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Marvel Age 12

Posted by John Klein III on July 4, 2015
Posted in: Paul Smith, Review. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Marvel Age 12

Cover Dated March 1984

Cover by Mike Zeck

That is my favorite cover of Secret Wars, just because it has Kitty Pryde, who will not physically appear in the story itself.  Imagine how much better it would have been! She doesn’t made it, sadly, to the official cover.

Secret Wars 1

Which is a huge shame!  She isn’t even swapped out for anyone, we just get to see Nightcrawler’s heels!  Which means, whenever there is a Secret Wars 1 homage cover, Kitty is never represented.  Which yes, I would have gone insane buying all of those homage covers if she was included.

The Kitty image is also shown at the back of Fantastic Four 265, as an upcoming comic but since I own this issue, I don’t really need to keep that Fantastic Four issue for the exact same reason.

Comics on Sale

February 28

Daredevil 207
New Mutants 16
Kitty Pryde and Wolverine 2
Amazing Spider-Man 253
Indiana Jones 18

March 13

Incredible Hulk 296
Avengers 244
Conan 159
X-Men 182
Marvel Age 15
Alpha Flight 11
What If 45, Hulk went Berserk (as that never happened!?!)
Beauty and the Beast 2

March 20

Fantastic Four 267
Marvel Team-Up 142
Spectacular Spider-Man 91

Newswatch

Iron Man : Demon in a Bottle is coming to trade!  As is X-Men’s Phoenix trade.

Official Marvel Comics Personnel Pronunciation Guide

Byrne : burn
Buscema : byoo-SEM-ma
DeMatteis – de-MAT-is
Gice – gice
Janson – JON-sen
Macchio – MA-kee-o
Moench – mench
Nocenti – no-SEN-tee
Orzechowski – or-ze-COW-skee
Salicrup – SAL-i-krupp
Sienkiewicz – sin-KEY-ich
Wiacek – WY-a-check

Top Ten – March 1983

  1. X-Men 167 (Paul Smith!)
  2. Fantastic Four 252
  3. Amazing Spider-Man 238
  4. Avengers 229
  5. Daredevil 192
  6. Spectacular Spider-Man 76
  7. Conan 144
  8. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe 3
  9. Marvel Team-Up 127
  10. Incredible Hulk 281

There is a Secret Wars feature, naturally.  Lockheed the Dragon, is mention as a participant.  There are preliminary sketches of Spider-Man’s new costume.  Mostly, instead of a white spider motif it would have been red.  Except for the eyes.  Kitty is not listed as a hero.

There is an A-Team story.

Marvel Age 12 Kitty Letters Page

On the Letters page, four X-Men’s heads are shown – Cyclops, Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler.  I like how, at the time the letters page, Notes from Nuts, was written, the miniseries was going to be titled – Ariel and Wolverine.  That wouldn’t have been as good.  I’m pretty certain those heads are drawn by Paul Smith.

No birthdays, sadly

. . .

Happy 4th of July, everybody!  Be careful out there!

Marvel March 2015 Solicitations

Posted by John Klein III on December 20, 2014
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

http://www.newsarama.com/23014-marvel-comics-full-march-2015-solicitations.html

PRINCESS LEIA #1-2 (of 5)
MARK WAID (w) • TERRY DODSON (a/C)
ISSUE #1 – Teaser Variant COVER by JOHN CASSADAY
• When Princess Leia Organa was captured by the Empire as a Rebel spy, she never betrayed her convictions, even in the face of the complete destruction of her home world, Alderaan. When her rescue came, she grabbed a blaster and joined the fight, escaping back to the Rebel Alliance and helping strike the biggest blow against the Empire—the destruction of the Death Star. But in the aftermath of that victory, the question remains…what is a princess without a world?
• Writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, S.H.I.E.L.D.) and artist Terry Dodson (Avengers & X-Men: Axis, Uncanny X-Men) bring us a story of Leia’s quest to help her people and find her place in the galaxy.
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T …$3.99 (EACH)

 

The Daughter of the Dark One is getting her own series, I guess everyone will be getting a series. The Dodsons on this should make this look nice. Waid writing helps too. He writes strong woman.

 

ALL-NEW X-MEN #39
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • MAHMUD ASRAR (a)
COVER BY Alexander Lozano
COSMICALLY ENHANCED VARIANT BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY FAITH ERIN HICKS
Chapter 5 of the BLACK VORTEX!
• Storm formulates a plan as the heroes fail to penetrate Mr. Knife’s Flying Fortress. Meanwhile, Beast and Kitty travel to Spartax to decipher the secrets of the Vortex book. And to make matters worse, Kitty and Peter’s relationship takes a downward turn!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

I’m curious about the Women of Marvel variants, and if they will have a frame border like last time or just be painted covers like the other time.

 

GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #3
SAM HUMPHRIES (w) • Mike Mayhew (a/C)
COSMICALLY ENHANCED VARIANT BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• THE BLACK VORTEX continues to ravage the galaxy!
• When the Black Vortex strikes at the heart of the Kree Empire, Ronan the Accuser must join the battle with the Guardians!
• Will Ronan make the ultimate betrayal to save his Kree brothers?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Marvel found a way to get me to buy this series pretty early! That was good timing. I wonder who gets the official ‘team up’ co-bill. I doubt it will be Ronan getting the co-bill.

 

March 2015 Solicts Schiti Guardians of the Galaxy V3 25
By Valerio Schiti

 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #25
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • VALERIO SCHITI (a/C)
VARIANT COVER BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
COSMICALLY ENHANCED VARIANT BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY ERICA HENDERSON
Chapter 7 of the BLACK VORTEX!
• Double-sizes spectacular! Rocket and Magik in action! Beast defeated and broken! Gamora on the offensive! Ronan deposed! Star-Lord defiant! Nova gives chase! This issue surely has it all!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

 

Cool how Black Vortex times out right in time for the 25th Anniversary Issue of Guardians. I’m sure they planned for it but it is still cool. Great cover by Schiti.  Still not sure what the Cosmically Enhanced means.

 

NOVA #28
GERRY DUGGAN (w)
DAVID BALDEON (a)
Cover by ORPHANS CHEEPS
COSMICALLY ENHANCED VARIANT BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
BLACK VORTEX TIE-IN!
• Nova joins the Guardians of the Galaxy and the X-Men for a huge adventure.
• With the Black Vortex itself in his possession, Sam goes on the run for his life. Good thing they call him the human rocket!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

I’ve been wanting to read some more of Duggan’s Nova, so I’m glad to finally get another chance to do so!

 

LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #10
SAM HUMPHRIES (w)
PACO MEDINA (a/C)
COSMICALLY ENHANCED VARIANT BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
Chapter 9 of the BLACK VORTEX!
• The heroes return from Hala only to find the entire planet of Spartax in grave danger! Kitty unlocks the one thing which may leads towards the destruction of the Black Vortex. But will it be in time? And just when things could get any more dire, enter The Brood!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

Kitty gets specifically named in a write-up, that’s what I’m talking about! Now that Lockheed is showing up in this series, Quill may actually have a chance against the Brood!

 

HOWARD THE DUCK #1
CHIP ZDARSKY (w) • JOE QUINONES (A/C)
Movie Variant cover also available
• HOT off the pages of the … the post-credits scene at the … the end of a … popular movie … HOWARD THE DUCK is back! Join him as he takes on the weird cases that only a talking duck can crack as the Marvel Universe’s resident private investigator!
• Let Sex Criminals’ CHIP ZDARSKY (a writer known mostly as an artist) and JOE QUINONES (an artist known mostly as a lover) guide you through his new world as he takes on THE BLACK CAT and MYSTERIOUS FORCES FROM OUTER SPACE!
• WAUGH!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Pretty cool of Marvel to give Howard the Duck some love!  Movie variant, from the 80s or the Seth Green voiced movie? I wouldn’t mind having a better look at the new version.

 

MILES MORALES: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #11
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • DAVID MARQUEZ (A/C)
• Thanks to MILES, the ULTIMATES are back!
• Because DOCTOR DOOM has revealed his plan and it is more than one web slinger can handle!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Could this mean the good All New Ultimates or the original Line Up (of who is still alive) as I would be interested in the All New Ultimates showing up. Time will tell.

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN SPECIAL #1
JEFF LOVENESS (w) • LUCA PIZZARI (a)
Cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
Connecting Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT
ATTACK ON NEW ATTILAN!
• A blockbuster three-part story spanning AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, INHUMAN and ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA starts here!
• Something BIG wants to destroy New Attilan. The fact that New Attilan is in the Hudson River puts Manhattan and Spider-Man right in its crosshairs!
• Jeff Loveness (The Jimmy Kimmel Show, DEATH OF WOLVERINE: LOGAN’S LEGACY) pens all three chapters with tremendous artists like Luca Pizzari and connecting variants by super star ADAM KUBERT!
40 PGS./Rated T+…$4.99

 

Oh man, does a crossover involving Spider-Man, Inhumans and FalCap doesn’t sound interesting at all! I’m sure this title doesn’t lead to Secret Wars.

 

ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN #4
KIERON GILLEN & MARGUERITE BENNETT (W)
PHIL JIMENEZ & STEPHANIE HANS (A)
Cover by STEPHANIE HANS
• We’ve been to Earth for street level Marvel fun. We’ve been to the Nine Realms for fantasy Marvel fun. Next up: deep space, for (er) deep space Marvel fun.
• Can Kieron and Marguerite resist the chance to write the characters from last year’s awesome summer blockbuster? Clue: Rhymes with Nardians of the Galaxy.
• (Of course not, you silly bears.)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Is this title more on the light side or has funny moments? Another fun write-up.

 

UNCANNY AVENGERS #3
RICK REMENDER (W) • DANIEL ACUñA (A/C)
Variant Cover by JASON Pearson
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• It was a perfect day on Counter Earth, then Sabretooth showed up.
• The Avengers are divided; the hunt for their missing friends unearths a terrible secret.
• What evil lurks on the moon of Counter Earth?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

Counter Earth, from Heroes Reborn? That’s pretty cool! Haven’t seen or heard from it in years. I wonder if anyone has told Remender that some heroes of Counter Earth have met a Sabretooth once already when the Exiles visited. I imagine they wouldn’t have forgotten that experience. Probably wait every day for more visitors to maybe rescue them.

 

NEW AVENGERS #31 & 32
JONATHAN HICKMAN (W) • KEV WALKER (A)
ISSUE #31 – Cover by IN-HYUK LEE
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
ISSUE #32 – Cover by Gabriele Dell’Otto
IN TWO MONTHS…TIME RUNS OUT!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

 

AVENGERS #42 & 43
JONATHAN HICKMAN (W)
STEFANO CASELLI (A)
Issue #42 Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
Issue #43 Cover by ADAM KUBERT
IN TWO MONTHS…TIME RUNS OUT!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

 

Two Months until these silly non-descriptions stop! Still no real X-Men updates. Or enough of them.

 

AVENGERS WORLD #18
FRANK J. BARBIERE (W) • MARCO CHECCHETTO (A)
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
• The answers you’ve been waiting for—Before Time Runs Out!
• Sunspot vs. A.I.M.—winner take all!
• Starbrand and Nightmask face a surprising enemy!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

I saw preview art of Magik being in one of these issues. I imagine she is in issue 17, so I’ll have to back order that or get it from Hastings.

 

S.H.I.E.L.D. #4
MARK WAID (W) • CHRIS SPROUSE (A)
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY COLLEEN DORAN
• For years, SHIELD’s most secret agent has been Sue Richards, the Invisible Woman! None of the other Fantastic Four is aware of her connection to the world’s premier spy agency, but it’s time they learned – because this is her last case!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

I do like Waid’s Invisible Woman from his legendary run on the title with Wieringo. When did she have time to have side adventures?

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #6
AL EWING (W) • LUKE ROSS (A)
COVER BY Sanford Greene
• Existential horror from beyond as CORTEX Incorporated drops the mask – and shows its true face!
• For one of the Mighty Avengers, the nightmare is starting all over again…
• Is this story even in continuity? Are YOU even in continuity? LOOK IN THE MIRROR – WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

A tad bold of a description there!

 

THOR #6
JASON AARON (W) • RUSSELL DAUTERMAN (A/C)
INHUMANS 50TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY LADRÖNN
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY STEPHANIE HANS
WHO IS THOR?
• That’s the question on everyone’s lips. Most especially Prince Odinson of Asgard. This issue, he starts to narrow down the list of suspects.
• Meanwhile, tensions continue to flare between the All-Mother and All-Father, Malekith forges his most dangerous pact yet, and Thor prepares to face her greatest challenge!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Do we the readers still not know who Not-Boy Thor is? How does that work? I guess she really doesn’t need a real name. She’s Thor! Which means she isn’t that interesting unless in a team environment.

 

AVENGERS MAGAZINE #1
• With AVENGERS 2: AGE OF ULTRON right around the corner, Marvel celebrates the greatest super-team the world has ever known with a FREE magazine-sized extravaganza! Meet the creative legend who helped start it all, Jack Kirby, as we look back at his first year of AVENGERS artistry! Relive the history of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes with a series of probing character profiles! Explore the Avengers’ creative history with “Earth’s Mightiest Interview,” a roundtable with some of the greatest writers in the team’s history, and have your mind blown by a gallery of all-time great Avengers artist John Buscema’s finest work! All this and more — including a countdown of the greatest Avengers stories of all time! Earth’s Mightiest Magazine is distributed free in April!
96 PGS./All Ages …FREE*
*Retailer: Check upcomng Marvel Mailers for details on how to receive your free copies.Also available for order, a keepsake edition of AVENGERS MAGAZINE #1 featuring a cover by JACK KIRBY – 96 PGS./All Ages …$9.99

 

Free? That’s pretty awesome!

 

ANT-MAN #3
NICK SPENCER (W) • RAMON ROSANAS (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• Ant-Man faces off against his deadliest arch-enemy — the mercenary known as TASKMASTER!
• Can we really call him an “arch-enemy”? Well, they’ve actually fought a bunch of times (look it up). And they definitely don’t like each other — that’s what “arch” means, right?
• There’s a mystery villain pulling the strings! He’s the one covered in heavy shadow. Mystery villains never have good lighting. Need to get to an Ikea or something.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

This is also a fun description! I won’t look it up but it is good to know who Ant Man’s arch nemesis is.

 

FANTASTIC FOUR #644
JAMES ROBINSON (W) • LEONARD KIRK (A/C)
SPOTLIGHT COVER BY EVAN SHANER
CONNECTING COVER BY MICHAEL GOLDEN
THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FANTASTIC FOUR STORY OF THE CENTURY!
• Will the THING survive the world-wide attack from the twisted heroes and creatures of Franklin’s Heroes Reborn Universe?
• Will SLEEPWALKER lead SUE, JIM HAMMOND and NAMOR into a nightmare scenario?
• REED RICHARDS Vs. THE QUIET MAN!!!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

Counter Earth is making two appearances? I wonder if that will conflict with Uncanny Avengers?

 

DAREDEVIL #14
MARK WAID (W) • CHRIS SAMNEE (A/C)
• Writing his own life story has inadvertently forced Matt Murdock to face his darkest demons – and it’s changing him.
• Kirsten and Foggy don’t like the man Daredevil is becoming–and neither do the San Francisco police!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Why is Daredevil writing his own autobiography? I’ll be curious by the end result.

 

March 2015 Solicts Anka Uncanny X-Men V3 33
By Kris Anka

 

UNCANNY X-MEN #33
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • CHRIS BACHALO (a/C)
Cover by KRIS ANKA
WOMEN OF MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY STACEY LEE
• While things continue to heat up for the Summers family, Kitty Pryde and Illyana Rasputin take on an assignment neither of them either thought they would tackle—is this uncharted territory for these two veteran X-Women?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

The promised Demon Hunters arc begins! Glad Bachalo gets to be the artist for this! I do wonder about what problem the Summers family is having? Or which members?

 

WOLVERINES #9
CHARLES SOULE & RAY FAWKES (w)
PETER NGUYEN (a)
COVER BY NICK BRADSHAW
ISSUE #9 –
• Daken takes center stage in this exploratory issue on his past, present and future…but what does that mean when Fang is the one doing the exploring?
• Shogun is constantly battling his inner demons, so what happens when his inner demon completely takes over?
• Fantomelle and Culpepper on a new mission focused on…Wolverine?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

I read that Shogun is the cool new name for Sharp’s body and Ogun’s mind. I like it. It at least tells me I need to buy it. But a weekly series at $4 is way too much! If I have to cut anything, it would be this series and just let them add up on my Wishlist or if DCBS has any bonus copies left and steeply discounts it, I’ll back order them.  Or if he was on the actual cover, I’ll make a bigger point of buying that issue.

 

WOLVERINES #10
CHARLES SOULE & RAY FAWKES (w)
JONATHAN MARKS (a)
COVER BY KRIS ANKA
ISSUE #10 –
• Victor Creed has slowly changed over the course of the past few months…from his shift in AXIS to joining the team of WOLVERINES, he’s actually GROWN as an individual. So how does he use his new outlook on life to steal a pirate ship?!
• Sharp and Ogun now battle it out for complete domination of body and soul…while Fantomelle and Culpepper’s mission takes them even deeper into a mission they hadn’t planned for.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

See, now if they are going to purposely write Ogun’s name, I feel like I need to get it. I’ll try to do once a month shipping again to try to keep my total under $40. Funny, the way I type these, I keep a running tally of what I need to order (or try to) and there are just pages and pages that I go through that I have no interest in and delete again until the X-Men section officially starts.

 

WOLVERINES #11
CHARLES SOULE & RAY FAWKES (w)
ARIELA KRISTANTINA (a)
COVER BY KRIS ANKA
ISSUE #11 –
• Romance is brewing between X23 and…well, you’ll have to read to find out! But is it unrequited or unwise for heroes to get tangled in love?
• The battle inside the man known as Shogun is now risking the lives of his teammates and friends…looks like evil may prevail? What does that mean for the overall mission at hand?
• Fantomelle and Culpepper have been fighting tooth and claw for an unknown benefactor, risking their lives for everything…but who are they risking it all for?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

Why is X23 being forced into yet another relationship? More Shogun goodness!

 

WOLVERINES #12
CHARLES SOULE & RAY FAWKES (w)
ARIO ANINDITO (a)
COVER BY KRIS ANKA
ISSUE #12 –
• Shogun’s inner battle with his own demons has come to a full tilt, and only Fang can help set him straight again. Not only for his soul, but for the safety of his teammates. But what’s in it for Fang?
• While Shogun’s been battling, Lady Deathstrike has been falling in love…but with which side of his personality? Sharp or Ogun?
• Fantomelle and Culpepper’s mission comes to an end, and the buyer is revealed…but what happens when the buyer gets more (and less!) than they paid for?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

I can only imagine Lady Deathstrike is attracted more to Ogun, right? He made all four issue’s descriptions. I wish we knew how long this series was going to last as a weekly series. Also, why does it have to be weekly? I guess Soule just has so much to say.

 

CYCLOPS #11
JOHN LAYMAN (w)
JAVIER GARRON (a)
Cover by ALEXANDER LOZANO
• Rescuing the life of the pirate captain who wants your father dead? Probably a bad idea.
•Revealing who you really are to the pirate girl who thinks she’s in love with you? Possibly even worse.
• And doing both while trapped on a hostile planet full of angry Shi’ar? No doubt a fatal error!
•Tune in for the action-packed climax of “A Pirate’s Life for Me,” and witness what will no doubt be the horrific deaths of Cyclops, Corsair and the Starjammers!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

I’m sure no one dies in this issue.

 

NIGHTCRAWLER #12
CHRIS CLAREMONT (w)
TODD NAUCK (a/C)
• Cast out of Heaven, Nightcrawler believed that he was sent back to Earth because his work just wasn’t yet finished.
• In this issue—the finale of Chris Claremont and Todd Nauck’s uninterrupted NIGHTCRAWLER saga—he may just finish it.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Could this be the final issue? It has been a fun series, thus far. Shame with the star studded cover, one key character is missing!

 

March 2015 Solict Zeck Secret Wars Box Set
BY MIKE ZECK

 

MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD BOX SET SLIPCASE
Get the complete legacy of Marvel’s SECRET WARS saga in this action-packed, eleven-volume box set! Featuring the original heroes-vs.-villains showdown on the Beyonder’s Battleworld, the big B’s journey to Earth and the line-wide crossover that ensued, Nick Fury’s highly hush-hush Secret War, and more! All the tie-ins, follow-ups and alternate takes — including a Spidey-centric look at the first Secret Wars, the wildest Thing adventure of all time, and a rematch of good and evil as a very different group get whisked to Battleworld! Plus: an entire volume full of all the special features we could find, as well as a poster showcasing Alex Ross’ sublime version of the iconic cover to SECRET WARS #1! This is one box set that goes above and Beyonder! Includes MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: TO BATTLEWORLD AND BACK PREMIERE HC, MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS PREMIERE HC, THING: BATTLEWORLD PREMIERE HC, SECRET WARS II VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC, SECRET WARS II VOL. 2 PREMIERE HC, SECRET WARS II VOL. 3 PREMIERE HC, SECRET WARS II VOL. 4 PREMIERE HC, MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS AFTERMATH PREMIERE HC, SECRET WAR PREMIERE HC, BEYOND THE SECRET WARS PREMIERE HC, MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BEHIND THE SCENES PREMIERE HC; POSTER.
Rated T+ …$500.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9751-5

 

This does look fancy! Even Lockheed made the cover, he’s above Hawkeye.

 

MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS ACTIVITY BOOK FACSIMILE COLLECTION
Love Marvel’s classic SECRET WARS story, but wish it was a little more interactive? Well, this is the book for you! Discover — or rediscover — the unbridled joy of being a child of the ’80s with this awesome replica collection of tie-in coloring books, sticker albums and stamp books! It’s got adventures, it’s got games, it’s got puzzles, it’s got posters — it even has stickers! (We’ve replaced the original stamps with stickers in our version – no licking required!) Dig out your crayons and indulge in some unadulterated SECRET WARS fun! If the Beyonder had this to enjoy, he would never have made it to Earth for SECRET WARS II! Collecting the SECRET WARS: THE CRIME OF CENTURIES and ESCAPE FROM DOOM coloring books, the SECRET WARS: SECRET OF SPIDER-MAN’S SHIELD and TOWER OF DOOM sticker books, the SECRET WARS: STAMP FUN and SPIDER-MAN’S STAMP FUN stamp books, and more.
160 PGS./All Ages …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9815-4

 

This does sound fun! I wonder if Lockheed makes any appearances in it.

 

WOLVERINES VOL. 1: DANCING WITH THE DEVIL TPB
Written by CHARLES SOULE & RAY FAWKES
Penciled by NICK BRADSHAW, ANDY CLARKE & JONATHAN MARKS
Cover by NICK BRADSHAW
From the pages of DEATH OF WOLVERINE! Logan may be dead — but what will happen to his mortal remains, encased in Adamantium? The battle for control of this valuable artifact has begun, death is on the books for a dozen heroes and villains, and Mystique is playing chess with them all! As Sinister strikes, Daken lies crippled, and death looms for Shogun’s Weapon X crew. Only Wolverine’s legacy — X-23, Sabretooth, Mystique and Lady Deathstrike — can save them all. But none of them can be trusted! Then: introducing Fantomelle, the world’s most unstoppable thief, engineered to perfection! But will she be destroyed by a nightmarish monster before the Wolverines can recruit her? And surprises lay in store when the Wolverines assault Mr. Sinister’s fortress! Sinister has plans for Logan’s body — but how are the Amazing X-Men involved? Collecting WOLVERINES #1-5.
112 PGS./Parental Advisory …$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9286-2

 

Whoa, the trades cost half of what the issues would be!?! 5*4=20, so only a savings of one issue.

 

DAMAGE CONTROL: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TPB
Written by DWAYNE MCDUFFIE
Penciled by ERNIE COLON, KYLE BAKER & SALVA ESPIN
Cover by Galactus ate your apartment building? Call Damage Control. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier crashed on your car? Call Damage Control. Aliens destroyed Manhattan…again? Call DAMAGE CONTROL! Meet the Marvel Universe’s No. 1 clean-up crew, the guys and gals with the bulldog badge who work tirelessly to put New York back together after every super-hero battle — from giant robots, to the devastation wreaked by the Acts of Vengeance, to the coming of the cosmic clean-freak Edifice Rex! Not disastrous enough? How about their biggest challenges to date: Dr. Doom’s unpaid bill and the aftermath of World War Hulk! Collecting DAMAGE CONTROL (1989A) #1-4, DAMAGE CONTROL (1989B) #1-4, DAMAGE CONTROL (1991) #1-4, WWH AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #1-3, and material from MARVEL AGE ANNUAL #4 and MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS (1988) #19.
376 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9790-4

 

The first Damage Control, I own the fourth issue and it is pretty decent. So this is a fun concept for a collection.

 

HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT TPB (NEW PRINTING)
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by GEORGE PEREZ & DALE KEOWN
Cover by DALE KEOWN
The hulk has seen the future…and it is murder. Beloved Hulk writer Peter David brings readers two classic dystopian tales of earth-shaking impact. Both stories find the Hulk at the end of the Earth — and at the end of his rope! In “Future Imperfect,” the Hulk is the last super power in a post-apocalyptic Earth, ruling with an iron fist as the wicked Maestro. But summoned from the past by a small band of rebels is perhaps the only being who can stand against him! And in “The End,” the green-skinned titan walks alone through a wasted and barren land — and must confront the one who is easily his ultimate nemesis! These two tales of the end times surely rank among the classics in Marvel history! Collecting HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT #1-2 and INCREDIBLE HULK: THE END.
160 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9746-1

 

Pretty smart to put this back in print with how Peter David is using the Maestro in Spider-Man 2099. Peter David gets paid twice!

 

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST PROSE NOVEL MASS MARKET PAPERBACK
Written by ALEXANDER IRVINE
Adapted from the graphic novel by CHRIS CLAREMONT & JOHN BYRNE
Cover by JOHN BYRNE
In a dark and dangerous future, the mutant-hunting machines known as the Sentinels rule America with an iron fist. Almost all mutants and superhumans have been exterminated. Only a handful of imprisoned mutants remain to fight against their oppressive robotic overseers! Now Kate Pryde, former X-Man, must travel back in time and warn her present-day teammates of the coming danger — and hopefully prevent this horrible future from ever taking place! Experience the classic, genre-defining X-Men event like never before in this new adaptation!
352 PGS./No Rating …$7.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-8976-3

 

Hey, this is a soft cover now! Also, super affordable! Which means the hardcover could be more affordable now too.

 . . .

 So, my list as of now is –

All New X-Men 39

Guardians Team-Up 3

Guardians of the Galaxy 25 for $5

Nova 28

Legendary Star Lord 10

Uncanny X-Men 33

with Maybes

Wolverines 9, 10, 11 and 12 for a total of $16 – so that’s official, I’m not buying these, even at DCBS’ initial discount.  I’ll get whichever issues are heavily discounted.  That’s half my budget right there.

So the others are five titles at four for 20 and the one five dollar title for a total of $25, that seems more like it.

Who knows, maybe the discount will be good enough that it sways me.

Now that we have a car payment, as we are new owners of a 2008 Chevy Uplander (such an odd word to have to say and type) something needs to ease up a little.

. . .

EDIT ON JANUARY 7, 2015 –

So I added to the cart, all of the comics (including Wolverines) and got $24.50 for a subtotal.

I was able to add five Free Comic Book Day comics, so that’s pretty cool!    I added – Marvel Secret Wars 1 / Bob’s Burger / Doctor Who / TMNT Prelude to Vengeance / Tick.  I will still go to Hastings and pick up some other ones for the nephews and Walker Dennis will be around 1 and a half, so still too young but he likes to wave comics about so that’s okay.

Weekly shipping brought my total to $46.20, Bi-Weekly came to $39.60 and Monthly brought it down to $32.65.  I was hoping to keep it under $30 but 2.65 isn’t that bad.  Especially as I’m going to try to buy Wolverines 1 and Weapon X Program 5 later today at Hastings so I guess I would like to buy the issues for as cheap as possible and it won’t ever be cheaper than $2.39 an issue.

Hey, also, DCBS updated their website and I’m hoping this means I don’t have to keep reentering my credit card information and such.  It is so much easier to use now, and on the eyes.

Order Items

Title Qty Unit Price Line Total
All New X-Men #39 1 $2.39 $2.39
Guardians of Galaxy #25 1 $2.99 $2.99
Guardians Team-Up #3 1 $2.39 $2.39
Legendary Star Lord #10 1 $2.39 $2.39
Nova #28 1 $2.39 $2.39
Uncanny X-Men #33 1 $2.39 $2.39
Wolverines #10 1 $2.39 $2.39
Wolverines #11 1 $2.39 $2.39
Wolverines #12 1 $2.39 $2.39
Wolverines #9 1 $2.39 $2.39
FCBD 2015 Bobs Burgers (Net) 1 $0.00 $0.00
FCBD 2015 Secret Wars #1 (Net) 1 $0.00 $0.00
FCBD 2015 Doctor Who Special (Net) 1 $0.00 $0.00
FCBD 2015 TMNT Prelude To Vengeance (Net) 1 $0.00 $0.00
FCBD 2015 The Tick (Net) 1 $0.00 $0.00
Cart Subtotal:
$24.50
Bags And Boards:
$1.80
Shipping:
$6.95
Shipping Upgrade:
$0.00
Tax:
$0.00
Grand Total:
$33.25

Somehow, I gained another dollar but that’s okay.

Captain America 323

Posted by John Klein III on April 1, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

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Writer Mark Gruenwald

Penciler Paul Neary

Finisher John Beatty

Letterer Diana Albers

Colorist Ken Feduniewicz

Cover Dated November 1986

Look at that handsome cover by Mike Zeck and John Romita Jr.  They found a way to out three, count ’em, three Captain Americas on the cover.

This is part of the Marvel 25th Anniversary non-event.  Some issues were just the regular issue of the month.  Others were milestone issues.

This issue has the very first appearance of Super-Patriot, John Walker, who will one day become US Agent.  I own his first appearance, how crazy is that?  Before he becomes US Agent, he will become Captain America in maybe twelve issues after this one, or something like that.

For Captain America, Steve Rogers, he is coming off a two issue storyline where he fought the Flag Smasher and his Ultimatum group.  That story ends with Cap having killed one of these terrorist.  People are all up in arms about this.

Which I don’t get, as he killed so many villains and enemy soldiers during World War II, but I suppose the world of the Marvel Universe forgets that as that must be a weird thing to wrap your mind around.

SHIELD brings Cap in to meet Jasper Sitwell.  This is at the time when SHIELD is distancing themselves from superhero agents.  They want them to be either an agent they can direct or not be bothered with them.  Cap killed this terrorist while abroad, so he isn’t protected by American rights.  SHIELD offers Cap a year contract, which they are willing to predate the filing of his application, so his mission would have been an official SHIELD mission.  Which would protect Cap from having to stand trial in Switzerland.

Cap gets a couple days to think about the offer.  All Jasper asks, is that Cap doesn’t appear in his uniform during these days.

Super-Patriot meets up with his agent, there will be a press conference the next day.  He opts out of stopping a mugging, as it isn’t a big enough news story.

Cap is living at Avengers Mansion, which I really like.  Why would he have his own apartment, when he can live rent free at his friend’s house?

Hercules and Black Knight are throwing a party.  Jarvis is hard at work, keeping food and liquor coming.  Cap passes on the party, he isn’t in the mood.

Cap wishes he can call his girlfriend, Bernie Rosenthal but it is after one in the morning and it is a week night.  We segue to see she is up and cramming for a law test.  She wants to call him, but doesn’t have a number for him, which is odd.  She knows he is Captain America, so should have a direct line to him at the mansion.

Steve sees a flyer for the Super-Patriot event and decides to go.  It is a giant event.  Super-Patriot is giving a speech about how Captain America is old news and it is time for an 80s hero.  There is a staged fight, but the audience doesn’t know it is staged.  Steve tries to make it to the stage.

Super-Patriot has to fight the Buckies, three bodybuilders wearing silly Captain America knock off costumes.  We see that Super-Patriot’s weapon of choice is a flame sword that comes out of a torch that resembles the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

By the time Steve makes it to the stage, the fight is over and police have arrested the Buckies.  One of these will be John Walker’s Bucky when he becomes Captain America.

Steve suspects something and follows the police, as they don’t drive a police car, they drive off in an unmarked van.

I like how Super-Patriot keeps referring to Captain America as, grampaw.  It is so strange.

Steve follows the van and it eventually leads him to John Walker and his agent, having lunch.  Steve dons a suit and dark sunglasses and crashes the private lunch.

At first, they can’t figure out who this stranger is, who is threatening to reveal their little stunt.  Once Walker figures it out, he challenges Steve to a fight for official patriot hero.  Steve turns him down but gives him some advice – if you want to be a hero of the country, you must be worthy of the title.

The agent sends the Buckies after Steve.  We see they are super strong.  They also fight Steve, with all they have.  They also don’t know he is really Captain America, so from their perspective, they are fighting a regular guy.

Steve throws his portfolio case at one of the guys, inside is his shield.  When it smacks the guy, the guy shouts, my pelvis!  Which must really hurt!

This is during the time that Steve is trying to be an artist, which I believe he works for Marvel at one point.

This fight gives Steve something else to think about, once it is over, he has come to a decision.

The issue ends with Captain America holding a press conference at Avengers Mansion.  I like how Cap’s section is only his head in tiny panels as he is giving one of his speeches.  The panels resemble a television set, very much like Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns.

Cap feels bad that he had to take a life.  If Switzerland wants him to stand trial, he will.  He is honored to be America’s Sentinel of Liberty and he will continue to strive to be better.

We see that Super-Patriot is admiring Captain America’s resolve but he isn’t quite done going after him.

. . .

Captain America Month has begun!

Also, be aware of April Fools Day!  My wife got me this morning already by telling me she saw a comic book writer report on the news how comics are going to stop printing and go fully digital in a matter of years.

Secret Wars 2

Posted by John Klein III on February 23, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

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Writer Jim Shooter

Penciler Mike Zeck

Inker John Beatty

Letterer Joe Rosen

Colorist Christie Scheele

Cover Dated June 1984

Issue opens where the last one ended, the heroes are being surprised attacked by the villains.

Captain America orders the heroes to form a wedge, that he will be at point.  They need to close ranks as the villains have the advantage of just blasting at anyone staring at them.

Bulldozer and Piledriver are on this machine that resembles the War of the Worlds tripod.  Piledriver has the responsibility to remind us readers, and the villains, that the Beyonder promised their hearts desire if they defeat the heroes.

Cap wants Hulk to start going on the defense, when Hulk is hit by one of the energy weapons, that apparently hit as hard as Thor.

Someone who deserves to get hit by something as hard as Thor is Colossus and once he does, he is knocked the heck out.  This little moment here is the beginning of Colossus’ arc in this series.  Lockheed lands on his chest and starts flaming away.  Wolverine is highly impressed, as he should be.  They are both scrappers.

Cap notices that the villains attacks are unfocused.  Hulk, who only at issue two, is wasting a bunch of time talking away.  I know he now has Banner’s brain, so is probably wanting to take advantage of being able to communicate with his fellow heroes and work on his bad reputation but every time he talks, you know he is going to say a bunch.  He can’t just throw a rock and hit somebody.  When he does try to throw a rock, due to all of his dialogue, it is blasted.

Reed comments that half of the heroes were knocked out due to the surprise attack.  He tries to cover them with his elastic body.  She-Hulk and Spider-Man are still in the fight.  Xavier, Rogue and Hawkeye were some of the ones who were knocked out.  Reed wonders where they got the energy weapons, as they were barely on the planet for a small amount of time.

Kang comments to the Absorbing Man, to not to get cocky, as they haven’t won until the heroes are all dead and without Doom, they are susceptible to a counter-attack.  Kang then states that t was a shame he had to kill Doom.  A little bragging on his part.

This transitions to Doom, reviewing the previous issues events from his perspective.  He still wants the Beyonder’s powers, he doesn’t want to wait until the needless fighting is over.  Doom comes to Galactus who is still knocked out.  In an image that has stuck with me since reading it for the first time, Galactus lifts himself by sheer will.  He doesn’t lift himself like a guy would after laying on the ground.  His entire body, in one movement is lifted and then placed on his feet, done of this bending over, lifting the shoulders first and then balancing.  Galactus doesn’t have time for all of this.

By the time I read this, which was in a trade format, this was already a legendary storyline and my mother bought it along with ten other trades so that I can read some classic Marvel stories that I kept reading about.

Doom tries to communicate with Galactus, trying to form an alliance, but Galactus ignores him as he is as beneath him as an ant is beneath Doom, which Doom of course finds insulting.  He takes no comfort in the fact that Galactus is the ant to the Beyonder.

Doom finds his way back to the villain base. Doom suspects what he needs to obtain this power is in the base.  Doom comes across Ultron, still deactivated and plans on using the shell to his own ends.

Cap is trying to get the heroes into a defense position.  He gets Iron Man and Thing to pull back.  He gives Thor an order and Thor hits the ground with his hammer, knocking several of villains over.

Hulk is attacking the tripod.  Human Torch tries to give him a command, and Hulk states that once Johnny can tear the tripod like it is paper, and only then, can he tell the Hulk to do something.  I like Hulk with some attitude, just keep it pithy!  Hulk knocks the villains down and Cyclops blasts them for good measure.  Good job, Scott!

We get She-Hulk versus Enchantress.  She-Hulk is surprised Enchantress can take one of her punches, Enchantress states of course she can, she is Asgardian.  This gives Jennifer permission to not hold back and she doesn’t.  What I wish she did hold back, saying “tubular to the max” ooof, the 80s everybody!

The villains realize this isn’t going their way and flee.  Thor asks Cap if they should follow and Cap wants to regroup.

Cap asks Storm to do some recon, she is glad her powers work on this strange planet.  She wonders if this was part of Beyonder’s plan, to make as perfect of a fighting situation as possible.  Storm finds them this gigantic tower of a fortress.  Iron Man states that it is bigger than the Pentagon, as he is Rhodey and he is a military man, and Hulk corrects him that it is at least 54 pentagons.  Which would seem like a jerk move but saying it is bigger than one thing when in fact it seems to be 54 times that one thing, I think Hulk is in the right.  Plus, he has to comment on every little thing.

Hulk offers to lead the way, if there are any traps he won’t be hurt as much.  Cap is quick to say that Iron Man and Thor might argue that they can accomplish the same thing, he likes to encourage Hulk.  No one states it, probably because Hank Pym isn’t there but with the Hulk working with the team, we have the classic Avengers line up again.  Except Tony isn’t Iron Man, as well.  I wonder where Hank Pym is during this?  Probably off being a professional scientist.

Kurt sees Colossus looking around.  He asks what he is looking for.  Colossus, trying to still pretend to be a good guy, states he is looking for Lockheed.  He hasn’t seen him since the battle.  If anything were to happen to him, Kitty will be devastated.  This will be the last time this adventure that he cares at all for her feelings.  Wolverine proving he is also a jerk, and probably explaining why the X-Men have the reputation that they do, states that it isn’t a sure thing that anyone is getting back and to forget the dragon.  I mean, really?  Lockheed earn his respect only so many pages ago and now he’s writing him off!?!

Later, Reed tells Cap that their prisoners are secured.  Their prisoners are – Bulldozer, Enchantress, Kang, Lizard and Piledriver.  He apologizes for taking so long to figure out the computers in this base.  Reed also discovered a healing device.  Cap compliments Reed, stating that he has earned the name Mister Fantastic and his reputation for being both compassionate and courageous.

Cap tells Reed to gather all of the heroes to the giant dome on the 451 level.  Which really?  That tower is too big, hopefully everyone isn’t too scattered throughout the tower, as with that many floors, and rooms, it can be confusing.

Cap has gathered all the heroes, Wolverine wants to go after the villains now.  Cap wants to secure their base and rest.  He has Thor, Human Torch and Iron Man on patrol.

We see Magneto’s new base, he is deciding his next move.

The villains make it back to their base, Doom has renamed it Doombase.  The villains mock him and he unleashes Ultron on them.  They get in line.  Doom makes a point to make sure Molecule Man is happy.

Octopus wants to know Doom’s plan.  Doom tells him not to worry about that, but to worry about what Galactus has in mind.

Magneto is, making his way to the hero base.

Wasp shares with She-Hulk her concerns about not getting home.

Cyclops is complaining to Reed about how he was on his honeymoon and not in costume.  Reed shares how he wishes he was with his wife.  Thing overhears this and wishes he was with Alicia.

Spider-Man is talking to Human Torch.  Johnny tells him that the Fantastic Four have been away from Earth before – which is a great point, most of these heroes have been on other planets for days, maybe even weeks before.  Why so worried this time?

Spider-Man’s danger sense goes off.  Torch makes a reference to how Spider-Man usually deals with muggers.  Which is an od comment, as by now, Spider-Man has been around for twenty years, our time, and has one of the best rouges galleries of all time.

Johnny goes for help.  When he comes back with the other heroes, we are treated to a very funny panel.

They see Spider-Man being thrown across the panel, in a metal ball as he shouts that it is Magneto who is attacking.  Thing states they figured that part out already.  Fun times.

Magneto captures Wasp.  He was going to destroy the power station of their base, but had to change his plan.  Thing tries to stop him but reverts back to Ben Grimm.

Monica, Captain Marvel, asks if anyone else noticed that the X-Men didn’t show up to fight Magneto.  Captain America tells her to not look for additional problems, especially as they have a real one to deal with.  Galactus is clearly starting something on his mountain top.

This concludes our Secret Wars portion of Lockheed Month.  We have two more issues of Uncanny X-Men before it ends.  For Secret Wars, one day, we will cover issues four and five, that reference Kitty, eleven has a reference to Lockheed and twelve has an appearance by Lockheed.

Secret Wars 1

Posted by John Klein III on February 21, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

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Writer Jim Shooter

Penciler Mike Zeck

Inker John Beatty

Letterer Joe Rosen

Colorist Christie Scheele

Cover Dated May 1984

See Nightcrawler’s feet on the cover, with that empty space?  That is where Kitty was, until Shooter figured this would be a great place to end the Kitty and Colossus relationship – because of their age difference.

Secret Wars 1 Lockheed 1

The heroes are teleported from Central Park to a space station.  We see Lockheed floating between She-Hulk and Hawkeye.  Poor little guy seems rounder than usual.

If you read Uncanny X-Men 180, you would see (or not see) that Lockheed was not with the X-Men as they entered the building that brought them here.  They had just drop Kitty and Doug off at the airport as they were heading to the Massachusetts Academy.  Xavier is also in a wheelchair, for some reason.

Reed explains the most obvious using the biggest words possible.  Hulk agrees, he has Banner’s brain at this point.  Iron Man is Rhody as Tony is off being drunk.

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There is this awesome panel where Wasp wants to introduce everyone – which is super new reader friendly, if not awkward.  She also goes on about how everyone should know the Avengers, as they are famous.  Xavier introduces his X-Men, leaving out Lockheed, as Xavier is a jerk.  Colossus, in his last decent act in this series, pipes up to introduce Lockheed.  I wonder if there was ever a plan to get rid of Lockheed during this series?

The heroes are : Wasp, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Xavier, Storm, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Lockheed, Hulk, Spider-Man, Reed Richards, Thing and the Human Torch.

A second ship appears.  This one has the villains.  Doom has no time to be cute with introductions, he states who everyone is.

The villains are : Doctor Doom, Enchantress, Ultron, Absorbing Man, Wrecker, Thunderball, Piledriver, Bulldozer, Kang, Galactus, Lizard, Molecule Man and Doctor Octopus.

Back at the hero ship, Thing points out that Magneto is counted amongst them.  Magneto defends himself, he is no murderer, he only defends his race against humans.

Everyone looks outside and sees a galaxy get destroyed.  Then they see that a new planet is formed from various other planets.  They all know that there is an even greater force than Galactus.

Ultron freaks the heck out and attacks his fellow villains.  Doom convinces Molecule Man to throw Ultron at Galactus.  Galactus lifts Ultron to his eye level and depowers / drains all of Ultron’s energy.

We hear the Beyonder’s voice setting up the plot.  The two sides shall fight, the winner gains their hearts desires.

Galactus isn’t afraid and leaves the ship to attack the source of the voice.  Doom tags along.  They get to the crack of the universe and are swatted away.  Now everyone knows who is streets ahead.

The two ships land on Battleworld.  Magneto still has to defend himself to Wasp and the heroes.  Cyclops stands up for his fellow mutant.  Hawkeye grabs him by the shirt.  Wolverine states that Cyclops is a jerk but he is their jerk.  Cyclops says he can defend himself.

So interesting how this is Marvel’s first big event so this is the first time many of these characters are going to spend an extended amount of time together.  Also, how separate the X-Men are from the other heroes.

Magneto is tired of all this and attacks.  I like how he claims only Thor may be s equal.  I don’t care for how Hulk explains how Magneto is able to fly away using magnetic fields.  Let’s not be overly explanatory.

Xavier states they need a leader, and turns to Reed.  Reed is worried about his pregnant wife, who is due any day now.  Reed turns to Hulk, Human Torch states that he has a hard time not thinking of him as a mindless monster.  Wasp, states she is the leader of the Avengers but looks to Captain America to be the leader during this adventure.

Cap isn’t sure, Xavier states he can read people’s hearts and they will all follow him.  Wolverine states that Cap is only a man, who would follow him.  Thor, God of Thunder, states he will – shutting Wolverine’s dumb face right up.

I do love how Secret Wars is where Captain America becomes the beloved tactician of the Marvel Universe.  Also, Doctor Doom becomes the premier villain of the Marvel Universe.  Both were respected in their own titles, but it is this series that cements their standings to the rest of the characters and the readers.

Galactus is still knocked out, but Doom stands and walks away, he must have that power.  He gets to the villain base, they all want him to lead.  Of course they do, but he has no time for that and attacks them.  So much infighting!

I don’t remember Kang being in this at all.  As Doom leaves, Kang blasts him from the sky.  He lands near Cap.  Cap offers him a hand up.  Doom needs no help to get back on his feet.  He then attacks the heroes.  Before they can come up with a plan, Wolverine turns around to see all the other villains have arrived.

That’s how the issue ends.  Starts a little rough and Lockheed is not seen again this issue since he was introduced but he shows up next issue before not being seen again until the final part, he is at least referenced in issue 11.  Kitty is referenced in issues 4 and 5, for the record.