Auctions: comic books 1996

Akira (1988) 38 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4659539001

After the battle, UN forces explore whats left of Neo-Tokyo. The first English translation of Katsuhiro Otomos influential manga series. Story, art and cover by Otomo. Color by Steve Oliff. Includes a bonus story written by Larry Hama with art by Bret Blevins, another written by Warren Ellis with art by Terry Shoemaker, and a pinup gallery featuring Moebius, Joe Madureira, George Pratt, Mike Allred, John Romita, Alex Toth, Kevin O'Neill and John Van Fleet. Final issue of the series. Mature readers. Cover price $6.95. Cover price $6.95.

Batman (1940) 531A CGC 9.6 Jones Glow

Paper: White

Glow-in-the-Dark Edition.

Label #4665283006

Glow-in-the-Dark Edition Cover by Kelley Jones and John Beatty. The Deadman Connection Part 2 of 3: Cult of the Mummy - Written by Doug Moench. Art by Kelley Jones and John Beatty. The Dark Knight and special guest star, Deadman, take their investigation to Peru, where they battle an army of mercenaries who have enslaved the native population! 32 pages, full color. NOTE: As noted in the letters column of #534, some key dialogue was garbled on page 4 of #531, and word balloons were out of sequence in the last panel of page 18. On page 4, Bruce Wayne should have said: "It may be that all the subatomic particles in existence are interconnected, forming a single universal and non-local consciousness of which any one piece contains all the information required to replicate the entire universe, just as any living cell contains all the non-local genetic information necessary to clone an entire new organism." And the correct sequence of page 18's dialogue is: BATMAN: "Put your arms around my neck, Brand - and hold on tight!" DEADMAN: "No way on a first date, pal." BATMAN: "They're coming - and there's no other way across." DEADMAN: "Hey, you ain't the only one who can swing through the air with the greatest of ease..." 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $2.50.

Batman Captain America (1996) 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4659542015

Elseworlds. Writer/artist John Byrne reunites two of the key heroes from DC Versus Marvel in the era that created them both, the dark days of World War II. In this Prestige Elseworlds one-shot in which Byrne uses a cool, eye-catching, retro style, diabolical Nazis and criminal madmen stand poised to overthrow the free world. The World's Greatest Detective and the Sentinel of Liberty represent the common man's final hope! Written, illustrated and cover by John Byrne. FC, 64 pg. Prestige Format. Cover price $5.95.

Carnage It's a Wonderful Life (1996) 1 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4606671001

The symbiotic psycho cuts loose in a new one-shot! With Ravencroft shutting down, John Jameson attempts to imprison Carnage in his own twisted mind; but when the tables are turned, it's the inmate who takes control of the asylum! It's a V.I.P. tour through the psyche of the sicko who makes Hannibal Lecter look like Mr. Rogers! Written by David Quinn. Art and cover by Kyle Hotz. Cover price $1.95.

Curse of the Spawn (1996) 1B CGC 9.6 Turner B&W Variant

Paper: White

Black and White Edition

Label #4463298008

Black and White Variant edition. Cover pencils by Dwayne Turner, inks by Danny Miki. Dark Future, script by Alan McElroy, pencils by Dwayne Turner, inks by Danny Miki; In a hellish future earth the Anti-Pope rules the forces of evil; Then, the man once known as Daniel Llanso becomes the new "Hellspawn"; Fueled by the rage of painful childhood memories, the new Hellspawn saves two refugees from the evil Desiccator; The two refugees, Madrid and Matthew, are terrified of their apparent savior but he seems to know them somehow. 36 pgs. $1.95. Cover price $1.95.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 695 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4665283011

Cover art by Rudolfo Damaggio, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Greg Wright. The Gray Area starring Batman, Catwoman, and Barbara Gordon, script by Chuck Dixon, pencils by Tommy Lee Edwards, inks by Scott Hanna; Robin pursues Kendall Stuart, who survived a virus outbreak, Batman escapes a military enclave. 36 pgs. $1.95. Contagion Part 2 of 11. Cover price $1.95.

Foxfire (1996 Malibu) 1A CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4405801011

Steve Lightle cover. An Ultraverse title. How are her powers linked to the Phoenix that threatened the universe last December? Introducing the Ultraverse's major release of 1996, Foxfire! Foxfire, her powers triggered by the Phoenix Resurrection, is now on her own! What kind of connection does Foxfire have with a major Ultraverse character? What secret from her past will come to haunt her tomorrow? And what is the horrific threat known only as 'The Progeny'? These answers and more can be found in this series! Written by Ian Edginton and Dan Abnett. Art by Kevin West, Phil Moy and Bob Almond. Cover price $1.50.

Lethal Strike (1995) Annual 1A CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4651709016

Mission Impossible (1996 Marvel One-Shot) 1BN CGC 9.4 Unedited Error Newsstand Variant

Paper: White

Error Edition/Newsstand Edition.

Label #4651642013

Newsstand Version. ORIGINAL UNEDITED EDITION: Many copies were destroyed by the publisher. When Paramount and Marvel Comics teamed up for this one-shot Mission Impossible comic book based on the 1996 film (starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt), Marvel did not have the rights to use Tom Cruise's likeness, so they depicted Ethan Hunt as an average brunette action hero. After the issue was finished and had gone to press, Tom Cruise read his advance copy and expressed concern that Ethan looked too feminine in a panel on page three. As a consequence, Marvel ordered the printing destroyed, but as is often the case, a few copies survived. Except for the two panels previously cited, "B" copies will be identical to the 2nd printing "A" copies (see A and B page 3 comparisons). Cover price $2.95.

No Need for Tenchi Part 01 (1996) 7 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4651646004

Sandman (1989 DC/Vertigo) 75REP.2ND CGC 9.4 2nd Printing

Paper: White

Second Printing.

Label #4315150017

Second Printing. The last grains trickle through the glass, a pen is set down, perhaps a soft sigh is heard. And with a strange sense of waking as if from some elusive, intangible dream, one of the most significant, closely followed and highly praised chapters in the history of comics draws to an all-too-soon but triumphant close. THE SANDMAN, Neil Gaiman's critically acclaimed and award-winning series, has consistently challenged and sparked the imagination of readers throughout the world. With compelling, multileveled storytelling and an unprecedented diversity of artistic styles, THE SANDMAN became the flagship title of DC's Vertigo imprint. Now Gaiman's poetic, personal exploration of the human condition and the lives touched by the eerie power of Dream concludes its 7-year run with #75, "The Tempest." Illustrated by Charles Vess (Gaiman's collaborator on the World Fantasy Award-winning "A Midsummer Night's Dream" from #19), "The Tempest" tells the final tale of the Sandman as Morpheus collects the last part of the debt owed to him by William Shakespeare. With dramatic interludes on a mysterious island, along with monsters, sprites, gods, maidens, apparitions and certain observations on English weather, "The Tempest" brings long-promised closure to what Steve Erickson in the Los Angeles Times Magazine described as "the best monthly comic book in the world." THE SANDMAN #75 is an extra-sized issue with a special 4-color, bound-in gatefold poster featuring art from the original cover of THE DOLL'S HOUSE trade paperback by Dave McKean one one side, and a commemorative time-line on the other. The issue also includes 2 'farewell' text pages by Gaiman. Cover by Dave McKean. Suggested for Mature Readers. Cover price $3.95.

Sin City That Yellow Bastard (1996) 3 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #21-09802B8-047

Story and art by Frank Miller. Eight years -- that's what it cost Hartigan to save that little girl. Eight years in the pen, and now he's all alone. Not a friend in the world. His wife Eileen didn't stick around, not once he was convicted of raping little Nancy. But Hartigan knows the truth. And Nancy knows the truth. And the handful of other people who know the truth -- the ones who are still alive -- they're the real criminals here. They're the ones who set him up. They're the ones who are gonna settle the eight-year debt. Even it up. Until Nancy and Hartigan are the only ones left who know the truth . . . 32 pages, B&W (and Yellow). Cover price $2.95.

Spawn (1992 Image) 40D VF 8.0

Signed by Kevin Conrad with Giovanni's Galleria certificate of authenticity. NOTE: Book has not been removed from it's original packaging for full grading as it is in a tamper-proof bag.

Direct Edition. "Fugitives: Part 1 of 2!" Written by Todd McFarlane. Art and cover by Tony Daniel and Kevin Conrad. Spawn finds several bums messing with his throne who, unbeknownst to Spawn, have booby trapped it. The throne attacks Spawn rendering him useless. Several unknown creatures drive a fork lift right through Spawn and the throne, cover his body with a crate, and cart him off. Meanwhile, Terry and Wanda try to understand Spawns involvement in both the government and their lives. At the same time, a local sheriff investigates the sightings of a big foot type creature, who is actually Cy-Gor, who has slaughtered numerous animals in his path. The police attack Cy-Gor after he mauls one of their dogs. Cy-Gor ends up protecting little Tony before retreating to the safety of the forest. An unconscious Spawn finally awakens and finds himself in the clutches of The Curse who has begun dissecting his body, and is about to remove his brain. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: This issue is dedicated to Morely Kolomyjec. Cover price $1.95.

Spawn (1992 Image) 42D CGC 7.0

Paper: White

Label #4532959012

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Direct Edition. Written by Todd McFarlane. Art and cover by Tony Daniel and Kevin Conrad. "Fanboy!" After escaping from the Curses castle, Spawn hides out in West Virginia, where he meets social outcast, Pat Shaunessy. Pat, comic collector and super hero wannabe, points out the M on Spawns chest. Spawn realizes its similar to the one on Clowns face. Pat ventures out and is jumped by a pack of bullies. Spawns costume takes control, and violently attacks the boys. Pat stops him, saving the boys and making him the school hero. Meanwhile, Sam and Twitch break into Banks office as they get closer to linking him to the murder of Senator Jennings daughter. And Cy-Gor attempts to make his way to New York. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: This issue is dedicated to Paul Burke. Cover price $1.95.

Spider-Boy (1996 Marvel/DC Amalgam) 1 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4641320017

"Big Trouble!" Story by Karl Kesel. Art by Mike Wieringo, Gary Martin, and Karl Kesel. In order to save two universes, the young hero known as Access was forced to use the power of Amalgam (see Marvel versus DC (1996) #3). In this issue, guest-starring the Challengers of the Fantastic, Spider-Boy (Spider-Man/Superboy) must use all his tricks to defeat Bizarnage (Carnage/Bizaro) and the reptilian menace King Lizard (Lizard/King Shark). Cover price $1.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 5 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-176

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The Phantom Affair: Part 1 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Edvin Biukovic. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. The Battle of Endor (from Return of the Jedi) was never fought -- it was just so much Alliance propaganda. At least, that's the lie being spread by members of the AEA (Ante-Endor Association). But Wedge Antilles and his Rogue Squadron comrades know the truth. They were at Endor when so many of their friends and colleagues gave their lives to destroy the second Death Star. And so, for those lost friends, this is a battle they will not fail. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 5 CBCS 9.6

Paper: White

Label #21-248E175-008

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The Phantom Affair: Part 1 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Edvin Biukovic. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. The Battle of Endor (from Return of the Jedi) was never fought -- it was just so much Alliance propaganda. At least, that's the lie being spread by members of the AEA (Ante-Endor Association). But Wedge Antilles and his Rogue Squadron comrades know the truth. They were at Endor when so many of their friends and colleagues gave their lives to destroy the second Death Star. And so, for those lost friends, this is a battle they will not fail. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 6 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-178

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The Phantom Affair: Part 2 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Edvin Biukovic. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. If Wedge Antilles can't persuade the alien Mrlssti to sell their cloaking device to the New Republic, the result could be disaster. And that's just what Wedge expects when he discovers that the negotiating party includes Loka Hask -- the pirate chieftain who killed Wedge's parents! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 6 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-177

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The Phantom Affair: Part 2 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Edvin Biukovic. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. If Wedge Antilles can't persuade the alien Mrlssti to sell their cloaking device to the New Republic, the result could be disaster. And that's just what Wedge expects when he discovers that the negotiating party includes Loka Hask -- the pirate chieftain who killed Wedge's parents! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 7 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-180

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The Phantom Affair: Part 3 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Edvin Biukovic. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. A cloaking device isn't easy to come by -- even a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But when the members of Rogue Squadron try to pick one up from the super-scientific alien inventors known as the Mrlssti, they find they've been accused of every crime from burglary to murder, and that the Empire will stop at nothing to bring them in! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 8 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-179

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The Phantom Affair: Part 4 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Darko Macan. Art by Gary Erskine. Cover by Mathieu Lauffray. The residents of Mrlsst should have learned their lesson long ago, when a noble Jedi sacrificed himself that the Empire might leave the Academy unharmed -- nobody wins when you play in politics. But old lessons are easily forgotten in the heat of war. Over the years, the Academy has become a snakepit of secrets and plotting, and students and professors fight each other and one another. And now they're about to get a refresher course, the kind that's taught with blood and fire. Unfortunately for Wedge and the Rogue Squadron crew, the lesson comes just as they arrive on Mrlsst. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 9 CBCS 9.6

Paper: White

Label #19-47D43C8-044

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 1 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. The crime and death caused by Jabba the Hutt is nothing compared to the chaos created in the wake of his demise! Jabba's legacy is a cache of stolen Imperial hardware and weapons, hidden somewhere on the desert world of Tatooine. Whoever finds the treasure will have enough firepower to rule the planet -- perhaps even the sector! And that means Rogue Squadron must find it first, or else find it aimed at their heads! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 9 CBCS 9.6

Paper: White

Label #21-248E175-009

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 1 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. The crime and death caused by Jabba the Hutt is nothing compared to the chaos created in the wake of his demise! Jabba's legacy is a cache of stolen Imperial hardware and weapons, hidden somewhere on the desert world of Tatooine. Whoever finds the treasure will have enough firepower to rule the planet -- perhaps even the sector! And that means Rogue Squadron must find it first, or else find it aimed at their heads! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 10 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-163

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 2 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. A criminal warlord has stolen a vital bit of information, so vital, in fact, that Wedge and the Rogue Squadron were going to steal it themselves! Rather than simply steal it, they'll now have to fight for it! Through the heated deserts of Tatooine, in the midst of a gang war sparked by the death of Jabba the Hutt, the Rogue Squadron risk life and limb for the Rebel Alliance! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 10 CBCS 9.6

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-162

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 2 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. A criminal warlord has stolen a vital bit of information, so vital, in fact, that Wedge and the Rogue Squadron were going to steal it themselves! Rather than simply steal it, they'll now have to fight for it! Through the heated deserts of Tatooine, in the midst of a gang war sparked by the death of Jabba the Hutt, the Rogue Squadron risk life and limb for the Rebel Alliance! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 11 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-172

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 3 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. Jabba the Hutt is dead, and in the ensuing scramble for power, a secret Imperial weapons cache could be the key to victory. But only one being alive knows the location of the hidden weapons cache -- Firith Olan. While that makes Firith a very powerful being, it also makes him a prime target. In a desperate race to uncover the missing weapons, as the criminals converge to fill the role of the dead Hutt, Wedge and Rogue Squadron find themselves smack in the middle of Battleground: Tatooine! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 11 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-171

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 3 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. Jabba the Hutt is dead, and in the ensuing scramble for power, a secret Imperial weapons cache could be the key to victory. But only one being alive knows the location of the hidden weapons cache -- Firith Olan. While that makes Firith a very powerful being, it also makes him a prime target. In a desperate race to uncover the missing weapons, as the criminals converge to fill the role of the dead Hutt, Wedge and Rogue Squadron find themselves smack in the middle of Battleground: Tatooine! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 12 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-174

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 4 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. A handful of Tatooine outlaws and a mountain full of Imperial weaponry are a deadly combination -- deadly enough to make allies of X-wing Rogue Squadron and a troop of Imperial Special Forces! The hot desert sands really heat up in the explosive conclusion to Battleground: Tatooine, as Wedge and crew attempt to take back the galaxy, one planet at a time! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 12 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #21-248E175-010

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Battleground Tatooine: Part 4 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. A handful of Tatooine outlaws and a mountain full of Imperial weaponry are a deadly combination -- deadly enough to make allies of X-wing Rogue Squadron and a troop of Imperial Special Forces! The hot desert sands really heat up in the explosive conclusion to Battleground: Tatooine, as Wedge and crew attempt to take back the galaxy, one planet at a time! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 13 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-154

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The Warrior Princess: Part 1 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Scott Tolson. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. The squadron's roster has contained Corellian heroes and Alderaanian fighter aces, but when the royal court of Eiattu comes to reclaim their princess from the ranks of Rogue Squadron, it's a surprise to everyone . . . especially the princess! 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) 14 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #19-2B978A3-165

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The Warrior Princess: Part 2 of 4 - Written by Michael A. Stackpole and Scott Tolson. Art by John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign. Cover by Mark Harrison. When the royal court of Eiattu came to Rogue Squadron to collect their princess -- Plourr Ilo, who was unaware of her heritage -- they did so to help put an end to their planet's internal rebellion. They reasoned that a strong figurehead might pull the people together -- what they couldn't know was that a strong-willed princess might have her own view of how things should be run. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Tattoo (1996 Caliber) A Deadworld Tale 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4659852017

Cover by Jason Baumgartner and Don Hillsman. Story by Stuart Kerr and Ralph Griffith. Art by Jason Baumgartner and Don Hillsman. In the aftermath of the second Deadworld series, the half-zombie hybrid Tattoo goes zombie hunting. Tattoos search for the secrets of the zombie invasion leads her to undead New Orleans. 32 pages, B&W. Mature readers. Cover price $2.95.

Vampirella 25th Anniversary Special (1996) 1AVIRGIN CGC 9.8 Frazetta Virgin Variant

Paper: White

Limited Edition.

Label #4578242012

Virgin Cover Variant. First printing; Frank Frazetta cover, Introduction by Forrest J Ackerman. Written by Warren Ellis. Short story entitled "The Blood Red Game" written by Grant Morrison with art by Michael Bair. Cover price $6.95.

Witchblade (1995) 10C CGC 9.6 SS Silvestri Silvestri Gold Variant

Paper: White

Slab: Chipped/broken bracket

Signed by Marc Silvestri on 7/22/23. Darkness #0 Gold Foil Variant.

Label #2716899001

Special Gold Edition. 1st appearance of Darkness. Cover price $2.50.

X-Men (1991 1st Series) 54D CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4610955006

Direct Edition. Cover pencils by Andy Kubert. Inquiring Minds, script by Mark Waid, pencils by Andy Kubert, inks by Dan Panosian; Juggernaut shows up at the mansion so Jean can remove a mental block and help him discover who Onslaught is; Beast escapes from Dark Beast's prison; Onslaught captures Juggernaut and rips the Gem of Cyttorak from his body; Xavier is revealed as Onslaught; Cont. from Uncanny X-Men #334; Cont. in X-Men: Onslaught. 44 pgs. $1.95. Cover price $1.95.