Cover: Phil Hugh Felix & Colin MacNeil

Marvel Comics Presents #148

Feb 1994 · Marvel · 1.50 USD; 1.90 CAD; 1.10 GBP

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★ 1st appearance — Psiphon

About this Issue

Marvel Comics Presents #148 earns its place in the catalog primarily as the debut issue of Elijah Jackson, an entirely new host for the Enigma Force — the cosmic identity known as Captain Universe — making it the character's only appearance for over three decades until he resurfaced as 'Captain Beyond' in 2025's Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic. The Elijah Jackson story is notable for grounding a cosmic concept in intimate, street-level human drama: an elderly, paralyzed former baseball star briefly channels godlike power to protect his caregiver daughter, then relinquishes it to speak a few final words of love. The issue also debuts the Sabretooth Life Model Decoy — a one-scene antagonist that appears and is destroyed in the same Black Panther story — extending the MCP anthology's longstanding tradition of using its compact eight-page format to introduce minor but catalogued firsts. As part two of the 'Tower of Blood' Vengeance serial, the issue sits within the dense Midnight Sons-era Ghost Rider ecosystem that defined Marvel's early-1990s supernatural line.

In "Tower of Blood Part 2: Vengeance Forsaken!", the Panther is drawn into a high-stakes deception when he believes three individuals have been taken hostage—only to face a life model decoy of Sabretooth in a brutal test orchestrated by S.H.I.E.L.D. Written by Don Hillsman and David deVries and illustrated by Hillsman with inks by Hillsman, this 1994 installment delivers a tense, character-driven confrontation. The cover, a striking collaboration by Phil Hugh Felix and Colin MacNeil, captures the moment’s intensity with sharp, dynamic lines.

Contains 4 stories

[Tower of Blood Part 2:] Vengeance Forsaken!

8 pp · Horror-Suspense, Superhero

In "Tower of Blood Part 2: Vengeance Forsaken!" from Marvel Comics Presents #148, the escalating battle between Vengeance and Psiphon reaches a breaking point as the latter grows stronger by draining the former’s rage. When Vengeance finally reclaims his humanity by transforming back into Michael Badilino, the shift unravels Psiphon’s power, leaving him diminished and vulnerable.

Hearts and Minds

8 pp · Superhero

Simone Jackson (introduction)

In "Hearts and Minds," a retired baseball legend in a vegetative state is unexpectedly chosen by the Unipower, awakening to defend his daughter when thugs invade their home. With quiet resolve and a hero’s heart, Elijah steps into the role of Captain Universe, proving that courage isn’t measured in strength, but in the will to protect what matters.

500 Guns

8 pp · Superhero

John Marshall (introduction, villain)

Triumph of the Hunter

8 pp · Superhero

In "Triumph of the Hunter," Jo is drawn into a high-stakes scenario when he's led to believe three people have been kidnapped. After confronting a life model decoy of Sabretooth, he realizes the whole ordeal was a S.H.I.E.L.D. test designed to evaluate the LMD’s capabilities.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (NM) $2

CGC 9.8 · 6 in census $37

CGC 9.6 · 1 in census $20*

CGC 9.4 none in existence

CGC 9.2 none in existence

CGC 9.0 · 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

FN $1.54 FN $2.99 VF/NM $3 VF/NM $3.52 VF/NM $3.99 VG $4.2 NM $4.24 Newsstand $4.99

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History

The issue was written by multiple creators across its four stories, consistent with the bi-weekly anthology format Marvel Comics Presents maintained throughout its original 1988–1995 run under editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco. The Captain Universe segment is one of the earliest known published comics credits for Dan Slott, who would later become a marquee Marvel writer on titles such as She-Hulk and The Amazing Spider-Man; Slott co-created Elijah Jackson with penciler Bill Wiley. The Vengeance installment continued a short serial written by Chris Cooper with art by Reggie Jones, while the Black Panther short was plotted and drawn by Don Hillsman. The issue carried a February 1994 cover date but was released on newsstands December 21, 1993.

Trivia · 7 facts

First appearance of Elijah Jackson (Captain Universe) and his daughter Simone Jackson, both created by writer Dan Slott and penciler Bill Wiley — Elijah's sole appearance for over 30 years until he returned in 2025's Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic as 'Captain Beyond.'
Elijah Jackson is depicted as a former baseball star now living with locked-in syndrome; the Enigma Force temporarily empowers him to protect Simone from street attackers before leaving him immobile again.
First and only appearance of the Sabretooth LMD (Life Model Decoy), introduced and immediately destroyed in the Black Panther story set in Wakanda, with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as supporting characters.
Contains Part 2 of the 'Tower of Blood' Vengeance serial ('Vengeance Forsaken!'), featuring Michael Badilino as Vengeance and villain Psiphon, set at the Statue of Liberty, with Sam Buchanan also appearing.
American Eagle (Jason Strongbow) stars in a standalone story set in the Middle East, with antagonist John Marshall — the concluding chapter of a two-part American Eagle arc spanning issues #147–148.
Cover artists are Phil Felix and Colin MacNeil; interior credits include writers Chris Cooper, Dan Slott, Don Hillsman, and John Figueroa, with pencilers Reggie Jones, Bill Wiley, Don Hillsman, and Ron Wilson.
The Black Panther story from this issue has been collected in the Black Panther: Panther's Prey Epic Collection Vol. 3 (2021).