Destroyer Duck #2

Destroyer Duck #2, January 1983, Eclipse Comics
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Tom Orzechowsku
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
“beak consultant:” Thom Enriquez

I’d hate to give any “Kirby classic” the “bottom line” treatment, but I have a limited amount of time today, and, really, a series called Destroyer Duck isn’t a literary conundrum that requires in-depth analysis. Left over from my TMNT inspired reviews, in a nutshell, Destroyer Duck is a story about the individual versus the corporation – it’s just, in this case, that individual is a duck. See, “Duke’s” best friend was murdered by the CEO of a large corporation, who now has it out for our grim gray mallard. Duke best sums up the nature of this conflict when he exclaims, “An’ tell the bums in the executive suite – they’ll be applyin’ for entry-level jobs in hell if they try this again!” Nice! Gerber offers a worthy sophomore effort to his classic Howard the Duck series, and Kirby’s pencils actually pop off the page when inked respectfully by another artist. Sure, they lose a generation of that Golden Age appeal, but at the same time Kirby’s look becomes relevant and successful for a new generation of readers.

You know, this book does require some in-depth analysis! Good thing Destroyer Duck would understand the importance of critical time management. When the henchmen that attack you are required to attend a mandatory workshop on the subject, every second against them counts!

(I'll incorporate my thoughts on this issue's content with tomorrow's post . . . somehow! Just put it on my bill. Eh, sorry, Duke.)