It's another big Marvel '80s event in The Evolutionary War that ran through the annuals in the summer of 1988, as the High Evolutionary rededicates himself to enhancing humanity's evolutionary prospects while also eliminating beings he sees as inferior. 

In Stan's Soapbox, the Man tells all -- about what his role is as Vice-President of Creative Affairs at Marvel Animation, which boils down to him working with writers and artists to help guide their efforts. 

And in the New Talent Department, we get the results of this year's art contest, held at the Atlanta Fantasy Fair -- and in the pencilling category, it turns out to be the same guy who won last year, Keith Paul. J. Adam Walters took home the prize for inking, although Marvel's Managing Art Director Don Perlin had critiques for both of them. 

Marvel Age #64

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: March 15, 1988

Cover date: July, 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, A.A. Perry, 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

• Len Kaminsky: Assistant Traffic/Production Manager

• Adam Blaustein: Manufacturing Coordinator

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

• Paul Becton and Gregory Wright: Colorists

• Ron Frenz and Al Milgrom: Cover art

• Joe Albelo, Paul Becton, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Hector Collazo, Harry Eisenstein, Doreen Frederick, 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, John Lewandowski, George Roussos, Stu Schwartzberg, Mark Silverman, and Rodney S. Timmons: Friendly Assistance 

• Steve Sheffler: Rights and Permissions Editor

• Carol Kalish: Vice President Direct Sales

• Dale Kanzler: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Administrative

• Lou Bank: Assistant Direct Sales Manager Customer Service

• Steve Saffel: Promotion Manager 

• Irving Forbush: Devo-lutionary

Front cover 

• Characters: The High Evolutionary and Marvel heroes

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on Sale April 26

• Daredevil #257
• West Coast Avengers #35
• The Punisher #10
• Black Panther #2
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #12
• The 'Nam Magazine #1
• Web of Spider-Man #41
• Psi Force #22
• Wolfpack #1
• Nick Fury Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #2
• What The—?! #1
• Tales of G.I. Joe #8
• St. George #1

Titles on Sale May 3

• Groo the Wanderer #42
• Heathcliff #25
• Power Pack #39
• Hercules trade paperback
• The Amazing Spider-Man #303
• Star Comics Magazine #11
• X-Factor Annual 33
• Captain America #344
• Strange Tales #17
• The Savage Sword of Conan #150
• Alpha Flight #61
• Alf #6
• The New Mutants #66
• Solo Avengers #9
• D.P. 7 #22

Titles on Sale May 10

• The Incredible Hulk #346
• Silver Surfer #14
• Marvel Age Magazine #65
• The Avengers #294
• Conan the Barbarian #209
• Flintstone Kids #7
• G.I. Joe #74
• Silverhawks #7
• Doctor Zero #2
• The X-Men #232
• The Punisher Annual #1
• Marvel Fanfare #39
• Marvel Tales #214
• Justice #22

Titles on Sale May 17

• Conan Saga #15
• X-Factor #31
• Alien Legion #5
• The 'Nam #21
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #11
• Silver Surfer Annual #1 
• The Spectacular Spider-Man #141
• Classic X-Men #24
• Fraggle Rock #5
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the Avengers #7
• The Fantastic Four #317
• Marvel Press Posters: Spider-Man by Todd McFarlane, Iron Man by Mike Zeck, and Thor by Ron Frenz
• Thor #394
• The Transformers #43
• Iron Man #233
• Last of the Dragons graphic novel 

Page 8

Newswatch

Item: Ann Nocenti is leaving staff to focus on writing; Terry Kavanagh and Bobbie Chase been promoted to editor. 

Item: Artist Jon Bogdanove based the look of Franklin Richards in Power Pack on his own son, Benjamin Kal-El Bogdanove. 

The Top Ten

1. X-Men #228
2. Excalibur #1
3. X-Factor #27
4. The New Mutants #62
5. The Amazing Spider-Man #299
6. Silver Surfer #10
7. Classic X-Men #20
8. The 'Nam #17
9. Web of Spider-Man #37
10. Spectacular Spider-Man #137

Page 9 

The Mutant Report 

Pages 10 - 11

Article: "Akira," by Sara Tuchinsky

Pages 12 - 13

The Marvel Age Interview: Ron Frenz, by Peter Sanderson

Pages 14 - 15 

Stan's Soapbox: "So What Does Stan Lee Do Anyway?" 

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Page 18 

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Pages 19 - 

Article: "Super-Size Annual: The Evolutionary War," by Peter Sanderson

Covering events in these annuals: 

• X-Factor
• The Punisher
• Silver Surfer
• The New Mutants
• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Fantastic Four
• X-Men
• Web of Spider-Man
• The West Coast Avengers
• The Spectacular Spider-Man
• The Avengers 

Pages 26 - 27

The New Talent Department, by Glenn Herdling 

Pages 28 - 29

The Marvel Age - 1976 Part V, by Brian Nelson 

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "It Does Not Compute," suggested by Jonathan Barnes 

Inside back cover

Ad for The Draft 

Back cover

Ad for Nick Fury Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. 

At this point, Marvel had been promising TV shows and movies based on their heroes for some time without much result -- but this issue of Marvel Age delivers with the first look at the new X-Men animated series, featuring a cover by Russ Heath! 

This issue also looks at two new miniseries starring the Black Panther and Nick Fury, as well as a look at a planned but never published Star Comics series called Little Wizards. 

Marvel Age #63

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: February 16, 1988

Cover date: June, 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, A.A. Perry, 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

• Len Kaminsky: Assistant Traffic/Production Manager

• Adam Blaustein: Manufacturing Coordinator

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

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

• Russ Heath: Cover art

• Joe Albelo, Paul Becton, Harry Candelario, Rob Carosella, Hector Collazo, Harry Eisenstein, Doreen Frederick, 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, 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: In Suspended Animation

Front cover 

• Characters: The X-Men 

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on Sale March 22

• West Coast Avengers #34
• Web of Spider-Man #40
• Tales of G.I. Joe #7
• S.H.I.E.L.D. limited series #1
• Power Pack #38
• Strikeforce: Morituri #20
• Black Panther limited series #1
• Daredevil #256
• Psi Force #21
• Heathcliff's Funhouse #8
• Conan the King #47

Titles on Sale March 29 

• Solo Avengers #8
• Strange Tales #16
• Captain America #343
• Spider-Man Comics Magazine #10
• Hawkeye trade paperback
• Savage Sword of Conan #149
• Alf #5
• Amazing Spider-Man #302
• Groo the Wanderer #41
• The New Mutants #65
• Powerline #1
• Video Jack #4
• Alpha Flight #60
• Moebius 6: Pharagonesia and Other Strange Stories

Titles on Sale April 5

• D.P. 7 #21
• Justice #21
• Marvel Age Magazine #64 
• Air Raiders #5
• Visionaries #5
• G.I. Joe #73
• The Avenges #293
• Marvel Tales #213
• Conan the Barbarian #208
• Muppet Babies 320
• Bullwinkle and Rocky #5
• The Incredible Hulk #345
• The Uncanny X-Men #231
• Amazing Adventures #1
• Silver Surfer #13

Titles on Sale April 12

• The Fantastic Four #316
• Iron Man #232
• Care Bears #17
• Classic X-Men #23
• Thor #393
• Fraggle Rock #4
• Transformers #42
• Transformers Comics Magazine #10
• Conan Saga #14

Titles on Sale April 19

• The Spectacular Spider-Man #140
• X-Factor #30
• The 'Nam #20
• Willow graphic novel
• The Star Brand #14
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #7
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe trade paperback #10

Page 8 

Newswatch

Item: Marvel turns to fans for photos of their writers and artists, sketches and other artwork for the book "The Story of Marvel Comics," researched by Brad Elliot and written by Stan Lee. 

Item: Editor Howard Mackie is very busy! 

Item: Assistant Editor Joanne Spaldo has left staff to return to school. Taking her place in Howard Mackie's office is David Wohl; new staff member A.A. Perry will take David's place as submissions editor. 

Item: Next month, look for this year's Marvel Age Annual! 

The Top Ten

1. X-Men #227
2. X-Factor #26
3. The New Mutants #61
4. Daredevil #252
5. Captain America #339
6. The Punisher #7
7. Silver Surfer #9
8. Amazing Spider-Man #298
9. Fantastic Four #312
10. The 'Nam #16

Page 9

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Pages 10 - 15

The Mutant Report

Article: "Behind-the-Scenes X-Clusive Report on the Making of the Animated X-Men," by Brian Nelson 

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 19

Stan's Soapbox

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 20 - 21

Article: "Black Panther: The Man and the Myth," by Scott Lobdell

Pages 22 - 24

Article: "Nick Fury Versus S.H.I.E.L.D.," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Pages 25 - 26

Star Comics Spotlight: Little Wizards, by Sandy Hausler

Pages 27 - 29

The Marvel Age 1976 Part IV, by Brian Nelson

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "Hulk Rate," suggested by James Williams 

Inside back cover and back cover

X-Men model sheets

 

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 

The phrase that pays in Marvel Age #61 was "graphic novels," with multiple articles on Marvel's current and future graphic novel lines. By the end of 1987, Marvel had published 26 titles in its graphic novel series, ranging from the sublime — Daredevil: Love and War, the Futurians, or Star Slammers — to the not so sublime — like The Aladdin Effect or the Revenge of the Living Monolith. 

As much fun as it is to have a list of all these titles — gotta get 'em all, fans! — the look ahead to new titles was even better. These included the "computerized" Iron Man graphic novel, Crash; The Death of Groo; and the Shadow graphic novel by Denny O'Neil, Michael Wm. Kaluta, and Russ Heath. 

The issue also includes coverage of the X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills, the Moebius series of graphic novel reprints, and the then-new Marvel Masterworks, including a rare look at the embossed cover frame as line art, which I believe was drawn by Sandy Plunkett. 

Marvel Age #61

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: December 15, 1987

Cover date: April, 1988 

Copyright © 1987 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, Joanne Spaldo, David Wohl, and Greg 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 Co-ordinator

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

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

• Sergio Aragonés: 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: Boy Toy

Front cover 

• Character: Groo the Wanderer 

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale January 26

• Daredevil #254
• Psi-Force #19
• The Punisher #8
• Web of Spider-Man #38
• West Coast Avengers #32
• Masters of the Universe #13
• Heathcliff's Funhouse #7
• Strikeforce: Morituri #18
• Tales of G.I. Joe #5
• Conan the King #46
• Thundercats #23

Titles on sale February 2

• The New Mutants #63
• Captain America #341
• Solo Avengers #6
• Strange Tales #14
• Alf #2
• Alpha Flight #58
• Groo the Wanderer #39
• The Amazing Spider-Man #300
• Spider-Man Comics Magazine #9
• Savage Sword of Conan #147
• Savage Land trade paperback
• Moebius graphic novel #5

Titles on sale February 9

• The Avengers #291
• Marvel Age Magazine #62
• D.P. 7 #19
• Justice #19
• The Incredible Hulk #343
• Marvel Tales #211
• Silver Surfer #11
• The Uncanny X-Men #229
• Conan the Barbarian #206
• G.I. Joe #71
• Muppet Babies #19
• Visionaries #3
• Bullwinkle and Rocky #4

Titles on sale February 16

• The Fantastic Four #314
• Iron Man #230
• The 'Nam #18
• The Spectacular Spider-Man #138
• The Star Brand #13
• Thor #391
• X-Factor #28
• Care Bears #16
• Classic X-Men #21
• Transformers #40
• Transformers Comics Magazine #9
• Conan Saga #12
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the X-Men #6
• The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe trade paperback #9
• The Shadow: Hitler's Astrologer graphic novel

Pages 6 - 7 

More Coming Attractions

Titles Shipping February

Titles Shipping March 

Pages 8 - 9  

Newswatch

Item: Chris Claremont has written a science fiction novel called Firstflight. 

Item: Prices on nine titles — Amazing Spider-Man, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, X-Men, X-Factor, New Mutants, The Avengers, The Punisher, and The Silver Surfer — will go up to $1.00. The 'Nam, Psi Force, Justice, The Star Brand, D.P. 7, Alien Legion, and Video Jack will all move to Mandotone paper and get an increased cover price of $1.25. A 'Nam Magazine will be distributed to newsstands with a cover price of $1.95, which is also the new cover price of Savage Sword of Conan.

Item: Marvel is releasing all the covers to the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe as a Poster. 

Item: Bob Budiansky will be teaching a course in "Comic Book Illustration" at the Parsons School of Design. 

Item: Marvel is adapting the movie Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night in a comic by Side Jacobson, Ben Brown, and Jacqueline Roettcher

Item: Submissions Editor Adam Blaustein has moved into a new spot as Manufacturing Coordinator. David Wohl will be the new Submissions Editor. 

Sidebar on Doctor Who Magazine

The Top Ten

September 1987

1. X-Men #225
2. X-Factor #24
3. The Punisher #5
4. The New Mutants #59
5. Silver Surfer #7
6. The Amazing Spider-Man #296
7. The 'Nam #14
8. Classic X-Men #17
9. Solo Avengers #2
10. G.I. Joe #67

Pages 10 - 11

The Mutant Report

Article: "X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills," by Dan Raspler

Pages 12 - 13

Article: "Marvel Masterworks, or How I Got Back to the Future without Even Trying," by Scott Lobdell

Pages 14 - 15

Stan's Soapbox

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Page 18 

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Pages 19 - 25

Article: "The Marvel Graphic Novel Collection," by Brian Nelson

Covering:

• The Death of Captain Marvel, by Jim Starlin
• Elric: The Dreaming City, by Roy Thomas and P. Craig Russell
• Dreadstar, by Jim Starlin
• Star Slammers, by Walter Simonson
• Killraven: Warrior of the Worlds, by Don McGregor and P. Craig Russell
• Void Indigo, by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik
• The Futurians, by Dave Cockrum
• Heartburst, by Rick Veitch
• Super Boxers, by Ron Wilson, John Byrne, and Armando Gil
• Starstruck, by Elaine Lee and Michael Wm. Kaluta
• Swords of the Swashbucklers, by Bill Mantlo and Jackson Guice
• The Raven Banner, by Alan Zelenetz and Charles Vess
• The Aladdin Effect, by James Shooter, David Michelinie, Greg LaRocuqe, and Vince Colletta
• Revenge of the Living Monolith, by David Michelinie, Marc Silvestri, and Geoff Isherwood
• The Sensational She-Hulk, by John Byrne and Kim DeMulder
• Conan the Barbarian: The Witch Queen of Acheron, by Don Kraar, Gary Kwapisz, and Art Nichols
• Greenberg the Vampire, by J.M. DeMatteis and Mark Badger
• Marada the She-Wolf, by Christopher Claremont and John Bolton
• The Amazing Spider-Man: Hooky, by Susan K. Putney and Berni Wrightson
• Daredevil: Love and War, by Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz
• Dracula: A Symphony in Moonlight and Nightmares, by Jon J Muth
• Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa, by J.M. DeMatteis and Dan Green
• The Alien Legion, by Carl Potts, Alan Zelenetz, Frank Cirocco, Terry Austin, and Steve Oliff
• Emperor Doom, by David Michelinie and Bob Hall
• Conan the Reaver, by Don Kraar and John Severin
• The Incredible Hulk and the Thing in The Big Change, by Jim Starlin and Berni Wrightson

Pages 26 - 27

Article: "Moebius: The Coming Years at Marvel," by Steve Ringgenberg

Pages 28 - 29

Article: "An Open Letter from Santa Claus on the New Marvel Graphic Novels" (No credit listed)

Covering: 

A Sailor's Story, by Sam Glanzman

I, Whom the Gods Would Destroy, by Jim Shooter, Jim Owsley, Paul Ryan, and Vince Colletta

Iron Man, by Mike Saenz

Wolfpack, by Larry Hama, Ron Wilson, and Kyle Baker

Cloak and Dagger, by Bill Mantlo, Larry Stroman, and Al Williamson

The Death of Groo by Sergio Aragonés with Mark Evanier

The Shadow: Hitler's Astrologer, by Denny O'Neil, Michael Kaluta, and Russ Heath

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "I Took a Shower for This?", suggested by Jason Denzer

Inside back cover

Ad for Excalibur

Back cover

Ad for Alf

Another mutant-based title got under way as Marvel Age #60 spotlights the new series Excalibur, written by 1980s mutant master Chris Claremont with art by rising star Alan Davis. The British-set series had a light-hearted tone that expanded on the note Claremont introduced with Kitty Pryde's induction into the X-Men. 

Also in this issue, the New Talent Department returned with a look at inker and Raiders member Chris Ivy, which mostly featured his sample work over pencil art by John Buscema. 

Plus, writer Steve Englehart talks about his plans for the World's Greatest Comic, as a more mutated than ever Ben Grimm becomes the team's leader, with Crystal, the Human Torch, and  yet another Ms. Marvel -- this one looking quite a bit like the Thing herself. 

Marvel Age #60

Price: $0.50 US 

Pages: 36 (32 interior plus four covers)

On sale: November 17, 1987

Cover date: March, 1988 

Copyright © 1987 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. 

• Tom DeFalco: Editor in Chief

• Jim Salicrup: Supreme Marvel Zombie

• Dwight Jon Zimmerman: Managing Editor

• 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, Joanne Spaldo, David Wohl, and Greg 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 Co-ordinator

• Brenda Mings: Typesetter

• Jack Abel: Proofreader

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

• Alan Davis and Paul Neary: Cover art

• Paul Becton, Pat Brosseau, Rob Carosella, Harry Eisenstein, Vince Evans, Michael Heisler, Cindy Kruhm, Ken Lopez, Ed Magalong, Michael Maier, Eddie Marcaro, and Bill Oakley: Production

• Christine Aurilia, Dwight Coye, Tom Fardy, Sue Flaxman, Len Kaminsky, and Dan Raspler: 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: Pet Shop Toy

Front cover 

• Characters: Excalibur 

 Inside front cover

• Salicrup's Section 

• Marvel Agenda (contents) 

• Masthead 

• Indicia 

Pages 1 - 5

Marvel Coming Attractions

Titles on sale December 22 

• Daredevil #253
• Psi Force #18
• Web of Spider-Man #37
• West Coast Avengers #31
• G.I. Joe Special Missions #10
• Strikeforce: Morituri #17
• Thundercats 322
• Spellbound #6
• Excalibur #1
• Tales of G.I. Joe #4

Titles on sale December 29

• Captain America #340
• Solo Avengers #5
• The Amazing Spider-Man #299
• The New Mutants #62
• The Pitt #1
• Groo the Wanderer #38
• Power Pack #36
• Star Comics Magazine #9
• Elektra trade paperback
• Iron Man graphic novel 
• Strange Tales #13
• Heathcliff #23
• Alpha Flight #57

Titles on sale January 4

• Savage Sword of Conan #146

Titles on sale January 5

• Marvel Age Magazine #61
• The Avengers #290
• The Incredible Hulk #342
• Marvel Tales #210
• Silver Surfer #10
• The Uncanny X-Men #228
• D.P. 7 #18
• Justice #18
• Air Raiders #4
• Conan the Barbarian #205
• Flintstone Kids #5
• Foofur #5
• G.I. Joe #70
• Silverhawks #5
• Marshal Law #3
• Marvel Fanfare #37
• The Official Marvel Comics Index to the Avengers #5

Titles on sale January 12

• Fantastic Four #313
• Iron Man #229
• The 'Nam #17

Titles on sale January 25

• Conan Saga #11
• Spectacular Spider-Man #137
• Thor #390
• X-Factor #27
• Classic X-Men #29
• Madballs #9
• The Transformers #39
• Alien Legion #3
• G.I. Joe Comics Magazine #9
• Blood #4

Pages 6 - 7

More Coming Attractions

Titles shipping in January

Titles shipping in February

Page 8 

Newswatch

Item: Carol Kalish has been promoted to Vice President of Direct Sales.

Item: Dwayne McDuffie has joined staff as assistant editor to Bob Budiansky, filling the spot left open by Rosemary McCormick-Lowy. 

Item: Jim Novak has left staff to return to freelance lettering, and Virginia Romita has taken over as Production Manager. 

Item: Staff member Mindy Fisch has graduated from college and moved into a new position as contracts coordinator. 

Item: Look for a set of four mini comics starring Spider-Man, Captain America, Heathcliff, and Care Bears for Halloween, 

The Top Ten

August 1987

1. The Uncanny X-Men #224
2. X-Factor 323
3. Silver Surfer #6
4. The New Mutants #58
5. Solo Avengers #1
6. The Amazing Spider-Man #295
7. The 'Nam #13
8. Classic X-Men #16
9. G.I. Joe #66
10. Web of Spider-Man #33

Page 9 

Marvel Trivia Quiz

Pages 10 - 13

The Mutant Report

Article: "The Debut of Excalibur"

Interview: "Alan Davis on Excalibur," by Dwight Jon Zimmerman 

"It's Genetic," by Kyle Baker 

Pages 14 - 15

Stan's Soapbox

Willie Lumpkin, by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo

Pages 16 - 17

Hembeck's Page in Marvel Age

Pages 18 - 19

Article: "Sledge Hammer," by Sandy Hausler

Pages 20 - 22

Article: "The New Fantastic Four," by Bill Slavicsek

Pages 23 - 24

Star Comics Spotlight: "Alf -- It Hurts, But It's Worth It," by Scott Lobdell

Pages 25 - 27

New Talent Department by Glenn Herdling

Pages 28 - 29

The Marvel Age 1976 Pt. II, by Brian Nelson

Pages 30 - 32

Letters column: "A Whiter Shade of Mail," suggested by Larry Gibson

Inside back cover

Ad for The Pitt

Back cover

The 1987 Marvel Age Calendar for December

Mike Carlin - Writer

Ron Zalme - Artist

Paul Becton - Colorist