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!
Marvel Comics Presents #49
Cover Date: 1990 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Erik Larsen
Wolverine in "Life's End" part 2
written by Erik Larsen
art by Erik Larsen
Spider-Man and Wolverine find the kidnapped girl and take on her captors: Critical Mass and his Baddies (Whiplash, Bloodlust, the Savage Fin and an unnamed burglar). And, as our heroes start to win the day, the mutants make the little girl user her (previously unrevealed) powers to stop Spidey & Logan.
Devil-Slayer in "Lost Souls" conclusion
written by Dwight Zimmerman
art by Rodney Ramos
Devil-Slayer is met in battle with the triple threat of the Flying Dutchman, Colonel McCloskey and Colonel Ramirez. The Dutchman opens an abyss that serves as the entrance to Mephisto's realm - and, in their fight, Colonel Ramirez plunches into it, head-first. Colonel McCloskey almost meets the same fate but, he manages to cling to the edge with one hand. Before he can fall, Devil-Slayer defeats the Dutchman with a bottle full of Holy Water and then saves McCloskey's life. The Flying Dutchman is wounded and retreats, leaving Devil-Slayer with his soul still intact. Eric Simon Payne then decides that he's been granted a second chance at life and will give up being the Devil-Slayer.
Daredevil in "White Messiah"
written by John Figueroa
art by Ron Wilson
In his latest attempt to bust up a drug-deal, Daredevil comes face to face with the villain named Scope. He's got hyper-sensitive senses, too ... but he's not blind! How's Daredevil going to get himself out of this one?
Gladiator in "the Unbeatable Foe"
written by Len Kaminsky
art by Don Heck
Gladiator has sworn to serve she who sits upon the Shi'ar Empire's throne. Currently, the ruler is Deathbird who has taken the throne from her sister by force. And, even though he is not happy about it, Gladiator continues to uphold his vow of service. Torn by his actions, he flies to Sector 9511 of the Shi'ar Galaxy to blow off some steam by flying through stars and destroying the landscapes of dead planets. On one of these planets he's attacked by a Devonian Xontar - a foe whose powers are fed by its enemy. The more you struggle, the stronger it becomes. It takes a while - but, eventually, Gladiator realizes that the only way to beat this foe is to give up and stop struggling. And, by surrendering his rage, the attack has ended. He is free to pursue loftier goals - as is his heart.
Well, this is an MCP first! It's the second consecutive cover done by the same artist. This "award" goes to Erik Larsen, who's also the writer and artist on the Spider-Man/Wolverine feature. His story seems to include some strange coincidences. It takes place in the abandoned warehouse where Spider-Man first tracked down his Uncle Ben's killer. Spider-Man recognizes the villain, Critical Mass, as a kid from his fourth grade class. And, the unnamed burglar bears a striking resemblance to the one who killed Uncle Ben (but, didn't he die in Amazing Spider-Man #200?). Topping it off, there's also the debut of the Savage Fin who looks very similar to Larsen's creator-owned Savage Dragon (his title hit stands two years later). Zimmerman's Devil-Slayer feature is intended to be a true ending to the saga of the Slayer - this is certainly not how I thought this tale would end but it's neat to see our hero at peace with himself. Will it last? The Daredevil solo was pretty bland but Gladiator's was a great feature of his abilities and also added some interesting character moments as his great rage was quelled. This issue included the USPS Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation that revealed some interesting numbers: Total Number of Copies Printed (net press run). Avernage number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months. 281,765. Single issue nearest to filing date: 245,225. Paid Circulation: 1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 163,295. Single issue nearest to filing date: 132,100. 2) Mail subscriptions: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 230. Single issue nearest to filing date: 300. Copies Not Distributed: 1) Office use, left-over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 600. Single issue nearest to filing date: 600. 2) Returns from News Agents: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 117,515. Single issue nearest to filing date: 114,100. On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Devil-Slayer | Daredevil | Gladiator On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Devil-Slayer | Daredevil