MARVEL STAMPS (and DR. STRANGE) SAVE THE DAY! Marvel Philatelist Promotional Swag: Part 2 -or- The Postman Always Blogs Twice

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This is the 2^nd in a duo of blog posts pertaining to Doctor Strange / Marvel swag as produced by the United States Post Office. (The first entry – featuring a solid silver “Ultimate Marvel” coin series can be found [HERE]).

As we showcased in that most recent article, Marvel (and Doctor Strange specifically, for the nature of this blog) had a series of solid silver Coin Medallions and Ingot Stamps minted by the United States Post Office to help celebrate the series of Marvel Comics postage stamps which were released at the time (2007).

From left to right; top to bottom:

Spider-Man, Hulk, Namor, Thing, Captain America

Silver Surfer, Spider-Woman, Iron Man, Elektra, Wolverine

Amazing Spider-Man # 1, Hulk # 1, Sub-Mariner # 1, Fantastic Four # 1, Captain America # 100

Silver Surfer # 1,Marvel Spotlight on Spider-Woman # 37, Iron Man # 1, Daredevil Saga featuring Elektra # 1, X-Men # 1

While the actual push was for the commemorative First Class stamps featuring Marvel Super-Heroes and Villains, as drawn by Marvel artists (in nearly every case taken directly from the comics or utilizing the cover art itself), it was the promotional material that led to the big score for this Doctor Strange fan/collector.

For while Doctor Strange was not a part of the actual US Post Office stamp sheet, he was one of the characters selected for inclusion in the ancillary offering (the aforementioned silver coins and ingots), and as such was included in the promo materials which were released by the Post Office to help sell the stamps. As many a Doctor Strange collector can attest when it comes to Marvel collector swag; “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”… or maybe to keep the Postal theme alive; “not 1^st class… but Bulk mail”.

Allow me to present to you the promo material at this time.

If you were to walk into a Post Office in early 2007, you may very well have been met with this large poster, featuring many of the Marvel heroes as traced over photos – er – “drawn” by Greg Land.

Once again, left to right, top to bottom:

Dr. Strange, Human Torch, Elektra, Thing, Falcon

Mr. Fantastic [head], Hulk, Daredevil, Phoenix, (Mr. Fantastic [body])

Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Invisible Woman, Namor, Stan Lee (as a Postman), Captain America

Wolverine, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman

I don’t know who Land used as a model for Namor, but he is so disgustingly, annoyingly smug-looking that I want to punch him in the throat. So… PERFECT for Namor! Just saying.

However, like anyone who has seen any other Greg Land piece, the poses and faces are instantly recognizable as being re-used from other works. Almost any Greg Land X-MEN cover uses that same Wolverine pose. Just saying that, too.
And while I'm at it... why is Doctor Strange's head smaller than his hand(s)? Look at the GUN SHOW he's pulling off there, too! Damn... Land really doesn't care that not every male hero can be traced from "men's fitness" muscle magazines.

Anyway... it is this artwork that is utilized on all of the promo materials.

If you were to continue up to the counter at your previously alluded-to Post Office, you may have been able to see this “3D” standee dump.

With raised images of the featured stamps flanking the unit, it is printed using several overlaying layers of artwork, thus giving the appearance of being “3D”, with each row of figures appearing closer and closer, until the figures in the foreground “pop” out closest to the viewer than those in the subsequent layers. You can almost smell Wolvie’s sweaty aroma from your computer, can’t you?

At the front is a pad of tear-off contest entry forms (winner would win $10,000… good only at the Post Office Store. Dang… that’s a LOT of stamps).

However, those two items may be the only ones readily viewable by Postal patrons, as the rest were not meant for display.

The following is a 2-sided, 4 piece, over-sized jigsaw puzzle which may have been meant as a give-away to anyone who bought the most Marvel stamps (or perhaps was an intended prize in some kind of promotional contest).

On one side are 4 different enlarged Marvel stamps: Hulk, Silver Surfer, Captain America, Spider-Man (not that I can believe I’m saying this, but to have the Surfer instead of the more recognizable Wolverine makes little sense to me. Perhaps the choice was made by some aging hippie postal worker, fondly remembering licking acid off of Silver Surfer LSD stamps back at Woodstock… I dunno. But then, on a similar note, WHY would the choice of Elektra be made for the actual Stamps over any other, more worthy and responsible “role model” heroine? Certainly, Ms. Marvel [an Air Force Colonel], Storm [the first major African-American Female character], Invisible Woman [a mother – who happens to be a career adventurer] or even Kitty Pryde [youthful, genius, minority, role model] would have made more suitable choices than a returned-from-the-dead assassin?}).

The other side (and the actual “puzzle” aspect of the jigsaw) features the Greg Land group shot.

Lastly, and the rarest item of all, is this Postal Bulletin magazine, meant for the eyes of the Postmaster (and maybe a few clerks) only. Within its pages are boring – er… detailed articles and charts discussing not only the Marvel stamps initiative, but those of so many others at the time.

As you can see from the cover, the stamps were made available nationwide July 26^th, 2007 – which is not wholly coincidental as to why I have chosen this time to showcase these Post Office items now.

Who says this isn’t the most mind-blowingly well-thought-out, First Class blog of all? *

*

Everyone says that. Myself included. Don’t let me fool you otherwise.

Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club (part II) : STRANGE SWAG

As introduced in my most previous post, (which featured an uber-rare, online-exclusive, bonus-content audio-play [HERE],) I discussed the basics of the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club.

In 2006, (and into 2007,) Scholastic Books teamed up with Marvel Comics to form the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club; a subscription book (and collectibles) club, where you would sign up to receive 10 shipments (with a low price first shipment, and then 9 additional - and more expensive - deliveries) of Book Club goodies every month.

Initial Shipment

Including: the first of a series of 10 story "chapter" books, a magazine, a sticker sheet, some toys, a game board and pieces for a "battle" game, a set of collectible cards in an illustrated tin case AND a poster (which when combined with the other 9 posters form a JUMBO-size mega-poster image)! 

Each additional shipment included a Super Hero Adventure Book, a new issue of Marvel Magazine, a 20-Trading Card Booster Pack, a Super Hero Poster and Marvel Stickers, plus continued Website access for the secret online-only content, much like the audio-play featured last post.

Of course, the primary (and, frankly - ONLY) reason that I signed up for the service was in the fleeting hope that - eventually - there would be some DOCTOR STRANGE content in one (or more) of the shipments.

As most DOC-fans of any substantial length of time will readily attest, there is a dearth of Dr. Strange content when it comes to Marvel general merchandise. Sure, Wolverine, Hulk, Captain America and Spider-Man are on everything and anything, but the chances of Doctor Strange being shown on any merchandise item are slim-to-nil.

However, hope springs eternal for the die-hard fan, and as luck would have it, a part of the initial shipment contained a sticker sheet that had a sticker featuring Doctor Strange!

Apologies for some of these poor pics.

My photography staging area is currently a disaster area, and I needed to get these done quickly.

Doc shown 2nd row - 1st sticker on the left.

This was enough to keep me coming back for more shipments - every month - for 10 months... in the slim hope that there would be (there HAD to be) more. 


The fourth shipment was a HULK shipment - with book, poster segment and magazine all featuring the green goliath, and it made sense to me that with their long, historied connection, that Dr. Strange would be featured somewhere therein.

Disappointingly, the audio play that I featured last post was Doc's only contribution to that shipment.
But, still... that kept my hope alive.

But, with shipment after shipment coming with absolutely no Doctor Strange content, I was ready to cut my losses and cancel my subscription. I kept on, however, due to my paranoia that once I canceled, that a Doctor Strange related shipment would have been the very next one. And so I waited it out... all the way to the end.

Good thing that I did.

For the 10th and final shipment was what could be considered the "everything but the kitchen sink" shipment. The "everybody else" assortment.

It featured a Silver Surfer magazine...

And while the magazine didn't have anything with Dr. Strange within (surprising since there was also the long, historied relationship between the Surfer & Strange as Defenders) the shipment did contain several items of STRANGE swag!

Like every other shipment, this one also came with a sticker sheet.
In an ironic symmetry, this last shipment's sticker sheet (like the first shipment's) would also feature a Doctor Strange sticker.

Doc shown 2nd row - 2nd sticker from the right.

Each shipment would also come with a pack of cards for a CCG, and this shipment would finally contain a card for Doctor Strange.

While that would be a nice treat (and a rare addition to my insane collection of Strange-related collectible cards), an even better treat would also lie within this shipment:

The storybook that featured DOCTOR STRANGE (and the Avengers) vs GALACTUS.

The story featured a pot-lock / potpourri of heroes, most closely resembling the line-up of the "Bendis-vengers" in a battle to save the Earth from Galactus and his many heralds (none of which were heralds ever seen before in comics canon). Actually, while the book title is listed as the Avengers vs Galactus, is was really "Everybody vs Galactus", since the devourer of worlds would be faced by not only the World's Mightiest Heroes, but also the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and many solo heroes.

Doctor Strange is written as dealing with several of the heralds, so that the heroes can take the battle to Galactus. Here's a pic with an excerpt:

click to read

And last, but certainly not least, the shipment also had a mini-poster which featured the DEFENDERS (minus the Hulk, who is on his own poster) versus Galactus!

click to Galactus-size

This 11" x 17" mini-poster was the final segment of the 22" x 85" mega-image battle-scene that would be made when all ten posters were aligned in their proper positions.

click to mega-size!

Sadly, the club shuttered not long after this final shipment - depriving other dorks...uh... darling children from the wonders of the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club.

GRAVEN IMAGES : 01 Featuring: THE MARVEL TEAM-UP POSTER - 1983 -

Taking a break from other blog topics, I am posting this next entry in response to several requests to see this particular item.

Far be it for me to deny the fans that for which they clamor, even though this was originally to be posted later - as both; a part of a series of posts about the various Posters in the Sanctum, as well as a series about all the various weird items that feature ROM; SPACEKNIGHT.

However, this item is one that not only showcases ROM, but would (almost *) be the 1st ** that would feature all 3 of my blog's "Founding Fathers":
DOCTOR STRANGE, ROM: Spaceknight, and the MAN-THING.

MARVEL TEAM-UP: STARRING SPIDER-MAN

 POSTER

from 1983

A rare promotional item, measuring 34" x 22", from 1983, when Marvel was still publishing their MARVEL TEAM-UP title.

Sent to comic shoppes at that time, this wasn't something that most fans would have been able to get their hands on, as it was usually displayed in the comic store until destroyed by time, faded by the sun, or simply discarded for the next promotional push.

The weird thing is, ROM never made it to be featured as a guest star in Marvel Team-Up!
He did, eventually make it as a gust star in the companion title; Marvel Two-In-One (starring The THING) in issue # 99, but never was there a Spider-Man / ROM team up.

Man-Thing was featured, at least twice, in the series, and Doctor Strange was a guest, several times over.

Now, I can hear everyone saying; "Now wait-a-minute... I can see Doctor Strange and ROM, but I don't see the Man-Thing." And you'd be correct.

Which is why I noted above with the asterisk  " * ".

* For you see, the poster in its final - printed - incarnation is not what was originally intended.
No. For next you shall see the original pencilled artwork, by Ron Frenz, of what he had originally designed the poster to be.

You'll note that many of the characters in the original penciled version are either in different, some might note; less-dramatic poses, or are shifted around with other characters when it came to produce the final piece.

Note: Doctor Strange is more menacing, but with no spell-casting gesture, ROM has no Neutralizer being used and Man-Thing is present just behind the hooded cowl of Moon Knight.
Other characters are also less dynamic or are totally relocated or deleted - compare and contrast with the printed version to see all the differences!

The final product is indeed better than the original layout, with more action-oriented poses and characters flying in the air (as I'd imagine Ron Frenz wasn't sure how much room was needed up top for logos and type copy), but alas... poor Man-Thing was omitted.

I can ALSO hear you saying; "Hey! Didn't the 'MARVEL UNIVERSE' poster come out first?"
Well, no.

As I noted above with my double-asterisk" ** " was that I was intending to get to that as well.

** In the interest of providing all the info that you might want to know - since I did mention it - while released AFTER the TEAM-UP poster,  the FIRST (and only) poster to feature all 3 of my "Blog Founding Fathers" would be the famous, and highly sought giant-sized mega-poster of:

THE MARVEL UNIVERSE POSTER

from 1985

I am only showing this version - where I highlighted THE THREE, as I will be posting a solo entry for this poster eventually.

This GIANT poster (seriously, it's like 4 feet high by 4 feet wide!) is what was designed for the original 1982 - 1984 series of the OFFICIAL HANDBOOK of the MARVEL UNIVERSE, by Ed Hannigan - and inked by Joe Rubinstein. When all 12 original issues were placed in order, their wrap-around cover art would form this image (with some differences, as a few costume designs and artistic tweaks would be made when this poster was printed, in 1985).

This poster would be re-released twice more - once in 1988 and again in the 1990's (iirc?)  in conjunction with Dymanic Forces. The way to tell the original is by the date printed on the side.
Also, the Dynamic Forces version has a Marvel and DF logo on the bottom left and I believe is much smaller than the original.

But even THIS poster would have been a not-so-distant third to another poster that ALMOST edged out both of the above images...

THE MERRY MARVEL MARCHING CONFUSION POSTER

1982 - By Michael Golden.

Here, in Michael Golden's illustration are featured but two of "THE THREE" - this time with ROM not present, as ROM was a licensed property and not one of Marvel's own characters.

This 11" x 17" print was first available as a mail-away offer (for 50cents) found in many comics in 1982. The print came folded (2 folds) along with promotional materials from other publishers and outlets.

The print was later made available in the 1998 as a prestige edition litho by Dynamic Forces with all new computerized coloring and effects.

Like the M.I. poster above, I'll be devoting a post to this wondrous poster, its history and incarnations at a later date.


Now, can't you see why I was originally intending to wait before posting this item?
;-)

Could DR. STRANGE extending Credit Card privileges have led to the "Progressive Ruin" of the economy?

It's a rainy, miserable day today, and I can't quite think straight, so I was going to take the day "off" from the blog.

That was before I saw that Mike Sterling, over at "Progressive Ruin" ran an entry today dealing with THIS item:

Marvel Comics retailer promo "sign" (1992)

As a collector of ALL-THINGS DOCTOR STRANGE, I, of course, have this curiosity.
(I yoinked the image from Mikester. I mean... they're identical, so honestly, why take a pic of mine?)

I obtained mine while working at an antiquarian book store / comic shoppe back then.
My shoppe never used it as it was intended, and the managers (my friends) knew of my propensity towards Dr. Strange. So... like the "Tower of Power" ... it became mine.

It's not quite a "poster", since it's printed on a medium weight card stock and measures only about 9 inches wide by 12 inches high.
It's more of a "sign" than a "poster", and it's function falls squarely within "sign" territory anyway, since it's purpose (aside from being a ghastly eyesore - as I'll describe later) was to inform comic shoppe clientele that said establishment accepted credit cards.

However, (and I'll paraphrase what I wrote in the comments section of Mike's blog entry):
Whenever I look at this sign, it always makes me wonder;
"What the hell is UP with this thing?"

From top to bottom it's a train-wreck.

- First off; as much as I lurve DOC, I can't imagine ANYONE in a comic shoppe thinking that HE would be the BEST, most recognized figure to hawk their credit card policy.
(Unless it's that he's an upright, elder gentleman, as opposed to Marvel's corporate trademark, who is just some punk kid with a full face-mask who may or may not be a "Threat or Menace".)

- Another problem (well... it's all part of this problem really) is the DESIGN... GAH!!!
Is it SUPPOSED to be hard to determine that the "spell" Doc is casting is in the shape of the U.S. Dollar "$" sign? But then, his right hand should be pointing "the horns" downward, in order to more accurately make that work.

It's also impossible to know what the hell that red pointy thing is behind him (unless you KNOW who Doc is and what his costume looks like and that it is the collar of his Cloak of Levitation).
To the average customer, it's just a distraction.

- The art and coloring are ATROCIOUS and actually cause the consumer to look away, recoiling in horror at it's badness (and not "bad" as in "good", either).

RED lettering on a pale BLUE background?
Besides being illegible (with a crappy font) it causes the text to appear as if it's vibrating (because the two opposing colors are vying for your eyes' attention) and will seriously cause epileptic fits.
Speaking of the font itself; a "scary" font? Really? Why would you make a sign that looks all "scary", if for all intents and purposes, it's supposed to soothe you into using your credit card (ostensibly to make larger purchases)?

And shouldn't it state: "Dr. Strange SAYS..."?

This thing is just a train-wreck of signage, at cross-purposes with itself.

However, as a collector of ALL-THINGS DOCTOR STRANGE... I have it.

I loathe myself sometimes.



My apologies to Mr. Sterling.
I have no desire to "steal" his content.
It's just that, y'know... I've got a Dr. Strange centric blog that focuses on the items in my collection.
C'mon!

It's bad enough, that I'm presenting this "out of order" (as readers of this blog may have realized that) since I'm presenting items in their respective category/ subjects in a chronological manner.
When I get around to posters, prints and signs... I'll have to link BACK to this entry when this item comes around in rotation.

Let's see...
Geek? Check.
Became a comic reader/ collector? Check.
Obsessive-compulsive about it? Check.
Getting worse as the years go on? Check.
So much so that I now have a blog about it all? Check.
Obsessive-compulsive about that too? Check.

That darned Mike Sterling is right... it is a "Progressive Ruin".


Read Mike Sterling's PROGRESSIVE RUIN every day.
I do. And YOU should too.
(...and this blog. You should read my blog every day as well.)

Gaze into the Future: 2009 MARCH

The JANUARY 2009 solicits are up
(for stuff shipping MARCH 2009)
so here we go again:

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"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.
Once again, "doctored" image from the cover to Strange Tales # 156
(original art by Marie Severin)
*yeah, I used it again. I was going to whip up something new, but the solicits came up faster than I could prep for. Batman, I am not.*

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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".

We'll begin with the BIG SHOW:

NEW AVENGERS # 51



The Story: WHO IS THE NEW SORCERER SUPREME? Doctor Strange has failed as the Master of the Mystic Arts and all the other mystic characters are the heir apparent. Strange comes to the New Avengers for help as the mystic battle royale begins. Plus, how can the Avengers trust Spider-Man if he won't take his mask off?
Rated A …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 25, 2009

If you want to take some bets on the various players, you can check out my in-depth analysis of the major contestants - HERE.

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Doctor Strange should also appear in:

AVENGERS/INVADERS # 9
The Story: Picking up from the jaw-dropping events of Avengers/Invaders #8, our heroes find themselves back in time, with the fate of the very world on their shoulders. Disguised as the heroes of the golden past, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Ms. Marvel and Luke Cage now face Nazis, the power of the Cosmic Cube and the Red Skull… Avengers Assemble!
Rated T+ …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

Also available in a VARIANT edition.
(Doc's not on the regular cover, nor the variant as far as my research shows)

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Strange and the Illuminati are shown (reprinting their previous appearances) in:

SECRET INVASION CHRONICLES # 1



The Story: Experience SECRET INVASION — the premiere crossover event of 2008 that changed the Marvel Universe forever — presented for the first time in chronological order with all major tie-ins! The story begins in NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1, when the veil is lifted on the superhuman world’s most secret organization. Then in NEW AVENGERS #44, watch as the group’s darkest secret begins to tear them apart. And in ILLUMINATI #5, the group gets together for the first time since Planet Hulk and the Civil War to deal with the shocking reveals in NEW and MIGHTY AVENGERS. But not everyone in the cabal is who they say they are. Its a throw-down drag-out that opens the door to SECRET INVASION.
Rated T+ …$5.99
In Stores: Mar 25, 2009

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"ULTIMATE" Dr. STRANGE appears (at least on the cover) :

ULTIMATUM # 4

The Story: The story that will change the Ultimate Universe forever continues! The unlikely pairing of Spider-Man and the Hulk take on Magneto's gathered forces as two more major heroes fall! And will Reed Richards, Doctor Doom and Zarda (Power Princess of the Squadron Supreme) manage to save the world…or just destroy what's left of it?! Eisner Award-winning writer Jeph Loeb and superstar artist David Finch rock the planet in this surprise-packed saga featuring the Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four and the Ultimates!
Rated T+ …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

Also available in a VARIANT edition AND a sketch-variant.
(Thaaat's gonna cost me.)

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"Ultimate" Strange is probably ALSO in:

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN # 132
The Story: ULTIMATUM HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD!! SPIDER-MAN IS MISSING!! Friends are enemies and enemies are friends as
tensions mount to insane proportions. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you: MJ versus Kitty... to the death!!! (well, they slap each other a little)
Rated A …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 25, 2009

ULT.DOC was in the previous two issues, so it's a fair bet he'll be in this one as well (maybe).

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"GENERAL ALL-AGES" DOC appears yet again in:

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES # 9


The Story: A PENNY SHORT IS A DAY SAVED: In a time long gone, the Ancient One fought a tremendous battle against the Dread Dormammu, ultimately banishing the ruler of the Dark Dimension back to his own reality by power of a mystically binding contract. Unfortunately for Dr. Strange, that mystical contract is hundreds of pages long, and the Dread One has now found himself one nasty lawyer, and a whole lot of loopholes. Dr. Strange is going to need all the mystical might he possesses, along with the legal prowess of one Mr. Foggy Nelson, Attorney At Law, in order to send Dormammu packing, or maybe just to stay alive!
All Ages …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 11, 2009

I gave a very good grade in my review of the PREVIOUS "All-Ages-Doc" appearance in this mag (read it if you wish, HERE).
All I can say is that the solicit for this new issue seems JUST as full of possibilities for FUN as the previous one. And it's by the same great creative team:
COVER BY: ROGER CRUZ
WRITER: PAUL TOBIN
PENCILS: JACOPO CAMAGNI
INKS: NORMAN LEE
COLORED BY: GURU-EFX
LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE

So... I have nothing but good feelings about this one.
Probably not something I'd want in a "canon" tale (Foggy Nelson; Interdimensional Lawyer? Really??), but for a fun romp... why not?

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As for THIS... well...MAYBE... Doc might be in it.
He was on the cover of # 1, so he might be floating throughout the arc.
It all depends on the general flow of the story.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS FINALS # 2
The Story: Why are threats from the X-Men's past coming back to haunt them, just as graduation looms? What kind of job could Cyclops hold out in the world? Why does Angel have to have costumes that his hair sticks out of nowadays? And does Professor Xavier even live here anymore? Come find more mysteries to ponder in the second part of FINALS!
Rated A …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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OK. This one is A LONG SHOT.

WOLVERINE # 71
The Story: “OLD MAN LOGAN”
Now we know what happened fifty years ago, the day the super heroes were slaughtered. We know how Logan managed to survived. We know why WOLVERINE didn’t. But that’s nothing compared to what happens next, as Logan and Hawkeye reach New Babylon to deliver their mysterious cargo. But before they get there—they’ll have to face their toughest challenge to date: a Venom Tyrannosaurus Rex! MARK MILLAR and STEVE MCNIVEN continue the career-defining epic that will have fans talking for years to come! Part 6 (of 8).
Parental Advisory …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 18, 2009

I mean, c'mon! They HAVE to show Doc SOMEWHERE in this tale.
If ALL of the "super heroes" are wiped out, then we should see Doc either; trying to save everyone, or being "Hal Jordaned" into unconsciousness, OR taking his leave of this dimensional plane.

If there isn't even a Cloak of Levitation-wearing Skeleton somewhere in this... well... then it's another. "Strange-Snub" TM.

---------6-DIMENSIONS Characters---------

HULK in:

HULK: BROKEN WORLDS # 1
The Story: Across the infinite stretches of the multiverse, countless worlds are forever changed by the monster known as the Hulk…
but must his tale always end in tragedy? Join us as we revisit fan favorite Marvel alternate worlds for new tales of the rampaging green goliath! In this ALL-NEW oversized special, we journey to the House of M, the Microverse, a Future Imperfect, and the year 2099!
Rated A …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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Dr. DOOM in:

BLACK PANTHER # 2

The Story: “DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES," PART 2
Tie-in to “DARK REIGN”
The Black Panther is back…and she’s badder than ever. That’s right -- she! What happened to T’Challa? Who is the new Black Panther? And just where does Dr. Doom fit into all this? Find out the answers to all these questions…and why the female is the deadliest of the species.
Rated T+ …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

And not just ANY Dr. Doom... it's emaciated girlie-looking Dr. Doom!
Sorry, Scott Campbell fans. He needs to learn that not everyone has the same body-shape.
GAH!

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Werewolf By Night in:

DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING WEREWOLF BY NIGHT # 3
The Story: Jack Russell follows the bloody trail behind the senseless attack that turned his life upside-down…and you won’t believe where it leads him! Shocking secrets, stunning betrayals, and answers to questions Jack never even knew to ask! All in a brutal, gory, outrageous splatter-fest of horror and suspense, by Duane Swierczynski (IMMORTAL IRON FIST) and Mico Suayan (MOON KNIGHT)!
Explicit Content …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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New Avengers (RONIN) and back from the dead Mockingbird (formerly of Mephisto's realm):

NEW AVENGERS: THE REUNION # 1
The Story: In the wake of SECRET INVASION, Mockingbird is alive and has returned to Earth after being held captive by the Skrulls. Ronin, her estranged husband, volunteers to help her adjust to her new life as a member of the new Avengers, but some old wounds run too deep. And what deadly secret did she bring back with her that could tear them, and the world, apart once more? It's high-octane action and intrigue as the Mr. & Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe take on one of the biggest threats in the world...and each other!
Rated A …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

Maybe this tale will help shed light on how Mephisto took her to hell, but it wasn't really her, and maybe it was a skrull, but he didn't know - or he DID know and the hilarity of all the confusion and pain got him off...
We'll see.

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Nick Fury, Hellfire & Druid (among others) in:

SECRET WARRIORS # 2
The Story: Exploding out of the pages of Secret Invasion and Mighty Avengers!!
Picking up from the earth-shattering conclusion to issue one... we find out who Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors' real enemies are, where they've been hiding, and why they chose now to make their existence known. Get ready, this is going to send shock-waves that will ripple throughout the Marvel Universe. Hail Hydra!
Rated T+ …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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Namor in:

SUB-MARINER: THE DEPTHS # 5
The Story: Satan’s greatest trick? Convincing the world he didn’t exist. Here, at the bottom of the ocean, at the bottom of the earth, Dr. Randolph Stein is about to plumb the depths of his very soul, as he discovers that some things can’t be explained by facts, or science or reason. Some things do defy explanation. Something does live down here in the black water of the Marianes Trench, and it wants to show Stein its secret, whether he wants to see it or not.
Cardstock Cover/Parental Advisory …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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Black Knight & Blade in:

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 # 11
The Story: “VAMPIRE STATE”
Dracula continues his plan to take the United Kingdom for vampires and monsters. Who is the traitor in the ranks of MI13? Can Spitfire possibly deny what she is? Can Captain Britain save his nation? Find out here!
Rated T+ …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 11, 2009

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Ghost Rider in:

GHOST RIDER # 33
The Story: “TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS,” PART 1
After the shocking events of last issue, the all-new Caretaker struggles to pick up the pieces of her life, but the mad dog man-mountain called The Deacon has other plans. Also, Caretaker gives us a special guided tour of the long sordid history of the Spirit of Vengeance in America, including glimpses of some previously unseen Ghost Riders of the past.
Parental Advisory …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 11, 2009

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Scarlet Witch is said to be a big part of:

MIGHTY AVENGERS # 23
The Story: "Earth's Mightiest Part 3 of 3"
"The Last Knight on Earth"
How can the Mighty Avengers save all of reality from one of their greatest foes... when they can't even stop fighting each other? To survive their first trial by fire, lines will be crossed, ideals will be compromised, and not every hero will make the cut.
You better read this issue of DARK REIGN, guys. Why? Because this one's going to change the Marvel landscape! Literally!
Rated A …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 11, 2009
Also available in a KING variant (I'm assuming that's "War of Kings")

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Silver Surfer continues a story-arc in:

SKAAR: SON OF HULK # 9
The Story: Where the Hulk smashed, the Son of Hulk slaughters. Where the Hulk found wisdom, the Son of Hulk knows only wrath. But can the shining sojourner known as the Silver Surfer reveal the father to the son and awaken the man within the monster? And can Skaar in turn thwart the Surfer from leading his master Galactus to feast upon Planet Sakaar and its ancient Old Power? Shocking revelations and terrifying twists await as Skaar and the Silver Surfer face off one last time -- with the fate of billions in the balance!
Parental Advisory …$2.99
In Stores: Mar 11, 2009

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Morgana Le Fey (and possibly Dr. Doom) manifest in the pages of:

DARK AVENGERS # 3


The Story: The phenom that is the Dark Avengers continues. BATTLEGROUND LATVERIA as Morgana Le Fey attacks with all the power
at her disposal. Meanwhile these new Avengers discover all the dirt and hidden secrets of their notorious pasts.
Rated T+ …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 18, 2009
(also available in a "Young Guns" variant)

-------------ITEMS of SPECIAL INTEREST-------------

Magik (Illyana Rasputin) is raising hell (or at least LIMBO) in:

X-INFERNUS # 4
The Story: The climactic conclusion to the winter X-Men event that everyone is talking about! The X-Men team that leaves to save Illyana from Limbo is not the same as the one that left. It’s X-Man vs. X-Man with all of their souls on the line.
Rated T+ …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 25, 2009
Also available with a variant.

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Nightcrawler has been featured as a big part of some upcoming mystical storyline that is to explode within the M.U. in the next few years (read his last solo series if you want the 411).
This, tying into X-INFERNUS seems like the continuation of the journey down that road:

X-MEN: QUITTING TIME # 1
Rating: RATED T+ X-MEN: QUITTING TIME # 1
The Story: Since the move to San Francisco and after the events of X-Infernus, Nightcrawler realizes a hard truth—he has to quit the X-Men. Kurt has realized that the X-Men just don’t need him anymore. He hasn’t been operating at his highest levels and even the biggest strength he has—teleportation—has been made redundant by Pixie who can do it better and more efficiently. Don’t miss the departure of one of the most important characters in X-Men history.
One-Shot/Rated T+ …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

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and... (non-Skrull) Elektra in:

DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA # 1

The Story: She’s the deadliest woman in the world…and she’s never been in worse shape. Broken, beaten, and tortured by alien scientists, Elektra stumbles to freedom in the aftermath of the Skrull invasion. Now she struggles and fights to stay barely alive, and to clear her name for atrocities committed by an impostor. A LOT of people want Elektra killed…and in her state, that shouldn’t be too difficult…By Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Clay Mann (DAREDEVIL)!
Rated T+ …$3.99
In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

I don't know if I care one way or another about this one, but I just HAD to show this cover.
Oh, man... c'mon! I had a hard time sneaking comics into my house back in the 1970's because my parents were uptight. What if I was growing up NOW? How the hell would THIS get in the door? Why is this kind of cheap cheesecake in a comic book? On the COVER, no less?
Damn. I don't know whether to laugh or cry about it.
*sigh*



----------HARDCOVERS & TPB's--------------

MAN-THING (and Magik, Mephisto, Morbius, Morgan Le Fey and more) IN:

OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z VOL. 7 PREMIERE # 1
The Story: Marvelous mutants (Maggott, Magik, Magma, Magneto, Marauders, Marrow, Marvel Girl, Mastermind, Maverick, Meggan, Mercury, Layla Miller, Mimic, Mr. Sinister, Moonstar, Morlocks, Morph, Multiple Man, MLF, Mystique)! Mighty Avengers (Mantis, Masters of Evil, Mockingbird, Moon Knight, Moondragon, Namor)! Fantastic friends and foes (Alicia Masters, Medusa, Mr. Fantastic, Mole Man, Molecule Man)! Spider-foes (Molten Man, Mysterio)! History's greatest fiends (Maestro, Mandarin, Master Khan, Mephisto, MODOK, Morgan Le Fay)! Monsters (Man-Thing, Morbius)! The world of MC2! Heroes old (Miss America) and young (Victor Mancha)! Mille the Model? It can only be the latest volume of the most comprehensive Handbook of the Marvel Universe ever assembled!
Rated T+ …$24.99
In Stores: Mar 25, 2009

-----------POSTERS------------

DOC & the DEFENDERS! in


HULK: DEFENDERS VS. OFFENDERS # 1
Rating: NO RATING HULK: DEFENDERS VS. OFFENDERS # 1
The Story: 24x36…$8.99

Is this just the first half of the DEFENDERS / OFFENDERS covers from HULK # 10?
(shown below together)

If so... WHY did they have to split this image into TWO POSTERS?!?
Oh...GREED? Gotcha.

In Stores: Mar 4, 2009

***EDIT UPDATE***
It seems that this poster is NOT going to be split up into two images.
Thankfully, it'll be all in ONE glorious image - as it should be.
I'm getting one. (but that goes without saying) How about YOU?
***END EDIT UPDATE***
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(all images yoinked from Marvel.com)


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