Here we are in 1990, and some of the key figures in the launch of Image Comics two years later had already reached superstar status at Marvel, with both Todd McFarlane and Jim Lee featured in Marvel Age #90. The debut of the new, adjectiveless Spider-Man #1 was only a few weeks away, and fan anticipation for could not have been greater. The Marvel Reviewers agreed, with only tiny suggestions for how to improve the debut issue. 

At the same time, Jim Lee was about to take over as penciller on The X-Men, having made the jump in a short time from Alpha Flight to Punisher War Journal to the top mutant title. 

Marvel Age #90

Price: $1.00 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: May 15, 1990

Cover date: July 1990 

Copyright © 1990 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 

• Tom DeFalco: Editor in Chief

• Mark Gruenwald: Executive Editor

• Ralph Macchio: Senior Editor 

• Todd McFarlane: Cover artist

• Jim Salicrup: Supreme Marvel Zombie

• Tom Daning: Assistant Editor

• Edward Murr: Designer

• Barry Dutter, Sholly Fisch and Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Contributing Editors

• Craig Anderson, Gary Barnum, Tom Brevoort, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Margaret Clark, Kelly Corvese, Dan Cuddy, Don Daley, Suzanne Dell Orto, Eric Fein, Bob Harras, Michael Heisler, Sid Jacobson, Marie Javins, Len Kaminski, Terry Kavanagh, Howard Mackie, Marc McLaurin, Al Milgrom, Mike Rockwitz, Evan Skolnick, Rob Tokar, Renée Witterstaeter, and Gregory Wright: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Tom Morgan: Managing Art Director

• Joe Rosas, Mickey Ritter, and Brad Vancata: The Raiders

• Virginia Romita: Traffic/Production Manager

• Dawn Geiger: Assistant Production Manager 

• Joyce Phua: Assistant Traffic Manager

• Lynda Strunk: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: World's Toughest Proofreader

• Joe Albelo, Steve Alexandrov, Dahlia Aponte, Darren Auck, Paul Becton, Steve Bunche, Rob Carosella, Chris Eliopolous, Cindy Emmert, Vince Evans, Jesus Gonzalez, Brad K. Joyce, Ed Lazellari, Ariane Lenshoek, Jared Osborn, Betty Ringmus, and George Roberts: Production

• Gregory Wright: Colorist

• Glenn Herdling: Manufacturing Coordinator

• Christine Aurilia, Paula Butterworth, Dwight Coye, Arthur Parris Jackson, John Lewandowski, George Roussos, Stu Schwartzberg, and Christine Slusarz: Friendly Assistance 

• Kay Shadley: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Denise Bove: Vice President/Director of Newsstand Sales

• Jim Sokolowski: National Key Account Manager

• Cindy Marenda: Sales Administrator

• Carol Kalish: Vice President Direct Sales

• Kurt Busiek: Direct Sales Project Manager

• Lou Bank: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Customer Service

• Sven Larsen: Administrative Assistant 

• Steve Saffel: Promotion Manager 

• Fabian Nicieza: Advertising Manager

• Irving Forbush: Spider-Food 

Pages 1 - 6

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale June 26

The Avengers #320

Camp Candy #4

Captain America #374

Avengers West Coast #61

Steeltown Rockers #5

Namor the Sub-Mariner #5

Web of Spider-Man #67

X-Men #265

The Punisher #36

Black Knight #3

She-Hulk #18

Stalkers #5

Elsewhere Prince #4

Excalibur #25

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #24

Robocop 2 #1

Strip #11

Robocop #2

Tales from the Heart of Africa: The Temporary Natives #1

Hellraiser #3

Open Space #4

Critical Mass #6

Jhereg #1

Return to Big Nowhere hardcover

Titles on sale July 3

Punisher: No Escape #1

Amazing Spider-Man #336

Avengers Spotlight #35

Brute Force #1

Groo the Wanderer #68

Heathcliff #50

The New Mutants #92

Nth Man #15

Quasar #13

Thor #420

Marvel Comics Presents #56

Alpha Flight #87

Ghost Rider #4

Wolverine #28

Interface #5

Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #10

The Punisher Magazine #13

Savage Sword of Conan #176

Plastic Forks #5

Marshal Law trade paperback 

Titles on sale July 10 

The Avengers #321

Captain America #375

Conan the Barbarian #235

G.I. Joe #103

Guardians of the Galaxy #3

The Incredible Hulk #372

Marvel Age Magazine #91

Marvel Tales #240

The Punisher #36

Silver Surfer #40

The Uncanny X-Men #266

What If...? #16

Excalibur #26

Hero #4

Robocop #6

Shield #4

Spider-Man #1

Web of Spider-Man Annaul #6

Strip #12

Doctor Who #162

Fantasy Zone #10

Mutant Summer Fun Special #1

Street Poet Ray #3

Deathlok #2

Spider-Man Vs. Wolverine #1

Life of Groo graphic novel 

Titles on sale July 17

Amazing Spider-Man #337

Iron Man #259

Fantastic Four #343

New Warriors #2

Robocop 2 #1

Spectacular Spider-Man #167

Thor #421

The Transformers #69

X-Factor #57

X-Men Classic #50

The 'Nam #47

Marvel Comics Presents #57

Alien Legion #18

Cloak and Dagger #13

Doctor Strange #20

Moon Knight #17

Punisher War Journal #21

Wolverine #29

Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular #1

Marvel Fantare #52

Conan Saga #41 

The Destroyer Magazine #11

Marvel Requirer #5

Akira #22

Ka-Zar graphic novel 

Captain America hardcover (two-volume slipcase edition of Captain America Comics by Simon & Kirby) 

Page 6

Super-Villain Checklist

Pages 7 - 8

Newswatch

• Item: Power Pack's powers will change with new writer Mike Higgins

• Item: Brute Force is a new series about environmentally conscious heroes, written by Simon Furman with art by Jose Delbo and Joe Sinnott

• Item: The six-part story "Jigsaw Puzzle" pits the Punisher against Jigsaw and Mephisto

Pages 8 - 9 

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Page 9

Marvel Top Ten - 1989, based on subscriptions

1 - X-Men

2 - Amazing Spider-Man

3 - G.I. Joe

4 - X-Factor

5 - Wolverine

6 - Web of Spider-Man

7 - Excalibur 

8 - Avengers 

9 - Spectacular Spider-Man

10 - Iron Man

Page 9 

Pro File: Todd McFarlane 

Pages 10 - 11

Mark's Remarks

Pages 12 - 13

The Mutant Report

The Jim Lee Interview, by Sholly Fisch 

Page 14

Article: Foolkiller, by Gary Barnum

Page 15 

Stan Lee's Soapboax

Willie Lumpkin by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age 

Pages 18 - 19

The Non-Mutant Report: Spider-Man, by Peter Sanderson 

Page 20 

Heroes for the '90s "Say What?!" Sweepstakes

Pages 21 - 25

Sneak Peek: Spider-Man #1

Page 26

Marvel Reviewers 

Pages 27 - 28

The Marvel Age of Comics: 1981 Part Five

Page 28

Marvel Comics Price Guide 

Page 29

The Many Faces of Daredevil

Pages 30 - 32

Letters Page: "Letters! We're Soaked in Them" 

Page 32

Marvel Correspondents 

Cover 3

Marvel Age Super Shopper Gallery

Cover 4

The 1990 Marvel Age Calendar: June

Writers: Chris Eliopoulos and Barry Dutter

Artist: Ron Zalme

Colorist: Rene Witterstaetter 

 

It's been a minute since we last looked in on Marvel Age, but after speaking with my friend J.C. Vaughn the other day I was reminded of his enthusiasm for this blog — so I decided that today's the day I go back to it. I was close to two-thirds through the run of the series, which means it's all downhill from here, right?

So...um...where were we? 

The New Warriors made the cover of this issue, which includes an interview by Fabian Nicieza, as well as preview pages and a new column called "Marvel Reviewers" focusing on New Warriors. As you might guess, Marvel sent out advance copies to a few fans for their input, which was...mixed. Demanding, those fans!

Also in this issue, New Talent Showcase looks at would-be inker Jared Osborn, who was given the challenging assignment of inking some Gene Colan pencils for his tryout. He does a decent job, although John Romita has some constructive criticism for his work.  

Marvel Age #89

Price: $1.00 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: April 17, 1990

Cover date: June 1990 

Copyright © 1990 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 

• Tom DeFalco: Editor in Chief

• Mark Gruenwald: Executive Editor

• Ralph Macchio: Senior Editor 

• Mark Bagley and Al Williamson: Cover artists

• Jim Salicrup: Supreme Marvel Zombie

• Barry Dutter: Assistant Editor

• Steve Alexandrov: Designer

• Ariane Leshoek: Paste Up

• Sholly Fisch and Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Contributing Editors

• Craig Anderson, Gary Barnum, Tom Brevoort, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Margaret Clark, Kelly Corvese, Dan Cuddy, Don Daley, Suzanne Dell Orto, Eric Fein, Danny Fingeroth, Bob Harras, Michael Heisler, Sid Jacobson, Marie Javins, Len Kaminski, Terry Kavanagh, Howard Mackie, Marc McLaurin, Al Milgrom, Mike Rockwitz, Evan Skolnick, Rob Tokar, Renée Witterstaeter, and Gregory Wright: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Don Perlin: Managing Art Director

• Joe Rosas, Mickey Ritter, and Brad Vancata: The Raiders

• Virginia Romita: Traffic/Production Manager

• Dawn Geiger: Assistant Production Manager 

• Joyce Phus: Assistant Traffic Manager

• Lynda Strunk: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: World's Toughest Proofreader

• Joe Albelo, Dahlia Aponte, Darren Auck, Paul Becton, Janice Biondo, Steve Bunche, Rob Carosella, Chris Eliopolous, Cindy Emmert, Jesus Gonzalez, Brad K. Joyce, Ed Lazellari, Edward Murr, Jared Osborn, Betty Ringmus, and George Roberts: Production

• Gregory Wright: Colorist

• Glenn Herdling: Manufacturing Coordinator

• Christine Aurilia, Paula Butterworth, Dwight Coye, Suzanne Gaffney, Arthur Parris Jackson, John Lewandowski, George Roussos, Stu Schwartzberg, and Christine Slusarz: Friendly Assistance 

• Kay Shadley: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Denise Bove: Vice President/Director of Newsstand Sales

• Jim Sokolowski: National Key Account Manager

• Cindy Marenda: Sales Administrator

• Carol Kalish: Vice President Direct Sales

• Kurt Busiek: Direct Sales Project Manager

• Lou Bank: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Customer Service

• Sven Larsen: Administrative Assistant 

• Steve Saffel: Promotion Manager 

• Fabian Nicieza: Advertising Manager

• Irving Forbush: Old Warhorse

Front cover 

• Characters: The New Warriors 

Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section

• Marvel Agenda

Pages 1 - 7

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale May 22

• Avengers West Coast #60
• Camp Candy #3
• Captain America #372
• Daredevil #282
• Namor the Sub-Mariner #4
• Steeltown Rockers #4
• Web of Spider-Man #66
• Marvel Comics Presents #53
• What The—?! #8
• Black Knight #2
• She-Hulk #17
• X-Men #263
• Stalkers #4
• Elsewhere Prince #3
• Alf Annual #3
• Critical Mass #5
• Spider-Man Versus Wolverine #1

Titles on sale May 29

• Alf #31
• Amazing Spider-Man #334
• Avengers Spotlight 334
• Heathcliff #49
• The New Mutants #91
• Nth Man #14
• Groo the Wanderer #67
• Quasar #12
• Alpha Flight #86
• Ghost Rider #3
• The Saga of the Human Torch #4
• Tomorrow Knights 32
• Wolverine #26
• New Mutants Annual #6
• The Punisher Magazine #12
• Savage Sword of Conan #175
• Marvel Super Heroes #2
• Plastic Forks #4

Titles on sale June 5

• The Avengers #319
• Captain America #373
• Conan the Barbarian #234
• G.I. Joe #102
• Guardians of the Galaxy #2
• The Incredible Hulk #371
• Marvel Age Magazine #90
• Marvel Tales #239
• The Punisher #35
• Silver Surfer #39
• The Uncanny X-Men #264
• Marvel Comics Presents #54
• What If...? #15
• Hero #3
• Robocop #5
• Shield #13
• Excalibur #24
• Nightbreed #4
• X-Factor Annual #5
• Dr. Who #161
• Deathlock #1

Titles on sale June 12

• Amazing Spider-Man #335
• Count Duckula #12
• Fantastic Four #342
• Iron Man #258
• The New Warriors #1
• Thor #419
• The Transformers #68
• Spectacular Spider-Man #166
• X-Factor #56
• X-Men Classic #49
• Power Pack #57
• The Punisher Armory #1
• Wolverine #27
• Fantastic Four Annual #23
• Marvel Requirer #4
• Strip #10

Titles on sale June 19

• Marvel Comics Presents #55
• Dr. Strange #19
• Moon Knight #16
• Punisher War Journal #20
• The 'Nam #46
• X-Men Annual #14
• Conan Saga #40
• The Destroyer Magazine #10
• Akira #21

Pages 6 - 7

Newswatch

Item: Beginning with Conan the Barbarian #232, writer Michael Higgins takes Conan back to his roots with a "Year One" story.

Item: Two upcoming series to watch for: Tomorrow Knights and Stalkers

Item: Jim Starlin and his wife, Daina Graziunas, have written the illustrated novel "Among Madmen," with more prose works on the way. 

Page 7 - 8 

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Page 8 

Pro File: John Byrne (in his Duotone phase) 

Page 9 

Mark's Remarks

Pages 10 - 11

Article: "Interview: Fabian Nicieza," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman 

Pages 12 - 13

Article: "Deathlok," by Peter Sanderson 

Page 14

The Many Faces of the Incredible Hulk

Page 15

Stan's Soapbox

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo 

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Page 18

Ad: "We're Looking for a Few Good Mementos"

Page 19

Heroes for the '90s "Say What?!" Sweepstakes

Pages 20 - 24

The New Warriors Preview 

Page 25

Marvel Reviewers: The New Warriors

Pages 26 - 27 

The Marvel Age of Comics 1981 Part Four 

Pages 28 - 29

New Talent: Jared Osborne

Pages 30 - 32

Letters Column: "We All Live in a Yellow Letter Column, a Yellow Letter Column, a Yellow Letter Column," suggested by Marc Getty

Inside Back Cover

Marvel Age Super Shopper Gallery 

Back Cover

The 1990 Marvel Age Calendar: May 

Writers: Chris Eliopolous and Barry Dutter

Artist: Ron Zalme

Colorist: Reneé Witterstaetter