GAZE INTO THE FUTURE - MAY 2009

The MARCH 2009 solicits are up

(for stuff shipping MAY 2009)
so what are we waiting for?
Let's journey forth...into... the FUTURE:

=============

"Greetings, my friends.
We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I
are going to
spend the rest of our lives..."
... while reading comics.

"Official" graphic for this feature; "doctored" image from the cover to Strange Tales # 156
(original art by Marie Severin)

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Let's take a look at the items that DOCTOR STRANGE will appear in first, then well move onto the other "6-Dimensions".

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As usual, we'll begin with the BIG SHOW:


Doctor Strange continues the
"biggest mystical story-arc in Marvel history"
(some hyperbole may be present in that statement) in:

NEW AVENGERS #53

COVER BY: BILLY TAN
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: CHRIS BACHALO
BILLY TAN
INKS: TIM TOWNSEND
COLORED BY: JUSTIN PONSOR
LETTERED BY: COMICRAFT

Variant cover too!

THE STORY:
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SORCERER SUPREME? And will he or she survive the initiation? The Avengers fight a battle that they know will shape the future of the Marvel Universe for years to come!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 27, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

Lackluster cover art by Billy Tan gives me trepidation about this (aside from the stomach-churning I'm going through thinking about what Bendis has in mind).
However, Chris Bachalo is helping to ease my fears a little.

Nothing to do but wait and see.

-------------

Doctor Strange and the Defenders
still battle against
Baron Mordo and the Offenders in:

HULK # 12

COVER BY: ED MCGUINNESS
WRITER: JEPH LOEB
PENCILS: ED MCGUINNESS
INKS: DEXTER VINES
COLORED BY: GURU-EFX
LETTERED BY: COMICRAFT

Two 50/50 covers AND a variant!

THE STORY:
After the senses shattering unexpected cliffhanger from last issue, The Defenders/Offenders War comes to an explosive end in this issue by the superstar-team of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness! The Hulk, Namor, Doc Strange and Silver Surfer have one last chance to save the women they love and the Red Hulk, Tiger Shark, Mordo and Terrax aren't about to let that happen. Can the Defenders triumph without the Hulk to lead them? All of this and a twist ending that you will never see coming!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 20, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

Like the previous two issues, there's another 50/50 cover, but it wasn't available at the time this went to bed.
I'll be sure to add it here when and if it's available to the public.
There's ALSO another variant (Art Adams, most likely).

WHY, Marvel...WHY?!?
Haven't I given you ENOUGH?
Why must you suck the very marrow from my bones?
How about we cut a deal; I leave everything to Marvel in my Last Will and Testament, and you guys just send me all the damned variants so I don't have to hunt for them!

Variants may be a reason Marvel won't go into the digital-only arena.
Having shoppes order quantities they might not ordinarily, just to get some variants to resell at huge mark-ups, drive up sales figures.

gah.

But... what this with the line " to save the WOMEN THEY LOVE"...?
Is CLEA going to be in this?
Oh, Marvel... you got me again.

---------

Doctor Strange and the Illuminati are in:

DARK REIGN : FANTASTIC FOUR # 3

COVER BY: PASQUAL FERRY
WRITER: JONATHAN HICKMAN
PENCILS: SEAN CHEN
INKS: LORENZO RUGGIERO
COLORED BY: JOHN RAUCH
LETTERED BY: VC - RUS WOOTON

THE STORY:
Forced to fight their way through time, Sue, Ben and Johnny have to defend the Holy Land in the Crusades, Conquer the Wild West and beat back the Nazis while Franklin and Val are busy back in the Baxter Building preparing for the arrival of Norman Osborn.
All that, and the return of the Illuminati!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 20, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

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Doctor Strange SHOULD be in the following list of comics:

=============


AVENGERS / INVADERS # 11 of 12

COVER BY: ALEX ROSS
WRITER: JIM KRUEGER
ALEX ROSS
PENCILS: STEVE SADOWSKI
COLORED BY: INLIGHT
LETTERED BY: TODD KLEIN

THE STORY:
On the other side of history, chaos reigns. Evil has won and the Fourth Reich now rules the world. Only the combined might of the Avengers, The Invaders and the mysterious new heroes Electro, The Challenger, The Silver Scorpion, The Black Widow, the Black Avenger and Captain Terror have a hope of setting the world right.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

---

Damn. 11 issues in and Doc is STILL not on a single COVER!
What the hell?

---------

If he's not already DEAD in this series, Ultimate Dr Strange should be in:

ULTIMATUM # 5

COVER BY: DAVID FINCH
WRITER: JEPH LOEB
PENCILS: DAVID FINCH
INKS: DANNY MIKI
COLORED BY: STEVE FIRCHOW
LETTERED BY: COMICRAFT

VARIANT COVERS out the wazoo!
Including a "Fallen Heroes" variant
(if Doc IS dead, he may be on this cover)

THE STORY:
Is this what the end of the world looks like? You better believe it!!
As only Emmy & Eisner award-winning writer Jeph Loeb and superstar artist David Finch can deliver, it’s an apocalyptic conclusion where every, and we mean EVERY, score is settled! The Ultimate heroes have faced their final judgment…and when the dust settles will they be found wanting? If you can handle the growing body count, stick around as ALL is answered in this explosive series finale that will shock fans for years to come!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: ULTIMATE UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+


=============

Doctor Strange MAY be in the following list of comics:

=============


Either Doc himself and/or "Strange 2099" might be in this:

TIMESTORM 2009/2099 # 2

COVER BY: SALVADOR LARROCA
WRITER: BRIAN REED
PENCILS: ERIC BATTLE
INKS: ANDREW HENNESSY
THE STORY:
It’s the heroes and villains of 2099—as you’ve never seen them before! Washington, D.C. overrun by Hulks! New York City controlled by massive corporations that know your every thought and desire! A man from 2099 in the present day, killing our heroes! Brian Reed (SECRET INVASION: CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Eric Battle (Batman) bring you the world of tomorrow as it collides with the world of today!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

---------

Doc and the Illuminati may be in:

PLANET SKAAR PROLOGUE # 1

COVER BY: ALEX GARNER
WRITER: GREG PAK
PENCILS: DAN PANOSIAN
INKS: DAN PANOSIAN
THE STORY:
Reed Richards just found out that the Hulk has a son. A great, big barbarian son named Skaar who's known nothing but
blood and rage after being abandoned by his father to be born on fire on a war-torn alien planet. And now Skaar's coming to Earth, where a showdown with his father could literally split the globe in two. So with just twenty four hours to spare, Mr. Fantastic must determine how to face the advent of... PLANET SKAAR! Don't miss the perfect jumping on point for a brand new epic in which the Son of Hulk finally slashes straight into the heart of the Marvel Universe!
PLUS, 8 pages of Director's Cut style extras!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

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Slight chance of a Doc (or at least "Sanctum") sighting in:

SPIDER-MAN: THE SHORT HALLOWEEN # 1

COVER BY: KEVIN MAGUIRE
WRITER: BILL HADER
SETH MEYERS
PENCILS: KEVIN MAGUIRE
INKS: KEVIN MAGUIRE
COLORED BY: DEAN WHITE
THE STORY:
Two stars of Saturday Night Live make their Marvel debut with an all-new story set right on the bustling, hot dog juice covered streets of New York City. Halloween is coming early this year as Spidey is knocked out during the Greenwich
Village costume parade and an intoxicated reveler in a Spidey costume takes his place. Really, we don’t want to say more than that. Trust us, with comic book legend Kevin Maguire (JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL) along for the ride, this’ll be more exciting than putting a president on a comic book cover!
One-Shot

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Slim chance for Doc to still be somewhere in this mini:

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS FINALS # 4

COVER BY: ROGER CRUZ
WRITER: JEFF PARKER
PENCILS: ROGER CRUZ
AMILCAR PINNA
COLLEEN COOVER
INKS: ROGER CRUZ
COLORED BY: VAL STAPLES
LETTERED BY: NATE PIEKOS

THE STORY:
Before they can face the world, the X-Men must face the dark secrets that lie inside Marvel Girl. Is it true what they say about red-heads? YES. It's all true.

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009


FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A


=============

The "6-DIMENSIONS" characters appear in these comics:

=============



Man-Thing,
the Midnight Sons
(Morbius, Werewolf by Night, Son of Satan & Jennifer Kale)
and the HOOD shamble around in:

MARVEL ZOMBIES4 # 2

COVER BY: GREG LAND
WRITER: FRED VAN LENTE
PENCILS: KEV WALKER
INKS: KEV WALKER
COLORED BY: JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU
LETTERED BY: VC - RUS WOOTON

THE STORY:
Straight from the Dark Reign comes…The Hood! What the cloaked criminal wants, he gets—and he's after the zombie virus to wipe out the heroes once and for all! But standing in his way are the Midnight Sons—and they're not heroes…they're monsters! For the first time in many years, The Hood and his super-villain syndicate know fear...but where Parker Robinson goes, can the dread Dormammu be far behind? The awful answers are supplied by Fred Van Lente and Kev Walker, the team that CBR.com praised for, “taking the MARVEL ZOMBIES franchise in a brand new, invigorating direction!”

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY


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Black Knight and other goodness awaits within the pages of:

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 # 13

COVER BY: STUART IMMONEN
WRITER: PAUL CORNELL
PENCILS: LEONARD KIRK
INKS: JAY LEISTEN
COLORED BY: BRIAN REBER
THE STORY:
Betrayal runs rampant! Spitfire is offered a high rank in the vampire state—will she take it? Does she have a chance? A traitor is discovered in the ranks of British Intelligence. But what are the chances that he’s the only one. Pete Wisdom’s main concern is keeping his people alive, but with his track record and who they’re up against, it’s not looking good.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 13, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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An alternate universe version of the Scarlet Witch is in:

EXILES # 2

COVER BY: DAVE BULLOCK
WRITER: JEFF PARKER
PENCILS: SALVADOR ESPIN
INKS: SALVADOR ESPIN
COLORED BY: TONY WASHINGTON
LETTERED BY: NATE PIEKOS

THE STORY:
It appears that affecting the course of history on another world is HARD. Especially when all the mutants of this world work together...against you! How can a new untested team take on The X-Men, The Brotherhood, and everybody in between? Join the Exiles as they tumble head first into the answer as the relaunch of this fan-favorite series continues!
Parental Advisory …$2.99


PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

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Scarlet Witch (is on the COVER shakin' her ass with Jean Grey/Phoenix and Polaris) and the future-alt-Earth Defenders are in:

FANTASTIC FORCE # 2

COVER BY: BRYAN HITCH
WRITER: JOE AHEARNE
PENCILS: STEVE KURTH
THE STORY:
He’s a descendant of the Hulk and the stepson of Wolverine—but now, Banner’s mother the Harpy has appeared from nowhere and is out to destroy the Fantastic Force! Alex Ultron, the 16th generation, has a shock when he realizes his brand new paradise is run on android slaves and telepath Natalie X finds out what's really on Logan's mind. Taking down the Harpy costs half of the Fantastic Force just as they face three of the most powerful women in history who are here to destroy Nu-World…and the new heroes who defend it!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Hulk stars in:

HULK: BROKEN WORLDS BOOK #2

COVER BY: PAUL PELLETIER
WRITER: ADAM WARREN
MARC SUMERAK
JASON HENDERSON
PENCILS: STEVE SCOTT
JONBOY MEYERS
KELSEY SHANNON
JUAN SANTACRUZ
INKS: VICENTE CIFUENTES
LETTERED BY: VC - JOE CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:
Throughout the unending vastness of the multiverse echo the cries of the monster inside mister Bruce Banner… the
unstoppable force known as the Hulk. Join us as we continue our quest to chronicle the catalogue of crosstime Hulk, asking not “What If…” but “What is?” This ALL-NEW oversized special revisits the worlds of the Age of Apocalypse, the Days of Future Past, the Marvel Mangaverse, and the year 1602!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

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Nick Fury, Druid & Hellfire are in:

SECRET WARRIORS # 4

COVER BY: JIM CHEUNG
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
JONATHAN HICKMAN
PENCILS: STEFANO CASELLI
INKS: STEFANO CASELLI
COLORED BY: DANIELE RUDONI
LETTERED BY: DAVE LANPHEAR

THE STORY:
The most talked about new Marvel series rolls on as we find out the answer to the question: What happened to all the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Plus, Daisy Johnson recruits a new member to replace a fallen comrade, the kids spy on Nick Fury and we follow the Colonel as he starts his one man war against the endless hordes of HYDRA.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 6, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Dr. Doom brings death within the pages of:

FANTASTIC FOUR #567

COVER BY: BRYAN HITCH
WRITER: MARK MILLAR
PENCILS: BRYAN HITCH
INKS: ANDREW CURRIE
COLORED BY: PAUL MOUNTS
LETTERED BY: VC - RUS WOOTON

THE STORY:
THE MASTERS OF DOOM Part Two
The Marquis of Death has returned to Earth after a genocidal sojourn of two decades! And his first target is his once-pupil,
Victor Von Doom!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 27, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Dr. Doom and The Hood kick it in:

DARK AVENGERS # 5

COVER BY: MIKE DEODATO
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: MIKE DEODATO
INKS: MIKE DEODATO
COLORED BY: RAINIER BEREDO
LETTERED BY: VC - CORY PETIT

THE STORY:
When the public is reminded of Norman's terrible past, Norman's wheeling and dealing becomes a public concern. Plus, some of the Avengers are getting frisky with each other, and that can't be good. Plus the return of...the Cabal!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 20, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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The Hood gets his ass capped in:

PUNISHER # 5

COVER BY: MIKE MCKONE
WRITER: RICK REMENDER
PENCILS: JEROME OPENA
THE STORY:
“LIVING IN DARKNESS: CONCLUSION”
Frank Castle will kill the Hood or die trying. With his city under siege, a high bounty on his head and nothing left to lose, The Punisher dives in for a direct confrontation with New York's new kingpin of crime -- and what he discovers within The Hood’s secret base will shock the Marvel Universe to its core. Who is The Hood’s mysterious new lieutenant? What is The Hood truly capable of? And exactly how far will he go to take down the biggest threat to his brutal underworld reign?

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 20, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

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However, he STARS in his own mini-series:

DARK REIGN: THE HOOD # 1

COVER BY: MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: JEFF PARKER
PENCILS: KYLE HOTZ
INKS: KYLE HOTZ
COLORED BY: FRANK MARTIN
THE STORY:
Straight from the pages of NEW AVENGERS and DARK REIGN: THE CABAL—go deep into the cutthroat world of The Hood! You may know him as the tough-talking crime boss who’s organizing the villains of NYC while wheeling and dealing with the likes of Loki and Dr. Doom. But what about his pregnant girlfriend, addict cousin and institutionalized mother that we met back in his debut mini? And what price is he paying for his rapid climb up the ranks of crime and power? Writer Jeff Parker (AGENTS OF ATLAS) and Kyle Hotz (THE HOOD: BLOOD FROM STONES) invite you to spend a week in the life of Parker Robinson, one of the key characters in Dark Reign, as he struggles to keep his professional and personal lives from destroying each other!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: May 27, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Ghost Rider doesn't give up the ghost in:

GHOST RIDER # 35

COVER BY: ARTHUR SUYDAM
WRITER: JASON AARON
PENCILS: TONY MOORE
INKS: TONY MOORE
LETTERED BY: VC - JOE CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:
"TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS," PART 3
Johnny Blaze has come to a monastery in Japan, just wanting to be left alone as he waits patiently for the end of the world. But when a local biker gang begins terrorizing the town, Blaze realizes that his work as Ghost Rider isn't quite done yet.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 27, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

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New Avengers (sans Doc) guest in:

AGENTS OF ATLAS # 5

COVER BY: BILLY TAN
WRITER: JEFF PARKER
PENCILS: CARLO PAGULAYAN
INKS: JASON PAZ
COLORED BY: JANA SCHIRMER
LETTERED BY: NATE PIEKOS

THE STORY:
Issue #5 brings the throwdown to end all throwdowns! The Agents of Atlas face off with the NEW AVENGERS!!! What a perfect time for M-11 to take one of his unpredictable courses of decisive action. Rated V for VIOLENT.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 20, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE (What's this?)
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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Unrelated, but still awesome reprinted classics are in:

THOR: TALES OF ASGARD BY STAN LEE & JACK KIRBY # 1

The Story: The legend has come true! By the will of the gods, I am alive! I am invincible! I am — THOR!!! And so began the very first epic tale of Marvel’s most revered hero, the mighty Thor, whose legend would grow alongside the success of Marvel comics, making him the most exciting super hero of all time! Never has Thor been more sensational than during these early tales, crafted by Marvel’s greatest, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Re-live classic Norse mythology in the mighty Marvel manner as well as Stan and Jack’s stories of the Norse Gods and Thor before he came to Earth as Don Blake. Witness as these masters breathe life into the thunder god and some of Marvel’s most enduring characters: Helmdall, Balder, Loki, Odin and Hela. Read these stories as never before with all-new, modern coloring and six extraordinary interlocking covers by current THOR artist Olivier Coipel. Collecting the “Tales of Asgard” backup stories from JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #97-104
Remastered Reprints/All Ages …$3.99


In Stores: May 13, 2009

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and...
presented here because... well... I'll explain it at the end:

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #129

COVER BY: DAVID WILLIAMS
WRITER: GREG PAK
PENCILS: RYAN STEGMAN
INKS: TERRY PALLOT
COLORED BY: RAUL TREVINO
LETTERED BY: VC - JOE CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:
In this issue: HERCULES AND AMADEUS CHO DIE!!! We heard that cheap death sells comics, and we're more than happy to oblige. Though seriously, if you had to plunge into the UNDERWORLD and bring back Hercules' slain father ZEUS to counter Hera's power, could you think of a better plan? And come to think of it, have you ever noticed how... impermanent death is in the Marvel Universe? Well, while hobnobbing among the most famous Marvel deceased over the last few years, Herc and Cho learn the terrible secret why -- and why PLUTO, Lord of the Dead, is fighting-mad about it!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: May 27, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

---

So. Wasn't that the premise behind X-StatiX Presents: Dead Girl (and Dr. Strange) mini a few years back?
Of course, that was a silly bit of fun (and hopefully not in continuity).
So, I guess Hercules is about to discover the REAL reason people keep coming back from the dead.
OK? OK.


=============

COLLECTED EDITIONS
-------------HARDCOVERS & TPB's-------------

=============


Just because it's awesome:

CAPTAIN BRITAIN BY ALAN MOORE & ALAN DAVIS OMNIBUS HC

The Story: One of the Marvel Universe's most staggering sagas from two of Britain's most remarkable writers, reprinted in total for the first time! Captain Britain fights to save a universe...and fails! But a single reality is small change in the game Merlyn’s playing against Mad Jim Jaspers, who's rewriting reality so he's the center of the universe! Worlds collide, heroes and villains die, and Captain Britain's beside himself — except when he's fighting himself...to the death! Featuring the first appearances of the metamorphic Meggan, Opal Luna Saturnyne, the Captain Britain Corps, and more! Plus: Psylocke joins the X-Men, and the X-Men join Captain Britain on a cosmic quest into the secrets of life and death! The fiendish Fury, the horrific Horde and the malevolent Mojo are only a few of the adversaries who await within! Also guest-starring the New Mutants and Captain America! Collecting MARVEL SUPER-HEROES (UK) #377-388, THE DAREDEVILS (UK) #1-11, CAPTAIN AMERICA #305-306, MIGHTY WORLD OF MARVEL (UK) #7-16, CAPTAIN BRITAIN (UK) #1-14, NEW MUTANTS ANNUAL #2 and UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #11.
Rated T+ …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3771-9

In Stores: May 6, 2009




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Golden Age Black Knight in:

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA
BLACK KNIGHT/YELLOW CLAW VOL. 1 HC

Written by STAN LEE, AL FELDSTEIN & VARIOUS
Penciled by JOE MANEELY, JACK KIRBY, JOHN SEVERIN,
FRED KIDA & VARIOUS
Cover by JOE MANEELY
From the heroic times of King Arthur to the dangers of the Cold War, the Atlas Era brings you the greatest adventure stories from the 1950s. Presenting the original series of two legendary characters that have bridged the decades - all the way from the Atlas Era to the Avengers and Agents of Atlas - Black Knight and Yellow Claw are must-haves for every Marvel maniac! Sir Percy of Scandia may appear to be a foppish weakling, too timid to fight and the scorn of Camelot, but only Merlin knows the truth: Sir Percy is the gallant Black Knight! Come to drive Modred de Monfort from King Arthur's court, he wields the ebony blade against Norman invaders, dragons, imposters and usurpers to the throne. With the pencil of Atlas great, Joe Maneely, delineating the action,Black Knight is a sure-fire classic! Then comes Cold War tales of mystery, espionage and world domination from the pages of Yellow Claw! Illustrated by the incomparable trio of Joe Maneely, John Severin and --in a rare mid-50s Atlas appearance-- Jack Kirby, F.B.I. Agent Jimmy Woo's mission to capture the century-old mystic from the root of the Himalayas is packed with gritty crime and unimaginable adversaries, from mind-bending mutants and UFO the Lightning Man to Temujai the Golden Goliath and the Living Shadows! Collecting BLACK KNIGHT #1-5 & YELLOW CLAW #1-4.
256 PGS./All Ages ...$59.99

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Doc is featured in:

ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN VOL. 9 TPB # 1

The Story: J. Jonah Jameson's spent years making Spider-Man's life difficult — but payback's a switch when he gets shackled to Spidey, who has to rescue the irascible editor from not one but TWO mad scientists! Plus: the introductions of the Fly and Jigsaw! Electro, Mysterio, Calypso and Mesmero! And a Dr. Octopus saga so big it took two annuals to cover it! The death of a forgotten Golden Age hero and the fate of the burglar who started Spidey's career in the first place! Features first appearances by the Black Cat and Madame Web! Guest-starring Captain America, Dazzler, Dr. Strange, the Punisher and Spider-Woman! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #186-210, ANNUAL #13-14 and PETER PARKER, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1.
All Ages …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3074-1


In Stores: May 6, 2009





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Nightmare is the baddie in:

FANTASTIC FOUR: TRUE STORY TPB # 1

The Story: A threat to the minds of the whole human race sends the FF somewhere they've never been before: into the realm of fiction itself! Where Ben finds himself clobbering a demonic army to save the cast of Sense and Sensibility. No, really. And it gets weirder from there. Dante! Willie Lumpkin! Behold, the Fictocraft! And it's actually kind of smart and serious too. Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR: TRUE STORY #1-4.
Rated A …$10.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2833-5

In Stores: May 6, 2009




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Ultimate Scarlet Witch dies in:

ULTIMATES 3: WHO KILLED THE SCARLET WITCH? TPB # 1

The Story: The countdown to Ultimatum begins here — and when it's over, the Ultimate Universe will never be the same! And when we say that in the Ultimate Universe, you know we ain't fooling around! A year later, who are the Ultimates? After going through the tumultuous events of the past two volumes, the Ultimates find themselves operating out of Tony Stark's mansion in New York where, no longer working for S.H.I.E.L.D., they have to make it on their own. But a terrible secret is about to tear them apart and bring about a murder at the mansion! One of Earth's greatest heroes will die, and there'll be plenty of suspects! New Members! New Adventures! And New Secrets! All this and Ultimate Venom, too! Join Eisner winner and Emmy-nominated writer Jeph Loeb (TV's Heroes, Fallen Son) and the superstar team of Joe Madureira & Christian Lichtner (Uncanny X-Men, Battle Chasers) as they take the Ultimates on their wildest ride yet! Collecting ULTIMATES 3 #1-5.
Parental Advisory … $19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2269-2


In Stores: May 6, 2009




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Dr. Strange and the Illuminati in:

HULK: WORLD WAR HULK HC # 1

The Story: An epic story of anger unbound! Exiled by a group of Marvel "heroes" to the savage alien planet of Sakaar, the Hulk raged, bled and conquered – rising from slave to gladiator to king. Now, the Hulk returns to Earth to wreak his terrible vengeance on Iron Man, Reed Richards, Doctor Strange and Black Bolt — and anyone else who gets in the way. Stronger than ever, accompanied by his monstrous Warbound gladiator allies and possessed by the fiercest and purest rage imaginable, the Hulk may just tear this stupid planet in half! Then in AFTERSMASH, heroes and monsters rise and fall as the events of "World War Hulk" reverberate through the blasted ruins of New York City with goliath impact. It’s a massive story featuring the Warbound, the Renegades, Heroes for Hire, Iron Man, Tom Foster, and Damage Control. Collecting WORLD WAR HULK #1-5, WORLD WAR HULK: AFTERSMASH, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: WORLD WAR HULK and PLANET HULK SAGA.
Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2670-6
Trim size: oversized


In Stores: May 13, 2009




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A newly imagined Devil-Slayer stars in:

DEAD OF NIGHT: DEVIL-SLAYER TPB # 1

The Story: Abandoned by his fiancée, his family, his church, and his government, Sergeant Dan Sylva returns to Iraq for a third tour of duty -- and a descent into Hell itself. If the demon Belathauzer and the mysterious mercenary group known as Bloodstone have their way, Iraq, the place where civilization began, may also be where civilization ends. The reinvented Devil-Slayer takes Marvel’s DEAD OF NIGHT to terrifying new heights, from award-winning horror novelist Brian Keene (The Rising, Dark Hollow) and artist Chris Samnee (DAREDEVIL: BLOOD OF THE TARANTULA)! Collecting DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING DEVIL-SLAYER #1-4
Explicit Content …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3281-3

In Stores: May 27, 2009




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The Danny Ketch Ghost Rider has some serious issues in:

GHOST RIDER: DANNY KETCH - ADDICT TPB # 1

The Story: You’ve heard the news by now. He’s been away, he’s been down to rock bottom; but he’s back. Dan Ketch reborn: a stranger, darker figure. So what happened, Dannyboy? Where did it all go wrong? Tying-into Jason Aaron’s stunning take on the Ghost Rider mythos, artist Javier Saltares and writer Simon Spurrier present a tormented fall into the deepest pits of the soul. Join us – via Technomancer babes, talking carrion-birds, battering-rams on bikes and the inescapable hunger for Vengeance – for a dark tale of Addiction. Plus, the final fate of Dan Ketch is revealed in GHOST RIDER FINALE! With Blackheart deposed, the Ghost Rider is now lord of the Nether Realm. What does he intend to do with his power? And will the other Dark Lords – like Belasco, Pluto and Hela – allow him to keep it? Collecting GHOST RIDER: DANNY KETCH #1-5 and GHOST RIDER FINALE.
Parental Advisory …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3286-8


In Stores: May 27, 2009




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Awesome Dr. Strange goodness
(in a story that won my "2008 Sanctum Award" for best Dr. Strange story/appearance):

MARVEL ADVENTURES - FEATURING: THOR, DR. STRANGE, ANT-MAN AND CAPTAIN AMERICA DIGEST # 1

The Story: All adventure, all action, for all ages! Join Thor, Captain America, Dr. Strange and Ant-Man as they go up against the fiercest obstacles they’ve ever encountered. First, see how the God of Thunder came to our world, and what awesome adversities shaped him into a champion of man! Then, the Master of the Mystic Arts encounters a cosmically powered creature that has been allowing its newborn babies to feed on the very fabric of reality. And who is Ant-Man? How did he get both the ability to shrink to less than an inch tall and speak directly to ants? All these stories plus two action-packed tales featuring Captain America! Collecting MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #5-8.
All Ages …$9.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3321-6

In Stores: May 27, 2009




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Whew!
That seems to be it for this month.
If you see anything that interestes you, be sure to pick it up when it ships.

If you like any of the Collected Editions, a kindness of ordering through my Amazon links would be appreciated.
Heck, check them out for anything you might be looking for.

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Feel free to discuss these solicits in the comments section.

(all new comic cover images yoinked from Marvel.com)

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So, once again, my friends... I'll see you... in the future...