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: Mike Thomas with Klaus Janson
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Wolverine in “Acts of Vengeance” part 1 written by Howard Mackie art by Mark Texeira In Madripoor, Logan gets caught up in a bar fight but gets out of it by upping the tough guy posturing. Over in Brooklyn, Dan Ketch is attacked by three rowdy drunks but rescued by his karate-trained friend, Jack D’auria. After the bar-fight, Logan is attacked by ninjas that look like the Hand. And, similarly, when Jack takes Dan to meet his sensei, they’re attacked by the same type of ninjas. Dan recognizes them as Deathwatch‘s goons – he transforms into Ghost Rider to defeat them. Why has Deathwatch sent his men after Wolverine? That’s what Logan intends to find out since his next destination is now New York. |
Poison in “Vandals of the Heart” part 5 written by Steve Gerber art by Cindy Martin Foxy tracks down Trinity Joe and assails him with gunfire. Poison feels the attack through the psychic thread that binds her to Joe (although he is unaware it exists). A short time later, Trinity Joe shows up in the hospital – he’s still alive. And, at the Slug‘s estate, we discover that Joe’s magical mop has melted Foxy’s right hand! Through her connection, Poison feels that the mop (which Joe has named “Myrna”) is searching for him – it was left behind when he was taken to the hospital. Poison seeks out Sally and Dallas – to make them pay for their involvement in Joe’s misery. |
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Fantastic Four in “Dark Dimensions” part 1 written by Robert Denatale art by Mike Harris In a lab experiment, Mr. Fantastic is conducting an experiment with his molecular regenerator. Somehow, the device manages to deposit a naked, white-skinned humanoid right into his lab! He acts quickly to subdue the confused, distorted-looking being that has launched into attack mode – perhaps due to its strange, new surroundings. Reed creates a brain analyzer in the hopes of communicating with the being. It reveals that the creature brain’s is set up to process a completely different set of sense from humans. That infers that it comes from a universe completely different from ours. Ever the explorer, Reed can’t pass up the opportunity to look into such a strange, new place as he returns the being to its home. |
Blade in “Vampires“ written by Marcus McLaurin art by Malcolm Davis What’s a vampire hunter to do once all the vampires have been destroyed (as they were in Doctor Strange #62)? Well, while his vampire-hunting partners (Hannibal King & Frank Drake) are out hunting the Darkholders, Blade goes on a talk show. But, the host, Tony Hubris Jr., is very skeptical about Blade’s claim that he played a part in destroying all vampires – let alone that vampires even existed. But, while he was on the show, Darkholders broke into the green room and stole his girlfriend, Safron. King and Drake burst onto the scene – they reveal the Darkholders have regained control of the Book of the Darkhold – it contains the spell that can unleash vampires on the world again. The spell requires a blood sacrifice – Safron’s capture begins to make more sense with that in mind. But, fortunately for Safron, Blade reaches them in time to stop her death. |
The Wolverine/Ghost Rider story gets off to an interesting start – after all, what beef does Deathwatch have with Wolverine? After last issue’s set-up, it’s nice to see the Poison feature make some progress. I’m not sure where the Fantastic Four tale is going – it seems like it might be a series of spotlight stories … or, it might be one continuous story. I guess I’ll find out with next issue. The Blade solo was quite anti-climatic. I suppose it’s kind of hard to write a story about a vampire-hunter when all the vampires are dead.
On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Fantastic Four | Blade
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Fantastic Four | Blade