Destroyer Duck
Encyclopedia
Destroyer Duck was an anthology
comic book
published by Eclipse Comics
in 1982
, as well as the title of its primary story, written by Steve Gerber
and featuring artwork by Jack Kirby
.
The book was published as a way to help Gerber raise funds for a lawsuit he was embroiled in at the time, in which he was battling industry giant Marvel Comics
over the ownership of the character Howard the Duck
, which Gerber created for the company in 1973.
Subsequent Destroyer Duck tales would reveal that the Little Guy who died at Destroyer’s feet was in fact a clone, and the original was still held captive by Godcorp; eventually, Gerber (by that point on better terms with Marvel, the lawsuit having long since been settled) revealed that The Little Guy’s real name was actually “Leonard”—a new duck character that, for all intents, was identical in every way (except in name and character ownership) to Howard.
The stories introduced sentient scented dolls and Wobbelina Strangelegs, who nearly got her own one-shot
. After five issues, Gerber gave up writing the title, but remained its editor
. Buzz Dixon
wrote the last two issues, about a STD
-infected parody of Gilligan’s Island
. Frank Miller
drew the cover of the final issue. The seven issues of the comic were published very sporadically.
The original Destroyer Duck comic was also notable in that it contained the first appearance of Sergio Aragonés
’s character Groo the Wanderer
.
In 1994, while Gerber was working at Image for Top Cow Studio on Codename: Strykeforce, Gerber planned for issue 14 to use Destroyer Duck. At the last minute, Marc Silvestri declined, forcing Gerber and his editor, David Wohl, to revise the story. Destroyer Duck doesn't appear as such in the story, but Gerber introduces Specimen Q, a mysterious character imprisoned in his armor, who is Destroyer Duck as readers will learn in the Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck one-shot in 1996.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market...
in 1982
1982 in comics
-Year overall:* San Diego-based independent publisher Pacific Comics makes a strong push in the marketplace, following Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers with four new ongoing titles, Starslayer, Ms...
, as well as the title of its primary story, written by Steve Gerber
Steve Gerber
Stephen Ross "Steve" Gerber was an American comic book writer best known as co-creator of the satiric Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck....
and featuring artwork by Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
The book was published as a way to help Gerber raise funds for a lawsuit he was embroiled in at the time, in which he was battling industry giant Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
over the ownership of the character Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
, which Gerber created for the company in 1973.
Overview
The main story of the comic told of Duke “Destroyer” Duck, a resident of a typical anthropomorphic comic-book world, who had witnessed his best friend, identified only as “The Little Guy” or “TLG,” vanish into thin air before his eyes. Some years later, TLG reappeared only to die at Destroyer’s feet—but not before telling the tale of how he was exploited and destroyed by a thoughtless conglomeration, “Godcorp.” Swearing revenge, Destroyer vowed to take down Godcorp no matter the cost.Subsequent Destroyer Duck tales would reveal that the Little Guy who died at Destroyer’s feet was in fact a clone, and the original was still held captive by Godcorp; eventually, Gerber (by that point on better terms with Marvel, the lawsuit having long since been settled) revealed that The Little Guy’s real name was actually “Leonard”—a new duck character that, for all intents, was identical in every way (except in name and character ownership) to Howard.
The stories introduced sentient scented dolls and Wobbelina Strangelegs, who nearly got her own one-shot
One shot (comic)
A one-shot is a comic book that is a pilot or a stand-alone story created as a single issue, rather than the more typical series format.-United States:...
. After five issues, Gerber gave up writing the title, but remained its editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
. Buzz Dixon
Buzz Dixon
Buzz Dixon is an American writer of comic books, film, and cartoons. He has written comics for multiple companies, including Eclipse Comics , Marvel Comics, and a Buck Rogers adaptation for TSR, Inc..His cartoon work includes both writing and editing credits...
wrote the last two issues, about a STD
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease , also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease , is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex...
-infected parody of Gilligan’s Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
. Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
drew the cover of the final issue. The seven issues of the comic were published very sporadically.
The original Destroyer Duck comic was also notable in that it contained the first appearance of Sergio Aragonés
Sergio Aragonés
Sergio Aragonés Domenech is a cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creator of the comic book Groo the Wanderer....
’s character Groo the Wanderer
Groo the Wanderer
Groo the Wanderer is a fantasy/comedy comic book series written and drawn by Sergio Aragonés, rewritten, coplotted and edited by Mark Evanier, lettered by Stan Sakai, and colored by Tom Luth...
.
In 1994, while Gerber was working at Image for Top Cow Studio on Codename: Strykeforce, Gerber planned for issue 14 to use Destroyer Duck. At the last minute, Marc Silvestri declined, forcing Gerber and his editor, David Wohl, to revise the story. Destroyer Duck doesn't appear as such in the story, but Gerber introduces Specimen Q, a mysterious character imprisoned in his armor, who is Destroyer Duck as readers will learn in the Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck one-shot in 1996.
Appearances
- Destroyer Duck #1 (May 1982)
- Destroyer Duck #2 (January 1983)
- Destroyer Duck #3 (June 1983)
- Destroyer Duck #4 (October 1983)
- Destroyer Duck #5 (December 1983)
- Destroyer Duck #6 (March 1984)
- Destroyer Duck #7 (May 1984)
- Total Eclipse #3 (November 1988)
- Total Eclipse #4 (January 1989)
- Total Eclipse #5 (April 1989)
- Codename: StrykeforceCodename: StrykeforceCodename: Strykeforce was a comic book series by Top Cow and Image Comics, about a team of mercenary superheroes.Codename: Strykeforce was an offshoot of another series called Cyberforce, which was about a group of cyborg shock troops. The series lasted for fourteen issues...
#14 (August 1995) - The Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck #1 (November 1996)
- Spider-ManSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
Team Up #5 (December 1996) - Savage Dragon #41 (September 1997)