Another big comic book convention means another round of announcements from major comic book publishers. For New York Comic Con, Marvel has released big news in recent days for major franchises like X-Men and Spider-Man and has continued to assert that no, really, the Ultimate Universe will end next year. Let’s take them one by one, okay?
First, the larger Marvel Universe. During Saturday’s “Next Big Thing” panel, the publisher revealed what happens after Doctor Doom’s reign on the planet ends in November. We already know that certain characters will fight for the title of Sorcerer Supreme, and the new mini-series Dungeons of Destiny by Philip Kennedy Johnson, Ben Percy, Carlos Magno, Robert Gill, Justin Mason and Georges Jeanty will explore what happens when various factions attempt to ransack the now-unoccupied Castle Doom for its power and technology. This doesn’t go as planned and they all find themselves in a dungeon maze in which they must now survive. Expect this in January.
During this same panel, a new Iron Man a solo book has been revealed. The title comes from DC writer Joshua Willamson and artist Carmen Carnero, and sees Tony Stark facing off against a team of geniuses forced by Madame Masque to recreate his initial success in crafting armor.
For Spider-Man heads, the big thing to know is that Peter Parker will return to Earth soon, after which he will be in the Death Spiral Joe Kelly event (Amazing Spider-Man), Al Ewing (Venom), Charles Soulé (Eddie Brock: Carnage) and Jesus Saiz (Eddie). The story sees Spider-Man teaming up with his two slimy foes to face a serial killer coming for superheroes and with a specific ax to attack against the Webhead in particular. Its launch is scheduled for February, and that summer there will be the Queen in black event building on Knull’s recent return to Venom’s corner and the villain’s own upcoming comic.
Next, the X-Men are currently crossing the Age of Revelation event set in the near future where Doug Ramsey (formerly Cypher, now Revelation) has created a mutant utopia that has doomed the rest of the world. Once this is completed, at the end of 2025, classic X-books like X-Men, strange And Exceptional X-Men, And Wolverine will continue again under the new The shadows of tomorrow banner, which also brings some new books.
Solo, Cyclops and Rogue will receive limited miniseries from Alex Paknadel and Roge Antonio and Erica Schultz and Luigi Zagaria, respectively. Plot details for Cyke’s book are under wraps, but Rogue’s will see her confront her past as a villain when it comes to “slam.” [her] in your face,” and Destiny and Mystique will play a role in the story. Thief #1 will be launched in January, and Cyclops #1 in February. For Magik fans, writer Ashley Allen and artist German Peralta are back for a new story featuring Illyana Rasputin and her brother Colossus in all five issues Magik and Colossus the miniseries will also launch in February. The big new team book is January’s inglorious X-Force by Tim Seeley and Michael Sta. Maria, which stars Cable, Hellverine, Boom-Boom and Archangel.
The Deadpool, Storm, and Laura “Wolverine” Kinney books will continue, with just a few slightly new creative teams and titles.. Wade Wilson as Deadpool by Ben Percy and Geoff Shaw, Wade faces new clients and a “troubling path”; Storm: Earth’s Most Powerful Mutant From returning writer Murewa Ayodele and new artist Federica Mancin, Storm continues to protect the planet, unaware that the “most dangerous war in existence” looms on the horizon. Finally, that of Jody Houser and Jacopo Camagni Generation X-23 reunites Laura and Gabby as they meet their “long-lost friend” and “a new generation of X-subjects” who have taken their cues from Laura’s mortal self. All three will arrive in February.
Finally, Marvel has revealed new covers for the Ultimate books as they come to a close. Ultimate Endgame is played. The event comic strip and the titles from which it arises—Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, etc. – will end by April 2026. Marvel EiC CB Cebulski recently stated that this is a definitive end for the universe, although some of its elements will live on Earth-616, but it is unclear exactly what that means. We will find out how this spirit will endure, and how much of an end it really is, in the months to come.
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