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August 17, 2012

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #75

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 6:46 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!


Marvel Comics Presents #75
Cover Date: 1991 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith (front); Mark Badger (back)


Wolverine in “Weapon X” part 3
written by Barry Windsor-Smith
art by Barry Windsor-Smith

Logan burst forth from the lab but collapsed once the life-support lines were torn from his body. As the scientists look in on their subject, it becomes clear that the Professor had long since suspected Logan’s mutant origins – and he fills Doctor Abraham Cornelius in on his theory about homo superior. The Professor also reveals Logan‘s past as a government agent which stands in sharp contrast to the animal-like beast he’s become. The Professor charges Dr. Cornelius with the task of training and “programming” Logan.

Shanna in “The Bush of Ghosts” part 8
written by Gerard Jones
art by Paul Gulacy

Mchele is quickly gunned down by Sir Guy Cross-Wallace‘s troops but, in the chaos, Shanna breaks loose. In the conflict that arises between Shanna and Cross-Wallace’s men, a jaguar is killed that came to her aid.

Meggan/Shadow Cat in “Charmed Lives
written by Sue Flaxman
art by Gavin Curtis

In the waters off the shore of Excalibur’s lighthouse, Shadow Cat and Meggan rescue two men: Mischa and Yuri. They reveal that they are scientists who were working for Roxxon when they made a discovery that, they realized, could be turned into a biological weapon. They escaped before Roxxon could get their hands on the formula but an assassin had been sent after them. The killer, Cypress, has followed them to Excalibur’s base where Meggan and Shadow Cat aid in defeating him … but at what cost?

Doctor Doom in “Triumph
written by Dave Cockrum
art by Dave Cockrum

Doctor Doom … is bored. And, in his boredom, he decides to create a device that allows him to harness cosmic energies. Armed with new-found power, he strikes out at New York City where he’s met with resistance in the form of heroes. Many heroes! Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers – and more! But, eventually, they all fall to the power of Doom. Even the Silver Surfer is reduced to human form before Doom’s new powers. And, just as Doom is about to conquer the entire Earth – we discover it’s all a dream. Actually, a nightmare – of Franklin Richard’s.

In the Weapon X feature, we start to see some strong personalities emerge from the Professor and Doctor Cornelius. The Professor is revealed to be manipulative while Cornelius seems to be a concerned and sympathetic character. Shanna’s story spotlights a lot of action this issue, as she is chased through a herd of hippos by Africans armed with guns. The Excalibur story is mostly a throw-away tale … and, even worse, the fate of the Russians isn’t entirely spelled out – leaving the reader hanging. With all the recent ____ vs the Marvel Universe series we’ve seen, this Doctor Doom short seems like an early prototype. And, before you complain about it “being a dream” – remember, those other stories aren’t in continuity either – so they count just as much.

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Excalibur | Shanna | Doctor Doom
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Excalibur | Shanna | Doom

August 16, 2012

Famous Fanmail #124 Dean Mullaney

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 10:28 am

You may not be surprised to learn that most people in the comic business grew up reading comic books. However, you might be interested in knowing what they were reading. Here’s a look at “Famous Fanmail”!

Dean Mullaney founded Eclipse, one of the earliest independent comics publishers, in 1977. He got a letter printed in Astonishing Tales #27 (cover date – December 1974), weighing in on the debut of Deathlok.

Astonishing Tales letters page with Roger Slifer

On Ebay: Astonishing Tales | Dean Mullaney
On AtomicAvenue: Astonishing Tales

August 15, 2012

Connecting Covers #32 Terminator

Filed under: Connecting Covers — Doorman @ 9:26 am

A fun aspect of comic books is that sometimes their covers combine to make an even larger image. Here’s a look at some connecting covers.

Painkiller Jane debuted in the pages of 22 Brides and quickly moved on to her own series, published by Event Comics in 1997. In December 2005, SciFi adapted the character into a made-for-tv movie that led to a single-season television series. With the newly-acquired attention, Dynamite Comics launched a second Painkiller Jane comics series. By the time they followed that up with her third series, they had also acquired the rights to publish Terminator comics and both characters were thrown together in a crossover story. The story continued into Terminator 2 #6 – both variants combine into the image below.

Terminator 2 #6

On Ebay: Painkiller Jane | Terminator
On AtomicAvenue: Painkiller Jane | Terminator

August 14, 2012

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #124 Flash

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 8:59 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.

Mike Mignola pays homage to a classic Flash cover by Carmine Infantino.

Flash #174
the Flash #174
November 1967
Carmine Infantino
Secret Origins vol. III #41
Secret Origins vol. III #41
June 1989
Mike Mignola

On Ebay: Flash
On AtomicAvenue: Flash

August 13, 2012

Guide to Marvel Two-In-One interlude

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Two-In-One — Doorman @ 11:40 am

Marvel Two-In-One launched in 1974, teaming the Thing with a different hero each month. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!

Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: 1976
Cover Price: 50¢
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Sal Buscema

WHO stars in this issue?

the Thing – Benjamin J. Grimm was bombarded by cosmic rays in a space exploration flight, alongside three friends. The cosmic rays gave each of them different powers, and they formed the Fantastic Four. Ben underwent the most physical change of the foursome: his skin mutated into orange rock and, as a result, he gained super-strength. At this point in Marvel Continuity, Ben Grimm was reverted back to human form but he operated an exo-skeleton armor created by Reed Richards that was made to look exactly like the Thing.

Liberty Legion– a super-team that fought the Axis influence in the United States during World War II. The team consists of the Whizzer, Miss America, Red Raven, Jack Fost, Blue Diamond, Thin Man and the Patriot.

WHAT happens?

After the events in Fantastic Four Annual #11, Reed Richards surmised that the missing half of the vibranium they recovered was destroyed in the blast. But, the Watcher’s presence seems to indicate that everything was not fixed with the timestream. With the rest of the Fantastic Four gone, it’s up to the Thing to figure out what happened to the rest of the vibranium cylinder – and he seems to have a hunch that, when it was sent back in time, it was broken in half by a “time wedge”. One half ended up in occupied Europe (see FF Annual #11), now it’s up to the Thing to go back in time again to recover the other half, lest its presence in the past change the present!



This time, he arrives in New York City of 1942 – just in time for SkyShark‘s air raid on the Big Apple. Before the Thing can even catch his wits, the Liberty Legion bursts into action to stop the German attack on American soil. They manage to destroy all of the Stukas but one – SkyShark makes a hasty retreat accompanied by the Japanese villain, Slicer. The Liberty Legion hops into the Thin Man‘s plane to chase after the Nazi villain – leaving the Thing behind in their NYC headquarters.

The Liberty Legion assumes that SkyShark is bound for the government’s aircraft plant in upstate New York – although, we discover that he’s veered off to a secret base (a metal platform in the Atlantic Ocean). Once the Legion arrives at the plant, they discover it’s being attacked by Master Man – so they leap into action against the Nazi villain. But, they’re not able to defeat him – he breaks into the plant and runs away with their experimental cockpit, which he was sent to steal for SkyShark.

Meanwhile, Meranno the U-Man steals an experimental jet engine from another laboratory out from under the Legion’s noses. And, back at Legion HQ, the Thing spies a jet-propelled, Swastika-shaped aircraft that’s destroying the city!



WHERE does the story take place?

New York City in 1942 with a side mission to upstate New York.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

The villains (SkyShark, Slicer, Meranno and Master Man) will all appear in Marvel Two-In-One #20 – the continuation of this story.



WHY are the Liberty Legion the guest-leads?

After the early success of the Invaders, Roy Thomas expanded Marvel’s “golden-age” super-hero line-up by introducing the Lethal Legion – the homefront version of the Invaders. They took over the lead of Marvel Premiere for two issues in 1976 but didn’t prove popular enough to maintain an ongoing. It would appear that their inclusion here was Roy Thomas’ way of getting them some more audience exposure.

HOW was it?

As a Marvel Two-In-One issue, it wasn’t very good since the Thing has very little to do. Nearly the entire issue was either a flashback to events from Fantastic Four Annual #11 or Liberty Legion action – of which, the Thing was left out of since they left him at their HQ when they took off for action. I enjoyed the time-travel aspect of the first part of the story but this just feels redundant. Actually, worse – it just feels like a way to ram the Liberty Legion down the readers’ throats. I’m hoping the story improves in its concluding chapter.

On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Liberty Legion
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Two-In-One

August 10, 2012

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #74

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 9:00 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!


Marvel Comics Presents #74
Cover Date: 1991 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith (front); Sam Kieth (back)


Wolverine in “Weapon X” part 2
written by Barry Windsor-Smith
art by Barry Windsor-Smith

As the adamantium-infusing process continues, the Professor finds out that Logan is a mutant – armed with a healing factor. They also discover an excess drain of adamantium at his hands and wrists (we know it’s because of his claws – he’s got more bones there than average humans). Logan pops his claws and begins writhing in pain. The Professor sends the status-tech worker from lab two in to try to help Logan but the boy is quickly murdered by Logan. Doctor Abraham Cornelius is horrified by the death but the Professor seems oddly … impressed.

Shanna in “The Bush of Ghosts” part 7
written by Gerard Jones
art by Paul Gulacy

Sir Guy Cross-Wallace is alerted to Shanna and her friends’ attack on his citadel. He orders his troops to take them all alive – and, soon after they do, Shanna is prepared for a ceremony to be made Cross-Wallace’s bride. Cross-Wallace summons forth the wedding meal – which is revealed to be the body of Shanna’s friend, Eric Heller! At this disturbing sight, Mchele goes berserk, grabs a gun from a nearby guard and starts slaughtering Cross-Wallace’s soldiers.

Constrictor in “the Freebie
written by Scott Lobdell
art by Scott McDaniel

Years ago, when Frank Schlichting was a young boy, his mother and sister were killed by his mom’s boyfriend, McAvey. The man frightened the young boy into not testifying – so he went free. In the present, Schlichting is the villain known as the Constrictor. And, when he finds out that McAvey has returned, the Constrictor decides to make the murderer as frightened of living each day as young Frank was.

Iceman/Human Torch in “Absolute Zero
written by Dan Mishkin
art by Joe Staton

The villain, Firebomb, kidnaps the Humans Torch’s wife, Alicia, and straps her to a time bomb. It’s a race against time as the Human Torch and Iceman have to free her before she’s blown to bits.

It’s important to remember that, at this point in Wolverine’s history, we didn’t know whether his claws were created by Weapon X or just enhanced by them. This issue doesn’t make the distinction, but you could make the case for either proposal. What was done to Shanna’s friend Eric Heller was truly gruesome! Constrictor’s tale of revenge was a successful way of building some empathy towards this adamantium-enhanced villain (just how many people have access to this rare metal?!). The Torch/Iceman team up offers nothing in the way of character development and it doesn’t even show the villain mentioned throughout the story – totally skippable. It’s very cool to see a Sam Kieth cover on this issue. And, while his Human Torch is kind of funky looking, the other three came out really well.

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Iceman | Shanna | Constrictor | Human Torch
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Iceman | Shanna | Human Torch

August 9, 2012

Famous Fanmail #123 Roger Slifer

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 12:00 pm

You may not be surprised to learn that most people in the comic business grew up reading comic books. However, you might be interested in knowing what they were reading. Here’s a look at “Famous Fanmail”!

Roger Slifer is a comics writer who’s worked for both Marvel and DC. He had a short run on the Defenders but he’s best known for writing the Omega Men and co-creating Lobo. He got a letter printed in Astonishing Tales #24 (cover date – June 1974), lending his praise to the title’s It, the Living Colossus feature.

Astonishing Tales letters page with Roger Slifer

On Ebay: Astonishing Tales | Roger Slifer
On AtomicAvenue: Astonishing Tales

August 8, 2012

Connecting Covers #31 10th Muse

Filed under: Connecting Covers — Doorman @ 12:00 pm

A fun aspect of comic books is that sometimes their covers combine to make an even larger image. Here’s a look at some connecting covers.

The 10th Muse follows the modern-day daughter of the Greek god Zeus. Initially, photo variants were printed with Rena Mero in cosplay as the title character. She was later replaced by Cindy Margolis.

10th Muse #2

On Ebay: 10th Muse
On AtomicAvenue: 10th Muse

August 7, 2012

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #123 Legion of Super-Heroes

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 12:00 pm

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.

DC Comics allowed Mark Waid to create a new jumping on point for the Legion of Super-Heroes with their fifth series in 2005.

Legion of Super-Heroes vol. V #1
Legion of Super-Heroes vol. V #1
February 2005
Barry Kitson
Legion of Super-Heroes vol. V #7
Legion of Super-Heroes vol. V #7
August 2005
Barry Kitson

On Ebay: Legion of Super-Heroes
On AtomicAvenue: Legion of Super-Heroes

August 6, 2012

Guide to Marvel Two-In-One interlude

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Two-In-One — Doorman @ 12:23 pm

Marvel Two-In-One launched in 1974, teaming the Thing with a different hero each month. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!

Fantastic Four Annual #11Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: 1976
Cover Price: 50¢
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema

WHO stars in this issue?

the Thing – Benjamin J. Grimm was bombarded by cosmic rays in a space exploration flight, alongside three friends. The cosmic rays gave each of them different powers, and they formed the Fantastic Four. Ben underwent the most physical change of the foursome: his skin mutated into orange rock and, as a result, he gained super-strength. At this point in Marvel Continuity, Ben Grimm was reverted back to human form but he operated an exo-skeleton armor created by Reed Richards that was made to look exactly like the Thing.

Fantastic Four – Four adventurers who were mutated by cosmic rays. Mr. Fantastic: his elastic body allows him to stretch it any way he wants. The Invisible Woman can create invisible force fields and turn herself invisible. The Human Torch can fly and generate flames. The fourth member is the Thing: super-strength.

Invaders – a super-team that fought for the Allies in World War II. Members include Captain America and Bucky, Namor the Sub-Mariner, the original Human Torch and his sidekick, Toro.

WHAT happens?

The Fantastic Four have some money problems and the Thing wants to use their time machine to travel back to California, two weeks before the Gold Rush of 1849, to cash in. But, in the room where the device is kept, he finds a squad of Nazi soldiers! They’re quickly subdued by the Fantastic Four and Reed Richards checks his time machine to discover that they Nazis came from London in the year … 1946?! We all know that the Nazis were defeated in 1945 – so what gives?



Reed Richards surmises that a hunk of vibranium (that has since gone missing) may have fallen onto the time machine during Luke Cage’s attack (in Fantastic Four #169). Later, the time machine may have been accidentally activated, sending the vibranium back in time where the Nazis got hold of it. They must have used the vibranium to develop better weapons early, giving them a distinct advantage that allowed them to win World War II. Now, the Fantastic Four must travel back in time to when the vibranium was sent and retrieve it before it can fall into the wrong hands.

The Fantastic Four materialize in early 1942 inside the Invaders‘ bunker. The “golden-age” super-team springs into action, thinking the Fantastic Four are Nazi invaders. After a brief heroes vs heroes battle, both teams figure out they’re on the same side. The nine heroes hop into the Sub-Mariner’s aircraft and fly to Castle Cherbelle – the base of Nazi leader, Baron Zemo – in the hopes of recovering the vibranium.



The heroes split into teams of three. Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman and Namor the Sub-Mariner fight through squads of Nazis. Captain America, Bucky and the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) take on Baron Zemo, himself (although he beats a hasty retreat). The original Human Torch, Toro and the Thing encounter the Nazi Colonel who has a handful of vibranium-enhanced rockets primed for an attack on England. The Torch and Toro manage to destroy all but one rocket before they can be launched. Using some quick reflexes, the Thing grabs hold of the missile as it takes off. He manages to reroute the guidance system and send the missile back to Castle Cherbelle!

When the Thing wakes up from the blast, he’s greeted by the Fantastic Four and they explain that they’re back in the year 1976. The remainder of the vibranium was taken back with them (Reed assumes the other half was used in those rockets from earlier) and the Nazi Castle was destroyed (but not before the Invaders managed to escape to safety). As the team leaves to unwind for the night, the Thing stays behind in the time machine’s room. Suddenly, the Watcher appears – his presence suggests that there’s something that remains to be fixed with the timeline and the Thing decides to finish the job, even if he has to go back to 1942 by himself.



WHERE does the story take place?

The story starts in the Fantastic Four’s headquarters, the Baxter Building, in Manhattan, New York. But, the big battle against the Nazis takes place in Castle Cherbelle – located in Nazi-occupied France.

WHEN does the villain next appear?

The Baron Zemo of this alternate time-line hasn’t been seen since – but, then again, neither has this timeline.



WHY are the Invaders the guest-lead?

At this time, Roy Thomas was writing the Fantastic Four and his book, the Invaders, had launched the year before. It seemed like a neat idea to have a crossover between Marvel’s First Family and their 1940s WWII heroes. It was also a great way to introduce regular Fantastic Four readers to the Invaders and a fun way to celebrate America’s Bicentennial by looking back to the era that spawned its “greatest generation”.

HOW was it?

This was truly a fun, time-traveling story complete with the creation of an alternate timeline. I know it’s cliched to have the heroes fight each other but, I would have liked to see that battle go on for longer than it did. I found it strange that, at the end, the Thing seems to think he’ll have to fix everything on his own – it’s not like the rest of the Fantastic Four were out of the state or country (or even, planet!) – they were just going back to their rooms to shower off and relax after the big battle they just had. I’m sure they’d quickly jump back into action, if need be. We’ll see how this story plays out since it’s continued in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1.

On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Fantastic Four | Invaders
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Two-In-One | Fantastic Four | Invaders

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