AOM 11-2021

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #36 \*Giant-Size 3rd Anniversary Issue!\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: The Charlie Daniels Band - The Legend Of Wooley Swamp

“PROJECT SULFUR” Part 3 “WHAT IS A MAN-THING?”

• Three GIANT-SIZE WOMAN-THINGS knock around plant-demons.

• Naked sorcerers battle a mad alchemist for his Philosopher's Stone.

• In the midst of this war for Limbo, Ted Sallis is human once more but his ex-wife is now a monstrosity of muck and mire. Her will is not her own as she submerges him in her bountiful bush, drowns him in her green depths. Ted feels the call of his old curse. Can he take this burgeoning burden from her or is it too late for everyone in this Hell?

64 PGs./ Rated M...$5.99

AGENTS OF FURY #15

Plotter: MARVELL2100

Writer: CHRISTOPHER PRIEST

Artist: STEFANO CASELLI

“AMERICAN SNIPER” Part II

Leavenworth, KS: Sen. SHARON KELLY has stepped forward to run for President of the United States! But her next announcement sent shockwaves as she brought SUE STORM, formerly of the FANTASIC FOUR, onstage to be her running mate! However none of that matters to NOMAD! He has his orders from FURY, KELLY must die tonight! Just as he gets ready to squeeze the trigger he gets the call from DIAMONDBACK, who is standing not too far from KELLY, to abort the mission! Do not fire!!!

In the Antarctic at an abandoned SHIELD facility, AGENT 13 and KASPER KOLE arrive to find that someone has been here not too long ago. They check security cameras and computer logs but find that everything has been wiped clean. Someone was here and covered their tracks. They didn't want anyone to know exactly who was here or what they were working on. They report to FURY that the base was wiped clean and they don't have any idea who was here or what was going on. He tells them to head to Davos, Switzerland to pick up an asset take her to London.

After the major news event at the KELLY/STORM campaign, NOMAD and DIAMONDBACK return to a secret base to meet FURY who was watching a newscast about KELLYS' announcement. He's mad as hell and wants to know why JACK didn't complete the mission? why is KELLY still alive? When NOMAD tells him he got the call to abort, FURY wants to know who gave the order? DIAMONDBACK tells him that she made the decision to abort and that killing KELLY would have been the biggest mistake they ever made! Next Issue: Is it ever a good idea to make someone named Fury mad?

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

AMAZING FANTASY #23

Starring Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu, Philip Wylie’s Gladiator, and characters from Star Trek!

“DOWN THE DOUBLE SPIRAL STAIRCASE”

Special 23rd issue celebrating the 23 pairs of gene in human DNA!

Written by GREG COX, MARJORIE LIU, AND ROY THOMAS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by PAUL GULACY

1894 – Professor Abednego Danner injects a formula into his testicles and into the womb of his wife before she is impregnated with a male child who is born on Christmas Day of that year.

1930 – The boy, Hugo Danner, having been born with extraordinary superhuman physical and mental abilities, fakes his death and the destruction of his deceased father’s scientific notes.

1957 – Fu Manchu approaches Dr. Rosalind Franklin seeking to acquire/borrow the scientist’s work on the structure of DNA and her virus studies. Franklin refuses and dies just over a year later of ovarian cancer.

It is now 1968. Mankind will soon see the dark side of the moon. Har Gobind Khorana is one of the recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis." One of his most brilliant students, Dr. Sarina Kaur, is starting her own research facility in India known as the Chrysalis Project to create superior human specimens. The facility is meant to be hidden and clandestine, but it has not escaped the notice of autocrat Fu Manchu, or the older but still vital, powerful, and brilliant Hugo Danner who believes much of his father’s work was stolen and used here, despite imperfections in the formula.

Sir Denis Nayland Smith and Dr James Petrie discover much as they are sent by MI6 to investigate Fu Manchu’s interest in the mysterious Chrysalis Project. When these four parties come together, will any of them be able to perfect the methods of genetic manipulation of homo sapiens?

32 PGs/ Rated T...$2.99

BLACK PANTHER: KING OF WAKANDA #28

* + BONUS INCLUDED\*\* Inside The Inner Circle of The Hellfire Club Europe!

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

The (Inner) Circle Is Complete!

The Grey King T'Challa has called a special meeting of the Inner Circle. The seat of the Red Queen has been vacant for some time and he has nominated someone to fill that spot: Medusa, former Queen of the Inhumans and CEO of Oracle Inc. After less than an hour, Medusa has been named the Hellfire Club Europe's new Red Queen by a 7-1 vote. The lone dissenting vote? The White Queen Adrienne Frost! Now that he has another ally in the Inner Circle, T'Challa can focus on dealing with The Black King Killmonger!

Okoye and K'Yen leave Wakanda and are headed to the Arctic Circle to check out an anomaly. Wakandan scientists have detected an odd energy source similar to Vibranium. It was a very brief reading but it enough of it registered on the Wakandans radar. But no Vibranium of any kind has been discovered there so they need to find out what's going on. They search they area with sophisticated scanners but cannot detect any traces. They leave the area to head back to Wakanda and as they get farther away, two figures uncloak. N'Do tells Ahsana that they did a good job of hiding the Vibranium signature of her spear but they need to be more careful. They need to be patient and plan well before they go after The King!

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

GUIDE TO THE INNER CIRCLE OF THE HELLFIRE CLUB EUROPE

Artist: ADI GRANOV, SALVADORE LARROCA, STEFANO CASELLI

Concept: MARVELL2100

Members of the Inner Circle:

White Queen: Adrienne Frost - Owner, CEO Frost Industries

White King: Gorgon - Head of Clan Yashida

White Knight: Silver Samurai

Red Queen: Medusa - Owner, CEO Oracle Inc., former Queen of Inhumans

Red King: Moses Magnum - Ruler of Kharaq, country in Northern Africa.

Red Knight: Karnak

Black King: Killmonger -Wakandan Ex-Patriot, International Terrorist

Black Queen: Viper -International Terrorist, Former HYDRA leader

Black Knight: Death Adder

Grey King: Black Panther - King of Wakanda

Grey Queen: White Widow (Yelena Belova)

Grey Knight: Echo (Maya Lopez)

16 PGS/NR...FREE

CAPTAIN AMERICA #36

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“THE SAVAGE SHIELD OF CAPTAIN AMERICA” part three “FUNNY MEETING YULE HERE”

As the years progressed, it seemed less and less likely that our heroes would ever find a way back from the savage Hyborian Age in which they were stranded by a damaged time platform. And although Steve Rogers never lost hope, nor was he idle. There were tyrants and evils aplenty to confront, and to that end Rogers, who became known as the Shield-Bearer, formed the Brotherhood of the Shield and recruited others to his cause (see Conan the Agent of Shield #1-4 (2015)). Together, they confronted malevolent cults and monsters spawned from dark Elder Gods.

And then, finally, a spark of hope. Steve meets Someone he knows. Odin Borson, though not yet the All-Father. Brash, bold and younger… with two in-tact eyes, though still wise and potentially knowledgeable about time travel. Can this impetuous wanderer and Prince of Asgard’s favor be won? Or will the minions of Chthon slay them both?

Meanwhile, in the current year, international tensions have escalated in areas beyond China and Madripoor. Aggressive moves from the middle eastern nation of Sharzhad have kept Israel’s super-soldier, Sabra, very concerned and even more busy. When she unexpectedly encounters Captain America, she’s shocked to discover it’s not her stalwart friend Steve anymore… and more shocked to find herself betrayed and being drained of life, trapped in the coils of Arkady Rossovich! Is there any escape?

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “30% More Kids Dressed in the Old Rogers Captain America Costume than the New Rossovich Design for Halloween: Why This is an Existential Threat to School Equity.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DARK INTELLIGENCE #6

Writer: ED BRUBAKER

Artist: STEVE EPTING

Plotter: MARVELL2100

“SOMETHING EVIL THIS WAY COMES!” Part II: “FROM HELL!”

JULIA KOENIG, better know as WARRIOR WOMAN, has been in Hell for what seems like an eternity, serving the demon MEPHISTO(see the Hulk In Hell limited series by Exciter Feb-May). But what has her servitude gotten her? Endless torture, madness, badly beaten by a RAMPAGING HULK and a desire for a purpose beyond being a pet. Worst of all for her, this is an eternal existence. Nothing but futility and a bleak future. But sometimes, even in Hell there is hope. Somehow a portal has opened and two figures stride into Hell, one of whom she recognizes as a former ally BARONESS BLOOD.

The other person she has never seen before but she can't help but notice how the other demons scurry away from him, seemingly more afraid of him than anyone or anything else in Hell. Like he did with the BARONESS, he talks in a calm, reassuring voice, asking her to join them, He tells her that he isn't offering her anything other than an escape from her current situation. But if she joins them, he promises her that there will be plenty of chaos and death, they will make the streets run red with blood. It doesn't take long for her to agree and to commemorate her new mission, he gives her a new name. She is no longer WARRIOR WOMAN. Instead, she is now...DISTURBIA! Next Issue: The Crazies!

32 PGS./Rated M for Mature...$3.99

DEADPOOL #4

Written by CHIP ZDARSKY

Art by JUAN CABAL

Plot by FFJAMIE94

Deadpool and The Impossible Man continue their journey to the small Town of Marville, where your lost and forgotten Marvel Characters live. Dan Burton (the lost Wasp) welcomes in our heroes as they must deal with Captain Zero, an ex patient from Mad Dog Ward, who is prepared to risk his life fighting against T.F.A. What is T.F.A? Keep reading Deadpool and all will be explained. Meanwhile, Impossible Man meets… himself. The impossible has finally happened and it’s just as ridiculous as it sounds. Don’t miss this action-packed comic!

32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99

F² #3

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by JAMIE MCKELVIE

“FOSTERING THE REBOOT”

Jenn Walters’ collapse last issue leads our cast (Reed, Hank, and Jenn’s therapist Dr. Leonard Samson) to give the attorney a complete mental and physical evaluation. Since Jenn’s original transformation into She Hulk was caused by an irradiated blood transfusion, the gamma radiation was well into her cell structure and trauma cause by the radiation’s invasion was minimal. She needed it to live and with the events of One More Day causing her body to lose that radiation, a piece of her was literally stolen. A second transfusion from Bruce Banner MIGHT work, unless Banner’s structure was changed by the event’s results as well. Of course, being able to find Bruce would help in that. What to do?

After his terror filled escapade months ago, Franklin Hall (Graviton) was imprisoned in a cell deep underground within a field acting to nullify his powers. He doesn’t plan escape, but instead has his sights set on a greater and, dare we say it, godlike, use of his powers. Can he create a new planet Earth? Those who dislike what’s being done to this one say, “maybe”. If only Reed or Hank (or even Nadia or Lunella) were able to find a scientific flaw in Hall’s plan.

The Rainbow Bridge is an organization meant to bring people of all faiths, all colors, and all sexualities together to foster a deeper understanding. Their president, Wyatt Wingfoot, has been spending considerable time with Johnny Storm in both professional and personal matters. Wingfoot’s family has been part of the Native American Keewazi tribe and he knows firsthand the problems and challenges of being displaced. Wyatt’s family has members who have made names for themselves in the American athletic world. Both Wyatt and Johnny have a firm grasp of what Q-ratings are and how best to use them.

32 PGs/ Rated T...$2.99

GHOST RIDER: DAMNATION #4

Plot by GUANLISHABI

Written by DAN WATTERS

Art by CASPAR WIJNGAARD

“BURN!”

Johnny and Danny managed to escape from Cosmic Ghost Rider with help of Sister Sara! But it won’t be long before Frank catch up to them, they need a way to stop the Ghost Rider!

To make things worse, Johnny’s soul is fading and he needs to feed! Fortunately, Satana is here to help, in exchange for a task for Danny and Johnny.

A deal with the Devil, what could go wrong?

In the Dark Dimension, Johnny Blaze, or at least his body meets up with Dormammu.

“It’s time we take down Mephisto!”

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

HAWKEYE AND SPIDER-WOMAN #2

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Art by JEROME OPENA

Plot by FFJAMIE94

“AGENTS OF SHIELD PART TWO”

Hawkeye and Spider-Woman gone toe to mechanical toe with Ultron. However all is not what it seems. A group calling themselves the Iron Corps travel from 100 years into the future, donning advanced Stark Technology. They ask for a simple request, help them track down the present incarnation of Ultron. Our two heroes find themselves agents of something bigger than Shield. The fate of the future rests in their hands.

Meanwhile Eddie sees a vision from the future and hears the words “Sumbit or die, God is Coming”…

32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99

HULK IN THE MOB #3

Plot by EXCITER

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO

Art by JOHN ROMITA, JR.

“VENDETTA”

“You can get much further with a kind word and a gun then you can with a kind word alone” - Al Capone

Although Joe Fixit managed to escape the immediate heat from the g-men “Avengers,” his position within the Maggia is more dangerous than ever given that his “made man” status makes him a target. Following the defeat of a hit-squad sent by a rival Family, Joe overhears a drunken conversation at the Legitimate Businessmen’s Social Club… and he finally realizes who’s been lying to him and what “friend” sold him out to both the authorities and his maggioso enemies.

“I know it was you, Hammerhead. You smashed my heart!”

Now there’s a good-old fashioned vendetta. Joe Fixit versus Hammerhead and his boys. Let’s butt heads!

But perhaps Hammerhead’s most dangerous weapon is his knowledge that Joe smashed “Blackwing” Manfredi, son of the Don of the Manfredi Family, Silvio - the very man who, thanks to upgrades that Joe stole for him, is now a cyborg head sitting in a fully powered, epically-enhanced hulk-buster chassis with a photon laser canon! Can Joe stop Hammerhead from squealing to the full-metal mobster Don and bringing the wrath of the unstoppable Silvermane down upon him?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #28

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

"THE SECRET LIFE OF HOWARD STARK" Part II

Howard continues to explain his past to Tony. Yes, he was an agent of SHIELD and he worked with some of the brightest minds in the world including Nathaniel Richards, John Storm and the child prodigy Monica Rappaccini! Together they developed the first working time platform but when SHIELD wanted to use it as a weapon, John disagreed and sabotaged the platform! It all resulted in Nathaniel being killed, Monica lost in time and John and Howard walking away from SHIELD.

Today, Howard is afraid that his life and the lives of his sons are in danger because he believes one of his former colleagues has returned and become The Maker. The Maker killed Maria Stark and nearly killed Howard, forcing him into hiding. So now Howard has emerged from the shadows and he needs the help of his son Tony in order to stop him. It's quite a lot for Tony to take in, his father alive, his brother Arno in a coma and now a madman is after his family after already killing his mother.

Tony tells his dad let's go after the s.o.b. who killed his mother. But the question is how do they find him? Howard tells him that's the easy part, he's always know where to find The Maker, even as he made sure that the Maker couldn't find him. But make no mistake, whichever of Howards former friends turns out to be The Maker, they'll be facing one of the most brilliant and dangerous people alive, possibly the smartest person they'll ever face! This is going to be the fight of their lives! Next Issue: The Maker Is Revealed and Another Mystery Begins!

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #36

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“PANTHEON WAR” part three “THROW DOWN”

Long ago, the elder goddess Gaea begat Cronus, who begat Zeus. She later bore Odin a son, in a roundabout way rendering Thor Zeus’ uncle. There is little familial bond, however, as Thor and Zeus uneasily discuss an alliance against their mutual enemy: Chthon. Their negotiations are plagued by bitter memories…

The year 1616. Thor lost a wrestling match to Hercules. In his youthful, hot-headed rage, he pressed the attack after the contest was over and the bell had rung. This foul deed started a war.

The gods of the South marched on the gods of the North - with the Midgardian continent of Europe caught between an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

Thor versus Hercules II, this time for real. Loki versus Ares. Zeus versus Odin. These titanic battles and many more will shake the Realm. In the end, only one Pantheon could be left standing… but which one?

Meanwhile, in the current year, Balder continues his grim tour of Chthon’s Dark World Tree. He’d already visited the vampiric realm of Dhampiraj and seen the horrible flesh golems of Allograft. Now, he enters the feral realm of Varúlfur - the world of the wolfmen, where their deities lead nation-sized packs of werewolves. Most will obey Chthon’s orders not to assail Balder… but has one renegade pack caught his scent?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

PETER PARKER, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #10

Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS

Plot by CaptCleghorn

Art by SARA PICHELLI

“CAN YOU SPEAK RHINOCEROS? OF COURSEROS! CAN’T YOU?”

Aleksei Sytsevich (Ah-lek-see set-seh-vich; Russian: Алексей Сицевич) was muscle for an unexceptional Russian bratva. He maintained a powerful focus and single-minded nature which added immensely to his dedication and loyalty. However, he wasn’t that smart and he took time to decide where to place that focus. As a result, he ended up in the United States doing basically what he did in Russian, but in English, which is a b\*\*\*h language to learn.

Now it doesn’t take a genius to decide that if heroes had powers, villains might need them as well. To this end, we see Aleksei given powers and a functional grey costume after his genetic, physical, and psychological tests check off all the necessary boxes. He is the Rhino, an operative with super-strength, enhanced speed, and near invulnerability with a the suit resembling Rhino hide, but even tougher. While the organization bestowing this on Aleksei remains mysterious, we do discover who paid for it and who gets Aleksei’s new loyalty. Once again Wilson Fisk made things happen.

Dr. Margo (why the f wasn’t I in that movie?) Damian is well on her way to chaperoning a field trip expedition to Antarctica to seek remains and/or signs of Rognar’s people. For those of you wondering how HS kids end up on an Antarctic expedition, a superhero (or two) is accompanying the group for protection. Dr. Henry Pym, the Ant Man and founding member of F² along with his daughter Nadia, the Wasp, will be part of the trip. F²’s connection with VP candidate Susan Storm (seriously kids, read Agents of Fury) added considerable political pressure.

And Vermin is free. What does he want with Dr. Curt Conners?

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$2.99

SORCERERS OF THE STARS #28

Plot by MAGUS

Written by JIM STARLIN

Art by RON LIM

“SAVIOR"

Millions died in the Negation War, millions more suffer after the War. It has broken the Shi’ar Empire. Gladiator and the Shi’ar Imperial Guards are dead. Chandilar, occupied by the Annihilation Wave from the Negative Zone.

All the people pray for a savior or god to save them from this chaos, but the gods are silent, He alone answered!

Guardians of the Galaxy failed to protect the Galaxy, but no more. He came to them in their most desperate hour and he promise to take back their Home World, Chandilar, all he ask in return is their faith.

United by Him, a rag-tag group of sorcerers – Moondragon, Magique, Rocket, Drax the Destroyer– will save the universe.

SORCERERS OF THE STARS!

Wait, something is really wrong here.

Impossible! The Leader of the Sorcerers is wrong!

Now have faith!

Savior and One True God, MAGUS!

40 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

SPELLBOUND #2

Written by VITA AYALA

Plot by H-E-D

Art by PEACH MOMOKO

“ENTROPY” - Part Two

BROKEN BONES

Jude Yagzan was the right hand of Joshua Kale for many years. His zeal never waned, but his beliefs changed.

When he left, he stole the forbidden third Tome of Zhered-Na, the Hellphyr.

Now he leads the CULT OF ENTROPY, seeking to help guide all existence into oblivion.

The Negation was a tantalizing taste of what could be for Jude. Though it failed, he managed to use the infusion of Anti-Magic to take the power of the Hellphyr for himself, and became THE ENTROPIC MAN!

After her grandpa finishes explaining this, Jennifer is shocked; scope of the Way of Zhered-Na is much grander than she’d ever been allowed to know. And the fact that there are Tomes of Zhered-Na yet unknown to her...

But those conversations will have to wait, as the Entropic Man arrives, intent on purging the Zheredians from Citrusville!

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

UNCANNY X-MEN #36 \*EXtra-Sized 3rd Anniversary Issue!\*

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by PEPE LARRAZ

Theme Song: Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever

"MEN ARE MERE MORTALS"

• X-23 supports an overtaxed NIGHTCRAWLER as they travel via teleportation circle to the North Asian kingdom of Kaiwann. Its ruler, LADY MANDARIN, wields ten rings of power though she has no connection to the MANDARIN apart from co-opting his name to strike extra fear into her would-be enemies.

• The nation's human, mutant, and other citizens live in a harmony threatened by recent attempts to breach the sacred Temple of Four Hells for its pair of time diamonds. Legend says that, should the time diamonds be lost, Kaiwann's people will destroy each other.

• In exchange for respite, Laura and Kurt agree to help guard the time diamonds even though proximity causes temporal anomalies. Laura sees herself facing off against a flaming WOLVERINE as the stars fall from the sky. Kurt sees himself with a hooded figure's fist deep in his chest. Are these definite futures or mere possibilities?

• Then the assaults came! A woman of diamond makes a suicide attack against Lady Mandarin while a man of diamond teleports through temple walls and punches through the walls he can't teleport through. This may be the fall of Kaiwann!

• And in space... Asteroid X and its empowered X-Men believe themselves untouchable by earthly threats. What awaits them in a S.H.I.E.L.D. orbiter claiming to have mutant refugees aboard may raze their heaven.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$2.99