AOM 09-2020

CIVIL WAR #4

Event Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER & ALAN MOORE

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY & MIKE MIGNOLA

“WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS...”

The Civil War has cost much. Friendships and families have been torn asunder. Iconic teams such as the Fantastic Four and the Ultimates have fractioned while heroes like the X-Men and Agents of A.R.C.A.N.A. have been set against one another. Yet Captain America has always believed that what has been burnt down can be rebuilt stronger. To that end, and given King Thor’s expressed willingness to grant all Nine Realms independence, Steve Rogers drafts a treaty... the Treaty of Brooklyn Heights. Thor is prepared to sign. Others are not!

All-Mother Freyja is outraged at the insolence of the star-spangled mortal. His meddlesome peacemaking causes the fire demons of Musphelheim to withdraw their support, as they were only interested in escaping Asgardian rule. The remaining opposition to Asgard and its allies is the Frey Dynasty - herself, Queen of Vanaheim; her father, Frey, undead king of Niffleheim; and her son Balder, now in a polygamous marriage with the twin rulers of Svartalfheim, the dark elves Illska and Sārga. Frey’s family, under her matriarchal stewardship, will never accept any treaty. This Civil War will not end until Thor bends his knee to a Frey in complete submission! And to that... Thor says thee nay! To end the war, he’ll sign the Treaty in his own blood if need be... and it just might!

And when Bucky Barnes returns and reveals it was Freyja who sent him to Valhalla, it’s clear to Cap that America’s alliance with the Vanir is over... one way or another. But will General “Thunderbolt” Ross, the Red Hulk, agree? Or is he more concerned with obtaining the Vanaheim technology that Freyja promised him? Is this a civil war within the civil war?!

In the dramatic conclusion, the sides shuffle, the Civil War ends... and there will be decisive victors!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #22 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: Demons & Wizards - Wolves in Winter

"RELEASE THE KRAKENS!" part 3/finale "BLOOD WINTER"

•In the icy ocean of Mímisbrunnr, well of wisdom, near Jotunheim, land of the Frost Giants, DOCTOR STRANGE, DOCTOR VOODOO, ELSA BLOODSTONE, and MAN-THING ride LYNGBAKR the Heather-Back, largest whale in the world, into battle against white supremacist wizard OGMUND TUSSOCK atop HAFGUFA the Sea Mist, largest monster in the sea!

•Strange and Voodoo are barely holding their own against Tussock, unable to decide which spell to counter his intuitive incantations. It seems the White Wizard is channeling all the wisdom from the waters of Mímisbrunnr for himself. Perhaps this wisdom drain is why the two doctors don't notice the shards of the Stones of Merlin embedded in Elsa's palms (see Agents of A.R.C.A.N.A. #15) glowing like Asgard's Rainbow Bridge before settling on a pulsing crimson to match her burning Bloodstone Choker.

•In a flash, the clashing titans are silenced, the warring wizards are muted, and everything for miles around is encased in gleaming red ice. All that can be heard is a mournful wind carrying soft tones of distant carnage elsewhere in the Realms.

•Wisdom always takes sacrifice.

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

AMAZING FANTASY #10

Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by SARA PICHELLI

“THE NEW GUY” starring Spider-Man

Peter Parker has found an internship! Dr. Curt Connors of State University has developed research for human regeneration. Connors, a veteran who lost an arm in Iraq is working to tweak human genes to allow them to regrow lost body parts. Pete also suspect this may mean a greater knowledge of his own spider-abilities.

But Connors’ work has also gained the attention of the Vulture, who had charges dropped in his assault on a company and a peaceful protest due to his becoming a media darling. The Vulture is secretly attempting to slip funds Conners’ way to aid research for the Vulture’s personal benefit.

Also, it’s summer before senior year as Gwen Stacy starts martial arts classes, Mary Jane Watson is California bound, and Flash Thompson counts down to his 18th birthday.

And in our Fantasy/Horror back-up…

Written by MARV WOLFMAN

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM MANDRAKE

“NO ONE IN THE MIRROR!”

Hans Schultz is a passably successful innkeeper in central Romania somewhere close to Transylvania. Schultz’s talents lie more in his stories than in the quality of his beer or his rooms. But when a famous “vampire hunter” informs Schultz there is an actual vampire dwelling with him, the doubts begin. And then the sun sets.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #22 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“THE MIGHTIER PEN”

“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

— George Washington's Farewell Address.

Captain America has, since World War II, used his peak human physicality to act as the Sentinel of Liberty. But now, it is his principled human mind that is most needed....

The task before him, as he sits at an old wooden desk in his Brooklyn Heights loft, is to draft a document capable of ending this Civil War. He must formulate a proposed agreement between mortals and “gods” and mythical monsters that is acceptable to all sides. The variables are numerous. Among a litany of other factors, Steve must consider thousands of years of alien history and how it all coalesced to bring about the present state of the Nine Realms. He must consider different cultures with different values and motivations while focusing on the similarities that they all share. He thinks of how Thomas Jefferson must have felt while drafting the Declaration of Independence and imagines Jefferson having to consider Frost Giants in the equation.

As Cap struggles putting pen to paper, he receives an unexpected visitor. The Mighty Thor has come, not to fight, but to speak. Together, an American soldier from the 1940s and a 5,000-year-old Asgardian deity must overcome their differences and find a way to agree on the most important of issues. Liberty. Justice. Rule of Law. Self-determination. Could these be principles that transcend Realms?

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Captain America’s Problematic Relationship with the Real Villains of the Civil War: Light Elf Supremacists.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. vs. UNCANNY X-MEN #3

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by NX01A

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Art by J. H. WILLIAMS III

Theme Song: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

"RAGNARÖKALYPSE" part 3 "HAMMERSCALE"

•The blood of recent slain foes stains his blonde hair and beard red but all who see him recognize him as the mighty THOR wielding gore-covered Mjolnir and standing by APOCALYPSE's side! How is this possible?

•What is the yawning black void in the center of Asteroid A, and who are the naked blonde man and green-haired woman who just stepped from stasis pods beside it? For PROFESSOR X and MAGNETO, the answers will be painful... just like the explosion that signals the arrival of the woman who used to be Ororo Monroe. She is STRØM, goddess of thunder, and she fights with all the stormy fury in her now Asgardian body and her enchanted Uru hammer, þrumahamarr, against bloody Thor!

•MAGIK, the SCARLET WITCH, and QUICKSILVER still can't get past Uru-enhanced colossus PIOTR RASPUTIN thanks to his magic resistance and durability. Will a chaos-inducing hex bolt and a teleportation disk be enough to leave him floating outside in the vacuum of space?

•As the explosive decompression caused by Strøm's entrance suddenly stops, Apocalypse smiles as he watches the strong fight around him... and the immortal mutant makes Asteroid A self destruct!

•BOOM!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

CIVIL WAR: HULK #4

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by MARK MILLAR

Art by GREG CAPULLO

“GHOST IN THE HULK”

Good news! Sterkr Grœnn Maðr, the Viking Hulk, wasn’t another of Bruce Banner’s divergent personalities! No, he actually was the possessing spirit of a long-dead Viking Berserker. That means he can be exorcised with the help of a practitioner of Asgardian magic! But can Bruce trust... Loki!?

Meanwhile, the U.S. Government’s efforts to replicate the Hulk are failing. The members of Gamma Force, the hulked-out Army division, have either become sick or out of control. In an ironic twist of fate, the only one who may be able to help them... is Bruce Banner! Will he do his part to end the Civil War by saving an enemy?

And when these two plots points intersect, what happens when the exorcised Viking Spirt possesses an out of control Hulk Soldier??? Spoiler: Smashing and Pillaging!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: IRON PATRIOTS #4(of 4)

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

Cover by Iron Man Legend BOB LAYTON!

"REAL STEEL!"

The Asgardian super weapon The Destroyer vs the super mech The Iron Shield with the entire West Coast of the U.S. in the balance! It's a battle that will help determine the outcome of the Civil War! Should The Iron Shield win, it will help turn the tide against the forces of Asgard but if they fall then a third of the U.S. will become part of the realm! After an intense battle with much destruction and using every bit of tech and sheer determination, Tony and his team manage to bring down The Destroyer. It was a hard fought victory but if Cap and his team can't bring an end to this war, will it all be for nothing? Follow Civil War #4 to find the answers!

32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99

CIVIL WAR: SORCERERS OF THE STARS #4 of 4

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by HAEMI JANG

“FOREST”

The team is free and reunited.

Unfortunately, while they were distracted, the resurrection of Cul Borson was completed!

…sort of.

The Serpent has become more of a shambling corpse than a royal contender — but succession quickly becomes the last thing on their minds.

It’s the Sorcerers of the Stars versus the Zombie All-Father — and all the realms could be at stake!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: THE ULTIMATES #4 of 4

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

Art by ACO

“LOST”

Blue Marvel and Captain Marvel were evenly matched.

But with Spectrum taking Adam’s side, the question is not longer if Carol will lose, but when.

Faced with the prospect of facing not only her friend, but the knowledge that the cosmically aware Monica chose the other side, Carol has to wonder:

Did she chose the wrong side?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: THE WINTER SOLDIER #4

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by WARREN ELLIS

Art by JIM LEE

“GET THE VALHALLOUTA HERE”

Bucky lives! Delivered from the Asgardian afterlife by the angelic Valkyrie, the Winter Soldier returns to Midgard (Earth) and brings revelations with him!

The Dark Elves of Svartalfheim have been secretly working with the Russian Government to develop super-soldiers for 80 years!

Odin’s Ravens have been compromised by a shapeshifter! Much of their gathered intelligence is false!

The undead Draugr consist of many deceased humans!

And most revelatory of all, his own killer was a supposed ally - the All-Mother Freyja!

Needless to say, the Frey Dynasty doesn’t want these secrets revealed! The Winter Soldier is targeted for death with extreme prejudice. Can he reach his best friend and partner, Captain America, before it’s too late? And is his other friend, the giant wolf Hati, loyal to him... or the All-Mother?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #22 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Written by Kelly SUE DECONNICK

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM GRUMMETT

Remaining FF members discover that even during a Civil War, there are…

“BATTLES WITHIN BATTLES”

As fighting rages outside of Washington DC, Josephine, the telepathic gorilla and the last remaining member of the Fantastic Four has decided to repopulate the team. She calls in two old friends, Vlad the shape-changing chimpanzee and Leon the orangutan with magnetic powers.. But thisd still makes only three and so…

Sue Storm once again wear the “4”! She defies the US Government and rejoins her team to fight for her country. However, her status as a Senator and her experience in fighting super-powered foes is causing dissent between her and General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. With Josephine (and Vlad and Leon) supporting Ross, the tension is thick. But the general consensus is still to kick Asgardian @$$.

Will we be calling this book Sue Storm and her Semi-Sextet of Super Simians? You’ll need to buy and read this to find out, Effendi!

Oh, and witness the former leader of the Fantastic Four, Dr. Reed Richards in federal custody facing charges or treason and other assorted crimes for teaming with a head of state at war with the USA.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #14

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

"SUPERIOR!" Part 5

Viktor Rastov, infused with Extremis is in Russia to kill their entire gov't for the part in the death of his family! Tony and the newly-minted Titanium Woman are there to stop him! Are even the two of them combined enough to stop Rastov from enacting his revenge?

Sunset Baines begins her attack on Stark Energy by sending Spymaster and Ghost to steal highly sensitive materials leaving Scott Lang, Beth and Rhodey to face the too people who almost killed them weeks ago!

Arno Stark attacks War Machine in an attempt to remove the last obstacle before facing his brother! However it's not Rhodey in the suit but Happy Hogan! Does Happy have any chance of surviving when he barely knows how to operate the suit?

32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99

M'BAKU: WARLORD OF WAKANDA! #14

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

“NEW WORLD ORDER” Part VII: DOWN IN A HOLE!

As Wakanda and NATO get closer to the brink of war, M'Baku calls on Wakanda's new allies to be ready follow the plan. Once the NATO forces are beaten, they will turn their attention to the real threat, the United States! At that moment, Shuri and W'Kabi along with dozens of the Dora Milaje rush into the palace ready to remove him from the throne! However, he was prepared for their betrayal and has had his own loyal Jabari guard ready for such a coup attempt! Suddenly, a gasp crosses the lips of everyone as The White Wolf along with the Hatute Zeraze enter the chamber bringing with the them unconscious body of The Black Panther! M'Baku lets out a loud roar of approval! All of his enemies have been brought to heel and his rule will be cemented forever with the death of the Black Panther!

32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99

THE MIGHTY THOR #22 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“THE DOTTED LINE”

Captain America’s proposed Treaty of Brooklyn Heights has led Muspelheim to withdrawn from its alliance with Vanaheim’s Frey Dynasty. This leaves Freyja... displeased. The All-Mother declares that the Múspellssynir’s leader, Aldrnari the Incinerator, must pay for his disloyalty. Dispatching Vanir and undead Draugr forces to slay him, can King Thor keep his former enemy alive long enough to get him to sign the Treaty?

Meanwhile, Sif prepares Asgard’s allies to sign. The royalty of Nidavellir and Alfheim appear eager to accept Asgard’s offer of independence, but the leader of Jotunheim’s Frost Giants unexpectedly takes issue. What provision does Loki insist be in the Treaty... and what’s the trick?

Plus, the reborn Fin Fang Foom dragon child begins to remember things from his previous lives. Does this make him a threat... or an asset?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #16

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by DUSTIN WEAVER

"SOIL"

Adam Warlock’s scheme to unleash Hell on the Shi’ar Empire has been foiled.

Ika, Mantis, Magique and Gamora have destroyed Adam Warlock’s demonic instruments — among them the Asgardian artifact he received from Loki in CIVIL WAR: SORCERERS OF THE STARS — and freed Moondragon.

Things are far from over, however, as Kalothir still reigns supreme over Ciress.

The Star of Catalax that gives Kalothir her conduit into the mortal realm can only be destroyed at her own hands. That seems unlikely.

The only hope is to remove the Star from its host, but Kalothir’s avatar grows stronger by the second!

Peter Quill arrives with reinforcements in his first act as the all-new MASTER OF THE SUN.

Adam Warlock isn't willing to help them -- but thanks to a deal with his dark side, the Magus, Moondragon wields the power of his Quantum Sorcery!

Will that be enough to save the day?

The fate of Krugarr – decided! The fate of Adam Warlock – decided. The fate of the galaxy – decided!

The events that have been building since issue #1 reach their climax!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS #4 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Written by ALEX DE CAMPI

Plot by H-E-D

Art by CARMEN CARNERO & GABRIEL HARDMAN

Three cheers for America’s new favorite superteam!

The Thunderbolts have saved Wyoming from the horrible, oppressive Rock Trolls.

Don’t ask questions about the ridiculous levels of collateral damage from the fight – that’s unpatriotic behavior.

Don’t quibble with the size of the rebuilding contracts that have already been promised to Zemo Solutions Inc. – private enterprise is the backbone of the nation!

Definitely don’t share photos of the corpses mutilated by Agent Carnage – you can’t trust pictures these days. The same goes for any so-called sighting of missing billionaire Warren Worthington III.

Any reports that Songbird has taken in a Magzi orphan are categorically false.

Don’t worry America — the era of the Thunderbolts has arrived!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE ULTIMATES #16

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (main story); ARIELA KRISTANTINA (backup)

“SUPERIOR SPELLBINDER” Part 1 – TWO OF US

Jennifer Kale has been banished to the depths of the Cascade!

To make matters worse, Erica Fortune has stolen her face and infiltrated the Ultimates.

What’s left of them, that is.

With the three Marvels embroiled in the Asgard-American War (see CIVIL WAR: THE ULTIMATES), the only member of the team around to fool is Dark Angel.

Can Erica fool Shevaun, or is her scheme to destroy Jennifer’s life doomed from the start?

That’s not even mentioning the fact that Dark Angel has come to Jennifer with a mission worthy of the Ultimates – just because she hasn’t been named in the solicits in almost half a year doesn’t mean she hasn’t been up to anything!

The Superflow faces an invasion by the mysterious AI legion known only as the the Sidera Maris. It’s up to Dark Angel, Nightmask, and “Spellbinder” to stop them from spreading into their own universe.

Unless Erica can think of a reason not to stop them, of course.

PLUS – Unfortunately for Ond and Karma, the floating city of Cadador turns out to be an oppressive slave state. As they flee the city guards who would enslave them, they have to find a way out of the city – without falling to their deaths!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

UNCANNY X-MEN #22 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

Theme Song: Matthew Good Band - Giant

"THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR ESSEX" part 7/finale "ANTIVAX"

•The X-Men try to salvage SINISTER's notes to reverse the mutant-animal hybridization on Krakatoa but STRØM's lightning and thunder obliteration of the red crystal palace and its technology seems rather thorough. One bestial but apparently unhybridized mutant claims he was Sinister's right hand and can help change the hybrids back plus cure the CORVID-20 psirus... for a price.

•As a dozen three storey-tall SENTINELS prepare to use lethal force against mutants and humans protesting illegal anti-mutant state actions in Portland, icy portals open across the city. What better to fight giant robots than Frost Giants, right?

•PROFESSOR X telepathically helped LOKI find traitors in Jotunheim recently. Are these Jötunn his price for helping the Prince of Mischief? But how did Charles know he'd need an army of giants or that his X-Men wouldn't be there?

32 PGs./Rated T+...$3.99

AOM QUARANTINE SPECIAL #6 (of ?????)

“IT’S A LIVING”

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by PAUL GULACY

The COVID-19 crisis has hit every walk of life. Jobs have shifted to working at home. Protective devices are part of routines now. But how are the petty crooks of the Marvel Universe dealing with this? Pickpockets can’t get close to anyone. Con games are tougher if you can’t get close to anyone. And gambling rackets have dwindled to near nothing without games to bet on or the ability to gamble in person at a card table or casino. See how three thugs deal with COVID.

32 PGs./Rated T... $One Roll of Toilet Paper