MALLER

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human, low-tech weapon-user

Occupation: Extortionist, racketeer

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Jokester, Puffin, Quizling

Enemies: Gordonski, Howard the Duck (as Duck-Man), Spruce Payne, Beverly Switzler;
    presumably the Band of the Bland (Black Hole/Morton Kribbee, Sitting Bullseye/Oliver Bedwette, Spanker/Fred Hovel, Tillie the Hun/Matilda von Tromp), le Beaver (Pierre Dentfris), Black Talon (Thibodaux Boudreaux), Bzzk'joh, Dr. Angst (Floyd Mangles), Jackpot, Jokester, Greedy Killerwatt, Kong Lomerate,  Pro-Rata, Puffin, Quizling, and Wally Sidney (see comments);
    unrevealed relationship with Brotherhood of Evil Prepositions (Amonger, Arounder, Betweener, Of, Underneather, Withiner), Galactongue

Enemies: Cleft Chin, Howard the Duck, Archie Sloan, Beverly Switzler, unidentified mafia chieftain;
    presumably Andy the Angel, Chirreep, Jennifer Kale, Korrek, Master C'haaj, Hemlock Shoals, Claude Starkowski (see comments);

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Currently unknown;
    formerly Mammoth Mall, Miami, Florida

First Appearance: Howard the Duck II#8/3 (November, 1980)

Powers/Abilities: The Maller wore razor-sharp blades on his gloves and helmet, and he could slice foes to pieces in short time.

History:
(Howard the Duck II#8/3) - The Maller--aided by his agents Jokester, Puffin, and Quizing--coerced the owners of the businesses of Mammoth Mall into paying him 50% of their profits.

(Howard the Duck II#8/3) - Spruce Payne--developer of Super-Scent, an extract from the sweat of super-heroes--hired Jokester, Puffin, and Quizling to act as the villains in an advertising promotion for Super-Scent at Mammoth Mall. Payne's other employees, Howard the Duck and Beverly Switzler, posed as Duck-Man and Duck Girl, super-heroes who stopped the villains from stealing the Super-Scent. The promotion successfully brought in many new buyers, but Payne quickly discovered that his villain actors had charged him five times the agreed on price. The three villains then confronted Payne telling him he needed a license to operate in Mammoth Mall, which served as a protection fund. Payne refused to acquiesce to their demands of 50% partnership, telling them that he wouldn't give up his sales and marketing strategy as long as he lived. The villains agreed to Payne's terms--taking over his enterprise after his untimely demise, at which point the Maller appeared and slew Payne. After slashing him to death with his blades, the Maller tossed him inside a giant bottle of Super-Scent. They then raided Payne's safe and fled.

    Shortly thereafter, Howard and Beverly  arrived to prepare for the next show, and they discovered by Mall Security--led by Howard's old nemesis, Gordonski--who mistook them for the killers. Fleeing in their Duckmobile, Howard and Beverly literally ran into the escaping criminals. After taking out the Maller's henchmen, Howard sucked the Maller up in an over-sized vacuum hose, but the Maller simply tore himself free. Howard then backed into the Maller, slamming him into a wall, and then took off down the Mall, with the Maller in tow. At the last second, Howard and Beverly ejected from the Duckmobile, which crashed into a pizzeria, launching the Maller into a giant pizza pie. Entangled in melted cheese, the Maller was left for Gordonski and the rest of the mall security.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II" (fb) - BTS) - The Maller  was transported -- along with Dr. Angst and the Band of the Bland (Black Hole, Sitting Bullseye, Spanker, Tillie the Hun), le Beaver, Black Talon, Dr. Bong, Bzzk J'oh, Jackpot, Jokester, Greedy Killerwatt, Kong-Lomerate, Pro-Rata, Puffin, and Quizling -- to within a giant fire hydrant-like construct in an interdimensional space between Reality-616 and Reality-791021 (mirroring the storyline generated by the dark matter-powered Poporb of Krylorian techno-artist Chirreep).

    In addition to this  construct, a motorhome (specifically a Winnebago)-like structure -- containing Andy the Angel, Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek the Barbarian, Man-Thing, Master C'haaj, Hemlock Shoals, Claude Starkowski -- was also present.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - After Howard the Duck encountered the Winnebago group, Hemlock Shoals identified the hydrant group. Dakimh noted that, apart from their evil, they seemed to have little in common...except that they all wanted Howard dead. 

    The monstrous mouth known as Galactongue subsequently appeared and disgorged an entire galaxy. As the contents formed a planet with an immense office building, the Brotherhood of Evil Prepositions (Amonger, Arounder, Betweener, Of, Underneather, Withiner) then arrived and challenged both groups to "Play both ends against the middle, and all you desire shall be yours."

    Both groups were transported to the office building on the planet formed from contents disgorged by Galactongue; the Black Hole''s group arrived in the boardroom.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - The Maller was on Dr. Bong's side of the table, following Wally Sidney and GreedyKillerwatt, and before Jokester, Puffin, and Quizzling. 

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II" - BTS) - Kong Lomerate led the villains in a plot to destroy the other group.

    Bong, presumably along with some of the others, targeted Andy the Angel, Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek the Barbarian, Man-Thing, Master C'haaj), Hemlock Shoals, and Claude Starkowski, while Kong led Maller, Jackpot, and Greedy Killerwatt to attack Howard and Chireep, who had followed Howard.

Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo and Marshall Rogers.

    The over-sized appliances seem reminiscent of Batman, as well.

    Marshall Rogers work on the Earth-1 Batman with Steven Englehart in the 1970's was highly regarded, and he reunited with Englehart for a recent mini-series.
--Per Degaton

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:

The Jokester has no known connection to:

The Quizling has no known connection to:

Jokester

    One of the Maller's henchmen, he enjoyed the benefits of their protection racket, as well as making money by acting on the side.

    After serving as a villain actor opposite Duck-Man and Duck Girl in Spruce Payne's Super-Scent promotion, the three actors confronted Payne and demanded he agree to give them 50% of his profits. Payne refused, at which point the Maller slew him. 

    Fleeing with Payne's money, the Maller and his henchmen were discovered by Howard and Beverly in their costumes and Duckmobile. Howard smashed the Jokester into an over-sized function iron with the Duckmobile, leaving him flat as a...well-ironed shirt.

    The Jokester didn't demonstrate any powers or abilities. He had a sick sense of humor, and he offered to work at parties -- straight on otherwise...

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II" (fb) - BTS) - The Jokester was transported -- along with Dr. Angst and the Band of the Bland (Black Hole, Sitting Bullseye, Spanker, Tillie the Hun), le Beaver, Black Talon, Dr. Bong, Bzzk J'oh, Jackpot, Greedy Killerwatt, Kong-Lomerate, Maller, Pro-Rata, Puffin, and Quizling -- to within a giant fire hydrant-like construct in an interdimensional space between Reality-616 and Reality-791021 (mirroring the storyline generated by the dark matter-powered Poporb of Krylorian techno-artist Chirreep).

    In addition to this  construct, a motorhome (specifically a Winnebago)-like structure -- containing Andy the Angel, Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek the Barbarian, Man-Thing, Master C'haaj, Hemlock Shoals, Claude Starkowski -- was also present.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - After Howard the Duck encountered the Winnebago group, Hemlock Shoals identified the hydrant group. Dakimh noted that, apart from their evil, they seemed to have little in common...except that they all wanted Howard dead. 

    The monstrous mouth known as Galactongue subsequently appeared and disgorged an entire galaxy. As the contents formed a planet with an immense office building, the Brotherhood of Evil Prepositions (Amonger, Arounder, Betweener, Of, Underneather, Withiner) then arrived and challenged both groups to "Play both ends against the middle, and all you desire shall be yours."

    Both groups were transported to the office building on the planet formed from contents disgorged by Galactongue; the Black Hole''s group arrived in the boardroom.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - The Jokester was on Dr. Bong's side of the table, following Wally Sidney, Greedy Killerwatt, and Maller, and before Puffin, Quizling, and Pro-Rata. 

--Howard the Duck II#8

Note: The Jokester was an obvious parody of DC's Joker.

 

Puffin

    The Puffin carried a rolling pin, with which he whacked people on the head.

    One of the Maller's henchmen, he enjoyed the benefits of their protection racket, as well as making money by acting on the side. After serving as a villain actor opposite Duck-Man and Duck Girl in Spruce Payne's Super-Scent promotion, the three actors confronted Payne and demanded he agree to give them 50% of his profits. Payne refused, at which point the Maller slew him. Fleeing with Payne's money, the Maller and his henchmen were discovered by Howard and Beverly in their costumes and Duckmobile. Howard knocked the Puffin into an over-sized toaster oven, and he came out looking like some freshly risen dough, complete with his pipe and hat.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II" (fb) - BTS) - The Puffin was transported -- along with Dr. Angst and the Band of the Bland (Black Hole, Sitting Bullseye, Spanker, Tillie the Hun), le Beaver, Black Talon, Dr. Bong, Bzzk J'oh, Jackpot, Jokester, Greedy Killerwatt, Kong-Lomerate, Maller, Pro-Rata, and Quizling -- to within a giant fire hydrant-like construct in an interdimensional space between Reality-616 and Reality-791021 (mirroring the storyline generated by the dark matter-powered Poporb of Krylorian techno-artist Chirreep).

    In addition to this  construct, a motorhome (specifically a Winnebago)-like structure -- containing Andy the Angel, Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek the Barbarian, Man-Thing, Master C'haaj, Hemlock Shoals, Claude Starkowski -- was also present.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - After Howard the Duck encountered the Winnebago group, Hemlock Shoals identified the hydrant group. Dakimh noted that, apart from their evil, they seemed to have little in common...except that they all wanted Howard dead. 

    The monstrous mouth known as Galactongue subsequently appeared and disgorged an entire galaxy. As the contents formed a planet with an immense office building, the Brotherhood of Evil Prepositions (Amonger, Arounder, Betweener, Of, Underneather, Withiner) then arrived and challenged both groups to "Play both ends against the middle, and all you desire shall be yours."

    Both groups were transported to the office building on the planet formed from contents disgorged by Galactongue; the Black Hole''s group arrived in the boardroom.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - The Puffin was on Dr. Bong's side of the table, following Wally Sidney, Greedy Killerwatt, Maller, Jokester, and before Quizliing and Pro-Rata. 

--Howard the Duck II#8

Note: The Puffin was an obvious parody of DC's Penguin.

 

 

 

 

Quizling

    One of the Maller's henchmen, he enjoyed the benefits of their protection racket, as well as making money by acting on the side. After serving as a villain actor opposite Duck-Man and Duck Girl in Spruce Payne's Super-Scent promotion, the three actors confronted Payne and demanded he agree to give them 50% of his profits. Payne refused, at which point the Maller slew him. Fleeing with Payne's money, the Maller and his henchmen were discovered by Howard and Beverly in their costumes and Duckmobile. Howard knocked the Quizling into a giant blender, which ground him up.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II" (fb) - BTS) - The Quizling  was transported -- along with Dr. Angst and the Band of the Bland (Black Hole, Sitting Bullseye, Spanker, Tillie the Hun), le Beaver, Black Talon, Dr. Bong, Bzzk J'oh, Jackpot, Jokester, Greedy Killerwatt, Kong-Lomerate, Maller, Pro-Rata, and Puffin -- to within a giant fire hydrant-like construct in an interdimensional space between Reality-616 and Reality-791021 (mirroring the storyline generated by the dark matter-powered Poporb of Krylorian techno-artist Chirreep).

    In addition to this  construct, a motorhome (specifically a Winnebago)-like structure -- containing Andy the Angel, Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek the Barbarian, Man-Thing, Master C'haaj, Hemlock Shoals, Claude Starkowski -- was also present.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - After Howard the Duck encountered the Winnebago group, Hemlock Shoals identified the hydrant group. Dakimh noted that, apart from their evil, they seemed to have little in common...except that they all wanted Howard dead. 

    The monstrous mouth known as Galactongue subsequently appeared and disgorged an entire galaxy. As the contents formed a planet with an immense office building, the Brotherhood of Evil Prepositions (Amonger, Arounder, Betweener, Of, Underneather, Withiner) then arrived and challenged both groups to "Play both ends against the middle, and all you desire shall be yours."

    Both groups were transported to the office building on the planet formed from contents disgorged by Galactongue; the Black Hole''s group arrived in the boardroom.

(Steve Gerber's unpublished script for Howard the Duck#1 "Secret Crisis II") - The Quizling was on Dr. Bong's side of the table, following Wally Sidney, Greedy Killerwatt, Maller, Jokester, and Puffin, and before Pro-Rata. 

    The Quizling did not demonstrate any particular abilities.

--Howard the Duck II#8

Note: The Quizling was an obvious parody of DC's Riddler.

images:
Howard the Duck II#8/3, p7, panel 3 (full body Puffin + Jokester)
            panel 4 (Puffin face)
            panel 6 (Quizling face)
        p10, panel 1 (full body Quizling)
        p15, panel 1 (Maller)
            panel 4 (Jokester face)

Appearances:
Howard the Duck II#8 (November, 1980) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Marshall Rogers (artist), Lynn Graeme (editor)

Last updated: 05/12/12

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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