AOM 10-2019

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #11

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Plot by nx01a

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: Fiona Apple - Across The Universe

“MULTIVERSAL MADNESS” part 1 “WE ARE FAMILY”

•Two lost children have requested help from the SCARLET WITCH, so she and DOCTOR STRANGE must figure out how to get the twins back home to another reality where Wanda is their mother!

•After SELENE's mental manipulation, ELSA BLOODSTONE and DOCTOR VOODOO's feelings for each other are very confused, and previous attraction has been mixed with slowly fading yet still bewildering true love. Perhaps MAGIK's Soul Sword can sever the lingering erophilic magic binding them... but do they want it to?

•AGATHA HARKNESS is quite pleased with the team she's put together. They do good work without the need for annoying oversight. Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D. thinks they're the reason this team exists, and wants these magicians fully accountable and answerable to S.H.I.E.L.D. authority and standards. Agatha will have to remind the poor dears that the baddest witch of them all answers to no one.

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

ASTONISHING ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #10

Plot by DEKU

Written by CHRISTOS GAGE

Art by DAN MORA

Cover by DAN MORA

G.I.R.L are back. Nadia’s super-science friends get to meet Nadia’s dad. And that is fortunate as the Rhino is on the loose and our superhero duo could use some help.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

BLACK PANTHER: KING OF WAKANDA #3

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

“SAVAGE DAYS”

T'Challa and W'Kabi arrive in the Savage Land in search of the exiled Inhuman Karnak! What role does he have to play in the Panther's game of chess against the ever increasing tensions around the world? And exactly what will they do when they come face to face with a horde of ravenous dinosaurs? Maybe Ka-Zar, Lord of the Savage Land can help!

Elsewhere, Okoye and Killmonger travel to N'Gabo to follow up on the treaty that ended the Three Month War against the League of Nations. However, they are surprised to see that an old enemy of Wakanda has resurfaced! The NuHuman Markus Zulu, once thought dead, has returned and is the newly elected President of N'Gabo!

Back in Wakanda, Shuri meets with the tribal leaders to discuss the state of the nation when she is interrupted by a late arrival. M'Baku, leader of the White Gorilla tribe demands an audience with the king! T'Challa is leading the country down the wrong path and it is M'Baku's great destiny to Make Wakanda Great Again! Next Issue: Build That Wall!

32 PGS./Rated M...$0.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #11

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“PACIFIC THEATRE”

There’s a new threat to American interests in the Far East. After scrapping plans to utilize M.O.D.O.K.’s Super Adaptoids to address it, the Office of National Emergency’s Director Valerie Cooper subcontracts Captain America’s Stars and Stripes organization. But is Cap’s new enemy an old ally?

The War of Resistance against Japan had been raging since the 1931 invasion of Manchuria. After Pearl Harbor ten years later, the United States finally began to support the Chinese - and tales of the super-soldier, Captain America, made many in China yearn for their own hero...

Tem Borjigin was a criminal street urchin forced to flea Beijing during its occupation. His desperation and ruthlessness saw him enter the forbidden Valley of Spirits, where he found that the local myths were actually hiding an alien spacecraft. Slaying the extra-terrestrial guardian inside, Tem claimed ten rings from the vessel - each offering an incredible ability that allowed him to fight back against the Japanese. As his fame and infamy grew among allies and enemies alike, he became known as... the Mandarin! Yet fame and infamy have their consequences.

When the Americans intercepted intelligence that the Empire’s elite ninja, a division of the Hand, were being dispatched to slay the Mandarin, they pulled Steve Rogers and his sidekick Bucky Barnes from the European theatre and air-dropped them in with a special mission: save their eastern asset’s life! But can even these heroes of World War II defeat Japan’s most lethal mystical assassins?

And unbeknownst to Cap, the child soldier Bucky has classified orders: to obtain the Rings of the Mandarin for America... by any means necessary!

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Fact Check: The Purpose of Ninjas is Not and Never Was to Flip Out and Kill People - An Exploration of the Unjustly Maligned Mental Health Status of the Average Shinobi.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE ENFORCERS #11

Written by GREG RUCKA

Plot by LEE STONE

Art by STEVE EPTING

"DEATH TAKES THE WHEEL"

It's Ladies' Night as Sable, Jessica and Misty hit the town for some R&R.

The partying is cut short, however, when their limo driver winds up dead. With signs point to Sable being the murderer, the girls have to retrace their steps to find the real killer before she's arrested.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #11

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM GRUMMETT

“BACK FOUR THE FUTURE, PART 1”

Typical family situation, nothing special. You’re running for the US Senate and your adult son has come back in time to make sure you marry his father and start the family he comes from. Welcome to Dr. Susan Storm’s life.

Also threatening the nation (world?) is the team of the Puppet Master and the Thinker. Their subtle tool of tweaking the behaviors of people in power and being able to foresee the outcomes of those changes in behavior potentially can shift worldwide trends. While Reed works on keeping the FF and close allies’ free form Puppet Master’s control and to find any examples of that control. Ben is chatting with the Puppet Master’s daughter, the blind sculptress Alicia masters in order to find out more about her father.

Johnny is confronted nephew, Franklin Benjamin Richards who informs him his saving of the Library at Alexandria was the point that needs to be revamped to restore the team’s history to what it was.

As for Sue, the election is only days away and she’s approached by a foreign head of state about support. Given that the head of state is Victor Von Doom, a classmate of her opponent, she’s understandably leery.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$2.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #3

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

“THE FUTURE IS WHAT WE MAKE”

After the dire future shown to him by Kang, Tony gathers in his close friends to talk about the changes he plans to make at Stark Enterprises. But instead of heeding Kang's warning, Tony is determined more than ever to prepare humanity for the future! And the first order of order of business is to make a corporate venture with a highly advanced, reclusive nation on the continent of Africa, the country known as Wakanda!

Conspicuously absent from the meeting is Tony's older brother Arno Stark, who is having a life changing meeting of his own. On the top floor of an empty skyscraper in Chicago, Arno is in the final stages of a business partnership with two upstart companies owned by rivals of Stark enterprises! Justine Hammer and Ezekial Stane have agreed to a secret alliance with the elder Stark to combine their wealth, genius and power to destroy Stark Enterprises!

Elsewhere, a young woman is about to regain her freedom after serving two years in prison. It's been very long and she's had plenty of to think about her circumstances and the man who helped put her here, Tony Stark. Stark she thinks to herself, by the time I'm done with you, you're going to think you've seen a Ghost!

32 PGS./Rated T+...$0.99

MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL #11

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by KRIS ANKA

"SWIM AWAY: PART FIVE"

- Every sky adventure has to end at some point. For NAMOR, MOLLY, and GERT it just so happens to end in the underwater city of LAMASHTU. Up is down, left is right, and all clothing is permanently inside out.

- The combined powers of VICTOR MANCHA, and LORNA DANE may be enough to dampen the effect of the apocalypse engine. But is it too late?

- ANA KRAVINOFF's lies come back to bite her in what can only be described as poetic justice. Or maybe just justice. There's a lot of things we don't know yet.

- Is NORRIN RADD permanently stuck in this liquid metal state? Has he finally become a SILVER SURFER? ALANI doesn't mind, but she's down for most things.

- By ingesting the LIQUID MIRROR our dashing heroines; ROGUE, and TIGRA are able to overcome their fear, and fight for the freedom that is a right to all sentient beings.

- There's only one issue left sports-fans. Our crossover of epic proportions concludes in RUNAWAYS #11.

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #11

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“INTO THE FREY”

Asgard has fallen. In its ravaged Royal Palace, the Draugr King Thrain stands beside the throne now occupied by the All-Mother Frigga, who betrayed and slew her husband Odin. But what brought her... to this?

In the time before time, it is said that the sons of Buri, Bor and Njord, did war upon one another. Bor prevailed. His loyalists would become the Aesir of Asgard. Njord, having been slain, left his lieutenant Frey to shepherd his supporters into exile. They became the Vanir of Vanaheim. Thus they grew apart. But Bor’s successor, Odin, sought to reunite his race of “gods.” When Vanaheim refused, Asgard invaded. Much blood was shed. To end the strife, Frey’s daughter Freyja agreed to wed Odin. So betrothed, she was given an Asgardian name and her disobedient father was cast out of both Realms. And lo, Vanaheim carried on under Asgard’s banner - yet it’s people always yearned for independence. This desire multiplied after recent perceived insults to the Realm, including Odin’s decision to jeopardize Vanaheim by secretly granting land within it to the Midgardian monster, the Hulk, then forgoing the execution of the Hulk after he inevitably rampaged throughout the Realm, and then awarding more sovereign Vanaheim territory to Ulik’s barbarous Rock Trolls for helping end the threat that Odin himself created (see THE MIGHTY THOR #1, 2, 4 & 5).

No longer would Vanaheim be abused. And no longer would she be “Frigga.” She was Freyja again, now and forevermore. And no longer would the cursed undead Draugr be known as Thrain. He, too, had earned his original name. He was, once again, Frey! And woe be onto the enemies of their new royal family...

Elsewhere, Thor, Sif, Loki, Ulik, and the Hulk, amongst other survivors, attempt a retreat into the Sea of Stars aboard the Asgardian ship Skíðblaðnir. But in hot pursuit is the Naglfar, unrivaled vessel of the dead, and at its helm in none other than Malekith the Accursed! Can the heroes escape in time to save their most precious cargo - a barely-clinging-to-life Odin?!?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

MOON KNIGHT #5

Written by MATT WAGNER

Plot by LEE STONE

Art by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

"BLACK MAGIC WOMAN"

Moon Knight and Shroud recover from their ordeal last issue to face off against Midnight.

Things take an unexpected twist when Calypso decides that she works better alone and attempts to turn Midnight into a zombie.

Will Marc be able to save him?

32 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

OLD MOON CRONE #11

Written by AMY REEDER

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by VERONICA FISH

“YOU BETTER CHECK UNDER THE SEA”…”

The crew of the sea-faring Whiz Wagon are closing in on Monster Island, Lunella Lafayette leads her team to find her long lost best friend, Devil Dinosaur. An army (navy?) of blue-skinned Lemurians follows them as the Badoon threat is ever present. Killraven is almost too excited

Jim Hammond is flashing back to his past life and a bizarre trip through different periods in time. Valeria’s voice in Lunella’s head is warning the crew about danger in the Human Torch living in this time period.

As we speed towards our incredible conclusion next issue, please be aware our heroes do get to Monster Island and the big red dinosaur.does appear And Devil has a surprise for Lunella..

32 PGs./ Rated T...$2.99

RUNAWAYS #11

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by DAVID LAFUENTE

"SWIM AWAY: PART SIX"

- KAROLINA, NICO, ALEX, And CHASE finally put aside their differences, and call their parents. Perhaps with their combined might they will be able to defeat LAMASHTU once, and for all. But who knows what dirty laundry will be dug up in the process? I do, you'll have to buy the book.

- PRINCE NAMOR alongside: NAMORITA, MOLLY, and GERT manage to re-orient society in time for the festival's conclusion, but will they? What reason could they possibly have to kill BURNING PERSON.

- WALTER, and MARRINA finally arrive after several delayed flight. So much could have been avoided if not for mediocre airlines. But how will they process the shocking turn of events that leaves several of their comrades in a state of disarray?

- Find out in the epic conclusion of SWIM AWAY, the Six-part epic of the century.

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

SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #11

Plot by DEKU

Written by CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS

Art by GURIHIRU

Cover by GURIHIRU

She-Hulk is in court for a case of burglary. However there is a slight problem, both the accused and the alleged victim are shape-shifting Skrulls.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #5

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by DUSTIN WEAVER

“SOLDIER SIDE”

Under the consul of a shadowy figure, Prince Moltar of Crystalium has sold his people to Ammon, the Demon Prince of Chaos!

Imprisoned for ten thousand years by the magic of Zhered-Na (a story for another time), he is eager to spread his domain across the cosmos once more.

The Sorcerers of the Stars must aid the Shi’ar against Ammon to avoid galactic catastrophe. But aiding and abetting imperialism doesn’t sit well amongst most of the team.

Especially when the key to defeating Ammon is to destroy the Prisma-Crystal, the most ancient and cherished artifact of Crystalium.

Nor does the revelation that the annexation was Adam Warlock’s idea! Can the Sorcerers trust their most senior member’s moral compass?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE ULTIMATES #5

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

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

“THE SIX SIEGES” Part 2 – “RUNAWAY”

The Ultimates get a hands-on demonstration of Otherworldly artifacts when, in the dark of night, Imogen breaks out of her cell and escapes – through the Siege Insidious!

Transformed by the Siege into a being powered for revenge, Imogen cut a path of destruction through Otherworld.

The Starlight Citadel, the Heron Dynasty, the Manchester Gods – Imogen has many enemies, and the Ultimates are at the top of the list!

There’s no time for Captain Marvel to feel vindicated in her objections to Imogen’s extradition as she and the rest of the team wake to find themselves under attack!

The Sentry just feels guilty, thinking it’s his fault for not saying anything about his suspicions. The voice in his head agrees.

Blue Marvel is starting to suspect magic is real – but now he wishes it wasn’t.

Jennifer and Roma do their best to counter magic with magic, but the Siege’s transformation goes beyond the realm of the mystic.

Luckily for them, so do Monica’s cosmic powers. She might be the key to winning the day, but what will it cost?

It’s a real bad time for Shevaun’s powers to start malfunctioning. Is something wrong with the Fabric of the Universe?

PLUS, Nul has gathered the Worthy, having freed them from their Hammers. He intends to lead them, with Angrir as his right hand. As you might imagine, Skadi, daughter of the Serpent, has thoughts about that. Will the rest fall in line, or hold loyal to the Serpent?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

UNCANNY X-MEN #11

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

Theme Song: Bastille - Pompeii

“THE FOREST FLOOR IS LAVA”

•Sumatra's erupting volcanoes, raging forest fires, toxic haze, deadly earthquakes, and devastating tsunamis... Just Nature's wrath?

•She calls herself KRAKATOA, and she is no longer entirely human, much less mutant. Merged with the land and the magma and the sea, Krakatoa's mind is too different for PROFESSOR X and JEAN GREY to calm or control while the X-Men do disaster relief.

•With the air toxic and the heat lethal, X-23 enters the heart of the volcano to reach the mutant physically and emotionally. Laura's not a paragon of empathy herself but can she stop the woman formerly known as Sariamin from committing explosive suicide to end years of torment and suffering, killing millions?

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

AOM HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1!

Variant by peach MoMoKo (桃桃子)

“A MARVELLOUS HALLOWEEN!”

Plot by MCGAFFER

Story by EDGAR ALLAN POE

Art by GEORGE TUSKA

Halloween! The playful night of dread for all things undead!

The Midnight Sons hold the Annual Monsters Ball, where even Nightcrawler gives into his unholy past and dances till dawn.

And Jack O Lantern lays hiding on the porch! A trick for all little costumed Spiders this Fall!

A candlelight conclave between the two doctors, Strange and Doom where they discuss those in their tomb!

And in the dark dusty roads the Ghost Rider waits for all those sinners out so late!

Across the void the undead wait, the Marvel Zombies waiting for the opening of the gate!

Afterall it's Fate!

“A SACRIFICE FOR ELVES”

Plot by EXCITER

Written by J. R. R. TOLKIEN

Art by FRANK FRAZETTA

The Norse equivalent of Halloween was Alfablót, the “Sacrifice to the Elves.” On that day the stars aligned such that Elves could crossover to our Realm at the burial mounds of great kings. If worthy sacrifices were offered, the Light Elves of Alfheim would arrive bearing gifts. If the sacrifices were unworthy, the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim would arrive... bearing destruction. One Alfablót, long ago, the Dark Elven King Døkkr planned to invade Midgard through the burial mound of Olaf Guðrǫðsson. Only Thor’s eldest half-brother and the first son of Odin, Váli, stood in his way! By trick or by treat, could Váli halt their advance - or would he become their sacrifice?!?

“HALLOWEEN BATTLE IN QUEENS”

Written by STEVE DITKO

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by STEVE DITKO

The Parker household does what it does every late October, they prepare for Halloween. But for patriarch Ben Parker, this is no longer a celebration where he has to convince his wife May that the homemade treats she wants to give all get tossed out. No, it’s that pesky Flash Thompson. And Ben Parker is going to make him pay.

Years ago, a young Flash Thompson accidentally busted Ben’s prize winning Jack O’Lantern. Things have gotten worse and worse over the last ten years. Parker wants to make that meddling teenager Thompson soil himself in fear. Thompson’s goal is to make that Parker geezer realize his Halloween isn’t all that and a fun-size Milky Way.

Thompson vs. Parker. One wins, one swears vengeance. Be here for their last battle.

“BROKEN PROMISE”

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

Art by PEACH MOMOKO

From the dark recesses of the past comes the tale of how Jennifer Kale earned the name Spellbinder!

Once upon a time, there were two young sorcerers, Jennifer Kale and Erica Fortune. Both Erica and Jennifer were orphaned at a young age, growing up in the care of their grandfathers, serving as the surrogate mothers to their younger brothers. Jennifer was the heir to Zhered-Na, Sorcerer Supreme of ancient Atlantis. Erica was the Spellbinder, gifted with a connection to a vast store of extraplanar magic.

Everything was perfect. And then the power went to Erica’s head, and she ended up having to be sealed away in a crystal prison by her brother Roy. We’ve all been there.

Roy went on to become the apprentice of one Jennifer Kale, and everything was perfect once more.

But when the stars align on one All Hallows Eve, Erica breaks out of her prison and exacts blood vengeance upon Roy. A grief-stricken Jennifer finds herself looking in a dark mirror.

What further horrors will she have to brave to avenge her apprentice and safeguard reality?

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. in “IN FRONT OF MY SALAD?!”

Written by VICTOR LaVALLE

Plot by nx01a

Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE

Theme Song: Divinyls - I Touch Myself

•While the rest of the Agents are out on Halloween, CLEA wakes from fitful dreams to find herself trapped in a shaking Sanctum Sanctorum encased in moss and vines. MAN-THING is asleep, too, and his dreams are a different kind of 'fitful'. With a powerful oneiric incantation, Clea enters the mindscape of the being that was once Dr. Ted Sallis, and finds it buffeted by the succubic throes of NIGHTMARE's niece, NOCTURNA! Can Clea wake Man-Thing before his giant-size fantasy climax destroys them both and DOCTOR STRANGE's home?

“GREAT PUMPKIN DEPRESSION”

Plot by EXCITER

Written by CHARLES DICKENS

Art by NORMAN SAUNDERS

Times were tough in Brooklyn in the early 1930s, but Sarah Rogers told herself that she was tougher. Halloween had recently gained popularity and the Works Progress Administration was hosting a neighborhood carnival. She knew attending would mean the world to her son Steve. Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough money to get him a costume.... but she wouldn’t let that stop her. See the everyday heroics of a mother doing whatever she can so her son can experience the joy of being a cowboy for one night - and remember who really makes Halloween special.

“ANT-MAN AND THE WASP HALLOWEEN SPECIAL STORY”

Plot by DEKU

Written by CHRISTOS GAGE

Art by DAN MORA

Growing up on secret Russian black sites, Nadia has never gone Trick or Treating. That changes now as Nadia’s friends show Nadia the spooky fun that can be had on Halloween.

“DREAMING - A Tale of the Sorcerers of the Stars”

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by HAEMI JANG

Note: Set between Sorcerers of the Stars #3 and #4

The Sorcerers of the Stars check in on reports of magical activity on Eoduun, known as the homeworld of Shi’ar Superguardian Nightside.

A dim planet on the edge of the galaxy, Eoduun exists halfway between normal reality and the Dark Dimension.

Aside from that, everything seems above board… until a shocking discovery is made.

The planet has been infiltrated by Hybrid and the sorcerous Dire Wraiths from the Black Galaxy!

Mantis and Moondragon can use their telepathic magic to tell who’s real and who’s an imposter… the trouble will be getting the rest of the Sorcerers of the Stars to trust them!

UNCANNY X-MEN in “FLUORIDE MAN”

Plot by nx01a

Written by SINA GRACE

Art by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

Theme Song: Dave Matthews Band - Don't Drink The Water

•Florida's drinking water ranks among America's worst, but most of West Palm Beach coming down with a stomach bug is unheard of. So why are the people with explosive diarrhea so unnervingly cheerful? Add to that a massive mutant power manifestation on Cerebro, and the X-MEN are in the Sunshine State during a Halloween hurricane to face a mutant who dissolved himself in the local water supply to control the thousands who drank him!

138 PGs./Rated T+ …$6.66