It's not the New Universe, but it's a new universe: the Shadow Line, a group of linked super-hero comics from Epic that included Doctor Zero, Power Line, and St. George. Each of these titles ran eight bimonthly issues, and were an early attempt to merge mature readers content with super-hero action. 

The Marvel Age article is chock full of self-deprecating jokes, like editor Archie Goodwin saying, "I've got kids ready for college, so I had to do something!" 

Goodwin's sometime collaborator, Walter Simonson, gets his own interview this issue as the new writer of the Avengers. This is the series that expanded on the concept of the Time Variance Authority, as seen in the Disney+ series Loki. 

Also in this issue, What If...? to pose the question "What If Iron Man Had Been a Traitor?", but which actually makes me ask, "What If Steve Ditko drew Iron Man for the first time in decades?" The issue was intended to be a relaunch of the series, picking up with issue #47, but ended up coming out as a stand-alone special. 

Marvel Age #62

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: January 19, 1988

Cover date: May, 1988 

Copyright © 1988 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 

• Tom DeFalco: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Supreme Marvel Zombie

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Managing Editor

• Sholly Fisch: Coming Attractions

• Dawn Geiger: Designer

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Steve Buccellato, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Daryl Edelman, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Larry Hama, Bob Harras, Glenn Herdling, Michael Higgins, Laura Hitchcock, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Dwayne McDuffie, Marc McLaurin, Al Milgrom, Ann Nocenti, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Mike Rockwitz, Marc Siry, David Wohl, and Gregory Wright: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Don Perlin: Managing Art Director

• Donald C. Hudson, Christopher Ivy, and Rodney Ramos: The Raiders

• Virginia Romita: Traffic/Production Manager

• Hector Collazo and Doreen Frederick: Production Assistants 

• Adam Blaustein: Manufacturing Coordinator

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• Paul Becton, Janet Jackson, George Roussos, and Gregory Wright: Colorists

• Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Harry Eisenstein, Michael Heisler, Brad Joyce, Cindy Kruhm, Ken Lopez, Ed Magalong, Michael Maier, and Eddie Marcaro: Production

• Barbara Arnstein, Christine Aurilia, Kelly Corvese, Dwight Coye, Tom Fardy, Sue Flaxman, Jesus Gonzalez, Len Kaminsky, John Lewandowski, Stu Schwartzberg, Mark Silverman, and Rodney S. Timmons: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Carol Kalish: Vice President Director Sales

• Dale Kanzler: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Administrative

• Lou Bank: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Customer Service

• Steve Saffel: Promotion Manager 

• Irving Forbush: Personal friend of Steve Buccellato

Front cover 

• Characters: Heroes of the Shadow Line Saga

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale February 23

• Daredevil #255
• West Coast Avengers #33
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #11
• Strikeforce: Morituri #19
• Thundercats #24
• Web of Spider-Man #39
• Young Wizards #1
• Psi-Force #20
• Tales of G.I. Joe #6
• What If...? Special #1

Titles on sale March 1

• Captain America #342
• Solo Avengers #7
• Strange Tales #15
• Alf #3
• Alpha Flight #59
• The Amazing Spider-Man #301
• Groo the Wanderer #40
• Heathcliff #24
• The New Mutants #64
• Star Comics Magazine #10
• Savage Sword of Conan #148
• Six from Sirius trade paperback

Titles on sale March 8 

• Marvel Age Magazine #63
• Marvel Tales #212
• The Punisher #9
• Silverhawks #6
• D.P. 7 #20
• Justice #20
• The Avengers #292
• Flintstone Kids #6
• The Uncanny X-Men #230
• Dr. Zero #1
• Marvel Fanfare #38
• Foofur #6
• The Incredible Hulk #344
• Conan the Barbarian #207
• G.I. Joe #72
• Silver Surfer #12
• Marshal Law #3

Titles on sale March 15

• The Fantastic Four #315
• Iron Man #231
• Thor #392
• Madballs #10
• Classic X-Men #22
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #10
• Conan Saga #13
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the Avengers #6
• Punisher and Daredevil #1
• Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey graphic novel
• Fraggle Rock #1 
• The Spectacular Spider-Man #139
• Transformers #41
• X-Factor #29
• Alien Legion #4
• The 'Nam #19

Pages 6 - 7

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping March

Titles shipping April 

Page 8 

Newswatch

Item: The first issue of Blood has sold out, and it looks like the second issue will sell out as well. With unusual format projects like this, The Pitt, and Excalibur selling well, more will be coming soon - including the long-awaited S.H.I.E.L.D. bookshelf format limited series. 

Item: New collected edition books coming in 1988 include:

• The Savage Land, starring Ka-Zar, Spider-Man, and the X-Men 
• Six from Sirius
• The Thing: Project Pegasus
• Hercules
• Power Pack
• Spider-Man - the black costume story
• The 'Name
• The Punisher - limited series
• G.I. Joe
• Machine Man
• Black Dragon

Item: A Spider-Man balloon was in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, along with a float that included Captain America, the Hulk, Dr. Doom, Power Man, Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, the White Queen, and Wolverine. 

Item: Marvel titles getting mentioned in the media include the new Sledge Hammer series in USA Today and The 'Nam in Playboy. 

Item: The Silver Surfer appears on the cover of Joe Satriani's album Surfing with the Alien. 

The Top Ten

October 1987

1. X-Men #226
2. X-Factor #25
3. New Mutants #60
4. The Punisher #6
5. Incredible Hulk #340
6. Silver Surfer #8
7. Amazing Spider-Man #297
8. The 'Nam #15
9. G.I. Joe #68
10. G.I. Joe Yearbook #4

Pages 9 - 10

The Mutant Report

Article: "The X-Men Are Dead, Long Live the X-Men"

Article: "The Brood Is Back!"

Article: "X-Factor's Trojan Horse!"

Article: "Savage Land Revival"

Pages 11 - 12

Article: "What If Iron Man Had Been a Traitor?", by Scott Lobdell

Page 13 

Marvel Trivial Quiz by Brian Nelson 

Pages 14 - 15

Stan's Soapbox

Page 15

Willie Lumpkin by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 22

Epic Spotlight: "The Shadow Line Saga," by Glenn Herdling 

Pages 23 - 26

The Marvel Age Interview: Walt Simonson, by Glenn Herdling

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age 1976 Part III, by Brian Nelson

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: Marvel Messages, suggested by David Steinberg

Inside back cover

Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards for 1987 ballot

Back cover

Ad for The Avengers 

It's a new direction for Iron Man in this issue of Marvel Age, as longtime Iron Man co-writer and artist/inker Bob Layton shows off several new costume designs. 

The four-issue Marvel Fanfare tale of the Warriors Three gets an article this issue, with art by Charles Vess. And the New Talent Department looked at the art of Frank Paur, a story director for Marvel Animation's G.I. Joe animated series. 

Plus, Stan's Soapbox promises new projects in development in Hollywood starring Iron Man, the X-Men, Dr. Strange, Marada the She-Wolf, Blade the Vampire Hunter, Daredevil, and something called the Death-Cathlon that would be a graphic novel as well as a movie. Well, Stan, quite a few of those came to pass...eventually. 

Marvel Age #55

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: July 7, 1987

Cover date: October, 1987 

Copyright © 1987 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Assistant Editor

• Dawn Geiger: Designer

• Sholly Fisch: Coming Attractions 

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Adam Blaustein, Steve Buccellato, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Daryl Edelman, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Larry Hama, Bob Harras, Glenn Herdling, Michael Higgins, Laura Hitchcock, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, John Morelli, Ann Nocenti, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Mike Rockwitz, Marc Siry, Joanne Spaldo, and Greg Wright: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Don Perlin: Managing Art Director

• Donald C. Hudson and Rodney Ramos: The Raiders

• Jim Novak: Art/Production Coordinator

• Hector Collazo and Doreen Frederick: Production Assistants 

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• Paul Becton, Julianna Ferriter, Janet Jackson, and George Roussos: Colorists

• Mark Bright and Bob Layton: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Alan Bensew, Pat Brosseau, Rob Carosella, Harry Eisenstein, Barbara Johnston, Cindy Kruhn, Veronica Lawlor-Carlin, Ken Lopez, Ed Magalong, Michael Maier, Eddie Marcaro, Susan Marks, Alan Mintz, Bill Oakley, Dumuria Rumph, and Peter Watson: Production

• Lynn Cohen: Administrative Manager

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Christine Aurilia, Tom Fardy, Sue Flaxman, and Len Kaminsky: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Carol Kalish: Director of Specialty Sales

• Peter David: Direct Sales Manager Administrative

• Steve Saffel: Promotions Manager 

• Irving Forbush: Iron Boy

Front cover 

• Character: Iron Man 

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale July 28 

• Daredevil #248
• Strikeforce: Morituri #12
• New Mutants #57
• Web of Spider-Man #32
• West Coast Avengers #26
• Masters of the Universe #10
• Thundercats #17
• Conan the King #43
• Robocop #1
• The Merc Annual #1
• Psi Force #13

Titles on sale August 4

• Alpha Flight #52
• Captain America #335
• Fallen Angels #8
• The Amazing Spider-Man #294
• Strange Tales #8
• Groo the Wanderer #33
• Headmasters #3 
• Heathcliff Funhouse #4
• D.P. 7 Annual #1
• Video Jack #1
• Spider-Man Comics Magazine #6
• Savage Sword of Conan #141
• G.I. Joe Order of Battle trade paperback
• Moebius #2: Arzach and Other Fantasy Stories

Titles on sale August 11

• Marvel Age Magazine #56
• The Avengers #285
• D.P. 7 #13
• Justice #13
• The Incredible Hulk #337
• Marvel Tales #205
• The Punisher #4
• Silver Surfer #5
• Bullwinkle and Rocky #1
• The Uncanny X-Men #223
• Air Raiders #1
• G.I. Joe #65
• The Marvel Saga #24
• Muppet Babies #16
• X-Factor #22
• Care Bears #13
• Classic X-Men #15
• Elfquest #28
• Conan the Barbarian #200
• Marvel Fanfare #35

Titles on sale August 18 

• The Fantastic Four #308
• Iron Man #224
• The 'Nam #12
• Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man #132
• Star Brand #10
• Thor #385
• Power Pack #33
• The Transformers #34
• Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #7
• The Transformers Comic Magazine #6
• Conan Saga #6
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #4

Pages 6 - 7 

More Coming Attractions 

Titles Shipping August 

Titles Shipping September 

Page 8 

Newswatch 

Item: John Romita is moving over to supervise cover designs, with Don Perlin joining staff as Managing Art Director in charge of art corrections and the apprenticeship program. 

Item: Announcing the winners of the New Universe Super Sleuth Sweepstakes.

Item: Announcing the winner of the contest to guess how many times X-Men was Marvel's bestselling title.

Item: Look for coverage elsewhere in this issue of the new line of Moebius graphic novels. 

The Top Ten

March 1987

1. Punisher #1
2. X-Men #219
3. Silver Surfer #1
4. X-Factor #18
5. The Avengers Vs. The X-Men #4
6. G.I. Joe #61
7. Fallen Angels #4
8. Mephisto Vs. The Avengers #4
9. Classic X-Men #11
10. The 'Nam #8

Page 9 - 12

Article: "Iron Man: The New Direction," by Bill Slavicsek

Page 13

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Pages 14 - 15

Stan's Soapbox

Page 15

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 20

Article: "Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg: Warriors Three," by Bill Slavicsek

Pages 21 - 23

Epic Spotlight: Moebius, by Steve Ringgenberg

Pages 24 - 26

New Talent Department by Chris Panzetta

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age, 1975 (Part II) by Brian Nelson

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "Jeff Neely's Letter Column Title!", suggested by Jeff Neely 

Inside back cover

Add for The Incredible Hulk 

Back cover

The 1987 Marvel Age Calendar for July

Mike Carlin - writer

Ron Zalme - artist

Paul Becton - colorist 

If you weren't already convinced that mutants were a big deal at Marvel in the 1980s, perhaps this issue of Marvel Age might convince you. "The Mutant Report," which just made its debut in issue #30, has now expanded to three pages, with the addition of Kyle Baker's cartoon series "It's Genetic." Of course, there's also a Nightcrawler cover by Dave "X-Man" Cockrum. 

With Iron Man about to reach its big 200th issue, the article in this issue includes new armor designs by John Byrne, Al Milgrom, and Bob Layton. And while Denny O'Neil and Mark Gruenwald, the series' writer and editor, respectively, promise big story turns and plot line wrap-ups, let's face it -- this series is all about the armor. 

Two new assistant editors made their Marvel Age debuts this month as well: Rosemary McCormick-Lowy (here portrayed by Bill Sienkiewicz) and Bobbie Chase (as drawn by Ron Zalme). 

Marvel Age #31

Price: $0.35 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: July 9, 1985

Cover date: October, 1985

Copyright © 1985 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Kurt Busiek: Assistant Editor

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Coming Attractions

• Craig Anderson, Pat Blevins, Nancy Brown, Bob Budiansky, Mike Carlin, Bobbie Chase, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Jo Duffy, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Harras, Larry Hama, Mike Higgins, Sid Jacobson, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, Ann Nocenti, Denny O'Neil, Jim Owsley, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Louise Simonson, Laurie Sutton, and Keith Williams: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• James W. Fry, Mark McKenna, and Tom Morgan: Romita's Raiders

• Dan Crespi: Art/Production Coordinator

• Ron Zalme: Assistant Art/Production Coordinator

• Janet Jackson: Designer

• Terry Bracchi, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Jack Morelli, Miriam Larsson, and Barry Shapiro: Production

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Ken Feduniewicz, Janet Jackson, Adam Philips, George Roussos, and Nelson Yomtov: Colorists

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Lynn Cohen and Margaret Brockie: Friendly Assistance 

• Dave Cockrum: Cover 

• Sally Pomeroy: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Carol Kalish: Director of Specialty Sales

• Peter David: Direct Sales Manager Administrative

• Steve Saffel: Assistant Promotions Manager for Direct Sales

• Irving Forbush: Sword Sharpener

Front cover 

• Character: Nightcrawler

 Inside front cover

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Editorial by Jim Salicrup 

Marvel's Top Ten — Titles for April 1985

1. Secret Wars II #2
2. X-Men #196
3. New Mutants #30
4. Alpha Flight #25
5. Web of Spider-Man #5
6. Elfquest #1
7. Fantastic Four #281
8. Amazing Spider-Man #267
9. Iron Man #197
10. Thor #358

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale July 23

• The Thing #29
• Daredevil #244
• New Mutants #33
• Web of Spider-Man #8
• Red Sonja - The Movie #1
• West Coast Avengers #2
• Planet Terry #8
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #4
• Cloak and Dagger #3
• Questprobe #3
• Dreadstar and Company #5
• Rawhide Kid #4
• Squadron Supreme #3
• Conan the King 331
• Moonshadow #4
• The Swords of the Swashbucklers #3
• The Life of Captain Marvel #4

Titles on sale July 30

• The Amazing Spider-Man #270
• Captain America #311
• Power Pack #16
• Micronauts #14
• Alpha Flight #28 -- Secret Wars II tie-in
• Wally the Wizard #8
• The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #32
• Dazzler #40 -- Secret Wars II tie-in
• Ewoks #4
• Groo the Wanderer #9
• Longshot #3
• The Vision and Scarlet Witch #2
• Red Sonja #11
• Avengers Annual #14
• Savage Sword of Conan #117
• Black Dragon #5
• Timespirits #6
• The One #2

Titles on sale August 6

• Marvel Age Magazine #32
• The Incredible Hulk #313
• The Avengers #261 -- Secret Wars II tie-in
• Conan #176
• Marvel Tales #181
• Rom #72 -- Secret Wars II tie-in
• X-Men #199
• Moon Knight #5
• Power Man and Iron Fist #120
• Royal Roy #4
• Muppet Babies #4
• Get Along Gang #4
• The Sword of Solomon Kane #2
• Nightcrawler #1
• Fantastic Four Annual #19
• G.I. Joe #41
• Eternals #2
• Marvel Fanfare #23

Titles on sale August 13

• Marvel Graphic Novel #18: The Savage She-Hulk 
• Fantastic Four #284
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #108
• The New Defenders #149
• Star Wars #101
• Thor #361
• The Transformers #10
• Elfquest #4
• Secret Wars II #5
• Iron Man #200
• The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19
• Doctor Who #14
• Coyote #14
• Savage Tales #1
• Spider-Man Index #8
• Epic Illustrated #32

Pages 6 - 7 

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping in August (this should be September) 

• The Thing #30
• Daredevil #225
• The New Mutants #34
• Web of Spider-Man #9
• West Coast Avengers #3
• Planet Terry #9
• Fraggle Rock #5
• Strawberry Shortcake #5
• Thundercats #1
• Dreadstar and Company #6
• Squadron Supreme #4
• The Incredible Hulk Annual #14
• The Official Handbook fo the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #1
• Starstruck #5
• Bozz Chronicles #1
• The Life of Captain Marvel #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #271
• Captain America #312
• Power Pack #17
• Micronauts #15
• Alpha Flight #29
• Wally the Wizard #9
• Top Dog #5
• Heathcliff #5
• Doctor Strange #74
• Groo the Wanderer #10
• Longshot #4
• The Vision and Scarlet Witch #3
• Rom Annual #4
• Savage Sword of Conan #118
• The Black Dragon #6
• The Sisterhood of Steel #6
• Marvel Age Magazine #33
• The Incredible Hulk #314
• Avengers #262
• Conan #177
• Marvel Tales #182
• Rom #73
• Moon Knight #6
• G.I. Joe #42
• Eternals #3
• X-Men #200
• Thor Annual #13
• X-Men/Alpha Flight #1
• Dreadstar #21
• Fantastic Four #285
• Iron Man #201
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #109
• Nightcrawler #2
• Star Wars #102
• Thor #362
• Transformers #11
• Elfquest #5
• Secret Wars II #6
• The New Defenders #150
• Spider-Man Index #9
• Doctor Who #15
• New Mutants Special #1
• Alien Legion #10
• Marvel Graphic Novel #19: The Witch Queen of Acheron
• Red Sonja - The Movie #2

Titles shipping in September (this should be October) 

• The New Mutants #35
• Web of Spider-Man #10
• West Coast Avengers #4
• Planet Terry #10
• Peter Porker, the Amazing Spider-Ham #5
• Cloak and Dagger #4
• Sectaurs #4
• Squadron Supreme #5
• Conan the King #32
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #2
• Swords of the Swashbucklers #4
• Moonshadow #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #272
• Captain America #313
• Power Pack #18
• Micronauts #16
• Alpha Flight #30
• Wally the Wizard #10
• Ewoks #5
• The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #33
• Dazzler #41
• Groo the Wanderer #11
• Longshot #5
• The Vision and Scarlet Witch #4
• The Thing #31
• Daredevil #226
• X-Men Annual #9
• Savage Sword of Conan #119 
• The One #3
• Timespirits #7
• Marvel Age Magazine #34
• The Incredible Hulk #315
• Avengers #263
• Conan #178
• Marvel Tales #183
• X-Men #201
• Rom #74
• Moon Knight #7
• Power Man and Iron Fist #121
• Nightcrawler #3
• Royal Roy #5
• Muppet Babies #5
• Get Along Gang #5
• The Sword of Solomon Kane #3
• G.I. Joe #43
• Eternals #4
• X-Men/Alpha Flight #2
• Marvel Fanfare #24
• Fantastic Four #286
• Iron Man #202
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #110
• The New Defenders #151
• Star Wars #103
• Thor #363
• The Transformers #12
• Elfquest #6
• Secret Wars II #7
• Handbook of the Conan Universe #1
• Doctor Who #16
• Coyote #15
• Savage Tales #2
• Epic Illustrated #33
• Marvel Graphic Novel #20: Greenberg the Vampire 

Page 8

Newswatch

Item: 1986 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Fantastic Four, with lots of new projects in the works. To make room for them, Rom #75, The Defenders #152, Power Man and Iron Fist #125, Dazzler #42, Micronauts #20, and The Thing #36 will be the final issues of those series.

Item: Morrie Kuramoto, longtime member of the Marvel bullpen and letterer, has died at age 64. 

Pages 8 - 9 

Behind the Lines, by Carl James Potts Esq III Limited

Page 9

Behind the Lines II, by Bob Budiansky

Pages 10 - 12

Article: "The Marvel Age Interview: John Byrne," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Page 13

Article: "Bill Mantlo Talks about Alpha Flight," by Kurt Busiek

Pages 14 - 15

Article: "It's Finally Here! Amazing High Adventure II," by Sholly Fisch

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 20

The Mutant Report: "And Now for Something Completely Different...Nightcrawler," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Page 20

It's Genetic, by Kyle Baker

Page 21

Article: "Star Spotlight on Thundercats," by Sandy Hausler

Pages 22 - 23

Article: "The One with the Answers! Iron Man #200," by Len Kaminsky

Pages 24 - 25 

Article: "Savage Tales — Not for Wimps or Geeks," by Bill Slavicsek

Pages 26 - 27 

Article: "The Marvel Bookshelf: A Look at the Upcoming Graphic Novels," by Bill Slavicsek

Pages 28 - 29

Article: "The Marvel Age: 1969 (Part I)," by Adam Philips

Pages 30 - 32

Letter column: "Alphabet Soup," suggested by Matthew Walker

Inside back cover

Bullpen Bulletins

Back cover

The Marvel Age 1985 Calendar -- July

Jim Salicrup, writer

Ron Zalme, artist

Andy Yanchus, colorist 

 

There's a lot to unpack on the cover of Marvel Age #18! The image, drawn by Luke McDonnell and Steve Mitchell, shows great coherence considering it features James Rhodes as the new Iron Man (promoting an interview with writer Denny O'Neil) looking at a screen with the Hulk on it (for Questprobe) while another screen highlights Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age, with a drawing that has to be by our Fred. 

The editorial that opens the issue celebrates new additions to Marvel Age, as well as the one-year anniversary of Jim Salicrup's tenure as editor, as well as teasing Star Comics, and promising an update on the Justice League of America / Avengers crossover soon. We'll see about that... 

This is also the month of a double helping of Marvel Comic Attractions, as the section switches over from a three-month ahead schedule to just one-month. 

The lead article this month covers the Questprobe comics series, tying into the video game of the same name, created by Scott Adams -- no, not the guy who created Dilbert after all. The comics series would go on to run three issues -- #1, starring the Hulk; #2, starring Spider-Man; and #3, starring the Thing and the Human Torch. (The fourth issue, starring the X-Men, was published in Marvel Fanfare #33 when the game didn't come out.) 

That's not the only game on the table in this issue of Marvel Age, though. There's also an article on the TSR Marvel Super Heroes Role Playing Game, with art by Sal Buscema.

The Marvel Age Interview with Denny O'Neil focuses on his acclaimed work as writer of both Iron Man and Daredevil. O'Neil discusses his love of collaboration with artists like David Mazzucchelli and Luke McDonnell, and lays out what it means to be an alcoholic with great sensitivity and understanding. He also talks about the titles he edits, and singles out Jim Owsley for praise as the new writer on Power Man and Iron Fist. 

And the New Talent Department this month focuses on a future comics and animation star, Kyle Baker, who here has submitted his sample pages for the X-Men. John Romita provides commentary, saying that the pages are pretty great, but would benefit from a few closeups to provide variation. 

Marvel Age #18

Price: $0.35 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: June 5, 1984

Cover date: September, 1984

Copyright © 1984 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Mark Lerer: Assistant Editor

• Bob Kessel: Designer

• Jim Massara: Coming Attractions

• Dan Crespi: Art/Production Coordinator

• Ron Zalme: Assistant Art/Production Coordinator

• Joe Albelo, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Phil Felix, Morrie Kuramoto, John Morelli, 

  and Barry Shapiro: Production

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Paul Becton and George Roussos: Colorists

• Craig Anderson and Lynn Cohen: Friendly Assistance

• Luke McDonnell and Steve Mitchell: Cover 

• Carol Kalish: Direct Sales Manager

• Steve Saffel: Assistant Promotions Manager for Direct Sales

• Peter David: Assistant Direct Sales Manager

• Marsha Rosenberg: Sales Manager for Special Events

• Irving Forbush: Video Ga-ga

Front cover 

• Characters: The Hulk and Iron Man (James Rhodes) 

 Inside front cover

• Ad for The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book 

 

Page 1

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Editorial: "Jumbled Jargon to to Cajole and Confuse You," or, "Salicrup's Soapbox," by Jim Salicrup

Pages 2 – 5

Marvel Comics Coming Attractions (two months ahead)

Titles on sale June 26

• The Thing #16

• Daredevil #211

• New Mutants #20

• Dazzler #34

• The Muppets Takes Manhattan #1, 2 and 3

• Ka-Zar #34

• Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #6

• West Coast Avengers #2

• Machine Man #1

• Marvel Team-Up Annual #7

Titles on sale July 3

• Amazing Spider-Man #257

• Captain America #248

• Thor #348

• Indiana Jones #22

• Power Pack #3

• Micronauts: the New Voyages #1

• Doctor Strange #67

• U.S. 1 #12

• The Last Star Fighters (sic) #1, 2 and 3

• Sub-Mariner #2

• Iron Man Annual #7

• Savage Sword of Conan #103

• Alien Legion #3

• Marvel Super Special #32: The Muppets Take Manhattan 

Titles on sale July 10

• Avenger #248

• Conan the Barbarian #163

• Marvel Tales #168

• Rom #59

• Power Man and Iron Fist #110

• G.I. Joe #28

• Kull the Conqueror #6

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom #2

• Incredible Hulk #300

• X-Men #186

• Marvel Age Magazine #19

• Marvel Graphic Novel #11: Dazzler

Titles on sale July 17

• Fantastic Four #271

• Marvel Team-Up #146

• Iron Man #187

• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #95

• The New Defenders #136

• Star Wars #88

• Alpha Flight #15

• What If #47

• Doctor Who #1

• Dreadstar #13

• Six from Sirius #2

Pages 5 - 8

More Coming Attractions (one month ahead - no specific on sale dates listed)

Shipping in July

• The Thing #17

• Daredevil #212

• New Mutants #21

• Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #7

• West Coast Avengers #3

• Machine Man #2

• Conan the King #25

• Peter Parker Annual (sic) #4

• Amazing Spider-Man #258

• Captain America #299

• Thor #349

• Indiana Jones #23

• Power Pack #4

• Micronauts #2

• Crystar #10

• Sub-Mariner #3

• Black Panther #1

• Transformers #2

• Fantastic Four Annual #18

• Savage Sword of Conan #105

• Marvel Super Special #33: Buckeroo Banzai (sic) 

• Incredible Hulk #301

• Avengers #249

• Conan the Barbarian #164

• Marvel Tales #169

• X-Men #187

• Rom #60

• Power Man and Iron Fist #111

• G.I. Joe #29

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom #3

• The Last Star Fighters (sic) #2

• Marvel Age Magazine #20

• Thor Annual #12

• Avengers Annual #13

• Marvel Fanfare #17

• Fantastic Four #272

• Iron Man #188

• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #96

• Marvel Team-Up #147

• The New Defenders #137

• Star Wars #89

• Alpha Flight #16

• Starriors #1

• Kitty & Wolverine (sic) #1

• Hulk Annual #13

• Doctor Who #2

• Coyote #8

• Marvel Super Special #34: Sheena of the Jungle (sic) 

• Six from Sirius #3

• Epic Illustrated #26

• Marvel Graphic Novel: Void Indigo

Shipping in August 

• The Thing #18

• Daredevil #23

• New Mutants #22

• Dazzler #35

• The Muppets (sic) #2

• Marvel Super Heroes: The Secret Wars (sic) #8

• West Coast Avengers #4

• Machine Man #3

• Iceman #1 

• Buckeroo Bonzai (sic) #1

• Spider-Man Annual #18

• Dreadstar #14

• Amazing Spider-Man #259

• Indiana Jones #24

• Power Pack #5

• Micronauts #3

• Doctor Strange #68

• Kull the Conqueror #7

• The Last Star Fighters (sic) #3

• Sub-Mariner #4

• Black Panther #2

• Captain America #300

• Thor #350

• Rom Annual #3

• Savage Sword of Conan #106

• Alien Legion #4

• Marvel Super Special #35: Conan II (sic)

• Incredible Hulk #302

• Conan #165

• Marvel Tales #170

• X-Men #188

• Rom #61

• Power Man and Iron Fist #112

• G.I. Joe #30

• Sheena of the Jungle (sic) #1

• Avengers #250

• Marvel Age #21

• Fantastic Four #273

• Marvel Team-Up #148

• Iron Man #189

• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #97

• The New Defenders #138

• Star Wars #90

• Alpha Flight #17

• Starriors #2

• Kitty and Wolverine (sic) #2

• What If #48

• Conan Annual #9

• X-Men Annual #8

• Doctor Who #3

• Six from Sirius #4

Page 9 

Newswatch

• Item: Stan Lee will script Spider-Man Annual #18, and What If #50 will be based on the story from Fantastic Four #60.

• Item: Spider-Man and Power Pack will appear in an educational comic about child abuse.

• Item: Coyote will add a backup feature starring the Djinn starting with issue #7. Alien Legion will feature the art of newcomer Chris Warner. Changes are coming for Dreadstar this summer, along with the debuts of Six from Sirius, Void Indigo, Crash Ryan, and Starstruck. 

• Item: Jim Salicrup takes over as the writer on The Transformers with issue #2. Crystar has been cancelled. Linda Grant will be the new writer and Ricardo Villamonte the new artist on The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. John Byrne takes over as writer of The Thing with #19. Steve Ditko is the new artist on Rom. Bill Mantlo has written and Pat Broderick has pencilled Red Sonja #5-7. 

Pages 10 - 12

Article: "Computers and Comics: Introducing Questprobe," by Robert J. Sodaro

Pages 13 - 15

Article: "The Marvel Age -- 1966 (Part I)

Pages 16 - 17 

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 20

Article: "Introducing the Marvel Super Heroes Role Playing Game," by Steve Saffel

Page 19

Sidebar: "The TSR Story..." 

Pages 21 - 25

Article: "The Marvel Age Interview: Denny O'Neil," by Mark Lerer

Pages 26 - 28

The New Talent Department 

Page 29

Behind the Lines

Pages 29

Marvel Personal Appearances Calendar, compiled by Lynn Cohen

Pages 30 - 32

Letters page: "The Marvel Age Agglomeration Page," suggested by Lance Wright, header art by Rick Parker 

Inside back cover

Bullpen Bulletins

Back cover

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