Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #92 Ms. Marvel

January 3, 2012

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #92 Ms. Marvel

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 9:26 am

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

This is less a swipe than it is an easy way for Marvel to publish two variant covers while only having to pay for one. The story inside is pretty fun, though. Ms. Marvel takes on the new “Ms. Marvel” of Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign: Moonstone!

Ms. Marvel vol. II #46
December 2009
Sana Takeda

Ms. Marvel vol. II #46
December 2009
Sana Takeda

On Ebay: Ms. Marvel
On AtomicAvenue: Ms. Marvel

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January 2, 2012

One-Shot At Greatness #92 Spider-Boy Team-Up

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 10:05 am

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Spider-Boy Team-Up #1 Publisher: Amalgam Comics
Cover Date: July 1997
Cover Price: $1.95
Writer: Roger Stern & Karl Kesel
Artist: Jose Ladronn

When the DC and Marvel Universes merged in Marvel vs DC, a new one was created: the Amalgam Universe. This one-shot combined Superboy with Spider-Man.

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

During a battle with the Scavulture, Spider-Boy is at the mercy of the villain’s Evil Eye. And, just as the eye’s energy blast is about to hit him, Spider-Boy is trapped within a Time Square and transported to the future – the year 2099, to be exact – by the Legion of Galactic Guardians 2099. They reveal that his memory inspired the formation of their team. He’s been plucked from the past, moments before his death, so they can meet him face to face. But, it’s got to be a short meeting since he can only stay for ten minutes or so before it starts to place stress on the time-stream.

Things get bad when the Frightful Five break into the Legion’s headquarters and smash the Time Square Generator. So, our heroes have to stop the Frightful Five and figure out a way to send Spider-Boy back to his own time before a chronal collapse is triggered. And, even then, Spider-Boy is still at the mercy of Scavulture’s deadly energy blast. Sheesh! All this … and the first appearance of Spider-Boy 2099, as well!

There’s certainly a lot of time-travel going on in this book but, fortunately, it’s not super-confusing. Ladronn’s art is really channelling Jack Kirby – which seems to work well for this story. Stern & Kesel’s tale is quite in-depth – there’s a lot going on but it’s not so overwhelming that it gets beyond your grasp of understanding. Plus, it was neat to see the way they worked in the origin of Spider-Boy 2099. All in all, it was a fun read but nothing strong enough to make me wish for another one.

On Ebay: Amalgam | Karl Kesel | Jose Ladronn
On AtomicAvenue: Amalgam Comics

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Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #42

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 10:04 am

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: 1990 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Bob Layton

Wolverine in “Black Shadow, White Shadow” part 5
written by Marv Wolfman
art by John Buscema

Wolverine leaps onto the lead horse, leads him away from his companions (Mai, Hsiao and Ch’un), and the herd follow. But, what spooked the horses to begin with? When they reach the source, they discover it’s the Black Shadow. Hsiao grabs his grenades and launches a suicide attack on the monster. Unfortunately the Black Shadow is hardly affected by the explosion. Soon, the White Shadow appears and warns off Wolverine, Mai and Ch’un so that it can do battle with Black Shadow, without harming them.

Wonder Man in “Stardust Miseries” part 5
written by Michael Higgins
art by Javier Saltares

After blinking out, last issue, Wonder Man re-appears in the Enchantress‘ place in Beverly Hills. In her new plan, she changes Simon’s appearance to look like Hank Pym (formerly Ant-Man/Goliath/Giant-Man/Yellowjacket) and sends him to capture the Wasp. Amora intends to use her as bait to lure the rest of the Avengers to their deaths.

Union Jack in “the Establishment“
written by Fabian Nicieza
art by Kieron Dwyer

The latest Union Jack (Joey Chapman) has dedicated his life to protecting the people of the United Kingdom – even against their own government officials and policemen. Patrolling at night, he discovers some cops attempting to arrest some hooligans vandalizing London’s landmarks. Suprisingly, Union Jack leaps into action against the police, allowing the graffiti artists to run free. But, when he discovers the same punks are going to hit Falsworth Manor (the home of the original Union jack), will he still stand up for their right to protest against the “old ways”?

Daughters of the Dragon in “Armed and Dangerous“
written by Jo Duffy
art by Chris Tsuda

Mr. Vandenberger has hired Misty Knight and Colleen Wing to put an end to the threats of terrorism on his family circus. And, he’s shocked when they reveal that the villain is none other than his own brother, who stands to inherit the other half of the family business.

After much confusion over the cover date, the indicia has been simplified to just the year, now. Union Jack’s story stands out as the most heartfelt of the four features and lends some interesting insight into his inner character.

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January 3, 2012