After the cancellations that happened in 1986, this year might have the highest ratio of non-continuity to Marvel universe books. Especially after folding Dr. Strange and Cloak & Dagger into a single Strange Tales book, Marvel's regular output is really reduced to what you would think of as "core" books. Note that there are no in-universe licensed books at this time, and there are no minor character mini-series along the lines of Gargoyle or Balder the Brave that we've seen in the past few years. The mini-series that we do have are more event driven: three "Versus" books (FF vs. X-Men, X-Men vs. the Avengers, and Mephisto vs.) (there is also another "versus" oneshot: Spider-Man vs. Wolverine) and the long-planned Fallen Angels mutant spin-off. And there's no mega-event this year, compared to last year's Secret Wars II or even something at the Mutant Massacre level. However, Marvel is publishing a large quantity of New Universe, Epic, and Star books, plus GI Joe, Transformers, and other various things (e.g. Peter Gillis' Strikeforce: Morituri). The Bullpen Bulletins in the Nov 87 cover date issues announce the end of Jim Shooter's reign and the replacement by Tom DeFalco. Of course there's no hint of the behind-the-scenes battles that came with that and the new owners, New World Pictures, but the notice does call Shooter "unquestionably one of the most talented creative people" in the industry and touts his innovations in new formats, new concepts, and new series. Shooter by his own admission had become less focused on the day to day due to the political battles he was fighting, while to hear the staff and freelancers to tell it, he had long since reached tyrannical levels of micromanagement. The Spider-books continue to rattle from the fall-out of Christopher Priest getting similarly forced out a little earlier, but Jim Salicrup does some housecleaning, and the Spider-books do have some significant events this year: Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's wedding and Kraven's Last Hunt. The Human Torch and Alicia Masters are also married. Both weddings will eventually be reversed. Steve Rogers gives up being Captain America. Roger Stern is fired from the Avengers this year (his final plotline will continue into next year), and he's also off Fantastic Four, replaced by Steve Englehart. Stern also doesn't get to finish the X-Men vs. the Avengers series. Walt Simonson ends his run on Thor. Ann Nocenti, Peter David/Todd McFarlane, and David Michelinie/Bob Layton/M.D. Bright begin fan favorite runs on Daredevil, Hulk, and Iron Man, respectively. A new ongoing Punisher series is launched by Mike Baron and Klaus Janson and Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers begin a new Silver Surfer series. Alpha Flight becomes a Direct Market only title (announced Sep cover date). Cover prices remain steady at 75 cents. We are introduced to a new prestige format book (the aforementioned Versus books) that are $1.50.

New characters: Rictor, Ghost, Crimson Commando, Stonewall, Super Sabre, Birdbrain, Mr. Sinister, Microchip, Manikin, Goblyn, Mr. Jip.