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: Barry Windsor-Smith (front); Mike Mignola (back)

Wolverine in “Weapon X” part 7 written by Barry Windsor-Smith art by Barry Windsor-Smith After a brief test run, Weapon X seems to be fully in their control – although, he needs to be suited with the clunky helmet and a couple of 10lb. battery packs in order to maintain that control. The Professor feels that Weapon X is ready for the “great test” – hunting the most dangerous game: man. But, before they can set up the test – Weapon X breaks free!

Sgt. Fury/Dracula in “Rumanian Rumble” conclusion written by Doug Murray art by Tom Lyle Dino and Pinky return to Nick Fury and the rest of the Howling Commandos to let them know that their host is actually Count Dracula. After a heated discussion, the team decides that as long as Dracula is interested in defeating the Nazis, they’ll stick with him. Nick Fury, two Howlers and Count Dracula enter the Nazi camp to free Dracula’s people. At the site of their lord, Dracula, the villagers turn against their Nazi captors. Dracula’s people are freed – and Nick Fury signals the bomb squadron that flies in to destroy the Nazis’ most important source of fuel. Both parties have achieved their goals and part ways with mutual respect.

Sunspot in “the Tender and the Vulgar“ written by Daryl Edelman art by John Byrne In the Brazilian rainforest, Sunspot rescues his friend, Christina Aguilar, from a felled tree that nearly landed upon her. Later that evening, Sunspot is invited to have dinner with the Aguilar family – but it is rudely interrupted by vicious, mutant-hating thugs. Although Sunspot had not absorbed enough solar energy to summon his powers, the attack spurs his anger, which sparks his solar energy powers. The attackers are quickly defeated once Sunspot’s powers kick into full gear.

Doctor Strange in “A Nightmare on Bleecker Street“ written by Robert Campanella art by Steve Geiger Sara Wolff takes Doctor Strange to the movies to see A Sleepless Night on Sequioa Street (essentially, A Nightmare on Elm Street … but they can’t call it that due to copyright issues, naturally). Later that evening, Doctor Strange‘s home is attacked by Eddy (from the horror movie). The Master of the Mystic Arts will need to figure out the secret behind Eddy’s attack if he’s to save the lives of Sara and Wong!

I’m really enjoying the character development of Doctor Abraham Cornelius, who is growing more concerned about the Professor’s intention for Weapon X. The Nick Fury/Dracula team-up as a neat addition to Marvel’s WWII history. The Sunspot story was a big sulk-fest with lots of “boo hoo, I’m a mutant”. Also, somehow, Sunspot was able to utilize his anger to spark his solar energy powers. Seems to me that the writer just invented this for the story (are there any New Mutants fans out there that let us know if this has a basis anywhere else?). And finally, the last tale is probably the closest thing you’ll ever get to Doctor Strange vs Freddy Krueger!

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Doctor Strange | Sunspot | Nick Fury | Dracula
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Doctor Strange | Nick Fury | Dracula | New Mutants

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: Barry Windsor-Smith (front); Al Milgrom (back)

Wolverine in “Weapon X” part 6 written by Barry Windsor-Smith art by Barry Windsor-Smith The Professor is upset to learn that his control over Weapon X only extends as far as a three-mile radius. He demands a ten-mile radius, even though Doctor Abraham Cornelius explains that Weapon X will need to be weighed down by larger batteries to power the extended range. Days later, Cornelius demonstrates that when the power is on, the Professor has complete control over Weapon X within a nine-mile radius. When the power is off, Weapon X’s body shuts down – essentially “dead meat”. Testing the shut down body, the Professor pours a hot cup of coffee on Logan’s face without receiving a reaction.

Sgt. Fury/Dracula in “Rumanian Rumble” part 2 written by Doug Murray art by Tom Lyle When Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos land within the Nazi-occupied town, they’re set upon by a large force that was expecting them. In the battle, they discover that the town is a paper mache facade and then they’re rescued by Dracula. The Lord of Vampires introduces himself as Count Tsepes, leader of the Underground, and convinces them that they’re on the same side. He leads them to the real town of Ploesti, where the Nazis have taken his people captive, and asks for their help in freeing them. With the dawn approaching, Dracula takes Fury and his men back to his castle to rest while they prepare for their siege under the next night’s cover. But, while the men sleep, two of them (Dino and Pinky) decide to do some snooping – and they discover that Count Tsepes is the legendary Count Dracula!

Iron Man in “Games“ written by Doug Murray art by Ken Steacy James Rhodes downloads an unlicensed Avengers computer game and unknowingly allows a virus to infect Iron Man‘s armor. Flying above Disneyland, the armor malfunctions and nearly destroys some famous attractions. When he finally regains full control of the armor, Iron Man devises a way to pay back the unlicensed game’s programmers.

Hulk/Selene in “Not Interested“ written by Dwight Zimmerman art by Brian Stelfreeze Selene, the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, is bored … a dangerous thing for one so powerful as she. She notices a group of men being tossed out of a bar and suspects that the person who has thrown them out may be able to alleviate her boredom. That bouncer? The Hulk! Selene buys the Hulk a pitcher of beer for, she has selected him to be her consort for the evening. Much to her surprise, he responds: “Not interested”. When she approaches him in an even more forthcoming manner, he still has the same reply. Can this powerful woman, who’s used to getting what she wants, get the Hulk to relent to her advances?

The tension over how far the Professor’s control over Weapon X extends is really starting to mount here. This issue marks the first meeting between Nick Fury and Count Dracula. Iron Man’s story was quite bland but the Sadie Hawkins’ style Selene-on-Hulk story was a quick, fun read.

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Iron Man | Hulk | Nick Fury | Dracula
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Iron Man | Nick Fury | Dracula | Hulk