Marvel Comics solicitations August 2012

Highlights from Marvel's August releases. Click the links to pre-order discounted items from Amazon.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 14 HC
Written by GERRY CONWAY with STEVE ENGLEHART
Penciled by RICH BUCKLER with ROSS ANDRU, JOHN BUSCEMA & SAL BUSCEMA
Cover by GIL KANE
FANTASTIC FOUR stands tall as one of the most famous super-hero series of all time — and it certainly didn’t get there by resting on its laurels. How better can that be proven than by another MARVEL MASTERWORKS collection? First, Dr. Doom pushes the FF to the limit! Then, Human Torch and Medusa adventure in the Himalayas! Reed and Sue’s relationship is strained when Sue joins Namor in an invasion of New York — and just to keep things tense, the Frightful Four pile on, too! Then, Ultron crashes Crystal and Quicksilver’s wedding! Finally, it’s a Thing vs. Hulk battle royale and a tense time-traveling tale — masterworks, one and all! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #142-150, GIANT-SIZE SUPER-STARS #1, GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #2 and AVENGERS (1963) #127.
272 PGS


MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 TPB
Written by JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Penciled by JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Covers by JACK KIRBY & RICHARD ISANOVE
Steve Rogers might have been the prototypical 98-pound weakling, but that wasn’t going to stop him from serving his country. Transformed by the Super Solider Serum into America’s No. 1 fighting man, he became a symbol of patriotism, hope and perseverance on the eve of the nation’s entrance into World War II. Never before and never since has comics seen a hero as timely as Captain America! Now, at long last, you can experience the original Golden Age adventures of the Sentinel of Liberty from his 1941 inaugural appearance. You’ll meet Bucky Barnes and the Red Skull, behold Simon and Kirby’s trend-setting brand of storytelling, and even read Stan Lee’s first comic-book tale! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS
(1941) #1-4.
288 PGS


 AVENGERS: CELESTIAL QUEST TPB
Written by STEVE ENGLEHART
Penciled by JORGE SANTAMARIA & JOE STATON
Cover by JORGE SANTAMARIA
Journey with a select group of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as they embark on a quest of cosmic proportions! When the Celestial Madonna known as Mantis sends out a space-spanning SOS that’s received by the Vision, the Avengers’ resident android gathers an elite squad of heroes — including Thor, Scarlet Witch and Silverclaw — to come to her rescue. But what happens when the big bad gunning for Mantis turns out to be the nigh-omnipotent (and Death’s main squeeze) Thanos of Titan? Get ready for a galactic-sized dose of stellar excitement, as only Marvel Comics can bring it! Collecting AVENGERS: CELESTIAL QUEST #1-8.
216 PGS.


NAMOR VISIONARIES BY JOHN BYRNE VOL. 2 TPB
Written by JOHN BYRNE
Penciled by JOHN BYRNE
Cover by JOHN BYRNE
Continue the saga of the Sub-Mariner with this second volume chronicling the adventures of Atlantis’ Avenging Son, as presented by superstar writer/artist John Byrne! Marvel as Namor reforges alliances with his fellow Invaders, battles long-forgotten foes from World War II, and begins to unravel the mystery of Immortal Iron Fist and current Defender Danny Rand! All while dealing with the most insidious force of all: corporate scheming and subterfuge! Guest starring Captain America, Spitfire, Union Jack, the original Human Torch and more! Collecting NAMOR THE SUB-MARINER (1990) #10-18.
232 PGS


ESSENTIAL WARLOCK VOL. 1 TPB
Written by ROY THOMAS, MIKE FRIEDRICH, RON GOULART, GERRY CONWAY, JIM STARLIN & BILL MANTLO
Penciled by GIL KANE, JOHN BUSCEMA, BOB BROWN, HERB TRIMPE, JIM STARLIN & JOHN BYRNE
Cover by JIM STARLIN
Part super-hero spectacle and part spiritual allegory, Adam Warlock must struggle with his inner demons even as he strives to oppose such dreadful threats as the Man-Beast, the Magus and Thanos of Titan! Collecting MARVEL PREMIERE #1-2, WARLOCK (1972) #1-15, INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #176-178, STRANGE TALES (1951) #178-181, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #55 and ANNUAL #2, and AVENGERS ANNUAL (1967) #7.
576 PGS.

Listen to Paul McCartney's remastered Ram LP

Ram is one of Macca's best solo LPs. It'll be out in a variety of remastered formats next week, including a deluxe box containing a book, DVD, outtakes and the now-rare Thrillington album, a version of  Ram done in instrumental, easy-listening arrangements with orchestra.

You can stream the complete Ram album here.