Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Comics

  • Jonathan Hickman to Architect ‘Midnight’, Marvel’s “Absolute Horror” Line

    Jonathan Hickman to Architect ‘Midnight’, Marvel’s “Absolute Horror” Line

    The light has had its turn. In a follow up scoop to Marvel’s cryptic reveal, Bleeding Cool’s Rich Johnston shared word that Marvel is preparing to launch Midnight, a standalone “Absolute Horror” universe.

    Coming this fall, the line is being positioned as Marvel’s direct answer to both DC’s “Absolute” universe and the prestige maturity of the classic Vertigo imprint. Leading the charge? None other than Jonathan Hickman, the architect behind the current Ultimate Universe and House of X.

    According to the report, Marvel is pivoting away from Hickman’s 2024 Ultimate Universe (which was designed with a two-year lifespan in mind) to this new dark frontier. Hickman is joined by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Benjamin Percy, both of whom have recently signed exclusive deals with Marvel to build this horror landscape.

    Much like DC’s Absolute line, Midnight will feature radical reimaginings of classic characters. Don’t expect the 616 versions of these heroes; expect “sons and daughters of Midnight Sons” reimagined for modern fears.

    While specific titles haven’t been officially announced, the report points to a lineup of Marvel’s heavy hitters in the supernatural and occult space. Blade, Ghost Rider, and Werewolf By Night are potential flagship titles. Given the space being explored, The Darkhold, Dracula, and Morbius are also possibilities for the initial rollout, suggesting a universe that leans heavily into the monstrous.

    Jonathan Hickman doesn’t just write books; he builds worlds. By giving him the keys to a horror-centric universe, Marvel is betting that the occult side of their IP—which has been largely secondary to superheroes for decades—can sustain its own massive, interconnected mythology. If Midnight has the bite of an Absolute book and the strangeness of a Vertigo title, it could redefine Marvel’s publishing strategy for the next five years.

    Source: Bleeding Cool

  • Image Comics Announces ‘Assorted Crisis Events’, by Assorted All-Star Creators

    Image Comics Announces ‘Assorted Crisis Events’, by Assorted All-Star Creators

    The monster creative team of Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou have teamed up on an ongoing anthology book published by Image Comics. Set on a world where “time is having a crisis”, Assorted Crisis Events will “follow in the footsteps of normal people who are just trying to get through a normal day, but instead have to deal with time loops and space portals, confused time travelers from different eras, and alternate dimensional versions of themselves…all while just taking a stroll down the street.“

    In Assorted Crisis Events, time is having a crisis. Mingling in the red-light district, you can find actual cavemen, medieval knights, and cyborg soldiers on leave from World War IV. Victorian debutantes amble their way into cell phone stores, confused and bewildered (what is a data plan?). On their way to work, bleary-eyed commuters get trapped in time-loops, assaulted by alternate-reality versions of themselves, and try to avoid post-apocalyptic wastelands. And LOOK: the 3:15 bus just took a wrong turn…into the neolithic era. Rising stars Camp and Zawadzki, and Eisner-winners Bellaire and Otsmane-Elhaou, are proud to present Assorted Crisis Events, an ongoing, zig-zagging anthology series about the compromised clicks of our clocks—full of one-shot stories both beautiful and ugly, tragic and redemptive, surreal and somehow all too familiar. Stories of people (and reality) in crisis—trying to keep it together while the world is falling apart, second by twisted second…

    -Official Description provided by Image Comics

    “Assorted Crisis Events is like Crisis on Infinite Earths if it was happening to normal, everyday people, or Black Mirror, if the fabric of space and time were breaking down,” said the book’s writer, Deniz Camp. “But going deeper, Assorted Crisis Events has been one of the most ambitious and rewarding creative experiences of my life. The challenge of making every issue complete and personal and inventive, while playing out the larger story of the Crisis—what is causing it, can it be solved, who is The Broken Man?—across the series has been thrilling! Every member of the creative team adds so much to every issue—no one is just doing a job, they’re all artists in the truest sense, and I think every issue ranks among some of the best I’ve ever been a part of. If you’ve liked anything I’ve ever written before, please pick this up. You will not be disappointed.”

    Artist Eric Zawadzki was tasked with bringing the wild concept to life but was happy to take on the challenge. “This comic has been a dream project from the start. Deniz’s ambitions with pushing the boundaries of the medium of comics match my own,” he said. “Every script is a new challenge for me and it’s resulted in the proudest work of my career. I can’t believe my luck, being able to work with one of the best colourists and one of the best letterers in the comics industry, Jordie and Hassan, both of whom won the Eisner award for their respective crafts in 2024.“

    The all-star award-winning team of writer Deniz Camp (20th Century Men, The Ultimates, Absolute Martian Manhunter), artist Eric Zawadzki (Heart Attack, House of El), colorist Jordie Bellaire (They’re Not Like Us, Birds of Prey), and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Time Before Time, Poison Ivy) are teaming up for the new timeless ongoing anthology series, Assorted Crisis Events. Time has no bounds in this world, and readers will follow in the footsteps of normal people who are just trying to get through a normal day, but instead have to deal with time loops and space portals, confused time travelers from different eras, and alternate dimensional versions of themselves…all while just taking a stroll down the street. Meanwhile, the overarching story dives into what caused the rules of time to suddenly shift, and if it’s possible to reverse the damage. Fans of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Black Mirror, and Doctor Who will enjoy this time-bending, clock-shattering new series, with the first issue hitting shelves this March.

    Assorted Crisis Events #1 will available in your LCS on March 12, 2025.

    Source: Image

  • Image Comics Releases New Trailer for Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta’s ‘The Seasons’

    Image Comics Releases New Trailer for Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta’s ‘The Seasons’

    In October, Fangoria revealed that Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta were teaming with Image Comics for an “elevated tale of whimsical horror” in The Seasons. Part of Remender’s Giant Generator line of comics, The Seasons will roll out a double-sided first issue in January. Today, Image unveiled a trailer for the new book as part of an official release.

    Excitement for the upcoming The Seasons launch from The New York Times bestselling writer Rick Remender (The Sacrificers, Grommets, Deadly Class) and artist Paul Azaceta (Outcast by Kirkman and Azaceta) is ramping up and Giant Generator treated fans last weekend with the surprise drop of an eerie teaser trailer that alludes to an ancient evil at play.

    Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn are the Seasons Sisters, the daughters of the world-renowned Seasons Detectives. Ten years ago, their famous parents disappeared. Left to raise themselves, the sisters formed an unbreakable bond. Now that bond is tested as the sisters fall prey to sinister forces. The youngest sister, Spring, is the last hope of saving them from a fate worse than death. Will Spring be able to piece her shattered family back together before it’s too late for them all?

    -Official Synopsis for The Seasons

    “Paul and I have worked tirelessly to create a world unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” Remender told Fangoria last month. “Inspired by Miyazaki, Windsor McKay, and Tintin we wanted to make something that was delightful, poignant, and heartfelt,”he continued. “We hope you find the Seasons sisters as charming as we do. And the Ringleader and his imps as devilishly terrifying. Paul and Matheus have delivered one of the most spectacularly vibrant comics you’re going to see in the modern marketplace.”

    “The Seasons is a comic that will make you remember why you fell in love with comics in the first place.”

    —Robert Kirkman, Invincible, The Walking Dead

    The Seasons #1 will be on shelves on January 15, 2025.

    Sources: Image Comics, Fangoria

  • Marvel Revives Ms. Marvel as a Mutant, Disney+ Star Writing the New Comic

    Marvel Revives Ms. Marvel as a Mutant, Disney+ Star Writing the New Comic

    It’s safe to say that the “death” of Ms. Marvel was probably one of the most controversial decisions by Marvel Comics. Yet, it seems they had some big moves happening while the special issue Fallen Friend: The Death of Ms. Marvel remains a sour spot for some, there was a pretty expected strategy. Just as we were mourning the fallen hero, we already have an update on what we can expect from her comic’s future.

    The big reveal is that Iman Vellani, who plays Kamala Khan in the Disney+ series, is actually co-writing the project alongside Sabir Pirzada, who worked on the series. Carlos Gomez and Adam Gorham are providing the art with Sara Pichelli involved with the comics’ main covers. As part of the reveal, Vellani reveals what it was like moving on from writing fan fiction to the real thing.

    This was way scarier than joining the MCU for me. Those projects feel like they live in their own dimension, so I guess I can separate myself easier. But you can hold a comic book! I’ve never written anything before in my entire life, but I have read many comics, so I just wrote what I would want to read. I was given a very professional tool to write what is essentially my own fan fiction.

    Iman Vellani

    Check out the cover for the new series.

    As the cover unveils, Ms. Marvel is moving on from her Inhuman story towards embracing a new identity. The first Muslim superhero for Marvel is now a mutant, just as it was revealed in the Disney+ series. For those still mad at this revelation, it was the creator’s original intention to have her a mutant but ended up as an Inhuman due to the story that was written at the time. Of course, we’ll see just how long Kamala is going to stick around with the X-Men before once again embracing her Captain Marvel roots, which will be the focus of the upcoming The Marvels film.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk Set to Open ‘Avengers Inc.’

    Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk Set to Open ‘Avengers Inc.’

    Immortal Hulk, Guardians of the Galaxy and Ultimates writer Al Ewing and Sabretooth and Sabretooth & The Exiles artist Leonard Kirk are launching a brand new take on the Avengers this Fall featuring one of the founding members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. OG Avenger Janet Van Dyne will headline Avengers Inc., an ongoing series that will see her “out to solve the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny whodunnits the Marvel Universe has to offer!” according to Ewing.

    Her name is Janet Van Dyne. She’s a hero. She’s a celebrity. She’s hunting a killer. His name is Victor Shade. He’s a villain. He’s an enigma. He just got killed. And together, they’re out to solve every mystery in the Marvel Universe…starting with their own.

    Marvel.com

    The new book–which will feature “direct connections” to Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa’s main Avengers title–will begin “with a deadly conspiracy rooted in the ghosts of the Avengers’ past that only founding Avenger Wasp can solve. But she won’t be alone as she finds a new partner in Victor Shade! This former alias of Vision mysteriously resurfaces just as Janet discovers a score of Super Villain murders. Will he guide Wasp to the truth or is his familiar guise hiding the very clues Janet needs to crack the case?“

    As Ewing explains, “Avengers Inc. takes the beating, buzzing heart of the original Avengers, teams her up with an undead mystery man with an identity so secret even he doesn’t know it, and sends them both out to solve the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny whodunnits the Marvel Universe has to offer!” “It’s kind of a classic ‘will-they-won’t-they’ crime-solving partnership—or it would be if the ‘will-they’ in question was ‘save the world from…’ Well, that’d be telling. See you in September!” teased the author.

    “I am unsure what can be said of Avengers Inc. without spoiling anything for the readers,” said Kirk. “I can say this is a fun and intriguing take on some familiar characters that leans more into detective skills over super strength, wit rather than eye beams and cunning instead of small, genetically mutated, furry creatures. Al is doing a bang up job with this and I am having a load of fun. I hope the audience does too.“

    Source: Marvel.com

  • Marvel Comics Reveals That a New Ultimate Universe Will Spin Out of ‘Ultimate Invasion’

    Marvel Comics Reveals That a New Ultimate Universe Will Spin Out of ‘Ultimate Invasion’

    In October 2000, Marvel Comics modernized its classic heroes through its line of Ultimate comics. Those comics significantly influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and may continue to do so when the X-Men make their way into the MCU) and were a major part of Jonathan Hickman‘s 2015 event, Secret Wars. Now, as Hickman and Bryan Hitch‘s 4-issue Ultimate Invasion prepares to launch, Marvel has revealed that the series will lead into a relaunch a new line of Ultimate Comics.

    After the Maker’s desperate attempt to restore the Ultimate Universe unleashes massive, unintended consequences, a group of Marvel’s heroes are caught in a war between timelines. As universes collide, the foundation of a new line of ULTIMATE COMICS will be built.

    To no one’s surprise, the Ultimate version of Reed Richards, known as The Maker, will be front and center in Ultimate Invasion and it seems his actions will be key in the creation of the new line of Ultimate Comics. That line will kick off in November with a one-shot, Ultimate Universe #1, written by Hickman and illustrated by Stefano Caselli. Much like the 2000 launch, the Ultimate Universe will modernize Marvel’s major players.

    “The breathtaking epic will introduce readers to this new line that will be home to an array of brand-new hard-hitting series. A fresh start for a new generation, prepare to see your favorite characters redefined for today’s world. Stay tuned in the coming months for more information about this exciting new universe crafted by some of today’s greatest comic book visionaries.”

    “It’s kind of shocking how much the world has changed in that period of time [since the 2000 launch of the original Ultimate Universe],” said Hickman. “The idea of what it would be like to see the genesis of Super Heroes in a brand new world is a really fascinating exercise.” According to Hitch, familiarity with the old version of the Ultimate Universe isn’t necessary to enjoy this “brand new world”. “You don’t ever have to have read any of the Ultimate Universe to enjoy this,” Hitch explained. “There’s some great comics in there, but this doesn’t need you to be familiar with that stuff. You just need to get in on page one and enjoy this because the story takes you where you need to go.”

    The first of the four-issue Ultimate Invasion hits retailers on June 21st and Ultimate Universe #1 will be on shelves in November.

    Source: Marvel.com

  • J. Michael Straczynski to Return to Monthly Marvel Comics

    J. Michael Straczynski to Return to Monthly Marvel Comics

    After a long hiatus from Marvel Comics following the controversial One More Day mini-series he co-created with Joe Quesada, J. Michael Straczynski has returned to writing a monthly ongoing series for the publisher. In an interview with Gizmodo, Straczynski revealed that he and artist Jesús Saiz, who most recently worked with Jason Aaron on The Punisher, will be the creative team behind the new Captain America series launching in September.

    The new book will launch following the completion of the current Cold War crossover series which is running between both of the publisher’s current Captain America titles, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Captain America: Symbol of Truth. Straczynski‘s return to Marvel Comics, for whom he wrote ongoing Thor and Spider-Man solo books, is major news and, according to the writer, was a slow-developing process. “Like most things, the process was incremental,” said Straczynski of his return to monthly Marvel Comics. “It started when Wil Moss asked me to do a short piece for the big Thor anniversary issue, which ended up getting a fair bit of attention. Then he asked me to do a Thanos story for that big issue, which also drew a lot of eyeballs, which led to me writing yet another piece for Marvel Age 1000 coming out soon. During all this, Wil Moss asked if I’d write a six-issue mini-series that would be a bit of an Event.  I did so, it was a ton of fun for everyone involved, and Wil gave Alanna [Smith, Marvel comics editor] one of my scripts that involved Captain America.“

    While we all await news on just what that event that his six-issue mini-series might be, Straczynski reminded everyone that he’s always had Cap on the brain. “Alanna liked how I handled the character, and sends an email asking if I’d like to take over the monthly Captain America book…and that was pretty much the best thing ever, because I’ve always had a strong affinity for Cap, which is why I would sneak him into just about everything I wrote for Spider-Man and Thor.” Longtime fans of Marvel Comics will remember that Straczynski slipped Cap into Amazing Spider-Man #537 where the character gave one his most memorable speeches…one that made its way into Captain America: Civil War.

    As for what he has planned for Steve Rogers in the new book, Straczynski says “it’s all about servicing the main character first and foremost.” That’s going to entail tackling a period of time never before explored in depth in Cap comics: Cap’s early, transformative years. “One thing about Steve Rogers that’s never really been addressed is the period between when his parents died, and when he became Captain America. We’re talking about a sickly, skinny 17-year-old kid, trying to survive on his own for because he’s stubborn and independent, on the street for several years, hustling for any gig he can get, even if it’s bigger than he is, trying to afford food and a place to stay. So we will counterpoint a present-tense story in which Captain America faces off against a new villain of supernatural origin, with a story about his younger self, with both stories tightly interwoven.“

    By exploring those years, Straczynski hopes he’ll get at what makes Steve Rogers–not Captain America–tick. “Because there’s one other, key aspect to that period that we will be addressing. The years young Steve was on his own were the same years during which the American Bund – for all intents and purposes the Nazi Party in America – was growing very powerful in real-world New York, blocks from where he lived. They held public marches and rallies, harassed people, and spread hate, all part of an effort to get America on the side of the Nazis, a campaign that came to a head with the biggest Nazi rally on American soil in history, as tens of thousands of people, Nazis and Nazi sympathizers, crammed into Madison Square Garden to celebrate their dream of a thousand-year Reich.“

    And Straczynski hopes that by exploring that era, he’ll find in Steve the same type of motivation to be a hero that Peter Parker found after the death of his Uncle Ben. “We are going to put young Steve right into the middle of that real-life vortex, where despite terrible odds he will make a crucial difference at an even more crucial moment. For a young Peter Parker, the murder of his uncle Ben was a transformational event putting him on the path to becoming Spider-Man. This story will be equally transformational, putting a young Steve Rogers on the path to being the hero he eventually becomes.”

    It’s a novel pitch from Straczynski and one that could either go a long way in redefining the character or threaten to anger hardcore fans. See for yourself when Captain America #1 hits stores this September.

    Source: Gizmodo

  • REVIEW: Invincible Iron Man #1 Back To Basics… Yet Again.

    REVIEW: Invincible Iron Man #1 Back To Basics… Yet Again.


    One of the most engaging elements in the Marvel line of comics has been the focus on history. Not in the sense more associated with DC, where legacy is so revered (arguably to a fault), but in the sense that character progression seemed to hold far greater priority than one might assume from a funny book. While Marvel was no better than DC in terms of their willingness to wriggle out of a set of circumstances through hokey, convoluted retcons, books like Iron Man were once celebrated for continuing a logical, building narrative across different writers and hundreds of issues.

    With Invincible Iron Man #1, Marvel heavy-hitter Gerry Duggan (who has been all over the mutant side of the MU in recent times) takes Ol’ Shellhead’s narrative to a tediously familiar stop. After a few pages recounting the basics of Stark’s 616 history (being a #1 issue, the book is undoubtedly aiming to be a starting point for the ever-elusive “new comic reader”) and the inciting incident of the story, we find Tony Stark at a point in his life where he’s feeling particularly guilty over mistakes that he’s made as a result of poor forethought, leading to other people getting caught in the crossfire. Gripping stuff. It could be argued that bemoaning an Iron Man title for focusing on what is debatably the very essence of Iron Man may be a little unfair, but the problems lie just as much in what the book doesn’t do.

    Quite a bit of the narrative weight Duggan tries to convey throughout this issue hinges on readers’ outright acceptance of the gravity of what has happened because Tony tells us it’s really affected him. This approach isn’t all that effective when the vast majority of input we get from Tony on these situations comes via first-person narration (framed as Tony working on his autobiography, from some unrevealed point in the future) that struggles to find an authentic voice. A lot of the verbiage sounds decidedly un-Stark, like Tony using the term “unhoused”, and a handful of similar instances of hyper-online wording.

    A moderately interesting mystery is competently established, and there’s certainly nothing offensively repellant about this book as it finds its footing. Juan Frigeri provides excellent visuals, and the book makes plenty of sense as a back-to-basics reset of sorts. Is it just too much to ask, after 60 years, for something a bit… fresh?

  • Cryptic ‘One Piece’ Tweet Teases an Upcoming Announcement

    Cryptic ‘One Piece’ Tweet Teases an Upcoming Announcement

    One Piece may have one last announcement before it wraps up its 25th anniversary. While we haven’t heard much on the various projects that are currently in development outside of a few trailers building up momentum for One Piece Odyssey’s release in January, it does seem like one more announcement is heading our way. The best part: it seems we’ll find out what it’s all about by tomorrow.

    A new cryptic tweet from the official account has included a “Coming Soon on 12 Dec 2022” tagline alongside.an image teasing a new logo that is close to the design of the original combined with a few changes alongside what seems to be Luffy’s straw hat below. It does include a link to “toei-anim.com” which may hint at something related to the anime.

    It seems highly unlikely that this is in anyway related to the live-action series or even the manga. There’s a good chance that this might be some new collaboration for some merchandise or even special art pieces based on the popular manga and anime series. They might also share some news on the next arc for the anime that is likely going to introduce a filler arc to let the manga run a bit longer so it doesn’t catch up too fast. Of course, it’s just speculation at this point but it’ll be interesting to see what is heading our way.

    Source: Twitter

  • REVIEW: ‘Keepers of the Cosmos’ is Raunchy Galactic Fun

    REVIEW: ‘Keepers of the Cosmos’ is Raunchy Galactic Fun

    Every generation is looking for their Star Wars. Something that transports them to another universe and sends them tumbling through a galactic adventure stuffed with fluffy, lovable characters and charmingly heroic leads. A tale made for everyone, that inspires children to be better adults and adults to unlock their inner child. On the surface, it may seem like this is the goal writer Adam Barnhardt had in mind while crafting Keepers of the Cosmos, the latest comic from publisher Scout Comics. However, after reading the series’ first two issues, this is assuredly not the case. Instead, Keepers of the Cosmos is raunchy, daring, and definitely not for kids. It refuses to be for everybody, and it’s miles better for it.

    Keepers of the Cosmos features a group of intergalactic peacekeepers traversing the galaxy’s last frontier and doling out their own unique forms of justice; so on paper, it definitely has the trappings of a typical space-bound romp. Yet, the end product is so much more than standard fare. The series is ripe with sci-fi goodness but manages to ground itself with wildly human characters. From the get-go, Keepers introduces its main cast as deeply flawed individuals, giving the story a relatable sense of humanity that draws the reader in immediately. Part of keeping with that humanity involves the use of quite a bit of debauchery, something that stamps the comic with Barnhardt’s signature comedic flair and officially brands it as Guardians of the Galaxy for full-grown adults.

    Keepers also does an impressive amount of world-building for a new book, constructing a new universe with surprising efficiency and speed. In only a few short pages, readers will meet a fairly large, merry band of misfits and likely hop on board their adventure with comfortable ease. There is action and romance aplenty, and artist Agung Prabowo proves adept at laying out exciting splash pages that jump at the reader and demand they pay attention. In fact, Prabowo’s character design is one of the book’s highlights, accurately playing on expected sci-fi tropes while remaining fresh and exciting. The colorful and vibrant universe made possible by Barnhardt and Prabowo is one readers will want to continue exploring for a long time to come.

    Ultimately, Keepers of the Cosmos is both fresh and familiar. It’s full of love for decades of intergalactic storytelling, with plenty of nods for the most die-hard fans, while still fiercely molding its own path toward originality. Barnhardt and Prabowo’s style works together seamlessly, blessing Keepers with a distinct brand of comical chaos. It’s an excellent read for those who are looking for something exciting and different and would like to support an original voice in the industry.