Marvel Comics has provided CBR News with advance looks at new books shipping next week — December 5, 2007 — to comics stores everywhere. When you’re done checking out these exciting previews of “Avengers: The Initiative Annual” #1, “House of M: Avengers” #2, “Ms. Marvel” #22, “Silver Surfer: In Thy Name” #2, “The Order” #5, “Ultimate X-Men” #88 and “World War Hulk: Aftersmash,” don’t forget to stop by CBR’s Marvel Comics forum to discuss these titles with fellow readers.

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1

COVER BY: JIM CHEUNG

WRITER: DAN SLOTT

PENCILS: CHRIS WESTON

PATRICK SCHERBERGER

COLORED BY:

LETTERED BY:

THE STORY:

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY!

You have been granted clearance to Camp Hammond’s most sensitive files.

For the first time anywhere, witness the hidden origins of the GAUNTLET, ARMORY, MVP, and HARDBALL. Also, learn some of the Initiative’s most hi-tech secrets. And meet the team from America’s 2nd State, Pennsylvania, as they battle FLAG SMASHER and the forces of ULTIMATUM! How will Philly react to the Initiative’s all-new take on the LIBERTY LEGION?

Jump on here for the next chapter in Marvel’s big breakout series!

Rated T+ …$3.99

HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2

COVER BY: MIKE PERKINS

WRITER: CHRISTOS GAGE

PENCILS: MIKE PERKINS

INKS: MIKE PERKINS

COLORED BY: LAURA MARTIN

LETTERED BY: RUS WOOTON

THE STORY:

The secret history of the House of M universe continues as Luke Cage’s Avengers battle Shang-Chi’s Dragons…Officer Misty Knight inflitrates the Avengers to take them down from within…and Thunderbird’s FBI task force, The Brotherhood, recruits a new Sapien member: ex-Marine Frank Castle, aka The Punisher! And tragedy strikes as an Avenger heads toward death!

Rated T+ …$2.99

MS. MARVEL #22

COVER BY: GREG HORN

WRITER: BRIAN REED

PENCILS: AARON LOPRESTI

INKS: MATT RYAN

COLORED BY: CHRIS SOTOMAYOR

LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE

THE STORY:

The Brood return! Carol Danvers is alone and powerless on Monster Island, surrounded by creatures that want her blood! Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aaron Lopresti (INCREDIBLE HULK) bring you a tale of monsters and the many faces of Ms. Marvel!

Rated T+ …$2.99

SILVER SURFER: IN THY NAME #2

COVER BY: GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

WRITER: SIMON SPURRIER

PENCILS: TAN ENG HUAT

COLORED BY: JOSE VILLARRUBIA

LETTERED BY: CORY PETIT

THE STORY:

Seeking only to help the helpless, the Silver Surfer rids an alien city of a demonic threat and is declared a Savior by its beleaguered inhabitants. As assassinations, political maneuverings and simmering tensions fester in the shadows, the Surfer must question whether a figurehead – even a reluctant one – is responsible for the actions of his disciples…Brewing conflict leaps from the page, as artist Tan Eng Huat (Doom Patrol, Batman) and writer Simon Spurrier (2000AD, Gutsville) step-up a gear in the Surfer’s most explosive adventure yet.

Rated A …$2.99

THE ORDER #5

COVER BY: BARRY KITSON

WRITER: MATT FRACTION

PENCILS: BARRY KITSON

INKS: MARK MORALES

COLORED BY: DEAN WHITE

LETTERED BY: DAVE LANPHEAR

THE STORY:

The Marvel Universe’s newest superhero team continues to protect the Golden State from all KINDS of comic-book insanity: the team investigates gamma-irradiated monsters living in the hidden cities beneath Los Angeles that only the Hopi Indians prophesied; the super-murder investigation hits a snag as the more-human-than-human girl gang called the BLACK DAHLIAS goes around killing off the suspects; we learn a scoonch more about the mysterious M.A.N. from S.H.A.D.O.W.; and, the awesome-cherry plopped atop our sundae of fabulousness, the Order are told they can’t buy their Los Angeles dream house. Where oh where will the Order hang their hat? Here’s a hint: It’s San Franawesome. By Matt Fraction (PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL, IMMORTAL IRON FIST and Casanova) and Barry Kitson (Legion of Super-Heroes, Empire,

JLA Year One).

Rated T+ …$2.99

ULTIMATE X-MEN #88

COVER BY: YANICK PAQUETTE

WRITER: ROBERT KIRKMAN

PENCILS: YANICK PAQUETTE

INKS: SERGE LAPOINTE

COLORED BY: STEPHANE PERU

LETTERED BY: VC – JOSEPH CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:

The conclusion to the Sentinels saga has it all: The X-Men vs. Stryfe! The X-Men vs. the Fenris Twins! The X-Men versus the Sentinels! Can one team possibly defeat three foes?

Rated T+ …$2.99

WORLD WAR HULK: AFTERSMASH #1

COVER BY: GREG LAND

WRITER: GREG PAK

PENCILS: RAFA SANDOVAL

INKS: SANDU FLOREA

COLORED BY:

LETTERED BY: VC – JOSEPH CARAMAGNA

THE STORY:

World War Hulk is over. But the Aftersmash has just begun. Heroes and monsters rise and fall as the events of “World War Hulk” reverberate through the blasted ruins of New York City with goliath impact in a massive story featuring the Warbound, the Renegades, Heroes for Hire, Iron Man, Tom Foster, and Damage Control. And yes, smashing will be involved.

Rated T+ …$3.99