With this issue of Marvel Age, I ended my stint as assistant editor and moved on to a new job at Video Magazine. I was certainly sad to leave Marvel, but I was equally excited about the new gig. And I made my exit with the traditional assistant editor caricature... 

This issue put a spotlight on the heroes of the New Universe once more, this time with a look at their designs, with art by Rick Leonardi, Mark Beachum, Gray Morrow, John Romita Jr., Walter Simonson, and others. 

And in a run of unlikely assignments for legendary artist Steve Ditko, drawing Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos has to be one of the strangest - yet this issue showoff some of Ditko's art, and it certainly makes the series look like fun! 

Marvel's high school and college interns got a chance to shine in this issue as well, with art by several of them appearing in print. 

Marvel Age #47

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: November 11, 1986

Cover date: February, 1987 

Copyright © 1986 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Adam Philips: Assistant Editor

• Barbara Johnston: Designer

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Coming Attractions

• Bill Slaviscek: Mutant Reporter

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Adam Blaustein, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Jo Duffy, Danny Fingeroth, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Harras, Larry Hama, Laura Hitchcock, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, Ann Nocenti, Jim Owsley, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Mike Rockwitz, Joanne Spaldo, and David Wohl: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Mark Alexander, Bruce N. Solotoff, and Jose Marzan: Romita's Raiders

• Anita Duncan: Art/Production Coordinator

• Doreen Frederick: Production Assistant 

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• George Roussos and Janet Jackson: Colorists

• Ron Frenz and Brett Bredding: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Pat Brosseau, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Hector Collazo, Rich Dufour, Dawn Geiger, Veronica Lawlor, Ken Lopez, Michael Maier, Bill Oakley, Bill Vallely, and Peter Watson: Production

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Christine Aurilia, Lynn Cohen, and Sue Flaxman: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: 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: Just outside your window

Front cover 

• Characters: Heroes of the New Universe

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale November 25

• Web of Spider-Man #24
• Daredevil #240
• Defenders of the Earth #2
• Masters of the Universe #6
• Strikeforce: Morituri #4
• The New Mutants #49
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #14
• Psi Force #5
• Nightmask #5
• G.I. Joe Yearbook #3
• West Coast Avengers #18
• Comet Man #2
• Cloak and Dagger #11
• Conan the King #39
• Swords of the Swashbucklers #11
• Thundercats #9

Titles on sale December 2

• Captain America #327
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #1
• Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #2
• Ewoks #12
• Savage Sword of Conan #133
• Groo the Wanderer #25
• Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #2
• Kickers, Inc. #5
• Merc #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #286
• G.I. Joe Order of Battle #4
• The Spider-Man Comics Magazine #2 
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #3
• Alpha Flight #44

Titles on sale December 9 

• Conan the Barbarian #192
• D.P. 7 #5
• Justice #5
• Elektra: Assassin #6 
• G.I. Joe #57
• The Incredible Hulk #329
• Marvel Tales #197
• Muppet Babies #12
• The 'Nam #4
• Marvel Fanfare #31
• Silver Surfer graphic novel
• Marvel Saga #16
• The Transformers Universe #4
• The Avengers #277
• X-Men #215
• Marvel Age Magazine #48

Titles on sale December 16

• Elfquest #20
• The Transformers #26
• Care Bears #9
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #6
• Starbrand #6
• Thor #377
• Fantastic Four #300
• X-Factor #14
• Classic X-men #7
• Heathcliff's Funhouse #1
• The Transformers Comics Magazine #2
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #2
• Iron Man #216
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #124
• Inhumanoids #2

Pages 6 - 7

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping December

• Psi Force #6
• Dakota North #6
• Daredevil #241
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #4
• Hugga Bunch #4
• Strikeforce Morituri #5
• Nightmask #6
• Thundercats #10
• Web of Spider-Man #25
• West Coast Avengers #19
• Comet Man #3
• The New Mutants #50
• The Avengers Vs. the X-Men #1
• Moonshadow #12
• Alpha Flight #45
• Animax #3
• Captain America #328
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #4
• Groo the Wanderer #26
• Heathcliff #15
• Kickers, Inc. #6
• Mark Hazzard: Merc #6
• Fallen Angels #1
• The Amazing Spider-Man #287
• Strange Tales #1
• Power Pack #29
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the Avengers #1
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-men #3
• Savage Sword of Conan #134
• Star Comics Magazine #3
• Marvel Age Magazine #49
• The Avengers #278
• Conan the Barbarian #193
• D.P. 7 #6
• G.I. Joe #58
• The Incredible Hulk #330
• Justice #6
• Marvel Tales #198
• The 'Nam #5
• X-Men #216
• The Marvel Saga #17
• Elektra Assassin #7
• Groo the Wanderer graphic novel
• Droids #7
• Elfquest #21
• Fantastic Four #301
• Iron Man #217 
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #125
• Popples #3
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #7
• Star Brand #7
• Thor #378
• Top Dog #13
• The Transformers #27
• X-Factor #15
• Classic X-Men #8
• Alien Legion #18
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #3
• Steelgrip Starkey #6

Titles shipping January 

• Fallen Angels #2
• Strange Tales #2
• Mephisto Vs. the Fantastic Four #2
• Daredevil #242
• Defenders of the Earth #3
• Masters of the Universe #7
• Strikeforce: Morituri #6
• New Mutants #51
• Nightmask #7
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #15
• Psi-Force #7
• Thundercats #11
• Web of Spider-Man #26
• West Coast Avengers #20
• Comet Man #4
• The Avengers vs. the X-Men #2
• Conan the King #4
• The Avengers Vs. the X-Men #2
• Conan the King #40
• Swords of the Swashbucklers #12
• Alpha Flight #46
• Captain America #329
• Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #3
• Ewoks #13
• Groo the Wanderer #27
• Kickers, Inc. #7
• Mark Hazzard: Merc #7
• Amazing Spider-Man #288
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #4
• The Spider-Man Comics Magazine #2
• Savage Sword of Conan #135
• Marvel Age Magazine #50
• Avengers #279
• Conan #194
• D.P. 7 #7
• G.I. Joe #59
• The Incredible Hulk #331
• Justice #7
• Marvel Tales #199
• Muppet Babies #13
• The 'Nam #6
• X-Men #217
• Marvel Saga #18
• Elektra: Assassin #8
• Marvel Fanfare #32
• Care Bears #10
• Elfquest #22
• Inhumanoids #3
• Iron Man #218
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #126
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #8
• Star Brand #8
• Thor #379
• The Transformers #28
• X-Factor #16
• Classic X-Men #9
• Fantastic Four #302
• Savage Tales #10
• The Transformers Comics Magazine #4

Page 8

Newswatch

Item: Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz will follow Elektra: Assassin with a Daredevil graphic novel 

Item: Heathcliff will soon star in a second title, Heathcliff's Funhouse. 

Item: The Puppet Master, the Thinker, the Wizard, Doctor Doom, and Robbie Robertson will all play a part in a huge change coming soon for the Fantastic Four. 

Bullpen Birthdays

Page 9

Newswatch Extra

A new Strange Tales series will begin soon, starring Doctor Strange and Cloak and Dagger. 

Pages 10 - 13

The Mutant Report

Article: "Starjammers Help Mutants Celebrate 50th Issue," by Bill Slavicsek

Article: "X-Men Play a Most Dangerous Game," by Bill Slavicsek

Article: "Werner Roth Appreciation," by Kurt Busiek

A Werner Roth X-Men Checklist

Page 14

Star Spotlight: Star Digest, by Sandy Hausler

Page 15 

Stan's Soapbox 

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age 

Pages 18 - 21

"New Universe"

Pages 22 - 23

Star Spotlight: Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos," by Sandy Häusler

Pages 24 - 26

Behind the Lines: "The Incredible Interns," by Sue Flaxman

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age: 1973 (Part III), by Sholly Fisch

Pages 30 - 32

Letters page: "Marvel Limited Seriousness," suggested by Martin Collier

Inside back cover

Ad for The Comet Man

Back cover

Ad for The Alien Legion 

 

The age of teams battling each other roared on as the Fantastic Four faced the X-Men. Not only did the art team of Jon Bogdanove and Terry Austin draw the swell cover seen above, but they also provided these neat self-portraits. (That's Ziggy Pig on the right.) 

Marvel editor in chief Jim Shooter takes over the editorial spot at the start of this issue for a special "Shooter's Section" in which he addresses a question he says has been coming up a lot -- namely, that the New Universe would not be replacing the Marvel Universe. (Did anyone really think this?) 

Fans got to meet some of the folks working in the Marvel trenches in the article "Production People Par Excellence," which turned a spotlight on the production department from the boss, Anita Duncan, on down. Caricatures of the staff members (aside from the boss) were drawn by Harry Candelario and Steve Buccellato, and hey, I'm still in touch with a few of these folks! Here are the caricatures, minus the article itself. 

Over in the New Talent Department, newcomer Terry Tidwell won praise for his sample pages that led to work with Marvel and other comics publishers. 

This issue's back cover features a treat -- a trademark protecting comic strip starring Star-Lord (and Forbush-Man). As I recall, the assignment was "do something quick to get Star-Lord's name on the cover of a comic." Hey, you never know when that character could have some serious value in the marketplace!

Marvel Age #46

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: October 7, 1986

Cover date: January, 1987 

Copyright © 1986 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Adam Philips: Assistant Editor

• Barbara Johnston: Designer

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Coming Attractions

• Bill Slaviscek: Mutant Reporter

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Adam Blaustein, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Jo Duffy, Danny Fingeroth, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Harras, Larry Hama, Laura Hitchcock, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, Ann Nocenti, Jim Owsley, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Joanne Spaldo, and David Wohl: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Tom Morgan: Assistant Art Director

• Mark Alexander, Jose Marzan, and Mark McKenna: Romita's Raiders

• Anita Duncan: Art/Production Coordinator

• Doreen Frederick: Assistant Production Coordinator 

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• George Roussos and Adam Philips: Colorists

• Jon Bogdanove and Terry Austin: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Pat Brosseau, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Hector Collazo, Rich Dufour, Dawn Geiger, Veronica Lawlor, Ken Lopez, Michael Maier, Rick Parker, Bill Oakley, and Bill Vallely: Production

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Christine Aurilia, Lynn Cohen, and Sue Flaxman: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: 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: Referee

Front cover 

• Characters: Fantastic Four and the X-Men

 Inside front cover

• Shooter's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale October 28

• Dakota North #5
• Daredevil #239
• Comet Man #1
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #3
• Hugga Bunch #3
• Strikeforce: Morituri #3
• The New Mutants #48
• Nightmask #4
• Thundercats #8
• The Transformers Movie #3
• Moonshadow #12
• Psi-Force #4

Titles on sale November 4

• Alpha Flight #43
• Animax #2
• Captain America #326
• Doctor Strange #81
• G.I. Joe Vs. The Transformers #2
• Groo the Wanderer #24
• Kickers, Inc. #4
• Heathcliff #14
• The Amazing Spider-Man #285
• Power Pack #28
• Mark Hazzard: Merc #4
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #1
• Savage Sword of Conan #132
• Star Comics Magazine #2

Titles on sale November 11

• Justice #4
• The Incredible Hulk #328
• D.P. 7 #4
• Marvel Age Magazine #47
• The Avengers #276
• Conan the Barbarian #191
• Howard the Duck #3
• Marvel Tales #196
• The Nam #3
• X-Men #214
• The Marvel Saga #15
• G.I. Joe #56
• The Transformers Universe #3
• Elektra: Assassin #5
• Spider-Man Vs. Wolverine #1

Titles on sale November 18

• The Transformers #25
• Droids #6
• Elfquest #19
• Fantastic Four #299
• Iron Man #215
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #123
• Popples #2
• Star Brand #5
• Thor #376
• Top Dog #12
• Spitfire #5
• X-Factor #13
• Classic X-Men #6
• The G.I. Joe Order of Battle #4
• Alien Legion #17
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #2
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #15
• Steelgrip Starkey #6

Pages 6 - 7 

More Coming Attractions 

Titles shipping November 

• Daredevil #240
• Defenders of the Universe #2
• Masters of the Universe #6
• Strikeforce: Morituri #4
• The New Mutants #49
• Nightmask #5
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #14
• Psi-Force #5
• Web of Spider-Man #24
• West Coast Avengers #18
• Comet Man #2 
• Cloak and Dagger #11
• Conan the King #39
• G.I. Joe Yearbook #3
• Swords of the Swashbucklers #11
• Alpha Flight #44
• Captain America #327
• Chuck Norris and His Karate Kommandos #2
• Ewoks #12
• G.I. Joe Vs. the Transformers #3
• Groo the Wanderer #25
• Kickers, Inc. #5
• Marc Hazzard: Merc #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #286
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #2
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #2
• Spider-Man Comics Magazine #2
• Savage Sword of Conan #133
• Marvel Age Magazine #48
• The Avengers #277
• Conan the Barbarian #192
• D.P. 7 #5
• G.I. Joe #57
• The Incredible Hulk #329
• Justice #5
• Marvel Tales #197
• Muppet Babies #12
• The Nam #4
• X-Men #215
• The Marvel Saga #16
• The Transformers #4
• Elektra: Assassin #6
• Marvel Fanfare #31
• The Silver Surfer graphic novel
• Care Bears #9
• Elfquest #20
• The Inhumanoids #2
• Iron Man #216
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #124
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #5
• Star Brand #5
• Thor #377
• The Transformers #26
• X-Factor #14
• Classic X-Men #7
• Fantastic Four #300
• Savage Tales #9
• The Transformers Comics Magazine #2
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe trade paperback #2 

Titles shipping December 

• Dakota North #6
• Daredevil #241
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #4
• Hugga Bunch #4
• Strikeforce: Morituri #5
• Nightmask #6
• Thundercats #9
• Web of Spider-Man #25
• West Coast Avengers #19
• Comet Man #3
• The New Mutants #50
• The Avengers Vs. the X-Men #1
• Moonshadow #12
• Alpha Flight #45
• Animax #3
• Captain America #328
• G.I. Joe Vs. the Transformers #4
• Groo the Wanderer #26
• Heathcliff #15
• Kickers, Inc. #6
• Mark Hazzard: Merc #5
• Fallen Angels #1
• The Amazing Spider-Man #287
• Strange Tales #1
• Power Pack #29
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the Avengers #2
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Man #3
• Savage Sword of Conan #134
• Star Comics Magazine #3
• Marvel Age Magazine #49
• The Avengers #278
• Conan the Barbarian #193
• D.P. 7 #6
• G.I. Joe #58
• The Incredible Hulk #330
• Justice #6
• Marvel Tales #198
• The Nam #5
• X-Men #216
• The Marvel Saga #17
• Elektra: Assassin #7
• Groo the Wanderer graphic novel
• Droids #7
• Elfquest #21
• Fantastic Four #301
• Iron Man #217
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #125
• Popples #3
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #7
• Star Brand #7
• Thor #378
• Top Dog #13
• The Transformers #27
• X-Factor #15
• Classic X-Men #8
• Alien Legion #18
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #3

Page 8 

Newswatch

Item: Ann Nocenti takes over as the new writer on Daredevil with issue #236, joined by artists Louis Williams and Al Williamson. Steve Englehart will take over writing Justice with issue #2. 

Item: Jim Shooter will be appearing at comic conventions across the country to talk about the New Universe, accompanied by Stan Lee and others

Item: Howard Mackie has been promoted to editor, as well as getting married. John Morelli will take Howard's place as Mark Gruenwald's assistant editor. 

Bullpen Birthdays 

Pages 9 - 11

Article: "Behind the Lines: Production People Par Excellence," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Pages 12 - 14

The Mutant Report: "The X-Men Versus the Fantastic Four," by Bill Slavicsek 

Pages 15

Stan's Soapbox 

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age 

Pages 18 - 21

Article: "The Comet Man Cometh," by Bill Slavicsek

Pages 22 - 23

"Star Spotlight: Animax," by Sandy Hausler

Pages 24 - 26

New Talent Department, by Sholly Fisch

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age: 1973 (Part II), by Sholly Fisch 

Pages 30 - 32

Letters Page: "Bippity Boppity Boo," suggested by Paul Giacomin

Inside back cover

Ad for Strikeforce Morituri

Back cover

"A Special Marvel Team-Up Starring Star-Lord and Forbush-Man"

Jim Salicrup -- script

Ron Zalme -- art 

 

It's Mephisto's turn to Marvel's big bad, as the former foe of the Silver Surfer and Thor was poised to take on just about everybody, including the Fantastic Four, X-Men, X-Factor, and the Avengers. The age of the event miniseries had truly arrived. 

Fred Hembeck turned in a memorable, John Buscema-esque page this month to celebrate one of Marvel's biggest villains. 

While the core Marvel heroes battled for their very souls, at the other end of the Marvel Universe, the new science fiction series Strikeforce: Morituri was about to launch as well, with stories by Peter Gillis and art by future Astro City illustrator Brent Anderson. 

The Star Comics line continued to expand as well, with the new Defenders of the Earth series, scripted by Stan Lee, as well as new titles starring the Inhumanoids and the (ugh) Popples. 

Marvel Age #45

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: September 9, 1986

Cover date: December, 1986

Copyright © 1986 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Adam Philips: Assistant Editor

• Barbara Johnston: Designer

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Coming Attractions

• Bill Slaviscek: Mutant Reporter

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Adam Blaustein, Eliot Brown, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Jo Duffy, Danny Fingeroth, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Harras, Larry Hama, Mike Higgins, Laura Hitchcock, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, John Morelli, Ann Nocenti, Jim Owsley, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, Joanne Spaldo, and David Wohl: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Tom Morgan: Assistant Art Director

• Mark Alexander, Jose Marzan, and Mark McKenna: Romita's Raiders

• Anita Duncan: Art/Production Coordinator

• Doreen Frederick: Assistant Production Coordinator 

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• George Roussos and Adam Philips: Colorists

• John Buscema and Tom Palmer: Cover art

• Jim Salicrup: Cover concept

• Paul Becton, Pat Brosseau, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Hector Collazo, Rich Dufors, Dawn Geiger, Veronica Lawlor, Ken Lopez, Michael Maier, Bill Oakley, and Bill Vallely: Production

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Christine Aurilia, Lynn Cohen, and Sue Flaxman: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: 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: Has been to H-E-Double hockey sticks and back!

Front cover 

• Characters: Mephisto and Marvel heroes

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale September 23

• Cloak and Dagger #10
• The New Mutants #47
• Strikeforce Morituri #2
• Defenders of the Earth #1
• Masters of the Universe #5
• Night Mask #3
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #13
• Psi-Force #3
• Web of Spider-Man #22
• West Coast Avengers #16
• X-Men Annual #10
• Conan the King #38
• Daredevil #238
• Mephisto Vs. the Fantastic Four #1
• Sword of the Swashbucklers (sic) #10

Titles on sale September 30

• Chuck Norris and His Karate Kommandoes #1
• Ewoks #11
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1
• Groo the Wanderer #23
• Kickers, Inc. #3
• Labyrinth #3
• Mark Hazard: Merc #3
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #1
• The Bozz Chronicles #6
• The Spider-Man Comics Magazine #1
• Savage Sword of Conan #131
• Dracula graphic novel (sic)
• The Amazing Spider-Man #284
• The Transformers Movie #2
• Alpha Flight #42
• Captain America #325

Titles on sale October 7

• Marvel Age Magazine #46
• The Avengers #275
• Conan the Barbarian #190
• D.P. 7 #3
• Howard the Duck #2
• The Incredible Hulk #327
• Justice #3
• Marvel Tales #195
• Muppet Babies #11
• The Official Handbook to the Transformers Universe #2
• Elektra: Assassin #4
• Marvel Fanfare #30
• G.I. Joe #55
• X-Men #213
• The Marvel Saga #14
• The 'Nam #2

Titles on sale October 14

• Care Bears #8
• Elfquest #18
• Thor #375
• Fantastic Four #296
• The Inhumanoids #1
• Steelgrip Starkey #5
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #212
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #4
• X-Factor #12
• The Transformers #24
• The Transformers Comic Magazine #1
• Iron Mn #214
• The Marvel Universe Deluxe Handbook trade paperback
• Classic X-Men #5
• The Official Handbook of the G.I. Joe Universe #3
• Star Brand #4
• Savage Tales #8

Pages 6 - 7

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping October

• Comet Man #1
• Dakota North #5
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #3
• Hugga Bunch #3
• Strike Force Morituri #3
• The New Mutants #48
• Night Mask #4
• Psi-Force #4
• Thundercats #8
• Web of Spider-Man #23
• West Coast Avengers #17
• Conan Annual #10
• Mephisto Vs. X-Factor #2
• Moonshadow #11
• The Transformers Movie #3
• Alpha Flight #43
• Animax #2
• Captain America #326
• Doctor Strange #81
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #2
• Groo the Wanderer #24
• Heathcliff #14
• Kickers, Inc. #4
• Merc #4
• The Amazing Spider-Man #285
• Power Pack #26
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man #1
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #1
• Savage Sword of Conan #132
• The Star Comics Magazine #2
• Marvel Age Magazine #47
• The Avengers #276
• Conan the Barbarian #191
• D.P. 7 #4
• G.I. Joe #56
• Howard the Duck the Movie #3
• The Incredible Hulk #328
• Justice #4
• Marvel Tales #196
• The 'Nam #3
• X-Men #214
• The Marvel Saga #15
• The Official Handbook of the Transformers Universe #3
• Elektra: Assassin #5
• Spider-Man Vs. Wolverine #1
• The Alien Legion graphic novel
• Droids #6
• Elfquest #19
• Fantastic Four #299
• Iron Man #215
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #123
• Popples #2
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #5
• Star Brand #5
• Top Dog #12
• The Transformers #25
• X-Factor #13
• Classic X-Men #6
• The Official Handbook of the G.I. Joe Universe #4
• Alien Legion #17
• The G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #2
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #15
• Steelgrip Starkey #6

Titles shipping November 

• Comet Man #2
• Daredevil #240
• Defenders of the Earth #2
• Masters of the Universe #6
• Strike Force Morituri #4
• The New Mutants #49
• Night Mask #5
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #14
• Psi-Force #5
• Web of Spider-Man #24
• West Coast Avengers #18
• Cloak and Dagger #11
• Conan the King #39
• G.I. Joe Yearbook #3
• Mephisto Vs. the X-Men #3
• Alpha Flight #44
• Captain America #327
• Chuck Norris and His Karate Kommandos #2
• Ewoks #12
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #3
• Groo the Wanderer #25
• Kickers, Inc. #5
• Merc #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #286
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #2
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #2
• The Spider-Man Comics Magazine #2
• Savage Sword of Conan #133
• Marvel Age Magazine #48
• The Avengers #277
• Conan the Barbarian #192
• D.P. 7 #5
• G.I. Joe #57
• The Incredible Hulk #329
• Justice #5
• Marvel Tales #197
• Muppet Babies #12
• The 'Nam #4
• X-Men #215
• The Marvel Saga #16
• The Official Handbook of the Transformers Universe #4
• Elektra: Assassin #6
• Marvel Fanfare #31
• Care Bears #9
• Elfquest #20
• The Inhumanoids #2
• Iron Man #216
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #124
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #6
• Star Brand #6
• Thor #377
• The Transformers #26
• X-Factor #14
• Classic X-Men #7
• Fantastic Four #300
• Savage Tales #9
• The Transformers Comics Magazine #2
• Conan the Reaver graphic novel
• The Marvel Universe Handbook Trade Paperback #2 

Page 8 

Newswatch

Item: Look for new digest-sized reprints titles coming soon:

• Spider-Man Comics Magazine
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine
• Transformers Comics Magazine
• Star Comics Magazine

Item: Assistant Editor Don Daley has been promoted to editor; his new assistant editor is David Wohl. Bob Harras's new assistant editor is Bobbie Chase, and Sid Jacobson's new assistant editor is Laura Hitchcock. 

The Top Ten

June 1986

1. G.I. Joe Special Missions #1
2. X-Men #210
3. Elektra Assassin #1
4. X-Factor Annual #1
5. Star Brand #1
6. Spitfire #1
7. Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1
8. Marvel Universe #11

Bullpen Birthdays 

Page 9 

The Mutant Report by Bill Slavicsek

Article: "Announcing the Official Marvel Index to the Uncanny X-Men"

Pages 10 - 12

Article: "The Attention, the Acclaim, the Ultimate Sacrifice: Strikeforce Morituri," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Pages 13 - 14

Star Spotlight: Defenders of the Earth, by Sandy Hausler

Page 15

Stan's Soapbox

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 19

Article: "Mephisto," by Sholly Fisch

Pages 20 - 21

Star Spotlight: Inhumanoids, by Sandy Hausler

Pages 22 - 24

Article: "Dracula: A Symphony in Moonlight and Madness," by Sholly Fisch

Pages 25 - 26

Star Spotlight: Popples, by Sandy Hausler

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age: 1973 (part 1), by Sholly Fisch

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "Letters Assemble!," suggested by Dennis Viau Jr. and Brad Carlson

Inside back cover 

Ad for the New Universe

Back cover

Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe style page for Forbush Man

 

Marvel continued its expansion policy of the 1980s with the introduction of The New Universe and its eight new series, with the star of the lead title, Star Brand, hitting the cover of this month's Marvel Age. This was the month that all core Marvel titles featured a celebratory 25th anniversary frame, drawn by John Romita; Marvel Age took it a little further with the reverse shot on the back cover, which added a few diminutive characters like Obnoxio the Clown, Forbush Man, and Howard the Duck. 

The New Universe was Marvel's third large expansion in three years, following the introduction of the Epic Comics line and Star Comics, but the creation of a shared universe outside of Marvel's more familiar universe did not go over well with fans, and the "World Outside Your Window" effectively ended within a couple of years of its launch. 

Meanwhile, the Mutant Report focused on the "Mutant Massacre," an early crossover event that was advertised in this issue with this image featuring new by Walter Simonson. 

Marvel Age #44

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: August 5, 1986

Cover date: November, 1986

Copyright © 1986 Marvel Comics Group, a division of Cadence Industries Corporation. 

• Jim Shooter: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Editor and Design Director

• Adam Philips: Assistant Editor

• Barbara Johnston: Designer

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Coming Attractions

• Bill Slaviscek: Mutant Reporter

• Fred Hembeck: Sage of Marvel Age

• Craig Anderson, Adam Blaustein, Eliot Brown, Nancy Brown, Bob Budiansky, Bobbie Chase, Daniel Chichester, Margaret Clark, Don Daley, Tom DeFalco, Jo Duffy, Danny Fingeroth, Archie Goodwin, Mark Gruenwald, Bob Harras, Larry Hama, Mike Higgins, Sid Jacobson, Terry Kavanagh, Ralph Macchio, Howard Mackie, Rosemary McCormick-Lowy, Al Milgrom, Margie Neville, Ann Nocenti, Jim Owsley, Carl Potts, Pat Redding, and Joanne Spaldo: Consulting Editors

• John Romita: Art Director

• Tom Morgan: Assistant Art Director

• Mark Alexander, Jose Marzan and Mark McKenna: Romita's Raiders

• Anita Duncan: Art/Production Coordinator

• Doreen Frederick: Assistant Production Coordinator 

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• George Roussos and Adam Philips: Colorists

• Alan Kupperberg and Joe Sinnott: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Dawn Geiger, Veronica Lawlor, Ken Lopez, Michael Maier, Bill Oakley, and Bill Vallely: Production

• Virginia Romita: Traffic Manager

• Christine Aurilia and Lynn Cohen: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: 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: Between Universes

Front cover 

• Characters: Star Brand

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale August 26 

• Dakota North #4
• Daredevil #237
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #2
• Hugga Bunch #2
• Psi-Force #2
• Nightmask #2
• West Coast Avengers #15
• Moonshadow #10
• Strikeforce: Morituri #1
• The New Mutant #46
• Thundercats #7
• Web of Spider-Man #7

Titles on sale September 2

• Merc #2
• Kickers, Inc. #2
• Alpha Flight #41
• Animax #1
• Doctor Strange #80
• Captain America #324
• Groo the Wanderer #22
• Heathcliff #13
• Labyrinth #1 
• The Amazing Spider-Man #283
• The Transformers Movie #1
• Power Pack #27
• Star Comics Digest #1
• Amazing High Adventure #5
• Savage Sword of Conan #130

Titles on sale September 9

• Marvel Age Magazine #45
• The Avengers #274
• Conan the Barbarian #189
• D.P. 7 #2
• Justice #2
• Marvel Saga #13
• G.I. Joe #54
• Howard the Duck #1
• The Official Marvel Comics Handbook to the Transformers Universe #1
• The Incredible Hulk #326
• Marvel Tales #194
• The Nam #1
• Elektra #3
• Solarman #1
• X-Men #272

Titles on sale September 16 

• Droids #5
• Elfquest #17
• Fantastic Four #297
• Classic X-Men #4
• The Official Marvel Handbook to the G.I. Joe Universe #2
• Alien Legion #16
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #121
• Popples #1
• Thor #374
• Top Dog #11
• The Transformers #23
• X-Factor #11
• Spitfire #3
• Star Brand #3
• G.I. Joe Digest #1
• Iron Man #213
• The Official Marvel Comics Handbook to the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #13
• Steelgrip Starkey #4

Pages 6 - 7

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping September 

• Cloak and Dagger #10
• Daredevil #238
• Defenders of the Earth #1
• Masters of the Universe #5
• Strike Force Morituri #2
• The New Mutants #47
• Night Mask #3
• Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #13
• Psi-Force #3
• Web of Spider-Man #16
• Conan the King #38
• X-Men Annual #10
• Mephisto #1
• Swords of the Swashbucklers #10
• Alpha Flight #42
• Captain America #325
• Chuck Norris and His Karate Kommandos #1
• Ewoks #11
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1
• Groo the Wanderer #23
• Kickers, Inc. #3
• Labyrinth #3
• Merc (sic) #3
• The Amazing Spider-Man #284
• The Transformers Movie (sic) #2
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #1
• Bozz Chronicles #6
• The Amazing Spider-Man Digest #1
• Savage Sword of Conan #131
• Dracula graphic novel (sic) 
• Marvel Age Magazine #46
• The Avengers #275
• Conan the Barbarian #190
• D.P. 7 #3
• G.I. Joe #44
• Howard the Duck #2
• The Incredible Hulk #327
• Justice #3
• Marvel Tales #195
• Muppet Babies #11
• The Nam #2
• X-Men #213
• The Marvel Saga #14
• The Official Marvel Comics Handbook to the Transformers Universe #2
• Elektra #4
• Marvel Fanfare #30
• Care Bears #8
• Elfquest #18
• Fantastic Four #298
• The Inhumanoids #1
• Iron Man #214
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #122
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #4
• Star Brand #4
• Thor #375
• The Transformers #24
• X-Factor #12
• Classic X-Men #5
• The Official Marvel Comics Handbook to the G.I. Joe Universe #3
• Savage Tales #8
• Steelgrip Starkey #5
• The Transformers Digest #1
• The Marvel Universe Handbook Trade Paperback #1

Titles shipping October 

• Comet Man #1
• Dakota North #5
• Daredevil #239
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #3
• Hugga Bunch #3
• Strikeforce: Morituri #3
• The New Mutants #48
• Night Mask #4
• Psi-Force #4
• Thundercats #8
• Web of Spider-Man #17
• West Coast Avengers #17
• Conan Annual #10
• Mephisto #2
• Moonshadow #11
• Alpha Flight #43
• Animax #2
• Captain America #326
• Doctor Strange #81
• G.I. Joe and the Transformers #2
• Groo the Wanderer #24
• Heathcliff #14
• Kickers, Inc. #4
• Merc #4
• The Amazing Spider-Man #285
• The Transformers Movie #3
• Power Pack #28
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #1
• The Fantastic Four Vs. the X-Men #1
• Savage Sword of Conan #132
• Star Comics Digest #2
• Marvel Age Magazine #47
• The Avengers #276
• Conan the Barbarian #191
• D.P. 7 #4
• G.I. Joe #56
• Howard the Duck #3
• The Incredible Hulk #328
• Justice #4
• Marvel Tales #196
• The Nam #3
• X-Men #214
• The Marvel Saga #15
• The Official Marvel Comics Handbook to the Transformers Universe #3
• Elektra #5
• Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1
• Alien Legion graphic novel
• Droids #6
• Elfquest #19
• Fantastic Four #299
• Iron Man #215
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #123
• Popples #2
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #5
• Star Brand #5
• Top Dog #12
• Thor #376
• The Transformers #25
• X-Factor #13
• Classic X-Men #6
• The Official Marvel Handbook to the G.I. Joe Universe #4
• Alien Legion #17
• G.I. Joe Digest #2
• The Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #15
• Steelgrip Starkey #6

Page 8 

Newswatch 

Item: The team-up between Frank Miller and Walter Simonson on Daredevil will now be a stand-alone special issue. (Sadly it never was published.) 

Item: Tell your local comics shop to get in touch with Marvel for the Official Marvel Birthday Party Kit. 

Item: Marvel teams up with the America Booksellers Association, with the slogan "Giving the Gift of Literacy" on Marvel covers. 

Item: Assistant editor Rosemary McCormick-Lowy has joined Bob Budiansky's office; replacing her in Carl Potts' editorial office is newcomer Joanne Spaldo. 

The Top Ten 

May 1986

• Classic X-Men #1
• X-Men #209
• X-Factor #8
• Marvel Universe #10
• Web of Spider-Man Annual #2
• Alpha Flight Annual #1
• Alpha Flight #38
• New Mutant #43
• G.I. Joe #51
• Fantastic Four #294

Bullpen Birthdays 

Pages 9 - 11

The Mutant Report

Article: "Spider-Man vs. Wolverine" 

Article: "Mutant Massacre Mayhem" 

Article: "More Mutant News" 

Pages 12 - 14

Article: "The Expanding Transformers Universe," by Bill Slavicsek

Page 15

Stan's Soapbox

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age 

Pages 18 - 26

Article: "Behold...the New Universe," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Pages 27 - 29

Article: "The Marvel Age - 1972 (part IV)," by Sholly Fisch

Pages 30 - 32

Letters page: "Letters Column of the Month Club," suggested by Nathan Strum

Inside back cover

Ad: "The Marvel Mutant Massacre Map" 

Back cover

Reverse shot of the front cover, including Obnoxio the Clown, Forbush Man, and Howard the Duck