The comic anthology series Marvel Comics Presents has featured a multitude of stories featuring characters like Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and Man-Thing. The series returned twice, most recently in 2019.
Much like the tales in Marvel Comics Presents, there was always a vast array of creators and design options to construct the covers for this noteworthy anthology. So much so that the use of a front and back cover helped readers choose which to display, as if to show off the tale or character they thought was best. But there would also be wraparound covers that would feature each of the characters in the series, making them almost like large posters for fans to stare at in awe.
Marvel Comics Presents #85
Frequent Marvel Comics Presents contributor, Sam Kieth, created this fresh Wolverine cover. This image highlights the story inside that Kieth also worked on, "Blood Hungry: Part 1," which was written by Peter David.
Much like Kieth's The Maxx series, he shows how incredible he can construct a jungle scene. Even the mushrooms are designed in such a way that draws the reader's eye. Wolverine here is one with nature, with carefully placed shadows hiding much of his face and much of his naked body. It is a great animalistic take on Logan, done in a way only Kieth can provide.
Marvel Comics Presents #1
The issue that started it all, Marvel Comics Presents #1 kicks off with a wraparound cover that showcases Wolverine, Man-Thing, Silver Surfer, and the Master of Kung Fu himself, Shang-Chi.
The front cover shows Wolverine in a fantastic pose with light reflecting off his claws as his trademark cigar hangs out of his mouth. But the real standout here is Man-Thing lurking on the backside of the cover, not depicted here. His large green body looms over all, as his eyes glow almost the same color as the setting sun above.
Marvel Comics Presents #162
Tigra is seen here in this beautiful cover by John Czop and Tim Dzon. She lurks amongst the brightly covered leaves with thin shadows hiding her face. Her eyes stare right out to the reader as if to warn them about the world they are about to enter.
Featuring Tigra not only in this issue but on the cover is what made Marvel Comics Presents so much fun. It was able to introduce readers to characters and creators that they might not have been as well versed in. And a cover like this could draw anyone in who wants to find out more about Tigra's adventures.
Marvel Comics Presents #70
Credit to "Bob Liefeld," this wonderful wraparound cover focuses on both Ghost Rider and Wolverine. In what can be compared to Todd McFarlane's cover for The Incredible Hulk #340, Liefeld shows a battle-damaged Wolverine seemingly reflected in the battering ram on Ghost Rider's bike.
Behind him, fans will be able to spot the other players featured in this issue, including Daredevil, Shanna, Black Widow, and Darkstar framed in the Rider's mystical chain.
Marvel Comics Presents #8
This wraparound cover frames Iron Man and Shang-Chi in panels instead of being inserted into the back cover itself.
This Charles Vess front cover has a darkened Wolverine standing hidden below the looming Man-Thing. The moonlight in the background adds to this eerie scene, with Wolverine's eyes as the only bit of detail in his face that the reader can see. It is a visually striking image that shines like his adamantium claws in the light.
Marvel Comics Presents #79
In this cover for Marvel Comics Presents Weapon X, Barry Windsor-Smith shows Wolverine as not many have. Bloody and freshly escaped from a Hell few have known, Wolverine is shown against a fitting red backdrop. This smartly allows for the audience to put all their attention on the intricate helmet design on Logan, as well as the great line work along the character's chest and arms.
It's covers like these that make kids want to tear them off and hang them on their wall. It is science fiction, superhuman, and tragic, all at the same time.
Marvel Comics Presents #84
Another Wolverine wraparound cover, this Weapon X featured issue shows a closeup of a bloody Logan with his claws drawn. And even though cover artist Barry Windsor-Smith doesn't show any action or violence here, there is an incredible amount of intensity present.
Even if this was only a single-sided cover, audiences could still be captured by this emotion. Readers are given a snapshot of something dark and tragic without knowing what has yet occurred -- something that should be applauded as if it were a great magic trick.
Marvel Comics Presents #94
Sam Kieth constructed both the front and back cover to this issue, but it is this close-up visual of a screaming Ghost Rider that truly shines.
Kieth was luckily able to draw Ghost Rider multiple times for some of his weirdest comic book stories, as his incredible style lends well to the wild nature of the supernatural biker. With flames flying every which way, Kieth adds a level of horror by having Ghost Rider mid-scream, shooting teeth, and what appears to be blood out from his stretched jaw. It is a terrifying cover, but still impossible to look away from.
Marvel Comics Presents #89
As he proved before, Kieth is spectacular at creating a great image of Wolverine. In this cover of Marvel Comics Presents, Kieth hides away much of Wolverine's face like he did in issue #85, and he's very different from how is portrayed in his best live-action movies, but kept some features to haunt the dreams of the reader. Gritting his teeth and with eyes full of anger, Wolverine is showered with rain as his long claws stretch out in front of him.
It is the exaggerated presentation of these characters that makes Kieth's artwork so attractive and easily recognizable. And it is this image that truly shows how perfect a pairing some artists and characters can be.
Marvel Comics Presents #145
Morbius, the living vampire, is a character with many hidden details that only comic book fans would know and features front and center in this fantastic cover by artist Steve Lightle. The work here is terrifying, as Morbius claws at his pale face, seemingly screaming out in pain. His white fangs sit in a sea of black, while the predominant color red drips down from above. The black linework here is fantastic, especially in the character's long stringy hair.
What some may not know is that many of the Midnight Sons' "Siege of Darkness" multi-title crossover covers had this blood effect given to them, with the famed dagger in the corner, alerting fans of a new installment in the series.