Cover: Keith Giffen & John Czop & Kevin Nowlan

Marvel Comics Presents #172

Jan 1995 · Marvel · 1.75 USD; 2.35 CAD

☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join free

★ 1st appearance — Skreet

About this Issue

Marvel Comics Presents #172 (cover-dated January 1995, on sale November 22, 1994) is the debut issue for two characters who would later become significant players in Marvel's cosmic line: the alien mercenary Lunatik (the cosmic incarnation, distinct from the earlier Defenders villain Arisen Tyrk) and Skreet, a primordial Chaos Mite who would go on to serve as Thanos's 'pet' throughout the landmark Annihilation crossover event. The issue also serves as one of four MCP tie-in chapters to the 'Hands of the Mandarin' crossover, weaving together the Force Works corner of the early-1990s Iron Man family of titles. As one of the final issues of MCP's original 175-issue run, it sits at the tail end of an anthology format that had introduced and developed dozens of Marvel characters over seven years.

In "U.S.Agent," Dan Abnett and John Czop deliver a high-stakes, momentum-driven chapter as Spider-Woman and Wanda split paths after escaping the crashing Hex Ship. With the Mandarin’s fortress looming ahead, the two heroes race toward separate but equally dangerous objectives—one to the wreckage, the other into the heart of the enemy’s stronghold. Cover by Keith Giffen and John Czop, with inks by Kevin Nowlan and John Czop, captures the tension with sharp, dynamic detail.

Contains 4 stories

U.S.Agent

8 pp · Superhero

In the aftermath of a failed mission, USAgent finds himself stranded aboard the powerless Hex Ship, forced to make a desperate choice when he crashes it into the side of the Mandarin's fortress. Waking up amid enemy forces, he faces a new threat with no way out—only his wits and resolve to rely on.

Scarlet Witch

8 pp · Superhero

In this 1995 tale from *Marvel Comics Presents* #172, Spider-Woman and Wanda escape the crumbling Hex Ship moments before it collides with the Mandarin’s fortress. With the ship gone, Spider-Woman heads toward the wreckage while Wanda pushes deeper into the fortress, determined to find both the Mandarin and Iron Man.

I Found My Heart in San Francisco

8 pp · Horror-Suspense, Superhero

In "I Found My Heart in San Francisco," Michael’s secret is laid bare during a brutal clash with the Foolkiller, forcing him to reveal his true identity as Vengeance—right in front of Rebecca. She doesn’t flinch, calmly confessing she’s known the truth all along, leaving their fragile connection hanging in the balance.

Pain and Penalties

8 pp · Science Fiction

General Kosrouschah (introduction, death)Universal Cosa Nostrum (introduction) [Mr. Sawyer (introduction)Mr. Finn (introduction, death)Lupal (introduction)]

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (NM) $0

Flagged key issue — estimate limited by sparse sales.

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

More listings for this title

VG $13 FN $18.5 CGC 9.8 $220 MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS LUNATIK VOL 1 #172 Kinderzierski Giffen Original USA (K)* $5.69

Related listings we couldn't confirm as this exact issue · 4 total · seen 24 days ago

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 Lunatik/Skreet segment — titled 'Pain and Penalties' — was co-plotted by Keith Giffen and colorist Lovern Kindzierski, an unusual pairing given that Kindzierski was primarily known as a colorist; the story also credited Kindzierski as a co-writer, with Giffen providing pencils and Charlie Adlard on inks, under editor Richard Ashford. Giffen had publicly stated that the original Lunatik concept predated both Lobo and Ambush Bug, characters he developed at DC — making this mercenary incarnation a kind of homecoming for an idea he had carried for years. The other anthology stories in this issue were written by Dan Abnett, continuing both a Vengeance serial and the Hands of the Mandarin Force Works tie-in chapters, reflecting the bi-weekly anthology's role in supporting the broader 1994 Iron Man event.

Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance of Lunatik (the cosmic mercenary, Earth-616) — a distinct character from the earlier Defenders villain Arisen Tyrk, though both share the name.
First appearance of Skreet, a Chaos Mite/Chaos Sprite described as one of the first sentient beings in the Marvel Universe; she later became a recurring presence in the cosmic line, most notably as Thanos's companion throughout the Annihilation event.
First appearance of the Universal Cosa Nostrum, a cosmic criminal organization introduced in the Lunatik story.
The Lunatik segment was co-created by Keith Giffen (writer/penciler) and Lovern Kindzierski (co-writer/colorist), with inks by Charlie Adlard and editing by Richard Ashford.
This issue is one of four Marvel Comics Presents tie-in chapters (#169–172) to the 'Hands of the Mandarin' crossover event running concurrently in Iron Man, War Machine, and Force Works; the Dan Abnett-written Force Works story in this issue features Iron Man (Tony Stark), War Machine (Jim Rhodes), Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman, U.S. Agent, and the Recorder.
The Vengeance (Michael Badilino) serial, also written in this issue, continued a multi-part story involving Greg Salinger (the third Foolkiller), Michael Clemson, Rebecca Taylor, and Reverend Nice.
The Lunatik four-part story begun here concluded in MCP #175 — the very final issue of Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1's original 1988–1995 run.
The Lunatik mercenary character was subsequently spun off into a three-issue limited series (Lunatik #1–3, December 1995–February 1996), written by Lovern Kindzierski with art by Duncan Rouleau, in which he and the Avengers clash.