AGENTS OF Ѧ.ᚱ.ᛈ.ᕕ.ᚢ.𐌀. #73
Plot by NX01A
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by JEROME OPEÑA
Theme Song: Blue Öyster Cult - The Alchemist
'DIABOLICAL' Part 1 'HOMUNCULI'
•̴Even with C̵T̶H̸U̴L̶H̸U̸, W.A.N.D. Necromancy Director and lich AGNES HARKNESS, and Sorceress Supreme of the Stythe Dimension ANTICLEA defeated, the victors have no time to rest.
•DOCTOR STRANGE and CLEA take Anticlea's body back to her people in an attempt to avoid interplanar war.
•Sorcerer Supreme of Smokeworld AARKUS the VISION finally returns to his plane but, if needed, he's only a blown out summoning candle away.
•MAN-THING and BOG-BOY watch over the unconscious SCARLET WITCH in W.A.N.D.'s infirmary. She's expected to make a full recovery but will she wake in time to stop APOCALYPSE or the SPHINX from achieving godhood? (See 'The Brothers' War' currently raging in E⨂CELSIOR and UNCANNY ⨂-MEN!)
•COLOSSUS and MAGIK have little time to mourn the death of the Illyana who finally slayed C̵T̶H̸U̴L̶H̸U̸ as the DARKCHYLDE, a golem Magik created to rule Limbo in her stead and house most of her arcane power, is acting strangely. Well, strangely for a Hellwrought homonculus.
•NIGHTWATCH, GHOSTDANCER, and JAINE CUTTER face a S.H.I.E.L.D. inquest into how the Necromancy Division was taken over. They are as surprised as their advocate, AGATHA HARKNESS, to see the Alchemy Division represented by its external consultant DIABLO!
W.A.N.D. Profile
DIABLO
Name: Esteban Corazón de Ablo
Powers: •Enhanced Physiology: Enhanced Strength, Durability, Stamina, Regeneration, Self Sustenance, Longevity
•Alchemy: Elemental Transmutation; Matter Manipulation
•Magic Resistance
•Psionic Shields
Intelligence: ••••••
Strength: ••••
Speed: •••[•••• Teleportation]
Durability: ••••
Energy Projection: ••••••
Fighting Skills: ••••
32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99
AGENTS OF THE GALAXY #1
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY and JONATHON HICKMAN
Art by RYAN STEGMAN and JEROME OPENA
“A NEW ERA BEGINS”
They've saved the Earth, but can they now save the Galaxy? Our Heroes launch into Space to find Knull, but the Galaxy isn't a safe Place as they are attacked by Space Pirates from the Planet "Rarg." Venom prepares to launch himself as he helps save his crew, but then they learn the Pirate crew may all be dead.
And they may have been dead for a good few hundred years...
How is the ship still functioning?
All these questions are more are in this exciting issue...
Plus! An epilogue written by Hickman with art by Opena, The Stranger awakens and meets with Ego the living Planet, the two decide the fate of the Universe as Knull approaches them.
The Stranger reveals his hand, the Agents of the Galaxy are on their way... but is this the end of both Ego and the Stranger?
64 PGs/ T/ $4.99
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AMAZING FANTASY #58:
GODZILLA VS. TRANSFORMERS #8
Writer: ROGER STERN
Artist: STEVE EPTING
Plotter: MARVELL2100
Variant Cover by: JAE LEE
“NUCLEAR REACTION!”
Colorado, NORAD headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base: The mighty Godzilla is down and possibly dying! Megatron and The Decepticons now control the military's most powerful weapon - Mecha-Godzilla! A nearby nuclear plant that was damaged in the battle between Godzilla and Mecha-Godzilla is now in the middle of a disastrous meltdown, threatening hundreds of thousands live across the Mid-West! Optimus Prime and the Autobots are facing a multitude of crises with no clear way to stop any of them! If they don't act soon, America will suffer another nuclear nightmare! Suddenly, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sparkplug and Jazz are back with Dr Fujiyama and Professor Greene after they failed to stop The Pentagon from using Mecha-Godzilla!
Optimus tells them about what happened and that they have to evacuate as many people from the area as possible! Professor Greene tells them that they have no time, the radius of the nuclear blast would devastate everything for miles. Dr Fujiyama tells them that there may be one chance to stop the reactor from exploding but there is great risk in his plan! Optimus tells him that if they don't act now, the death toll could be astronomical! Dr Fujiyama huddles with Professor Greene and they agree! To stop the plant from exploding, they will have to place the dying Godzilla inside the reactor and hope that his mighty frame can absorb the plutonium and prevent a nuclear blast that could destroy the Mid-Western United States! Next Issue: Rise Godzilla, Rise!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
BLACK PANTHER #12 *Anniversary Issue!*
Writer: JOSHUA DYSART
Artist: SALVADOR LARROCA
Plotter: MARVELL2100
Variant Cover by MIKE DEODOTO, JR.
“BLOOD OF KINGS!”
In a conflict of kings, The Coal Tiger has drawn first blood! The Black Panther faces an enemy like no other, someone who is a mirror image of himself! The stakes of this fight could not be higher! If The Coal Tiger wins, then he will lead Wakanda to conquer the entire world! How do you fight someone who is like you in every way but is more vicious, more cruel? After what seems like an eternity of endless fighting, The Coal Tiger lands a near fatal blow against T'Challa! As the Panther lies down, struggling to get back to his feet. The Coal Tiger tells him to surrender to a peaceful death.
"This world was meant to be led with a strong hand!" he tells T'Challa. He will take Wakanda and use it to subjugate this world. His empire will begin on Earth and once its leaders and heroes have been tamed, he will look to the stars! From there, he will create the first Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda! His rule will spread across entire solar systems and galaxies, and he will build a legacy greater than any his ancestors could have dreamed of!
T'Challa listens as The Tiger rants on of how he will make Wakanda great again. But there is one word that rings throughout The Panther's mind, "Ancestors"! This is not what the prior Kings and Queens of Wakanda had envisioned for their nation! Summoning their strength, T'Challa rises to his feet, much to the surprise of the bewildered Tiger! The Panther tells him that if these are his dreams then he knows nothing about Wakanda!
Desperate to end the battle, The Coal Tiger raises his sword to deliver a killing blow! But The Black Panther, still dealing with a loss of blood, captures the sword in mid strike, wresting it away from the Tiger and then shoving it into his heart! The Tiger falls to his knees with the sword still in his chest. T'Challa asks him to remove his mask and tell him his name before he dies. With great pain and effort, the Tiger removes his mask and tells The Panther, "My name is T'Chaka, The last King of a dead Wakanda!" And with those last words, The Coal Tiger falls over the side of Warrior's Falls as The Panther collapses, possibly taking his last breath as well!
Next Issue: Land of My Father!
42 PGS./Rated M: Mature Readers Only...$4.99
CAPTAIN AMERICA #74
Plot by EXCITER
Written by FRANK MILLER
Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY
“SECRET EMPIRE, OVERT LIES”
Captain America is back! In his moment of victory, however, he reveals his true colors… “Hail HYDRA” he proclaims, as he kicks his long-term ally Mockingbird out of a helicopter. Despite what you may have thought or been told, the “Sentinel of Liberty” was never a hero. He’s has been one of the bad guys all along, and he’s planning to subjugate the entire country to the will of a “Secret Empire” of fascistic fiends.
Hard to believe? It should be. None of it is true. It’s all a fabrication: a smear campaign by some of the most dangerous forces the world has ever seen!
Mojo, slug-like media mogul from another dimension, has orchestrated a massive disinformation campaign, broadcasting lies across every channel. Meanwhile, M.O.D.O.K., artificial genius and “head” of A.I.M., has flooded the internet with memes and manipulated footage that paints Cap as a traitor. The two vile, dysgenic villains knew Steven Rogers would be coming for them, so they preemptively joined forces to turn public opinion against the one hero everyone should trust - putting Mockingbird in critical condition in the process!
Now, with the world questioning his loyalty and his every move scrutinized, Captain America must fight for the truth and take down Mojo and M.O.D.O.K.'s media empire in the process!
Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd: “For Once, Let’s Not Jump to Conclusions. Even I Don’t Believe Rogers is HYDRA.”
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
DIAMONDBACK & NOMAD #10
Writer: KELLY THOMPSON
Artist: MARCO CHECCHETO
Plot: Marvell2100
“Weapon of M.A.A.S. (Mrs. Abigail Arbuckle-Schecter) Destuction!”
After the events of last week which saw federal agents show up in her community, H.O.A. President Mrs. Arbuckle-Schecter is on the warpath! She demands some answers, so she's called a home-owners meeting to find out what exactly happened with the Klingers. Why did federal agents come after them? Who called the agents without notifying her and what happened to the Klingers afterward? Abbey tells her that she, along with her husband Eli and Jack, were helping the Klingers do renovations to their home when agents showed up and threatened Bill and Julie. The next thing they were all fighting until these other agents showed up and de-escalated everything. That's when the Klingers left voluntarily with them.
Jack listens as Abbey recounts what happened. He knows that Bill and Julie Klinger are actually old enemies Master Man and Warrior Woman. They worked for HYDRA and did a lot of horrible things. But like him and Rachel, they were trying to turn their lives around and live a normal life away from what they used to be. As for who called the agents, he has a pretty good idea that it was Christina Louder. She and the rest of her Stepford wives’ groupies have had it in for any new neighbors moving to Normalville. But she has a real dislike of Rachel and she seems to have powerful friends so they need to be very careful with her.
Mrs. Arbuckle-Schecter wraps up the meeting by telling everyone that they need to keep her informed of anything happening in their community, no matter what it is. As the homeowners all begin to leave, Jack starts telling Rachel that he can't help but to think about the fight. HAMMER sent some pretty powerful agents against them. He has the SS serum, so he was able to hold his own. So how did Eli and Abbey do so well against a group of super-powered agents? Rachel asks him if they should be concerned about their friends. He tells her that he's not sure but they need to find out more about their friends!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
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E⨂CELSIOR #24
Plot by NX01A
Written by PETER DAVID
Art by JESÚS SAÍZ
Theme Song: Sting & Cheb Mami - Desert Rose
'THE BROTHERS' WAR' Part 3 'STRANGLEHOLD'
•New Akhetaton is the shining capitol of Kemet, the SPHINX's kingdom on the Nile. Floating pyramids, streets of diamond, and the eternal adoration of his subjects reflect the unwavering will of Anath-Na Mut... but the soul may be strong while the flesh weakens. Afraid of an attack by twin brother EN SABAH NUR and his Russian forces, Anath-Na Mut enacted his plan too early. The reality bubble morphing much of Egypt into the Sphinx's fantasy is powered by his rapidly depleting Ka Stone, and the power drain increases as some of his victims fight back.
•Though caught in the morphic wave, CYCLOPS, PHOENIX, STORM, and WOLVERINE managed to resist its effects and take the fight directly to the Sphinx. Can he weather the assault or will the Era of the Sphinx be washed away?
•On X-Isle, the OUTER SPHERE watch in horror as a fleet of assault pyramids land, their techno-organic cables borrowing into and merging with the island. The Sphinx lacked power. APOCALYPSE will seize the Scarlet Spire and with it the spiritual might of mutantkind!
•The battle for mutants' souls continues in double-sized UNCANNY ⨂-MEN #72!
Outer Sphere Artifact Profile
THE SCARLET SPIRE
Owners: Outer Sphere (X-Cathedral)
Creators: Scarlet Witch, Magneto, various demon mutants.
Function: Focuses the soul energy or Ka of all mutants.
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOOD SPIDER-MAN #5
Written by CHRIS PRIEST
Art by GREG CAPULLO
“THE NEW FACE IN TOWN” (Part Two)
Spider-Man faces off against his new enemy, Stingray, and manages to easily overpower him. But of course, once Peter returns, Paul and Jill are nowhere to be seen.
Later that evening, Peter catches up with his two new friends and explains that he was taking pictures for the Bugle, but even that has its share of problems as J Jonah Jameson as Frederick Foswell wants to write up a positive article for Now Magazine.
Spider-Man may have survived Stingray, but can he survive the wraith of Jonah?
Meanwhile, a body winds up in a New York river... the question is who is the killer?
Don't miss the latest issue in the life of the webslinger...
32 PGs/ T/ $2.99
HULK IN COURT #3
Plot by EXCITER
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by FRANK CHO
“SEMPER LEACE PUPPIS SOLUS”
The Courtroom Battles of the Century continue!
Thanks to Foggy’s legal genius, Hulk is poised to win his family court case! You see, it all hinges on his son Skaar’s half-Sakaaran heritage. As his mother was the late Caiera the Oldstrong, Skaar reached adulthood more rapidly than a normal human - and Child Protective Services can’t take custody of an adult!
As Foggy is about to deliver his motion for summary judgment, his partner Matt prepares a similar coup de grâce against USAG Evelyn Stanzler! The evidence can’t prove that “Joe Fixit” was anything more than a legitimate businessman! And if that doesn’t work, Matt’s got an alternative argument lined up: Joe Fixit was a completely separate persona and Hulk cannot be held accountable for his actions! To pull this off, he’ll need expert psychological testimony…
Meanwhile, in their divorce proceeding, Hulk and his cousin She-Hulk have very different problems! After Jen exposed the In-Betweener as the party responsible for resurrecting Betty Ross through some clever depositions, Hulk’s former wife has transformed into the unstoppable Red She-Hulk! It’s red and green all over when the two she-hulks throw down! As for our defendant himself, he’s looking to smash the In-Betweener! But can even the jade giant handle a cosmic entity?
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE INITIATIVE #13
Writer: CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Artist: STEFANO CASELLI
Plot: MARVELL2100
“THE ART OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY!”
Citizens! Are you doing your part? America needs your help to keep our country safe! With your help we can secure our borders, defeat our enemies and make America safe again! If you have superhuman abilities then do your part and join “The Initiative”!
Damascus, Syria! Monica and Jason have rescued C.I.A. operative Kate Neville from a death squad and now are trying to get safely out of the country. Kate uncovered a bio-weapons project being developed by the Iranians but also involving other countries including the U.S.! It looks like they were trying to create a new SS serum using new technology. But the shocking part is that some of that technology might be alien! The question now is who sent the death squad to kill Nate? Monica has a pretty good idea that Gyrich is behind all of this, sending his Secret Initiative to do his dirty work!
At that moment, Jason spots one of the vehicles chasing them and tells them they need to move! They grab Kate and jump into their car! They need to get across the border into Jordan and from there they can get back to one of their safehouses! Suddenly, they see someone standing in the road directly in front of them. With one strike, the person smashes car just as the three passengers jump out. Stunned, they look up to see Super- Patriot along with Lady Bullseye and a heavily armed hit squad! Lady Bullseye tells them to give Neville to them and their death will be painless. Jason looks at Monica and tells her to take Kate and run, he will deal with HAMMER!
Next Issue: Jason goes to hell!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #11
Writer: MALCOLM JONES
Artist: STEVE EPTING
Plot: MARVELL2100
“LOVE CONNECTION: TALES OF ROMANCE!”
He's a playboy, super-genius, philanthropic, multi-trillionaire, futurist, techno-wizard! She's a brilliant, anarchy-loving, globalist, jet-setting criminal-mastermind! And she's a former Russian model, a graduate of the Red Room, daughter of one of Russia's greatest heroes and a world class gymnast!
Tony finds himself in a very desperate and dangerous situation! His former lover Whitney Frost has kidnapped and taken him to a remote location outside of the U.S.! But to Tony's shock, she didn't act alone. She had help from a very surprising source, Tony's current girlfriend Maria. She tells him that he became so obsessed with saving Bethany Cabe from the Red Widow that she felt neglected by him. She only agreed to help Madame Masques because he needed to see how his obsessions ruin all of his relationships whether it's work, being Iron Man or his drinking. Can't he see that she's doing this to save them?
Whitney takes a long look at Tony. She thinks of the time they spent together, travelling the world on his jet, sailing on his yacht, all of the exotic places they've been to. Doesn't he realize that all of these other women in his life will never replace her? They can never be the kind woman he needs, strong, independent, someone who is his equal. But he will learn. Now that Bethany is gone, and once she eliminates this Russian twit, Tony will be hers again and they can finally be together. And if he doesn't fall in love with her again, she'll make sure that he'll never love anyone else!
Tony, tied up and helpless, sees Whitney and Maria in the room together and thinks to himself, "$h!t"!
Elsewhere, in the Middle Eastern country of Baharan, the powerful leader of a militant group stands before a milling throng of supporters, guns raised in the air! He shouts slogans of war, of infidel defilers, of hated enemies and of victory! Sadly however, he will not live long enough to see that victory as a bullet pierces the back of his head exploding forward leaving a frightening sight for his followers. Bethany McCabe, the Winter Widow, has just completed her first mission for the Red Room. There will be many more.
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
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THE MIGHTY THOR #74
Plot by EXCITER
Written by ALAN MOORE
Art by MIKE MIGNOLA
“CIVIL WAR 2(?)”
Thor’s dogged pursuit of the fugitive Amora the Enchantress takes a backseat, as Heimdall brings news from Midgard! Heimdall’s all-seeing eyes always observe earthly media, and he witnessed what appeared to be Captain America betraying and nearly murdering his compatriot Mockingbird! (See CAPTAIN AMERICA #74 - a few solicitations earlier on this very page!). This, of course, was deliberate misinformation propagated by Mojo and M.O.D.O.K. - but Thor doesn’t know that!
Thor sired a child with the mortal Mockingbird during his marital separation (see THE MIGHTY THOR #56). Of course, he must avenge his baby mama by bringing the now seemingly villainous Captain America to Justice. Will the confrontation between these two Avengers be “Civil War 2”? Or will Thor listen to Steve’s explanation?
Perhaps more importantly, with her mother in critical condition, Thor must now step in and assume custody of their child! But is the King of Asgard equipped to parent Bobbi Morse, Jr., modern girl of Midgard?
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
UNCANNY ⨂-MEN #72 *Double-Sized 6th Anniversary Issue!*
Plot by NX01A
Written by KURT BUSIEK
Art by STUART IMMONEN
Theme Song: Live - Forever May Not Be Long Enough
'THE BROTHERS' WAR' Part 4 'FROM AGE TO AGE THE SAME'
•The Scarlet Spire is a crucible in which the souls of every mutant on Earth burn like stars. Its power goes beyond simply mutant abilities, reaching into their spiritual essences and connecting them as a greater whole. Exactly how this resource was to be used by the SCARLET WITCH and the Ebon Court remains unknown even to the other Courts of the OUTER SPHERE.
•APOCALYPSE has little use for souls. His millennia as Zhao Zidu, Vucub-Came, Hine-nui-te-pō, Ogbunabali, Hắc Bạch Vô Thường, and a dozen more death gods across the planet were better served by sacrifices and strengthened survivors. Souls are his twin brother's area of expertise, the power source of his reality-altering Ka Stone, and En Sabah Nur will not let the Scarlet Spire's power fall into the paws of the SPHINX.
•The Ashen, Bone, Crimson, and Ebon Courts unite (minus the Scarlet Witch; see this month's AGENTS OF Ѧ.ᚱ.ᛈ.ᕕ.ᚢ.𐌀. #73) against the Apocalypse and his family, the HORSEMEN OF NUR!
•BONE KING BANSHEE vs. DEATH!
•CRIMSON KING ARCHANGEL vs. WAR!
•CRIMSON QUEEN ROGUE vs. PESTILENCE!
•BONE QUEEN EMMA FROST vs. FAMINE!
•ASHEN QUEEN KWANNON vs. GENESIS!
•EBON KING MAGNETO vs. APOCALYPSE!
•While ASHEN KING NIGHTCRAWLER leads BONE KNIGHT GAMBIT, CRIMSON KNIGHTS PENANCE & M, EBON KNIGHTS POLARIS & QUICKSILVER, and ASHEN KNIGHT X-23 against Apocalypse's assault pyramids and Russian forces outfitted with advanced weaponry, PRELATE TOMA ZASLON watches from the sidelines. The hydrokinetic is one of Apocalypse's highest ranking mutant commanders and a mole in his organization for the Sphinx! In the midst of melee, how can she secure the power of the Scarlet Spire for her true master?
64 PGs./Rated T+...$5.99
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AOM VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #3!
An anthology of the most romantic stories from the House of Ideas!
“LOVE IS A PHANTASY”
Plot by EXCITER
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by FRANK CHO
Although her new husband is the defendant in multiple lawsuits, Phantasy Applebaum isn’t about to let that kill their romance! She’s going to handcraft Hulk some personal Valentine's Day gifts: a customized spotify playlist; a Polaroid picture album (full of quirky selfies!); and a vegan, gluten-free DIY Sweets Box (with matcha-flavored truffles and yummy CBD-infused candies)!
But Phantasy might not fully understand the impact of the lawsuits against Hulk - particularly the divorce action. If Hulk is found to have still been married to Betty Ross (whom we all thought was dead) when he married Phantasy, that means their marriage is a legal nullity!
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'DO YOU WANT TO KILL A SNOWMAN?'
By NX01A & P. CRAIG RUSSELL
ELSA BLOODSTONE and DOCTOR VOODOO died together, came back to life together as slaves of now deceased(?) W.A.N.D. Necromancy Director and lich AGNES HARKNESS, and were freed from her geas together. Can they enjoy Valentine's dinner together at the Zao Onsen ski resort or has too much happened between them? The Japanese mountain is famous for its monstrous snow-covered trees but when real 樹氷 start attacking skiers, magic and munitions remind the lovers that there's still a spark between them hot enough to melt ice monsters.
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'I JUST NEED SOME SPACE'
By NX01A & JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER
Mutant teleporter BLINK isn't looking for love. She's looking for murderous lovers. After being forced to teleport DESTINY & MYSTIQUE away from an apocalyptic battle and then left for dead by them (See E⨂CELSIOR #17!), Blink has spent every minute of her recovery trying to find a way to get ahead of a precognitive. Her powers shear space but also subtly twist time. Perhaps that twist is enough to let her drop in unexpectedly on the Darkhölmes' Valentine's dinner at Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen and twist some spatial-shearing spikes in their traitorous stomachs for dessert.
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