AOM 08-2020

CIVIL WAR #3

Event Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER & ALAN MOORE

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY & MIKE MIGNOLA

“SPLINTERING URU”

The Civil War has claimed its first high-profile casualty: Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. As the cry “Remember the Soldier” rings out, his allies swear his death shall not be in vain!

Avenging his fallen brother and bolstered by Vanir reinforcements, Captain America leads the charge and pushes back against the Asgardian Loyalists’ invasion! Now America is on the offensive, its soldiers, spies, and superheroes not merely defending their homeland but also bringing the fight to Alfheim, Nidavellir, and Jotunheim!

This unexpected rally is enough to force Thor back to the negotiating table, this time opposite Steve Rogers, Thaddeus Ross, and the All-Mother Freyja. Yet these negotiations shine the first light on cracks within this alliance. King Thor has grown weary of this endless conflict... and its cost in friends and family. Should Freyja agree to relinquish control of occupied Asgard, Thor is prepared to offer a massive concession his father never would have considered: he shall grant all realms independence from the crown, permitting the Vanir and their allies the freedom to rule themselves as they see fit. He proposes to let freedom ring, undoing Odin’s imperialist conquest from ages past. Cap is satisfied that the revolution succeeded... yet, to his shock, Freyja is not and refuses the proposal. Was this Civil War ever really about freedom - or was it always about revenge?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #21 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: Demons & Wizards - Down Where I Am

“RELEASE THE KRAKENS!” part 2 “CLASH OF THE TITANS”

•In the middle of an enchanted arctic sea, white supremacist wizard OGMUND TUSSOCK rides HAFGUFA the Sea Mist, largest monster in the sea!

•DOCTOR STRANGE, DOCTOR VOODOO, ELSA BLOODSTONE, and a gravely weakened MAN-THING are nearby on the rapidly sinking not-island LYNGBAKR the Heather-Back, largest whale in the world! Voodoo has clashed with Tussock a few times but never on this scale. How did the White Wizard gain control of these leviathans?

•When Elsa cheerfully begins shotgun blasting Ogmund's signature Norse algiz and elhaz runes carved into the trees, heather bushes, and standing stones, Man-Thing feels the great whale beneath them coming free of the White Wizard's geas.

•And so, with their puny humans atop them, the titans tussle!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

All-WINNERS SQUAD vs. LIBERTY LEGION #4 of 4

Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by JOE KELLY

Art by RYAN OTTLEY

“ENDGAME”

Whoever won the contest between the hand-picked superteams of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the Grandmaster ensured he would be the true winner! For with both men trapped on Battleworld and beset by menaces from the worst dimension in the multiverse, Earth 2020, it leaves the presidency of the United States of America to be filled by a true Elder of the Universe. No, not Biden... but the Grandmaster himself! (“Bigly illegal. Show me his birth certificate!”).

The ultimate game, the presidential election, is now set to be taken, through an obscure legal loophole regarding delegates, by the ultimate gamesman, En Dwi Gast… and his platform is horrible!

Healthcare coverage decided by gladiatorial combat!

Police abolished and replaced with Sakaarian guards!

Civil disagreement resolved through mandatory obedience disks!

It is up to both U.S. Agent’s All-Winners Squad and Daisy Johnson’s Liberty Legion to team up and stop him! But can they come together? (“Avengers ah… you know… do the thing!”). Or is it already too late? This is the final round in the Contest of Champions… winner take all!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

AMAZING FANTASY #9 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by SARA PICHELLI

“ARMIES OF ONE” starring Spider-Man

S. Stephen Seymour is principal of Peter Parker’s High School in Queens. Next year shall mark his final year before retirement. His biggest concern was the renaming of the school to Steve Ditko High School, but the American/Asgardian conflict has gotten all his attention. The biggest issue is the proposed setting up of a JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) at the school. Students and faculty both are on both sides of the issue with ace student Gwen Stacy (wanting to get some way to avoid another hostage crisis like she was in in the last few issues) and star athlete Flash Thompson leading the push for the group at Ditko High.

Principal Seymour’s time in Viet Nam has colored his life and he finds himself supporting students Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson is the fight to keep Ditko High a military free school. Parker is also trying to use his connections with the daily bugle to get some video published, but can Pete keep his objectivity enough to show a fair presentation

And in our Fantasy/Horror back-up…

Written by GARTH ENNIS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by WAYNE VANSANT

“ULIK? YEAH, LICK THIS!”

Willie and Joe are two American soldiers fighting in the US Army against an Asgardian force outside Washington D.C. See how the 21st century army does things.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

ASTONISHING ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #17

Written by CHRISTOS GAGE

Plot by DEKU

Art by DAN MORA

Cover by DAN MORA

A cake is missing from the Pym Labs Fridge and nobody is admitting they took it. We go through the daily life of everybody at the lab to get to the bottom of this mystery.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #21 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“REVOLUTIONARY”

”Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations - entangling alliances with none." - Thomas Jefferson, Inaugural Address

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You might be labeled as “Strength Class 100” by the nerds who put together whole handbooks on that kind of stuff, but you’re still equal to any other man or woman in the eyes of God and America’s Constitution.

Steve Rogers thought his side in the Civil War was fighting for that equal freedom, but now he’s starting to suspect his allies had less noble motivations. The Vanir don’t just want freedom. They want revenge on Asgard for acts that happened millennia ago. That isn’t a cause America needs to champion. Has Steve helped make the terrible mistake Washington and Jefferson warned of, getting his nation involved in entangling alliances with foreign powers?

He’s about to find out, as he confronts Vanaheim’s general, Balder the Brave! Is the half Vanir/half Asgardian son of Odin fully aware of the plans of his mother, Freyja? And will he fight to carry on her true dream of vengeance?

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Don’t be Misled by the Thunder and Lightning: Vanaheim Citizens Voice Mostly Peaceful Opposition to Asgardian Stormtroopers.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. vs. UNCANNY X-MEN #2

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by NX01A

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Art by J. H. WILLIAMS III

Theme Song: Richard Wagner - Ride Of The Valkyries

“RAGNARÖKALYPSE” part 2 “ASTEROID A”

•Quick thinking and quicker running by super-fast QUICKSILVER saves his sister, the SCARLET WITCH, from being sucked out into space from aboard what their father, MAGNETO, would call (after sealing the destroyed wall with metallic ore) Asteroid M. The rock in high Earth orbit is now, as PROFESSOR X explains while telepathically sedating Wanda, under new management.

•He has had many names over the millennia: En Sabah Nur, •-|A|-•... The name that stuck was Apokálypsis but you can call him APOCALYPSE! Back when the Norsemen knew and dreaded him as gray, unkillable Ragnarøkkr, he and his mutant kind were called Ú-Fólk, the un-people, the ex-men. Unto the Ú-Fólk, Apocalypse will deliver new heavens and a new Earth. He has his Adam and Eve, now he just has to wipe the old heavens and old Earth clean of life for them to thrive!

•Another not so touching family reunion occurs when MAGIK finds her long lost brother is Apocalypse's right hand, and his Uru-enhanced metal form is impervious to the Scarlet Witch and Magik's magic!

•And should the combined mutant and magic might defeat this COLOSSUS, Apocalypse has another champion with bloody red hair and an enchanted Uru hammer that cries out for bones to crush!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

CIVIL WAR: HULK #3

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by MARK MILLAR

Art by GREG CAPULLO

“MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK, BERSERKER”

In order to put up a fight against the hulked-out soldiers of Gamma Force, Bruce Banner dug up the bones of ancient Norse “berserkers” to see if they held the secret to Asgardian-inspired proto-Hulk transformations as he hypothesized. But there must have been some magic in that old berserker skeleton he found, because now things are getting really weird...

Puny Banner always struggled with dissociative identity disorder - multiple personalities. Besides Bruce and Hulk, there have been Joe Fixit and Doc Green, amongst others. But now there is a new personality in town: Sterkr Grœnn Maðr, a Viking berserker that likes to do exactly what you’d assume a Viking berserker likes to do. Is Sterkr a product of Bruce’s fragmented psyche or the actual possessing spirit of a long dead warrior? Either way, he’s invasive and quickly becoming a dominant persona. Bruce and Hulk will have to team up in their mindscape to wrestle control of their big green body from the Norseman, while the world at large must contend... with Viking Hulk! As far as Nordic monsters go, Grendel ain’t got $&@# on him!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: IRON PATRIOTS #3 (of 4)

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

Cover By Iron Man Legend BOB LAYTON!

“HERE COMETH THE DESTROYER!”

It's a heavy metal showdown! The Iron Patriots have defeated an army but now they face Asgard’s most powerful weapon, The Destroyer, whose fists can shatter mountains and can disintegrate any foe with but a look from his visor! The balance of the war lies here! But what can Tony and his allies do against such a monstrous foe who has never met defeat? Five must become one as the Iron Patriots unite to form ...The Iron Shield!

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

CIVIL WAR: SORCERERS OF THE STARS #3 of 4

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by HAEMI JANG

“PRISON SONG”

The Sorcerers of the Stars find themselves neck-deep in Draugr in the heart of Niffleheim!

But the team seems more concerned with bickering among themselves, as grievances old and new come to the surface.

When the others are captured by Draugr mages, Ika and Magique must work together to save them; will they be able to set aside their mutual disdain long enough to do so?

Things in the prison are just as tense, considering Mantis just broke Moondragon’s heart by committing to Mantis.

Star-Lord tries his very hardest to stay out of the conversation.

All this would be bad enough if it didn’t mean that Sorcerers of the Stars are neglecting to stop the resurrection of Cul Borson...

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: THE ULTIMATES #3 of 4

Tie-In Miniseries

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

Art by ACO

“STEP”

It’s Marvel versus Marvel as an Ultimate defects to Thor’s side!

Adam Brashear has fought for the United States many times over the years — but that won’t stop him from doing what he thinks is right.

The God of Thunder has convinced the Blue Marvel that Asgard is on the right side of history.

But Carol Danvers remains a loyal right hand to Captain America. How long before these two powerhouses come face to face?

And what side is Spectrum on?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CIVIL WAR: THE WINTER SOLDIER #3

Tie-In Miniseries

Plot by EXCITER

Written by WARREN ELLIS

Art by JIM LEE

“SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE”

Bucky Barnes died in battle... but that’s just the beginning of his adventure. Now, Bucky finds himself in Valhalla!

In the land of the honored dead, the Winter Soldier is faced with his eternity - but he isn’t ready for eternal rest just yet! He’s got to get back to Earth, because before he was slain he uncovered the truth about a long-running conspiracy... a truth that could change everything about the Civil War! Plus, he’s the only one who knows who actually killed him!

There are just a few problems... a few large, bearded, axe-wielding problems! A war party of the fiercest Vikings to have ever lived, led by the spirit of Eric Bloodaxe, don’t want Bucky to leave - and there’s not a Kalashnikov Machine Gun in sight! Can even the angelic Valkyrie help Bucky return to Earth?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #21 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM GRUMMETT

With special pages from writer ROY THOMAS and STEVE RUDE

To find what the future holds, Reed Richards must go…

“BACK TO THE BEGINNING!”

The battle for Area 44 has better tragic for both sides. Johnny Storm, the Human Torch lies comatose deep within Area 44’s Intensive Care Unit. Ben Grimm, the Thing meanwhile has lost his eyesight from a nova blast and is hopefully recuperating under the training of blind sculptress (and girlfriend) Alicia Masters and the extradimensional super-strong Thundra.

Senator Susan Storm and the last remaining active FF member Josephine the telepathic gorilla are with General “Thunderbolt” Ross and a rift is developing between Ross and Storm as Josephine starts to side more with Ross.

As for the last member of the original FF, Reed Richards finds the Victor Von Doom’s work in a dimensional transport device to aid Asgardian transport has been focused on a trip to Hell to recover the soul of Doom’s damned mother. The last time Von Doom tried to do this he blew up a building and scarred his face. Can Reed somehow get the device doing what it should be doing? Can Doom finally save his mother? This is the story along with Dr, Doom origin pages done by classics Roy Thomas and Steve Rude as part of this extra-sized tie in to Civil War!

40 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #13

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

"SUPERIOR!" Part 4

With Iron Heart and Rescue down, Arno sets his sight on his next target...War Machine! But Rhodey hasn't worn the armor in months so exactly who is the man behind the iron mask? In Baklava, Tony and Maria track down the group of scientists who resurrected the Extremis app only to find them all dead except two, Dr Mya Hansen and Toni Ho! Barely alive, they rush them to the nearest hospital where Tony asks Mya who did they injected the app with. She tells them that's not important, they must get to Russia and stop him before he kills the entire Russian government!

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

M'BAKU: WARLORD OF WAKANDA! #13

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

“NEW WORLD ORDER” Part VI: “THEY COME TO KILL THE PANTHER!”

On a mission for the Black Panther the Northwest border of Wakanda, Shuri and W'Kabi find themselves surrounded by the Dora Milaje, elite bodyguards to the throne! But the Doras are not here to capture them in but instead have come to join them in the fight against the usurper M'Baku! They have amassed enough fighters and weapons to take on M'Baku and the Jabari! All they are waiting on is the signal from T'Challa!

In London, Hunter and the Hatute Zeraze have finally tracked him down and are ready to bring his dead body back to Wakanda! But they will soon find out why the Black Panther is the most dangerous person alive!

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #21 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“TORN APART”

Thor’s assault on Midgard is not going as well as he’d hoped. The All-Mother Freyja’s metaphorical tendrils appear everywhere, manipulating events in her favor. Thor’s friend, Bucky Barnes, whom he fought with against the Nazis decades ago, has been killed. Bearing a heavy heart, Thor finds himself against an emboldened enemy. And on the battlefield, Thor comes face-to-face with America’s most invincible veterans: the Red Hulk and the Juggernaut!

Meanwhile, Thor’s children, Magni and Modi, have been kidnapped! With their father on the front lines, their mother, Sif, prepares to walk through an army of the undead to get them back. The Draugr Lord, Frey, believed he could demoralize the Asgardian Loyalists by stealing the great-grandchildren of his hated enemy, the late King Bor. His actions may have inadvertently had the opposite effect, as he’s stirred a fury in the heart of the new Queen! And she’s not alone... she’s joined by the children’s uncles: Loki, the trickster god, and Vidar, the reclusive god of vengeance that was unwillingly pulled from his isolation after a failed assassination attempt! Sons and Daughters of Odin, attack!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #18

Written by CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS

Plot by KC

Art by GURIHIRU

Cover by GURIHIRU

The Shocker, the Blob and Gwenpool join Jennifer in a battle to get her powers back. They might be annoying, selfish or useless, but they are the only help Jennifer has. Jennifer and her “allies” storm the current base of operations of the Maggia and come face to face with the man who engineered the loss of her powers, the Leader. But Jennifer’s old foe has a few surprises for her including a powered-up Plantman and Hammerhead. Stopping them and getting Jennifer’s powers back will not be easy.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #19

Written by CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS

Plot by KC

Art by GURIHIRU

Cover by GURIHIRU

“CURTAIN CALL”

It’s the end of our adventure as this volume of Sensational She-Hulk comes to an end. To celebrate, some of the Heroes and villains of this volume come together to talk about what they have been through in the last 19 Issues.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SONS OF DITKO #4 (crossover between AOM-NU and DC Next Dawn)

Written by J.M. DEMATTEIS and MARK RUSSELL

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by BRENDAN MCCARTHY

Book 4: "HERE'S TO THOSE WHO WISH ME WELL, AND THOSE THAT DON'T CAN GO TO HELL!"

Archbishop Kurtwell has been arrested and will stand trial for his abuse of youngsters.

Spider-Man, the Question, and the mysterious Mr. A stand exposed each knowing who the others are, leaving a delicate balance. The three go off to submit their own very different stories on the same event.

But the story isn’t over. As we found out Aunt May and Professor Rodor discover Hub City may hold the clue to what happened to Peter Parker’s parents. So Pete (and Spidey) are off to Hub City with Vic and Tot. Pete’s also making an appearance on Vic’s show to discuss the events of Kurtwell’s exposure and subsequent arrest.

Watch as Spider-Man and the Question scour the streets and back alleys of Hub City looking for signs of a couple who vanished off the face of the Earth.

Rated T+, 40 pages, $3.99

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #15

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by DUSTIN WEAVER

"DARTS"

Moondragon has a clandestine meeting with the Magus on the Astral Plane.

Should the Sorcerers of the Stars be worried that a cosmic tyrant like Magus is willing to help them?

There’s no time to worry about that however, as Kalothir has claimed dominion over Ciress.

Krugarr’s body has been twisted beyond recognition – is there any chance of saving him?

If it’s too late to save the planet and their teammate, the Sorcerers will do all they can to save the rest of the galaxy.

As Magique and Gamora, unlikely besties, work to stop the release of Ak’ma on Chandilar, Mantis and Ika race to keep Ammon banished from Crystalium. But as the barriers between worlds thin, the demons whispers creep in. When Ammon tempts Ika with an offer to liberate her people, will she be strong enough to resist?

On R’lalmis, Peter Quill receives the Master of the Sun’s final lesson, and a new title. Just in time to finally receive the news of the situation on Ciress.

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS #3 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Written by ALEX DE CAMPI

Plot by H-E-D

Art by CARMEN CARNERO & GABRIEL HARDMAN

War is a lucrative business — and not just before the fighting stops.

Zemo has staked in numerous construction firms, oil, gas and mining companies.

The greater the toll of the war, the bigger the windfall for contract-winners during Reconstruction.

Zemo orders the Thunderbolts to maximize collateral damage in taking the fight to the trolls. Towns, nature reserves, Indian reservations, parks; the more the better.

Most of the Thunderbolts understand just fine. A promise of a kickback is all it takes for Moonstone to agree; and Karla can get the amnesiac Archangel to just about anything. For Agent Carnage, destruction is it’s own reward.

But neither Songbird nor Hazmat signed on to the Thunderbolts to commit war crimes. However, Zemo reminds them that he could destroy their lives with a single word.

The Magzi Trolls have occupied the town of Lander, Wyoming; once the Thunderbolts are done with them, will there be anything left standing?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE ULTIMATES #15

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

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

“AFTERMATH” Part 2 – “PANDORA”

A mourning Jennifer Kale takes a trip home to Citrusville, Florida to mourn and reflect.

She won’t get much of a chance before Spellbreaker’s vengeance comes for her.

After being freed from her banishment curse (see ULTIMATES #11), Erica Fortune has returned to Earth.

Nothing good can come of this. Least of all for Jennifer Kale, her nemesis, the woman who left her banished for years.

What designs does she have for the vulnerable Spellbinder?

PLUS – For the first time in eons, the god called Ond has free will. It’s a difficult thing to navigate – especially considering he’s now sharing his body with the mind of Karma! She’s a much friendlier guest than Angrir was. but while Ond needs to relearn what it means to live, Karma just wants to go home! If that wasn’t difficult enough, they’re stranded in Demetria, a world replete with floating cities. Stowing away on an airship, they soon find themselves en route to the city of Cadador – a decision they’ll soon come to regret!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

UNCANNY X-MEN #21 \*Civil War Tie-In\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

Theme Song: AC/DC - Back In Black

“THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR ESSEX” part 6 “ESSENTIAL”

•With the X-Men unconscious, the mutant-animal hybrids turn on their creator, SINISTER!

•The bird-mutant chimera who was once ORORO MUNROE picks up a fallen enchanted Uru hammer with her taloned foot... only to be transformed into a true goddess of thunder! STRØM has the physiology of an Asgardian but remembers who she is, and this Ørørø rides the lightning thanks to her hammer, þrumahamarr. Strøm calls down the storm to obliterate Sinister and his ruby palace then flies straight up, up, and away! As the goddess departs, an awakened JEAN GREY senses the barest whisper of the telepathic distress call Strøm received... from PROFESSOR X!

•Mutants and humans alike have risen up against the SENTINEL drones whose adaptive programming to curb the spread of the explosive CORVID-20 psirus has led to dozens of mutant maimings and murders. In Portland, however, the success in driving off the drones only results in the appearance of a dozen three storey tall humanoid Sentinels! How have they evolved so quickly? And with their new adaptive protocols, can anyting stop them?

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

AOM QUARANTINE SPECIAL #5 (of ???)

Mail Order and Digital Only! #StayHome

“CASHING IN ON THE MASK”

Written by HOWARD CHAYKIN

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by HOWARD CHAYKIN

It’s a generally accept fact the wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is a way to help prevent transfer of the Coronavirus and to lessen transmission. When Spider-Man is approached to be a model for wearing a mask, Peter Parker is torn between asking for compensation or not. After all, everyone else is getting paid.

“BEST AND SAFEST COUNTRY ON EARTH"

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

The Mandarin is proud to announce that the People’s Republic of China has reported zero positive tests, finally defeating that horrible virus believed to have been spread to the nation by American super-soldiers. You can trust the Mandarin, right? Sally Floyd of the press certainly does!

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