comicbooks.com Join Free
Marvel Age Annual#3
Cover: Fred Hembeck

Marvel Age Annual #3

Jan 1987 · Marvel · 0.75 USD
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join free
★ 1st appearance — Bullet
About this Issue

Marvel Age Annual #3 holds a contested but notable place in Copper Age collecting as the earliest published appearance of Mister Jip — the body-usurping sorcerer created by writer-artist Terry Austin to serve as the first genuine arch-villain for Cloak and Dagger. Austin designed Jip specifically because, as he explained in his own words, the duo needed an 'unopposable force' to push against after years of street-level drug-dealer antagonists who could never truly threaten them. Beyond that debut, the issue is a remarkable document of the late-Shooter Marvel editorial machine: it assembles preview material from an enormous swath of 1987 titles — from West Coast Avengers and X-Factor to Power Pack, Alpha Flight, and the Cloak and Dagger / Doctor Strange shared Strange Tales relaunch — into a single oversized package drawn together by Fred Hembeck's comedic framing strips, making it a snapshot of virtually the entire Marvel line at a single historical moment.

In "When Titans Plug!", the West Coast Avengers hit their stride as Hank Pym and Moon Knight join the ranks, but their growing strength is tested when they face off against two Zodiacs and the relentless Ultron. With Mockingbird in danger and the return of Master Pandemonium on the horizon—alongside the Vision and Scarlet Witch—the team must push their limits in a battle that could redefine their future. Written by Steve Englehart and brought to life by Al Milgrom’s dynamic art with inks by Mike Machlan, this 1987 annual delivers high-stakes action and team dynamics in a story that’s as sharp as its 75-cent cover price. Cover by Fred Hembeck.

Contains 20 stories
When Titans Plug!
17 pp · Satire-Parody, Superhero
Sister Voodoo [Vanna Black]Strikeforce: Morituri [Marathon [Robert Greenbaum]Blackthorn [Aline Pagrovna]Adept [Jelene Anderson]Radian [Louis Armanetti]]

In "When Titans Plug!", Fred Hembeck hosts his wildly unorthodox talk show, where superhero guests share their lives between awkward interviews and pre-recorded clips that hilariously parody their usual heroic exploits. With the usual antics of costumed legends on full display, the story unfolds as a satirical backstage peek at the absurdity behind the cape and cowl—no plot twists, just pure, self-aware fun.

Alpha Flight
1 pp · Superhero
The Avengers
1 pp · Superhero

In this 1987 tale from Marvel Age Annual #3, the Avengers find themselves caught in a divine storm when Zeus, furious over Hercules’ injuries, turns his wrath on them—despite their efforts to heal him. Amid the chaos, Sub-Mariner weds Marrina, and She-Hulk shares a quiet moment with Wyatt Wingfoot.

The West Coast Avengers
1 pp · Superhero

In this 1987 installment from Marvel Age Annual #3, the West Coast Avengers grow stronger with the arrivals of Hank Pym and Moon Knight, but their unity is tested when they face off against two Zodiacs and the relentless Ultron. As tensions rise, Mockingbird confronts personal challenges, while the return of Master Pandemonium looms—alongside the unexpected reemergence of the Vision and Scarlet Witch.

Brother Voodoo
1 pp · Superhero
Sister Voodoo [Vanna Black]
Captain America
1 pp · Superhero
Watchdog

In this 1987 tale from Marvel Age Annual #3, John Walker—now the new Captain America—shares his journey with Fred Hembeck, revealing how he’s stepped into the mantle and teamed up with Bucky to take on a string of threats. As he reflects on his role, he hints at a mysterious new challenger calling themselves The Captain, setting the stage for an unexpected clash of ideals.

Daredevil
1 pp · Superhero
Agent Crock [villain]

In this pulse-pounding 1987 tale from *Marvel Age Annual #3*, Daredevil—still operating as Matt Murdock—finds himself in a high-stakes clash when he joins forces with the Black Widow to take down the menacing Crock. As the fight escalates, he must face off against Bushwacker and the unpredictable Wolverine, all while evading the deadly Bullet, testing his limits in a battle where every move could be his last.

Silver Surfer
1 pp · Superhero
KreeSkrullsCelestials

In this dynamic one-page tale from *Marvel Age Annual #3* (1987), the Silver Surfer and Mantis stand united against a cadre of Elders of the Universe, their clash echoing across the cosmos. As Nova streaks into the fray, towering Celestials observe from afar, while the Kree and Skrull empires wage war in the shadows.

Fantastic Four
1 pp · Superhero
Incredible Hulk
1 pp · Superhero

In "Incredible Hulk" from Marvel Age Annual #3 (1987), the Hulk is held captive by X-Factor at Gamma Base, where SHIELD plans to execute him the moment he reverts to Bruce Banner. With time running out and no clear way to escape, the fate of the Hulk—and the man beneath him—hangs in the balance.

Iron Man
1 pp · Superhero
Rae Lacoste

Tony Stark’s evening out takes a sudden turn when a Code Red call cuts short his date, forcing him to suit up as Iron Man. With no time to spare, he rushes to confront the menacing super-villain Force.

The Marvel Saga
1 pp · Superhero
Power Pack
1 pp · Superhero
Sentinel
The Amazing Spider-Man
1 pp · Superhero

In this quiet yet poignant moment from *Marvel Age Annual #3*, Spider-Man swings through the city with more on his mind than usual—his spider-sense flickering, old threats like Doc Ock and the Hobgoblin looming, but above all, the simple, urgent need to get home in time for dinner. The story captures a rare, tender beat in the web-slinger’s life, where the greatest triumph isn’t a battle won, but the warm embrace of his wife, MJ, waiting at the door.

Doctor Strange
0.5 pp · Superhero

In this 1987 tale from Marvel Age Annual #3, Doctor Strange faces a crisis of confidence, haunted by the loss of his sacred artifacts and questioning whether he still has the strength to safeguard the world. Written with quiet intensity, the story captures the sorcerer at his most vulnerable—grappling not with cosmic threats, but with the weight of his own doubt.

Cloak and Dagger
0.5 pp · Superhero
Strikeforce: Morituri
1 pp · Superhero
Dr. Kimmo TuolemaStrikeforce: Morituri [Radian [Louis Armanetti]Blackthorn [Aline Pagrovna]Marathon [Robert Greenbaum]Adept [Jelene Anderson]Toxyn [Ruth Mastorakis]Scaredycat [Pilar Lisieux]]Horde
The Mighty Thor
1 pp · Superhero
X-Factor
1 pp · Superhero
Four Horsemen
X-Men and the New Mutants
1 pp · Superhero
X-Men [HavokStormDazzlerPsylockeRogueWolverine [Logan]Colossus] (picture)

In a quiet moment of grief, the New Mutants grapple with the loss of Cypher, their bond tested as Mirage struggles with guilt and Magik burns with the desire for retribution. Across the world in Scotland, Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde face their own sorrow, believing the X-Men are gone—until a faint, flickering hope stirs in the shadows.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta
Raw (VF) $6
CGC 9.8 · 6 in census $38
CGC 9.6 · 1 in census $20*
CGC 9.4 · 2 in census $20*
CGC 9.2 · 3 in census $20
CGC 9.0 · 1 in census $20*
CGC 8.5 none in existence
Show all 10 grades
CGC 8.0 · 1 in census $20*
CGC 7.5 none in existence
CGC 7.0 none in existence
CGC 6.5 · 1 in census $20*
* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade
Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

More listings for this title

Sell my copy

Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.

We Buy Collections ▸
Fast, fair offers · we handle grading & shipping

History

The Marvel Age Annual series ran four issues from 1985 to 1988, functioning as a companion to Marvel Age, the company's in-house promotional magazine, but distinguished from it by assembling preview pages and short original comics sequences into something closer to an actual anthology comic. Issue #3, published in 1987 under editors Jim Shooter, Dwight Zimmerman, and Jim Salicrup, drew on contributions from an unusually large creative pool — including Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Chris Claremont, Ann Nocenti, Peter David, Louise Simonson, Terry Austin, and Bret Blevins, among many others — reflecting the breadth of Marvel's publishing slate that year. Fred Hembeck, who was already a regular presence in the monthly Marvel Age magazine with his comedic character strips, served as the primary creative voice of the annual itself, writing, penciling, inking, and lettering the framing material that tied together the preview content.

Trivia · 7 facts

  • Published in 1987 by Marvel (cover date October 1987, released September 1987) as the third in a four-issue Marvel Age Annual series (1985–1988).
  • Contains what is frequently cited as the first published appearance of Mister Jip, the centuries-old body-usurping sorcerer and primary nemesis of Cloak and Dagger, created by writer-artist Terry Austin with penciler Bret Blevins as part of a preview of the newly relaunched Strange Tales vol. 2.
  • Mister Jip's appearance here is preview material tied to Strange Tales vol. 2 — the Multiversal Omnipedia and Marvel Database cite Strange Tales vol. 2 #8 (November 1987) as his canonical first full appearance, making the Annual's claim a 'first preview' rather than a traditional first appearance.
  • Fred Hembeck served as writer, penciler, inker, and letterer of the framing/connecting material throughout the annual, continuing his regular comedic presence in the Marvel Age publication line; he also appears in the issue as a character.
  • The contributor list is remarkably broad for a promotional annual, including Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Chris Claremont, Peter David, Louise Simonson, Ann Nocenti, Terry Austin, Bret Blevins, John Buscema, Sal Buscema, and many others.
  • The issue previews a wide cross-section of 1987 Marvel titles, with characters spanning the Avengers, West Coast Avengers, X-Men, X-Factor, New Mutants, Power Pack, Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man family, Cloak and Dagger, Doctor Strange, and others — effectively a time capsule of the full Marvel line.
  • The Grand Comics Database notes that Marvel Age Annuals #1, #2, and #3 are each 'well over 50% comics content,' distinguishing them from the mostly text-and-image promotional format of the monthly Marvel Age magazine.

Cast · 40 characters

Full credits

artist Al Milgrom
cover pencils, inks Fred Hembeck

Reprints

Reprinted in Avengers: West Coast Avengers - Zodiac Attack #[nn] (2012), West Coast Avengers Omnibus #2 (2014), X-Men: Inferno Prologue #[nn] (2014), Silver Surfer Epic Collection #3 (2015), X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus #[nn] (2018), Incredible Hulk by Peter David Omnibus #1 (2019), Power Pack Classic Omnibus #1 (2019), Cloak and Dagger Omnibus #2 (2021), X-Men: Inferno Prologue Omnibus #[nn] (2021), Daredevil Epic Collection #12 (2022), Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men #15 (2022), Silver Surfer: Return to the Spaceways Omnibus #[nn] (2024), Incredible Hulk Epic Collection #15 (2024)

Key issues in Marvel Age Annual

Reviews

Reader reviews

No reader reviews yet.