Val Mayerik, born March 29, 1950, is an American comic book and commercial artist whose career spans more than five decades of work across superhero, horror, and science fiction titles. He is best remembered as the co-creator of Howard the Duck, the sardonic, cigar-chomping waterfowl who debuted at Marvel Comics in the early 1970s and became one of the publisher's most distinctive satirical characters.
Conan the Barbarian #21 (1972)
Mayerik broke into comics around 1972, quickly establishing himself as a versatile draftsman with a particular affinity for horror and fantasy material. His Marvel work during that period included substantial runs on titles such as Supernatural Thrillers, Das Monster von Frankenstein, and Frankenstein — projects that suited his expressive, atmospheric linework. He also contributed to Ka-Zar and later to Dreadstar and Toxic Avenger, demonstrating a range that extended well beyond any single genre. Over the course of his career he took on roles as artist, inker, colorist, and writer, accumulating credits across more than 240 issues.
Sub-Mariner #56 (1972)
Outside of mainstream superhero publishing, Mayerik built a parallel career in commercial illustration. His association with Howard the Duck has remained his most enduring legacy, a creation that satirized American culture with an absurdist edge that continues to resonate with readers. No major industry awards are reflected in the available record, but his contribution to Marvel's more offbeat creative output of the 1970s remains genuinely significant.
