Marvel Comics - The Draft - July 1988

Plot

The Draft #1 – “The Draft”

In the aftermath of the catastrophic destruction of Pittsburgh, the U.S. government reinstates the draft on January 28, 1988, aiming to assemble a military force composed of individuals with paranormal abilities. These "paranormals" are identified through various means and sent to specialized boot camps separate from non-powered recruits.

The narrative follows three new draftees:

Christopher Barrett (Metallurgist): An 18-year-old who can telekinetically control a 1949 Chevy hubcap, using it for flight.

Garth Mengeling (Gridlock): A 34-year-old married man capable of creating geometric force tubes, seeking to assert control over his life.

Harlan Mook (Blow Out): An MIT student whose teleportation ability causes explosive effects at his departure point, leading to the destruction of his dissertation notes.

As they undergo training, tensions arise, particularly for Harlan, who faces bullying from fellow recruit "Pit Bull." Despite psychological evaluations by Lieutenant Keith Remsen (Nightmask), Harlan's mental state deteriorates. After a failed assassination attempt on the President—who is revealed to be a paranormal himself—Harlan is placed in solitary confinement, leading to a psychological breakdown.

This issue serves as a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by paranormals in a militarized society, setting the stage for subsequent events in the New Universe series.

Condition: Fine

Comic Condition & Grading

This comic has been visually inspected and graded based on over 30 years of collecting experience. I use standard UK grading terminology:

NM / Near Mint – virtually perfect

VF / Very Fine – light wear only

FN / Fine – general wear, still clean and complete

VG / Very Good – moderate wear, minor defects

G / Good – heavy wear or age, complete unless noted

Disclaimer:
Grading is inherently subjective. I do my best to describe each comic honestly and clearly, but everyone sees things slightly differently. I am not a professional grader or CGC-certified appraiser.
Please refer to all photos, read the description carefully, and feel free to ask questions before buying. I’m always happy to provide extra details or images.
Returns are accepted if something is significantly misdescribed — but please remember that condition expectations can vary from one collector to another.

Postage & Packaging

All comics are bagged and boarded.

Shipped in boarded cardboard-backed envelopes for protection.

Combined postage available — just ask before you buy!

UK postage from £2.50, tracked and signed options available on request.

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From the Seller

Hi, I'm Al — a lifelong comic collector in the UK with a soft spot for British comics, Marvel UK, and the golden age of 70s/80s storytelling.
I've been collecting since the late 70s and have built up thousands of issues over the years. Every comic I sell comes from my personal collection and has been properly stored and cared for.
This isn’t just stock — it’s my history, and I hope it becomes part of yours too.

Questions?

Feel free to message me — I'm always happy to help or dig out specific issues you're looking for.