Before she became Captain Marvel, NASA Security Chief Carol Danvers' life had been intertwined with the alien Kree's interventions on Earth. When her genetic structure melded with that of the Kree, Danvers was imbued with new powers and an all-new Marvel hero was born Famous X-Men writer Chris Claremont weaves complex plots and compelling characterization in the iconic original adventures of Ms. Marvel. The highlights are many: Ms. Marvel meets the Avengers for the very fi rst time. Mystique makes her first appearance. A battle with Ronan the Accuser. Encounters with the Guardians of the Galaxy and Sabretooth. The story reaches its epic conclusion in a Marvel milestone including the X-Men and the Avengers.

Celebrate the birthday of the book that made a Giant-Size impact on comics! Revisit the fateful day that Professor X gathered an all-new, all-different, multinational mix of mutants - as Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Banshee, Sunfire, Thunderbird and some guy named Wolverine unite with Cyclops in the rescue tale that ushered in four decades of uncanny adventures! See how the original team reacted to the newly expanded roster! Learn the tragic histories of Colossus and Wolverine! Ask yourself "What If?" they all died or never even met! And savor the explosive epic that revealed the group's true deadly genesis - and the ill-fated existence of a previous team! COLLECTING: Giant-Size X-Men 1, 3-4; Classic X-Men 1; X-Men Origins: Colossus; X-Men Origi ns: Wolveri ne; X-Men: Deadly Genesis 1-6; What If? (1989) 9, 23; materi al from X-Men Gold 1

The second novel in the original saga based on the movie Willow From the story by George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones , and Chris Claremont, author of the bestselling X-Men adventures, comes the thrilling sequel to Shadow Moon, taking readers deeper into a stunningly original world of magic, myth, and legend. The momentous Ascension of Princess Elora Danan should have brought peace to the Thirteen Realms. Instead, an intense Shadow War rages, spearheaded by the evil Mohdri. He has dispatched his dread Black Rose commando assassins to capture Elora and her sworn protector, Thorn Drumheller. But Mohdri himself is just a facade for a more dangerous entity: the Deceiver. But who--or what--is the Deceiver? And how can Elora, Thorn, and their ragtag band defeat this unspeakable force? The answer lies in a perilous journey to a land undisturbed since the dawn of time. A journey that will end at the unbreachable citadel of the dragon, where a chilling betrayal will change the fate of Elora, Thorn, and the Thirteen Realms forever.

Steve Gerber debuts, Gene Colan's amazing run concludes and Marvel's gritty Man Without Fear reaches his centennial issue in the latest Daredevil Masterworks! Now operating out of San Francisco, Daredevil continues his partnership with the Black Widow as they confront villains as weird as Haight-Ashbury. The Dark Messiah and Angar the Screamer lead the charge, until Stilt-Man arrives to strut his way across the Golden Gate! There's also a crossover adventure with the Avengers and X-Men, a Spider-Man team-up, and a fight with Kraven the Hunter that turns decidedly cosmic! COLLECTING: DAREDEVIL (1964) 97-107; AVENGERS (1963) 111

Luke Cage defends the streets of New York City and even takes the fight to the outer boroughs in this Marvel Masterworks volume completing his solo adventures. He ll face menaces as tough as Moses Magnum, as bizarre as the Mace and as infuriating as the Gem Theater's always unpredictable vending machine. It's all set against the gritty streets of 1970s Times Square, a location as colourful as anything any of Marvel's minds have ever conjured up. Cage will also face an all-new and amped-up Chemistro; the Spear, who seeks to settle a score with the man who made Luke Cage bulletproof; and an adversary as unstoppable as death itself: the IRS. Collecting: Power Man (1974) 32-47, Annual (1976) 1.

The always incredible Hulk's adventures continue, led by Len Wein and Sal Buscema! They kick things off with an all-out slugfest between the Hulk, Man-Thing and the Glob. While the Hulk fights for his life, romance grows between Betty Ross and Doc Samson. It's the kind of relationship that leads to a battle between green hair and green skin. In HULK #200, it's a microscopic trip - literally - into the mind of Glenn Talbot! His return to the heart of the atom brings him back to his love Jarella, but their return to Earth and tragic events drive the Hulk into a berserker rampage. Also featuring the Defenders, the Absorbing Man and a giant-size Annual where Hulk battles classic Marvel monsters! COLLECTING: INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) 197-209, ANNUAL (1968) 5

One of the most challenging writers of '70s Marvel, Steve Gerber's Defenders ranks as a high-water mark of the era. Taking Marvel's famous non-team and mixing in his own unique brand of sharp social commentary, Gerber brought forth stories both action-packed and insightful! We begin with a classic four-part saga featuring the bigoted Sons of the Serpent that brings members past and present together to defend the defenseless. Then, the Guardians of the Galaxy hit the scene and take the Defenders to the year 3015 A.D.! It's an amazing adventure including the debut of Starhawk - and the Guardians of the Galaxy's first appearance too! COLLECTING: Defenders (1972) 22-30, Giant-Size Defenders 5, Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) 18