Cover: Tom Grindberg & Fred Harper

Marvel Comics Presents #152

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

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★ 1st appearance — Rebecca Taylor

About this Issue

Marvel Comics Presents #152 (cover-dated April 1994) is a structurally significant issue within the anthology's final phase, marking the formal launch of Vengeance as the series' new lead character following Ghost Rider's departure from the rotating roster — a transition that Wikipedia confirms took hold from issue #147 onward, making #152 the point at which that new arrangement was fully in motion with multiple simultaneous serials. It simultaneously opens four distinct multi-part storylines across Wolverine, War Machine, Moon Knight, and Vengeance, functioning as a dense narrative starting gun for readers following any of those characters through the anthology format. The issue also introduces Rebecca Taylor, a police lieutenant whose arc becomes tightly bound to Vengeance's emotional trajectory across the series' closing run, adding a civilian human anchor to the supernatural character's increasingly tragic story.

In "Pure Sacrifice Part 1 of 4: A Night To Remember," Moon Knight uncovers a sinister plot when he learns that the trial of the Pretorians is being manipulated from within. With Chainsaw and his allies targeting a juror’s family to force a verdict, Moon Knight must navigate a web of corruption and danger—before justice is bought and paid for. Written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by J. J. Birch, with colors by Pat Garrahy and letters by John Costanza, this gripping story unfolds under the shadow of a city on edge. The cover, a striking collaboration by Tom Grindberg and Fred Harper, captures the tension of a night where the line between right and wrong is about to blur.

Contains 4 stories

Pure Sacrifice Part 1 of 4: A Night To Remember

8 pp · Superhero

The Dying Game Part One: Taking It To The Street

8 pp · Superhero

Hung Jury [Part 1 of 3]

8 pp · Superhero

Howard (introduction)Scotty (introduction)

In "Hung Jury [Part 1 of 3]," Moon Knight uncovers a sinister plot when he learns that the trial of the Pretorians is being manipulated from within. As Chainsaw and his faction threaten a juror’s family to sway the verdict, Moon Knight moves in to stop the corruption before the court’s integrity is shattered.

Dangerous Games [Part 1 of 4]

8 pp · Horror-Suspense, Superhero

Joey Starrs (introduction, death)Sachs (introduction, death)

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More listings for this title

VF $1.75 Direct $3 MINT $4.99 VF $4.99 NM $5.99 VF+ · Newsstand $6.33 NM $6.99 Direct $8.08

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History

Marvel Comics Presents launched in September 1988 as a biweekly anthology — reviving Marvel's tradition of multi-feature comics — with each issue structured around four eight-page stories by rotating creative teams, as confirmed by both Wikipedia and Marvel's own editorial coverage. By late 1993 and into 1994, the series had shifted its lead character from Ghost Rider to Vengeance (Michael Badilino) after issues #143–146 were consumed by the 'Siege of Darkness' crossover; Wikipedia notes that from issue #147 Ghost Rider was dropped and Vengeance became the new regular. Issue #152 sits squarely in that transitional editorial period, produced under editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco, with writing credits across its four stories attributed to Chris Cooper, Chuck Dixon, Dwight Jon Zimmerman, Len Kaminski, Scott Benson, and Nel Yomtov, and art by Reggie Jones, J.J. Birch, Paul Ryan, and John Czop, with cover art by Tom Grindberg and Fred Harper.

Trivia · 8 facts

Published with a cover date of April 1994 (release date March 15, 1994), the issue contains four serialized eight-page stories: Wolverine's 'Pure Sacrifice' (Part 1 of 4), War Machine's 'The Dying Game' (Part 1 of 4), Moon Knight's 'Hung Jury' (Part 1 of 3), and Vengeance's 'Dangerous Games' (Part 1 of 4).
The Wolverine story, 'Pure Sacrifice: A Night to Remember,' is set in Madripoor and co-stars Tyger Tiger (Jessán Hoan), returning Logan to the Southeast Asian underworld setting established earlier in the series.
The War Machine segment depicts Jim Rhodes operating independently after leaving the West Coast Avengers, tangling with a street gang that has appropriated his name — a story reflecting the early-1994 moment when Jim Rhodes was actively headlining his own War Machine ongoing series.
The Vengeance story, 'Dangerous Games,' introduces both Rebecca Taylor (police lieutenant, her first appearance) and the Big Game Posse, a group of thrill-seeking killers who hunt people for sport; Rebecca's arc as an ally-turned-victim shapes Vengeance's characterization for the remainder of the anthology's run.
Moon Knight's 'Hung Jury' pits Marc Spector against the hate-driven Pretorians, with supporting cast members Marlene Alraune and Bertrand Crawley also appearing in the issue.
Vengeance (Michael Badilino) had first appeared as Badilino in Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #21 (1992), created by Howard Mackie and Ron Wagner, and debuted in his supernatural form in Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #9 (1993); by issue #152 he had become the de facto lead of Marvel Comics Presents after Ghost Rider's departure from the title.
The issue was edited under Tom DeFalco's tenure as editor-in-chief, with writing contributions from Chris Cooper, Chuck Dixon, Dwight Jon Zimmerman, Len Kaminski, Scott Benson, and Nel Yomtov across its four stories.
A newsstand edition of the issue also exists, reflecting Marvel's dual-distribution practice of the era.