Marvel Masterworks: Howard the Duck #1

This inaugural volume of Marvel Masterworks collects the earliest adventures of Howard the Duck, the cynical anthropomorphic waterfowl who became an unlikely pop-culture phenomenon in the 1970s. Written by Steve Gerber with art by Val Mayerik and others, these issues follow Howard as he navigates a bizarre, satirical version of Earth-616, crossing paths with Beverly Switzler, the Man-Thing, Doctor Strange, and a host of absurd characters while skewering politics, consumerism, and superhero tropes. The collection includes Howard's first appearance in Fear #19 and the start of his own series, establishing the surreal, irreverent tone that made the character a cult favorite.