Wednesday, May 16, 2001

MARVEL COMICS FOR AUGUST

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

MARVEL HEROES TITLES

FANTASTIC FOUR #46

Written by Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin and Jeph Lobeb, art and cover by Pacheco and Jesus Merino.

Continued from Fantastic Four 2001, it's part two of the Abraxas Saga. One step closer to Armageddon, the FF hunt for clues to one of the most dangerous cosmic beings they've ever encountered. But what threat is so dire that it requires the assistance of cosmic crusaders such as the Silver Surfer, Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock?

32 pages, $2.25.

THOR #40

Written by Dan Jurgens, art by Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger, cover by Tom Raney.

Everything changes as Thor and the fire giant Surtur collide in cataclysmic combat. The searing Surtur stands ready to bring about the end of the world. Asgard's legions strike valiantly against him. But, in the end, a god must fall -- ushering in a new and startling status quo for this title.

32 pages, $2.25.

BLACK PANTHER #35

Written by Christopher Priest, art by Jim Calafiore and John Livesay, cover by Sal Velluto and Bob Almond.

"Gorilla Warfare" continues with the battle of the century. In this corner we have M'Baku the Man-Ape, and in the other... Henry Peter Gyrich? Meanwhile, the Defenders battle... a magically-modified Everett K. Ross?

32 pages, $2.50.

DEFENDERS #8

Written by Erik Larsen and Kurt Busiek, art and cover by Larsen and Al Gordon.

The curse has once again brought the Defenders together -- but the Silver Surfer is missing. Dr. Strange, Namor and the Hulk blast off into space in search of their comrade -- and run afoul of a star-born menace. Meanwhile, Nighthawk, Valkyrie and Hellcat hunt the Headmen -- but what they find instead might spell doom for the entire world,

32 pages, $2.25.

IRON MAN #45

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

Locked in the fight of his life, Iron Man uses all of the features of his new armor. Who is the Mad Bomber? What is the fate of Tony Stark's alter-ego, Hogan Potts? Will even Iron Man's newly-designed armor be enough to defeat a titanic triple threat? Find out in the conclusion to "The Big Bang Theory."

32 pages, $2.25.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #45

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

Iron Man and Captain America have found S.H.I.E.L.D.'s missing headquarters, but to get the Red Skull, Cap must enter the Heli-Carrier alone. Meanwhile, Nick Fury investigates a small town in the Gulf of Mexico which has seen an alarming number of race riots. The mysteries mount as "America Lost" carries readers ever closer to Cap's upcoming jump to the Marvel Knights.

32 pages, $2.25.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #22

Written by Peter David, art and cover by Chriscross and Anibal Rodriguez.

In an attempt to restore Rick Jones to his proper age, Genis heads for Kree space to enlist the aid of... the Supreme Intelligence? Geez, he really should have thought this one through.

32 pages, $2.50.

FANTASTIC FOUR: THE WORLD'S GREATEST COMIC MAGAZINE #9

By various.

With all of reality in the hands of Dr. Doom and the Cosmic Cube, can even the mighty Thor save the day? Erik Larsen, Keith Giffen, Ron Frenz, Bruce Timm and many more continue the FF's 40th Anniversary Celebration.

32 pages, $2.99.

INCREDIBLE HULK #31

Written by Paul Jenkins and Sean McKeever, art by Joe Bennett and Tom Palmer, cover by Avalon Studios.

Bruce Banner is gone -- now only the Hulk remains. The descent into darkness brings the Hulk face-to-face with an old enemy, one with the solution to all of the gamma goliath's problems -- that is, if he's willing the pay the terrible cost.

32 pages, $2.25.

THUNDERBOLTS #55

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

The resurrection of the mysterious being long hidden in pod #3 spells the end of Mt. Charteris - and possibly the Redeemers. Plus: an obscure Marvel hero drops dead.

32 pages, $2.25.

CAPTAIN AMERICA/NICK FURY: THE OTHERWORLD WAR

Written by Peter Hogan, art and cover by Leonardo Manco.

Unveiling one of Cap's most offbeat adventures. Captain America and Sgt. Fury join forces to take out the hated Red Skull, who has stolen a mysterious secret weapon. But when the Nazi booty triggers a gateway to the Dark Dimension, Cap and Fury find themselves face-to-face with unimaginable horrors -- girded only by their two-fisted resolve. The Allies won World War II -- but can they win this Otherworld War?

64 pages, $6.95.

AVENGERS: THE ULTRON IMPERATIVE

Written by Kurt Busiek and Roy Thomas, art by TBA, cover by Barry Windsor- Smith.

Kang revealed the portents in Avengers #42 -- and now, a new form of robotic life walks the land, patterned after Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Does this herald the resurrection of the undying Utron -- or something even more sinister? Plus: a pin-up section by Avengers alumni, including a never-before-published piece by Barry Windsor-Smith... who also illustrates the cover.

80 pages, $5.99.

IRON MAN 2001

Written by Chris Claremont and Frank Tieri, art by Michael Ryan and Sea Parsons, cover by Avalon Studios.

Two complete adventures in one annual. Trapped in a hostile foreign nation and hunted by the authorities, Tony Stark fights for his very survival -- and he doesn't even have his armor. Then, in the second story, Tony faces a final confrontation with his former friend Tyler Stone -- who has an unusual request for the armor-clad hero. And a computer-rendered cover by Avalon Studios' Brian Haberlin.

48 pages, $2.99.

AVENGERS #45

Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Manual Garcia and Karl Kesel, cover by Andy Kubert.

The second stage of Conqueror's invasion begins as the battle-weary Avengers jet off to Washington D.C., where the government unveils its ominous and unsettling solution to the Kang question. Plus: Thor and Firebird have a heart-to-heart talk, Triathlon and Jack of Hearts hit the town, and Hank Pym chooses a costumed identity.

32 pages, $2.25.

STARTLING STORIES: BANNER #2

Written by Brian Azzarello, art and cover by Richard Corben.

Continuing Startling Stories, the new imprint that lets the industry's top talents cut loose on their favorite heroes, Up first: the Hulk as interpreted by Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben. Having located the green-skinned monstrosity in the New Mexico desert, Doc Sampson prepares his troops for a High Noon showdown. With a 1,000 Blackhawk helicopters at his disposal, the mysterious government agent has a formidable arsenal, but he's brought along a secret weapon -- just to be safe.

32 pages, $2.99.

X-MEN TITLES

THE EXILES #3

Written by Judd Winick, art and cover by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna.

Reeling from last issue's tragedy, the Exiles must take part in one of the most infamous moments in X-Men history: the trial of Phoenix. But this time it's the Exiles who are the bad guys. Hey, maybe that's why Wolverine is so mad. All this, plus a new member joins Blink's band of reality-hopping mutants.

32 pages, $2.25.

UNCANNY X-MEN #397

Written by Joe Casey, art and cover by Ian Churchill.

Chamber feels the squeeze of tabloid scrutiny as the X-Men continue their search for the helpless mutants surviving in the London underground. Will they reach them before the unstoppable genetic cleanser -- Mister Clean -- does? More mysteries behind this sadistic new adversary are revealed in chapter three of "Poptopia."

32 pages, $2.25.

CABLE #96

Written by Robert Weinberg, art and cover by Michael Ryan.

He's fought the worst despots ever to walk the Earth. But now Nathan Summers is about to meet his strangest adversary, whose origins he could have never dreamed. Who is Old Man Coll? And what terrible lesson wil he impart to Cable?

32 pages, $2.25.

CYCLOPS #1

Written by Brian K. Vaughan, art and cover by Mark Texeira and Jimmy Palmiotti.

The mutant named Scott Summers heads to the Great White North, but what villains wait for him in the snowy lands of Canada? And who is their mysterious benefactor who will stop at nothing to ensure Cyclops' demise? The leader of the X-Men has gone solo - but can he survive on his own? Find out in the first issue of this all-new four-part adventure.

32 pages, $2.50.

X-TREME X-MEN #4

Written by Chris Claremont, art and cover by Salvador Larroca.

Still reeling from their tragic first encounter with the mysterious and deadly Vargas, the X-Treme team renews their quest to find Destiny's missing Books of Truth. But what they don't know is that this enigmatic enemy already has a volume. Now that Vargas holds the road map to their very future, how can they hope to find the other books before he does? And soon a wild card will be dealt -- a joker in their deck that could change everything.

32 pages, $2.99.

NEW X-MEN #117

Written by Grant Morrison, art by Ethan Van Sciver and Tim Townsend, cover by Frank Quitely.

As protesters lay siege to the Xavier Institute, The Beast makes an astonishing discovery -- one that will have immediate and terrible repercussions for him... and for billions of others. Meanwhile, at a time when the team most needs to stay together, Cyclops and Phoenix continue to drift apart.

32 pages, $2.25.

ULTIMATE MARVEL MAGAZINE #8

Ultimate X-Men #8, Ultimate Spider-Man #9 And Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #4 (featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man and the pencils of Mike Allred) are reprinted in this 80-page, full-color magazine. Plus: the latest on Marvel's movies and licensed products.

80 pages, $3.99.

ULTIMATE X-MEN #9

Written by Mark Millar, art by Tom Raney and Scott Hanna, cover by Adam Kubert.

While Professor X and his X-Men are "re-educated" in the Weapon X facility, the nation's most dangerous spy is asked to lead a group of Weapon X mutants on a top secret, Third World mission. His name is Nick Fury -- and he's none too comfortable with how the government is treating his super-powered colleagues. But with the interests of the Free World at stake, does he have a choice?

32 pages, $2.50.

DEADPOOL: AGENT OF WEAPON X #1

Written by Frank Tieri, art by Georges Jeanty and Jon Holdredge, cover by Barry Windsor-Smith.

Deadpool finds himself the candidate for a brand new - but extremely dangerous - job. Hopefully he'll survive the interview with... well, that would be telling.

32 pages, $2.25.

ROGUE #1

Written by Fiona Avery, art by Aaron Lopresti and Randy Emberlin, painted cover by Julie Bell.

When Rogue joined the X-Men, they said they could help her, could make her a better person by understanding her powers. She's faced a fatal, brutal, mutant power, which must be controlled at all costs. The unanswered questions are: how do the X-Men actually help her? How does she cope with being a mutant with a terrible, potentially fatal power... does she view herself as a hero or a menace or a fraud? How does she cope with her fears of abandonment from her past experiences as an orphaned child? These questions, and others, will be addressed in the course of this series, which will see Rogue thrust into wildly different situations -- crises that will demand she learn how to trust herself, as well as others. Unencumbered by monthly continuity, this all-new adventure will give readers an in-depth portrait of one of Marvel's most popular characters.

32 pages, $2.50.

THE BROTHERHOOD #4

Written by X, art by Leonardo Manco and Jimmy Palmiotti, cover by Barry Windsor- Smith.

An excerpt from the ransom note delivered to millionare Malcolm Reeves: "We have your daughter, and though she was born to be one of us, we'll return her to you only after our demands have been met. For the hate-spewing bigot you are, we know you donate millions to butcher-doctors that perform untold atrocities on young mothers and their 'unwanted' babies. Now the Brotherhood would like to see your generosity. If you don't contribute to our worthy cause, you can be assured of two things. One, the world will know that your only offspring is what you've conspired to kill: a mutant! And two, you will see your daughter again, when she returns -- as your assassin!"

32 pages, $2.99.

WOLVERINE #167

Written by Frank Tieri, art by Dan Fraga and Norm Rapmund, cover by Barry Windsor-Smith.

Patch returns! Viper strikes! Taskmaster attacks! It all goes down in part one of "Blood Sport." Wolverine returns to Madripoor - and right into the dangerous arms of his villainous "wife" Viper. What villain has lured Logan back to his old stomping grounds - and into the battle-to-the-death tournament known as Blood Sport?

32 pages, $2.25.

X-FORCE #119

Written by Peter Milligan, art and cover by Mike Allred.

The team faces internal crisis as the new era roars on. When the Orphan discovers the disturbing reality behind the X-Force's mission to free Paco Perez from his captors, he must also face a gut-wrenching decision! Meanwhile, U-Go Girl must ask herself exactly how far she's willing to go to become team leader.

32 pages, $2.25.

SPIDER-MAN TITLES

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THE COLLECTED EDITION

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art by John Romita Jr.

This one-shot reprints Amazing Spider-Man #30 - #32, the first three issues by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.

96 pages, $3.99.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #12

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

The teen sensation wants a rematch with the Kingpin -- but to get it, he'll have to go through Wilson Fisk's henchmen: Electro and the Enforcers.

32 pages, $2.50.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #34

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

It's wall-to-wall action as Spider-Man, armed with new knowledge about himself and his powers, squares off against the enigmatic and lethal Morlun.

32 pages, $2.25.

SPIDER-GIRL #37

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

The fans saved her series from cancellation -- but will Spider-Girl survive the return of the Green Goblin? As the war between the Kingpin and Canis heats up, the Green Goblin returns. Plus: Mayday meets the daughter of the Black Cat -- and one of the original Spider-Women confronts Peter.

32 pages, $2.25.

PETER PARKER, SPIDER-MAN #34

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

With great power there must also come great responsibility, but what if one does not want the power in the first place? Spider-Man faces off against such an individual, when a new foe takes it upon himself to cleanse the city - literally.

32 pages, $2.25.

TANGLED WEB #5: FLOWERS FOR RHINO

Written by Peter Milligan, art and cover by Duncan Fegredo.

They call him the Rhino. A big lug in an impenetrable -- and irremovable -- suit. He runs into things, he knocks 'em down. That's what he does. Until he runs into a certain wise-cracking web-slinger, who knocks him down. So what's it like to walk in the Rhino's size 17 shoes? What's it like to wake up every morning knowing that Spider-Man is out there, waiting to drag your grey butt into jail? And what's it like when you finally figure out the key to solving your predicament?

32 pages, $2.99.

ULTIMATE MARVEL TEAM-UP #7

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art and cover by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Last issue the one-man-army named Frank Castle escaped from prison and began his mission to wipe out the men responsible for the death of his family. Now one of the guilty party seeks legal protection from attorney Matt Murdock. But it may only be Murdock's alter ego, the vigilante named Daredevil, who can save his client from the Punisher's wrath - but then again, maybe not. And guess who's caught in the middle? That's right, Spider-Man.

32 pages, $2.25.

MARVEL KNIGHTS TITLES

DARDEVIL: YELLOW #3

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

The new firm of Nelson and Murdock needs clients - so how about the Fantastic Four? Meanwhile, the early days of DD's career continue as the Man Without Fear follows the trail to his father's killers. Plus: a classic enemy makes his first move.

32 pages, $3.50.

DAREDEVIL #22

Written by Bob Gale, art by Phil Winslade and James Hodgkins, cover by David Mack.

It's the strangest legal case of the century: lawyer Matt Murdock vs. his alter ego, Daredevil. If he's going to defend himself against, well, himself, DD needs a lawyer... but it's Murdock himself who may have to settle.

32 pages, $2.99.

PUNISHER #3

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

Frank Castle is headed for the South Pacific - for his kind of fun in the sun! The Punisher is tracking an international cartel that's resurrected an old enemy - and the trail leads to the scumhole called Grand Nixon Island. What will the one-man-army do on an island full of mercenaries, criminals and psychos?

32 pages, $2.99.

MARVEL KNIGHTS MAGAZINE #5

This full-color magazine reprints The Punisher #5 (by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon), DAREDEVIL #5 (by Kevin Smith and Joe Quesada) and Inhumans #2 (by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee). Plus: the latest in the Marvel Knights Survival Guide -- and babes.

80 pages, $3.99.

ELEKTRA #2

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Chuck Austen, covers by Greg Horn and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Why has the super secret spy organization called S.H.I.E.L.D. hired the sexy assassin? And has the subversive terrorist cell known as Hydra infiltrated her employers? Surrounded by evil, and left no one to trust, it'll take all of Elektra's "ninja whamma-jamma" to ferret out the answers and survive this deadly mission.

32 pages, $2.99.

GHOST RIDER: THE HAMMER LANE #3

Written by Devin Grayson, art by Trent Kaniuga, cover by Kaniuga and Danny Miki.

His name is Gunmetal Gray, and he's been hired to kill Ghost Rider - but you won't believe who his employer is. And while a supernatural, flame-skulled demon is pretty hard to kill, the ex-stunt rider named Johnny Blaze is totally mortal! Will Ghost Rider's crusade for vengeance run out of gas just as it's begun?

32 pages, $2.99.

DAREDEVIL #23

Written by Bob Gale, art by Dave Ross and James Hodgkins, cover by David Mack.

Attorney Matt Murdock is forced to prosecute his secret identity, Daredevil - but he's convinced that someone may have framed them both. So is there really an old enemy behind it all - or something even stranger?

32 pages, $2.99.

FANTASTIC FOUR: 1 2 3 4 #2

Written by Grant Morrison, art and cover by Jae Lee.

With her husband Mr. Fantastic locked away in his lab, and her brother the Human Torch out partying, it's time for the Invisible Woman to step into the spotlight and jet out of town. But can a member of the world-famous Fantastic Four enjoy a peaceful vacation? Several of the FF's greatest foes don't think so.

32 pages, $2.99.