This summer's big event appears to begin with some kind of team-up and/or battle between the mainstream Marvel crew and the Ultimate heroes.
We’re still a ways off from Marvel’s Secret Wars story, but Marvel’s still releasing little bits of information here and there. Though the first issue won’t be out until May of next year, we have our first look at the cover by none other than Alex Ross. Ross also drew the massive promotional image used to initially announce the big summer event.
The details of Secret Wars are a little fuzzy so far. It’s written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Esad Ribic, acting as a follow-up to Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers comics. The multiverse is collapsing due to some kind of unknown threat and parallel Earths are crashing into each other. As shown in a promotional video, various alternate Earths are torn to pieces and pasted back together to create Battleworld. This is much like the original 1984 Secret Wars event. Whether the Beyonder has anything to do with this (he hasn’t shown up since Brian Michael Bendis reintroduced him in New Avengers: The Illuminati years back) is up in the air. Though coincidentally, the Molecule Man, who was a big part of the original story, recently showed up as part of Dr. Doom’s subplot in New Avengers.
Here’s Ross’ cover for the first issue.
The best thing is how you can totally tell that Thing is yelling that this is a revolting development.
I admit, I’m not as much an encyclopedia on Marvel alternate Earths as I’d like to be, but all the alternate heroes I do recognize are most definitely from Ultimate Marvel. The Ultimate versions of Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Black Widow (Jessica Drew), Cloak & Dagger, Namor, and Captain Marvel are mixed in there. Chances are that this story is the Ultimate Universe’s swansong, even if one of the teaser images wasn’t called Ultimate: The End. All the relaunched Ultimates titles, such as All-New Ultimates, have been cancelled, leaving only Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man. That one’s been pouring on the closure lately to the point that Ultimate Peter Parker was brought back from the dead just so he could ride off into the sunset with a happy ending.
Having his world possibly destroyed (again) isn’t the happiest ending, though.
Also of note is that the solicited cover of Avengers #41is the exact cover of Ultimates #1 by Bryan Hitch. Not Ultimates #1 with 616 Avengers in it. Not a retrace. Just the same cover, unaltered. Very, very curious.
Presenting the First Epic SECRET WARS #1 Cover!
You’ve seen Alex Ross’ spectacular promo image. You’ve seen the teasers. You’ve learned the first secrets of Battleworld, the strange, patchwork realm playing host to countless separate realities. Now, Marvel is pleased to present the first cover to next year’s game-changing SECRET WARS #1! From the chart-topping creative team of Jonathan Hickman (Avengers, New Avengers) and Esad Ribic (Thor: God of Thunder) with covers by legendary painter Alex Ross, this 8-issue event brings together a legion of Marvel super heroes for an epic story the scope of which you’ve never seen before!
Now, get a closer look at Alex Ross’ stunning cover to the explosive first issue. Gorgeously rendered by one of the most iconic figures in the industry, this spectacular cover is just the tip of the iceberg – offering fans their first exciting look behind the curtain into the world of Secret Wars!
The road to the biggest comic event of 2015 is happening right now in the pages of Avengers and New Avengers, so jump on board before TIME RUNS OUT! Be there when the Secret Wars commence this May in SECRET WARS #1!
SECRET WARS #1
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by ESAD RIBIC
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Coming May 2015!
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