Comic book fans should be preparing to teleport themselves to their nearest AAFES exchange to get the latest installment of the military-specific issue of Marvel Comics’ “The New Avengers.”
Marvel and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service are again teaming up to issue 1 million free comic books to U.S. military forces at base and post exchanges stateside next month.
The 36-page comic will also be distributed at exchanges overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in November.
Like the first joint-AAFES/ Marvel Comics issue released earlier this year, the latest edition will feature The New Avengers, which includes Captain America, Nick Fury and Luke Cage.
This time, they are teaming up with the Fantastic Four and a handful of other characters, including Thor and Daredevil, to fight The Disruptor, a cyborg armed with an electronic pulse weapon, who is determined to steal AAFES’ annual Morale, Welfare and Recreation dividend.
Had The Disruptor stolen last year’s MWR dividend, he would have taken $242 million, according to AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey.
Those bases receiving MWR dividends from Navy and Marine Corps exchanges are safe, it seems, as The Disruptor doesn’t seem to be going after their funds. Then again, the comics won’t be distributed through those exchanges either — they’re exclusive to AAFES outlets, Anstey said.
Those who don’t get their hands — or electronic pulse tractor beam — on a comic book shouldn’t fret too much. Issues of the original million-run AAFES comic book are available on eBay for about $5.
Anstey said that AAFES will be issuing other comics in the future. The exchange service doesn’t pay for the comics; any costs are covered by advertisements in the issue.
DC Comics and Marvel have published special issues before on topics such as drug abuse, land mines and the heroes of 9/11.
The two AAFES comics are run in partnership with “America Supports You,” a Defense Department campaign that encourages private citizens, communities and businesses to reach out to troops and their families.
