Marvel Noise 25 – I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Things never go the way you expect them to go. And when that happens you’re glad you have friends to cover for you. After the rundown of the week’s new releases, we have Mike Sims and the Mighty Marvel Movie Minute, we bring Backwards Dave back with his latest Bring ’em Back, and Pat Loika offers an invincible Bring on the Bad Guys. Along the way there’s SkrullWatch thanks to an email from listener James Bailey.

Titles mentioned include Annihilation: Conquest, Avengers: The Initiative, The Last Defenders, Mighty Avengers, Nova, Punisher, Wolverine, and X-Factor.

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Discuss this episode on the Marvel Noise forum.

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Marvel items on sale, 3.12.08

Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #18
COVER BY: RON FRENZ
WRITER: TOM DEFALCO
PENCILS: RON FRENZ
INKS: SAL BUSCEMA
Betrayed!” Part 2 of 2
Circumstances compel Spider-Girl to join forces with the most unlikely ally of all–The Hobgoblin!
Rated A …$2.99

Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 #553 $2.99

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #5
WRITERS: DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
PENCILS: TOM RANEY
INKS: SCOTT HANNA
Can anyone stop Ultron? How did the evil android unite with the Phalanx? What are his secret plans? And have any of our desperate and divided heroes survived to fight back? It’s not too late to join the acclaimed team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (NOVA) and penciler Tom Raney (ULTIMATE X-MEN) for another chapter of what Wizard raves is “mystery, action and adventure on a galactic scale!”
Rated T+ …$2.99

AVENGERS FAIRY TALES #1
COVER BY: CLAIRE WENDLING
WRITER: C. B. CEBULSKI
PENCILS and INKS: JOAO M.P. LEMOS
The critically-acclaimed line of Marvel Fairy Tales continues with a coming-of-age tale inspired by the timeless classic Peter Pan! When Wanda and Pietro are swept away to Neverland by the boy who never grows up, they find themselves pulled into a situation beyond their wildest dreams. However, as fairies and lost boys become locked in battle with a vicious pirate captain and his crew, the two children must accept that sometimes fantasy is not always an escape from reality. See Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the rest of the Avengers as you’ve never seen them before!
Rated All Ages …$2.99

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #10
COVER BY: STEFANO CASELLI
WRITER: DAN SLOTT
PENCILS: STEFANO CASELLI
“KILLED IN ACTION” Part 3 of 4 “Confirmed Kills”
For some time you’ve known the secret of the SCARLET SPIDERS. Now here’s what happens when CLOUD 9 finds out! Just how will the Initiative’s resident headcase react to Michael, Van, and Patrick? And if that wasn’t bad enough, just wait till you see what happens to another of our longstanding cadets! More death! More mayhem! No mercy!
Rated T+ …$2.99

Captain America Vol 5 #34 DF Exclusive Alex Ross Variant Cover Signed By Alex Ross $29.99
Captain America Vol 5 #34 Directors Cut $3.99
Civil War Chronicles #9 $4.99

DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING MAN-THING #2
COVER BY: KAARE ANDREWS
WRITER: ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA
PENCILS and INKS: BRIAN DENHAM
Death has come to Citrusville, in the guise of four deranged army vets filled with bloodlust, with nothing to lose. When their paths cross with swamp-witch Jessica Cale, expect death and dismemberment… but whose? And how do Jessica’s little brother Andy and his imaginary, red-eyed, green-skinned friend fit in? This radical re-imagining of the Man-Thing mythos continues, once again narrated by the keeper of the Tower of Shadows: Digger!
Rated Explicit Content …$3.99

Fantastic Four Vol 3 #555 $2.99
Hedge Knight 2 Sworn Sword #5 $2.99
Hulk Vol 2 #1 DF Exclusive Dale Keown Variant Cover Signed By Ed McGuinness $29.99

IRON MAN: ENTER THE MANDARIN #6
COVER BY: ERIC CANETE
WRITER: JOE CASEY
PENCILS and INKS: ERIC CANETE
THE FINAL BATTLE! The clock is ticking as next summer’s metallic movie star, IRON MAN, must stop the plans of his arch-foe, the megalomaniacal MANDARIN! How did their first battle REALLY end? Find out here as Joe Casey and Eric Canete bring you the senses-shattering conclusion!
Rated A…$2.99

THE LAST DEFENDERS #1
COVER BY: STEVE MCNIVEN
WRITER: JOE CASEY
PENCILS: JIM MUNIZ
INKS: CAM SMITH
At long last, the team book you’ve been waiting for! The return of the Defenders! (no trademark infringement here!) And look who’s on the team: The mutant Colossus! The sensational She-Hulk! The unpredicatable Blazing Skull! An all-new lineup led by the enigmatic Nighthawk! Injected into the heart of the modern Marvel Universe, the Defenders have been reformed to serve a specific policital purpose…but is there a greater destiny in store for this crew? It’s hi-octane superheroics mainlined right into your fanboy brain!
Rated T+…$2.99

Marvel Adventures Hulk #9 $2.99
Marvel Comics Presents Vol 2 #7 $3.99
Marvel Illustrated Moby Dick #2 $2.99

MIGHTY AVENGERS #10
COVER BY: MARK BAGLEY
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: MARK BAGLEY
INKS: DANNY MIKI
Iron Man and the Sentry are stuck in the past with none other than Doctor Doom. Any interaction with anything or anyone could jeopardize the future of the Marvel Universe! Can Tony Stark trust Victor Von Doom to help get them back to the present before the Sentry has a complete meltdown? Guest starring the Fantastic Four’s ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing!
Rated A …$2.99

New Exiles #3 $2.99

NOVA #11
COVER BY: ALEX MALEEV
WRITERS: DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
PENCILS: PAUL PELLETIER
INKS: RICK MAGYAR
Rocketing from the pages of ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST, a new story begins, featuring the debut of new cover artist Alex Maleev (HALO: UPRISING) and new interior artist Paul Pelletier (FANTASTIC FOUR)! Nova finally reaches the end of his quest…but will his techno infection take him out before a surprise former fan–favorite guest–star can attempt to save the day? Before the Human Rocket jets back into the pages of CONQUEST, now is the time to jump onboard and find out why ComicPants.com says “this series just keeps getting better.”
Rated T+ …$2.99

PUNISHER #55
COVER BY: TIM BRADSTREET
WRITER: GARTH ENNIS
PENCILS and INKS: GORAN PARLOV
“VALLEY FORGE, VALLEY FORGE: THE SLAUGHTER OF A U.S. MARINE GARRISON AND THE BIRTH OF THE PUNISHER,” PART 1
Garth Ennis concludes his seminal run on PUNISHER — in style. Thirty-five years ago, the Fifth Cavalry disgorged their troops on an isolated Vietnamese hilltop and was met by a scene of utter devastation. The final body count ran to well over seven-hundred — almost 200 hundred of them American soldiers. Standing alone amidst the carnage, a sole survivor: Captain Frank Castle, who years later would be known as the most fearsome vigilante to walk the Earth: The Punisher. Now the Punisher is about to face his stiffest test: He’s hunted big game in his day, but none as big as this. Five men with unlimited resources. Men who’d put anything between themselves and the Punisher’s bullet. Men who know exactly who he is…and how to fight him.
Explicit Content …$2.99

Thunderbolts #119 $2.99
Ultimates 3 #2 2nd Ptg Variant Cover $2.99

WOLVERINE #63
COVER BY: RON GARNEY
WRITER: JASON AARON
PENCILS: RON GARNEY
In the aftermath of “Messiah CompleX,” Wolverine’s quest for vengeance continues, taking him from the desolate hills of Afghanistan to the war-torn streets of Baghdad. Along the way, with his quarry throwing more and more innocents into the line of fire, Wolverine must ask himself: just how much collateral damage can he live with?
Rated Parental Advisory …$2.99

X-Factor Vol 3 #29 (X-Men Divided We Stand Tie-In) $2.99

Collections

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE VOL. 1 – BASIC TRAINING
COVER BY: JIM CHEUNG
WRITER: DAN SLOTT
PENCILS: STEFANO CASELLI and STEVE UY
Earth’s Mightiest army! The superhero Civil War is over, and the government won. Now super-beings and costumed heroes are being drafted into America’s new superhuman armed forces: the Initiative. The heart of the operation is Camp Hammond, where Avengers veterans such as Yellowjacket, War Machine and Justice train the next generation of heroes. Can young cadets like Cloud 9, Hardball, Komodo, Rage, Slapstick, Trauma and Ultragirl live up to the Initiative’s superhuman standards? Find out as they and dozens of other heroes from throughout the Marvel Universe clash with the hordes of Hydra, the Incredible Hulk and even the amazing Spider-Man! Collecting AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #1-6.
Rated T+ …$14.99

GHOST RIDER VOL. 4: REVELATIONS TPB
COVER BY: MIKE DEODATO
WRITER: DANIEL WAY
PENCILS: JAVIER SALTARES and MARK TEXEIRA
The final confrontation between Ghost Rider and Lucifer begins here! Ghost Rider, now back in control after Johnny has (once again) proven himself to be…not so good at it, has begun his brutal final march toward Lucifer’s ultimate destruction. But should the fate of the mortal world — and possibly the immortal world — be entrusted to a vengeful spirit bonded to the soul of an ex-carnival performer? Heaven doesn’t think so. Collecting GHOST RIDER #14-19.
144 PGS./Parental Advisory …$14.99

MAGICIAN APPRENTICE VOL. 2 (and DM ONLY)
COVERS BY: RYAN STEGMAN
WRITER: RAYMOND E. FEIST and BRYAN J.L. GLASS
PENCILS: RYAN STEGMAN
Adapted from the novel by New York Times Best-Selling author Raymond E. Feist, MAGICIAN APPRENTICE is an exhilarating ride through a rich fantasy world that is hailed by fans and critics alike as “second only to the ‘Lord of the Rings.”
The journey from Crydee to Krondor is wrought with peril, and an ambush by the dark elves known as the Moredhel has decimated Duke Borric’s company of men. With the help of the Dwarven Chief Dolgan, what remains of the party must travel through the mines of Mac Mordian Cadal to find a new path to their destination. But the mines are anything but safe, and Tomas will discover something in them that will change his own path forever… Collecting MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #7-12.
144 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2588-4 (and ISBN: 978-0-7851-3144-1)

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: LAST OF THE MOHICANS PREMIERE HC
COVER BY: JOHN WATSON
WRITER: ROY THOMAS and JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
PENCILS: STEVEN KURTH and DENIS MEDRI
The very first MARVEL ILLUSTRATED story, The House of Ideas’ new foray into classic literature, featuring an adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s renowned novel! Adapted by writer Roy Thomas, who’s a Marvel classic himself (AVENGERS, X-MEN, CONAN) with stunning art by Marvel newcomer Steve Kurth. LAST OF THE MOHICANS tells the seminal story of a race on the brink of disappearance due to the inexorable push of civilization into the wilderness of the New World. It’s a tale that will touch readers of every age with both its timeless realization of an important historical period — and with its powerful action and adventure! This isn’t your father’s classic comics! Collecting MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: LAST OF THE MOHICANS #1-6.
188 PGS./Parental Advisory …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2443-6
Trim size: standard

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK PREMIERE HC
COVER BY: MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: ROY THOMAS and ALEXANDER DUMAS
PENCILS: HUGO PETRUS
Alexander Dumas’ brilliant follow-up to The Three Musketeers, brought to vivid life as only Roy Thomas and Hugo Petrus can! Deep inside the French prison known as the Bastille resides prisoner number 12, Philippe…who is none other than the twin brother of King Louis XIV. He was incarcerated to prevent him from setting off a civil war in his quest for the kingship itself. But there are forces who will work tirelessly to free this man in the iron mask — and put Philippe on the throne! It’s an adaptation that will draw you in with political intrigue so timely it will shock you. Collecting MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK #1-6.
144 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2592-1
Trim size: standard

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: TREASURE ISLAND PREMIERE HC
COVER BY: GREG HILDEBRANDT
WRITERS: ROY THOMAS and ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
PENCILS: MARIO GULLY
Robert Louis Stevenson’s seafaring adventure is brought to graphic life by scrivener Roy Thomas (X-MEN, AVENGERS, CONAN) and a new penciling sensation Mario Gully! This is a classic tale that has thrilled generations of readers, taken in by the allure of the sea — as only Stevenson could present it! Don’t dare miss this limited adaptation of the entire novel, me hearties, or walkin’ the plank ye’ll be! Collecting MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: TREASURE ISLAND #1-6.
144 PGS./ Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2594-5
Trim size: standard

SPIDER-MAN FAMILY: UNTOLD TEAM-UPS
COVER BY: MIKE WIERINGO
WRITERS: JEFF PARKER,CHRIS GIARRUSSO, KEVIN GREVIOUX, and CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
PENCILS: LEONARD KIRK, CHRIS GIARRUSSO, RICK BURCHETT, and CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
A heaping helping of timeless tales of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man! Peter Parker has a wonderful evening lined up for Mary Jane that starts with a horse-carriage ride to a popular Broadway show. But then the stage magic becomes terrifyingly real and it’s Spider-Man who has a date – with the secret super team known as the Agents of Atlas! The action continues with an all-new untold tale featuring Spidey and that magical master, Dr. Strange! The good Doc ain’t feeling so well, so here’s hoping ol’ Web Head can cure what ails him in time to fight off EVERY mystical demon in the universe! And finally, (ribbit) it’s time for a team-up, Spidey! (ribbit) Let’s see…Iron Man’s busy (ribbit), Captain America’s a little under the weather (ribbit), the FF are doing their own (ribbit) thing…who’s not busy this month? (ribbit) FROG THOR!!!!!!!! Plus: an all-new Mini Marvel tale and a backup story featuring Man-Wolf! Collecting SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #4-6.
Rated A …$9.99

SPIDER-MAN/RED SONJA PREMIERE HC
COVER BY: MICHAEL TURNER
WRITER: MICHAEL AVON OEMING
PENCILS: MEL RUBI
The wise-cracking Wall-Crawler collides with the She-Devil with a Sword! Longtime Marvel readers know that these two legends have met before – but that was just the warm-up! They may be from two different eras, but Spider-Man and Red Sonja have both faced the maniacal mage known as Kulan Gath. Now, the sadistic sorcerer makes a play for power that will once again bring these two famous heroes together – but will it be as friends or foes? Writer Michael Avon Oeming (OMEGA FLIGHT, Red Sonja) and Mel Rubi (Red Sonja) – plus cover artist Michael Turner (CIVIL WAR) – answer the eternal question: What’s better in a fight, the proportional strength and speed of a spider, or cold, hard steel and a chain-mail bikini? Collecting SPIDER-MAN/RED SONJA #1-5 and MARVEL TEAM-UP #79.
Rated T+ …$19.99

X-MEN: DIE BY THE SWORD
COVER BY: JELENA KEVIC DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: CHRIS CLAREMONT
PENCILS: JUAN SANTACRUZ
Psylocke’s reunion with her brother, Captain Britain, takes a turn for the worst when the diabolic minds of several of Excalibur’s greatest foes decide that one world is not enough to conquer. The Exiles and Excalibur must join forces to save crosstime before all of creation is destroyed! Collecting X-MEN: DIE BY THE SWORD #1-5.
Rated A …$13.99