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.
Dreamwave’s 2002 launch of Transformers: Generation One proved successful enough to warrant a second mini-series (and later, a third). As an incentive to buy both variants for each issue, each set combines into a larger issue. Here’s a look at vol. II #1.
On Ebay: Transformers
On AtomicAvenue: Transformers
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.
These Savage Dragon covers bear a striking resemblance.
 the Savage Dragon vol. II #1 June 1993 Erik Larsen |
 the Savage Dragon vol. II #159 April 2010 Erik Larsen |
On Ebay: Savage Dragon
On AtomicAvenue: Savage Dragon
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!Spoilers appear below – You’ve been warned!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: August 1977
Cover Price: 30¢
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: John Buscema
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.
Spider-Woman – As a child, Jessica Drew was lethally poisoned by radiation. To save her life, her father injected her with an experimental serum (devised from an irradiated spider’s blood) and then placed in a genetic accelerator by the High Evolutionary. When she emerged, she found that she had developed a number of super-powers including super-strength, speed, immunity to poisons and the ability to generated a “venom blast”.
While Doctor Kort is working on saving Deathlok, the Thing and Alicia Masters decide to explore London some more. Not much later, a ruckus at Westminster Abbey calls the Thing’s attention – where he discovers two thieves (Trevor & Chauncy) have put down the authorities with sleeping darts and are now trying to cut through the floor with a laser-torch. Almost as quickly as the Thing shows up, so does Spider-Woman. She reveals that Hydra has assigned her to destroy the Thing – and her distraction gives the thieves enough time to lift the slab of floor up and steal a silver plate that was hidden underneath. After they get away, Spider-Woman decides that the Thing is stronger than she has been told and makes a strategic withdrawal.
Afterwards, the Thing is debriefed by the local authorities and then has a tele-conference with Nick Fury, who asks Grimm to capture Spider-Woman for S.H.I.E.L.D. Hours later, the Thing and Alicia Masters resume their tour of London – but, again, it doesn’t last long. Spider-Woman swoops in an abducts Alicia. As he gives chase, he runs into Trevor and Chauncy (they’re out looking for their next “clue”), who hit him with a blast of sleeping gas. They proceed to steal their last clue, a golden plate and then exit Scotland Yard with an awakened Ben Grimm hot on their tail. Luckily for them, the Thing catches a glimpse of Spider-Woman and he takes off after her in order to get Alicia back.
By the time the Thing catches up with Spider-Woman, she’s stashed Alicia away somewhere. As they do battle atop Big Ben, they’re blasted by an explostion set off by Trevor and Chauncy – the thieves are excited that the treasure they seek lies very near!
The story takes place in London and hits upon a lot of their big tourist attractions like Picadilly Circus, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Scotland Yard.
The villainous group, Hydra, appears in the very next issue as their plans with Spider-Woman continue.
Spider-Woman debuted in the penultimate issue of Marvel Spotlight (February 1977) and then subsequently appeared in the previous issue of Marvel Two-In-One. Her story continued into this issue and will continue into the next couple issues, as well – all, it seems, as a way to grab attention for her own series (also written by Marv Wolfman), which debuted in April 1978. It went on to last for 50 issues! At the time, she was the first Marvel heroine to have a solo series last that long. (That record was later broken by She-Hulk [60 issues] and Spider-Girl [100 issues]).
The locale is certainly an interesting change for this title, which is usually based in New York City. Since Spider-Woman is still being controlled by Hydra, she’s essentially the villain of this story (even though she gets billing as the guest-star on the cover). Because of that, the Thing gets an inordinate share of limelight throughout this issue. It leaves room for a lot of exploration of his relationship with Alicia as well as a fun exchange with Nick Fury. Wolfman does a good job of interspersing these two thieves throughout the issue (what are they searching for?!) and provides insight into Spider-Woman’s hesitant bondage to the will of Hydra.
Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #26.
On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Spider-Woman
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Two-In-One | Spider-Woman
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!
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Wolverine in “Blood Hungry” part 1 written by Peter David art by Sam Kieth In Madripoor, Wolverine goes hunting with a wild wolf while a mysterious cloaked figure is traveling to that country. Later, Logan visits his old friend, Tyger Tiger, who explains that General Coy is involved in establishing new drug activity in the nation. The issue ends with General Coy’s representative welcoming the cloaked man, who is calling himself Cyber. |
Firestar in “Life During War Time” part 4 written by Marie Javins with Marcus McLaurin art by Dwayne Turner In order to get a donor lung for her father, Firestar is forced to fight Freedom Force (Mystique, the Blob & Pyro). If she can capture Mystique, her father will get the lung from the Arms of Salvation. While the battle rages, the Arms of Salvation attack an innocent family in order to acquire a lung … from another living, breathing man! They kidnap the man and another girl from the house named Meg (a friend of Firestar’s). |
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Beast in “Just Friends” part 1 written by Scott Lobdell art by Rob Liefeld/Jae Lee The Beast reflects back on his first hour as an X-Man with Ship (X-Factor’s sentient headquarters). He went on a rampage – his anger directed at the Professor because Xavier had erased the memory of Henry McCoy from one of Hank’s childhood friends (in order to protect his new life as an X-Man), named Jennifer. Meanwhile, in Brussels, a killer mutant is on the loose – Lt. Commander Courage considers timing inconvenient since the city will soon be holding the first world symposium on mutant research. Back in the U.S.A., the Beast’s mail carrier is attacked while trying to deliver the invitation to the symposium. The Beast defeats the assailant … but who sent him to stop the invitation from reaching its target? |
Speedball written by Scott Lobdell art by Ron Wilson At Hammond Labs (the place where Speedball got his powers), Doc Benson introduced Robbie Baldwin to Edgar Marlopolis, an exchange student from the island of Trepica. But, there’s more to Edgar than initially believed – he steals Benson’s experimental battle armor with plans of ruling the world. Luckily for the world, Speedball is there to defeat the “Dude in the Really Rad Armor”. |
Here’s another important issue for the Marvel Universe (albeit, mostly for Wolverine’s history): it’s the first appearance of Cyber. It’s also the first (of many!) Sam Kieth covers for this series. As a Kieth fan, I’m psyched to start digging into these covers – and the interior art, as well! The first part of the Wolverine feature laid some neat groundwork. Firestar’s story moved along into a big battle issue. The Beast story features an interesting look at a never revealed part of early X-History and the big stinker was the Speedball short.
On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Beast | Speedball
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Beast | Speedball
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”!
Terry Collins‘ comics career has remained outside the mainstream super-heroes world for years. Although, not too far outside mainstream. He’s worked on plenty of high-profile indy books including Elfquest, Doc Savage, the Tick, Lost in Space and more. He got a letter printed in the Micronauts #46 (cover date – October 1982), lending some kind words.
On Ebay: Micronauts | Terry Collins
On AtomicAvenue: Micronauts
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.
Markosia acquired the license to Starship Troopers in 2006. The variant covers of issue one connect to form one image.
On Ebay: Starship Troopers
On AtomicAvenue: Starship Troopers
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.
Marvel’s 2007 Free Comic Book offering was a new Spider-Man story by Dan Slott & Phil Jimenez. A year later, Jimenez utilized the same pose but replaced the hero with Daredevil.
 Free Comic Book Day 2007: the Amazing Spider-Man May 2007 Phil Jimenez |
 Amazing Spider-Man #566 September 2008 Phil Jimenez |
On Ebay: Spider-Man
On AtomicAvenue: Spider-Man
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!Spoilers appear below – You’ve been warned!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: July 1977
Cover Price: 30¢
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Ron Wilson
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.
Master of Kung Fu – Shang-Chi is the son of pulp villain, Dr. Fu Manchu. He possesses no super powers but is a master of martial arts.
After last issue’s delay, the Thing and Alicia Masters finally arrive in London. They’re seeking the aid of Doctor Kort to free Deathlok of the Fixer’s control but, when they get to his home, they discover he’s been kidnapped. Exiting the home, Alicia trips and falls into a puddle of blood. When she figures out what she’s landed in, she releases a blood-curdling scream that draws the attention of a nearby stranger: Shang-Chi.
The Master of Kung Fu responds to the scream and finds the Thing, along with Alicia. Seeing Grimm’s rocky shape, he assumes that the “monster” is threatening the woman so we’re treated to a brief hero vs hero battle. After Shang-Chi figures out that the Thing isn’t trying to hurt Alicia, Grimm asks for his help in finding Doctor Kort.
The Doctor has been captured by Hydra agents and is being forced to develop a serum that is needed to be tested on a mysterious female. The serum is finalized moments before Shang-Chi and the Thing break into the Hydra lair to free Doctor Kort. And, even though the doctor has been taken away from them, the Hydra agents are thrilled when they discover that the serum has been completed. It will allow them to create an army of warriors equipped with the powers of their mysterious female captive (which is revealed to be Spider-Woman!).
The story takes place in London (we’re even treated to a splash page with Big Ben in the background).
The villainous group, Hydra, appears in the very next issue as their plans with Spider-Woman continue.
By the time this issue came out, Master of Kung Fu was already a successful series. There doesn’t seem to be a cross-promotional need here so the character was probably used just for fun (a nice trend that Wolfman seems to be developing).
The involvement of Shang-Chi seems highly coincidental but, on the positive side, there were a lot of interesting characterization moments as the Thing brooded upon his monstrous looks (despite Alicia’s best efforts to explain that she doesn’t care about them). It’s also the second (albeit brief) appearance of Spider-Woman, so it makes for an important bit of Marvel history.
Note: No letters page this issue!
On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Master of Kung Fu
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Two-In-One | Master of Kung Fu
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!
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Wolverine in “Weapon X” conclusion written by Barry Windsor-Smith art by Barry Windsor-Smith Weapon X tosses the corpse of the Professor into the fission gate and then breaks out of the facility. In the snowy wilderness he comes face to face with a Siberian tiger and it’s clear to us (although not Logan), that he’s still being monitored. Watched by three voices: Hines, Cornelius and the Professor. But … aren’t they already dead or unconscious? Well, not quite. It turns out that those memories were implanted into his psyche. The story ends with Weapon X finding the three of them holed up in another monitoring room. And, he doesn’t look too pleased with the deception he’s just uncovered. |
Firestar in “Life During War Time” part 3 written by Marie Javins with Marcus McLaurin art by Dwayne Turner The mysterious Arms of Salvation (Cross & Fitch) have promised Firestar a donor lung for her father … in exchange for a “small service”. The service in question is the capture of Mystique, the leader of Freedom Force. So, Firestar seeks out the government-sanctioned mutant-hunters for round two! |
For more than fifteen years, the mysteries surrounding Wolverine’s earlier years were in high demand. The Weapon X story that concluded in this issue was intended to answer some of those questions but it certainly brought up even more questions. Questions like, who was the Professor working for? To be honest, it’s not all that informative of a story nor is it all that entertaining (there’s certainly very little characterization for Logan). But, for its time, it was a very important part of Wolverine’s early history. As for Firestar’s feature this issue, it was quite uneventful.
On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar
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”!
Rob Allstetter has written for comics that adapted television shows like Avengers: United They Stand and Smallville. Today, he’s probably best known for running Comics Continuum, a comics news webite. He got a letter printed in Marvel Presents #9 (cover date: February 1977), praising Al Milgrom for his art in the Guardians of the Galaxy feature..
On Ebay: Marvel Presents | Rob Allstetter
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Presents
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