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: Sam Kieth; Chris Marrinan (back)

Wolverine in “Blood Hungry” part 2 written by Peter David art by Sam Kieth Cyber is brought to meet with General Coy, personally. At Tyger Tiger‘s request, Wolverine is spying in on the meeting – although, Cyber catches on to him quickly and launches into an attack. When the two come face to face, it’s clear that they know each other – there’s a shared history, here. Cyber slices open Wolverine’s gut but Logan manages to escape.

Firestar in “Life During War Time” part 5 written by Marie Javins with Marcus McLaurin art by Dwayne Turner Firestar delivers Mystique to the Arms of Salvation in exchange for the donor lung for her father. Before she leaves, Cross invites the young mutant to join his organization. Meanwhile, Freedom Force decides to use their tracking device to locate their leader, Mystique. Back at the Arms of Salvation’s base, Firestar turns the offer down – in response, Cross has her electrocuted and knocked out. Before he can do any further damage, Freedom Force breaks into their base! Firestar comes to and tries to find her way out of the base but stumbles upon their organ harvesting program. Sick with guilt for bringing someone into their program, she frees Mystique – just in time, as they’re cornered by Cross.

Beast in “Just Friends” part 2 written by Scott Lobdell art by Rob Liefeld/Jae Lee As the Beast flies to Brussels, he manages to recall fond memories of his youth spent with Jennifer Nyles. When he arrives at the hotel, he’s pleased to discover that his childhood friend is going to be the keynote speaker at the Symposium on Mutant Research. Soon after that revelation, he’s attacked by the Constrictor (it’s becoming painfully obvious that someone doesn’t want him going to that symposium, isn’t it?).

Paladin in “Take Me Out To The Bomb Game“ written by Eric Fein art by J. Adam Walters Paladin has been hired to protect Metro Stadium from a bomb threat that’s been called in. Rather than pay the bomber the $20 million he was asking for, the owners of the stadium hired protection. Paladin stops the bomb from going off – AND he discovers the identity of the bomber!

Not a very admirable way to end a battle in the Wolverine story – but it goes to show how powerful Cyber is. The forced alliance between Firestar and Mystique could prove to be an interesting twist. The artwork in the Beast’s feature is extremely eye-catching and Lobdell has an excellent knack for crafting the Beast’s dialogue. Paladin was the snoozer, this issue.

Note: the inside back cover features a full-page Weapon X pin-up by Sam Kieth. I love his artwork!

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Beast | Paladin
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Firestar | Beast

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: Sam Kieth; Jae Lee (back)

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).

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