Thursday, January 29, 2009

Important News Bulletin :
MONSTERS ON THE PROWL!

I'm taking a quick break from the current series of posts to feature a MAN-THING appearance!
(Hey. They don't happen all that often.)

*click* to make monster-sized.
From MARVELS : EYE OF THE CAMERA # 3
Kurt Busek & Jay Anacleto

Not exactly capturing Manny's "good side" there.
(I know Marvel - and comics in general - have been very prone to showcasing the "ass-shot", but this might not be the best usage of that angle.)

Image featuring (clockwise from top center):

- Daimon Hellstrom (Hellstorm) - the "Son of Satan"
[in St. Louis; Missouri]

- Morbius; the Living Vampire
[somewhere in New York]

- Dracula
[in Boston, Massachusetts]

- Man-Thing
[in the Everglades of Florida]

- Jack Russell; Werewolf-by-Night
[Los Angeles, California]

- Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider
[as part of the team; The Champions - in Los Angeles, California]
Note: Ghost Rider is portrayed in the wrong clothing.
He is drawn in the Danny Ketch "1990's" Ghost Rider's gear.


And just what the heck is Ghost Rider doing to the Werewolf?
Is he whipping the man-beast with that chain?
Who do you call to report that? The cops or the S.P.C.A.?

Besides the small costume goof, Jay Anacleto has been making this series look gorgeous and lovingly rendered.

Kurt Busiek's love for Marvel history and continuity shines!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Idol Pursuits : Master of the Plastic Arts -
part 2 : The Dr. Strange MEGO figure.
Sorcerer-by-Day, Disco-Warrior-by-Night

NOTE: This post could also be titled:

The "Magic" of Video - Part I-B:
DR. STRANGE - the 1978 TV movie;
The ACTION FIGURE *

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

As I mentioned in the last installment (of BOTH labels; "Idol Pursuits" and "The 'Magic' of Video") I promised to discuss the MEGO action figure based upon the Dr. Strange 01978 TV movie.


DR. STRANGE TV MOVIEDR STRANGE - 01978 TV movie logo


The figure's story is simple, yet convoluted. Sad, yet funny.

When the Dr. Strange TV movie was in production, the MEGO corporation, who had the Marvel license to produce action figures, obtained the rights to produce figures based upon the film.

For those who are too young, too inexperienced with the ways of action-figs, or hail from another plane of existence, and may not know of such things, MEGO was a company that, from 1971 to the very early 1980's, manufactured the BEST action figures ever to bear that designation. Sure, the present-day "Marvel Legends" figures - by Toy Biz and, later, Hasbro- are great little pieces of articulated sculpture, but for the sheer thrill of play and innocent fun, the MEGO figures were IT.


mego corp. logo

With fully articulated bodies, and real cloth costumes, these felt like you were playing with miniature, 8inch and/or 12inch versions of your favorite comic book, TV and/or motion picture heroes (or villains).

Sure, they had their down-sides:
One being that if your favorite character wore gloves, his (or her) Mego figure would either have their hands painted that color, OR would be wearing, what could best be described as... oven mitts.
Another was that the limbs were held in place by a tension-bearing rubber band, and when that rubber band dried out from age, or snapped due to rough play, that was the end of your figure (unless you were able to re-band it).

With a host of Marvel & DC characters, besides many other movie and TV properties, a Dr. Strange figure would have made an excellent addition to the line-up, and with the production of the TV movie, a Doctor Strange prototype was produced.

Wearing an amalgam of his comic book and movie costumes (neither one nor the other, really), this was a rough approximation of what the final product would have... may have been.

*click pic to make slightly stranger*
Figure from the collection of famed Mego collector and historian;
John Bonavita,
who authored a book on the Mego company and figures.




When the TV movie pilot didn’t get picked up as a new TV series, the figure was shelved. In 01981, Mego had a fashion line called Jordache, based upon the jeans / clothing line.
The head-sculpt for the Dr. Strange figure was repainted and placed upon the fashion doll body.
His hair was repainted blonde - or light brown - and his eyebrows and mustache were repainted in a less "angular" manner.

Could this be the subject of the WORST fan-fic ever?!?

The Mego Jordache "High Fashion" Male Doll (yeah... this is a "doll". Can't really call it an "action figure") came fully dressed in 1970's fashion! Jordache jeans, horse-head logo-emblazoned t-shirt, spiffy belt AND as the box touts; with "shoes included".

"The High Fashion Male Doll with the Look That's All Together."

*click pic to make more fabulous*
He's not anatomically correct, but I couldn't resist the easy comic-related wang joke.
Yes. I'm obviously 10 years old.
I DID show a LITTLE restraint, though.
I didn't make ANY jokes about him being 12 inches!



Since the official Dr. Strange figure was never produced, I was relegated to hunting down the "Male Fashion Doll". As pictured above, I own two. One; in package. The other; nekkid and waiting for customization.

As soon as I get the correct style 12inch mego body, I'll work on the proper costume and custom packaging.

Don't fret. I'll showcase that on the blog whenever it's ready.


While this was the 1st solo piece of Doctor Strange "action figure" merchandise to be conceived, it was actually released after a more official "Doctor Strange" item; the Ben Cooper produced; Dr. Strange "jiggler" figure - as showcased in this old post HERE as well as the other "non-action" figures - showcased in this old post HERE.

However, there are still continuing entries for both, the "Idol Pursuits" and "The 'Magic' of Video" subject themes.

We'll be continuing with both soon.

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

* However, since the final "action figure" (*cough* DOLL *cough*) product has little to do with the film (and yet is still tangentially connected to Doctor Strange) it gets filed under the "Idol Pursuits" 'action figure' label.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The "Magic" of Video - Part I-A:
DR. STRANGE - the 1978 TV Movie
Promos, Design Art and Swag

Hopefully you watched and enjoyed the presentation of the 01978 "made-for-TV" pilot movie of
DR. STRANGE

(In case you missed it - as presented HERE)
(And then don't forget to check out my thoroughly in-depth review HERE)

Today we're just going to take a look at some (most) of the Promotional material, Design artwork and video releases for the film, which, as a collector of all-things Doctor Strange (eclectica and ephemera included), I have spent long hours (ok... years) to obtain.

---------

First up, is the actual television print ad for the original broadcast of the movie.



---------
which is found in THIS issue of TV GUIDE


--------

There were, of course, numerous production stills and promotional photographs.
Here is one featuring Jessica Walter (Morgan Le Fay) and Peter Hooten (Dr. Strange) in plain-clothes.

There were several with Strange in his more ornate sorcerer's garb, as well as ones featuring actors on the soundstage. Most of those images were stills from the actual film, unlike this photo, which shows the actors in a shot not seen on screen.


---------

This is a press-release notice that accompanied the pic giving all the pertinent information of the photo and the broadcast.


---------

These next three images are actual character costume design studies (and some conceptual set designs) by artistic consultant (and former Doctor Strange comic artist); Frank Brunner.

LINDMER


MORGAN

DR. STRANGE

These illustrations are from the fabulous art-book: After Image; the 2nd volume of the Brunner Mystique (although, I wholeheartedly recommend The Brunner Mystique as well).

If you're interested, After Image is available from: sellers like these.

Brunner Mystique available from here: as well.


One of the challenges for the costume design was the overall belief that costumes worn in the comics don't translate well into "real life", and as such, Doctor Strange's costumes were heavily retooled.

According to some of the interviews and articles, the first (and cooler of the two) was designed along the lines of "a man attending an opera", with a lush cloak (with a heck of a lot of 'bling').

It was far more favorable to the final costume that Strange wears at the end of the movie.
As opposed to his traditional "demon" emblem, the final costume features a "star-burst" symbol, which was actually one of Frank Brunner's trademark design elements.

(The brown bell-bottoms, however, were just a by-product of the times.
Hell, I had 'em too, back then, and I was certainly not a mystic master!)


Still, that final costume design is far worse and more outlandishly gaudy than the classic one(s) that Ditko designed.

---------

These are but some of the magazines that featured promotional photos, interviews, articles and/or copy blurbs pertaining to the film.
It was, of course, the subject of many "revisited" articles and interviews, but we're just dealing with the ones that were released at the time.




It's entirely possible that there may also have been other magazines that featured information on the film at the time (and heck... I may even HAVE some - with the sheer number of magazines that I have, I might have forgotten about them).

---------

What follows are the many video releases for the movie.

The 01987 U.S. release.
---------

The 01993 re-release
(note the different MCA logo at the bottom)

---------

The 01995 re-release
(still in shrinkwrap)
---------

01986 German Edition
Oddly enough, this one has a copyright date of 1971 printed on the front. Seven years BEFORE the movie was released. A typo, obviously, as on the back cover they have the correct year.---------

One version of the UK tape
(no date listed except for the original 1978 copyright)
---------

Another UK version
slightly redesigned from the one above

* I thought it would be interesting to reference from whence that UK cover art originated:
T'was from DOCTOR STRANGE v1 # 171, art by Dan Adkins...
Actually, I SHOULD say that it was RE-DRAWN by someone else, as there are differences between the original comic-art and the far cruder VHS cover-art.







If interested, original VHS tapes can be obtained HERE.

UPDATE:
It's FINALLY available officially on DVD!
2017 US DVD Release

DOUBLE UPDATE:
Not only do we get a USA (area 1) DVD. But they also released a UK (areas 2,4,5) DVD.

2017 UK DVD Release


-END UPDATE-

There are, of course, many bootleg DVD's available, but none of them are official releases, and many are of poor video quality (closer to the YouTube video picture quality) than the authentic VHS tapes.

Some are quite good, but they are few and far between.

I personally own 4 or 5 different DVD versions - mostly purchased for the interesting interpretations of cover art and menu design (and, y'know... the obsession).


UPDATE:


Just because i want to show you one of the bootlegs, THIS is one of the better ones, because the case art (by Kevin Nowlan, taken from his First Team Press Lithograph) is gorgeous and the detail put into the text, descriptions, and even the disc itself is a job well done. 





.


DOUBLE UPDATE:

HOWEVER. the single, most delightful version in my collection is the rarest:

A Hi-Fi BETA (BETAMAX) tape!

Much like the VHS tape (which may have won the "popularity contest" of home video tape delivery systems, the BETA is far superior), this one utilized a nearly identical case as the VHS (a money-saving move), but the BETA tape is about 2/3 the size of a VHS, so the bottom of the box ihas a protective filler.

Still in its shrinkwrap, only the various BETA ink-stamps and stickers let you know of the rarity inside. 


1987 MCA BETA TAPE
 





The copyright notice on the bottom says 1987, but while that is probably correct, I can't help but wonder if it's a dyslexic number error, kind of like one of the earlier VHS tapes. 



-END UPDATE-

---------

-UPDATE-
(APRIL 25, 2022)

And Lo! Once again we are called to bear witness, in this new, modern age and time..

BLURAY!




Produced and released by SHOUT FACTORY, this blu-ray comes with remastered video and extra commentary (tho not by any of the actors)

-END UPDATE-

---------

I'm going to end this entry with a portion of the 01980 Doctor Strange calendar (as shown in full detail in THIS POST).
These are the final panels in the calendar (December 31st and the following "free spaces" afterward).
The fun imagery for "Doctor Strange on TV!", the usage of the EYE of AGAMOTTO with the CBS logo, and Strange destroying a TV soundstage and film crew are cute, playful touches.


---------

Next time, we'll take a look at the one other piece of merchandise from the film...
A movie needs ancillary products, and a super-hero movie needs... an ACTION FIGURE!
We'll take a look at one that never quite made it to market... and the final fate to which it befell.

Friday, January 23, 2009

The "Magic" of Video - Part I;
DR. STRANGE - 1978 TV Movie.
a Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz presentation.

As a new feature film for Doctor Strange is, once again, rumored to be in production, I thought it best to go over the many versions of Doctor Strange that have made it to the (small) screen thus far.

First up would be this; the 1978 made-for-tv pilot movie:

DR. STRANGE

The first mass media appearance of the Marvel Comics character; DOCTOR STRANGE, outside of comics, magazine cameos (such as ESQUIRE Magazine in 1966) and the occasional piece of merchandise, this made-for-TV movie was the pilot for what was hoped to be an ongoing television series.

Based, loosely, upon the work and characters of creators; Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, this film was
Written and Directed by:
  • Philip DeGuere

Starring:
  • Peter Hooten as Dr. Stephen Strange
  • Clyde Kusatsu as Wong
  • Jessica Walter as Morgan Le Fay
  • Eddie Benton (later Anne-Marie Martin) as Clea Lake
and
  • John Mills as Thomas Lindmer

Featuring:
  • Philip Sterling as Dr. Frank Taylor
  • June Barrett as Sarah
  • Sarah Rush as Nurse
  • Diana Webster as Head Nurse
  • Bob Delegall as Intern
  • Larry Anderson as Magician
  • Blake Marion as Department Chief
  • Lady Rowlands as Mrs. Sullivan
  • Inez Pedroza as Announcer
  • Michael Clark as Taxi Driver
  • Frank Catalano as Orderly
  • Michael Ansara as Ancient One (voice, uncredited)
  • Ted Cassidy as Demon Balzaroth (voice, uncredited)
  • David Hooks as The Nameless One (uncredited)
Trippy 1970's mod music by:
  • Paul Chihara
Produced by:
  • Alex Beaton
  • Philip DeGuere
  • Gregory Hoblit

Released by Universal (an MCA company) on CBS TV on Wednesday, September 6th 1978, from 8 - 10 pm Eastern Time, it was up against heavy competition as it aired the same time as a re-broadcast of a segment of the very popular mini-series: 'ROOTS'.
As such, the Master of the Mystic Arts had met the ultimate foe.
Neither Dormammu... Nor Mordo... Not Nightmare... Or even Death itself, but instead; the NIELSEN RATINGS monster.

The film gets lambasted and little respect by critical comic fans, however, I must state that it stands head and shoulders above much of the output of that time-frame, comic-related or otherwise.

One of the points of contention among die-hard fans is that it posited some reinterpreted characterizations.

- Stephen Strange is more of a "slacker, horn-dog", (But a CARING, slacker, horn-dog) Psychiatrist / MD with a mini-fro, than the "driven and avaricious egotistical surgeon" we know from the comics.

- Clea is "Clea Lake"; a college student.

- Wong is able to cast spells.

- And the "Ancient One" is Thomas Lindmer; a more 'modern-day Merlin-type' of mystic than the Eastern lama who taught the comic-version of Strange the ways of sorcery.

The film also suffered from budgetary and effects constraints, and some of the acting is less than Emmy worthy, but no one involved can be accused of phoning it in.

With some interesting cinematography, clever editing (the Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein segments help tie together the characters' separate worlds) and effective settings (especially within the Sanctum Sanctorum), it's a very entertaining film and one that is enjoyable even after many multiple viewings.
It's cheese. But, it's GOOD cheese!

While, next time, we'll be going over all the assorted goodies associated with this film, it's best to just have the movie stand by itself.

And so, without further ado... Hit the lights, please...

Originally presented on CBS.
Their own "EYE" of Agamotto shining upon the project.

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

Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blogThe Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog

and Sanctum Sanctorum Vidzpresents a Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz presentation

- of -

DR. STRANGE TV MOVIEDR STRANGE

*************
"There is a barrier that separates the known from the unknown.
Beyond this threshold lies a battleground where forces of good and evil are in eternal conflict.
The fate of mankind hangs in the balance and awaits the outcome..."

"In every age and time,
Some of us are called upon
to join the battle..."

*************


part I

*************


part II

*************


part III

*************


part IV

*************


part V

*************


part VI

*************


part VII

*************


part VIII

*************


part IX

*************


part X

*************
~FIN~


Check back next time for a showcase of many items, pics, and goodies associated with the film.


Feel free to discuss the merits of the film in the comments section.

(my apologies for the moderate quality of the film. I HAVE a higher quality version that I was going to use, but my video editing software was cursed by Asmodeus, so I resorted to these back-up files, pre-edited by others. If I ever get it back up and running. I'll re-edit and re-post here for posterity.)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz * : Video Teaser

Take a look at this video and see if you can guess what I'll be showcasing here very soon. **




Lots of goodies to come!


* Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz is the name of my YouTube account, from which I'll be featuring any video content for the blog.

** HINT: It's not "The Man With The POWER".

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

GAZE INTO THE FUTURE : 2009 APRIL

The FEBRUARY 2009 solicits are up
(for stuff shipping APRIL 2009)
so let's jump right in:

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

"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.
As I've used before; "doctored" image from the cover to Strange Tales # 156
(original art by Marie Severin)
*yes, I used it again. Looks like this is the "official" image for this feature.*

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

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

We'll begin with the BIG SHOW:

NEW AVENGERS # 52

COVER BY: BILLY TAN
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: BILLY TAN/ CHRIS BACHALO
THE STORY:
Who is the new Sorcerer Supreme? The entire Marvel Universe hangs in the balance as the Avengers race to help the fallen Doctor Strange battle the forces of the Dark Dimension as they make their earthly power play.

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 22, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---
So, let's see what we have here;
A fallen Dr. Strange? Check.
Dormammu rampaging? Check.
His new "boy"; the HOOD on the cover? Check.
Eye of Agamotto ON HIS FOREHEAD?! Ch...Ch..Check.
MUST... NOT... go into... FANBOY... rampage!

But... Chris Bachalo is ALSO working pencils?
Hmm? I'm intrigued.

OK. Moving on.

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

Dr. Strange should feature in:

AVENGERS/INVADERS # 10

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

THE STORY:
The true enemy stands revealed and in a twisted past with no order, two teams of heroes make their way under the Atlantic ocean to confront the enemies of freedom who are planning their next move behind a wall built around Europe. But even with the help of Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, plus Black Panther, it may be too late to stop the end of everything.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

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

---

Doc's participation in this title has been growing with each subsequent issue, so I'd imagine by now he's about ready to get his major magic wammy-jammy on!

He STILL didn't make the COVER, however.
hurm.

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

Doctor Strange and the Defenders are in:

HULK # 11

50/50 cover "A" - THE DEFENDERS

50/50 cover "B" - The OFFENDERS

COVER(s) BY: ED MCGUINNESS
WRITER: JEPH LOEB
PENCILS: ED MCGUINNESS

THE STORY:
THE DEFENDERS/OFFENDERS WAR!
The good news? Hulk’s got help on his side in the form of Namor, Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer! The bad news? Rulk’s got pals of his own. When the original Defenders face off one-on-one with Rulk, Tiger Shark, Baron Mordo, and Terrax, it’s anybody’s bet who will win… but who exactly is betting on these fights? A smash-, splash-, and cosmic-flash-fest that could ONLY have come from the minds of award-winning superstar writer Jeph Loeb and everybody’s favorite Hulk artist Ed McGuinness!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 22, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

So. Did you see the cover layout?
Seem - FAMILIAR?
If you can't quite place it, let me help you out...

Ah! A Marvel Feature # 1 homage!
Nice!

However, this issue is also available with yet another Variant cover by ART ADAMS
What is this? 1995? Dammit, Marvel! CUT THE CRAP ALREADY with the variants!
Luckily, I'm a huge Art Adams fan, so...

Otherwise, we have part II of the DEFENDERS / OFFENDERS story.
I'm still interested and looking forward to seeing what it's all about.

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

Doctor Strange MAY be in the following list of comics:

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

TIMESTORM 2009/2099 # 1

COVER BY: CHRISTOPHER SHY
WRITER: BRIAN REED
PENCILS: ERIC BATTLE

THE STORY:
2009…meets 2099? Future history has been shattered by events in the present! If you think you know the heroes and villains from Marvel’s dark future, writer Brian Reed (SECRET INVASION: CAPTAIN MARVEL) and artist Eric Battle (Batman) say it’s time to think again! Get ready for the re-imagined 2099 versions of Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, the X-Men and more!
Plus 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

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

---

Since DOC was one of the time-jumping heroes who appeared in the 2099 era stories, as well as having a young girl who was the Sorcerer Supreme of the world of 2099 "Strange 2099", either of them have a good chance of making an appearance.

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

Doctor Strange and/or Man-Thing might still be lurking in this mini-series:

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS FINALS # 3

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

THE STORY:
How metal is a giant ghostly Magneto presence trying to crush the X-Men? VERY METAL. And have no fear of the weirdness stopping there, because now the black and gold-suited X-Men have just arrived to add to the confusion our graduating class find themselves in! And the brilliant Hank McCoy will foolishly end a sentence in a preposition like we're doing here!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

It's hard to say for sure.
The cover art for the series is a long series of interlocking images, showcasing the many heroes and foes that the "young"X-Men had encountered.
Issue # 1 had Doc. But they also encountered Manny at least twice so...
Who knows?
Check it out. The stories are still well written and entertaining.

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


MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA # 5

COVER BY: JAY ANACLETO
WRITER: KURT BUSIEK
PENCILS: JAY ANACLETO
THE STORY:
The Hulk destroys a town! The FF get a new HQ! X-Factor debuts! The Sub-Mariner joins the Avengers! The Masters of Evil attack! Magneto goes on trial! Big news. But where's Phil Sheldon? Is he covering the stories? Can he? As we approach the fateful finale, Phil faces a deadline -- and old friends rally round.

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 22, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

It's hard to say with this series...
Doctor Strange has been featured in a behind-the-scenes, easter-egg / cameo-type of manner in the first two issues that have been released at this time.
Man-Thing was also given a very small hidden appearance in issue # 2
(all of these things I had raved about in THESE POSTS.)

Either way, the story and artwork have pulled me in, so, I'm buying it, and keeping my fingers crossed for more Strange (and Manny).

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

Ultimate Doc might still be in:

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN # 133

COVER BY: STUART IMMONEN
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: STUART IMMONEN
THE STORY:
The end of an era?
The last issue of Ultimate Spider-Man?
Peter Parker is Spider-Man no more?
Is Spider-Man dead and gone in the events of Ultimatum?
This final issue will leave you jaw-on-the-floor shocked at the turn of every page!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 22, 2009

IMPRINT: ULTIMATE UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---
Ultimate Doc was in the previous issues, but there's no way to know if he's moved on (or died) by this issue.

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

"6-DIMENSIONS" CHARACTERS appear in these comics:


Man-Thing co-stars with
Morbius, Werewolf by Night, Son of Satan & Jennifer Kale in:

MARVEL ZOMBIES v4 # 1

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

THE STORY:
The acclaimed creative team behind MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 returns…with another adventure that takes place in the Marvel U! The vampire. The witch. The werewolf. The muck-monster. The devil. They're nobody's idea of heroes, but they're all that stands between our world and an unstoppable apocalypse! They're the new Midnight Sons, and their quest to track down the undead who escaped from A.R.M.O.R. will lead them around the globe—and right to a cruise ship overrun with undead undersea-dwelling cannibals! Can this monstrous team stop the "red tide" before it unleashes untold horror upon the mainland? Not if the Merc With Only a Mouth has anything to say about it! Yes, writer Fred Van Lente and artist Kev Walker—the guys who made IGN.com say “MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 may actually rank as the best in the series”—are back again, unleashing the flesh-eaters for another roller coaster ride of gore, action, gore, thrills, gore and gore!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

---

Man-Thing!
Midnight Sons!
'Nuff Said!

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


I only include this next comic here because She-Hulk and Thundra (who seems to be the NEW She-Hulk) have featured heavily in recent Defenders-type storylines:

ALL-NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK # 1

COVER BY: ALEX GARNER
WRITER: FRED VAN LENTE
PENCILS: ?
LETTERED BY: ED DUKESHIRE

THE STORY:
From a world where society as we know it has crumbled and humanity has been irrevocably changed, she comes—the all-new, all-different SAVAGE SHE-HULK! But now, a deadly mission has brought her to current Marvel continuity. What terrible secret does this gamma-irradiated beauty bare? And is she friend or foe, Inhuman or mutant, Avenger, Defender...or Invader? Discover the mysteries surrounding this all-new superstar in the Marvel Universe as we proudly presents the all new SAVAGE SHE-HULK!
Plus 8 pages of Director’s Cut Extras!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009
IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED T+

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

Non-Skrull Elektra is in the limelight in:

DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA # 2

COVER BY: LEE BERMEJO
WRITER: ZEB WELLS
PENCILS: CLAY MANN
INKS: MARK PENNINGTON
COLORED BY: MATT HOLLINGSWORTH
THE STORY:
Even for a lethal ninja assassin who’s been to the far side of death and back, Elektra faces the fight of her life! Freed from her torment at the hands of mad Skrull scientists, and delivered straight into the grabby hands of Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R., Elektra’s been imprisoned, tortured, vivisected, and even replaced with a genetic double. But the deadliest woman in the world still managed to free herself, and now, hobbling and wounded, she struggles to clear her name for her impostor’s crimes even as she fights to stay alive!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

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

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

Werewolf by Night stars in:

DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING WEREWOLF BY NIGHT # 4

COVER BY: RAFAEL GRAMPÁ
WRITER: DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
PENCILS: MICO SUAYAN
COLORED BY: IAN HANNIN
LETTERED BY: NATE PIEKOS

THE STORY:
This wolf has sniffed the trail all the way to the end! In a
sinister sub-basement, Jack Russell finds the answers behind his very existence as the blood-thirsty, carnivorous Werewolf By Night…and more! Don’t miss the brutal, bloody, gory final issue of this anything-goes MAX Werewolf, as Jack confronts the man responsible for Jack’s torment and the death of his wife…and fights some monsters, too!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MAX
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: EXPLICIT CONTENT

---

I enjoyed the first issue and will be reading to see if it all ends as good as it began.

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

An alternate version of the Scarlet Witch is in:

EXILES # 1


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

THE STORY:
Heroes are being pulled out of the worlds they know- The Beast. The Witch. Panther. Forge. Polaris. All find themselves in a place out of time with a new mission in life. But something seems to have shifted in the mechanics of the universe, things may not be quite what we remember... But one thing we know for certain- BLINK is BACK!
Plus 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

---

Hey. I like the Scarlet Witch, alright?

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

The "New Defenders" (as seen in recent issues of the Fantastic Four) get their own title
(and a new name) in:

FANTASTIC FORCE # 1

COVER BY: BRYAN HITCH
WRITER: JOE AHEARNE
PENCILS: STEVE KURTH
INKS: SERGE LAPOINTE
THE STORY:
FROM THE PAGES OF FANTASTIC FOUR: The Hooded Man! Lightwave! Banner! Natalie X! Psionics! Alex Ultron! They’re the last six superhumans from a devastated future! They’ve rescued the remnants of a devastated humanity by relocating them to an artificial planet in the present day! Now they face their greatest challenge—to create a better utopian society! But there are vast forces from across the Marvel Universe who will move against them—plus a threat from their own era they thought they’d left behind!
Plus, 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

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

---

It's a HULK and a future team of "Defenders"... what else do you need?

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

Namor guest stars in:

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN # 12

COVER BY: SALVADOR LARROCA
WRITER: MATT FRACTION
PENCILS: SALVADOR LARROCA
INKS: SALVADOR LARROCA
COLORED BY: FRANK D'ARMATA
LETTERED BY: VC - JOE CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:
Pepper Potts takes flight! Maria Hill fights back! And Iron Man heads for a Stark Lab hiding somewhere in the briny deep where Norman Osborn dispatches PRINCE NAMOR to take him out. Man oh man is THAT gonna be a fight for the ages. By Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

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

Elsa Bloodstone appears in these two issues:

MARVEL ASSISTANT-SIZED SPECTACULAR # 1

COVER BY: DAVID WILLIAMS
WRITER: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
JASON AARON
CHRIS YOST
CHRIS GIARRUSSO
ADAM WARREN
WYATT CENAC
BRIAN PATCHETT
PENCILS: JACOB CHABOT
RICHARD ISANOVE
JOH JAMES
CHRIS GIARRUSSO
TODD NAUCK
XURXO PENALTA
INKS: JACOB CHABOT
THE STORY:
Rejects, benchwarmers, lovable losers, and might-be Avengers…assemble! In the beloved tradition of Assistant Editors’ Month, we the staffers are sick and tired of our bosses telling nothing but Wolverine stories, Spider-Man stories, Captain America stories…and we’re taking matters into our own oddball hands! Little guys can be heroes, too…and when this motley crew of misfits gets their shot – in stories featuring Elsa Bloodstone, American Eagle, D-Man, the daughter of Galactus, Mini Marvel cake-eating Hawkeye, Candidate Luke Cage, and more – it could be the start of something big! Don’t miss this two-issue anthology of also-rans who might – just MIGHT – ascend to the A-list! (Fingers crossed. Really we’re just hoping this doesn’t get us fired.)

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---
and
---

MARVEL ASSISTANT-SIZED SPECTACULAR # 2

THE STORY:
SAME Solicitation text as # 1


PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 29, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---

Marvel's doing a 2-issue anthology book-set that rekindles the "Assistant Editor's Month" gimmick from over 20 years ago.
Then it seemed innocent fun. Now, it's obviously a planned pulling-of-the-nostalgia-strings of old-fans.

It might be a fun two-issues, however.

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

Nick Fury, Druid and Hellfire are three of the:

SECRET WARRIORS # 3

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

THE STORY:
The most talked-about new Marvel series continues as HYDRA's plans pick up speed while more remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D. fall. Nick Fury reconnects with an old colleague and finds out that the balance has shifted between him and some of his former soldiers. All that, and the Warriors suffer their first casualty of war.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

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

---

I've been following Nick Fury since his old "Strange Tales" issues, and the son of Dr. Druid is enough to get me to buy this - at least for the first arc.

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

Black Knight, Blade, Dracula & Dr. Doom are in:

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 # 12

COVER BY: STUART IMMONEN
WRITER: PAUL CORNELL
PENCILS: LEONARD KIRK
INKS: JAY LEISTEN
COLORED BY: BRIAN REBER
LETTERED BY: VC - JOE CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:
In issue 3, Pete Wisdom let loose hordes of Magical villains in order to fight the Skrulls. His chickens are coming home to roost as Dracula has united these forces. They’ve begun to rip MI13 apart and take England for their own. Treaty with Doctor Doom or not, their threat will not be contained to Great Britain. And there’s nothing Pete can do about it…

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 8, 2009

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

---

This comic is quite possibly the BEST thing Marvel is publishing now.
Hop on board.

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

Ghost Rider stars in:

GHOST RIDER # 34

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

THE STORY:
"TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS," PART 2
Among the truckers who work the loneliest stretches of highways at night, there is a legend. The legend of the Highwayman, the hellbilly terror of the hammer lane, a former trucker who was cursed by the devil and now drives a mystical black rig, preying on the souls of anyone foolish enough to drive his highways come nightfall. This issue, that happens to be Danny Ketch, a man who knows a thing or two when it comes to curses.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 8, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY

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

Scarlet Witch appears in:

MIGHTY AVENGERS # 24


COVER BY: KHOI PHAM
WRITER: DAN SLOTT
PENCILS: RAFA SANDOVAL
INKS: DANNY MIKI
COLORED BY: DEAN WHITE
LETTERED BY: DAVE LANPHEAR

THE STORY:
"CHASING GHOSTS"
The SCARLET WITCH is back and her brother wants answers! Join QUICKSILVER as he races around the globe, hunting down the MIGHTY AVENGERS! Plus, what's HANK PYM'S problem with MR. FANTASTIC? And what does NORMAN OSBORN have in store for Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
Guest starring QUICKSILVER, and featuring appearances by the YOUNG AVENGERS and the FANTASTIC FOUR.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 8, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

---
I already told you. I *heart* Scarlet Witch.
It makes no sense. I know that.
She must have altered the probabilities of my interest.

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

Dr. Doom & Morgan Le Fey are in the pages of:

DARK AVENGERS # 4

COVER BY: MIKE DEODATO
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: MIKE DEODATO
INKS: MIKE DEODATO
COLORED BY: RAINIER BEREDO
LETTERED BY: DAVE LANPHEAR

THE STORY:
The Dark Avengers’ first mission shows Norman Osborn all the plusses and minuses of the choices he has made for his team. So changes must be made. Some come, some go, and not everyone is happy about it. Also, the Cabal reunites for the first time since the Dark Reign began, and they are REALLY not happy.

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 15, 2009

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

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

Golden Age Sub-Mariner featured in:

SUB-MARINER COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL # 1

COVER BY: MITCH BREITWEISER
WRITER: ROY THOMAS
PENCILS: MITCH BREITWEISER
INKS: MITCH BREITWEISER
COLORED BY: ELIZABETH BREITWEISER
THE STORY:
The second of a series of celebratory specials commemorating Marvel’s 70th Anniversary and its rich history and characters!
It’s the year 1940, and thanks to policewoman Betty Dean, the young Namor the Sub-Mariner has momentarily halted his jihad against the surface world. But now, an envoy from the Axis powers attempts to sway the undersea prince to the Nazi cause! Can the less worldly Sub-Mariner be tempted?
Plus, a second never-before-seen Namor story by Mark Schultz and Al Williamson, and a reprint of Namor’s first appearance from 1939!
One-Shot/All-New & Reprints

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 15, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: COMIC
RATING: RATED A

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

Dr. Doom, Namor and The Hood all star in:

DARK REIGN: THE CABAL # 1


COVER BY: DANIEL ACUNA
WRITERS: JONATHAN HICKMAN
MATT FRACTION
PETER MILLIGAN
PENCILS: ADI GRANOV
KYLE HOTZ
THE STORY:
Doctor Doom! Emma Frost! The Hood! Namor the Sub-Mariner! Loki! They’re the members of Norman Osborn’s secret Cabal of villainy, united in common cause as they move to change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe! Now, in five all-new stories, learn how each member of this sinister syndicate intends to capitalize on the situation—and perhaps how they intend to deal with each other should it prove necessary!

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: April 29, 2009

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

---

So. The 21st Century name for the "Masters of Evil" is the "Cabal of Villainy"?
I'll have to change their contact info.

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

Dr. Doom guest stars in:

FANTASTIC FOUR # 566


COVER BY: BRYAN HITCH
WRITER: MARK MILLAR
PENCILS: BRYAN HITCH
THE STORY:
THE MASTERS OF DOOM Part one of four.
It begins here!
The final storyline of the Millar/Hitch run on FANTASTIC FOUR,
culminating all of the plot threads they’ve set up so far! From across the universe they come, returning to the Earth after a twenty year journey of genocide and sadism. They’re the men who tutored Doctor Doom in the ways of villainy—and their
re-emergence signals the greatest conflict the Fantastic Four have ever been party to!

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: April 29, 2009

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

---
This story reeks of "ret-conning". Or worse. "Making up false history and ignoring characterization".
Doom is Doom because Doom is DOOM!
Doom is supreme. Doom has no masters.
NO ONE has MADE DOOM, but DOOM!

I think Marvel has forgotten who this guy is.
Lately, his characterization has just been wrong, wrong, wrong.

Someone PLEASE give John Byrne a call.
He's got Doom down to an art.

However, I'll give this a read. I'm trying not to judge things based on the solicit text.

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

COLLECTED EDITIONS

Cloak & Dagger star in:

CLOAK & DAGGER: CHILD OF DARKNESS, CHILD OF LIGHT PREMIERE HC

COVER BY: RICK LEONARDI
WRITER: BILL MANTLO
PENCILS: RICK LEONARDI
THE STORY:
"The darkness hideth not from thee...the night shineth as the day..." Detective Brigid O'Reilly wants to arrest them, Father Francis Delgado wants to reform them — but does anyone really understand them? A year after they debuted as anti-drug vigilantes in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, Cloak and Dagger's secrets were revealed in their own miniseries, collected here for the first time! See the duo's first meeting and transformation, their battles against criminals, and their struggles with themselves — as only two of the eighties' authorial and artistic experts could present them! Collecting CLOAK & DAGGER #1-4
112 PGS.
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3783-2
Trim size: standard

PRICE: 19.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: HARDCOVER
RATING: RATED A



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

Dr. Strange and the Defenders are but a few to be featured in:

SECRET WARS II OMNIBUS HC

COVER BY: ED MCGUINNESS
DM COVER BY: JOHN BYRNE
WRITER: VARIOUS
PENCILS: VARIOUS
COLORED BY: TOM SMITH
LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE

THE STORY:
He rescued the Hulk and destroyed the New Mutants, he wrestled the Thing and made a deal with Mephisto, he created Kurse and Thundersword and a tower of gold! Doctor Strange tried to teach him; Dazzler tried to romance him! The Avengers wanted to recruit him, Daredevil to sue him, and Puma and Deadpool just wanted him dead! Hero, villain, force of nature and deus ex machina all in one: the Beyonder! For good or ill, he was one of the most powerful agents of change in the eighties, and now you can see all of his work all at once! Plus: the menacing Moondragon, the nefarious Nebula and, oddly enough, the origin of Armadillo! Featuring Tabitha Smith, later of New Mutants, X-Force and Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. fame! Collecting SECRET WARS II #1-9; NEW MUTANTS #30 and #36-37; CAPTAIN AMERICA #308; UNCANNY X-MEN #196 AND #202-203; IRON MAN #197; FANTASTIC FOUR #282, #285, #288 and #316-319; WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #6; AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #268 AND #273-274; DAREDEVIL #223; INCREDIBLE HULK #312; AVENGERS #260-261 AND #265-266; DAZZLER #40; ALPHA FLIGHT #28; THING #30; DOCTOR STRANGE #74; CLOAK AND DAGGER #4; POWER PACK #18; THOR #363; POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #121; PETER PARKER, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #111; DEFENDERS #152; DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #1 and QUASAR #8.
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3111-3


PRICE: 99.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: HARDCOVER
RATING: ALL AGES




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

Dr. Strange is featured in MANY of the issues within:

WHAT IF?: SECRET WARS TPB

COVER BY: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI & MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: BRIAN REED
JIM MCCANN
C.B. CEBULSKI
STEVEN GRANT
PAUL TOBIN
MARC SUMERAK
KARL BOLLERS
PENCILS: PAOLO PANTALENA
PATRICK SPAZIANTE
GUS VASQUEZ
PATRICK SCHERBERGER
TREVOR GORING
JORGE MOLINA
THE STORY:
Marvel once again poses the question, "What If...?" What if Iron Man had died instead of Captain America? What if the Scarlet Witch had said “No More Powers” instead of “No More Mutants?” What if Mary Jane was shot instead of Aunt May? What if Dr. Doom kept the Beyonder's power? And finally, what if the Runaways became the Young Avengers? Collecting WHAT IF? CAPTAIN AMERICA: FALLEN SON, SPIDER-MAN: BACK IN BLACK, SECRET WAR, NEWER FF, X-MEN: HOUSE OF M and YOUNG AVENGERS/RUNAWAYS.

ISBN: 978-0-7851-3341-4

PRICE: 19.99
IN STORES: April 1, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: TRADE PAPERBACK
RATING: RATED T+




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

Dr. Doom, Merlin, Mephisto and Morgan Le Fey all feature in:

IRON MAN: LEGACY OF DOOM TPB

COVER BY: RON LIM & BOB LAYTON
WRITER: DAVID MICHELINIE
PENCILS: RON LIM / BOB LAYTON
THE STORY:
Dr. Doom returns to menace Iron Man in the chilling and long-awaited conclusion of the Camelot Trilogy! Mephisto has apparently found a way to bring about the End of Days, and Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom must form an uneasy alliance to try and stop him. But all may not be as it seems. And it takes a journey to Hell itself before the shocking truth is revealed! Iron Man legends David Michelinie and Bob Layton are joined by penciler supreme Ron Lim to bring you an epic literally decades in the making! Collecting Iron Man: Legacy of Doom #1-4.

ISBN: 978-0-7851-3463-3

PRICE: 14.99
IN STORES: April 8, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: TRADE PAPERBACK
RATING: RATED T+




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

Both; Dr. Strange & Man-Thing have small, but important, parts in:

MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 HC

COVER BY: ARTHUR SUYDAM
WRITER: FRED VAN LENTE
PENCILS: KEV WALKER
THE STORY:
Board up Avengers Tower! Lock down the Baxter Building! The ravenous hordes of Marvel Zombies are invading ... the Marvel Universe! That's right, the next chapter of the MZ saga is a non-stop in-continuity gorefest with major implications for at least one Marvel hero! When the super-undead stumble into the MU from the Man-Thing's Nexus of All Realities, all of Florida is quarantined against the zombie plague. Time is quickly running out for a cure, so the Initiative sends a most unlikely group of heroes into the Zombieverse on a desperate mission to find the one item they need before the whole MU is consumed! The scream team of Fred Van Lente (INCREDIBLE HERCULES) and Kev Walker (ANNIHILATION: NOVA) unite for a Marvel Zombies story like you’ve never seen before! Collecting MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 #1-4.

ISBN: 978-0-7851-3635-4
Trim size: oversized

PRICE: 19.99
IN STORES: April 8, 2009

IMPRINT: MARVEL UNIVERSE
FORMAT: HARDCOVER
RATING: PARENTAL ADVISORY




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

Monkey Dr. Druid and more in:

MARVEL APES HC

COVER BY: JOHN WATSON
WRITER: KARL KESEL
PENCILS: RAMON BACHS
THE STORY:
Flingin' feces, True Believer-- the entire Marvel Universe has gone APE! Just when he thinks life can't get any worse or weirder, Marty Blank – a.k.a. that lovable loser, the Gibbon -- finds himself and the brilliant-and-beautiful Dr. Fiona Fitzhugh transported to a world where monkeys rule and humans don't exist! SEE the spectacular simian city of Monkhattan! MEET the hominoid heroes and villains – SPIDER-MONKEY! DOC OOK! IRON MANDRILL! SIMIAN TORCH! THE APE-VENGERS! And more! THRILL to the return of Speedball! LEARN the dark secret of the primate planet! WORRY that the fate of the entire universe is in the hands of the Gibbon! Not a hoax, not a dream, not an imaginary story - just the most not-to-be-missed story of the season! Plus, witness the birth of Gibbon from way back in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #110-111! Collecting MARVEL APES #0-4.

ISBN: 978-0-7851-3914-0
Trim size: oversized

PRICE: 24.99
IN STORES: April 15, 2009

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




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

I have NO idea who'll be in this.
But any number of Doctor Strange related goodness could be within it's pages.
Maybe.

MARVEL COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TPB


COVER BY: ALAN DAVIS

Seventy years of Marvel history calls for a SPOTLIGHT super-spectacular! We're pulling out all the stops with this giant-size extravaganza befitting the milestone of seven decades of comic-book classics. This triple-sized issue revisits Marvel's most memorable moments - and plenty you may have missed - along with as many of its greatest creators as we can cram into 100-plus pages of coverage! We'll also include several classic reprints that will look better than ever, along with the inside scoop on how Marvel restores its comics in Masterworks and Omnibus volumes! This is a commemorative issue you'll not only want for your own reading library, but one you'll want to share with anyone who is ready to stand up and say, "Make Mine Marvel!"

PRICE: 9.99
IN STORES: April 29, 2009

IMPRINT: MARKETING
FORMAT: TRADE PAPERBACK
RATING: RATED T+

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

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


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