Brave New Worlds

Marvel Team-Up #4 (Volume 1; September 1972) Gerry Conway (w), Gil Kane (p), Steve Mitchell (i)

Bang for Your Buck Or your 20 cents. Storytelling has definitely changed since the 1960s and 1970s, mostly for the better. But opening this issue to the first page I am reminded how the writers used to tell a story with their words as well as the book’s pictures. Ah the good ol’ days.

Call to Arms A classic Marvel Team-Up (this one featuring Spidey and the X-Men), the book introduces our characters quickly while also getting right into the story. How’s that for economy.

Fourth Estate When was the last time the media was referred to as the Fourth Estate? Professor X does just that when explaining to his students why they must seek out Spider-Man, who was accused by the Daily Bugle (that crazy J. Jonah Jameson) of kidnapping. Bonus points to those of you who know why the media is referred to as the Fourth Estate. And a no-prize if you know no why no longer.

He’s Got the Fever The story starts with Peter Parker all feverish and sweaty, dreaming of Morbius. What’s up with that?

Foreshadowing When Spidey and the X-Men first meet, of course they battle, that’s what heroes always do in these funny books when they first met. At least that is what they used to do. Anyway, during the battle Iceman lobs some snowballs Spidey’s way, which makes our Web-Head respond with comparisons to the Human Torch.

Not Your True Blood Vamp Morbius does what all creatures of the night do and gets hungry so he feasts on an unsuspecting human. Check out page 21, this is definitely not the current batch of vamps who eat.

Only Chance This Month The X-Men’s appearance in Marvel Team-Up was their only one in a marvel book for the month, as their own book was currently in the bi-monthly rotation, often reprinting the team’s earlier adventures.

Eight Ball Corner Pocket There is a moment when Morbius has captured Jean and Cyclops must decided whether to stand down or attack. Of course he attacks, bouncing his eye beams off a mirror to win the moment.

One-Shot The Marvel Team-Ups wrapped up nicely at the end of each issue, but it did not mean its events could not carry on. The events of this issue sprung directly from the proceeding issue. Two stand alone’s that built on each other. Excelsior!

Visions of Brand New Day Maybe this is what Joe Quesada missed when he decided to take away Spidey’s marriage to Mary Jane. Pete decides to thank Jean Grey for saving his life by giving her a smack on the lips, I am not sure how Gwen and MJ would react however. What a Player.

Clothes Budget The X-Men only appear in uniform when the Professor first summons them, and in civilian attire for the rest of the issue, including their confrontations with Spider-Man and Morbius.

Mouthful Best line of the book came on the cover when Cyclops is getting ready to blast Spidey out of the sky – “Too late lady! (speaking to Jean) Scratch one Spider-Man!!!”

MAGIC 2011 GAMEDAY – Saturday, August 14

Price $6

Details You bring the deck and the six bucks, we supply the prizes – Packs and Mitotic Slime for top eight. Everyone gets a foil Liliana’s Specter for participating (while supplies last).

Date & Time Saturday, August 14 @ Noon

Bruce Wayne is dead? Long live Batman. Wait until they see who is coming back. In the meantime, enjoy the first series of action figures from last year’s Batman Reborn storyline – Azrael and Batgirl in new costumes, along with Jason Todd and Batman: Two Face.

Amazing Spider-Man #639

Joe Quesda (w), Joe Quesada, Paolo Rivera (a)

Part two of One Moment in Time. MJ reveals exactly what she has not been saying in this issue.

Baltimore Plague Ships #1

Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden (a), Ben Stenbeck (a)

It’s the end of WWI and Europe has become overrun with vampires (damn pesky rodents). Lord Henry Baltimore will be having none of that and now you know what our story is about.

Batman Odyssey #2

Neal Adams (w, a)

All-new Neal Adams mini-series continues as Batman slowly loses control.

Brightest Day #7

Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi (w)

There can be only one, no not Highlander but White Lantern. Is it really Deadman? Is anything as it really seems in this book?

Magnus Robot Fighter #1

Jim Shooter (w), Bill Reinhold (a)

Dark Horse Comics rebirth of one of comics most iconic heroes is here.

Marvel Universe vs Punisher #1

Harvey Klinger Inc. (w), Goran Parlov (a)

As always, the Punisher is the one dude willing to go the extra mile when it is stopping injustice. This time he needs to take down the heroes of the Marvel Universe. Cap is going to be upset.

New Mutants Forever #1

Chris Claremont (w), Alvaro Rio, Bill Sienkiewicz, Bob McLeod (a)

Headmaster Magneto has just joined the Hellfire Club, and the New Mutants have to team up with the Black Queen. See where Claremont decides to go with this story now.

Shadowland #2

Andy Diggle (w), Billy Tan, Victor Olazaba (a)

The battle for New York begins now as Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Spidey team-up with Kingpin (Yes, the big guy himself) to take down DD. Wonder if they are going to take out DC Comics offices while they are at it.

Superman Last Family of Krypton #1

Cary Bates (w), Renato Arlem (a)

Elseworlds tale as Bates returns to the House of El.

Thor Rage of Thor #1

Peter Milligan (w), Michael Suayan (a)

One-Shot! Outcast from Asgard, Thor has settled into a new life with a wife, but of course every time you think you are out, they just pull you back in.

Cinderella From Fabletown with Love TP

Collects six-issue mini-series as Fabletown’s top secret agent must stop illegal trafficking of supernatural artifacts.

Losers Book 2 TP

Andy Diggle (w), Jock, Ale Garza, Ben Oliver (a)

Collects issues #13-32 of the hit series.

Punisher Max Naked Kills TP

Collects Punisher Max; Buttefly, Get Castle, Naked Kill and Punisher Max Annual.

Here we are, at the beginning of August, already…where the heck is time going!? Click to take a look at the books coming out for the fist New Comic Book Day for August 2010!

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