AOM 07-2019

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #8

Plot by NX01a

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary

“X-CULT part 1: ONE NIGHT IN SAITAMA”

•After communing with Goetian Spirits, DOCTOR VOODOO determines that the attack on DOCTOR STRANGE and CLEA's wedding came from Saitama, Japan.

•How is the Gallio Foundation, a personal development company with a main mission to have people experience more joy in their lives, involved? MAGIK and the SCARLET WITCH will find out as AGATHA HARKNESS sends them in undercover to take part in one of its X-ecutive Success Programs.

•Will Illyana find wellness and self-improvement, ways to accept and move past the traumas of being literally raised in a version of Hell? Will Wanda be able to cope with her own traumatic upbringing? Are two troubled, mutant sorceresses exactly what the powers behind the Gallio Foundation have been after all along?

•The story continues in UNCANNY X-MEN #8 on sale now!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

ASTONISHING ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #7

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOS GAGE

PLOT BY DEKU

ART BY DAN MORA

COVER BY DAN MORA

Singularity has fallen to Earth, her final words before fainting was “Escape from badman...Help”. Who did this to her? Ant-Man and the Wasp will find out and stop them.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #8

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“M.O.D.O.K. SHRUGGED”

Advanced Idea Mechanics. A massive tech corporation inscrutably hidden behind layers of shell companies, A.I.M. operates within a secret community where brainpower is the highest moral virtue. This “island” is stylized as a paradise for the intellectual elite - at least according to their leader, M.O.D.O.K.! Mockingbird, who stumbled upon the community during an investigation, isn’t so sure!

M.O.D.O.K., however, is sure about Mockingbird, a.k.a. Dr. Bobbi Morse - a peerless counter-terrorist with the mind of a genius biologist and a body that Millie the Model would envy. Who else could be worthy of her affections but the man with the biggest brain? He’d do anything to change her status to “in a relationship”... but will he do THAT?

Romance aside, there’s a new product roll-out to oversee. In M.O.D.O.K.’s view, the greatest danger to the world is the willfully ignorant “working class” - uneducated and unmotivated, they are tainted by racism and religion and if left unchecked will irreversibly change the global climate. The only solution is to remove them, and M.O.D.O.K. plans to do just that - through automation! A.I.M.’s robotic Super Adaptoids can replace any human at any job... even a peak human, and M.O.D.O.K. will prove it - by replacing Captain America! Using a remote-controlled LMD named George Tarleton, M.O.D.O.K. has convinced the Office of National Emergency’s Valerie Cooper to arrange a test of his merchandise. It’s man versus machine, as Cap must face-off against the Super Adaptoid prototype with his government contract, and the future of human labor, on the line!

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Not America’s Ass: How Steve Rogers’ Artificially-Created Physique Promotes an Unrealistic Body Image.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE ENFORCERS #8

Written by GREG RUCKA

Plot by LEE STONE

Art by STEVE EPTING

"SNAKE IN THE GRASS"

Silver Sable and Nick Fury find themselves on opposite sides when Viper offers to recruit the team for a legitimately legal mission.

Jessica confirms that Viper is sincere but is there something she doesn't know?

Fast forward 24 hours...

The team is in a South American jungle, separated from each other with all communication knocked out.

Survival gets real as they each find themselves hunted by Madame Masque's agents.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #8

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM GRUMMETT

“VOTE 4 SUE”

And the announcement has been made. Susan Storm, MD, the Invisible Woman is running in the special election for Senator against current appointee Gregory Gideon. Watch Sue make the rounds of Sunday morning news shows as she raises her political reputation. She's faced some of the most dangerous supervillains in the multiverse, but Sue's never faced a challenge like Wolf Blitzer.

And Reed's caught the cat burglar. Wait, Thundra's also caught the cat burglar? So why are the Thing and the Torch dragging their own cat burglar suspects into custody? Here's a hint. All of the burglars were committing the crimes.

And will Victor Von Doom manage to open a Latverian embassy in Southern California? Well, if you were a powerful head of state, would you do any different?

32 PGs./ Rated T...$2.99

MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL #8

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by KRIS ANKA

"DEATH VALLEY: SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN"

- The BLAZING PERSON festivities are put on hold as FLINT MARKO returns with vengeance in mind. Will the McKENZIES be able to hold him off long enough for WALTER's tracking algorithm to find MILLIE COLLINS?

- Meanwhile ROGUE, and TIGRA engage in a not-so-friendly cat fight to win the heart of a world famous cat-burglar.

- While the rest of the team attends to above ground business LOA, and the SILVER SURFER must fight off the underground cult before they summon LAMASHTU.

- Delaying the apocalypse, and community service. That's what the MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL is all about.

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #8

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“THROWBACK THORSDAY”

Magni and Modi Thorson. The twins of Thunder. Gods of strength and courage, respectively. Alas, the glorious destiny one envisions for these two never manifested. Raised in the ruins of Asgard, the brothers grew to manhood struggling to survive amongst Dark Elven death squads, gangs of ravenous undead Draugr, and worse. War had come to their homeland and never left. Their grandfather Odin’s reign ended in violence, their mother Sif slain before coming to term, forcing them into combat from the moment they escaped the womb. The only constant in their lives besides death was their caretaker, Old Man Banner, who started out mad and slowly deteriorated. Even when lucid, however, Banner could never recall specifically what caused Asgard’s fall, though he consistently told them two things... it happened in the Midgard year of 2019 and it was entirely their father’s fault! But all is not lost! The brothers have salvaged pieces of the destroyed Bifrost to open a small rainbow bridge, not through space... but through time. The two can finally go back to before the Götterdämmerung War. They can finally go back - and slay Thor before he ruins everything!

Meanwhile, in the present, the Draugr king Thrain and the Dark Elf Malekith amass more allies disgruntled with Asgard’s dominance, all recently thwarted and humbled by the Sons of Odin. Amongst them? Aldrnari, of the molten men of the Múspellssynir; Fing Fang Foom, leader of the Jormungandi descendants of the Midgard Serpent; and “Thunderbolt” Ross, America’s foremost military general. Yet the most powerful member of this foreboding cabal is also the most unanticipated. For no one would ever expect... her!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

MOON KNIGHT #2

Writer: MATT WAGNER

Plot by LEE STONE

Artist: FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

"THE CLIQUE, PART TWO"

Moon Knight gets a warm welcome when he discovers who his abductor is.

Who is the Gilded Lily? And what does she want with Marc?

Her luxurious mansion overlooking the beach is almost as intoxicating as the wine she's pouring.

It appears a game is being set up, but the rules are kept secret.

Meanwhile, Frenchie's search on the streets of LA for Marc leads him to the Shroud!

32 PGs./ Rated T...$3.99

OLD MOON CRONE #8

Written by AMY REEDER

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by VERONICA FISH

“ROUTE 66, EXIT 6: LOS ANGELES”

The journey across the future American continent is over and our intrepid crew explores the ruins and deserted subterranean levels on the former HQ of the fabled Fantastic Four, the isle of Californication. While Torch, Killraven, and the Recorder examine the rooms for weapons and machines to use against the Badoon, they find an old Fantastic Four security device, or are they captured trophies from a villain using android dupes of the FF? All you need to know if the Fantastic Four battle Lunella's team and their Whiz Wagon.

Lunella's last issue sacrifice letting the Valeria persona take over hasn't worn off yet and although Valeria somehow has the knowledge to get them into and through the abandoned FFHQ, Valeria isn't giving up the body which unfortunately sets off Lunella's focused on only one thing. Her long missing best friend, Devil Dinosaur. For those of you missing the big red dinosaur, this is the issue to start reading on.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$2.99

RUNAWAYS #8

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by DAVID LAFUENTE

"THE VALLEY OF DEATH"

- After last issue's pulse-pounding conclusion LAMASHTU finds itself being pulled away from LOS ANGELES by an unknown ritual. But oh no, it appears that several of our protagonists are being pulled along with it. But will JANET STEIN, and CATHERINE WILDER sit idly by, and let this happen?

- Meanwhile VICTOR MANCHA, and LORNA DANE continue to challenge themselves to determine who the true master of magnetism is. Currently it's a tie, and they don't like sharing.

- Elsewhere the FISKS continue to drive NICO, and KAROLINA to an UNKNOWN LOCATION. It's just another day of gals being pals in RUNAWAYS!

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

SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #8

Written by CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS

Plot by DEKU

Art by GURIHIRU

Cover by GURIHIRU

Titania has thrown Morris Walters into the abyss of the comic book gutters. Can She-Hulk rescue him and stop Titania? The titanic battle between She-Hulk and Titania concludes.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #2

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by DUSTIN WEAVER

“DDevil”

Chaos reigns as Chandilar is occupied by Ak’ma, Hell Lord and master of the Wrathian Core!

As the group fights to protect civilians, Moondragon and Star-Lord both think they should be the ones giving the orders.

Krugarr realizes that it’s hard to communicate in the midst of battle when you can’t speak and nobody is fluent in Lemistan sign language.

Mantis’s powers open her mind to the emotions of those around her. She must struggle to remain composed in the face of not only her own fears, but the fears of the very people she’s trying to save!

Magique is the latest in a long line of Shi’ar spellweavers, but never knew magic could be used on such scale. Now her home is being consumed before her very eyes. When Adam Warlock tells her that her power is essential to the defeat of Ak’ma, will she be able to step up to the plate?

If they can manage to save the day, there’s going to need to be a serious discussion about what this team is.

But if Ak’ma can subdue the Imperial Guard, what chance do a bunch of sorcerer’s apprentices have?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

THE ULTIMATES #2

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

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

“THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE” Part 2 – “SPEED UP”

The Ultimates arrived in the Black Galaxy too late to head off Nul’s rampage! The Breaker of Worlds has lived up to his name as planets fall in his wake.

They’ll have to pick up the pace if they’re going to prevent any further catastrophe. Its a lot of to ask of a team that’s mostly strangers to each other.

Captain Marvel is leading the mission, but Dark Angel isn’t used to taking orders. There’s no time to spare on disagreements, but they’ll waste some of it anyways.

Jennifer blames herself for the destruction Nul is causing on this rampage. Is she right to? And, are those sparks we see flying between her and Karma?

Benched after a mental breakdown, the Sentry has been off the field for years. His powers are undiminished, but can he handle the pressure?

He’s not the only one who’s been out of play. Spectrum had retired to avoid losing her humanity: the more she uses her powers, the more her cosmic awareness increases. Can she maintain the balance when the stakes are so high?

Blue Marvel has spent decades contented with lab work and scientific experiment. Does he still have the stomach for this?

The Ultimates put themselves right in the middles of Nul’s path. Unfortunately, that path leads straight in realm of Imogen, the Empress of the Black Galaxy! Her empire is powered by the Crucible, a celestial artifact that levels the playing field between her and the Ultimates. It also happens to be the thing that Nul is rampaging towards.

PLUS, Years ago, the Hulk was possessed by the Asgardian warrior known as Nul. While that time has largely been forgotten, witness this untold tale of what happened when Nul was separated from the Hulk! Half-formed and driven mad, Nul rampages towards Wundagore Mountain. Having been turned down by Doctor Strange, Hulk has asked Jennifer Kale for help. Last issue, Jennifer assembled the SECRET DEFENDERS. Now witness their battle with Nul!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

UNCANNY X-MEN #8

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

Theme Song: Divinyls - I Touch Myself

“X-CULT part 2: PSYBARIS”

•JEAN GREY's recent dreams start with sensual stimulation but end in blood-slicked torment! She hasn't experienced anything like them since that summer, since before... who?

•Tactile pheromone controllers, emotional manipulators, tantric telekinetics... Jean thought she had found in their pleasure a way to silence the voices in her head, to deal with the strange abilities that brought her nothing but pain. She soon realized the sybaritic psionicists were working for a far darker purpose, and she barely escaped with her sanity, escaped from... who?

•With CYCLOPS by her side, Jean begs PROFESSOR X to let the X-Men track down the source of her dreams, to save others still under the iron caress of the PSYBARITES! What the young mutants find in Saitama, Japan, will test them in soul, mind, and flesh.

•The story continues in AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #9 next month!

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

AOM INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL #1

**“YANKEE DOODLE DEADLY”**

Written by MATT FRACTION

plotted by H-E-D

art by HAEMI JANG

A forgotten tale from Captain America’s days on the frontlines of WW2!

As Cap and Bucky help the Allies push into Germany, they’re reinforced by the latest wave of American heroes!

They’re the greatest and most bizarre patriots the Public Domain has to offer: The Puppeteer! Man of War! Yank and Rebel! Conqueror! American Crusader! Jim Courtney, the Flag! (All real! Look ‘em up!)

Among them is the strangest of them all – Yankee Doodle Jones, the American Frankenstein! This bizarre hero is an artificial man created from the bodies of three crippled World War I veterans, who volunteered their lives to create an American champion like no other! Animated by the same super soldier serum and Vita-Rays that empowered Cap himself, Jones proves a powerful asset. But when strange accidents and disappearances start happening at base camp, Bucky suspects the American Frankenstein! Can he prove his suspicions to Cap before it’s too late?

**“WHEN IN THE COURSE OF INHUMAN EVENTS...”**

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

On July 4, 1776, fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson. John Hancock. Donald Blake? For the crime of hubris, Thor was stripped of his powers and cast out of Asgard by Odin - forced into a mortal life on Midgard as a colonial doctor. But when King George III summons Taranis, the ancient Briton’s god of thunder, to put down any would-be revolution, only Thor can save the Continental Congress! Benjamin Franklin has an idea about how to restore his powers, but it involves tying a hammer to a kite and hoping it gets struck by lightning! And if Thor survives all that, will there be time for a mighty drink with Samuel Adams?

**“THE OMEGA GLORY II, WITH MORE OG”**

Guest Written by HARLAN ELLISON

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Guest Photo Manipulation by JOHN BYRNE

While exploring the future Los Angeles, Lunella Lafayette comes across two rival gangs, the Yangs and the Comms. It is up to our heroine to recollect all of her knowledge of Bloods and Crips, Jets and Sharks, and Yangs and Comms to not only get out alive, but somehow get these two groups to someday work together against, you know, the freaking Badoon!

And she must. Do it. Using. A. Complete. Shatnerian. Modulation!

**“THE TRUE NORTH REMEMBERS”**

by nx01a, JEFF LEMIRE, and STEPHEN SADOWSKI

When WOLVERINE suggested taking X-23 to the Maritimes to celebrate Canada Day, they both knew that father-DNA donor/daughter-clone bonding can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Laura's enjoyment of donairs while taking in the Halifax Boardwalk for the first time is threatened by the separatist organization Vrai Nord's plan to seal off Canada from the rest of the world using endless ice from the Casket of Ancient Winters! Perhaps keeping Canada glorious and free is a better option than food and culture for Logan and Laura's quality time.

**“CAPTAIN CONTINENT”**

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

July 4, 1777. One year after the Declaration of Independence... and freedom hangs by a thread. British forces launched a successful counter-offensive and were about to capture New York City, leaving American morale dangerously low. General Washington knew the Continental Army needed a hero and was desperate enough to explore... unconventional options. A colonial alchemist promised an elixir that could elevate a true patriot to peak human potential. His claims seemed naught but puffery - until, as Manhattan was falling and the alchemist killed, Nathanael Greene imbibed the elixir. Born a Quaker, raised a pacifist and afflicted with asthma, the Rhode Islander was initially denied entry into the militia. Now, however, he was a super-soldier! If Greene can lead the revolutionaries to a victory at Saratoga it could change everything - and convince France to support the American upstarts. But the British are coming with a super-soldier of their own. And the nefarious RED COAT plans not to give them liberty... but to give them death!

138 PGs./Rated T+ …$7.76