AOM 03-2023

WORLD WAR ZEMO #3
Written by ALEX DE CAMPI
Plot by H-E-D
Art by CARMEN CARNERO & GABRIEL HARDMAN
”ZEMO VICTORIOUS”
Captain America has done the impossible — overcome Ares, God of War and Axe of America.
Not only has he rescued the President, but he’s captured Doctor Faustus and his brainwashing technology.
It’s only a matter of time until they can restore the relative sanity of Washington DC.
Unfortunately, time is one thing they don’t have.
Sct. Zemo played his trump card against the Sultan Magus.
His top scientists hijacked the alien technology that powers Sharzhad.
Now he’s returning home to finish what he started, with an army of Redeemers wielding jury-rigged Sharzhadi weaponry.
Around the Earth, Zemo’s wars wreak devastation.
His agents in Atlantis unleashed a dark force beyond their control.
Madripoor turns into a three-way clusterf#%k with the involvement of the Mandarin’s China Force.
The heirs to the throne of Asgard are missing, and Vanaheim is in chaos.
A future, despotic Hulk has turned New York into a disaster.
Cameron Hodge has outsourced mutant detention to the private prison nightmare known as HEXUS Corp and the Americops!
Tensions with Canadian intelligence are at a breaking point, and the Redeemers’ interference has thrown the critical operations of A.R.M.O.R. into disarray.
Without the terraforming alien technology, Sharzhad is a humanitarian disaster.
Archangel manages to convince Warbird that the cost of serving Zemo is higher than her personal gain… but the world needs more than an assembly of a few former Thunderbolts to save it.
It’s too late for Steve Rogers to protect the people of the world.
Instead… he’ll have to avenge them.
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
ADAM WARLOCK #2
Plot by GUANLISHABI
Written by JIM STARLIN
Art by RON LIM
"POWERS OF WARLOCK"
Adam Warlock travels to Shi'ar Empire space, where he is still a war criminal for unleashing demons upon Chandilar.
Adam wears a cloak as disguise to avoid causing too much trouble. Unknown to Adam, another figure in cloak is following him.
In a bar, Adam is looking for information regarding the other "Hims", but was distracted by a conflict.
A drunk troll got into a bar fight with a group of aliens, that's right, it's our old friend, Pip the Troll!
But before Adam can step in to help his friend, the cloaked stalker stopped him. She then draws a blade and scares off the aliens.
In the alley outside the bar, the cloaked figure reveals her face.
Gamora, the most dangerous woman in the galaxy!
She tells Adam that she was hired to keep an eye on him, so that he can avoid troubles.
During the War, Adam was the one to break the God-Seal, so he may be able to seal it again.
The mysterious benefactor of Gamora believes there might be other forces looking for Adam Warlock.
As a gesture of good faith, Gamora gives Adam something from her benefactor.
The Soul Gem, one of the six Infinity Gems!
30 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #52
Plot by NX01A
Written by TODD McFARLANE
Art by MARC SILVESTRI
Theme Song: Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
“HEROES REBURN” Part 2 “THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS”
•Mankind has become as the Great Old Ones: free and wild and beyond good and evil, with laws and morals thrown aside, and all men shouting and killing and reveling in joy! The liberated Great Old Ones teach the rapidly dwindling population new ways to shout and kill and revel and enjoy themselves, and all the Earth is aflame in a holocaust of ecstasy and freedom!
•Hell is quiet except for the weeping of the last humans still sane. MAGIK teleported as many as she could to the realm she controls, but mankind wasn't meant to live in Limbo. A million souls live or die by what she thinks and feels for Limbo is morphic, changing based on the state of its mistress, and it currently resembles Moscow under a cinder sky.
•Magik may rule Limbo but it was once the Great Old Ones' foothold in creation, and there are still dimensional cracks through which they can slither. It's through one of these cracks that XKA'AHK the SLITHERER enters Limbo to corrupt the hopeless people of a burning Eden, and it's twin Soulswords versus Venomblade for the fate of humanity!
•Even if Magik defeats Xka'Ahk the Slitherer, more Great Old Ones will come. A desperate plan and unlikely heroes may be all that stand between humanity and extinction.
52 PGs./Rated M...$5.20
AGENTS OF FURY #30
Plotter: MARVELL2100
Writer: CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Artist: STEFANO CASELLI
ALL SOUND, NO FURY!
All of Fury's agents return to their secret base, stunned after hearing the news that Nick Fury is dead! However no one is more devastated than Marcus Fury to learn that his father was gunned down in a dark alley in D.C.! Who did this and what was Nick doing in D.C.? Sharon, Jack and Rachel begin to wonder if Nick was compromised somehow and if they are the next targets of the killer or killers! As they begin to contemplate their next move, they hear a door open and footsteps coming closer! They wonder, "How could they have been found so quickly?" They draw their weapons, preparing for anything that could walk through the door! But they are all shocked and stunned to see who enters the room: Nick Fury, alive and well! Next Issue: Finally, The Truth Revealed - The Secret is Out!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
AMAZING FANTASY #36: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
Written by MALCOLM JONES & RONALD D. MOORE
Plot by MARVELL2100
Art by SALVADORE LAROCCA
THE PEOPLE
Hot Dog, Racetrack, Kat and Hardball have located a world full of much needed resources for Galactica and the civilian fleet. But more shockingly, they have found a civilization of Cylons and humans living together in peace! Adama and President Roslin have arrived on the planet to see for themselves, how humans and Cylons live and work side-by-side. They call themselves The People and they have lived here together for centuries! Stunned, Adama asks the question: How did this happen, Cylons and humans together? Raina and Xavin, leaders of the people tell them that this has been the way since their ancestors arrived here centuries ago.
The earliest people were explorers, travelling through the universe in search of other worlds. Their ships were having problems and crash landed here. They were far from home with no way of getting back or communicating with the other colonies. So they made their home here. Since they all had to work together for survival, their Cylon servants were granted their freedom and viewed as equals. This has been passed down for generations and soon they all became known as The People. Raina has agreed to allow their new guests to have access to their resources and offered to have them stay. Adama thanks Raina and Xavin for their generosity but he has his doubts. He remembers what happened on New Caprica. Can humans and Cylons truly live together in peace?
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
ATLANTIS ATTACKED #3
Written by TORUNN GRØNBEKK
Plot by H-E-D
Art by R. B. SILVA
Good news: Tamara Rahn and Andromeda killed Meranno the U-MAN.
Bad news: something else came to life.
Vyrra’s contingency plan springs into action as Meranno, mortally wounded, lifted the Hammer of Nerkkod!
In eons past, Nerkkod was a fossegrim, a water troll, who served the Serpent as one of the Worthy.
He was slain (see: ULTIMATES #13
for details), but Vyrra, ever curious, recovered his Hammer. Now, with his power, Meranno is reborn!
Andromeda and Tamara try to return to reliever the grave news — but Nerkkod moves faster.
Attuma is the front line of defense, in a twist of irony for a man who once wielded the Hammer himself!
And what became of Namor, Aquaria and the newly transformed Kymaera?
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
BLACK PANTHER: KING OF WAKANDA! #44
Written by MALCOLM JONES
Plot by MARVELL2100
Art by ADI GRANOV
"HEIR TO THE THRONE!" PART III
Niganda: T'Challa confronts Zanda with the truth! Not only is T'Zari not his son, he's not even truly human! He demands answers! T'Challa knows why Zanda did it, he just wants to know who helped her pull off this deception! After what feels like an eternity and wiping tears from her eyes, Zanda finally admits the truth. She tells him that she was approached by someone with the idea of giving them a child and how it would bring them closer together. T'Challa tells her to give him the name and she tells him that it was Moses Magnum, The Red King of The Hellfire Club! T'Challa knows that Magnum and Markus Zulu have been working together against Wakanda but neither one of them has the bio-techno skills required to create such a life-like being. No, there is someone else helping them, someone who knows Wakandan biology enough to almost fool T'Challa!
Next Issue: Black Panther Confronts Moses Magnum and the Hellfire Club!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
CAPTAIN AMERICA #52 *World War Zemo tie-in*
Plot by EXCITER
Written by FRANK MILLER
Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY
“BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF A NATION”
Note: This story takes place immediately prior to WORLD WAR ZEMO #3.
Amidst the chaos in Washington D.C., with Baron Zemo’s new establishment “Redeemers” engaged in protracted battle against super heroic freedom fighters, one contest stood out from the rest. Two “Captain Americas” were colliding. One represented everlasting warlike aggression, the other peace through eternal vigilance. But one was a god of antiquity, and the other merely peak human. Ares was fighting Steve Rogers, and Steve was loosing…
But Steve sounded the call. “Avengers Assemble.” And Avengers did answer! When the mighty Thor finally arrived (to a mutual “I thought you were dead!?”), he tossed Steve the hammer Mjolnir and empowered him to victory! An enraged Thor proceeded to tear the “Axe of America” Ares in two!
From there, Steve’s mission was clear: save the President. As it turns out, reaching him within the White House was the easy part - for POTUS’ mind was thoroughly washed by Dr. Faustus! Professor Hulk from Empire State University is on the scene, and he has recent experience overcoming similar mind-controlling technology (see HULK IN COLLEGE #1-4), but Cap can’t wait! With telepathic assistance from members of the X-Men: Silver, Cap ventures into the mind of Joe Biden to physically (though psychically) defeat Faustus’ programming! The hypnotic suggestions manifest in the mindscape as enemies and scenarios from Joe’s past and future: from a bad dude named Corn-pop,
to the universal elder Grandmaster who stranded Joe on Battleworld (see All-WINNERS SQUAD vs. LIBERTY LEGION #1-4), to an army of extra-dimensional bugs that surrounded him in the White House (see NEGATION: INSECTICIDE SQUAD #1-4)! Can Cap reclaim what’s left of POTUS’ mind? Is anything left?
Plus: A Frontlines Guest Op-Ed by Tadzio de Santis, White House Press Secretary: “The Super Rebellion Currently Being Led by Steve Rogers is Far Worse than the Negation Wave or the War with Asgard and is the Worst Domestic Attack Since the (Actual) Civil War.”
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
CAPTAIN UNIVERSE: BEYOND #2
Plotted by CAPTAINUNIVERSE
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art by PATRICK GLEASON
'ELECTRIC BLUE' Part 2: "Agents of S.W.O.R.D."
After several years apart, childhood friends Steve Coffin and Clare Dodgson are finally reunited at Beyond Tower just in time for Steve's first official Beyond-sponsored mission as Captain Universe! But any burning questions Clare has for Steve will have to wait as the mission is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Eden Fesi a.k.a. Manifold of S.W.O.R.D.! What could the Mutant Master of Teleportation possibly want with Captain Universe? Also: Who is Maxine Danger and what is her role at the Beyond Corporation?
32 PGS./ Rated T+...$3.99
DARK INTELLIGENCE #21
Writer: ED BRUBAKER
Artist: STEVE EPTING
Plotter: MARVEL2100
"TRUST NO ONE!" PART III
Necropolis, Beneath Wakanda: Monica and the real Jason Strongbow know the truth! An insidious enemy has infiltrated all levels of society around the world using LMDs! These agents have replaced important people in key positions, including a copy of Jason that was just revealed and "killed"See last issue - Marv)! The Black Panther has given them special gear to detect the fakes and asked them to return to the U.S. and find a group of special operatives led by Nick Fury! Meanwhile in Europe, John Apostle and The Red Death have been lying low after another series of gruesome murders. Apostle begins to plan their next city to target when he suddenly comes under attack by his own team! Carrion, Disturbia and Kruel all pummel Apostle mercilessly until they are told to cease by Baroness Blood. She tells Apostle that the don't need him any longer and that she now leads The Red Death. She thanks him for bringing them all together, and that she will leave him with a gift and a warning: They will allow him to live but if he should ever cross their path again...well, they certainly know how to kill a dead man!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
THE ENIGMA CORPS #4 *World War Zemo Tie-In.*
Plotted by CAPTAINUNIVERSE
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Art by IBAN COELLO
'FUTURE'S END' Part 4: "The Great Escape"
Cosmic Ghost Rider's daring escape last issue has opened the path to freedom for Captain Jill Harper and The Enigma Corps but with superpowered thugs like The Redeemers, heavily-armed stormtroopers, lethal security measures and countless flights of stairs between them and the entrance, hope of actually escaping is starting to dwindle and fast. Good thing then that Cassie Lang a.k.a. Stinger has come to investigate A.R.M.O.R. Headquarters as she renders aid to the locals of Citrusville, Florida!
32 PGS./ Rated T+...$3.99
EˣCELSIOR #3 *World War Zemo tie-in*
Plot by NX01A
Written by BRANDON THOMAS
Art by JESÚS SAÍZ
Theme Song: Device - Penance
'IN THE RED' Part 3/Finale 'LIQUIDATION'
•Sentient extraterrestrial corporation HEXUS wants to take control of all Earth's wealth before expanding, sending its spores out through the same satellite array it entered. Hexus worked the usual hostile takeover angle in addition to assassination attempts on the competition, and its support and advocation of the ZEMO administration's policies through traditional and social media has reaped huge benefits so far.
•M and twin PENANCE have found the Hexus core: a techno-organic amalgam of several technopathic and technokinetic mutants at an Amaterasu Array earth station! Hexus believes the intruders won't try to physically separate BLACK BOX, FRANCISCO MILAN, HIJAK, and PARADIGM from the hivebody and hivemind but M's telepathic incisions and Penance's razor-sharp excisions soon free them.
•In orbit, SUNFIRE's solar plasma obliterates an infected Amaterasu Array satellite, cutting off any interstellar corporate escape. On Earth, SIRYN' healing song restores the absorbed mutants to healthy, wholly organic existence. The Crimson Court have prevailed.
•The rest happened quite organically. Rising dissent against Zemo's totalitarian rule, anti-mutant policies, and general evil turn the public against his administration and Hexus, and they're soon cancelled online! When stock prices plummets, a consortium of Frost Enterprises and Hinomaru Corp. buys 51% of Hexus. Unable to complete its life cycle and spawn off to another world, Hexus is firmly under the control of the Outer Sphere, and its mutant rhetoric will be very different from now on.
•Next issue: The Ebon Court tangles with the Nature Bros.!
Outer Sphere Profiles
PENANCE
Name: Yvette St. Croix
Affiliation: Outer Sphere (Crimson Knight)
Powers: •Psionic Energy Absorption
•Invulnerability
•Claws
•Cloaking
•Dimensional Shifting
•Telepathic Resistance
Intelligence: •••
Strength: ••••
Speed: ••[•••••] *Teleportation
Durability: ••••••
Energy Projection: •••
Fighting Skills: ••••
M
Name: Monet St. Croix
Affiliation: Outer Sphere (Crimson Knight)
Powers:•Enhanced Intelligence, Senses, Strength, & Durability
•Regenerative Healing Factor
•Flight
•Telepathy
Intelligence: •••••
Strength: •••••
Speed: ••••
Durability: •••••
Energy Projection: •••
Fighting Skills: •••
32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99
F² #19
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN
Art by JAMIE MCKELVIE
“SHE FOLLOWED ME HOME! CAN I KEEP HER?”
The F² foundation is home. Able to escape their zero dimensional prison and stop the conflict between different number of dimensional alternate universes, the foundation find themselves in possession of a giant red dinosaur who has taken a liking to Lunella. Watch as our team works to find a home for this time lost creature. Reed and Hank prepare a facility in the rainforests of Brazil. Doc Samson tries to connect with the dinosaur’s unfamiliarity with 21st century Earth. Jen works the legal aspects of plopping a dinosaur in the middle of another country.
Johnny and Wyatt have a long chat with Lunella’s parents when she expresses a desire to stay with her new friend. Paste Pot Pete and Josephine also express a desire to move to the jungle with the dinosaur. Will Reed be moving to DC if the Kelly/Storm team wins the election? Could the team be breaking up?
Meanwhile, 186 million miles away from Earth on the opposite side of the sun, Graviton wakes up.
32 PGs/ Rated T...$2.99
HAWKEYE AND SPIDER-WOMAN #18
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by JEROME OPENA
Plot by FFJAMIE94
Spider-Woman is pregnant... and angry. With a symbiote bonded to her, she'll track down the body of Hawkeye, no matter what. And that what really pushes the limits with SHIELD. Out of control, she uses her stealth to break into SHIELD to see if they have the body. Instead she runs into Phillip Barton who reveals he knows where Hawkeye is...
32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #44
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Plot by MARVELL2100
Art by SALVADOR LARROCA
“HONOR THY FATHER!”
With the death of Nick Fury, a Quiet War has begun. Societies around the world have been infiltrated by lifelike duplicates of key figures including those in government. A plan set in motion by Tony, the Black Panther and one other has begun to find these duplicates and eliminate them. And as was the case with The Black Panther, Tony must begin the war at home. His father Howard, long thought to be dead, resurfaced months ago, re-inserting himself into Tony's life and the family business.
For a long time, Tony wanted to believe that his father was really alive and back in his life! But deep down inside he knew the truth: It wasn't his father, it was a highly sophisticated LMD! He gathers Rhodey, Beth and Maria and tells them all the truth! Everything that they believed about "Howard" was a lie! And now he has to confront that lie and put an end to the charade! "Howard Stark" has to die again!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
THE MAESTRO IN WORLD WAR ZEMO #3
Plot by EXCITER
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by ED McGUINNESS
“SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION”
The Maestro became Baron Zemo’s “Hulk,” but he underestimated his old enemy Thunderbolt Ross. After a devastating battle in New York City, Ross and his allies Omega Red, Deadly Nightshade, Steel Serpent, and Tarantula capture the Maestro and, with their combined abilities, force him back into his puny human form. Now they want information. INFORMATION. What happens in the imperfect future?
Sharzhad was the turning point. Sultan Magus used found alien technology to become a god-like force in the Middle East. His only limitation was that he could never get the tech to work beyond Sharzhad’s borders. Zemo found a way… and the world was forever changed.
Zemo truly became as supreme as he believed himself to be, ruling alongside domesticated gods Magni and Modi, ever surrounded by elite Redeemers. Zemo consolidated control of America, Atlantis, and Madripoor before conquering China, then Wakanda, then pretty much everywhere else on Earth and many places beyond including Vanaheim and the Moon. But like any edifice built upon division rather than unity, it couldn’t last…
His Redeemer generals coveted their own power and territory, descending into bickering and then outright conflict. The social contract shattered, and when the dust settled much of the world was reduced to wasteland.
Hither came the Maestro.
The “Dark Avengers” aim to stop this future before it arises. But it’s already too late. Zemo already did it. He gained control of the Sharzhadi technology and was using it to attack Washington D.C. at that very moment. Maestro let the motley collection of anti-villains believe he was captured simply to distract them, keeping them from interfering as he knew they had the potential to change history. As Redeemer forces descend on their location, the well-orchestrated symphony of destruction begins… and there’s only one Maestro!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
THE MIGHTY THOR #52 *World War Zemo tie-in*
Plot by EXCITER
Written by ALAN MOORE
Art by MIKE MIGNOLA
“STRIKING THE SAME PLACE TWICE”
Thor arrives in Washington D.C. to see his friend Steve Rogers both alive and fighting their mutual enemies! Ares, an Olympian god with whom Thor has extensive history, threw his lot in with Zemo and hijacked Steve’s mantle… but Thor says thee nay! Flushed with the Odin Force and new power attained during his recent resurrection - he rips the Olympian war god in twain!
With strength from Hel still pulsating hot within his veins, Thor looks at where he is: Washington, D.C. America’s seat of power. It reminds him of the last time he was there, when Asgard warred with the United States (see the now classic event CIVIL WAR). Twice, now, the Midgardian nation had been usurped by corrupt leaders that threatened his people. He is so close… should not Thor claim the White House himself? Should not he lead America on the proper course and prevent it from going further astray? Is this not what is best? Or is this the Hel energy influencing Thor’s perception? If Steve Rogers (holding a borrowed Mjolnir) can’t talk him down, will there be another Civil War?
And just when a clear-headed Thor is needed most, Baron Zemo returns with an army enhanced by god-like Sharzhadi technology!
Meanwhile, Mockingbird has managed to reach Thor’s abducted kids and help them break Zemo’s mental programming. Now she’s got to escape with young Magni and Modi - but the “Emerald Witch” Amora is standing in their way!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
MISTRESS OF KUNG FU season 2: “Brothers and Sisters” #9 *a World War Zemo tie-in*
Plotter: CAPTCLEGHORN
Writer and layouts: CYNTHIA VON BUHLER
Artist: NICOLA SCOTT
The Fenris Twins, Andreas and Andrea Strucker, have made their strike against, in their words, the “wurst reich” of Baron Zemo, currently the US Secretary of Defense. Zemo took this poorly and had a word with Director of Homeland Security Wolfgang von Strucker.
Sir Denis Nayland Smith of MI-6 suspects the Canadian government has broken its anti-nuke treaties and is in possession of nuclear weapons. He reports this to the UK PM and hears the EU is making their own plans (See the Doom story in On The Battlefield). Could Zemo be responsible for the UK rejoining the EU?
Shang Chi and Shen Qi follow the Beaubiers but the latest action by Fenris has caused Fu Manchu to change the find and follow orders to kill on sight. Shang follows without question but Shen has her doubts. And even if Fenris are found, can even two martial arts masters stop the mutant powerhouses?
32 PGs/ Rated T...$2.99
PETER PARKER, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #26
Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS
Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN
Art by SARA PICHELLI
“NATURE ABHORS A VACUUM!”
Pete has his interview for admission to Sotomayor University. He expected an easy discussion, but it turns out that Sotomayor wants Pete in their Communications department based on Pete’s innovative work with a camera as seen on the Daily Bugle website. Peter knows his works is primarily that of a webbed up smartphone shooting video without his own control so does he have talent there? He’s also very interested in science and wanted to branch into that area.
The old problems with gangsters running book on NYC High School sports has taken an odd turn. The NYPD/FBI task force investigating Wilson Fisk has him in custody after the kidnapping of Jonah Jameson and May Parker. The evidence of Fisk’s criminal activities and his impending trial has caused the cessation of most of those activities. Most of Fisk’s senior staff are currently fleeing the country or at least separating ties. A few low level grunts are getting their feet wet, but the streets are remarkably quiet at a time when a rush to take the recently abandoned capo’s chair was expected.
Just lucky, I guess.
32 Pgs./ Rated T...$2.99
SILVER SURFER #2
Plot by GUANLISHABI
Written by RON MARZ
Art by CHRIS BACHALO
"LOST SOULS"
Silver Surfer arrives on a world in great depression. The world is devoted to the Universal Church of Truth.
Society is corrupt, crimes and sins in the every streets of endless cities, the rich prey on the pain of the poor.
Maybe the only salvation to such a doomed world is to start over, to face the fires of judgement.
However, a blind little girl showed the Silver Surfer the only kindness.
This convinces Norrin Radd that this world may still be worth saving.
For this world is coming to an end, there is a rogue Punisher Robot digging into the core of the planet.
It will try to take the energy from the core of the planet and cause the planet to collapse.
Norrin must travel to the core of the planet and face an opponent equal to his powers.
After an arduous struggle, the Surfer was able to defeat the rogue Punisher Drone.
But the Punisher Robot was not rogue at all, it simply has a new master.
The robot tries to self-destruct and burn the whole world, but Norrin takes it into space and absorbs the explosion.
Before Punisher explodes, it leaves an ominous message,
"There was a reason Galactus created all his heralds, now we know. And there shall be Reckoning!"
30 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
TYGER TIGER, CHANCELLOR OF MADRIPOOR: WORLD WAR ZEMO #3
Plot by EXCITER
Written by CHUCK DIXON
Art by JONBOY MEYERS
“IN THE GRIP OF THE MANDARIN”
As the Raksha valiantly defend Madripoor on the frontlines of the Redeemer invasion, Chancellor Tyger Tiger continues to personally safeguard the life of the Redeemers’ target: the Radioactive Man. But what happens when “Wind Dancer,” a.k.a. the ephemeral UFoe Vapor, sneaks in?
Meanwhile, China leverages Zemo’s attack on the island nation for its own ends. Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter, the assassin captured following the Battle of the Tigers (last issue), warns that her benefactor - the Mandarin - will not allow her to be held prisoner for long… and she’s correct.
Tem Borjigin, the Mandarin, wields the mystical ten rings and has been consolidating power for decades, even prior to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 (see CAPTAIN AMERICA #11). He is China’s “Captain America,” and he has used that status to assemble his Zhōngguó Duì (China Force). They are:
Most Perfect Hero. The name says it all. Strength. Flight. Obedience.
Resourceful Snake. Master of unarmed combat. Literally. He has no arms. They were ripped off to prevent him from becoming an Iron Fist. But he adapted and became even more dangerous!
Murderous Lion. Former warlord with steel-like living hair and a hunger for prey.
Fin Fang Foom. The enormous legendary dragon, recently reincarnated and abducted for indoctrination (see CAPTAIN AMERICA #34).
And Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter, chi master currently detained in Madripoor. Her teammates will liberate her… and subjugate Tyger Tiger in the process! But the very bombastic presence of the Zhōngguó Duì (kind of hard to hide a gigantic dragon, you know?) antagonizes Zemo’s forces. This has just become a three way battle!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
ULIK THE TROLL: WORLD WAR ZEMO #3
Plot by EXCITER
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art by RYAN OTTLEY
“ODIN ENCHANTED”
Ulik’s band of trolls have proven their mettle in battle against the Department of Occult Armaments and Redeemer forces invading Vanaheim, with support from Trollheim finally arriving. But even then, are they prepared to battle a former All-Father?
Odin, who had returned to his roots as a wanderer after ceding the crown of Asgard to Thor, was accosted by Zemo’s “Emerald Witch” Amora, a.k.a. the Enchantress, and placed under her spell. Now he obeys her every command, and she gives one that he has historically been inclined to give himself: slay the trolls!
The elder troll sorceress Askella recalls the time long ago when Odin dissolved the Troll clans and placed the Trolls in internment camps (see THE MIGHTY THOR #0). Can she avenge her people by the side of Ulik, the hero that liberated those camps? “Ulik this!!!”
Meanwhile, Gunna escapes the city of Zanadu to aid the trolls. She won’t let anyone fighting on her behalf fight alone…
But this escape enrages the eccentric Warlord Mogul. None within sight of the Mystic Mountains may dare defy his orders! And from within his city’s protected walls, he’s about to take his rage out on Gunna’s uncle Hogun and his fellow Warriors Three!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
UNCANNY X-MEN #52 *World War Zemo tie-in*
Plot by NX01A
Written by KURT BUSIEK
Art by STUART IMMONEN
Theme Song: The 5th Dimension - Up, Up and Away
“X-BOX” Part 3 “IT WEARS A NICER FACE”
•ZEMO's America wants mutants vilified, contained, and converted into tactical assets. Any resistance has its neck squeezed under the boot of the AMERICOPS, and this HEXUS CORP.-sponsored brigade try to put the squeeze on the X-MEN.
•Hong Kong investigator LEE LI watches in shock and awe as WOLVERINE slices Z'Noxx energy torches to pieces, CYCLOPS optic blasts through photonic shields, and PHOENIX telekinetically rips apart vibranium body armour. Psi-resistant nanobots in the AmeriCops' brains keep PROFESSOR X's mind probes at bay but he's nothing if not mentally resourceful, and the illusion of him blowing their leader's head off with an AR-15 gets them talking. As STORM's tornado winds whisk the naked paramilitants away to cool off in Long Island Sound, an explosion destroys Xavier's safe, large white spheres decloak over the mansion, and Detective Li begins to feel very, very strange.
•APOCALYPSE's Russia wants mutants raised to their gene-given place as rulers of Earth, and even humans are better off so far with the advancements En Sabah Nur shares with them. Before he sets his sights on the OUTER SPHERE once again, Apocalypse must weed out the mutants in his new government whose goals don't involve him remaining their leader. With his HORSEMEN away on classified missions, he turns counter-espionage duties over to PRELATE TOMA ZASLON, a very upwardly mobile hydrokinetic, but whose side is she really on?
52 PGs./Rated T+...$5.20
VENOM: AGENT OF SHIELD #5
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by JUAN CABAL
Plot by FFJAMIE94
House of X continues...
As the deadly experiments fight off against the duo, Venom and Deadpool begin to realise that SHIELD may not be as innocent as they say they are.
But that is wiped away as Venom receives a vision from Bedlam who says "You trusted them..."
Everything is coming together as the chaos continues...
32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99
WAYFINDER & ALETA: WORLD WAR ZEMO #3 (OF 4)
Plotted by CAPTAINUNIVERSE
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Art by IBAN COELLO
'WORLD WAR ZEMO' Part 3: "Showdown at Sunset"
While Wayfinder deals with Star Splendor, Captain Glory and the fallout from Cosmic Ghost Rider's escape from A.R.M.O.R. Headquarters, Aleta finds herself between a rock and a hard place as Gravity and Captain Marvel of The Redeemers begin threatening the lives of civilians in order to draw out their enemies! Throwing all caution to the wind, Aleta makes a fateful decision!
32 PGS./ Rated T+...$3.99
WORLD WAR ZEMO: ON THE BATTLEFIELD #3
An anthology collection of stories from all the many battlefields of WWZ!
Victor Von Doom in “NEVER AGAIN”
Writer: CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL
Artist: JOHN BYRNE (with ELIOT BROWN)
Plot: CAPTCLEGHORN
Latveria is considered one of, if not THE most dangerous sovereign state on this planet. Yet, it has been well over a century since it has been in any war or any extended battle. The latest actions in the USA have caused Victor Von Doom, chancellor of Latveria to close the nation’s already tight borders. At 16:13 UTC Latveria lowered its flag and raised its flag of war, similar to the standard flag but in colors of red and black.
Von Doom has asked the EU to bond with him to put a complete no fly zone over the European continent. NATO is not an option as the US is the problem.
The members of Zemo’s team are shown to the EU representatives with their nazi leanings emphasized. At the end of the presentation a map of Europe is shown with the longest extension of third reich advancement and Doom finishes his presentation with two words. Never Again.
”BLACK AND GREEN, AND DEAD ALL OVER”
Written by GREG RUCKA
Plot by H-E-D
Art by MARCO CHECCHETTO
A gig is a gig — that’s what Thasanee “Carmilla” Black told herself when she took up the mantle of GREEN WIDOW for the Redeemers.
But as the world falls to chaos around her, she can’t help but think she’s maybe on the wrong side.
Bad timing for Carmilla, though, as the BLACK WIDOW comes calling, looking to serve a cease and desist notice the old-fashioned way — a no-holds-barred beatdown!
“THE ILLUSTRIOUS WONDER MAN”
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art by FRANK CHO
You may know Simon Williams from such hit TV shows as “Secret Hospital” and “Infinity Dogs.” Now the Hollywood-based actor, best known for his ripped abs, glistening teeth, and the fact that he also happens to have ion-based super powers, is trying to land a breakout role! His agent informs him that Disney is looking to cast the lead for its upcoming film, “Sentinel of Liberty: The Steve Rogers Story.” And who better than “Wonder Man” himself to play Captain America? A little jingoistic, sure, but Simon is confident he’ll be able to slip some progressive messaging in during the promotional tour. Plus, it’ll push his boundaries! “I can do things for days! Wait… it’s uhhh….. I can do things all day! Is that it?”
It seems the somewhat vapid thespian needs a little help getting into character. His plan: shadow the real Steve Rogers! Upon request (Hey Wonder Fans, what’s Captain America’s @? #Hero), Simon’s more-informed Twitter followers tell him that Steve is in Washington D.C. right now!
Wait, who’s this Zemo guy? He’s got incredible fashion sense (is that purple Hugo Boss tactical gear?!), but seems a little aggro. Will he make Wonder Man spill his tall, half-caff, non-fat soy latte? Oh, it’s on now!
PRESS v SECRETARY
Written by SPENCER ACKERMAN
Plot by H-E-D
Art by NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY
Norah Winters puts her career — and life — on the line for an interview with White House Press Secretary Tadzio de Santis!
It’s her responsibility as a journalist and a citizen to ask the hard-hitting questions — and not just about the political aspirations on the Press Secretary’s cousin in Florida.
But, how is she going to get de Santis to answer honestly — and if he answers honestly, how is Norah going to get out alive?
Gwen Stacy in “IN THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT”
Writer: KRISTIN HANNAH (“The Nightingale”)
Artist: WAYNE VANSANT (“The ‘Nam”)
Plot: CAPTCLEGHORN
The personal log of Acting Lieutenant Gwendoline Stacy:
“I am at a crossroads. Civil unrest has caused the mobilization of armed forces within our cities and I have been called upon to aid in that process due to both my upcoming attendance at the Air Force Academy as well as my prior experience with the Queens JROTC group.
“There has been considerable protesting against the latest actions of the US Government and it is up to us to make sure no one is hurt. I can’t speak to much success in that endeavor as some have died while dozens of others are wounded and needing hospitalization.
“This is not what I thought my service would be. It’s funny, but Flash’s grandfather used the exact same sentence when he returned from Viet Nam missing his left leg. I talked with him when I was accepted to the Air Force Academy and now I understand why that conversation was the only time I have ever seen any member of the Thompson family cry.
“I am considering deserting my post…
“Because I don’t think that I can live with this.
“I can’t live with this.”
“Siri, delete last entry.”
160 PGS./ Rated T+...$6.99
X-MEN: SILVER #３
Written by STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
Plot by H-E-D
Art by ARIELA KRISTANTINA
“MAGIC”
The SPELLBINDER comes to Karma’s rescue!
Is it awkward to run into your ex in the void of space? Sure, but it beats dying.
The Redeemers who blasted her out into space, arrogant, left without making sure her or the X-MEN were dead.
And so Jennifer Kale, notified of Karma’s predicament thanks to an old safety enchantment, is able to save the day at a moment’s notice.
With the mission a success, despite some complication, the team organizes their next move.
Some of the team diverts to investigate a so-called Project Zuǒēn (佐恩计划) in Kümüx, East Turkestan — where the Chinese government is attempting to “re-educate” Uyghur mutants to their own ends.
But after fighting the Sapiens League and nearly being killed by the Redeemers, the fight against Zemo is personal for Xuân.
Plus, they have the advantage now: the enemy thinks they’re dead.
Silhouette volunteers to lead the mission in Kümüx — so, of course, both Mercury and Ricochet want to join her. Will this love triangle handle well under pressure?
Rogue and Iceman are down to smash the Sapien League with Karma (and Jennifer, who is sticking around for a bit).
Time to split the party!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
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