Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 (1988–1995): Marvel's Biweekly Anthology
Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 (1988–1995): Marvel's Biweekly Anthology
175 issues, four stories per issue and a lot of surprises. Here is what we love about Marvel's biweekly anthology, home of the Weapon X story and a whole lot of Wolverine.
Most comics tell one story an issue. Marvel Comics Presents told four. The series was an anthology, a kind of Marvel variety show, where each 8-page chapter could star someone different, and it ran every other week for nearly seven years.
It is a series we like to pick up at Siomic Comics because you never quite know what is inside, and some of the best-known Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Marvel back-up stories of the era first appeared here. This is our guide to the run, who made it and the issues people look for.
Marvel Comics Presents at a glance
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Run: 175 issues, from September 1988 to March 1995
- Schedule: Biweekly, which was unusually frequent for the time
- Format: Each issue held four eight-page stories, mostly serial chapters plus a standalone
- Lead feature: Wolverine led the first ten issues and appeared in every issue from #38 to #142
- Famous story: Weapon X, written and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, in #72 to #84
- Notable debuts: Damage Control (#19), Cyber (#85 and #86), Salome (#146)
- Later volumes: A 12-issue second volume (2007–2008) and a nine-issue third volume (2019)
Marvel's variety show
The idea behind Marvel Comics Presents was simple and a little unusual. Each biweekly issue held four stories of eight pages each. Usually three were chapters of ongoing serials and one was a standalone, though some issues had two standalones and others had only serials. The lead feature was originally meant to rotate through solo adventures of the X-Men, and Wolverine headed the first ten issues.
Wolverine kept coming back. Marvel's sales team noticed that issues with him sold better, so from #38 to #142 a Wolverine story appeared in every single issue. That makes this one of the great Wolverine back-issue runs, even though the book was never his alone.
Weapon X
The reason many collectors know this series is Weapon X. Written and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, the story ran across #72 to #84 and revealed how Wolverine received his adamantium skeleton and claws. It is a dark, beautifully drawn piece of work, and it is the best reason to look for these issues. The origin begins in #72, and #79 carries the eighth chapter, which also shows Wolverine's Weapon X costume for the first time.
Ghost Rider, Cyber and the rest of the cast
The covers were wraparound through #89, and from #90 Ghost Rider became a co-lead, with the book adopting a flip-book format. A few issues later, in #143 to #146, the series gave itself over to the Siege of Darkness crossover. After that, Vengeance became the lead feature from #147.
Beyond the headline stories, there are plenty of curiosities. #19 features the first team appearance of Damage Control, #45 famously puts the Hulk in the ring with Hulk Hogan, and #85 and #86 bring in Cyber, written by Peter David with art by Sam Kieth. The Madripoor stories, set on the island where Wolverine got up to trouble, are another fan favourite, as is Typhoid's Kiss (#109 to #116), by Ann Nocenti and Steve Lightle.
Key issues to know
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #14 | 1989 | First appearance of Ramonda |
| #19 | 1989 | First team appearance of Damage Control |
| #25 | 1989 | First appearance of Nth Man (John Doe) |
| #45 | 1990 | Hulk versus Hulk Hogan |
| #72 | 1991 | Weapon X begins, the origin of Wolverine as Weapon X |
| #79 | 1991 | Weapon X part 8, the debut of Wolverine's Weapon X costume |
| #85 | 1991 | First cameo of Cyber (Silas Burr) |
| #86 | 1991 | First full appearance of Cyber |
| #89 | 1991 | First published interior art by Joe Madureira |
| #118 | 1992 | First appearance of Doom 2099 |
| #146 | 1994 | First appearance of Salome |
| #170 | 1994 | First published pencil work by Jim Cheung |
| #171 | 1995 | First published interior art by Pasqual Ferry in US comics |
A launchpad for new talent
Because an anthology has so many short slots, it is a natural place to try new people. Writer Scott Lobdell, who later wrote the X-Men, got his start in standalone stories here under editor Tom DeFalco. In the 1990s, names such as Joe Madureira and Jim Cheung also had early published work appear in these pages.
The creators behind the comic
Barry Windsor-Smith
Writer and artist of the Weapon X story across #72 to #84.
Peter David and Sam Kieth
The team behind the Cyber story, with Kieth also on many covers (#87 to #108).
Ann Nocenti and Steve Lightle
Creators of Typhoid's Kiss in #109 to #116.
Scott Lobdell
An early writer in the standalone slots, who went on to write the X-Men.
Joe Madureira and Jae Lee
Artists whose early published work appears in the 1991 issues.
Jim Cheung and Pasqual Ferry
Artists whose first published work shows up in #170 and #171.
Curiosities collectors should know
A flip-book format
From #90, Ghost Rider's stories were presented in a flip-book design alongside Wolverine's.
Almost every issue has variants
There are hundreds of variants across the run, including different cover versions of the same issue.
Wolverine every issue
From #38 to #142, every issue carries a Wolverine story.
Leftover stories
In #150 to #155 Wolverine returned briefly to clear two unpublished inventory stories.
A wraparound era
The covers were wraparound designs up to #89.
Later returns
The title came back in 2007 as a 12-issue second volume and again in 2019 as a nine-issue third volume.
Why this run still matters
Weapon X alone would be reason enough, but the series also shows how Marvel used its back pages to test characters and creators. If you want to understand how a 90s Marvel comic could contain four different tones at once, this is a fantastic example.
Where to start reading Marvel Comics Presents
The classic starting point is #72 to #84 for Weapon X. After that, look at #85 and #86 for Cyber, #109 to #116 for Typhoid's Kiss, and #143 to #146 if you like the Siege of Darkness crossover. The full run is huge, so many readers pick a chapter at a time. Many storylines have been reprinted in trade paperbacks and omnibuses.
Marvel Comics Presents covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#1
#19
#45
#79
#100
#143
#170
#171
#175Browse our Marvel Comics Presents back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#81
Marvel Comics Presents #81
A chapter of Barry Windsor-Smith's Weapon X, the story that explains how Wolverine got his claws.
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#82
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#85
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#86
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#89
Marvel Comics Presents #89
Early published work by an artist who became a fan favourite.
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#90
Marvel Comics Presents #90
The book becomes a flip-book with Ghost Rider as a second lead.
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#117
Marvel Comics Presents #117
From the stretch of the run when Ghost Rider and Wolverine shared the book.
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#146
Marvel Comics Presents #146
The end of the Siege of Darkness era, and the debut of Salome.
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We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Marvel Comics Presents comics.
Frequently asked questions about Marvel Comics Presents
When was Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 published?
The first series ran for 175 issues from September 1988 to March 1995.
What is Marvel Comics Presents?
It is an anthology series that held four eight-page stories per issue, mostly serial chapters plus a standalone.
What is Weapon X in Marvel Comics Presents?
Weapon X is Barry Windsor-Smith's story in #72 to #84 that shows how Wolverine got his adamantium skeleton.
When did Cyber first appear?
Cyber made a cameo in #85 and had his first full appearance in #86, both in 1991.
Was Wolverine in every issue?
Wolverine appeared in every issue from #38 to #142, and led the first ten issues.
Where should I start reading Marvel Comics Presents?
Start with Weapon X in #72 to #84, then try Cyber in #85 and #86.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Marvel Comics Presents comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Marvel Comics Presents and all related characters are trademarks of Marvel. Cover images are shown for reference.