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"Howard the Duck" Creator Passes Away

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 2008 6:00 PM

Submitted by we3_pirate. Edited By thefreak.

TAGS: Steve Gerber, Howard the Duck, comic books, fibrosis, obituary

The comic book industry lost another of its greats this past weekend.

After a battle with pulmonary fibrosis, acclaimed and beloved writer Steve Gerber died on Sunday from complications due to his condition. The news was confirmed by a close acquaintance. He was 60 years old.

Even though I am a huge comic book nerd, I'm ashamed to say that my only exposure to Mr. Gerber's comic work is an issue of Man-Thing from the Seventies, and some issues of Howard the Duck, but they had all the things Gerber has been known for: surrealism, social commentary, and memorable characters.

Gerber was more than just a great writer, though. He was an advocate for both independent comics, and for work-for-hire writers and artists at Marvel and DC.

After leaving Marvel in 1979, Gerber became something of a journeyman in comics, putting in time with some of DC Comics heroes, but most notably, being present at the forefront of the “independent revolution” of the 1980s. When it came to “mainstream” superhero comics of the time, Gerber was as loud a voice (or louder) advocating change and modernization as the legends of the day such as his friend and colleague, Frank Miller.

And Gerber's off-the-beaten-path mentality didn't stop at comics, either. He kept friends and fans updated through his blog, and he was in high spirits, even in the face of his own mortality.

Gerber discussed his health with characteristic frankness and humor, saying:

“It’s just a fact of life, it’s something I have to deal with. Naturally, I’d be very happy if there were, you know, a ‘cure’ for this, but there isn’t. I’ve got fibrosis of the lungs, and it’s a…so far slow-but-progressive disease that, if not treated, will ultimately off me.

“I’m moving toward getting on the lung transplant list at UCLA. And, hopefully, I will have a newly-refurbished pair of lungs (laughs) to breathe with in a little while. We’ll see what happens.

“It’s almost funny…I really do have a sick sense of humor about some of this stuff. (laughs) Part of me wants to go for the sympathy ploy. Put a picture of me on the cover of Countdown to Mystery with a gun to my head, or a plastic bag over it, and the caption, ‘Buy this magazine or this writer will never breathe again!’ The old National Lampoon gag.”

Rest in Peace, Mr. Gerber.

18 Comments

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thefreak

NEWSWIRE

Gardner, MA

FEB 16, 2008 06:23 PM

The man also created Thundarr the Barbarian. He will be missed.

-TM

PaulNikon

Melbourne, FL

February 2003

FEB 16, 2008 09:38 PM

I really liked Thundarr. Good show.

MadViking

USA

February 2008

FEB 17, 2008 04:33 PM

I remember Howard the Duck as being such a unique comic back in the day. It was such a stranger in strange land approach that mocked the issues of the day and even it's own medium at times. Very ahead of it's time and very entertaining in a totally absurd sort of way.

I still have my copy of the giant-sized Howard the Duck teaming up with the Defenders. Also always wanted Howard to hook up with Beverly.

RockinFrench

Green Bay, WI

February 2008

FEB 17, 2008 06:32 PM

it's a damn shame to see the old breed of comic folk dying off.
i just bought Giant Size Man Thing #4, Howard's first appearance.
man, i'm bummed.

Phoenixgirl

I'm lost

May 2006

FEB 17, 2008 07:34 PM

I didnt realize it was a comic book, I thought it was just the movie....

we3_pirate

I'm lost

July 2007

FEB 17, 2008 07:35 PM

Phoenixgirl said:
I didnt realize it was a comic book, I thought it was just the movie....

And the comic: a thousand times better than the movie.