Marvel Comics Presents #143

After wrapping up several multi-part stories, MCP #143 is poised to introduce 4 all new tales. But things are a bit different in this issue. Instead of 3 multi-part stories and a one-shot tale, all 4 segments in this issue are supplemental chapters to the Marvel cross-company story arc 'Siege of Darkness.'

Lilith, the mother of Demons is launching an all-out attack on the Marvel Universe. In order to take over the world, she must first rid the world of its supernatural defenders. In order to do this, Lilith summons the Lilin, her satanic spawn of super-powered demons!

A lot of action has already transpired in the pages of titles such as Doctor Strange and Ghost Rider. I don't have those issues, nor have I read them prior. So forgive me if I don't have all the details 100% accurate.  

Johnny Blaze is alive! Along with Danny Ketch and the new Spirit of Vengeance, aptly named Vengeance, Blaze is separated from the forces mustered by Doctor Strange. It's kinda fortuitous as the trio of hellraisers learn that there's a traitor in the midst of heroes referred to as the Midnight Sons.

Elsewhere, Jack Russell attempts to rescue a group of trick-or-treaters who have been kidnapped by Lilin. The Scarlet Witch learns that demons can also exist in digital form. Rounding things out, the Devil-Slayer, Eric Payne, fights a duo of demons- baby Lilin called Infinks as well as the damning call of the bottle.

Everything that transpires in this issue as well the couple of issues is all going to refer to the 'Siege of Darkness' story line that introduces Marvel's Midnight Sons imprint. As mentioned previously in other reviews, I read these issues months prior and am just now getting caught up. As the Midnight Sons thing hasn't been something to pique my interest, my forthcoming reviews will probably be less than stellar. It's a lot harder to explain a bunch of vignettes that may or may not offer anything to the story than a quartet of stories that are split up into multiple chapters.

I think the overall concept is intriguing. And there's a bunch of differing characters being used. No Wolverine! No Iron Fist! But 3 times as many Ghost Riders! But this issue of MCP is what comic fans would consider a supplemental money grab as the segments don't really do anything to move the overall plot along. Well, maybe that Spirits of Vengeance chapter does with its revelation of a rat in the midst of Doctor Strange's group of heroes. But it's such an insignificant bit of information that otherwise could have been included elsewhere.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.