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 #83
Cover Date: 1991 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith (front); Dave Hoover (back)
Wolverine in "Weapon X" part 11
written by Barry Windsor-Smith
art by Barry Windsor-Smith
The Professor opens the fission gate and unleashes a flaming discharge of 240,000 mega-therms upon Weapon X. But, that's not enough to stop Logan. Even burnt to a crisp, Weapon X still pursues his prey: the Professor. And, after coming so close multiple times before, Logan finally nails his target with three claws through the head.
Firestar in "Life During War Time" part 2
written by Marie Javins with Marcus McLaurin
art by Dwayne Turner
Before she can be captured, Firestar bursts out of her house with her father. Before the rest of Freedom Force can catch up, Spiral runs her father through with a sword. And, after Freedom Force launches their attack on her, Firestar manages to escape with enough time to bring her father to the hospital. It seems that Mystique wanted to recruit her into the team but the difficulty with her capture may have changed her mind. Meanwhile, two other figures (Cross and Fitch) decide that they want to recruit Mystique for their own nefarious cause.
Hawkeye in "the Distance"
written by Fabian Nicieza
art by John Stanisci
A washed up boxer named Carmen "the Rocker" Jakarter decides life isn't worth living anymore. Can Hawkeye reach him in time to change his mind?
Human Torch in "the Matchstick and the Moth"
written by Steve Ditko with Erik Larsen
art by Steve Ditko
Two goons inform a new super-villainness called the Moth that their boss will pay her one million dollars to capture the Human Torch. After she manages to achieve that goal, she discovers that there is no boss willing to pay the money. The goons intended to kill her and sell the Torch off to the highest bidder. Before they get to her, she discovers their intent and teams up with the Human Torch to defeat them.
After flirting with the concept for the past few issues, the Professor meets his death at the hands of Weapon X. The Firestar feature continues to have some high stakes with the life of her father at risk. Hawkeye's story was depressing with little room for inspiration and the Human Torch story had a fun little twist in the middle. On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Hawkeye | Human Torch On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Hawkeye | Human Torch