Random Happenstance

The GCD tagged this one with "Keywords: introspection; loneliness; misery." And maybe some jokes? Somewhere? From 1977, Howard the Duck Human #19, "Howard the Human!" Written and edited by Steve Gerber, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Klaus Janson.

The usually-miserable Howard was more so than usual today, because Beverly had been forced to marry Dr. Bong in order to spare his life, and oh yeah, Bong's "Evolvo-chamber" had turned him into a nondescript schlubb of a human! The GCD notes think human-Howard resembles Harvey Bullock, but I'd say Howard looks younger and more hapless, so...Depressed and wandering the streets, he finds a fiver; which of course leads to problems. He's accosted by drunken artist "Mad Dog" for a cup of coffee, then Mad Dog demolishes the restaurant that won't serve his smelly hide. Howard opts to split, but is joined by a young woman, who seems to be trying to ditch her date, while he fights Mad Dog.

Although Howard's duck-self tells him to get outta there, he's unable to get away from Amy, who drags him back to her apartment. Her date Elton had been a former co-worker, and she describes him as "thinking (she) was his mind," but she felt she had her hands full thinking for herself. Howard crashes out on her couch, although it appears Amy slept there with him; but when Elton storms in, they're surprised to find Howard was a duck again! Howard himself doesn't realize until he was in the shower and too short to reach the brush, and wonders if...whatever happened last night, got the adrenalin going and changed him. But, no time to ponder that, as Dr. Bong appears, to finish him...to be continued!

There's a few on the last couple pages, but really not as many jokes as you'd maybe expect.