The Civil War spinoff Avengers: The Initiative becomes an ongoing series this April, plus Hulk, Iron Man, and more show up in a Marvel Adventures special just in time for Free Comic Book Day in May.

UPDATED 3/15 with pages from Marvel's other FCBD offering, Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift.

Avengers: The Initiative - NOW ONGOING!

Due to popular demand and an increased importance in the overall tapestry of the post-CIVIL WAR Marvel Universe, the upcoming AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE has now been made an ongoing series, adding a third ongoing Avengers title to the Marvel line up in the core Universe!

Executive Editor Tom Brevoort explains the decision to make the leap to ongoing, "With the reader and retailer reaction to the climax of CIVIL WAR, and the general interest in precisely what comes next for Tony Stark's Fifty State Initiative, it only made sense to us to promote AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE to a full ongoing series, rather than just a limited. The number of story possibilities set in place by the new status quo of the Marvel Universe are almost endless, and we're sure that fans will want to experience them all along with writer Dan Slott and artist Stefano Caselli."

The first issue of this exciting new ongoing series will hit the first week of April. Retailers are encouraged to check their orders for the most buzzed-about book under The Initiative banner!

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #1 (FEB072119)

Written by DAN SLOTT

Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI

50/50 Covers by JIM CHEUNG

Rated T+ ...$2.99

FOC - 3/15, On-Sale - 4/4/2007

NEW STORIES FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

Free Comic Book Day is coming and Marvel is thrilled to be a part of it! Due to the overwhelming success of last year's offerings, Marvel is once again offering new content for the biggest day in comics. Both books this year will feature original stories you can't find anywhere else!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT features a 20 page story by team supreme Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez, in a story that will come back to haunt the wall-crawler in the coming months!

In the all-ages title, MARVEL ADVENTURES THREE-IN-ONE, fans will get their first look at the two upcoming additions to this acclaimed and popular line, MARVEL ADVENTURES: HULK and MARVEL ADVENTURES: IRON MAN, in two original 10-page stories. There will also be a previously published installment of the ever-popular, Eisner Award-nominated FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS. A special preview of this book is attached.

Retailers are encouraged to check their orders on what are sure to be the two most popular books to hit on Free Comic Book Day, May 5th!

MARVEL ADVENTURES THREE-IN-ONE (FEB070043)

Written by FRED VAN LENTE, PAUL BENJAMIN, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, MARC SUMERAK

Pencils by JAMES CORDEIRO, SCOTT KOBLISH, DAVID NAKAYAMA, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS

Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

32 pgs, All Ages...Free

FOC 3/15/07, Available 5/5/07

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT (FEB070019)

Written by DAN SLOTT

Pencils and Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ

32 pgs, Rated T+...Free

FOC 3/15/07, Available 5/5/07

NEW SPIDER-MAN STORY FOR FCBD 2007 NOW WITH MORE PAGES!

Free Comic Book Day is coming and Marvel is thrilled to be a part of it! Due to the overwhelming success of last year's offerings, Marvel is once again offering new content for the biggest day in comics. Both books this year will feature original stories you can't find anywhere else!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT features a full-length story by team supreme Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez, in a story that will come back to haunt the wall-crawler in the coming months!  Plus, the page count of this free comic book has been increased to 40 pages to showcase a special sneak preview of J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada's One More Day Spider-Man event this summer!

In the all-ages title, MARVEL ADVENTURES THREE-IN-ONE, fans will get their first look at the two upcoming additions to this acclaimed and popular line, MARVEL ADVENTURES: HULK and MARVEL ADVENTURES: IRON MAN, in two original 10-page stories. There will also be a previously published installment of the ever-popular, Eisner Award-nominated FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS.

Retailers are encouraged to check their orders on what are sure to be the two most popular books to hit on Free Comic Book Day, May 5th!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT (FEB070019)

Written by DAN SLOTT

Pencils and Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ

40 pgs, Rated T+...Free

FOC 3/15/07, Available 5/5/07

MARVEL ADVENTURES THREE-IN-ONE (FEB070043)

Written by FRED VAN LENTE, PAUL BENJAMIN, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, MARC SUMERAK

Pencils by JAMES CORDEIRO, SCOTT KOBLISH, DAVID NAKAYAMA, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS

Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

32 pgs, All Ages...Free

FOC 3/15/07, Available 5/5/07

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

Marvel Comics is a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a leading global character-based entertainment company that has developed and owns a library of more than 5,000 characters, which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel's operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel Studios supports the development of feature films, DVD/video products and TV series. Marvel's creative team also supports the development of video games and toy lines based on its characters as well as for a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, foods and promotions. Marvel's comic book division is a leading publisher in the global marketplace while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. Marvel's Toy Biz division is a recognized creative force and leader in toy design, sales and marketing, developing and overseeing both licensee and in-house toy lines. For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com.

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