Marvel Comics Presents ran for 175 issues from 1988 until 1995. Each issue included four eight-page stories with typically two or three on-going features (and no ads). It spotlighted some of the leading creators of mainstream comics over a period of precipitous economic growth and even more rapid decline. Reading through it is an opportunity to revisit any number of weird aspects of 90s superhero comics. This blog is a primitive, oddly regimented, manifestly scattershot crawl through an often disappointing but occasionally splendid comic. All image copyrights are Marvel's. Issue credits linked below. Updated on Wednesdays. Marvel Comics Presents #40: Mid-December 1989(6.24.20) Credits: grandcomicsdatabase And we've gone back in time! This issue is actually cover-dated earlier than the previous one! Obviously, this merely reflects marketing and shelf-space concerns, but it's a funny turn of events even so. Less amusing: the printing disaster that befell this cover. It's nice enough work from Marshall Rogers, but it looks as though the craft-tint boards weren't photographed properly (or something), so Rogers' details are washed out into a soupy, screen door look. It's less of a disaster on the front cover, which actually aims for a shadowy, evening vibe, but the rear looks dreadful and leaves a silly Hercules looking that much goofier. A. Wolverine, "Black Shadow, White Shadow" [3/10] Wolfman's plotting is all over the place here, pushing us backwards in time with the backstory for Logan's appearance in Hong Kong and through a clumsily staged fight between the titular shadows. Logan saves Mai, which leaves him in the good graces of the Hong Kong supporting cast, though it's totally unclear what they're up to. The more concerning failure here is the total absence of energy or peril--in particular, for mysterious beings that vaporize city blocks, these black and white demons are exceedingly humdrum. It's hard not to like Nel Yomtov's color work, though, with a pulpy, contrast-heavy touch that works nicely with a Hong Kong cityscape. B. Wonder Man, "Stardust Miseries" [3/8] The manic pace of the last installment was enjoyable enough, but it's entirely unclear what's supposed to be happening at this point. The urgent tone of the last outing gives way to a shoddy, Naked Gun-style comedy turn epitomized in a barrel-scrapingly idiotic page that features a producer calling Ronald and Nancy Reagan in bed. It's punishingly unfunny and reminds of Higgins' leaden writing for the Excalibur feature that wrapped a couple of issues ago. Saltares and Marzan continue doing their best with not totally unimpressive results. There's some genuinely dynamic action here even if it's in service to a total narrative vacuum. C. Hercules, "All in the Family" [2/3] Genuinely impressive action setpieces from Bob Layton with some crafty layouts, open panels, and splendid collaboration with Workman who magically transforms this into something all but indiscriminable from Simonson's Thor. It's hard, however, to see the rationale for a largely plotless three-part feature (which presupposes substantial familiarity with the relevant parties). This has all the hallmarks of an issue that was once destined for a subsequently abandoned mini-series or something comparable. D. Overmind, "Anything" Absolutely bonkers. Overmind is an undeniably weird character to begin with, but, in the clumsy hands of Lobdell, this story is totally baffling. Compounding the strangeness is the steady, storied hand of Don Heck who nails various sci fi elements (most notably, radiation suits), but leaves Overmind looking like Ditko's Shade villains. The plot? Something like the following: scientists stumble upon smalltown Millford expecting myriad deaths from toxic waste leakage only to discover that Overmind has induced the townsfolk to collectively hallucinate that the toxic waste has no effect upon them. So, they're apparently fine. But, spurred by Overmind's sage teachings, they insist that they be given the chance to be dangerously ill and likely die. Overmind leaves. The scientists hint that they might save the town. It makes absolutely no sense. The colors by Cheryl Van Valkenberg (in her sole comics credit) don't help much, pitching all the ill townsfolk as necrotic brown. Terrible, fascinating stuff. This is the uncanny lifeblood of MCP. Power Ranking: Overmind (B+), Hercules (B), Wolverine (B-), Wonder Man (C-)