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
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.
In 1992, Avi Arad created King Arthur & the Knights of Justice – a cartoon series that combined the legends of Camelot with American football! It only lasted a season and a half but it spawned a Super Nintendo game and a Marvel Comics mini-series.
On Ebay: King Arthur
On AtomicAvenue: King Arthur
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.
In 2005, Allan Heinberg (writer for the O.C. & Grey’s Anatomy) created a new team of super-heroes: the Young Avengers. The team was initially comprised of Iron Lad, Patriot, Asgardian and Hulkling. Five years later, during Marvel’s Dark Reign, a new group of heroes (including the son of Princess Python) decided to use the name for themselves. You can imagine that the original Young Avengers (who were still using the name) weren’t too happy about that!
 Young Avengers #1 April 2005 Jimmy Cheung |
 Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1 July 2009 Mark Brooks |
On Ebay: Young Avengers
On AtomicAvenue: Young Avengers
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: June 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.
Namor the Sub-Mariner – Namor is the hybrid son of a human and an Atlantean. He possesses the power of flight and super strength that is enhanced with hydration. His mother was the Queen of Atlantis, thus making him its prince.
Reed Richards believes that Professor Louis Kort is the only one who can remove the Fixer’s mind-controlling device from Deathlok, without killing him. So, the Thing loads up the comatose cyborg into the Fantastic Four’s Sling-Jet and takes flight for Kort’s lab in London (he also brings his girlfriend, Alicia, along for the ride).
As they fly over the ocean, Namor spots the Fantastic Four plane and flies alongside to say “Hello”. At that very same moment, he is attacked by Piranha (we later learn it’s one of many Piranha duplicates). Alicia urges the Thing to lend Namor some aid, so they delay their trip as the Thing jumps into the deep waters. They’re swarmed by a horde of Piranhas and brought to their amphitheatre (as is Alicia).
The villains command that the heroes fight, or else they’ll harm Grimm’s girlfriend. Namor and the Thing duke it out but, as planned, they end up smashing the amphitheatre and bringing it down upon the Piranhas. Namor swims ahead to rescue Alicia before she can be crushed by the falling stone. After some parting words, the Thing and Alicia get back into the Sling-Jet and continue their journey to London.
The story takes place beneath the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
These copycats of the Piranha have not been seen but the original returned in the Defenders vol. II #7.
After the Sub-Mariner’s series was canceled in 1974, he was featured in the first ten issues of Super-Villain Team-Up (from 1975 to February 1977). By the time this issue came out, there wasn’t a Sub-Mariner series to put a marketing push behind – so it seems like this was just for fun!
Meh. It was overly coincidental that out of the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Thing’s plane just happened to be in the same place as Namor was swimming. And, on top of that, the Piranhas picked that exact time to ambush Namor? OK – Now you’re really pushing the believability. (I know, I know – it’s just comics, right? Well, we can demand some level of quality storytelling, can’t we?) Anyhow, once you get behind the hard-to-get-beyond coincidences, now our heroes have to take on the duplicates of a lame Namor villain (not even the villain, himself? Yeesh!). I suppose the only fun part was we get some slugfest scenes of the Sub-Mariner and the Thing trading blows – but really, all this issue does is delay the advancement of Deathlok’s freedom from the Fixer’s control.
Note: This issue’s letters column features commentary on Marvel Two-In-One #25.
On Ebay: Marvel Two-In-One | the Thing | Sub-Mariner
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Two-In-One | Sub-Mariner
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” 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. |
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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
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”!
In the 1980s, Catherine Yronwode served as Editor-in-Chief of Eclipse Comics. Her tenure as EIC brought forth such notable works as Alan Moore’s Miracleman, Dave Stevens’ the Rocketeer and Scott McCloud’s Zot! After Eclipse went bankrupt, she worked in Claypool Comics’ production department. She got a letter printed in Micronauts #13 (cover date: January 1980), proving her fondness of the Man-Thing.
On Ebay: Micronauts | Cat Yronwode
On AtomicAvenue: Micronauts
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