More Coming Attractions

Building on the popularity of an earlier post about Coming Attractions, here are additional teasers from the pages of Marvel Age.

Marvel Age #3 (June 1983):

• DEFENDERS #123—Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS. Pencils by DON PERLIN. Doctor Strange, the Silver Surfer, and the Submariner are trapped in time and must relive the most traumatic points in their lives—and this time they might not survive.

Marvel Age #9 (December 1983):

• DEFENDERS #129—It's the beginning of the end of the Secret Empire Saga, as the New Defenders—aided and abetted by Cloud and the mysterious Seraph—try to stop Professor Power's plans to topple both the United States and the USSR! It's not as simple as it sounds, though—not when the New Defenders must also battle the New Mutants—sort of! "Countdown" is written by J.M. DeMatteis, penciled by Don Perlin, and inked by Kim DeMulder.

Marvel Age #23 (February 1985):

• THE DEFENDERS #141—Just when the Defenders had totally forgotten them, the gamma ray spores seen in issue #132 are back—and have spread into everything! If the spores cannot be stopped, they will destroy the Defenders! "All Flesh is Grass!" written Peter B. Gillis, penciled by Don Perlin and inked by Kim DeMulder. 60¢.

Marvel Age #26 (May 1985):

• THE NEW DEFENDERS #144—The evil Dark Dragon offered her almost limitless power—and Moondragon took it! Now she's a rampaging emissary of evil whose first task is to slay her friends, the Defenders! "Dragon Midnight!" written by Peter B. Gillis, penciled by Don Perlin and inked by Kim DeMulder. 65¢.

Marvel Age #32 (November 1985):

• THE NEW DEFENDERS #150—The New Defenders are in space. The galaxy destroying Star Thief is why. Even with the help of The Cosmic Cube and the aliens Moe, Larry, Curly, and Shemp, will the New Defenders be able to stop him? "The Stars in Their Courses" is written by Peter B. Gillis, penciled by Don Perlin and inked by Randy Emberlin and Alan Kupperberg. A double-sized issue! $1.25.

The image of Moondragon's attack against Valkyrie in New Defenders #144 also appeared in the Coming Attractions section Marvel Age #26.

The Return of Mimic

Of all the explanations for a character cheating death, the revival of Cal Rankin was among the most impressive.

With his ability to absorb the powers of super-beings spiraling dangerously out of control, Cal Rankin (Mimic) went into hiding in a secluded area of Canada. Seeking a cure for his predicament, he enlisted the scientific know-how of Henry McCoy (Beast).

Escaping from authorities, Hulk leapt through Canada and crashed into the log cabin where Mimic was staying. In fighting off the green goliath, Beast noticed that Hulk seemed far weaker than usual, as Mimic was draining the strength Hulk originally acquired from exposure to gamma radiation. But instead of turning green and becoming more powerful himself, Mimic grew ill from radiation poisoning. The issue ended with Mimic left for dead (Incredible Hulk #161).

On the trail of the monstrous Wendigo (who first battled Hulk in #162), Wolverine originally appeared in Incredible Hulk #180-181 as a super-powered agent of the Canadian government.

In an amazing twist of fate, Marvel Comics Presents #59 surmised that because Wolverine was already in the general vicinity at the time, Mimic survived by inadvertently duplicating Wolverine's mutant healing factor and physical traits.

The top panel comes from Incredible Hulk #161. The version of Mimic who appeared in the Exiles had an altogether different fate as a member of the Defenders.