Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001

MARVEL COMICS FOR APRIL

Following are Marvel Comics' solicitations for April, with information coming from the company.

SPIDER-MAN TITLES

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert, cover by Thibert.

So now that the wrasslin' gig is up, how's a young Peter Parker going to make some cash for his newly widowed Aunt May? Maybe The Daily Bugle, New York's most famous tabloid, can save the day-and maybe publisher J. Jonah Jameson will ruin his life. And if that's not enough, just wait until you meet the vibrating villain called the Shocker.

32 pages, $2.25.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #30

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art by John Romita Jr., cover by J. Scott Campbell.

As Peter Parker gets back into the swing of his life, a sudden encounter with an enigmatic stranger will forever change the way he will look at himself - and his alter ego, the ever-amazing Spider-Man.

32 pages, $2.25.

SPIDER GIRL #33

Written by Tom DeFalco, art by Pat Olliffe and Al Williamson, cover by Olliffe.

There's a new Spider-Man in town. He claims to be the real deal, but May and her family know he's lying. So has Peter Parker pulled back on the webs, or what?

32 pages, $2.25.

PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN #30

Written by Paul Jenkins, art by Mark Buckingham and Wayne Faucher, cover by Humberto Ramos.

New cover artist Humberto Ramos, a new super-villain and a refocused emphasis on the man behind the mask mark a new start for Peter Parker: Spider-Man. The Web-Slinger faces off against a new foe who is stronger than him, faster than him, smarter than him-and who is also fueled by a bottomless hatred of him. Introducing Terminal, a villain who can take a aspects of various super heroes' powers and incorporate them into his own body. And if Spider-Man is going to survive, he must dig even more deeply into his resources.

32 pages, $2.25.

TANGLED WEB: THE THOUSAND #1

Written by Garth Ennis, art by John McCrea and James Hodgkins, cover by Glenn Fabry.

The Web-Slinger has a secret admirer. Someone has figured out how Spidey got his powers-and that person has actually attempted to recreate the freak experiment... with ghastly results.

32 pages, $2.99.

ULTIMAT MARVEL: SPIDER-MAN & THE HULK #3

Originally, this story was supposed to be only one issue - but there's just too much action to contain. The all-new Web-Spinner attempts to lure the most powerful creature alive away from the heart of New York City -without getting smashed. And as the U.S. Army closes in, will Spider-Man learn that he and the jade giant are somehow connected?

32 pages, $2.25.

MARVEL HEROES TITLES

BEASTS: A UNIVERSE X SPECIAL

Written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, art by Tom Yeates and John Totleben, cover by Ross.

The X-Men step into the spotlight for the next tie-in chapter to Universe X. How do the X-Men impact the lives of the other heroes on the alternate world known as Earth X? Find out as the Children of the Atom, the Black Panther and the Hulk go on the run from an ever-growing pack of Wendigos. Plus: The Beast reveals the end of Wakanda.

48 pages, $3.99.

CITIZEN V #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art by Michael Ryan and Sean Parsons, cover by Ryan.

Spinning from the pages of Thunderbolts come Marvel's newest superstars. Since World War II, they have remained in the shadows, fighting for world stability. They are the V-Battalion, descendants of the heroes of the Golden Age. Now, after decades of waging a hidden war, they have the opportunity to bring long-lasting peace to the planet, but it will require them usurp the plans of a master villain! "Or," as writer Fabian Nicieza said, "to put it another way, let's say you've been fighting the good fight for 50 years. What would you do if a ready-made solution to creating peace on Earth presented itself to you-and all it required was compromising your ethics, just a little?" With the mysterious Citizen V serving as the point man on an international adventure, these conflicted heroes bring high-octane intrigue and a new style of characters to the Marvel Universe. A three-issue limited series.

32 pages, $2.99.

FANTASTIC FOUR #42

Written by Carlos Pacheco and Jeph Loeb, art by Stuart Immonen, cover by Pacheco.

The Human Torch renews his famous feud with Namor, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman are trapped in the Negative Zone. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Johnny Storm has to face an enraged Sub-Mariner. Maybe Namorita, Ant-Man and She-Hulk can help.

32 pages, $2.25.

THOR #36

Written by Dan Jurgens, art by Walter Taborda, cover by Ian Churchill.

Loki is back - and he's brought the Destroyer with him. To avenge himself on his hated half-brother, the god of mischief unleashes the power of the supreme Asgardian weapon - the dread Destroyer. And Thor is in no position to do anything about it - because he's been denied his godly heritage by an angry Odin. Featuring guest art by new Argentinian find Walter Taborda.

32 pages, $2.25.

BLACK PANTHER #31

Written by Christopher Priest, art and cover by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond.

Anyone remember... Dakota North? Someone close to the Black Panther is targeted by Malice, but whom? Something's wrong with Everett K. Ross, but what? Super sleuth Dakota North is back, but why? Find out the answers to all of these questions in chapter one of "Seduction of the Innocent!"

32 pages, $2.50.

DEFENDERS #4

Written by Erik Larsen and Kurt Busiek, art and by Larsen and Klaus Janson.

For the third time in a row: a classic Defender returns - but not in the way readers think. As Pluto's legions of the dead storm the realm of the living, the truth about Valkyrie is revealed. Plus, in all likelihood, the Hulk will smack Namor upside the head.

32 pages, $2.25.

IRON MAN #41

Written by Frank Tieir, art and cover by Keron Grant and Rob Stull.

A new art team arrives to kick off a new direction for the lives of Tony Stark and Iron Man.

32 pages, $2.25.

UNIVERSE X: OMNIBUS

Painted cover by Alex Ross.

Peer into the creation of Universe X through the series's original concept sketches-including 20 new illustrations by Alex Ross. Check out the initial designs (by Ross and Doug Braithwaite) of characters like The Xen, Belasco, the Ant-Man, Nighthawk, Gargoyle and more.

48 pages, $3.99.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #42

Written by Dan Jurgens, art by Jurgens and Bob Layton, cover by Jurgens.

Captain America searches for a very lost, possibly captured Nick Fury... and instead finds the Crimson Dynamo. Plus: is the truth about David Ferrari finally at hand?

32 pages, $2.25.

FANTASTIC FOUR: THE WORLD'S GREATEST COMIC MAGAZINE #5

Cover by Erik Larsen.

Continuing Marvel's year-long celebration of the FF's 40th Anniversary in the classic Lee/Kirby tradition. As the Fantastic Four come to grips with the fact that they're being manipulated by a hated enemy, the Hulk goes on a riotous rampage, setting the stage for a classic clash between ol' Jade Jaws and the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. Joining plotters Erik Larsen and Eric Stephenson are scripter Kurt Busiek, pencilers Keith Giffen, Ron Frenz, Gordon Purcell and Joe Bennett, and inkers Al Gordon, Joe Sinnott and Bruce Timm.

32 pages, $2.99.

INCREDIBLE HULK #27

Written by Paul Jenkins, art and cover by John Romita Jr. and Tom Palmer.

It's great to be Bruce Banner. You have a wonderful wife, two loving children, a great job and the respect of the community. So why do you keep seeing a nightmarish, green creature in the mirror? The devil is calling for his due, Bruce - but do you have the coinage it'll take to cross the river Styx?

32 pages, $2.25.

THUNDERBOLTS #51

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art and cover by Patrick Zircher and Al Vey.

After the events of issue #50, Thunderbolts is experiencing an information blackout. Okay, we can tell you that this issue features a rescue mission into the heart of Latveria, a star-spangled guest-star, an armor-clad gunslinger and the usual quotient of shocks and surprises.

32 pages, $2.25.

AVENGERS #41

Written by Kurt Busiek, art and cover by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer.

One of the Avengers' oldest and most powerful foes has descended to Earth with a dire message for all humanity. What is it - and more importantly - who sent him?

32 pages, $2.25.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #18

Written by Peter David, art and cover by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom.

The two-part story climaxes the battle pitting the unlikely alliance of Captain Marvel, Thor and Thanos against the death god known as Walker -and features the most shocking development in the lives of Rick Jones and Marlo ever.

32 pages, $2.50.

DEADPOOL #53

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti, art by Anthony Williams and Andy Lanning, cover by Steve Dillon.

Deadpool finally meets his match... and they're schoolgirls! Continued from last month's shock ending, Candy and Grace - the Mercy Sisters - continue their bloodhunt.

32 pages, $2.25.

UNIVERSE X #9

Written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, art by Doug Braithwaite, cover by Ross.

The X-Men, Captain Marvel and the Hulk return to Japan as the fate of the Supreme Intelligence is revealed. Plus: Phoenix, Strange, Iron Man and Mar-Vell continue to battle in the realm of the dead.

32 pages, $3.50.

MARVEL KNIGHTS TITLES

DAREDEVIL #16

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art and cover by David Mack.

Beginning a new story arc written by Brian Michael Bendis and painted by David Mack.

32 pages, $2.99.

DAREDEVIL: YELLOW #2

Written by Jeph Loeb, art and cover by Tim Sale.

Rocked by the events of last issue, DD sets out for vengeance. But will he learn that justice and revenge are not one and the same? All this, and Matt Murdock meets the most beautiful girl in the world.

32 pages, $3.50.

DAREDEVIL #17

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art and cover by David Mack.

Daily Bugle reporter Ben Urich attempts to uncover the secret of a young boy named Timmy - but what he finds instead are answers that only produce more troubling questions.

32 pages, $2.99.

MARVEL KNIGHTS #12

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Eduardo Barreto and Nelson DeCastro, cover by Trent Kaniuga and Danny Miki.

Daredevil, Moon Knight, Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Dagger and Luke Cage confront a convicted war criminal - but he's got a trio of super-villains defending him... and they may be too much even for the Marvel Knights. Plus: Shang-Chi's father strikes-and Cloak makes popcorn for Nick Fury.

32 pages, $2.99.

PUNISHER: WELCOME BACK, FRANK

Written by Garth Ennis, art by Steve Dillon, cover by Tim Bradstreet.

Collecting the 12-part saga that brought back Frank Castle with a vengeance. Uzis, knives, flamethrowers, the Empire State Building... whatever it takes to put the scum of Manhattan down, the Punisher will use it. The scourge of the underworld returns to clean up the city-inspiring three insane vigilantes to imitate him-and raising the ire of the dreaded (and hysterical) Ma Gnucci.

272 pages, price TBA.

X-MEN TITLES

MUTANT X #32

Written by Howard Mackie, art by Ron Lim and Andrew Pepoy, cover by Michael Golden.

Double-sized fatal final issue. Believe it or not, the Beyonder is back. With the world engulfed in flames, who amongst The Six will live to destroy this omnipotent foe?

48 pages, $2.99.

UNCANNY X-MEN #393

Written by Scott Lobdell, art and cover by Salvador Larroca.

"Eve of Destruction," part three. "Eve of Destruction" rages on as the fate of Magneto and his island nation hurtles towards a fiery finale. Jean Grey has formed a team of new mutants - and their first test is the X-Men's deadly arch nemesis, the Master of Magnetism. Plus: the final fate of the relationship between Amelia Voigt and Professor X. But the action doesn't stop here - it powers into X-Men #113.

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS #19

Written by John Byrne, art by Byrne and Tom Palmer, cover by Byrne.

Can Lorna Dane and Angel escape the grip of the Promise? What's up with the Mole Man? And where the heck are the X-Men?

32 pages, $2.50.

CABLE #92

Written by Robert Weinberg, and cover by Michael Ryan.

Has Cable quit the X-Men? His life destroyed by the Dark Sisterhood, Nathan Summers heads underground, leaving behind friends and family. But how does one man fight back against a conspiracy that influences every level of human society?

32 pages, $2.25.

ULTIMATE X-MEN #5

Written by Mark Millar, art by Adam Kubert and Art Thibert, cover by Kubert.

An X-Man joins the Brotherhood. Betrayed by a persecuting humanity -and in a state of emotional pain - one of Professor X's students has turned his (or her) back on the X-Men... and joins Magneto's Brotherhood. How will the remaining team members deal with this betrayal - especially if it tips the balance of power in Magneto's favor?

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN #113

Written by Scott Lobdell, art and cover by Leinil Yu.

"Eve of Destruction," part 4. It's Wolverine and his mystery partner vs. Magneto in the battle royal to end all battle royals. The result? Two words: "Xavier" and "Snikt!" The consequences of this battle will alter the face of the X-Men and set the table for new writers Joe Casey and Grant Morrison.

32 pages, $2.25.

WOLVERINE #163

Written by Frank Tieri, art and cover by Sean Chen and Norm Rapmond.

The Beast guest-stars... as he and Wolverine run from the law! Whether Logan commited the crime he's accused of isn't the problem. The problem is the Shivers Man, a mystery man dedicated to bringing in Wolverine and the Beast, dead or alive. Plus: Nick Fury.

32 pages, $2.25.

X-FORCE #115

Written by Ian Edginton, art by Jorge Lucas, cover by Ariel Olivetti.

Final issue. The end of some marks the beginning for others! Why are we being so cryptic? Because this lethal last issue will change everyone's lives.

32 pages, $2.25.

X-MEN FOREVER #6

Written by Fabian Nicieza, art by Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pepoy, cover by Maguire.

The master manipulator is revealed in the series' finale. Prosh and his motley crew of X-Men most stop a cosmic meddler's plans from reaching fruition or it's the end of the world as we know it.

32 pages, $3.50.

X-MEN UNLIMITED #32

Written by Michael Golden, Steven Grant and Brian Stelfreeze, art by Golden, Charlie Adlard and Stelfreeze, cover by Golden.

Three X-Men adventures. First, Michael Golden writes and draws a very different look at Rogue and Jean Grey as they discover the darker side to their powers. Next, Steven Grant and Charlie Adlard deliver a touching tale of the X-Man. Finally, Brian Stelfreeze writes and pencils an eye-popping story starring Cyclops.

48 pages, $2.99.