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Marvel Comics Presents launched in 1988 as an ad-free anthology showcasing four eight-page features, stuffed inside a wrap-around cover. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!

Cover Date: Mid November 1989 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Tom Grindberg

Excalibur in “Having A Wild Weekend” part 5 written by Michael Higgins art by Erik Larsen This segment of the story focuses on Nightcrawler‘s prison – trapped in a freakshow and attacked by rip offs of the characters from Rocky & Bullwinkle. Meanwhile, Meggan meets up with Kitty Pryde, who seems to have an idea as to who’s behind everything. At the end, Kitty uses her phasing powers to rescue Nightcrawler, too.

Black Panther in “Panther’s Quest” part 23 written by Don McGregor art by Gene Colan The Black Panther begins his invasion of the estate of Anton Pretorius. He fights his way past an armed watchman and an attack dog only to be stopped by a hidden metal, sharp-toothed, ankle trap.

Coldblood in “Rise and Shine” conclusion written by Doug Moench art by Paul Gulacy Coldblood-7 comes face-to-face with his creator, Mako – encased within his Weapon-Walker (essentially a mech warrior suit). And, with the help of Gina Dyson, our hero is able to destroy the evil weaponeer. Afterwards, they ride off into the sunset in his slick computer-controlled car.

Her in “Gods R’ Us“ written by Fabian Nicieza art by Erik Larsen While soaring through outer space, Her comes across a flotilla of free-floating debris. A sentient computer, an ID-Mark IV, reaches out to communicate with the cosmic heroine. It informs her that the debris comes from the industrious inhabitants of the planet U’Sr’Pr. The planet is named after its ruler, who lives on the only patch of vegetation left on the planet. He believes it serves as a reminder of their society’s unproductive past. But, when Her expresses her disappointment in their treatment of their planet’s ecological system, she siphons all of his power and begins working to reclaim that world’s natural beauty.

Well, this is kind of strange. Last issue’s indicia read “Late December 1989” and this one says “Mid November 1989”. The Coldblood story seemed a bit anti-climactic and didn’t address any of the more interesting aspects of the story: man vs machine within the same body. Initially, the Coldblood feature seemed like it could function independent of the mainstream Marvel Universe but, later stories (in Deathlok as well as Civil War tie-ins) have planted him firmly with the Marvel U. The Black Panther story seemed like a lot of filler and the Her story was very preachy. But, it was nice to get two features with old-school Erik Larsen art. And, it’s worth noting that in her story, Her gets yet another name: Starduster (or J’Ridia in the U’S’Prian language). You can add that to her already long list that includes: Paragon, Kismet and Ayesha. The consequences of this story were later followed up on in Alpha Flight #97-100.

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Black Panther | Coldblood | Excalibur
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Black Panther | Excalibur