John Howard is an original recurring character in the Marvel's Spider-Man series. He took care of the pigeons of his late wife, Sandra, and was a close friend of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales.
Background[]
Prior to main events, Howard worked in a power plant west of the Financial District for around 20 years before being laid off. His wife, Sandra cared for a flock of pigeons who each had names, and after she passed away, Howard took care of them after, as her last dying wish.[1]
In Marvel's Spider-Man, during "Helping Howard", Howard asked Spider-Man to find his pigeons. Spider-Man was confused at first but obliged,[2] learning the names and backstories of the pigeons as he found them across Manhattan. Later, J. Jonah Jameson released two podcasts on his segments about Spider-Man catching the pigeons, filling the segments with conspiracy theories about him eating them.[3][4]
In Miles Morales, during "Can't Find My Pigeons", Howard used the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man App to request the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, find his three missing pigeons. Peter Parker, who had since become fond of Howard, left facts about the pigeons for Miles. Miles then learned the carrier pigeons were being used by thugs to commit crimes in preparation to invade the Daily Bugle, which Spider-Man stopped.[5]
In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, during his namesake mission, Howard sent in another request on the app while sitting in the Financial District watching ferries with his pigeons. He requested one of the Spider-Men send his pigeons to a new home in Astoria, Queens to live free on their new adventures, as his final dying request. Howard thanked Spider-Man for his kindness in life, and then passed away. An active Spider-Man then accepted that Howard was on a new journey of his own.[6]
Citations[]
References[]
- Video games
- Insomniac Games (2018). Marvel's Spider-Man [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 4.
- Insomniac Games (2020). Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 5.
- Insomniac Games (2023). Marvel's Spider-Man 2 [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 5.