Religion: Gnostic (Gnosticology) 
Name: Alvin
Other Names: Alvin the gnostician; Alvin the gnosticologist
Classification:
supporting character
Publisher(s): 
First Appearance: Howard the Duck (vol. 1) #11 (Apr. 1977)
Creators: Steve Gerber, Gene Colan, Steve Leialoha
Number of Appearances: 1
Gender: male
Note: fanatical; accosted Howard the Duck on bus
Synopsis: Howard takes a bus ride back to Cleveland, aboard which he is confronted by representatives of various religions, and by the Kidney Lady. Alvin tried to sell Howard the Duck a book about Gnosticology. It is quite possible that Gnosticology was writer Steve Gerber's fictional version of Scientology rather than any type of statement on traditional Gnosticism. Gerber's use of "Gnosticology" predates by 3 decades the advent of an Internet-based Gnosticology church (see: http://gnosticology.googlepages.com/), which was set up in 2006 - originally as a parody of Scientology before becoming more serious.
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/howardtheduck.htm
- http://darkmark6.tripod.com/howard_the_duck_index.html
- http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/a.htm
- https://www.comics.org/issue/30972/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=32099
- http://gnosticology.googlepages.com/