A Time Capsule from the Era When Wizard Ran the Comic World
Before social media, before YouTube breakdowns, before every rumor leaked instantly—there was Wizard Magazine.
And in November 2004, Wizard dropped one of its most striking covers of the 2000s:
Wizard #157 — Collector’s Cover 3 of 3, featuring Wolverine front and center and a chilling board of X-Men faces marked SLAIN or APPREHENDED.
This was Wizard at its peak—bold design, dramatic speculation, and a love for comics that shaped an entire generation of collectors.
📰 Publication Details
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Title: Wizard Magazine #157 (Collector’s Cover 3 of 3)
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Release Date: November 2004
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Publisher: Wizard Entertainment
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Format: Magazine
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Focus: X-Men “death board” cover, Wolverine spotlight, Green Lantern feature
🔑 Why This Issue Matters
Wizard #157 is significant for several reasons:
✔ Era-Defining Wolverine Artwork
Wolverine dominates the cover with a grim, gritty aesthetic perfectly suited to early-2000s comic culture. Beside him is Kitty Pryde, underscoring the issue’s X-Men themes.
✔ X-Men “Kill List” Cover Gimmick
The cover displays a board of X-Men headshots labeled SLAIN, APPREHENDED, or unidentified—playing into the mutant crisis narratives popular in the early 2000s.
It was bold, controversial, and unforgettable.
✔ Collector’s Cover Variant (3 of 3)
Wizard often released multiple variant covers per issue.
This Wolverine/X-Men cover is widely considered the standout of the trio.
✔ Inside Content (2004 Comic Culture Snapshot)
This issue included:
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The announcement/spotlight of the new Green Lantern
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Market price guides (the backbone of collectors at the time)
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Industry rumors, previews, interviews
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Wizard’s famous humor pages, top lists, and irreverent commentary
Wizard was the voice of comic fandom—equal parts news, hype, and chaos.
🗂️ Collector’s Index
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Wizard Magazine #157 |
| Release Year | 2004 |
| Cover | Wolverine & Kitty Pryde with X-Men “death board” |
| Variant | Collector’s Cover 3 of 3 |
| Key Appeal | 2000s X-Men aesthetic; Wolverine spotlight; Wizard-era nostalgia |
| Rarity Tier | 🟡 Moderate — magazines from this era often damaged or discarded |
| Market Range | ~$10–$20 depending on condition |
| Collector Value | Strong for Wolverine fans, Wizard collectors, and 2000s nostalgia seekers |
💬 Final Thoughts
Wizard Magazine wasn’t just a publication—
it was the heartbeat of the comic community for over a decade.
Issue #157 captures everything that made Wizard great:
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striking covers
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bold speculation
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deep fandom roots
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and that unmistakable early-2000s comic culture energy
For collectors today, this issue is a time capsule—a reminder of the pre-internet days when Wizard told us what was hot, what was rising, and what books to chase next.
Stay nerdy,
Randell
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