AOM 02-2022

AGENTS OF A.R.C.A.N.A. #39

Plot by NX01A

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by JEROME OPEÑA

Theme Song: Iron Maiden - The Wicker Man

"INFINITIVE GAUNTLET" Part 2 "EFFIGY"

•The scramble for the Star Stones continues!

•DOCTOR VOODOO and ELSA BLOODSTONE haven't checked in but DOCTOR STRANGE and CLEA can't wait for word on their success of failure in collecting the Sharkosh Star Stone. They teleport via the Dark Dimension to Brú na Bóinne to search several Irish passage tombs for the the Star Stone of Xander. They didn't expect to find DOCTOR DRUID and the Druids of Black Moors already looking!

•Older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, the Brú na Bóinne tombs' archaeoastronomical alignments may be key to discerning which tomb contains the Star Stone. Newgrange and Dowth have winter solstice solar alignments while Knowth is oriented towards the spring and autumn equinox. The druids had no success at Newgrange and were on to sack Dowth, so Clea presumes they'll come up short at the other Winter tomb, too. While the druids search, their giant effigies of wood and vine containing drugged men and women guard the Knowth tomb. Can Clea and Stephen untangle the subtle and slippery nature magic empowering these Wicker Men before the constructs awaken to their presence and burst into arcane flame, roasting those inside for fuel as they charge into battle with the divining duo?

•With no sign of the Star Stone-stealing THANATOS and no insight into its true identity, MAGIK's annoyance increases when she receives a summons from NEBULOS, Lord of the Planets Perilous, to appear before an emergency meeting of the dimensional lords! Her neglect of station as the Queen of Earth and Limbo has not gone unnoticed.

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

AGENTS OF FURY #18

Plotter: MARVELL2100

Writer: CHRISTOPHER PRIEST

Artist: STEFANO CASELLI

“AGENTS OF SOMETHING!”

Sharon Cater and Kasper Kole are held in a detention cell being interrogated by ARROW Director Clay Quarterman!

Nomad and Diamonback are on the campaign trail with Presidential candidate Sen Sharon Kelly and her running mate Susan Storm!

After escaping Madripoor with the help of the Black Panther, Scorpio and Roz have a new mission: find out what's going on with Howard Stark!

With his agents spread out on various assignments, Nick and Rikki Barnes take a trip to The Ravencroft Institute. Two patients, Miles Warrens' clone and Max Lohmer have recently gone missing with no evidence of who helped them or how they escaped (See: Dark Intelligence #7!). Suddenly Nick gets a call on his private line. After a few words he hangs and tells Rikki to wrap it up. They have to catch a plane to Chicago and have a meeting with Tony Stark! He demands answers from Nick like why are they investigating his father?

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

BLACK PANTHER: KING OF WAKANDA! #31

Written by MALCOLM JONES

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by ADI GRANOV

“ASSASSIN'S CREED”

At the request of the White Queen Adrienne Frost, Gorgon has sent his most lethal assassin The Silver Samurai to kill the newest member of the HCE (Hellfire Club Europe), the Inhuman Medusa! The Silver Samurai tracks Medusa to her new penthouse in Paris where he enters to find her asleep. He draws his blade ready to deliver a killing stick when he is suddenly struck from behind! He turns to see his attacker, one of the deadliest and dangerous Inhumans of all, Karnak!

Elsewhere in the Royal Palace of Wakanda, T'Challa is in a video chat with Tony Stark where they discuss the latest events such as the return of Tony's father Howard and the news of T'Challa's heir. They both agree that the partnership between Stark Ent. and the Wakandan Design Group should continue. They also agree that they should keep an eye on Nick Fury and his agents as well as the Presidential race in the U.S. There are many things happening, major players on the board that threaten the interests of both men and possibly the fate of the world!

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

CAPTAIN AMERICA #39

Plot by EXCITER

Written by FRANK MILLER

Art by SEAN GORDON MURPHY

“DEMOKRATIA”

Steve Rogers continues to be unstuck in time, though he’s become convinced that his temporal shifts aren’t random. An unseen hand is guiding his journey…

Now he finds himself in Athens in the year 507 B.C. The city-state’s leader, Cleisthenes, has proposed a system of political reforms called demokratia: “rule by the people.” This is the world’s first taste of democracy… and some powers-that-be are not happy. Chief amongst them? Ares, God of War! Ares’ brand of elitism, kratokratia, means “rule by the strong,” holds that only weak cowards share power. And Ares is willing to prove his philosophical superiority… by putting an axe through Cleisthenes’ soft skull! That is, unless there’s a mighty shield there to block the blow! Can Cap save democracy before it’s murdered in its infancy?

In 2022, America Chavez continues to reluctantly work with “Captain America” but has found a kindred spirit in Valerie Cooper, Director of O\*N\*E\*. Val has no love for Arkady Rossovich but can’t take direct action without threatening her life and career. But what about indirect action?

The public doesn’t know about Rossovich’s history as the Soviet super-soldier Omega Red. Cooper leaks that information to a man with unique hatred for the U.S.S.R. An aristocrat whose family was forced to flee Russia in 1917 after the nobility was decimated by revolutionaries. An apex predator who stayed alive and gained incredible powers through unique jungle alchemy. He was born Sergei Kravinoff… but today the severed head of Omega Red will be the ultimate showpiece on the mantle of Kraven the Hunter!

Plus: A Frontlines Op-Ed by Sally Floyd, “Despite Misinformation Surrounding ‘Polls,’ Arkady Rossovich is Widely Supported and Remains the Most Popular Incarnation of Captain America.”

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

CORPORATE AVENGERS: ORIGINS #1

Plot by EXCITER

Written by CHUCK DIXON

Art by CLAY MANN

In the year 2099, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are the Publicly-Traded Corporate Avengers! This is the story of…

“THE AMAZONIAN”

Jeff Bezos founded Amazon, but he wasn’t content with being the richest man on just one world. His company, Blue Origin, was about to launch him to Uranus - when something went wrong and the ship crashed. Bezos washed up on the shore of Utopian Island, an isolated community of superhuman warriors, where one such warrior - a feral, sword-wielding savage - fought her own kind to keep him alive. She had no name, so Bezos dubbed her… the Amazonian!

The Amazonian was utterly unrelenting: working tirelessly to dominate lesser foes, never resting or taking a break or a vacation and making no time for family. These were all qualities Bezos enforced in his company’s hyper-demanding work culture - making this wild barbarian his perfect champion!

As the Amazonian returned with Bezos to the outside world and accepted employment as his personal security and enforcer, her penchant for violence serves her well - for Bezos’ artificially-extended life is under constant threat! The Amazonian must battle: the Assassin’s Guild, paid by the Legion of Small Business Owners; the Maggia, leveraged by Amazon’s own employees in an attempt to unionize; and Arcade Jr., who turns Fulfillment Centers into theatrical death traps! All the while, subsidiary media like the Washington Post present the merciless death-dealer as a hero!

As the lines between government and corporations continue to overlap until they no longer exist, the Amazonian becomes the “Prime” authority… and on a day in the future unlike any other, the Corporate Avengers assemble!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DARK INTELLIGENCE #9

Writer: ED BRUBAKER

Artist: STEVE EPTING

Plotter: MARVELL2100

“SOMETHING EVIL THIS WAY COMES.” CONCLUSION!

In whispered circles, some say he is the original sinner, committing the most heinous act of all: murder! He's lived a long life and gone by many names. He was always the power behind the power. When kings, fascists, emperors and presidents went to war, it was his words that were whispered in their ear. When hatred was born only because of skin color, religion, gender or sexual preference or identity, he was there to light the flame. However, lately he has felt as old as the millennia that he has lived. Power has long abandoned him and he has become a forgotten relic who cannot even command the lowliest creature. All that is left is for him to lie down and die.

But recently, a new sensation, a new power filled his body and given him new purpose(Negation)! He feels strong, stronger than he's ever felt before and with new power comes new plans, new ideas! But he understands that he cannot do it alone. He has recruited an entirely new family who have the means and the will to carry out his vision. BARONESS BLOOD! CARRION! DISTURBIA! MAD MAX! THE CRYING MAN! They are his family now, his future, the ones who will become his legacy. They are...THE RED DEATH! It will take planning and patience. But JOHN APOSTLE has been a patient man for a very long time, ever since he murdered his only brother oh so long ago! Next Issue: New Arc! And Hellfire Is Their Name!

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

DEADPOOL #7

Written by DONNY CATES (Main Story), CHIP ZDARSKY (Epilogue)

Art by RYAN STEGMAN

Plot by FFJAMIE94

How does one save Chip Zdarsky from an evil Deadpool, well by getting someone to help him of course. Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman are.. well not at the top of Chip's list, but Hickman and Ewing were too busy.

Regardless, as Zdarsky is forced to write evil Deadpool's victory, Cates writes a tale where our Hero Deadpool saves the Day. It's a fight to end all fights (at least until the next issue).

Well, at least our regular writer is saved just in time to write an Epilogue to this issue.

But who is that cloaked individual and why is there an army of Deadpools?

Don't miss out on the most insane comic of the year.

32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99

DEVIANT #2

Plot by NX01A

Written by AL EWING

Art by JOSÉ LADRÖNN

Theme Song: The All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret

“IT'S A MAGICAL PLACE”

•GHAUR has calmed the Deviants' fears of a possible Eternal attack by telepathically announcing WARLORD KRO's imminent quest to recover an ancient power source to replace their stolen Star Stone. Kro is shocked to be publicly volunteered for a mission unknown to him while BROTHER TODE is amused but not surprised that Ghaur would pull such a stunt. Their triumvirate rule of New Lemuria has been successful so far but each would rather rule alone, especially Ghaur who has now sent one rival of on a heroic possible suicide mission while the other can't speak out against the treachery. The only way out of this trap... is through!

•On the relatively nearby human island of Tahiti, Kro relaxes at the beach house of a very old flame. THENA, said very old flame, arrives quickly once her vacation home's Eternal security system is obliterated, and Kro introduces her to the rest of his infiltration team.

•Death-marked LUCIAN the BLACKWULF! His death touch, rage-energized Shadowlance, and tactical skill have kept him as Kro's right hand for centuries.

•Beautiful outcast RANSAK the REJECT! 75% Deviant, 25% Inhuman, 100% emo rage! Also 100% jealous of Blackwulf's Shadowlance despite having his own Power-Rod.

•Leviathan logician KARKAS! This behemoth's slow body belies his swift mind!

•Snooping SERSI! Kro wasn't expecting another Eternal along for the journey but matter metamorphoser Sersi couldn't help but cloak herself and follow Thena, assuming the warrior woman was hurrying off to conquer yet another gorgeous man of any species.

•Team assembled, Kro's expedition begins but none can be prepared for what awaits them near another tropical paradise!

32 PGs./ Rated M...$3.99

F² #6

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by JAMIE MCKELVIE

“EXILED FROM EDEN”

GRAVITON is in the process of creating his planet on the reverse side of the Sun. However, the gravitational waves are having a powerful effect on LEONARD SAMSON. Where the gamma particles in his body had turned his hair green, now the waves are causing him to increase in size and bulk, possibly causing him to Hulk out. Not wanting the Pogo Plane to be ripped apart, killing them all, REED RICHARDS and HANK PYM decide to abort and bring Samson home. Franklin hall vehemently disagrees. Eyes go to the escape pod, the sole means of escape.

“CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY”

At the Baxter Building, JOHNNY, BEN, JENN, WYATT, and PASTE POT PETE meet H.E.R.B.I.E., Franklin’s supposed imaginary companion. The team is further surprised when H.E.R.B.I.E. requests the appearance of LUNELLA LAFAYETTE and NADIA PYM, and understandably, Franklin himself. Learn the unknown secret origin of Franklin’s robot buddy.

And speaking of robots, who is our amazing last page surprise appearance?

32 PGs/ Rated T...$3.99

HAWKEYE AND SPIDER-WOMAN #5

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Art by JEROME OPENA

Plot by FFJAMIE94

"A NEW SAGA BEGINS: THE IRON AGE PART ONE”

It's time to go into the future. Hawkeye and Spider-Woman prepare themselves for the horrors which lay ahead, but none could prepare themselves for what they will witness.

The fate of the World rests in their hands as they are thrown into the middle of a battlefield between Iron-Men and Symbiotes. Can our Agents of SHIELD survive in a future torn apart by war? Don't miss this first chapter in an exciting new Saga.

32 PGs/ PARENTAL ADVISORY...$3.99

HULK IN THE RING #2

Plot by EXCITER

Written by MATT KINDT & CM PUNK

Art by RON GARNEY

Streaming LIVE this Saturday exclusively from Super-Fight Island, the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation presents…

"BATTLEPALOOZA"

* + Main Event\*\*

Slaughter Boy vs. Letha

The ever-bloodthirsty new champion puts his belt on the line in his first title defense against the unbeaten femme fatale!

* + plus\*\*

Lumberjack vs. “Champion of the Universe” Tryco Slatterus

A battle for the number one contendership! The axe-swingin’, flannel-clad ex-champ wants his rematch with Slaughter Boy, but to get it he’ll first have to defeat a debuting combatant that just arrived on Earth - and claims to have a record of 2,567,890,125,347 wins, 0 loses, and 1 no contest: undefeated since the Big Bang!

* + also featuring\*\*

Super Smash Brother vs. Poundcakes

The hulking newcomer continues to prove he’s the baddest there is, but can he keep his streak alive against Poundcakes, the super-strong dominatrix whose only weakness is a “safe word” that nobody knows?!

Bonesaw McGraw’s “Hey Freakshow” gym is on top of the world! Not only is his new protege, the hulking Super Smash Brother, making a name for himself in the UCWF, but the former champ, Lumberjack, has switched camps and signed on to try and get his tree-cutting edge back! Super Smash Brother and Lumberjack sparing under McGraw’s tutelage is bringing out the best in everyone!

Until a new challenger arrives. Heralded by the insectoid alien Proja, Promoter Supreme, he is Tryco Slatterus: an Elder of the Universe that wields the power primordial! Like the Collector collects things, his brother the Champion fights for championships! Super Smash Brother, sensing the untold power of this newcomer, warns Lumberjack against taking the fight - but Lumberjack “swings first and ‘axes’ questions later!” Will this be a night of triumph for team “Hey Freakshow”… or a night of tragedy?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #31

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Plot by MARVELL2100

Art by SALVADOR LARROCA

“THE HOUSE THAT STARK BUILT”

A new arc begins here! With the threat of The Maker ended, Tony and his father Howard begin to work on their new dynamic. They've always had a somewhat strained relationship before Howard's "death" and now they are trying to see how they fit in each other's lives and what it means for the Stark business. There's also the matter of Arno (Arno has been in a coma since the end of Superior Iron Man) and how best to help him.

But unknown to both of them, another major problem is about to complicate their lives. There is a new company that is quickly becoming a rival in the tech industry to Stark Ent. Forck Works is an up-and-coming player in the artificial intelligence field and has negotiated multi-billion-dollar contracts with various gov'ts around the world. But even more intriguing is the man behind Force Works, its' founder, the gamma-irradiated powerhouse known as Joe Broke-It!!!!

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

THE MIGHTY THOR #39

Plot by EXCITER

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by MIKE MIGNOLA

“WHERE IN THE REALMS IS ATUM?”

Chthon’s monstrous pantheon prepares itself for Immortal Combat. Gaea, in turn, has tasked Thor and Hercules with assembling her “God Squad.” Their top draft pick is the winner of the previous (and only) Immortal Combat Tournament: Gaea’s first son and the first of the new generation of gods, Atum.

Over the millennia, Atum had many names, not the least of which were Demogorge the God-Eater… and Amon Ra! Thor and Hercules thus decide to travel to Heliopolis, home of the Egyptian gods whom Atum largely sired and once ruled. There they find not Atum, but the jackal-headed Anubis!

The Egyptian God of Death poses both a unique question and challenge. The question: do Gaea’s descendants deserve their freedom more than Chthon’s? The challenge: Thor and Hercules weigh their hearts on Anubis’ scale against a feather of righteousness. If lighter, Anubis will fight alongside them. If heavier, as burdened with ill-intent, then their souls belong to Anubis forevermore. Are the heroes up to the challenge? Or will they just smash the scales?

Meanwhile, in K’Lay, Balder the Brave concludes his tour of the Dark World Tree. Chthon arranged for Balder to see all the grim Realms and encounter their rulers: the Horror Gods. Balder’s exalted bravery was put to the test, as he bore witness to the the vampiric Ampir gods of Dhampiraj; the Alpha gods from the werewolf packs of Varúlfur; the stitched-together Franken-deities of Allograft; the gods from the blackest lagoons of Yacuran; and the unseen, invisible gods of Iping. His final destination is Chthon’s own seat of power: a floating world-fortress known as the Darque Hold. Balder wonders what will become of him as he’s brought before the throne. But once there, he sees the unexpected. Seated at the right hand of Chthon… is Atum!?!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

MISTRESS OF KUNG FU #3

Plotter: CAPTCLEGHORN

Writer and Layouts: CYNTHIA VON BUHLER

Artist: NICOLA SCOTT

“ON HER PERMANENT RECORD”

Phil Coulson has a new assignment. Currently an agent for ARROW, he is investigating an attack by the terrorist Fu Manchu. A former MI-6 agent had an attempt made on his and his wife’s lives recently. Although MI-6 is also investigating, Clay Quartermain feels ARROW needs to get to the bottom of any Fu Manchu action. Between Phil Coulson and Clive Reston (last issue), it does seem like the world is out to get her father. Could Fu Manchu be right?

The fight with Anastasia Kravinoff last issue ended with Fah Lo Suee getting the better of the Russian woman. So why does it seem as if Anastasia was happy about getting her butt handed to her? Could it be the mysterious foe looking to get her? A foe she would welcome the help of a true fighter to defeat? You know, if you just buy the book, your questions would be answered and we’d stop asking them.

32 pgs Rated T+/ $2.99

MORE THUNDERBOLTS #3

Written by ALEX DE CAMPI

Plot by H-E-D

Art by GABRIEL HERNÁNDEZ WALTA

“NUCLEAR DECAY”

Everything falls apart, when viewed on a long enough time frame. Even atoms.

Professor Chen Lu was the mind of his generation, they said! A mind unrivaled and unprecedented. A bold and radical genius.

Too bold and too radical, it seemed, for his superiors at the China Institute of Atomic Energy. When he refused to simply work on the unambiguous projects assigned to him, his work was buried entirely.

It seemed like he was destined to be a case of squandered potential... until the keen eye of Kenzo Xiu, the head of the Taiji Corporation, headhunted him.

At Taiji, Dr. Chen pushed the boundaries of physics alongside fellow mavericks like Doctor Baron Krugg, Feng Huang and the dynamic Alex Su.

They seemed destined for greatness… but the span of a few years lead them all to infamy.

The first to “fall” was Feng Huang, lured back to the leadership of her family’s nefarious Nüba Jituan. Alex Su’s risky experiments saw him become the bizarre, vampiric DOCTOR SUN. And last, but not least…

The experiment that transformed Chen Lu into THE RADIOACTIVE MAN also transformed Krugg into the fearsome GREEN DEATH.

Lu saw the transformation as a miracle – the creation of living, self-sustaining, clean nuclear reactors. But Krugg thought himself a monster.

You can guess who the world agreed with.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99MYSTIC #1

(CROSSGENESIS #3)

Written by NOELLE STEVENSON

Plot by H-E-D

Art by AUDREY MOK

Giselle Villard was perfectly happy with her life as it was.

Was she any good at magic? No. Not at all. Was that a little awkward considering her status as heir to one of the most influential guilds on Ciress? Perhaps for her sister. Definitely for her parents.

But Giselle was never bothered. Magic was fussy. Magic was difficult. Magic meant long hours studying inside and lots of official things to attend to, all of them boring. The only fun sorcerer she’d ever met was Peter Quill, and dating Star-Lord turned out to be a disaster. And then he ended up becoming the stuffy new Master of the Sun anyway.

Giselle more than satisfied by her life of travel, parties, and generally just having fun. Leave the magic to Genevieve, she thought.

But that was before the CROSSGENESIS changed everything!

Now, a SIGIL imbuing her with Energy Transcendent has been inscribed on her hand. It was fun, at first. She helped make a big shield over Ciress. Thought it would be a one-time thing.

But now people have started expect great, complicated feats from her. Especially because suddenly it seems like the magic is starting to get drained out of Ciress.

Giselle is really going to be in trouble if people find out the reason the magic is disappearing is because she’s absorbing it into her Sigil.  And doesn’t know how to stop it.

Good news: there is one person she can trust to help her figure it out, in secret.

Bad news: it’s her sister, Genevieve. Perfect.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

PETER PARKER, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #13

Written by J.M.DEMATTEIS

Plot by CAPTCLEGHORN

Art by SARA PICHELLI

“SUDDENLY, THE SAVAGE LAND!”

Peter Parker and company find themselves in an Antarctic jungle. Which in itself is weird, but throw in the fact that there are creatures believed extinct for millions of years. Yes, dinosaurs. Please hold your applause. Margo Damian and Rognar’s hope to find vestiges of a mysterious ancient civilization have just increased tremendously. Welcoming our team is a tall, muscular, long haired blond, loin cloth wearing man named Ka-Zar. Ka-Zar doesn’t set off Petey’s Spidey-sense, but Rognar doesn’t like the new guy at all. Did we mention, Ka-Zar has a pet sabertooth tiger named Zabu? You may be demanding a Zabu mini-series sooner rather than later, pilgrim!

Wilson Fisk is taking a meeting with Quentin Beck, know to us as Mysterio, master of illusion. Fisk has been keeping himself busy, hasn’t he? One would think the demand for Himalayan Pink Salt would keep the humble merchant in spices occupied.

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

SPELLBOUND #5

Written by VITA AYALA

Plot by H-E-D

Art by PEACH MOMOKO

“ENTROPY” - Part Five

NOW IS NOT THE TIME

Evelyn Kale died when Jennifer was eight. Andy was barely out of diapers.

This was nearly a decade before Jennifer would pluck a Tome of Zhered-Na off a bookshelf, teach herself how to translate Pre-Cataclysm Atlantean, and find out magic was real. Jennifer’s grandfather had told her that her parents had died in a car crash. Since becoming the SPELLBINDER, Jennifer had occasionally wondered if her mother had been a witch too.

Unfortunately, the mystery of her mother and her message from being the grave will have to wait.

Joined by GATEKEEPER and APOCALEDON, Jennifer and Andy rush home to Citrusville.

There’s no time to waste.

The ENTROPIC MAN is on the verge of destroying the Nexus of All Realities – and with it, existence itself!

With their reinforcements, the Way of Zhered-Na is able to fight back against the Cult of Entropy.

But that means it’s down to Jennifer herself to take down the Entropic Man himself!

Will the knowledge she learned from the Pillar of Smoke be enough to defeat this master of nihilism?

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

THUNDERBOLTS #15

Written by ALEX DE CAMPI

Plot by H-E-D

Art by CARMEN CARNERO & GABRIEL HARDMAN

The Thunderbolts head to Taiwan to hunt one of their own!

As with anything to do with Taiwan, international intervention is an extremely volatile matter. Dallas Riordan’s orders to Zemo are very specific: the Thunderbolts are to accomplish this mission in total secrecy. China cannot find out that the United States sent a superteam to aid Taiwan.

This is especially true given that the prime suspect is one of Zemo’s own.

Doctor Chen Lu, their Radioactive Man, has gone AWOL — and he’s suspect number one in a nuclear terror attack off the coast of the island nation.

The fallout signature is an exact match for “Hazmat’s” radiation profile. Luckily, that means it’s completely harmless. But that hasn’t stop a panic from steadily building.

Melissa Gold is convinced it’s a frame job — but if the Thunderbolts find him without her, she can’t be sure that Moonstone and Carnage wouldn’t kill him before finding out!

After shaking down half a dozen false starts, the team finally finds their compatriot-slash-target. Unfortunately for them all, he’s in the custody of the nefarious and absurd DOCTOR SUN!

32 Pgs./ Rated T...$3.99

UNCANNY X-MEN #39

Plot by NX01A

Written by KURT BUSIEK

Art by STUART IMMONEN

Theme Song: Shipwreck Rats - Blood Red Moon

"SPACE PIRATES!" Part 1 "ELITE DANGEROUS"

•Welcome aboard new artist STUART IMMONEN!

•Asteroid X is under attack by the CRIMSON PIRATES: top tier galactic marauders who will steal your booty and you if the price is right! If the price is wrong, you're dead! The Crimson Pirates could have destroyed Asteroid X, so the price on whatever or whoever they want aboard must be very high.

•Don't think the X-Men are the only mutants in space! The space pirate captain sends in Shi'ar mutant CERISE and the mutant RED SKRULL to soften up initial opposition. Cerise's carmine energy constructs clash with STRØM's Asgardian magic-enhanced lightning while the Red Skrull pits his morphic metal mass, energy absorption, teleportation, and anti-telepathy versus the mind fire and death touch of JEAN GREY's demon-mutant PHENEX body!

•And on Earth... Recuperating from their battle to the death with JACK WINTERS the LIVING DIAMOND, both X-23 and NIGHTCRAWLER are shocked when LADY MANDARIN invites them and the time diamonds as earrings-wearing EMMA FROST to join a mutant empowerment organization called The Outer Sphere.

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

AOM VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL 2022

“THROUPLE”

Guest Writer - PETER MILLIGAN

Guest Artist – FELIX D’EON

Same Old Plotter - CAPTCLEGHORN

The big burning F² question about Johnny Storm and Wyatt Wingfoot is answered with a resounding MAYBE. You see, Johnny and Wyatt aren’t exactly a couple. At least not until Jennifer Walters entered the picture. When you have three people where there’s a sexual attraction between any two of them, it seems silly and wasteful to leave one of them out.

In this story you will see the build-up as attraction from Johnny and Wyatt towards Jenn builds up and she is also attracted to each of them. It takes a dinner at La Grenouille and a bottle (or two) of Tequila at the Baxter Building for our heroes to realize that three may not be a crowd.

Guaranteed you will NOT read a Valentine’s Day story like this in any other funny book.

“HERCULES F’S THE MARVEL UNIVERSE”

Plot by EXCITER

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by JIM LEE

Hercules was cursed when it came to true love. Literally. Hera cursed him to go insane and kill his first wife, Megara. He remarried, and his second wife Deianira actually killed him with a cursed shirt (worst Valentine’s Day gift ever). Afterwards, Zeus elevated him from “demi” to full god - but when the mortal half of Hercules died, so did his belief that he would ever truly love again. That wouldn’t stop him from getting it on, though!

For the next few thousand years, Hercules was a godlike lothario! These are the tales of his most legendary trysts, from embracing the 50 Daughters of King Thespius to partying with Caligula to naked horse rides with Lady Godiva (he brought her chocolates!) to fast times at the Moulin Rouge to being whipped by Bettie Page to affairs with avenging super-folk (we name names!).

But after millennia of carousing, is Hercules finally ready for his third wife?

PLUS MORE!

69 Pgs./ Rated T...$Box of Chocolates