SHIPPING LIST: OCTOBER 15, 2008
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
Kirkman Damacy...
AUG084277 ATOMIC ROBO DOGS OF WAR #3 (OF 5) $2.95
JUL082222 DEAR DRACULA HC $7.99
JUL084073 DOCTOR WHO FORGOTTEN #2 $3.99
AUG083788 DOKTOR SLEEPLESS TP VOL 01 ENGINES OF DESIRE (MR) $26.99
JUL082195 DYNAMO 5 #17 $3.50
JAN086969 FAKE BOOBS FIGHT BACK... PAIN (ONE SHOT) (MR) $1500.99
JAN082076 HAWAIIAN DICK #5 $2.99
JUL083639 HOW TO DRAW & FIGHT ZOMBIES SUPERSIZE TP $19.95
JUL082201 HYPERKINETIC #3 (OF 4) $4.99
JUN084166 I WAS KIDNAPPED BY LESBIAN PIRATES OUTERSPACE #4 (OF 6) $3.95
MAY082207 MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #11 $3.50
JUL082183 MIXTAPE HC VOL 02 JIM MAHFOOD ART LTD S&N ED $39.99
APR084012 PHANTOM #25 CHECKMATE PART 5 (OF 5) $5.99
AUG088060 SAVAGE DRAGON #137 3RD PTG OBAMA CVR (PP #836) $2.99
JUL084319 SHOJO BEAT NOV 08 $5.99
AUG084176 SPEED RACER TP VOL 06 $19.99
AUG084341 STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #1 CRUZ CVR A $3.95

Thin and Crispy...
AUG082402 AGE OF SENTRY #2 (OF 6) $2.99
AUG080144 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #12 RIP $2.99
AUG080159 BOOSTER GOLD #13 $2.99
AUG082338 CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #6 $2.99
AUG080112 DC UNIVERSE DECISIONS #3 (OF 4) $2.99
AUG082349 GHOST RIDER #28 $3.99
AUG082385 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #6 SI $2.99
AUG082388 IRON MAN DIRECTOR OF SHIELD #34 SI $2.99
AUG082359 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #29 $2.99
AUG082370 MOON KNIGHT #23 $2.99
AUG082427 PUNISHER MAX #63 (MR) $2.99
AUG080146 ROBIN #179 $2.99
AUG080173 SPIRIT #22 $2.99
AUG080120 SUPERMAN BATMAN VS VAMPIRES WEREWOLVES #1 (Of 6) $2.99
AUG080150 SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #1 $4.99
AUG080109 TRINITY #20 $2.99
AUG082310 ULTIMATE ORIGINS #5 (OF 5) $2.99

The Deep Dish (aka; Geoff Johns writes comics)...
- AUG082317 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #573 NWD $3.99
Spidey's triumphant return to relevance concludes in the final chapter of New Ways to Die! A disgraceful menu of four different covers gives the title a good reason to be skipped on principle, but the content is hard to pass up! For the first time in years Norman Osborn is stepping out in his ol' Green Goblin duds, this time to clash with Spider-man in an official capacity! That - plus the promise of a clash between a classic Spidey villain and Eddie "Anti-Venom" Brock - makes this a jam packed issue of excitement! No inkling who Brock's going to fight, but the thought occurs it'd be very interesting to see Anti-Venom meet Carnage! (I like the Gargan cover!)

- JUL084073 DOCTOR WHO FORGOTTEN #2 $3.99
- AUG084147 GRANT MORRISONS DOCTOR WHO #1 $3.99
Don't ask me how, or why, but it seems it's a bloody good time to give the Doctor a look!
Few names strike as immediate a chord as Grant Morrison when placed in the same sentence as the Doctor! Couple that with Forgotten, which features the ten Doctors, including Morrison's number-seven (Sylvester McCoy). Groovy!

- JUL080110 FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #2 (OF 5) $3.99
I've just never been able to hook into the Legion of Superheroes, but Superboy-Prime continues to hold a bizarre fascination. One of the attractions that continues to grab me is the fact that this character seems completely free to be sculpted for any situation! That vague sense of unpredictability is an attractive prospect, as is the thought of the 'real' Superman being recruited to sort out his raging counterpart! As with his storyarc in Action Comics, it seems Johns is endearing the complex world of the thirty-first century to fans by using it as a backdrop, as much as a feature. I like that! PLUS; the Perez Saturn Girl cover is devestatingly gorgeous!

- JUL080109 FINAL CRISIS ROGUES REVENGE #3 (OF 3) $3.99
Another Geoff Johns mini and another solid entry into DC's crossover season! Final Crisis manages to branch out to provide an exceptionally expansive experience, somehow contrasting against the plodding of Marvel's Secret Invasion, which seems to be failing to use it's many tie-ins to make-up for central objectives missed by the core-title.
This'll be Johns' last issue before he makes his triumphant return to the Flash with Rebirth -- the series detailing the mythic return of Barry Allen and the reconstruction of the Flash family dynamic. A much needed revamp given Flash's irrelevance post-Infinite Crisis.
It'll be very interesting to see how the Rogues' revenge bleeds into the new era.

- AUG082352 HULK MONSTER SIZE SPECIAL #1 $3.99
Halloween hoohah as the Hulk clashes with Frankenstein's Monster, among others!
Sounds like a fun little thematic distraction in the vein of Hulk vs Hercules and King-Size Hulk!
Know what you're in for and you shouldn't have a problem here!

- JUL080148 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #19 $2.99
Aaaand apparently I'm just in love with Geoff Johns...
DC's master architect continues to own the golden age legacy characters as he has done for the best part of the decade! The Justice Society are rejoined this issue by Hawkman, whose world view is sure to provide an interesting perspective of Gog's plans to unify the world in peace. Hey, even if it doesn't, it's Hawkman!!!

- AUG082375 MIGHTY AVENGERS #19 SI $2.99
Mighty continues to dabble in Secret Invasion tie-ins drastically removed from the subject matter. This time it's the legend of the Kree-Skrull War(s) in what is probably one of the more intriguing tie-ins. Dwayne McDuffie's trials as writer of JLA are well documented, but I wonder if crossover fatigue hasn't thoroughly mauled the Avengers title(s) ever since Civil War. The distracting content has probably been far better justified, but in the lead-up to the 2011 film, we'll expect some unification in the titles.

- AUG088060 SAVAGE DRAGON #137 3RD PTG OBAMA CVR (PP #836) $2.99
If he wins, you'll cash in. If he loses?... Landfill!
Food for thought: Obama doesn't actually show up until the very end.

- AUG084341 STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #1 CRUZ CVR A $3.95
- AUG084342 STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #1 LEE CVR B $3.95
UDON's Street Fighter train is back on the rails - which probably means we'll see a steady monthly output from the art studio. Unfortunately, there are a few things to note from previews of the new Street Fighter II Turbo series. The first, and most immediately obvious, is the notable absence of Alvin Lee as series artist. Jeffrey Cruz is certainly a competent replacement, but lacks the immediate appeal of Lee's traditional Capcom-friendly artwork.
The second note: segmented series don't appear to have tightened up the direction of Ken Siu-Chong's script. The fan-service is sure to be there, but for a guy like me, the desire to see these characters placed in a strong adaptation remains.

- AUG082417 X-MEN WORLDS APART #1 (OF 4) $3.99
I can't say I'm especially interested, but I hope Storm choose Black Panther over the X-Men. It'd be such a bore to drag her back from her role as Wakandan queen, even if the stories haven't exactly made it the most exciting place to be. The direction has taken the character to a fresh place, and allowed her the opportunity to be one of the few X-Men to escape the clutches of a brand terminally plagued by nostalgia. You go girl!


Know Your Trade...
AUG082458 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST TP BOOK 01 $24.99
JUL080153 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 06 $14.99
JUL082222 DEAR DRACULA HC $7.99
AUG083788 DOKTOR SLEEPLESS TP VOL 01 ENGINES OF DESIRE (MR) $26.99
JUL083639 HOW TO DRAW & FIGHT ZOMBIES SUPERSIZE TP $19.95
JUL080160 JLA THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW TP $14.99
AUG082449 MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS DIGEST VOL 07 $8.99
JUL082183 MIXTAPE HC VOL 02 JIM MAHFOOD ART LTD S&N ED $39.99
AUG082433 MMW X-MEN HC VOL 07 $54.99
AUG084176 SPEED RACER TP VOL 06 $19.99
APR080234 WILL EISNERS SPIRIT ARCHIVES HC VOL 25 $59.99

INFINITE WARS: DARK KAHN COMETH!
Since the April announcement; the Infinite Wars has been trained on
Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe! The heroes and villains of the two
universes will clash catastrophe threatens both and gives birth to a
villain the likes of which has never been seen -- DARK KAHN!

We interrupt your scheduled Infinite Wars content for an interesting tidbit!

During the week; Midway finally offered fans a sneak peak at the sixteen page bonus comic shipping November 16 with Collector's Editions of the crossover video game, Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe.

Inserted into video interviews with returning MK co-creator and artist of the book, John Tobias; the clips offered the first eagerly anticipated sightings of a villainous combination of series antagonists, Darkseid and Shao Kahn.

The exact details of this nightmarish amalgamation remain unknown, but in our Q&A with Senior Producer Hans Lo, he revealed, "I can say that two major events occurring at the same time in each universe triggers the merging process and that it’s up to the teams from each universe to find the cause and hopefully correct the situation before it spells [...] doom..."

In all likelihood the "events" of the game have no connection to content from other sources, but we couldn't help but notice a curious resemblance between Darkseid's [pictured] burning visage as he fell from New Godhood (after his death) in DC Universe 0 (June 2008), and the infernal design of Dark Kahn [pictured below]!

In prefacing our many MKvsDC features we've mentioned the Final Crisis that's gripped the DC Universe in 2008. These events included Darkseid's descent to the world of man, where he's manipulating humanity through his Dark Side Club.
It all seems fairly straight forward, but with the many alternate Earths baring down on the DCU, could the MK universe just be the latest piece of a cosmic puzzle? We don't think so, but it's fun to imagine! Don't fear speculation, kids!

We've got a whole lot more Mortal Kombat coming, and a bunch of other sinister stuff in our October spookfest, so be sure to stick around!

Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe will be available for Xbox360 and Playstation 3 in-stores November 16 (US) and November 21 (EU). The Collector's Edition boasts a limited removable Alex Ross print cover, sixteen page John Tobias comic, and more!

---

For more on Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, check out the official website, our Q&A interviews with Jimmy Palmiotti and Hans Lo, and our series of character spotlights and discussions: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, clues special, bonus one, two, three, and four!

QUICKFIX: THING vs ZOMBIE HULK
Crossover: Part 3 of 3 (Marvel)
Where: Ultimate Fantastic Four #23 When: November 2005 Why: Mark Millar How: Greg Land

The Tape...
Strength: Draw 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Thing 3 (Straight A)
Speed: Hulk 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Hulk 6 (Generator)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Hulk 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Draw 1 (None)

Math: Hulk Ranking: Hulk (#4)

The Fix...
If you missed last week's shipping list you might not know that Marvel have wheeled out their fifth iteration of the Marvel Zombies franchise! Zombies 3 brings the threat of undead extinction to the Marvel Universe (616) and follows the escapades of a breakaway group of interlopers pre-Zombies 2. No doubt we'll be looking later in the month at one of the stars of Zombies 3, as well as some of our own theories about the brand, but first -- what about the beginning?!

The premise is so simple it's amazing it didn't happen sooner!
Take the heroes and villains of a parallel Marvel Universe, introduce a threat that would tempt extinction upon them all, and observe the ensuing chaos!

Conventionally the zombie is one of the weakest creatures on the monster map. It's a mathematical terror theoretically dismissed with a simple course of quarantine, but so easily overlooked in a world of invisibility, mysticism, super-strength, and the physically intangible.
If a zombie were to walk solitary into the arena of the Infinite Wars he would surely be squashed in an instant, but in their first appearance, the Marvel Zombies ahered to the tried-and-true tradition of the mythic zombie horde.

With the horde expanding into it's own marketing juggernaut, you'd be forgiven for forgetting it all began in the pages of Ultimate Fantastic Four, under the watchful high-concept eye of Mark Millar.

The ambiguously titled "Crossover" played with fan expectations, using the sci-fi vein of the Ultimate title to tease only an interdimensional meeting between the young Reed Richards, and his older counterpart from a 'familiar' universe.
Five years after the inception of of the Ultimate line (Earth-1610), it seemed feasible that the two universes might finally overlap. Instead, fans were treated to a conceptual double-whammy that introduced both Earth-2149, and by extention, the Ultimate incarnation of the Frightful Four - the zombie FF!

Millar's Frighful quartet remained a lingering plot thread for an entire year, surviving twelve issues to embody the Ultimate imprint's ability to take traditional Marvel concepts, and completely reinvent them.
This nightmarish reflection on the title characters remains one of the most memorable pauses in the title's history, surpassing the more familiar (or misguided) reinventions that have populated the series before, and since.

The glaring negative would be the marketing frenzy that resulted from the expansion of the Marvel Zombies concept. A slew of zombie-themed variations on Marvel covers infected the entire brand, extending to a catalogue of issues completely removed. This farcical pandering to the collector's market will no doubt live in infamy as one of the shameful quirks of the decade, but for the Ultimate franchise, another cost was arguably incurred.

The mission statement for the Ultimate imprint has managed to shift and morph over the course of it's life, but it seems safe to say the brand's relevance has passed for the forseeable future. While Millar (and Land) are certainly not responsible for the brand's decline, their venture into alternate universes seemed to represent the type of complication the brand was designed to avoid.

Best described as a version of the Marvel Universe for the movie generation; stories like Crossover have kicked the doors down to conventional Marvel tropes. The contemporary chic of a subdued, modern reinvention platform seems to have been compromised to a point where even dedicated neophytes have been drawn away to the 'proper' Marvel Universe. A Marvel Universe where the convolusions associated with the medium have gravitas and justification.

While stories like Crossover have expanded the boundaries well beyond the content of a theatrical release to allude specifically to the "616," it's also been made increasingly evident that the Ultimate universe is no less immune to lasting change than the core brand. One wonders if it was simply an issue of availability (or promotional agenda) that saw concepts like these fall into the Ultimate offices, rather than the traditional alternative.

For the specifics of the issue, even the often maligned Greg "photo reference" Land deserves kudos. The artist successfully delivers on a script that plays with a lot of Marvel conventions, like the arrival of a zombified Hulk to clash with Thing.

Hulk's arrival (from the air) begins with a vague reflection in a broken skyscraper window as we follow the monster's descent from Mr. Fantastic's POV, enjoying an ominus obscuring of the Hulk through continued shadow, and movement.

The Hulk really is a monstrous character! The macabre qualities that inhabited Jack Kirby's original artwork gradually faded as the creature was refined into a more palatable superhero figure. Land does well here to play with that size, giving Hulk's landing a handheld cinematic quality that really hammers home how horrific a snarling, seven-foot, green behemoth would be!

This dramatic entrance feeds into a curtailed exchange between two classic comic book rivals! All it takes is a two-fisted uppercut from the FF's Thing to topple the zombified Hulk, punctuating a brief end to the zombie onset!

The quick fix doesn't appropriately reflect the focus Millar delivers in his script, which remains consistently trained on the important details enough to convey some delightfully subtle details (like; Mr. Fantastic's gradual stretch across the zombie-invested cityscape), despite the plot's grandiose scope!

The legacy of Marvel Zombies doesn't really represent the original.
While Zombies deserves credit for maintaining more of a plot than anyone could rightly have suspected, it doesn't feel quite as complete an arc as Crossover. The tone differs considerably, a little less tongue-in-cheek in it's self-awareness than the glorified meme of subsequent additions.

Please note; our references to compromises made in the Ultimate brand are really far too broad to rest on the shoulders of this story. It is, however, part of a larger story that is the Ultimate line.

Winner: Thing
The Fight: 4 The Issue: 5

Crossover and Marvel Zombies are both available collected in trade. By using purchase links provided on the site you help sponsor future entries in the Infinite Wars! Check out the online store for more great savings on titles reviewed previously on the site!

COVER TO COVER: HALLOWEEN MACHINES!
Mechanophobia - a fear of machines!

The earliest known use of the term "robot" comes from the Karel Čapek stage play, R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots).
It's reference to hard labor would be lost through time, but the sinister origins of robotics would be forever stamped on the morality of science-fiction. Vital to this continued definition was influences like Fritz Lang's legendary 1927 film, Metropolis, which envisions the menacing manipulations of Maria!

Humanity's relationship with machinery in real-life could be described as amicable. The value of robotic allegories as morality plates remains relevant through echoes of human struggles, speaking more to our mutual self-destruction through the use of technology, and the exploitation of labor.

Robots might not yet have gained malevolent sentience, but that hasn't stopped the imagination conceiving just that. Here is but a brief catalogue of previous entries in the Infinite Wars that have showcased the evil that lurks within the microchips of machines!

Marvel Two-In-One #92 (October 1982)
"This Evil Returning--!" DeFalco/Wilson
The android called Jocasta was originally the result of an evil plot for Ultron to take a wife. Though the transferred consciousness of the Wasp would be expelled from the robotic shell, the remnants of her memory would serve as the template for a new, whole Jocasta!

Now in the service of good; Jocasta finds herself suffering an identity crisis with no real sense of belonging or purpose. Alas, as she pines from within her temorary residence at the Baxter Building, a twist worthy of Shakespeare sets a dastardly series of deeds in motion!

Calling upon a long forgotten piece of sub-programming, Jocasta is compelled to travel across the country to a secret industrial headquarters once belonging to her creator. There, the distorted monolith stands with a buddha-esque smirk - a testament to Ultron's defeat. Even so, with the tools surrounding him, Ultron compels Jocasta to revive him, and so, the mechanical menace is born anew!

Amazing Spider-man #329 (February 1990)
"Power Prey!" Michelinie/Larsen
Displeased with the failure of his plan to shuffle villains in the Acts of Vengeance storyline, the Norse god of mischief, Loki, leaves the Earth a little something to remember him by.

For believing him dead; Loki magically alters a trio of newly designed Sentinels to merge them into one masterpiece of magic and machine - the Tri-Sentinel!

Lucky for Manhattan, Spider-man has been imbued with the mysterious uni-power thanks to the aptly named Enigma Force. Gaining the cosmic awareness that had been denied to him, Spider-man instantly learns of his foe, and leaps into action to avert nuclear disaster!


Fantastic Four: Unplugged #1 (September 1995)
"Adapt This!" Lackey/Oliviera
A rainy night in New York City goes from bad to worse for the ever loving blue eyed thing. When he's too late to get a lottery ticket, a good deed goes punished when, having prevented a line-cutter from stealing a woman's cab, the Thing spots the FF emergency flare in the night sky.

Convincing the bedgrudging woman to share the cab, Thing makes for the Williamsburg Bridge where traffic is backed up for blocks. A cop informs him of a dangerous monster on the bridge, and when Thing asks about the Human Torch's progress he gets a nasty shock!

What super-baddy could fool the thing with a flaming signal? None other than the Mad Thinker's Super Adaptoid! Running amok, the Adaptoid has programming for one thing: The destruction of the Fantastic Four! So, watch out! It's a bridge-bound Brooklyn brawl, true believers!

Batman #637 (April 2005)
"Overnight Deliveries" Winick/Mahnke
In the wake of a gang war, Black Mask seizes control of the criminal underbelly of Gotham City. With various villainous elements shifting within the DC Universe, Black Mask's own strategies intersect with various others.

Amongst his schemes, the import of various super paraphernalia and weaponry. Much of which leaves his possession via the intervention of the Batman, or the vigilante rogue, Jason Todd - The Red Hood.

One such import is Amazo; an android designed originally by Professor Ivo to combat the Justice League using their own powers and unique abilities.
Though stripped down, the machine poses a substantial threat, and Batman and Nightwing are there to intervene.

Batman Confidential #2 (March 2007)
"Rules of Engagement" Diggle/Portacio
The dichotomy of vision between Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne is extrapolated when the businesses vie for a contract to develop technology to benefit Gotham City.

WayneTech's designs are ones of peace, utilizing state of the art technology to create search and rescue robots with the use of neural-link transmission pilotting.
Conversely, LexCorp concerns itself with the potential threat of an ever changing world full of the fantastic and bizarre. Luthor's proposal is built on advanced weaponry and proactive peace creating agents, as opposed to Wayne's more passive tools.

With a verdict to be decided, things take a nasty turn for WayneTech when their rescue OGRE droid attacks Lex Luthor outside the very building the proposal was made in. Will the Batman be able to solve the mystery of the rogue robot?

SMASH HITS: THE CURE


The Cure - Burn (1994)
At a glance this might appear to be the most removed song featured yet, but to avoid any goth-related hate crimes, we'll give you the heads up!

James O'Barr created The Crow whilst stationed with the military in Germany in the early eighties. Having enlisted after the death of his fiancée, the comics reflected his own morose feelings concerning the tragedy.

The tone and time made The Cure a logical artist to invite to contribute an original song to the soundtrack of the film.
Burn was the result!

Sadly, The Crow film led to another tragedy, the accidental death of the film's star, Brandon Lee. O'Barr worked closely with the star on the film and was said to be deeply effected by his friend's passing.

[NOTE: For the uninitiated: this is a fan-made video.]

EXILES versus AVENGERS
Avengers Forever: Part 1 of 2 (Marvel)
Where: Exiles #31 When: October 2003
Why: Judd Winick How: Jim Calafiore

The Story So Far...
The Exiles: chosen by the mysterious Timebroker to set right anomolies in the fabric of time and space. Recruited from a host of doomed dimensions, the group is transported from reality, to reality, charged with discovering the source of the shift, and fixing it.

With the departure of Blink (Earth-295); Mimic takes official lead of the team as they enter Earth-3931.
Here they discover a San Francisco reduced to a ghost town, the result of but one of many attacks by this Earth's greatest threat - the Avengers!

With the knowledge that history deviated during the Second World War, when Captain America was bitten by Baron Blood; the team seeks out the advice of Kenneth Chrichton - son of Montgomery Falsworth, and this world's Union Jack - in fulfiling their command to 'stop the Vampire King from releasing the enchantment that will enslave a city.'

Union Jack informs the team of a break-in at SHIELD, where the vampire Avengers acquired an ancient totem capable of mass transforming humans into vampires with the Macodibe Enchanetment. With intelligence on their side, the team arms themselves with hunting paraphernalia, and prepares for battle...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Mimic 5 (Superhuman)
Intelligence: Goliath 6 (Professor)
Speed: Captain America 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Mimic 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Nocturne 5 (Cat-like)
Fighting Ability: Captain America 6 (Warrior)
Energy Power: Polaris 5 (Lasers)


- The Exiles are: Mimic, Nocturne, Morph, Sunfire, Sasquatch, and Magik.

Under clandestine circumstances the original grouping of the Exiles was plucked from their respective realities by a being calling himself, the Timebroker. In truth, this was the manifested representation of a race of aliens who had inadvertently damaged timelines whilst discovering Panoptichron; a monitoring station that observes the infinite sprawl of the multiverse.

Unable to extend their influence personally, the Timebroker(s) first recruits into the interdimensional Exiles were: Calvin Rankin (Mimic-12), Clarice Ferguson (Blink-295), Magnus Lehnsherr (Magnus-27), Talia J. Wagner (Nocturne-2182), Kevin Sidney (Morph-1081), and John Proudstar (Thunderbird-1100).

- The Avengers are: Captain America, Falcon, Wasp, Goliath, Polaris, and Hawkeye.

Plotting against his half-brother, the Norse god of mischief, Loki, uses illusions to manipulate the rages of the green goliath known as the Hulk!
The scheme is intended to draw Thor into a combative trap, but Loki's plans come unravelled when a distress call from Rick Jones is picked up not only by Thor, but also the Wasp, Ant-Man, and Iron Man! Despite initial misunderstandings, the unlikely team forms an alliance and easily defeats the god of mischief - thus, the Avengers are born!

Though their adventures would see the roster subject to change, the growing number of associated heroes would only lend credence to the claim that they are Earth's mightiest heroes! United, the many iterations of the Avengers would face foes of minor, or cosmic natures, always willing to put their lives on the line for the greater good, a philosophy embodied by charter members like iconic early recruit, Captain America.

On Earth-3931; a tear in Captain America's chainmail famously changes the course of history, when Baron Blood successfully turns his nemesis into the walking dead, during World War II. The tainted Steve Rogers successfully killed the Baron and replaced him as vampire king. Eventually he comes to lead a vampiric version of the Avengers, with whom he lays waste to the world.

Math: Avengers Ranking: Captain America (#7)

What Went Down...
On the rooftops above San Francisco; the Avengers assemble on the lands that were once long ago the ancient temple of High Lord Kolock. Mere steps from enslaving humanity, the Avengers' plan go awry. Polaris is the first to fall beneath the pierce of a wooden stake, fired at range by Magik!

The team launches into battle with their unsuspecting foes, Sasquatch using her immense powers to ground the Falcon, while Morph does his best to swat Wasp!

Captain America mistakes Mimic for this world's heartless mercenary, as the new leader of the team combines the absorbed powers of Wolverine and Colossus, to slash at the Captain's invincible shield! He has little luck, feeling the full blunt force of the artifact as propelled by a Vampire King's strength!

A Goliath-sized Hank Pym man-handles Mariko, unaware of the mutant powers of Sunfire. Wrapped in his giant hands, she explodes with the intensity of a raging inferno, bursting free only to take one of Hawkeye's arrows to the soulder!
Magik arrives to lend a hand, throwing a kick at the archer, but his enhanced vampire strength is more than enough to punish the impetuous Russian.

Meanwhile; Heather Hudson, her world's Sasquatch, has both the Falcon and Goliath to contend with! Having recovered from Sunfire's heat-blast, Pym pounds his giant fist across Sasquatch's face, while Falcon uses his own vampire muscle to restrain the beast as best he can. In an effort to even the odds, Sasquatch pounds her foot down, sending the trio toppling to the floor below.

The scuffle between team leaders continues as a frustrated Captain America seeks answers from his heroic counterpart. Mimic lodges his objection to their plan to reduce humanity to mindless hordes, doing so with a Cyclops optic blast, and gashing slash at the Captain's shoulder! Though effective, it fails to slow the super-soldier, who uses his good arm to swing the shield into Mimic's throat!

Sunfire does her best to contend with the onset of Hawkeye, but is unable to hit the target with her flamethrowing. He takes great delight in sinking his fangs into the young Exile's throat, and in doing so, leaves himself wide open to a staking by Nocturne!

While Nocturne tends to her fallen teammate, Captain America gains the upperhand against Mimic! With a driving slam of his shield he topples the mutant, leaving him prone to a stomping from the once great American hero!
Rankin catches the shield before it drives downward into his body and retaliates with a stiff uppercut and a slash of his claws.

With tremendous reticence Mimic finds an opening - putting his retractable claws to a use familiar to their owner. The slash cuts through flesh and bone, removing Captain America's head in one fell swoop...

... Alas, the Captain's decapitated body begins to twitch and squirm, rising to retrieve it's head! As severed flesh meets severed flesh, the Vampire King begins to stitch himself back together, and in a mere instant, rises to fight once again!

The Hammer...
I think it's fair to say each Exile had enough involvement in the fight to share in a majority victory. Despite Captain America's resurrection, the killer blow struck by Mimic still stands!

October '08 in the Infinite Wars has thus far been all about vampires, but in following the fanged exploits of the Marvel Universe, we've almost inevitably wandered off the path into parallel potentials!

I know I'm not alone in being a big fan of the classic 'What If?' model!
We try to hover mostly around the core universes for the simplicity of their statistical value, but as a reader, there's much to be gained from a series like What if? or Exiles. As much as they're about the exploration of alternate universes, each issue has the potential to inform a fan on key events in the decades of stories that make up the Marvel Universe!

In documenting the many Secret Wars on Infinite Earths, we've encountered and accumulated a small catalogue of examples that follow the design that made the second series of What If? and issues of Exiles particularly enjoyable.

With the ability to feature the company's biggest stars, in some of their most significant incarnations, these series have an immediate appeal. High concepts can draw in even the most naive fans, whilst also educating them on key events described as crucial reference points to the creation of these new worlds.

I'm not sure this adheres strictly to our Spooktober agenda, but I image you could find a few furrowed brows who'd gladly tell you 'continuity' is too hard.
Remember to talk down to these poor fools who somehow think the minutia of sixty-years of history is required before opening the cover of stories that don't appear to meet any specific criteria, but probably don't have Spider-man on the cover. Their arguments are inconsistent; their brains tiny; and their hair probably unnecessarily unattractive. Do not to make eye contact, or give them any food.

If you've successfully managed to sneer away any distractions, or yourself are now ready to tackle the fictional premise of the 'alternate universe,' read on!

Earth-952: When the Silver Surfer fails to betray Galactus upon his arrival on this Earth, the FF flee, leaving him to battle the Avengers and Dr. Doom.
In this reality; Uatu's intervention results in his death, as does the Avengers' attempts to banish the world devourer. Only Wasp survives to aid the Fantastic Four, who ultimately leave behind their barren world to serve Galactus as heralds charged with locating non-sentient planets for consumption.
Based on events from Fantastic Four #48 (1966).

Earth-1610: Attempts to recreate the super-soldier serum that immortalized Captain America is responsible for giving birth to a host of heroes and villains, each a failure of replication, but unique powers in their own right. SHIELD controls much of these operations imprisoning the evil, and incorporating the managable into their hero initiative, the Ultimates. They, along with Professor Charles Xavier's secret group of mutants, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, are this world's first major superhero teams. Independent heroes like Spider-man, Daredevil, Punisher, Hawk-Owl, and others, also populate this world of heroes.
Inspired by the 1960s origins of the Marvel Universe.

Earth-2149: A zombified Sentry escapes heaven, only to arrive in an alternate universe, where he quickly lays waste to the Avengers and begins the infection of an entire universe. Ash Williams, Spider-man, Punisher, Dazzler, Thor, and a host of other heroes attempt to halt the spread of the zombie plague, but all eventually fall. Magneto and the Acolytes are among the few survivors having secretly made a deal with the interloping Sentry. With the world in ruins, the super-powered zombies attain a new level of power when Silver Surfer and Galactus arrive on this world, only to be devoured themselves.
First seen in Ultimate Fantastic Four (2005); Based loosely on 70's Marvel.

Earth-9140: The X-Men's battle with Dracula ends with their deaths when Storm fails to redeem herself under the vampire's control.
When Dracula attempts to raise the defeated X-Men three nights later, he finds Wolverine uniquely resistant to his charms, and is subsequently replaced as Lord of Vampires. Wolverine's sinister rule goes unchallenged as he strategically kills or turns chosen heroes in New York City, while the Avengers are kept out by a quarantine. Here, only the Punisher remains to combat evil with the spiritual guidance of the deceased Dr. Strange.
Based on events from X-Men #159 (1982).

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 4

Want to make a quantum leap of your own?
Explore the universes by checking out this issue, or any other issue of Exiles, collected in paperback via the Amazonian Gift Shoppe! By using purchase links provided on the site you not only benefit from Amazon's prices and service, but also sponsor future entries in the Infinite Wars. Yay capitalism!
To better navigate the Infinite Earths be sure to check out the Secret Archives for all the issues reviewed on the site, and stay tuned for more, including another more thorough look at the alternate worlds visited previously on the site!

SHIPPING LIST: OCTOBER 08, 2008
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
Bendis Loves Kirkman...
JUN082251 BOMB QUEEN V #4 (OF 6) (MR) $3.50
AUG080013 BPRD THE WARNING #4 (OF 5) $2.99
JUN080059 END LEAGUE #5 $2.99
AUG080028 GOON #29 $2.99
JUN080083 HELLBOY LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02 CHAINED COFFIN & OTHERS $49.95
AUG082257 I KILL GIANTS #4 (OF 7) $2.99
AUG084325 MAN WHO LOVED BREASTS (MR) $4.00
JUN084266 OWLY GN VOL 05 TINY TALES (JAN088696) $10.00
JUL084089 RACER X TP VOL 02 $19.99
JUL080000 REFLECTIONS FROM BENDIS' HEAD BRIEFLY BLINDED CHINESE ASTRONAUTS $0.22
JUL084300 STREET FIGHTER TRIBUTE TP $39.99
MAY082219 WALKING DEAD #53 (MR) $2.99

Thin and Crispy...
AUG080155 ACTION COMICS #870 $2.99
JUL084253 BATTLE ROYALE ULTIMATE ED HC VOL 04 (OF 5) (MR) $24.99
AUG082332 BIG HERO 6 #2 (OF 5) $3.99
AUG080208 FERRYMAN #1 (OF 5) $3.50
AUG080119 FINAL CRISIS REVELATIONS #3 (OF 5) $3.99
JUL083683 FLASH GORDON #2 $3.99
AUG080162 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #13 $2.99
JUL080144 GREEN LANTERN #35 $2.99
AUG080164 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #29 $2.99
AUG082358 MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #16 $2.99
AUG080108 TRINITY #19 $2.99
JUN080201 TWO FACE YEAR ONE #2 (OF 2) $5.99
AUG080171 WONDER WOMAN #25 $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- AUG082329 AVENGERS INVADERS #5 (OF 12) $2.99
Hmmm... This one might take a while...

- AUG080142 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #22 $2.99
Batman's early years usually provides fertile soil for great stories. Confidential had mixed successes with their exploration of the Joker's origins, and now they go back to the well for a taste of Batman's first confrontation with the clown prince of crime. In the vein of The Long Halloween, it sounds like this arc explores the complications of a new type of evil in Gotham's once organized ranks! Sound enough a concept, but with Scott McDaniel on art, it definitely will not be a classic. Honestly, it's a disappointing choice, but then again, I might be inflecting a more urban sensibility than is suitable. Maybe it's a screwball comedy set in the courts of Gotham City.
Apparently writer Andrew Kreisberg worked on the Simpsons...

- JUN080239 DC COMICS GOES APE TP $19.99
Y'know... I'd be willing to give the distinguished competition the benefit of the doubt, and assume this was just a coincidence of scheduling, but... Do you not just get the feeling this is like Konami trying to remind the WiiFit generation that they did fitness gaming first? I'm not sure I care either way, but it makes you think!...

- AUG080140 DETECTIVE COMICS #849 RIP $2.99
Solicit blurbs tell us when Batman finds out Hush's real goal, things will change forever. I don't know what that is, but presumably this Batman RIP tie-in will establish Hush's claim to the Bat-mantle in the upcoming Battle for the Cowl.
I don't know how well that's going, but I feel like Dini deserves some credit for completely tossing aside any fuzzy feelings Joker-episodes of the cartoon might have given you, by cashing in on the threat of Hush with Catwoman-filet-minion. I'm not a gruesome gore fan, but the 'evil surgeon' can only help define the much maligned character.

- AUG082369 MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 #1 (OF 4) $3.99
Launching a new Zombies while another overgrown meme is on the go (Marvel Apes) seems a bit rich, especially given how played out the zombies were, but... Damn! As happy as I was to gloss over the second (and vs Evil Dead) instalments of the sub-franchise, it looks like Marvel's managed to bend back and pull out a bloody good story! The zombies have found their way to the Nexus of Reality, and are storming in on Man-Thing's territory -- IN THE MARVEL UNIVERSE PROPER!!! Fortunately, one of my favourites, Dr. Michael Morbius, is registered to the Initiative and making a Florida housecall!
Also starring: exploding zombie Deadpool! (Find the preview!)

- AUG080125 SECRET SIX #2 $2.99
Wow, it's a big Bat-week, isn't it?
Villains United introduced fans to a newly competent version of former Bat-villain, Catman.
Now, the rematch of the century is on, as the Dark Knight throws down with the leader of the Secret Six! Will the Batman bring them down, or help them? Dun dun dunnnnn!

- AUG082407 X-MEN ORIGINAL SIN #1 XOS 1 $3.99
GOOD IDEA: revealing secret circumstances of consumate loner, Wolverine, joining the X-Men!
BAD IDEA: Involving Daniel Way and his abominable creation; mohawked Wolvie Jr, Daken.


Know Your Trade...
JUL082381 ANNIHILATION CLASSIC HC $29.99
JUN080233 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS TP VOL 01 THE CHRYSALIS $14.99
JUN080234 BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE TP VOL 02 NEW EDITION $19.99
JUL084253 BATTLE ROYALE ULTIMATE ED HC VOL 04 (OF 5) (MR) $24.99
JUN080236 BIRDS OF PREY METROPOLIS OR DUST TP $17.99
AUG082462 DAREDEVIL TP CRUEL UNUSUAL $14.99
JUN080239 DC COMICS GOES APE TP $19.99
AUG082439 IMMORTAL IRON FIST PREM HC VOL 03 BOOK OF IRON FIST $24.99
AUG082464 IRON MAN TP THE DRAGON SEED SAGA $16.99
AUG082468 PUNISHER MAX TP VOL 10 VALLEY FORGE (MR) $16.99
JUL084089 RACER X TP VOL 02 $19.99
JUN080254 SHOWCASE PRESENTS BLACKHAWK TP VOL 01 $16.99
JUL084300 STREET FIGHTER TRIBUTE TP $39.99

QUICKFIX: WOLVERINE vs DRACULA
What if... Wolverine had become the Lord of Vampires? (Marvel)
Where: What if...? #24 When: April 1991
Why: Roy Thomas/RJM Lofficier How: Tom Morgan

The Tape...
Strength: Dracula 4 (Enhanced)
Intelligence: Dracula 5 (Professor)
Speed: Draw 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Dracula 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Wolverine 3 (Acrobat)
Fighting: Wolverine 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Dracula 4 (Arsenal)

Math: Dracula Ranking: Wolverine (#6)

The Fix...
I'm sensing a bit of a vampire night in this year's October!
I really couldn't tell you why. Actually, we'll probably have to force ourselves to find the time to talk about the newest instalment of Marvel Zombies, which is actually not without it's charms, but for the time being, more Dracula!
[In case you missed it, track back to Uncanny X-Men Annual #6!]

This isn't the first time we've taken a look at the events of this particular alternate universe!

Previously we flashed forward to observe the events of Wolverine's last stand as Lord of Vampires, before a final act of nobility put an end to his reign, and completed Dr. Strange and Frank Castle's mission to rid their alternate world of it's plague of death [Punisher versus X-Men].

This time around we're going back to where it all began: the results of the first deviation that shaped this universes grim destiny. It takes place after the events of X-Men #159; where, in our universe, the X-Men met Dracula for the first time, and successfully escaped his embrace all due to the cast iron will of Storm.

For us, the wind-rider was able to resist Dracula's influence, thanks to the affections of Kitty Pryde, and rescued her teammates. In this reality, however, Storm betrayed the X-Men, and left them to Dracula's accursed fangs.

It was his intention to return three nights later to raise Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine, from their graves - his to manipulate as vampiric slaves. He did not, however, anticipate the indomitable will of the Wolverine.

The eighties, from which this story derives it's origins, were a different place.
As we countdown toward next year's Wolverine film we can appreciate that twenty-five years ago the character's popularity had not yet reached the market saturation that we recognise today. The X-Franchise was right on the verge of evolving into a brand, but 1982, Wolverine was just the bad ass mystery man with a killer instinct, and a set of six adamantium claws!

The modern era of comics has grown with a self-consciousness afforded by it's decades of history. From the beginnings of the modern age in the sixties, the medium had the benefit of a greater attention to detail and consistency.
Alterations in the fabric of established characters are typically minor, but even Wolverine has endured subtle variations of what defines him as a superhero.

In facilitating the fandom that grew around the character; Marvel's need to maintain Wolverine, and establish his presence on a grand scale, drafted new details into his backstory and profile. As his history grew in complexity, the nature of his power became greater, to a point where Wolverine's healing abilities have taken on an almost sentient logic. The healing factor accounts not only for his survival through many lethal injuries, but also decades without age.

It's a question debated previously on the Infinite Wars, but we can't help but arrive once more at the same question: can Wolverine even become a vampire?

In What If...? #24 Wolverine certainly does return from apparent death, and while his transformation is unseen, it's quite possible the healing factor contributed to what follows...

Three nights after they perished beneath Dracula's fangs -- Nightcrawler and Colossus are risen from the grave by the vampire lord. Absent, however, is Wolverine, who instead walks freely from the darkness of the wood where the X-Men suffered their defeat.

Dracula recognises that, like he, Wolverine possesses a will inherently strong enough to resist the mental powers of the vampire, and challenge him for the mystic superiority of Lord of Vampires. The reigning Lord gladly answers Wolverine's artful challenge, leaping unsuspectingly toward a warrior who has already mastered the transformation of a wolf!

Dracula turns from man to bat in an instant, but his new form does little to quell the aggression of Wolverine. As a wolf he leaps atop the humanoid-bat and rips at his throat. The wound remains as Dracula returns to a humanoid form. Wounded, bleeding violently from the throat, Dracula accepts his fate!

With a cold, sinister intent that came with his vampirism, Wolverine unsheathes his adamantium claws and slices Dracula's head clean from his neck -- thus ensuring the permanent death and transference of powers from the former Lord of Vampires.

Here on the Infinite Wars we do things a little different to most sites.
Sure, we're no stranger to the land of speculation [fantasy fights], but for the most part we specialize in observing and recounting battles that actually happened. In this respect, there's a simple answer to our earlier question: yes. Wolverine can - and in this world, did - become a vampire! In the conclusion of the battle, however, we may find unspoken answers that satisfy our curiosity.

Modern cinema has done a lot to progress the mythology of vampirism (and zombification). Films like Blade and Resident Evil do a lot to retool and ground these mythic concepts in a logic that better satisfies the utilitarian logic of modern audiences. Scientific concepts give vampirism a viral basis - recasting this once mystic practise with a biological etymology.

It's hard to fault this beautiful symbiosis of science and fiction.
Like so many great concepts it builds on comparable logics many of us a familiar with, giving the nature of the threat a specific set of rules to exist within. It firmly estalishes the drama of vampirism (or zombification) and carries that weight of logic throughout an entire project.

We cannot, however, forget those many different mythological accounts.
The Lord of Vampires mantle does not bare any specific logic that's easily compared to symptoms of a biogenetic plague. It is in it's essence - magic.

We often find ourselves returning to the subject of Superman and his weaknesses and vulnerabilities. On the Infinite Wars we have the unwavering perception that the conceptual construction of Superman and his abilities rely on their interaction with established parameters that define human ability. Superman exceeds them, ergo he is super-strong, super-fast, super-durable, and so on.
Magic, on the other hand, is that which typically does not comply with conventional science. It exists in fiction defined conceptually as a system that defies and breaks basic universal principles - a contrast to Superman's logic.

This is why Superman is vulnerable to magic - and why Wolverine is likely the same. His healing factor is based on pseudo-science that assumes wounds and ailments, no matter how severe, can be healed.
It's reasonable to assume incantations, or mystic transferences, that defy or exist outside these rules, cannot be healed because they don't cause harm. Mystic vampirism requires mystic solutions - ie; the Montesi Formula.

Food for thought this Halloween, true believers.

Winner: Wolverine
The Fight: 4 The Issue: 6

Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, this issue has not yet been collected in trade paperback format. You'll find plenty of other great reads to buy in the Amazonian Gift Shoppe, however, which is a great way to support the site. Most collections featuring issues reviewed in the Secret Archives are available, at reasonable prices!

COVER TO COVER: HALLOWEEN MONSTERS!
Decades before the mighty superheroes dominated box office draw, there was once an era where the mythic monsters of literary lore were the big screen kings! It was so long ago that star names, like Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, were lit in lights, celebrated for bringing to life (or undead) characters conceived before the turn of the century.

The tradition of modern Western horror, highlighted by characters like Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster, is but another piece of the historic puzzle that led to the gestation of superheroes.
Monsters marched boldy across the pages of pulp adventures, progressing naturally from there into the colourful format of comics! So natural was this progression that even urban mystery characters, like Batman, clashed with bizarre creatures eventually moreso than the Dick Tracy-inspired crime bosses associated with the character.

The presence of the macabre and sinister would be forever changed by one man - Dr. Frederic Wertham - author of, Seduction of the Innocent.
His postulations blamed the popularity of comic books for juvenile delinquency and a host of other moral quandries guaranteed to inspire fear in the hearts of 1950s conservative Americans. The consequences of his work conspired with corresponding congressional hearings that damned comics to self-regulation and excessive censorship. Horror was stripped of it's dramatic devices, reduced to a degree where major publishers of the time, such as EC Comics, were doomed to failure.

With the 1970's came growing acceptance of counter-cultural themes and a new era of horror comic books. The genre exploded in unison with similar movements occuring in cinema, giving birth to memorable mainstream characters like; Ghost Rider, Swamp Thing, Morbius, Etrigan, and a host of others!

Following is a catalogue of previous Infinite Wars entries that boast the modern integration of monsters into the superhero domain. These characters manage to remain ever-present, now simply a part of the fabric of these fantastic worlds. One can't help but wonder, however, what might have been had Wertham's sensational claims been recognised for what they were.
In a time where horror comics are again making a return from the grave (with popular titles like; The Walking Dead, Marvel Zombies, BPRD...) it's hard not to reflect on how the superhero's dominance might have been changed in an industry where companies like EC could have remained a consistent presence. Food for thought!

Captain America #408 (October 1992)
"Dark Dawn" Gruenwald/Levins
The deadly Nightshade teams with Dredmund, lord of the werewolves, in a sinister scheme to turn the people of Massachusetts into werewolves -- including the super-soldier himself, Captain America!

Fortunately for him the combined might of he, Man-Wolf John Jameson, Wolfsbane, Wolverine and others sees the day saved, but before Cap can be cured of his lycanthropy there's another shocking surprise in store!

Unbenknownst to he, a secret war is being waged by the evil spirit of Adam Warlock, Magus! Creating sinister doppelgangers of Earth's greatest heroes, Magus sends his shadows out to do battle with their counterparts.
Suffering fatigue of battle and Nightshade's cure, can Cap defeat his dastardly doppelganger, or is it curtains for America's greatest warrior?

Steel #20 (October 1995)
"Lethal Tendencies" Diaz/Flores
John Henry Irons was a man with many skeletons in his closet. Having moved to Metropolis to escape his past as an advanced weapons designer, he unceremoniously finds the BG-60 energy cannon in the present as part of a gangwar. Inspired by Superman, he turns his expertise to developing a suit of weapon that makes him a man of steel.

Having overcome humble beginnings in the ghetto; Irons is emotionally motivated to investigate when a high school coach, who was crucial to steering him away from violence and drugs, goes missing. He fears the worst, having discovered the coach's car hidden in the backyard of the Voodoo Crew.

Instead of a deceased friend, Steel discovers the slaughter of the entire crew, along with a brutal vigilante calling himself Lethal. Despite their ethical differences, the two heroes team-up to the follow the clues, finding a sleezy sociallite, and a restaurant venture that is dying to have the heroes for dinner...

Hawkman #33 (December 2004)
"Earth and Sky" Gray/Palmiotti/Smith
Hawkman and Hawkgirl have made the trek from their new home in St. Roch to visit The Big Apple, New York City; where meetings are held by the Justice Society of America.
The pair decide to follow-up a lead on a mysterious "golem" from Batman, but get more than they bargained for when their flight is interrupted by an exploding helicopter in the Manhattan airspace!

The chopper, carrying a very special cargo, was on it's way to an experimental research facility on Riker's Island. A Dr. Kinetti conducts experiments that seek to learn more about the super-criminal mind and physiology, but his unorthodox and wreckless behaviour has unleashed one of these evils, and he's none-too-pleased. Born on a Monday, he is -- Solomon Grundy!

52 #44 (May 2007)
"Deaths in the Family" Johns/Morrison/Rucka/Waid/Giffen/Darrows
Black Adam's nation of Khandaq has been plunged into a plague of darkness, and Adam's young protégé, Osiris, believes his committing a murder with the powers granted to him is what's responsible.

Convinced to give-up his powers, which free him of his condition as a cripple, Osiris is quickly slaughtered by Sobek, a crocodilian creature he rescued from the sinister mad scientist, Dr. Sivana.

Sobek reveals himself to really be Yurrd the Unknown, member of "The Four Ages of Dread Of Apokolips in it's anguished, bloody morning."
The NEW Monster Society, and remaining three horsemen of Khandaq's apocalypse reveal themselves, and launch their sleeping attack on Black Adam.

Spider-man Family #3 (August 2007)
"Electrical Problems!" Tobin/Alary
Bombarded by cosmic rays, the quartet of Reed Richards, Susan Storm, her brother Johnny, and test-pilot Ben Grimm are transformed in bizarre ways to become Marvel's first family -- the Fantastic Four!

The idols of millions, the FF would expand their membership over the years to include many allies, but alas, it never quite worked out for Spider-man, who early in his career attempted to join the team -- a point of lasting ridicule for the Johnny Storm, the Human Torch.

Co-existing on the same turf, Spidey just happens to be swinging through downtown as the team struggle to combat the giant-sized menace of Gomdulla, the living mummy monolith! Can Spidey provide the valuable assist, or are things destined to take yet another sour turn for the well meaning wall-crawler?

SMASH HITS: SUICIDE


Suicide - Ghost Rider (1977)
Suicide's seminal studio album provides not only a unique manipulation of the sounds of the era, but also a fine gem for music loving fanboys and trivia buffs.

The electropunk clash hinges it's title and refrain on Marvel Comics' resident demon biker, whose popularity was at it's peak in the decade. The cooler-than-cool lyrics make astute references not only to Ghost Rider's cute blue jumpsuit, but also the fact that he is, indeed, a motorcycle hero.

The song remains an influential favourite, and the perfect way to start our Halloween Smash Hit soundtrack! Genius!

[NOTE: The unconvinced might like to check out the album version. Much better!]