steve Gerber.

But, who is?

Hama dusted off the little-used mallard for the 1997 Christmas special visiting all the holiday tropes. Still, there’s something missing. An intangible Gerber always provided through his skewed view on life.

Howard the Duck Holiday Special (1997)

Overall it’s a good take on Howard living in “a world he never made.” The speech-challenged avenger of non-public domain video material is in evidence. Complete with an over-sized firearm mocking the multitude of vengeance-hungry anti-heroes compensating with armories that would put all but the hardiest in hernia wards.

Next are the young and avarice seeking Santa’s lap and goody bag.

Hydra represents the corrupt corporations offering cookie-cutter solutions for the holiday season.

Toss in a couple sexy sirens to help with the carnage and the 1990s are encapsulated.

Really, The Howard the Duck Holiday Special is worth picking up. It’s just hard to read someone else handling creative chores with a character so singly associated with his creator.