AOM 12-2019

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #13

Plot by NX01A

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: All I Want For Christmas - MINOR KEY! ft. Chase Holfelder

“MULTIVERSAL MADNESS” part 3/finale “GHOULTIDE”

•All they want for Christmas... is YOU! And your brains. As our heroes face their zombified counterparts, previously unrealized truths occur to each of them in true holiday fashion.

•The OCCIPITAL OCCULTIST makes the SCARLET WITCH realize that she might come across as a bit unhinged.

•Until he met The CORONER, DOCTOR STRANGE never knew how insufferable he sounded.

•MAGIK loves how sexy her zombie self's Soul Sword looks so much that she'll take it off ZOMAGIK's cold, decapitated body. Can you say 'dual wield'?

•ELSA BLOODSTONE is jealous of RED ELSA's ability to freeze everything in crimson crystal but, after killing her double, she learns how to let it go. The cold never bothered her anyway.

•The MAN-THING realizes that GIANT-SIZE is afraid of the same thing he is: shrinkage.

•HOUNGAN HOODOO's ability to control zombies is immense but DOCTOR VOODOO must trust fully in his natural talent and arcane training to succeed. He's not calling himself 'Brother' anymore, so it's time to prove what he can really do against the undead!

•While her Agents fight against unlife, AGATHA HARKNESS fights for her life against a nefarious paranormal agency. Who or what are D.O.A., and what is Operation 2020?!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

AMAZING FANTASY #1

Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN (based on a story by STAN LEE and STEVE DITKO)

Art by SARA PICHELLI

“PETER PARKER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY”

Peter Parker is, by all accounts, a good kid. He’s just received his SAT scores and scored a combined 1590 (800 Math, 790 Reading and Writing). His Uncle Ben and Aunt May were, of course, happy and wanted to throw him a party with cake. Peter, as many 16 year olds do, felt a party with cake was for children. Instead he decides to cut school and attend a science exposition dealing with the effects of various kinds of radiation. Peter, if you haven’t picked up on it yet, is a science geek.

The day starts out great with a morning panel on the Fantastic Four’s cosmic ray experiences, but the day goes south when Peter is bitten by a spider during one of the radiation presentations. He faints and is revived by museum staff. He is then asked to leave as he’s not a credentialed scientist. Peter then goes back to school, is busted for tardiness. Angered, Peter slams his locker door and somehow rips it off totally. His HS was understanding and gave young Parker a bill for repairs.

The day improves as Peter somehow discovers he has superhuman powers. He discovers he has super-strength, incredible agility and speed, and an extra sense which warns him of danger. Basically he’s got the abilities of a human sized spider. So Peter does what any kid would do. He makes himself a skintight costume and signs up for an amateur MMA competition to win the top prize and … Wait, you wouldn’t do that? Let’s just say Peter’s life after this changes dramatically and he will start to realize what comes with great power.

And in our Fantasy/Horror back-up…

Written by NEIL GAIMAN

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by DAVID LLOYD

“GUESS WHO’S FOR DINNER”

An Amazing Fantasy short story. Six serial killers attend a dinner. Watch as their minds work to ensure that they each leave alive. Who will make it? Who won’t? Read this amazing ditty.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$2.99

BLACK PANTHER: KING OF WAKANDA #5

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

“THE MAN THAT TIME FORGOT” PART 1

Deep in the Savage Land, T'Challa, W'Kabi and Ka-Zar have found the exiled Inhuman Karnak but they've also found something that is very disturbing! Someone or something has turned once gentle dinosaurs and tribespeople into savage killing machines! Karnak was tracking one of the tribesman, hoping that he would lead him to answers! Now together, the four of them have found an alien vessel, cloaked from ordinary eyes. They begin to approach the vessel when suddenly it opens and from it emerges a humanoid figure easily 10 feet tall with sinewy features and a large head. Behind him, savage creatures that were once human follow him to an area where frightened men, women and children are being kept as targets for the newly-created monsters that were once like them. They are nothing but pawns in an experiment, all for the amusement of a being called... The Six Million Year Old Man! Next issue: Evolve or Die!

32 PGS./Rated M...$.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #13

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“A GERMAN WERWOLF IN BROOKLYN” part one “THULE ME ONCE...”

Günter Semmelrogge is a Werwolf. No, not a werewolf that transforms into a beast during the full moon, but a Werwolf: one of a clandestine group of Hitler Youth ordered to operate behind enemy lines as assassins and saboteurs after Nazi Germany’s surrender. Having waged a secret war on behalf of the Third Reich for over seventy years, Semmelrogge is now a bitter, decrepit old man. Yet after decades of searching, he may have finally found the one weapon that will give him the ability to defeat the man who famously socked his Führer in the jaw...

With the Allies emboldened by their super soldier Captain America and on the offensive in Europe, the Nazis were desperate enough to turn to the occultist Thule Society. These fiends not only believed that the Aryan race was descended from a mystical land called Hyberborea, but that the gods of that land could be summoned to fight for Germany. And they were right - partially. When one of those gods was actually summoned, it quickly became apparent that he would not support their cause and would require... convincing. But in a state of mental enslavement and unwilling indoctrination, the God of Thunder is not worthy of lifting his hammer Mjölnir - forcing the Nazis to reverse engineer their own!

“Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be Nazi, shall possess the power of a thousand-year Reich!”

Can even Captain America and his stalwart sidekick Bucky stop a Nazi-brainwashed Thor wielding the diabolical Reichhamarr?

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Steve Rogers is an Asgardian Asset: How his True Loyalty Lies with the Aliens that Masquerade as Gods.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #13

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by TOM GRUMMETT

The fabulous FF discover what it truly means to get…

“A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP”

Sue, Reed, and Ben went to bed in different rooms. The Puppet Master and Thinker had been stopped. Johnny and another Human Torch had reburned the Library at Alexandria, restored time, and he was on his way back. Ben and Alicia Masters started a relationship. And Susan Storm, MD had made her concession speech in the special Senate election. Then she went to bed. Alone.

She wakes up the next morning not only next to Reed Richards, but married to him. She’s also the Senator-Elect from whatever state Area 44 is in. Then her three year old child, Franklin Benjamin Richards, wants breakfast.

Meanwhile, Dr. Doom’s Latverian embassy is still on Alcatraz Island and Sunset Bain, morally challenged tech entrepreneur, appears to be a frequent visitor there..

Please join our fabulous foursome as they enter their second year with a look at their daily routine when the universe isn’t being threatened.

32 PGs./ Rated T...$2.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #5

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

"TO THE EXTREMIS!"

Baklava, Eastern Europe! His name is Viktor Rastov, a poor farmer who lost his family to murderers and thieves or as he would call them the ruling government. All he has left is his daughter, Romana who is still so sick. It's no wonder he eagerly volunteered for a dangerous experiment so that his daughter could get the medical treatment she so badly needs. The doctor who will help him is a beautiful woman with black hair and glasses. The other scientists call her Dr. Hansen and they keep talking about something called Extremis!

Scott Lang, Rhodey and Bethany are in New Mexico trying to secure land for a new aerodynamics facility for Stark Energy. Tony wants to begin building ships for space travel for human passengers as soon as possible. Now that the deal with the Wakandan gov't has been finalized, all projects have been greenlit to go! But someone else is in New Mexico who wants nothing more than to destroy anything touched by Tony Stark!

Back in his private lab at home, Tony has finished working on his greatest creation to date, his new Iron Man armor, the Mark IX. And just in time to as he's received a priority alert! Someone is attacking Stark Energy at this moment, someone calling himself, the Titanium Man! Next Issue: My armor's better than yours!

32 PGS./Rated T+...$.99

MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL #13

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by KRIS ANKA

"OCEAN'S ELEVEN"

- With the GEMINI IDOL in their hands, NAMOR's mighty quest begins on a good note. But will a little bit of beginner's luck help the MSS with their next target; THE ARIES IDOL? They don't stand a goat of a chance.

- With INTERPOL on their tails will ROGUE, and TIGRA be able to re-unite with the team in time for their crucial information to be relevant? Or will the SEA-MAN's curse negate their progress?

- THE SILVER SURFER questions his place within the cosmic balance, but with LOA as his compass has chosen to remain on EARTH. But what tragedy will befall the outer planets without their sworn protector? Maybe you'll see.

- NAMORITA, and NAMORA fuse to become NAMORELLA! Hopefully that simplifies things a bit.

- MARRINA is found, but where the hell is WALTER?

- BUY MY BOOK!

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #13

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“ELF ESTEEM”

The Asgardian refugees continue their desperate quest for allies in the Götterdämmerung War. Their hopes currently lie with the Light Elves of Alfheim. Thor and Hulk expect willing allies given the Realm’s historic loyalty and ancestral rivalry with one of Asgard’s enemies: the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. However, the enemy of your enemy is not always your friend. The haughty Light Elf Queen insists they complete trials to prove their worth.

As attractiveness is one of the Light Elves’ most cherished virtues, Thor finds himself in a struggle he never anticipated: a beauty pageant! Can the deposed Prince of Asgard claim a new title: that of “Mr. Alfheim”?

Meanwhile, Hulk is sent to quell an uprising amongst a savage offshoot of the elven people. Unbeknownst to him, a musclebound raging green behemoth is exactly what those people were praying for. How will Hulk deal with his informal ascension to “King of the Orcs”?

Elsewhere, internal conflict arises within Freyja’s forces. Their standing general, Balder the Brave, has been disrespected and challenged by the Dark Elf Malekith. The only acceptable response is a duel to the death! Freyja is confident in her son’s victory given that her spell of invulnerability was successfully and secretly cast upon him. There is no way Malekith could know of Balder’s one and only weakness. There is no way he could know... about mistletoe.

Yule Special Back-Up Story

“O LITTLE REALM OF JOTUNHEIM”

A surprise attack on Jotunheim’s Utgard Palace has forced Loki to order a retreat. Sif’s time has come, however, and she’s left with no choice but to give birth in a barn surrounded by Asgardian animals: Thor’s goats, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder; Odin’s Ravens and Wolves: Hugin, Munin, Geri, and Freki; the eight-legged horse, Sleipnir; Gullinbursti the golden pig; and Gullinkambi the great cock. But when three strange magi appear bearing gifts, can they be trusted? Or must Sif rely upon her bestial allies for defense?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

RUNAWAYS #13

Written by KELLY THOMPSON

Plot by PERSONAMANX

Art by DAVID LAFUENTE

"ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT"

- ALEX WILDER has been adjusting to his newfound home life more so than most, but will his loyalty be rewarded? Hidden cameras in his room suggest otherwise. Betrayal.

- Meanwhile CHASE, and NICO have run away again to assist in the capture of ANA KRAVINOFF. But how will they help the others without their magic or high-tech gadgetry? Being back to square one doesn't come with a lot of advantages.

- In a startling move of corporate synergy, KAROLINA DEAN joins a cult! But how much are the Deans willing to give away to insure the purity of their cosmic auras? Is the great spaceship even real?

- How many robots will MOLLY HAYES have to rip the arms off of for LORNA DANE to accept her challenge? A fair question, but the more interesting one would be; Whose supplying the robots? That's right, RICHARD FISK is at it again.

- VICTOR MANCHA briefly considers changing his name to LOSER MANCHA. Jokes!

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

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #7

Written by JEFF PARKER

Plot by H-E-D

Art by DUSTIN WEAVER

"EGO BRAIN"

Mantis and Moondragon have been abducted to Cymradia, known as the homeworld of Mentor, the Shi’ar Superguardian!

Centuries of careless experimentation by the Brain-Lords, their local leadership, have genetically doomed the Cymradian race.

Now that the crises in the empire have showed them that magic is real, the Brain-Lords of Cymradia wish to use it to give their people new bodies.

Thanks to their mastery of telepathic magicks, Mantis and Moondragon are the keystones of their scheme – and their first intended host bodies!

By the time the Brain-Lords discover the true forces in play, it will be too late.

Meanwhile, Krugarr has found the trail that will lead the Sorcerers right to their kidnapped teammates. But without the Moondragon or Mantis around, he has no way of telling them!

Even if he could, it might not matter. Enraged and frightened by the disappearance of Mantis, Ika finds an easy scapegoat in Magique. Even if the Shi’ar sorceress can swallow her pride to make peace, will Ika listen?

Meanwhile, Adam Warlock makes a decision that will change the team forever, and Star-Lord receives a message from Gamora of dire consequence.

32 PGS./Rated T+...$2.99

THE ULTIMATES #7

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by H-E-D

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

“COSMIC FRACKING” Part 1 - “FOLLOW ME”

When the Ultimates look into just how Nul escaped, they discover a crack in the Superflow, the raw space between universes.

The Superflow has been fractured — and the damage is spreading.

Shevaun realizes that this is the source of her power malfunctions — she draws her power from the Fabric of the Universe, and that fabric has been torn.

In the Superflow, the Ultimates find an ally in Izanami Randall, a Nightmask – one gifted with the power to navigate the Superflow, and the responsibility to protect it.

As they split up to investigate, they find themselves on a collision course with Dario Agger, CEO of Roxxon!

Roxxon has spent generations plundering the Earth for profit, but under Agger’s leadership, they’ve set their sight much, much higher.

In the Superflow, the Sentry meets the one who’s been putting voices in his head. Who is Spellbreaker? And what’s her grudge against Jennifer Kale?

PLUS, Angrir makes for a cruel task master. As the Breaker of Souls, he has experience. But the first soul he broke was his own. And Nul wants it to stay that way. As his God Machine is built, Nul wants to make sure his right hand has his host body under control. (Fun fact: Angrir is actually just that gross parasite wrapped around him)

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

UNCANNY X-MEN #13

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

“CHILDREN OF KRAKATOA” part 2 “CONFLUX”

Theme Song: James Dooley - What Child is This?

•STORM has decided to stay on the first mutant nation of Anak Krakatoa, lending her weather manipulation powers to further tame the island and make it completely self sufficient. Will she be worshiped as a goddess yet again?

•A psionic calling himself EXODUS has risen to command the respect of the Krakatoans even as he preaches the coming of a Mutant Messiah. Can his ACOLYTES find the infant wherever it may be? The stars point north to Alaska!

•Pseudo-religious zealotry is a new thing for PROFESSOR X to deal with, and things really hit home when CYCLOPS discovers who the Acolytes' target is... and who the clawed tracker leading the hunt is.

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

AOM HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1

The fabulous FF must relive a timeless tale of change and inspiration with…

“A FANTASTIC SOLSTICE CAROL”

Written by SMILIN’ STAN LEE

Plot by CACOPHONOUS CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by JOLTIN’ JOE SINNOTT

Reed Richards is failing to get into the holiday spirit. Instead of trimming the tree or wrapping gifts, he’s intent of using the exact moment when the Earth’s axis points at the sun and is closest to the star to do scientific experimentations. His teammates and son decide to put the holiday spirit into his party-pooping brain and do the three spirit visit.

Will the Human Torch, Thing, and Invisible Woman be enough to get Reed into the spirit?

Will Tiny Franklin actually get to say “My Galactus Bless Us, Everyone”?

You’ve got to read this to find out.

“YULE BE THE HERO”

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

Most people believe that Santa Claus isn’t real, though many myths surrounding him are derived from the very real Odin! The All-Father had a robust frame, a white beard, was from the North, had elves at his command, and was always watching through a judgmental eye. Moreover, ‘pon every Yule Odin would soar through the sky on an eight-legged steed and place gifts in boots that were left by fireplaces. Alas, Odin lies in critical condition this Yule - barely clinging to life after being stabbed by Freyja (see THE MIGHTY THOR #10). ‘Lest the holiday be cancelled, someone else must mount Sleipnir and deliver the gifts... are YOU worthy of heeding this call to action?

X-CLAUS

by NX01A, WARREN ELLIS & STEVE McNIVEN

December 21st, 1969... The WEAPON X PROGRAM thinks SANTA CLAUS is a mutant. Since someone that powerful can't be captured, he must be killed! Codename: WOLVERINE can't even remember his own name much less his past; the only thing he knows is that he's to track Santa to his North Pole workshop, murder the old geezer, his child bride, elven slaves, beasts of burden, and destroy everything. What gift can Santa give Wolverine to prevent the Claus from getting the claws?

The Ultimates in — ”WINTER MAGIC”!

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plotted by H-E-D

Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO

Jennifer Kale and Karma are off on their first date.

It’s bad news for the Ultimates as they find themselves facing a magical situation without their arcane specialist.

An ice spirit has accidentally engulfed Ho Chi Min City in ice.

Dark Angel doesn’t know how to handle a magical threat without prolific use of firearms, but when Blue Marvel learns that the spirit is just a lost child in search of its parents, he dedicates himself to finding a peaceful solution.

The Ultimates has toppled galactic empires and fought cosmic terrors — but can they help a wayward child find their way?

“FELIZ STALINGRAD”

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

Omega Red hates Christmas. His nation, the Soviet Union, banned it in 1928. Seeing the holiday celebrated in the enfeebled modern Russia sickens him... so he will strike at its heart. His spiteful and petty plan: find everyone dressed as Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa, and turn them into Dead Moroz - by draining their life-Force with his carbonadium tendrils. Can anyone stop this seasonal slaughter?

Luna Snow in — ”MIDNIGHT QUEEN”

Written by YUN MI-KYUNG and GREG PAK

Plotted by H-E-D

Art by Yun Mi-kyung

Ordinarily, the holidays would be a ripe opportunity for Luna Snow to capitalize on her K-Pop career.

But following the tragic passings of two industry stars, the season has turned somber.

Seolhee is starting the question whether the price of her fame and fortune is worth it.

With the help of White Fox, she goes incognito at a fan vigil in Gwangju for the fallen stars.

She’s searching for comfort amongst the people she performs for — will she find it?

Miracle on 340 PGs./Rated T+...8 crazy $s