STEVE GERBER, 60

Creator of Howard the Duck

Steve Gerber, the comic book writer whose signature character was the alienated, cigar-chomping Howard the Duck, died last week in a Las Vegas hospital of complications from pulmonary fibrosis, said Mary Skrenes, a friend and writing partner.

Howard the Duck became a hit after its January 1976 debut in Marvel Comics, and it remains a cult favorite. The hero, a disgruntled duck from another universe with a bombshell sidekick named Beverly "Thunder-Thighs" Switzler, has been hailed as both smart and subversive.

Ms. Skrenes said Mr. Gerber was not closely involved in George Lucas' 1986 film Howard the Duck, which fared poorly at the box office.