Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: November 2010
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Mark Brooks, Ray Height
Cover Artist: Skottie Young
The Service Organization of Philanthropic Individuals, or S.O.O.Ph.I., has brainwashed the Mayor of New York City (J. Jonah Jameson), Beverly and Howard the Duck into joining their cause. They intend to spread their influence over the millions of NYC residents but Spider-Man‘s not too keen on that notion. So, he manages to snap Howard back to reality and it’s up to our duo to rescue the City from S.O.O.Ph.I.’s evil plans.
There’s nothing deep going on here. There isn’t any big twist or even all that much biting social commentary that Howard books were originally laced with by the late, great Steve Gerber. But, there is an air of fun and adventure here. A spotlight on Howard is always welcome in my book – even if it needs to be shared by Spider-Man in order to get more people to buy it. And, when that spotlight is so obviously filtered through a warm regard for Steve Gerber and his importance to Howard (and other creations), I appreciate it even more. Adding to the Gerber tribute is a Man-Thing back-up feature.
On Ebay: Marvels Comics | Howard the Duck | Stuart Moore