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: 1991 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: John Byrne
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Wolverine in “Acts of Vengeance” conclusion written by Howard Mackie art by Mark Texeira After Deathwatch finds out that Langley has commandeered his forces, he snaps the man’s neck – ridding himself of the dissension in his ranks. Now that that problem’s been solved – he’s still faced with Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Brass looking to save some innocent hostages. Deathwatch makes Ghost Rider an offer: kill Wolverine and Brass … and the innocents go free. Feigning compliance, Ghost Rider tosses Wolverine around through many walls until they find where the hostages are being kept. With their friends located, the group beats a hasty retreat before Deathwatch blows the building up. |
Shanna in “The Bush of Ghosts” part 4 written by Gerard Jones art by Paul Gulacy Looking for Sir Guy Cross-Wallace, Shanna meets up with Dubose Wilson (he’s also after Cross-Wallace since the man took his money but failed to deliver the diamonds in their deal). Meanwhile, journalist Eric Heller is on the trail of black market diamond dealers, as well. So, he recruits a local named Jeremy to help him. Jeremy’s on the trail of poachers but, Heller convinces him that they may be searching for the same people. By the end of this issue, Shanna joins Jeremy on his search down-river. |
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Daredevil in “Redemption Song” part 3 written by Sandy Plunkett art by Sandy Plunkett with Dwayne Turner Daredevil breaks into the Octagon building to find out more about their involvement in the deaths of three of their scientists. And, after a quick battle with the security force, he comes face to face with Octagon’s President: Ms. Pinkwater. When he confronts her about Ellington and the other scientists, she reveals that Ellington is the mysterious DJ, Travis T. Hipp. He’s been using the radio and his powers to amass a following. A following that he’s urging to gather together tomorrow … but for what? |
Warlock in “Warlock and the Fleshtones“ written by Scott Lobdell art by Scott McDaniels F.B.I. agent, Patty Kurlychek, is injured in a car chase, trying to capture a trio of renegade scientists. Fortunately for her, Warlock is nearby and rescues her before her care explodes. She recruits him in her mission to find the scientists, but she fears they’ve already injected themselves with their illegal bio-toxins. She reveals that Doctors Mason, Moore and Most were conducting experiments that would give them complete control over their every molecule (kind of like Warlock!). And, it turns out her fears are not unfounded: they have, indeed, mutated and are now calling themselves the Fleshtones. He’s able to defeat them by luring them into some tar pits and then drying the tar around them quickly, keeping them from shapeshifting. |
Although the Wolverine/Ghost Rider story took a neat turn at the end, it wasn’t enough to make it all that interesting. Although, Mark Texeira’s art was a nice treat. The Shanna story continues to come together as the Daredevil feature is primed for its conclusion. Scott Lobdell turns in an all-ages, fun Warlock tale that’s a little cheesy – but, since it’s Warlock, it really seems to work. He’s got the voice of the character down perfectly. I enjoyed this the most of the four features this issue.
This issue included the USPS Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation that revealed some interesting numbers:
Total Number of Copies Printed (net press run). Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months. 230,744 (down 18% from the previous year). Single issue nearest to filing date: 214,528 (down 12.5% from the previos year).
Paid Circulation:
1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 131,788 (down 19% from the previous year). Single issue nearest to filing date: 124,100 (down 6% from the previous year).
2) Mail subscriptions: Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 413 (up 79.5% from the previous year). Single issue nearest to filing date: 500 (up 66.67% from the previous year).
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: 97,843 (down 16.75% from the previous year). Single issue nearest to filing date: 89,228 (down 22% from the previous year).
On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Daredevil | Shanna | Warlock
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Daredevil | Shanna | Warlock