MARVEL TRADE PAPERBACKS FOR DECEMBER

Following are Marvel Comics' trade paperbacks for December, with information coming from the publisher.

MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL TPB

Written by Robert Aguirre-Sacasa, Tom DeFalco, Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont, David Michelinie and Peter David, penciled by Ross Andru, John Byrne, Todd McFarlane, Bill Jaaska and more, cover By Stuart Immonen.

In the merry Marvel tradition comes a holiday special featuring three brand-new stories, including a riff on "A Christmas Carol" starring Spider-Man! Plus: Treat yourself to a hardy helping of yuletide yarns from holidays past...

"Have Yourself a Sandman Little Christmas," Marvel Team-Up #1 (1971) -- Spider-Man and the Fantastic Fourıs Human Torch tackle the Sandman on Christmas Eve!

"Demon," Uncanny X-Men #143 (1980) -- Home alone on Christmas Eve, Kitty Pryde -- the X-Men's newest and youngest member -- finds her training tested by an inhuman pursuer!

"Down and Out in Forest Hills," Amazing Spider-Man #314 (1988) -- Peter and Mary Jane are evicted from their apartment -- just in time for Christmas!

"Rhino Plastered," Incredible Hulk #378 (1990) -- What happens when a lonely super-villain scores a job as a department-store Santa? Two words: "Hulk smash!"

144 pages, $15.99, in stores on Dec. 8.

UNCANNY X-MEN: THE NEW AGE VOL. 1: THE END OF HISTORY TPB

Written by Chris Claremont, pencils and cover by Alan Davis.

Beloved X-Men writer Chris Claremont returns to the title he made famous, joined by frequent collaborator Alan Davis -- no stranger to Uncanny X-Men himself, having written and drawn the series several years ago. New alliances are forged as old friendships are rekindled, but one thing is certain: The X-Men will never be the same! With the team split in two, the Uncanny X-Men must face the unbridled force of the Fury on two sides of the globe! Will the villain's "divide-and-conquer" plan prove to be the X-Men's ultimate undoing? Collecting Uncanny X-Men #444-449.

144 pages, $12.99, in stores on Dec. 1.

NEW X-MEN: ACADEMY X VOL. 1: CHOOSING SIDES TPB

Written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, penciled by Randy Green and Staz Johnson, cover by Randy Green.

The children at the X-Mansion thought they had it tough when Professor X was running things -- but now that Cyclops and Emma Frost have taken over the reins of the school, they're wishing for the simpler times of yesterday! As a new semester begins at the Xavier Institute, the X-Men-in-training are just getting comfortable with one another as the devastating news hits: The teachers plan to separate them into different squads! What happens when best friends are torn from one another in the name of school policy? And what do the New X-Men do about it?

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 22.

ASTONISHING X-MEN VOL. 1: GIFTED TPB

Written by Joss Whedon, pencils and cover by John Cassaday.

Dream-team creators Joss Whedon and John Cassaday present the explosive, all-new flagship X-Men series -- marking a return to classic greatness and the beginning of a brand-new era for the X-Men. Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding the mutant gene unexpectedly hits the airwaves, will it derail their new plans before they even get started? As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord, with an unexpected ally -- and some unexpected adversaries -- tipping the scales! Collects Astonishing X-Men #1-6.

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 29.

X-MEN: DREAM'S END TPB

Written by Scott Lobdell, Joe Pruett and Robert Weinberg, penciled by Salvador Larroca, Leinil Francis Yu, Thomas Derenick and Michael Ryan, cover by Ian Churchill.

The death of Colossus, reprinted here for the first time! For too long mutants were threatened by the twin specters of the Legacy Virus and anti-mutant politics. Now, the X-Men hope to end both threats, but at what cost to their oldest and dearest? Are there deaths from which even the X-Men can't return? Featuring Mystique, Cable and the last issue of Bishop's solo series.

192 pages, $17.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

MYSTIQUE VOL. 3: UNNATURAL TPB

Written by Sean McKeever, illustrated by Manuel Garcia, cover by Mike Mayhew.

When everyone's favorite shape-shifting secret agent is sent to Europe to investigate a biotech company rumored to be using mutants as guinea pigs, she discovers a mystery far greater than anything she'd imagined! As Mystique and Shortpack get closer to their objective, they must confront a new revelation: that someone is selling transient mutants as guinea pigs, slaves and worse! Will Mystique go after this mutant-selling scum, or will she allow her personal crisis to tear her apart first?

120 pages, $13.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

WOLVERINE: THE END TPB

Written by Paul Jenkins, pencils and cover by Claudio Castellini.

Marvel's The End line continues with a look at the final days in the life of Logan -- the man called Wolverine. Itıs the distant future, and a series of strange events sends the aging Wolverine on a globe-spanning quest to find the final truths behind his origin. But when he encounters a mysterious figure from his past, everything he thought he knew is turned upside-down! It's the end of a legend, written by the man who brought you the beginning of the story, Paul Jenkins.

144 pages, $14.99, Dec. 29.

AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED: THOR TPB

Written by Mike Avon Oeming, illustrated by Andrea DiVito.

Ragnarok appears to have come for the gods of Asgard, and only Thor and his Avengers allies might be able to stave off that fate -- but will the Thunder God be Asgardıs savior, or the architect of its downfall? In search of new wisdom, Thor must repeat the ordeals of Odin -- and the price may be too terrible for even an immortal to pay! Beset on all sides by treacherous foes from his past, the God of Thunder leads the tattered remnants of the forces of Asgard on a desperate quest, as the Realm Eternal burns. Collects Thor #80-85.

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 1.

AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED: CAPTAIN AMERICA TPB

Written by Robert Kirkman and Priest, illlustrated by Scot Eaton and Joe Bennett, cover by Steve Epting.

Captain America and Diamondback are reunited after all these years -- but their reunion is bittersweet, as Cap is consumed with remorse over recent cataclysmic events involving the Avengers. Meanwhile, all is not right within the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization. How is it that Nick Fury is completely unaware? And what does all this have to do with a certain Red-Skulled villain whoıs been lurking in the background? Plus: Finding himself a fugitive from justice, the Falcon must battle his way past elite naval operatives -- even as Cap is forced to choose between his partner and his principles while suffering an enigmatic battle fatigue that replays his worst failure and presents the Scarlet Witch as his only refuge. Collects Captain America #29-32 and Captain America And The Falcon #5-7.

168 pages, $17.99.

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN VOL. 4: DISASSEMBLED TPB

Written by Paul Jenkins, illustrated by Michael Ryan and Humberto Ramos.

Spider-Man's life is thrown into turmoil as he begins to undergo a shocking transformation ­ one that may well leave the web-slinger scarred forever! What is the cause of this strange mutation -- and how does it connect to the troubles plaguing the Avengers? Betrayed by his body and suffering the painful effects of his slow transformation from man to arachnid, Spidey must confront the architect of his metamorphosis -- the Queen! But only Captain America holds the key to her defeat! Collects Spectacular Spider-Man #15-20.

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 1.

FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 5: DISASSEMBLED TPB

Written by Mark Waid and Karl Kesel, illustrated by Paco Medina and Mike Wieringo.

Manhattan is cut off from the rest of the world by a fleet of miles-high alien spacecraft -- and that's just the beginning. With the Avengers in disarray, New York reluctantly turns to the disenfranchised Fantastic Four, the only heroes in town, to save them -- but where to even start? And which member of the team will make a decision that will radically change the Fantastic Four for some time to come? Plus: Witness the genesis of an all-new, all-twisted Frightful Four! Collects Fantastic Four #514-519.

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED: IRON MAN: TPB

Written by Mark Ricketts and John Jackson Miller, illustrated by Tony Harris and Jorge Lucas.

Some think Tony Stark has lost his battle with the bottle. Others think he can't control his violent temper. Some think he's a homicidal maniac. Even his closest friends are beginning to doubt him, wondering why he won't fend off these accusations. But Starkıs self-imposed exile is cut short, as Iron Man must face off against his evil doppelganger, which has embarked on a murderous rampage aimed at those in charge of Stark Enterprises! Only one of them can remain standing. And even the victor is under threat of extinction. Collects Iron Man #84-89.

144 pages, $14.99, in stores on Dec. 8.

FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 3 TPB

Written by John Byrne, pencils and cover by John Byrne.

Not since the days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the trailblazers of the Marvel Universe, had someone so perfectly captured the intense mood, cosmic style and classic sense of adventure of Marvelıs first family of super heroes. Writer/artist John Byrne launched the Fantastic Four into realms where few creators before had dared to go. Now, the collection of his classic run continues! Featuring a four-part epic deep within the Negative Zone -- and the death ofŠReed Richards?! Plus: Galactus devours the Skrull homeworld, and the Fantastic Four say goodbye to the Baxter Building! Guest-starring the Avengers! Collects Fantastic Four #251-257 and Annual #17, Avengers #233, and Thing #2.

264 pages, $24.99.

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 2: DOOM TPB

Written by Warren Ellis, pencils and cover by Stuart Immonen.

After a bizarre experiment unexpectedly imbued them with extraordinary powers, high-school genius Reed Richards and his fellow adventurers must learn to adapt to their amazing new situation. But before they can even begin to get accustomed, former classmate Victor Van Damme -- who was caught in the same experiment that gave the Fantastic Four their superhuman powers -- returns to exact his revenge.

144 pages, $12.99, in stores on Dec. 8.

IDENTITY DISC TPB

Written by Robert Rodi, penciled by John Higgins, cover by Tony Harris.

Six of Marvelıs most violent and cunning villains -- Sabretooth, Bullseye, the Juggernaut, Deadpool, Sandman and the Vulture -- are forced to work together by a mysterious agent who somehow knows every dark and dirty secret in their violent lives. Their mission: to retrieve the nearly priceless Identity Disc -- purported to contain the true identities, the home addresses and even the credit reports of every hero in the Marvel Universe! Collects Identity Disc #1-5.

120 pages, $13.99, in stores on Dec. 29.

VENOM VS. CARNAGE TPB

Written by Peter Milligan, pencils and cover by Clayton Crain.

What's worse than one mayhem-producing symbiote? Two. What's worse than that? Three. Thatıs right: Venomıs offspring, Carnage, is about to have a baby itself -- a creature of indescribable power and appetites. Question is, who's gonna bring up baby? Quick -- someone call Spider-Man! Guest-starring Black Cat.

96 pages, $9.99, in stores on Dec. 22.

WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL. 1 TPB

Written by Roy Thomas, Jim Shooter and Don Glut. penciled by Jim Craig, Herb Trimpe, Gil Kane, Frank Robbins, George Tuska and Rick Hoberg, cover by Ron Wilson.

The first six awe-inspiring issues of the most awesomely offbeat series of all time -- collected in one sense-staggering volume...

What If? (Vol. 1) #1 - What if Spider-Man Joined the Fantastic Four?

What If? (Vol. 1) #2 - What if the Hulk Had Always Had Bruce Banner's Brain?

What If? (Vol. 1) #3 - What if the Avengers Had Never Been?

What If? (Vol. 1) #4 - What if the Invaders Had Stayed Together After World War Two?

What If? (Vol. 1) #5 - What if Captain America and Bucky Had Both Survived World War II?

What If? (Vol. 1) #6 - What if the Fantastic Four Had Different Super-Powers?

Six titanic tales of triumph and tragedy in the mighty Marvel tradition.

224 pages, $24.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 2

Written by Stan Lee, pencils by Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, John Romita and more, cover by Romita.

Hulk-inued at long last! After fifteen years the time has come for Marvel's Green Goliath to grace his second Marvel Masterworks collection! Kicking off with a Hulk/Giant-Man thrown down, and pulling no punches straight into a toe-to-toe with the mighty Hercules, Dr. Robert Bruce Bannerıs mean, green alter ego battles General Thunderbolt Ross, the Leader and his Humanoids, the Executioner and more communists than you can shake a tank at in this earth-shattering series of scintillating slobberknockers. With art by no less than Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby and Gil Kane in his first-ever Marvel tale.Collecting Tales to Astonish #59-79.

256 pages, $49.99, in stores on

SPIDER-MAN: MAXIMUM CARNAGE TPB

Written by Tom DeFalco, J.M. DeMatteis, Terry Kavanagh and David Michelinie, penciled by Mark Bagley, Sal Buscema, Ron Lim, Tom Lyle and Alex Saviuk.

The perennial fan-favorite collection, back in print! Carnage, the spawn of Venom, has assembled an army of Spider-Man's criminally insane adversaries to spread his message of hostility, chaos and wholesale slaughter: Carrion, Demogoblin, Shriek and the Spider-Man Doppelganger! Outmanned and overpowered, the wall-crawler must recruit his own band of super-beings to combat the rising tide of evil: Black Cat, Cloak & Dagger, Firestar, Captain America, Deathlok and ... Venom? Spider-Man's worst enemy becomes his uneasy ally in the battle to halt Carnage's mad rampage. But when he finds himself at odds with a number of his allies, who want to finish Carnage and his cronies once and for all, Spider-Man must decide whether to violate his personal code of honor to rid the world of pure evil. Can the web-slinger find an alternative before it's too late? Either choice carries dire consequences! Collects Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #378-380, Spectacular Spider-Man #201-203, Spider-Man #35-37, Spider-Man Unlimited #1 and #2, and Web of Spider-Man #101-103.

336 pages, $29.99.