Editor's Note: Marvel Comics Presents #8 arrives in stores tomorrow, April 30.

Before I begin this review, let me just say that this is the first time I have picked up an issue of the new Marvel Comics Presents. Being a fan of the old series during the late 80s/early 90s, I thought that I would give this latest version a try. From what I could see from this issue, it is a higher quality comic book than I would have expected, with some talented writers and artists that are among my personal favorites. One of the main reasons I wanted to read issue #8 was the teaming of Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Cross Bronx) and Niko Henrichon (Pride of Baghdad) on a Machine Man tale, and the results certainly don't disappoint. Also, the continuing tale "Vanguard" has some intrigue and good moody artwork by Francis Tsai. However, these two vignettes are the high points of this issue, which truly doesn't justify its cover price due to the other two stories that flesh out the interior. To say that the Cyclops/Wolverine tale is unnecessary would be an understatement, and the eighth installment of Weapon Omega has only a minuscule pun going for it. Otherwise, it represents everything that turned me off of Marvel Comics in the mid to late 90s. For half an issue's worth of entertainment, four bucks is a price too high, and I think Marvel would do better to concentrate on the fringe characters of the Universe in this series versus attempting any kind of continuity exploration. Then, they might cater to the alternative audience that would like tales such as Machine Man and Vanguard.

Granted, I truly loved Barry Windsor-Smith's Weapon X arc in the original Marvel Comics Presents, which influenced many of the directions creators took with Wolverine over the years. But in the current comic book market, that story would have been an original graphic novel (there's no way that current fans would pay four dollars an issue for a 10 page story when they can wait for the collection!). So in my opinion, the only way this series can work in the current climate is to present stories that intrigue people beyond the normal Marvel fare. Let's examine Marvel Comics Presents #8 so I can present what I'm talking about. "Vanguard" is basically a murder/mystery told from the perspective of Detective Stacy Dolan, a woman who has had her head messed with and is now trying to solve a murder she may have committed. In the process, Marc Guggenheim injects Marvel denizens galore, including Blade, Dominic Fortune, and a certain orange-skinned strongman... The artwork by Tsai looks like something from a Boom! Studios comic, and that's a good thing, since the mood is unexpected for a Marvel comic. The panels lack backgrounds other than subtle shadings that truly capture the emotions of the scenes.

From "Vanguard" we head straight into my favorite story of the four, Machine Man "Chapter One." First, there are some wonderfully playful flashback scenes from Brandon, displaying an appreciation for the height of the Marvel Age of comics. However, he doesn't stop there, as he writes a very vulnerable Aaron Stack, who is appropriately visiting a shrink. Oh, and I thought I would wet myself when I saw the image of a Celestial holding an L to his forehead! Hah! Henrichon is similarly brilliant with his imagery and kinetics in this short tale, and I can't wait to read the next installment.

However, after this high point, the final two stories are just plain dreadful. The Cyclops/Wolverine tale, titled "The Rabbit Hunt," is completely unnecessary for any fan's consumption. Also, the self-diagnosis of Cyclops' daddy and sibling issues will have you groaning louder than an episode of Saved By The Bell. Then, "Weapon Omega" is an eight-page fight scene that doesn't yield any kind of substantial entertainment beyond the immediately visual, which is very reminiscent of a late 90s Captain America comic. Rich Koslowski does include a one-liner about Jarvis being made of "sterner stuff," which I thought was pretty witty due to the current Skrull situation, but that's all this story has going for it.

All in all, this was a hit-or-miss anthology that really could be much better. I think Marvel should put less effort into making this series about all the things that make the current Marvel Universe great and instead turn their focus toward unique ways of presenting the Universe through the eyes of creators with original visions.

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