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This article is about the Fear character. You may be looking for the TV Series character.

One day, I come home, my wife's at the door, bags packed. (...) She said I was more concerned with making history than I was with... making a life for her and my son. But this place... I have made history here. My wife and my boy are out there somewhere, and if they find it, they'll see that this history can be their life. So what you call a lack of compassion and restraint, I call building a legacy.
―Howard to John Sr. about his family.[src]

Howard is a survivor of the outbreak and later an antagonist in AMC's Fear the Walking Dead. Prior to the outbreak, he was a history professor at the University of Texas. Following the fall of society, Howard established a shelter in a high-rise building in Houston using walkers to keep out survivors where he started to collect many historical artifacts that can be preserved for the future generation.

Following Teddy's launching of the nuclear warheads, Howard encounters Victor Strand in his shelter on the outskirts of the blast and starts a thriving new community where he eventually became Strand's right-hand man and deputy leader of the safe-zone. He served as the secondary antagonist of Season 7.

Overview[]

Upon his introduction, Howard is initially a sophisticated, knowledgable, and well-spoken individual. He is shown to be well-taught in history, and preserves many historical artifacts in his tower. When he first meets Victor Strand, the two are civil with each other, believing they are about to die because of Teddy's missiles. However, the tower manages to be intact and the two survive. After this, Victor takes over the tower and Howard becomes his right-hand man.

After this, Howard takes a darker turn. He is extremely loyal to Victor, not questioning his actions even after he kills Will. After Ali tries to turn off the beacon, Howard throws him off the tower, showing some remorse, but ultimately not regretting his actions seeing it as necessary to protect the tower. From this point, Howard becomes more and more desensitized to killing, throwing many residents with walkies off the tower with little emotion. However, Victor's trust in Howard erodes when a walkie is found in Howard's room. He is almost thrown off the tower but is spared. In an attempt to prove himself, Howard vows to find Mo, who went missing.

Howard reveals that he hopes that his family, who are missing, will find the tower and see everything he has created. He expresses some regret for the things he has done but hopes to build a legacy. Unfortunately for Howard, despite being his right-hand man, it becomes apparent Victor cares very little for him. After Mo is found, despite being promised otherwise, Victor orders John Sr. to throw Howard off the tower. John Sr. reluctantly does so and he is thrown off the tower and reanimates, dying the same way he killed many others.

Pre-Apocalypse[]

Austin, Texas[]

Nothing is known about Howard's life prior to or as the outbreak began except that he lived with his wife and son in Austin, Texas, and was a history professor at University of Texas in the latter city. However, she took Matin and left him after Howard was discovered to have forged a historical document.

Post-Apocalypse[]

Houston, Texas[]

At some point following the outbreak, Howard established a shelter in a high-rise building in Houston using walkers to keep out survivors. He also started to collect many historical artifacts that can be preserved for the future generation.

Season 6[]

"The Beginning"[]

Victor decides to investigate a nearby building. Suddenly, he is held at gunpoint by a survivor named Howard, who asks how Victor got past the dead he let in. After disarming, Victor asks Howard if he saw the missile, which the latter confirms and asks if it is going to hit where they are. Victor replies that it's going to hit anywhere, and reveals that he was there. Victor says that unless Howard has a place undergrounds they can shelter in, there is nothing more they can do. Howard seems resigned to hear this, and offers Victor some bourbon and asks that he turn over the record so it can continue playing. Howard also reveals that he was a historian who used to teach at UT. Victor asks if this is where he got the artifacts, but Howard says he scavenged most from museums and art galleries. He did this in an effort to preserve history. Noticing his neckless, Victor asks if Howard is a religious man. The latter denies this, but says that his wife was, and thought the neckless would protect him. Victor recounts how he gave the neckless to a dear friend once, but doesn't elaborate when Howard inquires further. Howard, however, insists Victor tell his story, so Victor obliges him.

He says how they were trying to build a future, but another group was trying to end it all. They were nearly successful at stopping this group, but ultimately failed. When Howard asks why, Victor says that it came down to two men, who had to give their lives to save everyone, but when push came to shove one of them couldn't do it. When Howard asks why not, Victor chuckles and says that the man simply wanted to survive and take the glory for himself and, in doing so, co-signed everyone to the destruction he was hoping to circumvent. When Howard asks which man Victor is, he claims he was the one who was ready to die. Howard questions why Victor is there and not with his group, but Victor simply replies that something led him there. Amused, Victor supposes this is the ending he deserved, or thought he did. The men then hear a loud bang, signaling that a warhead has dethatched. Howard wishes that he met Victor sooner, and goes on to introduce himself. Victor, on the other hand, introduces himself as "Morgan Jones."

As the warheads begin to land, Howard and Victor gaze out the window and await their fate. The warhead that detonated near Victor and Howard's location shakes their building, but ultimately leaves it intact. Relieved, Victor starts laughing, and when Howard asks why, he replies that it is because he is still alive after everything he did. Victor goes on to admit he lied about his identity, as he was the other man. His name, Victor says, is not Morgan Jones, but Victor Strand, a man who's thrown men to the wolves when necessary, and has not been afraid to cut the cord when he had to. He describes himself as a backroom dealer, a grifter, a shark, and someone who has cheated again and again without fail, if the opportunity presented itself. When Howard asks why, Victor simply replies that it is for survival, something he's done all his life. He cites this behavior as the reason why he is still here. Victor emotionally exclaims that he comes from nothing, and he had to rebuild himself from the ground up, over and over again, like a civilization. Continuing, Victor notes that they have a great future behind them, which they can use to rebuild, "with art, and books, and music, and good bourbon." It feels like a dawning of a new day to Victor.

Season 7[]

"The Beacon"[]

Howard and Strand interrogate Will as he devours a plate of spaghetti. Will says he was a senator's aide before the fall, and that he used to belong to a settlement. He says the only people he has seen have been the Stalkers who kill and strip the dead.

Howard, Strand and Will stand on the tower roof, where the beacon is shining. Walkers gather in the parking lot below, attracted to the light. Will predicts Alicia will follow the light and find them. Strand remarks that leaders fail when they are too attached to people. Will realizes the beacon is not meant to draw Alicia, but rather to keep everyone away. Strand shoves Will off the roof. Howard asks if he should send a ranger to photograph Will, but Strand says no one is looking for him. Howard says the light may draw Strand's old friends. Strand says they will have to get through the walkers.

"Six Hours"[]

Howard and a crew of rangers ambush Morgan and Grace at the submarine. Howard recognizes their names and tells them Strand built a community. He invites Grace to join but says Morgan is not allowed. Grace refuses to join Strand, despite Morgan's attempts to send her with Mo. Howard leaves. Morgan and Grace discover that Howard raided their pantry.

"Breathe With Me"[]

Howard and Strand ambush Morgan, Sarah, and Josiah when they arrive at a platform on the outskirts of Strand's tower. Strand confirms that Wendell is living at the tower, but refuses to allow Sarah, Morgan or Josiah into his community. He offers to let Wendell come out to see Sarah but warns that he would not allow Wendell to return. Worried that Wendell would leave the tower if he knew she had been there, Sarah begs Strand not to tell Wendell that she came for him. Strand agrees, then leaves.

"Till Death"[]

When Dwight and Sherry respond to a distress call, they are ambushed and held at gunpoint by Howard and his men. Howard tells them he was sent to look for them, before his group bags their heads and takes them to the Tower. At the Tower, Strand enjoys leisure time by hitting golf balls into the outside horde of walkers. Howard approaches him with Dwight and Sherry, presenting them as the "Dark Horses". Strand hysterically laughs in response.

"The Portrait"[]

Howard brings Strand the intake phone to speak with Arnold, a prospective resident who offers his carpentry skills. Strand says they already have someone with Arno's skill set, then hangs up on him. Throughout the week, Strand takes calls from prospective residents while he sits for his portrait. He rejects everyone. Howard suggests Strand at least meet some of the people, but Strand says he's following his instincts.

Strand hurls the portrait off the roof. He orders Howard to find Morgan and grant him entry into the tower. As Strand talks with Morgan about a favor, Howard runs in and says their assailants, the "Stalkers", want to talk to Strand. After talking with Arnold, Strand doubles over in pain and gasps for breath. Strand wakes up in bed and insists he was poisoned. Howard radios John Sr. for a status update from the roof.

John Sr. aims his rifle at the Stalkers, but warns that shooting them would cause a massive explosion. Morgan offers to radio Grace for help, but Strand says there are no radios in the tower. Morgan implores Strand to relay a message to the armory, where the walkies are located. Strand reluctantly agrees. Howard tries to radio the armory, but the line has been severed. Arnold flings another walker at the tower as a warning after spotting John Sr.'s gun. Strand vomits blue liquid. June realizes he was indeed poisoned.

Strand tells Howard and John Sr. that there's a traitor in the tower and insists on going to the armory himself to radio Grace. He lets slip that he turned Sarah away from the tower, much to Wendell's surprise. Strand takes Mo and refuses to give her back unless Morgan accompanies him to the armory. Morgan holds Strand over the edge of the elevator shaft, but Howard shows up and abducts Morgan at gunpoint.

Rangers hold Morgan over the edge of the roof. Grace calls to warn Strand that some of the radioactive walkers joined the herd around the tower and will either explode or leak radiation. She offers to remove the irradiated walkers in exchange for Morgan's life. Strand agrees but says she and Mo must live at the tower. He orders rangers to retrieve his painting. Strand stares at the salvaged painting, now darkened with dirt and grime, and says this is the way people need to see him. He orders Howard to bring Mo so that she can get used to her new father.

"Mourning Cloak"[]

Howard will appear in this episode.

"Sonny Boy"[]

After a search turns up walkies in the rooms of three Tower residents, Howard throws them off of the roof on Strand's orders alongside one of the Rangers. However, a walkie is found in Howard's room as well, causing Strand to threaten to throw Howard off of the Tower as well. Howard insists that he's innocent and that someone had planted it. When word reaches Strand that baby Mo has gone missing, Strand gives Howard until sunrise to find her, promising to spare Howard if he does.

Alone together in Howard's apartment, John examines Howard's collection and Howard admits that he is so desperate to build the Tower in the hopes that his family will find it. Howard explains that before the end of the world, he had forged an important historical letter, causing his wife to leave Howard with his son Matin.

Howard, Strand and some Rangers later rescue John, June and Mo, Howard having intercepted Grace on her way down to help. However, Strand is unsatisfied as John had found the baby and not Howard.

Later, on the roof, Strand orders John to throw Howard off of the roof and to then take his place as Strand's partner. John reluctantly admits to framing Howard with the walkie, shocking both men and amusing Strand. However, Strand is unmoved and continues to order John to kill Howard, threatening the lives of June and Grace if he doesn't. Howard begs John for his life, but, stating that Howard has done the same to other people for far less, John throws Howard off of the roof to his death. Strand then reveals to John that Howard's family are dead and that the Rangers had found them as zombies months ago, having apparently been dead for a long time. Strand had never told Howard in order to keep his hopes up so that Howard would continue serving him faithfully.

The next morning, while passing through the walker moat around the Tower using Howard's collection of artifacts for protection, John encounters a reanimated Howard amongst the herd, lying on the ground with broken legs and broken glasses. Seeing Howard causes John to hesitate for a moment before he moves on.

Season 8[]

"Anton"[]

Howard will appear in this episode.

Death[]

Killed By

On the orders of Strand, John reluctantly throws Howard off of the Tower's roof to his death. He subsequently reanimates.

Killed Victims[]

This list shows the victims Howard has killed:

  • Ali (Alive)
  • At least 3 unnamed Tower residents (Alive)
  • Numerous counts of zombies and possibly unnamed people

Relationships[]

Allies[]

Enemies[]

Appearances[]

Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Appears Voice is heard
👁 Appears with no lines Appears in a flashback
Appears as a walker 🖼 Appears in a photograph/video
Appears as a corpse Appears in a hallucination/dream

Gallery[]

For more images of Howard, please visit Howard (Fear)/Gallery.

Trivia[]

  • Howard shares some similarities with Luke Abrams, as both were teachers before the apocalypse and both are trying to preserve the world of what they had taught, with Luke trying to preserve the world of music and Howard trying to preserve the world of history.
  • The boots in Howard's collection in "Sonny Boy" are listed as belonging to Deadeye Driscoll who had died in them. In "J.D.", John Dorie Sr. mentioned that Deadeye Driscoll was killed by John Dorie II with his family's guns.
  • Omid Abtahi jokingly gave the last name of Hughes to his character since he was not given one by the show.[1]

International Dubbers[]

Language Dubber Other Characters Voiced
Czech Jan Škvor Calvin Jasper
Derek
Frost
French Sébastien Desjours Melvin
German N/A N/A
Hugarian N/A N/A
Italian N/A N/A
Japanese N/A N/A
Portuguese N/A N/A
Spanish (Latin America) N/A N/A
Spanish (Spain) Aleix Estadella N/A

References[]

  1. Tweet by Omid Abtahi, using the official FearTWD account during a takeover.

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