	Marvel  Universe Forum
1. daisy johnson
2. PPTSS 124
3. Code of Honor
4. UX 297-FB X-Men appearance
5. KOP 18
6. Mystic Arcana: Magik
7. Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1
8. pre-Secret Wars Spidey
9. Placement of the new Wonder Man mini
10. Spectacular Spider-man Magazine 1 (pt.1)
11. Fallen Son: Death of Cap #3 - flashback question
12. "Third Gap"
13. Excalibur: xx Crossing
14. Reed Richards early chronology

	Issue Analysis Forum
15. Giant-Size Hulk vol.2 1
16. May call for analyses
17. Zemo: Born Better #2-4
18. The "Annihilation" Analysis Thread
19. BLADE (with some TOD stuff)
20. Ghost Rider vol 5 #8-11
21. Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night/ Man-Thing
22. Marvel Collector's Edition #1 (1992; Charleston Chew)
23. Spider-Man: Special Edition #1 (1992; UNICEF)
24. Franklin Richards: March Madness
25. Nick Fury's Howling Commandos 1-6
26. X-Men Novels to place, but not for the MCP
27. Amazing Spider-Girl #7-8

	Chat Forum
28. How did you come to find the MCP?



Thread 1

Posted: 29 Apr 2007 02:06 pm    Post subject: daisy johnson
By 1573

after reading the secret war trade paperback, daisy johnson has become 1 of my new favorite characters. 
however, i am having trouble finding appearances. 
can anyone help w/ a appearance list?
_________________
it's not the size of your pencil that counts. 
it's how you write your name.

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Apr 2007 02:21 pm    
By Somebody

IIRC, it's just Secret War and the "The Collective" arc in New Avengers. If I'm missing something, I'm sure someone will correct me though 

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 01:23 am    
By Col_Fury

Yup, just Secret War and those New Avengers issues as far as I can remember. I think Bendis has plans for her, but who knows when he'll ever get around to it. Hopefully soon!
_________________
"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 01:30 am    
By JLH

Lobster Johnson is better.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 11:04 am    
By jephyork
Director

And Jimbo da Mighty Lobster is better than Lobster Johnson. 

(...Anyone remember Jimbo?)  

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 11:25 am    
By rhod

In a non-Marvel vein, I'm kinda getting into Lobster Random.
_________________
"What no ten-dollar words? No witty repartee? Aren't you gonna do anything other than bleed?" - Victor Creed XF125

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 10:56 pm    
By Col_Fury

jephyork wrote: 
>>>
(...Anyone remember Jimbo?)  
<<<

He was the result of the Savage Dragon Create a Character contest! Ah, good memories...
_________________
"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 11:50 pm    
By 1573

thanks everyone. 
i can honestly say that i own every daisy johnson appearance. 

i agree, hopfully bendis will use daisy soon.
_________________
it's not the size of your pencil that counts. 
it's how you write your name.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 May 2007 01:42 am    
By jephyork
Director

And I can honestly say that I own every Jimbo da Mighty Lobster appearance. 

Col_Fury, you win a prize! 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Thread 2

Posted: 24 Apr 2007 08:43 pm    Post subject: PPTSS 124
By cnowlin

At present, Spidey's chronology places this issue right after 123, yet it is a fill-in and set in the past. Evidence of this is: 
a) Spidey has his classic costume he's yet to replace 
b) Spidey is still in grad school 
c) Robby is the city editor 

The issue is a fight with Dr. Octopus which with an editor's note that mentions their last encounter was ASM@15, suggesting the issue take blace before PPTSS 72 

Cheers!

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 May 2007 09:27 am    
By cweed4

Spidey and Doc Ock don't actually encounter each other in PPTSS 72. Spidey battles the Doc Ock impersonator Ollie Osnick in that issue. The real Dr. Octopus is shown buying a Daily Bugle with the headline "Doc Ock escapes Prison". His escape would suggest PPTSS 124 would then have to occur after PPTSS 72.

			*	*	*

Thread 3

Posted: 02 May 2007 08:17 am    Post subject: Code of Honor
By PopularLoser

Are there already plans to fully review Chuck Dixson's Code of Honor from '97 (since it falls in Gap 2)?
_________________
[Insert Witty Remark Here]

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 May 2007 08:53 am    
By ADMINISTRATOR

Anyone can provide an issue analysis.
_________________
 
New Accounts use Latveria as your Location when registering.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 May 2007 04:05 pm    
By Enda80

I made some notes on #2-#4.

			*	*	*

Thread 4

Posted: 04 May 2007 12:28 am    Post subject: UX 297-FB X-Men appearance
By wolframbane

In UX 297, Beast and Archangel are repairing Harry's Hideaway after it was destroyed by Caliban in UX 294. Beast and Archangel remember the times they spent at Harry's, including 'after school malts and late night cram sessions', and there is a flashback of the five students sitting at the table. If we had to come up with a specific example of when this occurred, Archangel refers to Jean's surprise sweet sixteen and Hank's going away party when he joined Brand. Since Jean didn't even join the X-Men until she was 17 (X-Men Index #1), I think we could safely place UX 297-FB with Hank's party, just before AA2 11-FB.

			*	*	*

Thread 5

Posted: 06 May 2007 05:59 pm    Post subject: KOP 18
By Dhall

Look like Iron Man's listing is missing Knights of Pendragon 18. 

Iron man 
M 274 
IM 275 
IM 275/2 
IM 275 
IM 276 
IM 277 
**KOP 18 
IG 2 
IG 3 
SS3 52 
IG 3 ~ SS3 54 
IG 4 
IG 6

			*	*	*

Thread 6

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 2:13 pm    Post subject: Mystic Arcana: Magik
By SKleefeld
Director

Just caught an interview with Louise Simonson on CBR and figured I ought to note it here for when the story actually comes out... 

Louise Simonson wrote: 
>>>
Mystic Arcana: Magik does not deal with Magik's return, but rather fills in a gap in an old issue of New Mutants. The story takes place between panels from a time travel adventure in New Mutants #32, To the Ends of The Earth... As readers may remember, Illyana controls stepping discs that allow her to teleport in time as well in space. In Mutants #32, she and Dani slip in time to Pharoahnic Egypt where they meet the sorceress Ashake, a progenitor of Ororo of the X-Men. 

In Mystic Arcana, we learn that the slip was not accidental, or a major screw-up as Illyana had assumed, but a ploy by the evil sorcerer Heka-Nut to acquire and use [Magik's] power for his own ends... Ashake initially saves the girls from the minions of Heka-Nut, then both are drawn into conflict with him. The story has everything an Egyptian story should have: a lost tomb, a hidden treasure, an immortal sorcerer, mummies and Egyptian gods and chimeras. Plus a bonus jaunt to Limbo... 

To make things even better, there was a perfect break in New Mutants #32 on page 18, a night that was unaccounted for, in which to tell the story I wanted to tell. 
<<<

			*	*	*

Thread 7

Posted: 08 May 2007 09:17 pm    Post subject: Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Do any of our Spidey experts out there know where to place the various flashbacks (or FB-FBs) in last week's Sensational Spider-Man #1?
_________________
Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 10:00 pm    
By JLH

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, I picked the book up for a look-see. I'll get into it this weekend, promise, along with all the other books owed (which means now someone'll reply and give you heavy detail on all the flashbacks. I'm jinxed that way!)

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 04:39 am    
By JLH

It's an early weekend! 

First FB: 
I figure SENSP@ 1 pages 5 and 6 take place perhaps between AMS 50 & 51. The Coffee Bean is introduced in issue 53. They still use the Silver Spoon as their hangout in issue 52, but it's possible they just hadn't gotten into the habit of going to the new place yet and went back to old one once. The annual doesn't quite jibe with the status of relationships (Harry & MJ are dating while Gwen & Pete are together, when in the original AMS stories, Coffee Bean's intro was during the Pete & MJ, Gwen & Harry days. You CAN read the annual's FB without the attempted Peter/Gwen romantic gestures, but just barely). 

Second FB: 
AMS 47, Page 9, panel 5 is identical to SENSP@ 1 page 10, panel 1. 
AMS 47, page 10, panel 1: Flash arriving at the party. 
SENSP@ 1 page 10 panel 2: MJ & Gwen both grabbing Flash's arms. 
AMS 47 10 Panels 2-4, 11 panel 1: MJ dances with Pete while Gwen dances with Flash. Jealousy erupts between the girls. 
SENSP@ 1 10 panel 3 and 4: Gwen and MJ end up dancing almost side by side. Guys gawk (in different order than in the original book, but ah well). 
AMS 47 page 11, panel 2: then all heck breaks loose when Kraven shows up. 

Third FB: 
AMS 87 page 7 panel 3 identical to SENSP@ 1 page 12 panel 1. 
AMS 87 page 7 panel 4 identical to SENSP@ 1 page 12 panel 2. 
AMS 87 page 8 panel 4 identical to SENSP@ 1 page 12 panel 3. 
AMS 87 page 9 identical to SENSP@ 1 page 12 panel 4. As you can tell, nothing new here at all. 

There's a pic of Pete, maybe 10 or 11ish, with May & Ben in front of a Christmas tree wearing smiley face shirts (how... festive?). I have no clue its placement, and we don't do photos anyway, right? I mean, this one's ambigious on the date. Same with an MJ Pete shot nearby. 

Fourth FB: 
AMS 130 page 12 panel 3: MJ tells Pete about the Christmas Eve party coming up on Monday. 
SENSP@ 1 pages 16 and 17. The MJ/Pete Christmas mixtape and mistletoe incident is played twice in the annual with only narrative differences. 
AMS 130 page 12 panel 4: Caption claims it's 4 days after previous panel. 

Fifth FB: 
AMS 143 page 6: Robbie, Pete, and MJ arrive at the airport. 
SENSP@ 1 page 26 through page 27 panels 1 & 2: Pete and MJ go to get a coffee together at the airport while Robbie is ignorant. You have to cut off the "why do you call me tiger" question, since it's asked in a different context in the original story. Unless he asks and she ignores the first time and he asks again. I'll go with "he asked once, and he asks again before he goes and she gives the same answer. He just liked hearing it twice, or he didn't hear over the loud-ass speaker system in the airport". 
AMS 143 page 7 panels 1-3: Waiting time is cut short when the flight to Paris is announced to be boarding. Pete asks if MJ can answer one question before they go, it's the "why do you call me tiger" thing again with only minor wording differences. 
AMS 143 page 7 panel 4 is identical to SENSP@ 1 page 27 panel 3. Same Big Red gum kiss. 
ASM 143 page 8 panels 1-6: Kiss reactions and Pete heads off. 
AMS 143 page 8 panels 7 & 8 are identical to SENSP@ 1 page 27 panels 4 & 5: Pete says goodbye from the hall end while getting on plane. 

Any questions?

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 04:54 pm    
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks, JLH! (Note to self...add this to the growing list of things I have to file for reference.) 

Actually, wouldn't the first flashbacks be on pages 3-4? Those shots of M.J. with Brady? I'd have to check myself, but was this the period in which Peter and M.J. were separated?
_________________
Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 07:09 pm    
By Somebody

Yes, between ASM2 32 and ASM2 49 (give or take an issue or two. And yes, I know MJ appears briefly between those, but that's nothing that affects the range beyond that margin of error ).

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 02:14 am    
By JLH

Paul Bourcier wrote: 
>>>
Actually, wouldn't the first flashbacks be on pages 3-4? 
<<<

Yes, my mistake. For some reason I thought it was to something previously seen of such recent import that it was ignorable.

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 02:13 pm    
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Somebody wrote: 
>>>
Yes, between ASM2 32 and ASM2 49 (give or take an issue or two. And yes, I know MJ appears briefly between those, but that's nothing that affects the range beyond that margin of error  
<<<

Thanks, Somebody. I couldn't recall if this was a scene we had seen before, but it appears to be an all-new event. For those keeping score, I'm putting it on Saturday, Feb. 23 of Year 21, between M.J.'s appearances in TW 21 and DD2 65-FB (10-11).
_________________
Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 03:27 pm    
By Somebody

Paul Bourcier wrote: 
>>>
For those keeping score, I'm putting it on Saturday, Feb. 23 of Year 21, between M.J.'s appearances in TW 21 and DD2 65-FB (10-11). 
<<<

Given that the MCP doesn't list these issues, where does that fall relative to ASM?

			*	*	*

Posted: 14 May 2007 05:53 am    
By Paul Bourcier
Director

During a big gap between ASM2 38 and 39.
_________________
Paul B.

			*	*	*

Thread 8

Posted: 15 May 2007 10:49 am    Post subject: pre-Secret Wars Spidey
By cweed4

currently- 
ASM 248/2 
ASM 249 
ASM 250 (1 - 10) 
PPTSS 86 
PPTSS 87 
ASM 250 (11 - 22) 
ASM 251 
M/TU 137 
M/FAN 47 
M/TU 138 
WOSM 26 
M/TU 139 
M/TU 140 
PPTSS 88 
PPTSS 89-FB 
PPTSS 89 
ASM 251 
PPTSS 89 ~ M/TU 140 ~ ASM 251 
M/SHSW 1 

This stretch of Spidey continuity can be sorted out by 3 factors: 
1) losing his spider-sense in a battle against Hobgoblin [ASM 249] 
2) revealing his ID to Black Cat [PPTSS 87] 
3) random spider-sense buzzes associated w/ the Battleworld complex in Central Park [1st in ASM 249, 2nd in ASM 250 (pg 12), 3rd in ASM 251/PPTSS 89/MTU 140] 

my suggested order based on these events- 
ASM 248/2 
M/TU 137 (nondescript 3 panel appearance that could really be placed anywhere) 
M/FAN 47 (has spider-sense) 
PPTSS 86 (has spider-sense, no ID reveal yet) 
ASM 249 (1st buzz and loses spider-sense at end) 
ASM 250 [pp1-10] (aftermath of Hobby fight) 
M/TU 138 (no spider-sense, mentions 1st buzz, no ID reveal yet) 
PPTSS 87 (no spider-sense, mentions 1st buzz, reveals ID) 
ASM 250 [pp11-16] (no spider-sense, 2nd buzz, finds spider tracer receiver) 
M/TU 139 (no spider-sense, mentions 2nd buzz, has spider tracer receiver) 
M/TU 140 (no definitive clues but appears to NOT have spider-sense) 
ASM 250 [pp17-22] (battles Hobby again) 
ASM 251 [pp1-16] (regains spider-sense, JJJ steps down as Bugle EIC) 
WOSM 26 (has spider-sense, Joe Robertson is EIC) 
PPTSS 88 (mentions 2nd buzz, appears to have spider-sense) 
PPTSS 89-FB 
PPTSS 89 
ASM 251 [pg17] 
PPTSS 89 ~ M/TU 140 ~ ASM 251 
M/SHSW 1

			*	*	*

Thread 9

Posted: 06 May 2007 04:47 pm 	Post subject: Placement of the new Wonder Man mini
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Okay, what the heck's going on with the recent five-issue Wonder Man mini? I issue #1, Simon talks about the events of Disassembled. Then in issue #5, we see a party for Cap held at an intact Avengers Mansion and the guests include Thor. 

Say what??

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 06 May 2007 06:29 pm 
By Mikhail

Was it future Simon or regular Simon? If it was regular Simon then, yeah, its screwed. Especially since Thor was shown at the mansion.

			*	*	*

Posted: 06 May 2007 06:39 pm 
By Somebody

The series is done as flashbacks by an alternate future WM, Clearly, our aged narrator is not quite reliable...

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 06:14 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Quote:
>>>
The series is done as flashbacks by an alternate future WM, Clearly, our aged narrator is not quite reliable...
<<<

True...and that raises the question of whether anything we see as flashbacks in this series is reliable, if indeed they're supposed to occur in the mainstream MU. Do we accept only scenes that don't contradict established canon? Do we ignore only those aspects of a scene -- settings (intact Avengers Mansion), characters (Thor) -- if they contradict canon? 

OR...are we looking at an alternate reality entirely -- alternate future and alternate past/present?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 08:12 am 
By ADMINISTRATOR

Part of your question was decided by the Board this weekend. We accept only the flashback scenes that don't contradict established canon, as long as the story itself is canon. 


watching: heroes

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 12:21 pm 
By jephyork
Director

I think you're thinking of something else. 

If I'm reading you right, you're referring to flashbacks that add material to preexisting scenes (such as the expanded origin of Iron Man that we used as our discussion example). 

If I understand the setup of the Wonder Man mini, the entire story is a "flashback" because it's being told by an aged, future Wonder-Man. But if you ignore that framing sequence, it's an all-new story that allegedly takes place roughly in modern continuity. 

To which I'd say "the presence of Thor, Cap and an intact mansion outweighs the dialogue mention of Disassembled earlier in the series". Chalk the dialogue up to "future-Simon is an unreliable narrator" and place the mini pre-Disassembled. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 12:44 pm 
By ADMINISTRATOR

jephyork wrote:
>>>
I think you're thinking of something else.

If I'm reading you right, you're referring to flashbacks that add material to preexisting scenes (such as the expanded origin of Iron Man that we used as our discussion example).
<<<

I don't think there's ever been a discussion about flashbacks that add material to preexisting scenes. They've always been treated as canon, and incorporated in the listings. 

In the policy decision that we reached last weekend, the Iron Man story that we used in our discussion was an example of multiple flashbacks, some of which added to previous tellings, and some of which were irreconcilable to canon. The question before the Board was, "Do all the flashbacks in that story get thrown out, or are we allowed to pick and choose which flashbacks are canon, and which aren't?" We decided on the latter. 

I haven't read the current Wonder Man book, but as I understand the discussion here, it's pretty much the same situation. Multiple flashbacks, some of which Paul B. contends cannot be canon. His question, I think, was "Does this mean we assume that all the flashbacks are not canon?" 

The Board's answer would be "No." 


watching: law and order

			*	*	*

Posted: May 2007 04:54 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Gotcha. However, this series is a "flashback" in framing-sequence-storytelling-device only. If you discard the future-Simon framing sequence, we're left with the same problem we see time and again: "two of the continuity-references in this series contradict one another. Which one should we go with?" 

My answer: the one we see on-panel (Thor), rather than the dialogue reference (post-Disassembled). 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 08:16 pm 
By ADMINISTRATOR

So your contention would be that there are no irreconcilable flashbacks in Wonder Man, and therefore Paul's question is moot. Right? 


watching: heroes

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 10:08 pm 
By Mikhail

No, he's saying there IS an irreconcilable difference, but we should ignore the fact that's merely mentioned (Disassembled has occurred) in favor of the fact that is visually depicted (Thor is still around).

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 11:22 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Ugh. My "contention" is not that Paul's question is "moot". 

My contention is simply that there's a mistake in the series. That's all. 

Look, if this series wasn't told in "flashback format", we'd simply have a series with a continuity problem. We'd solve that problem by deciding that one clue outweighed another clue, disregard the lesser clue, and put the thing in the MCP in the spot dictated by the greater clue. 

But you're saying that, because it happens to be told in "flashback format" -- a flashback FROM the future TO the present-day -- that we can apply this new rule of ours, and delete/ignore entire scenes of the mini that don't match up to the present-day timeframe that it's "flashing back from the future" to. 

No. As I understand it, that's not what the rule was meant for. 

I thought the rule was meant for flashbacks to previously-seen events, that greatly expand those events but in doing so also contradict elements of the originals. We decided to only include the expandy bits that fit -- and to disregard the contradicty bits that don't, in favor of the original sequence of events. 

Flashbacks from some alternate-future perspective to the present-day are barely flashbacks. They don't count, in my book. It's just a cutesy framing sequence gag. 

And in this case, nothing in the Wonder Man mini is "expanding on previously seen events" -- it's all-new events, that could either fit pre-Disassembled or post-Disassembled, depending which clue you decide to go with. 

Label 'em flashbacks in the MCP? Fine. But delete/ignore some of the comic based on a contradictory placement clue, when we WOULDN'T treat the scenes this way if they WEREN'T flashbacks? 

Nuh-uh. 

(Although, I suppose I ought to read the series before I comment any further. It's entirely possible I'm completely mistake on what the issue is.) 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 12:13 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

No, Jeff. You're spot on. 

jephyork wrote:
>>>
It's just a cutesy framing sequence gag. 
<<<

That's exactly what it is. 

If you have to, look at it as a present day story with FlashForwards to a possible future of an aged Wonder Man. Whatever. It's still a present day story with a framing sequence. 


jephyork wrote:
>>>
Label 'em flashbacks in the MCP? Fine.
<<<

Yeah, it should probably be labeled as such. 

As for placement, I would stick it before Tony goes public with his secret identity again(IM3 55), if only because he's at a party full of Avengers while still wearing his mask, asking for a straw.(it comes across as a joke, but he'd still rather use a straw than let people see him in the armor) IM3 55 is even further before Disassembled, so there you go.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 06:09 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Wow. For someone who hasn't read the series, Jeph has a pretty darn good grasp of what's going on.  

I agree with him that, because the main story is a flashback only by virtue of the fact that the framing sequence is set in an alternate future, we can't apply the selective canonicity rule we apply to conventional flashbacks that add material to established canonical events. 

We're forced either to throw the series out of canon or acknowledge a mistake issue #1 or issue #5. I'm inclined to agree with Jeph that we should favor the evidence in issue #5 over issue #1, provided nothing else in that scene in issue #5 contradicts a pre-Disassembled (or pre-IM3 55, as Col_Fury suggests) placement. I'll double-check that as I consider new calendar placements for WM3. 

Now, what to do about the dialog in issue #1? 

SIMON (in narrative): "I laid it all out for Neal. Wanda's descent into madness over the loss of her twins, the lives that were lost because of it..." 

NEAL: "Look, Simon...let's be honest here. This Wanda...she started out as part of a gang of mutants that actually called itself evil, right? And her father's Magneto, right? I've read that a few places." 

SIMON (in dialog): "That's true. However--" 

NEAL: "No buts, no howevers! Bottom line, she was bad to the bone! It was only a matter of time before she self-destructed and took some people down with her." 

SIMON: "You don't know her, Neal." 

NEAL: "Yeah, but I know people. I know about nature versus nurture, and I'm telling you...some people just have 'evil' hardwired into them." 

This dialog happens to be the set-up to the entire plot premise of the WM3 series -- the theme of redemption, of reforming someone who is presuably evil. 

Any way to salvage or re-interpret this dialog in light of a pre-Disassembled placement? 

Wanda's gone nuts before, but I think those times were before the West Coast Avengers broke up. Neal explicitly states in WM3 1 that the WCA broke up, so this series occurs after that (and likely after Simon's second return from the dead, and probably a bit after that, given other clues in the series). 

Any No Prize explanations?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 07:20 am 
By Mikhail

No Prizes? Sure. Old Immortal Simon's memory started to get hazy after his second millennia of existence, and he's remembering events slightly out of order. Happens to the best of us.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 07:57 am 
By SKleefeld
Director

This is the bit you're having trouble reconciling, right...? 

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
SIMON (in narrative): "I laid it all out for Neal. Wanda's descent into madness over the loss of her twins, the lives that were lost because of it..."
<<<

Weren't there civilian casualities in the storyline leading up to the revelation that Wanda's twins weren't real? Wanda was, at that time, evil and being coerced by some nefarious organization (a subsidiary of Roxxon or something) and I seem to recall some of the associated scientist-types biting it the ensuing battle. 

The "because of" implies that the lives lost happened after the loss of her twins, but it could be interpretted as lives lost in the pursuit (for lack of a better word) of losing the twins. So you could argue that Simon meant that some civilians died in the adventure that led up to the revelation about Wanda's kids. 

I don't have the new Wonder Man story, and it's been a while since I read those AWC issues. But does that help resolve your concerns?

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 02:47 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

The problem with that is the Beast appears in his X-Reload diapers in this series, placing it at least after the beginning of Morrison's run on (new)X-Men. Placing this any earlier than that and we'd have to ignore his second mutation and clothes. Unless they were having a conversation about really old events, which might have been what you were saying. 

I'm grasping here, but did Wanda go crazy at all during the Kang War? 

I like Mikhail's explanation if we can't find a spot for this. Maybe Simon was confusing the West Coast Avengers story with the Disassembled story... and when they happened. It still boils down to character appearances and costumes weighing more than dialogue.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 09:01 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Col_Fury wrote: 
>>>
The problem with that is the Beast appears in his X-Reload diapers in this series, placing it at least after the beginning of Morrison's run on (new)X-Men. Placing this any earlier than that and we'd have to ignore his second mutation and clothes. 
<<<

Good point, Col. That introduces another slight problem, as Beast was still wearing his Morrison leathers at the time of Disassembled. We've placed all his Reload diaper appearances after Disassembled.


Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
Unless they were having a conversation about really old events, which might have been what you were saying. 
<<<

That's possible. The crazy Wanda reference may be interpreted as an incident prior to Disassembled and quite a bit prior to WM3. I don't think that's how it was meant, but it could work. I'd have to check those AWC issues to check on casualties. Funny, though, how Wanda is not present for the party in issue #5.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 10:40 am 
By jephyork
Director

Uh-oh, is the preponderance of evidence turning in favor of the post-Disassembled era? I'm going to have to swing by my local comic shop and see how the party scene in #5 reads... 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 08:21 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Okay, I read #1 and #5 in the store today. 

In #1, Wonder man's old agent Neal Saroayn gets him talking about Wanda, and the rehabilitation of former supervillains in general, and they eventually start a wager to rehab "Ladykiller". 

In #5, it's revealed that Neal was the villain behind the whole thing, and was using some kind of mind control on Ladykiller. From what I read, he set up the entire conversation in the first place so that Wonder Man would be thinking about rehabbing supervillains just as Ladykiller attacked. 

Now, I didn't have time for a full read of #5 -- but was Neal also using mind control on Wonder Man in #1? If so, there's our "out" -- Simon wasn't really describing the events of "Disassembled" to Neal, he was just mouthing whatever thoughts Neal planted in his head about Wanda. We can disregard Wonder Man's account as implanted and false. 

So then only real issue becomes the Beast's "ReLoad" diaper, and I'm perfectly ready to write that off as "art error" and place this just pre-Disassembled. 

Thoughts? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 04:35 pm 
By Mikhail

Well, there's also the other Astonishing uniforms at the party, like Cyclops and Logan.

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 05:00 pm 
By jephyork
Director

I think we'd already established a year or two ago that, despite what ASTONX3 #1 shows, the changeover from the Morrison leathers to the Reload costumes was not all at once. There was a gradual changeover -- for example, in X #157, Cyclops and Wolverine are in their Reload outfits and the Beast is still in his Morrison costume. 

More to the point, the Beast showed up in "Avengers Disassembled" in his Morrison leathers. Placing this mini prior to Disassembled creates a definite Beast costume error -- but since we can't know for sure what costumes Wolvie and Cyclops were wearing at the time of "Disassembled", their appearance in the mini wearing their Reload costumes may simply constitute a new "earliest chronological appearance" of those outfits. 

We definitely have to call the Beast's outfit am art arror -- but I didn't want to say the same for Wolvie and Cyclops without checking further, as we may be able to keep their costumes consistent. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 10:45 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Yeah, putting it before IM3 55 really doesn't work, does it? 'Shortly' before Disassembled works for me. Does Thor being in his classic costume present any problems? It's been a while since I've read those Thor issues... and even if it does, whatever.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 11:51 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Actually, IIRC, that's one of the very few places Thor *was* in his classic costume at the time. He was "Lord Thor" during that entire storyline that got partly erased via time-travel, back to classic duds at the beginning of his Ragnarok arc (which coincided with the start of Disassembled), then back to his Lord Thor look again by its end -- right? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 07:14 am 
By Somebody
Director

No, he was back to his Simonson armour look (sans helmet and with matching arms) by the end 

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 10:47 am 
By jephyork
Director

Ah, that was it. Thanks. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 07:50 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

The revelation of Iron Man's identity (IM3 55/2) and Thor's donning of the Lord Thor raiment (T2 45) occurred at about the same time...by my reckoning more than a year (MU time) before the debut of the Reload costumes and Disassembled. Sigh.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 10:04 pm 
By jephyork
Director

But Paul, what I'm saying above is that Thor went *back* to his original look after the "Lord Thor" storyline wrapped. 

Thor v2 #80, the first "Ragnarok" issue, features Thor back in his classic outfit. And that storyline, of course, took place just before Avengers Disassembled! So no problem! 

See? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 09:10 am 
By Mikhail

But just before Disassembled, Iron Man's identity was known to the public, so he shouldn't have to look for a straw in order to hide his identity. It was only at the end of Disassembled that "Iron Man's" identity became a "secret" again.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 04:49 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Jeph wrote: 
>>>
Thor v2 #80, the first "Ragnarok" issue, features Thor back in his classic outfit. And that storyline, of course, took place just before Avengers Disassembled
<<<

Ah, I see -- it's the period (which I've placed in the May-July before Disassembled) during which Thor appears in classic duds in ASM2 57, M/HOL'04 1, TP:RTTR 1, XX 46, GLA 1-FB, and XS 21-26. Okay.  


Mikhail wrote:
>>>
But just before Disassembled, Iron Man's identity was known to the public, so he shouldn't have to look for a straw in order to hide his identity. It was only at the end of Disassembled that "Iron Man's" identity became a "secret" again.
<<<

Yup, that's true.  

But Stark is merely asking for a straw here: "Anybody got a straw? Anybody? A little help here?" For all we know, he removed his helmet off-panel and drank his beverage with a straw because he was in the mood for sucking.  

As for the Reload costumes, that issue's already been messed up from way back. I think we're going to have to accept a period of time in which Reload costumes were appearing off and on before ASTONX3 1, but ASTONX3 1 marked the official adoption of the costumes to the exclusion of the Morrison leathers. And Logan spent a long time getting used to it. 

Avengers Mansion intact -- check. 

Wanda having gone nuts and killed people? Maybe we go with Jeph's explanation. We don't see her at the party, nor do we see Hawkeye, but that's not a big deal. Hawkeye could be off on his solo adventure from HAWK3...or somethin'. 

The party is supposed to celebrate the anniversary of Cap's joining the Avengers, and that's supposed to be November. Looks like that might be a topical reference. Cap's birthday should be in October, so no go on that either. Anniversary of Steve becoming Cap? We'll think of somethin'.  

Genis-Vell appears at the party, and I think we'd have to put him here between CM6 18 and 19. Moondragon? Between THANOS 3 and CM6 19. 

Daredevil's at the party, with no goatee. This is the time he's supposed to be kingpin of Hell's Kitchen, and maybe it's around the time of DD:F, in which he's clean-shaven and wearing the costume. But this is also roughly the time that Spidey, Reed, Cage, and Strange are on his butt (see DD2 56-FB), and they're all at the party, too. 

Spidey doesn't seem to be a problem. Neither does She-Hulk, who wears the costume first seen in A3 65. No problem for Panther, Wasp, and YJ, either. Ditto for Justice and Cage. 

Carol Danvers should be wearing the butt-ugly DHS outfit at this time, but we've seen from IM3 75 and ALIAS 28 that she was switching between costumes, so WM3 occurring after A3 65 isn't really a problem. I don't recall if she was referred to as Warbird or Ms. Marvel anytime in WM3, but it should be the former. 

(Boy, checking on this pointed me to a few erroneous notes in the calendar. Ugh.) 

BUT, what about Spider-Woman?? That can't be Jessica Drew at the party, and we can't explain her away as a Wanda figment like we might do in Disassembled. Is this Julia Carpenter (and was it in A 503)?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 06:44 pm 
By Somebody

Reading the mini over... I just noticed that the party was meant to be at "Stark Towers" according to WM #4. I think this whole mess is caused by an artist %^&*-up or four... are we SURE we can't write off it being in Avengers Mansion rather than post-HoM Avengers Tower as future-WM's faulty memory? 

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Genis-Vell appears at the party, and I think we'd have to put him here between CM6 18 and 19.
<<<

He's in his red'n'blue AF costume though. That's before CM v4 #1 or after v4 #25.

*reiterates objection to calling CM v4 "CM6" while he's here* 


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
I don't recall if she was referred to as Warbird or Ms. Marvel anytime in WM3, but it should be the former. 
<<<

Huan calls Carol "Ms. Marvel" in #3. While we only see her introduced to her as "Carol Danvers", at no point is the name "Warbird" used, and the recap pages consistantly say Ms. Marvel.


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
BUT, what about Spider-Woman?? That can't be Jessica Drew at the party, and we can't explain her away as a Wanda figment like we might do in Disassembled. Is this Julia Carpenter (and was it in A 503)?
<<<

They have nothing visual in common (different hair colour, different costume, and wasn't Julia still recorded depowered at that point per Handbook?), and only the wall-sticking thing in-common power wise.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 08:43 pm 
By SKleefeld
Director

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Reading the mini over... I just noticed that the party was meant to be at "Stark Towers" according to WM #4. I think this whole mess is caused by an artist %^&*-up or four... are we SURE we can't write off it being in Avengers Mansion rather than post-HoM Avengers Tower as future-WM's faulty memory?
<<<

Stark Tower existed before the Avengers took up residence there. It is called Stark Tower for a reason!  Unless we actually see the Tower with the Sentry spires or it's mentioned that the Avengers are living there, then it's a non-issue.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 09:18 pm 
By Somebody
Director

There are two Stark Towers - one's the one established by early Iron Man v3, which is black with a bladed top, last seen in MTU v3, and the other was built post-Disassembled on the site of the Sentry's Watchtower and - that little factoid notwithstanding - is silver and flat-roofed. 

My point was that WM5 is clearly a handbrake turn away from the previous four issues' continuity, and the framing sequence - like all the other framing sequences - takes a hefty jump forward in time, and WM might just be that bit more senile. It's not as if the framing sequence lasts one day or anything like that 

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 02:02 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Okay, I'm trying to keep track of the mounting evidence for placement either before or after Disassembled. 

Evidence for post-Disassembled: 
"Stark Towers" 
"Ms. Marvel" 
Reload costumes 
Genis-Vell in his classic Captain Marvel costume 
Reference to Wanda going nuts and people getting killed 
Jessica Drew as Spider-Woman 

Evidence for pre-Disassembled: 
Avengers Mansion artwork 
Thor 

Did I forget any clues, or are there new ones that folks want to add to the tally?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 14 May 2007 10:22 am 
By jephyork
Director

>>>
Evidence for post-Disassembled: 
"Stark Towers"
<<<

As Somebody pointed out above, there's been a "Stark Tower" in existence since IM3 #1.


>>>
Jessica Drew as Spider-Woman
<<<

I'm sorry -- could you remind me again why this doesn't work?


>>>
Evidence for pre-Disassembled:
Thor 
<<<

To me, this right here trumps everything else. Incorrect costumes can be explained as art errors. A dead character showing up alive cannot be explained away -- especially when he has on-panel lines, as Thor does in #5. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 14 May 2007 09:57 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Evidence for pre-Disassembled: 
Thor 
<<<

jephyork wrote:
>>>
To me, this right here trumps everything else. Incorrect costumes can be explained as art errors. A dead character showing up alive cannot be explained away -- especially when he has on-panel lines, as Thor does in #5. 
<<<

Exactly. It's not like we can pretend it's Beta Ray Bill, or something.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 04:29 am 
By Paul O'Brien
Director

I agree - if you place this post-Disassembled, you've got to jettison (or at least drastically rewrite) an entire scene set at Avengers Mansion, and delete all of Thor's dialogue. If you place it pre-Disassembled, you've got to fudge a few lines of dialogue. 

I don't think there's any way of reconciling this mess - if they're talking about the events of Disassembled and yet the Avengers Mansion is still standing, then you've got a fundamental continuity error. So it becomes a matter of working out which placement does the least violence to the story, and I'm inclined to say that that's pre-Disassembled.

-- Paul O'Brien

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 05:59 am 
By Mikhail

But if we're working from the Senile Old Simon theory, isn't it more possible his romanticized memories happened to misremember minor characters not relevant to the plot (Re: Thor) than mistaking the reason for the whole sequence of events (a discussion of Wanda and Disassembled)?

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 06:09 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Mikhail wrote: 
>>>
But if we're working from the Senile Old Simon theory,
<<<

If we are, then how can we trust anything we see in WM3? Wouldn't we end up chucking this out of canon?


Jeph wrote:
>>>
Quote:
>>>
Jessica Drew as Spider-Woman 
<<<

I'm sorry -- could you remind me again why this doesn't work? 
<<<

Sure. The whole storyline involving the restoration of Jessica Drew's powers (in GSSW 1 and A4 14-FB) clearly occurs after Disassembled. In GSSW 1, she reflects on her career downturn and muses that she would almost certainly have been killed by "whatever the hell happened at Avengers Mansion that killed half the team."

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 10:33 am 
By jephyork
Director

However, Jessica Drew had partial powers in Alias #20-21 (which was set Pre-Disassembled), and nothing's stopping her from putting on her outfit and attending a party in Cap's honor. Right? 

(And don't make me bring up Bendis' line about how Jessica had been undergoing operations to restore her powers for "seventeen months", and yet it was still *all* supposed to be set post-Disassembled. Feh.) 


>>>
But if we're working from the Senile Old Simon theory, isn't it more possible his romanticized memories happened to misremember minor characters not relevant to the plot (Re: Thor) than mistaking the reason for the whole sequence of events (a discussion of Wanda and Disassembled)?
<<<

The Disassembled event was never referred to by name. Simon was discussing "a time when Wanda went crazy, resulting in a body count". And, as #5 showed, he was being mind-controlled specifically to be talking about "a reformed female supervillain who eventually reverted to her evil ways" just as Ladykiller attacked ... it's not so much of a stretch to think that during the mind-control, his memories were being messed with. 

However, it's VERY hard to disregard Thor's presence. I don't buy the "senile old Simon is remembering wrong" theory. That renders the entire miniseries falliable and untrustworthy, and thus potentially non-canon. I prefer to think that the flashbacks are factually accurate insofar as the story goes, but riddled with continuity errors from a larger perspective. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 May 2007 06:15 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Okay, so let's take the "evidence" for post-Disassembled and knock it down 

"Stark Towers" -- existed before Disassembled, just not Watchtower Stark Tower; the party was planned to be there, but there must have been a change of venue 

"Ms. Marvel" -- Huan calls Carol that, and she could merely be out of touch about the Warbird name; Carol was changing back and forth between DHS uniform and Ms. M costume 

Reload costumes -- may have been worn before Disassembled and/or may be dismissed as artistic error 

Genis-Vell in his classic Captain Marvel costume -- actually a non-issue; the Odyssey story arc in Marvel's own comic ended before Disassembled (was issue #25 canonical? I seem to remember a discussion about that); he'd be here between then and TB2 1 

Reference to Wanda going nuts and people getting killed -- pyscho manipulation: a past memory of Wanda going nuts (perhaps from AWC) corrupted by false memories of people being killed 

Jessica Drew as Spider-Woman -- decided to don costume for the event; powers not demonstrated in WM3 5 

So WM3 should occur shortly before Disassembled, and prior to T2 80 (7-22), given Thor's chronology. 

The insertion of this story after the CM run and before T2 80 (7-22) will have ripple effects in the calendar, but, hey, that's the fun of plotting all these events. 

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 May 2007 11:24 am 
By jephyork
Director

Nice! 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Thread 10

Posted: 17 May 2007 01:40 pm 		Post subject: Spectacular Spider-man Magazine 1 (pt.1)
By cweed4

FF 73 
SPECSM 1 
ASM 59 (8:2 - 20:5) 
~ 
ASM 115 
ASM 116
ASM 117
ASM 118 
M/TU 8 


Isn't ASM 116-118 a reprint of the first story in SPECSM 1? If so, how can they both be in the chronology? 

			*	*	*

Posted: 17 May 2007 05:06 pm 
By Enda80

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/disrupt1.htm 

I'm not quite sure why they revised and retold this story. The original was in black-and-white. Attempts were made to update the story into the chronology of the time, such as eliminating all references to Captain George Stacy, and even having Spider-Man wear his costume shop mask from Amazing Spider-Man#113. For the continuity buffs, this story EITHER takes place between AmzSpdm59+60, or 155+119, depending on the version. However, the second version doesn't really fit, as Richard Raleigh was dead at the time of the re-telling (not that that ever stopped anyone before). 

Raleigh was found dead by the Jester (who had been hired by Richard Raleigh to target Foggy Nelson) in DD I#42.

			*	*	*

Thread 11

Posted: 16 May 2007 04:00 pm 		Post subject: Fallen Son: Death of Cap #3 - flashback question
By jephyork
Director

I'm enjoying this series for the most part, but my god, Jeph Loeb, enough with the brick-to-the-head opening dialogue. Does every issue have to start with one character intoning "THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA." in bold italic caps? Stop it. 

Anyway, I had a question about the flashback to the "Cap's Kooky Quartet" days in this issue -- Hawkeye, in Cap's face as usual as Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch look on, saying something about how he could lead the Avengers just as well as Cap -- and he'd do it "with that big old serving tray" (Cap's shield) on his arm. 

Is this a new scene? I mean, yes, we've seen Hawkeye get in Cap's face over team leadership a hundred times. But to anyone's knowledge, was this specific dialogue lifted from an earlier issue? Or was it new? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 May 2007 09:36 pm 
By Arthur
Director

I've just very recently reread Avengers 1 through 50, and to the best I can recall this is new dialogue.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 May 2007 09:48 pm 
By wolframbane

On a calendar note, a newspaper in the issue mentions it occurs of June 19.

			*	*	*

Posted: 17 May 2007 06:09 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

>>>
I've just very recently reread Avengers 1 through 50, and to the best I can recall this is new dialogue.
<<<

Anyone want to suggest a placement? It seems like it could occur during any one of several breaks between story arcs. I would pick just after A 25. In that issue, Hawkeye notices that Wanda is attracted to Cap and presumes it's because he's the leader. It would make sense that Clint's claim of being able to run the team better would occur shortly after this.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 19 May 2007 12:34 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
I would pick just after A 25. 
<<<

That works for me. 

I'm also enjoying this series... but I'd have to agree with Jeph in that it's a bit, urm, heavy-handed at times.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Thread 12

Posted: 23 May 2007 09:30 am 		Post subject: "Third Gap"
By Somebody
Director

Can I just check - which issues, past the middle of 2004 (ReLoad/Disassembled) are in the MCP?

			*	*	*

Posted: 23 May 2007 09:16 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

I know that some stuff that's been released more recently, but are set in the past have made it in.(Like Spider-Woman: Origin) 

But is everything in up to mid-2004?(aside from the remaining Gap books, Sgt. Fury, & misc. Golden Age books, of course) I ask because I analyzed the 1999-2000 Deathlok and the 2002 Black Widow series' a while back, which slipped through the cracks previously. So I'm wondering if anything else might have been missed...

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 01:21 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
I know that some stuff that's been released more recently, but are set in the past have made it in.(Like Spider-Woman: Origin)
<<<

Yeah, but I'm thinking about the present-day bread'n'butter stuff - Avengers titles, Spider-titles, X-titles, etc.


Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
But is everything in up to mid-2004?
<<<

Dunno, I was just looking round and kept seeing entries ending in Avengers v3 #84, NXM 150, XXM 46, etc.

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 01:59 pm 
By Kevin W.
Director

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Can I just check - which issues, past the middle of 2004 (ReLoad/Disassembled) are in the MCP?
<<<

If your question is directed at the Board, we don't have any such list in place. 

I do think it's a good idea if we started putting together a "Books that need added to the MCP from the last few years" checklist, and if you guys wanted to spearhead that initiative, that'd be great.

Last edited by Kevin W. on 25 May 2007 10:32 am, edited 1 time in total. 

Keeping track of Bendis References since 2001!

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 03:34 pm 
By ADMINISTRATOR

Here's a start: 

1602 
1602 FF 
1602 NW 
A 500-503 
A4 
A@2 
A:EMH2 
A:FINALE 
A:ILLUMINATI 
A:ILLUMINATI2 
A:ILLUMINATI SECRET HISTORY 
A/TB 
ACADEMY X 
AF3 
AGENTS OF ATLAS 
AMAZING FANTASY2 
ANNIHILATION 
ANNIHILATION:HERALDS 
ANNIHILATION:NO 
ANNIHILATION PROLOGUE 
ANNIHILATION:RONAN 
ANNIHILATION SAGA 
ANNIHILATION:SUPER SKRULL 
ANNIHILATION:SS 
APOCALYPSE VS DRACULA 
ARANA 
ARCHANGEL 
ARES 
ASM 507-540 
ASM/HUMAN TORCH 
ASM/DD USUAL SUSPECTS 
ASM DEATH & DESTINY 
ASM DOC OCK NEG EXP 
ASM DOC OCK YEAR ONE 
ASM FAMILY SPIDER-CLAN 
ASM OUT OF REACH 
ASM REDEMPTION 
ASM REIGN 
ASM SWING SHIFT 
ASM/WOLVERINE 
ASM/WOLVERINE HIGH TIDE 
ASTONX3 
BROTHERHOOD 
BLAZE OF GLORY 
BLINK 
BP3 50-62 
BP4 
BULLET POINTS 
BULLEYE GREATEST 
BW 2004 
BW THINGS THEY SAY 
BW WEB OF INTRIGUE 
C/DPOOL 
CA4 26-32 
CA5 
CA&F2 
CITIZEN V EVERLASTING 
CIVIL WAR AD INFINITUM 
CLAWS 
COC2 
COLOSSUS BLOODLINE 
CREW 
CRIMINAL 
DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON 
DD2 39-96 
DD FATHER 1-6 
DD NINJA 1-3 
DD REDEMPTION 
DD TARGET 
DECIMATION HOUSE OF M 
DEF3 
DISTRICT X 
DLOK3 
DOC SAMSON2 
DOMINO2 
DOOM2 
DRAX 
DRSPECTRUM 
DRSTR OATH 
ETERNAL 
ETERNALS3 
EXILES 
FF 500-546 
FF BIG TOWN 
FF DEATH IN THE FAMILY 
FF FIREWORKS 
FF FIRST FAMILY 
FF FOES 
FF IM JAPAN 
FF WEDDING 
FFWGM 
FRANKLIN RICHARDS 
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN 
FURY PEACEMAKER 
GAM4 
GENERATION M 
GET KRAVEN 
GLA 
GLA XMAS 
GR4 
GR5 
GR:FINALE 
GR TRAIL OF TEARS 
GRAVITY 
GUARDIANS 
HAWK4 
HELLIONS 
HELLSTORM SON OF SATAN 
HERC3 
HERO 
HFH2 
HOBGOBLIN LIVES 
HOOD 
HOUSE OF M AD INFINITUM 
H3 60-106 
H:DESTRUCTION 
H:NIGHTMERICA 
H/TG:HARD KNOCKS 
HT2 
IDENTITY DISC 
IF4 
IMMORTAL IF 
IM3 84-89 
IM4 
IM:HYPERVELOCITY 
IM:INEVITABLE 
INV3 
IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN 
JUBILEE 
KITTY PRYDE SHADOW & FLAME 
LEGEND OF THE SPIDER-CLAN 
LIVEWIRES 
LOKI 
LEGION OF MONSTERS 
LONERS 
M/K 4 
M/K SPIDER-MAN 
M/TU3 
MADROX 
MARVILLE 
MECHANIX 
MIGHTY AVENGERS 
MK5 
MSM/2 
MUTOPIA X 
MYSTIQUE 
N2 
NC2 
NC3 
NEW UNIVERSAL 
NEWX2 
NEXTWAVE 
NIGHTSIDE 
NO3 
NO4 
NYX 
ONSLAUGHT REBORN 
POWERS 
PULSE 
PUN7 
PUN BULLSEYE 
PUN PRESENTS BARRACUDA 
PWJ2 
ROGUE4 
RUNAWAYS 
RUNAWAYS2 
S-H3 
S-H4 
SABLE & FORTUNE 
SABRE2 
SECRET WAR 
SENSM2 
SENTINEL 
SENTINEL SQUAD ONE 
SENTRY 
SENTRY2 
SILENT WAR 
SPIDER-MAN FAMILY 
S-M FAMILY2 
S-M FF 
S-M UNLIMITED2 
SNIKT 
SOLDIER X 
SPECSM2 15-22 
STORM2 
STORMBREAKER 
SUPREME POWER 
T2 51-85 
T BLOODOATH 
T VIKINGS 
T SON OF ASGARD 
TB 69-81 
TB 100-114 
TB2 1-18 
TB ZEMO BORN BETTER 
TG2 
THANOS 
UJ 
UJ2 
UX 451-486 
UX@2 1 
VENOM 
W3 25-53 
W:ORIGINS 
WEBSPINNERS 
WHITE TIGER 
WISDOM 
WLOCK6 
WX 15-28 
WX DRAFT 
X 151-199 
X@2 1 
X/4 
X:198 
X:DG 
X:FIRST CLASS 
X:LIB 
X-23 
X-23 TARGET X 
X-51 
XCAL3 
XCAL4 
XF2 3-4 
XF3 
XFOR2 
XISLE 
XSTATIX: DEAD GIRL 
XU2 
YOUNG AVENGERS 
ZOMBIE 


watching: cold case files

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 04:38 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Just picking off some that probably don't need done, and the odd Q... 

Administrator wrote:
>>>
1602
1602 FF
1602 NW
<<<

Only relevant if you want to do a 1602 page in the way of the Kilraven or AoA pages, surely?


Administrator wrote:
>>>
A:ILLUMINATI SECRET HISTORY
<<<

Reprints of the first two issues of the Illumanti mini


Administrator wrote:
>>>
ANNIHILATION SAGA
<<<

Summary book, no new material


Administrator wrote:
>>>
ASM REIGN
<<<

Spider-Man Reign? Alternate future.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
BULLET POINTS
<<<

Alternate past


Administrator wrote:
>>>
CRIMINAL
<<<

Icon/creator-owned book in its' own universe.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
DRSPECTRUM
SUPREME POWER
<<<

Supreme Powerverse [Ultimate Squadron Supreme], non-MU


Administrator wrote:
>>>
ETERNAL
<<<

The Chuck Austen MAX book? I'm fairly, if not 100%, certain that was alternate. Anyone else remember/have the will to check?


Administrator wrote:
>>>
FF BIG TOWN
<<<

Alternate future.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
HELLSTORM SON OF SATAN
<<<

Wasn't there a discussion about this one probably not being canon?


Administrator wrote:
>>>
HERO
<<<

I'm blanking - what's this one? Only DC's H-E-R-O book's leaping to mind.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
LEGEND OF THE SPIDER-CLAN
<<<

Mangaverse - like 1602, only if you want a Mangaverse page.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
MARVILLE
<<<

Please tell me that's not canon...


Administrator wrote:
>>>
NEW UNIVERSAL
<<<

newuniversal's a New Universe reboot, so non-MU.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
ACADEMY X
NEWX2
<<<

Eh? Isn't this a double-listing?


Administrator wrote:
>>>
NIGHTSIDE
<<<

Was this the Robert Weinberg series? If so, I think it wasn't MU, but I'd need to check...


Administrator wrote:
>>>
SENTINEL
SENTINEL SQUAD ONE
<<<

Missed out Sentinel v2.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
WLOCK6
<<<

v6? Wasn't the Pak mini v5, or am I missing one?

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 10:25 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Administrator wrote:
>>>
WLOCK6
<<<

v6? Wasn't the Pak mini v5, or am I missing one?
<<<

WLOCK - the 1970s Power of Warlock series 
WLOCK2 - the 1982 reprint miniseries 
WLOCK3 - the 1992 reprint miniseries 
WLOCK4 - the 1998 miniseries 
WLOCK5 - the 1999 M-Tech series 
WLOCK6 - the most recent miniseries

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 May 2007 10:43 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Administrator wrote:
>>>
ASM DOC OCK YEAR ONE
<<<

Non-canon. By the end of the series, the retelling of ASM 3 differs completely from the original story.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
BROTHERHOOD
BLINK
DD NINJA 1-3
DOMINO2
DOOM2
MK5
SENTINEL
<<<

All of these are already included, although MK5 isn't in the Key.


Administrator wrote:
>>>
X:LIB
<<<

If this is supposed to be X-Men: Liberators, it's already in the MCP. 

There are also a number of series in the list that have had analyses posted on the boards in the past, like Wolverine: X-Isle and X-Factor vol. 2.

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 12:32 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

After some quick checking, here's what I can see is pre-current cut-off, and some other notes: 

ARCHANGEL (already in) 
ASM/DD USUAL SUSPECTS (2001) 
ASM DEATH & DESTINY (2000) 
ASM DOC OCK NEG EXP (2003-2004) 
ASM OUT OF REACH (2004) 
ASM/WOLVERINE (2003) 
ASM/WOLVERINE HIGH TIDE (reprints ASMV.W 1 Im pretty sure. If so, already in) 
BLAZE OF GLORY (2000) 
BW WEB OF INTRIGUE (reprints Marvel Fanfare 10-13) 
CITIZEN V EVERLASTING (2002) 
COC2 (1999) 
CREW (2003-2004) 
FF FIREWORKS (1999) 
FFWGM (in but bracketed) 
GET KRAVEN (2002-2003) 
GR4 (2001-2002) 
HAWK4 (2003-2004) 
HERO: WARRIOR OF THE MYSTIC REALM (1990) 
HOBGOBLIN LIVES (1997) 
H:NIGHTMERICA (2003-2004) 
IF4 (2004) 
LOKI (2004) 
LEGION OF MONSTERS (1975) 
MARVILLE (2002-2003) 
MECHANIX (2002-2003) 
N2 (2003-2004) 
NC2 (2002) 
NIGHTSIDE (2001-2002) 
NO3 (1999) 
SABRE2 (1998) 
SENTRY (already in) 
SNIKT! (2003) 
SOLDIER X (2002-2003) 
T VIKINGS (2003-2004) 
UJ (1998-1999) 
WEBSPINNERS (1999-2000) 
WX DRAFT (various one-shots already in) 
X-51 (2000) 
XISLE (2003) 

I'll have to look around to see if any of this has already been analyzed..."Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 02:38 am 
By JLH

Well, if we're all going to post lists, here's the one I compiled a few months back. Compare them all! Supplies aren't limited! 


Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man 
Savage Hulk bookshelf format special 
1602 #1-8 
Ant-Man's Big Christmas 
Apache Skies 1-4 
Blaze of Glory 1-4 
Conspiracy 1, 2 
Crimson Dynamo #1-6 (canon?) 
Deadline 1-4 
Elektra: Glimpse and Echo 1-4 
Epic Anthology 1 
The Hood 1-6 
Howard the Duck Holiday Special #1 (1997) 
Hulk: Nightmerica 1-6 
Marvel Double Shot 1-4 
Marvel Knights Double Shot 1-4 
Muties 1-4 
Namor (Tsunami series) 1-12 
Nova vol 3 1-7 
Nightside 1-4 (canon?) 
Rawhide Kid vol 2 #1-5 
Sabretooth: Mary Shelley Overdrive 1-4 
Starlord 1-3 
Spider-Man/Kingpin: To the Death 
Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Negative Exposure 1-5 
Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Out of Reach 1-5 
Spider-Man: Quality of Life 1-4 
Spider-Man: Get Kraven 1-6 
Spider-Man & Wolverine #1-4 (Marvel Knights mini) 
Truth: Red, White and Black 1-7 
Two-Gun Kid: Sunset Riders 1, 2 
Union Jack vol 1 1-3 
Wolverine/Captain America #1-4 
Wolverine: Netsuke 1-4 
Wolverine: Snikt! 1-5 
Wolverine: X-Isle 1-5

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 03:37 am 
By Paul O'Brien
Director

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Administrator wrote:
>>>
MARVILLE
<<<

Please tell me that's not canon...
<<<

Well, OFFICIAL HANDBOOK A TO Z #6 treats KalAOL's meeting with the Great Lakes Avengers as canonical. They hedge their bets about his earlier appearances in MARVILLE itself, presumably on the basis that the story is too stupid for words, and you can just about spin it as a possible alternate timeline.

-- Paul O'Brien

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 07:17 am 
By ADMINISTRATOR

SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
There are also a number of series in the list that have had analyses posted on the boards in the past, like Wolverine: X-Isle and X-Factor vol. 2.
<<<

Right. But I wasn't intending the list to be a request for analyses. I have all the books in that list. I was simply providing a beginning checklist for books that haven't yet been entered in the Project. 


watching: lost

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 10:06 am 
By Somebody
Director

SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
WLOCK - the 1970s Power of Warlock series
WLOCK2 - the 1982 reprint miniseries
WLOCK3 - the 1992 reprint miniseries
WLOCK4 - the 1998 miniseries
WLOCK5 - the 1999 M-Tech series
WLOCK6 - the most recent miniseries
<<<

Well, the M-Tech series is listed as WLOCK4 in the formerly-known-as-Douglock Warlock's entry, and the 1998 series is WLOCK3 in Adam's entry. If the Pak mini is v6 on the basis of the above, there needs to be a rearrangement.

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 May 2007 07:01 pm 
By ssstegron

The mention of DOOM2 in this topic has me wondering, is "Doom: The Emperor Returns" in a gap, or was it determined to be non-canonical? This was the 3-issue mini-series published in 2002, dealing with Doom remaking the HR world, attempting to return his mother to life (again), and encountering Hellscout as he returns through the negative zone. 

Is it possible that this series has been confused with DOOM ("Heroes Reborn: Doom" 1-shot book), or DOOM2 ("Doom" 3-issue mini-series from 2000, when Doom was banished to the HR world between FF3 25 and 30)?

			*	*	*

Posted: 26 May 2007 07:07 am 
By Somebody
Director

Why wouldn't it be canonical? It's after FF3 30 and before TB 60.

			*	*	*

Thread 13

Posted: 28 May 2007 11:39 am 		Post subject: Excalibur: xx Crossing
By Dhall

I noticed that the MCP has the Excalibur Vs. the X-Men: XX Crossing issue between Excalibur 52 and 54. 

One problem that I noticed with this placement is that Nightcrawler's leg is healed enough in XX Crossing that he is not wearing a cast. 

Since he gets the cast removed in Excalibur 54 (which leads into the NC/Wolverine story in MCP 101-108) XX Crossing should be moved to after Excalibur 54/MCP 101-108, and before Excalibur 55. 

This would affect listings for: 
Captain Britian 
Cerise 
Kylun 
Meggan 
Nightcrawler 
Shadowcat

			*	*	*

Thread 14

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 12:06 pm 		Post subject: Reed Richards early chronology
By Enda80

Now that he has his own page, something occured to me. I think it was FF I#271 originally, and later reprinted in MVL Saga#1, but wasn't there a fb to Nathaniel and Reed Richards meeting Albert Einstein in one panel when Reed was only a boy? Of course, since Einstein is dead, and with a sliding timescale, that has to become just a fb to Nathaniel and Reed looking at a statue of Einstein.

			*	*	*

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 7:30 pm 
By SKleefeld
Director

Or, more likely, it's a guy who happens to look like Einstein since the character was never named.

			*	*	*

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:21 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Or maybe it's Einstein, and sliding-timescale be damned. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:31 am 
By ADMINISTRATOR

jephyork wrote:
>>>
Or maybe it's Einstein, and sliding-timescale be damned.
<<<

There's something to be said for that. The sliding timescale is a construct, designed to fix something that isn't truly broken, if our purpose is simply to place stories in order. 

It's a fictional, fantastic universe; it was never designed to be the world outside our window. 


watching: 24

			*	*	*

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:10 pm 
By Enda80

RICHARDS, NATHANIEL 
CV 2-FB 
**FF 273-FB 
AVF 9-FB 
{FF 272} 
FF 273 
FF 375 

Nathaniel still has brown hair and beard. It is actually a sort of montage shot of a flasback with Reed at three various points, with Nathaniel with brown hair at all three points. Reed looks to be 5, 9, and 16 in the various shots. In the middle shot we see what was probably intended as Albert Einstein, but I guess we will have to say it was a statue. 

MR. FANTASTIC/REED RICHARDS 
**FF 273-FB 
FF 416/2 
FF3 43-FB 
FF 108-FB-FB 
FF@ 2-FB 
FF3 5-FB 
SGTF 3 
M/:LG 11 
FF3 18-FB

			*	*	*

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 9:09 pm 
By jephyork
Director

"We" won't be saying anything of the sort. Has anyone in this thread agreed with you? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:16 am 
By jephyork
Director

I think "it was a statue" should be our go-to answer for any irreconcilable appearances. Mach-IV and Blizzard appearing in Civil War #6-7 after their powers were lost in T-Bolts #108? Statues! 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:22 am 
By JLH

Carnage was turned into a statue in Amazing Spider-Man #431. We never saw him un-turned from it. Therefore, the Carnage that was killed in New Avengers? Statue-Carnage! 

Alternately, I suppose we could apply Jonah "Senior" logic to Einstein. There's a long line of Albert Einsteins in the MU, all equally brilliant in the exact same fields, and all identical.

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 1:20 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

Einstein worshiped Gaea, and 'Old Man' Jameson's brother was Flashgun Jack Casey.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:38 am 
By Enda80

Einstein was raised in some form of Judahitism, not Gaea worship. Oh, wait, a joke. 

Anyway, this reminds me of a problem with the Child's Play comics (I refer here to the Brad Dourif/Don Mancini films, not Daredevil I#181-183), namely that in comics, it is hard to draw a doll, portrait, or wax statue so that it does not resemble a person. Case in point; in the comics, it is hard to tell that Chucky is a doll animated by voodoo magic as opposed to simply being a normal person suffering from dwarfism.

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:36 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Chucky worshipped Gaea. BTS for her? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:29 pm 
By Enda80

Chucky actually primarily worships Damballah. However, since MVL has never published a Child's Play comic, no BTS for him.

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:54 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Well, maybe it was just a statue of Damballah. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 7:43 pm 
By Starman

Maybe Uncle Ben's murderer only shot a statue of Ben? (Is Aunt May his real murderer?) - Stefan 

"When it comes to reassuring a traumatized 19-year-old, I'm about as expert as a palsy victim doing brain surgery with a pipe wrench." 
- John Hartigan in Sin City (2005)

			*	*	*

Thread 15

Posted: 29 Jun 2006 02:06 pm		Post subject: Giant-Size Hulk vol.2 1
By Frederic Krier

Giant-Size Hulk vol. II # 1 
August 2006 

Green Pieces 
W: Peter David P: Juan Santacruz I: Raul Fernandez 

Appearances: 
Agent Spooner [1st app.?], The Champions (Hercules, Black Widow [Natasha Romanova], Iceman [Bobby Drake], Angel [Warren Worthington], Darkstar [Laynia Petrovna], Ghost Rider [Johnny Blaze], Hulk [Robert Bruce Banner], Jennifer Walters, unnamed male nurse, unnamed female nurse, President Clinton bts [see comments], Ivan Petrovitch BTS, unidentified secret service agents, various unidentified civilians 

Page 1-16: One day. Sunny weather, brownish trees [autumn?]. UCLA campus Los Angeles. Champions # 16 was last week. While secret service agent Spooner (short reddish hair, dark glasses) is coordinating the security measures for the facility, the Champions arrive. The President [see comments] is supposed to award the Champions with the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the world from the effects of Doctor Dooms mind-control gas. Just then agent Spooner gets informed that Doctor Bruce Banner has been sighted in a silver Delorean one mile south the Wilshire boulevard exit. Angel flies off to check that information, just to find the Hulk ripping Banners car apart. Angel saves attendants of a wedding of getting crushed by the cars side door, which the Hulk was throwing at him. The rest of the Champions arrive, but their combined powers are still unable to stop the Hulk, who jumps off with the remnants of the car. Angel is surprised to see the Hulk landing in front of the Cedar-Sinai Hospital, ripping the roof of of the car, taking out a woman and calling for a doctor. As two nurses arrive to take care of the woman, the Hulk takes off again. 
Page 17: Later. The same day. The Champions visit the woman dropped off at the Hospital, who is revealed as Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banners cousin. Jens appendix had ruptured, and the visiting Bruce Banner was taking her to a hospital. When they got stuck in a traffic jam (due to the security measures for the presidents visit), he changed to the Hulk, but retained enough of Bruces personality to get Jen to the hospital. The Champions intervention could have caused the death of Jennifer. 
Page 18: Later. The following night. Full moon (with a giant Hulk face on it). The roof of the Champions HQ, Los Angeles. Hercules and Black Widow discuss the events of the day. The Presidential office has called to arrange another date for the Medal ceremony, since the president was whisked away before the fight broke out. Hercules tells Natasha to call off the ceremony, since theyre unworthy. Natasha agrees and tells Hercules how Ivan unloaded on her, when she told her the story. Hercules hopes that they will be able one day to make amends. 

Comments: 
I dont own any the original Champions comics, so I need your help on this. 
I suppose this issue is meant to take place between Champions 16 and 17 (?). 
However, the appearance of Jennifer Walters here contradicts Savage She-Hulk Vol. I #1, in which Jen hasnt seen Bruce in years (page 2, panel 3) and is surprised that Bruce really IS the Hulk when he tells her his story (page 4, panel 1). She certainly has never seen him changing into the Hulk in front of her. 

The President is identified as President Clinton. Still, on page 2, panel 2, Hercules ponders  Clinton? Strange. I thought the Presidents name was Carter . Iceman: Dooms gas mustve scrambled your brain, Herc. Carter was President when I was in diapers. Hercules: Aye, of course, Iceman. When one is immortal, the names tend to run together. 
Both names are obviously topical. 

Suggestions for placement (IF we are going to tread this story as canonical)  but correct me if Im wrong, and this has to take place after CHAMP 17: 

ANGEL III/WARREN KENNETH WORTHINGTON III 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

BLACK WIDOW II/NATASHA ROMANOVA 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

DARKSTAR/LAYNIA SERGEIEVNA PETROVNA 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

GHOST RIDER II/JOHNNY BLAZE 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

HERCULES 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

HULK/DR. ROBERT BRUCE BANNER 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
H2 218 

ICEMAN/ROBERT "BOBBY" DRAKE 

CHAMP 16 
GSH2 1/1 
CHAMP 17 

IVAN PETROVICH 

CHAMP 14 
GSH2 1/1  BTS 
M/FAN 10  FB 

SHE-HULK/JENNIFER WALTERS 
Uh I leave that up to Jen specialists. But the story clearly is in contradiction to S-H 1. 


Banner War 
W: Greg Pak P: Aaron Lopresti I: Danny Miki 
Hulk [Robert Bruce Banner], Miek 

Synopsis: One night. Planet Sakaar. One man is walking through the camp of the Sakaari rebels. He is revealed on page 2, panel 1 as Bruce Banner who tells the Hulk that he has found him, like he always will. Miek, who is sleeping next to the Hulk, asks the Hulk who he is talking too, but the Hulk is obviously asleep. The Hulk dreams of Jarellas world, slaying a giant boar, then having Jarella whisked away by a giant Banner. He then sees the Earths super hero community frantically laughing at him and proceeds to fight them with his Planet Hulk gladiator colleagues, ripping apart both Iron Man and Spider-Man. After having killed them all, he confronts Banner but Jarella runs off in terror and jumps of a tower. Both the Hulk and Banner jump after her. Miek wakes up again and sees a puny human who shouts out I  I did it! I - I won! Miek rubs his eyes in disbelief, and opening them again sees the Hulk, who tells him Dont worry Miek No one here but us monsters. In the final panel we see Banner cowering in front of the Hulk. Continued in Incredible Hulk #96, Planet Hulk, Anarchy, Part One! 

Comments: 
This is mostly a dream sequence. When Banner walks through the camp on page 1, he walks past three unidentified Saakar rebels in panel 2 and the sleeping Elloe Kaifi in panel 3. Still, this is all a part of the Hulks dream, so I dont suppose this would count as an actual appearance by Elloe Kaifi (even though she supposedly is sleeping at the camp as well). 

Suggestions for placement: 

HULK/DR. ROBERT BRUCE BANNER 
H3 95 
GSH2 1/2 

MIEK 
H3 95 
GSH2 1/2

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Jun 2006 03:43 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Frederic Krier wrote:
>>>
However, the appearance of Jennifer Walters here contradicts Savage She-Hulk Vol. I #1, in which Jen hasnt seen Bruce in years (page 2, panel 3) and is surprised that Bruce really IS the Hulk when he tells her his story (page 4, panel 1). She certainly has never seen him changing into the Hulk in front of her.
<<<

I suspect a deliberate attempt to retcon that scene in SavSH1, since, if they were genuinely close at any point, her not having found out by that point that he was the Hulk after it had been public knowledge for years, well....


Frederic Krier wrote:
>>>
The President is identified as President Clinton. Still, on page 2, panel 2, Hercules ponders  Clinton? Strange. I thought the Presidents name was Carter . Iceman: Dooms gas mustve scrambled your brain, Herc. Carter was President when I was in diapers. Hercules: Aye, of course, Iceman. When one is immortal, the names tend to run together. 
Both names are obviously topical.
<<<

Actually, the whole Presidents thing is a joke ON topicality. Carter was explicitly shown in the issue being referred to.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Jun 2006 02:21 am 
By Enda80

Re Carter /Clinton situation 

For other examples of the sliding timscale in action, take a look at this: 

http://www.jrhunt.co.uk/thunderbolts/plottriv.htm 

Thunderbolts #33 
Jolt's kind-of boyfriend wearing a Blink 182 T-Shirt, despite them not being around during Onslaught (Summer '96). Proof of Marvel's sliding timescale? Could be. 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink_182# ... .931996.29 notes that this band did exist and was known as Blink 182 as early as 1995. However, they were not well known in 1996.) 

Code of Honor#2, which takes place isochronally around the events of the Dark Phoenix saga: 
a bit of newspaper can be seen holding a review of the film Swingers, which starred John Favreau, who later played Foggy Nelson and will direct the Iron Man film. Due to the rolling timescale, this is not an anachronism (and was probably not an in-joke, since COH came out before 2003). 

Eda Arul now overwrites Idi Amin in MTIO#41, due to Ronald Byrd. See pg 232 of FF Encyclopedia. This was specifically done to avoid topicality. 

http://www.geocities.com/marvel_villain ... visor.html 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idi_Amin 
(The real Idi Amin is dead. He had the inclination to do what Mogul emperor Akbar did not to Hindus.) 

Did the Thing ever say he found the idea of his fighting in the Pacific ridiculous?

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Jun 2006 06:03 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for the analysis, Frederic. The first story in this issue should occur between CHAMPIONS #16 and #17 and my calculations place it in March, eleven months (Marvel time) before SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1. This would appear to be a retcon unless we can come up with a reason for Jen to have somehow forgotten about this whole incident. Sigh.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Jun 2006 08:43 am 
By jephyork
Director

Trauma? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Jun 2006 10:21 pm 
By Kevin W.
Director

Yes indeed, Savage She-Hulk #1 states that it's been "years" since Jen has last seen Bruce... 

But wait a minute: What issue of the Incredible Hulk did it become public knowledge that Banner and the Hulk were one and the same? I thought it happened in the early 80's, (though I can't remember where)...I don't know anything about Champions chronology...but could this story be AFTER Savage She-Hulk #1? And Jen didn't turn into the She-Hulk for some reason because she became ill?

Keeping track of Bendis References since 2001!

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Jul 2006 12:39 am 
By Frederic Krier

The Hulk's identity was spilled by Rick Jones way back in Tales to Astonish #77 (March 1966), though I'm unsure when it was spread by the media and became general public knowledge. 

But couldn't the sentence in Savage She-Hulk #1 "You really mean it! You really are - - the green-skinned monster!" be interpreted as: Jen had heard reports about Bruce being the Hulk, but didn't believe it was her cousin, until he actually told her how he had been transformed into the Hulk?

			*	*	*

Posted: 06 May 2007 04:53 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Pages 9-10 of INCREDIBLE HULK v3 #106 contain a flashback to GIANT-SIZE HULK v2 #1. Do any of these flashback panels contain new material, and if so, where do they fit?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 06 May 2007 06:22 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Pages 9-10 of INCREDIBLE HULK v3 #106 contain a flashback to GIANT-SIZE HULK v2 #1. Do any of these flashback panels contain new material, and if so, where do they fit?
<<<

Only H3 106 (10:2)-FB [Jen wincing in car], between GSH2 1/1 (16:L) and (17:1) [While Hulk's jumping from CHamp-fight to hospital, per (10:1) and (10:3)].

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 05:56 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks, Somebody. Your pagination doesn't seem to line up with Frederick's. He has page 16 ending after the Hulk takes off from the hospital.Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 May 2007 08:04 am 
By Somebody
Director

It was late at night, the pages aren't numbered, and I miscounted  

It is indeed 15/16 rather than 16/17 

			*	*	*

Thread 16

Posted: 02 May 2007 05:47 am 		Post subject: May call for analyses
By Paul Bourcier
Director

A new month has begun, and that means it's time for an updated call for analyses. I took the liberty of assigning folks to new issues of titles for which they've already volunteered. Please let me know if that's not okay, or if I've made any errors in the list. Thanks to all our analysts! 

Completed stories (as of 5/2/07) 
Agents of Atlas #1-6 (Eric) 
Books of Doom #1-6 (Eric) 
Daughters of the Dragon #1-6 
Eternals v3 #1-7 (Eric) 
Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Super Summer Spectacular 
Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing #1 (JLH) 
Legion of Monsters: Werewolf By Night #1 (JLH) 
Moon Knight v5 #1-6 (Joe) 
Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #1-12 (Chris) 
Reading to the Rescue #4 
Sentinel v2 #1-5 (JD) 
Thor: Son of Asgard #7-12 (John) 
Underworld #1-5 (Aaron) 
White Tiger #1-6 (Kevin) 

Future stuff 
Annihilation: Conquest  Quasar #1-4 (JLH) 
Annihilation: Conquest  Star-Lord #1-4 (JLH) 
Annihilation: Conquest  Wraith #1-4 (JLH) 
Annihilation: Conquest Prologue (JLH) 
Blade v3 #10 (JLH) 
Blade v3 #11-12 (JLH) 
Daredevil v2 #95-99 (Kevin) 
Daredevil: Battlin Jack Murdock #1-4 
Franklin Richards: World Be Warned #1 
Ghost Rider v5 #8-11 (JLH) 
Ghost Rider v5 #12-13 (JLH) 
Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1-6 (JLH) 
Immortal Iron Fist #1-6 (Don) 
Immortal Iron Fist #7 (Don) 
Immortal Iron Fist #8-? (Don) 
Legion of Monsters: Morbius (JLH) 
Legion of Monsters: Satana (JLH) 
Nova v4 #4-? (JLH) 
Punisher v7 #43-49 (Col_Fury) 
Punisher Presents: Barracuda #1-5 (Col_Fury) 
Runaways v2 #25-30 (JD) 
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1-4 [canonical?] (JLH) 
Spider-Man Family #3 (JLH) 
Wisdom #1-6 (Paul O.) 
Wolverine v3 #50-55 (Col_Fury) 
Wolverine: Origins #12-15 (Col_Fury) 
Wolverine: Origins Annual #1 (Col_Fury) 
X-23: Target X #1-6 (Paul O.)

Last edited by Paul Bourcier on 21 May 2007 08:35 pm, edited 7 times in total. 

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 May 2007 10:33 pm 
By JLH

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-2 (JLH)
<<<

That should probably be moved to the "completed stories" section. I'm working on the analysis for it right now, in fact.


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing #1 (JLH)
<<<

This is also completed.


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1-4 [canonical?]
<<<

I might as well do this.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 May 2007 11:41 pm 
By Frederic Krier

>>>
Marvel Westerns: Strange Westerns Featuring the Black Rider (Eric) 
<<<

And this came out last year. It doesn't feature any scenes set in Marvel's present, though it does feature a scene set in the past with Dr. Strange, Clea and the Ancient One.

			*	*	*

Posted: 03 May 2007 03:16 pm 
By JD

I see Loners isn't on your list. Are you analysing it yourself ? If so, good luck (ah, the joys of flashbacks interwoven within Slingers !). Otherwise, I can give it a shot...

			*	*	*

Posted: 03 May 2007 09:29 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for the corrections, JLH, and the note from you, Frederic. I'll update the call. 

JD, I am reading Loners. Thanks for the wish of luck.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 May 2007 02:23 am 
By JLH

You forgot to move Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing. It's now missing from the list entirely! 

Speaking of which, I take it from the absence of Annihilation Saga you'll be mining it for information yourself? From the previews available, it appears to, at the very least, clarify the calendar from a cosmic perspective (such as placing the Drax mini at Annihilation Day Minus 41-40).

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 May 2007 06:56 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

>>>
You forgot to move Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing. It's now missing from the list entirely! 
Speaking of which, I take it from the absence of Annihilation Saga you'll be mining it for information yourself? 
<<<

Um...no. Both comics are back on the list and in your court. Thanks for catching that, JLH.Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 08:55 am 
By PaxHouse

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Thanks for the corrections, JLH, and the note from you, Frederic. I'll update the call.

JD, I am reading Loners. Thanks for the wish of luck.
<<<

Thank you for confirming that the LONERS Miniseries will be covered.... 

Especially since it's one amazing Mini.....   

PaxHouse.

			*	*	*

Thread 17

Posted: 03 May 2007 11:10 am 		Post subject: Zemo: Born Better #2-4
By SKleefeld
Director

As I mentioned in my summary of the first issue, Baron Helmut Zemo is travelling through time in the series, meeting many of his ancestors. For the sake of clarity throughout this discussion, I suggest making using of characters' first names since we have several "Baron Zemo"s to deal with. 

Born Better #2 
pp. 1-5 panel 4 -- Helmut Zemo is dropped into a forest in the early 1760s. He hears a cry for help but, upon finding the originator, realizes that she was only playing with a young Hilliard Zemo. Helmut is somewhat confused, though, since he knows that Hilliard's eventual wife is a different woman. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Hilliard Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz 

pp. 5 panel 5 - 6 panel 4 -- The present. Wendell Volker is speaking with a "Miss Klein" who is evidently a descendant of Elsbeth's. 
Appeances by Wendell Volker, Miss Klein 

pp. 6 panel 5 - 7 -- Elsbeth and Hilliard hear Helmut rustling in the bushes. Helmut apologizes for his intrusion, but Hilliard attacks him with a nearby stick. 
Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Hilliard Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz 

p. 8 -- Wendell explains why Hilliard and Elsbeth couldn't be together 

pp. 9-12 -- Hilliard rebukes Helmut and walks off with Elsbeth. Helmut walks to the family keep, not too far off. He stops by the tailor to get some contemporary clothes, and sees a messenger race to the castle with a message that Baron Harwig Zemo has been killed in battle. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Hilliard Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz, Herr Von Kurtzberg (the tailor), Hilliard's unnamed mother 

p. 13 -- Wendell continues his explanation. Appeances by Wendell Volker, Miss Klein 

pp. 14-15 -- Hartwig Zemo is given a pyrrhic burial in the center of town since his body was never recovered. After the burning, Helmut heads over to the Kleinenshvitz Manor, and is shuffled off by a guard. Appearances by Hilliard Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz, Baron Helmut Zemo 

p. 16 -- Weeks later, Hilliard is mired in paperwork of the Barony. Appearances by Baron Hilliard Zemo 

p. 17 -- Some time after that, Hilliard and Elsbeth meet by a full moon. Elsbeth tells him that she is pregnant with his child, and he tells her to run away. Appearances by Baron Hilliard Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz 

pp. 18-20 -- Helmut realizes that Hilliard has ordered the Kleinenshvitz's killed for political reasons. He manages to save Elsbeth as the Manor is burning, and he tells her to keep "as far away from Zemo Keep as possible..." Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Elsbeth Kleinenshvitz 

pp. 21-22 -- Wendell explains how the Kleinenshvitz clan survived without the knowledge of the Zemos, and how she has Zemo blood in her veins. Wendell pulls out a gun and shoots her. Appeances by Wendell Volker, Miss Klein 

------------------------------------------ 

Born Better #3 
pp. 1-5 -- Helmut Zemo is in 1879, having been there "several weeks" as part of Baron Hobart Zemo's travelling guard. He is helping to stave off a rebellion, and kills several rebels at sword-point before grabbing a rifle to kill another rebel who's own rifle is aimed at Hobart. Helmut, however, disappears before he can fire. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Baron Hobart Zemo 

pp. 6-8 -- Helmut is dropped into a battlefield in the middle of World War I, almost literally underneath James Montgomery in his Union Jack garb. Helmut realizes that he's watching his grandfather, Baron Herman Zemo, lead an attack against the British. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Union Jack, Baron Herman Zemo 

pp. 9-10 panel 5 -- In the present, Wendell is examining some of the antiquities in Castle Zemo, which evidently "popped out of thin air" at the very moment Helmut Zemo originally disappeared. Appearances by Wendell Volker, Herr Fleischtling 

pp. 11 panel 6 - 16 -- Helmut takes on Union Jack personally, but is thrown back into Herman and his men. Herman orders his troops to break out the mustard gas, and they quickly capture a number of British soldiers. (With the notable exception of Union Jack.) As they all march back to Castle Zemo, Helmut explains (ficticously) to another soldier how he came to be in out-dated dress. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Baron Herman Zemo, Union Jack 

pp. 17-19 -- Wendell shoots the two men he was with and drags them and several recent (i.e. still bleeding!) corpses into a circle on the floor of Castle Zemo. Appearances by Wendell Volker, Herr Fleischtling, Miss Kline (deceased) 

pp. 20-22 -- Herman adds Union Jack's rifle to his trophy wall. His subsequent speech enrages Helmut, who starts to man-handle Herman. As the guards pull their guns on Helmut, though, he feels a surge of chronal particles. He dives out a nearby window and vanishes. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Baron Herman Zemo 

p. 23 -- Helmut appears on a ledge in Castle Zemo, overlooking his father saluting Adolf Hitler. Appearances by Baron Heinrich Zemo, Baron Helmut Zemo, Adolf Hitler 

----------------------------------- 

Born Better #4 
pp. 1-5 -- Helmut Zemo watches as his father demonstrates/tests his latest invention -- a "death ray" -- on a Jewish inmate for Adolf Hitler and Abraham Erskine, shown here already with wirey, white hair. Erskine repeatedly notes the barbaism involved, and Hitler notes that Heinrich Zemo's research is coming along much faster and more efficiently than Erksine's. Hitler notes that "in about five years, we'll be launching a full scale invasion of the British Isles" suggesting that it's probably 1935. Heinrich Zemo is shown as a man in his mid-30s/early-40s, clearly before he donned his later infamous mask. There's also a suggestion that an unnamed attendant of Hitler's will later become the Red Skull, but this is only alluded to in an oblique way and could easily be dismissed if Skull's chronology doesn't permit his appearance here. Helmut notes that Erskine "will soon escape to the United States." Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Adolf Hitler, Abraham Erskine, and possibly the Red Skull 

pp. 6-7 panel 1 -- Heinrich finds Helmut admiring the death ray. Appearances by Baron Heinrich Zemo, Baron Helmut Zemo 

p. 7 panel 2 -- This is a flashback (of Helmut's) to sometime in the future. (Side Note: How many places can you justify saying, "This is a flashback to sometime in the future"? ) Heinrich, in his more traditional costume, is telling the very young Helmut (age 6, maybe?) how they will rebuild the Zemo Keep. Appearances by Baron Heinrich Zemo, Helmut Zemo 

pp. 7 panel 3 -- 11 -- Helmut gets fed up with his father's ceaseless droning, pulls off his own mask and assults Heinrich. Guards come running, but Helmut throws his mask at his father, and races away. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Baron Heinrich Zemo 

pp. 12-13 -- In the present, Wendell slits his own arm and watches as his blood mixes with that of all the people he's brought to Castle Zemo. Appearances by Wendell Volker, Herr Fleischtling (deceased), Miss Kline (deceased) 

p. 14 -- Helmut is holding off an onslaught of guards with a machine gun. As they finally catch up with him, though, he disappears. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo 

pp. 15-22 -- The present. Helmut appears in the circle of people wendell created in Castle Zemo. Wendell cocks a gun at Helmut's head and demands justice. Helmut requests only that he die, not in the Nazi uniform he's currently wearing but his own attire. As he dresses, he explains how he's met all of his ancestors and how they were all pitiable men, and the greatness of any one of them was squandered by the next. He claims to be willing to die if that would serve justice. But, he adds, that there's no way he might be able to atone for his ancestor's sins if he dies. Both of them could become better than they are by continuing to live life and try to repair some of their ancestoral damage. Wendell turns the gun on himself, but Helmut pulls it away before he commits suicide. Helmut notes that he punishes himself every day for the sins of his predecessors, and Wendell's punishment for killing the others will be stand by Helmut's side as he proves his point. Appearances by Baron Helmut Zemo, Wendell Volker, Herr Fleischtling (deceased), Miss Kline (deceased) 

p. 23 -- This is a "hand-written" text piece, supposedly culled from the notes of Wendell Volker. It's a listing of all the Baron Zemos, in order, with a one or two sentence description of each one. For the record, the Barons are: Harbin, Hademar, Heller, Herbert, Helmuth, Hackett, Hartwig, Hilliard, Hoffman, Hobart, Herman, Heinrich, and Helmut

			*	*	*

Posted: 03 May 2007 06:37 pm 
By Enda80

. 7 panel 2 -- This is a flashback (of Helmut's) to sometime in the future. (Side Note: How many places can you justify saying, "This is a flashback to sometime in the future"? ) 

You can call it a flashforward, as was used in the Crisis Index entry to #8. 

Vis a vis the Red Skull....hmmm. So far as I know, while it has been established that he was active as the man behind the mask of the Red Skull before Steve Rogers became Captain America per Cap#255 (so before March 1941 at least, per the intro to What If II#28 which took place on Earth-616), we have yet to be treated to any memorable adventures he had before his battle with Captain America, as TOS 66/2-FB/CA 298-FB just give random fbs. So this 20th century Aaron's first mission as the Red Skull has yet to be shown fully. 

The fb in TOS 66/2 where he first meets his master, the man behind the 'stache, was said to occur immediately after the latter took power, which means 1933.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 08:20 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Some suggestions: 

BARON ZEMO I/HARBIN ZEMO 
A/TB 1 (1480) 
A/TB 6 (1489) 
Z: BB 1 (1503) 

BARON ZEMO II/HADEMAR ZEMO 
Z: BB 1 (1503) 

BARON ZEMO III/HELLER ZEMO 
Z: BB 1 (1503) 

BARON ZEMO IV/HERBERT ZEMO 
Z: BB 2-FB (1556) 

BARON ZEMO V/HELMUTH ZEMO 
Z: BB 2-FB (1640) 

BARON ZEMO VI/HACKETT ZEMO 
Z: BB 2-FB (1710) 

BARON ZEMO VII/HARTWIG ZEMO 
Z: BB 2-BTS (1760s) 

BARON ZEMO VIII/HILLIARD ZEMO 
Z: BB 2 (1760s) 

BARON ZEMO IX/HOFFMAN ZEMO 

BARON ZEMO X/HOBART ZEMO 
Z: BB 3 (1879) 

BARON ZEMO XI/HERMAN ZEMO 
Z: BB 3 

BARON ZEMO XII/HEINRICH ZEMO 
CA: ME (11)-FB 
*Z: BB 3 
*Z: BB 4 
CA: ME (12)-FB (1939) 
SGTF 8 
A 6-FB 
CA: ME (15:3-15:6)-FB 
CA 168-FB 
CA '98-FB 
CA: ME 
TB -1-FB 
A 56 (7)-FB 
 
SM: FI-FB 
*Z: BB 4-FB 
TB -1 
UTSM 13-FB 
A 6 
 

BARON ZEMO XIII/HELMUT ZEMO 
CA: ME-FB 
CA 168-FB 
CA:ME 
*Z: BB 4-FB 
TB -1 
CA 168-FB 
{CA 168} 
 

UNION JACK/LORD MONTGOMERY FALSWORTH 
INV 9-FB 
*Z: BB 3 
INV 7-FB 
C2 50 
X:HC 3 
INV 8-FB 
INV 19-FB 
{INV 7} 

HITLER, ADOLF 
DRSTR2 51-FB 
INV 36-FB (1932) 
DRSTR3 7/2 
INV 36-FB 
TOS 66/2-FB 
*Z: BB 3 
*Z: BB 4 
CA: ME-FB (1939) 

RED SKULL II/JOHANN SCHMIDT 
CA 298-FB 
TOS 66/2 (2:1-2:5)-FB 
TOS 66/2 (4:3-6)-FB 
*Z: BB 3 
*Z: BB 4 
TOS 66/2 (8:2-9:1)-FB 
YOUNG ALLIES 1 
TOS 66/2 (9:2)-FB 

Did I miss it, or are there no appearances by Hoffman Zemo? 

The Death Ray that Heinrich Zemo is working on in Z: BB 3 & 4 later appears in Sgt. Fury 8, completed. 

Both Heinrich & Helmut are currently on the 'Z' page under ZEMO, but should they be moved to the 'B' page since their titles are Baron? Or would they stay on the 'Z' page and be listed as: 

ZEMO IX/BARON HOFFMAN ZEMO 
?

Last edited by Col_Fury on 10 Jul 2007 02:18 am, edited 1 time in total. 

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 08:34 pm 
By ADMINISTRATOR

Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
Both Heinrich & Helmut are currently on the 'Z' page under ZEMO, but should they be moved to the 'B' page since their titles are Baron?
<<<

You don't want to go there. For years, they were listed on the B page, but tens of thousands of people posted here annually, asking "Why aren't they on the Z page?" 

So I moved them to the Z page. 


watching: our universe is missing

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 08:44 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Z page it is!

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 08:45 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Any clue about how much time elapses in the present scenes of this series?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 09:00 pm 
By SKleefeld
Director

Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
BARON ZEMO IV/HERBERT ZEMO
Z: BB 2-FB (1556) 

BARON ZEMO V/HELMUTH ZEMO
Z: BB 2-FB (1640) 

BARON ZEMO VI/HACKETT ZEMO
Z: BB 2-FB (1710) 

BARON ZEMO VII/HARTWIG ZEMO
Z: BB 2-BTS (1760s) 
<<<

Good catches on the flashbacks for Zemos #4-6. I totally glossed over them. 

As for Hartwig, though, I think his appearance even as a BTS might be debatable. Hartwig died in France, and it would've taken at least a few days for a messenger (or, likely, several messengers) to ride by horseback to Castle Zemo. So Hartwig must've been dead from the very moment Helmut appears in that time period. 

Granted, his death led to Hilliard's attaining the Barony, but A) it wasn't really Hartwig's actions that put Hilliard in power -- not directly at any rate and B) he's dead.  

But, you're right about Hoffman's non-appearance, though.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 09:18 pm 
By SKleefeld
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Any clue about how much time elapses in the present scenes of this series?
<<<

Nothing definite. 

The first issue seems to take about a day. 

The second issue occurs in one day, but it's probably not the same day. It's entirely unclear WHERE it takes place. It's all on Mrs. Kline's property, but it's never mention what city, state, or even country she lives in. So we can't know how much time to allow for Wendell to travel from NYC in #1 to wherever this is. 

Issues 3 and 4 seem to occur in one day as well. Those scenes occur entirely within Castle Zemo, located in Germany. (It's not clear if the castle appeared in its exact previous location or not.) We've got to have at least an extra full day somewhere between #1 and #3 for Wendell to get to Germany, but I can't say if there should be one between #1 and #2, and/or #2 and #3. 

As for the number of bodies Wendell's collected, it's also unclear when/where he obtained the others not previously shown. I suppose it would make most sense for him to have NOT killed any of them until after #1, in which he verified his calculations with Mr. Fantastic. So maybe several days, or a week, between #1 and #2 for him to kill the others? He might kill Mrs. Kline towards the end since he's not 100% certain of her ancestry. 

Then another day or two to get to Germany with the bodies? He's dragging a dozen or so corpses around, so he couldn't just hop on the next Delta flight overseas, but at the same time, the bodies are still bleeding so it couldn't have been too long. 

Maybe a week and half to two weeks for the whole series? Present time periods only, of course. But that's making several broad assumptions; there's nothing concrete in the series itself to establish an overall timeframe.

			*	*	*

Posted: 08 May 2007 09:25 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

It's possible that the various Zemo descendants all still lived in the Germany area,(including Kline) which would put the space of time between 1 & 2.

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 02:03 am 
By Somebody
Director

SKleefeld wrote:
>>>
Those scenes occur entirely within Castle Zemo, located in Germany. (It's not clear if the castle appeared in its exact previous location or not.)
<<<

Uhhh...

>>>
#3 (9:3) wrote:
"When Helmut Zemo sacrificed himself to save the world, at the moment of his disappearance--"
"--This castle appeared, restored to its' original state, stone by stone, on its original land"
<<<

Seems pretty clear-cut to me.

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 05:51 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for the response. I guess I'll put issue #2 several days after #1 and #3-4 the day after #2.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 09:09 am 
By SKleefeld
Director

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Seems pretty clear-cut to me.
<<<

I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing that out.

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 May 2007 10:17 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Sorry, I forgot one: 

PROFESSOR REINSTEIN/ABRAHAM ERSKINE 
*Z: BB 4 
M/SH3 3-FB 
CA 109 (1-12)-FB 
CA 255 (4:1-4:2)-FB 
...

"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Thread 18

Posted: 18 Aug 2006 01:05 am 		Post subject: The "Annihilation" Analysis Thread
By JLH

Time to get started. I'll add all the minis' analysis' to this thread as I go along, which should be, hopefully one mini a day. 

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION PROLOGUE #1 [May 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Scott Kolins with Ariel Olivetti 
"Annihilation Day" 

Cast: 
THANOS 
SKREET 
FALLEN ONE 
DEATH 
COLE 
SWAD 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
CAMMI 
PAIBOK, CAPT. 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
SUPER-SKRULL/KL'RT 
ERADICA 
ANNIHILUS 

Other characters: 
Kyln Cleric (seemingly not the same one as in Thanos' series). Dies. 
Pyo and Samaya. Rigellian and Centaurian Nova Corp members, respectively. Both die. 
All kinds of aliens who all get very much dead and never named. 


Summary: A week before Annhilation Day, Thanos waits on the edge of the universe, Verse System 026, with his "pet" Skreet and his herald the Fallen One. He's joined by Death, once again in child form. He senses something is coming, she confirms so, saying it's something wonderful, and tells Thanos to learn from the one behind the coming destruction, for he knows her intimately. After she departs, Thanos contemplates her remarks. 

A week later, nearby at the Kyln prison at the Crunch, Omega Core's "finest", Cole & Swad, escort some new prisoners into custody of a Cleric. Things have been noticably tense lately, and things get worse when A.I. interior monitors suddenly scatter to the surface, an indication they've been overridden to bear witness. Suddenly, a fleet of bug-like spacecrafts break through the Crunch energy cascade, and begin to attack the Kyln planets! The swarming happens fast, Swad falling victim and dying in Cole's arms, as the human gives his religious alien partner his absolution. Cole dies doing this, as the prison world explodes around him, and the swarm, soon to be called the Annihilation Wave, presses onward, this first encounter becoming known simply as "Annihilation Day". 

A week later, 25 star systems away at Verse 001, the Xandar Cluster, the entirety of the Nova Corps is summoned to the spaceport. Hundreds to thousands of passengers are delayed in their intergalactic travel, as per Nova Corp protocol. The last group to arrive includes Richard Rider, Pyo, and Samaya. The human has a little trouble adjusting to the aliens, as it seems five years experience in terran time don't count for much in the galactic scheme. 

Also at the spaceport, the Kyln Prison Convoy Dredge 02 has docked, its destination destroyed before it could reach it. Within, two of the ship's most recent occupants, Drax and his human companion Cammi, are hassled by members of security. Seems Drax's genetic matrix doesn't match up to that of the Drax charged with the death of two hundred thousand Skrulls. This gets him off the hook, even though the guards are fully aware this is somehow still the same old Destroyer. Until the Xandar lockdown is complete, they'll be allowed to remain onboard, but the minute it's over, they're to be kicked off. Cammi's bored and whiny, at least until Drax notes that something big has happened. 

Soon at the Nova Corps Central building on the planet, the Novas get debriefed by a Xandarian woman, who explains the situation with the Annihilation Wave destroying Kyln. The situation with the prison worlds and surrounding planets is stressed, and the Nova Corps is being dispatched to reinforce what little remains of the Omega Core flee against rioting and repair. She's just finishing up boosting the troop's morale with reminding them of how good they are, when the AW, supposedly two star systems away at last reports, suddenly appear in Xandarian space! They attack quickly, and never let up. The Nova Corps is dispatched to save their own and their own location, but find the entire fight futile. Drax grabs Cammi and manages to snag an escape pod, which pilots itself safely through the carnage outside. Back on Xandar, it seems the Worldmind's commlinks are down, meaning the Corps is without means of communication. Richard Rider finds himself facing the ground forces of the giant insectioid aliens, and impresses Samaya and his fellow Novas with his fast thinking plans in the field. The turning of the tide doesn't last long, as Rich finds himself with the Centaurian woman, facing the plummeting and ablazed spaceport crashing their way. No way to go around or get out of the way, Rich decides they should go through the middle of it. This impresses Samaya, who offers to mate with him for life if they survive it. It goes well for like a minute, when she's hit by debris and killed instantly. Rich is distracted by it, and soon succumbs to the inferno pouring from above, followed by a massive explosion. By the time he wakes up, and crawls from beneath the wreckage, thanking his suit's life support, and making his way to the top of the debris pile, his injuries and disorientation get an added shock by the complete destruction for miles around. He collapses in tears and blood, and records a verbal log, detailing the fact Xandar has fallen, and with it, so has the Nova Corps. 

Five days later, in the Kree/Skrull disputed territory, Ronan the Accuser tracks down a pair of Kree who were actually behind the Skrull massacre that Drax had been accused of. As he's bringing them to face justice, about a dozen Kree soldiers, their guns aimed at him, surround him. Ronan is placed under arrest and accused of sedition against the empire. He hands over his weapon, and his prisoners, and gives up without a fight, not finding them this a surprise. 

Three days after that, Silver Surfer surfs around in Verge System 001, not far from the Xandar cluster, admiring the wonderous Syllth creatures. They flee in fear, sensing what Surfer also senses, the oncoming pressure, as he witnesses the approaching Annhilation Wave. He recognizes the wave as not merely an infection, but an infestation. 

That same day, in Kree System 114, Starbase Yon-Rogg near the Skrull border, rumors are being passed around the soldiers concerning the Annihilation Wave. Seems a pair of Skrull systems have fallen already to something called the Harvester of Sorrows, which destroys whole planets. This sits well with the xenophobic beings, their enemies getting killed is fine with them. Though unfortunately, thanks to a general lack of clear information, nobody's aware of a connection between this and the strife in Kyln, beliving the Nova Corps to be handling that! As these half-truths pass about, the Super-Skrull is using his invisibility power to hang around the gym, evaesdropping. 

Also that same day, back at what was once the Xandar Cluster, the Annihilation Wave is dormant, remaining in place as this section of the fleet completes their purging of the Verge System. The commander of this portion, Eradica, reports to her beloved master of the success and gives other various figures. She's one of his concubines, and desires to be his one and only queen eventually. Who is he? Why, he's none other than Annihilus, former ruler of the Negative Zone! 


Continuity notes: Nova mentions he's been one of the Corps for "five years". 

It's only now revealed what Drax did to end up on Dredge 01 to begin with, prior to his mini-series. He's charged with murdering 200,000 Skrulls. Needless to say, he was framed. 

Paibok has a one-panel cameo, as a well-labeled prisoner on Dredge 02, confirming what we hadn't seen at the end of the Drax mini. Whether or not he survived the ship's destruction by the AW (and the location of the last Blood Brother), remains to be seen, but it looks good, since they bothered mentioning the prisoners on the ship were freed from their cells once the battle began. 

I've listed the Xandarian Worldmind as a character. It claims it's the sum total of all Xandarian knowledge and leaders and stuff, much like the Kree Supreme Intelligence, but lacks a body. As is seen in Nova's Annihilation mini, it's apparently more than mere AI. I've not a clue to its prior appearance, or even if it counts as a character for MCP terms, but I'll list 'em anyway, just to be safe. 

Goofs: Page 11, panel 5: "Looks like your(sic) Kyln-Bound." 

Calendar notes: There's no reference to how long Drax & Cammi have been on board Dredge 02. She mentions "9/11", which is of course no help for placement. The only other frame of reference in this issue would be the Xandar Worldmind Database stuff, which, in the Annihilation Wave file, mentions "a recent event on Earth has caused a large amount of its mutant population to lose their power". If this is indeed to be considered as part of the reflective continuity, then the timeframe is at LEAST after M-Day. The "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one shot, in its section concerning the Terran race, brings up M-Day and the "fighting one another over the role of costumed superheroes in society". But considering it was published most recently, and reflects stuff that happens all the way to "Annihilation #1", Civil War most likely doesn't start until well into the Annihilation Wave event. When, is the only question, one that'll take a damn long time to figure out. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: "Annihilation Day, Minus 7". Thanos, Skreet, Fallen One, and Death. 
Pages 2-8: Annihilation Day. Cole & Swad. 
Pages 9-35: "Annihilation Day, Plus 7". Drax, Cammi, Paibok, Nova & friends. 
Pages 36-37: "Annihilation Day, Plus 12". Ronan. 
Pages 38-42: "Annihilation Day, Plus 15". Silver Surfer. Super-Skrull. Eradica & Annihilus. 

Other stuff: 
Page 43: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Nova Corps. (Not featured in the A:Nova Corps Files 1-shot) 
Page 44: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Annihilus. (Expanded and corrected in the A:Nova Corps Files 1-shot) 
Page 45: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Thanos. (Expanded and corrected in the A:Nova Corps Files 1-shot) 
Page 46-47: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Annihilation Wave. (Not featured in the A:Nova Corps Files 1-shot, but is mostly replaced/expanded on with the Appendex on Alien Races.) 
Page 48: Annihilation Checklist. It calls the "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" oneshot simply "Cosmic Handbook". 
------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 18 Aug 2006 08:18 am 
By jephyork
Director

Good stuff, thanks! I especially appreciated the analysis of the differences between the profiles in the back of the issue and the ones in the Handbook. Please keep that up! 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 19 Aug 2006 06:28 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: NOVA #1 [June 2006] 
Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning 
Penciler: Kev Walker 
Inker: Rick Magyar 
"All For One" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND
ANNIHILUS
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS
CAMMI 

Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs 


Summary: The Xandarian Worldmind recaps what's been going on in the past few days, the Annihilation Wave's strike on Xandar causing almost complete destruction to the star system. Population centers vaporized, the Nova Corps deprived of tactical support and exterminated... and to top it all off, the habitat shards have lost stablity and are falling into the local sun. The main planet shard, Orienta, suffered the most intense of the assaults, and is instead broke off from the orbit, now floating away from the sun. The last remaining Nova, Richard Rider, is informed of this by the Worldmind, who is speaking directly to him through his helmet, urging him to awaken and take action. Nova is currently lying on the snow-banked world, partially buried under some debris, physically injured and mentally dazed. He slowly gets back on his feet, and gets his bearings back by conversing with the Worldmind, who soon explains what is required of him. Seems Nova Corps Priority Two involves safeguarding the Worldmind, and in about two hours, the collective artificial sentience that governs and maintains all of Xandar culture will be no more. Rich is generally unresponsive to the order, and spots a trio of AW troops scavenging the dead as food. Despite Worldmind's protests, Nova engages the bugs in combat, in which he gets beaten easily due to his prior injuries. Worldmind urges him to engage flight powers and depart, and eventually he does so, still feeling relieved for at least having landed a blow on some of the guys who killed the Corps. 

He soon reaches the Hub, the underground central control for Worldmind, and comes face to hologram-face with the entity, which makes clear to Rich that as he contains the bio-template for the Xandarian race, among everything else, as long as he survives, Xandar will never be extinct. Even moreso, he can continue to function elsewhere and aid in defeating or containing the Annihilation threat, not to mention dispatch the Nova Force. Rich is convinced, though is a little disturbed when he learns the Worldmind must download itself and the entire Nova Force directly into himself! Being reminded of his father by the supercomputer, he notes how just a small piece of the force made him a human rocket, he's concerned what the whole thing will do. Particularly, Rich brings up Garthan Saal, the so-called Super Nova, and is worried he'll be driven insane just like him. Worldmind brings up a hologram image of Saal, and notes the three differences Rich will have that Super Nova didn't: the cognative support and suit-reinforcement by Worldmind, he'll only have to carry the Nova Force for a limited time to lessen the psychological impact, and there is no choice in the matter for him. Needless to say, the Annihilation troops are chewing into the Hub's bulkhead, so it's now or never. Rich quickly agrees, and Worldmind charges him up with the full Nova Force, as well as recompositing his suit into a new, armored design. With Worldmind in his head, the new Nova takes off for the surface, and is almost immediately overwhelmed by the power he now wields. The Worldmind tries to keep him calm and focused, but Nova begins using his energies to dish out some revenge on the Annihilation ships, smashing through several of them in a rage. Aware this will cause an overload of the Force, the supercomputer attempts to pacify his last remaining warrior through neural inhibitors and the like, but it still doesn't stop him from creating a considerable strike against the Wave. So much so, that Annihilus himself, off at his Command Section elsewhere in the universe, becomes aware, and wonders exactly what just attacked. 

Nova crashes back down to Orienta, and once he cools off, in more ways than one, he rationalizes his reasons for blowing up, also in more ways than one. Survivor guilt sets in, as he dwells on seeing people burning to death, and wonders why he's still alive. Suddenly, Drax the Destroyer, and his now-blanketed human companion Cammi, appear from over a bank of snow. Drax tells Nova that he's his best shot out of getting off the planet alive, and Cammi notes how Drax can't fly, which doesn't bode well for his chances. 


Flashback: Xandarian Worldmind starts the issue showing video footage of the AW ships attacking, and the planets breaking up. No characters appear and of the main two that we know would be BTS for it, Nova and Worldmind, neither have any actions in the events anyway. 

Continuity notes: We find out the name of the planet the Nova Corps headquarters was on. It's Orienta Main Shard. 

Goofs: The indicia calls the book merely "Nova No. 1". The rest of the issues are properly listed as "Annihilation: Nova". 

The Xandarian Worldmind calls the Annihilation Wave by its name. In the Prologue, only Eradica, a member of it, actually used that term. 

Nova's helmet repeatedly, in this mini, acts like it's made of loose material, like Spidey's mask, when he has it off. In the Prologue and main mini, it acts like a more solid construct. 

Calendar notes: It's been "four days" since Xandar fell. This issue maybe covers a few hours at most. 

Nova mentions he's had a piece of the Nova Force inside him for "five years this Fall". 

Timeframe: 
Pages 1-2: Worldmind recaps the general events of what's happened since Nova's been out of it, while rousing Nova from his makeshift coma. 
Pages 3-4: "Annihilation Day, Plus 11". Rich awakens. 
Page 5: Annihilation recap page. 
Pages 6-20: Rich argues with Worldmind, fights some bugs, goes to the Hub, argues some more, gets full Nova Force, new suit, uses the power against the wave and soon crashes. 
Page 21: Annihilus, at his Command Section as the flagship of the Annihilation Wave, senses the use of the Nova Force. 
Pages 22-23: Nova recovers, encounters Drax & Cammi. 
Pages 24-25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Xandarian Worldmind. (Section is trimmed down considerably to just basic info on Xandarians in the "Annihilation Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Nova. (Revised and expanded in the "Annihilation Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: NOVA #2 [July 2006] 
Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning 
Penciler: Kev Walker 
Inker: Rick Magyar 
"And One For All" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS
CAMMI
QUASAR III/WENDELL ELVIS VAUGHAN 


Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs (most die) 
Some unseen guy at Aristedes Traffic Control 


Summary: So, in the snow, Drax introduces himself and Cammi to Nova, whom he wishes to partner up with, since he knows where the hangars for starships are, and had the clearance codes for them. Nova wants them to get away from him, since he's dangerous to be around. But Drax reminds him of the destructive forces that are caused the planet's attack already. Anyway, he brings up the fact Cammi is from Earth like him, the girl insults Nova's costume and admires his glutes, Worldmind urges Rich to get off the planet as soon as possible, he argues. Drax & Cammi watch incrediously, as Nova seems to talk to himself. Despite now knowing Drax is a mass murderer, and ignoring Worldmind's wishes that he leave the two survivors behind, Rich leads the pair to the nearest hangar. As Worldmind notes, he's afraid to use his power, despite the supercomputer's assurance of assistance. 

Ninety minutes later, in the sub levels of the world, the trio reach a hangar, only to find all the ships destroyed, and multiple Annihilation troops the cause. They're eating the crafts! Worldmind informs Nova of a different hangar to try, but the bugs notice the three, and engage in a battle. Drax sends Cammi ahead with Nova, and remains behind to deal with the creatures in a destroying manner. When more of the bugs appear and attack the two Earthlings, Rich refuses to use his power of out fear, and nearly gets Cammi killed. Drax saves her, and questions Nova's failure to use his powers. Getting nagged from two sources, Rich puts them together by tossing his helmet over to Drax, and telling them to sort things out between each other. Drax dons the "hat",and talks with Worldmind. As they talk, Cammi resumes speaking with Nova, being her usual dour, sarcastic, and annoying self. Drax finishes his talk with Worldmind, returns the "hat", and reveals what the two have decided upon. The Destroyer (though he's been denying he's "that" Drax) is going to teach Nova the skills to properly harness the Nova Force, tightening his self-control and focus. 

Soon, at the next hangar, the trio find an intact ship, but Nova is unable to takeoff, since the airspace is thick with the Annihilation Wave's fleet. The only way they could get away safely is to open a stargate as they launched from the world, which Drax suggests. But Rich will have to tap into the Nova Force to do it, since the ship won't allow opening a 'gate in a planet's atmosphere. Nova's worries are subsided enough by Drax's cool demeanor and assurances of aid in keeping him from losing control. The ship takes off, and Nova begins to draw upon the gravimetric energy. He starts to feel like he's losing it, when Drax tells him he'll succeed, or he'll kill him. The encouraging works, and the stargate opens. They exit nine light years away at Nycos Aristedes. Nova's success at using the force doesn't get celebrated, since the ship's engines die and it becomes caught in the world's gravity. The planet's traffic control contacts them about their plight, they request assistance, and instantly, help arrives in the form of Quasar, Protector of the Universe! He snags the ship into a solid orbit above the planet, Nova recognizes him, and Cammi claims his costume is even cornier than Rich's. 


Continuity notes: The Nova Corps Database page on Drax lists his human name as "Arthur Sampson Douglas" (this is removed in the one-shot). What's the source of his middle name? 


Goofs: The ending of the last issue, Drax claiming he and Cammi are Nova's only hope of getting off the world, is dumped immediately. Instead, NOVA is THEIR only hope, and only later does Drax understand the Nova Force problem, and make it so Rich needs them in controlling the powers. 

Nova acts like he's never heard of Drax, even when "The Destroyer" gets added to his name. Chalk it up to just slipping his mind, since they encountered one another back during the Infinity trilogy. Not that they had any real moments together or anything... 

Moondragon's NC Database file... she isn't mentioned in any issue (Drax's file aside), she hasn't even appeared in any Annihilation book TO DATE... I'm at a loss to why they gave her one. 

Calendar notes: It's still "Annihilation Day, Plus 11". Maybe an hour or two passes in this issue. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 2-8: Nova meets Drax & Cammi. 
Pages 9-15: Ninety Minutes Later, the trio head to the sub-levels, encounter the bugs, Drax talks with Worldmind. 
Pages 16-19: Visiting the next sublevel, they get a ship, takeoff, Nova opens a stargate. 
Pages 20-23: Nine light years away, they pop out above Nycos Aristedes, get caught in the gravity, Quasar saves them. 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Drax the Destroyer. (pretty much rewritten and expanded in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Moondragon. (rewritten in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Quasar. (expanded and revised in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot, yet neither mention anything of Epoch. The one here doesn't even mention Epoch, for cripes sake! Oh, and the image from here is flipped and cropped in the one-shot) 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: NOVA #3 [August 2006] 
Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning 
Penciler: Kev Walker 
Inker: Rick Magyar 
"Safety in Numbers" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS
CAMMI
QUASAR III/WENDELL ELVIS VAUGHAN
ANNIHILUS 


Other characters: 
Lots of people (mostly Aakonian Colonists) who don't get named, or speak, or shown all too well. 


Summary: Quasar aids the ship in landing, and welcomes his fellow Earther Nova to Nycos Aristedes. The world is currently undergoing a mass evacuation, which Quasar is attempting to assist with. While the fleet-arm of the Aakonian system to dealing with emergenies up in the Verge worlds, he's been called in to help the poorly coordinated efforts. He wants Nova to join him, but the Worldmind wants Rich to keep moving, since he's technically brought Drax and Cammi to "safety". Nova's not even sure how he could help, since he couldn't even save Xandar (which is news to Wendell and the Aakonian council, who also don't have any clue who the Annihilation Wave attackers are). Quasar's pretty sure of himself, and of the mission to try their best to save as many people as possible. Drax is the cynic, pointing out how outnumbered and outleagued they are, telling him to quit wasting time saving and prepare to fight, since no place is safe. He also informs him of how Nova has the full power of the Corps inside of him, which embarasses Rich. Drax explains this is part of the training, facing up to truth and not being in denial is the first step to mastering self-control. He also mentions that what the war they're in needs are more destroyers, and less complainers. Drax next explains to Cammi why they're sticking around, that Nova's possession of the Nova Force makes him useful to have around, and safe to be as close to him as possible because of what's coming. 

A ship from the fleet-arm, Superheavy Kallis Ateratar, arrives in orbit to assist in evac, namely making stargates. It'll take five days to get everyone off the planet, and Quasar brings up the fact Nova has the power to make a massive, bulk-capacity stargate. He's hesitant, but is willing to give it a shot. Unfortunately, the fleet-arm's ship is attacked by a sudden assault from Annihilation Wave crafts! Quasar takes off immediately to assist, and Nova, thought stalling, listens to Drax's advice and gets his head in the game at last. He joins Wendell in orbit, trying to protect the Superheavy from the nonstop blasting. Quasar realizes this is just an advance unit, and will hold them off himself, urging for Nova to open that giant stargate as soon as possible. Rich tries it, and after ignoring Worldmind for some time, listens as the supercomputer provides aid in the task. 

Meanwhile, 2.7 light years from Xandar, in Annihilus' flagship, he senses the use of the Nova Force on a grand scale again, and informed of its location, he engages drive systems. Annihilus wants to see it for himself! Back at his destination, the first fleet of evacuees makes it through Nova's stargate. Quasar and Nova try to buy the remaining ship's time by battling the AW, but Superheavy Kallis Ateratar detects something coming! Suddenly, the ship explodes as Annihilus and his command section arrives violently. Drax is somehow aware of just who has made the scene. Quasar and Nova find themselves face to face with several really big-ass ships, and a whole lotta little ones. 



Continuity notes: Quasar learned of "great power, comes great responsibity" from Spider-Man. The Avengers, Captain America, the Imperial Guard, and the Kree-Skrull War are all mentioned out of context, just comments with no reference. 


Goofs: Drax doesn't know Quasar, yet Annihilus he recognizes immediately. Go figure. 

Quasar's energy constructs, this issue and next, are really... well, they're not what Quasar normally does. They're just blobs of yellow. No form or function to them, very unlike Wendell. You could chalk it up to disorientation, but I say it's artist error and writer(s) flaw. 

Phyla's NC Database file... just like her girlfriend, Moondragon, has no place here, nor anywhere yet. To date, she hasn't appeared in any Annihilation book whatsoever. 

Calendar notes: It's still "Annihilation Day, Plus 11". Maybe an hour or few passes. 

Annihilus says the stargate opening is the second gravimetric event in "three cycles". If we knew what cycles meant to him, we'd get an idea of how long it's been since Nova & friends arrived on Nycos. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 2-3: On Nycos Aristedes, Quasar meets with Nova, Drax, and Cammi. 
Pages 4-8: After meeting with the world's council, Quasar tries to get Nova's aid, though Drax argues against futility. He joins Cammi with the refugees. 
Pages 9-17: As the Superheavy makes orbit, Nova and Quasar join the fight against the AW attacking. Nova opens a stargate. 
Page 18: Annihilus detects it, from 2.7 lightyears away. 
Pages 19-25: First refugees make it through, Annihilus and his main fleet arrive destructively. 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Phyla. (expanded slightly, and file-name changed to "Phyla-Vell", in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. It oddly takes the "unknown portal" from the final issue of CM way too literally. This issue's version mentions Genis' death and how the CM title is available again. The one-shot drops that, and instead adds stuff about how Phyla appeared during the AW, reporting Moondragon had been kidnapped by Thanos! Even Moondragon's file in the one-shot doesn't list that, as it hasn't happened yet!) 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: NOVA #4 [September 2006] 
Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning 
Penciler: Kev Walker 
Inker: Rick Magyar 
"Ten Minutes and Counting" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
CAMMI 
QUASAR III/WENDELL ELVIS VAUGHAN (dies for the third or fourth time in his life) 
ANNIHILUS 


Other characters: 
Just some of Annihilus' goons, mostly unseen, and the refugees, also unseen. 


Summary: The last of the evacuees takes off from the planet, leaving Drax and Cammi behind. In orbit, Nova ignores both Quasar and Worldmind and mounts a frontal assault on the Annihilation Wave. He's determined to keep the bug ships busy while the colonists escape into the stargate, which'll take around twelve minutes. As per Rich's wishes, Worldmind taps into his cerebellum to process data nonverbally and quicker to him, aiding in his battle against the hundreds of crafts. This allows him to do serious damage on the fleet, and actually be a hero for the first time in a while. Quasar joins him, right in the nick of time. Though Wendell thinks him crazy, he stands (or floats) by his side. As Rich puts it, they won't last but maybe ten minutes against the AW. But they'll make it the hardest ten minutes they've ever known. While the pair lays waste to countless crafts, Drax contacts Nova from the planet surface. He tells him to head for the heart of the fleet and attack Annihilus, give him a shot to the head, and the entire wave will fall by squishing the king bug. As it happens, Annihilus wants just this, he senses the power of both Quasar and Nova, and wants their energies for his Cosmic Control Rod! He has the fleet put into position to allow the pair a direct path to him, and thanks to interference, no method of communication with Drax. They plunge in, and attempt to attack Annihilus dead-on. Unfortunately, he's prepared, slashes Nova to the face and in doing so, Quasar crashes into his partner. With Rich unconscious, Wendell tries to protect him, but Annihilus feasts upon the quantum energy. Quasar resists until the end, but is soon engulfed by his own power, shattered into energy, and ingested by the Negative Zone native's Cosmic Control Rod. He next turns to do the same to Nova, but the man's gone, no, wait, there he is, smashing the bug upside the noggin! Worldmind warns him that what happened to Quasar will happen to him, thanks to his injures and Annihilus' already outclasses him as it is. But Rich thinks up a plan, which the supercomputer puts into effect the moment Annihilus tries sucking on the Nova Force. Worldmind is connected to the Annihilation Wave, briefly. The current segment of it is ordered to attack itself, and the order can't be countermanded. Though Rich wants to remain and try futily to finish the fiend, he agrees with Worldmind and retreats. Though the supercomputer boosts his heal & repair systems, Nova's cardiac rhthm kicks up, and he passes out while out in space! Annihilus orders his fleet to self-terminate, trying to weed out what the Xandarian turned against him. The rest of the Wave will retreat and renew in another cycle, promising not to be fooled the same way again. 

Worldmind urges Nova to awaken, in a scene identical to that of the first issue's opening. Though, this time, the supercomputer reports good news, that the wave has withdrawn. He even is proud of Rich by winning the battle. Nova, though, informs him he's not getting the Worldmind to safety, as he's remaining in him until the war is finished, as they make too good a team. The supercomputer agrees. Drax and Cammi soon arrive in a small ship and pick up the exhausted Nova. Rich tells him that Quasar's dead, and Drax notes his face wound will leave a scar. He opens up a small stargate for the trio to depart the system, which Rich offers as a down payment on lessons. He wants Drax to teach him out to fight, how to destroy. 


Goofs: Nova doesn't know the name Annihilus. I'm sure they've fought before, he sure has a better chance of knowing him than Drax, who was roughly just in the same room as him during that Warlock mini from a few years back. 

Nova claims Annihilus now has Quasar's Quantum Bands, yet we've seen no such thing. Wendell became pure energy and was absorbed, the bands didn't come off, they went with him! 

Calendar notes: It's, yet still, "Annihilation Day, Plus 11". Maybe an hour or few at most passes. I'm wondering what method of "day" is being used for this caption in all the issues... 


Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 2-23: On Nycos Aristedes, Drax & Cammi watch the refugees depart. Nova launches a frontal assault, soon joined by Quasar. They attack Annihilus himself, Quasar is killed, Worldmind sabotages this sector of the Annihilation Wave. Nova ends up passing out in space. 
Pages 24-26: Worldmind rouses Nova a short time later. Drax & Cammi pick him up, he opens a new stargate and they head off. 

------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 Aug 2006 04:00 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: SILVER SURFER #1 [June 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Renato Arlem 
"Opposing Force" 

Cast: 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
RAVENOUS 
AIR-WALKER/GABRIEL LAN (dies yet again) 
THANOS 
SKREET 
FALLEN ONE 
ANNIHILUS - BTS (since the Seekers keep bringing up his orders for them to bring in the ex-heralds, this seems as separate action than the preexisting Annihilation Wave orders) 


Other characters: 
Two other Seekers 
Currs (dog-like creatures, each are attached to a Seeker) 
Some dead Skrulls 


Summary: Ten days following the fall of Xandar, at the ruins of said planetary system, near the edge of the Skrull empire, Silver Surfer finds endless debris. But most of all, behind the cause of it, the Annihilation Wave, he senses purpose in its attacks. Nearby, a trio of brutish green-skin guys with weird dog-like beings attached to them by energy cords, are beating up a familiar person on some of the astroidish ruins of Xandar. Why, it's former Xandarian native turned robot, Air-Walker! The three fellows are called Seekers, their doggies are Currs. The lead Seeker is the only one named, he's Ravenous. They work for Annihilus, and their lord wants Galactus' former heralds. Air-Walker tries to fight the trio, in retaliation for the destruction of his home system, but their power is too great. They argue semantics about how in Galactus' service billions died, and how the Annihilation Wave is no different, since like the big G, Annihilus exists because he must. Whatever, fact is Silver Surfer arrives soon enough. Ravenous is pleased to see him, and admits Xandar wasn't wiped out just to feed the AW, but to draw out Air-Walker and Firelord! Learning enough about the Seekers and Currs to be fully aware they're behind the destruction and mean him harm, Surfer refuses to surrender and joins Air-Walker in fighting back. Ravenous, it seems, draws upon "the essence", sort of the Negative Zone's version of Surfer's Power Cosmic. The Currs are ripping Gabriel apart, and Surfer's not doing too well against his match, so a brief taste of his power unleashed distracts the Seekers enough. He grabs the android, and heads a few lightyears away. 

There, Air-Walker explains what happened to Xandar to Silver Surfer. He also points out the Seekers didn't know he was a robot, meaning there are gaps in their intelligence, a weakness to be exploited. Before dying for about the 50th time, Gabriel urges Surfer to quit wandering around aimlessly while the universe is destroyed. Surfer destroys the lifeless shell of his fellow ex-herald, and departs. Meanwhile, over in the Andromeda Galaxy, within the Skrull Empire, Thanos watches the destruction, alongside his companions Skreet and Fallen One. They're amazed to see Surfer has ripped open a black hole with his energy discharge. Thanos sends Fallen One to seek out a Seeker, and inform it that the Mad Titan wants to be an ally. Skreet wonders why Thanos wants to side with the "buggy things", and he merely responds that he wants to know the purposes behind the Annihilation Wave, knowing there's more to this than mere conquest. Elsewhere in the Skrull Empire, at the ruins of Tala Prime, Silver Surfer finds the destruction, with many Skrull corpses floating around, similar to that Galactus had wrought upon planets he himself brought him to. Remembering such events, and recalling Alicia Master's sensing compassion within him, Surfer realizes the difference between this and what Galactus did. The Annihilation Wave is worse, as there is meaning behind this death and destruction. Angrily vowing Annihilus must be stopped, Surfer takes off into space, fists-a-cracklin'. 


Flashback: Air-Walker plays an energy hologram of Xandar's destruction, but no person is featured and it's really nothing we haven't already seen in one way or another. Also, Silver Surfer recalls his days as a herald for Galactus, and encountering Alicia Masters. None of it is anything never before seen. 

Continuity notes: Skreet's hatred of Silver Surfer dates back to her and Lunatik's Marvel Comics Presents debut. 

Goofs: Silver Surfer's calling it the "Annihilation Wave". Who told him? 

Um, how the hell is Air-Walker alive? Even the A:NCF one-shot has trouble with this retcon, claiming Galactus rebuilt him, despite no evidence to such an action. He was last seen, bodiless, working as the AI in Galactus' ship, when the Ultimate Nullifier wiped it out. Since then, the big G's ship has been intelligent-less, or at least lacking a personality. 

Skreet's method of talking like Gollum is especially annoying... seems like Giffen forgot she didn't talk like that back during the Lunatik appearances when he did Thanos. But at least it allows her to stand out and present some kind of variety... 

The Nova Corps Database file lists "Gabriel - The Air Walker". He's repeatedly called "Air Walker", no hyphen. This is fixed in the A:NCF one-shot. 


Calendar notes: It's "Annihilation Day, Plus 17". Probably an hour or so at most takes place here. 


Timeframe: 
Pages 1-3: Silver Surfer finds the ruins of Xandar. 
Page 4: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 5-12: Ravenous and the Seekers attack Air-Walker, Surfer stops by, picks up his pal. 
Pages 13-16: "seconds" later, Surfer gets Air-Walker to safety, is told about Xandar's fall. Gabriel dies, he destroys his body, creating a black hole in the process. 
Pages 17-18: Thanos watches this, sends Fallen One to find a Seeker. 
Pages 19-23: Surfer visits the ruins of Skrull world Tala Prime. He recalls his time with Galactus, then sets out to stop Annihilus. 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Silver Surfer. (expanded and updated, with comments about Zenn-La's destruction being only a "rumor", in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Ravenous. (expanded and updated in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. There, we find out he's Annihilus' second-in-command! That's not mentioned in this mini, that's for sure.) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Gabriel - The Air Walker. (corrected, expanded and updated in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. This issue's version lacked everything since his after his first battle with Silver Surfer! This is mainly due to larger font in these versions, they're unbolded in the one-shot) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SILVER SURFER #2 [July 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Renato Arlem 
"The Culling" 

Cast: 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD
RAVENOUS
THANOS 
SKREET 
ANNIHILUS
TERRAX II/TYROS
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL
RED SHIFT
GALACTUS/GALAN
STARDUST II 


Other characters: 
Maru, Tarq (Skrullian servant) 
Quite a few unnamed Seekers 
One Curr for each Seeker 
More dead Skrulls 
Some captives of the Annihilation Wave 
Various Annihilation Wave bug guys and such 


Summary: Two days later, in the Skrull Empire's Elidorian Reach sector, the Annihilation Wave's forces are feasting on the dead. This is all to reallocate resources, by transforming fissionable matter into crystalline matter for energy, not to mention whatever other items about capable of being used for fuel as well. The bugs and Seekers get a surprise guest, when Terrax the Tamer arrives, axe-powered up! The lone ex-herald engages the Seekers and Currs in combat. Seven lightyears away, at Tercera Prime, Silver Surfer has gone deeper into Skrull territory, and only found more death and destruction. But he does manage to find a servant to the Skrulls named Tarq Maru, son of Tama Maru, the sole survivor of the world. He's not too sad to see those he was forced to life a life indentured toward dead, but still wants a closer look at what's left. Surfer shows him, and he's overwhelmed with emotion. Tarq plans on remaining behind to die with his planet, but Surfer won't leave him behind, and brings the being along. The Seekers and Currs are not far behind, tracking Norrin's progress. 

Over in the Skrull's secondary system, Yarvan 7, Annihilus' flagship currently idles amidst the wave. Thanos, with Skreet on his shoulder, is escorted by Ravenous and some Seekers to meet the big bug in charge. They exchange typical comments, their similarities and such. It comes down to Thanos wanting to know why Annihilus is doing this. He has his Seekers, concubines, and others depart, and explains to him the facts: as our universe expands, the Negative Zone retracts. Annihilus merely sees now that our universe is his by that right that the NZ is his. Thanos points out he's fighting against universal balance, and denies he wishes to fight him for control of this universe. Death foretold his coming, and their love of death is yet another bit of common ground. 

Back at Tercera Prime's ruins, Silver Surfer's attacked by some Seekers. He shields Tarq, and during the battle realizes the Currs are more than aids in tracking, but the source of their "Essence" cosmic powers! The Seekers confirm this weakness, and await him using it against them to kill them. But like typical Norrin, he wants no more death, giving the killers a chance to strike back. He's saved by the sudden arrival of Firelord and Red Shift, who have overheard the discovery of the Currs' importance and destroy the Seekers. Surfer doesn't like this, claiming they could be neutralized without death, but Firelord points out this is war. Red Shift was nearly caught, but Firelord aided him, and now they seek out the other ex-heralds. Surfer tells him that Air-Walker is dead, though the status of the rest, and the big G himself, is still a mystery. 

Not to us, though. Galactus is over somewhere in the Badoon Hegemony. He summons his current herald Stardust, and stresses the fact the "balance" has been undone! Back at Tercera Prime, Tarq, upon hearing this threat might very well even just threaten Galactus, wants out of there as soon as possible. Surfer takes him to a refugee caravan Firelord informs him of not far away. On the way there, they realize their own common thread is the Power Cosmic, which Annihilus must be after, despite his own abundance of energy. Meanwhile, Terrax has been defeated, and is transported elsewhere by the Seekers. And on Annihilus' ship, Skreet is getting sick of the "buggy things", asking Thanos how long they're doing to remain there. Thanos swats her again, and explains it depends on the extent of his tolerance. 


Continuity notes: This is, what, the first time in a decade Terrax has appeared? Red Shift has also been absent for good long while. Oh, and Fire Lord sports a new look, lacking a mouth, body wholly golden orange. 

Goofs: Funny they put a profile for Fallen One in the ONE issue he's not in. 

Calendar notes: It's "Annihilation Day, Plus 19". I have no clue where Silver Surfer went for two days. Then again, he did the same thing between the Prologue and first issue, didn't he? He's also a lot more calm than we left him. He's done that before, too, hasn't he? 

Anyway, this is, what, maybe an hour or so of time? A few at most. 

Timeframe: 
Pages 1-2, 4: At the Elidorian Reach, Terrax attacks the Annihilation Wave, engaging some Seekers. 
Page 3: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 5-8: Silver Surfer explores Tercera Prime, finds Tarq Maru. Seekers aren't far behind. 
Pages 9-13: At Yarvan 7, Thanos has a meeting with Annihilus. 
Pages 14-19, 21: Surfer's attacked by Seekers, Firelord & Red Shift join his side, destroy the Seekers. They set out to bring Tarq to a refugee caravan. 
Page 20: In the Obada'an System, Galactus summons Stardust, sensing a dark imbalance has been done. 
Page 22: Back at Elidorian, the defeated Terrax is placed into a portal. 
Page 23: Thanos yaks with Skreet. 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Galactus. (expanded in the A:NCF one-shot, including among other things, listing his name of Galan) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: The Fallen One. (expanded and updated in the A:NCF one-shot) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Wolverine's boxer shorts (err, whoops, sorry, an ad) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SILVER SURFER #3 [August 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Renato Arlem 
no title. 

Cast: 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD
RAVENOUS
THANOS 
SKREET 
FALLEN ONE
ANNIHILUS
TERRAX II/TYROS
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL
RED SHIFT
GALACTUS/GALAN
STARDUST II 
MAKER (previously Kosmos/Beyonder; as a corpse. As such, her essence is likely elsewhere) 
AEGIS II 
TENEBROUS 
MORG (as a corpse... or, maybe, more corpser than usual) 

Other characters: 
Maru, Tarq -BTS(Firelord informs Surfer his "friend" has settled in with the other refugees) 


Summary: A day later, over at what remains of the Kyln prison system, a pair of large creatures, a male and female, with vague similarities to Galactus, are surveying the damage. Seems they were held captive inside the Kyln prison moons for quite some time, and with their destruction, have been freed. The female, a golden lady who looks like a cross between Firelord's new look and a Celestial, is named Aegis, while the ebony male is called Tenebrous. Seems they don't just resemble Galactus, but know him! Fallen One is nearby, seeking the Beyonder in the prison debris, and they sense his connection to the big G. He finds the being, his female body known as "Maker" dead. Tenebrous engages Fallen One, who claims he works for Thanos, whom they don't know, and hasn't worked for Galactus in centuries. Seems they've been imprisoned since the "creation event", which they're amazed to discover was countless millennia past. Tenebrous wraps some tentacles from his hand around Fallen One, and plans on finding all he knows, and making him serve he and Aegis. 

Meanwhile, far off at the Skrull system of Tercera Minor, Tarq Maru has been dropped off on one of the many refugee ships passing by. Silver Surfer is still dawdling in joining Firelord and Red Shift in their planned opposition of Annihilus. They get an added member, when Stardust appears. Galactus has sent him, to exchange for the Surfer, whom he wants to see in person. Norrin does so, but gets tracked on his trip by a Seeker. Back at the other three ex-heralds, decisions about how best to strike get put on hold when the Annihilation Wave materializes right in front of them! The refugee ships are placed in peril, so the trio of Power Cosmic wielders strike, discovering that their enemies want them alive. 

Over at the flagship, Annihilus is having trouble harnessing the Power Cosmic. He's had Morg killed, but with his death, the energy went with it! Thanos claims he never gave investigating the details of the Power Cosmic much thought, since there are items of greater power in the universe. It's not good enough for Annihilus, and though Thanos plays docile and dumb, but just smart enough, needless to say, Terrax is the last living specimen remaining to test on. The Mad Titan manages to get Annihilus to agree to a small fee, currently unknown, in exchange for using his skills and knowledge to harness the Power Cosmic from Terrax. 

A day later, Silver Surfer reaches Galactus, who soon explains exactly what the Kyln prisons held. Seems that, though the prisons existed long before even the big G was around, and their architect unknown, he used them when the universe was young to imprison Aegis and Tenebrous. The pair, the Lady of All Sorrows and the Darkness Between, respectively, were, like Galactus, of the Cosmic Balance, and long ago, there was a war among all of them, and they three are all that survived. Now, he feels they've escaped, and their intentions of revenge against Galactus will be far worse for reality than the Annihilation Wave. Surfer was requested since he's most favored by Galactus, and his disobedience is something which may be of need, all the others heed him too well. He wants Norrin to be his herald again, but Surfer's lost his conviction over the years. Galactus can undo this, renew his will, give him new power... he also offers to remove his remorse, but Norrin wants to keep that, to define himself. As Galactus clutches Surfer in his palm and does this reinvigoration, a section of the Annihilation Wave materializes around his ship! Ravenous and his fellow Seekers have come for Galactus, assured this will bode well for him in the eyes of his master, Annihilus. But once informed Silver Surfer is also there, Ravenous loses his edge and demands the Seekers take the big G quickly. Galactus opens his hand, the restored Surfer flies out, once more his herald, and unleashes his power, destroying several of the wave's ships in an instant. 


Continuity notes: I suspect, but can't rightly prove yet, that the Beyonder's "death" in his form of Maker here was an attempt to free him up for use over in "Beyond!" 

Goofs: The recap page claims there is not a single world in the Skrull system left intact by day "plus 19", which isn't true at all, as seen in the Super-Skrull mini, which takes place far later. 

Morg was last seen a decade ago, caught in the Ultimate Nullifier event that also wiped out Air-Walker. We're supposed to believe he got better, laid low all these years, and got caught only to be killed again for the third time here before the scene began. Hey, Giffen, why not dig up Frankie Raye and claim she's still kicking, only to kill her off, too? 

Calendar notes: It's "Annihilation Day, Plus 20" when the issue begins. By the time Surfer reaches Galactus, it's "Annihilation Day, Plus 21." 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 2-4: Day plus 20. At the Kyln, Fallen One finds Maker dead. Tenebrous and Aegis capture him. 
Pages 5-11: Tercera Minor, after Tarq is dropped off on a ship, Stardust joins Red Shift and Firelord, as Surfer is sent to join Galactus. A Seeker follows, and the refugee ships get attacked. 
Pages 12-13: Morg gets killed again. Annihilus is frustrated, and Thanos makes a deal for something in exchange for his experimenting on Terrax for him. 
Pages 14-23: Day plus 21. Surfer meets with Galactus, agrees to become herald again in exchange for renewed will and powers. Ravenous and friends arrive, and Surfer is reborn again! 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Tenebrous. (completely rewritten in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Aegis. (completely rewritten in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. In fact, both are combined into one file there, and their profile pics from here are shrunk waaaay down.) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SILVER SURFER #4 [September 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Renato Arlem 
"Resurrection" 

Cast: 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD
RAVENOUS
THANOS 
SKREET 
FALLEN ONE
GALACTUS/GALAN
AEGIS II
TENEBROUS 

Other characters: 
Just your various aliens and other background fodder. 


Summary: At the Obada'an Rim, Badoon/Skrull neutral zone, Silver Surfer surveys the destruction he caused on the Annihilation Wave's armada. Ravenous, though, remains, and they do battle, talking the whole time. Needless to say (which I say a lot don't I? Dammit, I'll never be a writer), we get lots of fancy displays of Surfer's new battle prowess, flashy revised powers... he even makes a new board when he uses the other to glue itself to Ravenous and fly to Truitda, a Badoon fringe world three hours later. Surfer follows, reabsorbs his board's essence, fights Ravenous a bunch more, less talking this time. He ends it by killing the Curr, then blowing up the uninhabited planet. Drained and trapped on a piece of it, Ravenous is left wondering exactly what Norrin has become, so different from the man he fought just days prior. Surfer lets him live, and returns to Galactus, noting how he's not a killer, and how the planet had no sustenance on it. Galactus needs to feed now, though, and Surfer sets off to find one, a familiar path for him indeed. He knows he'll have to bring destruction to the universe, but with purpose and meaning. Surfer's big plan is to also steer Galactus clear of Annihilus, since that'll save lives! Sure, Norrin, you dopey bas... 

The epilogue kicks things some 19 days later, on Harborage Minor, an unaffiliated world. Tenebrous and Aegis examine the inhabitants, finding the lack of purpose beyond proliferation fascinating. They're more concerned with Thanos, who has finally arrived for them to meet. Skreet warns her master (or whatever he is to her) about the pair, as she knows them to be Proemial Elders. He's surprised she knows them by name, and once coming face to giant face with them, he gets to learn that Skreet is what Aegis calls a "chaos mite", firstborn of the creation event, an unstable alpha life form. She refuses to explain how she survived, and notes how the Proemial Elders are all dead. Thanos finds the fact those Elders clearly had obsolescence built-in to them. Anyway, they return Fallen One to him, or what's left of the seemingly lifeless creature, whom they merely wanted to use to find out why he serves Thanos instead of Galactus. Aegis senses Thanos serves not Galactus, but a darker person, a female. The pair say they have unfinished business with Galactus. Thanos claims he seeks the big G, too, and they now have common goals. He wants an understanding, so as to further all their own agendas... 


Goofs: Wait, Tenebrous said he was going to make Fallen One his and Aegis' herald last issue. Now they just discard him and act like they only wanted him as a conduit to contact Thanos. Bwah? 

Neither of the two profiled in this issue are in this issue. 

Calendar notes: It's "Annihilation Day, Plus 21". Though the first few pages take places within minutes of the last issue, three "Earth hours" pass on Ravenous' trip, the first use of "Earth" anything in the Annihilation books. The final scene takes place on "Annihilation Day, Plus 40". 

Timeframe: 
Pages 1-3: Day Plus 21, still. Surfer watches the AW wave damage he wroughted. 
Page 4: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 5-10: Surfer fights Ravenous. Ends it by stickying the board to him, making a new board, then following. 
Pages 11-18: "Three Earth hours" later, on Thuritda, Ravenous lands. Surfer follows, kills his Curr, blows up the world and leaves the Seeker there, alive. 
Pages 19-20: Surfer returns to Galactus, and then heads off to find something for him to eat. 
Pages 21-24: "Annihilation Day, Plus 40". On Harborage Minor, Thanos & Skreet meet with Aegis and Tenebrous. 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Firelord. (revised in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Stardust. (expanded considerably in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. There, they not only go into his involvement in the recent Stormbreaker mini, but show Beta Ray was in the profile picture, cut off here.) 
------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 Aug 2006 09:42 am 
By Somebody
Director

JLH wrote:
>>>
Skreet's method of talking like Gollum is especially annoying... seems like Giffen forgot she didn't talk like that back during the Lunatik appearances when he did Thanos. But at least it allows her to stand out and present some kind of variety...
<<<

Giffen wrote:
>>>
> 3) I've loved Skreet since her Lunatik days. Why did you change her speach patterns?

Why not? Oh... I didn't dialog her back in her Lunat!k days so it's closer to getting her right than changing her around.
<<<

*shrugs*


JLH wrote:
>>>
Morg was last seen a decade ago, caught in the Ultimate Nullifier event that also wiped out Air-Walker. We're supposed to believe he got better, laid low all these years, and got caught only to be killed again for the third time here before the scene began. Hey, Giffen, why not dig up Frankie Raye and claim she's still kicking, only to kill her off, too?
<<<

Giffen wrote:
>>>
Nova - I wanted to jump start her. I lost that one.
<<<

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 Aug 2006 07:45 pm 
By SeanCurtin

JLH wrote:
>>>
I suspect, but can't rightly prove yet, that the Beyonder's "death" in his form of Maker here was an attempt to free him up for use over in "Beyond!"
<<<

Annihilation: Silver Surfer follows Planet Hulk: Exile. Planet Hulk follows the debut of the Iron Spider costume. But Spider-Man appears in his original costume in Beyond!. Either he must be using the Iron Spider outfit's ability to duplicate his original costume in Beyond!, or Beyond! follows the end of the Iron Spider costume (and thus follows Civil War). 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 Aug 2006 08:00 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Beyond can't follow CW, barring a Cosmic Reset, because no-one knows Spidey's ID. But given that PH:Exile is pretty compressed, time-wise, there's every probability you could fit Beyond in the six months or so between A:Nova and Annihilation-proper, and put A-proper about the same time as Civil War 

And, to judge from a future cover, it might not be the real Spidey in Beyond anyway...

			*	*	*

Posted: 21 Aug 2006 04:22 am 
By Paul O'Brien
Director

Even if it isn't the real Spider-Man, that wouldn't get around the fact that other characters don't know who Spider-Man is.

-- Paul O'Brien

			*	*	*

Posted: 22 Aug 2006 02:24 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: SUPER-SKRULL #1 [June 2006] 
Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach 
Artist: Gregory Titus 
no title. 

Cast: 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT 
MR. FANTASTIC/REED RICHARDS 
S'BAK (Warlord baroness of this sector of Skrull space) 
R'KIN (mechanic/sidekick to Kl'rt) 
ADMIRAL SALO (Annihilation Wave member) 

Other characters: 
Lots of Skrulls (some get killed, a few don't) 
Lots of Annihilation Wave bug fellows (a few get killed, most don't) 


Summary: It's been 41 days since Annihilation Day,and in the fourth Skrull system, the planet Ask'lo has been changed from a zoo for the empress to a battleground. The Annihilation Wave approaches, this sector of it being headed by Admiral Salo. Seems this is the part of the wave that has the Harvester of Sorrow we've heard so much about that one time. AW troops check the planet, finding no signs of life or resistance, until suddenly the Skrulls de-shapeshift from their forms of the ground and vegetation. The battle begins, Skrulls are laid to waste, but one who isn't, one who was specifically engineered for combat, happens to be the Super-Skrull known as Kl'rt. He's been tracking the AW from world to world, attacking it all over the galaxy. He makes use of his special abilities, identical to that of the Fantastic Four, though his methods of application are far more inventive, if not vicious. Kl'rt kills a good number of the bugs, but since no anti-aircraft batteries were found, the troops are ordered to treat and the Harvester of Sorrow is put into effect. It's that big globe-like thing that blows up whole planets, converting them into energy for the wave. Super-Skrull barely makes it off Ask'lo before it's destroyed. 

Five days later, Super-Skrull has finally reached a dreadnought ship, and explains the situation to S'bak, one of the many warlords who control various parts of the Skrull Empire. She merely notes his concerns, and is more worried with keeping her control of this sector from other warlords than mounting a futile offensive. Kl'rt tries to argue, even asking for a small force of soldiers for him to lead against the Harvester of Sorrows, but she scoffs him off, bringing up how he's a relic and through his endless defeats he has no good name in the empire. This pisses him off to no end, and he strikes the woman down, before taking off. He fights his way through the craft, using rifles and his own abilities. Once he reaches the void of space, fighter jets prepare to attack him. But suddenly a smaller ship appears, tosses him a line, and drags him aboard before taking off. The pilot is a young Skrull named R'kin, who happens to be a mechanic for the fleet, and it also seems his father fought by Kl'rt's side against the Kree at Harkoon. R'kin claims the Super-Skrull is his hero. A transmission from S'bak provides a bounty on Kl'rt's head for 3 million golden z'laks. Left with no options, Super-Skrull warns the boy not to cross him, and explains they have to take out the Annihilation Wave before it reaches Zaragz'na, where his son lives! To do this, they need to go to the source of the AW's origin, the Negative Zone. 

With only two ways to get there, one involving traversing the hostile-filled universe and the other inside the home of his worst enemy, Super-Skrull chooses the latter. A day later, Kl'rt and R'kin show up at Reed Richard's lab. He puts up security measures, but Super-Skrull is given enough leeway to explain what he's doing there and what he wants. A few hours later, the tale is finished, and Mr Fantastic agrees to open the portal to the Negative Zone to allow his enemy to seek out an army to fight the Harvester of Sorrow from the dimension that created it. Reed's concerned about R'kin, but Kl'rt lies and says he's much older than he looks, since he's a shape-shifter. Anyway, the kid is suited up, and gets a double shock at seeing what lies beyond the portal, and the fact Super-Skrull has informed him they'll either return as heroes, or not at all! 


Continuity notes: The title, indicia, and all balloons and captions call Kl'rt "Super-Skrull", with a hyphen. MCP doesn't. So, what's the official word? 

This is, currently, the only issue with any appearance of Earth, and the only frame of reference for any superhero involved with Civil War. As such, it isn't much, the CW (not the channel) isn't even referred to here, and considering the Negative Zone's importance in it, you'd think it would if this were after. Tom Breevort is given "special thanks", so he likely knows more (or less, given his track record when it comes to continuity lately). 

Super-Skrull calls it the "Annihilation Wave". Okay, so the term's official among everybody now, it seems. 

Speaking of which, Reed knows pretty much the details about the AW now. It's strange he hasn't seemingly told anybody else or mounted any efforts to stop Annihilus. I suppose that could very well come up in a future book, such as the Illuminati mini-series. 

Goofs: Kl'rt's meeting with S'bak is listed as being on "Annihilation Day, Plus 26". This error is corrected on issue two's recap page right away, it's supposed to be "Plus 46". I wonder if the TPB will fix it... 

Calendar notes: The issue begins with "Annihilation Day, Plus 41". Then it becomes "Annihilation Day, Plus 46." It's not said that a day passes on the trip to Earth here, but the next issue makes it clear that it did, making "Annihilation Day, Plus 47" also featured. 

We see Mr. Fantastic wearing his usual costume top, under his lab coat, with bluejeans on. Nobody else is around, he's alone in his lab at the Baxter Building. There's some pigeons nesting atop a building nearby. No trees are seen, nothing is of note other than the fact it's daytime. It's sundown by the time Kl'rt finishes his tale. 

Timeframe: 
Pages 1-4, 6-10: Day Plus 41. Super-Skrull faces AW troops and Harvester of Sorrow on Aks'lo, which is destroyed. 
Page 5: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 11-19: Day Plus 46. Kl'rt reaches S'bak's cruiser, she refuses to help, he lashes out, flees, joins up with R'kin. 
Pages 20-23: Day Plus 47. Super-Skrull and R'kin come to Earth, meet with Mr Fantastic, then around sunset, journey into the Negative Zone. 
Page 24-25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Skrull Empire. (reduced to a small section in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot, as part of the Alien Races area) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Super Skrull. (expanded and updated in "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot. There, the title is switched to "Kl'rt The Super-Skrull", with hyphen.) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SUPER-SKRULL #2 [July 2006] 
Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach 
Artist: Gregory Titus 
no title. 

Cast: 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT 
R'KIN 
PRAXAGORA (energy-powered robotic ex-prisoner of UX-73) 
PREAK (multiplying ex-prisoner of UX-73) 

Other characters: 
Hawal 
Some Skrulls (in FB only) 
Lots of Annihilation Wave buggish fellows (just about all we see are dead or get dead) 
Several ex-prisoners of UX-73 (none but Praxagora and Preak are named. They include an orange dragon-like guy, a bluish sharkhead fellow, a pink pigman, a purple floating man with fiery hair, a greenish rhino-horned person...) 


Summary: So, a few days in the Negative Zone, and already R'kin is regretting his joining up with his supposed hero. He recalls the events that lead to his current situation, including Kl'rt tossing out six innocent aliens into space to take their ship. Super-Skrull has since been scouting Annihilation Wave installations trying to find a way to take down the Harvester of Sorrow, killing a few high-ranking officers from the wave. R'kin hasn't been needed thus far to do much but pilot, until Kl'rt gives him the role of waiting outside a door as he interrogates another AW member at a station in the Chroanus Belt. R'kin breaks from his role, entering the door and gets to see just how vicious his hero actually is. Super-Skrull tortures the officer, and learns where the HoS' designer currently resides, then kills the creature by burning him alive. R'kin is shocked, losing faith in Kl'rt's valor and honor, forcing the elder Skrull to forcibly remind him that his father wasn't a coward, and being a warrior means doing whatever it takes. The mechanic realizes his hero is evil, and begins thinking of a way to be freed of him lest he become like him. A few days later, they reach the Nexus of Igoa, the UX-73 Prison Planetoid. Super-Skrull rips through the forcefield around it using his powers, and proceeds to take down the prison's guards, in doing so, freeing all the prisoners. The scientist behind the HoS has been using them for experiments as a reward for making the planet destroying device, and faced with facing his former subjects, tries to escape. Kl'rt stops him, beats him into submission, then tries to learn how to stop the device. The prisoners appear, wanting to enact their own justice upon the creature. Super-Skrull has no choice but to fight them in an effort to keep the scientist alive until he's helped him stop the Harvester. He fights the main two prisoners, Preak, a yellow childish brute who multiplies with every hit, and Praxagora, a silver robotic woman who harnesses the energy of a star. He manages to beat them, and convinces the others to join with him to strike out against the AW, or die. By the R'kin lands, the prisoners have chosen to be Super-Skrull's new army! 


Flashbacks: We see a one-panel flashback to "seven days ago" prior to AD+52, where R'kin is giving thumbs up to some Skrulls as he does mechanic work. Then a one-panel FB to "six days ago", which is a shot of Super-Skrull holding R'kin up, which we've seen before, but from a different angle. Finally, a one-panel FB to "five days ago", of R'kin and Kl'rt rushing into the Negative Zone portal. Finally two-panel FB to "four days ago", where Kl'rt tosses some guys out of their ship and takes it, against R'kin's protests. 

Continuity notes: The "Editor's Note" on the recap page corrects the 26 to 46, as I said. This is probably the first "Editor's Note" I've seen in a Marvel book in eons! 

Goofs: The indicia for this issue and the next two says the book is "Published Monthly in January, March, April, June and July". The previous issue had "Published Monthly in January, March, and April." Sounds like the book went from 3 issues to 5, yet only had 4 issues! 

Calendar notes: The issue begins with "Annihilation Day, Plus 52". We see flashbacks to what would be "Annihilation Day, Plus 45" (a new shot of R'kin prior to meeting Kl'rt), AD+46 (stuff we've already seen), AD+47 (Kl'rt & R'kin entering portal), and AD+48 (Super-Skrull and R'kin stealing shuttle). This issue continues with "Annihilation Day, Plus 55", which covers maybe an hour or so at most. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Pages 2-8: Day Plus 52. R'kin joins Super-Skrull in interrogating an AW officer. 
Page 2, panel 2: Flashback to AD+45. 
Page 2, panel 3: FB to shot we saw in previous issue, AD+46. 
Page 2, panel 4: FB to shot we didn't see, from AD+47. 
Page 3, panels 1 & 2: FB to AD+48, the shuttle stealing by Super-Skrull. 
Pages 9-26: Day Plus 55. Super-Skrull attacks prison UX-73, capturing Hawal, facing Preak and Praxagora, and gaining army of prisoners. 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SUPER-SKRULL #3 [August 2006] 
Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach 
Artist: Gregory Titus 
no title. 

Cast: 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT (also in FB) 
R'KIN (also in FB) 
PRAXAGORA (also in FB) 
PREAK 
ADMIRAL SALO 
SARNOGG (FB only, Super-Skrull's son. Possibly dies in BTS outside of FB) 

Other characters: 
Hawal (dies; also in FB) 
Several ex-prisoners of UX-73 (all still unnamed) 
Super-Skrull's unnamed countess wife (FB only) 
Lots of Skrulls (all die) 
Annihilation Wave buggy guys (some die) 


Summary: Several days pass, and Super-Skrull turns the prisoners into a well-honed army. Praxagora grows closer to Kl'rt, her battle prowess especially high. R'kin is ordered to build a dimensional portal to get them back to the regular universe, he complains about a lack of manpower, so Kl'rt beats up Preak. With multiple Preaks around now, the continuously rebellious mechanic Skrull has no choice but to oblige, using Reed Richards' specifications for one. While half the army trains, and the other half works on getting ships stolen from dead AW members ready, Super-Skrull is most concerned by the fact they don't have their own doomsday weapon to fight the Harvester of Sorrow. Hawal refuses to make one, since he knows the minute he's finished Kl'rt will kill him. Using one of the scientist's own devices on him, the creature finally agrees to get to work. The next day, with the device finished, Super-Skrull presents the decapitated head of Hawal to his army. He explains their plan: go through the portal, engage the interplanetary defenses of the Annihilation Wave, punch a hole in the defense. Then, a ship carrying the missile, a viral weapon capable of nullifying the HoS, will finish the job. With chaos and confusion resulting in the enemy, they'll retreat back to the Negative Zone, and continue the fight. All the troops are rallied by this, except R'kin, who manages to convince Kl'rt to let him pilot the ship carrying the weapon. Praxagora questions Super-Skrull on why he wants to save Zaragz'na, and he relays the story of how he got his powers. He knows the reason he always loses to the Fantastic Four is because of their family bond. Kl'rt reveals his son is on that planet, and how he's not been in his life. Praxagora attempts to kiss him during this, he slams her against the wall, not wanting pity. Of course, she loves him all the more for it. Two days later, the Harvester of Sorrow arrives at Zaragz'na. Skrull forces are overwhelmed, until Super-Skrull and his troops breach the dimension and join the battle! Unfortunately, R'kin never shows up with the doomsday weapon. Preak, Praxagora and Kl'rt are captured, the last survivors of the UX-73 army. Turns out R'kin ratted them out to Admiral Salo, having switched sides. Super-Skrull is forced to watch helplessly as Zaragz'na, and thus his son, are destroyed by the Harvester of Sorrow. Kl'rt vows revenge... 


Flashbacks: Praxagora has a flashback to when she was experimented on by Hawal, which would be prior to her appearance last issue. 

Another flashback by her covers at least a day since last issue, where she aids Super-Skrull in retasking a satellite dish to send a distress call to any nearby Annihilation Wave ships, and once they show up, they're ambushed for training purposes. 

There is also a brief flashback by Kl'rt showing himself, some time after the battle of Harkoon, with his recently-born son Sarnogg and his unnamed countess wife. This is followed by a FB featuring Sarnogg, where Kl'rt is BTS. 

Continuity notes: Praxagora's flashback claims the Annihilation Wave started "years ago" in the Negative Zone, when Annihilus united over a hundred worlds for a common goal. 

The revelation of Kl'rt having a son is new, so I have no way of knowing how it fits in with his established history. Oh, we're supposed to believe Sarnogg died when Zaragz'na was destroyed, but, well, we don't see him in this issue outside of flashbacks and an "image" of him with a half-skull face, but I doubt he's BTS in this issue. There's no evidence he's on the world, it's been years since Kl'rt last saw him! He could'a moved for all is known. 

Goofs: The recap claims Super-Skrull and R'kin "found" the portal to the Negative Zone on AD+46, which as we saw last issue, was actually on AD+47. 

Calendar notes: A flashback covers at least a day during the time between AD+55 and "Annihilation Day, Plus 65", which is where this issue begins. "Annihilation Day, Plus 66" soon follows. The issue concludes after we reach "Annihilation Day, Plus 68." 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-10: "Annihilation Day, Plus 65". R'kin builds portal with Preak's help, Hawal is convinced to build the weapon. 
Page 2, Panel 3 through Page 3, panel 3: FB, Praxagora is tortured by Hawal in the months prior. 
Page 3, panel 4 & 5: FB to last issue stuff. 
Page 4: FB to Praxagora aiding Super-Skrull in attacking AW members; R'kin appears. 
Pages 11-17: "Annihilation Day, Plus 66". Hawal's dead, Super-Skrull rallies troops, R'kin gets to pilot ship, Praxagora learns of Kl'rt's son. 
Page 15, panel 3: FB- Shots of Super-Skrull during his younger days, married to the countess, with the newborn(?) Sarnogg. 
Page 16, panel 1: FB- Is banished by his wife, who's holding his son, as Kl'rt departs. 
Page 16, panels 2 & 3: FB- Sarnogg has his first kill, with Kl'rt BTS, watching from afar. 
Pages 18-23: "Annihilation Day, Plus 68". Super-Skrull and his UX-73 troops enter our universe again, and fail. The Harvester of Sorrow destroys Zaragz'na. 
Page 24: UX-73 Prison Database Inmate Profile: Praxagora. (rewritten in A:NCF one-shot) 
Page 25: Skrull Imperial Armada Engineering, Sanitation and Maintenance Division: R'kin. (rewritten in A:NCF one-shot) 
Page 26: UX-73 Prison Database Inmate Profile: Preak. (rewritten in A:NCF one-shot) 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: SUPER-SKRULL #4 [September 2006] 
Writer: Javier Grillo-Marxuach 
Artist: Gregory Titus 
no title. 

Cast: 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT (supposedly dies) 
R'KIN (possibly dies) 
PRAXAGORA 
PREAK (likely dies) 
ADMIRAL SALO (dies) 

Other characters: 
Annihilation Wave buggy guys (some die) 


Summary: So, Super-Skrull is pissed off. R'kin rubs it in by noting his son is getting digested by the Harvester of Sorrow. He even gets a sucker-punch in on the chained Kl'rt. Salo orders the mechanic Skrull to collect his bounty, get in his shuttle, and leave. But when R'kin prepares to leave, Super-Skrull uses his least known power, that of hypnotism, enthralling the boy into opening fire on the AW troops, freeing Kl'rt! R'kin is freed from the hypnosis, and flees. Super-Skrull kills Salo (by stuffing his stretch arm down his throat, then busting him apart with his Thing-fist from the inside). Praxagora checks the computers, and devises a new plan to destroy the HoS. As it's a living machine, like her, she can follow a vein down to the core, unleash her singularity energy, cause the device to go supernova. Preak remains behind to hold off the troops, arming his multiples. Super-Skrull tracks down R'kin, who fights back by shapeshifting into a bit of a monster. He reveals why he betrayed Kl'rt, seems his father was, like so many others, merely used by Super-Skrull as a means to an end, and died as a result. R'kin sees the death of Sarnogg and that whole planet merely as making him even with Kl'rt. He offers to aid his "hero" in escaping before the HoS explodes, but in doing so reminds him of the fact he talked Praxagora into dying for him, as he often does. Super-Skrull departs, leaving R'kin behind on his shuttle. Only R'kin has had his arms and legs torn off, cauterized by Kl'rt flame, so as to keep him alive. As the final Preak falls to the AW forces, Super-Skrull heads down to the ship's core and saves Praxagora before one of them get to her. She begins to unleash her energies, when he tells her he won't let her sacrifice herself for his cause. Kl'rt has the power to absorb infinite amounts of heat, and uses this to draw all her power. The pair kiss while doing this, giving her just enough time to get into an escape pod and flee, as per his wishes. The Harvester of Sorrow explodes, apparently taking Super-Skrull with it. Praxagora lives to inform others of his heroic deeds, including years later, the restored Skrull empire cheers a statue of the Super-Skrull, who in death finally became a hero. 

Continuity notes: We don't exactly clearly see Super-Skrull die. I mean, he's got Invisible Woman's powers, after all. And the A:NCF one-shot implies R'kin might not have died, though considering he was strung up with only stumps for arms and legs, and he still needed to hotwire the shuttle, and didn't have much time, and he lacks proper shapeshifting skills... 

Goofs: Isn't it a MAJOR presumption to say the Skrull Empire is going to recover in twenty years, with Annihilation's damage to it being so overly severe, and the story not even truly having been finished yet? Sure, we know that's how Marvel works, but it kinda takes a lot of the wind out of the mini-series to give it that sort of ending. Damn you, DJ Dan! 

Calendar notes: This issue takes place over an hour or few on "Annihilation Day, Plus 68." The final scene takes place on "Annihilation Day, Plus 7300", but could very well be an alternate future. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-25: "Annihilation Day, Plus 68". Preak and Super-Skrull dies in destroying the Harvester of Sorrow. R'kin is presumably also killed. Praxagora escapes. 
Page 26: "Annihilation Day, Plus 7300". New Zaragz'na, Skrull System. Hundreds of Skrulls, and Praxagora, praise statue of Kl'rt. 
------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Aug 2006 12:23 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: RONAN #1 [June 2006] 
Writer: Simon Furman 
Artist: Jorge Lucas 
no title. 

Cast: 
RONAN THE ACCUSER (also in FB) 
TANA NILE (FB only) 
KORATH THE PURSUER 
NEBULA 
STELLARIS/LEAH PRINCESS 
GAMORA 
GLORIAN/THOMAS GIDEON (BTS) 

Other characters: 
Metz of the Qa-Kabar 
Nonna of the Lo-Kala 
Tullk Ul-Zyn 
lots of various background characters who don't get named. 


Summary: Ronan is, as of AD+88, in on Bwokk, a planet in Kree System 217. There, he's merely hanging out, on his own business, and he gets involved with a domestic dispute. Nonna is accusing Metz of killing her daughter, Homma, to whom he was betrothed in a ritual to bond their clans. Though Ronan was tried for treason and stripped of his rank, he still upholds Kree law, and though it's not a Kree world, as per the tablets of Koth, wherever a Kree sets foot, so shall the law be in effect. Metz is zapped into submission by Ronan's Universal Weapon, charged, confirms the accusations as true, and is sentenced to trial by combat. Ronan frees several velociraptor-like creatures, who swarm on the accused. As he departs, Nonna regrets ever saying anything. A short time later, Ronan heads to the outskirts of the village, where he meets with his informant, Tullk. The native alien points out Metz found Homma in bed with his shield-bearer, and by local law, had every right to kill them both. Not to mention, with Metz dead, a civil war will break out to fill the power vacuum. Ronan doesn't care, all that matters is justice was done. So, he came to see Tullk to find out where the witness who testified against him currently is located. Tullk explains that Tana Nile left Bwokk "three rotations ago", and Ronan gives him the tactical deployment of Kree Beta district sentries in return for her flight plan. Tullk's surprised he'd give up his own people like that. Unbeknownst to Tullk, as soon as Ronan leaves, the former Accuser informs the Beta Watchtower anonymous their configurations have been compromised, and to change alignments immediately. Soon, as Bwokk turns to war over Metz, Ronan casually makes his way to the spaceport. He has to use his Universal Weapon against the person or two who tries to stop him from getting in his ship and taking off. He recalls Tana Nile's testimony around 60 days prior, where she claimed in front of a Supreme Judiciary that she was undercover on As'sklo and witnessed Ronan committing treason with Baroness S'bak, in a scheme to overthrow the ruling house of Hala, the House of Fiyero, and give the Skrulls some Kree planets in return. 

With space lanes strangely jammed, Ronan tracks other ways Tana could have gone, and discovers the planet Godthab Omega. A few days later, he heads to this world, and is surprised to discover it's got a lot of Kree on it! Not only that, but at least one familiar face, Korath the Pursuer, his old buddy! Seems Godthab is where exiles of the Kree Empire tend to go. Korath explains to him that his group, the Kree Starforce, was absorbed by the Shi'ar Corps after the Nega-Bomb incident, but when Nu-Elite restored the empire, they were branded defectors. They're having trouble lately, though, and Korath hopes Ronan will aid. The former Accuser refuses this, as he doesn't even know what made him come here, as he's on a quest to clear his name. Suddenly, the city of Kree exiles is attacked by Nebula and Stellaris, claiming to be members of a group called "The Graces", and all that's surveyed from Mount Virago belongs to them. Needless to say, they picked the wrong house to blow up, since Ronan was inside, and once he crawls from the rubble, and cracks his neck, he smashes he Universal Weapon against the ground at them, knocking the weapon off their feet! Over at Mount Virago, the mistress they serve is aware of this, vowing Ronan will soon bow before her or something of the like. The woman? Gamora! 


Flashback: AD+29, before a tribunal, with Ronan present, Tana Nile testifies about what she claims she saw Ronan do against the Kree Empire. 

Continuity notes: Virtually nothing in this issue actually has any involvement with the Annihilation Wave. The only real connection is a mention that space lane traffic volume exceeds safety parameters. 

Glorian gets a BTS, since as is revealed in a few issues, he's the reason why Ronan was "compelled" to come to Godthab Omega. 

Ronan's supposedly met with S'bak, whom as you will recall, appeared in "Annihilation: Super-Skrull" #1. 

Goofs: Tana Nile claims S'bak is a "baron", when she's well... a she, and as such a "baroness". 

AD+95 starts without a caption denoting it! 

Calendar notes: This issue starts on "Annihilation Day, Plus 88." A flashback shows "Annihilation Day, Plus 29". The end of the issue involves "Annihilation Day, Plus 95", according only to stuff next issue. Yeah, I know, weird. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-17 panel 3: "Annihilation Day, Plus 88". On Bwokk, Ronan dispenses justice on Metz of the Qa-Kabar, causing a civil war. He meets with Tllk, learns where Tana Nile has gone. Then, while in space, he finds heavy traffic, and happens upon Godthab Omega. 
Page 15 panel 4-page 16 panel 4: "Annihilation Day, Plus 29". Ronan's trial at Kree-Lar. Third witness Tana Nile lies in front of tribunal, which angers Ronan. 
Page 17 panel 4-page 23: "Annihilation Day, Plus 95". Ronan arrives on Godthab Omega, meets with Korath. Stellaris and Nebula attack. 
Pages 24-25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Kree Empire (reduced, yet updated to include mentions of the Ruul, in A:NCF) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Ronan (updated and revised, as "Ronan the Accuser", in A:NCF) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: RONAN #2 [July 2006] 
Writer: Simon Furman 
Artist: Jorge Lucas 
no title. 

Cast: 
RONAN THE ACCUSER
KORATH THE PURSUER
TALOS
DEVOS THE DEVESTATOR 
NEBULA (also in FB) 
STELLARIS/LEAH PRINCESS (also in FB) 
GAMORA (also in FB) 
CERISE II (also in FB) 
SPIRIT (also in FB) 
TANA NILE 
GLORIAN/THOMAS GIDEON 

Other characters: 
Tullk Ul-Zyn (dies) 
Various Kree exiles 


Summary: On Godthab Omega, AD+95, in the Abyss township, alien armored soldier guy Devos the Devastator encounters Skrull cyborgian warrior Talos the Untamed. They duel heavily, all the while unaware they're being nudged into the battle by a mysterious man in a crimson hood nearby. Across the Hemisphere, at the Kree settlement, Ronan is fighting Stellaris. The armored woman uses her powers, with which she claims to have defeated Demi-Gods and Celestials, when the former Accuser utilizes his Universal Weapon's molecular adjusting properties. The backlash of energy shatters Stellaris' armor, leaving the woman nearly naked, and nearly dead. Her fellow "Grace", Nebula, attacks next, but Ronan cancels her gravity, sending her hurtling skyward, then plummeting back down roughly. Helping the Kree dig through the rubble, Ronan finds Korath dazed, but alive. While some Kree aid the Pursuer in recovering, he tells his friend the backstory of how after about two good metacycles on the world, Gamora came to Godthab and eventually banded together with other females, all who have "cosmic awareness" of some kind. They believe her to be a living goddess, and fight in her name, taking over the world one settlement at a time. Over at Mount Virago, Gamora is informed of Ronan's success in battle with her Graces by Nebula. To herald her rebirth, Gamora wants to kill Ronan in a public arena, and needs bait. Tana Nile, who recently joined up as one of the Graces, seeking protection, knows why Ronan has come there, and offers to be the bait. Over at the settlement, Ronan prepares to strike against Gamora for her Graces' sundering of legal Kree borders. Korath reminds him he wasn't going to help before, only wanting to clear his name. Ronan is at a loss, and Korath soon brings up how he and his fellow Starforce members slowly evolved over time from wanting only to rejoin the Empire, to seeking their own freedom, their own way in the universe. He thinks Ronan, too, is changing. Meanwhile, at Abyss, the man in the hood has several clay figures of characters in the book, and works on Ronan's, wanting him to quit doubting and give into the rage so he can sculpt a better world. Ronan notices his iron self-control has been slipping on this world, noting the strange tug that pulled him to Godthab. He brings up the spike in intergalactic travel to Korath, who's noticed an influx of new arrivals, something to check up on later. 

Ronan is contacted by his informant Tullk, who reveals Tana Nile is in the Abyss settlement on Godthab Omega. Turns out Tana is using Tullk to lure Ronan into this trap! Tullk takes his ship, the Torricane, off, and begins to notice strange happenings about. For one, Kree border patrol ship debris, and lack of space chatter. He then gets a full glimpse of the Annihilation Wave, which floods the area. He's attacked by feasting bug creatures, but not before sending a distress call for Ronan about the invasion upon Kree space. Back at Godthab, in Abyss, Devos defeats Talos, then Ronan appears before him. The former Accuser aligns with the Devastator, pointing out the odd pull the planet has brought upon him, which Devos confirms. Before Devos can elaborate on his own findings and feelings, he gets a sword thrust through his back by Gamora! Relishing the chance to fight the self-proclaimed "deadliest woman in the galaxy", Ronan strikes his Universal Weapon to Gamora's sword. The clash unleashes a burst of Kirby-dot energy. The planet rumbles about, and the man in the hood is revealed to be the gold-skinned man called Glorian, the self-proclaimed new Shaper of Worlds! 


Flashback: Gamora arrives on Godthab Omega an undetermined time ago, having been "humbled by the great powers of the universe. Abused... and discarded." She climbs up to Mount Virago, where she remains since. We also see Stellaris and Spirit attacking a settlement. Then Nebula and Cerise standing amid rubble of that one, or another. 

There's also a one-panel FB to the same FB from last issue, with nothing new whatsoever, it's an identical shot. 

Continuity notes: Spirit is a character from Simon Furman's old Marvel UK series, "Death Metal". This is her first appearance in the regular MU, I presume. 

Glorian has a new look, resembling more like Vector of the U-Foes in a hood and toga, really, then the gold-skinned hippie of old. 

Goofs: Gamora's story is very strange, since last we saw her she was living outside the universe with her now-boyfriend Adam Warlock. Even her appearances in She Hulk don't even remotely hint at any trouble. Her attitude and overly characterization in this book, and in Annihilation proper, are so horribly out of character, you'd think Jim Starlin's worst enemy was coordinating it, instead of pal Keith Giffen. 

Calendar notes: It's still "Annihilation Day, Plus 95" throughout this issue. There's a flashback to some time prior, when Gamora first arrived, and first attacked with her Graces, but there's virtually nothing to tell how long ago it was. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-23: "Annihilation Day, Plus 95". Ronan bests Stellaris and Nebula. Learns of Gamora and Graces by Korath. Is baited by Tllk, who is killed by the AW in space. Devos & Talos fight each other, both end up defeated. Gamora faces Ronan, while Glorian pulls the strings on the sidelines. 
Page 10, panels 3 & 4: Flashback, to Gamora as she first was on Godthab, and finding Mount Virago 
Page 11, panel 1: Flashback, to Stellaris & Spirit blowing up settlement in Gamora's name. 
Page 11, panel 2: Flashback, to Cerise and Nebula rallying in ruins of settlement, possibly one from previous panel. 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Gamora (expanded and updated, yet neither mention anything between W&TIW's end and Ronan, in A:NCF) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Korath the Pursuer (expanded, including full name of Korath-Thak and Blackwulf appearances, in A:NCF) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Tana Nile (expanded and updated, yet oddly listed under N instead of T, in A:NCF) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: RONAN #3 [August 2006] 
Writer: Simon Furman 
Artist: Jorge Lucas 
no title. 

Cast: 
RONAN THE ACCUSER
KORATH THE PURSUER
TALOS
DEVOS THE DEVESTATOR
GAMORA
GLORIAN/THOMAS GIDEON
ANNIHILUS
ERADICA
QUANTUM
ZAREK, GRAND ADMIRAL
RUNNER
CONTEMPLATOR/TATH KI
JUDICATOR
GRANDMASTER/EN DWI GAST 
GUN RUNNER (miscolored) 
ASTRONOMER 
CHAMPION/TRYCO SLATTERUS (miscolored) 

Other characters: 
Various Kree exiles 
Lots of Annihilation Wave bug fellows 


Summary: In Ronan's ship, Korath views Tullk's distress call concerning the Annihilation Wave. But at the Abyss township, Ronan's busy mixing it up with Gamora. Their fight levels multiple building structures around them. Gamora, boasting she's been given a "cosmic makeover", is more than a match for the former Accuser. Ronan begins to peer through the haze effecting his memory, recalls he's there for the witness in his trial, and proceeds to use his Universal Weapon in levels he's never dared push it before. Unfortunately, Glorian is not far away, harnessing the pair of warriors' expended power. This added boost is just what he needs in his efforts to reshape the world. Devos and Talos are laser-chained up to bare witness, as he uses his stolen power-runoff to begin making Godthab Omega over, as his proof of worth and declaration of independence all in one. Meanwhile, off at Gar-Gul, the Skrull Netherlands, Annihilus is feasting upon the death when he senses the burst of creation energy, and siccs his Annihilation Wave on it. Back on Godthab, Korath needs Ronan, since the only way to contact Hala to warn the Kree Empire of the coming wave is to use the former Accuser's star-sled, and it works only for him. In Abyss, Gamora and Ronan continue their battle, eventually leading to Ronan, proclaiming he's become his own man, changing "the Accuser" of his name" to "the Free". Gamora finally whips out Godslayer, her trusty blade, and strikes him. Luckily, he avoids getting hurt, and is reminded of his real mission in time to manipulate the metals in her sword to create an explosion that knocks both them down for the count. As the creation energy changes the world, ships land containing many familiar faces, come to witness the birth, or rebirth rather, of the world. Korath arrives at Ronan's side, urging him to end his search for Tana Nile and instead aid him in warning Hala of the coming threat. Ronan is bitter about his exile, and their inability to see through lies, but Korath continues to strum his Kree pride and his general heroic side, such as it is. Before he can do anything else, Ronan strives to deal with the mystery figure tinkering with his thoughts since he came to the planet. On the way to do that, he, Korath, Glorian, and just about everyone else witnesses the massive swarm of buggy aliens that represent this life-hungry section of the Annihilation Wave, led by Eradica! 


Continuity notes: Ronan seems to take on the name, "Ronan the Free" here, replete with a special logo and everything. It doesn't seem to stick, though. It's not even mentioned in A:NCF. 

Gun Runner is another Simon Furman Marvel UK character making his US debut here. 

I had a heck of a time figuring out who all the cameo appearances of those who came to Godthab Omega to witness Glorian's recreation event. But any blanks were filled by the A:NCF (which identified only Zarek) and Marvunapp site. 

Goofs: Ronan claims he's never probed the upper limits of his Universal Weapon. But as noted in the Nova Corps Files, he's using a replica of it, not his original one, which was turned over to the Kree when he was convicted of treason. 

Why are Quantum, Gun Runner, and Zarek hanging out with Elders of the Universe? And are we supposed to believe they died when the AW attacked or something? 

Gun Runner's colored green, instead of fleshtone, and Champion? He's not only gotten shorter, but he's all gray here! 

Once again, two of the Nova Corps files feature characters who are absent in the issue they're featured in. That's some really bad coordination... 

Calendar notes: It's yet again still "Annihilation Day, Plus 95" throughout this issue. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-10: "Annihilation Day, Plus 95". Godthab Omega. Korath hears Tullk's distress call. Ronan and Gamora continue their fight, which Glorian exploits to recreate the planet. 
Page 11: On Gar-Gul, Annihilus senses Glorian's work, sends AW and Eradica to purge it. 
Page 12-23: Godthab Omega continues to be reborn, causing Elders and others to come to watch. Ronan defeats Gamora, and the AW arrives. 
Page 24: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Nebula (expanded and updated, with stuff about her being of the Luphomoid race, in A:NCF) 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Stellaris (expanded and heavily corrected, in A:NCF) 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: Glorian (expanded and updated in A:NCF) 
------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION: RONAN #4 [September 2006] 
Writer: Simon Furman 
Artist: Jorge Lucas 
no title. 

Cast: 
RONAN THE ACCUSER
KORATH THE PURSUER
TALOS
DEVOS THE DEVESTATOR
GAMORA
GLORIAN/THOMAS GIDEON
ERADICA
NEBULA
CERISE II 
SPIRIT (seemingly dies) 
TANA NILE (dies) 

Other characters: 
Various Kree exiles 
Lots of Annihilation Wave bug fellows 

Summary: So, the Annihilation Wave has come to Godthab Omega, and with it, an endless swarm of giant bug aliens. The fight is on everywhere, with everyone participating, be they grace, Kree, or various alien local. Ronan is actually relieved by it, since he knows this distraction will make the puppeteer behind his clouded thoughts weaken. He's correct, as Glorian loses control of his creation, and the planet's makeover falls apart. This makes his location known to Ronan, who has to deal with the commander of the AW forces, Eradica, who strikes at him for his successful resistance. Over at Mount Virago, Gamora races to join her Graces in fighting the swarm, as she too realizes her thoughts have been manipulated recently. Back at Abyss, Ronan brings Eradica down a peg by using his gravity altering skills to smash her flying disc. Glorian spots her, and lashes out at the creature and her minions for bringing death to creation. Seems he wanted to remake Godthab to impress even his former mentor, Shaper of Worlds. Talos & Devos, freed from captivity, settle their differences with each other, and Ronan, and willingly follow the former Accuser's orders of gathering survivors and getting them to the spaceport. Gamora reaches Mt. Virago, finding at least one of her Graces dead, and fights by the remaining ones' sides. At the Kree Settlement, Ronan, having explained Glorian's story to Korath, grabs some survivors amid the continued bug-brimmed brouhaha, and next sets out to find Tana Nile. He arrives at Virago, only to find Tana Nile near death from the AW attack. He pleads with her to reveal who made her give the fake testimony. She claims the House of Fiyero was behind it, wanting those of the old order like Ronan done away with. In exchange, she was given the location of the one who ordered the destruction of her beloved Rigel-3. Tana Nile dies before she can tell Ronan exactly who in Fiyero gave the offer. Gamora gets his mind off his frustration by reminding him they need to seek revenge on the one who messed with their minds. The remaining Graces join her on his ship, but before Ronan can board, he has to deal with Eradica. It's easily done, knocking her off her flying disc, but whether she dies in the fall or not, we don't know. But considering Glorian uses his powers to do the opposite of create, and systematically wipes out every member of the Annihilation Wave on Godthab Omega. Gamora and Ronan find him nearly catatonic, his mind gone from the stress of the event. With his world in ashes, the pair view this as suitable vengeance. Ronan now plans to return to Hala and warn the Kree. He knows they might execute him, but he's grown and where before he'd turn his back on them, he now sees the path back to Hala will lead to his redemption. 


Continuity notes: So, who DID destroy Rigel-3? 

The fate of Stellaris is never elaborated upon. She doesn't appear, so she's probably safe in some infirmary thing. Or got eaten by a bug, take your pic. 

Goofs: The first caption claims the date is "Annihilation Day, Plus 99". But nothing in the issue gives any even remote hint a few days have passed between issues. It seems beyond unlikely Ronan gave up his search for four days while he ran around fighting bugs, Gamora stayed away from Mount Virago that long, and Glorian only lost control of the creation matrix thing after several days instead of immediately. It's a screw-up, period. A:NCF tries to say Eradica attacked Godthab "99 days after AD", but that'd shift the AD+99 distinction back even further into issue 3!! 

Calendar notes: Ignoring the "Plus 99" note, it seems pretty clear it's still "Annihilation Day, Plus 95" throughout this issue. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Annihilation recap. 
Page 2-26: "Annihilation Day, Plus 9[5]". Godthab Omega. AW strikes. Tana Nile dies. Glorian wipes out Eradica and her Annihilation Wave forces. Ronan sets out to Hala to warn them, with a bit of an army of Kree exiles and others in tow. 
------------------------------------ 

As for "Annihilation: Nova Corps Files" one-shot, lemme note the files not featured as Annihilation back-ups: 
Introduction; Baroness S'Bak; Blastaar (who has yet to appear); Cammi; Death; Devos the Devastator; Eradica, Extermina & Extirpia (only one of which has appeared so far); Galactus; Morg; Omega Core; Paibok the Power-Skrull (who's only made a cameo); Red Shift; Admiral Salo; Skreet; Spirit; Star-Lord [Quill]; Talos the Untamed; Terrax the Tamer; Zarek (another cameo); Alien Races section (these are ones not to be featured in any of the Annihilation back-ups: Badoon, Baluurians, Brood, Centaurians; Korbinites; Luphomoids; Rigellians; Shi'ar; Spartoi; Terrans; Titans [Eternals of Titan]; Zenn-Lavians; Zen-Whoberis). 

I'll hold off on doing the main Annihilation mini until it wraps up, since the first issue jumps up to AD+206!

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 Nov 2006 08:30 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Somebody wrote:
>>>
SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
JLH wrote:
>>>
I suspect, but can't rightly prove yet, that the Beyonder's "death" in his form of Maker here was an attempt to free him up for use over in "Beyond!"
<<<

Annihilation: Silver Surfer follows Planet Hulk: Exile. Planet Hulk follows the debut of the Iron Spider costume. But Spider-Man appears in his original costume in Beyond!. Either he must be using the Iron Spider outfit's ability to duplicate his original costume in Beyond!, or Beyond! follows the end of the Iron Spider costume (and thus follows Civil War).
<<<

Beyond can't follow CW, barring a Cosmic Reset, because no-one knows Spidey's ID. But given that PH:Exile is pretty compressed, time-wise, there's every probability you could fit Beyond in the six months or so between A:Nova and Annihilation-proper, and put A-proper about the same time as Civil War
<<<

And, with Nova's angry reference to CW and the Earth heroes "split into warring factions down there" in Ann#4, and what I said about Spidey's ID being true in Beyond, it's looking like I was right about the timeline being Planet Hulk:Exile --> Annihilation minis --> Beyond --> (Civil War ~ Annihilation-proper)

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 06:58 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

I'm trying to place Annihilation on the Calendar relative to Civil War. So far we have the following clues: 

Silver Surfer appears in ANNIHILATION: PROLOGUE #1 after HULK, vol. 3 #95. 

CIVIL WAR #1 occurs after ANNIHILATION: NOVA #1. 

Are there other clues?

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 12:48 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Well, Super-Skrull last appeared, pre-Ann:Pro, in Young Avengers #12 which, IIRC, is somewhere between New Avengers #10 and House of M and so not a great concern. 

Two Annihiluses last appeared in Fantastic Four: Foes, but the Nova Corps Files casts doubt on whether the Annihilation Annihilus is either of them. 

Nova last appeared in New Warriors v3. 

And most of the rest with any appearances in the past few years last appeared in Giffen's Thanos arc.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 01:04 pm 
By jephyork
Director

>>>
CIVIL WAR #1 occurs after ANNIHILATION: NOVA #1.
<<<

I'm not sure of the exact issue, but doesn't Nova reference the Civil War at some point? Meaning, that whatever issue that reference appears in would occur *after* at least Civil War #1-2? 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 01:29 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Annihilation (proper) #3-4; which is waaay after Ann:Nova (the minis are consecutive rather than concurrent, and Nova's the first of the four - plus there's then a whopping great gap from Ronan, the last mini, to Ann-proper #1).

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 07:14 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

I know the series isn't over yet, so JLH hasn't yet submitted his analysis, but what is the exact reference in ANNIHILATION 3-4? And how long after the end of the RONAN series is this? Are there other clues in this series we should consider? Inquiring minds want to know!

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 07:51 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Breaking it down: 

Timeframe (taken straight off JLH's analysis for Prologue & minis to save me looking them up, Annihilation Day represented as A) 

A:Prologue - A-7 to A+15 
A:Nova - A+11 (one day) 
A:Surfer - A+17 to A+21, with A+40 epilogue 
A:S-Skrull - A+41 to A+68, with years-in-the-future [& thus irrelevant] epilogue 
A:Ronan - A+88 to A+95/99 (see JLH's analysis for why the 95/99) 

With that in mind: 

Annihilation - A+204 to A+220 as of #5 

CW ref: 

End of Ann3 - Nova, Peter Quill (f.k.a. StarLord) & crew end up in the Sol System near Earth, sometime between A+212 and A+218, probably at the earlier end. Most proceed to dump Nova for various reasons. Nova sends off a capsule to the F4 with info about the A-Wave. 
Ann4 - Nova, having caught up on events Earthside by monitoring transmissions by A+220, angrily rants:

Nova (Ann4) wrote:
>>>
"WE has a United Front and look where it got us! They're split into warring factions down there... of no use to us, to ANYONE! It's as if they've forgotten how to be heroes! I'd just as soon bring in the Badoon."
<<<

There's a wee bit more, but none of it gives any more Earthside detail.

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 Jan 2007 06:45 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

So, assuming we're talking about earth days, we have a good 31 weeks of time here so far. Thanks, Somebody. This helps a lot. 

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Feb 2007 07:17 am 
By Somebody
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
So, assuming we're talking about earth days, we have a good 31 weeks of time here so far. Thanks, Somebody. This helps a lot.
<<<

And, just to finish off the date ranging, the main part of Ann6 runs on A+222, and there's two epilogues, one on Armistice Day ("R", R=A+268), and a second on R+9 (A+277). 

Which means that the whole main thing from Prologue to the end of Annihilation #6 is from A-7 to A+277, and Annihilation-proper from A+204 to A+277.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Feb 2007 09:33 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks, Somebody. I'm still holding off on calendar placement until we see how Annihilation chronologies end up intersecting back to events on earth...e.g. Annihilation characters linking up with CW characters. 

Your summary of date ranges for the just-completed Annihilation series whets the appetite for JLH's analysis.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Feb 2007 10:04 pm 
By JLH

Won't be until next week for issue 6, since I was unable to get to the store between torrential rains and a throbbing cold. But I'll post the info for issues 1-5 tonight, hopefully.

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Feb 2007 06:54 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Cool. Thanks, JLH. I hope you're feeling better.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 Feb 2007 03:45 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION #1 [October 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Andrea DiVito 
"Blood and Thunder" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
KIKA 
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL 
RED SHIFT 
STARDUST II 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
CAMMI 
ANNIHILUS 
RAVENOUS 
THANOS (also in FB) 
SKREET (also in FB) 
EXTIRPIA 
EXTERMINA 
ERADICA 
GAMORA 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD (FB only) 
GALACTUS/GALAN (FB only) 
AEGIS II (FB only) 
TENEBROUS (FB only) 
MARI TARL (Rigellian nurse lady. First appearance, I guess. Full name comes from the Nova Corps Files special) 


Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs (lots die) 
Lots of Kree, Skrull, and assorted alien races (many die) 
Commander Lar-Ka (Kree, dies) 


Summary: It's been six months, and the United Front against the Annihilation Wave has finally gotten to a point where they're holding off the forces of Annihilus. On Daedalus 5, at the edge of the Kree-system, the front's command center has been set up, commanded by Richard Rider, the last remaining Nova, and his number two, Peter Quill, the former Starlord. With the Skrull empire wiped out, the main support for the front is the Kree, though their ruling house of Fiyero is incompetent in commanding their troops. Luckily, Ronan the former Accuser is part of the United Front, and his old school Kree soldier tactics have repeatedly come in handy. So, the force-fields surrounding the command center are falling. The front falls back to a secondary perimeter, while up in space, three former Galactus Heralds keep airspace clear. Nova consults Drax, the man who's spent the past months turning him into the leader the front needs, and is forced to sacrifice hundreds to keep from losing thousands. Remaining behind to allow a homing on his position, Nova orders a heavy ordnance barrage. He barely survives, needing a new leg grown as a result, and is recovered by Drax. During this, up in space, Firelord manages to succeed in two respects: one, he confirms what the front had only suspected, that Annihilus' Queens were at the center of each hive-mind command structure. And two, he captures one, the she-creature Extirpia, but at nearly the cost of his own life. Elsewhere, Annihilus' Flagship is near the Kree System's Rhianda 9. Aboard, Annihulus is annoyed by the loss of Extirpia, and his remaining two Queens are equally livid about the success of Firelord. Thanos has apparently gotten what he needed elsewhere, the battle on Daedalus 5 nothing but a distraction. With no reason to capture the former Heralds of Galactus now, Annihilus orders his right hand goon, Ravenous, to dispose of them! 

Two days later, on Daedalus 5, Nova departs the bedside of his black-ops specialist lover Gamora, and seeks out Starlord, the only other terran he can talk to. As they discuss the current situations, Drax sharpens his knives as Cammi whines about being bored. She urges him to do some more destroying, and brings a smile to his face for a change when she pegs his entire reason for fighting in the war is to get to Thanos. In the medical center, Mari explains the confusion of Firelord's physiology to Nova, that the expended former Galactus Herald is in a dead/alive stasis they can't explain. Next, Nova and Starlord head to high security detention, where they confront Extirpia. She reveals that the war is lost, since Galactus and Silver Surfer have already been captured by Annihilus! 


Flashback: Silver Surfer and Galactus getting defeated by Aegis and Tenebrous. It, at the very least, occurred at the same time as much of the first part of the story, if not a little earlier. 


Continuity notes: Starlord supposedly joined Nova following the "Tartus Minor debacle", an unseen battle during the missing half-year that Nova calls "one of history's bloodiest defeats" where the Wave nailed them from orbit. 

Red Shift, Stardust and Firelord joined the United Front 

Nova now has a new right leg, grown for him by some Medicos. That's not important, but I mention it in case in a year or two from now some idiot decides to do a storyline hinging on an old football injury in Richie's right leg or something equally asinine. 

Nova carries around a picture of his mother and father, a shot that seems to be taken from an issue of his original series. 

The Shi'ar are mentioned as continuing to have a "wait and see" strategy, while the Badoon are said to be hunkering down. 


Goofs: Moondragon's on the cover, yet still hasn't appeared once in any related story. 

Drax claims he's had his fill of battle "today", yet it's AD+206 and the last battle we saw was during AD+204. 

I'm not even going to mention Cammi's year-old clothes, or where she got extra bubble gum so far out in space... 

Oddly, the Xandarian Worldmind doesn't get a voice at all in the series. Rich refers to it feeding him information a time or two, but it's interesting to see Giffen, the guy who's given both Drax and Thanos snarky sidekicks, refuse to write one that's bound to be featured regularly in Nova's upcoming monthly... 


Calendar notes: The issue covers "Annihilation Day, Plus 204" and "Annihilation Day, Plus 206." Nova claims the situation has been going on around 6 months, backing up the numeration. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1, panel 1: Shot of the Kylun prison boundaries collapsing on Annihilation Day. 
Page 1, panel 2: AD+7, a semi-exterior shot of Xandar as it was devastated. 
Page 1, panel 3: AD+15-79, a shot of some Skrulls as buildings around them explode. 
Page 1, panel 4: Generic shot of a very excited Annihilus. 
Pages 2-13: AD+204 (date according to next issue's recap), the United Front's command center on Daedalus 5 is overrun by the Annihilation Wave, collapsing the forcefields, forcing a retreat. Gamora is said to be off performing black ops, suicide missions. 
Pages 14-15: Same day, "4 hour later" in orbit around Dardalus Prime, while Red Shift and Stardust take care of things outside, Firelord nearly expends himself up entirely in capturing Extirpia. 
Pages 16-17: Same day, if not the next. Annihilus' Flagship in Rhianda 9. Annihilus confers with Thanos (& Skreet), Extermina, and Eradica via viewscreens. Now that Thanos has Galactus, the order for Ravenous concerning former Heralds is changed from capture to kill. 
Pages 18-32: AD+206. Nova leaves the bedside of Gamora to talk with Starlord. Drax hangs with Cammi. Firelord is in stasis. Nova and Starlord meet with Extirpia, who reveals the fate of the Surfer and Galactus. 
Pages 24 panel 6 through 31: FB. "Before Firelord's assault on Extirpia", Silver Surfer taken down by Aegis, Galactus fights Tenebrous as aliens in background try to flee. Aegis takes Galactus down from behind. 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION #2 [November 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Andrea DiVito 
No title. 

Cast: 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
CAMMI 
CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL (also in FB) 
MOONDRAGON/HEATHER DOUGLAS (FB only) 
THANOS (also in FB) 
SKREET (also in FB) 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
GAMORA 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT (as a corpse) 
PRAXAGORA 
RAVENOUS 
TERRAX II/TYROS 
PAIBOK, CAPT. 
DELINQUENT (formerly The Infant Terrible) 
ANNIHILUS 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
MORG (as a corpse) 
RED SHIFT 
STARDUST II 


Other characters: 
Three Kree Battalion Captains (all die) 
Ralek (alien who feeds Praxagora) 
Giant Mad Thinker Robot 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs 
The Centurions (First appearances. 100 elite super beings from worlds Annihilus has conquered. Not a single one is given a personality or name) 


Summary: Another day on Daedalus 5, headquarters of the makeshift United Front. Drax is settling down to a meal of spit-roasted bug leg, when Phyla, daughter of Captain Marvel, approaches. She's been trying to find him, to inform him of his daughter's kidnapping by Thanos! Thanos even left her ear behind as a message. Of course, Drax thinks it's to tell him to keep away or he'll kill Moondragon, but the Destroyer must live up to his sole reason for being and hunt down Thanos. Phyla begs Drax not to do so until she can rescue her, but any compassion is lost on him. Cammi, surprised to learn Drax's daughter isn't as dead as he claims, wants to keep the dismembered ear. Elsewhere, a conference among Nova, Peter Quill, Ronan and three Kree Captains gets especially heated when the former Accuser starts lambasting the way the Kree controlling House of Fiyero runs things. The Captains are, of course, all especially loyal to said House, bring up Ronan's status as traitor, and he notes the Commerce-based Fiyero is treating soldiers like commodities. This back and forth continues until the three Kree take Nova's "you're against Ronan, you're against us" remark very literally. Ronan responds to rifles pointed at him by accusing the trio with his Universal Weapon, melting them into nothingness. Nova is now concerned House of Fiyero may pull the Kree from the United Front, taking with it 90% of their forces. Gamora informs the group of a recent arrival, they meet her, the Negative Zone inhabitant called Praxagora. She's brought with her Super-Skrull's corpse, and the tale of his heroic sacrifice. Ronan spits on the casket, and suspicions about Praxagora's loyalties since she's from the NZ, like Annihilus, are put on hold when Ravenous teleports onto the scene! With him are his six Seeker dogs, Paibok the Power Skrull, a Giant Mad Thinker Robot, a bug-controlled Terrax, and a bug-controlled Delinquent. 

Meanwhile, on Thanos' starship, Annihilus drops by to inspect how things are going in his quest to find the biological application of the power cosmic. There, the defeated Galactus is strung up, while Silver Surfer is imprisoned nearby. He's taking his time finding this solution, but at least Thanos has let Ravenous and company borrow his teleportation technology. Speaking of which, Daedalus 5 becomes another warzone. Terrax is ordered to kill Gamora, Praxagora holds off the Mad Thinker bot, Drax deals with Delinquent (finding him infested), Ronan takes on Ravenous, and soon Red Shift & Stardust join the fight. But things get equalized (or rather, lopsided beyond repair) when reinforcements arrive for Ravenous' goons... the Centurions, 100 super beings each from a world enthralled to Annihilus! 


Flashback: Phyla and Moondragon at the graves of Genis and Mar-Vell on the surface of Titan. Thanos and Skreet attack them, and Moondragon is captured. Before teleporting away, Thanos rips off one of her earrings, taking her whole left ear with it, giving it to Phyla to take to Drax. 


Continuity notes: Genis-Vell has a grave on Titan alongside his father's, putting the flashback at least some time after Thunderbolts 100. 

Phyla relinquishes the title and costume of Captain Marvel in the flashback. 

Thanos claims to have started the claim that "teleportation is an inexact science", in an effort to keep people from getting too advanced in the technology of teleportation (the series makes a big deal about Thanos having such top-notch teleport tech, you'd think he was holding Pip the Troll captive or something). 


Goofs: Praxagora says "Were ready for them" instead of "We're". 

How was there anything left of Super-Skrull to bring back from the Negative Zone? Oh, right, because he's not entirely dead. 

Strange that Nova, who has the Worldmind, aka the source of all our profile pages, in his head, has to ask Starlord who the group of villains are (the info download does happen, but not until he asks a SECOND time). Not to mention, how the hell does Nova not recognize Terrax?! And how would Starlord know what a Mad Thinker robot is? I doubt he ran into Mad Thinker in his adventures in SPACE. 

Here's some unintended irony: Red Shift & Stardust are said to be the only ones who can match Ravenous' power. They don't even get to fight him, Ronan more than holds him off. So either Ravenous has gotten lots weaker or Ronan bunches and bunches stronger. 

Oh, and the cover is untimely, as this is probably the first time Nova and Drax HAVEN'T been fighting giant bugs. 

And finally, according to editor Andy Schmidt, it seems Paibok, despite being the type of jerk who'd join the Annihilation Wave side on his own, is indeed under "infestation" control, it just wasn't as visible as what was done to Terrax and Delinquent for whatever reason. Sounds like a long-winded way of saying "art goof". 


Calendar notes: Takes place during "Annihilation Day, Plus 212." 

Praxagora mentions Super-Skrull joined her and her fellow forces "seven cycles back, Negative Zone time". 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Recap page. Why am I counting it? Because if I didn't, I'd have to go back and not count it for all the previous Annihilation mini's. 
Pages 2-24: AD+212. Phyla arrives on Daedalus 5, giving Drax Moondragon's ear. Ronan kills three Kree Captains loyal to House of Fiyero. Praxagora brings Super-Skrull's corpse to the United Front. Ravenous and a few pals attack, soon joined by the Centurions. 
Pages 4-6: FB. Phyla and Moondragon visit Genis & Mar-Vell's graves on Titan, Thanos & Skreet attack, kidnapping Moondragon. 
Page 25: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database (and I now realize the positioning of the logo may actually make the things read "Nova Corps, Xandar Worldmind Database". Whatever): The Centurions. 
Page 26: Xandar Worldmind Nova Corps Database: The Delinquent. 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION #3 [December 2006] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Andrea DiVito 
"Desperate Measures" 

Cast: 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
DELINQUENT 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT (now alive again) 
PRAXAGORA 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
RAVENOUS 
RED SHIFT 
STARDUST II 
MARI TARL 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL 
ANNIHILUS 
THANOS 
SKREET 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL 
GAMORA 
TERRAX II/TYROS 
CAMMI 
PAIBOK, CAPT. (BTS) 


Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs 
Giant Mad Thinker Robot 
The Centurions 


Summary: Drax takes down Delinquent (who's generally useless for a guy capable of altering reality), but the Centurions have proven to be more than the United Front can handle. While Red Shift and Stardust clear room for evacuation of ships, the forces do their best to flee. It doesn't help much that the Annihilation Wave of buggy troops are also joining the battle! Praxagora gets Super-Skrull's corpse to the medical center, Starlord flirts with Phyla, and Annihilus destroys most of his own orbital ships when his own flagship arrives and Daedalus 5 isn't conquered yet! Annihilus finally learns from Thanos the secret of the power cosmic. It seems as though the biology of a Herald of Galactus doesn't factor at all into the power, form adapts to function on a case by case basis (hence why no two wielders of it have much in the way of resemblance). Cosmic energy, which is itself a universal aspect of the lifeforce existing in all living things, replaces the aura or soul or whatever you want to call it, as an energy parasite. Galactus doesn't feed on the cosmic energy of planets to feed his biological form, but to feed his aura. So, Thanos alters Galactus' Worldship, straps the Planet Devourer to the front of it, and will use his own functional tapping into cosmic energy for Annihilus' uses. Zap a planet, it'll feed Galactus, and be instantly siphoned to Annihilus' fleet, starving him but keeping him alive enough to be used as a living weapon. 

So, Ronan and Ravenous' battle ends up the medical center, which is in the midst of evacuation. Firelord is awakened during their scuffle, and when he turns on Ravenous, the entire place ends up exploding as a result of the unleashing of his rage. Nova is reluctant to retreat, since they were holding off the Wave at last, but Drax reminds him either they flee or nobody lives at all. Gamora is about to kill Terrax, who begs her to do it since he's under control of some bugs under his skin, when Stardust retrieves her, informing her that Galactus is nearby and the world is doomed! She contacts Nova and reveals this to him, making the situation all the more dire. Mari, Rigellian in charge of the medical center, is recovered from the ruins of said place. Turns out that she's not alone, as Super-Skrull, restored to the land of the living by a combination of energies released in the explosion, crawls from the wreckage, bringing with him Ronan and Firelord's unconscious forms. Eventually, the evacuations end, with Drax remaining behind to hold off the Wave, much to Cammi's protests. The final ships escape, just as the Galactus weapon blasts Daedalus 5. Stardust and Red Shift seemingly die holding it off, Ravenous teleporting away as a result. 

Nova, who'd been recounting the battle in this issue in the narrative, finishes his verbal log, catching up to the present. Now within visual range of Earth, he gets a breather, but refuses to return home until the war is finished. But Gamora just put an end to the United Front, sundering the alliance with the Kree and everyone else. Now it's time for some guerilla tactics. Nova sends his log recording down to the Fantastic Four, knowing Reed Richards has access to the Negative Zone. Nova's new plan, much to Starlord's dismay, is to "assassinate Hitler"... aka taking down Annihilus himself. Ronan has his own mission in mind, taking down the House of Fiyero. He warns the Earth has maybe about 3 months left before the Wave hits it, and before departing, tells Nova that if he were Kree, he'd call him brother. With Super-Skrull and Praxagora tagging alone, Ronan takes off to take down the Kree ruling house. 


Continuity notes: Gamora's "Graces" are mentioned, but none seen. Makes you wonder who of her team is still even alive at this point. 

Nova confuses Red Shift with Red Guardian and Red Raven. 

Ronan mentions that when the Annihilation Wave reaches Earth in three months, even if Nova's "champions" (aka Earth's heroes) were capable of working together, they'd still fail, a reference to Civil War. 


Goofs: Another cover which doesn't reflect what happens inside. Ravenous doesn't fight Nova, let alone get hold of his helmet. 

In the recap, the Centurions are called "The Centurians"(sic). 

Paibok, despite being shown in the previous issue among the guys aiding Ravenous, is not seen nor mentioned in this issue. Yes, Giffen brings him back from what should have been his death (I doubt the wave's attack on Xandar left room for taking prisoners, and he was in no position to escape) just to forget about him again. 

Praxagora just arrived on Daedalus 5. She's had no time to get to know anyone, and yet, she knows Mari by name! Mari is stunned to see Super-Skrull's corpse, so she clearly didn't bump into her earlier since she's not one to leave him behind. 

Strange that Nova can't remember Red Shift's name when he hasn't shown such a memory loss for names thus far. Plus, you know, Worldmind should be like an automatic fact checker, as we saw last issue. 


Calendar notes: Continuing "Annihilation Day, Plus 212", and starting what most likely is "Annihilation Day, Plus 218". I mean, it could be "Plus 220", or any number between 213 and 220, but I figure since they start out with 218 next issue, why push it? 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Recap. 
Pages 2-21: AD+212. The battle between the Centurions and the United Front continues... or rather, concludes. Drax remains behind while everyone else evacuates. Red Shift and Stardust appear to perish in trying to slow down the Galactus-device from wiping out Daedalus 5, which it eventually does. 
Pages 22-26: What is probably "Annihilation Day, Plus 218". Within range of Earth, Nova finishes narrating his verbal log, sends it to the Fantastic Four. The United Front is dissolved. He makes plans to take down Annihilus. Ronan takes off with Super-Skrull and Praxagora to topple the House of Fiyero. 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION #4 [January 2007] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Andrea DiVito 
"Revelation" 

Cast: 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
ANNIHILUS 
THANOS (dies... again) 
SKREET 
MOONDRAGON/HEATHER DOUGLAS 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
ERADICA (dies) 
GAMORA 
CERISE II 
NEBULA 
CAMMI 
CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL 
DEATH 


Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs (some die) 


Summary: In the Kree system, Uruma Minor is the next planet to fall to the re-rigged Galactus, serving as a living weapon of energy absorption by the Annihilation Wave. Thanos explains the process in fuller detail to Annihilus, and despite the vast amount of stored cosmic energy being supplied, Annihilus wants the small trickle of power keeping Galactus alive & Silver Surfer imprisoned cut off. Thanos argues successfully for their continuance, though it doesn't do much to help his position with the Living Death That Walks. But it does give the Mad Titan a chance to have Moondragon, his one-eared telepath captive, now controlled by the infestation of muscle-controlling bugs, to get close enough to glean some info from Annihilus' mind. Meanwhile, Nova, prepared to kill Annihilus despite the fact he's doing it for an Earth that can't even be united enough to keep from killing one another, is joined by Phyla and Peter Quill in the mission. Cammi nearly joins too, but is tricked into staying behind with Gamora and her Graces. Elsewhere, Drax makes his way, slowly but surely, across the cosmos by killing Annihilation Wave fleets and stealing ships. He finally reaches Eradica's craft, kills her and hot wires her dead husk to take control of it. At his destination, Moondragon gives Thanos a mental visual of what the true goal of the Annihilation Wave attack on the universe is, entirely contrary to what Annihilus himself has claimed. It's not about territory whatsoever. Annihilus wants to put an end to everything living, so only he will live forever. Galactus is to be used, his connection to the life-binding material of Cosmic Power manipulated to make him into a bomb capable of wiping out all life. Even Thanos finds this plot to be mad, but somehow something he did not expect, as his entire involvement with Annihilus merely having been out of curiosity, he claims. He frees Moondragon from her infestation, and sets about working on the fail-safe in the Galactus-device to free the World Devourer. Unfortunately, before he can finish it, Drax arrives and rips his heart out. Thanos, seeing little girl Death nearby smiling, finds the heartless feeling interesting, and dies. But since the devices were keyed to his energy signature, Moondragon reiterates that Drax, by fullfilling what he was created to do, has doomed two universes. 


Continuity notes: Nova mentions having monitoring transmissions from Earth, and with it refers in general to Civil War. Meaning it's not over at this point. 

Moondragon's right arm is now encased in a metal sheath, thanks to Thanos melting off the skin to show off her infestation. 


Goofs: Why did Skreet just sit there so uselessly when Drax was attacking? Oh, right. She's a useless character just added for comedic effect. Sorry, I got confused with the whole set-up of her being powerful and everything... 

Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 218" for one scene, and "Annihilation Day, Plus 220" for the rest. 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Recap. 
Pages 2-3: AD+218. On Caul 7, Drax kills some Annihilation Wave bugs, stealing their ship and taking off after Thanos. 
Pages 4-7: AD+220. The Galactus-device wipes out Uruma Minor. Moondragon reads Annihilus' mind. 
Pages 8-9: Starlord and Nova discuss the Earth's inability to be united, before leaving its orbit. 
Pages 10-12: Drax kills Eradica and uses her ship. 
Pages 13-16: What should now be AD+221. Moondragon reveals to Thanos the true goals of Annihilus. 
Pages 17-18: Still AD+220. Nova, Quill, and Phyla start their journey to take down Annihilus by using phase tubes to teleport, starting out at Verge System 001, where it all began for Nova. Cammi's left with Gamora and her Graces. 
Pages 19-26: AD+221. Fending off Annihilation Wave bugs, and freeing Moondragon, Thanos tries to free Galactus, but Drax arrives and punches his heart out. 
Pages 27: A next issue cover image preview page. 

------------------------------------ 

ANNIHILATION #5 [January 2007] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Andrea DiVito 
"Ascension" 

Cast: 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL 
BLASTAAR 
FIREFALL IV/TARN 
HAMMERHAND III/BRON 
LIBERATOR/PRINCE TRISTAN 
SCANNER III/RHANLA 
SENTRY IV/VAL 
STARSHINE III/ANARRA 
TERMINATOR II/PRINCE BALIN 
LIGHTNINGBOLT II/RAND (intended to be PULSAR II/LAN but wrong reference material was supplied) 
JAVELIN II/DARIN 'JR.' 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
MOONDRAGON/HEATHER DOUGLAS 
THANOS (as a corpse) 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
SUPER SKRULL/KL'RT 
PRAXAGORA 
RAVENOUS 
SUPREME INTELLIGENCE (dies yet again) 


Other characters: 
Lots o'Kree (some die) 
House of Fiyero (all die) 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs (some die) 
The Centurions 


Summary: In the Kree System's Canticus Prime, Nova, Quill and Phyla meet with resistance leader Blastaar with his partners, the Spaceknights, right under the noses of the Annihilation Wave! There, Nova gets the coordinates to Annihilus' flagship from the former Negative Zone native, who's been leaving bombs in Wave bug supply ships. Yes, Blastaar, the living bomb burst, is reduced to sneaking around leaving explosives, as if he were roleplaying Spy vs Spy, not fighting a war. No wonder we haven't seen him until now. Anyway, on Thanos' Starship, Moondragon (mostly calmly) explains to Drax why his killing Thanos was currently a bad thing. He has his telepathic daughter attempt to keep the Annihilation Wave bugs' hivemind orders jumbled while he seeks out the one person capable of possibly finishing Thanos' work. Thanks to a weak exterior to the cell, Silver Surfer is freed, and is told by Drax what to do. It's done, Galactus is freed, and he's considerably irritated. 

Elsewhere, on Hala, the Kree Capital Planet, Ronan, Super-Skrull, and Praxagora fight through the soldiers. Annihilus' elite, the Centurions, suddenly join in, revealing to the trio that the House of Fiyero has aligned the Kree with the Annihilation Wave. The commerce-loving controlling house seeks to open trade routes with Annihilus, since they do that better than they do war. Ravenous is meeting with them, as a representative of Annihilus, and when Ronan and company storm the conference room. There's lots of fighting between everyone, and needless to say, Ronan takes down Ravenous with a blow to the head, shattering his Universal Weapon in the process. He and the Centurions teleport away, abandoning the House of Fiyero. So too, do the Kree forces stand against the traitorous ruling council. Despite the Fiyero four begging and pleading about their reasoning, it still comes to cowardice and a refusal to follow their warring nature to the end. Ronan accuses them, and passes judgement, wiping them all out. He then confronts the Supreme Intelligence, who as it turns out, didn't give the House of Fiyero control willingly. They took him from Kree-Lar, and lobotomized him! Unable to restore him from this living death, Ronan euthanize the giant floating head he once served so loyally. When faced with the entire Kree empire chanting his name and awaiting his rule, the full weight of the situation hits Ronan, who wonders what will become of his people now! 


Continuity notes: You have no idea how troubling it was to figure out who each of the Spaceknights in this issue were. So many sites mention them, but do any have pictures attached to names? Of course not. But I did figure it out eventually (only to then find MileHigh's preview of some of their issues had a role call shot that would have saved me trouble). Only one of them (Liberator) speaks. I'm aware that Lightningbolt II died in his first appearance, but he's here in three panels, while Pulsar II, who didn't die, is absent. Editor Andy Schmidt has said it was a mistake, the wrong reference material was sent. So, it either is meant to be Pulsar II, it's a new guy in Lightningbolt's armor (making him "III"), or just Pulsar II wearing the armor. 



Goofs: Despite how she was last seen, with virtually no breaks between scenes, a little distraught by Thanos' corpse, Skreet magically vanishes between issues. Yes, she's magical of sorts, but it just seems she fell victim to Giffen's "Paibok Syndrome" as I'm calling it. 

The Spaceknights are missing a few little details to their costumes, like pointy things here and there and some coloring trim. 

Moondragon claimed only Thanos could stop Annihilus last issue. Now she's saying only Galactus is the only one who can. 

Similarly, she claims the device to free Galactus was keyed to Thanos' power "level". He clearly said "signature" last issue, which is not the same thing. 15 different creatures could have the same level, and each one would have a different signature. Yet, it turns out, signature doesn't actually matter and it's Silver Surfer having an equal LEVEL that does it. 


Calendar notes: Yes, Virginia, it's still "Annihilation Day, Plus 220". 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: Recap. 
Pages 2-3: AD+220. Nova, Phyla, and Starlord meet with Blastaar and the Spaceknights. 
Pages 4-9: Should be AD+221 at least. While Moondragon scrambles the minds of the Wave, Drax frees Silver Surfer, who frees Galactus. 
Pages 10-27: AD+220. On Hala, Ronan, Super-Skrull, and Praxagora fight off the Centurions and the Kree. Ronan defeats Ravenous and executes the House of Fiyero, then mercy-kills the brain-dead Supreme Intelligence. 

------------------------------------ 

I'll add #6 in the next few days, plus MCP-style entries for everybody.
Last edited by JLH on 09 Feb 2007 03:32 am, edited 2 times in total.

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 Feb 2007 02:14 pm 
By lkseitz

JLH wrote:
>>>
ANNIHILATION #5 [January 2007]
Cast:
FIREFALL IV/TARN
HAMMERHAND III/BRON
LIBERATOR/PRINCE TRISTAN
SCANNER III/RHANLA
SENTRY IV/VAL
STARSHINE III/ANARRA
TERMINATOR II/PRINCE BALIN
LIGHTNINGBOLT II/RAND (intended to be PULSAR II/LAN but wrong reference material was supplied)
JAVELIN II/DARIN 'JR.'

Continuity notes: You have no idea how troubling it was to figure out who each of the Spaceknights in this issue were. So many sites mention them, but do any have pictures attached to names? Of course not.
<<<

Sorry. Most of the people who come to RSR were not pleased with the Spaceknights LS, so updating the section about it hasn't been a priority.

Lee K. Seitz 
Slowly adding insignificant characters to the MCP

			*	*	*

Posted: 04 Feb 2007 04:27 pm 
By Somebody

JLH wrote:
>>>
And finally, according to editor Andy Schmidt, it seems Paibok, despite being the type of jerk who'd join the Annihilation Wave side on his own, is indeed under "infestation" control, it just wasn't as visible as what was done to Terrax and Delinquent for whatever reason. Sounds like a long-winded way of saying "art goof". 
<<<

Well, Moondragon's wasn't really visible except when Thanos was causing them to flare up. If anything, Terrax was the exception on that.


JLH wrote:
>>>
Ronan mentions that when the Annihilation Wave reaches Earth in three months, even if Nova's "champions" (aka Earth's heroes) were capable of working together, they'd still fail, a reference to Civil War. 
<<<

I'm not so sure that's a direct reference to CW - certainly, Nova seems ignorant of it at this point...


JLH wrote:
>>>
Calendar notes: Continuing "Annihilation Day, Plus 212", and starting what most likely is "Annihilation Day, Plus 218". I mean, it could be "Plus 220", or any number between 213 and 220, but I figure since they start out with 218 next issue, why push it?

[...]

Pages 22-26: What is probably "Annihilation Day, Plus 218". Within range of Earth, Nova finishes narrating his verbal log, sends it to the Fantastic Four. The United Front is dissolved. He makes plans to take down Annihilus. Ronan takes off with Super-Skrull and Praxagora to topple the House of Fiyero. 
<<<

Like I said upthread, my reading of that is that there's a few days between that scene and the next issue, since Nova's attitude to Earth has done a 180 between the issue since he (and Peter) have been "monitoring the transmissions".


JLH wrote:
>>>
Continuity notes: You have no idea how troubling it was to figure out who each of the Spaceknights in this issue were. So many sites mention them, but do any have pictures attached to names? Of course not. But I did figure it out eventually (only to then find MileHigh's preview of some of their issues had a role call shot that would have saved me trouble). Only one of them (Liberator) speaks. I'm aware that Lightningbolt II died in his first appearance, but he's here in three panels, while Pulsar II, who didn't die, is absent. Editor Andy Schmidt has said it was a mistake, the wrong reference material was sent. So, it either is meant to be Pulsar II, it's a new guy in Lightningbolt's armor (making him "III"), or just Pulsar II wearing the armor. 
<<<

I'd say Pulsar in the LB armour if it's doable, since that's who was intended...


JLH wrote:
>>>
Goofs: Despite how she was last seen, with virtually no breaks between scenes, a little distraught by Thanos' corpse, Skreet magically vanishes between issues. Yes, she's magical of sorts, but it just seems she fell victim to Giffen's "Paibok Syndrome" as I'm calling it.
<<<

Well... she scarpered when Thanos was killed and neither Drax nor Moondragon were bothered about her. Not much to that. We see her again at the end of #6 in an... odd place for her to be.


lkseitz wrote:
>>>
Sorry. Most of the people who come to RSR were not pleased with the Spaceknights LS, so updating the section about it hasn't been a priority.Neither was the artist:
<<<

Chris Batista wrote:
>>>
Spaceknights broke my heart. The printed version does not reflect what I put in in the original proposal. Since they would'nt let me write it they got Jim Starlin for me ( I wanted DnA ). He clearly did'nt get what I was going for. I wanted crazy Sci Fi concepts grounded in characters you could get attached to. I never wanted it to be so one dimensional and cliche.They were never meant to speak like that. The Arthurian touches were ment to be subtle not like a crowbr to your balls. I wanted to evoke Dan Simmons and Peter Hamilton. Oh well, I ws happy with the way they looked. Toy Biz was interested for a while but the while Rom issue held that up.
<<<

			*	*	*

Posted: 05 Feb 2007 12:17 am 
By JLH

lkseitz wrote:
>>>
Sorry. Most of the people who come to RSR were not pleased with the Spaceknights LS, so updating the section about it hasn't been a priority.
<<<

I wasn't referring to you, really. Marvel.com, Wikipedia, Marvel Directory, and even MarvUnapp lack proper information. Your annotations were the thing that eventually solved their identities for me, when applied to the cover images.

			*	*	*

Posted: 05 Feb 2007 12:37 am 
By JLH

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Well, Moondragon's wasn't really visible except when Thanos was causing them to flare up. If anything, Terrax was the exception on that.
<<<

No, Terrax was just as bad as Delinquent's, and Moondragon's was also always visible enough in every frame she appeared in under its control. Paibok wasn't jerky in the slightest, and there wasn't even a fly buzzing around his head. I have no idea why it's important to say he was under control, but it'll be addressed in one of the Heralds stories.


>>>
I'm not so sure that's a direct reference to CW - certainly, Nova seems ignorant of it at this point...
<<<

He doesn't know the details of everything involving Stamford, but there's no doubt this superhero in-fighting they keep referring to is anything but CW. How far it's progressed at this point is debatable


>>>
Like I said upthread, my reading of that is that there's a few days between that scene and the next issue, since Nova's attitude to Earth has done a 180 between the issue since he (and Peter) have been "monitoring the transmissions".
<<<

Be it two days or a week, it's really subjective concerning how long it'd take them to make up their minds. I don't suppose it has to be long for them to get to Earth, since they get to Verge System 001 so quickly in issue 5 (doesn't even take day. Gotta love wormholes).

			*	*	*

Posted: 09 Feb 2007 04:27 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION #6 [March 2007] 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Art: Andrea DiVito 
"Finale" 

Cast: 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
ANNIHILUS (dies, is seemingly reborn) 
DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
MOONDRAGON/HEATHER DOUGLAS 
NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
XANDARIAN WORLDMIND (BTS) 
STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL (should now be listed as QUASAR IV/PHYLA-VELL) 
GAMORA 
CERISE II 
NEBULA 
EXTERMINA (dies) 
RAVENOUS 
RONAN THE ACCUSER 
THANOS (now as Death's consort) 
DEATH 
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL 
CAMMI 
SKREET 


Other characters: 
Generic Annihilation Wave troops/bugs (many die) 
Lots of Kree (some die) 
The Centurions (BTS. Firelord goes off after them) 
Watcher (with van dyke goatee. Dies. Possibly Zoma from She-Hulk?) 


Summary: So, Galactus and the Silver Surfer are finally free, and are none too happy to have been held in captivity. Starting with their location on Thanos' ship in the Kree Fringe territory now under Annihilation Wave control, a wave of the World Devourer's own cosmic power is unleashed, with the Surfer heralding this rage. As per his bargain with Galactus, Drax and Moondragon are teleported to safety beforehand. Annihilus tries to stop the explosive wave and is caught up in it, and nearly, too, are Nova, the former Star-Lord, and Phyla-Vell, having just phased into Annihilus' fleet. The explosion expands otherwards, killing a Watcher, and threatening not only Extermina and her Wave bugs, but Gamora and her Graces! 

Meanwhile, Ravenous, now without the Wave to count on for support and supplies, launches and orbital assault on Hala, the Kree Homeworld. Ronan, the new leader of the Kree, launches an assault of his own, firing city blocks full of buildings and jet-packed soldiers at the ships! 

In the debris of Annihilus' flagship, Annihilus recovers from the Galactus Event, but before he can set about seeking vengeance upon Galactus, he discovers he's not the only survivor of the brunt. Nova, with Phyla and Quill nearby in a Nova Force-field, plans to finish the war right then and there. The two battle, and it's Phyla who helps turn the tide when she realizes the Quantum Bands are giving Annihilus the added edge. She makes contact with them, and both repelled by Annihilus' evil and attracted by her goodness, the pair of bands forcibly depart Annihilus' wrists, and take refuge on that of Phyla's! She doesn't make good on her new role as Protector of the Universe before getting blasted aside. But it's long enough for Nova to recover and figure out the achillies heel of Annihilus' boastful armor. Shoving his arm down the Arthrosian's throat, Richard Rider rips out Annihilus' internal organs and slams them upon the floor of the debris rock they're standing on, proclaiming it to be for the Corps. But it's a short lived victory, as Nova collapses in exhaustion. He notices Death nearby, now a woman again, with pale skin, and at her side, the newly-dead Thanos, smiling in response. Nova tells them to have better luck next time, and thanks to his partners, avoids dying. 

So, a little over a month later, Nova is still recovering from his injuries on Hala. He's entertaining options about his future, as Peter Quill informs him of factions within the universe wanting Rich to stick around as some kind of figurehead. Meanwhile, Ronan, Firelord, and Gamora are present as Ravenous signs an armistice. To put an end to the war, he's being given some Kree and Skrull territories (including Kree-Lar) as his own to preside over, along with the remaining members of the Annihilation Wave. Nova, narrating this via another verbal log entry, mentions Galactus is rumored to be hungrier than ever, with the Silver Surfer still his herald. Firelord is hunting down the remaining Centurions, while Red Shift & Stardust are seemingly dead, and Terrax is MIA. Super-Skrull, Praxagora and Drax are also missing. Moondragon seems to know where her father went, but is keeping it to herself. She's also trying to talk her lover, Phyla, out of making use of the Quantum Bands full time and continuing where Wendell left off. Nova is unsure of where Cammi went, as Gamora dropped her off on some alien planet. Unbeknowst to him, Cammi is alive and well, and has joined up with fellow snark-kick Skreet! The fate of others, such as Blastaar and the Spaceknights, remains unknown. Ronan apparently made an offer to make Nova an honorary Kree. Quill wants him to start up the Nova Corps again. But Rich, looking at his picture of his mother and father again, sort of wants to return to Earth, wondering if that's possible with all the changes he's went through, and is just happy that the universe was saved. 

Days later, in the ceded territory of Kree-Lar, Extermina dies in childbirth. Ravenous clutches the blobby fetus thing high in the air above his buggy Annihilation Wave forces, proclaiming that their lord, Annihilus, lives! 



Continuity notes: Ravenous now has cybernetic implants on the left side of his face as a result of his fight with Ronan. Now instead of looking like a poor man's Drax he looks like a rich man's Peter Quill! 

Yes, Thanos has finally gotten his greatest wish, and is now Death's consort. How long this lasts remains to be seen, though considering his non-costumed change of status quo established in his monthly book and picked up again in Annihilation was ignored by even Dan "Normally Pays Attention to These Things" Slott, don't expect to be long. 

Appearing in "remembrance vision things" but not actually in the issue or BTS, are: Terrax, Red Shift, Stardust, Super-Skrull, Praxagora, Blastaar, Mari Tarl, and the Spaceknights (Firefall, Terminator, Lightningbolt, Javelin, Scanner, Sentry, Starshine and Pulsar. Missing are Liberator and Hammerhand.) 

Ravenous and the remaining troops of the Annihilation Wave now control the entireity of the Skrull Empire and some Kree territories, including Kree-Lar. 

Whether the Annihilus Fetus is actually really Annihilus reborn or not remains to be seen. Notice, there's not even the slightest hint of addressing the "two Annihiluses" thing from Civil War. 



Goofs: I somehow doubt Galactus & Silver Surfer sat around for 2 days biding their time on Thanos' ship. As such, I think we need to shift back the scenes involving Thanos, Drax, and Moondragon from the previous issues to be slightly ahead of the rest of the issues until here. 

Phyla's previous bands, which she was still wearing when the Quantum Bands popped on, are completely ignored and presumably still there under them. She's gonna have SUCH heavy arms, I tell ya... 



Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 222", "Annihilation Day, Plus 268-- Armistice Day", "Armistice Day, Plus 9". 

Timeframe: 
Page 1: The recap page. No, I shouldn't count it, but I did. You wanna make something of it? Then reduce all the remaining numbers by one and you'll have done so. 
Pages 2-7 panel 2: AD+222. Galactus unleashes his own obliteration wave, destroying several planets, nearly killing Nova and pals, as well. Drax & Moondragon escape. 
Page 7 panel 3: Etermina and her forces are almost destroyed by the Galactus Event. 
Page 7 panel 4: Gamora, Nebula, and Cerise are almost destroyed by the Galactus Event. 
Page 7 panels 5 & 6: A goateed Watcher is atomized by the Galactus Event. 
Page 7 panel 7, pages 8-11: Ravenous, now without Annihilation Wave support, finds his orbital assault on Hala repelled by the Kree forces, rallied by their new leader, Ronan. 
Pages 12-22: In the debris of the main Annihilation Wave fleet, Annihilus recovers, but is confronted by Nova. Phyla recovers the Quantum Bands. Nova rips out Annihilus' internal organs through his mouth, killing him. 
Pages 23-25: "Annihilation Day, Plus 268--Armistice Day." Nova still recovers on Hala, Ravenous signs the armistice giving him and the remaining Wave members control of Kree-Lar and some other territories (including all that remains of the Skrull Empire). Firelord sets out to hunt down the remaining Centurions. Cammi is now wandering with Skreet. Phyla considers her role as Quasar. 
Pages 26-27: "Armistice Day, Plus 9." In Kree-Lar, Annihilus is reborn from the womb of Extermina. 

------------------------------------ 
Giffen's said recently that "Annihilation II" is in the works. It'll supposedly involve Star-Lord and the Spaceknights. All I can say is: just when you thought it was safe to go back in the Negative Zone...

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 Feb 2007 02:53 am 
By JLH

The MCP style stuff: 

**AEGIS OF ALL SORROWS [PROEMIAL GOD] 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 
{A:SSURF 3} 
A:SSURF 4 
ANNIHIL 1-FB 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2 

AIR-WALKER/GABRIEL LAN [XANDAREAN] 
(add alien race name) 
... 
SS3 109 
**A:SSURF 1 

ANNIHILUS [ARTHROSIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
**A:P 
**A:N 1 
**A:N 3 
**A:N 4 
**A:SSURF 1-BTS 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:R 3 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

**ANTIPHON THE OVERSEER [PROEMIAL GOD] 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2 

ASTRONOMER [ELDER] 
... 
**A:R 3 

BLASTAAR [BALUURAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
**ANNIHIL 5 

CAMMI 
... 
[DRAX 4] 
**A:P 
**A:N 1 
**A:N 2 
**A:N 3 
**A:N 4 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

**BRIO OF LIFE [PROEMIAL GOD] 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 

CAPTAIN MARVEL V/PHYLA-VELL [KREE/TITAN] 
(last name should be added and alien race) 
... 
[She Hulk] 
**ANNIHIL 2-FB 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
Becomes QUASAR IV/PHYLA VELL [KREE/TITAN] 
**ANNIHIL 6 

CERISE II [SHI'AR] 
... 
X 109 
**A:R 2-FB 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 4 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

CHAMPION/TRYCO SLATTERUS [ELDER] 
... 
[She-Hulk] 
**A:R 3 

COLE 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**A:P 

CONTEMPLATOR/TATH KI [ELDER] 
... 
**A:R 3 

DEATH 
... 
**A:P 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

DEVOS THE DEVESTATOR 
... 
FF 383 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 

**DIABLERI OF CHAOS [PROEMIAL GOD] 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 

DRAX/ARTHUR DOUGLAS 
... 
[DRAX 4] 
**A:P 
**A:N 1 
**A:N 2 
**A:N 3 
**A:N 4 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

**ERADICA [ARTHROSIAN] 
A:P 
A:R 3 
A:R 4 
ANNIHIL 1 
ANNIHIL 4 

**EXTERMINIA [ARTHROSIAN] 
ANNIHIL 1 
ANNIHIL 6 

**EXTIRPIA [ARTHROSIAN] 
ANNIHIL 1 

FALLEN ONE 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**A:P 
**A:SSURF 1 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:SSURF 4 

FIREFALL IV/TARN [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL [XANDAREAN] 
... 
T2 25 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 6 
**ANNIHIL:HG 2-FB 
**ANNIHIL:HG 2 

GALACTUS/GALAN [TAANITE] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:SSURF 4 
**ANNIHIL 1-FB 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1/2 
**ANNIHIL:HG 2/2 

GAMORA [ZEN-WHOBERIAN] 
(add the alien race) 
... 
[She-Hulk] 
**A:R 2-FB 
**A:R 1 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

GLORIAN/THOMAS GIDEON 
... 
A:CS 1 
**A:R 1-BTS 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 

GRANDMASTER/EN DWI GAST [ELDER] 
... 
**A:R 3 
[Thunderbolts] 

**GUN RUNNER [VASSYRAN] 
... 
[Gun Runner] 
A:R 3 

HAMMERHAND III/BRON [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

**HYBALEA 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL 5 
ANNIHIL:HG 2 

**INFANT TERRIBLE [ELAN] 
FF 24 
PP 56 
PP 57 
PP 58 
PP 59 
PP 61 
PP 62 
Becomes DELINQUENT [ELAN] 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL:HG 1 

JAVELIN II/DARIN 'JR.' [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

JUDICATOR [ELDER] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
**A:R 3 

KIKA 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
ANNIHIL 1 

KORATH THE PURSUER/KORATH-THAK [KREE] 
(add the alien race and his full name) 
... 
**A:R 1 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 

LIBERATOR/PRINCE TRISTAN [GALADORIAN] 
(alien race should be added) 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

MAKER 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**A:SSURF 3 
(See Beyonder/Kosmos) 

**MARI TARL [RIGELLIAN] 
ANNIHIL 1 
ANNIHIL 3 

MR. FANTASTIC/REED RICHARDS 
... 
[Civil War?] 
**A:R 1 
[Civil War?] 

MOONDRAGON/HEATHER DOUGLAS 
... 
[She-Hulk?] 
**ANNIHIL 2-FB 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

MORG [CARANERIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
SS3 109 
**A:SSURF 3 
**ANNIHIL 2 

NEBULA [LUPHOMOID] 
(add alien race) 
... 
SS3 110 
**A:R 2-FB 
**A:R 1 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 4 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

NOVA/RICHARD RIDER 
... 
**A:P 
**A:N 1 
**A:N 2 
**A:N 3 
**A:N 4 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

PAIBOK, CAPT. [SKRULL] 
... 
[DRAX 4] 
**A:P 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3-BTS 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1 

**PRAXAGORA [ATARAXIAN] 
A:SSK 3-FB 
{A:SSK 2} 
A:SSK 3-FB 
A:SSK 3 
A:SSK 4 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL 5 

**PREAK [PANSPERMIAN] 
A:SSK 2 
A:SSK 3 
A:SSK 4 

PULSAR II/LAN [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

QUANTUM [DAKKAMITE] 
(add alien race) 
... 
**A:R 3 

QUASAR III/WENDELL ELVIS VAUGHAN 
... 
[FF?] 
**A:N 2 
**A:N 3 
**A:N 4 


**RAVENOUS 
A:SSURF 1 
A:SSURF 2 
A:SSURF 3 
A:SSURF 4 
ANNIHIL 1 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL 5 
ANNIHIL 6 
ANNIHIL:HG 2-FB 
ANNIHIL 6 

RED SHIFT 
GAL 1 
GAL 2 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 

**R'KIN [SKRULL] 
A:SSK 1 
A:SSK 2 
A:SSK 3-FB 
A:SSK 3 
A:SSK 4 

RONAN THE ACCUSER [KREE] 
... 
**A:P 
**A:R 1-FB 
**A:R 1 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

RUNNER [ELDER] 
... 
**A:R 3 

**SALO, ADMIRAL [ARTHROSIAN] 
A:SSK 1 
A:SSK 3 
A:SSK 4 

**SARNOGG [SKRULL] 
A:SSK 3-FB 

**S'BAK, BARONESS [SKRULL] 
A:SSK 1 

SCANNER III/RHANLA [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

SENTRY IV/VAL [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD [ZENN-LAVIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
[Planet Hulk ?] 
**A:P 
**A:SSURF 1 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:SSURF 4 
**ANNIHIL 1-FB 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1/2 
**ANNIHIL:HG 2/2 

SKREET [PYXIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
**ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**A:P 
**A:SSURF 1 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:SSURF 4 
**ANNIHIL 1-FB 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2-FB 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 6 

**SMYT 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL 5 
ANNIHIL:HG 2 

SPACE PARASITE/RANDAU 
H2 103-FB 
H2 103 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1 

**SPIRIT/XIRA [LUPHOMOID] 
[Death Metal] 
A:R 2-FB 
A:R 2 
A:R 4 

STARDUST II/LAMBDA-ZERO [ETHEREAL] 
(added real name and alien race) 
... 
[Stormbreaker] 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1/2 

STAR-LORD/PETER JASON QUILL 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

STARSHINE III/ANARRA [GALADORIAN] 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

STELLARIS/LEAH PRINCESS 
... 
TS 21 
**A:R 2-FB 
**A:R 1 
**A:R 2 

SUPER-SKRULL/KL'RT [SKRULL] 
(add a hyphen?) 
**A:SSK 3-FB 
{FF 18} 
... 
[Young Avengers] 
**A:P 
**A:SSK 1 
**A:SSK 2 
**A:SSK 3-FB 
**A:SSK 3 
**A:SSK 4 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 5 

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE [KREE] 
(add the alien race) 
... 
**ANNIHIL 5 

SWAD 
... 
[Thanos 12] 
**A:P 

TALOS [SKRULL] 
(add the alien race) 
... 
H2 419 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 3 
**A:R 4 

TANA NILE [RIGELLIAN] 
(add the alien race) 
... 
**A:R 1-FB 
**A:R 2 
**A:R 4 

**TENEBROUS OF DARKNESS BETWEEN [PROEMIAL GOD] 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2-FB 
{A:SSURF 3} 
A:SSURF 4 
ANNIHIL 1-FB 
ANNIHIL:HG 2/2 

TERMINATOR II/PRINCE BALIN [GALADORIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
SK 5 
**ANNIHIL 5 

TERRAX II/TYROS [BIRJIAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
CP 6 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL:HG 1 

THANOS [TITAN] 
(alien race name should be added) 
... 
[She-Hulk2 12?] 
**A:P 
**A:SSURF 1 
**A:SSURF 2 
**A:SSURF 3 
**A:SSURF 4 
**ANNIHIL 1-FB 
**ANNIHIL 1 
**ANNIHIL 2-FB 
**ANNIHIL 2 
**ANNIHIL 3 
**ANNIHIL 4 
**ANNIHIL 5 
**ANNIHIL 6 

**TORRENT II/ESPIA 
ANNIHIL 2 
ANNIHIL 3 
ANNIHIL 5 
ANNIHIL:HG 2 

**XANDARIAN WORLDMIND 
A:P 
A:N 1 
A:N 2 
A:N 3 
A:N 4 
ANNIHIL 1-BTS 
ANNIHIL 2-BTS 
ANNIHIL 3-BTS 
ANNIHIL 4-BTS 
ANNIHIL 5-BTS 
ANNIHIL 6-BTS 

ZAREK, GRAND ADMIRAL/"ZO" [KREE] 
... 
**A:R 3

Last edited by JLH on 12 May 2007 01:47 am, edited 3 times in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 Feb 2007 11:25 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Wendell's last appearance before A:N 2 was at Eros' trial in S-H4 7, which occurred "while the Registration Act was coming up for a vote" (according to S-H4 10). I've placed this trial right before the Stamford incident, by which time Richard Rider joined the Nova Corps in A:P 1. These clues should help me line up the chronologies of Annihilation and Civil War.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 Feb 2007 10:32 am 
By Somebody

JLH wrote:
>>>
Phyla's previous bands, which she was still wearing when the Quantum Bands popped on, are completely ignored and presumably still there under them. She's gonna have SUCH heavy arms, I tell ya...
<<<

Thing is though, that actually makes a difference. My impression was that the Q-bands absorbed, vapourised or or otherwise Got Rid Of her nega-bands (which were bigger than the Q-bands to my eyes).

The reason it makes a difference is that if the Q-bands were over her nega-bands, they'd be removable, whereas if they're on her bare wrists, they're there pretty much until she dies...


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Wendell's last appearance before A:N 2 was at Eros' trial in S-H4 7, which occurred "while the Registration Act was coming up for a vote" (according to S-H4 10). I've placed this trial right before the Stamford incident, by which time Richard Rider joined the Nova Corps in A:P 1. These clues should help me line up the chronologies of Annihilation and Civil War.
<<<

Is that really workable from a calendar perspective? We've got comments from Tom B that Civil War lasts weeks (two or three weeks I think he said, I'd have to recheck), which is pretty much what I'd taken from the books themselves. Annihilation lasts two-thirds of a year. And we've got Galactus, Surfer and Stardust coming up rapidly in post-CW F4. Unless Earth was dropped in some sort of time dilation hole in Annihilation without anyone noticing... 

[Side-note: Is Dan Slott trying to singlehandedly sabotage Annihilation with stuff like that and the Thanos thing? The Annihilation editors should have embargoed their characters...]

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 Feb 2007 07:48 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

>>>
We've got comments from Tom B that Civil War lasts weeks (two or three weeks I think he said, I'd have to recheck), which is pretty much what I'd taken from the books themselves.
<<<

My mileage varies -- 14 weeks from CW 1 to CW 7 -- a result of lining up all the CW tie-in books and related stories and noting references to time passages therein. I plan to post a detailed chronology once the CW epilogs wrap up.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 Feb 2007 08:27 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Even if you accept that, that leaves 24 weeks. And a current-Civil War reference in Ann3/4, 19 weeks after A-Day, which by the SH reckoning says is after CW. 

And next time I see anyone say Dan Slott is good with continuity and mean it, I wring their neck (and, I'm hardly just referring to this little %^&*-up, which only really affects one character in MCP terms [Reed Richards] AFAICS)

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 Feb 2007 09:02 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Assume that Annihilation's "days" are going by a different time-passage standard; Xandarian maybe, where the days are 15 hours long. Then you're golden. 

Alternately, don't look at it from a "calendar" standpoint, and you're free! Free as a bird! 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 Feb 2007 07:13 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

That's what I'll conclude if we see the follow-up to Annihilation and the immediate post-CW MU intersecting. So I'm holding off on calendar placements for Annihilation for now.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 Feb 2007 04:21 pm 
By Andy Holcombe

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
Wendell's last appearance before A:N 2 was at Eros' trial in S-H4 7, which occurred "while the Registration Act was coming up for a vote" (according to S-H4 10).
<<<

Coming to a vote is extremely vague. This could be to either of its House Committee vote, Senate Committee vote, the House vote, the Senate vote, the House/Senate Conference Committee vote, or the final House and Senate votes. So there's a lot of wiggle room in that "coming up for a vote" statement.

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 Feb 2007 06:59 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Yes, it occurs during a span of time in which registration was being discussed and debated prior to Stamford. I place it shortly before Stamford because of other clues, including chronological relationships between S-H4 and other titles.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 04:33 pm 
By Somebody
Director

Since JLH isn't going to get to the full analysis before the new Calendar draft comes up, timeframes on the Heralds of Galactus two-shot: 

Timeframes: 

A:HoG1 - Terrax: A+222 [starts just at the moment Annihilus gets his insides ripped out, apparently; Paibok & Delinquent appear] 
A:HoG1 - Stardust: A+227 [Galactus appears, Surfer cameos] 
A:HoG2 - Firelord: A+274 [R+6; various Centurions appear] 
A:HoG2 - Silver Surfer: A+281 [R+13; Galactus appears]

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 05:07 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks, Somebody. This is helpful. 

The Surfer's chronology, combined with my notes for Wendell Vaughn, makes it improbable that the time markers in Annihilation correspond to Terran days. I'm going to try establishing some kind of constant ratio to an earth day to establish calendar placements.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 07:28 pm 
By Somebody
Director

jephyork wrote:
>>>
Assume that Annihilation's "days" are going by a different time-passage standard; Xandarian maybe, where the days are 15 hours long. Then you're golden.

Alternately, don't look at it from a "calendar" standpoint, and you're free! Free as a bird!
<<<

Like I said in the post you replied to, I was hardly just referring to this minor thing, that only really affects Reed's brief appearance in A:S-Skrull, but far more generally, especially with his use of quote Cosmic unquote characters. 

WTF they didn't embargo the Annihilation characters from use in any other book until it was done I'll never know... (after all, Slott's use of "Thanos" (note the "s) in She-Hulk (and GLX) serves only to completely undermine Thanos' death & resolution...

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 10:51 pm 
By JLH

Somebody wrote:
>>>
Since JLH isn't going to get to the full analysis before the new Calendar draft comes up
<<<

I'm not? 

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 05:43 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

How about the use of Terrax in the GLX-MAS SPECIAL? Is it possible for him to appear here after Annihilation? (Yes, I'm trying to place the Special at Christmas-time.)

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 07:05 am 
By Somebody
Director

JLH wrote:
>>>
Somebody wrote:
>>>
Since JLH isn't going to get to the full analysis before the new Calendar draft comes up
<<<

I'm not? 
<<<

Well, Paul B was saying last weekend, although it seems it's slipped a bit now as questions like...


Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
How about the use of Terrax in the GLX-MAS SPECIAL? Is it possible for him to appear here after Annihilation? (Yes, I'm trying to place the Special at Christmas-time.)
<<<

...come up. 

As for the question itself, it's irrelevant. They stop being the GLX in Thing after Rachel Summers "comically" alters their minds, appear as the GLChampions in Cable/Deadpool (a name adopted in Thing) during CW and are going to be the GLInitiative next outing. If it's at Christmas, it's last Christmas, the one before CW/Annihilation/etc.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 06:21 pm 
By JLH

I'm sorry, it completely slipped my mind that the Annihilation Heralds books would be necessary for the Civil War era calendar. I'm still thinking of it as post-CW or something.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 08:57 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

I'm including post-CW material, particularly as a lot of it has an impact on CW placements. 

I figured I was in the home stretch, but now that AAFES giveway comic and its relationship to Surfer's chronology has me doing some recalculating.  You never know what book is going to come along and start a domino effect. That's why I like to get as many analyses as possible in before posting chunks of calendar.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 09:14 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Somebody wrote: 
>>>
They stop being the GLX in Thing after Rachel Summers "comically" alters their minds, appear as the GLChampions in Cable/Deadpool (a name adopted in Thing) during CW and are going to be the GLInitiative next outing. If it's at Christmas, it's last Christmas, the one before CW/Annihilation/etc.
<<<

Good point. And because GLXMS must occur after GLX (although not "six frickin' months" after), which in turn probably occurs after TB 10, which is after HOM, a Christmas setting for GLXMS is not in the cards...unless Swordsman can appear in GLX sometime before TB2 1. Topical reference. Ugh.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Apr 2007 11:05 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Don't sweat too much about the "late December" in the AAFES book, either, Paul. It's just a giveaway comic. And, since it came out in January 2007, a late-December setting is the very definition of a topical reference. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 01:46 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: HERALDS OF GALACTUS #1 [April 2007] 
Heralds of Galactus: Terrax, "Parasites" 
Writer: Christos N. Gage 
Penciler: Giuseppe Camuncoli 
Inker: Stefano Landini 


Cast: 
TERRAX II/TYROS 
PAIBOK, CAPT. 
DELINQUENT 
SPACE PARASITE/RANDAU (dies) 

Other characters: 
Admiral Deko (Annihilation Wave member. Dies) 
Chandra (Centaurian. dies) 



Summary: On the Annihilation Wave Battle Cruiser Ch'Trrr, somewhere in outer space, Admiral Deko chastises Terrax, Paibok, and Delinquent over the fact the three "positive-matter creatures" keep burning out the parasites that force them to fight for Annihilus so much that they have to have them replaced after every battle. Terrax suddenly informs Deko that they'll stop resisting it, since the parasites currently in the trio's body have shut down, which they would only do if Annihilus were dead. With nothing holding him back, Terrax slays Deko and fellow buggy crew members of the ship. Paibok wants to take control of the ship, but Terrax wants immediate vengeance against those who used them as slaves. He charges up his axe and rips right into the hull of the craft, shattering the Ch'Trrr explosively in half! Paibok reminds him that they're weakened from the parasites still, and will likely die as a result. Terrax doesn't care, he's happy to let their shame of enslavement be destroyed with them. He passes out as their section of the ship smashes onto a nearby planet called New Xeron. When he wakes up, he finds himself in the company of Paibok and Delinquent once more, all having survived the crash by their own special means. A young female Centaurian named Chandra helped to drag them from the burning wreckage. She requests aid from the trio, explaining that she, and her village of aliens from varying races, are being held as slaves of the being called Randau, the Space Parasite. He's been feeding off the people of the world's life energies, and whenever a stray ship passes by, he strikes them down with his Solar Scepter to add their crews to his roster of servants/food. Chandra is among the small group of the offworlders who seek to overthrown Randau, while the planet's natives are too wimpy to even try. Randau only asks for a sacrifice every third moon, they think that's acceptable. Terrax is appauled by the planet of cowards, and departs immediately. Paibok tries to stop him, stressing the fact that if the Space Parasite strikes him while trying to escape, and drains him of his Power Cosmic, he'll become an even bigger threat. They have a minor scuffle, and Terrax is convinced to remain to aid Chandra, but only so by destroying Randau he'll remind the universe why he was called "The Tamer". He's got Paibok on his side, and Delinquent, who has reverted to an infantile mental state as a result of the stress, but his matter transmuting powers will still work against someone trying to inflict him harm. They'll attack tomorrow! That night, Chandra approaches Terrax, her empathic powers allowing her to feel his pain and helplessness. She brings up his shame at being enslaved, which enrages him. When Chandra tells him it wasn't his fault, he calms down, but keeps up his air of arrogance to cover it. The next day, Terrax uses his control of the earth to collapse Randau's palace with a wave of dirt. The Space Parasite crawls from the rubble enfuriated, facing Terrax, Delinquent, and Paibok. He brushes off Terrax's power blasts and fires back, knocking him off his flying rock. Delinquent is easily grabbed and drained of power, Randau excited by the prospect of using an Elanian's energy to expand his empire. Paibok saves his fellow former captive, zapping Randau and then trying to hypnotize him, to no avail, ending up stabbed through the chest. Terrax grabs the Space Parasite and tries to overload him on his own life energy. This just makes Randau larger and stronger! Before he can crush Terrax beneath his feet, Chandra distracts him, and gets atomized as a result. Recovering, Terrax shuts off the cosmic energy to his Axe, and uses mere might of the blade to slash Randau right in half! Paibok, who survived by the usual Skrull way of moving around vital organs, rejoins his side, and notes the irony of the former dictator now becoming a liberator. But the people of New Xeron actually preferred to be slaves, since without Randau, they'll be left vulernable to invaders! They want Terrax to rule them now, and he's appauled. Paibok thinks he can rebuild the Skrull Empire by using them, but his ideas are cut off. Terrax feels only Chandra was worthy of life, and everyone else on New Xeron is nothing more than parasites just like their former master. He raises high his mighty axe, and shatters the planet into pieces! Having restored his status as a conqueror and bringer of death, Terrax departs for elsewhere in space, but not before warning Paibok to never cross his path again. Paibok, who survived thanks to Delinquent putting up a force field bubble, agrees. He then manages to get Delinquent to imagine up a spacecraft for them from the chunk of rock they're standing on. When the Elanian asks about Terrax, Paibok claims the Tamer travels and alone, and probably always will. 


Flashback: A one panel shot of Hulk vs Space Parasite, from his previous appearance. Nothing new. 


Continuity notes: This story starts sort of concurrent with about the middle part of "Annihilation" #6. 


Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 222." 

Pages 1-4: "AD+222." On board Ch'trrr, Terrax, Paibok, and Delinquent are freed of their parasitic control, a sign of Annihilus being dead. They destroy Admiral Deko and his crew, then Terrax destroys the ship, sending them crashing to a nearby planet. 
Pages 5-10: Daytime on New Xeron. Terrax awakens to find himself, Paibok, and Delinquent alive, thanks in part to Centaurian Chandra. She explains the situation, part of a group of aliens stranded on the planet by Randau the Space Parasite. They seek to overthrow him, and despite some initial reluctance, Paibok gets Terrax to stay and aide her in freeing the captives. 
Page 11: That night, Chandra uses her empathic powers and despite angering Terrax, assures him his enslavement wasn't his fault. 
Pages 12-22: The next day, so presumably it could be AD+223. Randau City, Terrax, Paibok and Delinquent attack the Space Parasite. Chandra is killed. Randau is sliced in half. Seeing the people of the planet are too cowardly to live without a tyrant running their lives for them, Terrax smashes New Xeron into pieces. He then departs into space, while Paibok and Delinquent travel together in a spacecraft made by the latter. 


------------- 
Story 2: 
Stardust, "A Death Of Hope" 
Writer: Stuart Moore 
Art: Mike McKone 

Cast: 
STARDUST II/LAMBDA-ZERO 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 

Other characters: 
Hadria (Ethereal; dies) 
Tau (Ethereal; dies) 
J/Psi (Ethereal; dies) 
50 other Ethereals (all die) 


Summary: Stardust is reborn, as he's apparently able to do thanks to the Power Cosmic, finding himself in the Andromeda Galaxy, far from where he was last. He attempts to return, accelerating to the speed of light and proceeds to pass across the cosmos. But suddenly he's interrupted on his journey by a Strangepac, a protective grouping of his people, the Ethereals. Three of them, Hadria, Tau, and J/Psi, are old friends of Stardust. They confront Stardust within the void of space, charging him with the crime of not being there for the Ethereals when the Annihilation Wave destroyed their home, instead being off fighting for the Corporeals. Stardust refuses to even apologize, since he feels the Corporeals are superior beings who, unlike the Ethereals, don't just float about aimlessly. The trio of light-beings strike at their fellow Ethereal, calling him a traitor. He strikes back, and calling upon his Power Cosmic, ends up destroying the entire Strangepac in a rage! Realizing his mistake, he absorbs the "cosmic ash" remnants of his people, taking them into himself to act as his conscience from here on out. Stardust resumes his journey, and returns to Galactus' side. The world-devourer isn't surprised to see him alive, in fact, he expected him sooner. Galactus has no time for his former herald, since the Negativa Zone beings he consumed didn't provide much sustenance, and now he's stuck using his machines to locate a world to eat while his current herald, Silver Surfer, is elsewhere. Stardust wishes to be his herald again, but Galactus claims he was an inconsistant servant, too ethereal to depend upon! Arguing that his people are ethereal, not himself, Stardust demands a chance to prove himself. The only way to resume being his herald is to give him the energy he hungers for. To that end, despite much reservation and against the cries of his people within him, Stardust releases the life essence of the remaining Ethereals for Galactus to feast upon! Galactus is barely sated by the power of 53 beings, his facial features restored and his hunger still remains, but it's the fact Stardust gave up the last survivors of his own race that surprises and pleases him. Thanks to Thanos' assault, Galactus has a greater hunger than ever, and he thinks maybe he should indeed have two heralds to help feed it. Thus, Stardust is given a recharge and reheraldizing in Galactus' hand. He finds himself viewing the death of his people as the death of hope, but given the ethereal nature of the Ethereals, he's given new hope that they'll live on in a new way. Galactus shows Stardust the Silver Surfer, currently returning from his task. He knows that one day the Surfer'll betray him again, and on that day, he'll call on Stardust. But for now, he hungers, and wants worlds to feast upon. Stardust does as commanded, vowing to bring him as many as needed and departing. As his fellow Ethereals hinted earlier, Stardust doesn't care for Corporeals any more than he cares for Ethereals. He cares only for Galactus... in fact, he's secretly in love with him! 


Flashback: An 8 page flashback showing the origin of the universe as the Ethereals perceive it. 

A one panel FB showing the "Annihilation Wave" destroying the Ethereal's sun home. Only 53 of the Etherals formed a Strangepac and escaped, while all the rest died. 

Continuity notes: Galactus is still withered facially, with wrinkles and cracks above his lips. He's restored to his normal self within this story. 

Silver Surfer is said to be off on an "urgent errand". We see him in a single panel on this errand, though what he's doing exactly is never explained. 

Stardust officially becomes one of Galactus' heralds again, restablishing the status quo reflected within recent issues of FF. 


Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 227." 

Pages 23-24: FB. 23, panel 1: Blackness. 23, panel 2: the creation of the universe via vast explosions. 23, panel 3: particles, quarks and such, breaking down into matter. 23, panel 4: the particles becoming beings of great power, the first Corporeals, all gods. Visages of characters similar to Living Tribunal and Eternity are seen. 23, panel 5: Blackness. 24, panels 1-2: Multicolored energy from the universe's creation forming into the living beings known as Ethereals. 24, panel 3: Blackness. 
Pages 25-32: AD+227. We see Stardust being reborn out of the fundamental forces of the universe, in the Andromeda Galaxy, far from where he was last. He travels back to our galaxy, but is stopped amid the void by the Strangepac. Stardust is accused of being a traitor by all that remains of his fellow Ethereals. In a rage, he destroys the 53, reducing them to "cosmic ash". He absorbs them into himself and resumes his voyage home. 
Page 29, panel 4: FB. The Annihilation Wave destroying the Etheral's home at the heart of a sun. This would be during an earlier part of the AD+ timeline, though exactly when is unclear. 
Pages 33-38: Stardust returns to Galactus' side, wanting to be his herald again. Silver Surfer is off on an urgent errand. In order to prove his loyalty to Galactus, Stardust feeds him the life energy of the Ethereals, sacrificing them to barely provide him a morsel. Impressed, Galactus makes Stardust his herald, and sends him off to get him worlds to feed on. 

------------------------------------ 
ANNIHILATION: HERALDS OF GALACTUS #2 [May 2007] 
"Afterburn" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Scott Kolins 

Cast: 
FIRELORD/PYREUS KRIL 
RAVENOUS (FB only) 
TORRENT II/ESPIA (Centurion. First time named. Dies) 
HYBALEA (Centurion. First time named) 
SMYT (Centurion. First time named. Dies) 


Other characters: 
Other Centurions unnamed 
People of Canticle 8 
People of Omina Prime 


Summary: Firelord goes through space, killing Centurions who've taken over former Skrull Empire worlds as part of the Armistice Treaty to end the Annihilation war. He views them as war criminals, and will go about dispensing justice against them until the Nova Corps is restored. He reaches a world called Omina Prime, and in trying to take out the newly-crowned Warlord, former Centurion Smyt, Firelord encounters a group of Centurions who refused to continue following Ravenous' orders once they learned Annihilus' true goal of the war was to wipe out all life and not to take back universe space taken from the Negative Zone. They've been hunted down for this betrayal by their own, and now they act to assassinate their former Centurions turned warlords. After killing Smyt, Firelord prepares to do the same to these "traitorous" Centurions, only to be convinced otherwise by their makeshift leader, Hybalea. He notes they hunt Centurions still serving Ravenous out of shame, for only they seem to remember the honor that comes with the title of being a Centurion. Thus, Firelord spares the six remaining Centurions, leaving them off-planet and warning that they've not been pardoned from their crimes, but given a reprieve to do right. He uses his own role in killing millions to feed Galactus as a comparing point, that they'll always have the blood of innocents on their hands. They understand, and Firelord departs, continuing to vow to remain merciless against those who must be heled accountable. 


Flashback: Four panels showcasing the set-up of Firelord's current mission, only two of which are to new events. I cover it in the page by page breakdown below, so go there to read it, I ain't in the mood to repeat myself. 

Continuity notes: The three Centurions named in this issue did indeed appear in previous group shots of the Centurions' attacks in ANNIHIL #2, 3, and 5. Same goes for most of the others we see in this issue but aren't named. 


Goofs: Gotta love the indica, which lists this issue and last as "Published as a One-Shot". 

Hybalea calls the girl he accompanies "Torrent", then calls her Espia. I'm taking this to mean Torrent is her code-name, and Espia is her real name. But it could be that Torrent is another on the team, such as the girl seemingly made of liquid, and Espia merely mentally summoned her forth or something. 


Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 274." Which should actually be "Armistice Day, Plus 6". Except it appears as though they've given up on using that new designation. Even the "Annihilation Saga" book drops it. 

Page 0: Basic recap page. 
Pages 1-3: Firelord finishes off a Centurion who ruled Canticle 8, and then takes off into space after more. This is the 5th world he's done so. 
Page 3, panel 1: FB. Firelord, Stardust, and Red Shift attacking Annihilation fleet in space. Appears identical to stuff shown in ANNIH #1. 
Page 3, panel 2: FB. Firelord looking on as ships flee through space. Likely another shot of stuff we've seen before, namely the retreat from ANNIH #4. 
Page 3, panel 3: FB. New stuff. Ravenous (with cybernetic features) sips a drink, a young maiden by his side, as a parade passes in front of his throne on his newly acquired world. 
Page 3, panel 4: FB. New stuff. Firelord attacking a former Centurion, namely a Balurran (no, it's not Blastaar). It had to be at some point since the treaty was signed, but no date is given for it. Presumably, this is from one of the other 4 worlds he deposed a Centurion on prior to this issue. 
Pages 4-18 : "AD+274." Omina Prime. Smyt attends a reception in his honor. Former Centurions who refused to follow Ravenous' lead, such as Hybalea and Torrent, attempt to assassinate Smyt. Firelord arrives, wipes out Smyt and those loyal to him, but is convinced to spare the former Centurions now fighting back against their teammates who remain loyal to Ravenous. He leaves them off-world, and claims they're on a short leash, letting them continue their shared mission but forewarned against straying from it. Firelord then departs for space to continue alone. 


------------- 
Story 2: 
"Brother's Keeper" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Andrea Divito 


Cast: 
AEGIS OF ALL SORROWS (also in FB; dies) 
TENEBROUS OF THE DARKNESS BETWEEN (also in FB; dies) 
DIABLERI (FB only) 
BRIO (FB only) 
ANTIPHON (also in FB) 
SKREET (FB only) 
GALACTUS/GALAN 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 

Other characters: 
Other 7, Unnamed Proemial Gods (FB only) 
Other Chaos Sprites (FB only) 


Summary: Galactus tells Silver Surfer the known history of the universe, at least, how it relates to Aegis and Tenebrous. Knowing that they live only to see the universe destroyed if it doesn't follow their own views of order, Galactus sends Silver Surfer off to find them so that the World Devourer can take them down out before they're given the time to see about their goals. As it turns out, Aegis and Tenebrous return to the Kyln, scouring the prison planets' remnants in hopes of finding fellow Proemial Gods still trapped within. All they find is Antophon the Overseer's corpse. Silver Surfer tracks their energy signatures, just as they're coming to realize much of the universe should be purged. He hopes to keep them busy long enough for Galactus to arrive to pass judgement on them, whether they be reimprisoned or whatever. The pair of Proemials warn that unlike the last time they faced the Surfer, they're under no pact to leave him defeated but alive. Nevertheless, the Silver Surfer uses his years of experience and his Power Cosmic to show those ancient beings what for! But even he lacks an equal power to their's, and eventually is smashed and laser blasted into a crack-hewed heap. With the last of his own energy, Silver Surfer aims for the edge of the Crunch, and tries to bend the powers of creation to his will, skirting the brim of the universe and using his board to create a wake of Crunch essence that spills out and consumes both Aegis & Tenebrous! The pair of Proemial Gods die within the same energies that birthed them. Galactus arrives and is as stunned as he can possibly be at the sight of the Proemials disintegrating in the Crunch. The Surfer, unfortunately, got a little too close to the wave, and is all but dead. In so much as awe over his herald mastering Crunch power that would even consume him, Galactus refuses to let the being who avenged him so bravely die. With a squeeze of Norrin's body in his fist and a burst of Power Cosmic, Silver Surfer is healed, restored to normal. He's disoriented at first, but all he needs to know is that his master hungers. So, again, the Surfer seeks to aid cosmic consonance by seeking out food for him. 


Flashback: Some time following the "creation event", cosmic consonance required order be given to chaos. So, creatures made to be caretakers of cosmic consonance were brought into being, living only to serve the universe, they were Proemial Gods eventually. They didn't have their own will or even awareness of anything but the tasks they were created to oversee. Among them were such fellows as Antiphon the Overseer (who resembles an ancient version of the Watchers), Brio of Life, Diableri of Chaos, Aegis of All Sorrows, and Tenebrous of the Darkness Between. We see Diableri creating Skreet and her fellow Chaos Sprites, tiny winged women of great power who acted as his eyes and ears while sowing chaos amid order in the name of cosmic consonance. Eventually, the young universe thrived in its balance of chaos and order, life forms coming about on infinite worlds. With life coming about to fill the import of cosmic consonance, the Proemial Gods became obsolete and thus their age ended. Unfortunately, they had become aware of all, and it drove some of them into dark ambition. Diableri, particularly, refused to fade away and corrupted the Proemials' purpose, leading to some of them joining him in rebelling against cosmic consonance. Aegis & Tenebrous were the first to join his side. Proemial Gods fought against one another, with many dying. Galactus, though, was of greater purpose, far more aware than they, and used it to his advantage, stopping the end of the still-young universe by slaying Diableri himself! He then imprisoned Aegis and Tenebrous within the Kyln power generators that predate him and are a mystery to all, turning it into a prison. It's powered by the crunch, so it'll never run out of energy, keeping gods captive forever... in theory. 


Goofs: The Chaos Sprites were called "Chaos Mites" prior. Either this is a mistake, or the prior one was. 


Calendar notes: "Annihilation Day, Plus 281". Which should actually be "Armistice Day, Plus 13", but whatever. It seems kind of quick for the Surfer to get to the Kyln in a day, but hey, he's the Surfer. 

Pages 19-22: FB. I covered the history of the Proemial Gods well enough above, so go read that! But the actual shown events end with Aegis & Tenebrous joining Diableri's side, the rest is via dialogue. 
Pages 23-24: Galactus, having been telling Silver Surfer all of that, sends his herald off to put an end to Aegis and Tenebrous. 
Page 25: Aegis & Tenebrous comment on how the universe has matured since they've been gone. They then question were fellow caretakes of cosmic consonance have gone, wondering if their brethren may still be existing. 
Pages 26-40: "AD+281." Silver Surfer soars through space, tracking Aegis & Tenebrous' energy signatures. They suddenly blink out, a sign they've teleported farther away. Indeed, they've gone back to the edge of the Crunch, and sift through the Kyln prison they were held within for countless millennia. They find Antiphon's corpse. They then fight Silver Surfer, he "surfs" the Crunch and they're consumed by the forces that birthed them. Galactus restores the Surfer to normal, healing his injures from the fight. 
------------------------------------ 

Okay, and now a short feature I call, "the only stuff from 'Annihilation Saga' we don't already know". 

1) No special framing story, just a lot of recycled art and generic summaries. 
2) The "Drax the Destroyer" mini-series took place on, "Annihilation Day, Minus 41" and "Annihilation Day, Minus 40." 
3) The "Annihilation Day, Plus 7300" scene from the Super-Skrull mini is entirely ignored. 
4) They still think the final issue of Ronan takes place on AD+99, despite no time for a gap of four days to occur. 
5) Thanos capturing Moondragon is said to be on AD+183. 
6) Silver Surfer & Galactus' capture by Aegis & Tenebrous is said to be on AD+204. 
7) They ignore AD+218's scene as its own section, instead lumping Drax's journey into 212's write-up. 
8) The AD+220 scenes that I rationalized as being on AD+221 remain all listed as AD+220. If that's not bad enough, stuff that was AD+222 in ANIHIL #6? Is also lumped into the AD+220 listing. 
9) Nova #1 is generically said to be "Weeks Later", following AD+281. 

Thus, ends this thread. Conquest'll get its own when it comes out. 

I've gone back and added things to my MCP style listings of all Annihilation characters, so check with that for updated info.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 03:44 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for the analysis, JLH. As soon as I finish logging in the books I picked up this week, I'll plot this out on the ol' drawing board -- the ever-changing "live" calendar.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Thread 19

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 02:29 am 		Post subject: BLADE (with some TOD stuff)
By JLH

Here's a list of suggested index abbreviations (or at least what I'll be using for this analysis): 
BTVH = Jul 1994 to Apr 1995. Cover and indicia say "Blade: The Vampire-Hunter" (with hyphen), 10 issue series initially under "Midnight Suns" imprint. 
BLADE = March 1998. Cover as "Blade #1", listed as "Blade vol 1 #1". One-shot titled "Crescent City Blues" in-story only (though the "Blade: Black & White" TPB and solicts for the series called the book itself "Blade: Crescent City Blues"). 
BSotF= October 1998. Cover is "Blade", but listed as "Blade: Sins of the Father" on spine, inside front cover and indicia. Prestige format one-shot, intended to be a prequel with the first movie, though not too much in it contradicts the comics continuity (especially since Blade's been movie-ized so much over the years). 
BLADE2 = Nov 98 to Dec 98. "Blade" on cover, listed as "Blade vol 1" in indicia. 3 issue mini-series under "Strange Tales" imprint (planned for 6, canceled mid-storyline). 
BVH = Dec 1999 to May 2000 Listed as "Blade: Vampire Hunter" in indicia and backstory banner, but just "Blade" on the cover. 6 issue series, with a Wizard 1/2 special. Despite my prior misgivings, this actually appears canon, with references to Morbius' bite, among other things in other comics of the time. 
BLADEMAX = May 2002 to Oct 2002. Cover is "Blade", listed as "Blade vol 2" in indicia. 6 issue "MAX" imprint series. 
BLADE3 = Nov 2006 onward. Cover and indicia say "Blade". No volume info in indicia. 

Others, non-canon mostly: 
-Jun 1997 BLADE movie preview featuring reedited TOD reprints (listed as "Blade vol 1 no 1" in indicia). 
-August 1998 Blade: Sins of the Father Exclusive Theatre Edition. Reprint of BSotF with movie-themed cover. 
-2002 BLADE II the official comic adaptation. 
-2004 BLADE: NIGHTSTALKING mini-comic with DVD of Blade Trinity. 


Here's my big attempt at combining Blade's birthing origin from all sources I could find. 
BTVH 3-FB (page 2, panel 2) [Baby Blade shown in the womb] 
TOD 58-FB (page 2, panel 5) [Tara in bed giving birth, while several women are standing around] 
TOD 13-FB (page 8 panel 6) [Tara in bed giving birth, while one woman by her side and another standing aside with towels] 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 1) [Tara in bed, head covered in sweat] 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 1) [Lady Vanity holds newborn Blade, cord wrapped around his neck, as Tara calls out for Lucas] 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 2) [Two women look at door as they hear a pair of knocks] 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 3) [Deacon Frost enters, taking off his hat, while one of three women stands on the side with hands to her face.] 
TOD 58-FB (page 2 panel 6) [Woman stands aside with her hand to her face while Deacon Frost enters and takes off his hat. Identical to TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 3), but with the two other women not in the frame] 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 2) [Woman enters bedroom with Deacon Frost as he takes off his hat.] 
BLADE2-FB (page 3 panels 3 & 4) [Tara is in agony as Deacon approaches] 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 4) [Shadowed Frost approaches labor-pained Tara] 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 5) [Deacon Frost steps out of shadows with his shiny fangs at the ready] 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 1) [Deacon has his fanged mouth open and ready to bite the labored Tara] 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8) [Deacon leans in at Tara, Vanity realizes he's a vampire, he punshes her away, bites into Tara offscreen while baby Blade stares in silence and woman who let Frost in is frozen in fear] 
BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4) [Deacon leans in on Tara, then actually shown biting into her] 
BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5) [Deacon biting into Tara] 
M/PRV 3-FB [one panel shot of Tara getting lunged at by Deacon while baby Blade lies nearby] 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 2) [Two women look stunned as Tara screams off panel]~TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 1) [Deacon leans in on Tara as she screams] 
BTVH 3-FB (page 2, panel 3) [Deacon with blood on his mouth, having just bitten Tara] 
TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 2) [Three women rush into the room as Deacon turns from Tara, blood dripping from his fangs] 
TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 3) [Deacon leaps out through window, in human form. Angle from the outside.] 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 3) [Deacon has turned into a bat as he smashes through window as woman approaches him. Angle inside] 
BLADE2-FB (page 3 panel 3) [Tara lies dead on bed as women gather around, one picking up baby Blade] 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 4) [Woman holds the swaddled baby Blade in her arms] 
BLADE-FB (page 9 panel 1) [Baby Blade held before an unknown black man an unknown amount of time later] 

Note, the FB in Nightstalkers 11 is irreconcilable with these. It has Tara alone in a room, without clothes (instead of in a gown), inside a small house in the woods (instead of Soho in London), and Deacon is repelled by a trio in modern clothes, two of which are men! 

Also, the BLADE3 stuff is the first time actual dialogue has been used. All prior times, the scene was narrated by Blade. 

Here's my aborted attempt to fill in the gaps concerning TOD appearances. I'll be adjusting the Blade chronology as I add analysis of the current volume and the 94-95 book to this thread over the next few days. 

**AFARI, JAMAL 
BLADE3 1-FB 
{M/PRV 3-FB} 
BLADE3 3-FB 
M/PRV 3-FB 

**ANIMUS III 
BLADE3 4 

**BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
BTVH 1 
BTVH 2 
BTVH 3 
BTVH 4 
BTVH 5 
BTVH 7 
BTVH 8 
BTVH 9 
BTVH 10 

BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
(real name added!) 
**BTVH 3-FB (page 2, panel 2) 
**TOD 58-FB (page 2, panel 5)-BTS 
**TOD 13-FB (page 8 panel 6)-BTS 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 1)-BTS 
**BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 1) 
**BLADE2-FB (page 3 panels 3 & 4)-BTS 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 4)-BTS 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 5)-BTS 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 1)-BTS 
**BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8) 
**BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4)-BTS 
**BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5)-BTS 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 1)-BTS 
**TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 2)-BTS 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 3)-BTS 
**BLADE2-FB (page 3 panel 3) 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 4) 
**BLADE-FB (page 9 panel 1) 
**BLADE3 1-FB 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**BLADE3 1-FB 
**BLADE3 3-FB 
**BLADE3 4-FB 
**BLADE3 5-FB 
**BLADE3 7-FB 
**BTVH 6-FB 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**TOD 30-FB (1968) 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**TOD 9-BTS 
{TOD 10} 
TOD 12 
TOD 13 
TOD 14 
TOD 17 
**TOD 18 
TOD 19 
TOD 21 
**TOD 24 (moved, since VT 8/4 directly references his return from the US, which was in the following two books) 
AIF 24 
MSU 6-FB 
VT 8/4 
VT 9 
**BLADE3 9-FB 
M/PRV 3 
M/PRV 8/2 
**TOD 23-BTS (Dialogue claimed Blade would stake the vamps in the issue "2 years later") 
TOD 41 
TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB-FB 
**TOD 43-FB 
TOD 44 
... 
TOD 49 
**TOD 50-BTS 
**TOD 51-BTS 
**TOD 52-BTS 
TOD 53 
... 
TOD 61 
**M/S&L 1/2 (moved. Takes place after TOD 70 but before the Montesi Formula is read in Dr Strange) 
... 
DRSTR3 61 
SOV 18 
MSU 4 
**NS 16 
**NS 17 
**NS 18 
**BTVH 1 
MSU 7/2 
**BTVH 2 
**BTVH 3 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5 
MORBIUS 29 
**BTVH 6 
MSU 8 
**BTVH 7 
**BTVH 8 
**BTVH 9 
**BTVH 10 
BLADE 
... 
[Black Panther and M/TU appearances] 
**BLADE3 1 
**BLADE3 2-FB 
**BLADE3 2 
**BLADE3 3 
**BLADE3 4 
**BLADE3 5 
**BLADE3 6 
**BLADE3 7 
**BLADE3 8 
**BLADE3 9 


**BLADE DOPPLEGANGER 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8)-BTS 
BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4)-BTS 
BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5)-BTS 
TOD 45-FB-BTS 
{TOD 48} 
TOD 49 
TOD 50 
TOD 51 
TOD 52-BTS 
TOD 53 

**BLOODSTORM 
NS 16 
NS 17 
NS 18 
(Becomes "Dracula II") 

**DRACULA II 
See Also: King, Hannibal and Drake, Franklin "Frank" 
(from Bloodstorm) 
BTVH 1 
BTVH 2 
BTVH 3 
BTVH 10 
BLADE-FB-BTS 

**BRAND, LUCAS/"VAMPIRE BRAND" 
TOD 9-FB 
TOD 11 
TOD 13 
TOD 14 
TOD 16 
TOD 17 
TOD 19 
TOD 20 
TOD 21 

CAGLIOSTRO, ALESSANDRO/GUISEPPE BALSAMO 
IM 149 
DRSTR3 15/2 
{DL 5/2} 
DL 6/3 
**DL 3/5-FB-BTS 
A 187-FB 
... 

**CHELM, INSPECTOR 
TOD 3 
TOD 4-BTS 
TOD 6 
TOD 16 
GSCH 1 
GSTOD 2 
GSTOD 3 
TOD 31 
TOD 33 
TOD 34 
TOD 36 
TOD2 1 

CAULDER (DEVILLE), SAFRON 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**{TOD 12} 
**TOD 24 
**VT 8/4 
**M/PRV 3 
**TOD 47 
**TOD 52 
**TOD 53 
**TOD 54 
**TOD 58 
**M/CP 64/4 
BLADE 

**CROSS, LUCAS 
BLADE3 6-FB 
BLADE3 2 
{BLADE3 1} 
BLADE3 2 (page 1) 
BLADE3 4 
BLADE3 6 
BLADE3 8 

**CROSS, TARA 
BLADE3 6-FB 
BLADE3 9-FB 
BTVH 3-FB (page 2, panel 2)-BTS 
TOD 58-FB (page 2, panel 5) 
{TOD 13-FB} (page 8 panel 6) 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 1) 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 1) 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 2)-BTS 
BLADE2-FB (page 3 panels 3 & 4) 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 4) 
TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 5)-BTS 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 1) 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8) 
BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4) 
BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5) 
M/PRV 3-FB 
TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 2)-VO~TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 1) 
TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 2) 
BLADE2-FB (page 3 panel 3) 
BLADE3 9 

**CROSS, TARA (DOPPLEGANGER) 
M/S&L 1/2 

**CROSSBOW 
BTVH 3-BTS 
BTVH 4 
BTVH 9 
BTVH 10 

**D'ALESCIO, MARGUERITE 
VT 9 
M/PRV 3 

DOCTOR STRANGE II/DR. STEPHEN STRANGE 
... 
DRSTR3 62 
DRSTR3 63 
**NS 16 
**NS 17 
**NS 18 
ST3 
DRSTR3 64 
... 

DOCTOR SUN 
**TOD 21-FB 
**TOD 20-FB-BTS 
**TOD 13-BTS 
**TOD 14-BTS 
**TOD 16-VO 
**TOD 17-VO 
**TOD 19-VO 
TOD 20 
TOD 21 
**TOD 26-VO 
**TOD 27-VO 
**TOD 28-VO 
**TOD 31-BTS 
**TOD 36-BTS 
**TOD 37-VO 
TOD 38 
TOD 39 
TOD 40 
TOD 41 
**TOD 42 
... 

**DOMINI 
TOD 47-FB 
TOD 55-FB 
{TOD 45} 
TOD 46 
TOD 47 
TOD 48 
TOD 49 
TOD 50 
TOD 51 
TOD 52 
TOD 53 
TOD 54 
TOD 55 
TOD 57 
TOD 59 
TOD 60 
TOD 61 
TOD 62 
TOD 63 
TOD 64 
TOD 66 
TOD 67 
TOD 70 
NS 16 
NS 17 
NS 18 

**DRACONIS 
BLADE3 8-FB 
BLADE3 7-FB-BTS 
BLADE3 8-FB 
BLADE3 7 
BLADE3 8 

I've placed the "Drac's world tour" semi-arc from Dracula Lives in a different position than the MCP currently has. It can't go where it's placed, since there's only a "fortnight" between the two TOD issues, and the circumstances in the story don't allow for him to go visit America then. I moved it to immediately at the start of the period when he faked his death at the hands of Dr Sun. There's upwards of a year there by characters' comments. Other sites, such as Marvunapp, place the DL stuff during the 60s, prior to TOD entirely. That could work, too. 


DRACULA/VLAD TEPES 
... 
**TOD 60-FB (with 1st wife) 
**TOD 44-FB (facing Turc and getting captured) 
... 
**GSTOD 3-FB-BTS (1459) 
... 
**TOD 52-FB (in Spain) 
... 
**WBN 15-FB 
**DL 3/5-FB (1769) 
... 
**TOD 60-FB (vs Lillith in Paris, placement uncertain) 
**TOD 52-FB (1870) 
**TOD 48-FB (1875) 
... 
**TOD 48-FB (1903) 
**TOD 48-FB (1926) 
... 
**GSTOD 4 (1934. Current position of this issue is incorrect and should be moved well before TOD 1) 
... 
**TOD 33-FB (1945) 
**TOD 20-FB (kills Rachel Van Helsing's family) 
**M/PRV 3-FB-BTS (bit Jamal Afari offscreen) 
**TOD 40-FB (Rachel's 16th birthday) 
**TOD 30-FB (1968, in China, faces Blade) 
**TOD 29-FB (passing through India "5 years ago") 
**TOD 15-FB (1969, returns from Far East, ends up in position seen in TOD 1) 
BFF:S 1-BTS 
BFF:S 2 
BFF:S 3 
... 
TOD 8 
**TOD 9-FB 
TOD 9 
... 
TOD 14 
**TOD 15-FB 
TOD 15 
A 118 
... 
TOD 22 
**DL 1-FB (London to NY) 
**DL 1 (NY, first time in America in years) 
**DL 8 (NY, looking for castle loot) 
**DL 9 (NY continued) 
**DL 2/5 (NY to New Orleans against his will) 
**DL 4 (visits Hollywood) 
**DL 5/4 (LA to Vegas by plane, ends up on foot) 
**NS 11-FB (cornfield, south of mason-dixon) 
**TOD 30-FB (a "few months" before 30, maybe in US at the time?) 
**DL 9/3 (Illinois, on train to NO) 
**DL 3/5 (NO intentionally to Paris) 
**DL 13/2 (Paris) 
**GSTOD 5 (Paris to Alps. This story could also take place during the 30s or 40s, given the vehicles and wardrobe, like the previous issue, but I give it benefit of the doubt) 
**DL 6 (Rome, must be post WBN 15 and before GSTOD 2) 
GSS-M 1 (on boat in Europe) 
GSCH 1 
TOD 23 
GSTOD 2 
TOD 24 
**TOD 24-FB 
TOD 24 
**TOD 25-FB 
TOD 25 
GSTOD 3 
... 
TOD 35 
**TOD 36-FB 
TOD 37 
TOD 38 
TOD 39 
**TOD 40-BTS (is ashes in urn recovered by heroes) 
TOD 41 
TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB-FB 
**TOD 43-FB 
TOD 43 
**DL 7 (Boston to DC. Though this could occur during his earlier visit to the US, I placed it at the earliest non-Sun story point in the Boston days) 
**TOD 44-FB 
TOD 44 
DRSTR2 14 
**WEDDING OF DRACULA 1 
TOD 45 
... 
TOD 55 
[TOD 56]-OMIT 
TOD 57 
... 
TOD4 4 
**BLADE3 1 

**DRACULA, JANUS 
(see also Golden Angel) 
**TOD 54 
**TOD 55 
**TOD 59 
**TOD 61 
**TOD 62-BTS 
**TOD 63-BTS 
**TOD 65-BTS 
**TOD 67-BTS 
**TOD 68-BTS 
**TOD 70 
**NS 16-BTS 
**NS 17-BTS 
**NS 18-BTS 

DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" 
**TOD 1-FB 
{TOD 1} 
TOD 2 
... 
TOD 17 
**TOD 18-BTS 
WBN 15 
... 
TOD 21 
**TOD 22 
TOD 24 
... 
TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB 
TOD 45 
... 
MSU 4 
**NS 16 
**NS 17 
**NS 18 
**BTVH 1-BTS 
**BTVH 2-BTS 
**BTVH 3-BTS 
**BTVH 8 
**BTVH 10-BTS 
**BLADE-FB (appears in FB to his hospital stay, and explosion which put him in it) 


**ESHCOL, DAVID 
TOD 26 
TOD 27 
TOD 28 
TOD 29 

FORD, GERALD 
H2 185 
**TOD 39-BTS (gives order to General Coder to fight Drac) 
HTD 8 

FROST, DEACON 
**TOD 53-FB 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 2)-BTS 
**{TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 3)}~TOD 58-FB (page 2 panel 6) 
**BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 2) 
**BLADE2-FB (page 3 panels 3 & 4) 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 4) 
**TOD 13-FB (page 9 panel 5) 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 1) 
**BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8) 
**M/PRV 3-FB 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 2)-BTS~TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 1) 
**BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4) 
**BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5) 
**TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 2) 
**TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 3) 
**TOD 58-FB (page 3 panel 3) 
**BLADE3 8-FB 
**TOD 33 
**TOD 34 
**TOD 41-BTS 
**TOD 42 
**TOD 44 
**TOD 45-FB 
**TOD 48-BTS 
**TOD 51 
**TOD 53 
BLADE 

**FROST (DOPPELGANGER), DEACON 
BTVH 6 
BTVH 7 
BTVH 8 

**GLORY 
BLADE3 4-FB 
BLADE3 5-FB 
BLADE3 7-FB 
{BTVH 6-FB} 

**GOLD, MARTIN 
VT 6 
DL 10/3 
DL 11/4 
M/PRV 12 
M/PRV 16/3 
TOD 67 
[Legion of the Night 1,2] 

**GOLDEN ANGEL 
(see also Dracula, Janus) 
TOD 52-FB 
TOD 52-FB (1870) 
TOD 51 
TOD 52 
TOD 61 
TOD 62 
TOD 63 
TOD 65 
TOD 67 
TOD 68 
TOD 70 

**GRAVES, CLIFTON 
TOD 1-FB 
{TOD 1} 
TOD 2 
TOD 3 
TOD 4 
TOD 7 
TOD 8 
TOD 10 
TOD 20-FB 
TOD 20 

**HARKER, EDITH 
TOD 33-FB (1955) 
{TOD 7} 
TOD 8 
TOD 9 
TOD 10 
TOD 11-BTS 
TOD 12 
TOD 13 
TOD 33-BTS (ashes tossed by Dracula) 

**HARKER, ELIZABETH 
TOD 33-FB (1945) 

HARKER, QUINCY 
**TOD 33-FB (1945) 
**TOD 33-FB (1955) 
**TOD 20-FB 
**TOD 40-FB 
**TOD 15-FB-BTS 
{TOD 7} 
TOD 8 
**TOD 9 
TOD 10 
... 
TOD 21 
GSCH 1 
**TOD 22 
**GSTOD 2-BTS 
GSTOD 3 
TOD 27 
... 
TOD 40 
TOD 41 
**TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB 
TOD 45 
TOD 48 
**TOD 51 
**TOD 54 
TOD 55 
... 
TOD 65 
**TOD 67 
TOD 68 
TOD 69 
TOD 70 
**TOD 70-FB 
TOD 70 

HAROLD, HAROLD H. 
**TOD 37 
**TOD 38 
**TOD 39 
**TOD 40 
**TOD 41 
**TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB-FB 
**TOD 43-FB 
**TOD 44 
**TOD 45 
**TOD 47 
**TOD 48 
**TOD 49 
**TOD 50 
**TOD 51 
**TOD 52 
**TOD 53 
**TOD 54 
**TOD 55 
**TOD 56 
**TOD 58 
**TOD 59 
**TOD 61 
**TOD 67 
**TOD 68 
TOD 70 
HTD MAG 5 
DRSTR2 62 

**HECTOR III 
BLADE3 4-FB 
BLADE3 5-FB 
BLADE3 7-FB 
{BTVH 6-FB} 

**JONES, CHASTITY 
TOD 26 
TOD 27 
TOD 36 

**JUNO 
TOD 37 
TOD 38 
TOD 39 
TOD 40 
TOD 42 

KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" 
**BLADE3 8-FB 
{TOD 25} 
... 
MSU 4 
**NS 16 
**NS 17 
**NS 18 
**BTVH 1-BTS 
**BTVH 2-BTS 
**BTVH 3-BTS 
**BTVH 8 
**BTVH 10-BTS 
**BLADE-FB (appears in FB to explosion) 
BLADE 
ASMU 20 
JIM 520 
JIM 521 
**BLADE3 8 
**BLADE3 9 

KULL 
SSOC 213/2 
UX@ 13/3 
SSOC 213/2 
**TOD 26-FB (placement uncertain) 

LAVEAU, MARIE 
... 
DRSTR3 18 
**BTVH 2-BTS 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5 
**BTVH 9 
BLADE 

LILITH/ANGEL O'HARA/"LILY DRAKE" 
TOD2 5-FB 
**TOD 60-FB 
TOD2 5-FB 
{GSCH 1} 
**TOD 25-FB-BTS (killed all aboard plane on her way to NY, according to Hannibal King) 
VT 6 
... 
M/PRV 16/3 
[TOD 60]-OMIT (is in FB only) 
TOD 66 
... 

**LUPESKI, ANTON 
TOD 55-FB 
{TOD 45} 
TOD 46 
TOD 47 
TOD 49 
TOD 50 
TOD 51 
TOD 54 
TOD 55 
TOD 57 
TOD 59 

MEPHISTO 
... 
M/SS 1 
**TOD 63-FB-BTS 
**TOD 62-BTS 
TOD 63 
... 

**MISTER ANGEL 
BTVH 1 
BTVH 2 
BTVH 3 


MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS/"DR. MORGAN MICHAELS" 
(added alias used in nearly all of his monthly book) 
... 
MORBIUS 28 
MORBIUS 29 
**BTVH 7 
**BTVH 8 
**BTVH 9-BTS 
**BTVH 10 
MORBIUS 30 
MORBIUS 31 
... 
PPSM2 8 
PPTSS2 14 
**BLADE3 5 

NIGHT TERROR/CARL BLAKE 
GR@ 1 
GR@ 1/2 
**BTVH 3 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5 
(merges with VARNAE) 
**BTVH 5 

**NITAL, ADRI 
TOD 29-FB 
TOD 23-BTS 
TOD 24-BTS 
{TOD 28} 
TOD 29 
TOD 31 
TOD 32 
TOD 33-BTS 

NITAL, TAJ 
... 
TOD 9 
**TOD 11-BTS 
TOD 12 
... 
TOD 34 
**NS 16-BTS 
NS 17 
NS 18 

**POSTMORTEM 
BTVH 10 

**RABINOWITZ, AURORA 
TOD 37 
TOD 38 
TOD 39 
TOD 40 
TOD 41 
TOD 42 
TOD 43-FB-FB-BTS 
TOD 44 
TOD 47 
TOD 48 
TOD 55 
TOD 56 
TOD 61 

SALOME 
M/CP 146/3 
DRSTR3 61 
MSU 5 
**NS 17 
**NS 18 
DRSTR3 65 
DRSTR3 66 
DRSTR@ 4 
M/CP 162/3 
M/CP 163/3 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5 
DRSTR3 71 
DRSTR3 72 
... 

**STEPPIN' RAZOR 
BTVH 5-FB 
{BTVH 3} 
BTVH 4 

**SUAREZ, JULIA 
BTVH 1 
BTVH 2 
BTVH 3 
BTVH 4 
BTVH 6 
BTVH 7 
BTVH 9 
BTVH 10 

**SUAREZ, MARIELLA 
BTVH 7-BTS 
BTVH 9 
BTVH 10 

**SUMMER(S), DANNY 
TOD 1-FB 
TOD 26-BTS 
TOD 27 
TOD 31 
TOD 32 
TOD 36 

**THORNE, AARON 
BTVH 1 
BTVH 2 
BTVH 3 

TOPAZ 
... 
WBN 43 
**TOD 63-FB 
**TOD 62 
TOD 63 
... 

**TORGO II 
TOD 70-FB 
TOD 68-BTS 
TOD 69-BTS 
TOD 70 

**VAN HELSING, ABRAHAM 
TOD 30-FB-BTS (kills Lyza Strang later on) 
TOD 1-FB-FB (Replace with the "Stoker's Dracula" appearances?) 
TOD 5 
TOD 20-FB (killed by Drac) 

VAN HELSING, RACHEL 
**TOD 20-FB 
**TOD 70-FB 
**TOD 40-FB 
**TOD 29-FB 
{TOD 3} 
TOD 4 
... 
TOD 8 
**TOD 9 
TOD 11 
... 
TOD 14 
**TOD 16-BTS (Chelm mentions he got Quincy's phone number from her) 
TOD 17 
**TOD 18-BTS (she and Frank are said to depart the train) 
WBN 15 
... 
TOD 21 
**GSCH 1-BTS (she calls Quincy) 
**TOD 22 
TOD 24 
... 
TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB-FB 
**TOD 43-FB 
**TOD 37-BTS (dialogue claims she'll kill the vamps 3 weeks later) 
TOD 45 
TOD 47 
**TOD 48 
**TOD 49 
TOD 50 
... 
TOD 55 
[TOD 56]-OMIT (only fictional version appears) 
TOD 57 
... 
TOD 64 
TOD 65 
**TOD 67 
TOD 68 
... 

**VANITY, LADY/MADAME 
TOD 58-FB (page 2, panel 5) 
TOD 13-FB (page 8 panel 6) 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 1) 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panel 2)-BTS 
BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8) 
TOD 13-FB (page 10 panel 2)-BTS 
BLADE2-FB (page 3 panel 3)-BTS 
BLADE3 1-FB 
BLADE3 3-FB 
BLADE3 4-FB-BTS 
M/PRV 3-FB-BTS 
{VT 8/4-FB} 
VT 9 
BLADE3 9-FB 

VARNAE 
**CTB 245-FB 
**CTB 244 
**CTB 245 
**{BIZADV 33/4} 
TOD4 2-FB-BTS 
M/CP 63/3 
TOD4 2-FB-BTS 
**DRSTR3 12/2 
**DRSTR3 13/2 
**BIZADV 33/4 
**DL 2/1 
**DL 3/1-BTS 
**DRSTR3 13/2 
**DRSTR3 18 
**XCAL 30-BTS 
**SOV 19 
**NS 16-BTS 
**NS 17-BTS 
**NS 18 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5 
(merges with NIGHT TERROR/CARL BLAKE) 
**BTVH 5 

**VIERKEN, ANTON 
VT 8/4 
VT 9 
M/PRV 3 

VON DOOM, CYNTHIA 
DSDDGN-FB 
**BLADE3 2 
DSDDGN 

WEREWOLF/JACK RUSSELL 
**WBN 15-FB 
M/SPT 2 
M/SPT 3 
... 
WBN 14 
**TOD 17 
TOD 18 
... 

**WHITTIER, SHIELA 
TOD 23-FB 
{GSCH 1} 
TOD 23 
TOD 24 
TOD 26 
TOD 27 
TOD 28 
TOD 29 


Section for regularly used characters whose chronologies aren't yet updated and thus placement of these issues is in flux until the eventual time they get added: 


SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER 
... 
**BLADE3 1 
... 

QUARTERMAIN, CLAY 
... 
**BLADE3 1 
... 

DOCTOR DOOM/VICTOR VON DOOM 
**BLADE3 2-FB 
... 
**BLADE3 2 
... 

WOLVERINE/"LOGAN"/JAMES HOWLETT 
... 
**BLADE3 5-FB 
... 
**BLADE3 5 
... 

UNION JACK III/JOEY CHAPMAN 
... 
**BLADE3 9 
... 

HILL, MARIA 
... 
**BLADE3 5 
... 
**BLADE3 9 
...

Last edited by JLH on 17 May 2007 02:13 am, edited 5 times in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 08:52 am 
By ADMINISTRATOR

Thanks, JLH. We've needed something like this for a long time. 

JLH wrote:
>>>
BSotF= October 1998. Cover is "Blade", but listed as "Blade: Sins of the Father" on spine, inside front cover and indicia. Prestige format one-shot, intended to be a prequel with the first movie, though not too much in it contradicts the comics continuity (especially since Blade's been movie-ized so much over the years).
<<<

Be careful with this one. If this is intended as a prequel to the movie, that's an indication that Marvel considers it not canon. It doesn't matter that it doesn't contradict canon.


JLH wrote:
>>>
Others, non-canon mostly:
-August 1998 Blade: Sins of the Father Exclusive Theatre Edition. Reprint of BSotF with movie-themed cover.
<<<

Question: If this is from August 1998, and BSotF is from October 1998, how can this be a reprint? 


watching: city confidential

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 12:46 pm 
By Enda80

TOD 1-FB-FB (staking Drac as per Stoker's book. Replace with the "Stoker's Dracula" appearances?) 

Van Helsing did not stake Dracula in Stoker's novel. Gerry Conway, who by the way accidentally called him "Van Helfing", was obviously relying on vague memories of the reviled 1931 Bela Lugosi Dracula film or maybe the Hamilton Deane/John L. Balderston play.

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 12:53 pm 
By Enda80

LILITH/ANGEL O'HARA 

Angel O'Hara is actually only a person that Lilith inhabits or posseses, not just an alias or alter ego. Therefore not all appearances of Angel O'Hara are per se or par essence Lilith appearances. Lilith also inhabited Kitty Pryde, after all.

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 09:34 pm 
By SeanCurtin

JLH wrote:
>>>
Here's a list of suggested index abbreviations (or at least what I'll be using for this analysis):
BtVH = Jul 1994 to Apr 1995. Cover and indicia say "Blade: The Vampire-Hunter" (with hyphen), 10 issue series initially under "Midnight Suns" imprint.
BLADE = March 1998. Cover as "Blade #1", listed as "Blade vol 1 #1". One-shot titled "Crescent City Blues" in-story only (though the "Blade: Black & White" TPB and solicts for the series called the book itself "Blade: Crescent City Blues").
BSotF= October 1998. Cover is "Blade", but listed as "Blade: Sins of the Father" on spine, inside front cover and indicia. Prestige format one-shot, intended to be a prequel with the first movie, though not too much in it contradicts the comics continuity (especially since Blade's been movie-ized so much over the years).
BLADE2 = Nov 98 to Dec 98. "Blade" on cover, listed as "Blade vol 1" in indicia. 3 issue mini-series under "Strange Tales" imprint (planned for 6, canceled mid-storyline). 
BVH = Dec 1999 to May 2000 Listed as "Blade: Vampire Hunter" in indicia and backstory banner, but just "Blade" on the cover. 6 issue series, with a Wizard 1/2 special. Despite my prior misgivings, this actually appears canon, with references to Morbius' bite, among other things in other comics of the time.
BLADEMAX = May 2002 to Oct 2002. Cover is "Blade", listed as "Blade vol 2" in indicia. 6 issue "MAX" imprint series. 
BLADE3 = Nov 2006 onward. Cover and indicia say "Blade". No volume info in indicia.

Others, non-canon mostly:
-Jun 1997 BLADE movie preview featuring reedited TOD reprints (listed as "Blade vol 1 no 1" in indicia).
-August 1998 Blade: Sins of the Father Exclusive Theatre Edition. Reprint of BSotF with movie-themed cover.
-2002 BLADE II the official comic adaptation.
-2004 BLADE: NIGHTSTALKING mini-comic with DVD of Blade Trinity.
<<<

Given how inconsistent Marvel is on volume numbers for Blade, I would just label them BLADE, BLADE2, etc, and - as far as determining volume numbers is concerned - ignore whether they're canonical, MAX, or whatever (except for the three explicit movie tie-ins). That would give us this:

BLADE - Blade, the Vampire-Hunter (Midnight Sons, 1994-1995)
BLADE2 - Blade: Crescent City Blues (one-shot, 1998)
BLADE3 - Blade: Sins of the Father (one-shot, 1998) - and since this one ties into movie continuity, I would exclude it from continuity
BLADE4 - Blade (Strange Tales series, 1998)
BLADE5 - Blade: Vampire Hunter (1999-2000) - and since there are references to the movie continuity, I'm leery to include this as canonical, despite references to Morbius et al.
BLADE6 - Blade (MAX imprint, 2002)
BLADE7 - Blade (current series, 2006)

Plus the Blade Movie Preview, the Blade II adaptation, Blade: Nightstalking, and the theater reprint of Sins of the Father.


JLH wrote:
>>>
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS
<<<

The first page of TOD 58 is a montage of Blade's vampire-hunting career; I don't know how many, if any, of the scenes in it are new material.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**BLADE DOPPLEGANGER
**BLADE3 1-FB (page 7 panels 3-4, page 8)-BTS
**BLADE-FB (page 8 panel 4)-BTS
**BLADE2-FB (page 2 panel 5)-BTS
**{TOD 48}
**TOD 49
**TOD 50
**TOD 51
**TOD 52-BTS
**TOD 53
<<<

The doppelganger's also BTS in Frost's minion's flashback in TOD 45. I believe the flashback would occur between the listed flashbacks and TOD 48.


JLH wrote:
>>>
CAGLIOSTRO, ALESSANDRO/GUISEPPE BALSAMO
DRSTR@ 2/4
M/PRM 13-BTS
**DL 1-BTS
**DL 2/5-FB
**DL 2/5
<<<

AFAIK, DRSTR3@ 2/4 should go after all of these, since it's set in the present day. I don't see how Cagliostro is involved in DL 1 - the Cagliostro imposter never has any ties to the real Cagliostro. And Cagliostro isn't seen at all in DL 2/5, although if he was the sorcerer who gave Marie Laveau her immortality, he would be BTS in the FB, which occurs in the 1800s (after M/PRM 13, before DL 1).


JLH wrote:
>>>
DOCTOR SUN
**TOD 21-FB
**TOD 13-BTS
**TOD 14-BTS
**TOD 16-VO
**TOD 17-VO
**TOD 19-VO
**TOD 20-FB-BTS
<<<

I have TOD 20-FB-BTS shortly after TOD 10 in my chronology (in other words, between TOD 21-FB and 13-BTS in Sun's chronology). Clifton Graves seems pretty freshly dead in TOD 20-FB; he wouldn't look quite so nice if he's been a corpse floating in the sea from TOD 10-19.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**DRACULA, JANUS
(see also Golden Angel)
**TOD 54
**TOD 55
**TOD 59
**TOD 61
**TOD 62-BTS
**TOD 63-BTS
**TOD 65-BTS
**TOD 67-BTS
**TOD 68-BTS
**TOD 70
**NS 16-BTS
**NS 17-BTS
**NS 18-BTS
<<<

Was his name ever given as "Janus Dracula"? Because "Dracula" is more of a title than a family name. Dracula's other son was named "Vlad Tepulus", not "Vlad Dracula".


JLH wrote:
>>>
FROST, DEACON
**TOD 53-FB
**TOD 58-FB
<<<

Frost's only in TOD 58 in the retelling of Blade's birth, which you already have divided up later in the chronology.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**HARKER, EDITH
**TOD 33-FB (1955)
**{TOD 7}
**TOD 8
**TOD 9
**TOD 10
**TOD 11-BTS
**TOD 12
**TOD 13
**TOD 33-BTS (ashes tossed by Dracula)
<<<

The urn containing her ashes also appears in TOD 21 & 32.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**JONES, CHASTITY
**TOD 26
**TOD 27
**TOD 36
<<<

She's also in TOD 31.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**NITALL, ADRI
**TOD 29-FB
**TOD 24-BTS
**{TOD 28}
**TOD 29
**TOD 31
**TOD 32
**TOD 33-BTS
<<<

If Adri is BTS in TOD 24, he should be in TOD 23, too; in both stories, Taj visits or passes by his home but refuses to go in to see his son.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**RABINOWITZ, AURORA
[...]
**TOD 42
**TOD 44
<<<

Aurora is also in TOD 43-FB-FB-BTS. This flashback-with-a-flashback directly continues from events in TOD 42 for which Aurora is present; she's the only character from the relevant part of TOD 42 who doesn't appear in panel in the flashback.


JLH wrote:
>>>
**SUMMER, DANNY
**TOD 1-FB
**TOD 26-BTS
**TOD 27
**TOD 31
**TOD 32
**TOD 36
<<<

It's "Summers" in most appearances, not "Summer".


JLH wrote:
>>>
**VAN HELSING, ABRAHAM
**TOD 1-FB-FB (staking Drac as per Stoker's book. Replace with the "Stoker's Dracula" appearances?)
**TOD 5
**TOD 30-FB-BTS (kills Lyza Strang later on)
**TOD 20-FB (killed by Drac)
<<<

TOD 30-FB-BTS definitely takes place before the other appearances; it's set in 1862, Stoker's Dracula occurs in 1890, and all of his other appearances follow that.


JLH wrote:
>>>
WEREWOLF/JACK RUSSELL
...
WBN 14
**TOD 17
TOD 18
...
<<<

He's also in an FB to his childhood in TOD 18; this would be his first chronological appearance, unless there are some earlier flashbacks from M/SPOT or WBN.


JLH wrote:
>>>
(unnamed then-current US President)
**TOD 39-BTS (gives order to General Coder to fight Drac)
<<<

FORD, GERALD 
H2 185 
**TOD 39-BTS 
HTD 8 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 09:51 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Administrator wrote:
>>>
Question: If this is from August 1998, and BSotF is from October 1998, how can this be a reprint?
<<<

Just a guess, but: If the comic was cover-dated for two months later like a normal comic book and the movie theater version was dated for the month that it came out, they would have both come out in August 1998. 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Dec 2006 11:42 pm 
By JLH

SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
Given how inconsistent Marvel is on volume numbers for Blade, I would just label them BLADE, BLADE2, etc, and - as far as determining volume numbers is concerned - ignore whether they're canonical, MAX, or whatever (except for the three explicit movie tie-ins).
<<<

It's up to Russ, of course. I'm just trying to be as specific as possible. Far too many sites still list Uncanny X-Men as "X-Men" and Amazing Spider-Man as "Spider-Man". It's the details of the title that truly determine its differentiation, especially now with the lack of volume numeration.


>>>
The first page of TOD 58 is a montage of Blade's vampire-hunting career; I don't know how many, if any, of the scenes in it are new material.
<<<

I checked that. It's not a montage of Blade's previous events, but a foreshadowing of what occurs in the issue. The upper left is Musenda getting attacked by his wife (possibly the only one without a corresponding scene in the issue), the upper right is Safron getting pawed by the vamp who possessed Musenda's wife (page 17 panel 1 though Safron's nightgown's details change almost from page to page), the bottom is Blade getting attacked from behind by Musenda's wife's vamp (probably between pages 16 and 17, or during 17), and the bottom right is Blade and RVH standing beside Musenda's wife's bed (page 7, between or during one of the first three panels). That's a lot of work for a page that isn't a remembrance, but a FOREmembrance!


>>>
The doppelganger's also BTS in Frost's minion's flashback in TOD 45. I believe the flashback would occur between the listed flashbacks and TOD 48.
<<<

That WAS in my listings, but it got erased in my dropping in of the BTS stuff of his creation. Oops!


>>>
I don't see how Cagliostro is involved in DL 1 - the Cagliostro imposter never has any ties to the real Cagliostro.
<<<

You're right, I misread the intentions of the man named Gaston and thought HE was the possessed reincarinational... thing of Cagliostro.


>>>
I have TOD 20-FB-BTS shortly after TOD 10 in my chronology (in other words, between TOD 21-FB and 13-BTS in Sun's chronology). Clifton Graves seems pretty freshly dead in TOD 20-FB; he wouldn't look quite so nice if he's been a corpse floating in the sea from TOD 10-19.
<<<

Right. Graves even says he was floating for "hours" at the beginning. My mistake there.


>>>
Was his name ever given as "Janus Dracula"? Because "Dracula" is more of a title than a family name. Dracula's other son was named "Vlad Tepulus", not "Vlad Dracula".
<<<

Dracula repeatedly goes on about how Janus is a "Dracula", and he's carrying on his name, and stuff of that sort. Considering Domini and he were married, I figured they'd probably use the name. Frank Drake's ancestors clearly did, since they were once "Dracula". You must also recall that even "Tepes" isn't anything but another word for "Impaler" (while Dracula is "son of the Dragon" and Tepulus is "son of the Impaler". So would Janus be "Janus Draculala"?)


>>>
Frost's only in TOD 58 in the retelling of Blade's birth, which you already have divided up later in the chronology.
<<<

Whoops, that's an artifact from before I narrowed down the appearances.


>>>
The urn containing her ashes also appears in TOD 21 & 32.
<<<

Right, but that last issue there has her urn thrown by Dracula at Quincy, scattering her ashes, actively becoming part of the story. Just sitting there would be graveyard appearance kind of stuff.


>>>
She's also in TOD 31.
<<<

Where? Danny Summers drives Frank to the zombie mines, Chastity doesn't appear anywhere that I see.


>>>
If Adri is BTS in TOD 24, he should be in TOD 23, too; in both stories, Taj visits or passes by his home but refuses to go in to see his son.
<<<

I figured in those cases, it was his wife he was avoiding (the tale says as such), with the implication being that Taj doesn't know Adri is still alive. But Adri is the reason why she's summoning Taj, so that also works as well, come to think of it. I'd have listed her, but her lack of a first name made me skittish (though I could have just put "Nital, Mrs", someone could have said "how do you know she didn't keep her maiden name" or something similar... Maybe someone knows Marv Wolfman's phone number...)


>>>
Aurora is also in TOD 43-FB-FB-BTS. This flashback-with-a-flashback directly continues from events in TOD 42 for which Aurora is present; she's the only character from the relevant part of TOD 42 who doesn't appear in panel in the flashback.
<<<

I chickened out in listing everyone else who was there in the FB-FB. Thought it'd run the risk of stretching the BTS thing too thin. But you've rationalized it better than I could!

I should mention my listing for Taj "TOD 11-BTS" comes from the fact Quincy says he's away, and the lack of Taj there to guard him is what allows the issue's villain to attack him. His offscreen actions of taking a vacation affects the story. TOD 9-BTS for Blade comes from Quincy getting a call from an operative who informs him of Blade's location, which directly sets up his meeting with him in TOD 10. Now something new: TOD2 1 has Chelm mentioning Rachel Van Helsing moved to America and he has yet to get her address, while Frank Drake is nowhere to be found. Frank would obviously not be BTS, but it does sound as if Rachel should be, since she's actively doing something behind the scenes, with Chelm having offscreen attempts to reach her in tandem. Am I right or wrong?


>>>
It's "Summers" in most appearances, not "Summer".
<<<

The third Summers brother!? (or make that, the THIRD third Summers brother)


>>>
TOD 30-FB-BTS definitely takes place before the other appearances; it's set in 1862, Stoker's Dracula occurs in 1890, and all of his other appearances follow that.
<<<

Though it's never said he staked her that same year, you're right, he'd have done so before facing Dracula in the book... err, events.


>>>
He's also in an FB to his childhood in TOD 18; this would be his first chronological appearance, unless there are some earlier flashbacks from M/SPOT or WBN.
<<<

I'd thought it was already covered in the MCP.

>>>
FORD, GERALD
H2 185
**TOD 39-BTS
HTD 8
<<<

What a coincidence... Thanks for the assist. Good luck with the TOD3 analysis, Drac's body being back in the castle ruins after we last saw it melted away in Mordo's castle makes my head explode.

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Dec 2006 01:28 am 
By SeanCurtin

JLH wrote:
>>>
SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
Given how inconsistent Marvel is on volume numbers for Blade, I would just label them BLADE, BLADE2, etc, and - as far as determining volume numbers is concerned - ignore whether they're canonical, MAX, or whatever (except for the three explicit movie tie-ins).
<<<

It's up to Russ, of course. I'm just trying to be as specific as possible. Far too many sites still list Uncanny X-Men as "X-Men" and Amazing Spider-Man as "Spider-Man". It's the details of the title that truly determine its differentiation, especially now with the lack of volume numeration.
<<<

Either way, people are going to get confused. If the Key explains which series is which, that might help, but the constant use of "Blade Vol. 1" on Marvel's part doesn't help at all.


>>>
Dracula repeatedly goes on about how Janus is a "Dracula", and he's carrying on his name, and stuff of that sort. Considering Domini and he were married, I figured they'd probably use the name. Frank Drake's ancestors clearly did, since they were once "Dracula". You must also recall that even "Tepes" isn't anything but another word for "Impaler" (while Dracula is "son of the Dragon" and Tepulus is "son of the Impaler". So would Janus be "Janus Draculala"?)
<<<

Althoug hit's likely that he would have been given the 'Dracula' name, it's never been shown in the context of a story.


>>>
>>>
She's also in TOD 31.
<<<
>>>
Where? Danny Summers drives Frank to the zombie mines, Chastity doesn't appear anywhere that I see.
<<<

You're right; I must have copied that listing from Danny's chronology.


>>>
I'd have listed her, but her lack of a first name made me skittish (though I could have just put "Nital, Mrs", someone could have said "how do you know she didn't keep her maiden name" or something similar...
<<<

I doubt that would be the case; neither she nor Taj seem the type. Regardless:

NITAL, MRS.
TOD 29-FB
TOD 23-BTS (Taj refuses to enter the house where his family is waiting for him)
{TOD 24}
TOD 26-BTS (sends Taj's friend to speak to him)
TOD 28
TOD 29
TOD 31
TOD 32
TOD 33
TOD 34


>>>
Now something new: TOD2 1 has Chelm mentioning Rachel Van Helsing moved to America and he has yet to get her address, while Frank Drake is nowhere to be found. Frank would obviously not be BTS, but it does sound as if Rachel should be, since she's actively doing something behind the scenes, with Chelm having offscreen attempts to reach her in tandem. Am I right or wrong?
<<<

That's iffy; Rachel's actions aren't directly affecting the story, but her absense affects it. I wouldn't include TOD2 1 in either her or Frank's chronologies.


>>>
>>>
It's "Summers" in most appearances, not "Summer".
>>>
The third Summers brother!? (or make that, the THIRD third Summers brother)
<<<

By now, he'd actually be the fourth third Summers brother!


>>>
Good luck with the TOD3 analysis, Drac's body being back in the castle ruins after we last saw it melted away in Mordo's castle makes my head explode.
<<<

That, at least, is explained away in the text of the first full story page of issue #1: the demon Asmodeus reconstituted Dracula's remains there. 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Dec 2006 03:13 am 
By JLH

SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
NITAL, MRS.
TOD 29-FB
TOD 23-BTS (Taj refuses to enter the house where his family is waiting for him)
{TOD 24}
TOD 26-BTS (sends Taj's friend to speak to him)
TOD 28
TOD 29
TOD 31
TOD 32
TOD 33
TOD 34
<<<

Did she send the letter Taj received in GSCH 1 that called him back to India, or was that one of their friends? 


>>>
That, at least, is explained away in the text of the first full story page of issue #1: the demon Asmodeus reconstituted Dracula's remains there.
<<<

The demon from TOD2 2? Interesting...

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Dec 2006 09:15 am 
By Enda80

(Tomb of Dracula III#1) - ...Asmodeus once more took reign of Hell and ordered his minions to awaken from their decade-long slumber. Leathery wings once again slapped the coldness of night. Blood once more cut through the fragile veil of flesh to bring life to those things undead. But the night was still without its lord. Asmodeus reached for those sun-bleached bones where they last lay, but could find nothing save the crippled remains of some insignificant mortal. 
Thus began the search. One year more passed before was found the black soul that had long ago been skewered by silver. Asmodeus smiled (and somewhere in China an earthquake killed ten thousand) and returned the bones to their proper resting place. All was now where it should be. The rest would unfold in proper order... 
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/asmodesb.htm 

BTW, a letters page of Doctor Strange III (gah! vague memories! before issue#50 or so), notes that Tomb III "took place when it did"-i.e. in publishing order. 

I got the impression that Asmodeus was asleep when Dracula had his Tomb I#70 adventures, and also slept through the Doc II#62 story. So he probably is not the same entity as any Asmodeus active during those stories.

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Dec 2006 07:17 pm 
By SeanCurtin

JLH wrote:
>>>
Did she send the letter Taj received in GSCH 1 that called him back to India, or was that one of their friends?
<<<

It's never really specified. It probably was her, but we can't say for sure; it might have been her brother or one of their other friends. 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 Dec 2006 07:21 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Enda80 wrote:
>>>
I got the impression that Asmodeus was asleep when Dracula had his Tomb I#70 adventures, and also slept through the Doc II#62 story. So he probably is not the same entity as any Asmodeus active during those stories.
<<<

That's my interpretation as well: Asmodeus does what he does because he wasn't aware that Dracula had been resurrected and then "permanently" destroyed, so he couldn't have encountered Dracula between TOD 70 and DRSTR2 62. The Asmodeus from TOD2 2 doesn't really seem to be anywhere near the level of power or intelligence of the Asmodeus from TOD3, and neither one matches with the depictions of any other MU demons named Asmodeus. 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Dec 2006 06:17 pm 
By Enda80

DRACULA/VLAD TEPES 
... 
**TOD 60-FB (with 1st wife) 
**TOD 44-FB (facing Turc and getting captured) 
... 
**GSTOD 3-FB-BTS (1459) 
... 
**TOD 52-FB (in Spain) 
... 
**WBN 15-FB 
**DL 3/5-FB (1769) 
... 
**TOD 60-FB (vs Lillith in Paris, placement uncertain) 
**TOD 52-FB (1870) 
**TOD 48-FB (1875) 
... 
**TOD 48-FB (1903) 
**TOD 48-FB (1926) 
... 
**GSTOD 4 (1934. Current position of this issue is incorrect and should be moved well before TOD 1) 
... 
**TOD 33-FB (1945) 
**TOD 20-FB (kills Rachel Van Helsing's family) 
**M/PRV 3-FB-BTS (bit Jamal Afari offscreen) 
**TOD 40-FB (Rachel's 16th birthday) 
**TOD 30-FB (1968, in China, faces Blade) 
**TOD 29-FB (passing through India "5 years ago") 
**TOD 15-FB (1969, returns from Far East, ends up in position seen in TOD 1) 
BFF:S 1-BTS 
BFF:S 2 
BFF:S 3 
... 
TOD 8 
**TOD 9-FB 
TOD 9 
... 
TOD 14 
**TOD 15-FB 
TOD 15 
A 118 
... 
TOD 22 
**DL 1-FB (London to NY) 
**DL 1 (NY, first time in America in years) 
**DL 8 (NY, looking for castle loot) 
**DL 9 (NY continued) 
**DL 2/5 (NY to New Orleans against his will) 
**DL 4 (visits Hollywood) 
**DL 5/4 (LA to Vegas by plane, ends up on foot) 
**NS 11-FB (cornfield, south of mason-dixon) 
**TOD 30-FB (a "few months" before 30, maybe in US at the time?) 
**DL 9/3 (Illinois, on train to NO) 
**DL 3/5 (NO intentionally to Paris) 
**DL 13/2 (Paris) 
**GSTOD 5 (Paris to Alps. This story could also take place during the 30s or 40s, given the vehicles and wardrobe, like the previous issue, but I give it benefit of the doubt) 
**DL 6 (Rome, must be post WBN 15 and before GSTOD 2) 
GSS-M 1 (on boat in Europe) 
GSCH 1 
TOD 23 
GSTOD 2 
TOD 24 
**TOD 24-FB 
TOD 24 
**TOD 25-FB 
TOD 25 
GSTOD 3 
... 
TOD 35 
**TOD 36-FB 
TOD 37 
TOD 38 
TOD 39 
**TOD 40-BTS (is ashes in urn recovered by heroes) 
TOD 41 
TOD 42 
**TOD 43-FB-FB 
**TOD 43-FB 
TOD 43 
**DL 7 (Boston to DC. Though this could occur during his earlier visit to the US, I placed it at the earliest non-Sun story point in the Boston days) 
**TOD 44-FB 
TOD 44 
DRSTR2 14 
**WEDDING OF DRACULA 1 
TOD 45 
... 
TOD 55 
[TOD 56]-OMIT 
TOD 57 
... 

Actually, on the DL adventures. The Horror Handbook states that many of those adventures took place in the 1970's absolutely, before the modern era (emergence of the FF). 

http://www.marvel.com/universe/Dracula 

In the latter 20th century, Dracula's exploits were more frequently recorded, and his many adventures included vampirizing Tartoff on whose family he had preyed for generations; seeking the powers of the demons Ypsilloth and Ryg beneath Tarrington's Jenning Mill; fighting Father Vergilius Flotsky in Brass Monkey, New Mexico; observing the destruction of the Immortal Nine's Pool of Blood; battling the young Blade and his vampire hunters in China; solving the mystery of Mortus the Death Man who sought vengeance on the Broadway Project for her father's death; failing to control vampirized CIA pilot Roberta Christianson, and failing to claim the powerful Yazdi Gem from Augustus Ebers. Eventually the vampire-hunter the Scotsman staked Dracula and knocked him into his own Pit of Death. Despite his body's destruction, Dracula's spirit sent his agent Comte St. Germaine to obtain the Amulet of Zarathos in a failed effort to resurrect him.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Dec 2006 06:45 pm 
By JLH

Enda80 wrote:
>>>
http://www.marvel.com/universe/Dracula
<<<

Should Wikis be considered a trustworthy source?

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Dec 2006 07:58 pm 
By Enda80

You'll find that verbatim matches the Horror Handbook entry for Dracula. Have you the Horror Handbook?

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Dec 2006 09:24 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Most of the entries on the marvel.com Marvel Universe wiki are directly (and officially) copied from the Handbooks. 

-Sean

			*	*	*

Posted: 31 Dec 2006 06:02 am 
By JLH

Well, expletive the delete! I wasn't aware.

			*	*	*

Posted: 31 Dec 2006 06:03 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 

BLADE VOL 3 #1 [November 2006] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"Splinter Group" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER 
DRACULA/VLAD TEPES 
QUARTERMAIN, CLAY 
CROSS, TARA (FB only) 
CROSS, LUCAS (Blade's father. First appearance) 
FROST, DEACON (FB only) 
AFARI, JAMAL (FB only) 
VANITY, LADY/MADAME (FB only) 

Other characters: 
Several vamped-out school kids 
Their teacher 
Lucas Cross's unnamed aid 
Multiple SHIELD agents 
Vampire SHIELD agents 
A Prostitute or two (FB only) 


Summary: At Manhattan's PS 1013, Blade fights off a vampire-ized Spider-Man in the gym. To keep the wall-crawler turned blood-sucker off him, the Vampire-Hunter blows off both of Peter's kneecaps with a gun. The creature responsible for turning Spidey into a vamp appears, none other than Dracula himself, back to his old traditional look. When Blade questions how many times he has to put the Lord of the Undead in the ground, Drac assures him the last time was the final time he'll get. With his neck being choked, Blade proceeds to unsheath a wooden stake in his boot, kicking and impaling it into Dracula's chest directly, proving the count wrong in his boast. Blade next takes on a classroom filled with vampire children, warning them to let the teacher they're bleeding out go. They refuse to listen, and he responds without remorse. Later, the Paranormal Containment Unit of SHIELD (the Howling Commandos) arrive to clean up the scene. Clay Quartermain questions Blade on the hundred kids who didn't make it out, which he merely confirms that they didn't make it out. Spider-Man is carted off on a retrained stretcher, Blade commenting that he'll sleep off the vampirism, thanks to his radioactive blood. The two SHIELD assault troopers carting off Dracula's corpse catch his eye, as they, like him, fail to cast a reflection. Soon, aboard the Pericles V Helicarrier, Blade steals a SHIELD agent's costume and stakes him. It seems this entire ship is run by vampires! He sneaks down to the surgery room, where a pair of vamp agents are removing a splinter from Dracula's chest stake, trying to be careful in not reanimating him (as per the words of a man called "Cross"). He tries to learn what they're doing with the Count, but they toss him through a window, out into a vast chamber filled with winged vampire (or "vampyr" as they keep calling themselves) SHIELD agents. He came prepared, setting of explosives which bust open the exterior of the Helicarrier, exposing sunlight beams into the room. He also unleashes a few assault weapons with silver bullets, expensive but worth every penny. One of the vamps boasts to the Daywalker that there are more of them than he knows, in higher positions than he can realize. Blade stakes him, and parachutes out, leaving Pericles V to explode in the sky. That night, at a White House dinner, a bald man taking with some senators is called away by an aide. Quantico-trained CSU has gone over the wreckage of the Helicarrier, and found no trace at all of Dracula. The theory is someone else may have aided him in escaping, and a sketch of the goateed sunglasses-wearing guy is shown, along with a multi-justictional file on him. The bald man's name is Lucas Cross, and he already knows the suspect well enough, as Blade... is his son! 


Flashbacks: 1) The night of Blade's birth in Soho, England at the brothel of Lady Vanity. Vanity, Baby Blade, Tara Cross, Deacon Frost, and an unnamed prostitute. See my detailed analysis of the scene for more details. 2) During Blade's youth, he overhears as Lady Vanity draws blood from herself under the claims that it's "medicine" she gives him. She argues with one of her prostitutes about why she doesn't just tell him the truth about his heritage, since as he grows his "appetites" will also. Vanity vows to keep him protected for as long as possible. 3) Sometime later, also in Blade's youth, he and Lady Vanity return from a library where they spot Jamal Afari fighting off two vampires. Blade refuses to run, aware such creatures killed his mother. He rushes in to help the old man, but he doesn't need assistance, staking the pair both at once with style, which impresses the youth (this scene is adapted from part of the FB in M/PRV 3, fleshing it out and adding Lady Vanity to the scene). 4) Jamal Afari tells young Blade how to know what he hunts, how without a soul, they cast no reflection. He soon looks in a mirror and sees he lacks one himself, first fully realizing the strange details of his birth. 

Continuity notes: Blade knows Spider-Man's secret identity of Peter Parker (and the fact he's got a wife), placing this during the events in Civil War. Spidey's costume is his classic red and blue, capable of being torn like cloth up near his mouth section. Apparently "US Weekly" did a piece on him detailing his radioactive blood, as well. 

None of the other Howling Commandos appear, just Clay and generic background agents. I assume this is post the recent Howling Commandos series. 

Goofs: Deacon Frost is shown to have black hair and a van dyke goatee in the flashback, a huge contradiction to all previous stories, where he's shown and said to be a slicked-back white haired and full bearded man. That white hair and beard is all Blade had to go on for years! Thankfully, it's the only error in it, and nothing really impossible to ignore. 

Blade figures SHIELD should help Spidey with fixing his broken kneecaps, yet since he's a vampire at the time, his wounds should heal themselves naturally (or at least enough until he returns to normal). 

Dracula doesn't melt down into a skeleton when staked. Not that such a thing is always a certainty, it's just with what I've been reading, most of his deaths, no matter how temporary, are accompanied by that. 

Lucas Cross is whiter than rice on a paper plate during a snowstorm, yet we're supposed to believe he's Blade's father. Maybe Spider-Man: The Animated Series Blade could pass as being biracial, but the real one? 


Calendar notes: The grass outside of PS 1013 seems rather dead, but the trees aren't especially bare (though they may be starting to shed). The trees outside the White House look downright overly full, perhaps TOO much for said location (maybe Plantman has a job doing lawns for the government now?) 

Pages 1-6: Blade vs Spidey, then Dracula, then the schoolkid vamps. All at night, of course. 
Pages 7-8: FB. Night of Blade's birth. 
Pages 9-10: SHIELD cleans up, Blade talks with Clay, spots Dracula being taken away by vamp troops. Still night. 
Page 11: FB. Night during Blade's youth. Lady Vanity draws blood and discusses telling the boy, now her adoptive son, the truth. 
Pages 12-15, 18, 20, 21: Daytime. Blade's aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier Pericles V. Fights vampire troops. Dracula is being worked on per Lucas Cross's BTS orders. 
Pages 16-17: FB. Night, Blade's youth again. He and Lady Vanity return from a library and watch as Jamal Afari fights off a pair of vamps. Have I noted the style of clothing places these FB dates during the early 20th century? 
Page 19: FB. Night, at Jamal's house. He tells Blade the first key to spotting a vamp is their lack of reflection. Panels 2 and 3 are repeated from page 10, Blade noticing the troopers, and his own, lack of reflection. The final two panels have Blade, back in his youth, likely the same night as Jamal's comments, recalling the comments and looking in a mirror at Lady Vanity's and finding no reflection of himself. 
Page 22: Night. White House dinner, Lucas Cross is informed of the Pericles V crash and the disappearance of Dracula, with Blade's, his son, involvement. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE VOL 3 #2 [December 2006] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"Bargains in Time" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in both FBs) 
DOCTOR DOOM/VICTOR VON DOOM (also BTS in first FB and present in 2nd FB) 
CROSS, LUCAS (second half of the issue takes place prior to his first appearance) 
VON DOOM, CYNTHIA (also in FB) 

Other characters: 
Lucas Cross's unnamed aide 
A whole bunch of Doombots 
Baron Mangegi de Sabbot (BTS, responsible for Cynthia's imprisonment) 


Summary: At the NSA headquarters, Lucas Cross is given a recently decrypted prophecy, "A father in chains, freed by a son not yet birthed, will unlock Vlad's remains upon the salted Earth." His Aide thinks it decoded wrong, but Lucas knows for a fact it's correct. Meanwhile, in Latveria, Dr Doom tells Blade about how he saw an event unfold while he was aware of his surroundings from the moment of his inception. He once saw, through her eyes, Blade fighting a castle full of vampires beside his mother, Cynthia Von Doom. He even has the same fresh cut on his face he has now, and the same clothes! Blade denies ever being to be Latveria before. He then recalls a day before, killing several vampire clowns in a circus in Madison Square Garden. He got the cut on his face from one of them. A Doombot was spying, awaiting the face cut, and soon afterwards, the robot, along with several of his fellow Doombots, surrounded the vampire-hunter, forcing him into coming with them to Latveria. Blade fights them off, using their capes in the battle, strangling the bots while kicking them down. Soon, he boarded a flight from JFK to Latveria, headed to Castle Doom, and made his way through the robot sentries (too easily) before coming face to mask with Dr Doom. Of course, Blade has enough vampire in him to allow Doom to freeze him in the simplest of holding spells. He explains the awareness he had in the womb, as the flashback remerges with the present, Blade not buying the suggestion he's going to time travel to save Doom's mother from vamps. Dr Doom gives him no choice (since the events already happened anyway), opening up his time portal around the Daywalker's frozen body, but promising he'll use his alchemy to devise a potion which will relieve him of his need of human blood. Upon arriving in the past, Blade overcomes the nausea and blurred vision from the time travel to start fighting the vampires filling Castle Doom. He makes his way into the dungeon, and asks a prisoner, a bald man, where Cynthia Von Doom is. The man (let's drop the pretenses, it's Lucas Cross) is being held for "political protest", and convinces Blade to free him and he'll show him where she is. They head through to the tower, and find her already taking out some vampires on her own using magic. She knows all about him, since no gypsy worth her salt can't foretell her own future. Cynthia also knows he wants to kill Doom as a baby now that he has the chance, and she makes a deal with him: either they both get out, or neither does. He reluctantly agrees and joins her in fighting them vampires off. Soon, Cynthia warns Blade that the man he let go, Lucas Cross, was changed by his time in prison, and he will come to regret letting him go. Upon returning to the present, Doom offers Blade the elixir he promised him, but should he use it, his vampiric curse will not only depart, but so too his will to hunt them down. Given the choice, Blade merely keeps the bottle of green fluid with him as he returns to New York, not prepared to decide one way or another. 


Flashback: 1) Blade fighting against vamps side by side with Cynthia Von Doom, while Dr Doom is BTS inside her womb, aware of what's going on. This takes place within the story as we see it unfold via time travel, see the details of the placement below. 2) Blade recalls the events leading him to coming to Latveria. Fighting vampire clowns 22 hours earlier in Madison Square Garden, getting a cut on his face, which a Doombot watches, then fighting Doombats, flying to Latveria, and encountering Doom in person in his castle. Again, see details of the placement below. 

Notes: The letter page has the writer doing "director's commentary" on the story, including dialogue for a deleted scene at the airport, where Blade's water guns nearly cause a terrorism scare. 

Calendar notes: Every exterior scene is at night (except the final page). Fully verdant trees around Doom's castle. 

Page 1: Lucas Cross and his aide go over the prophecy at NSA HQ. 
Pages 2-3: Blade vs vampires in Latveria years ago, as Cynthia Von Doom watches, and not-yet-born Victor watching through her eyes. Narration by Blade and Doom is identical to page 12, panel 1, final balloon, and panel 2 single balloon. The remaining captions are original, taking place between panels 2 and 3 of page 12. The visual FB stuff seems to be simultanious to page 18, panels 3-5, though there is no exact correlation between the two, it has to be before page 19, since Blade is back to back with her from then on for the fight. 
Page 4: Doom sits on his throne as Blade is frozen before him. Continues with the stuff taking place between page 12 panels 2 and 3, with the final comment repeating what Doom says in panel 3 of page 12. 
Pages 5-9: FB, "22 Hours earlier". Blade kills vampire clowns in Madison Square Garden. Then confronts Doombots sent to bring him to their master once he got a certain cut on his cheek. 
Pages 10-12: Blade flies from New York to Latveria, and makes his way into Castle Doom, confronting the Doctor himself. The FB comes to a close with panel 3 of page 12, as things visually synch up. 
Page 13: Doom sends Blade back in time. 
Pages 14-20: Blade, in the castle in Latveria, many years ago (Dr Doom is BTS in all shots of Cynthia Von Doom, as he's within the womb, yet somehow aware of everything). He fights vampires, frees Lucas Cross from a cell, and joins Cynthia in fighting. Then Lucas Cross is allowed to depart, which Cynthia promises he will regret. 
Page 21: Blade returns to the present, and Dr Doom gives him an elixir which would not only remove his bloodlust, but his desire to hunt down his own kind, as well. 
Page 22: Daytime. Blade returns to JFK airport in Queens, saying he has nothing to declare, though bringing back the elixir. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE VOL 3 #3 [January 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"The Accused" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
AFARI, JAMAL (FB only) 
VANITY, LADY/MADAME (FB only) 

Other characters: 
Rene Kimbrell (vampire. Dies... err, staked) 
John Boyd (bum, eyewitness to staking) 
NYPD Swat members 
Two detectives (one named Ed) 
Lisa Santos (public defender) 


Summary: Blade takes a date he met on the internet to Anatasia's Cafe in Manhattan. She's overly anxious to learn the details of his life, he claims he's in pest control. Soon, they're in an alleyway making out, when she fangs-out and tries to bite him. He informs her he was prepared, is immune to bites, and proceeds to stake her. A homeless man watches this occur in horror, leaving no trace of the woman behind. Blade drops his stake and departs. Later, at the meatpacking district warehouse he currently lives in, Blade's sleep is interrupted by a swarm of heavy-armed SWAT team members. He's placed under arrest for the murder of Rene Kimbrell, his date from earlier. The cops confiscate his arsenal, and are especially weirded out by his freeze full of blood packs. Soon at the precinct, a pair of detectives go through the usual belittling of the crook they know for certain is a psycho, when he swipes the key, slips off the cuffs, and makes a break for it. Unfortunately, one of the cops gets a gun to his head, point blank, ending the escape. Shortly, the detectives show him the evidence they have against him, namely the stake with his dna on it, and an eyewitness. The lack of a body doesn't concern them, and when Blade tells them the truth about her being a vampire, they think he's being a smartass. His public defender, Lisa Santos, drops in to talk with her client. She mentions the lack of a body is good, but one will pop up, and when Blade mentions this one won't, she thinks he's a coldhearted sonofa, and he hasn't the patience to explain why. She mentions the homeless man is the eyewitness, which brings back Jamal Afari's training, to obsess the details. Blade recalls seeing an ATM machine directly behind the homeless guy. He tells his attorney about it, and to get the tape. She does so, and what does it show? That nobody went into the alley. Neither Blade nor Rene appeared on the videotape! This contradicts the witness, so the murder rap is thrown out... but Blade's prints matched those of other crime scenes across the country. Robberies, of course, in which the homeowners also disappeared right afterwards. This makes him a Federal case, he's shipped to Ryker's, and on the way there, he fangs-out, scaring a fellow inmate into getting the guard's attention, also scaring him, and allowing him to beat up the cops and escape. As Blade once fled the scene of a crime, so now does he once more have to drop everything and flee. 


Flashbacks: 1) Blade's Youth in Soho, England. He's taught a lesson in spotting real gold from a variety of items. Why? Because hunting vampires is time consuming, and to afford the tools for his crusade, he'll have to know what real items of worth to steal from his vampiric foes. 2) Blade's youth, continued. Can't be more than maybe in his pre-teens at best. On a dark night, he spots a woman telling a man to get away from her, saying he's a monster. Blade uses his training to face the man, and once he lunges at the boy, growling like a beast, he gets staked. The woman cries out in horror over the boy murdering her husband, his fangless body lying there on the ground, the stunned Blade equally agape. 3) Another night near the previous segment (long enough for the dead husband to pass through the corner's office), Blade learns from Jamal Afari that the man he staked had porphyria, a blood disease, which would explain why he appeared to look like a vampire. The wife described Blade to the police, and when the boy wants to turn himself to pay for his crimes, since he failed to make use of Jamal's first lesson on how to spot vamps, his teacher refuses to let him do it, claiming he's learned another lesson, prison won't help him learn anything but how to lose years, and the world needs him as a vamp hunter. 4) Likely the same night as the previous segment, young Blade is told by Lady Vanity of his father, who was a dear friend of her's, being sent to prison in Latveria for a crime he didn't commit. She doesn't want to see the same thing happen to him, and tells the boy to run far away and fast. He asks if he'll ever see her again, and she's afraid she doesn't know. Afari and an unnamed prostitute (a common motif in these FBs, it seems) also appear. These four segments are probably all to be considered one large FB, given the way it's structured. 

Continuity notes: Blade saved his goatee he's been sporting the first two issues down to a simple mustache between stories. 

Goofs: Rene Kimbrell turns to ashes, which burn to near nothingness, upon being staked. This is the first time a vampire has such a reaction in the series (though I suppose the vamp kids in issue 1 sort of count off-screen, and last issue Cynthia Von Doom used magic to melt her's away). When did this fundamental change to the physics of the Marvel Universe's laws of vampirism first occur, anyway? I'm sure it's not exclusive to this series. 

Odd that Blade is taught to pay attention to details, yet fails to make to recall Vanity's comments about his father in Latveria when he visited there last issue! 

Calendar notes: It doesn't appear to be especially cold out or anything. Rene has a sleeveless dress on with no jacket, but she's a vampire, so that doesn't help. Fully green trees visible on the highway heading to Harlem River Dr, North. Main story takes place over the course of two nights, separated by at least a day, most likely more. 

Pages 1-5: Night. Blade and Rene Kimbrell have a dinner, having met off of SoulMateSearch.com. Soon in the alley, they make out, she tries to bite him, he stakes her, which John Boyd, vagrant at large, witnesses. 
Page 6: FB. Young Blade is taught how to spot real gold from fake by Jamal Afari, who explains this will aid him in funding his vampire hunting missions. 
Pages 7-13: Another night. The police raid the residence of Eric Brooks, capturing Blade, and arresting him for the murder of Rene Kimbrell. He's brought to a precinct, and nearly escapes. He's shown the evidence against him, the stake he left behind. The truth doesn't work with the two detectives, and his attorney soon arrives. 
Pages 14-15: FB. Night. Young Blade goes on what seems to be his first vampire hunt, or one of the earliest. He stakes a man he mistakens for a vampire, in front of his wife. 
Pages 16-17: Talking with Lisa Santos, Blade's well-trained memory recalls seeing an ATM in view of the alleyway he was at earlier. 
Page 18: FB, a different night from the last segment. Jamal Afari explains to Blade why the guy seemed to be a vampire, and urges him to ignore his desire to turn himself in and to leave town lest the world lack a vampire hunter. 
Pages 19-20: Lisa shows the detectives the ATM video footage, proving the eyewitness to be wrong, due to the vampire pair's lack of reflection. But Blade's fingerprints have turned up connections to other crime scenes, all robberies which involved people vanishing afterwards. 
Pages 21-23: Probably the same night, Blade is cuffed in a van heading to Ryker's prison. He fangs out, scaring a fellow passenger and taking the guards by surprise. He flees on foot into the night. 
Page 23: Intercut with his escape, we see a FB to what is likely the same night as the previous FB, with Lady Vanity telling Blade about how his father ended up in prison wrongly, and she won't let him go as well, urging him to run, unsure if she'll see him again. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE VOL 3 #4 [February 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"Morton's Fork" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
CROSS, LUCAS 
VANITY, LADY/MADAME (BTS in FB only) 
ANIMUS III 
GLORY (FB only) 
HECTOR III (FB only) 

Other characters: 
Cutter, Cyrus (FB only. Leader of the Bloodshadows. Dies) 
Lucas Cross' aide 
a store Santa Claus (man named Dan. Dies) 


Summary: At his Washington DC office, Lucas Cross reads of the full prophecy, which involves both he and his son, the vampire-hunter called Blade. The whole thing goes, "A father in chains, freed by a son not yet birthed, will unlock Vlad's remains, upon the salted Earth. After his vampire urge is sated, upon drinking of virgin essence, his resistance now abated, upon learning of Father's presence. Returning essence lost, from those undead in graves, at immortal living's cost, to the man known as Blade." Anyway, Blade's been on the run from the law the past month, having been heading west when he decided to spend a little time dawdling in Bethlehem, PA. The niceness of the people just appealed to him. He's shopping at a mall during the Christmas season, going by the name of "Bill", when he notices a tv ad for "America's Most Notorious", saying they're going to be covering him that week. He plans on moving on, but suddenly his supernatural senses kick in, detecting something odd about the mall Santa Claus nearby. He confronts the jolly fellow named Dan, and discovers he's being possessed by Animus, a level 9 soul-jumping demon he'd heard about. Animus tries to soul-jump into Blade, but he lacks a soul to jump onto. So the demon hops on over to the girl who'd been on Santa's lap prior! He uses her body to beat down the Dhampir, until her knuckles bleed, then switches into the body of the security guard nearby, ridding the nuisence of him by committing suicide and jumping at the split second before the bullet can go through his head. Animus is back in Santa Dan's body, and beating down on Blade as he holds himself back. When Dan's wife shows up, Blade fights back enough to warn the woman to leave. She does, but another shopper who came with her gets jumped into, and the vampire-hunter is forced to watch as the demon gouges the man's eyes out, then leaps back into Santa. To stop Animus, he'll have to kill Dan, figuring this a damned-if-you-do situation, which he calls Morton's fork. Continuing to take a beating, Blade surprises Animus when he notes the shoppers are all gone, and proceeds to shoot Santa in the face. With sirens approaching, Blade apologizes to Dan for having no other choice but to kill him to kill the demon, and departs the three-corpse scene, uttering, "Merry Christmas, my ass." 


Flashbacks: 1) Many years ago, in New York City, Young Blade, fresh off the boat from London, and as per Lady Vanity's arrangements, visits a bar where he's given entrance by mentioning one of the rules of the Order of Tyrana. He seeks sanctuary there, meeting Cyrus Cutter, leader of the Bloodshadows and all around big-shot, as well as his girl Glory. 2) A "few months" pass, around Christmas, Blade has grown fond of Glory, and continually annoyed with Cyrus, who often beats her. He tries to convince her to leave him, but his resources through the Order mean there's no where for her to hide. 3) A short time after the last one, in the bar, Blade has a duel with Cyrus over the honor of Glory, essentially. It ends with Blade staking him in the chest, thus becoming the new leader of the Bloodshadows. 4) Shortly, Blade is a bit stunned by killing a non-vampire on purpose. Glory assures him Cyrus would have killed him and her if he'd been allowed to live. She also calls the situation Morton's fork, where of the two only options, both suck. 

Continuity notes: Luke Cage is to be featured on this week's "America's Most Notorious", a brief shot of him in a suit and tie is shown, with the claim "what drove him to defy the law of the land?" 

There's nothing pointing to this Animus being either of the two previous ones (neither were body-hopping demon spirits with no body), so I've listed him as a third one. 

There's an acknowledgement of the work of Ian Edington and Nick Napolitano, the creative team who worked on Glory's first appearance in "Blade the Vampire-Hunter" #6. 

Goofs: Glory's shown to be a 1930s era woman, yet she uses the term "suck" in a manner to describe something bad. Kind of advanced, isn't she? 

The little girl seems to vanish between panels, shown lying on the ground unconscious one minute, then nowhere to be seen the next. 

Calendar notes: Blade's been on the move for "about the past month". Snow is falling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but all the trees are lush and full in Washington, DC. It's the Christmas shopping season, but not Christmas itself yet, at least. 

Pages 1-2: Washington DC. Daytime. Lucas Cross is given the full prophecy translation by his aide. 
Pages 3-7, 10, 12-14, 17-18, 20-21: Bethelhem, PA. Snowy. Blade is at the mall, shopping at daytime. Didn't I just cover this? Well, it all takes place over the course of maybe an hour or two at most. 
Pages 8-9: FB, daytime many, many years back. Blade seeks out Cyrus Cutter in New York City. 
Pages 10-11: FB, "a few months" later, just on or after Christmas, it's snowing, Blade and Glory walk together, talking about the abusive Cyrus. 
Pages 15-16: FB, probably not long after, Blade fights with and kills Cyrus. 
Page 19: FB, likely that same night, Blade is remorseful, with Glory trying to rationalize the situation to him. 


------------------------------------ 

Next time, Wolverine and Morbius in a Civil War crossover! In the meantime, here's Marc Guggenheim's personally organized look at Blade's backstory, from issue 4's letter page (though a few small errors are there, it's nice to see a Marvel writer actually doing research into a character's past and ADMITTING to it!): 

http://idisk.mac.com/mguggenheim-Public?view=web

Last edited by JLH on 15 Mar 2007 11:16 pm, edited 2 times in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 06:16 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 

NIGHTSTALKERS #16 [February 1994] 
Writer: Frank Lovece 
Penciler: Bill Wylie 
Inker: Frank Turner 
"Strange Tales" 

Cast: 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" 
DOCTOR STRANGE II/DR. STEPHEN STRANGE 
MCKENNA-DRAKE, MARLENE 
BELIAL, GREGORY (listed in MCP as "BELIAL") 
BLOODSTORM 
DOMINI 
DRACULA, JANUS (BTS. Gets kidnapped offscreen, sending Domini seeking the team) 
VARNAE (BTS. Not only had Taj kidnap Janus, but gave Bloodstorm mental command) 
NITAL, TAJ (BTS. Revealed to have had kidnapped Janus in NS 17) 

Other characters: 
Gary Hertz (guy Hannibal King once helped in high school) 
Early model Dreadnought robot 
Multiple Hydra agents (most all die) 


Summary: A normal night in the Boston business known as Borderline Investigative Services is shattered by the sudden assault from a robot called a Dreadnought. Hannibal, Frank, and Blade, used to battling the supernatural, have a tougher time with someone made of pure technology. They quickly discover it's not after any of them, but merely Frank's Exorcist gun. The Dreadnought succeeds, and in doing so, the building is set on fire. As such Hannibal's house is gone, and with it, Borderline's files, weapons, and their office itself. After recovering, Frank manages to discover the robot was sent by their old foes, Hydra, and while his partners are seeing the loss of the business as a sign they should quit, he lambasts them and charges off after the Exorcist before Hydra can reverse-engineer it. 

Elsewhere, Lt. Belial, head of Hydra's Department of Occult Armaments, prepares to unleash his vampire stormtrooper cloned from Dracula's DNA. The Dreadnought holds the Exorcist nearby, in case the Drac clone gets out of hand. Unbeknowst to anyone there, Dr Strange is in his astral form, scouring their lair for some of his missing talismans so his "allies" can pick them up later. He notices Frank's gun, and when he investigates further, the Dreadnought detects his presence. Strange escapes the firing of the Exorcist, but manages to learn enough of their project. 

Hannibal drowns his sorrows in booze at a hotel bar, where someone he helped out in high school spots him and reminds him that he was always a decent guy. At home, Frank is repeatedly urged by his wife Marlene to give up his supernatural tendancies and to have a baby with her. He's about ready to give up and have a normal life again, when Dr Strange's astral form pops in. He warns Frank of Hydra's intentions, and needs his help in recovering items they have which can be used to curb the growing vampire menace. Before he can even make a decision, Marlene realizes it'll never end, and announces that their relationship is through. 

Soon, the three Nightstalkers are reunited reluctantly at Blade's home. Dr Strange has a tough time getting them to reconsider quitting, until he informs them of the Dracula clone. Their old foe's name strikes a chord in the team, though Blade figures he should get his pals the Avengers, Hulk, or Silver Surfer to take care of him instead. But as Stephen notes, they're the three best vampire hunters in the world, and should a superhuman face him and get bit, the consequences would be enormous. Time's running out, as Dr Strange has other things going on as well which require his attention. So now he must tell them the truth of how they came to be gathered together as Nightstalkers. 

Back at the Hydra DOA base, the Dracula clone is released from his tank, thus being "born". Immediately, he destroyes the Dreadnought, and proceeds to kill Lt. Belial. Next he'll take out the rest, as per the hypnotic order given to him mentally by his new lord, Varnae! And once again at Blade's apartment, a woman we've seen trying to find the Nightstalkers throughout the issue finally reaches the team. She's Domini, the last wife of Dracula, and their son, Janus, has been kidnapped by the forces of the occult. And she needs their help! 


Continuity notes: Dr Strange mentions looking for missing talismans of his, and his "allies" will pick them up, and also talks of his being still not used to his "diminution" of powers. 

He mentions being "too busy" with someone the day prior, and during the story, a mystical-mental alarm of his goes off to alert him of some mystical emanations he'd been tracking. 

Strange also confirms without a doubt that the Montesi Formula has been fully broken now. 


------------------------------------ 

NIGHTSTALKERS #17 [March 1994] 
Writer: Frank Lovece 
Penciler: Ed Murr 
Inker: Frank Turner 
"The Bride of Dracula!" 

Cast: 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" 
DOCTOR STRANGE II/DR. STEPHEN STRANGE 
BELIAL, GREGORY (as a corpse) 
BLOODSTORM 
DOMINI 
SALOME 
NITAL, TAJ 
VARNAE (BTS. Guides Bloodstorm, and is sought out by Salome) 

Other characters: 
Dreadnought robot (inactive) 
More Hydra agents (all die) 


Summary: Domini, bride of Dracula, doesn't get a warm welcome at Blade's place, as Hannibal proceeds to freak out and try to kill her. His teammates quell his rage, but she has a tough time pleading her case, begging them to help save her son, Janus, kidnapped by someone aware of his being the child of Dracula. Dr Strange keeps urging them to recover some artifacts of his and the Exorcist gun, eventually winning the Nightstalkers' attention by finally admitting he manipulated them into becoming the current team. 

Elsewhere, Salome, current holder of the rank of Sorcerer Supreme, is aware of the increase of vampiric activity. She plans to meet with Varnae, former Lord of the Vampires, hoping his enthralled army could be used to help gather the negative energy she requires. Either they work together, or she destroys him. Back at Hydra DOA base, Bloodstorm makes use of Belial's corpse against troopers who try to take him down. The clone of Dracula then grabs the Exorcist gun from the Dreadnought, uses it against his foes, and takes off into the night on a hover vehicle, following the mental guidance of Varnae. Back at Blade's, Dr Strange tells the Nightstalkers how he gave Frank the vision at the aquarium, released Blade from the nuthouse, and posed as Hannibal's doctor. It was all to bring them together, and now they're needed to combat the return of one of the Lord of Vampires. They're bitter, noting how they've failed against Drac, let alone someone else who held the title. Frank's mad because his wife's left him because of this, Blade equates Strange with a plantation owner. The astral-form doctor notes how he's taken on greater responsibilities for longer than they have, and they're at war, meaning they'd better accept sacrifices to their responsilities as unique individuals. Needless to say, once they cool down, the team agrees to do this last thing for Strange before they disband. But once it's over, Frank wants the Doc to take the Exorcist and give it someone else. Domini cuts into their conversation, since time is precious in the kidnapping of a child. Frank suggests she get the FBI involved, since they don't know for sure it's the occult. Blade, a sucker for Moms, decides to help her himself, solo. 

Salome drops by the Hydra DOA base, seeking out Varnae, and tracks him via Bloodstorm's emanation trail. Dr Strange also drops in, and barely manages to cloak his astral form from her in time, and is relieved she didn't spot his mystic artifacts, but is concerned by what she wants with Varnae. The Doc heads back to Blade's, informs the remaining two that the Exorcist is missing from the base (or lab, have I been saying base? It's a lab, sorry). Instead of merely storming Hydra's place, Strange has to track Bloodstorm to Varnae's location. Frank takes time out to check out an old photo album, which includes a pic of Quincy Harker, Rachel Van Helsing, and Taj Nitall. He laments the fact they're dead or in Taj's case, vanished, despite their being the best, and yet, the vampires are all still around. Elsewhere, Blade heads down to Coney Island, the place where Janus was abducted. He interrogates a few patrons at a bar, and though he's unused to dealing with normal people, finally gets the truth out of one of them. They were hired to kidnap Janus by an Indian man, who is supposed to be taking the boy out of the country that night. Blade brings the crook by knifepoint and they drive onto the tarmac at Kennedy Airport, stopping the New Delhi plane by force when the dope tries to lose Blade and ends up crashing into it! Blade gets aboard the plane during the commotion as it's being evacuated, and finds the guy the crook claimed hired him. It's a familiar face, his old vampire-hunting pal, Taj Nitall! Confused by why he kidnapped Janus, but assured it's for a good reason, he brings the tall Hindu along with him as they depart the burning plane... Blade unaware Taj is a vampire himself now. 

Continuity notes: Lt. Belial's first name is revealed to be Gregory. 

Janus is said to be "five years old" now. 

Salome is the current Sorcerer Supreme at this point, and still early on at it. 

Goofs: The Exorcist was shown popping out of Dreadnought's hand last issue. Yet, it's back in his clutches as he lies on the floor where he was taken down. 

------------------------------------ 

NIGHTSTALKERS #18 [April 1994] 
Writer: Frank Lovece 
Penciler: Doug Wheatley 
Inker: Frank Turner 
"All the Threads, Unraveled" 

Cast: 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" (merges with Hannibal and Bloodstorm off-screen) 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (merges with Bloodstorm and Frank off-screen) 
DOCTOR STRANGE II/DR. STEPHEN STRANGE 
MCKENNA-DRAKE, MARLENE (BTS. Attended funeral) 
SALOME 
BLOODSTORM (merges with Frank and Hannibal off-screen) 
DOMINI 
DRACULA, JANUS (BTS. Varnae confirms he has him hostage.) 
VARNAE (dies, but will get better) 
NITAL, TAJ (dies) 

Other characters: 
LaFountaine, Georgianna (BTS. Hannibal's pal from issues 6 & 11. Attended funeral) 


Summary: So, Blade manages to get off the parked plane before it goes up in smoke, but finds out the hard way his old friend Taj is a vampire when the mute Hindu tries to bite him! He fights him off, urging for his humanity to resurface and overcome what he's become. It doesn't work, and things get especially messy when some police try to stop the quarreling pair. Realizing Taj knows he's immune to vamp bites yet still tried to bite him means he must be under someone's control, Blade plays possum, letting Taj take his "unconscious" body as he changes form and takes to the skies. A few hours and states later, they reach the lair of Varnae (I should mention, until now we were supposed to be in the dark as to which former Lord of the Vampires was behind the scenes, a way of implying maybe it's Dracula). He mentions not only his ability to shapeshift, but that he's gathering an army to take on and permanently destroy his rival, Dracula. Bloodstorm, clone of said vampire, seeks out the Nightstalkers for Varnae, while Salome mystically tracks him in an effort to find his master. Of course, Hannibal and Frank are using a spell Dr Strange cast for them to seek out Bloodstorm. As they do so, they discuss their plans once this is over, King planning on visiting family out West, and Frank choosing to keep with everything since he keeps reminding himself they do good. Meanwhile, Domini hangs around Blade's place, missing her son Janus, and comparing Blade's plight with her own, both of them regular people burned by vampires. 

Meanwhile, Blade continues laying around, listening as Varnae boasts how he plans to take down Dracula using his kidnapped son, his clone, and Taj. He makes a break for it once he learns enough, but Taj stops him. Varnae laughs at Blade's claims that Dracula is dead, and suddenly, Salome appears, having followed Bloodstorm there. Without hesitation, Varnae rejects her offer, so she summons Hannibal and Frank, letting the two sides finish each other off. Frank's stunned by seeing Taj as a vamp, and the distraction by Salome caused Varnae's hold over Bloodstorm to slip. He loses control of the Exorcist gun, reuniting it with Frank. Varnae forces Taj to kill Blade, but the Vampire-Hunter is able to reach his humanity by bringing up his son, Adri. This brings pause to the mesmerized and vampirized mute Hindu long enough for Blade to stab him with one of his special silver blades, killing Taj for good. Frank uses the Exorcist on Varnae, and is doing well in destroying him, until he uses his ability to take over vampires to turn Hannibal on him! Frank has Blade run some cables to their car's battery to restore it to full power. Hannibal fights the control over himself long enough to impale himself on a stake, telling his teammates he loved them before he dies. With Bloodstorm stirring, Frank decides to end everything once and for all, and sets the Exorcist on overload, telling Blade to get out of there while he does good once more. Blade reluctantly flees, as Frank leaps at Varnae, and the entire building massively explodes. Moments later, Blade returns, searching the ruins for his teammates. He screams that they can't be dead, as they've survived so much worse in the past. 

A few days later, Blade and Domini depart the funeral services for Frank and Hannibal. He mentions all that was found was a burnt body that collapsed to dust when touched, and Frank's hand, still wrapped around the trigger of the Exorcist. He was happy that Marlene and Georgianna came to the services, but scoffs at the lack of Dr Strange. Blade continues, noting they took out Varnae and helped with the Lilin, but with Janus still missing and Dracula possibly alive again, it seems like things are just beginning. Unbeknowst to Blade, Strange is indeed there, in astral form. He knows he did right to assemble the Nightstalkers, and will always condemn himself for having part in their sacrifices. He promises their memory shall live on. 

Continuity notes: The Janus kidnapping is still unresolved, after all these years. 

Domini reads the book "Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Films of Dario Argento", which was in Blade's library. Just thought I'd mention that for the heck of it. 

Goofs: Blade mentions they must have missed Bloodstorm's heart when they staked him, yet we never saw him get staked to begin with! 

------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 02 Jan 2007 06:54 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

>>>
Manhattan's PS 1013, 
<<<

Is this supposed to be the school at which Peter Parker teaches (taught)? That school's been referred to as PS 108 in other titles.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 03 Jan 2007 12:16 am 
By JLH

There's no real concrete indication. From the looks of the kids? They appear to be elementary schoolers, not high schoolers as Peter teaches.

			*	*	*

Posted: 05 Jan 2007 03:47 am 
By JLH

Plugging a hole in the gap with a bloody stake! 
------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #1 [July 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inker: Chris Ivy 
"Dark Visions" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" (BTS, part of Dracula II) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (BTS, part of Dracula II) 
DRACULA II (formerly known as BLOODSTORM, now merged with Frank and Hannibal) 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK (first appearance. Psychic-vision seeing psycho-ward escapee and Blade's semi-sidekick) 
SUAREZ, JULIA (first appearance. Blade's landlady) 
THORNE, AARON (first appearance. Villain heading up Varnae's Bad Seed program) 
MISTER ANGEL (first appearance. Thorne's bodyguard/assistant/thrall) 

Other characters: 
Tara Algren (reporter) 
Frank (orderly in the Nyman clinic) 
Doctor Goodleigh (psych evaluator for Bible John) 
Isen (worker at the Aceldama plant) 
Bethany Flynn (pal of Tara who made her investigate the Nightstalker case. BTS) 


Summary: At Nyman Psychiatric Clinic, the man known as Bible John experiences psychic visions, as he often does. Those of late have involved Blade, the Vampire-Hunter, knowing their future paths are bound together. He sees Blade's most recent torment, the loss of his partners, Hannibal King and Frank Drake against Varnae. Suddenly, the visions switch to a dark view of New York being controlled and the people destroyed by the revived and more-powerful-than-ever Dracula. With these visions in mind, Bible John escapes from his padded cell and escapes to stop this future. Over in New York City, Blade, now using the name "Hannibal Francis 'Frank' Blade", has just moved in to a new apartment in a new town. His landlord, Julia Suarez, gives him a meal, and mentions how her ex-husband gave her the building in the settlement, with Blade helping to renovate it in exchange for a place to live. He's trying to live the normal life, and packs his swords and assorted weapons away. When a journalist named Tara Algren tries to contact him concerning the Nightstalkers, he's quick to warn Julia to never take any calls from her. 

Meanwhile, in an office within a skyscraper, we meet Aaron Thorne, ex-yuppie turned vampire, leader of Varnae's secret clan known as the Bad Seed. With his fellow Varnae followers currently attempting to resurrect the former Lord of Vampires, he's trying to think ahead, and thanks to a computer program called Necrotech, he's got it on good authority Dracula's return is imminent. To circumvent that, he's engineered a highly addictive drug called Aceldama, or 'Ace', which will make everyone in the US into a junkie serving only Varnae, giving Dracula no warm souls to feast upon. The next day, Bible John, having tracked down Blade already the night before, makes his knowledge of his occult assassin status known on the street. Blade snaps at him, and stresses he's retired, since everyone else in his "business" paid with their life. Bible John backs off, but gives him a "house warming" present in the form of a Witch Compass, a millennia-old product of a Chinese psychic, drawn to negative energy, formerly owned by the Cathari. Soon noticing the needle on it shifting, Blade, also considering the fact John knew of the story of his birth, begins to rethink his believing the man to be a nutjob, and is unable to turn his back any longer. He suits back up in his leather and swords, hops on his motorcycle, and follows the Witch Compass, returning to his old ways. Blade ends up in the shadowside, the dumpy part of town, and while contemplating how humanity does bad enough to itself without needing supernatural influence, he discovers what the compass' was leading him to: a building where hundreds of people are hooked up to devices! Turns out, it's the plant where Aceldama is being harvested from the blood products of people turned thralls by Aaron Thorne, and by proxy Varnae. Thorne and his assistant, Mr Angel, inspect the production, with the intent of making the Vampire States of America, when Blade busts through the skylight. The scientists and thralls are warned not to fire upon him, lest they hit one of the ethanol tanks. Not to mention, Thorne wants to kill him personally. They fight, the vampire having the upperhand, getting in taunts over his has-been status, his teammates' waste of death, and Varnae's eventual return. His rage is screwing him up, and once he recalls Julia's comments about not letting grief eat you up, he gets back in the game, cutting Thorne's throat, returning the taunts, and stabbing him in the chest with a knife. Blade escapes from the building just as the others being firing, hitting the tanks and blowing up the entire complex, finishing the Aceldana plant. With knowledge of the Bad Seed, of others with high organization and wealth, Blade has a new war to wage, one with a new purpose: so he can have a normal life at last. Unbeknowst to Blade, Thorne's survived, as well as his pal, Mr Angel, both aching for revenge. 

Meanwhile, journalist Tara Algren scours the ruins of the place where Frank Drake, Hannibal King, Varnae, Bloodstorm, and Taj Nitall were caught in a massive occult-weapon-induced explosion that seemingly killed them all. Since Blade won't talk to her, she hopes to find evidence on what happened to the remaining Nightstalkers. She finds a Hiroshima-like shadow fuse of what looks to be at least two people merging into one. Since no bodies were found, she puts two and two together, and realizes this means a certain someone might be returning (how she figures this from a wall shadow of two people she doesn't even know to be even related to Drac, I have no idea). And despite figuring this out, she's taken by surprise when Dracula appears from the shadows, proclaiming he lives again, and wearing barely nothing! 


Continuity notes: Blade shows up in the photograph he carries of Frank, himself, and Hannibal, but Hannibal doesn't. Currently, Marvel's view of Blade is he never cast a reflection and can't be photographed. 

Blade mentions "what's left of Strange's doorstep", putting this at least prior to Dr Strange vol 3 #80 (though given when this came out, it's pretty obvious). 

This issue pinpoints where Varnae's liar in Nightstalkers 17 & 18 was: Rhode Island. 

The situation of "Dracula II" is a tricky one. The recent Marvel Handbooks confirm what was laid out throughout this series, explained in issue 10's letter page, and believed by many fans for years: that the Dracula featured in this run is a combination of Frank Drake, Hannibal King, and Drac's clone, Bloodstorm. I'll bring up the clues as they're laid out in the run. This issue's? Tara finds a shadow melt etched into the walls of the ruins of Varnae's lair showing two people, at least, getting merged into one. And, of course, Drac "returning" at the site of this explosion is a pretty big plotpoint, also. 

The way I see it from reading these issues, the body is made up of Hannibal and Frank merged into one. The vampire and the Dracula bloodline. The mind and much of the major power seems to be from Bloodstorm, whose "cloned from Drac early on or even before Tomb of Dracula" status would account for lapses in memory. As such, I see the Bloodstorm entry as "becoming" this new Drac, while the other two are BTS. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #2 [August 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inker: Chris Ivy 
"Red Prophet" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" (BTS) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (BTS) 
DRACULA II 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
THORNE, AARON 
MISTER ANGEL 
LAVEAU, MARIE (BTS. She's the LA head of the Bad Seed that Thorne was to meet with) 


Other characters: 
Tara Algren 
Bethany Flynn 
Leonard Crowley (Boss of Bethany) 


Summary: Aaron Thorne, vampire yuppie, prepares to meet with his fellow members of the Bad Seed. He scoffs at Blade's belief that by stopping his drug manufacturing he's ended their plans to take over America before Dracula can return. Meanwhile, Blade helps Julia Suarz with cleaning out another room in her building she's letting him live in. She complains about her ex-husband again, and first mentions her daughter. Noise in a closet turns out to not be vamps as Blade feared (and him not packing knives on him, as part of his "normal life" concession!), but merely a bunch of harmless bats. Bible John decides he and the Vampire-Hunter need to talk. 

Elsewhere, an incredibly pointless subplot occurs, involving Leonard Crowley, sleazy publisher, complaining to Bethany Flynn about her pal Tara Algren not getting him the piece on the Nightstalkers for his occult magazine. They exchange remarks and waste our time, and she gets a message on her machine telling her to meet her at the nightclub called Body Hammer for the story. So, back to the stuff that'll matter next issue, Bible John explains his reasoning for giving Blade the Witch Compass was to help prevent the resurrection of Count Dracula and his destruction of New York. He goes into detail on his origin, how he was once Professor of Antiquities at the Kronenberg Institute in London, specualizing in the Occult, and on an archaeological dig in East Africa to find a tomb of a Knight Templar, he encountered "consummate evil", who slaughtered his team in a night. Though he escaped, his mind was shattered, giving him the gift of limited psychic ability once he recovered. He's vowed to stop the forces of evil, and he tells Blade about the vision of the Nightstalkers' end combined with that of Dracula overtaking NY. Blade agrees to help him stop it from coming true. 

At Body Hammer, Bethany meets with Tara, and joins her in becoming Dracula's latest thrall. Blade and Bible John, using the Witch Compass and a map, end up at that nightclub. John is overcome with a mental realization too late that Drac's already back, and the entire club is under his control! Blade faces the overly-ripped bouncers and bartenders, mere thralls, but vamp enough to pose a threat. Unfortunately, since they haven't been turned, he can't bring himself to kill them, and holds back. Bible John joins him, the two back to back fighting off the club full of superstrong creeps. Dracula finds the entertainment enjoyable, and is pleased to see Blade once more. They battle, or rather, Blade tries to stab him with his sword and Drac swats him aside, calling him an anachronism. He even calls what the Vampire-Hunter does "genocide", which Blade, getting a broken table leg as a stake, retorts about the innocent lives he takes just to sate his hunger. Blade brings up the fact only he knows where Domini and Janus are, which irks Dracula. He decides to turn Blade into a "nosferatu" and drain the info from him once he's drained the blood from him. 


Continuity notes: Blade displays a limited sense of "supernatural sense" here. 

Both "The Addams Family" and "Alien" are directly referred to within a single page, and Sonny Chiba & Bruce Lee are also mentioned. 

Dracula II's "proof he's not the real Drac" of the issue: He's ignorant of Blade's immunity to vampire bites. But the issue also goes against that by having him already be aware of Quincy Harker & Rachel Van Helsing's deaths, and being affected by the mention of Domini and Janus. How could he not know something that occurred to him before those events? Maybe this is a sign of Bloodstorm's memory (he's cloned off of a bite during Drac's America visit in the NS 11-FB, a point when Blade had been bitten by Drac but he wasn't aware he wasn't dead), with those other things actually being Hannibal & Frank's memories seeping in. 

Goofs: Not a goof, but I just thought of something. Why do vampires not appear in photos or on video, but their voices can be recorded? To say voices can't reflect someone's soul is to make a mockery of so much music. Similarly, when they do get photographed or filmed, they're entirely invisible. Does this mean their clothes lack souls, too? 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #3 [September 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inkers: Chris Ivy & Steve Moncuse 
"Black Reign" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" (BTS) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (BTS) 
DRACULA II 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
NIGHT TERROR/CARL BLAKE 
STEPPIN' RAZOR (first appearance. The vampire who turned Night Terror) 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
THORNE, AARON 
MISTER ANGEL 
CROSSBOW (in the shadows) 



Summary: Silly Count Chocula! Dhampir's for kids! Or rather, Drac finds out the hard way something he should already know, that Blade's immune to vampire bites. He tosses aside the Vampire-Hunter, and plans to bite Bible John instead. 

Meanwhile, at Chicago O'Hare airport, the man once known as covert operative Carl Blake, now the vampire named Night Terror seeks the truth of how he became one of the creatures of the night. He "reads" the blood of a woman he's bitten, and knows the truth is nearby. 

Back at Body Hammer, Blade, bleeding and beaten, seems unable to save his buddy, until Mister Angel, Thorne's bodyguard, drops by and drops a maced-handle silver dagger to him to use against Dracula. Having no choice but to trust him, Blade takes the weapon. Bible John, who is covered with protective wards and sigils he carved into his skin all over his body, lets his arm slip, and when Drac grabs it, the crosses and other symbols burn into the vamp. With his friend freed, Blade uses the new blade on the Lord of the Vampires to much success. But once he drops it, he realizes the catch that came with it: it left him open to Aaron Thorne's mental influence. He ditches the dagger right into Thorne's side, who's standing on the sidelines. This leads to a Thorn/Dracula battle. Needless to say, Drac's not himself lately, and is easily dispatched, until he comes back all beastial-looking, slashing wildly at the worshipper of his enemy, Varnae. Even the mention of Janus being Thorne's captive doesn't unnerve Dracula, merely focuses him into taking down his foe. Meanwhile, Julia Suarez gets a hang-up call from someone watching her from a phone booth. Back at the club, Blade frees Bible John from his binds, and asks his newfound ally what vampire folklore says about running water. John confirms it can act as a barrier or even like acid, and gets where he's going, as Blade sets off the sprinklers. Drac, having been taken down by Thorne after Mr Angel aided his boss, is once more losing. The sprinklers are set off (despite Mr Angel's intervention), and only Thorne is affected by it! Drac laughs at the "future" of the vampire race, unaware of what can or cannot harm them. Mr Angel gets the defeated and skin-loosening vamp out of the building in time to save him. Dracula departs also, warning Blade that their war has begun again, promising victory for himself next time. Blade's eager for a rematch. And in Los Angeles, a vampire known as Steppin' Razor feasts on some confused tourists. 


Flashbacks: Page 2 panel 2 shows Blade as a baby in the womb, a new shot! Panel 3 has Deacon Frost, fanged out and having just bitten Tara Brooks. Panel 3 doesn't fit established Blade chronology, showing Baby Blade being held by a doctor in an operation room in a modern style hospital. 

Continuity notes: This was the last issue of the book to use the "Midnight Sons" banner. Though, the font for the corner box would remain the same gothic style for the rest of the series. 

This marks the first time Blade is called a "Dhampir", a term still used to this day, predating the "Daywalker" term. 

Dracula II clue for this issue: Not only has he forgotten Blade's immunity, but the full extent of his powers! 

Thorne mentions the Bad Seed cult still has Janus captive, making this the last time the son of Dracula is ever mentioned. 

The person in the shadows in the phonebooth is later revealed to be Crossbow using a camo-field. 


Goofs: Blade knows Mister Angel by name, despite not having seen him named in issue 1. 

The "running water" schtick has never been properly used against a Marvel Comic vampire before, and really hasn't been used since here. But considering how often the rules change, it's no surprise. 



------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #4 [October 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"The Drawing of the Three" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
LAVEAU, MARIE 
NIGHT TERROR/CARL BLAKE 
SALOME 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
CROSSBOW (in disguise) 
STEPPIN' RAZOR 
VARNAE 

Other characters: 
Trinity Cabranes (vampire prostitute) 
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (appears on TV saying he didn't inhale) 


Summary: Salome, current Sorceress Supreme of Earth, uses some leper bones and runes to divine the destinies of certain important parties. Speaking of which, Blade spends a rainy day nursing his recent injuries at home while watching TV and contemplating the situation with the returned but different Dracula. His dour mood gets uplifted by a brief encounter with his landlady, who is led to believe he was beaten up by muggers. After she heads to the store, Bible John calls, inviting him over to his place, which turns out to be an expected dump on the outside. But within is a secret annex belonging to that mystery occult-fighting sect known as the Cathari, called the Chiaroscuro. The vast block-sized museum of oddities and art amazes Blade, but he's not given time to explore. John mentions the recent string of tourist slayings in LA. The pattern happens to match one in the Grimorium Verum, a catalogue of darkness arsenals, that of a Devil's Triangle. It's a sigil allowing etheral admission, which John thinks ties in with Thorne's boasting about reviving Varnae. Not wanting Frank & Hannibal's deaths to have been in vain, Blade is prepared to take down the God of Vampires, with Bible John providing a Cathari Katanna to be used in staking Varnae. 

Meanwhile, in LA, Night Terror has followed the clues to his past, leading him right to the rastafarian vampire known as Steppin' Razor. He finally recalls how he himself became a vampire, his covert agency having sent Night Terror to "retire" the head of a drug operation, who turned out to be Steppin' Razor. With his memory restored, he doesn't need much convincing to join the guy who turned him into a vampire in helping to forge a vampire empire. Back in New York, Julia Suarez returns from the store, and finds herself being shadowed by an ominous man. So, the next night, Blade and Bible John are in LA, seeking the epicenter of the Devil's Triangle, using the Witch Compass. They end up in yet another run-down slum area with various vagrants and prostitutes. Despite the place seemingly deserted, the pair quickly learn those homeless people are all thralls, and are acting as the welcoming committee. Blade refuses to harm the non-vamps, though Bible John disagrees. He's taken down with a rock from the crowd, forcing the Vampire-Hunter to use his katana in a non-lethal manner on the thralls. When John is threatened, he drops his weapon and is beaten unconscious. Later, he recovers, finding himself bound and strung up before the leader of the LA Bad Seed chapter, none other than voodoo sorceress Marie LaVeau! He knows of her by reputation, knows she was to blame for bringing Varnae back the last time. Marie confirms her intentions as being those again, stating Varnae's body was merely destroyed in the battle with the Nightstalkers, his spirit remains discorporated in the Ethereal Plane. Who'll be his new physical form? Why, that of Blade, of course. With Steppin' Razor and Night Terror assisting, Marie begins the ceremony, summoning Varnae's spirit across the Veil of Tears! 


Continuity notes: Salome is still the Earth's Sorceress Supreme at this point, and in next issue. 

The weird guy stalking Julia Suarez is later revealed to be Crossbow again using his camo-field. 

Dracula II clue of the day: graphetti stating, "Eyes are windows of the soul." The letters page debuts, and with it, the response to a letter, "Who says Hannibal King and Frank Drake are dead?" 

Goofs: How Blade and Bible John get from NY to LA in one night's time, AND keep their arsenal of weapons, isn't elaborated upon. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #5 [November 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"Soul Survivors" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
LAVEAU, MARIE 
NIGHT TERROR/CARL BLAKE (merges with Varnae) 
SALOME 
STEPPIN' RAZOR (also in FB) 
VARNAE (merges with Night Terror) 

Other characters: 
Trinity Cabranes (also in FB) 



Summary: So, Varnae's spirit is given recorporation, and proceeds to take entrance into his former foe, Blade. On the sidelines, Trinity, the hooker turned thrall who's been holding Bible John at knife point since last issue is slowly being talked into realizing she's no better off with the vampires than she was with the abusive humans. Blade manages to mess with the sigil painted on his chest, preventing Varnae from taking over his body. With time running out before the "Nosferatu Prime" discorporates forever, and with the thralls being told not to harm Blade while trying to capture him, the Vampire-Hunter is able to outmanuever most of them. But Steppin' Razor and Night Terror prove to be a lot tougher, taking him down briefly. Marie LaVeau taunts his being on the losing side, he breaks free, and luckily, so does Trinity, tossing Blade his katana. He stabs Night Terror with the enchanted silver blade, killing the vampire. Steppin' Razor seeks revenge for his "bloodson", only to be called off by Varnae, now inhabiting the recently vacated body of Night Terror! Since the katana didn't quite hit the heart, and he doesn't need a sigil to overtake someone already undead, he's able to do so. Varnae's first order of business is to feast upon Trinity. He then uses the half of the katana that was in his chest to engage Blade in a duel. Our hero manages to hold his own against the ancient beast, but notices he's losing concentration. Bible John explains that he busted a gas pipe when he escaped from his binds earlier. With dawn having already come outside, Blade tricks Varnae into setting off some sparks with the clash of swords, causing an explosion in the building which blasts open the windows. Sunlight pours in, injuring the vampire severely. He's forced to retreat, following Steppin' Razor and Marie LaVeau into the sewers, but vowing to have the Dhampir's throat in the future. Blade frees Bible John and the pair depart, not in any shape to follow the villains, but content with having crippled their set-up there. Meanwhile, Salome continues viewing the scene, commenting about how Blade & John's victory today will lead to their destruction tomorrow, though they don't know that. 


Flashbacks: Trinity recalls her life as a prostitute, and how she became a vampire thrall of Steppin' Razor's, and with it, things improved. Or DID they?! 

Continuity notes: Blade mentions he's "always healed fast" but is doing it moreso lately. 

Dracula II clue of the day: Salome comments "If only they knew the truth about Dracula's rebirth..." The letters page also has several subtle jibes at the belief that Frank and Hannibal are dead. 

------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #6 [December 1994] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Nick Napolitano 
Inkers: Steve Moncuse & Phil Moy 
"Cities of the Red Night" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
GLORY (FB only) 
HECTOR III (FB only) 
FROST (DOPPELGANGER), DEACON (first appearance. Later revealed in the "Blade: Crescent City Blues" special to not be the real deal) 

Other characters: 
Chen (FB only) 
Carla (FB only) 
Lamia (FB only) 
Deacon Frost Doppleganger's Young Boy companion 



Summary: In Absolution, Nevada, a strange white-haired man calling himself Deacon Frost stops by a diner after spending a great deal of time "in the wilderness". Over in New York, Blade escorts his jittery landlady, Julia Suarz, home at night after grocery shopping. She's shaken from her run in with an odd stalker last issue, and is even considering selling off her fixer-upper building. While they stroll the sidewalks, Blade overhears a hooker with a familiar look and voice, reminding him of a girl named Glory. With Julia finally at her front door, and his returning her advice on not giving up no matter how bad things look, Blade dahses off into the night, unable to find any trace of the woman. This does, though, bring back a lot of memories he'd kept buried. 

Flashback: Back when Blade was younger and had left Lady Vanity's, he spent time trying to find his way in the world, and ended up in New York. There, he headed up a street gang known as the Bloodshadows, members of which were named Chen, Hector, Carla, and of course, Glory. She'd been the girlfriend of the previous leader, named Cutter, and became Blade's when he took over the group. So, the Bloodshadows had a good run of committing crimes and such, until the night they raided a house on Blaylock Street. There, they expected a big haul of goods to swipe, but the little old lady who lived there turned out to be Lamia, an especially cranky vampire witch woman. She proceeded to kill each of the Bloodshadows, boasting about how she was once Varnae's high priestess, and how he'll return soon. Lamia also senses Blade as being different, calling him a Dhampir. He stakes her, misses her heart, and after being bashed around and tossed out of the house, Glory is left alone with her. Hearing his lover scream, Blade slunk away to recuperate. With Glory's death, so too something inside him died, and he made his path of taking on the undead his life's true calling. Several days later, while still recovering amid fever, Glory returned to him, now a vampire. She didn't want to hurt him, merely wanting to say goodbye, letting him live since he was the only person who treated her with respect. But it comes with a warning, so she leaves him alone, and he should leave her alone. 

Flashback ends, Blade admits he honored her request, and never saw or hear about her again. He ceases his search for her, realizing that both Glory and Lamia would've been taken out by the Montesi Formula long ago. She's merely another name on his list of reasons to put his life and soul on the line, reminding himself he doesn't do it for revenge, but for him, and returns to his new home. Back in Nevada, Deacon Frost finishes his meal at the diner, having killed everyone there. He gets back in his car, gives the kid in the back seat a doggie bag, and calls it leftovers. Deacon laughs and drives off. 


Continuity notes: In the FB, Lamia is credited as being the first person to denote Blade as being a "Dhampir". How retroactive! 

Dracula II Clue of the day: Just more stuff in the letters page, mentioning the Monkey's Paw and 'be careful what you wish for' in wanting Hannibal and Frank back. 

Goofs: The caption calls Blade's alias "Frank H. Blade", when it should be "H. Frank Blade". 

Though not a goof on this issue's part, Glory and the Bloodshadows were seen to be circa the 1930s, with matching clothes. Here, their first appearances, they've got more modern attire, if not 70s-ish at earliest. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #7 [January 1995] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas H. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"Bad to the Bone" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
FROST (DOPPELGANGER), DEACON 
MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS 
SUAREZ, MARIELLA (BTS. Calls her mother on the phone) 


Summary: So, Bible John, one of the last few of those warrior scholars called the Cathari, is continuing his role as caretaker of their secret history museum, the Chiaroscuro, under some slums in New York. He believes Blade is the new leader of this order of the light to fight the dark, capable of restoring them to greatness. But Deacon Frost's Doppelganger is aware of John and his location, and arrives, claiming to be the harbinger of the upcoming apocalypse. Elsewhere, the room previous filled with junk is finally finished being cleaned out by Blade, mostly helped by Julia, also mostly while he was away in LA. She's changed her mind about giving up, heeding her own advice as relayed back to her by "Frank", and is ready to rent out the first renovated room of the place. Soon, she gets a phone call from her daughter, who's apparently wanting to come live there, and luckily, she has a room for her! Back at the Chiaroscuro, Deacon Frost, not affected by the sigils on his target's body by virtue of his new powers, knocks Bible John around the place. He's searching for the Amulet of Octaviano, which John has somewhere in the museum. John is taking a heavy pounding, and wishes he could contact Blade by use of his psychic abilities, but doesn't know how. But somehow, while being tortured, he reaches out to Blade as he takes a shower, giving him a hell of a headache and smashing his shower door in the process. Aware the vamp who killed his mother is back, Blade wastes no time getting over there (but does get dressed. He's a staker, not a streaker!) and immediately engages Frost in battle while still on his motorcycle. Deacon calls his mom an insignificant tramp, baiting Blade to come closer, and he knocks him off his bike. There's more boasting, with Deacon claiming the vampire race has become mired in cliches, and a new breed must come about, and how if not got his quenching his thirst at his mother's throat he'd be dead or rotting in a jail, but instead has purpose. This sets Blade off, though he recalls his quest for inner peace, it means nothing since this battle happens to be personal! He stabs Frost with his katana, but as he's forgotten, the vampire is far more than a regular Nosferatu now, transforming into a large swarm of rats, proving himself beyond flesh. Deacon returns to his previous shape, while explaining one of the humans he loves so much brought him back via black arts to be his occult familiar. But the kid's spells were weak, Deacon took the magic for his own, and bartered his resurrector's soul with a Cthonic demon so he could become a vampire deity in return. Half the ceremony has been performed, and once the amulet is found, he'll be not only immune to stakes and swords, but sunlight, also. Blade is at Deacon's mercy as he transforms into a demonoid form and informs him of another change: he eats whole bodies and souls now, instead of just blood. But Blade manages to slip out of his grasp. Deacon has also managed to find the amulet he seeks, and takes off to finish the ceremony. Forced to decide between chasing him or getting Bible John to a hospital, he chooses his friend in an effort to break his own pattern of obsession. Soon, John's in the hospital, Blade claiming he was a mugging victim. But as we know, John's a mental ward escapee, and will be getting sent back there, soon! Only person he knows who can help him free John is Morbius, the Living Vampire and doctor! 


Continuity notes: As I said, Deacon Frost, though claiming to be "resurrected in a new incarnation" here, is later revealed to be merely one of his many doppelgangers. 

Morbius is still using the "Dr Morgan Michaels" alias, and is still working at St. Jude's, as per his monthly book at the time. 


Dracula II clue of the day: Just a few comments by the editors in the letters page, now named "Letter Hacks." 


Calendar notes: Bible John's diary claims today is November 12. 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #8 [February 1995] 
Writer: Ian Edginton 
Penciler: Douglas T. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"Rites & Passages" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
FROST (DOPPELGANGER), DEACON 
MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" 

Other characters: 
Nezaral (Dark agent of Cthon) 
Deacon Frost Doppleganger's Young Boy companion 



Summary: Blade, wearing a suit and tie, strolls into St. Jude's Hospital. His pal, Bible John, is being treated there, and is also under watch of armed guards, given his escapee status. So, Blade takes a trip to the blood lab, and takes a certain Dr Morgan Michaels by knifepoint. The human identity of Morbius, the Living Vampire, isn't surprised to see such a greeting by his old ally, who once even killed him! Blade apologizes for his lack of tact, and calmly explains things, that he needs to see Bible John, find out what Deacon Frost is after. Morbius is intrigued by Blade's concern for the mental patient, and agrees to help him get in to see his friend, even briefly. 

In Bible John's room, the restrained and injured inmate has another of his psychic visions, namely the one of a giant Dracula towering over a flaming New York in the near future. He notices a new aspect, bodies impaled in the streets, two of which are the souls of Frank Drake and Hannibal King! They claim to be in limbo, begging to be freed from the prison between life and death, as it's the only way to prevent the horror he sees from happening. Blade wakes up him, and explains to him what Deacon's plan is, and all about the amulet he stole. Bible John also gives him a shred of Frost's jacket, which will guide the Witch Compass to his location. He brings up the second rite of deification is near, and he has a valuable commodity amongst demons, a pure untained boy, in his possession, as well. Morbius informs Blade time is up, and he has to leave John, though promising to come back for him. 

At a slaughterhouse in the city, Deacon Frost prepares to summon the demon, keeping with him his summoner and now captive, a young boy wanting only to see his father again. So, Blade sets out to find his enemy, and Morbius takes on his scientific vampire form to join him, having been convinced by Bible John to aid him. The pair of former Midnight Sons partner up, reach the slaughterhouse in time to save the boy from being sacrificed, and engage Frost in battle. He takes on his green demon form again, and even makes use of his ability to spew insects from his bowels (or something). Unable to overpower Deacon, Blade does manuever him into the summoning circle, and stakes him down. It can't kill him, obviously, but it does keep him from moving when Nezaral, the Cthon agent he was summoning, comes to accept the sacrifice offered to him, finding Deacon in the boy's place! Nezaral eats the Deacon Frost Doppelganger and departs with laughter. Morbius, bringing the boy back to St Jude's, comments that despite both his and Blade's blood stained past, he's happy they've changed for the better. Blade concurs, saying that after Hannibal, he didn't think he'd ever call a vampire his friend, but has been proven wrong. 

Back at the hospital, Bible John fights the drugs in his system, not wanting to dream of the dark future that awaits. But his mind slips enough to recover one vital fact: Hannibal King and Frank Drake are alive! 


Continuity notes: The souls of Frank Drake and Hannibal King actively speak to Bible John through his vision of the future. They refer to themselves being in limbo, between life and death, and that the vision is not yet reality. I'm sure someone could argue otherwise, but I do believe this to be a full-fledged appearance by them. 

Dracula II clue: Frank & Hannibal appearing impaled as souls, claiming to be in limbo, and calling Dracula "our horror". 

Goofs: Hey, did Doug Wheatley change his middle name between issues? He goes from "H" to "T" with this one. 


There's a huge black space at the bottom of the last story page, as if they intended to do a "next issue" blurb, or even a goodbye to Ian Edginton but pulled at last minute. 




------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #9 [March 1995] 
Writer: Terry Kavanagh 
Penciler: Douglas T. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"Dead on Arrival" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS (BTS, informed Blade of John's deteriorating condition) 
LAVEAU, MARIE 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
SUAREZ, MARIELLA (first appearance. Julia's daughter) 
CROSSBOW (fully revealed) 


Other characters: 
Vampz (twin brother and sister vampire assassins. Neither named) 



Summary: Having waited long enough, Blade sneaks into St Jude's Hospital and breaks out his friend, Bible John. According to Morbius, his condition hasn't been improving, but instead, getting worse. So the Vampire-Hunter takes John to the Chiaroscuro, hoping something in that mystical museum can save him. John tries to tell Blade of his vision, that Frank & Hannibal are alive, but he brushes it off as a delusion, though it makes him wonder. Unfortunately, a pair of vampire assassins called Vampz suddenly burst in, intent on taking out Bible John, who they call "the Damascene". Blade spars with the pair, twins who act as one, but eventually his skills pay off and he tosses a knife right into the female's heart when she's about to kill John. Her brother isn't worried, since she could be revived by removing the blade, but Blade himself breaks his back. Blade begins to consider an option to save Bible John, one he hates himself for even thinking of. The male Vamp begins to mist away, when his and his sister's mistress, Marie LaVeau, orders him to remain. Marie, now back in New Orleans, knows Bible John is, as the Damascene, her preordained personal adversary. She wants him dead now to prevent that, and also wants to learn more of Blade, fearing he may end up finding out about her location. 

Back at Blade's home, Julia Suarez is again being watched by someone in the shadows outside. Without Blade to give her safety, she's especially afraid when someone shows up at her door. It's her daughter, Mariella, come to stay. Her mother is more than happy to see her, and manages to get a straight glimpse of the mystery stalker, before bringing Mari in and locking up. The man in the shadows, his red cyber eye glowing, mumbles about being so close to them after all this time. Back at the Chiaroscuro, Blade uses a Cathari Gauntlet to hold the male Vamp without any concern of his biting his hand off. He wants him to turn Bible John and save him, but he demands his sister be resurrected first. Blade realizes he'd just mist off with her, and seeing the situation as a trap, stabs the final Vamp, finishing him off. Marie LaVeau finds the situation delicious from afar, and gains an appetite for future involvements with the Dhampir. So, with his final hope gone, Bible John begins to slip away, unable to tell Blade that connection between Dracula and his Nightstalker pals. He urges him to save his strength, and sleeps at his bedside through the night. At dawn, the man stalking Julia Suarez enters the room, aware that "Young Blade" is exhausted from his battle with the Vampz, and Bible John will be dead soon. He decides to change that outcome himself, as we see him for the first time. His name's Crossbow, and he's Blade from the future, his entire body made of robotic silver, save for most of his head. 


Continuity notes: Julia's ex-husband is named Ray. That helps no one, but I thought I'd mention it. 

There's an alternate cover for the next issue on the next to final page, one focusing on Blade's battle with Postmortem. 

Dracula II clue of the day: Bible John almost says right there that Frank & Hannibal merged into Dracula. Shame. 


Goofs: A word balloon meant for the male Vamp saying, in a special stylized word balloon, "Bible John must DIE..." is placed in a panel where only Blade is seen, making the attributing point aim down at Blade, as if he were suddenly saying it! 

Marie LaVeau is written to speak in Gambit-style broken Cajun-y English, when prior she got to be written normally. You'd almost think an X-Book writer was on the title now... 

Blade makes an incomprehensable comment in a laughably dramatic sense, "So you two could MIST away together into... MIST?!" 

Calendar notes: A guard mentions Bible John hasn't made a peep in "a week". 


------------------------------------ 

BLADE THE VAMPIRE-HUNTER #10 [April 1995] 
Writer: Terry Kavanagh 
Penciler: Douglas T. Wheatley 
Inker: Steve Moncuse 
"Post-Mortem" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
BIBLE JOHN/JOHN CARIK 
MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS 
SUAREZ, JULIA 
SUAREZ, MARIELLA 
CROSSBOW 
DRAKE, FRANKLIN "FRANK" (BTS) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (BTS) 
DRACULA II 
POSTMORTEM 

Other characters: 
Tara Algren 
Bethany Flynn 



Summary: So, Bible John's vision of the future is shown in a less dramatic manner. Dracula, of normal size, flies through New York city, as it remains aflame, a result of a last-ditch nuke strike against the vampire lord. When Bible John awakens, screaming of course, Morbius, in Dr Michaels mode, is there to give him a sedative. Blade is also there, surprised his friend survived the night. Morbius informs him that John will make a full recovery, and it was thanks to nothing they did, but a strange extract he isolated from his blood work. Whatever this miracle drug is, it's beyond either of them where it came from. Before John passes out again, he mentions a clue from his vision. Blade goes home, suits up, ponders how different things would have been for him had evil not walked the night and killed his mother. He nearly gets hit by a bat (the baseball kind) when Mariella Suarez encounters him, having been told the tenant would be away for a few days. Needless to say, their first meeting is filled with tension. Elsewhere, Julia is walking home from an AA meeting, when she bumps into Blade! He offers to walk her home, and once there, Mariella comments how quickly he returned from uptown. Blade departs, and we discover he's actually Crossbow using his camofield once more to disguise his indentity. It seems Mariella wasn't supposed to be back there so soon, and he thinks his use of an antitode from the future to save Bible John is quickening the pace of the upcoming apocalypse. He rushes to the Chrysler Building, knowing John's visions will lead him there. In said skyscraper, Blade makes his way to the secret 13th floor! He breaks into the painted over door of the storage room, and despite thinking it just a wasted floor, he soon discovers multiple bodies stored in icy mist within a large lab. A cybernetic guard attacks, claiming to be known as Postmortem, of the project of the same name. With his chainsaw hand and his other hand multiple syringe needles, he blabs about what is done there, creating the next generation of vampire using nanites to rewrite the genetic structure. It's apparently been going on for decades, bankrolled by wealthy individuals, and Postmortem is under the impression his "Shadow Sponsor" sent Blade to shut it down. They battle, Blade trying to keep one step ahead of the monstrosity. Once Postmortem uses his laser scalepl, he responds by stabbing his blade right into it. Thus, Postmortem decides to fire, thus killing himself and ending his miserable existence. Viewing this from afar, Dracula is annoyed by the loss of the cyborg, and of Blade's involvement. His thralls remind him most of the project's secrets are already known to the Lord of the Vampires, which cheers him up. Drac is going to use man's science to create new children of the night immune to the whims of sorcerery. He also mentions the "Dark Page" is rising. 

Back at Blade's place, Bible John has coffee with Julia and Mariella, and sit down for a fireside chat. Meanwhile, Blade, believing Postmortem's benefactor to be Dracula, reaffirms him commitment to stalk the shadows and take on any evil that comes his way. Unbeknowst to him, Crossbow lurks nearby, calling him a child, and comment that if he only knew what the future holds for them both! 



Continuity notes: This issue was originally intended to be part 1 of the 3 part "Dracula Untombed" storyline. The special logo commissioned and covers for the next two issues were included in the letters page. 

Dracula II's final clues: The first page, he's shown as having one blue and one brown eye (remember the "windows of the soul" remark?) The letters page explains the situation in more detail, even showing the cover to issue 12 which shows Frank and Hannibal splitting. But the book was canceled with this issue, and it's doubtful those issues were even finished. Needless to say, the Marvel Handbooks buy the idea that Crossbow aided Blade against Dracula II, splitting him up enough to allow Frank and Hannibal to be restored. Of course, the all goobered up Dracula body of Bloodstorm ended up being taken upon by the spirit of the real Dracula, and there you go. 

Of course, "Blade: Crescent City Blues" tries to ignore the entire storyline. In a monumentally stupid move, they have Hannibal and Blade bump into each other one day, just out of the blue, with Hannibal claiming he and Frank "tried to find him after the explosion". Yeah, so much that they didn't GO TO HIS HOUSE, or attend the funeral in their honor where all their friends were at. So much that Dr Strange didn't even know they were alive, and Bible John spoke to their souls in limbo. Most amusing, is Hannibal saying he "took the brunt of the blast". He was staked and lying to the side temporarily dead when the Exorcist went off. 

Said special is a goof-up of continuity (it also has Blade claiming the Deacon Frost in this series was trying to take over a crime syndicate, which never ocurred, or his acting like he's never met Marie LaVeau), but some of those holes instead merely support the Handbook's belief. Hannibal says Dr Strange claims Dracula is "alive and kicking as well", to which Blade responds "Dracula's still alive?" This gives heavy implication that the explosion talked about doesn't have to be the Varnae one in Nightstalkers 18, but another which would've occurred in an unpublished issue of Blade the Vampire Hunter, involving the Nightstalkers and Dracula. 

So, anyway, the intention of the original issues is held up, despite their lack of closure. Have I made my case or did I waste my text-breath? 


Goofs: Julia oddly calls Blade (actually Crossbow in disguise), "Mister D", when she believes his last name to be Blade, not Drake! She later correctly calls him "Mister B", almost Hazel-like. 

How does Crossbow know John's visions would lead Blade to the Chrysler building? John was dead that night in his timeline, and wouldn't have had that vision! 

------------------------------------ 

Up next from me, need to do the first 5 issues of the new Ghost Rider before the TPB comes out next week! Then I'd like to hit those remaining Blade series which aren't covered by the MCP. But I'll probably toss in a gap Punisher book or two in there before that. 



Here's a character I missed out in adding to the list earlier. I'm not sure on some of the Conan stuff, but it's at least 90% right. 

VARNAE 
**CTB 245-FB or DRSTR3 11/2? 
**CTB 244 
**CTB 245 
**{BIZADV 33/4} 
TOD4 2-FB-BTS 
M/CP 63/3 
TOD4 2-FB-BTS 
**DRSTR3 12/2 
**DRSTR3 13/2 
**BIZADV 33/4 
**DL 2/1 
**DL 3/1-BTS 
**DRSTR3 13/2 
**DRSTR3 18 
**XCAL 30-BTS 
**SOV 19 
**NS 16-BTS 
**NS 17-BTS 
**NS 18 
**BTVH 4 
**BTVH 5

Last edited by JLH on 11 Feb 2007 01:04 am, edited 1 time in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 05 Jan 2007 06:43 am 
By Enda80

"Here's a character I missed out in adding to the list earlier. I'm not sure on some of the Conan stuff, but it's at least 90% right. 

VARNAE 
**CTB 245-FB or DRSTR3 11/2? " 

CTB 245 is a major amplification of that Doc fb. It shows a subsequent scene of Varnae eating that Dikto-caped Darkholder.

			*	*	*

Posted: 26 Jan 2007 11:17 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

JLH wrote:
>>>
Glory's shown to be a 1930s era woman, 
<<<

Are all the 'young Blade' in New York set during the 1930's so far? 

...and what the hell is Dracula eating in your avatar? A cheeseburger?"Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 Jan 2007 01:49 am 
By JLH

Col_Fury wrote:
>>>
Are all the 'young Blade' in New York set during the 1930's so far?
<<<

I haven't checked out issue 5 yet, but the ones in #4 were. This was following up on the near-Victorian look to the prostitutes and Deacon Frost in Blade's origin in TOD. Way has decided to reinterpret Blade's history, not just that he always failed to cast a reflection and always required blood, but also that he ages slowly. It makes things like his saying he'd been hunting vamps for about 29 years during an issue of TOD out to imply he got a late start, which he obviously didn't.


>>>
...and what the hell is Dracula eating in your avatar? A cheeseburger?
<<<

Yes, from the ever-popular "Restuarant King" chain. 

The Japanese thought the animated "Tomb of Dracula" movie should adapt all the lamest aspects of the final 20 or so issues of the comic, and make them even more absurdly useless.

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 Jan 2007 05:55 am 
By Enda80

That scene is from the Harmony Gold animated Draculal movie based on the last few story arcs of the original Tomb of Dracula. In the film, Satan/Mephisto turns Dracula into a powerless being, and he mugs somebody to get money for food. I found a Vestron copy as part of a two for fifty cents deal, along with The Glory Boys (Gerald Seymour adaptation), V Part 1, and the Unnameable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter. A bootleg copy costs 15 bucks.

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Jan 2007 12:24 am 
By JLH

Enda80 wrote:
>>>
That scene is from the Harmony Gold animated Draculal movie
<<<

Harmony Gold merely translated it, the movie was made by Toei Animation. "Dracula: Soverign of the Damned" was the HG release name.


>>>
In the film, Satan/Mephisto turns Dracula into a powerless being
<<<

He's just your typical Satan, not even Mephisto-looking. Aside from inexplicable name changes (like Lillith, Dracula's daughter into Layla, just another vampire), the lack of Hannibal King and Blade is an easy blow to the story, Rachel is demoted of all her PHds (given to Quincy, here named Hans, instead), Frank becomes a karate expert, oh, and Dracula was turned into a vampire by being raised from the grave by Satan himself. 

Almost makes "Blade: Trinity" sound good. Almost. 

Back to the topic, I'll be doing the remaining missing Blade series (or mini-series, really) this week, but I'm also juggling Annihilation and the recent GR arc AND GR Finale, so... all in all, an easier task than Webspinners was! 

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 Feb 2007 01:07 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
BLADE VOL 3 #5 [March 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"Vendetta's Echo" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
WOLVERINE/"LOGAN"/JAMES HOWLETT (also in FB) 
MORBIUS/DR. MICHAEL MORBIUS 
HILL, MARIA 
GLORY (FB only) 
HECTOR III (FB only) 

Other characters: 
Yellow Kid Vampire (Hully Gee! he dies) 
SHIELD agents a'plenty 


Summary: Three weeks ago, Wolverine escaped Maria Hill's custody and jump off a SHIELD Helicarrier. To get him back, she put into motion plan "Icebox". 

Tonight, in Long Beach, CA, Blade has tracked down his old sparring-budding Morbius, who has been "raising hell" nearby lately. Turns out it's a trap, Morbius registered as part of the Superhuman Regustration Act. He activates a signal, and SHIELD Cape-Killers descend on the location. He tries to fight them off, but is taken down. The next day, he's brought to the office of Director of SHIELD, Maria Hill. Since Blade "helped" them out with their vampire infestation prior, she wants him now to take on and take down Wolverine. In return, he'll be registered, all state and federal charges against him will be dropped, his vampire-slaying will be fully sanctioned by the government, and he'll even get SHIELD resources. Needless to say, Blade agrees to sign up. Soon, he's given the Brooklyn address of one of his target's hideouts. Wolverine finds him sneaking in, and thinks he's a burglar at first, before being told otherwise. They do battle, one blade to six, but it's Logan's healing factor that allows him to get impaled, shot repeatedly, and keep on coming. Eventually, Blade is pinned to the ground and about to be chopped, when he sticks a syringe with vampire blood in it against Wolverine's neck. The threat being that he'll heal it away, but not before turning long enough for Blade to stake him and reduce him to dust. Logan's not concerned, but in the scuffle, his mask came off. Blade suddenly remembers being saved by Logan many years ago, and repaying the debt, he removes the syringe while promising SHIELD won't bother him again. The next day, Blade meets with Maria again, and declares that Wolverine's off-limits, he'll take on anyone else, but until Logan kills someone he's not supposed to, he's not touching him, nor will SHIELD, or else they'll answer to him. Maria doesn't take being ordered around very well. All Blade says he owed Logan one. 


Flashback: Back in the 1930s, Blade, now running that Order of Tyrana bar in New York, and with Glory as his woman, as per his winning the position. Bouncer Hector reports to him, beaten up, explaining how he tried to steal the wallet of a guy in a cowboy hat with a long black raincoat. But the guy, who also had fangs, fought back, and survived several stabs from Hector's knife. Having heard rumors of a vampire "working the row" for months, Blade decides to put an end to him. He goes out at night, and finds the supposed vampire. Unfortunately, the vamp is considerably powerful and ends up putting Blade in a death grip. Luckily, the guy who beat up Hector shows up, reverses the roles by swift force, and stakes the vampire. Blade, suffering from some blood loss, is given the man's raincoat to keep warm. Of course, the guy in the cowboy hat is Logan during his pre-Wolverine days. He tells the "bub" that he owes him one, which, as we just saw, he finally did more than half a decade later. 


Continuity notes: The cover banner lists the issue as a "Casualties of War" Civil War tie-in. 

This issue puts to rest the "Morbius' bite of Blade in PP:SM2 8 made him a vampire" myth, by having Blade say it isn't true within the issue. And you thought only She-Hulk & Deadpool could break the fourth wall so shamelessly? Well, Marc Guggenheim had this to say in the letters page, "...[T]his run of BLADE is, in fact, canon. The Marvel website and sources that speculate on the effects of Morbius' bite are not." Sounds like somebody doesn't appreciate the Handbook writers... 

Blade's destruction of Pericles V Helicarrier in issue 1 is referred to, with the claim it happened "a few months back". Of course, Maria Hill also claims Blade's been on the run from the law for "these past few months" in regards to his fugitive status from issue 3. 

This marks the first time Blade and Wolverine have ever met, which means Black Panther's wedding must not have had much in the way of post-nuptual festivites for the guests. 

One last thing, this issue makes clear the big bouncer guy from issue 4's FB is Hector, the same member of the Bloodshadows as featured in B:tVH 6 FB. I've gone back and added him as Hector III for those issues. 


Goofs: Uhh, is this the first time Logan is shown wearing his cowboy civilian clothes in a FB predating the time of his claws? And those sideburns... 


Calendar notes: Even though Paul seems to have done this issue on his own, I'll put the basics for the record here anyway. 

Pages 1-2: "Three Weeks Ago". Supposedly, this scene of Wolverine breaking out of the Helicarrier to spite Maria Hill is the same as in a recent issue of Wolverine. How much of it is new or old is beyond me. 
Pages 3-7: "Now". Night in Long Beach, California. Blade fights Morbius, and is captured by SHIELD. 
Pages 8-9: FB. Sometime in the 1930s, following the FBs in the previous issue, at the same bar of the Order of Tyrana in New York City. Hector was beaten up by Logan, who's been "working the Row for months" and thinking he's a vampire, Blade sets out to hunt him down. 
Pages 10-11: Morning, on the SHIELD Helicarrier. Maria Hill gives Blade an offer of legal immunity by registering and bringing in Wolverine. 
Page 12: FB. Night, Blade faces Yellow Kid, who's now a vampire. He thinks this is the same one who beat up Hector. 
Pages 13-15: Night, Blade enters Wolverine's Brooklyn apartment, and is confronted by him. Wolverine's in his usual yellow and blue costume of late, at the time. He mentions having just gotten back from "fifteen rounds with Omega Red". 
Page 16: FB continued. While getting beaten back by the Yellow Kid in the street, Blade spots Logan, wearing the outfit Hector described. 
Pages 17-20 panel 3: Wolverine and Blade battle, with Blade ending up threatening him with a syringe of vampire blood, until he sees Logan's face. He then backs off and departs. 
Page 20 panels 4-6: The next morning, on the SHIELD Helicarrier, Blade tells Maria Hill that Wolverine is off limits. 
Pages 21-22: FB concluded. Logan saves Blade from Yellow Kid, gives him his raincoat, and tells him he owes him one. 
------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Mar 2007 11:52 pm 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
BLADE VOL 3 #6 [April 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Artist: Howard Chaykin 
"Two Chambers" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
CROSS, LUCAS (also in FB) 
CROSS, TARA (FB only) 

Other characters: 
Oleg (FB only) 
Cross' unnamed aide 
Baron Mangegi De Sabbot (BTS in FB only) 
Baron's horseback troops (FB only) 
Young unnamed girl 
Some MiBs 
Lucas' vampiric cellmate (FB only) 


Summary: Blade, thanks to being registered with SHIELD, is captured by the men of Lucas Cross, and held prisoner in a prison chamber. With his blood lust growing the longer he's captive, Blade is offered a young girl to feed on by Lucas. The bald, middle-aged white man informs the elder black Daywalker that he's his father, and his son must feed on virgin blood to help a prophecy come true. So Blade chooses to gnaw off his left arm, punches down his father, rescues the girl, feasts on some men in black who try to stop him, and flees the building. He discovers he's in Washington, DC, and sets out to find all he can about the man claiming to his father. 


Flashback: Sometime in early the 20th Century, Latveria. First chronological appearances of Lucas and Tara Cross (thus far). Tara's pregnant with Blade. Lucas has been working to free the country from the Baron's rule, and now the Baron has signed a warrant for his arrest. Oleg informs him of this in the middle of the night, and the trio attempt to flee the country. But the Baron's men arrive sooner than expect. Lucas tells Tara of Madame Vanity, and what to say to her to get her, as a member of the Order of Tyrana, to give her sanctuary. He bids goodbye to his pregnant wife and Oleg, and draws the attention of the Baron's men. He gets captured, and is soon tossed into prison. He reveals to his cellmate he has cancer and won't live for much longer, let alone to serve his time. His cellmate reveals, in turn, he's a vampire, and by biting him, he'll be cured and live as long as his sentence takes. 

Continuity notes: We learn in this issue Blade's mother's name was actually Tara Cross, not Brooks as was assumed. Whether or not "Brooks" was actually used by her as her maiden name or just a made up last name she took while living at Vanity's (I can't even recall that full name ever being used in print anyway), well, I guess it doesn't matter since she's not in the MCP right now anyway. 

As I mentioned, the FB here takes place prior to every appearance Tara has made on record, and even predates Lucas' appearance through time travel in BLADE3 2 (and also reveals he was a vampire by that time). 

This issue concludes where the TPB will, also. 

Goofs: I got a letter published and they only listed my email address, not my initials. As this was my first letter ever published, clearly a mistake has been made! 


Calendar notes: Main story occurs an intermined time after the previous issue, happening all within maybe one night. 

Page 1: FB. Years ago, in Latveria. In the "middle of the night", Oleg warns Lucas he has to get Tara and leave, as the Baron has signed the warrant for his arrest. 
Page 2: Lucas is informed by his aide that, thanks to their people in SHIELD, they were able to locate and capture Blade (taking him in his sleep), who awaits nearby in a cell. 
Pages 3-5: FB. Lucas, Oleg, and the pregnant-with-Blade Tara attempt to escape on horseback, but the Baron's men approach. Tara and Oleg are sent on ahead, with instructions to contact Madame Vanity in London, a member of the Order of Tyrana. 
Pages 6-8: Blade, hungry for blood already, meets Lucas Cross, whom he finds familar. Unable to reach him through the reinforced Titanium chain on his left hand, he's then offered something he CAN reach... a young girl, chained in a room nearby. 
Pages 9-10: FB. The Baron's men attack Lucas and take him prisoner. 
Pages 11-16: "Hours pass. At least they FEEL like hours." Blade considers biting the girl, but loses himself in the thoughts about doing it long enough for Lucas to return. Lucas reveals he's Blade's father, and the reason he was led to believe his mother was a whore was because it kept people from finding out he was Lucas' son. Lucas mentions a prophecy about Blade, and how he must drink of virgin blood to make it come true. Blade argues about the impossibility of him being his father, but does consider his options, which involve him feeding on the girl or dying. 
Page 17: FB. A short while later, Lucas is imprisoned in the Baron's castle. He meets his cellmate, a murderer whose face is in shadow. Lucas tells the man he wants him to kill him. 
Pages 18-21: Blade chews off his left hand, attacks Lucas, frees the girl, feasts on an MiB, and they escape the building, which is right near the Capital building in Washington, DC. Green leaves on trees, night, moon is out but how much of it is there isn't visible. 
Page 22: FB. Continuing the talk with his cellmate, Lucas reveals he's dying of a cancer, and won't live out his full sentence to see his wife and child. His cellmate reveals a way he can make his survive his disease... he's a vampire, ya see... 
------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Mar 2007 01:10 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

Congrats on getting your letter published! 

...and Chaykin has always been a favorite of mine, as well. So much so, that I dressed up as Reuben Flagg, put a green bowtie on my cat Raul, and got my picture in one of Wizard's Halloween issues."Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 Mar 2007 05:16 am 
By Enda80

By the way, if you are wondering, the name Vanessa and Eric Brooks came from the Goyer films. 

Specifically: 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/trivia 
The true name of the Blade character is Eric Brooks. (Another character calls Blade "Eric," and Blade's mother's driver's license says "Brooks.")

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 03:02 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
BLADE VOL 3 #7 [May 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Art: Howard Chaykin 
"The Mithridates Process" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
GLORY (FB only) 
HECTOR III (FB only) 
DRACONIS (also BTS in FB) 

Other characters: 
Bloodshadows (FB only) 
Various vampire (all die, one named Silas) 


Summary: Blade returns to London, seeking answers concerning his past and future. Unable to bring his arsenal on the plane over, he uses his S.H.I.E.L.D. contacts to find a place where he can score some black market firepower. A place that happens to be run by vampires, so he can get what he needs while also taking out some of his favorite foes. Oddly, one of the vamps, one with a thing for jewelry, doesn't turn to ash when staked. Blade thinks he missed his heart, and after snapping off the gold necklace with the red gem on the locket he's been gripping him with, he tries again, this time succeeding. Word reaches a curch where a priest named Draconis awaits, having been waiting for many years to finally face the Daywalker. That night, Blade tapes up a wooden stake to the stump where his left hand used to be. He vows to start on the road to get answers needed to seek revenge on the guy claiming to be his father tomorrow. Just then, Draconis smashes in the window, hits him and tosses him back out into the street. He then joins him, now fully vamped-out in the face. Draconis proves to be far stronger than a normal vampire, also seemingly better skilled in fighting than Blade. So, our hero rushes into a grocery store, swipes a hand-gun from behind the counter, and tries to slow his enemy down. That doesn't work, since he's fast enough to dodge the shots. Blade manages to slip out the back of the store, and when Draconis follows, he drops down from above onto him, shoving a stake into his heart. Somehow, the vampire isn't harmed! As Draconis explains, using the analogy of Mithridates the Great, who poisoned himself in small doses to immunize himself against larger ones, he's been exposing himself to stakes, crucifixes, holy water, sunlight, and garlic since he became a vampire. He's immune to all of them now, after decades and decades of constant preparation! He uses the stake, the same one Blade had taped to his stump a moment before, to instead stab right into Blade's heart. The dhampir falls in the alleyway, and is left by Draconis, who departs the scene. A short time later, Blade awakens in a body bag in a morgue. Confused as to how he survived, he discovers he still had the necklace he stole from that seemingly un-stakeable vampire from earlier! Aware that it apparently makes him just as immune to a vampire's death as Draconis appears to be, he pockets it, ready for the eventual rematch with his priestly enemy. 


Flashback: Back in the 1930s-40s, Blade returns to London for the first time following his journeying to New York and taking over the Bloodshadows. He brings his street gang with him, in an effort to weed out London's vampire underground. Glory warns Blade the Bloodshadows, who don't readily believe in vampires, might have trouble trusting him in this mission. Soon, he shows his crew personally that they exist, even letting one go to tell his masters that Blade's back, and he's immortal. The Bloodshadows find killing vamps to be fun, and when one asks if he's really immortal, he admits it's not true, just "putting the fear of god into him." After months of vampire hunting, not to mention demons and warlocks, Blade and friends encounter one who reveals the society of vampires in London know his real name, and they know everything about him, so much that they're even preparing a way to stop him. She mentions that in decades he'll face Draconis, who will be his death. Blade stakes her without even paying attention to the warning. 


Continuity notes: Blade's still missing his left hand. The replacement for it is coming, just showing that this has to take place after last issue, while all stories where he does have a hand should be before it. 

The vampire underground in London meets near a place called "Mr Zola's Barber Shop". Could old no-head Arnim be cutting hair? 

Page 3, panels 1 and 3, have a picture of Murdoc from Gorillaz on the computer monitor (specifically the interior alternate head-shot from the Demon Days album art). 


Goofs: The cover has Blade with both hands. It doesn't really even reflect the actual story but in a metaphysical sense, but it's the hand thing that's a mistake. 


Calendar notes: There's no telling how long after last issue this is, but it's clearly not purely immediate. Blade was on the run, then, here he's back to using his SHIELD contacts and he's off on a trip to London (and not quite used to lacking a hand). I'd put it within a week following the last issue. 

Page 0: Recap summary page. 
Page 1 (panel 1): FB. Back in the 1930s/40s, Blade returns to London. 
Pages 1 (panel 2) through 5: Present time, Blade returns to London. Probably in the afternoon, he busts into a vampire underground stash of weapons, killing the vamps, including one whose necklace makes it immune to staking. He takes the necklace. 
Page 6: FB. Blade and Glory discuss how the Bloodshadows will react to being shown vampires exist, and that they're there to help Blade kill them. She's been told by Blade, and believes him. 
Page 7: A dusk, in a church (with sparsely covered green leaf trees around it), a vampire informs Draconis that the Daywalker has returned. 
Pages 8-9: FB. At night, Blade kills some vampires in front of the Bloodshadows, putting the fear of god into one he lets go, claiming to be immortal. 
Pages 10-19: That night, Blade's room is broken into by Draconis, who tosses him out into the street and beats him up all down it. Green plants in pots on the sidewalk. Blade leads him into a grocery store (clothing seems average, not overly short stuff imply it's hot out, not overly bundled up imply it's cold, just regular outfits), shoots at him. Then escapes into the alley and stakes Draconis with his stump-stake. Draconis reveals he's immune, like mithridates, and stakes Blade in return, leaving him dead. 
Page 20: FB. "Months" later, Blade and what appears to be Hector, hit a well-to-do mansion of vampires. One reveals more of her kind know all about Blade's past, and Draconis is being prepared to be his eventual death decades hence. Blade stakes her. 
Pages 21-22: Possibly the next morning, Blade awakens in the morgue in a body bag. He realizes he survived death by staking thanks to the necklace he stole earlier. 


------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 Apr 2007 08:10 am 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for the analysis, JLH! 

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 03:51 am 
By JLH

------------------------------------ 
BLADE VOL 3 #8 [June 2007] 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Artist: Howard Chaykin 
"Unintended Consequences" 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS 
DRACONIS (also in FB) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" (also in FB) 
FROST, DEACON (FB only) 
CROSS, LUCAS 

Other characters: 
Manning (Lucas' aide) 
Various vampires (all die) 
Priest 

Summary: Blade goes around London, roughing up vampires, getting every shred of information on Draconis, the vampire priest who staked him last issue. Upon learning enough, he calls in reinforcements, namely his old partner, Hannibal King, vampire detective. After flying to London from America, Hannibal is informed of what's going on, though he's more interested in (and seriously amused by) the fact Blade has been revealed to be half-white. Needless to say, Hannibal backs Blade up as he crashes Draconis' big celebration over killing the Daywalker. Hannibal tosses a molotov cocktail into the room after Blade smashes through the skylight and fires off some bullets. Draconis scoffs, since vampires don't fear fire, but this was all to get the sprinklers to go off. Turns out, Blade has a priest blessing the water at the processing plant, thus turning the sprinkles into hot showers of vampire death! This wipes out the ballroom of vamps, turning them to dust, but Draconis is obviously immune. Blade takes out his rage on nearly dying against the vampire priest, but despite his passionate fighting, Draconis still proves to be more powerful than him. Hannibal shows up, having waited for the right cue, and shoots Draconis through the heart, through the back. But wouldn't ya know it, Draconis is still alive... err, undead! When at a loss for ideas on how to defeat a vampire without a heart to stake out, Hannibal suggests they go to a pub for one of those warm English beers. Blade is inspired, and remembering that Draconis feeds on the blood of his own kind, bites into Draconis' neck! Draining him of what makes him so powerful, Blade ponders why he hates Draconis so much. Is it because he beat him, that he feeds on his own kind, or that he willingly gave up on his humanity and faith? Draconis claims he did it for the same reason he joined the church in the first place, for eternal life. Blade breaks his neck and rips off his head, telling him to choke on his eternal life. After Draconis' body wafts away as ash and dust, Hannibal hopes he's really dead this time, and asks if he can go home now. Meanwhile, in America, Lucas Cross is woken up by his assistant, Manning. The large glass orb with snake-like legs, known as the sibyl, has begun to gleam with visions of Blade biting Draconis. It seems the prophecy's section about Blade "drinking of virgin essence", which Lucas tried to make him do back in issue 6 only to have him save the young girl and gnaw off his hand, has come true as a result. The sibyl is omniscient, and tied into the prophecy, so apparently Draconis counted! Lucas mentions that once the "Splinter" is located, the prophecy will be fulfilled. 


Flashbacks: Back during the 30s/40s (the same era when Blade returned to London, apparently), we see Draconis as an altar boy, kneeling in his church. We see a vampire approach him from behind. According to the dialogue, it's implied the vampire then promised young Draconis power and immortality. We next see the leather bondage-clad vampire women (similar to those seen in last issue's FB), surrounding young Draconis and biting him. As the dialogue mentions, old vampire lore states that if someone of immense faith is turned into a vampire, the tainted belief acts as a foundation for unrivaled power. This "holy vampire" would be strong enough to develop an immunity, over time, to the crucifix, holy water, and sunlight. We see this happen to Draconis over the years. Now a priest, he grips a cross, which burns him yet he endures. We see him showering in holy water with only minimal irritation. Then we see him standing in front of a stained glass window as direct sunlight pours through it. It doesn't bother him at all. Finally, we see Draconis biting the same blonde vampire woman who first bit him. He's said to be building his already unriivaled power up by feasting on the blood of his own kind. 

Second FB, shows Hannibal King, back when he was a regular P.I., investigating the theft of multiple cars. One night, he gets a lead on the stolen cars' location, a warehouse near the docks. He questions a man in an alleyway, who appears to be guarding the place. After learning of several gun-toting men await inside, he knocks out the guard, and heads inside. What he finds isn't any sign of any stolen cars, but a woman's dead body, with fang marks on her bloodied neck. Deacon Frost takes Hannibal by surprise and bites into his neck. Deacon's dressed like he was in the FB in issue 1 (which is normal for him, I suppose). Hannibal has a pin-striped suit on, real 40s-style wear. The guard guy was wearing a standard kind of longshoreman outfit with the wool cap and the buttoned coat. 



Continuity notes: This is the first time we've seen the FB to Hannibal's "vampirizing" presented in story format. The only prior appearance of it was in a one panel FB in TOD 25, which this story takes the place of entirely. Only slight differences is Hannibal was shown surprising Deacon while he feasted on a woman, it wasn't in a warehouse but a factory, it wasn't theft but industrial espionage, and it wasn't during the 40s as implied in this FB but about 3 years prior to TOD 25. Though, this is probably the easiest-to-reconsile contradictive retcon I've ever come across. 

Downtown London signs include one of the show Big Brother, Stark International, "London" in big neon letters, and a pie or something with the logo saying "-weeney's." 

Hannibal claims he once toasted marshmallows on Ghost Rider's head, which Blade confirms. 

Blade is still holding onto that amulet he got last issue. Oh, and he's still missing his left hand, duct-taped a wooden stake to the stump. Just in case you forgot. 


Goofs: Deacon Frost's beard is black, as is his hair. Considering how that's a huge plotpoint in Hannibal's search for the "white haired vampire who bit me" back in TOD... well, at least it's consistant with his miscoloring in issue 1 of this book. 


Calendar notes: When Hannibal arrives in London, Blade claims he's spent the "last twenty-four hours questioning every vamp in London". No moon ever visible in any of the exterior shots. 

Page 0: The recap page. 
Page 1: Blade getting staked by Draconis, from last issue, with narration by Blade that carries over through the next pages. 
Pages 2-3: FB. Draconis' life prior to his first appearance last issue. From his being bit as an altar boy (circa the 30s/40s), through years of training, and eventual biting of other vampires. 
Page 4, panel 1: Blade attacks a vampire stripper at a club. This is probably the night following Blade awakening at the morgue. 
Page 4, panel 2: Blade scuffles with a vampire atop a bus in downtown London. Same night continued. 
Page 4, panels 3-5: Blade holds a vampire over the side of a building, just across from the big ol' bridge. Soon, while still at said location, he calls Hannibal King (VO) in America. Same night continued. 
Pages 5-6: FB. Years ago, Hannibal King tracks down stolen cars to a warehouse by the docks. Inside, he's overtaken by Deacon Frost and bitten. 
Pages 7-20: Night throughout. Hannibal has arrived at the London hotel (?) room of Blade. After a short bit of catching up, they head elsewhere in the city, and crash Draconis' celebration. A priest at the Mayfair Water District plant blesses the water as the sprinklers go off at the ballroom, dusting all the vampires. Blade fights Draconis, Hannibal shotgun blasts out his heart, not affecting him. Blade bites Draconis, draining him of the blood he drained from other vampires, then decapitates him. Draconis turns to ash. This is probably all in the next night following the night page 4 covered, considering the fact Hannibal would have to fly from America at night, and Blade's "24 hour" line. 
Pages 21-22: 3 O'Clock in the morning, in Washington DC, presumably. Green, lush trees all over the place outside. Lucas Cross is awoken via phone by Manning, who informs him the Sibyl has shown Blade biting Draconis, bringing to pass the penultimate part of the prophecy. 

------------------------------------ 
Next issue, Union Jack! Then in issue 10, Blade gets a gun-hand and fights the Black-costumed Spidey!

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 04:03 pm 
By Enda80

"This is the first time we've seen the FB to Hannibal's "vampirizing" presented in story format. The only prior appearance of it was in a one panel FB in TOD 25, which this story takes the place of entirely. Only slight differences is Hannibal was shown surprising Deacon while he feasted on a woman, it wasn't in a warehouse but a factory, it wasn't theft but industrial espionage, and it wasn't during the 40s as implied in this FB but about 3 years prior to TOD 25. Though, this is probably the easiest-to-reconsile contradictive retcon I've ever come across." 

Doctor Strange II#59-60 had King stating he became a vampire "five years ago".

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 05:54 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Enda80 wrote:
>>>
Doctor Strange II#59-60 had King stating he became a vampire "five years ago".
<<<

I'm pretty sure that he used that figure in his earlier TOD appearance as well, but I'd have to check for an issue number.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 02:59 am 
By JLH

Salute the Union Jack, hand to gun! 

------------------------------------ 
BLADE VOL 3 #9 [July 2007] 
"The Big Fight" 
Writer: Marc Guggenheim 
Artist: Howard Chaykin 

Cast: 
BLADE/ERIC BROOKS (also in FB) 
KING, HANNIBAL/"HENRY KAGLE" 
UNION JACK III/JOEY CHAPMAN 
VANITY, LADY/MADAME (FB only. Dies) 
CROSS, TARA (FB only, though as a rotted skeleton in present) 
HILL, MARIA 


Other characters: 
Someone Union Jack is working with (voice only) 
The unnamed woman who works at Vanity's we always see (FB only) 


Summary: Union Jack, British superhero and oft-hunter of vampires, lurks outside the window of the place Blade is staying at, in Soho, London. He wants Blade, but will settle for Hannibal. Meanwhile, Blade recalls Vanity's last words to him and hopes they're literal. He digs up his birth mother, Tara Cross, from her grave in the cemetary. There, he finds a letter clutched in her skeletal hands. From it, she learns that Lucas Cross was indeed her husband, and that she and her unborn child were in grave danger simply because they were members of a secret order known as "Tyrana". Blade recalls hearing of it several times in his past, but never learning the specifics. He calls up his "boss" at S.H.I.E.L.D., Maria Hill, and asks for some info on the Order of Tyrana, only to find that now she's not the Director of the organization, she can't unlock the locked file about them. What Blade does learn is that Tyrana is cross-referenced with the Knights of Pendragon, who're based in London. Maria tells him about Union Jack being a key member, and when he calls up Hannibal to have him track down this person, he's surprised to hear that the vampire P.I. has found him! Or rather, Union Jack found him, having burst through the window, firing silver bullets at Hannibal. While fleeing, Hannibal tries to explain himself to Union Jack, that he's not a regular evil vampire, only to have his pleas fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Blade drops by Pegasus shipping centre and picks up a SHIELD-sent package (which turns out to be C.O.D.). He straps the sleek-black, specially made gun onto the stump where his left hand used to be, and rushes to the nearby rooftop, saving Hannibal from Union Jack's wrath. Among the three different types of ammo in the feather-weight gun designed by SHIELD, are rubber bullets, which he uses to "budda-budda" into the costumed hero. Union Jack ends up stumbling back over the side of the roof, saved by Blade's gun-hand's grappling harpoon rope mode, which is shot through his left shoulder, keeping him from falling to his doom. Now calmed down and listening to reason, Union Jack accepts them as "vampires who hunt vampires" as they claimed, and as he tends to his wound in Blade's room, he asks what he wants with the Order of Tyrana. Blade claims he wants to do the world a favor and take them down. Union Jack reveals that his group, the Knights of Pendragon, spun off from the Order decades ago, but they still trade intel and the like. You see, the Order of Tyrana are GOOD guys! They helped catch the Pope's attempted assassin in 81, brought down the Berlin Wall in 89, took down Milosevic in 2000, and are now doing relief work in Darfur while establishing democraxy in Saudi Arabia and fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan! Needless to say, Blade's a bit stunned by this revelation. 


Flashbacks: 1) Soho, London, many years ago. Blade sits at the bedside of Lady Vanity, now a very old, white-haired woman. She's dying, and he talks about how she was more like a mother to him than his real one was. Vanity brings up the fact she was supposed to tell him something that Tara made her promise to, but now there's no time. As she passes on, she does manage to say that secrets are buried with his mother. 

2) We see Tara Cross, pregnant with Blade and living in London, writing out the letter she takes to her grave, as the words she writes are displayed to us in narrative form. 


Continuity notes: Maria Hill, still a "Commander", mentions it's been a 24/7 recruitment drive around SHIELD since "Captain America surrendered". No mention of his assassination. Tony Stark is said to be the "new director". 

Blade's mother, Tara Cross, appears as a corpse, having not been disturbed since she died. This would mean the story in "Marvel Shadows & Light" is automatically contradictive, since it featured her as a vampire brought back by Dracula, but in actuality, it plays up to a less-well known fact. Everyone bitten by Deacon Frost has an evil double created as a result of the biting. This means the Tara in M/SL was her Frost-made duplicate! 

Tara confirms, in case you hadn't realized, that her native homeland is Latveria. 

Really sneaky nod to Chaykin's past, when Blade calls the name Union Jack for a superhero as weird as a US one called "American Flag". It should moreso be noted that Blade's thoughts make clear he doesn't see himself as British, despite being born and mostly raised in London. 

Union Jack mentions he's been out of the vampire hunting business "a while", and has never heard of Blade 

The letters page is announced to be ending, so they can fit in the recap page from now on. What's of note, though, is that Guggenheim mentions he'll be using Blade's old allies from a previous series, Mosha and Mikado, in an upcoming "Blade-related project he's developing". 


Goofs: It honestly looks like Blade's fighting a generic Russian Cossack dancer. 

The exterior for the Lady Vanity's death flashback has 1940s-ish vehicles about. This can't be, since Vanity lived until at least VAMPIRE TALES 9, which was very much in the modern era. 

Kind of odd to me that Blade's mother would have a grave listed under her married name of "Tara Cross" when she was supposed to be in hiding during her stay in London. Why name the kid "Eric Brooks" unless you're using "Brooks" as your assumed name? 


Calendar notes: It's mentioned by Union Jack's unseen partner that Hannibal has been staying with Blade "the past couple of days". Entire story takes place within one night. No moon visible. Trees all have leaves and they appear greenish. 

Page 0: Recap. 
Page 1: Night, Soho, London. Union Jack talks on the phone to his partner as he hangs outside Blade's apartment window, finding only Hannibal King is inside, but not Blade. 
Pages 2-3: FB. Years ago, also in Soho, Blade learns from the dying Lady Vanity that secrets are buried with his mother. 
Pages 4-5: Blade digs up Tara Cross, finding a letter clutched in her corpse's hands. 
Page 6: FB. Tara Cross writing the letter, years ago, while pregnant with Blade and on the run from people who would harm her for her connection to her husband Lucas and the Order of Tyrana. 
Pages 7-21: Blade recalls previously hearing of the Order (when first arriving in New York, he had to mention them to get entrance to the Bloodshadows, a panel FBs to that, while a second FBs to him killing the group's leader before ever learning more about the Order). He then calls up Maria Hill on the SHIELD Helicarrier "somewhere above North America", where it appears to be daylight, sunset. She tells him "already shipped his toy to London", and reveals the file on the Order of Tyrana is locked, but is connected to Knights of Pendragon, informing him of their key member, Union Jack. Blade calls up Hannibal, who is getting attacked by Jack. Blade rushes to the Pegasus shipping store, picks up the SHIELD item, straps it on, and arrives just in time to use the new gun-hand to stop Union Jack from killing Hannibal King. After saving Jack from falling after shooting him with rubber bullets by shooting a grapple through his shoulder, they sit down to talk. There, Union Jack reveals the Order of Tyrana are actually good guys, much to Blade's shock. 
------------------------------------ 

Next issue, Black-suit Spidey, and we finally learn why Dracula took over that elementary school in issue 1.

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 03:49 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

Thanks for this one, too, JLH. It's cued up right with Heralds of Galactus. I'll let you know if I have questions about any of these issues.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Thread 20

Posted: 13 May 2007 02:09 am 		Post subject: Ghost Rider vol 5 #8-11
By JLH

The most vaguely connected "Civil War" tie-in yet! 

------------------------------------ 
GHOST RIDER VOL 5 #8 [April 2007] 
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, Part 1" 
Writer: Daniel Way 
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares 
Finishes: Mark Texeira 

Cast: 
GHOST RIDER II/JOHNNY BLAZE (also in FB) 
JACK O'LANTERN III/STEVEN LEVINS 
SATAN/"MARDUK KURIOS" (also in FB) 
O'CONNOR, HARRY 


Other characters: 
Marty & Phyllis Levins (parents of Jack O'Lantern) 
Faulkner, Archie 
Fillardi, Cameron (dies) 
Stouffer, Emily (plus her father and mother, Ellen) 
Greer, Roger 


Summary: Northwest of Chicago lies the little town of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. One night, teenager Cameron Fillardi drives Emily Stouffer home from a date. Instead of taking her home, though, he drives her away, and prepares to date rape her, using the excuse that he's just going to tell everyone he did her anyway. When he steps out of the car and walks around to her side, she locks him out. Suddenly, Cameron sees a flash of light, which blinds Emily. She becomes scared and calls her father on her cellphone, before hearing a loud screeching noise from outside. She drops the phone and opens the door upon witnessing Cameron with blood all over him. Opening the door knocks his body over, which remained propped up against the vehicle. A passing motorist rushes over, just as she steps out of the car and finds Cameron's body, with his decapitated head lying in the street beside it! 

Early the next morning, a trio of elder men watch television in their golf course country club estate place. They talk about how %$%#ed-up the world is becoming, with the super-hero stuff in New York and the death of local couple Marty & Phyllis Levins' son Steven. Steve had been in prison before, and his funeral wasn't even in the papers. Now, the death of Cameron the night before shows how close to home this terrible business of murder is getting. Mentioned is the fact the town Sheriff, Harry O'Connor, was Cameron's Godson, his late partner Pete Fillardi's son, and had been looking out for the boy since Pete died. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Emily awakens, screaming and strapped in her bed, fighting sedation. Sheriff Harry arrives to question the girl, his kind but firm demeanor shown to her parents when he has her released from straints on his authority. Harry then questions Emily, bringing up the fact Cameron forced himself on Monica Brezzi about a year ago, and how if he did the same to her, he'd understand if that's why she killed him in defense. But Emily reveals this isn't what happened at all. Soon leaving the hospital, Harry calls the district attorney, Roger Greer, informing him that Emily only heard a flash of light and noise, and it wasn't a gunshot. He's adamant the girl be left alone from now on, since she doesn't know anything. Greer is less than pleased, and even suggests Harry's covering for Cameron again, which doesn't go over well with the sheriff. Anyway, Harry brings up the fact a grave at St. Mary's Cemetery was desecrated the prior night, which might be related but is similar to what happens nearly every year around Halloween. He also mentions having spoken to Cameron's mother, who took his death hard. Anyway, Harry gets another call. It's those three guys at the golf club, led by Archie Faulkner. It seems Dickie knocked a ball into the dogleg left rough on hole 6, and found transient sleeping in the bushes, covered in blood! Harry tells his friends to keep the ID-less mystery man right where he is until he arrives. Soon, Harry gets there and uses the locker room to interrogate the man, who is, of course, our pal Johnny Blaze. The sheriff uses a golf club and claims the trio of old men roughed him up good, before bringing this previously untrue statement to pass personally by beating on our main character. Harry even drops a knife beside him to claim Johnny came after him with it. When questioned, Johnny doesn't know where the blood came from, but figures it's his own, despite no wounds. So, Harry beats Johnny so more, until he threatens that if he keeps it up, something bad will happen. Harry taunts him incredously, and all of a sudden, Johnny flames on to the form of the Spirit of Vengeance. 

After blacking out, Harry awakens in the hospital. The officer by his bedside informs him of the explosion at the country club, where the locker room ended up so burnt the lockers melted and the outer wall blown out, while Harry was unsinged, save for his uniform. The sheriff rises from his bed and dons the clothes brought from his gym bag at the station. The officer tells him that reporters are crowded out by the front door, since two more teenagers were murdered since he was out. This time, there were three witnesses who say a guy with his head on fire did it. Harry knows the "head on fire" bit before he says it, preps his gun and takes off out the window. Elsewhere in town, Marty Levins lies face-down in a pool of his blood at the breakfast table, while his wife, Phyllis, sitting nearby, asks their son and captor, Stevie, if he could untie her hands so she can pray. Steve denies his mother's request, claiming he's had a busy day and wants to watch TV. On TV, is a report on the Sleepy Hollow Murders. And Steve? Why, he's the costumed villain Jack O'Lantern, his pumpkin head barely repaired and still cracked from the gunshot wound through it that killed him, and his head unnaturally aflame. 


Flashback: Johnny as Ghost Rider, facing five avatars of Satan in full-on demonic state. He swings his chain at one, causing blood to be splattered about, implying that's where Johnny got the blood on his shirt in the main story from. 


Continuity notes: Red "Casualties of War" banner on the cover. 

It's said that "super-hero stuff" is going on up in "New York". A TV screen shows a reporter and the Avengers "A" logo as the image beside him. The TV then shows a chalk outline of a dead body. This is followed by footage of a pair of paramedics carting off someone in a city, while police cars and a taped-off crowd are nearby. Presumably, the chalk outline stuff is related to Cameron's death, not Captain America. 

Jack O'Lantern III's funeral was "last week", yet his grave was desecrated (in other words, he got out of it) just prior to the start of the issue. It honestly appears as though, despite constantly saying Lucifer's 666 pieces took on "recently deceased" avatars upon reaching Earth during issue 1, that not all pieces found hosts immediately, and some are around awaiting for bodies to take over. 


Calendar notes: Full moon. Jack O'Lantern's funeral was "last week". His grave at St Mary's Cemetery was desecrated during the same night the issue starts on. It's "around Halloween", spoken but never physically shown to be true (no decorations ever seen in this storyline). All trees and bushes are green and don't look the least bit 

Page 0: Recap. 
Pages 1-4: Night. Full moon. Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. Emily Stouffer is nearly date-raped by Cameron Fillardi, who is decapitated by the Lucifer-avatar revived corpse of Jack O'Lantern III. Earlier that night, BTS, Jack arose from his grave at St. Mary's Cemetery. 
Pages 5-18: The next morning, Avengers and Civil War-related material on TV. Sheriff Harry O'Connor, godfather of Cameron, questions Emily in the hospital about the attack. He informs D.A. Greer that she knew nothing. Harry's contacted by Archie Faulkner, who claims he and his pals at the country club have found a man with blood on his clothes and no ID sleeping on the golf course. Harry rushes over, and brutally interrogates the man, Johnny Blaze. After taking a golf clubbing, Johnny switches to Ghost Rider, much to Harry's astonishment. 
Page 17, panel 3: FB. Johnny as Ghost Rider, fighting five avatars of Satan, getting blood on him as a result. This takes place between this issue and the last. 
Pages 19-22: Harry awakens that night to discover the country club's locker room went up in a freak fire that didn't even give him a blister, yet scorched his clothes and melted the lockers. He departs the hospital, learning two more teens died, and three witnesses saw a man with a flaming head do it. Meanwhile, Jack O'Lantern III returns to the home of his parents, the Levins, who're both tied up with the father, Marty dead, as he watches a TV report on the murders he's been committing. 


------------------------------------ 
GHOST RIDER VOL 5 #9 [May 2007] 
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, Part 2" 
Writer: Daniel Way 
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares 
Finishes: Mark Texeira 

Cast: 
GHOST RIDER II/JOHNNY BLAZE 
JACK O'LANTERN III/STEVEN LEVINS 
SATAN/"MARDUK KURIOS" 
O'CONNOR, HARRY (also in FB) 


Other characters: 
Donnie (dies) 
Marcus 
Newswoman (likely the same seen but not heard last issue) 
Brockton, Melanie (FB only) 
Zombies made of the dead of the town 


Summary: Night in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. Despite the curfew, a pair of preteen boys, Marcus & Donnie, go walking down the street, heading to the single lane bridge. A car appears to be coming, Donnie's afraid of getting caught, but he and his pal calm down when they realize it's only one headlight, meaning it's just a motorcycle. But the boys quickly flee in horror when they notice it's actually the flaming pumpkin head of Jack O'Lantern! Marcus jumps off the bridge just as the flying head smashes down upon it, avoiding injury. He notices Donnie hitting the water after he comes up for air, and swims over to rescue the boy when he doesn't come up. He gets Donnie to shore, and only then discovers he's missing a head! Jack O'Lantern is reunited with his cracked pumpkin head, and floats on his hoverdisc above Marcus, offering to let him live if he gives him his soul. Before the frightened boy can shake hands to seal the deal, Ghost Rider's chain wraps around the avatar of Lucifer, and yanks him away, rising his hellfire-wheeled motorcycle across the river and dragging the supernatural supervillain painfully along. He finally stops quick, sending Jack O'Lantern flying ahead, getting smashed right into by a big rig driving down the road! The driver gets out and is shocked by hitting a person, only to have Ghost Rider approach from the thickets, telling him to leave. The man does so, leaving the Spirit of Vengeance to approach Jack O'Lantern, recognizing him as Lucifer. The avatar of Satan notes two of the special features of his new "costume" are high impact body armor and wrist-blasters, the latter of which he uses to shoot Ghost Rider right in the skull, shattering it! Just as quickly as his head explodes, it restores itself to normal. GR is then bonked on the bonehead by Jack's hoverdisc, which finally arrives, allowing him to escape from the mild distraction. 

The next night, the story of the four teen decapitations makes the news again. This time, a brief interview with Sheriff Harry O'Connor is played, stressing the importance of keeping the curfew until the killer of the children is caught. As this airs, Ghost Rider rides down the street in Sleepy Hollow, suddenly getting hit by a police car that plows into him, and into a boutique shop! With the Spirit of Vengeance pinned to the wall, Harry pulls out a very large, non-police ordenance rifle, planning on taking his flaming head off, like he did to the kids. Ghost Rider denies it was him, and the sheriff laughs, saying it must be another guy with a head on fire. Elsewhere, Jack O'Lantern proclaims his love for the town at the cemetery. Since it's Halloween, he wants someone to go trick-or-treating with him, asking volunteers to raise their hands. All at once, dozens of arms of zombies rise from the graves around him. 


Flashback: It's not really so much a FB as it is a taped interview between Melanie Brockton and Sheriff Harry O'Connor. It takes place between scenes in this issue, obviously. 


Continuity notes: Red "Casualties of War" banner on the cover. 

Sleepy Hollow is said to be a "small suburb of Chicago". 


Calendar notes: Full moon. Harry is asked if the curfew will affect "Halloween Festivities this year" and if the kids will be allowed to Trick or Treat. But, again, not the slightest sign of any decorations anywhere in the town. Not a single pumpkin, cobweb, or skeleton made of plastic anywhere. I'd say you can easily ignore the references as topic. Jack O'Lantern confirms it's Halloween "best time of year". Green grass everywhere, fully lush trees... 

Page 0: Recap. 
Pages 1-16: Night (different from the previous issue's end). Full moon. Donnie and Marcus break curfew, with Donnie ending up getting decapitated by Jack O'Lantern III. Ghost Rider saves Marcus from selling his soul to the avatar of Lucifer, and flings his enemy in front of a truck. Jack O'Lucifer uses his new body's weapons to shoot GR's skull apart, then when it reforms, to knock him on it with his hoverdisc before escaping. 
Page 17: A man and a woman watch the TV the NEXT night, viewing a newswoman reporting on the 4 deaths in Sleepy Hollow of late. 
Page 17, panels 2 & 3, then narrative captions on page 18, panels 1-3: Earlier that day, Melanie Brockton approached Sheriff Harry O'Connor about the curfew affecting the Halloween celebrations. 
Pages 18-20: Same night as the TV report. Ghost Rider rides along the streets, is hit by Harry's cop car, and pinned inside a store as he prepares to shoot his head off. 
Pages 21-22: At the cemetery, still that night, Jack O'Lantern raises an army of zombies to join him in a little trick-or-treating. 


------------------------------------ 
GHOST RIDER VOL 5 #10 [June 2007] 
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, Part 3" 
Writer: Daniel Way 
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares 
Finishes: Mark Texeira 

Cast: 
GHOST RIDER II/JOHNNY BLAZE (also in FB-FB) 
JACK O'LANTERN III/STEVEN LEVINS (also in FB and FB-FB) 
SATAN/"MARDUK KURIOS" (also in FB and FB-FB) 
O'CONNOR, HARRY (also in FB and FB-FB) 

Other characters: 
Ralph (voice only, FB-FB only) 
Zombies made of the town's dead (also in FB and FB-FB) 
Ned (voice only, FB-FB only. Dies) 
Darryl (and his wife & kids; FB-FB only) 


Summary: Jack O'Lantern's pumpkin head bits splatter against the zombies behind him, as Sheriff Harry O'Connor responds, "treat." The avatar of Lucifer restores his head to normal in a flash, and demands his army of walking dead attack. Harry shoots the head of one into a pulp, bemoans not using the M-60, and screams about the zombies being useless without orders from Jack to follow. Jack responds that he already knew that, only to find he wasn't talking to him, but Ghost Rider, who emerges from the shadows on the lawn nearby. 


Flashback: "One minute" before the "now" the story "starts" at above, Jack O'Lantern tells his zombie army to keep quiet as he rings the doorbell of an overly religious house, and begins to ask, "trick or..." as the door opens. Sheriff Harry O'Connor fires his shotgun right in the avatar of Lucifer's flaming pumpkin head, blowing it to bits as he reloads, expending the still-smoking shell and the headless body plops down on the porch. 


Flashback within Flashback: At the boutique, Harry, with Ghost Rider pinned behind his car, demands to know who he is. Once the Spirit of Vengeance tells him, he prepares to shoot, only to have the gun melt as GR flares his hellfire, frees himself of the car, and wraps the sheriff in his chain. He warns the human not to delay his vengeance again. Harry refuses to give up until he's stopped. Thus, Ghost Rider flings his chain, sending Harry flying out, landing roughly on a car across the street, right before the storefront explodes in a burst of flames, taking the cop car with it. Harry suspects the guy he thinks is the killer saved him from that on purpose, but calls up a guy named Ralph to report the fire. Ghost Rider steps out of the flames, and the sheriff readies himself, thinking the Spirit of Vengeance wanted to finish him off personally. Instead, GR reverts to Johnny Blaze, who passes out right on the street in front of him. 

Elsewhere, Jack O'Lantern is furious over the ineptitute of his zombies, calling them the worst army of the dead ever as they stumble around, unable to avoid bumping into tombstones, even when told to go around them. 

Soon, Johnny awakens in Harry's basement, which is filled with crates and crates of ammo and TNT (which'll keep him from flaming on for once). He's a bit of the survivalist, if that big gun from last issue implied. Johnny is tied to a chair, and tells him about his deal with the devil, becoming Ghost Rider, and how Lucifer is possessing recently-dead bodies. The sheriff does in fact buy into his claims, and when Johnny manages to remember what the devil is currently looking like (despite Ghost Rider being in control during their encounters), he mentions a fiery pumpkin. Harry knows who it is immediately, and calls up Ned, who runs the cemetery. He asks about the grave desecrated a few days back, if it was Steven Levins', which he confirms. Ned thinks kids were doing it again, since a bunch of more graves got dug up tonight. As he talks to Harry, the zombies attack Ned, killing him. Harry explains to Johnny that Steven Levins was a local boy who went bad, went to New York, and went by the name of Jack O'Lantern until he was recently killed by the Punisher. His parents had him buried in town, and his body is missing, and his description matches that of the current avatar of Lucifer. Anyway, Harry, a two time war vet and a man of faith, unties Johnny, and wants the two of them to work together to kill the child killing devil. The sheriff will take out the body armor, while Ghost Rider takes out what's under it. When told that Lucifer likes to defile beliefs, Harry knows just where he'll head next. He takes Johnny and some supplies to a house in town with a lot of large religious artifacts, statues of angles and crosses, and a big neon sign saying "REPENT". Harry gets the owner and end-times proclaimer Darryl, out of town with his family while he and Johnny get prepared to lay their traps. 


Continuity notes: Red "Casualties of War" banner on the cover. 

It's confirmed that Jack O'Lantern III "died recently-- got his head blown off by that vigilante, the Punisher." 


Goofs: The storefront where Harry smashed his car into Ghost Rider, despite having a sign saying "boutique", is called "Kimball Drug" by Harry. 


Calendar notes: This all takes place on the same night started last issue. It's now said by the captions to be "Halloween Night." Jack O'Lantern III's grave got dug up "a few days ago". 

Page 0: Recap. 
Pages 1-3: "One minute ago" Jack O'Lantern and his zombie army approach the "REPENT" house of Darryl to trick-or-treat. Harry shoots off his pumpkin head. 
Pages 4-18: "Earlier that night." Continuing the storefront confrontation, Harry is saved by Ghost Rider by flinging him away before the store explodes. He calls up Ralph to report the fire, Ghost Rider comes out and reverts to Johnny Blaze. Meanwhile, Jack O'Lantern bemoans his useless zombie army, which does manage to kill cemetery caretaker Ned offscreen. A short time later, Johnny tells Harry his story, and upon learning the details of Lucifer's current avatar, gets the connection between flaming heads. He and Johnny go to a local bible-thumper's house to set a trap. 
Pages 19-22: "Now." Jack O'Lantern restores his pumpkin head from its shattered state, and orders his zombie army to attack Harry, who fires back on them. Ghost Rider approaches from the side to confront the avatar of Lucifer. 

------------------------------------ 
GHOST RIDER VOL 5 #11 [July 2007] 
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, Conclusion" 
Writer: Daniel Way 
Breakdowns: Javier Saltares 
Finishes: Mark Texeira 

Cast: 
GHOST RIDER II/JOHNNY BLAZE 
JACK O'LANTERN III/STEVEN LEVINS (dies... again) 
SATAN/"MARDUK KURIOS" (loses another of his avatars) 
O'CONNOR, HARRY 


Other characters: 
Zombies made of the town's dead 
Fillardi, Cameron (as a zombie corpse) 


Summary: Realizing he's been set up, Jack O'Lantern tosses a few pumpkin bombs at Ghost Rider, who flings his chain at them, detonating them right over the zombie army, wiping them all out. Harry ducked inside the house and braced himself behind the couch just in time to avoid that blast, but complains about that not being part of the plan. The avatar of Lucifer bemoans (again), this time about how hard it was for him to raise an antire zombie army. Inside the house, Harry's godson Cameron, head sewn back on, appears before him, as an evil zombie, of course. Upon hearing the sheriff's screams, Ghost Rider becomes concerned, to which Jack finds himself disappointed. The Spirit of Vengeance tosses his chain at him, only to have the hoverdisc zoom in and take his place, and soon taking Ghost Rider high into the air! Despite Johnny inside questioning his capabilities, Ghost Rider pulls himself up onto the disc and yanks on the chain until the flying device shatters into pieces. As he plummets back to Sleepy Hollow, he summons his motorcycle, which launches off a parked car and meets him in midair. In the house, Harry tries to overcome his attachment to Cameron, and view him just as dead meat. He stabs him with a pronged fork, but the undead boy proves too hard to kill. He finally tells his Godson that he was a bad kid and would've killed someone eventually had he not died, as he kicks the zombie into the refridgerator, which then falls down atop him, imprisoning the living dead within it. Jack O'Lantern, now brandishing Harry's rifle, walks in, preparing to fire a gun for the first time. The sheriff tricks him into thinking there's no bullets, which distracts him while Ghost Rider whips his chain around his legs and pulls him down. The Spirit of Vengeance drives the avatar of Lucifer out into the living room, leaving him between multiple napalm discharge bombs. Harry and GR get out just as the whole house goes up in a massive explosion. Ghost Rider heads back in, and confronts the now armor-damaged Jack O'Lantern, who laments losing this body, since he liked the outfit. The Spirit of Vengeance punches through the hole in his armor and rips out his still beating heart, which he then ignites with hellfire and stuffs back in where he got it from. Jack topples back and his body explodes entirely, his flaming pumpkin head landing nearby. Ghost Rider stomps on it, thus ending this avatar completely. After reverting to Johnny Blaze, he goes to the basement, where Harry took cover, and tries to thank him for his help. The sheriff gruffly tells him the only way to do that is for him to get out of Sleepy Hollow and never come back. He obliges. 


Continuity notes: Red "Casualties of War" banner on the cover. 

A rare instance, Johnny is aware of Ghost Rider's actions. We even get a caption, asking GR if he knows what he's doing, to which the demon tells the "human" to be silent. 

Harry claims to be 62 years old, and fought in two wars. 


Goofs: There's several people out on the sidewalk on the final page, despite the curfew. 

Cameron doesn't look like himself from issue 8. Instead, he's Donnie from issue 9, right down to the "Ozarks 10" sweater! 


Calendar notes: Full moon. Same night as last issue. 

Pages 1-22: Ghost Rider ignites Jack O'Lantern's pumpkin bombs, wiping out the zombie army. Harry faces his Godson, Cameron's zombie corpse, trapping him in the fridge. GR goes for a short ride on Jack's hoverdisc, before destroying it. Jack prepares to shoot Harry, but is tricked, then drug by GR out to the living room and napalmed (or some other fiery explosive). Ghost Rider returns to the burning house, and uses the new damage in Jack O'Lantern's body armor to rip out his heart, ignite it, and put it back, destroying his body, then smashing his pumpkin head. Upon returning to human form, Johnny goes to thank Harry, who demands he leave and never return. 
Page 23: Johnny Blaze rides out of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. It's still night, clouds in the sky. 
------------------------------------ 

Next issue starts a two-part "World War Hulk" tie-in, which seems to actually promise to be part of the story instead of so utterly, thinly connected to it as this.

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 07:40 am 
By Somebody
Director

Has there been any evidence that the relevant Lucifer/Satan is Marduk Kurios yet, or is that still your assumption?

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 11:02 pm 
By JLH

They're the ones trying to claim THIS is the guy Johnny sold his soul to years ago, ignorant of the fact Mephisto was retconned into it in place of Marduk. You put a guy, calling himself the devil, into a role that has already been filled by two other devil entities, in a universe where the roles of this being have already been clearly defined for decades... you either flesh this new guy out to entirely RULE OUT the other two, or you accept the fact Lucifer is either Marduk with a new schtick or Mephisto with amnesia. They refuse to flesh him out in such a way, acting as if Marvel only ever had one Satan, they therefore leave too wide a gap to automatically make him a new, never before seen version, this one being "the really real Fallen Angel Lucifer himself". 

I suppose that doesn't fit into their decompressionist view of stories worth telling.

			*	*	*

Posted: 14 May 2007 10:28 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

JLH wrote:
>>>
It's "around Halloween", spoken but never physically shown to be true (no decorations ever seen in this storyline).
<<<

Maybe... Sleepy Hollow celebrates Halloween whenever they want!


JLH wrote:
>>>
A rare instance, Johnny is aware of Ghost Rider's actions. We even get a caption, asking GR if he knows what he's doing, to which the demon tells the "human" to be silent. 
<<<

Now I really want to know if this is Zarathos. Or something else. Or whatever. 


JLH wrote:
>>>
Next issue starts a two-part "World War Hulk" tie-in, which seems to actually promise to be part of the story instead of so utterly, thinly connected to it as this.
<<<

...yeah."

Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Thread 21

Posted: 15 May 2007 04:04 am 		Post subject: Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night/ Man-Thing
By JLH

Where's Superboy? Oops, wrong Legion! 

------------------------------------ 
LEGION OF MONSTERS: WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 [April 2007] 
"Smalltown Girl", A Werewolf by Night Tale 
Writer: Mike Carey 
Swipes: Greg Land 
Inks: Jay Leisten 

Cast: 
WEREWOLF/JACK RUSSELL 


Other characters: 
Rhona (young woman who becomes a werewolf. Also in FB, where he mother and sister Suzie appear) 
Local werewolf hunters (named includes Cal and Adrienne "Addy") 


Summary: Jack Russell rides into Salvage, Alabama, and drops by Sullivan's bar. He encounters a young woman named Rhona, who just so happens to be afflicted by the curse of lycanthropy. He helps rescue her from the werewolf hunting mob that killed her family, and gets her to accept herself and her feral side. 


Flashback: Rhona when she was younger, with her mother and sister Suzie. 

Continuity notes: Jack has the ability to change into the Werewolf fully under his control, he does it by willpower alone. He rides a motorcycle around, vehicles are all modern. 


Calendar notes: Seems to be chilly weather, with several bare trees visible. It's said to be "dark of the moon", and since Rhona uses the moonlight of a tarot card to change, it's likely a New Moon. Sky is clear, stars are out... 

Page 1: The FBs. Panel 1 has Rhona as a little girl in bed, agonized over the full moon. Panel 2 has her a little older with her mother and sister Suzie stitching the "Ladder of Mercy" into her skin with silver-dipped fishing twine. Panel 3 has Rhona as the wolf when she was 14, killing a deer. Panel 4 has Rhona walking along the street one day. Panel 5 has Rhona at Suzie and her mother's graves during a storm. 
Pages 2-14: Night throughout. Clear sky, but chilly, in Salvage, Alabama. Jack Russell uses his ability to become the Werewolf to save a werewolf girl named Rhona from the hunters who killed her mother and sister. He then heads to Birmingham, taking her with him. 


--------------- 
Second story: 
"To Be A Monster", A Monster of Frankenstein Story 
By: Skottie Young 

Cast: 
FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER 

Other characters: 
Father McCauley (also in FB. Dies) 
Unnamed priest, just "Father" (giving shelter and reform to the monster. Dies) 
Unnamed Archbishop (other priest calls him "Your Grace") 
McCauley's franken-family (all destroyed) 


Summary: The Monster of Frankenstein is asked by the priest he's taken refuge with, to come out of hiding and put an end to the unholy experiments of "Father" McCauley, a scientist pretending to be a priest and using Dr Frankenstein's work to create a family of patchwork men. He does so (with some help from the electronic equipment used to create the Franken-men), and in the end kills the priest who befriended him, got him reading and helped him believe in God, for the betrayal of trust in having him return to being a monster. 


Flashbacks: McCauley's journal. See below for more. For what it's worth, the journal is written in English. 

Continuity notes: When this story occurs is really a mystery. No vehicles are seen, just horseback riders. The village mainly featured is of an elder style, not atypical to how many rural Eastern European villages tend to look. It's also said to be abandoned due to the mines drying up. McCauley's journal talks of his plans to get the Chief Medical position at "Holdenburg University of Science". All basic signs say it takes place some time ago, but it could presumably be a modern tale. 


Calendar notes: Waning crescent moon. 

Pages 15-18: Night. A pair of riders on horseback chase an escaped prisoner. He ends up taking refuge in an abandoned town, which they refuse to go into, for fear of the creatures within. The prisoner ends up at the church, where he's killed by Father McCauley. 
Pages 19-28: Night. Archbishop and a monk meet with the Father sheltering the Frankenstein Monster, and push him to undo the progress he's made with him so they can be rid of the false priest and butcher, McCauley. Franky does so, killing McCauley and his Franken-family, and then returns home to kill his priest friend and resumes his life of being a monster on the run. 
Page 22 panel 6 dialogue and all of page 23: McCauley's journal, with entries dated June 3rd (succeeds in building upon Dr Frankstein's work), September 1st (McCauley shows off his discovery, a Franken monster creation), October 25th (some professional fellow rejecting McCauley's medical certificate), March 9th (McCauley first wearing the "mask" of a priest), and Feb 14th (McCauley killing a woman in a confessional and using her parts to add to his Franken family). 

------------------------------------ 
LEGION OF MONSTERS: MAN-THING #1 [May 2007] 
"A Flower In Alien Soil." 
Writer: Charlie Huston 
Art: Kalus Janson 

Cast: 
MAN-THING II/THEODORE "TED" SALLIS 

Other characters: 
Esperanza (girl who becomes the new gardner) 
DeFlyte, Terrence (dies) 
Wilmes (gardner who gets fired) 


Summary: A young woman named Esperanza ends up in Citrusville, Florida, and takes over the job of tending to the lawn and garden maintence of the weathly Terrence DeFlyte. Mr DeFlyte has a serious mad-on for the swampland his heritage is seeped in, and as we discover, he and other like-minded socialites meet secretly and feast upon their enemy: Man-Thing! Yes, poor Man-Thing is being devoured by a bunch of rich people who're landowners of the swampland and want it gone. Well, Esperanza finds out about this, and despite not knowing anything about him, knows it's wrong, and manages to slip a flower from the native swamp to Man-Thing's remaining carcass. This aids him in regenerating, and when he does so, he activates his fear-burning ability... cooking the landowners from the inside out. 


Continuity notes: Typical Man-Thing tale, nothing remotely mentioned continuity-wise. 

DeFlyte mentions he found Man-Thing sick and wounded by the discharge released from generic "fierce industry". It probably has been a good enough while, since Man-Thing's down to just his head and shoulders area when we see him. 

Pages 1-6: Esperanza comes to Citrusville, Wilmes is fired by DeFlyte, and she gets the job by noting the chafer beetles on his roses. Greenery all around, but it doesn't seem to be the hottest of days at all. 
Pages 7-10, panel 1: One night, Esperanza is plucking beetles from the flowers when she spots DeFlyte and others sitting down to a meal of the Man-Thing. She flees in disgust. 
Page 10, panel 2 through 7: Esperanza continues working and trying to ignore the eating of Man-Thing. We see another "feasting" ceremony, which keeps her up at night. 
Pages 11-14: One day, Esperanza picks some flowers from the swamp, and having made enough money, she sneaks in while the socialites are sleeping (they always seem to pass out at the table after dining on Man-Thing), putting the flowers beside Man-Thing before she leaves. After she's gone, Man-Thing uses the flowers to regenerate completely, and kills all of the men & women who ate of him by igniting their guts via the "whatever knows fear, burns at his touch" power. 


--------------- 
Second story: 
"Morgue Amore", A Simon Garth: Zombie Story 
By: Ted McKeever 

Cast: 
ZOMBIE/SIMON GARTH 

Other characters: 
Kathy the doctor 
Marvin the medic 
Kissy, Chester and a few others weirdos 


Summary: Simon Garth, the original Marvel Zombie, is found during a fire near a dry cleaner's. Paramedics, surprised to see him moving and alive, bring him to the local hospital. Once there, they realize he's dead and send him to the morgue. He soon arises, searching for "music" of a woman, finding a nearby corpse lacking it. So he slips out, wanders the streets, saves a girl from a guy with a knife by breaking his neck. Simon tastes the girl's tears and finds her music to be sad. Soon, outside a dump called the Rabbit's Hole, Simon encounters a group of punks, the main one being a suicide girl named Kissy. When Simon finds her desire to be like him repulsive, she calls him a corpse tease and has her gang kick "Mr Stinky"'s ass. After taking a beating, a cop stops them and calls it in. When Simon is returned to the hospital, the same people realize it's that mummy guy again and send him back to the morgue. There, this time, he finds the music he seeks, as a female corpse nearby appears to come to life just like him! Both Simon and the girl escape from the morgue, and watch the sunrise together in a pit out in the forest. 


Continuity notes: Simon starts the story buried under foundation of a storefront in a city, a place built on swampland "years ago". 

The place Simon keeps getting sent to? "Gerber Hospital", a nod to Steve Gerber. 

Simon lacks any amulet or talisman around his neck or on his person. 


Calendar notes: Waning crescent moon. 

Pages 15-28: Story starts out during daytime, then mostly occurs during that night, ending with the final few panels as sunrise the next morning. 

------------------------------------

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 06:33 am 
By Enda80

"scientist pretending to be a priest and using Dr Frankenstein's work " 
Victor Frankenstein was not a doctor.

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 10:30 am 
By jephyork
Director

Hopefully you're referring to the Marvel Universe version of Doc Frankenstein, Enda, as you know we don't really care what the "real" novels have to say. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 15 May 2007 11:03 pm 
By JLH

Thanks for nothing, Ending. I'm quoting what they say in the book itself.

			*	*	*

Posted: 16 May 2007 12:53 am 
By Col_Fury
Director

Peter Cushing is my favorite Frankenstein.  

Another favorite of mine? 

'Fear BURNS at the touch of the Man-Thing!' 
(sometimes it's 'Fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch'... whatever) 

Hot dog, do I love that line."Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Thread 22

Posted: 19 May 2007 02:55 am 		Post subject: Marvel Collector's Edition #1 (1992; Charleston Chew)
By JLH

Not part of the Gap, but an incredible simulation! Actually, a giveaway. Sendaway, more specifically. 

------------------------------------ 
MARVEL COLLECTOR'S EDITION #1 [1992] 
-Cover with indicia lists "Marvel Collector's Edition, Presents: Spider-Man" and the flip cover has "Marvel Collector's Edition, Presents: Wolverine". 
-Both have blurb, "Brought to you by Charleston Chew", which is how this issue was given away, via an offer for said candy company. 
-Ad for the giveaway was featured in Marvel Comics for several months, earliest I can find off-hand was those cover dated Sept 1992. 

Story 1: 
The Amazing Spider-Man, "U Can't Touch...The Eel!" 
Writer: Tony Isabella 
Artist: Alan Kupperberg 

Cast: 
SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER (also in FB) 
WATSON-PARKER, MARY JANE (FB only, BTS in main story) 
EEL II/EDWARD LAVELL 


Other characters: 
Shop owner (FB only) 
Couple o' Cops (one named Sgt. Demeo) 


Summary: Spider-Man swings through the city one rainy night, ending up catching a cold, as he searches for a crime scene to take pictures of for the Bugle. It's the anniversary of when he first met his wife, and he's in need of money to buy a brooch she wants. Finally, after the rain is gone, he discovers the Eel robbing the precious valuables of some people vacationing in the Bahamas (as mentioned in the society column). Spidey halts his getaway, finding it tough to grab the slippery supervillain. So, a short fight ensues, webbing to electricity. Eventually, Spidey knocks Eel off the roof and webs up a net to save them. With only an hour until the webbing dissolves, our hero convinces the villain to take off his costume to keep from eventually plummetting to his doom. Soon, the naked Eel, with only webbing for underwear, swears vengeance against Spidey as he's led away by the police, his costume and stolen goods in tow. With a few pics of the humiliated Eel, Spider-Man swings away, wondering when the jewelry shop will open. As explained in the narration, his cold won't go away for weeks and he ends up giving it Mary Jane. 


Flashback: Earlier that afternoon, Peter and MJ visited a jewelry shop, where she tried on an Atimor original brooch, but refused to let her husband buy the expensive item. 

There's also a one-panel FB to the Pete/MJ "You've hit the jackpot" moment we all know and love, but nothing new with it. 


Continuity notes: It's the anniversary of the first time Peter met Mary Jane. They're married in this story, of course. 

Eel has recently been released from prison. 

This marks the first time Spider-Man and the second Eel have encountered one another, a fact that's mentioned by the characters. Thus, this has to be prior to WOSM 98, when they "next" encounter one another. 


Goofs: In one of the panels, Spidey shoots what looks like purple jelly at Eel, and the next panel, it's drawn correctly to be his standard webbing. Was Welsh's or Smucker's originally going to sponsor the book or something?! 


Calendar notes: Night starts with heavy rain that passes, and leaves clear skies with a full moon. 

-------------- 
Story 2: 
The Silver Surfer, "The Leader" 
Writer: George Carragonne 
Artist: Nelson 

Cast: 
SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 

Other characters: 
Alas Longrun (girl from Krell and Light Raiders member) 
Krellians 
Silicon Hosts 


Summary: Silver Surfer visits the planet Krell, where once great spires of diamond and obsidian stood and have now crumbled. He discovers life still exists, meeting a young woman named Alas Longrun. She's the last living member of the Light Raiders, freedom fighters who rebel against the machines that now rule Krell and enslave the organic beings they once served. Alas wishes for the Surfer to aid her in retaking the planet from these Silicon Hosts, but he refuses, since it was their fault the planet was taken over by their own techology, and it should be they who undo it. His refusal does just as he'd hoped, inspiring Alas to fight the robots as they attack, though Silver Surfer soon steps in to help out, reminding her she'll never stand alone. Fellow organics watch the battle, failing to see the Surfer, and are given new hope by the incredible success the last Light Raider has against the Silicon Hosts. Alas is hailed as their new leader, with a new band of rebels to fight against the machines. The Surfer departs back to space. 


Flashback: Alas tells the Surfer of Krell's history, how their technology grew faster than their own wisdom and led to their enslavement, which then led to a war against the machines "100 winters ago". 


Continuity notes: Silver Surfer doesn't serve Galactus anymore, meaning it's a modern day tale. 

The final panel has the face of Eternity visible in the edge of the spacefield. But would it count as an appearance of him since he does nor says anything? U Decide! 


-------------- 
Story 3: 
Wolverine! in, "Gimme a Break" 
Plot: Richard Howell 
Script: Larry Hama 
Art: Sam Kieth 

Cast: 
WOLVERINE/"LOGAN"/JAMES HOWLETT 
JUBILEE/JUBILATION LEE 

Summary: Wolverine and Jubilee have just finished an intense workout in the Danger Room. While cleaning up some of the debris from their exercise, Jubilee accidentally sets off the damaged control circuits, causing the room to reactivate... at maximum threat capacity! Wolverine takes most of the full brunt of the attacks, though Jubilee ends up knocked out with a sprained ankle when trying to help Logan. This helps to inspire Wolverine in his finishing off of the room's final assault, a large robot thing with vise-clamp hands. Following his berserker rage and claw-slashing, the room is finally gets deactivated. Later, Jubiliee is in the infirmary, bemoaning the fact she was felled simply by tripping on some debris. 


Continuity notes: Wolverine is wearing his brown costume. Jubilee is wearing the yellow & blue school uniform. This places things prior to adjectiveless Wolverine 50/X-Men 4. 

Goofs: Wolverine claims his healing factor can knit together his "broken ribs and perforated innards". Even the story quiz at the end points out how he must have been exaggerating, given his metal skeleton. 

-------------- 
Story 4: 
Ghost Rider in, "You've Got to Have Friends" 
Writer: Howard A. Mackie 
Penciler: John Hebert 
Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti 

Cast: 
GHOST RIDER III/NOBLE KALE 
KETCH, DANIEL "DANNY" 
DEVIL GRIP 


Other characters: 
McCormick, Mike "Mouse" 


Summary: A young boy named Mike, but nicknamed Mouse for his lack of courage, takes a job with a local tough guy named Devil Grip. He sticks his nose where it doesn't belong and finds out some details about Devil Grip's operation, sending him fleeing from the large, leather-clad brute. While running for his life, he ends up in Cypress Hills Cemetery, and bumps into local boy, Daniel Ketch. Getting some of his innocent blood on him, Dan soon transforms to Ghost Rider, and takes on Devil Grip, putting him down for good with a dose of the Penance Stare. On the way to the hospital, Ghost Rider rides through the neighborhood with Mike on his motorcycle, showing the kids who ostracized him up by having the Spirit of Vengeance as a friend. 


Continuity notes: Dan is visiting Barbara Ketch's grave. Dan's doing well, so it must also be prior to GR3 25, or after GR3 32. 


------------------------------------ 

SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER 
... 
S-M 23 
**M/CE 1-FB 
**M/CE 1 
WOSM 84 
... 

EEL II/EDWARD LAVELL 
... 
ASPOT 29/2 
**M/CE 1 
CA 412 
... 

WATSON-PARKER, MARY JANE 
... 
S-M 23 
**M/CE 1-FB 
**M/CE 1-BTS 
WOSM 84 
... 


SILVER SURFER/NORRIN RADD 
... 
SS3 75 
**M/CE 1/2 
SS: HOMECOMING 
... 


WOLVERINE/"LOGAN"/JAMES HOWLETT 
... 
DLOK2 5 
**M/CE 1/3 
X 1 
... 

JUBILEE/JUBILATION LEE 
... 
DLOK2 5 
**M/CE 1/3 
M/CP 89/4 
... 


GHOST RIDER III/NOBLE KALE 
... 
GR3 32 
**M/CE 1/4 
DRSTR3 50 
... 


KETCH, DANIEL "DANNY" 
... 
GR3 32 
**M/CE 1/4 
DRSTR3 50-BTS 
... 

**DEVIL GRIP/ 
M/CE 1/4 



And as a bonus, though it has nothing to do with the tale, here's a correction for Hobgoblin and Demogoblin, more reflective of the demon possession and shared body between the two: 

HOBGOBLIN V/JASON PHILIP MACENDALE 
... 
ASM 312 
**See also Demogoblin 
PPTSS 147 
WOSM 48 
DRSTR3 11 
PPTSS 161 
PPTSS 162 
PPTSS 163 
ASM 335 
ASM 337 
ASM 338 
ASM 339 
**S-M 6-BTS 
**S-M 7-BTS 
DHAWK 1 
DHAWK 2 
DHAWK 3 
**GR3 16-BTS 
GR3 17 
**MK3 31-BTS 
MK3 32 
MK3 33 
**S-M 18-BTS 
**S-M 19-BTS 
**S-M 20-BTS 
**S-M 21-BTS 
**S-M 22-BTS 
**S-M 23-BTS 
WOSM 84 
WOSM 85 
WOSM 86 
S-M 24 
**M/CP 112/2-BTS 
WOSM 93 
... 


DEMOGOBLIN 
**PPTSS 147-BTS 
**WOSM 48-BTS 
**DRSTR3 11-BTS 
**PPTSS 161-BTS 
**PPTSS 162-BTS 
**PPTSS 163-BTS 
**ASM 335-BTS 
**ASM 337-BTS 
**ASM 338-BTS 
**ASM 339-BTS 
**S-M 6 
**S-M 7 
**DHAWK 1-BTS 
**DHAWK 2-BTS 
**DHAWK 3-BTS 
**GR3 16 
**GR3 17 
**MK3 31 
**MK3 32 
**MK3 33 
**S-M 18 
**S-M 19 
**S-M 20 
**S-M 21 
**S-M 22 
**S-M 23 
**WOSM 84 
**WOSM 85 
{WOSM 86} 
WOSM 87 
S-M 24 
IW 1-BTS 
S-M 24 
**M/CP 112/2 
WOSM 93 
... 

I'm probably going to try to do more of these "collector's edition" giveaways from this era (92-95). If there's any reason why I shouldn't, speak now, or forever hold your peep. Next I'll be doing the Unicef "Spider Man: Trial of Venom", which I thought was already on the site, but isn't (Hulk vs Venom is, though). Unless there's a reason not to? Anyone?

			*	*	*

Thread 23

Posted: 20 May 2007 12:45 am 		Post subject: Spider-Man: Special Edition #1 (1992; UNICEF)
By JLH

Give it away, send it away, mail it away, now! 

------------------------------------ 
SPIDER-MAN: SPECIAL EDITION #1 [November 1992] 
"The Trial Of Venom" 
Written by: Peter David 
Pencils by: Jim Craig 
Inks by: Dan & David Day 

Cast: 
BROCK, EDWARD "EDDIE" ALLAN 
VENOM 
SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER 
DAREDEVIL/MATT MICHAEL MURDOCK 
GREY GARGOYLE/PAUL PIERRE DUVAL/"PAUL ST. PIERRE" 
MOONSTONE II/KARLA SOFEN 

Other characters: 
Ms. Brewster 
Nagle, Brent 
Guardsmen (one named Fernandez) 
Judge and 12 members of a jury 


Summary: At the Vault, super-prison for super-villains, Brent Nagle, from the Justice Department, is inspecting the place with project head Ms. Brewster, making sure things have improved since the last major breakout attempt. One of the upgrades is holographic environments within the cells for rewarding prisoners. Soon, the pair discovers Eddie Brock in his own cell, screaming in agony and cowering in fear, as his Venom symbiote has apparently killed itself! The Guardsmen inspect the symbiote, finding all readings indicate it's indeed no longer living. A short time later, in New York City, Daredevil meets with Spider-Man. His alter ego, Matt Murdock, has been hired to defend Eddie Brock in a new trial thanks to appeals courts finding he had ineffective counsel in prior ones. Spidey doesn't buy for a second that Venom is really dead, but will be going along simply because Matt wants him as a material witness! While they swing through the city, talking on a rainy night, they even manage to save an old lady from being mugged without even ceasing their conversation. Anyway, Daredevil brings up his civic responsibility, which guilts Spidey into agreeing to come (though via first class tickets on America Airlines, since he has frequent flier miles with them). The next day, Spider-Man and Matt Murdock arrive at the Vault, and meet with Nagle & Brewster. After Matt has a conversation with his client, who maintains the symbiote killed itself over still being lovesick for Spidey, the lawyer is convinced, especially since his heightened senses confirm what the lie-detector tests claimed, that Brock's pulse is steady when telling the story. Spider-Man is concerned about Eddie blabbing his secret identity, but soon, when testifying in court (after proving himself by wall-crawling while lifting an armored truck), he's stunned when Eddie speaks out of turn, not to squeal, but to ask if he can ever forgive him. Anyway, the trial goes very swiftly, Murdock arguing that Brock isn't the same when the symbiote is part of him. Case in point being the fact that prior to joining with it, he wasn't going to kill Spider-Man, but himself. Needless to say, Spidey's testimony backfires on his own intentions, playing right into what Matt wants. While the jury is in deliberations, Spidey meets with Brock, who promises never to reveal his secret, and intends on getting a clean start away from New York. Still suspicious, Spider-Man meets with Ms Brewster to arrange some back up. The jury finds Brock not guilty, by reason of insanity. After short arguements about his disposition, Eddie Brock is a free man. As he, his lawyer, and Nagle are heading out, Spidey webs up his former foe's feet! He then berates Eddie physically, screaming at him and calling him a pathetic loser. Eddie finally lashes out, and proves he still has super strength. The jig being up, Eddie pukes up the symbiote, which has been hiding within him all along, helping to control his vital signs to aid in tricking lie detectors. The pile of suit they found was just some excess symbiote gunk, ala the organic webbing. Anyway, Spidey fights the revived Venom outside of the Vault, with Daredevil dropping in to help out (Spidey asked him to come along, you see). The trio fight all over the place, ending up in a cave at the bottom of a nearby cliff. As it turns out, the whole thing was a ruse. During his sanity hearing, Spidey had Ms Brewster rig up a section of the Vault via the holographic environment things. Venom discovers he's back in his cell, with new crimes to be charged with. Needless to say, he's furious. Once back in New York, Spider-Man and Daredevil meet back up, with Matt having been fired by Eddie when he wouldn't handle his civil suit against Spidey for ruining his plan and hitting him. The lawyer still believes what he argued, about Brock most likely not being responsible for the crimes he's committed while under the symbiote's influence. Spidey doesn't want to feel empathy for his deadliest foe, and longs for the days when things were black and white. For DD, things were never that way. 


Flashback: Just a one panel recycle of Venom smashing the floor in front of a sonic-blaster holding black-suited Spider-Man, as seen in ASM 300. 


Continuity notes: This was a mail-away book sponsored by UNICEF, similar to the later "Hulk vs Venom". Despite the fact you had to donate a minimum of $5 to receive it, the book featured as cover price of $1.25, and had normal, regular ads throughout the book. 

The breakout attempt from the Vault is footnoted to be the same one from "Death Trap: The Vault graphic novel". This story obviously follows that one, but with sufficient time for improvements to be made to the Vault. 

Spidey and Daredevil know each other's secret identities. I mean, that's a given for this period, but I have to say it. 

Matt Murdock is stated to be the Fantastic Four's attorney. It's also mentioned his experience with defending super-powered criminals "such as the Gladiator". 


Goofs: Cover is dated DEC but the indicia is November. 

------------------------------------ 


BROCK, EDWARD "EDDIE" ALLAN 
(added full name) 
... 
ASM 363 
**SM:SE 1 
WOSM 94 
... 


VENOM [SYMBIOTE] 
... 
ASM 363 
**SM:SE 1 
WOSM 94 
... 

SPIDER-MAN/PETER BENJAMIN PARKER 
... 
S-M 26/2 
**SM:SE 1 
PPTSS 191 
... 

DAREDEVIL/MATT MICHAEL MURDOCK 
... 
FF 370 
**SM:SE 1 
PPTSS 196-BTS 
... 


MOONSTONE II/KARLA SOFEN 
... 
CA 389 
**SM:SE 1 
CA 411 
... 

GREY GARGOYLE/PAUL PIERRE DUVAL/"PAUL ST. PIERRE" 
... 
S-H2 27 
**SM:SE 1 
AF 121 
...

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 May 2007 07:53 am 
By Enda80

A detail that would support the canonicity of this one-shot: 

Brewster shows Nagle the cell occupied by Moonstone. The holographic images in her cell are of a warm beach. Moonstone, in a bikini, basks in the sun as the water splashes up over her. 

This situation was shown later in Avengers Unplugged. 

http://www.avengersassemble.us/unplug.html 

Avengers Unplugged's Creepy Treatment of Women 

As was noted above, Avengers Unplugged was a particularly sexist and juvenile series in an often sexist and juvenile medium. Here are just a few of the things that made me wanna wash my hands after rereading these things... 

* Moonstone, a dangerous inmate of a maximum security prison for superhumans, is--get this--sunbathing when Nefarius attacks the Vault, so that the guards (and the readers) get to ogle her shapely, bikini-clad form. Moonstone's only real defensive effort against Nefarius is to offer herself to him sexually, but he beats on her anyway and breaks her arm. 

Oddly enough, I was just talking to Peter David yesterday at a book signing about how Venom should target Daredevil more than Parker, since it was Daredevil who figured out that Emil Gregg was not the Sin-Eater.

			*	*	*

Thread 24

Posted: 20 Mar 2007 03:20 pm 		Post subject: Franklin Richards: March Madness
By SKleefeld
Director

Don't think I saw anyone sign up for this, and I picked it up on a whim so... 


Evolution Revolution 
Franklin gets a hold of Reed's Re-De-Evolver and accidentally turns his dad into a chimp. Simian Reed grabs the device and blasts the various members of the FF with Franklin in pursuit. Franklin pulls the ol' "I'll trade you that shiny thing for this nice banana" routine and promptly changes all his family back. Except for HERBIE, who's still stuck as a toaster. 

No breaks. Takes place over the course of a few minutes. Reed and Sue are home and happy, so my initial guess is pre-Civil War. Appearances by: Reed, Sue, Torch, Thing, Franklin, HERBIE 

Molecular Mayhem 
Franklin wants to go ride some new roller coaster, but Reed asks him to fetch the anti-graviton transport from the hangar bay. Franklin gets in the subatomic sled by mistake and goes on a crazy ride (with HERBIE) through sub-space before popping back into the hangar bay. As Franklin tries to keep his lunch in place, Reed pops in to say he's changed his mind and wouldn't mind taking a break to go on that coaster with Franklin after all. Franklin wobbles off, still dizzy from the sled. 

Again, no breaks. Takes place over the course of a few minutes. No temporal references I could find. Appearances by: Reed, Franklin, HERBIE 

Hair Today... 
It's picture day at school and Susan reminds Franklin to look extra nice. So he cuts his hair... badly. He tries to remedy the sitch with Dad's "sonic tonic" but his hair grows insanely fast and requires HERBIE to cut it repeatedly every few seconds. HERBIE finally finds a hair remover which Franklin uses generously. He departs for school in a touk, but when pictures come back, he's completely bald. 

Most of the story occurs between breakfast and Franklin leaving for school. Maybe a 1/2 hour or an hour. The last panel is the picture that was taken -- the actual taking of the picture would've been later that day but I'm sure it wasn't developed for some time afterwards. Susan's wearing a sweater and Franklin has on a wool hat and heavy winter coat, so it must be winter. Appearances by: Susan, HERBIE, Franklin 

Rodent's Revenge! 
Franklin's bored with his hamster (noted as being last seen in Happy Franksgiving) so he hooks him up to one of Reed's gizmos to make him smart. Although it doesn't seem to work at first, the hamster -- now calling himself Norbert Q. Sniffles: Hamster of Destruction -- traps Franklin and HERBIE in a stasis beam. The two break free and chase Norbert until he hooks himself up to the building's central power grid. "My power is unlimited!" He gets zapped and becomes a normal hamster, so Franklin takes the smoldering rodent back to his cage. (Although Norbert thinks evil thoughts of revenge!) 

No breaks. Takes course over a few minutes' time. No real temporal references other than being after the Thanksgiving issue. Appearances by: HERBIE, Franklin, Norbert 

Basket-Brawl 
Franklin's late for his first basketball game, and he grabs Reed's "psychic projector" as a possible help. He does poorly at the game, until he inadventantly uses the projector to everyone into evil basketball monsters. (As seen on the cover.) There's a bit of a chase before Franklin calms down enough to change them back. He ditches the headband and realizes that he should've just made himself taller. 

There's one break between Franklin getting ready at home, and the start of the game. Once the game starts, though, it's non-stop. The dialogue clearly states, though, that Franklin is heading from home directly to the game so the break must be fairly minimal. Given the title of the book as "March Madness" and they're playing baketball, one would presume this occurs in March, but there's no concrete/direct evidence of that. Appearances by: Franklin, HERBIE, Reed (BTS), several unnamed kids playing with Franklin, the unnamed coach, the unnamed ref

			*	*	*

Posted: 13 May 2007 01:49 pm 
By Paul Bourcier
Director

"Basket Brawl" was just reprinted in MARVEL ADVENTURES: IRON MAN & HULK, the free comic book day giveaway. In the story, HERBIE refers to Franklin's "last disastrous attempt at playing sports." Is this a reference to a story in FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS SUMMER SPECTACULAR? 

BTW, it's Franklin's first game, as Sean notes, and Herbie says he has "several more games to improve." It may or may not be the start of basketball season for Franklin's school; it's hard to tell if Franklin's joining in at a late date. But in any case it's probably a bit earlier than March. The only member of the FF to appear here is Reed (BTS). This could occur during Civil War when the rest of the team is away. 

I neglected to add these March Madness stories to the calendar, so I'm working on it now, along with JLH's recent analyses.

Paul B.

			*	*	*

Posted: 21 May 2007 08:32 am 
By SKleefeld
Director

Paul Bourcier wrote:
>>>
"Basket Brawl" was just reprinted in MARVEL ADVENTURES: IRON MAN & HULK, the free comic book day giveaway. In the story, HERBIE refers to Franklin's "last disastrous attempt at playing sports." Is this a reference to a story in FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS SUMMER SPECTACULAR?
<<<

The joke works on two levels. If you've been reading the Franklin one-shots, then, yes, you can assume it refers back to the Summer Spectacular. But if not, or if you're picking them up sporadically, then I don't see any reason this could just as easily refer to some other unseen attempt at sportsmanship. The gag is that Franklin's been down this road before and is actively not learning from his mistakes. So from a chronological perspective, we could pretty easily drop it in anywhere and the dialogue will still work.

			*	*	*

Thread 25

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 03:26 pm 		Post subject: Nick Fury's Howling Commandos 1-6
By ADMINISTRATOR

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 (12/05) 
"Creatures on the Loose!" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Penciller: Eduardo Francisco 
Inkers: Kris Justice, Terry Pallot 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Vampire by Night (Nina Price), Grog (a fire-breathing dragon), Living Mummy, Warwolf/Vince Marcus (a werewolf affected by phases of Mars), a clone of Frankenstein's Monster, a zombie, Gorilla Man 

Nick Fury, Clay Quartermain (new commanding officer), Bradley Beemer (tech chief for the Howling Commandos), Dum Dum Dugan 

The Howling Commandos are a special unit of SHIELD, stationed in Area 13. "Area 13 is a deep cover base of operations, Alpha Level clearance, across the board deniability. Primary function: unilization of superstitious dread, if not outright horror, as a shock and awe bludgeon. Area 13 operatives are culled from...monsters." 

Pages 1-13: Night in Afghanistan 

The Howling Commandos raid an outpost of terrorists purchasing illegal software from the Lords of the Living Lightning, "high-tech arms suppliers hard-targeting the more extreme fringe groups. The L.O.L.L. adhere to a doomsday scenario that calls for a war to end all wars, the near-genocide of the human race." 

Pages 14-20: Night at Area 13 ("technically, tomorrow, because of the time difference") 

Fury and Dugan introduce the new C.O. (Quartermain) to Beemer and the Commandos. 

Pages 21-22: a warehouse where SHIELD stores a "trove of the unusual"; presumably occurs concurrent with page 20. 

An explosion at the warehouse, and a subject identified on computer screen as "Merlin" escapes. 



Characters this issue: Vampire by Night, Grog, someone controlling Grog (Buzz, named in issue 6), Living Mummy, Warwolf, Frankenstein's Monster clone, zombie, Gorilla Man, Nick Fury, Clay Quartermain, Bradley Beemer, Dum Dum Dugan, "Merlin", various Lords of the Living Lightning operatives. 

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2 (01/06) 
"Creature Feature" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Penciller: Eduardo Francisco 
Inker: Rob Campanella 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Pages 1-6: Night; Full moon 

Howling Commandos capture Groot. 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer, Groot, Warwolf, Gorilla Man, Abominable Snowman, Sasquatch, a giant stone man (It?) 

Pages 7-8: Stonehenge; night 

Merlin casts a spell. 

Characters: Merlin, Hannity (a British policeman) 

Pages 9-13: Area 13; Presumably upon their return from their mission in pages 1-6. 

Warwolf and Gorilla Man meet Glob 

Characters: Warwolf, Gorilla Man, Glob, a technician named Willis. 

Pages 14-15: Stonehenge; night 

Another police officer responds to a call at Stonehenge and is attacked by one of Merlin's "soldiers". 

Characters: Merlin-bts, Merlin's "soldier", two British policemen (one named Hannity). 

Pages 16-19: Area 13 

The Living Mummy tells Vampire by Night that he thinks Merlin had help in escaping the Warehouse in issue 1. Meanwhile, Gorilla Man and Warwolf are providing orientation for Glob when Brother Voodoo teleports in, screaming "He's culling the dead!" 

Characters: Living Mummy, Vampire by Night, zombie, Gorilla Man, Warwolf, Glob, Brother Voodoo. 

Pages 20-21: Presumably an English village; night; full moon. 

Merlin leads an army of monsters. 

Characters: Merlin, army of monsters. 

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #3 (02/06) 
no title 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Penciller: Dan Norton 
Inker: Terry Pallott 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Pages 1-2: an ocean island, the Lord of the Living Lightning's stronghold; day 

The Council meets to discuss the impact of a force of unknown origin (actually the spell cast by Merlin in issue 2), including wiping out both SHIELD's esper force and their own. 

Characters: Council of the Lords of the Living Lightning, Son of Satan 

Pages 3-4: Area 13; day; six days after issue 1 

Quartermain examines the results Merlin's spell on the esper force. 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer 

Page 5: Area 13; 24 hours later 

Quartermain tells Vampire by Night that she's going on a mission (to England) with another vampire. 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer, Vampire by Night 

Page 6-21: Somewhere in England, in an area that's been transformed into a haven for fairies, centaurs, elves and other mythical beings. 

Vampire by Night and Lilith set out to discover the origin of the spell that wiped out the esper force, and they get separated in the process. Meanwhile, Merlin reveals to one of his elf servants, Telesti, that the realm of magic will be restored to England within two weeks, and from there, to the world beyond. Vampire by Night battles many ogres, while Lilith is treated like a queen. Lilith sees Son of Satan being escorted through the village streets by an armed guard. After defeating a slew of ogres, Vampire by Night is swarmed by other denizens of the village, who joyously dub her the "Tussle Queen". 

Characters: Vampire by Night, Lilith, Son of Satan, Merlin, Telesti 

Page 22: Area 13 

Quartermain views a satellite photo of Vampire by Night being hoisted on the shoulders of the mob. The timestamp on the photo reads "07/09/08 3:42 AM GMT" 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer 

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #4 (04/06) 
"Assault on Area 13" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Artist: Durec Aucoin 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Pages 1-6: Area 13; Presumably a fortnight after issue 3, since all of England has now been converted into Merlin's world of magic. 

Gorilla Man puts down an escape attempt by Goom. 

Characters: Goom, Gorilla Man, Groot, Quartermain, Beemer 

Pages 7-12: Stonehenge (also a one-panel inset to the Lords of the Living Lightning's stronghold); night 

Hellstrom attempts to form an alliance between Merlin and the Lords of the Living Lightning, but Merlin double crosses Hellstrom and attacks their stronghold, forcing the Lords to swear allegiance to Merlin. Merlin also reveals that he knows all about Area 13, and Lilith's and Vampire by Night's mission. 

Characters: Merlin, Hellstrom, Telesti, Lords of the Living Lightning, Lilith, Vampire by Night 

Pages 13-14:1: Area 13 

In the lounge, Warwolf, Brother Voodoo and Beemer discuss the mission, and Brother Voodoo is surprised to learn they didn't use any "conjuries" to hide the vampires' presence from Merlin. 

Characters: Warwolf, Brother Voodoo, Beemer 

Pages 14:2-14:4: Stonehenge; night 

Lilith and Hellstorm, who have joined Merlin, leave Vampire by Night staked out, awaiting sunrise. Merlin tells her she has served her purpose. 

Characters: Merlin, Lilith, Hellstorm, Vampire by Night, Telesti 

Pages 14:5 - 15:1: Area 13 

Brother Voodoo says that if they didn't use protection, then Merlin knows everything. 

Characters: Warwolf, Brother Voodoo, Beemer 

Pages 15:2 - 16:6: Stonehenge; night 

Merlin asks Lilith if there's anyone at Area 13 that she wants spared, and Lilith answers No. Meanwhile, Hellstorm advises Telesti that Merlin should have staked out Lilith, along with Vampire by Night, and Telesti expresses surprise that Hellstorm survived a previous encounter with Lilith. 

Characters: Vampire by Night, Merlin, Lilith, Hellstorm, Telesti 

Pages 17-22 

Merlin stages an all-out attack on Area 13. The Commandos raise the battle cry. Cliffhanger ending. 

Characters: Quartermain, Brother Voodoo, Warwolf, Beemer, Gorilla Man, Living Mummy, Glob, zombie, Frankenstein's Monster clone, Merlin-bts 

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #5 (04/06) 
"Destroy All Monsters!" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Penciller: Donovan 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Pages 1-16: Area 13, then Stonehenge, immediately following the end of issue 4. 

The Commandos fight off Merlin's forces and use the portal to travel to Stonehenge to take the battle to the enemy. Groot and other giant monsters break free from Area 13 and follow through the portal. Merlin's forces retreat, and the Commandos set out to track them down. They are joined by Groot, who offers to help. Meanwhile, a fairy visits Vampire by Night and tells her he can free her, for a price. He says he knows that she's special, that the rising sun won't hurt her, and the fairies kept that fact from Merlin. 

Characters: Glob, Living Mummy, Warwolf, Frankenstein's Monster clone, Gorilla Man, zombie, Vampire by Night, Quartermain, Beemer (spelled Beamer here), Groot, various other giant monsters 

Pages 17-18: Area 13 

The battle over, Brother Voodoo theorizes that Merlin is controlling, or influencing, the various mythical species, and that once the portal was closed, he lost control over them, and they lost the will to fight. 

Characters: Brother Voodoo, Beemer, Quartermain-bts (detained in the command center) 

Page 19: Stonehenge 

The fairy tells Vampire by Night that when everything is over, the fairies want to be able to "stick around." Vampire by Night hooks up with Groot and the other Commandos. 

Characters: Vampire by Night, Groot, Glob, various unidentifiable commandos (but Living Mummy, Warwolf, Frankenstein's Monster clone, Gorilla Man and zombie can be presumed to be either behind the scenes or on panel here) 

Pages 20-21: Area 13 

Beemer chastises Quartermain for rude behavior as commander. 

Characters: Beemer, Quartermain 

Page 22: Stonehenge 

Merlin is ushered like royalty through the streets of the village, cheered by the masses. 

Characters: Merlin, Lilith, Hellstorm, Telesti 

Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 (05/06) 
"Destroy All Monsters!" 
Writer: Keith Giffen 
Penciller: Mike Norton 
Inkers: Derec Aucoin, Norman Lee 
Editor: Mark Paniccia 

Pages 1-2: Area 13 

Area 13 sends a cadre of sorcerors to Stonehenge using captured Eraser technology 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer, Brother Voodoo, Shaman, Doctor Doom (????, someone in armor and a green cloak), Dakimh? 

Pages 3-21: Near Stonehenge, the village of Salisbury; day 

Vampire by Night explains to the other Commandos the deal she made with the fairy. Meanwhile, in the village, Hellstorm and Telesti continue to debate who is using whom: Lilith or Merlin. In Merlin's room, Lilith believes she has turned Merlin into a vampire, but Merlin rises in his reflection in a mirror and presumably kills Lilith. Outside the village, the Commandos plan their attack and are joined by Brother Voodoo and an unknown (to me) mystic. Brother Voodoo reports that the mystics have almost shut down Merlin's security perimeter, leading the way for a full scale attack by Area 13 forces, led by Goom and other giant monsters. Meanwhile, Quartermain has called in some chips, and Mole Man uses his technology to create a sinkhole beneath Salisbury. Gorilla Man and Warwolf storm Merlin's room, where he tells them that the auguries within Lilith's ashes convinced him that he can't win, and so he quietly gives up and vanishes. Lilith revives and says she was faking it, and manipulated her ashes to trick Merlin into believing he was doomed to fail, all according to Beemer's plan. Hellstorm turns on Telesti and apparently kills him, revealing that he, too, has been working for Area 13 and was undercover for SHIELD in the Lords of the Living Lightning. 

Characters: Vampire by Night, Warwolf, Living Mummy, Frankenstein's Monster clone, Gorilla Man, zombie, Glob, Groot, Hellstorm, Telesti, Lilith, Merlin, Brother Voodoo, Goom, Quartermain, Beemer, Mole Man, Buzz, Grog 

Page 22-23:5: Stonehenge, night 

Hellstorm resents that Lilith was sent in behind him, and "three years, six months and seventeen days" of undercover work was ruined. Quartermain and Beemer learn to accept working with each other, and all is hunky-dory. 

Characters: Quartermain, Beemer, Hellstorm 

Page 23:6: Lair of Lords of the Living Lightning 

Merlin's shadow falls over the Lord's inner council. 

NOTES: This may not be the true Merlin. 

As noted above, Quartermain's assistant is named Beemer in issue 1, and Beamer in issue 5. 

The gathering of mystics on page 2 of issue 6 also includes a female SHIELD agent. 

There may be appearances by numerous obscure characters that I've overlooked or been unable to properly identify, partially due to the indistinct artwork, and partially due to my ignorance of obscure one-off characters. 

I can't find any indication here that the zombie who's a member of the Commandos is the zombie, Simon Garth. Vampire by Night is the character from Amazing Fantasy vol. 2, and Goriall Man hails from Men's Adventure 26. There's no hard evidence that the Mummy is the Living Mummy, but he is royalty, so I've made that leap of logic. 

Is the Sasquatch in issue 2 intended to be the Alpha Flight Sasquatch? 


watching: american justice

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 05:52 pm 
By SeanCurtin

The Director's Cut of issue #1 gave more information on the team's membership. I don't have it, but from what I've seen quoted from it online, the Zombie ("John Doe"), Sasquatch, and Abominable Snowman in this series are new characters, the mummy is N'kantu the Living Mummy, the giant stone man is It the Living Colossus, and the Frankenstein clone's name is officially "Clone of Frankenstein". Apparently, Blade was listed as a member in the Director's Cut but doesn't actually appear in the series. 

Also, again going by online sources, characters appearing in #6 include Cognoscenti (from later issues of Secret Defenders), the Dimensional Man (the Question-meets-Rorschach-looking Ditko character from TOD MAG 2/2), Dragoom (the dragon from ST 76), Fangu (from Nightmare's story in M/CP 90/4), the Golden Gator (the fictional hero from Marvel Select: Strange Tales), the Golem (from ST 174), Gorgolla (the gargoyle from ST 74), Kraa the Unhuman (the alien from TOS 18), Manphibian (from the 1970s Legion of Monsters one-shot magazine), and Orrgo (from ST 90 and issues of DEF2). 

The OHOTMU: Horror 2005 has an entry on the team; I'll check and see if it gives any information that might be useful for chronological purposes.

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 07:16 pm 
By metaldragon

Is it just me or how is it possible to create a "clone" of Frankenstein's Monster. The monster was sewn together from various body parts wasn't he?!? Each piece of of him would have had a different genetic structure because it was from a different cadaver. So how then did they "clone" him?!? Did they get a genetic sample of each body part, then somehow grow it into the complete part, and then sew the parts together & re-animate him?!? 

Or is the origin of the Marvel one different from the original novel? (Let's not even mention the alien ambassador robotic one from X-Men shall we.) 

This is hurting my head..."May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 30 Apr 2007 11:55 pm 
By Starman

And to further add to the headache, the monster's name wasn't even Frankenstein, that was the name of its creator, so to call it "The Clone of Frankenstein" would be wrong, unless it was Frankenstein himself that was cloned, or if he was the one who created the clone.

- Stefan 

"When it comes to reassuring a traumatized 19-year-old, I'm about as expert as a palsy victim doing brain surgery with a pipe wrench." 
- John Hartigan in Sin City (2005)

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 May 2007 01:41 am 
By jephyork
Director

>>>
Is the Sasquatch in issue 2 intended to be the Alpha Flight Sasquatch?
<<<

According to Sasquatch's profile in the All-New OHOTMU #9, yes. According to all available story logic and on-panel depictions, no. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 10:59 pm 
By JLH

SeanCurtin wrote:
>>>
Apparently, Blade was listed as a member in the Director's Cut but doesn't actually appear in the series.
<<<

Unless they mentioned him merely by his vague association with them in Blade v3 #1, it doesn't really match his status going into registering with S.H.I.E.L.D. in issue 5.

			*	*	*

Posted: 17 May 2007 07:37 pm 
By SeanCurtin

OHOTMU: Horror 2005 gives Buzz's last name as McMahon, but doesn't give any other new information. Marvel Legacy: The 1970s does confirm that the Golem and Manphibian were in the Howling Commandos.

			*	*	*

Posted: 17 May 2007 08:14 pm 
By ADMINISTRATOR

By "in the Howling Commandos," does that mean they were members of the squad, or appeared in the title? 


watching: veronica mars

			*	*	*

Posted: 17 May 2007 09:49 pm 
By SeanCurtin

Only that they were members.

			*	*	*

Posted: 21 May 2007 11:08 am 
By Lonewolf36

Here is the appearances of the squad members througout the series. 

Bradley Beemer 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

"Buzz" McMahon 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 6 

Clay Quartermain 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 



Abominable Snowman 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 6 

Blade (Eric Brooks) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 Director's Cut 
Note: His sketch is seen in the Director's Cut and he is listed as a member in the S.H.I.E.L.D entry in the All-New Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10 but he is never seen in the series. Blade's bio in the Civil War: Battle Damage Report said he seen little action during the Merlin affair. 

Brother Voodoo (Jericho Drumm) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 4, 5, 6 

Clone of Frankenstein 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 4, 5, 6 
Note: Referred to as Frankenstein in the intro. 

Dimensional Man (Joshua) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Dragoom 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Fangu 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Glob (Joseph "Joe" Timms) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 4, 5, 6 

Golden Gator 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Golem 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2 

Goom 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 4, 6 

Gorgolla 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 Director's Cut 
Note: His sketch is seen in the Director's Cut and he is listed as a member in the S.H.I.E.L.D entry in the All-New Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10 but he is never seen in the series. 

Gorilla Man (Kenneth "Ken" Hale) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 4, 5, 6 

Grogg 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 6 
Note: Referred to as Grog in the series. 

Groot 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 4, 5, 6 

Daimon Hellstrom 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #3, 4, 5, 6 
Note: Referred to as Damien Hellstrom in the series. 

It the Living Colossus (Robert "Bob" O'Bryan) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2 

John Jameson 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2 

Kraa 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Lilith (Daughter of Dracula) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

Living Mummy (N'Kantu) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 4, 5, 6 

Manphibian 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 6 

Orrgo 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Nina Price (Vampire by Night) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

Joshua Pryce 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Sasquatch (Walter Langkowski) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2, 6 

Satana 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6 

Warwolf (Vince "Vic" Marcus) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 4, 5, 6 

Werewolf (Jack Russell) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 Director's Cut 
Note: His sketch is seen in the Director's Cut and he is listed as a member in the S.H.I.E.L.D entry in the All-New Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10 but he is never seen in the series. 

Zombie (John Doe) 
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1, 2, 5, 6

			*	*	*

Thread 26

Posted: 20 Nov 2006 06:11 pm 		Post subject: X-Men Novels to place, but not for the MCP
By Jason Doty

Hey I'm enlisting help in placing my X-Men novel collection chronologically and could use some help, or at the very least correction. Up first... 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Every Time A Bell Rings" by Brian K. Vaughan 

The chronology guide in the back places this one year before Angel joins the X-Men in UX 56/2. 

Warren is attending St. Ignatius prepatory school and is 16 years old. He practices flying at night. One evening after flying, he is approached by his roomate and friend about a murder on campus. Days later the boys attend the funeral and speculate on who could have done it. That night Warren hears screams and investigates only to barely escape with his life when attacked by a creature ressembling a bear. He tells the police, but they don't believe him. That night there is another attack and Warren learns that it is his roomate is responsible when he catches him transforming into the beast. The two fight. Warren flies him high into the atmosphere and the creature lets go and falls. Warren saves him, only for the ashamed boy to slash at him and fall to his death. Days later Warren attends the funeral only to ponder if this is the life he wants. 

Chronologically, I would place this between UX 54/2 and 55/2 for Angel. Does this seem to work?

			*	*	*

Posted: 21 Nov 2006 09:14 pm 
By Jason Doty

O.K, Here goes the second story. 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Diary Of A False Man" by Keith R.A. Candidido 

After veiwing the Changeling/Professor X Video in UX 43, 18 year old Marvel Girl goes to sort through Professor X's office to try and handle his affairs. There she stumbles across the Changeling's journal that outlines his life. She wants to tell the others about Xavier's plan with the Z'Noxx, but after reading it decides not to. 

For my placement this fits between UX 43 pg.6 and pg.7 for Marvel Girl, Beast, Cyclops, and Iceman. Professor X and Angel gets a BTS 

This story reveals alot about the Changeling's past.

			*	*	*

Posted: 22 Nov 2006 09:10 pm 
By Jason Doty

Third Story 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Welcome To The X-Men, Madrox" by Steve Lyons 

This issue suggests that Giant Size Fantastic Four 4 comes after Defenders vol.1 16, but before Giant Size X-Men no.1 

After the events in Giant Size FF 4, Madrox has come to stay at Xaviers school. He is still uncomfortable with his new surroundings, and does not like to interact with the others there. After some prodding the next morning by the members of the X-Men, Madrox agrees to do things with the group, but the twist is, he creates duplicates so he can stay in his room. One duplicate accompanies Havok and Polaris into Salem Center where there is an incedent with thugs and the local community that they manage to escape. Another duplicate is freaked out by Iceman and Angels use of the Danger Room. The third dupe spends his time exploring the grounds. This dupe is approached by a "bland" sort of fellow, and being nieve, invites him in to find some answers to what he is looking for. Inside the stranger reveals himself and battles the X-Men. It is the Super Adaptoid and by absorbing the abilities of the combined X-Men he begins taking them out one by one. Eventually, Jamie and his dupes get involved and the Adaptoid absorbs his power and begins to multiply. Unfortunatly for him, he does not recognize his containment suit as a way of controlling this ability. He starts multiplying uncontrolably and is forced to purge his system and escape. The X-Men clean up after the battle and Xavier extends an invitation to Jamie who saved the day. Madrox declines. 

This would make the sequence for chronology 
Marvel Team-Up 23 
Defenders vol.1 15 and 16 
Giant Size Fantastic Four 4 
this Story (Madrox, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Cyclops, Polaris, Havok, Angel, Professor X, Super Adaptoid) 
The F/B in Giant Size X-Men 1 

Now, not going by the established Marvel Indexes, is there any chronological reason why this sequence of events could not occur in this order? Remember this is not for the MCP, but to place them in chronological order as closely as possible.

			*	*	*

Posted: 23 Nov 2006 05:47 am 
By metaldragon

Right on. I was tempted to analyse this collection too. 

http://www.chronologyproject.com/phpbb2 ... ght=#14187 

Check out pages 255-256 of X-Men Legends. It's a brief Continuity Guide for these stories. 

Actually, the Angel story might be a smidge more complicated placing... the flashbacks in M/FAN 50 & XF 47 take place around this story as well. Someone has to do an in-depth analysis of these issues. 

Do you have The Ultimate X-Men short story collection and the Five Decades of the X-Men one? I wish I could find The Ultimate one. I've got the other two.

"May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 23 Nov 2006 08:11 am 
By Jason Doty

If you want to do alternate analyses, feel free. I know mine are probably a little more lengthy than some would like. I'm trying to keep them to about a paragraph and yes I'm already using the chronology guide in the back, but the phrase "runs concurrently with," doesn't tell me exactly where to place them. 

Currently, I have all the novels that star the X-Men and plan on going through them all including the two you mentioned. I'll look into the Angel chronology today.

			*	*	*

Posted: 23 Nov 2006 08:54 am 
By Jason Doty

For metaldragon 

So proper credit is given, this analysis of Angels early chronology comes from Paul OBriens X-Axis back listings, and is based on David Halls research, with the added novel story which Ive included. 

Angel 

Uncanny Origins no.3 (pg.2)-Warren in grade school 
X-Factor no.47-f/b (pg.5p2-4)-Warren is teased in grade school. 
X-Factor no.47-f/b (pg.5p5-7)-Warren ignores expensive birthday party put on by his father. 
Logan: Shadow Society-Warren goes to Hellfire club. 
X-Men v2 no.29-f/b-Warren introduced to Shinobi Shaw at Hellfire Club. 
X-Men no.54/2 (pg.1-2)-Warren likes climbing and is sent to boarding school at Fairburn boys school. 
X-Factor no.47-f/b (pg.5p8)-Warren arrives at Fairburn. 
Uncanny Origins no.3 (pg.2p4-5)-Warren is dropped off by chauffer on different occasion. 
X-Factor no.47-f/b (pg.5p9-10)-Warren does a paper on flight then attends a dance. 
Marvel Fanfare no.50-f/b-Warren goes to a school dance with Cressida. 
X-Men no.54/2 (pg.3)-Warren becomes an athlete, and kids tease him about large shoulder blades. 
Uncanny Origins no.3 (pg.3-4)-Warrens wings grow to the point were he has to strap them down and starts to withdraw from social life. 
X-Men no.54/2 (pg.4-5)-Boys dorm catches fire, Warren dresses like an Angel to rescue them. 
X-Men Legends (Anthology) Story 1-Warren now attends St. Ignatius, murders happen, Warren fights mutant roommate. 
X-Men 55/2-f/b- Warren having left school, sets himself up in Manhattan and becomes Avenging Angel. 
X-Men 55/2-Warren goes on first patrol as Avenging Angel.

			*	*	*

Posted: 23 Nov 2006 05:38 pm 
By Jason Doty

Story 4 
X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Peace Offering" by Michael Stewart 

This story occurs between Iron Fist Vol. 1 no. 15 and UX no. 109. 

Wolverine, upset over the damage he caused Jean Grey's apartment, breaks in to bring her a gift to show that he is not a total jerk. While inside, he ponders how much he cares for her. Suddenly, Misty Knight gets the drop on him and wants to know what he's doing in her and Jean's apartment. Tensions sooth and they have a conversation, during which members of the Hand break in and begin attacking them. The Hand is after Misty because her and Colleen Wing are investigating some of their leadership. Wolverine and Misty take out the attackers, but just then Jean comes in and is upset thinking that Wolverine has started another fight. Just then they are attacked by another group of ninjas, who impale all three with poison. The attacker uses the familiar catch phrase, "Gotcha." Misty and Wolverine manage to take out the ninjas, but before they do, the leader escapes because Wolverine needs to help Jean. As the ambulance takes Jean and Misty to the hospital, Jean's body mysteriously rejects the poison. Wolverine searches for the attacker, but she vanishes into thin air. 

The chararcters in the story are: Wolverine, Misty Knight, Phoenix, and Yukio. 

This story definately fits between Iron Fist Vol. 1 no. 15 and UX 109. For Misty and Collen, I am unsure but the case that draws the Hand to attack Misty is because Colleen is in Japan doing research while Misty is working stateside.

Last edited by Jason Doty on 24 Nov 2006 07:17 am, edited 1 time in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 06:07 am 
By Enda80

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts ... 144f9c512f 

I found this on google groups 
Keith R.A. DeCandido - view profile 
Date: Wed, Mar 8 2000 12:00 am 
Email: k...@ix.netcom.com (Keith R.A. DeCandido) 
Groups: rec.arts.comics.other-media, rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks, rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe 
Not yet ratedRating: 
show options 
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse | Find messages by this author 


This is probably the last time I'll do this, but since I have a story 
in it, I'm motivated (and it was also one of the last books I worked 
on for the Marvel program): 

X-MEN LEGENDS 
Stan Lee, Editor 
an anthology of original stories from throughout the history of the 
uncanny X-Men 
to be published in June 2000 by Berkley Boulevard Books 
illustrations by Mike Zeck; cover by Vince Evans 


The stories: 


EVERY TIME A BELL RINGS by Brian K. Vaughan 
A story of the Angel before he joined the X-Men -- and even before he 
became "the Avenging Angel" -- as he faces a trial by fire at boarding 
school. (Takes place about a year prior to the second [flashback] 
story in X-MEN Vol. 1 #54.) 


DIARY OF A FALSE MAN by Keith R.A. DeCandido 
The secret origin of the forgotten X-Man known as the Changeling. A 
former foe of the team, the Changeling took Professor X's place and 
died. This story reveals just who the Changeling was, why he agreed to 
sub for Xavier, and how he died a hero. (Takes place concurrently with 
X-MEN Vol. 1 #43.) 


WELCOME TO THE X-MEN, MADROX by Steve Lyons 
Madrox the Multiple Man's first experience in the real world following 
his initial appearance. (Takes place between GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR 
#4 and GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1.) 


PEACE OFFERING by Michael Stewart 
Wolverine attempts to find his place in the X-Men in light of his 
growing attraction to Jean Grey -- and winds up helping Jean's 
roommate Misty Knight face off against some deadly ninjas! (Takes 
place between UNCANNY X-MEN #108 & 109, and shortly after IRON FIST 
Vol. 1 #15.) 


THE WORST PRISON OF ALL by C.J. Henderson 
Professor X alone against an extradimensional foe that may leave him 
crippled in more ways than the physical... (Takes place between 
UNCANNY X-MEN #110 & 111.) 


CHASING HAIRY by Glenn Hauman 
NOW Magazine's cover interview this month: Hank McCoy, aka the 
bouncing Beast, as conducted by NOW editor Carol Danvers! (Takes place 
right before AVENGERS Vol. 1 #181. This is in the tradition of 
Hauman's acclaimed "On the Air" in THE ULTIMATE X-MEN.) 


ONE NIGHT ONLY by Sholly Fisch 
Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde face off against Unus the Untouchable and 
the Blob at a circus. (Takes place shortly after UNCANNY X-MEN #153.) 


A FINE LINE by Dori Koogler 
An untold tale of Colossus and the Morlock Callisto shortly after 
Colossus recovered from the "Mutant Massacre." (Takes place just prior 
to UNCANNY X-MEN #224.) 


STEEL DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN by Thomas Deja 
A de-powered Banshee and black ops agent Pete Wisdom -- before he 
joined Excalibur -- take on Justin Hammer and his war dogs. (Takes 
place concurrently with EXCALIBUR #11.) 


THE STRANGER INSIDE by Jennifer Heddle 
The diary of Rogue when she and Carol Danvers shared a split existence 
in Rogue's mind. (Takes place concurrently with UNCANNY X-MEN 
#243-246.) 


ONCE A THIEF by Ashley McConnell 
Gambit travels to France to see whether he is still the thief he once 
was even though he now travels in the company of heroes. (Takes place 
around UNCANNY X-MEN #275.) 


ICE PRINCE by K.A. Kindya 
Jubilee discovers the joys of ice skating -- and her new idol 
discovers the joys of mutant prejudice... (Takes place shortly after 
X-MEN Vol. 2 #3.) 


SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE OF by Robin Wayne Bailey 
Phoenix, just back from her honeymoon with Cyclops, finds herself 
dreaming the life of someone from World War II. Is this some kind of 
telepathic attack -- or worse? (Takes place shortly after THE 
ADVENTURES OF CYCLOPS & PHOENIX miniseries.)

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 07:14 am 
By Jason Doty

Edna, that is the continuity guide from the back of the book. Thanks for posting it. I'm still trying to verify, show which characters are in each story and place them closer in comparison to the MCP.

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 07:37 am 
By Jason Doty

Story 5 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "The Worst Prison Of All" by C.J. Henderson 

The Guide says this comes between UX 110 and 111. 

Professor X travels to Agadir in Morocco for the Muslum festival of Achoura. While there he is attacked by an entity that controls others. He meets the entity on the astral plane and defeats him, by forceble bringing him to the phisical plane and returns to the festivities. 

More specifically, I believe this takes place between Ghost Rider v2 34 and UX 111-F/B-BTS for Professor X. I'm assuming that GR2 34 takes place stateside, while this story takes place in Morocco. In UX 111-f/b, Professor X has left a message that he is traveling with Lilandra.

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 08:04 am 
By Jason Doty

Story 6 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Chasing Hairy" by Glenn Hauman 

This story occurs right before A 181 according to the guide. 

Carol Danvers follows Beast around for 3 days and conducts an interview for Now Magazine. 

That would make the chronology for Ms.Marvel be between CA 237 and A 181 and for Beast IM 115 and A 181. Would this be the proper placement?

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 10:18 am 
By Enda80

Jason Doty wrote:
>>>
Story 5

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "The Worst Prison Of All" by C.J. Henderson

The Guide says this comes between UX 110 and 111.

Professor X travels to Agadir in Morocco for the Muslum festival of Achoura. While there he is attacked by an entity that controls others. He meets the entity on the astral plane and defeats him, by forceble bringing him to the phisical plane and returns to the festivities.

More specifically, I believe this takes place between Ghost Rider v2 34 and UX 111-F/B-BTS for Professor X. I'm assuming that GR2 34 takes place stateside, while this story takes place in Morocco. In UX 111-f/b, Professor X has left a message that he is traveling with Lilandra.
<<<

Do you mean Muslim? That is the generall transliteration.

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 11:23 am 
By ADMINISTRATOR

Enda80 wrote:
>>>
Do you mean Muslim? That is the generall transliteration.
<<<

Do you mean "general"? 


watching: 24

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 04:52 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Eh, you know the old saying: correct a typo, create a typo. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 06:20 pm 
By Jason Doty

Story 7 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "One Night Only" by Sholly Fisch 

The chronology guide places this between UX 153 and 154. 

For Nightcrawler's birthday, Kitty takes him to a local circus. There he meets up with old friends and joins in the show. He is offered a job and debates whether to accept it. While there the circus is being robbed by Blob and Unus. Sprite takes out Unus and Nightcrawler takes out Blob by teeporting him into the Hudson river. Nightcrawler decides to remain with the X-Men and Unus is taken into custody. 

Does the placement work for a Nightcrawler birthday story or does it have to be moved? The chronological placement clues just suggest it must be after UX 142. (Characters Nightcrawler, Sprite, Blob, and Unus)

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 07:36 pm 
By jephyork
Director

Well, Kurt had a previous birthday in UX@ 4, which goes between #138-139. But I, personally, couldn't care less if he has another one between #153-154. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 24 Nov 2006 07:41 pm 
By Somebody
Director

That and Nightcrawler #12 are his only two on-panel birthdays, right?

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 Nov 2006 09:43 am 
By Jason Doty

Story 8 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "A Fine Line" by Dori Koogler 

The Guide places the first part of the story before UX 224. The second part comes after UX 227 and Excalibur Special Edition 1. 

First part 
Members of the X-Men and Morlocks have been sent to Muir Island to recover and the continued loses are have a psychological effect on Calisto. Colossus does his best to befriend her and help her and she seems to be responding. Kitty becomes jealous and believes Calisto is after more, warning Peter to not get to close. Calisto sees that Kitty is jealous and tries to provoke her. This makes Colossus uncomfortable so he leaves for Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Second part 
Muir Island has heard the news about the X-Men's "death" in Dallas and Kitty comforts Calisto. 

Characters First part (Colossus between UX 223-225, Calisto between UX 219 and second part, Shadowcat between FFV.X 4-UX 227, Nightcrawler between UX 223 -227, Moira between FFV.X 2-UX 227, Madrox-BTS between FA 8-UX@15) 

Characters Second Part (Shadowcat between UX 227-NM 65, Nightcrawler between UX 227-XCALSE 1, Moira UX 227-XCALSE 1-BTS, Calisto between first part of story and XCAL 4)

			*	*	*

Posted: 26 Nov 2006 10:18 am 
By Jason Doty

Story 9 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Steel Dogs And Englishmen" by Thomas Deja 

The guide places this as happening at the same time as Excalibur #11 

Black Air Agent, Peter Wisdom recruits a depowered Sean Cassidy to help him with a covert mission, under the guise of being a WHO operative. The mission is to stop Justin Hammer from having arms deals with English criminals by bringing modified Sentinel tech to the British isles. Cassidy agrees to help. They infiltrate Hammer's modified tanker, get caught, escape and destroy the "master mold" of the dog like Sentinels he has created. Pete Wisdom turns over what he retrieved to Black Air of the Sentinel tech. 

(Characters: Banshee between UX 217 ans M/CP 18-F/B, Pete Wisdom before XCAL 86, Cully, Forge-BTS between NM 66 and UX 253, Justin Hammer after IM 232?) 

JUstin Hammer appears hear after the "Armor Wars" in Iron Man's title.

			*	*	*

Posted: 26 Nov 2006 03:43 pm 
By Enda80

The last story in this anthology involves the State Shinto Imperialist attack on Pearl Harbor. Sgt. Fury#34 told the story of Nick Fury's involvement, and Nam#45 covered the involvement of one of Lou Tarver's forebears. Other than that, Darkhold#7 also referenced Pearl Harbor. I think Giant-Size Invaders#1 also showed the attack. 

1941 
======================== 
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. [Darkholders #6-7] 
Red Hargrove, a friend of Nick Fury, dies in the attack. [Sgt. Fury #34, 101] 
A nurse with mutant powers, engaged to be married, sees her lover die during the attack. She goes into a coma. [X-Men: Legends] 

A man apparently named Tarver serving a cook shot down a zero

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 Nov 2006 06:51 pm 
By Jason Doty

Story 10 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "The Stranger Inside" by Jennifer Heddle 

The guide places this as running concurrently with UX 243-246 

Rogue writes in a diary to sort out her feelings. She has been switching personalities with the Carol Danvers persona and feels everyone likes her better. She finds that not even her diary is safe, when "Carol" starts making her own entries. 

For Rogue, I would place this as... 

XF 39 
XLEG(A) s10 
UX 244 
XLEG(A) s10 
UX @13/2 
UX 245 
XLEG(A) s10 
UX@ 13 
M/SH3 6 
M/SH3 7 
M/SH3 8 
UX 246

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 Nov 2006 07:49 pm 
By Jason Doty

Story 11 

X-Men Legends (Anthology) "Once A Thief" by Ashley McConnell 

According to the guide this takes place around UX 275. 

Gambit takes a trip to St. Chinien in the south of France on vacation, contemplating his place with the X-Men. Another thief hears Gambit's in town and confronts him, berating his skills as a thief. The man robs a couple and Gambit decides to steal back the jewlry he stole, noting that he will never give up the fun of being a thief. 

This actually should occur between X-Men vol.2 no.3-4, because of the continuity clues dropped, being new to the X-Men, Cyclops as part of the X-Men, and Xavier being around. So for Gambit it would come between the X-Men story in M/CP and X-Men v.2 no.4

			*	*	*

Posted: 06 Dec 2006 10:21 pm 
By metaldragon

I agree, that must be an error. UX 275 takes place during the storyline when Gambit is in outer space rescuing Professor X from the Skrulls. It couldn't go before that story because he didn't meet Charles until then, so it has to go after. Actually, the earliest spot it could possibly fit is in the period of re-orginizing the teams between X-Factor 71 and (New) X-Men 1. Kinda makes sense if he's contemplating his place with the X-Men then.

"May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 07 Dec 2006 09:47 pm 
By Jason Doty

X-Men Legends (Anthology) Story 12 "Ice Prince" by K.A. Kindya 

The guide places this between X-Men vol.2 no.3 and 4 

Jean and Rogue try to get Jubilee into figure skating, but Jubilee becomes fixated on the skater and not the skating. After a Danger Room section with Iceman and Gambit, Jean suprises Jubilee with tickets to a competition that features her favorite skater. Rogue and Jean take her but at the meet, he is outed as a mutant and an attempt is made on his life by a competitor's bodyguards. Jubilee saves him. The skater comes to stay at the mansion, but does not want to stay. He leaves to travel the world. 

I would place this after the Marvel Comics Presents 89/4 story for Jean, Iceman , and Rogue and after the last story in this anthology for Gambit. 

MCP style listing would be 

Marvel Girl 

M/CP 89/4 
*XML s12 
W2 49 

Rogue 

M/CP 89/4 
*XML s12 
W2 54 

Iceman 

M/CP 89/4 
*XML s12 
X 5 

Gambit 

M/CP 89/4 
*XML s11 
*XML s12 
X 4 

Jubilee 

M/CP 89/4 
*XML s12 
W2 48

			*	*	*

Posted: 14 Dec 2006 06:28 pm 
By Jason Doty

X-Men Legends (Anthology) Story 13 "Such Stuff as Dreams are Made Of" by Robin Wayne Bailey 

The guide places this after the first Cyclops & Phoenix mini series. 

Jean and Scott are enjoying a relaxing weekend, but Jean starts having nightmares about Pearl Harbor. Fearing an attack they research the people in the Jean's dream and try to discover who they are. They find out it is an elderly latent telepath who was tramatized during the fateful attack on Dec. 7, 1941 after lossing her fiance. Jean eases the womans pain telepathically before she passes away. 

My best guess for this story would be for Cyclops between UX 318 and X 38, and for Jean between UX 318 and XU 7. 

Before I start the next anthology, could anyone help me with appearances I'm unsure of like Justin Hammer or offer any other suggestions or placements?

			*	*	*

Posted: 18 Feb 2007 05:30 pm 
By metaldragon

Since I dont have The Ultimate X-Men (short story anthology) Ill continue this with: 

X-Men: Five Decades of the X-Men (Anthology), 1960s, Baptism of Fire, Baptism of Ice by John J. Ordover and Susan Wright 

Page 7-9(1st half) take place immediatly before UX 1 where Iceman uses his powers to break the branch off a tree outside his window (it would tap the window when the wind blew). When he gets Professor Xs telepathic call he forms an ice pole from his balcony to the ground... 

Page 9(second half)-38 re-tell the story of UX 1 from Icemans perspective with some added internal monologue. 

Page 38 last paragraph continues on from the end of UX 1 with a new story about Bobby going on a date with a girl named Cheryl Fenn in Central Park and encountering a naked man with long hair and beard yelling about Frost Giants stealing the heat from his body. He complains that hes cold and then An electric blue light surrounded him in a sphere as he absorbs all the heat in the area of the sphere. Bobby has no choice but to ice up in front of Cheryl. She screams but he grabs her and takes her to safety. Cheryl apologises for screaming and recognises him as an X-Man. When Iceman confronts him, the guy thinks Iceman is a Frost Giant who followed him and attacks by trying to absorb Icemans bodyheat. Iceman defeats him by covering him in more and more ice until hes buried in a mountain of ice. Cheryl returns, Bobby collapses, and she stays with him to share warmth when he says Im cold. 

The story doesnt say what happened to the strange naked guy after that. Iceman thought he was a mutant but it sounds like he might have come from a Thor/Asgard story. Does he sound familiar to anyone?"

May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 19 Feb 2007 08:31 pm 
By Jason Doty

Thanks for taking this on Metaldragon, I've been quite busy with work. So, if you continue with Five Decades, I'll start on the Ultimate X-Men Anthology. Thanks, Doty.

			*	*	*

Posted: 20 Feb 2007 01:24 am 
By metaldragon

Hey, you're welcome. The '70s one will take me a while because the story wraps around the Secret Empire storyline in the Amazing Adventures/Captain America (and tied-in) books and is pretty complicated. Oddly, it's my favorite era (I love the original team with Polaris and Havok and wish Hidden Years could have continued, despite it's flaws) so I'm relishing the challenge. 

I don't know as much about the '80s X-Men team because I was following X-Factor and not the main title during that era so I'll need help with that, as well as the '90s and '00s stories because I'm a little shaky there (I only collected the issues with Iceman in them).

"May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 Feb 2007 08:42 pm 
By Jason Doty

As promised. 

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 1 
"It's a Wonderful Life" by Eluki Bes Shahar 

A mutant is on the run from an organization named Black Team 51 and has made it close to Salem Center from his home in Indinapolis, Indiana. Black Team 51 is after him because of his special gift and want him to work for them. Unbeknownced to him, the X-Men live near by and the five original students are enjoying an afternoon in the sun. Exhausted from running the man collapses and Black Team 51 personnel catch up to him. They fire a weapon at himcalled the Moebius Lance causing his abilities to be hightened. The mutant abilities alowed him to alter reality and he starts loosing control. Hearing the comotion the X-Men investigate and on by one they are sent to alternate realities. Just when all is about lost another component of Black Team 51 shows up, kills the mutant, freeing the X-Men and makes their escape. 

Chronological placement clues are as follows: 
The book was published in 1996. 
Jean and Scott are married. 
Archangel still has metal wings, but is wearing his Angel costume and still has blue skin. 
All five of the original X-Men are living at the mansion. 

Characters in this story are: Cyclops, Iceman, Archangel, Beast, Phoenix, Black Team 51 members including Gilman and Egan, and the mutant "Wheel of Fortune" David Ferris.

			*	*	*

Posted: 25 Feb 2007 08:55 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 2. 
"Gift of the Silver Fox" by Ashley McConnell 

Wolverine is on a vacation in the snowy north and living off the land. He comes across a fur trader and is suprised to find out that it is a woman. She invites him to stay and is happy to except her hospitality. That night he wakes from horrible dreams about killing his friends like an animal. The woman offers to comfort him and one thing leads to another. After spending several days there, Wolverine gets ready to leave, but realizes he is no longer having bad dreams and attributes it to the woman treating him like a man. 

Chronological clues: 
The book was published in 1996 
Wolverine uses his claws, but there is no mention of weather they are bone or adamantium. 
Wolverine, looks human, not beastly. 

Characters: Wolverine and Gayle.

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 Feb 2007 05:27 pm 
By metaldragon

>>>
Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 1
"It's a Wonderful Life" by Eluki Bes Shahar 

<snip>

Chronological placement clues are as follows:
The book was published in 1996.
Jean and Scott are married.
Archangel still has metal wings, but is wearing his Angel costume and still has blue skin.
All five of the original X-Men are living at the mansion. 
<<<

So that would place it sometime after UX 319 (Dec 1994) [Archangel starts wearing classic Neal Adams designed costume again] and before the publication date of the collection (Oct 1996)? That places it before Onslaught (Archangel starts regrowing his organic wings right after Onslaught crossover). I guess it's narrowing it down to which side of Legion Quest/Age of Apocalypse it fits on. Anyone know this era really well?"
May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Mar 2007 10:33 am 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Antholgy Story 3 
"Stillborn in the Mist" by Dean Weasly Smith 

Gambit is visiting New Orleans, feeling compelled to be there. He stumbles across a war between a powerful underworld figure he knows and another group of figures known as the Arrington. The person he knows has used science to duplicate voodoo practices to reanimate his beloved daughter. The rival gang has stolen this formula and is killing children and reanimating them to use as soldiers. After the Arrington figure out that the father was using his daughter as bait. They cut off the head of her zombiefied corpse and return it to him. Gambit has had run ins with the other gang before and decides to stop the killings. He breaks in to their headquarters, beats them down, and destroys the formula. He then decides to return to the X-Men. 

Chronological clues: 
The book was published in 1996 
Gambit mentions the "Elixir o' Life" (* note it is not what is used). 
He wears his Jim Lee era uniform. 

Characters: 
Gambit, Julian Hayward, zombie of Cornelia Hayward, his scientists, zombie children, Arrington gang members, Arrington gang boss Lang.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Mar 2007 11:45 am 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 4 
"X-Presso" by Ken Grobe 

Cannonball is having a bad day. He just recieved a letter that his brother Josh is planning on going to Nashville to audition, leaving his mother on the farm. In the Danger Room, he and Archangel are defeated by Beast and Gambit, making him feel stupid. Finally, his girl Meltdown is upset for him standing her up for lunch. He decides to head to New York City to get away from it all. While there, he is pick pocketed and uses his abilities to stop the theif. He leaves the theif on a roof and leaves to call the police. He stumbles across the Coffee-A-Go-Go and enters to use the phone. Inside to his suprise is Cyclops, enjoying a day out. The two spend time talking, and Scott helps him iron out his problems. 

Chronological clues: 
Book published in 1996. 
Cannonball has just joined the X-Men and is dating Meltdown. 
Paige Gutherie is attending Massachussetts Academy. 
Wolverine is living in the woods of the mansion. 
Havok leads X-Factor. 
Psyloke has not been injured by Sabretooth. 

Characters: 
Cannonball, Professor X, Archangel, Gambit, Beast, Meltdown, pick pocket, Cyclops, Zelda who recently saved money and reoppened the cofee shop and restored it.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Mar 2007 03:09 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 5 
"Four Angry Mutants" by Andy Lane & Rebecca Levene 

Iceman is distraught because he has been summoned for jury duty and the case involves a mutant accused of murder. Professor X has Bobby lie about him being a mutant and continue on the jury, because he would rather see justice than uphold the law. To Bobby's dismay the Professor and Wolverine are going to attend the trial. After hearing opening arguments and part of the case, Iceman can feel the animosity toward the mutant being tried and also believes he did it. Later, Wolverine suspects something different and the two follow one of the jurors. It turns out she is a mutant who gives off pharamones that change peoples emotions. It turns out she is being cohersed into helping the Friends of Humanity who are holding her daughter hostage. Wolverine and Iceman save the girl and Professor X lets her no everything is all right. She turns herself in for tampering with due process and a mistrial is declared. The Professor promises to defend her and watch her child until released. 

Chronological clues: 
Story published in 1996 
Logan has adamantium claws and seems to have a regular appearance. 
Friends of Humanity operating. 

Characters: Iceman, Professor X, Wolverine, Arthur Streck "Dinosaur Killer" defendant, Rachel Mostel mutant with emotion control, Sophie her daughter, Assistant DA Allan Wydell prosecuter and leader of Friends group, members of Friends of Humanity, and other jurors.

Last edited by Jason Doty on 01 Mar 2007 03:16 pm, edited 1 time in total. 

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Mar 2007 03:15 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 6 

Warren Worthington gives a radio interview and answers callers questions. 

Chronological clues: 
Book was published in 1996 
After Moira MacTaggert contracts the Legacy Virus. 
Takes place after his wings are back because they are strapped to his back. 
He is still dating Psylocke, and this story takes place after they attend a Hellfire Club party. 

Characters: Archangel, Archer Finkley, and several callers.

			*	*	*

Posted: 01 Mar 2007 05:06 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 7 
"Summer Breeze" by Jenn Saint-John and Tammy Lyne Dunn 

A scientist has created a bacteria that will dissolve plastics foe ecological reasons, but it is stolen by Katu and Spoor of the Acolytes. The two mutants make demands to the governments of the world after placing the bacteria in a bomb. The X-Men hear the demands on the TV and Storm, Beast, and Bishop respond. Bishop and Storm head to Australia to one of the Acolytes bases and discover documents that will lead them to the terrorists. Meanwhile, Beast finds the scientist and the two, try and develop a way to stop it. Bishop and Storm head to the Bahamas to stop the Acolytes after the governments refuse their demands. Beast and the scientist follow. They take out the Acolytes and try and defuse the bomb. They manage to release the bacteria that eats the bad bacteria and wait. The doctor is accidently killed durring the skirmish, but the X-Men still save the day. They leave the Acolytes on the island. 

Three days later Graydon Creed gives a speech about why he should be elected and the mutant threat. 

Chronological clues: 
book published in 1996. 
Graydon Creed running for office. 
Legacy virus in full swing. 
Storm, Beast, and Bishop wearing Jim Lee era uniforms. 

Characters: Dr. Jerome Watkins, Katu, Spoor, Beast, Storm, Bishop, Graydon Creed.

			*	*	*

Posted: 03 Mar 2007 06:31 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 8 
"Life is but a Dream" by Stan Timmons 

Rogue uses the Danger Room to have some fun, by running a program about having a normal life. 

Chronological clues: 
Book published in 1996. 

Characters: Rogue

			*	*	*

Posted: 18 Mar 2007 06:56 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 9 
"Order from Chaos" by Evan Skolnick 

Storm takes Jubilee with her to Cairo, Egypt when she is asked for help from an old pick pocket friend who needs help. Storm heads out to find her friend leaving Jubilee at the hotel. At the hotel, Jubilee is attacked by an energy thing with tenticles. She flees and is luckily saved by Storm's friend who possesses a mysterious artifact that she found that can reshape reality. Storm arrives and her friend fills her in on her story. The artifact is one of several and if brought together the wearer would be unstopable. The other pieces have all been found by a man named Sharpe and while looking for him they have brought him the last piece he needs. During the ensuing fight, between he and the three, Storm comes in contact with the pieces, taking control. Her ability to control weather is akin to operating the artifacts, and she alters reality so only one exists. 

Chronological clues: 
Storm wearing Jim Lee era uniform, Jubilee attends Massachussetts Academy and has longer hair. 
Book published in 1996. 

Characters: Storm, Jubilee, Tawfiq Badr a thief, Alia Taymur Ororo's friend, Damon Sharpe.

			*	*	*

Posted: 26 Mar 2007 04:47 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 10 
"Hostages" by J. Stephen York 

One day, Jean leaves the mansion to enjoy the outdoors. Realizing she hadn't left long before, Wolverine decides to track her down to spend some time with her. Once the two are together their conversation comes to an end when Jean gets a psychic flash of someone being attacked. The two spring into action, but arrive to late to save the victim. For some reason she cannot mentally track the killer, but Wolverine is able to use his senses to begin the pursuit. Along the way, Jean feels as if someone is helping guide her to the killer. After a short drive, Jean senses someone else who is about to be attacked. The two make it in time to engage the killer, who seems to possess powers. He manages to beat both of them and escape, but not before Jean realizes what is actually going on. The killer is a multiple personality seriel killer, who killed a mutant symbiont whos energy is now trapped with his multiple personalities and his mutant power augmented the tormented individual to become an even better killer. The two continue to pursue and catch up with the killer again with the same method of spotting his victim. This time they confront him both psychically and physically together. Jean convinces the mutant inside to make the killer whole. Once done, the killer is ashamed of what he has done and kills himself. The symbiont merges with the victim and Jean and Logan decide that at the very least today they saved lies. 

Characters: Phoenix, Wolverine, "Snowman" serial killer, symbiont mutant, and several victims. 

Chronological clues: 
The book is published in 1996 
Jean is married to Scott. 
Wolverine has metal claws and appears not beastly.

			*	*	*

Posted: 31 Mar 2007 02:11 pm 
By Jason Doty

Ultimate X-Men Anthology Story 11 
"Out of Place" by Dave Smeds 

Several X-Men get a sudden realization that the lives they are living are not quite right. They all have normal lives and live in several different parts of the country with regular jobs. They all realize they are mutants but their abilities are fading. Before their powers completely fade, Jean realizes what is going on and with the aid of Archangel ends the crisis. It appears Psylocke suffered from an illness and fever and her telepathic abilities had the X-Men living a different life in their minds. Jean was able to bring Archangel out of it long enough to wake them and get Psylocke to the med lab, where she starts to recover. 

Characters: Beast, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Rogue, Iceman, Archangel, and Psylocke. 

Chronological placement clues: Book published in 1996 
Wolverine has metal claws. 
Jean believes her sister is dead and is not married to Scott yet. 

And that concludes this Anthology. You still on yours metaldragon?

			*	*	*

Posted: 31 Mar 2007 02:47 pm 
By metaldragon

Sorry for the delay! I've been busy with work and haven't had a chance to work on it in ages! I'm still working my way through 1970s: Firm Commitments. 

If you could look at 1980s: Up the Hill Backwards I'd be grateful! I'm much less knowledgeable about that period of the X-Men. Thanks!

"May the Light shine forever!"

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 May 2007 07:41 pm 
By Jason Doty

Five Decades Of The X-Men 
"Up The Hill Backwords" by Thomas Dejah 

Storm sends her newly gathered X-Men to Sean Cassidy for further training to make them more cohesive. Once there, Sean sets about this task and requests Callisto's help. After several training exercises, Callisto still thinks they suck and Banshee is disapointed by Havok's inability to step up and take a leadership role. One night he meets with WHO operative Alystare Stuart for drinks, who to his suprise knows that the X-Men are at Muir. He and Banshee discuss the possibility of training exercise. The two agree and set up the engagement. While the WHO operatives are setting up they are supprised by the sudden appearance of a cairn that is glowing faintly. The X-Men gather and head to the disired location. Once there they are fired upon with live ammunition which is not part of the exercise. While the X-Men are trying to figure out what is going on, Banshee is contacted by Allystare Stuart who reports he has lost contact with his team. Via headsets, Banshee orders the X-Men to retreat. Havok stubbornly wants to know what is going on. Just then their assailants are attacked by several N'gari demons and are being slaughtered. The X-Men manage to capure one of them named Pete Wisdom, who explains he is with Black Air a secret organization who obtains artifacts for the government and that they were to take out the WHO operatives and retrieve the artifact alowing for plausable deniability. The X-Men are discusted but know they need Black Air's help with defeating the N'gari. Their combined efforts force the N'gari back into the cairn and they destroy it. Black Air cleans their tracks in the confussion and dissapear. 

Characters: Storm, Banshee, Magneto-BTS, Wolverine-BTS, Havok, Dazzler, Psylocke, Rogue, Longshot, Callisto, Allystare Stuart, Moira MacTaggert, Pete Wisdom, Scratch, three N'gari demons. 

THis story most likely occurs between ASMV.W1-FB and XV.FF 1

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 May 2007 07:44 pm 
By Enda80

That last story was cited as canon in Wisdom's Handbook entry.

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 May 2007 08:26 pm 
By jephyork
Director

The Handbooks have been sneaking in references to prose stories for some time now. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 May 2007 06:40 am 
By Somebody
Director

Enda knows. Enda made the last post in the thread about that - http://www.chronologyproject.com/phpbb2 ... 4472#14472 - before it was locked. 

Enda smash.

			*	*	*

Thread 27

Posted: 14 May 2007 03:41 pm 		Post subject: Amazing Spider-Girl #7-8
By michaelyuri

Amazing Spider-Girl #7: Revenge! 
Script, Plot & Pencils: Tom DeFalco & Ron Frenz 
Inks: Sal Buscema 


Characters Appearing: 
Drasco, Vinnie 
Hobgoblin 
Kingsley, Daniel 
Ladyhawks/Regina & Rosetta 
Morello, Tony "Magic Fingers" 
Morgan 
Noble, Heather 
Parker, Benjamin 
Spider-Girl 
Spider-Man 
Talon 
Thompson, Gene 
Watson-Parker, Mary Jane 
Wes 
Yama, Jimmy 

Synopsis: 
1-2: One of the Ladyhawks bursts into a bar and starts beating up the patrons. She finds the man she looking for and demands that he tell her where to find the Hobgoblin. 

3: Recap page 

4: Parker Residence. May's Spider-Girl costume is still lying on the chair where she left it at the end of the previous issue. It's strongly implied that it is the next morning. Peter leaves. 

5: MJ tells May how disappointed she is. May gets a text message from Ladyhawk, so she stuffs her costume in her backpack and leaves. 

6: May arrives at the Ladyhawks' warehouse to find one of the Ladyhawks in a wheelchair. She reveals that she received a serious spinal injury when the Hobgoblin attacked the Ladyhawks a few months earlier. She is worried because her sister is going after the Hobgoblin for revenge. 

7: Drasco is trying to decide what to do with the disc that Spider-Girl gave him. He receives a phone call from Hobgoblin, who tells him that he's going to be meeting with a Harlem racketeer and he wants Drasco on hand as backup. 

8: At school, Jimmy is promoting his comic book. Heather Noble reveals to May that she's grateful for Spider-Girl saving her. 

9: Hobgoblin and his brother prepare for their meeting with Morgan. Morgan reveals to his crew that he's hoping to expand his rackets through his deal with Hobgoblin. 

10-11: Wes reveals to May that he feels bad about exploiting Spider-Girl for the comic. Gene interrupts and tells Wes to stay away from May. May and Gene plan a date for later. 

12-14: After school, May leaps off across town to check in on Daniel Kingsley. She finds Ladyhawk at his apartment, but it's empty. Spider-Girl can't dissuade Ladyhawk from her revenge mission, so she offers to help. She calls Drasco for information and he tells her about the meeting with Morgan. 

15-17: Ladyhawk bursts into Morgan's place and starts beating up his men. Spider-Girl follows her in. Morgan asks why they came and Ladyhawk reveals that she's looking for Hobgoblin for revenge for crippling her sister. 

18: Ladyhawk and Spider-Girl stake out the warehouse where the meeting is supposed to occur, but no one shows up. 

19: Hobgoblin and Morgan are meeting somewhere else. Morgan says that he has always placed business first and it cost him his family. Hobgoblin is completely surrounded by Morgan's men. From a few blocks away, Drasco hears gunfire and calls for police backup. 

20: Spider-Girl and Ladyhawk split up and go their separate ways. 

21: Hobgoblin returns to his brother, limping with his costume in tatters. Morgan is looking at an old photograph which shows him with his wife and twin daughters. 

22: May returns home and tells MJ that she understands what she has been putting her mother through. She gives MJ her costume. 


Flashbacks: 
(6:5) Hobgoblin shoots one of the Ladyhawks in the back while the other looks on in horror. 


Continuity Notes: 
This story takes place very shortly after the previous issue. It is implied, but not explicitly stated that it is the next day. 

The Ladyhawks are finally given names: Regina & Rosetta. Until now they have been sharing a single chronology entry, but now they have names and from this point forward will be distinguishable, so it makes sense to split them into separate entries. I've made two assumptions in splitting the appearances: (1) Rosetta was the Ladyhawk who worked with the New Warriors, and (2) Rosetta was the Ladyhawk who was abducted in Last Planet Standing. I think these are reasonable assumptions, but they're certainly debatable. 

------------------------------ 

Amazing Spider-Girl #8: The Closet! 
Script, Plot & Pencils: Tom DeFalco & Ron Frenz 
Inks: Sal Buscema 


Characters Appearing: 
Duran, Courtney 
Hingle, Cindy 
Hingle, Duane 
Hingle, Sara 
Kellinger, Mr. 
Kirby, Davida 
Noble, Heather 
Parker, Benjamin 
Slattery, Mr. 
Spider-Girl 
Spider-Man 
Thompson, Gene 
Watson-Parker, Mary Jane 
Wes 
Yama, Jimmy 


Synopsis: 
1: Recap page. 

2-3: May leaves home to go to school. Mary Jane is dreading May's eventual return to crime-fighting. 

4-7: At school, student Sara Hingle is having migraine headaches. During class she suddenly lashes out with some sort of mutant energy bands. She is unable to control her power. The class is evacuated, but May stays behind to try to calm Sara. Sara strikes May with her energy bands, throwing her against the wall. 

8: MJ is picking up May from Mr. Slattery's office. She learns that Sara has been sent to a medical facility to be evaluated. 

9: May's friends are waiting to find out if she's okay. Gene Thompson calls Sara a freak, but the others defend her. 

10: Peter and May talk about Sara. MJ is unable to contact Sara's parents by phone, so she and May leave to visit them. 

11: MJ tries to comfort Sara's parents, Duane and Cindy, but Duane is irate, saying that he can no longer trust his daughter. 

12: Peter and MJ get ready for bed. MJ says that she needs to talk about May. 

13: The next day at school, Gene apologizes for the way he acted, but he doesn't want to go with May to visit Sara. 

14-20: MJ decides to go talk to the Hingles again. Meanwhile, Sara uses her powers to break out of the hospital. MJ learns that Duane is sending her away to a mutant boarding school. May sees Sara walking down the street. Duane tells MJ to leave, but Cindy wants him to listen to MJ. Sara attacks May. MJ lectures Duane about being a good parent. Sara learns that May has powers too. After MJ finishes talking, Duane tells her to leave. Just then, May and Sara show up. Cindy is glad to see her, but Duane is still angry. 

21: Slattery tells MJ that he's impresses with how she dealt with the Hingles and offers her a job as a guidance counselor. MJ says she'll think about it. 

22: MJ apologizes to May and gives back her Spider-Girl costume. 

Continuity Notes: 
This issue takes place over the course of two consecutive school days. It's not clear how much time has passed since the previous issue. 

Sara Hingle appeared in a one panel cameo in ASG 1. 

------------------------------ 

Chronology entries: 

Drasco, Detective Vinnie 
. . . 
ASG 6 
*ASG 7 

Duran, Courtney Marie 
. . . 
ASG 6 
*ASG 8 

*Hingle, Cindy 
*ASG 8 

*Hingle, Duane 
*ASG 8 

*Hingle, Sara 
*ASG 1 
*ASG 8 

Hobgoblin/Roderick Kingsley 
. . . 
SG 97 
*SG 98 (5-9) 
*ASG 7-FB (6:5) 
*SG 98 (14-19) 
SG 99 
. . . 
ASG 6 (12-18) 
*ASG 7 

*Kellinger, Mr. 
*ASG 8 

Kingsley, Daniel 
. . . 
ASG 5 
*ASG 7 

Kirby, Davida Jacqueline 
. . . 
ASG 6-FB (9) 
*ASG 8 

*LadyHawk I/Regina 
SG 6 
SG 16 
SG 21 
SG 23 
SG 29 
SG 43 
SG 60 
SG 86 (22) ~ LHS 1 (2) 
LHS 1 
LHS 3 
LHS 5 
SG 98 (9) 
ASG 7-FB (6:5) 
SG 98 (21-22) 
SG 99 
ASG 7 

*LadyHawk II/Rosetta 
SG 6 
SG 16 
SG 21 
SG 23 
SG 29 
SG 42 
SG 43 
SG 44 
SG 46 
SG 56 
SG 60 
SG 70-FB (3:5) 
SG 70 
SG 77 
SG 78 
SG 86 (22) ~ LHS 1 (2) 
LHS 2 
LHS 3 
LHS 4 
LHS 5 
SG 98 (9) 
ASG 7-FB (6:5) 
SG 98 (21-22) 
SG 99 
ASG 7 

*Morello, Tony "Magic Fingers" 
*ASG 7 

*Morgan 
*ASG 7 

Noble, Heather 
. . . 
ASG 6 (12-19) 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Parker, Benjamin Richard 
. . . 
ASG 6 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Slattery, Mr. 
. . . 
ASG 5 
*ASG 8 

Spider-Girl/May "Mayday" Parker 
. . . 
ASG 6 (11:7-22) 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Spider-Man/Peter Parker 
. . . 
ASG 6 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

*Talon 
*ASG 7 

Thompson, Eugene, "Gene" 
. . . 
ASG 6-BTS 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Watson-Parker, Mary Jane 
. . . 
ASG 6 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Wes 
. . . 
ASG 6 (14-19) 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

Yama, Jimmy 
. . . 
ASG 6 (14-19) 
*ASG 7 
*ASG 8 

------------------------------ 

-Mike

			*	*	*

Posted: 27 May 2007 08:16 am 
By Crazy Penguin

Wes's surname is Westin. I can't remember where it was mentioned in the monthly comic, but it was definitely in the prose story from Spider-Man Magazine.

			*	*	*

Posted: 28 May 2007 08:25 am 
michaelyuri

In the comics, the only time he is referred to as anything other than just "Wes," is in ASG 7, where Gene Thompson says "You should mind your own business, Westin!" 

It wasn't clear to me what this meant. Is his name Wes Westin? Is Wes just short for his last name, and his first name is actually something different? Or is Westin really his full first name and his last name hasn't been revealed yet? I was waiting for something more definitive before changing the listing. 

I haven't read the prose story - how exactly does it use his name? 


BTW, I haven't picked up the prose story. I'll probably get around to it eventually, but if someone else wants to analyze it in the meantime, I'd appreciate it. 

-Mike

			*	*	*

Posted: 29 May 2007 06:49 pm 
By Crazy Penguin

The prose story takes place after the current issues of ASG (actually, I haven't read #8 yet, so we'll see). There are spoilers regarding two of the personal life storylines, one of which being who ends up as the student council president. 

Wes's name is indeed Wes Westin. Classic super-hero comic book naming. 

Here's the line from the story: 

>>>
Jimmy Yama, Heather Noble and Wes Westin immediately surrounded me.
<<<

			*	*	*

Thread 28

Posted: 10 May 2007 02:36 am 		Post subject: How did you come to find the MCP?
By dubj1979

I just wanted to tell my story of how I came to the MCP 


Ok so i pretty recently got heavily into the Marvel U. 
I Had to go to the library with my wife daily so she could study. Talk about boring. So while being bored, I ran in to the comic section. I always liked the X-men because of the old cartoon, so thats what I started reading. I think they were on like the 7 or 8 issue in to the "Reload" period so it was really easy to get into. I ended up going to the local comic shop and getting really addicted. I would go there and buy arcs at a time, take them home, read them, then back to the shop the next day. Since then I think I get every regular series and all the cross overs and short series. My wife and I now budget about $150 a month into are bills just for comics. While reading, and just knowing about most characters, I would run into some guests that that I had know idea who they were. So I googled and found the MCP and all of You. And WOW, i never knew there were so much to things i thought were just stupid kid readings. Boy was I wrong. 

Anyone else have any stories to tell?

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 11:29 am 
By wolframbane

Well I have been into comic books since my childhood, and I actualy had a substantial collection, that is until a leaky roof in my storage unit had other thoughts... 

Anyway, one good thing that came out of it is I discovered that Marvel has come out with collected DVD-ROMS of entire runs of series. CHeck 'em out on Ebay or Amazon. Can save your budget in collecting those back issues.

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 12:31 pm 
By dubj1979

Yeah thats how Im reading the first issues. Pretty nice because I can put them in my PSP and read at work and on the road and such.

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 10:49 pm 
By JLH

I found it quite pleasant, thank you. 

Seriously, I don't recall how I found it. It was known to me from various other sites linking to it. It ended up being, what, 99 or 2000. Once Russ put the requests for volunteer work concerning Closing the Gap, I made it one of my regular sites to visit. 

I've always enjoyed some of the official index series, though I hadn't read too many of them. That kinda thing appealed to me, but more than just in the typical OCD-type symptoms of making lists. What MCP does in so many ways respects the fictional universe as a universe of itself while never losing sight of it being fictional. Which is an odd way of saying I get sick of summarized lives of characters on web pages and handbooks. It either covers not enough, or too much. Here, the listings let the books speak for themselves, in an order that best reflects such a thing.

			*	*	*

Posted: 10 May 2007 11:01 pm 
By Col_Fury
Director

Back in 1999 when I was still in college, I worked at a comic shop and Joe,(the owner) John,(the other guy that worked there) and myself were talking about how we stored our comics. When I said I keep my Spider-books chronologically according to story in the box, John told me about a site dedicated to putting all of the Marvel characters in chronological order, and that it would be the perfect site for me. 

I was in college, and had no internet at the time.(I couldn't afford it, I was spending my money on rent and comics!) I told myself I would check it out eventually. Then life got in the way, I bought a house, got married, etc, and forgot all about it. Shortly after the holiday season of 2004 I remembered John telling me about that mythical site while organizing my books. I found this place, lurked around for a while... and the rest is history!"

Fury's gonna stay lost as long as he wants to stay lost. He kinda, from what I understand, wrote the book on it." -the President

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 08:16 am 
By Somebody
Director

Years ago now - it was actually linked on the Marvel UK website, which is how I found it. 

The first interaction I had with the MCP was when I sent an e-mail over the Expediter/Zoe Culloden listing, which listed three Wolverine issues as X-Factor issues. Russ got back to me a full year later, when I'd long-forgotten that I had ever sent the e-mail 

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 01:16 pm 
By SKleefeld
Director

I honestly don't know... 

As best as I can figure, I must've stumbled across it in late 1999/early 2000, not long after Russ put the site up. My guess would be a link from CBR, since they were mostly a comic links site back then. By that point, I would've been running my FF site for a couple of years and knew that Russ had a crudload of great information that would be useful on my site as well. I think I'd probably already shared some chronology-type information with Jess Nevins who had been doing his "Unofficial Chronology to the Marvel Universe" in RACMU for a while as well, and I was probably excited to see Russ' work on a web site as opposed to trying to sort through the RACMU archives for stuff. 

I think I first contacted Russ to see if he'd have any issues with me duping some of the data on my FF site (which he didn't). I may have included some updates/corrections at that time as well, but I know that I would periodically drop Russ notes when I found problems. Then he added the old message board, and I started stopping by more regularly. 

That's as much guesswork as anything else. The 1999 date I looked up -- the rest of it I'm going mostly off a couple of vague memories of how I used to think about working online.

			*	*	*

Posted: 11 May 2007 05:57 pm 
By jephyork
Director

All I know is that I sent him an enormously long and annoying e-mail about Captain Britain's supporting cast. The rest is history. 

-Jeph!

			*	*	*

Posted: 12 May 2007 03:29 pm 
By lkseitz

I was there on rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe (r.a.c.m.u) when Russ first posted the chronologies in '96. I sent him some additions for Rom. Then I was there for the announcement of the web site. I was involved for a while, even got made a director, but then I had two kids and all my free time was sucked away. I've gone through periods of not visiting the forums, but I've been back lurking for a while now. Unfortunately, I can still only occasionally spare time for chronological analysis.

Lee K. Seitz 
Slowly adding insignificant characters to the MCP
