Penance teeters on the edge in Thunderbolts #117, plus a special first look at the 2 covers for the hotly anticipated Ultimates 3 from the superstar team of Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira.

Will Penance Destroy The Thunderbolts?

The government sponsored superhero team known as the Thunderbolts confront the problem that is Penance's fractured psyche in Thunderbolts #117, by dream team Warren Ellis & Mike Deodato! Robbie Baldwin's transformation into the tortured-and immensely powerful-hero known as Penance has taken its toll, causing Baldwin to lash out at Norman Osborn and almost destroy the Thunderbolts' base. Now there's only one man who can put him back together! Enter Doc Samson, the man whose past super human counseling clients include The Hulk and X-Factor, and who may just face his greatest challenge yet with Penance! However, if he does succeed, what does that mean for Osborn's plans to manipulate Penance? And just why are the Thunderbolts having such an easy time bringing in unregistered super humans? The answers become clearer in the second chapter of "Caged Angels," the newest arc in the series that critics and fans can't stop praising!

Itai Rosenbaum of SilverBulletComics.Com gushed, "Thunderbolts is the best book Marvel currently publishes... Warren Ellis does an excellent job channeling the psychopaths inhabiting the pages of this book."

IGN.Com's Jesse Schedeen awarded the series his highest possible rating of "Must Have" and said, "I really hope Mike Deodato, Jr. stays on this book as long as possible."

And don't miss Thunderbolts By Warren Ellis Vol. 1: Faith In Monsters Premiere HC, collecting Ellis & Deodato's first gripping arc on Thunderbolts. But now that Penance has been contained, can he be rehabilitated...or will he bring the Thunderbolts down? It's all revealed in Thunderbolts #117!

THUNDERBOLTS #117 (JUL072194)

Written by WARREN ELLIS

Penciled by MIKE DEODATO

Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Rated T+ ...$2.99

FOC-9/27/07, On-Sale-10/17/07

THUNDERBOLTS BY WARREN ELLIS VOL. 1: FAITH IN MONSTERS PREMIERE HC (JUL072224)

Written by WARREN ELLIS, PAUL JENKINS & MARC GUGGENHEIM

Penciled by MIKE DEODATO, STEVE LIEBER, MARC SILVESTRI & LEINIL YU

Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Rated T+ ...$24.99

ON SALE NOW!

Ultimates 3 #1 Debuts With Two Gatefold Covers!

Marvel is pleased to announce that the most-anticipated comics release of the year, Ultimates 3 #1 (of 5), will arrive in stores this December with two different gatefold covers! From the all-star creative team of Jeph Loeb, Joe Madureira and Christian Lichtner, Ultimates 3 unveils a new line up for the comic industry's most exciting, controversial superhero team, along with new opponents to battle! To celebrate this landmark issue, Madureira and Lichtner have crafted two dynamic gatefold covers for the premiere issue of Ultimates 3, one featuring the heroes and the other featuring the villains. To meet the overwhelming demand for this series, Marvel has released two separate solicitations for Ultimates 3 #1, allowing retailers to order their preferred quantities of each cover.

"When we first talked about how to launch Ultimates 3, we wanted something that both the retailers and the fans could sink their teeth into," explained award-winning writer Loeb. "I'd been a huge fan of Joe Mad's Uncanny X-Men #350 with that triple-gatefold and it's hardly ever done anymore. But since we're in the Ultimates it had to be even bigger than that!  Working with Chris Lightner's magic digital inks and colors, Joe created TWO covers -- HEROES and VILLAINS all rushing toward each other.  And when you put them together it makes one massive poster.  So much so, that Marvel is releasing them as posters!  We also wanted to thank you all for being patient while we put this together properly.  Joe and Chris are at the height of their game and having been away from comics for a few years, these Hall of Famers have returned with a vengeance.  Go Ultimates!"

This winter, the Ultimate Universe heads down the road to Ultimatum and the red-hot, start studded Ultimates 3 #1 (of 5) is your first chance to experience this bold new direction for the comic line that changed superheroes! And don't miss both the color and black white poster editions of these covers, featuring the stunning art of Madureira and Lichtner!

ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5) HEROES GATEFOLD COVER

Written by JEPH LOEB

Art & Cover by JOE MADUREIRA & CHRISTIAN LICHTNER

Parental Advisory ...$2.99

FOC-11/15/07, On-Sale-12/05/07

ULTIMATES 3 #1 (of 5) VILLAINS GATEFOLD COVER

Written by JEPH LOEB

Art & Cover by JOE MADUREIRA & CHRISTIAN LICHTNER

Parental Advisory ...$2.99

FOC-11/15/07, On-Sale-12/05/07

ULTIMATES 3 HEROES POSTER (SEP072288)

ULTIMATES 3 HEROES BLACK AND WHITE POSTER (SEP072289)

55x20 Color...$15.99

55x20 Black and White Poster...$15.99

FOC-10/11/07, On-Sale-11/14/07

ULTIMATES 3 VILLAINS PANORAMA POSTER

ULTIMATES 3 VILLAINS BLACK AND WHITE PANORAMA POSTER 

55x20 Color...$15.99

55x20 Black and White Poster...$15.99

FOC-11/15/07, On-Sale-12/12/07

Click thumbnails for full-sized images.

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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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