Wolverine: Marvel Comics Presents # 49 1990 NM-

Wolverine: Marvel Comics Presents #49 (1990) is an issue of the classic bi-weekly anthology series from Marvel Comics. Like most issues in this run, it features four standalone serials or short stories, led by a primary Wolverine feature that dominates the front cover.

Story 1: Wolverine & Spider-Man – "Life's End, Part 2: Child's Play"

This is the headline story featured on the cover, written and penciled by legendary artist Erik Larsen with inks by Joe Rubinstein.

• The Narrative: Continuing a 3-part arc, Wolverine teams up with Spider-Man to rescue a kidnapped mutant girl and her father. As they infiltrate the villains' base and trigger defense guns, the two heroes have a classic, comedic miscommunication. At this point in Marvel continuity, the public believes the X-Men are dead. Spider-Man genuinely believes the real Logan is deceased and assumes his current partner is a clone, ghost, or lookalike. Spidey even asks "ghost" Wolverine to pose for a photo so he can sell it to a photographer friend of his named Peter Parker.
• Key Collector Fact: This issue features the very first historic team appearance of the Band of Baddies—a short-lived group of superpowered mercenaries consisting of Critical Mass, Bloodlust, Dentist, Whiplash, and Savage Fin.

The Anthology Backup Stories

The remaining sections of the 36-page issue dive into separate corners of the Marvel Universe:

• Story 2: Devil-Slayer – "Lost Souls, Part 4: The End of... Devil-Slayer": The conclusion of a multi-part supernatural thriller focusing on Eric Payne. Written by Dwight J. Zimmerman with art by Rodney Ramos.
• Story 3: Gladiator (Imperial Guard) – "White Messiah": A standalone space-opera story focusing on Kallark, the powerhouse leader of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Written by John Figueroa with pencils by veteran artist Ron Wilson.
• Story 4: Daredevil – "The Unbeatable Foe": A standalone, street-level Metropolis vignette featuring the Man Without Fear.