Today in Comics History, December 22, 1988: One Year Later: A bad retcon of a bad event from a bad comic

from "The Big Fix" in Star Brand #17 (Marvel/New Universe, January 1989), script and breakdowns by John Byrne, finishes by Tom Morgan, colors by Andy Yanchus, letters by Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, July 6, 1988: At last, the massive hole formerly Pittsburgh begins to stabilOH NO! VOLCANO!

from Marvel/New Universe Comics cover-dated October 1988

Today in Comics History, April 4, 1959 and 1988: Debut, Max Lord of Earth-555

Curiously, April 4 is a quiet day on Earth-616, in the Marvel Universe. On a peaceful day like today, the X-Men play softball, Peter Parker goes out for a lovely picnic with his best girl (Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Debra Whitman, Felicia Hardy, Cindy Moon, or any assortment or one or another), and Jarvis continues his spring cleaning.

But April 4 is not a quiet day in the New Universe of Earth-148611, just down the road and outside your window (oh no! someone has stolen your window!) You see, everyone's been caught in The Draft, which is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. And Windy has stormy eyes that flash at the sound of lies! It's her paranormal power ever since the White Event.



from (top) The Draft one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, July 1988), script by Mark Gruenwald and Fabian Nicieza; pencils by Herb Trimpe; inks by Kyle Baker, Mike Gustovich, Klaus Janson, Lee Weeks, and Keith Williams; colors by Michael Higgins; letters by Jim Novak
and (bottom) Psi-Force #23 (Marvel/New Universe, September 1988), script by Fabian Nicieza, pencils by Graham Nolan, inks by Mike Witherby, colors by Nelson Yomtov, letters by Rick Parker
Not to mention that The Pitt (a big hole in the ground where Pittsburgh used to be) is slowly settling into sludge, making it even more difficult to fill with rich delicious My-T-Fine chocolate pudding:


tText page diagram from Justice #24 (Marvel/New Universe, October 1988)
Meanwhile (meaning 29 years previously), in the newer newuniverse (Earth-555, where is where they make all the fictional phone calls to), young Tony Stark is having the best day ever!



from newuniversal #1 (Marvel/New Universe, September 2008), script by Kieron Gillen, pencils and inks by Greg Scott and Kody Chamberlain, colors by Val Staples, letters by Ed Dukeshire
Oh wait. I did that wrong. Worst day ever. Worst day.

(whistles "Iron Man" theme as I walk away)

Today in Comics History, December 27, 1987: A: It Blow'd up Real Good, Newsworld!

from Psi-Force #18 (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988)

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987: What Have We Learned (About the Pitt), Charlie Brown?

So, as we bid farewell to Pitt Day and its aftermath, let's see where we stand right now:

Mama mia, that'sa one big hole.



diagrams from (top) Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988);
Marvel/New Universe comics cover-dated October 1988

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 6:06 AM: Colonel Mac Browning swear he will never go hungry again, for tomorrow is another day

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia that didn't exist in the New Universe, tells us:

The crater itself is referred to as The Pitt, as is the event that created it. The destruction of Pittsburgh (and the unsolved mystery of its cause) leads to a dramatic rise in international tension and a vast militarization of American society, including the suspension of civil rights. Many cities suffer dramatic drop in population as residents fear becoming victims of another "Pitt." New York and surrounding areas in particular suffer severe economic downturn as, in addition to general depopulation, ash and smoke drifting Eastward from the Pitt have a negative environmental impact.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The New Universe: the world outside your window.

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 4:57 AM: Sergeant Larry Fine picks up vital radio news

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 4:21 AM: Pittsburgh's last artisanal steel shop slowly sinks below the surface

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

8,900.

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 3:18 AM: Giant Red Darth Vader mask contains full home entertainment system

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 2:00 AM: Fandom reaction to plot twist in New Universe is not surprising

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 1:43 AM: Momentary lull in Hulk activity gives military time to deal with paperwork

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 1:29 AM: After two-plus hours inside armor deep in The Pitt, Jenny Swensen's hair still bouncin' and behavin'

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 1:04 AM: Letterman Show almost completely missed

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 12:52 AM: Flight out of Pittsburgh complicated by passenger complaining about Hillary b*tches

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 12:19 AM: Family sues Spitfire and the Troubleshooters for loss of their VW Beetle

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 12:18 AM: Now we know why they call her Spitfire

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History December 23, 1987, 12:01 AM: Herbie Goes Bananas

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 11:02 PM: Jenny Swensen tours beautiful downtown Pittsburgh

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 10:41 PM: Silhouetted figure attempts to fool kids into thinking they're buying an Iron Man comic

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 10:16 PM: Q: Where do you get a green trenchcoat? A: Pittsburgh.

from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker