Marvel Fanfare was an anthologycomic book series published by American company Marvel Comics. It was a showcase title featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe.
Volume one
Marvel Fanfare featured characters and settings from throughout the Marvel Universe, and it included stories of varying lengths by an array of creators.[1] The title was published every two months and ran for 60 issues, cover dated from March 1982 to December 1991. It was edited throughout its run by Al Milgrom, who also wrote and drew an illustrated column, entitled "Editori-Al", in most issues. Marvel Fanfare's original working title was Marvel Universe, which was later appropriated by Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter for the encyclopedia series The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.[2]
Marvel Fanfare was envisioned as a showcase of the comics industry's best talent. Each issue featured 36 pages of material with no advertisements and it was printed on magazine-style slick paper. It was more than twice as expensive as standard comic books ($1.25 in 1982 when most titles were 60 cents and $2.25 in 1991 when most were $1).
Editor Milgrom wrote of his experience with the series:
It was intended that [Marvel Fanfare] would appeal especially to the fans. [I] tried to get the best possible stuff ( . . . by either established pros or talented newcomers). At least part of the purpose was to use better paper, more elaborate, detailed coloring and, by charging a higher cover price, to eliminate all those unsightly ads. The creators were paid a bonus 50% rate, too. I was sometimes 'accused' of just using up inventory material — as if that was necessarily a bad thing. I did use some inventory stuff — if I thought it was of high enough quality. As with any grand vision, the results sometimes fell short of the goal. . . . What finally killed it was the advent of incentive payments to freelancers — top creators could make far more than the rate-and-a-half Fanfare paid if they worked on many of the better-selling regular titles. That and my workload and family obligations made it tough to keep the book going. And sales had begun to drop as well.[15]
"In the Savage Land"
Chris Claremont, Michael Golden, Dave Cockrum, Paul Smith
Collected in X-Men: In the Savage Land;Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales; X-Men Epic: I, Magneto; and Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol 2
Daredevil
"Snow"
Roger McKenzie, Paul Smith
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales, and Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Vol 16
No C Story
2
Fantastic Four
"Annihilation"
Roger McKenzie, Trevor VonEeden
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol 22
3
Hawkeye
"Swashbucklers"
Charlie Boatner, Trevor VonEeden Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales,Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers Vol 21, and Hawkeye Epic Collection: The Avenging Archer
4
Deathlok
"Mindgame"
David Kraft, Michael Golden
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok Vol 1
Iron Man
"Ordeal!"
David Michelinie, David Winn, Michael Golden
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: Iron Man Vol 16
5
Dr. Strange
"To Steal the Sorcerer's Soul"
Chris Claremont, Marshall Rogers
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales,Doctor Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen? and Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange Vol 8
Captain America
"Shall Freedom Endure"
Roger McKenzie, Luke McDonnell
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Vol 16
No C Story
6
Spider-Man and Scarlet Witch
"Switch Witch"
Mike W. Barr, Sandy Plunkett
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales
Dr. Strange
"The Showdown"
Roger Stern, Charlie Vess
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales,Doctor Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen? and Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange Vol 9
7
Hulk, Blob and Unus
"With Friends Like These"
Steven Grant, Joe Barney
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk Vol 18
Daredevil
"Bless the Beasts and Children"
Bill Mantlo, George Freeman
Collected in Marvel Fanfare: Strange Tales and Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Vol 18
8
Dr. Strange
"The Light That Never Was"
Al Milgrom
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Dr. Strange Vol 11
Gil Kane, Mary Jo Duffy, P. Craig Russell
Collected in The Jungle Book
"The Bill Sienkiewicz Portfolio"
Features Thor and Hulk
9
Man-Thing
"Rock and Soul"
J.M. DeMatteis, Joe Brozowski
"The Butch Guice Portfolio"
Features Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Power Man & Iron Fist, Gorgon, Howard the Duck
10
Black Widow
"Widow"
Ralph Macchio, George Perez
Collected in Black Widow: Web of Intrigue, Black Widow Epic: The Coldest War, Black Widow Strikes Omnibus, and Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Vol 18
No C Story
11
12
No B story
13
Warriors Three
"Ballad of the Warriors Three"
Alan Zelenetz, Charles Vess
Collected in Thor: The Warriors Three
14
Vision and Fantastic Four
"Dangerous Vision"
Roger McKenzie, Rick Leonardi and Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol 24
Quicksilver and the Inhumans
"Against Attilan"
Mary Jo Duffy, Alan Weiss
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Inhumans Vol. 2
15
The Thing
"that night..."
Barry Windsor-Smith
Collected in The Best of the Fantastic Four, Vol 1 and The Thing Omnibus Vol 1
"A Day in the Life"
David Kraft, Tony Salmons, Al Milgrom
18
Captain America
"Home Fires"
Roger Stern, Roger McKenzie, Frank Miller
Collected in Captain America Epic: Society of Serpents and Marvel Universe by Frank Miller Omnibus
"Kevin Nowlan Portfolio"
Featuring Nova, Black Widow, Phoenix, Red Sonja, Dagger, She-Hulk
"The Terry Austin Portfolio"
Featuring Dr. Doom
19
Cloak & Dagger
"Such Sweet Sorrow"
Bill Mantlo, Tony Salmons
Collected in Cloak & Dagger: Crime and Punishment, Cloak & Dagger Omnibus Vol 1, and Cloak & Dagger: Shadows and Light
Cloak & Dagger
"Dancin' the Night Away"
Bill Mantlo, Rick Leonardi
Collected in Cloak & Dagger: Crime and Punishment, and Cloak & Dagger Omnibus Vol 1
Cloak & Dagger
"Dagger's Light"
Bill Mantlo, Kerry Gammill
Collected in Cloak & Dagger: Crime and Punishment, and Cloak & Dagger Omnibus Vol 1
20
Thing and Dr. Strange
"The Clash"
Jim Starlin
No B Story
No C Story
21
22
Iron Man
"Night of the Octopus"
Roger McKenzie, Ken Steacy
Collected in Iron Man Epic:Return of the Ghost
"Weirdworld"
Doug Moensch, Mike Ploog
Collected in Weirdworld
Ms. Marvel/Binary
"Elegy"
Chris Claremont, David Ross, Bob Wiacek
Collected in Ms. Marvel Epic Collection: The Woman Who Fell to Earth;Marvel Masterworks: Ms. Marvel Vol 2; and Captain Marvel: Ms. Marvel – A Hero Is Born Omnibus
25
Captain Universe
"School's Out"
Bill Mantlo, June Brigman
Collected in Captain Universe: Power Unimaginable
26
Captain America
"Death and the Queen"
Will Jungkuntz
Collected in Captain America by Mark Gruenwald Omnibus Vol 1
27
Daredevil
"Cars"
Bill Mantlo, Tony Salmons
Spider-Man
"Spidey Gets Antsy"
Marc Hempel
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol 26
28
Alpha Flight
"Murder by Number, 1, 2, 3..."
Bill Mantlo, Ken Steacy
No B Story
29
Hulk
"A Terrible Thing to Waste"
John Byrne
Collected in The Incredible Hulk Visionaries — John Byrne; Marvel Universe by John Byrne Omnibus Vol 1; and Hulk Epic: Going Gray
Captain America
"Story"
Norm Breyfogle
Collected in Captain America Epic: Justice Is Served; Captain America by Mark Gruenwald Omnibus Vol 1
30
Moon Knight
"Real-to-Reel"
Ann Nocenti, Bent Eric Anderson
Collected in Essential Moon Knight vol. 3, Moon Knight Omnibus Vol 2, and Moon Knight Epic: Butcher's Moon
No B Story
31
Captain America
"A Plague of Frogs"
J.M. DeMatteis, Kerry Gammill
Collected in Captain America Epic: Justice Is Served, Captain America by Mark Gruenwald Omnibus Vol 1
Dr. Strange
"Dr. Owl"
Mark Wheatley
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Dr. Strange Vol 11
Daredevil
"The Call"
Norm Breyfogle
32
Vision and Scarlet Witch
"Rosie"
Roger McKenzie, Paul Smith
No C Story
33
X-Men
"Shadows on the Soul"
Chris Claremont, June Brigman
Collected in The Uncanny X-Men OmnibusVol 5, X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus and Marvel Masterworks: Uncanny X-Men Vol 13
No B Story
34
Warriors Three
"Warriors Three"
Alan Zelenetz, Charles Vess
Collected in Thor: The Warriors Three
"Whatever Happened to the Podunk Slam?"
Jo Duffy, Judith Hunt
Collected in Essential Moon Knight vol. 3, Moon Knight Omnibus Vol 2, and Moon Knight Epic: Butcher's Moon
Rogue and Dazzler (X-Men)
"Duet"
Jo Duffy, Colleen Doran
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Dazzler Vol 4 and Dazzler Omnibus
39
Hawkeye
"The Cat's Tale"
J.M. DeMatteis, Joe Staton
Collected in Hawkeye Epic Collection: The Avenging Archer
Moon Knight
"#*@%&¢!"
Michael Carlin, Bill Reinhold
Collected in Essential Moon Knight vol. 3, Moon Knight Omnibus Vol 2, and Moon Knight Epic: Butcher's Moon
40
Angel (X-Factor)
"Chiaroscuro"
Ann Nocenti, Dave Mazzuchelli
Collected in X-Factor: The Original X-Men Omnibus Vol 1
Storm and Mystique (X-Men)
"Deal with the Devil"
Chris Claremont, Craig Hamilton
Collected in The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol 4, X-Men: Inferno Prologue Omnibus and Marvel Masterworks: Uncanny X-Men Vol 10
41
Dr. Strange
"...Perchance to Dream"
Walt Simonson, Dave Gibbons
No B Story
42
Spider-Man
"Windfall"
Carl Potts
Captain Marvel (Photon)
"Once More in the City of Light"
Dennis Mallonee, Bob Hall
Collected in Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
43
Sub-Mariner
"Time After Time"
Bill Mantlo, Mike Mignola
Collected in Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph & Torment
Fantastic Four
"Death in a Vacuum"
Bill Mantlo, Greg Brooks
44
Iron Man
"Doom Bug"
Ken Steacy
Collected in Iron Man Epic:Return of the Ghost
No B Story
45
All-Pinup Issue
46
Fantastic Four
"Inside Job"
Mike W. Barr, Louis Williams
Thing
"The Day After"
Danny Fingeroth, Todd Smith
47
Spider-Man and Hulk
"Renovation"
Bill Mantlo, Michael Golden
No B Story
48
She-Hulk
"World's Hero, Father's Shame"
Dwight Jon Zimmerman, Kerry Gammill
Collected in She-Hulk Epic Collection: Breaking The Fourth Wall
She-Hulk
"California (State) Dreaming"
Sue Flaxman, Don Perlin
Collected in She-Hulk Epic Collection: Breaking The Fourth Wall
Vision
"Run Through the Jungle"
Michael Higgins, Ron Wilson
49
Dr. Strange, Nick Fury
"Strange on the Range"
Alan Weiss
Two-Gun Kid
"Two Guns Against the Gang!"
Mike W. Barr, Tod Smith
No C Story
50
X-Factor
"If I Had the Wings of an Angel"
Mary Jo Duffy, Joe Staton
No B-story
51
Silver Surfer
"The Great Terror"
Steve Englehart, John Buscema
Collected in Essential Silver Surfer vol. 2 and Silver Surfer Epic: Freedom
Nightmare
"The Believer"
Dean Schreck, Gene Colan
52
Black Knight
"The Legend of the Black Knight"
Steven Grant, Scott Hampton
Dr. Strange
"Mirror, Mirror"
Dean Schreck, Gene Colan
Pinups by Paul Ryan
Featuring Nova, Silver Surfer, Galactus
53
Iron Man
"Never Say 83!"
Dan Mishkin, Dave Ross
No C Story
54
Wolverine
"One Life to Die"
Richard Howell
Collected in Wolverine Omnibus Vol 3
55
Power Pack and New Mutants
"The Battle of P.S.87!"
Terry Austin, Colleen Doran
Collected in Power Pack Classic Omnibus Volume 2 and New Mutants Omnibus Vol 3
56
Shanna the She-Devil
"Crimes of Pride!"
Steve Gerber, Carmine Infantino, Bret Blevins, Tony DeZuniga
Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Ka-Zar Vol 4
A Reader
"Toys Night Out!"
Bill Mantlo, Don Heck
57
Captain Marvel (Photon)
"Power and Duty"
Bill Mantlo, George Freeman
Collected in Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
58
Vision and Scarlet Witch
"Hometown"
Bill Mantlo, Sandy Plunkett
Pinups
Featuring Wonder Man, Nick Fury, Punisher
59
Hellcat
"The Town and Patsy Walker"
Richard Howell
Collected in Women of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades
No C Story
60
Black Panther
"Big Applesauce"
Walt Simonson, Denys Cowan
Collected in Black Panther Epic Collection Volume 3: Panther's Prey
Rogue (X-Men)
"The Mission"
Ann Nocenti, Dave Ross
Collected in Classic X-Men Omnibus, and X-Men Classic Complete Collection Vol 2
Daredevil
"The Monkey Never Dies"
Paul Smith
Volume two
Marvel Fanfare volume two was published monthly for six issues, dated September 1996 to February 1997.[21] This version of the title was edited by James Felder.
Like the first volume, the title featured different creative teams in each issue and starred different characters from around the Marvel universe. However, the talent were mostly newcomers, the paper was cheap and it cost half the price of most other comics (99 cents when most comics cost $1.95).
^DeFalco, Tom; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1980s". Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 206. ISBN978-0756641238. It was an anthology that featured work by talented newcomers as well as work by the company's most popular creators.{{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Manning, Matthew K.; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "1980s". Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 126. ISBN978-0756692360. The debut issue featured the inspired pairing of writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden as they teamed up two other fan-favorites, the X-Men's Angel and Spider-Man.{{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Kirk, John (June 2017). "The Chris Claremont Marvel Fanfare Interview". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 12–15.
^Manning "1980s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 132: "Behind an impressive cover by artist P. Craig Russell was a single-issue tale by writer Mike W. Barr and co-plotter and penciler Sandy Plunkett. Encountering a vacant-eyed Scarlet Witch on a Manhattan rooftop, Spider-Man was shocked when she attacked him."
^Manning "1980s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 179: "Revered artist Michael Golden let Spider-Man shine when he teamed up with writer Bill Mantlo to pit Spider-Man against the Incredible Hulk once again."
^Martin, Brian (June 2017). "The Doctor Is/Was In!". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 16–21.
^Greenberger, Robert (June 2017). "Weirdworld". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 56–61.
^Ash, Roger (June 2017). "The Adventures of the Warriors Three". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 52–55.
^Friedt, Stephan (June 2017). "When Knights Were Bold: Steven Grant's Black Knight Arc". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 71–73.
^Buxton, Marc (June 2017). "Shanna the She-Devil in Marvel Fanfare". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 74–77.
^Kelly, Douglas R. (June 2017). "Kid in a Candy Store: Roger McKenzie Had a Ball With Marvel Fanfare". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 26–29.
^DeAngelo, Daniel (June 2017). "Ken Steacy: No Assembly Required". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 38–42.
^Eury, Michael (June 2017). "Norm Breyfogle's Batman/Captain America Makeover". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 51.
^Smith, Andy (June 2017). "The Jungle Book". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 30–31.
^Mangels, Andy (June 2017). "Black Leather Required: The Black Widow Stings". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 22–25. A Black Widow story arc originally planned for Marvel Premiere.
^Martini, Franck (June 2017). "Marvel Fanfare #29: A Story That Made Quite a Splash!". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 49–50. This story was not meant to be published in Marvel Fanfare. It was meant to be The Incredible Hulk #320.
^Englehart, Steve (n.d.). "Silver Surfer 1-31". SteveEnglehart.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2013. That first issue [of the Silver Surfer] was shelved and I started over with a new #1. That "earthbound" first issue later appeared as an "imaginary story" in Marvel Fanfare.
^Tandarich, Dan (June 2017). "Marvel Fanfare #51: The Startling Saga of the (Alternate Reality) Silver Surfer". Back Issue! (96). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 69–70.
