Author: Nik Ranger

Who is Carnage? Everyone who ever wore the Carnage symbiote in Marvel Comics Marvel ComicsVenom may be Spider-Man’s ultimate nemesis, but Carnage is his most unhinged threat, and every host the symbiote has taken has fueled that terrifying rage. The best thing to come out of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may be how it sets up the future. While the Venom storyline reached a fairly bombastic conclusion by the end of the game, plenty of teases hint at stories to come. The biggest surprise is how the game sets up Carnage to be a future major player. It’s unclear how the terrifying symbiote will factor into future stories, but he is lurking, waiting to become a showpiece. The Carnage of Marvel Comics never really took that time, though. From moment one, he was a stone-cold killer, and anyone the symbiote is bound to would inevitably find themselves causing mayhem. Every Carnage symbiote host in Marvel Comics Carnage has had quite a few hosts, considering his relatively brief experience, so here’s every Marvel Comics character that has been a host to Carnage. Cletus Kasady The original host for Carnage, Cletus Kasady, was a prison cellmate of Eddie Brock. When the Venom symbiote helped Brock escape prison, it left behind a piece of itself. This piece became its offspring and bonded with Kasady through a wound in his hand. The two became Carnage and had an inexplicably strong bond, with the symbiote often yielding to Kasady’s thirst for murder and torture. Over the years, both Kasady and Carnage have proven resilient and have grown from each other. The symbiote developed a taste for torture after reliving Kasady’s memories, while Kasady was able to survive such feats as being ripped in half in space thanks to the symbiote’s powers. Ben Reilly The Carnage symbiote was briefly separated from Kasady during the storyline Web of Carnage. During this spell, the symbiote hopped from host to host, sowing carnage in Kasady’s image. At the same time, Ben Reilly was on the prowl. Reilly had taken over full-time as Spider-Man, with both he and Peter Parker believing that Ben was the real Spider-Man and Peter a clone. The Carnage symbiote was able to distinguish between Ben and Peter, somehow, and possessed Ben. A returning Peter was able to help Ben, but it turned out to be a ploy to trick the two into delivering Carnage back to Kasady, giving the killer a renewed lease on life. Silver Surfer A budget-conscious warden turned off the microwave field keeping Cletus Kasady contained in the Ravencroft Asylum, believing Carnage would never know. He was wrong, it turns out, and Carnage was free. It should have been poor timing. Carnage’s escape was timed with not only Spider-Man seeking him out, but the Silver Surfer being in the area. But the Carnage symbiote knew of the Surfer’s power and abandoned Kasady, possessing the Surfer and becoming The Carnage Cosmic. Though the Carnage Cosmic was a terrifying power, the Symbiote still cared for Kasady. When he found himself near death, Carnage Cosmic manipulated Spider-Man into helping the symbiote rebond with Kasady in exchange for freeing Silver Surfer. Karl Malus Karl Malus is originally something of a nobody. He’s a big brain behind the origin of several Marvel characters, most notably running the experiments that led to Joaquin Torres, the second Falcon, becoming a human-bird hybrid. Malus finds himself in possession of the Carnage symbiote after Kasady refuses to join The Wizard’s Frightful Four. With the help of Klaw, The Wizard wrests Carnage from Kasady and bonds it with Malus, leading to the creation of the Superior Carnage. Superior Carnage is a terrifying prospect: all of Carnage’s murderous tendencies with Malus’ twisted intellect. It’s short-lived, though, as the symbiote eventually separates from Malus and seemingly eats him whole. However, Malus would survive this ordeal, reborn as a human/symbiote hybrid. Norman Osborn In a climactic battle at the end of Superior Spider-Man, the returning Peter Parker cures Osborn of the Goblin serum. The cure has the added side effect of rendering any attempts to dose himself with the serum again inert. Osborn becomes frustrated with this, especially after failing to beat Spider-Man without the Goblin formula. Norman found a twisted way to circumvent the cure by bonding with a piece of the Carnage symbiote and having it remove the antidote from his blood. Dosing the symbiote with the Formula, Norman becomes a symbiote/goblin known as Red Goblin. Red Goblin nearly accomplishes his ultimate goal, too. He kills Flash Thompson and puts Spider-Man against the ropes so hard that he nearly calls it quits. In the end, though, Norman’s hubris is his undoing, as Peter goads him into ditching the symbiote, giving Peter an opening to destroy the Red Goblin symbiote. Normie Osborn While the Red Goblin symbiote possessed Norman, one of his most heinous actions was to give a piece of his symbiote to his grandson, Normie. Though Norman was split from Red Goblin, a piece of the symbiote seemingly survived within Normie. Though Normie was eventually freed of the fragments of Carnage, the ordeal introduced him to another legacy symbiote host: Eddie Brock’s son, Dylan. With Knull’s arrival looming, Dylan gave Normie a new symbiote, Rascal, allowing Normie to become the new Red Goblin. Following the King in Black event, Normie has retained the Red Goblin persona. However, the Rascal symbiote has proven to be increasingly protective of Normie, something that has made the Red Goblin a threat to be reckoned with. Carnage is still looming now, and with a new Carnage comic book dropping soon, it’s only a matter of time before he has a new host – or reclaims an old one. For more Carnage and Marvel Comics news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Who is Captain Marvel? Everyone who used the identity in Marvel Comics explained Marvel ComicsCaptain Marvel began life as a Kree spy who became a superhero, but the legacy of the identity is a long and winding road through several unusual Marvel characters. The Marvels brings Carol Danvers back to the big screen as Captain Marvel, but it also slyly features a crossover of sorts. Monica Rambeau has also been Captain Marvel in the comics, pairing the two up for more Captain Marvels than you can shake a stick at. It’s not really the first time this has happened, though. The first film featured Annette Benning as Wendy Lawson, the film’s gender-swapped take on Walt Lawson, a Kree spy who would become the first Captain Marvel. It all ties back to the comics’ almost flippant handling of the Captain Marvel identity for decades. Captain Marvel is a legacy title with a bizarre and convoluted history. In fact, for a large chunk of its existence, the person called Captain Marvel had no ties to the original or anyone related to him. It’s a proper legacy title these days, but once, Captain Marvel just existed to keep the name in circulation. Every Captain Marvel character in Marvel Comics From Walter Lawson to Carol Danvers, here’s everyone who has been Captain Marvel in Marvel Comics. Mar-Vell Ironically enough, the original Captain Marvel was a Kree soldier named Mar-Vell. He’s sent to Earth as a spy after the Kree’s first encounter with the Fantastic Four. Mar-Vell took on the alias Walter Lawson, an identity he stole from a deceased scientist, and began working on a military base alongside Carol Danvers. Over time, Mar-Vell softens his views toward humanity and leans more into his heroic Captain Marvel personality. Mar-Vell is perhaps best remembered today for his admittedly understated death. After years of adventuring, Mar-Vell develops terminal cancer after exposure to a nerve agent. Surrounded by heroes of the Marvel Universe, he dies quietly in his bed in the Marvel Graphic Novel story The Death of Captain Marvel. While his return has been teased occasionally, he has typically remained dead aside from a few cameos. Monica Rambeau After being exposed to extra-dimensional energy, Monica Rambeau discovers the ability to manipulate and control energy. After a mix-up with the media, Monica is bestowed the name Captain Marvel. Monica never had much of a solo career, but she spent much of the ‘70s and ‘80s as an Avenger, even leading the team for a stretch of time. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a permanent affair, as her powers would come and go. Monica’s since had her powers evolve, and with that came growth in personality and an evolution of her identities. She abandoned the Captain Marvel identity and went by many other names, including Pulsar, Spectrum, and Daystar, though most commonly, she’s known as Photon. Genis-Vell Genis-Vell is the post-humously born son of the original Mar-Vell. He would make his debut in the ‘90s, taking on the identity Legacy in homage to the father he never knew. For much of the ‘90s, Genis-Vell is something of a C-Tier character. His exploits are mainly tied to Marvel’s cosmic characters, like Silver Surfer and Thanos. That changes when Avengers Forever rocks the universe, with a future version of Genis-Vell using his father’s Nega Bands to save Rick Jones. The process bonded the present-day Genis-Vell to Rick in much the same way Rick was bound to Genis-Vell’s father. Genis-Vell finally adopts the Captain Marvel identity, following in the footsteps of a future version of himself. He’d operate as Captain Marvel for years, but after a bout of madness brought on by his Cosmic Awareness, he rechristened himself as Photon. Phyla-Vell Phyla-Vell winds up having one of the more confusing places in the long lineage of Captain Marvel. In all honesty, her later roles largely overshadow her time as Captain Marvel. Much like Genis-Vell, Phyla-Vell is a posthumous child of Mar-Vell and his lover, Elysius. However, her existence is the result of changes made when Genis-Vell, driven mad by his Cosmic Awareness, destroyed and recreated the universe. Though a fight between Phyla-Vell and Genis-Vell restores his sanity, Phyla-Vell’s attempt to lay claim to the Captain Marvel identity is short-lived. She later finds herself alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy following the Annihilation event and wearing the quantum bands, becoming the new Quasar, a legacy she followed until the cosmic entity of death, Oblivion, enlisted her as his avatar, Martyr. Khn’nr The Marvel Universe was turned upside down by Civil War. Friend fought against friend over the Superhuman Registration Act, and when the dust settled, no one was sure what was next. That was when Captain Marvel reappeared. Captain Marvel was found in the Negative Zone, where he became the warden of Reed Richard’s superhuman prison, Prison 42. But when they called him in to help in the final days of the Civil War skirmishes, Mar-Vell finds himself hunted by various Skrull agents. It’s revealed that this Captain Marvel is actually Khn’nr, a Skrull spy who had been shapeshifted into Mar-Vell’s form but fell through time into the future. The process erases his Skrull programming, leaving the Mar-Vell personality dominant. Khn’nr would die from wounds inflicted by the Super-Skrull, inspiring the displaced Kree warrior Noh-Varr to continue his war against the Skrulls. Noh-Varr Noh-Varr is a bizarre character, even by Marvel standards. Debuting in 2000’s Marvel Boy #1, he’s a Kree warrior from an alternate universe whose DNA has been spliced with a cockroach. He serves on a ship called the Marvel, which is shot down and lands in the 616 universe. Originally adopting the moniker Marvel Boy, Noh-Varr starts his life with a vicious grudge against humanity. The interference of the Illuminati inspires him to reconsider his stance, but he instead becomes the Captain Marvel of Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers. Noh-Varr pretty much immediately abandoned the Captain Marvel name once the Dark Avengers were squashed after Siege. He’s since taken on the name Protector and redeemed himself in the eyes of most, last being seen as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Carol Danvers Carol Danvers was a military officer working on the same base as Walter Lawson, the civilian identity of the Kree spy Mar-Vell. During one of Mar-Vell’s adventures, Carol is affected by an exploding Kree device, granting her powers. Though she adopts the identity of Ms. Marvel, Carol spends much of her career in the shadow of Mar-Vell. She finds herself at odds with her legacy and her qualifications as a hero and regularly changes her identity to reflect that. However, Carol is reinvigorated by seeing a prime version of herself in the House of M timeline. She doubles down her efforts for years until a briefly revived Mar-Vell dies saving the universe again. Inspired by his sacrifice, she takes on the Captain Marvel name to continue his legacy. 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Who is Balder the Brave? Loki Season 2 easter egg explained Marvel ComicsThe third episode of Loki made a tongue-in-cheek reference to Balder the Brave, but the character’s backstory has ties to some major comic book events. Loki Season 2 finally made a reference to one of the few Asgardians not to appear in the MCU (though not for lack of trying). Balder the Brave is confirmed to exist, and his place in the Asgardian hierarchy definitely rubbed Loki the wrong way. Balder is an incredibly notable figure and someone who often appears in Norse mythology when it’s adapted. Most fans likely recognize him as the antagonist of 2008’s God of War reboot, but Marvel introduced him decades earlier. If you need to know more about Balder, here’s a quick rundown of his Marvel Comics history. Balder the Brave is Thor’s half-brother Debuting in 1962’s Journey into Mystery #85, Balder the Brave is named because he is considered the bravest of all the Asgardians. The Marvel character has faced great adversity but has always come around to becoming a true warrior. Perhaps the biggest change for Balder came in 2008 when he learned he was royalty. While Thor was attempting to establish New Asgard over Broxton, OK, Loki worked to undermine him by revealing to Balder that he was the son of Odin and Frigga, making him Thor’s half-brother. Loki convinces Balder the Brave to exile Thor and take the throne of Asgard for himself. Though his rule was tumultuous, spanning a war with Doctor Doom and the deadly Siege on Asgard, Balder would remain on the throne for years, with even Thor later urging him to remain King when he returned from exile. In comics & mythology, Balder is a harbinger of the Ragnarok event In the original Norse mythology, Balder is perhaps most notable as a harbinger of Ragnarok. The Ragnarok event is said to see the world burn and notable figures, such as Odin, Thor, and Loki, die in the ensuing disaster. In an effort to avoid this, Balder’s mother, Frigg, attempts to make every object on Earth promise never to hurt Balder. Only the mistletoe does not make this agreement, setting the stage for Balder’s death. Loki tricks the blind god Hoder into stabbing Balder with a mistletoe-tipped spear. Marvel’s Balder is among the first to die in Loki’s attack, which kicks off the Ragnarok event, and he enters the void along with all other Asgardians when they accept their death. Balder’s spirit inhabited the Destroyer armor upon his resurrection. In the Destroyer armor, he would gather the mortal forms hosting the fallen Asgardians to cope with his grief over letting Asgard fall in Ragnarok. Will Balder factor more into Loki after the Season 2 cameo? It seems unlikely, but anything could happen. For more Loki and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Who exiled Kang The Conqueror? Supervillain banished to Quantum Realm explained MarvelKang The Conqueror is one of the deadliest villains in the Marvel Universe – so deadly, in fact, he was exiled for being a threat to the timeline. Here, we look at who exiled Kang, when his exile took place, and why it happened. When you dive into the pages of Marvel Comics, there’s no shortage of mind-bending characters. One of the most enigmatic of them all is Kang The Conqueror. A time-traveling despot with a desire for power and domination, Kang has locked horns with some of the biggest powerhouses in Marvel, including the Fantastic Four and The Avengers. Though he’s amassed tech from countless timelines, beneath that armor, he’s human, complete with all the strengths and vulnerabilities that come with it. Who exiled Kang The Conqueror? Kang The Conqueror was exiled by none other than Ravonna Renslayer. Renslayer, a key figure in Kang’s complex history, is responsible for sending him away. Their relationship is multifaceted, marked by love, betrayal, and power struggles. In the comics, there are instances when she sides with Kang’s adversaries, pushing him into tight corners and, at times, into exile. When was he exiled? The entangled destinies of Kang The Conqueror and Renslayer come to light particularly in “Avengers” #23 and #24, where Kang’s exile plays out. Marvel storytelling weaves together elements of tragedy, romance, and, of course, intense action when these two cross paths. Why was Kang exiled? Kang was put into exile for trying to kill the Council of Kangs, which would have left him existing alone with free reign and ultimate power. It was deemed that he had become too big a threat to the timeline, as a result of his plot. Now, while Kang’s exile by Ravonna is an epic tale in its own right, there’s more to watch out for. Kang is on the rise as one of the most dangerous supervillains today. And guess what? If you were awestruck by his appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hold onto your seats because he’s set to make waves again in Loki Season 2. The Marvel universe is vast, but one thing’s for sure: wherever Kang is, drama isn’t far behind.

Who are the original X-Men? Marvel superhero team explained Marvel ComicsThe X-Men have had dozens of line-ups and hundreds of members, but none are more iconic than the original five members. Everyone has their X-Men team. The team that specifically was in operation when they first started reading X-Men comics, and the one they always long to see the titles revisit. That can be a rough order. While some titles hearken back to classic line-ups (like the recently announced Uncanny X-Men for the new From the Ashes initiative), some of the more unusual line-ups can be lost to time. One of the line-ups that surprisingly doesn’t show up that often would be the original team. The X-Men’s first line-up was a mere six members if you include their mentor, though most refer to them as the original five X-Men. Who are the original X-Men? The original X-Men debuted in Uncanny X-Men #1 and consists of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Archangel, and The Beast. They’re joined by their mentor and leader, Charles Xavier, otherwise known as Professor X. Professor X is both the father figure and headmaster of the original team, who are students at Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youth. In reality, Xavier’s is a guise for a mutant academy, where students are discreetly educated away from those who hate and fear them. In practice, the X-Men are formed to represent Xavier’s dream of a peaceful world where mutants and humans live together. In reality, they become the defenders of humanity and mutants alike, fighting against forces like Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, who view themselves as superior to the humans who have ostracised them for generations. Original X-Men beyond the first five The original X-Men team stays fairly consistent for the first 60 or so issues. There are a few minor changes over the years, though. The Mimic, a mutate who possessed the powers of all the original X-Men, briefly joins the team before an accident renders him powerless. Magneto’s daughter, Lorna Dane, joins the team in Uncanny X-Men #60 and eventually takes on the codename Polaris. She forms a romance with Cyclops’ brother, Alex – aka Havok – when he joins the team in Uncanny X-Men #65. There’s also The Changeling, a mutant shapeshifter who technically joins the team for a few issues. However, he’s impersonating Xavier, so no one realizes he’s on the team until long after his death. Why the original X-Men left the team After Uncanny X-Men #65, the title ceased publishing new issues and would consist entirely of reprints for the next five years. When the book relaunched with Giant Size X-Men #1 in 1975, the only returning member was Cyclops. It was revealed that the original team had gone to the island of Krakoa in search of a new mutant. The mutant turned out to be the island itself, which was sentient and attacked the team. Only Cyclops manages to escape, with the remaining members held captive by Krakoa. Cyclops forms a new team, consisting of Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, Banshee, and Thunderbird, to launch a rescue mission. Though they’re successful, it marks the end of an era for the X-Men. Beast, Angel, Marvel Girl, and Iceman decide to leave the team after the ordeal and attempt to live normal lives. Cyclops, out of both obligation to the team and anxiety over his inability to control his powers, remains on as the new team’s leader. Xavier’s secret X-Men team explained In addition to the expanded original team, a later retcon revealed Xavier formed a second, secret team before Giant-Size X-Men and hid it from the world. This team, revealed in the event X-Men: Deadly Genesis, consists of Darwin, Petra, Sway, and Vulcan, who is revealed to be another brother to Cyclops and Havok. Xavier gives the team rapid mental training and sends them to rescue the original X-Men. The mission goes terribly, though; they’re only able to rescue Cyclops, and the new team is believed to have been killed by Krakoa. The retcon is explained as Xavier having wiped Vulcan’s existence from Cyclops’ mind to protect him from the knowledge his brother had died saving him. In reality, Vulcan and Darwin both manage to survive. Darwin’s powers store his essence in Vulcan’s body as an energy being, while Vulcan himself went into a comatose state until the energy released by the House of M event awoke him. Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | X-Men Krakoa Age finale: Magneto’s resurrection, Iron Man’s downfall, & more | Marvel Comics’ Blood Hunt reading guide: Spider-Man tie-ins, Morbius’ return & more | Sabretooth War: Everyone who died so far in Wolverine’s bloodiest story ever | The darkest alternate Earths in the Marvel Multiverse | Is Wolverine an Avenger? X-Men character’s other superhero teams explained

Who are the Fantastic Four? Marvel’s First Family explained Marvel ComicsAfter years of silence, Marvel’s Fantastic Four film finally has a cast. Here’s everything you need to know about Marvel’s first family before they hit the MCU. With the long-awaited announcement of the MCU’s Fantastic Four cast, including The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Barchrach as The Thing, Marvel’s long-gestating Fantastic Four movie is finally coming into focus. It’s a big moment. Despite being the quartet that kicked off the current era of superhero comics, the Fantastic Four has had poor luck outside of comic books. While some animated series have done well enough, movie outings have ranged from so bad it’s good to so bad it’s just bad. Ahead of the team’s long-awaited film return, here’s a quick rundown on who the Fantastic Four are and why you should care. Who are the Fantastic Four? Often considered Marvel’s “first family,” the Fantastic Four are a team of scientists and adventurers. The quartet debuted in 1961’s Fantastic Four #1, kicking off a new era of comics. The Fantastic Four is the first superhero team created by the superstar team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Through the FF, Lee and Kirby ushered in an era of superhero comics at a time when the industry was still reeling from the implementation of the Comics Code. Fantastic Four #1 turned out to be a runaway success thanks to the decision to focus on the human side of heroes, making them feel like real people who led real lives. This success led to the Marvel Style of comics and the debuts of Spider-Man, The Avengers, The X-Men and more, not to mention the revival of older characters like Namor and Captain America. These days, the Fantastic Four remain some of Marvel’s most important characters and are behind some of the best comic stories ever told. It helps that their portrayals have remained as human as when they debuted, so the team feels at home whether they’re fighting dinosaurs in the streets or convincing God to resurrect their dead friend. The original members of the Fantastic Four explained Reed Richards and Ben Grimm are working on an experimental rocket ship when they take it for a joy ride, taking Reed’s girlfriend, Sue, and her brother, Johnny, along for the ride. The takeoff is a success, but the trip is a disaster. Cosmic rays bombard the rocket ship, sending the quartet crashing to Earth. They arrive forever changed, with incredible powers and abilities that define them as some of the first superheroes in decades. Though they continue their lives as scientists and explorers, the team inevitably finds themselves battling monsters and villains. Donning costumes designed by Sue and trained by Reed, the group becomes known as the Fantastic Four, becoming the world’s most respected superhero team. Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic The patriarchal figure of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards is a genius scientist and often hailed as the smartest man in the Marvel Universe. He gains the ability to stretch and elongate his body, originally just as simple shapes but later into more complex figures, or even changing his face for a disguise. Much like Kang (a potential descendant of Reed from another Earth), Reed is part of a multiversal Council of Reeds. These versions of himself from other universes have gathered together to solve problems on every Earth, though they tend to be much more utilitarian than the real Reed. Reed is also a founding member of the Illuminati, a group of all-powerful heroes who have made the hard decisions necessary to secretly steer the fate of Earth in its darkest moments. Sue Richards/Invisible Woman With the ability to turn herself invisible and project forcefields, Sue Storm declares herself the Invisible Girl. Her story in Marvel starts in a weird place by today’s standards, though. Sue’s significantly younger than her future husband Reed and is often treated as a hindrance. Early stories have a tendency to make her little more than a doting girlfriend or damsel in distress. Sue arguably gets the biggest arc of the team, though. Her growth from Invisible Girl to Invisible Woman marked a Sue who was just as smart and perhaps more competent than the others. Her powers followed suit, too; her mastery over forcefields has become so precise that she can place a forcefield in blood vessels with pinpoint accuracy or blot out the entire sun for days to coat a planet in darkness. Johnny Storm/Human Torch The accident that gives the team their powers allows Johnny Storm to engulf his body in flame and fly. Over time, Johnny’s powers involve a true mastery over flame, allowing him to absorb and manipulate it. Though Johnny is a hothead, he’s also one of Marvel’s more earnest characters with a heart of gold. His natural demeanor has made him Spider-Man’s best friend and an easy ally of the Inhumans and Avengers. He’s also gone through significant personal tragedy, with his first wife being a Skrull double agent and his own ordeal assumed dead in the Negative Zone. Uniquely, Johnny’s always been the most popular Fantastic Four member. So popular, in fact, that his rights were once tied up in a potential feature film, making him unavailable for 197’s New Fantastic Four cartoon. As a result, Johnny was replaced by H.E.R.B.I.E., a robot Reed invented. Ben Grimm/The Thing The pilot of the rocketship that gave the team their powers, Ben Grimm, may have suffered the worst. His body was turned into a horrifying rock monster, and his entire life was ripped apart. In reality, Ben’s existence is owed to the uncertainty of comics. With horror comics dying and superhero comics untested, a tried-but-true monster character was added to fall back on if the book flopped. Fortunately, the book took off, and people loved Ben. He’s a down-to-earth guy from the streets of New York who got dealt a rough hand. Though many stories are about the mental and physical strain of Ben’s transformation, just as many focus on how he’s rolled with the punches over the years. In current books, he’s happily married with two adopted children and arguably the most well-adjusted of the Four – even if his wife is the daughter of a supervillain and their children are orphans from an alien war planet. The Fantastic Four: Release date, cast, plot & more | The best Fantastic Four comics to read before the next movie | How strong is Galactus? Fantastic Four villain powers & weakness explained | How strong is the Silver Surfer? Fantastic Four character powers & weakness explained

Who are Marvel’s Thunderbolts? MCU team’s comic book history explained Marvel ComicsThe MCU is getting ready to debut its latest superhero team, but the Thunderbolts’ comic book origin involves one of the most shocking Marvel Comics twists to date. The next big Marvel twist fans are eagerly awaiting is the launch of the MCU’s Thunderbolts. However, what they bring to the big screen is likely to be markedly different from what fans of comics know. The Thunderbolts aren’t nearly as iconic as the Avengers or the X-Men, but they’ve got a nearly 30-year publication history at this point. A lot of that staying power is thanks to the team’s incredible debut, a story that still makes many best-of lists for its shocking final page and the way it changed the Marvel Universe forever. Who are Marvel’s Thunderbolts? The Thunderbolts were originally a team of supervillains posing as heroes. Following the Onslaught crossover, most of the world’s non-mutant heroes – specifically members of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four – were believed dead. In fact, they were inside a pocket dimension created by Reed and Sue Richards’ son, Franklin, starting their lives over in a new continuity. With Earth’s premier heroes gone, the Thunderbolts stepped up. They debuted in The Incredible Hulk #449 before showing up in their own title, Thunderbolts #1, a few months later. But the final page of that issue featured a shocking reveal, unmasking the new heroes and revealing they were some of Marvel’s most notorious supervillains. Baron Zemo and the Masters of Evil had taken on brand new identities, disguising themselves as a debut superhero team. Their goal was to pose as heroes long enough to earn the public’s trust to gain access to top-secret Avengers intelligence, which Zemo would then sell off. The twist came out of nowhere and has often been referred to over the years as the greatest twist in the history of comics. With the only remaining heroes being mutants like the X-Men (who were embroiled in the Operation Zero Tolerance event at the time) and distrusted heroes like Spider-Man and the Hulk, The Thunderbolts became Marvel’s de facto superteam, effectively replacing The Avengers for the year they spent in Franklin’s alternate world. The Thunderbolts became heroes while seeking redemption Zemo’s plan ultimately fell apart due to two factors. First, with the universe at risk of implosion, Franklin Richards had no choice but to bring the displaced heroes back. The return of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four put Zemo’s plan at risk, as the Thunderbolts had not yet endeared themselves to the public the same way the returning heroes would. But the Thunderbolts themselves proved the biggest issue. While Zemo remained single-mindedly focused on his plan, the other Masters of Evil found they liked being heroes. They began secretly plotting to betray Zemo and continue their superheroic identities. Zemo tipped off S.H.I.E.L.D. to their true identities as the Masters of Evil, effectively stopping his strained allies before they could abandon his plan. The team attacked Zemo and fled, now fugitives but still hoping to prove themselves as reformed heroes. Every Thunderbolts team in Marvel Comics explained While the original line-up remains the most iconic, the name Thunderbolts has become associated with many Marvel Comics teams. While they aren’t always teams of villains posing as heroes, redemption and salvation are often themes of Thunderbolts stories. The second iteration featured Hawkeye, who was at the time something of an outcast himself after a falling out with The Avengers. Hawkeye eventually leaves when Zemo returns. Zemo would later lead an army of villains from The Raft at the behest of Iron Man to capture Anti-Registration heroes in exchange for pardons. After Civil War, Norman Osborn formed a new team of Thunderbolts to hunt unregistered heroes in violation of the Superhuman Registration Act. Following Secret Invasion, Osborn’s team would form the basis for his Avengers team, with a new clandestine Thunderbolts working as assassins under his command. After Osborn is removed from power following the Siege on Asgard, the Thunderbolts are reformed as a team of supervillains seeking redemption, this time under the leadership of Luke Cage. Cage’s Thunderbolts effectively disband when the team (and the comic!) are renamed Dark Avengers. This opened the door for a team formed under the leadership of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who at the time was the Red Hulk. Operating in the shadows and away from other heroes, Ross assembled a team of assassins and killers – Punisher, Elektra, Deadpool, Agent Venom, and a brainwashed version of The Leader – to hunt and kill villains. When Ross’ team disbands, the original team is inadvertently reformed, this time under the leadership of Bucky Barnes. Bucky had gone underground and resumed the identity of The Winter Soldier after his tenure as Captain America, forming this team to protect Kobik, a girl who was actually a personified Cosmic Cube. The team fractures after Zemo recruits key members to join Hydra in the wake of Secret Empire. Two teams of Thunderbolts would follow, both ultimately tied into the Devil’s Reign event. The first, created by Wilson Fisk, was a team of villains operating as enforcers for New York’s superhero ban. When Fisk is ousted and Luke Cage is elected mayor, he puts Hawkeye in charge of the Thunderbolts, using the team to circumvent the hero ban and protect the city. The most recent iteration of the Thunderbolts returns the team to Winter Soldier’s leadership. Receiving intel from an underground band of freedom fighters known as the Outer Circle, Winter Soldier forms a team of spies and soldiers – Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Red Guardian, Destroyer, Black Widow, White Widow, and US Agent – to hunt down Red Skull and his remaining spies. Who are the MCU’s Thunderbolts? The MCU Thunderbolts consist of Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardians, US Agent, Taskmaster, Ghost, and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The new MCU team most closely echoes the recent run under Bucky, though with characters like Ghost instead of Destroyer. Not much is known about the MCU’s Thunderbolts as of this writing, though early rumors indicate Bucky won’t play a huge role, despite his ties to two prominent Thunderbolts teams in Marvel Comics.

Which Spider-Man is the strongest in Marvel Comics? Marvel ComicsSpider-Man is definitely one of Marvel’s most popular characters, but he’s also one of its strongest. But which Spider-Man is the strongest? Spider-Man stands out as an incredibly strong superhero among titans, but that’s no small feat. Marvel has plenty of heavy hitters, from finesse fighters like Iron Fist and Captain America to powerhouses like the Hulk and a literal Titan, Thanos. It doesn’t help that there are also multiple Spider-Men. Alternate universe Peters, clones, and heroes from the future have, at some point or another, adopted the identity and costume. Thankfully, we no longer have to comb through handbooks and back issues, as Marvel tracks power levels on their website. However, the answer to which Spider-Man is stronger is something of a surprise. The Spider-Men have roughly the same level of Strength There are four characters you could reasonably consider to be “Spider-Man” when looking for the strongest one: Peter Parker, his clone Ben Reilly, Miles Morales, and Miguel O’Hara. The catch is that when looking at Marvel’s official character pages, all four have roughly the same level of strength. All four Spider-Men have a Strength rating of 4 according to Marvel.com. For comparison, Captain America is at a 3, while The Hulk is at a 7, which is the highest ranking. That’s not to downplay their strength levels, though. The various Spider-Men have committed some incredible feats of strength over the years, and are often considered to be among Marvel’s strongest heroes. Peter, in particular, has gone toe-to-toe with the Hulk, held his own against the Juggernaut, and once managed to beat all of the X-Men. The strongest Spider-Man is Uni-Power Spider-Man There is one version of Spider-Man who is definitively, undeniably stronger than every Spider-Man. It’s still Peter, but it’s a version that has been taken over by the Enigma Force, also known as the Uni-Power, which transforms into Captain Universe. The mysterious force is the strongest entity in the Marvel Universe; Marvel’s own rankings give it a 7 in every category. The Uni-Power is a meta force that traverses through the galaxy, briefly possessing an individual and giving them untold power to save the day, then skipping on to the next host. A botched experiment puts the power in Spidey’s hands in The Spectacular Spider-Man #178, but he doesn’t immediately realize what it is or how to use it. The Uni-Power leaves Spidey after it helps him defeat the Tri-Sentinel, though it still pops up every so often to help a hero in need. Most recently it returned to help Eddie Brock during King in Black, providing a counterpoint to Knull’s symbiote army. Marvel Comics Ultimate Spider-Man – New origin, villains & more | Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | Ultimate Marvel Comics explained: What happened to the original Earth-1610? | Everything you need to know before Superior Spider-Man’s return | Who is Miles Morales? Marvel’s other Ultimate Spider-Man explained | Marvel actually bought Spider-Man’s most iconic costume design off a reader | Why Spider-Man has web wings explained | What does Spider-Man’s Black Suit do? Symbiote Spider-Man powers explained

What was Kang the Conqueror’s first appearance in Marvel Comics & the MCU? Marvel Studios/Marvel ComicsWith a major film and two comic book first appearances under his belt, here’s how you can trace the origins of Kang the Conqueror. Loki Season 2 promises to tackle the threat of Kang the Conqueror head-on. Following the death of He Who Remains and the splintering of the sacred timeline, Kang’s face is everywhere in the TVA, and his threat looms large. The same could be said for his comic book counterpart. Since his debut (which now has something of a choose-your-own-adventure flair to it thanks to retcons and time-traveling shenanigans), Kang has been presented as a fearsome force. Kang’s abilities as a warlord are unparalleled, but he somehow still gets beat every single time, no matter what universe he’s in. If you’re curious as to where to begin, though, here’s where you can find the first appearance of Kang in Marvel Comics and in the MCU. Kang’s first appearance in The Avengers #8 Kang makes his first appearance in 1964’s The Avengers #8, another classic from the 1-2 punch of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Kang arrives on Earth and immediately shuts down the military, demanding to speak with Earth’s rulers. The military calls in The Avengers, who are still incredibly early in their heroic career. They resolve to shut down Kang, but the futuristic conqueror puts the heroes in their place almost immediately. Fortunately for them, The Wasp and Rick Jones evade notice, rallying the Teen Brigade to help free The Avengers. With a second win, the team manages to force Kang to flee into the timestream. Kang’s OTHER first appearance in Fantastic Four #19 If you want the first chronological appearance of Kang the Conqueror, you have to go back a little further. 1963’s Fantastic Four #19 introduced Rama-Tut, who would be revealed to be an earlier incarnation of Kang. Rama-Tut is an Egyptian pharaoh who was actually a criminal from the far-off future of the year 3000. Rama-Tut is an interesting wrinkle in the development of Kang. Canonically, Rama-tut travels back in time intending to be a time looter, but his time ship crashes. In the ensuing chaos, Rama-Tut emerges as a Pharoah who rules with an iron fist. When his efforts fail, he returns to the future and, somewhere along the way, meets Doctor Doom. The Doom meeting influences Kang’s personality, and he adopts a new demeanor and appearance based on Doom’s. This would lead to the creation of Kang the Conqueror and his fearsome battle armor, which became the character’s primary appearance to date. Kang’s MCU debut in Ant-Man & the Wasp in Quantumania While Kang makes a cameo of sorts in Loki’s Season 1 finale via a statue, that one doesn’t count as his debut. Kang the Conqueror’s first full appearance in the MCU takes place in Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania. Here, Kang is stranded in the Quantum Realm by an unknown force. He tricks Janet van Dyne into helping him repair his damaged time sphere with the promise of helping her escape as well. After she discovers Kang’s true nature, though, she sabotages the sphere and flees, leaving him stranded again. The film’s conclusion sees Ant-Man get beaten down pretty badly by Kang, but he manages to eke out a victory with help from The Wasp. Though Kang appears to have died at the film’s end, the Council of Kang still survives, and his ability to time travel means he could appear anywhere, at any time. For more Loki and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

What If…? Dark teases a horrifying new Venom host Marvel ComicsWhat If…? has returned with a new dark take on classic ideas. The first issue revisits Spider-Man’s symbiote suit and turns Fantastic Four’s The Thing into Venom. Comic book stories set in alternate timelines is a fairly common occurrence now, but they all take their cues from Marvel Comics’ What If…? Since 1977, the series has popped up from time to time to tell wild and exciting stories across the multiverse. What If…? has had two ongoing volumes, both of which were beloved. However, the title has been primarily a returning mini-series for the past decade or so, focusing on telling stories set during events like Civil War or Avengers vs. X-Men. The most recent entry takes a slant on things with What If…? Dark. In What If…? Dark, the worlds are explicitly darker and more upsetting multiverses than any seen before. The first entry of this new mini-series turns one of Marvel’s most pivotal moments on its head and creates not one but two terrors for the Fantastic Four to face. What If…? Turns Fantastic Four’s The Thing into Venom What If…? Dark: Venom is set in the hours after Spider-Man rid himself of the symbiote. In the original story, the symbiote is imprisoned by Reed Richards for further examination. Meanwhile, The Thing has returned from an extended period in space. Here, The Thing is dejected and encounters the symbiote. In What If…? Dark, these moments collide, and The Thing is merged with the symbiote. It preys on his desire to appear human again and is able to reverse his transformation. It’s an incredible moment and, honestly, a remarkable story to witness. The Thing, furious that Reed continues to warn against bonding with the symbiote, leaves. It’s a recurring story beat for the FF that The Thing is depressed over his inability to appear human regularly. Though Reed has found short-term solutions in recent years, he remains unable to transform permanently. While this is a one-off story, it is worth noting this could turn into a significant first appearance with enough fan outcry. What If…? has occasionally proven the testing ground for new ideas or less popular characters. Perhaps the most famous instance is another Spider-man character: May Parker, aka Spider-Girl, the future daughter of Peter and Mary-Jane who starred in multiple books of her own after her What If…? debut. For now, though, Symbiote Thing remains a unique footnote and an exciting idea.

What does Spider-Man’s Black Suit do? Symbiote Spider-Man powers explained Marvel Comics/Epic Games/InsomniacSpider-Man’s black costume is going to get a whole new lease on life in the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The origins are still a mystery, but this version of the suit may have some tie to Norman Osborn and Oscorp. The original suit debuted in the pages of 1984’s Secret Wars. In that story, Spider-Man accidentally releases an alien, which he believes is a costume. The suit would eventually become the notorious Venom. Over the years, as the symbiote evolved (and its origins were retconned), it would develop a host of new abilities. However, the powers it originally had when Spider-Man possessed the suit were remarkably simple. Spider-Man’s Black Suit & powers explained Whether you’re catching up on comic lore or want to learn more ahead of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, here’s everything Spider-Man’s black suit could do. Mental response The most interesting aspect of the suit to begin with was its ability to respond to commands. Spider-Man’s black costume could accomplish a number of tasks just by thinking about it. This ranged from tasks as simple as firing a web to as complex as becoming his clothing. It could also react to Peter’s wishes when he wasn’t wearing the suit. In one instance, it sensed he wanted to go out as Spider-Man and put itself on him just as he was waking up. Shape-shifting Spider-Man’s black costume could also change its shape. This manifests in its original appearance; it is, after all, an alien lifeform changing its appearance to resemble a costume. The suit could use this to camouflage itself, too, shifting into Peter’s street clothes. However, it could also use this against Peter, shifting itself to resemble his red-and-blue costume when it tried to rebond to him. For the most part, with Peter, the symbiote would just resemble something vaguely human-shaped. This ability would later grow more extreme with other hosts, as the symbiote would change its size and shape regularly. Webbing generation Spider-Man’s biggest problem over the years has been running out of webbing in the middle of a fight. That was ratcheted up to 11 when Spidey was stranded with other heroes on Battleworld in Secret Wars, where his web shooters were used for parts to fix Iron Man’s armor. The symbiote costume sensed that need, though. Spider-Man’s black costume was able to replicate his webshooters, creating tools that fired at his mental command. In a practical sense, the webshooters also never ran out. Realistically, though, they were being created by the symbiote expending a part of itself, and using them too much could weaken the suit. Possession One of the more worrying things Spider-Man’s black costume could do was assume direct control of Peter’s body. It’s ultimately somewhat harmless, as the symbiote does this largely because of its overwhelming desire to bond with him. The suit would take control of Peter as he slept and would swing around the city, going about the regular Spider-Man duties. The symbiote would exert some control over Peter to keep him asleep, so he was never really aware. Ultimately, the symbiote stops because it still exhausts Peter and becomes harmful to him. However, some later stories have proposed that Peter had a wealth of adventures during this period that he was unaware of. We’ve got a ton of pre-release coverage for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, so if you need something to tide you over until October 20, we’ve got you covered. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: All confirmed suits for Peter Parker & Miles Morales | Spider-Man 2 story: When does the game take place? | Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 editions | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 platforms | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 switch characters in open world | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay trailer | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Release date

What are the Nega-Bands? Powerful Marvel Comics artifact explained Marvel Studios/Marvel ComicsThe Nega-Bands have made their Marvel Comics return, but a fan theory proposes they’re also making their MCU return soon. The latest volume of Captain Marvel has reintroduced the Nega-Bands to the Marvel Universe. These powerful artifacts are nothing new, having been appearing regularly since the ’60s. Their return in the comics is suspiciously timed, considering The Marvels’ release. A longstanding fan theory has proposed that the Nega-Bands have been in the MCU for a while, making their debut during Ms. Marvel’s solo series. Before these powerful cosmic artifacts make their MCU debut (or reappearance, possibly), here’s everything you should know about the Nega-Bands. What are Marvel Comics’ Nega-Bands? Originally, the Nega-Bands made their first appearance in 1969’s Captain Marvel #16. Here, they’re gifted to Mar-Vell, along with a new uniform, to signify his willingness to die for the Kree Supreme Intelligence and shame him for his sympathies for Earth. Mar-Vell would find himself trapped in the Negative Zone shortly after, while on Earth, a second pair of Nega-Bands were found by Rick Jones, the former sidekick to Hulk and Captain America. Rick and Captain Marvel could swap places by clanging the bands together, allowing Marvel to continue his quest for justice on Earth. Over the years, multiple bearers would find themselves in possession of the Nega-Bands. Mar-Vell’s first son, Hulkling, would fashion a set of them into wedding bands when he married Scarlet Witch’s son, Wiccan. Rick Jones would also share them with Mar-Vell’s other son, Genis-Vell, who became the third Captain Marvel. Those Nega-Bands were recently stolen by Yuna Yang, who found herself bound to Carol Danvers like Rick and Mar-Vell once were. Are the Nega-Bands in the MCU? As of this writing, the Nega-Bands have not been confirmed to exist in the MCU. However, there is a consistent theory that they’ve been seen already. For Ms. Marvel’s MCU origin, her iconic bangle was rewritten to be the trigger of her powers. Many fans speculated that the bangle was actually one of the Nega-Bands, a theory that only seemed supported by Kamala and Carol swapping places in the season finale. The truth behind Kamala’s bands has yet to be revealed, but will almost certainly make itself known when The Marvel’s hits theaters on Friday. Until then, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s comic book and The Marvels coverage for more or click on the below articles: The Marvels runtime explained | Is The Marvels setting up Secret Wars? | What is a Flerken? | How The Marvels star Park Seo-joon got his MCU role | The Marvels is a sequel to multiple properties | Spoilers leak all over social media | How much has The Marvels made? | First reactions are in | Does The Marvels have a post-credits scene?

Watchmen creator Alan Moore asked DC to send royalty checks to Black Lives Matter Alan Moore has long gone on record about despising adaptations of his comics, but now he’s stated he no longer wishes to receive those royalties, instead asking they go to Black Lives Matter. Prolific British writer Alan Moore is perhaps best known for his work on Watchmen and Swamp Thing. He’s long been viewed as an outlier in the comic book industry, already distancing himself from major publications at the height of his fame. Moore has become an even more reclusive figure than before now, having retired from comics in 2019. Even prior to that, though, his work was few and far between after public disputes with publishers. DC Comics is perhaps chief among those. He has long feuded over how they handled his comics work, especially in the realm of adaptations, and now has taken an extra step in distancing himself from the work. Alan Moore asked DC to send royalties to Black Lives Matter In an interview with UK news publication The Telegraph, Moore revealed he no longer wished to receive money from DC for his work. “I no longer wish it to even be shared with them,” Moore explained, “I don’t really feel, with the recent films, that they have stood by what I assumed were their original principles. So I asked for DC Comics to send all of the money from any future TV series or films to Black Lives Matter.” Moore refusing to receive royalty checks shouldn’t be a surprise to fans. He has a long documented history of disputing the adaptations of his works. Much of that began with disputes over royalties for Watchmen and censorship of V for Vendetta, a situation that led to Moore leaving DC. The decision to send his royalties to Black Lives Matter isn’t a surprising one, either. Moore has always been a very progressive writer. Politically, though, he’s most often identified as an Anarchist. “As far I’m concerned, the two poles of politics were not Left Wing or Right Wing,” Moore explained during a 2009 interview. “In fact they’re just two ways of ordering an industrial society and we’re fast moving beyond the industrial societies of the 19th and 20th centuries. It seemed to me the two more absolute extremes were anarchy and fascism.” Moore stopped writing for larger publishers altogether in 1998, opting to write for smaller publishers and his own imprint, America’s Best Comics, through Jim Lee’s Wildstorm. Moore eventually left ABC when Wildstorm was acquired by DC Comics, who began interfering with his work. Today, Moore remains distanced from his most popular works. He has had his credit removed from projects like Watchmen and V For Vendetta. He also reaffirmed in a 2022 interview with The Guardian that he was “definitely done with comics” despite admitting he would always love the medium. Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and other works are available to read via the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. For more Alan Moore and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Walmart reveals first look at Jim Gordon as Batman figure from McFarlane Toys DC ComicsMcFarlane Toys DC Multiverse line is still going strong and still releasing Batman figures. Now a surprising figure has made an appearance in online stores: Jim Gordon as Batman from Batman: Endgame. Walmart’s a notable partner for McFarlane Toys’ DC Multiverse line. The chain regularly carries exclusives, such as the recent black and white colored Batman: Arkham Asylum line. Unfortunately, that relationship also has had some downsides. One of those is Walmart’s proclivity for accidentally leaking figures before they’re announced. One such instance just occurred again. While McFarlane Toys has announced a handful of new figures recently, including Black Lightning and a vampire-flavored Green Lantern, a new Batman fans weren’t expecting just showed up. Reddit users find Jim Gordon as Batman listing on Walmart Reddit user all_gold1 shared the listing from Walmart’s online store on the McFarlane Toys subreddit. It’s an as-yet-unannounced figure depicting Jim Gordon as Batman, though it was on a recent leak list. The figure is based on Gordon’s appearance in the Batman: Endgame arc. There’s already a lot to love about the figure. It’s packed with accessories like multiple sets of hands and a grapnel gun, which is uncommon for a McFarlane Toys release. It also includes an alternate head of Gordon, complete with his military cut from the story arc. Like many McFarlane Toys figures of this sort, there is some re-use. The figure’s base is the body of Superman Jon Kent, which was released some time ago. Still, a good portion of what’s included in the packaging appears to be original sculpts. Gordon briefly assumed the role of Batman following the Batman: Endgame event. The storyline ends with Batman and The Joker presumed dead. In the next story arc, Superheavy, Gordon assumed the role of Batman through a Powers International program that involved him undergoing an intense combat training course and receiving surgical muscle implants. Gordon would be Batman for roughly a year, wearing a sleek, streamlined Batsuit and operating a mech batsuit known as Rookie. He would eventually retire from the role when Bruce Wayne, revealed to be alive, returned to the mantle of Batman to defeat the supervillain Bloom. Gordon resumed his duties as Commissioner, but has since retired to become a private investigator.

Walking Dead fans ‘ready’ as 50,000-year-old “zombie virus” reportedly unleashed AMCThe Walking Dead’s comics and TV shows have given fans around the world an idea of what it would be like to live among flesh-eating zombies. After reading reports that 50,000-year-old “zombie viruses” could be unleashed due to a warming Earth, some have declared themselves ready – come what may. The story of Rick Grimes, Michonne, Daryl Dixon, and others in TWD universe has been captivating for years, not just on television but also in Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s comics series. For the main characters, crossing paths with villains such as Negan or The Governor has proven to be just as dangerous as the walkers themselves. Some enemies even dressed up as zombies, as fans will know. The Whisperers carved out one of the scariest periods in the apocalyptic world. Even with all of the wild tales and dangers that come with these storylines, many readers will still wonder at the back of their minds: “What if it all really happened?” Especially so, when talk of a “zombie virus” comes to light. The Walking Dead fans respond to “zombie virus” reports As reported by Bloomberg, a French virologist has stated that thawing Siberian permafrost could bring ancient outbreaks back to life – stating ‘zombie viruses’ could emerge as the atmosphere warms up. It is reported that 50,000-year-old viruses could pose a serious health risk to humans. This follows on from stories reported in March that viruses that had been left frozen and dorment for at least two years had been found again. Across several social media posts, fans have been responding to the possibility of a “zombie virus” in jest. One said: “I can finally be Rick Grimes,” responding to an IGN post. Another said: “I watched The Walking Dead already. I know exactly what to do.” Others joked that this could be a new season for the show, which has since ended its main storyline with Season 11. Rick and Michonne have split off to do their own spinoff, just like Daryl Dixon (alone), as well as Maggie and Negan. The Ones Who Lived is set to air in February 2024, with a teaser dropping on October 12. Some fans have already speculated that Rick may have lost his hand in the time he’s been off-screen. Despite the name of the viruses reported in 2023, though, it’s safe to assume there will be no flesh-eating zombies to come from these diseases. So, don’t expect to border up the windows or go looking for communities with walls just yet.

One of Spider-Man’s oldest foes is hunting Marvel’s mutants with their own abilities Marvel ComicsNightcrawler’s efforts as Spider-Man just ran into their first major hurdle as Vulture has resurfaced, working with Orchis to track and experiment on mutants. The Fall of X has sent the mutants scrambling, with some stranded on a war-torn Arakko and others hiding out in the Canadian north. Others have chosen to stay close to their roots, though. Wolverine is currently on the hunt for wayward clones of himself, while Shadowkat and Ms. Marvel lead a mutant resistance. Others, like Iceman, have been striking Orchis where they can. Nightcrawler has gone a different route. He’s adopted an old Spider-Man costume and is saving New York citizens one by one, but he’s unfortunately catching the eye of an old Spidey foe in the process. Spider-Man’s foe Vulture is hunting Marvel’s mutants – using their technology Uncanny Spider-Man #1 reveals that an Orchis facility is experimenting on mutants in an effort to understand the secret of mutant resurrection. Leading the charge is Adrian Toomes, who has taken to calling himself Director Vulture. Vulture also appears to have gotten some kind of a tech upgrade. He appears to have new wings and a new helmet, both of which are made from Warlock’s nanotech. Debuting in The Amazing Spider-Man #2, the Vulture is one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes (both timeline-wise and literally), so it makes sense that he would be a foil for the Uncanny Spider-Man. His role with Orchis is new, though, and the torture of mutants he’s had a hand in – both demonstrated and implied – is a terrifying new leap for the villain. The Vulture has fought Spider-Man for decades, with his portrayal swinging wildly from an ineffectual old man to a terrifying, scheming threat. Vulture was last seen in the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man, where he nearly killed Spidey for revealing Vulture’s criminal past to his granddaughter. He’s also currently a member of the Savage Six, a team of animal-themed Spidey villains who formed following Kraven’s Great Hunt. The mystery of how Vulture could have gotten Warlock’s nanotech to make his wings is a fairly significant mystery in itself. Warlock was killed in the pages of Legion of X to save Krakoa after Nimrod corrupted him. Despite being a longtime ally of the New Mutants, Warlock himself was not a mutant and was not subject to mutant resurrection, though the character has managed to cheat death before. Uncanny Spider-Man #1 is available now from Marvel Comics. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Uncanny Spider-Man #1 reveals first look at Nightcrawler’s Spider-Man in action Marvel ComicsNightcrawler has always been a devoted member of the X-Men, but why has he chosen to become the Uncanny Spider-Man? In the wake of Fall of X, the few mutants remaining on Earth are making do with what they’ve got. Iceman has become a superhero in his own right (though he’s slowly falling apart), while Wolverine is off on an adventure with Ghost Rider. Most mutants are lying low and in hiding, but many of them are still called to help other people with their powers. Chief among them is Kurt Wagner, better known as Nightcrawler. Problem is, it’s hard for Nightcrawler to help people incognito. He is already pretty recognizable, given the blue fur and devil ears. He’s found a solution, and it may be the most unusual one yet. Uncanny Spider-Man preview pages reveal Nightcrawler’s Spider-Man Preview pages shared by Marvel of Uncanny Spider-Man #1 give us the first look at how Nightcrawler is making do with the new status quo. He’s adopted a unique new costume and has begun masquerading as a superhero. It’s unclear why, exactly, Nightcrawler would adopt a Spider-Man identity, but it seems to work. He’s already got many of Spider-Man’s mannerisms down. Of course, the native German is having some trouble with one-liners, it would seem. Nightcrawler has always had a very fluid identity, whether he be a somber gymnast, a swashbuckling pirate, or a devout man of the cloth. Becoming a new Spider-Man doesn’t feel like that much of a stretch, but one has to wonder what the real deal will think about this – especially given how many other Spider-Men are currently wandering around. Uncanny Spider-Man #1 hits stands on September 20. For more Spider-Man and comic news, be sure to follow our continuing coverage.

Marvel finally confirms Ultimate Spider-Man’s return five years after cancellation Marvel ComicsUltimate Spider-Man finally makes its return five years after it was canceled and the Ultimate Universe was dissolved. Ultimate Invasion is wrapping up, and with its end comes a brand new Ultimate Universe. Now, Marvel has announced its plans for the relaunched imprint, bringing it back with the superhero who started it all. The relaunch kicked off earlier this year with Ultimate Invasion. The Maker (the twisted, Ultimate version of Reed Richards) has remade the universe in his image, striving to create a utopia. Though Marvel had announced the Ultimate Invasion follow-up, Ultimate Universe, plans following the one-shot were kept quiet. Now Marvel has finally announced the first book to relaunch Ultimate Comics for a new era; fittingly, it’s the one that started it in the first place. Ultimate Spider-Man returns to kick off the new Ultimate Universe Debuting during the Marvel Next Big Thing panel at New York Comic-Con 2023, Ultimate Spider-Man will kick off the new Ultimate Universe. Announced on Marvel’s Twitter/X account, the book will be helmed by Ultimate Invasion writer Jonathan Hickman and Daredevil artist Marco Checchetto. The book is a perfect choice to kickstart the new universe. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 launched the original Ultimate imprint in 2000. The goal of Ultimate Comics was to take existing, beloved characters and tell new stories with them that were updated for the modern era. The intention was for stories to be freed from the shackles of continuity that proved daunting to new readers. As time went on, though, that shine wore off. The Universe would undergo multiple soft resets to serve as a jumping-on point for new readers, but the Ultimate Universe was suffering from too much continuity itself by the 2010s. Ultimate Spider-Man would become home to the biggest change the imprint had on Marvel’s continuity: Miles Morales. With the death of Ultimate Peter Parker at the hands of Green Goblin, Miles would become the new Spider-Man. The character’s popularity arguably dwarfed his predecessors, and he was one of the few characters to survive the 616 and Ultimate universes merging in Secret Wars. In fact, Miles’ popularity brings an interesting question to the forefront: just who will be the Ultimate Spider-Man when the book returns? Fans will likely find out soon, given the book is targeting a January 2024 release date. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Ultimate Spider-Man outsold all other Spidey titles again and fans are loving it Marvel ComicsUltimate Spider-Man is topping the sales charts again, coming in ahead of Amazing Spider-Man in sales, and fans are celebrating. It’s no secret that Ultimate Spider-Man is one of the hottest books on the market, with its debut issue recently going back to the presses for a fifth printing. The popularity has led to Ultimate Spider-Man outselling Marvel’s other Spider-Man titles for the third month in a row, according to ICv2’s top comics listing for March 2024. Spurned Amazing Spider-Man fans are celebrating in a thread on the Spider-Man subreddit, counting this third month beating the main title as a rousing success for Ultimate Spider-Man. “Looks like the fans voted with their wallets,” one user said, “How will you respond, Marvel?” Another user shared their troubles just with getting the book. “My local comic book store sold out on day 1 when I got there around 6pm,” they said. “Had to go to another store which thankfully had a few copies left a week later.” “Well deserved and if this trend continues then it’ll be the ultimate proof of concept right there,” one user was quick to comment in a quip that would make Spidey proud. Marvel’s Ultimate Comics rules March 2024’s Top 10 Comics Marvel’s relaunched Ultimate line is dominating the charts, according to ICv2. While Ultimate Spider-Man #3 only netted second place on March 2024’s charts, the #1 slot went to Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men relaunch. Meanwhile, Ultimate Black Panther #2 came in at #8. Ultimate X-Men #1 (Marvel Comics) – Ultimate Spider-Man #3 (Marvel Comics) – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution #1 (IDW Publishing) – Spectacular Spider-Men #1 (Marvel Comics) – Batman #145 (DC Comics) – Transformers #6 (Image Comics) – Amazing Spider-Man #45 (Marvel Comics) – Ultimate Black Panther #2 (Marvel Comics) – ThunderCats #2 (Dynamite Ent.) – X-Men ’97 #1 (Marvel Comics) – Amazing Spider-Man #45 and #46 came in at #7 and #21, respectively. Both issues were also outsold by the debut Spectacular Spider-Men #1, which swung in at #4, while the teaser-heavy (and very expensive, at $7.99) Web of Spider-Man #1 one-shot came in at #16. Ultimate has consistently outperformed Amazing since its launch in January 2024. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 and #2 were the top-selling comics for January 2024 and February 2024. Comparatively, January’s Amazing Spider-Man #41 and #42 came in at #3 and #10, while February’s Amazing Spider-Man #43 and #44 came in at #6 and #18. The ICv2 method for tracking this data is the ComicHub system, which tracks the sales data of 125 comic book stores in the United States. While the data may not necessarily reflect the entirety of the North American comic book scene, Ultimate Spider-Man’s rave reviews and consistent need for additional printings more than tell its tale as a success story. Ultimate Spider-Man #4 hits stands on April 24.

Ultimate Spider-Man is undoing Marvel’s most important death and fans are shocked Marvel ComicsUltimate Spider-Man is finally here, and it brings with it sweeping changes. But the biggest change happens early on, setting the stage for a radically new Spider-Man. To say fans have been eagerly awaiting the new Ultimate Spider-Man would be an understatement. Many die-hard Spider-Man fans have expressed frustration with the direction of the 616-universe Spider-Man for a while now. They’re frustrated with mandates to keep Spider-Man and Mary Jane from reconciling and the constant cycle of grief and misery that perpetuates his stories. The Ultimate Universe promises to be a respite from that, with an older, happily married Peter discovering his powers as an adult. However, the biggest change in the new Ultimate universe is one fans almost certainly weren’t prepared for. Warning, spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #1 follow Ultimate Spider-Man revives an important Marvel character, and fans are shocked The opening pages of Ultimate Spider-Man, as seen in the preview, have already won over fans. But it’s Peter’s life at the Daily Bugle that is leaving fans with the biggest shock. That’s because the managing editor of the new Ultimate Universe Daily Bugle is none other than Ben Parker, Peter’s uncle. Spider-Man fans who came into the issue ready for a bold, different new era of Spider-Man weren’t quite prepared for a change of this magnitude. “Holyshit Ben alive this universe best universe for Peter” one Redditor said. “My mouth dropped when I saw this, I can wait to pick up this issue” added another. “Holy shit! This is one of those universes, where Peter actually has a happy life.” said another Redditor. In every prior universe, one of the few constants has been the death of Ben Parker, a murder for which Peter shoulders much of the blame, inspiring him to shed his delusions of grandeur and become a superhero. In Spider-Man’s classic origin, Uncle Ben is shot by a mugger who Peter failed to stop. While the original story makes it clear this was a coincidence, some later retcons like Spider-Man: Chapter One have tried to tie this more directly to Peter by having the mugger follow Spider-Man home, mistakenly believing is also a criminal. The original Ultimate Comics retained that origin, and most iterations of Spider-Man have maintained a dead Uncle Ben as the driving force for Peter’s decision to become a hero. Some exceptions do exist, like the alternate reality House of M, where Peter was a celebrity hero believed to be a mutant, and, of course, the MCU Spider-Man, where Marissa Tomei’s Aunt May seems to have largely taken on the role associated with Uncle Ben. Ultimate Spider-Man twists this, though. In this story, May Parker is apparently dead, caught in the same attempt on the lives of the Ultimates that killed Norman Osborn. Ben remains a driving force in this issue, inspiring Peter to take the leap to change his life – which means taking on the powers that were stolen from him by The Maker. How the relationship between Ben and Peter will influence his time as Spider-Man now remains to be seen, though some hint will likely be offered in coming issues and the Spider-Man-centric Free Comic Book Day issue. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 is available now from Marvel. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to stick with Dexerto.

Ultimate Spider-Man fans are convinced Harry Osborn just signed his own death warrant Marvel ComicsUltimate Spider-Man finally revealed who will teach Peter about great responsibility, but fans are convinced it’s Harry Osborn’s death warrant. Ultimate Spider-Man continues its meteoric success with issue #4, which has a lot of surprises for longtime fans. While it features the debut of the new Gwen Stacy and the reveal of Ben Parker and Jonah’s new journalism outlet, the biggest surprise is a pretty significant update for Peter’s new origin. The issue is mostly set at a dinner date between Peter, Mary Jane, Harry, and Gwen several months after Peter and Harry discovered they were Spider-Man and Green Goblin. But, uniquely, Harry has already let Gwen in on his secret, leading him to lecture Peter about the importance of not hiding their lives. The result is Harry dropping a surprising truth bomb on Peter. Of course, the classic “with great power…” quote was one of the key components missing from the new Ultimate Spider-Man’s origin. Traditionally, it’s a nugget of wisdom passed down by Uncle Ben, and his death is what cements it. It doesn’t appear this Ben, in addition to still being alive, has ever passed that lesson on to Peter, though. Harry being the one to say it does definitely have some fans concerned, though. Members of the Spider-Man subreddit were quick to point out that people who traditionally say the line don’t have long to live. As one user put it, “Saying that phrase is like playing russian roulette but with a fully loaded revolver.” There’s also the fact that Harry himself has a nebulous past in Spider-Man comics. In the main 616 universe, Harry is Peter’s best friend during his college days and struggles with his father’s abuse and drug addiction. He’s become the Green Goblin, died, been revived, become the evil Kindred to get revenge on his father, and died all over again. The previous Ultimate Spider-Man version of Harry also suffered abuse at Norman’s hand, which resulted in both a split personality and a physical transformation into the monstrous Hobgoblin, who was presumably killed by Norman. Another version, seen on Spider-Gwen’s Earth-65, is a social outcast who becomes The Lizard. Harry’s fate may be fine for now, though. The book has been solicited through July’s Ultimate Spider-Man #7, which shows Harry and Peter still alive and working side-by-side just in time for The Ultimates to return. However, it may only be a matter of time before destiny plays out for Harry as it has for so many Harrys before him. Ultimate Spider-Man #4 is on stands now.

Ultimate Spider-Man fans love how Peter gets his classic costume Marvel ComicsThe long-awaited debut of the classic Ultimate Spider-Man costume is coming in this week’s issue, and new preview pages reveal the costume is made with help from Peter’s daughter, May Parker. Fans have been waiting to find out just how the new Ultimate Spider-Man will get his classic costume. Now, the answer has finally arrived. For the first two issues, Peter Parker has been wearing a black pictotech suit made by Tony Stark. In preview pages for the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man #3, fans finally learn how Spidey got his traditional red-and-blues. The pages show Peter with his daughter, May, who learned about his powers in issue #2 and gave him a drawing of him as a superhero. May helps Peter go through a number of alternate costumes, all of which are fun riffs on other Spider-Man looks. Fans are loving the origin of the new costume, as well as the nods to other Spider-Men, as discussed in a thread on the Spider-Man subreddit. “I love that May is getting at his suit to pick,” Quirky_Ad_5420 said, to which GMKnight added, “But man, when MJ finds out he had a fashion parade without her, she’s gonna be pissed.” “I love it. That is adorable, and I love the references to other Spider-People’s suits,” Airmoni said. “Man get this writter to replace Wells for the 616 Spider-man” “The Scarlet Spider inspired one and blue/black one look soooo good” DarkAlphaZero said. Ultimate Spider-Man is the flagship title of Marvel’s relaunched Ultimate Comics line, running alongside Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Black Panther, and the upcoming Avengers riff The Ultimates. The rebooted Ultimate Universe follows a world where an evil Reed Richards, The Maker, changed history by stealing the catalysts for the powers of various heroes. As Tony Stark and his band of heroes journey through time to escape attack, those catalysts are slowly being returned to their rightful places. Ultimate Spider-Man #3 hits shelves on March 27. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Ultimate Spider-Man fans are convinced new Spidey has organic web-shooters Marvel Comics | SonyFans dissecting new cover art for Ultimate Spider-Man #2 think it gives away a major change to Spider-Man’s web-shooters. The new Ultimate Spider-Man comic has already proven to be a runaway hit for Marvel Comics. The book, which is swinging towards a second printing after a sell-out debut issue, has already given fans a fresh new take on Spider-Man as an older hero with a family. That debut issue sets up a new Green Goblin (even if follow-up cover art already spoiled his identity) and the exciting dynamic between Peter and a still-living Ben Parker. It also establishes how Spidey gets his new powers, thanks to help from a time-displaced Tony Stark. Now, one fan thinks they’ve picked up on a significant change the book is making to Spider-Man’s most iconic ability and how it integrates into his powers. Fans think new Ultimate Spider-Man has organic web-shooters In a post shared to the Spider-Man subreddit, user imnotyoufr revealed they believed the new Spider-Man might actually have organic web shooters instead of mechanical ones. The conclusion is drawn from key art that appears on an Ultimate Spider-Man #2 variant cover, which shows Peter in the process of being affected by the spider bite. “To be clear, it’s not necessarily confirmed he has organic webbing at the time of writing this post, it just seems that way because of the sketch work, but that could just be the artist drawing out the spider bite to look more intense, though i’d be willing to bet it’s his body mutating to form organic spinnerets in his forearms,” imnotyoufr added to the post. Redditors far and wide came out to spread their opinion on the change, with many being receptive to the potential update. “Idk how people would expect this peter to make his own web shooting when hes always worked at the bugle for his professional job instead of being some scientist,” one user added. “I always thought it was so weird he couldn’t make web on his own. Like isn’t that the number one thing a spider is known for.” another said. “I like the idea that he’ll have organic webbing but he makes webshooters that function kind of like a nozzle on a hose so that he can shoot different types of webs for different situations” another added, finding a happy middle ground. Spider-Man’s mechanical vs organic web-shooters explained The organic vs. mechanical web shooter debate is one that has its ties to 2002’s Spider-Man film. In the movie, Peter develops organic web-shooters from a spider’s bite instead of building his own. The belief was the audience wouldn’t believe a high school student could build the devices. Though the web-shooters are a holdover from a James Cameron script, they’re akin to what the Symbiote suit or Spider-Man 2099 had in the comics. With the Raimi films being so well received, the decision was made to have Peter get organic web-shooters in the comics. When Spider-Man dies and is reborn in 2005’s The Other, he gets a handful of new powers, including the organic web shooters. Peter reverted back to mechanical web-shooters after the history rewrite in Brand New Day, with no explanation for what happened in-universe to have him lose or never receive the organic ones. Films have taken a similar approach, with both Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man and Tom Holland’s MCU Spider-Man having mechanical web-shooters. Ultimate Spider-Man #2 hits stands February 21, 2024.

Ultimate Spider-Man confirms long-awaited original Spidey villain debuts in May Marvel ComicsMarvel’s wildly popular Ultimate Spider-Man continues to grow with the final confirmation of Doctor Octopus’ Ultimate debut. We’ve seen some big changes in Ultimate Spider-Man‘s origin, which has kept Uncle Ben alive and established Peter becoming Spider-Man as an adult rather than a teenager. One of those changes is Harry Osborn, who is a new, heroic Green Goblin. But it’s not all roses for Harry, with many believing he just signed a death warrant. Now it looks like he may be going down the same dark path as his father, Norman. New preview pages from Marvel confirm it’s Harry who brings Otto Octavius, also known as Doctor Octopus, into the fold in the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man #5. Many suspected Doctor Octopus’ debut was only a matter of time before his name was featured on the cover art for Ultimate Spider-Man #7. These new pages confirm Otto’s arrival and his ties to Harry, potentially setting up Doctor Octopus to be the first traditional Spider-Man villain Peter will encounter. Traditionally, Doctor Octopus has the distinction of being the first true superpowered villain Peter fought as Spider-Man and the wake-up call that he wouldn’t spend his days as a superhero lazily pounding muggers into the dirt. Infamously, a 1999 retcon in Spider-Man: Chapter One tried to make Otto and Peter’s origins one and the same, attempting to set up the explosion that fused the metal tentacles to Otto’s spine as the same one that released the spider with bit Peter. The original Ultimate Spider-Man introduced Doctor Octopus in its second issue as a lab assistant working with Norman Osborn. Notably, a late reveal established that the Ultimate Doctor Octopus didn’t rely on the tentacles but rather had a ferrokinetic ability similar to Magneto’s, which allowed him to control metal. How this new Doctor Octopus will gain his tentacles is anyone’s guess, though the preview page does feature them prominently. Ultimate Spider-Man #5 hits stands on May 29. The next stop for Ultimate Spider-Man is May 4’s Ultimate Universe Spider-Man #1, which will be available in shops as part of Free Comic Book Day.

Ultimate Marvel Comics explained: What happened to the original Earth-1610? Marvel ComicsMarvel’s popular Ultimate Universe is back, but how does that reconcile with the multiple times Earth-1610 has been destroyed? Ultimate Comics are back in a big way. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 has kicked off the universe in earnest, following in the footsteps of the original Ultimate Universe. This alternate timeline telling of Marvel characters has long been popular with fans. A lot of that is thanks to the creative liberties the titles have long taken, resulting in darker, edgier, and sometimes downright nasty takes on popular Marvel Comics characters. With the reborn Ultimate Comics, though, the titles have something of a confusing narrative. Marvel did this once before, so what happened to the previous Ultimate Universe? What is Ultimate Comics? Ultimate Comics made its debut in 2000’s Ultimate Spider-Man #1. The imprint would go on to be the home to the Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate X-Men and The Ultimates. At the time, Marvel was having trouble with its decades of backstory. Titles like Amazing Spider-Man, Uncanny X-Men, and The Avengers had been running since the 1960s. All that history was hard for readers to keep up with, and made keeping the characters fresh and relevant difficult, even with the sliding timescale. Ultimate Comics was designed to be a fresh new universe that fans could easily pick up and read. Set on Earth-1610, the Ultimate Universe was a new timeline with updated origins and new takes on popular characters, all without decades of stories to worry about. The Ultimate titles were wildly successful for years, but eventually found themselves also burdened with years of continuity. What happened to the original Earth-1610? Earth-1610 is destroyed during the Incursion Event that took place in Secret Wars #1. When the universe was recreated, several characters from Earth-1610, such as Miles Morales, migrated their lives to the new Earth-616. Meanwhile, Earth-1610’s evil Reed Richards, The Maker, would have a slice of himself placed into every universe. Following the events of 2017’s Spider-Men II, the original 616 Miles Morales would venture into the Multiverse to find an alternate-world version of his dead wife, Barbara. That world would be revealed to be a reborn Earth-1610, where several heroes, like Ultimate Spider-Man and the Ultimate Fantastic Four, existed in their prime. Years later, during the King in Black event, The Maker would use a surviving Earth-1610 Venom symbiote to travel the multiverse in an effort to get home. However, he arrived to find Earth-1610’s heroes missing and the world in ruins. Is the new Ultimate Universe also Earth-1610? The new Ultimate Comics do not take place on Earth-1610. Following Ultimate Invasion, The Maker set up a new home in a new universe, Earth-6160. On Earth-6160, The Maker used a time machine to manipulate history to his benefit. He stole the catalysts that led to the creation of many heroes and teams that could have opposed his goals for conquest. After Howard Stark trapped The Maker in a time loop, though, Tony Stark set about restoring those powers. The first on the list was none other than Spider-Man, who has kicked off the new Ultimate Universe in spectacular fashion.

Ultimate Invasion reveals new Kang the Conqueror variant Marvel ComicsWith the arrival of the new Ultimate Universe, a new Kang the Conqueror has also made their debut. How do they fit into the schemes of Ultimate Invasion? The revival of the Ultimate universe is drawing to a close, as Ultimate Invasion released its penultimate issue today. The book is chock full of the exact kind of over-the-top nonsense you’d expect from the Ultimate Universe. The mystery of Ultimate Invasion has surrounded The Maker’s new, perfect universe, and who sent assassins from the future to kill him. With part of his brain damaged, The Maker is losing chunks of his memory and racing against time to put his ultimate plan into motion. While The Maker has plenty of enemies, Ultimate Invasion #3 seems to have finally revealed the most likely culprit: a brand new Ultimate take on Marvel Comics‘ most notorious time-traveling villain, Kang the Conqueror. Marvel introduces Kang the Conqueror’s Ultimate variant Kang is revealed, albeit briefly, in the final pages of Ultimate Invasion #3. He remains in the far future, surrounded by genetically modified soldiers modeled after The Ultimates, the Ultimate take on The Avengers. Though Kang is the cliffhanger, there’s more going on with him than is being let on. The emblem on Kang’s chest matches the symbol on The Maker’s Immortus Engine. That connection shouldn’t be surprising. In the original 616 timeline, Immortus is the name of Kang’s oldest variant, a version of the Conqueror who grew tired of conquering. Whether this new Kang is Nathanial Richards or someone new remains a mystery, but there are plenty of suspects. The primary protagonist of Ultimate Invasion, Robert Stark, has pledged to stop The Maker but still isn’t quite sure what he’s doing. There is also still the possibility that this is the original Ultimate Kang, which was a version of Sue Storm from another timeline. However, she is presumed to have been destroyed alongside other remnants of Earth-1610 when it merged with Earth-616. Ultimate Invasion is just the first in a brand-new line from Marvel. The next step in the reboot is November’s Ultimate Universe #1, which promises to bring the scope of the new Ultimate line closer to the original concept. The original Ultimate Comics line was intended to create a new timeline in which popular characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men were freed from the shackles of their 60+ years of continuity. Ultimate Comics originally ended when the Ultimate and 616 Universes were merged following Secret Wars. Only a few characters survived, such as Miles Morales, who was spared by Molecule Man, and the Maker, who snuck a piece of himself into every new universe that was created. How this new Kang will factor into the new Ultimate Universe will surely be revealed in the coming months. For more Marvel and comic book news, make sure to check out all our coverage.

Tom Hardy’s Venom inspires name for new genus of Australian spider Sony PicturesAustralian scientists have named a new species of spider after Spider-Man villain Venom and the actor who played him, Tom Hardy. Naming things in the scientific context is an important part of the process. The naming of a species is essential in identifying and understanding the species, and the name alone can communicate a lot of information to scientists. That doesn’t mean things have to be boring, though. In fact, several names chosen by scientists are just fun jokes about pop culture, other animals, or even the scientists themselves. Comic book characters are fairly common picks for naming inspiration, which shouldn’t be surprising given how many comic book superheroes are modeled after animals. Now, Australian scientists have named a new spider after a popular Marvel anti-hero. Australian scientists name a new orb-weaver spider species after Marvel’s Venom Dubbed Venomius Tomhardyi, the new species of orb-weaver is named after Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis and occasional ally, Venom. In a journal published on the open-access resource Evolutionary Systematics, scientists say the species is “named after the Marvel Comics’ character ‘Venom,’ created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, whose full first appearance was in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man #300’ (published in May 1988), after an alien symbiote bonded with the character Eddie Brock.” The species received its name because of black spots across its abdomen. The scientists felt the spots were reminiscent of Venom’s design. While the Genus name has comic book inspirations, the new species Venomius Tomhardyi is also named for English actor Tom Hardy, who portrayed the character in two big screen outings – Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage – as well as a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home. He’ll be reprising the role for an upcoming third film. It’s not uncommon to see a new species named after a comic book character. In 2020, several new species of Australian robber flies were named after Marvel characters, including Deadpool, Thor, and Black Widow, as well as Stan Lee himself. Multiple species are also named after Batman, including a species of catfish and a species of wasp. Ironically, the Venomius tomhardyi marks the first Spider-Man character to have a species named after it. There have, however, been two species of spider – Filistata maguirei and Pritha garfieldi- named after Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, respectively. Ironically, the naming of the Venomius tomhardyi coincides with the anniversary of Venom’s debut in Amazing Spider-Man #300, which was recently announced to be receiving a facsimile reprint. For more Venom and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Titans first ever massive crossover event is a DC Universe world tour DC ComicsThe Titans are uniting to fight against a world-ending threat in their biggest crossover to date. To do so, they’ll have to go around the world to meet DC’s biggest heroes. The Justice League disbanded in the wake of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. Since then, the Titans have stepped up to fill the void and are doing so with a more down-to-Earth approach than their predecessors. That may all change with the upcoming event, Beast World. It’s the first-ever Teen Titans event of this scale and the team’s first outing as the DC Universe’s top super team. But the event is more than just the team’s first outing on the world stage. The event is a DC Universe world tour and puts the Titans against and alongside some truly interesting characters. The Titans unite the DC Universe in Beast World The first solicitations for the Beast World event were revealed today exclusively at CBR. The bulk of the event’s story will take place in the current ongoing, as well as the Titans: Beast World mini-series. It’s a significant step for the Titans. The team has always drifted somewhere between their own matured version of their childhood team and shepherding the next generation of heroes. With the new status quo, they’ve got their work cut out for them, establishing themselves as the new Justice League. Titans: Beast World Tour includes a number of one-shots, as well, with issues set in Metropolis, Gotham, Central City, Atlantis, and Star City. Based on those locations, it sounds like it could be rife with run-ins with the former Justice League. However, it could also be something of a Teen Titans reunion. Each of the associated cities includes a residing former Titan. Damian Wayne/Robin, who lives in Gotham, briefly joined and later led his own incarnation of the team. That team included Aqualad, the son of Black Manta and protege of Aquaman, who resides in Atlantis and Green Arrow’s protege/half-sister Red Arrow, who lives in Star City. That leaves Central City, which is the home of current Flash & Titans member Wally West and his family, and Metropolis, where Jon Kent, aka Superman, resides. While Jon wasn’t allowed to join the team when he was still Superboy, the connection is still there. We also know Jon will be appearing in the event, as it was teased at the end of Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent. The event kicks off November 21 with Titans #5 and Titans: Beast World: Evolution #1.

TikTok laughs at morbid Spider-Man & Gwen Stacy Christmas decoration: “Too soon!” Marvel ComicsA TikTok users Spider-Man Christmas display recreates the death of Gwen Stacy, and users can’t decide how they feel about it. With Thanksgiving firmly behind us, Christmas decorations are going up. That includes any number of nerdy ornaments and decorations across the board. You’ve probably seen everything from Coke can nativities to video game ornaments this year. Geeky Christmas gifts are a big market, as fans love to decorate with their favorite properties. One TikTok user may be taking it a bit too far, though, using a newer Marvel Legends figure to craft a Christmas tree display that caught TikTok off guard. TikTok (reluctantly) laughs at Death of Gwen Stacy Christmas decoration TikTok user divinememesavior shared the video to his page, with the caption “Found my Christmas decor from #SpiderMan from #AndrewGarfield.” The video shows divinememesavior arranging a Marvel Legends Amazing Spider-Man figure as if it’s falling from the tree, shooting a web line down. At the bottom of the web line, splayed across a branch, is a Gwen Stacy figure. The Christmas display is a nod to Gwen’s death from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where she falls just far enough that Spider-Man’s web line can’t catch her. The scene itself is a spin on Gwen’s iconic death from Marvel Comics, where the Green Goblin throws her off the top of the Brooklyn Bridge. Naturally, TikTok took on the sight with both horror and glee in the comments, with comments ranging from “too soon” to bad puns. “Oh snap.” one user said, referencing the sound effect from the comic (and the prevailing theory that Gwen’s death was her neck snapping as Spidey suddenly slowed her body to a stop). “I bet you broke your neck and back working on it.” one user said. “You gotta put him lower so she’s just barely touching the floor.” another user commented. “When I saw the hashtag Andrew Garfield I was like noooooooo,” another user said. The moment in the film is infamous for its abrupt nature, but fans (and Andrew Garfield) did find some solace in Spider-Man being redeemed for the loss during Spider-Man: No Way Home. For more holiday comic book & Spider-Man stories, leave your milk and cookies out for Dexerto.

Batman parody The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers reveals The Reader in exclusive preview Ahoy ComicsPreview pages for Ahoy Comics’ The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers continue the ongoing tale of Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, two very different heroes who found themselves stranded on each other’s worlds. Originally released in 2019, The Wrong Earth has been a surprise hit. The book, published by Ahoy Comics, is a parody of Batman stories, with a gritty hero and a campy hero forced to switch worlds. The book is a masterful send-up of tropes tied to both ’60s superheroes and modern heroes, full of tongue-in-cheek jokes and hard-hitting violence. Now, Dexerto can exclusively share preview pages for The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers, the upcoming continuation of Ahoy Comics’ critically acclaimed The Wrong Earth saga. Lady Dragonflyman and Nightsting fight to get home in The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers The preview pages reveal the book’s parody of The Watcher, here dubbed The Reader. He offers a brief recap before we finally see what happened to Nightsting and Ladydragonflyman, who went missing at the end of last year’s The Wrong Earth: We Could Be Heroes. The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers sees Dragonfly and Dragonflyman back on Earth-Alpha, alongside their sidekicks Stinger and Stinger II. With the Megamirrors destroyed, can these heroes find a way to work together? And what will happen to Lady Dragonflyman and Earth-Zeta’s Nightsting, who seem to be stranded between worlds? THE WRONG EARTH: DEAD RINGERS #1 (W) Tom Peyer (A) Jamal Igle, Juan Castro Cover A: Jamal Igle Cover B: Felipe Sobreiro AHOY’s acclaimed multiverse comic returns for a new five-issue run by the original creative team! Dragonflyman and Stinger are back where they belong, on campy Earth-Alpha—but Earth-Omega’s gritty Dragonfly and Stinger II are now trapped there too. Will their vigilante violence infect the planet’s innocent, code-approved culture? And what happens when two heroes want to share Dragonflyman’s civilian identity, billionaire Richard Fame? The agonizing answers will shake Fortune City to its foundations! Ahoy Comics’ The Wrong Earth series is multiversal hijinks with a heart In the original The Wrong Earth, the campy lawman Dragonflyman of Earth-Alpha and the gritty vigilante Dragonfly of Earth-Omega accidentally fall through a pair of Megamirrors. When Dragonflyman’s kid sidekick, Stinger, destroys a Megamirror in a misguided attempt to save his mentor, the two heroes are stranded on each other’s Earth. The Wrong Earth ended on something of a downer note. Faced with both the ghosts of their pasts and the bizarre realities of their new worlds, the two heroes work to find new lives. Dragonfly embraces the campy life to protect Earth-Alpha’s Stinger and starts a relationship with the villain Deuce, who reforms as Lady Dragonflyman. Meanwhile, on Earth-Omega, the seemingly innocuous Dragonflyman revealed himself to be more crafty than expected. He bribed corrupt cops to protect his identity and took on a new sidekick after learning that Earth-Omega’s original Stinger had killed himself years earlier. In the sequel series The Wrong Earth: Night and Day, the two heroes find themselves on Earth-Zeta with the authoritarian Man-Dragonfly and a grown Stinger, now known as Nightsting. They’re seemingly stranded on Earth-Zeta along with Stinger, Stinger II, and Lady Dragonflyman when Nightsting, traumatized after years of abuse from Man-Dragonfly, destroys all the Megamirrors to try and trap his former mentor on another Earth. In 2023’s The Wrong Earth: We Could Be Heroes, Nightsting attempts to rebuild the mirrors that could send everyone home, getting everyone to Earth-Alpha. However, the apparent threat of Man-Dragonfly’s return causes him to panic, and he and Lady Dragonflyman launch into the Megaverse between worlds. With Nightsting and Lady Dragonflyman unable to return home, it leaves Earth-Omega’s Dragonfly and Stinger II stranded on Earth-Alpha with that world’s original Dragonflyman and Stinger. Though Dragonfly and Dragonflyman have made something of an earnest peace with their differing methods, the strain of both existing on the same world is sure to lead to madness. The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers #1 hits stands on March 13, 2024, from Ahoy Comics.

The Walking Dead fans find ‘proof’ Rick finally loses his hand in The Ones Who Live A New York Comic-Con teaser for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live features Rick Grimes back in action, but fans are convinced they’ve spotted him having lost a hand. New York Comic-Con is already off to a big start for The Walking Dead fans. In addition to the announcement that Melissa McBride would be returning for TWD: Daryl Dixon, fans got their first look at the upcoming spin-off, The Ones Who Live. Announced in 2022, The Ones Who Live sees Andrew Lincoln make his return to the franchise as Rick Grimes. Grimes was seen in a series of sequences in The Walking Dead’s finale, all while Danai Gurira’s Michonne was searching for him. The NYCC reveal included a short teaser, and fans are convinced they’ve discovered Rick getting a major comic change. Walking Dead fans believe Rick is missing a hand in NYCC reveal The NYCC reveal trailer for The Ones Who Live features Rick in all sorts of peril, but Twitter user TWDUPromos is convinced one scene features Rick missing his hand. The observation is spurred by early leaks for The Ones Who Live, which imply Rick would lose his hand. Those leaks have been neither confirmed nor denied, and set photos don’t show any kind of accommodation for removing Rick’s hand either on-set or in post-production. Many are in debate in the comments about whether or not Rick is actually missing his hand. For what it’s worth, the full YouTube trailer does appear to clearly depict Rick still with a hand, though he’s holding it somewhat awkwardly. Still, it is possible the scene is somehow being edited to preserve a spoiler. Rick losing his hand was a pivotal moment in the comics that never made its way to the television series. In the comics, Rick’s hand is cut off by The Governor. It’s depicted as a major turning point for Rick, who seems to finally accept that the old world he knew is gone after the loss. While Rick missing his hand became an important character arc and visual for the comic, creator Robert Kirkman argued against it for the TV series, as he explained at a 2011 San Diego Comic-Con appearance. “One thing I’m adamant about is I don’t think that we should cut Rick’s hand off [on television],” he explained. “When I’m writing a comic book, I don’t think about what I’m doing. I go, ‘Oh, it’d be pretty cool if they cut his hand off right now. That’d be pretty shocking, right?’ Then I do it, and five issues later, I write, ‘Rick opens a can of beans’, and then I look at the script and think, ‘He can’t do that now.’ I didn’t even think that through.” The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live debuts on AMC in February 2024. For more The Walking Dead news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Who are The Ultimates? Marvel’s twisted Ultimate Avengers explained Marvel ComicsBefore Marvel’s Ultimates reboot, here’s a look at the Ultimate Comics’ twist on The Avengers throughout the years. With the release of a new Ultimates #1 trailer, Marvel Comics has officially started the slow build to the next phase of its Ultimate Comics reboot. Fans will get their first look at the new status quo on Free Comic Book Day, with Ultimate #1 being released the month after. Six months after the team ventured into the future, they’re finally returning in June’s Ultimates #1. Before the new series drops, here’s everything you need to know about who the Ultimates are. The Ultimates were the Ultimate Universe’s twisted Avengers The Ultimates #1 debuted in January 2002, introducing fans of the pre-existing Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men titles to the new twist on The Avengers. The original series deals with the team’s formation and ensuing fights with a rampaging Hulk and the invading Chitauri aliens. Elements of The Ultimates have, frankly, not aged well. Many of the characters are given edgier personalities that become downright offensive, from Cap’s blatant racism to the Hulk’s more impulsive actions. Later series only get darker, with Iron Man descending into uncontrolled alcoholism and the incestuous Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver relationship. The proper Ultimates eventually come to an end, being replaced with an updated New Ultimates line-up. Despite multiple reboots and tie-ins with other Ultimate Comics titles the series never hit the same sales and critical heights as its original offering, much of which formed the basis for the MCU’s Avengers debut. Blue Marvel’s Ultimates were a team of multiversal problem solvers Shortly after the events of Secret Wars, a new Ultimates were introduced on Earth-616. This version was led by Blue Marvel, a superhero from the ‘60s who had been forced into retirement. Along with Black Panther, Spectrum, America Chavez and Captain Marvel, the team was more focused on solving problems on a galactic scale than being superheroes. The book won over fans with the Ultimates’ first mission: fixing Galactus. The team is able to completely flip his personality, turning him into Galactus the Lifebringer, a change that would persist for years. The story of these Ultimates ends with a bombastic showdown against The Maker, which sees them team up with the original Ultimates. The team disbanded afterward. The new Ultimates are the last hope for a broken world The all-new Ultimates of Earth-6160 are the result of the fallout with The Maker and Earth-6160’s Howard Stark. After his world was destroyed, The Maker survived and placed a piece of himself in every new universe. One version destroyed and rebuilt a stray timeline, rebuilding his world. The new world, Earth-6160, is devoid of heroes due to The Maker’s manipulation. When Howard and The Maker seemingly die, Tony Stark adopts the alias Iron Lad and steals the catalysts that would have made the various heroes. Ultimates #1 picks up six months after Ultimate Universe #1, which saw Tony, Thor, Captain America, Doctor Doom, and Sif leap through time to avoid an attack by The Maker’s Council. With the team finally returning, it’s up to a small band of heroes to undo The Maker’s manipulations and fix the new Ultimate Universe.

The MCU’s next rumored superteam has fans getting excited for Spider-Woman content Marvel ComicsA renowned scooper has teased that the Daughters of Liberty are on their way to the MCU but fans really only care about Spider-Woman. It’s hard to believe we’re only about a year away from a new Captain America movie now that the film has swapped release dates with Deadpool 3. The upcoming Captain America: Brave New World marks Sam Wilson’s big-screen debut as the Star-Spangled Avenger and brings Harrison Ford into the MCU as General Thunderbolt Ross. Not much is known yet about the film, as leaks have been sporadic at best. One potential leak could be tied to the film, though, as a rumor places the Daughter of Liberty on their way to the MCU. Though the leak isn’t specifically tied to the upcoming Captain America 4, the team is explicitly attached to Captain America in the comics. But those comics fans are only excited about one team member. Daughters of Liberty rumor has Spider-Woman fans celebrating her potential MCU inclusion A tweet shared by well-known scooper MyTimetoShineHello stated on October 20, “They’re coming to the MCU #DaughtersOfLiberty.” That tweet was accompanied by a picture of the Daughters of Liberty: Peggy Carter, Sharon Carter, Echo, Mockingbird, Spider-Woman, Iron Patriot, and White Tiger. Introduced in 2019’s Captain America #7, the Daughters of Liberty is an underground team of freedom fighters with a membership dating back to the 18th century. In the modern era, they fought alongside a Captain America who had briefly abandoned his identity after being framed for murder by General Thunderbolt Ross. There are a lot of people in the tweet who are already present in the MCU. Sharon Carter, revealed to be the new Power Broker in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, is already confirmed for the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Echo has her own Disney+ series kicking off in 2024, and White Tiger’s mentor is rumored to be a pivotal character in Daredevil: Born Again. Ok, I’m gonna tell you this: please don’t play with my feelings when it comes to anything #JessicaDrew #SpiderWoman related. Do you realize how long I’ve been waiting to see her on live action? She’s one of my top 10 Marvel superheroes of all time. Severely underestimated. — BackTheMLegendsGiantManHasLab! (@SchumagorathZ) October 20, 2023 However, fans really attached themselves to one name in particular, and it’s not even someone in the MCU: Spider-Woman. It really should come as no surprise that fans have rallied around her. Spider-Woman is an incredibly popular character in the modern era, thanks largely to a major revamp orchestrated by Brian Michael Bendis, the creator of Jessica Jones and Miles Morales. Jessica Drew as Spiderwoman. Absolutely 💯. The rest… 🙄 pic.twitter.com/n2lgB0noO2 — Dr Dan Dhunna (@DrDanDhunna) October 20, 2023 Spider-Woman is the byproduct of a genetic experiment that gave her spider-adjacent powers. In a 2009 series penned by Bendis, she became a former spy suffering the emotional weight of having been in the game too long. Since then, she’s become a close confidant of Captain Marvel, a devoted mother, and an on-again,off-again Avenger. Multiple iconic Jessica Drew comic stories – namely Secret Invasion – have come and gone in the MCU with nary a peep of the iconic Spider-Woman. Outside of the MCU, a variant was prominently featured in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and a live-action Spider-Woman is rumored to appear in the upcoming Madame Web solo film. Captain America: Brave New World is slated to release on July 26, 2024. To find out if the Daughters of Liberty make it into the film, follow all our coverage.

The Goblin-infected Spider-Man is facing an unlikely Marvel hero Marvel ComicsPreview pages for Amazing Spider-Man #35 feature the showdown fans never expected: Spidey and his ex, Mary Jane Watson. While fans are getting ready for Insomniac’s take on Kraven the Hunter, the Marvel Comics have been going down a darker path. In the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, Spidey has been infected with the sins of Norman Osborn, turning him into a sinister Goblin version of himself. This darker Spider-Man is on the verge of crossing a line he can’t come back from. Returning to his intimidating black suit, he’s already buried Kraven the Hunter alive and brutalized Norman Osborn. Now Spidey has his eyes set on Paul, who he blames for driving a wedge between himself and Mary Jane. To stop this murderous new Spider-Man, an unlikely superhero is stepping up. Mary Jane is stepping up to fight the Goblin-infected Spider-Man In preview pages shared by Marvel Comics, Mary Jane is facing down Spider-Man using her new Jackpot powers. The threat of a fight with his ex doesn’t even seem to phase Peter, who still accuses MJ of abandoning him for Paul. Introduced at the start of this run, Paul is the son of Rabin, a mad scientist from another dimension who sought to sacrifice Mary Jane so he could survive on this plane. Mary Jane was separated from Spider-Man in another dimension, during which time a week passed for him, but seven years passed for her. In the other dimension, Paul and MJ met and found themselves caring for two children. Though they formed a relationship, the children were figments created by Rabin as part of his grand scheme. After Rabin was foiled thanks to Ms. Marvel’s sacrifice, Paul and MJ stayed together. Peter’s been having a tough time with it, though, as the whole thing winds up feeling sudden for him. Those feelings are shining through now that he’s been freed of inhibitions thanks to Osborn’s sins flowing through him. Whatever is about to happen, the issue promises to be huge, with Marvel’s solicit simply saying, “This sets up the next 24 issues of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. Do. Not. Miss. This.” Amazing Spider-Man #35 hits stands on October 11. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

The Flash’s new logo pays homage to one of DC’s most legendary artists DC ComicsThe Dawn of DC publishing initiative includes a soft reboot of The Flash, kicking off with a new logo that pays homage to the late artist Michael Turner. DC Comic’s Knight Terrors event is wrapping up, which means it’s almost time for the publisher to resume its regular schedule. The post-Knight Terrors calendar includes many Dawn of DC offerings, including the new Batman and Robin. The Flash is also getting a soft reboot, relaunching with a new #1, although it will maintain legacy numbering starting at #801. The book continues to star Wally West, focusing on changes within the Speed Force. With the new #1, DC announced there would also be a new logo for the book. In a pleasant surprise, the logo includes a nod to a legendary comic artist behind many beloved The Flash covers. Michael Turner’s iconic Flash art is included in new logo The art in question is the cover art to The Flash #207, originally released in 2004. The cover was one of several created by legendary artist Michael Turner that year. It’s been used several times, such as on The Flash by Geoff Johns Omnibus. Michael Turner is best known to most casual comics readers for his stunning cover work at Marvel and DC. To long-time fans, he is best known as the co-creator of the Top Cow Comics character Witchblade and the creator of Fathom, a series he took to his imprint, Aspen, in 2002. Michael Turner’s art career includes prolific, high-profile covers for books like Superman/Batman and Identity Crisis. Sadly, he passed away in 2008 at the age of 37. Including Turner’s art in the logo is a great nod to fans for DC but also emblematic of what Dawn of DC means. After the mixed reception of The New 52, the company got back on track with DC Rebirth and Infinite Frontier. Perhaps no character is better represented by that than the current Flash himself. Wally West was written out in the wake of The New 52 and eventually rebooted as a new character. Bringing him back and reviving his character was one of the most significant steps DC Rebirth took. To so directly acknowledge one of the character’s most prolific runs is a loud and clear message to fans. Dawn of DC aims to take it one step further, with a promise to “forge the future, one hero at a time.” Including art like Turner’s in the logo tells fans that they haven’t forgotten the iconic stories and runs that came before and reminds readers of the legacies these books have. The Flash #1 hit stands on September 26.

The Flash’s speed is killing him and all of DC’s speedsters DC ComicsWally West’s return in The Flash #1 may be diminished by the Speed Force, which appears to be trying to kill anyone who uses it. The last few years have been rough for Wally West. His return from being trapped in nothingness has been heralded with rejection, a massacre, and nearly becoming one with an evil god. Things started to finally turn around when he settled into his role as The Flash, stepping up after Barry Allan left Earth. With the arrival of a new son, though, Wally is all set to race into a new era. The problem is he might not survive it. It looks like the Speed Force has fractured, and the result is very, very painful. The Speed Force is killing The Flash and every DC speedster Preview pages shared by DC Comics and reported by AIPT show the Speed Force is reacting against speedsters. We see Max Mercury and Impulse equate it to slamming into a brick wall. Meanwhile, Wally is running and losing focus as tapping into the Speed Force physically hurts him. The comic using Max and Impulse does a great job of showing just how serious the matter is. The two were last seen reunited at the end of The One Minute War storyline, racing off to cast themselves into the Speed Force – something Max has been seen doing many times. As the “zen guru of speed,” Max Mercury should be able to make sense of anything the Speed Force throws at him. To see him confused indicates something is seriously wrong. It’s not the first time Wally’s had troubles with the Speed Force, though. The Flash #800 ended with Wally seemingly reaching a new level of speed that caused him to see horrific alternate dimensions. And, of course, he famously retired as a superhero before Crisis on Infinite Earths, as his speed was causing his body to fail. What exactly is going on with the Speed Force is due to be addressed in this latest relaunch of The Flash, as well as the upcoming spin-off series Speed Force. For more The Flash and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

The Fantastic Four are meeting the Dinosaur Avengers in a meteoric crossover Marvel ComicsThe Fantastic Four are facing a team of dinosaur Avengers, but fortunately, they’re avoiding an encounter with Tyranna-Thor-us. The Fantastic Four are fearless adventurers who jump into the unknown without a second thought, but the latest crossover may see them become extinct. That’s because an upcoming Fantastic Four arc sees Marvel‘s first family encounter a team of dinosaur Avengers. The adventure kicks off in Fantastic Four #12, which ships next month. Marvel has shared an early preview of the issue, including covers and interior art that showcase a Brachiosaurus Iron Man, Quetzalcoatlus Black Widow, and more. On social media, fans are already losing their minds over it. The Fantastic Four & the Dinosaur Avengers have a crossover for the ages Investigating an anomaly in the woods, the FF see themselves transported to a new dimension. This new world in the multiverse is populated by dinosaurs, including Jurassic Park-themed versions of the Avengers. Back on Earth, a dinosaur Fantastic Four appears to be running rampant. The current Fantastic Four run has seen the team on a world tour as they await the return of their home, the Baxter Building. The building was jettisoned one year into the future, along with the children the FF was responsible for. Solicitors for next month’s Fantastic Four #13 tease that the FF’s incursion into the dinosaur world will have drastic effects. There’s also the threat of another incursion looming in the distance – one that somehow involves Doctor Doom. For now, though, fans are just enjoying the dinosaur antics. Many are sharing their love for the covers on social media, though some have rightly pointed out the story has similar vibes to last year’s The Jurassic League from DC Comics. Rather than a multiversal crossover, that story reimagined Justice League of America heroes as dinosaurs. Fantastic Four #13 hits stands October 4. For more Fantastic Four and comic book news, be sure to check out all our coverage.

The best Spider-Man comics and where to find them Marvel ComicsSpider-Man is one of the most popular comic book characters ever, and these five stories make up some of his best adventures ever. Thanks to a number of wildly popular video games and movies, Spider-Man is more popular than ever. However, even before that, he was one of Marvel’s most popular characters. Spider-Man has had a host of incredibly popular comic arcs and some particularly famous moments, but with 60 years of history, it can be daunting to dive in as a new reader. Whether you’re an old fan looking for some classics or a new reader trying to find a starting point, here are the best Spider-Man comics available today. Best Spider-Man comics & where to find them From the Spider-Verse to beyond the grave, these are the best Spider-Man comics. Spider-Verse Did you dig Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse? That whole affair really starts here (and, based on some of the cameo appearances, may even be a prequel to the films). Released in 2014, Spider-Verse sees variants of Spider-Man from across the multiverse work together to repel The Inheritors, a group of multiversal beings led by Morlun who feed on the blood of Spider-People. Spider-Verse is one of the more notable Spider-Man crossovers that not only expanded the Marvel Universe in a huge way but also introduced fan-favorite mainstays like Spider-Gwen. Superior Spider-Man (2013) What makes Spider-Man one of Marvel’s best heroes? To answer that question, you weirdly enough have to dive into a story that made him kind of evil, Superior Spider-Man. A dying Doctor Octopus makes a last-ditch play and swaps brains with Peter Parker. While Peter dies in Doc Ock’s body, the memories of Peter’s life inspire him to prove he’s worthy of life by continuing as Spider-Man. Superior is a hell of a character study, not just of Doc Ock but of what Spider-Man stands for. The story starts as a look at a dark, violent take on Spider-Man, not unlike spiritual predecessors such as Knightfall or The Captain. It becomes a heart-wrenching tale of loss and suffering as Otto is forced to reckon with not only his own shortcomings but the prospect of redemption. Kraven’s Last Hunt There are a lot of stories that fans will tell you are the definitive Spider-Man fights, but perhaps Kraven’s Last Hunt steals the cake by taking Spider-Man out of the picture. Kraven’s Last Hunt sees the titular Kraven the Hunter out to prove himself before his death by finally hunting Spider-Man. The desperate Kraven survives, poisoning Spidey and burying him alive. Kraven takes on Spider-Man’s identity, stalking the streets of New York for days while Spider-Man struggles to escape. Kraven’s Last Hunt is one of Marvel’s darkest main universe stories ever and one that Spider-Man fans really need to read. Spider-Man Blue We’ve included a piece by the superstar team of Jeph Loeb and the late Tim Sale on several best-of lists so far, including Daredevil: Yellow, Batman: The Long Halloween, and Superman For All Seasons. The team naturally tackled Spidey as well with the acclaimed Spider-Man: Blue. Part of Marvel’s “Colors” series of comics, Loeb and Sale paint a picture of a grieving Spider-Man, recording audio journals for Gwen Stacy, whose death years earlier is still affecting him. Blue is a remarkable tale that tackles the oft-referenced death of Gwen Stacy with grace and kindness to the characters, focusing on the love and the grief but never the misery that so many have seen as the focal point of Gwen’s death. This is easily a definitive take on the morose side of Spider-Man and a beautiful companion piece for fans of early Spidey tales. The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man Recommending The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man is a weird one because it’s not even the focal point of its own issue. The story, appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #248, is a backup feature following a story with Spidey fighting Thunderball of The Wrecking Crew. It’s perhaps the most well-known Spider-Man story of its time. Following a fight, Spider-Man visits Tim Harrison, a superfan who has collected photos and stories of him and has written the Daily Bugle wanting to meet him. The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man ends on something of a bittersweet note, but what a note it is. This is an incredible story focusing on Peter’s humility and how he’s coping with the emotional blows he’s taken throughout the years. Best Comics of 2023 | Five best X-Men comics to read before their MCU debut | The best Guardians of the Galaxy comics & where to find them | The five best Batman comic books for new and returning readers | The best Superman comics for new readers and where to find them | Five best Daredevil comics to read before the MCU’s Born Again | Echo: Five Marvel Comics stories to read before the MCU series | The best Fantastic Four comics to read before the next movie | Top 5 comics to read after seeing Blue Beetle If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The best Batman quotes of all time DC ComicsBatman is one of the most popular and enigmatic characters in comic books, and his specific character and personality have led to some of the most memorable quotes in comic books. Batman may be the most quotable movie character in recent years. People have been screaming, “I’m Batman!” for nearly 40 years now, celebrating a line that nearly wasn’t even in the movie. But before that, he was incredibly quotable in Batman comics, too. It helps that Batman is usually the coolest person in every room he’s in, giving him prime opportunities for biting comments and dramatic reveals. To celebrate the long history of the character across comics, graphic novels, and more, here are the best Batman quotes you can find in DC Comics stories. The best Batman quotes in DC Comics From his earliest stories to his greatest battles, these are the best Batman quotes from DC Comics. “It took a seventy-thousand dollar sliver of meteor to stop the one in Metropolis. With you, all I need is a penny for a book of matches.” There just really aren’t words for what a joy The New Frontier is to read, even today. The story follows the in-universe transition from the hopeful and childlike wonder of the Golden Age into the paranoid, terrifying Silver Age in the shadow of multiple wars. The book depicts a Batman just starting to accept he can’t be terrifying all the time, but his first interactions with Martian Manhunter really drive home just how paranoid he is. He’s only met J’onn once before their encounter, but the next time they speak, he’s already figured out the weaknesses of the entire Martian race. “Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well. You’ve eaten Gotham’s wealth. Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on – none of you are safe.” Batman: Year One is one of the most iconic and important Batman stories of the modern era, updating and reimagining Batman’s origins for new readers. It’s influenced a lot of the Batman movies you’ve loved, which is why it’s a shame this pivotal moment has only ever been adapted in animation. Batman’s debut as a costumed vigilante doesn’t go great, but he kicks things off with a bang, at least. Blowing out the wall of a mobster’s dining room, Batman delivers a haunting warning, putting all of Gotham’s criminals on notice. “They need to be inspired. And let’s face it, Superman, the last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead.” By the time of Infinite Crisis, DC’s heroes are in a dark place. The betrayal of the Justice League in Identity Crisis, the death of Blue Beetle, and the reveal that Maxwell Lord was manipulating events drove the heroes to their breaking points. Identity Crisis, in particular, had a bleak fallout, driving Batman further into paranoia by the time its story was done. That paranoia drives him to lash out in the opening moments of Infinite Crisis, setting the stage for a fractured Trinity and the near destruction of the DC Universe. “Every night. Over and over and over. For so many years. ‘This is the end, Batman!’ Every. Damn. Night. And yet…I’m still here.” Tom King’s Batman focused a lot on the concept of Batman and what it meant. Stories like I Am Gotham and I Am Suicide reimagined the idea that Batman was a necessity not just for Gotham but for Bruce himself. And yet, the story still had some of the most badass Batman moments in recent memory. Batman’s defiant fight with Bane early on in the run may have just been setting the stage for the ultimate showdown in City of Bane, but it’s hard to deny just how tough Batman looks in these early encounters. “I want him dead. Maybe more than I’ve ever wanted anything. But if I do that, if I allow myself to go down into that place…I’ll never come back.” All They Do Is Watch Us Kill was the white-knuckle conclusion to the Under the Red Hood saga, where Batman learned the former Robin, Jason Todd, had somehow survived the Joker’s attempted murder. The story comes to a head when Jason, having assumed the Red Hood identity, takes Joker hostage and threatens to kill him. Batman’s plea with Jason not to follow down that road is an incredibly powerful one, as he bares his soul to his former sidekick. The story is an incredible exploration of how far Batman is willing to go to protect his own soul and, for readers at the time, ends on a wild cliffhanger as the universe begins changing around them as a result of Infinite Crisis. “Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot, so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts! I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible, a…a…a bat! It’s an omen! I shall become a bat!” Before Spider-Man had great power and great responsibility, Batman had his fairly narrow-minded opinions of criminals. Batman #1 establishes Bruce’s reasons for choosing the guise of a bat, following in the grand tradition of pulp heroes like The Shadow. Sure, Year One does a much more dramatic take on this moment, with Bruce contemplating his own mortality and impatience. But it’s hard to deny just how powerful and iconic the original take on this moment, where Bruce resolves to embrace a gothic bat identity to fight crime, remains to this day. “You’re wrong! Batman and Robin will NEVER DIE!” Is this one cheating? Maybe. It’s a Batman quote, but the man in the cloak is Dick Grayson, having taken on the mantle after Bruce seemingly died following Final Crisis (he was, in fact, just displaced in time). This moment, a flash-forward before the story Batman R.I.P., does a lot to set the tone of what would come. This first glimpse at Dick as Batman and Bruce’s son, Damian, as Robin was a huge surprise at the time, and the declaration of Batman and Robin’s immortality was a hell of a rallying cry at a period when most of DC’s big heroes were briefly benched for new heroes. “A long time ago, I fell through that opening. I haven’t really ever stopped falling. Maybe it’s time to go the other way. Time for both of us to leave the dark.” It’s kind of odd that Knightfall isn’t remembered more fondly. It’s a massive Batman event that sees Bruce’s back broken, resulting in Jean-Paul Valley taking over as Batman. But the emotionally traumatized Jean-Paul becomes increasingly more violent, leading to a final showdown in the Batcave over the right to be the one, true Batman. It’s fitting that the final fight takes place in the cramped, claustrophobic caves where Bruce first fell as a child. The final fight is won not through brute force but strategy, knowledge, and a willingness to step into the light. It’s a surprisingly hopeful finale, which is a little odd considering what would happen in the comics in the years that followed. “I’ve been thinking lately. About you and me. About what’s going to happen to us, in the end. We’re going to kill each other, aren’t we?” The Killing Joke is fairly controversial today for how it treated Barbara Gordon, something even writer Alan Moore has expressed regret over. But the series is still lauded for the quiet moments between Batman and Joker and the realization of the path they’re on. It’s hard to ever forget those opening lines, as Batman pleads with Joker to stop the madness they’ve both succumbed to before it’s too late. Sure, it winds up not being The Joker, but Batman’s heartfelt plea is a beautifully written thing that will stick with readers, much like the rest of The Killing Joke. “I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in your most private moments…I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.” The Dark Knight Returns ends with a shocking, no-holds-barred brawl between The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. Superman, working as a government stooge, gets his ass kicked all over Gotham thanks to Green Arrow’s kryptonite arrow and a Batman throwing punches connected to the city’s power grid. It’s a hell of a fight, and Batman technically gets the win, though he doesn’t seem to relish it. The story does end with Superman standing tall, but only because Batman staged the fight to fake his death. Best Comics of 2023 | The five best Batman comic books for new and returning readers | The best Superman comics for new readers and where to find them | The Batman 2: Release date, cast, plot, more | How tall is Batman in the DCU and DC comics? | What is Batman Day? 2023 free comics, events, and more | Every DC comic to read before Batman and Robin #1 | Where to watch all of the Batman live-action movies

Ten coolest Cyclops moments from X-Men comics Marvel ComicsIf you think Cyclops was cool in X-Men ’97, these ten moments ripped from Marvel X-Men comics will prove that he’s been cool for decades. A lot of jaded X-Men fans came away from X-Men ’97 thinking Cyclops was cool, but the reality is that Cyclops was always cool. The problem is his powers. Cyclops has uncontrollable optic blasts that allow him to do some genuinely impressive things. Narratively, though, he has to be ever vigilant; otherwise, his blasts will potentially kill everyone within range. If you’ve just watched X-Men ’97 and want to know more about just how awesome Cyclops has always been, here are ten of his coolest moments. The coolest Cyclops moments in X-Men comics From X-Men #1 to the upcoming From The Ashes reboot, these are the 10 coolest Cyclops moments in X-Men comics. “I want that thing off my lawn. “ In what may be the single most staggering show of force for an X-Men character, Cyclops once laid waste to an entire Sentinel. Sure, there’s some caveats. It’s a decrepit, damaged sentinel from an old X-Men fight. And Cyclops does spend a lot of the fight on the defensive as others try to get students to safety. But once the coast is clear, Cyclops’ visor comes off, and all that’s left is a smoking crater. “Plan B implies we only have 26.” Cyclops’ earned his role as leader thanks to his tactical mind. That was put on full display during the Fear Itself event when he’s tasked with stopping a rampaging, magically enhanced Juggernaut. When told he needs a plan B, Cyclops is quick to shut down the notion, as that implies he only has 26 plans. We witness Cyclops put multiple plans into effect to stop the Juggernaut, though we never see him ready to concede in the face of failure. Thankfully, the day is saved by plan 13, although it is slightly modified thanks to the intervention of Colossus. “Did you think we were just going to sit around and take it forever?” With the shift in tone for House of X, the X-Men suddenly found themselves a world power. They offered a safe haven and amnesty to all mutants, good or bad, which led to a number of tense interactions and plenty of opportunities for Cyclops to reassert himself. Take, for example, the moment in House of X #1 where he’s confronted by the Fantastic Four. Though he allows the FF to take Sabretooth rather than fight, he very firmly asserts that the X-Men are no longer taking attacks against mutants lying down. Cyclops is a proud jetpack owner Dark Reign saw the rise of multiple teams who opposed Cyclops’ San Francisco-based Utopia team, including Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers and Emma Frost’s Dark X-Men. Cyclops isn’t even phased by the intimidating Osborn, though. Cyclops swoops in on a jetpack, demands to speak to Osborn, and promptly lays out a single demand: surrender. Osborn laughs, but the way the X-Men soundly defeat both the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men over the following issues proves that laughter wasn’t earned. A master tactician In the wake of Messiah Complex, the X-Men were scattered with no active teams. Cyclops and Emma take time off to vacation in the Savage Land as he tries to decide the next steps. The Savage Land is fraught with dangers, though, and dinosaurs stalk every corner. Through Emma’s psychic feed of Scott’s brain, readers get a unique look into just how his mind works, seeing Cyclops not only studying how two dinosaurs fight but the way he deduces the best approach to defeat them singlehandedly. A father’s sacrifice During The Twelve, Apocalypse captured 12 mutants with the intent of being reborn in the energy of Nate Gray, an alternate timeline version of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor’s son, Nathan Summers. Cyclops still sees Nate as a version of his son regardless, and when the chips are down, a powerless Cyclops throws himself in the way, seeking to be possessed in Nate’s place. It’s a bold gambit that ultimately pays off. Cyclops, while still a match for Apocalypse, wasn’t as strong a host as Nate would have been, allowing the X-Men to save the day. Cyclops vs. the X-Men For the X-Men’s 20th anniversary, Cyclops finds himself in a deadly fight when Mastermind manipulates reality. The other X-Men think Cyclops is a returned Dark Phoenix, leading him to fight against his teammates. It should have been a massacre, but Mastermind seriously underestimates Cyclops. He single-handedly takes it down on his own. Not only does he out-think his team on the field, but Mastermind as well, using Rogue’s powers to absorb the unconscious Xavier’s telepathy so Mastermind’s scheme can be undone. An expert marksman A fairly generic one, but Cyclops’ mastery of his optic blasts means he can pull off some genuinely sick trick shots. For one such example, look no further than Uncanny X-Men #124. With the X-Men trapped in Murderworld by Arcade, Cyclops finds himself trying to save his team. While Nightcrawler is outclassed by a rollerdome full of deadly bumper cars with razor blades, Cyclops is able to take them all out with a single trickshot around the room. Standing up to the Avengers Following Avengers vs X-Men, Cyclops becomes a mutant revolutionary. He’s an outcast, despised by mutants and feared by other heroes for his actions as the leader of the Phoenix Five, specifically the murder of Charles Xavier. Cyclops tries to make right by continuing to fight for the rights of mutants. His first trial by fire: the Avengers. Not only does he manage to bluff through the fight, given his powers aren’t working, but he boldly uses the victory to make it clear to all who are watching: he will not stand by while mutants are in danger, no matter who is in the way. To me, my X-Men Astonishing X-Men is a hell of a read that spends much of its early issues rebuilding Kitty Pryde for the modern era. The latter half of the Whedon/Cassady run makes Cyclops a legendary powerhouse, though. Stranded on Breakworld, a seemingly depowered Cyclops is held hostage and tortured. The X-Men are in dire straights, scattered, and all seems hopeless. That is until Cyclops’ bluff is called. Not only was being captured part of his plan, but his powers very much still work, with a massive optic blast signaling the X-Men back together as Cyclops stands tall over the smoking remains of his captors.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator believes a Daredevil crossover is inevitable Paramount/Disney/IDWThe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had a number of high-profile crossover appearances in recent years, but co-creator Kevin Eastman is still chasing a Daredevil crossover story. It’s a well-known fact that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Daredevil’s origin go hand-in-hand. Creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird have been very open about their love of Daredevil, especially Frank Miller’s run on the character. TMNT was originally created as something of a tongue-in-cheek dark parody of Daredevil. Today, that piece of trivia is well-known, and that connection is almost universally recognized, albeit unofficially. Both properties have gone on to become critically acclaimed, and the TMNT have made a name for themselves, having high-profile crossovers with the likes of Batman, Ghostbusters, and even the Power Rangers. But Daredevil remains a pipe dream, though one TMNT creator feels it’s going to happen. Kevin Eastman says a Daredevil/TMNT crossover will happen While speaking with Comic Book for the upcoming digital release of the latest film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, co-creator Kevin Eastman stressed that he feels Daredevil is going to happen, one way or another. “(It happens) In my mind a lot and often. It’s been something that in all sincerity, I believe will happen. But if not, I’ll just do it for free and put it out.” Eastman explained. The Daredevil connection begins with the real-world creation of the property, where concepts like the Foot Clan and the ninja master Splinter were created to parody Daredevil’s fights with ninja cult The Hand and his blind master Stick. In modern interpretations, though never spelled out on paper, the accident that caused Daredevil to lose his sight and gain his enhanced senses is the same one that spilled ooze into the sewers and mutated the four turtles. “I have a story and I have ideas and one time, I would like that opportunity to do it,” Eastman said. “But you know, in the meantime, we were lucky enough to cross over with Ghostbusters and Batman in the comic and man, what a blast. So yeah, one day. That’s definitely bucket list.” Those Ninja Turtles crossovers have become high-profile in recent years. Crossover comics with Batman and Power Rangers spawned toy lines, with TMNT x Batman even receiving an animated film adaptation. Today, they’re battling Shadaloo in TMNT x Street Fighter and exploring the Upside Down in TMNT x Stranger Things, both on sale from IDW. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is available now on digital. For more TMNT and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Superman’s most legendary era finally getting the release it deserves DC ComicsAfter years of demand, DC is finally releasing an omnibus collection of Superman’s classic Triangle Era of comics, but fans still have a ways to go to collect the entire saga. With nearly 90 years of stories to his name, Superman is one of the most storied superheroes ever published. That long history of stories can often result in some confusion, especially as Superman’s most epic stories will weave throughout multiple Superman-centric titles. DC found a solution to that problem, which has come to be known as the “Triangle Era.” Fans of this creative renaissance of Superman stories have been begging DC for a collection for years and are finally getting their wish. Superman’s classic Triangle Era comics collection announced At long last, a collection of Superman’s “Triangle Era” is coming, but it’s no easy feat. The first volume, announced via a posting to the Penguin Random House Comics Retail site, lists a hardcover release of 1,384 pages, which will set fans back $125. That isn’t killing the excitement for the release, though. The release was discovered by eagle-eyed Redditor methodic_traveller, who shared it to the Superman subreddit. “IT’S HAPPENING!!” methodic_traveller excitedly shared in the post. The Reddit thread is full of similar elation from Superman fans who have been waiting for the collection. “I’ve never been more excited in my life! This is so cool!” user EUismyCan0n said. “I love that artwork 😍 I might have to pick this up.” said user GhstGunnr27G. “I just passed 50% of triangle era in floppies yesterday.” jediprime added. “So you’re welcome everyone” While fans have been able to collect the various stories in trade paperback form, a proper omnibus collection has been something fans have wanted for years. The blend of long-running arcs and single-issues stories meant many elements of the “Triangle Era” fall just outside the scope of collections, leaving dedicated fans scouring used comic bins to find odd single issues. What is Superman’s Triangle Era? At the start of the ‘90s, Superman was undergoing a creative shift. The character was arguably the most thorough reboot following Crisis on Infinite Earths, which his backstory being retooled and his powers being drastically reduced. Eventually, though, Superman was back up to a mammoth four titles–Superman, Action Comics, Superman: The Man of Steel, and Adventures of Superman–with stories often running across multiple titles to boost sales. To prevent confusion, DC instituted a numbering system. Each issue had a badge on the cover with the year of release and the number of where the issue fell in the story. Superman #51 starts with badge number 1991/1, while Adventures of Superman #747 has 1991/2, and so on, with the numbering restarting every year. The badges are shaped like triangles, so it became affectionately known by fans as the “Triangle Era.” The trick worked, helping readers keep up with the long-running narratives. This was especially useful as the tales got more complex, with the era including classics like The Death of Superman, Reign of the Supermen, and Panic in the Sky. While this collection is a long-awaited fan request, it’s far from over. The “Triangle Era” lasted over a decade, with the last official entry being 2002’s Action Comics #785 (2002/4), a one-off Bizarro story. The books underwent a sort of soft relaunch the following month to tell more self-contained tales to draw in news readers, removing the need for the numbering badges. But with over a decade of comics, it’s likely fans can look forward a potentially years of Triangle Era omnibus releases. Superman: The Triangle Era Omnibus Vol. 1, which collects Superman #49-64; Adventures of Superman #472-486; Action Comics #659-673; Superman: The Man of Steel #1-8, releases September 3, 2024.

The shocking effect Pink Kryptonite has on Superman and how DC fixed it DC Comics | Warner BrosSuperman has faced a lot of variations of Kryptonite in DC Comics, but the one-off appearance of Pink Kryptonite has become one of the more memorable ones for all the wrong reasons. Green Kryptonite has an interesting history in Superman stories. While it is a seemingly essential building block of any Superman narrative, it wasn’t actually introduced until he had been around for years. Even then, it was only created to write out Superman so the actor voicing him for a radio show could take a vacation. But with that came more color variations of Kryptonite than you can count. Red Kryptonite has a random effect. Gold Kryptonite permanently removes a Kryptonian’s powers. Blue Kryptonite is like Red Kryptonite, but for Bizarros. The list goes on and on. That’s when the weird stuff starts showing up. Silver Kryptonite? Superman acts like he’s high. X-Kryptonite? Supergirl’s cat gets superpowers from it. And then, in the mid-00s, DC introduced the wildest one yet: the incredibly offensive Pink Kryptonite. How does Pink Kryptonite affect Superman? Pink Kryptonite makes one appearance in a comic, and in that appearance, it seemingly makes Superman gay. The story is 2006’s Supergirl #79, the final story of that run. In it, then-current supergirl Linda Danvers goes back in time to Earth-One and takes the place of the pre-Crisis Supergirl Kara Zor-El, hoping to prevent her death. Linda lives an entire life with the Earth-One Superman but ultimately has to go back to let Kara face her destiny. During the story, Linda has a number of traditionally wacky Silver Age adventures. In one such fairly offensive instance, Superman is exposed to Pink Kryptonite. The more innocent Silver Age characters don’t pick up what’s happening as Superman compliments Jimmy Olsen’s bowtie and discusses window treatments, but Linda seems aware of the stereotype. How DC fixed Pink Kryptonite Obviously, Pink Kryptonite was a bit controversial, so it seemed like DC was going to be content to let that one gather dust in the past. However, it did make one appearance in a more modern story where it was reworked to be less offensive. The web series Justice League Action featured a short episode called True Colors, in which Superman is losing a fight to Metallo, whose armor is powered by Green Kryptonite. Fellow League member Firestorm attempts to transmute the Kryptonite so it’s not harmful, but he keeps messing up the formula and making things worse. In one instance, though, Firestorm turns it into Pink Kryptonite. Here, Pink Kryptonite turns Superman into Superwoman, which allows the Woman of Steel to at least hold her own until Firestorm can turn the Kryptonite into lead. The episode marks the final appearance of Pink Kryptonite as of this writing. The best Superman comics for new readers and where to find them | How tall is Superman? Character’s height in DCU & DC Comics explained | Who killed Superman? Every time the Man of Steel died in DC Comics | Why did Superman wear a black suit? Recovery suit explained | Superman vs. The Flash: Which Justice League superhero is faster? | The five best Batman comic books for new and returning readers

Superman: Lost sees Lex Luthor do something unthinkably evil even for him DC ComicsLex Luthor has always been the Man of Steel’s ultimate foil, but he just crossed a line that may be too far – even for him. Superman: Lost has been a real gem of a series. Released in conjunction with the Man of Steel’s 85th anniversary, the series sees Superman lost in space on a mission. While he seems to return just a few hours later, he’s actually been on a trauma-inducing 20-year journey through space and solitude. The book is an incredible two-sided tale. Superman’s journey through space is the kind of old-school, classic storytelling you want, as he faces larger-than-life threats and big regimes. But the quiet moments of Superman lost in space or stoically at home trying to reacclimate to his life on Earth are some of the most powerful moments ever put on a comic book page. That might be what makes the final pages of Superman: Lost #7 so shocking. Lois Lane turns to a desperate foe for help, but what she gets is something no one could have guessed. Note, spoilers for Superman: Lost #7 to follow. Lex Luthor launches his final attack on Superman by giving Lois Lane terminal cancer Superman’s return to Earth has him trying to cope with the severe PTSD of being more or less alone in space for two decades. He’s withdrawn and sees everyone as alien and distant. Early issues have Lois constantly having to remind him to breathe as he’s so used to holding his breath in space. Lois doesn’t know what else to do at this point, so she goes to Lex Luthor. Her logic is pretty flawed, but she’s desperate. She thinks if Lex does his typical Lex supervillain schtick, it’ll be enough to snap Superman out of his fugue. Lex responds by giving her terminal cancer. To describe this as an unnerving pair of pages is the understatement of the series. The reveal comes out of nowhere, and its callousness is shocking. The issue drives the point home with its final pages. Lois confirms the diagnosis and returns home, the issue ending on a cliffhanger as to whether she’ll actually tell Superman. Comic book characters & cancer have a surprisingly long history While it is shocking, cancer itself has never been a taboo subject in comics. Deadpool’s scarred visage is due to his own cancer conflicting with his healing factor. The original Captain Marvel developed terminal cancer following exposure to a nerve gas, which resulted in his own fairly mundane death. Infamously, even Lex Luthor has faced cancer in a ’90s story. Stricken with Kryptonite-induced cancer due to a ring he wore, Luthor had to transplant his brain into a clone. Superman himself has even faced cancer, in a sense. The non-canon all-time classic All-Star Superman sees the Man of Steel overwhelmed with solar radiation. The result is something analogous to cancer, where his overcharged cells are imploding and eventually kill him. Still, Luthor’s attack on Lois remains a shocking one that is sure to catch readers off guard. How it plays out could make all the difference in determining if Superman: Lost is one of the best Superman stories ever. Superman: Lost #7 is available now. For more Superman and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Superman is surprisingly shorter than Marvel’s biggest superheroes DC Comics/Warner BrosI always thought of Superman as this giant hero, towering over his enemies while his red cape flutters in the wind behind him. If you do some research though, you’ll realize that compared to other superheroes, he’s not as tall as you think he is—and I have the comparisons to prove it. Maybe it’s the fact that he can fly that fools you into thinking that Superman is a larger-than-life character. I’m sure he towers over everyone he encounters at the Daily Planet while living in the real world as Clark Kent, but when you place him side by side with his fellow crime-fighting peers, the illusion takes a little bit of a beating. Whether you’re getting ready for the next Action Comics epic or just looking forward to Superman: Legacy, here’s a quick look at just how tall Superman really is. How tall is Superman in DC Comics? In DC Comics, the fully-grown Superman is 6’3”, or 192 cm. Of course, that’s mighty tall for any regular person walking down the street, but if you take a look at the comparisons below, it’s not as impressive as it sounds. Superman’s height was first confirmed in 1997’s JLA: Secret Files #1 and then in 1998’s Superman: Secret Files one-shot, so we do have official confirmation of his size. Both those heights are from when Superman was split into his Red & Blue energy forms, but you can go as far back as 1990’s Who’s Who in the DC Universe #1 to find the height matches up with a more traditional Superman. Superman isn’t even DC’s tallest hero You might think that as their flagship character, Superman towers over everyone in the DC Comics universe. That’s not the case though, as several characters are taller than him, and a few are very close. For example, both Batman and Wonder Woman are listed as 6’2″, or 188 cm in recent comic appearances, so they are only an inch shorter than the Caped Crusader. Starfire has an inch on Superman, while Cyborg is a full three inches taller than the man from Krypton. You can take a look at their size comparison below. It’s interesting to see that even though he’s an alien with superstrength, flight, and laser eyes, he’s only 4 centimeters taller than Batman, who is essentially a rich kid with no actual powers. On the flip side, the metal behemoth Cyborg has a healthy advantage over Kent, with an almost 9cm gap between the pair. It gets worse for Superman in the Marvel universe So not only is he not impressively tall in the DC universe, but he looks quite average once we get to the Marvel world. Hawkeye is one of the weakest Avengers, with just a bow and arrow to defeat enemies, but somehow he’s the same height as the man from Metropolis. Deadpool and Star-Lord, two characters who you don’t think of as impressively tall, are just four centimeters smaller, while both Iron Man and Thor both have 9cm on him. The Hulk practically dwarves Superman, with his height listed at between 213cm to 243cm. Take a look at how Superman compares with his Marvel counterparts below. His height is all over the place in the movies When it comes to Superman on the silver screen, his height can range from 182 cm to 195 cm depending on the actor portraying him, as displayed in the image below. Christopher Reeve is by far the biggest, towering over his castmates in the 70s and 80s at 195 centimeters. He’ll be joined there by David Corenswet, who will debut as the hero from Krypton in 2025. It’s interesting to note that both will actually be taller than Clark Kent is in the comics. Should I become a film star in my 30s, that’s unlikely to be an issue I run into. Brandon Routh stood at 188 cm, while both George Reeves and Henry Cavill measured in at 185 cm. Finally, Dean Cain and Tyler Hoechlin are the smallest, at a very respectable 182 cm.

Superman vs. The Flash: Which Justice League superhero is faster? DC ComicsThe Flash is the fastest man alive, but Superman is no slouch when it comes to super-speed. If DC’s two fastest heroes went neck-and-neck, who would be faster? There’s a long-running joke that the Justice League exists to just replicate Superman’s powers and that he doesn’t really need his super pals. It’s the pitfalls of having one character with so many powers. The caveat is usually that the individual Leaguers are not necessarily stronger, but more skilled than Superman at their individual power. That’s a bit hard to quantify, though, when trying to compare Superman to Green Lantern or Aquaman. Not so with The Flash. The Scarlet Speedster and the Man of Steel have raced each other many times across comics, animation, and even on film. The answer of who is faster is usually intentionally vague, but thanks to a pivotal comic book moment, there is an accepted, definitive answer. A history of Superman vs The Flash races Historically, Superman and The Flash have raced throughout the years for a variety of circumstances. The very first race was in 1967’s Superman #199. The premise for the first race is the two are asked to compete against each other to help the UN raise funds for an under-developed nations program, which the two heroes are more than happy to do. However, gamblers attempt to manipulate betting on the race, so the two make sure to cross the finish line simultaneously, thus screwing over the gamblers and avoiding having to answer who was the faster of the two. Over the years, the two would have multiple races, and the winner would often vary depending on circumstances. Most of the races end in a tie or with extenuating circumstances preventing a clear win. In terms of outright victories, the two are almost neck and neck, with Superman winning one race and The Flash winning two, but there’s always just enough doubt cast to make the answer definitive. Is Superman faster than The Flash? For the real answer to whether Superman or The Flash is faster, we’ve got to journey back to just before the Flashpoint event. In the original continuity, Barry Allen returned from death and set about reestablishing himself in The Flash: Rebirth. Believing death is calling him back and killing other speedsters in the process, Barry is resigned to throw himself back into the Speed Force. Superman arrives to talk him down and is quick to tell Barry that running is pointless; after all, Superman won some of those races. The Flash rightfully points out that those races were for charity and leaves the Man of Steel in the dust. These days it’s pretty well accepted that while Superman can get close at top speed, The Flash is significantly faster than Superman. There’s even a hierarchy among the various Flashes, with Jay Garrick being the slowest. As of the Knight Terrors event, it seems that the current Flash, Wally West, could potentially be faster than Barry, but Barry still has better control over his speed.

Redditors asked what Superman’s favorite music is and found the perfect answer DC Comics | ElektraSuperman has a long history with DC Comics and fans think they know a lot about them, but a Reddit thread surprised users with the revelation that he’s a Metallica superfan. For as long as Superman has been around, there’s still a lot of mystery to the Man of Steel. There’s plenty that’s been revealed through various stories and conversations, but you can never really tell what’s true and what’s Superman trying to protect his dual identities. We do know more about Superman than ever now. A lot of this is thanks to arcs like Truth, where we saw a Superman with no secret identity, or the follow-up to the Warworld Saga, where readers learned why Lois had made sure Superman kept his gladiator outfit. But some of what we know about Superman comes from classic stories that have been forgotten or lost to time. Reddit has now asked one such question and found some surprising responses about the Man of Steel. Redditors ask what Superman’s favorite music is and get a surprising answer The Reddit thread in question asks a pretty simple question. What kind of music does Superman, an alien refugee raised by farmers and working in the big city as a journalist, listen to? There are a lot of fun answers in the Reddit thread, ranging from genuine guesses to tongue-in-cheek answers, but it opens with an accusation. “James Gunn is probably asking himself the same thing” one Redditor answered. “OP’s account is only 2 months old and posts exclusively in this sub. Hmm…” said another, jokingly adding to the accusation that the OP was James Gunn. Many others pointed to Superman’s traditional rural upbringing or his naturally upbeat nature to point toward some traditional ideas. “Depends on your version, obviously,” one Redditor added. “But talking classic Supes I find it hard to believe that a guy from rural Kansas who is basically values aligned with his agricultural parents doesn’t listen to country, and then pop music up to the era that it became exclusively about butts, cause those songs make him bashful.” “Classic jazz, blues, the occasional contemporary song that he enjoys.” one suggested. “I feel like it’s country (not country pop), but I like the idea that he’s a closet NWA fan.” said another Redditor. “80’s pop,” one poster suggested. “It’s happy, fun, and makes you move.” Superman’s favorite band is Metallica Identifying Superman’s favorite music may be hard, but we do at least have a canonical idea of what his favorite band might be, as one Redditor pointed out. “His favorite band is Metallica, he has all of their albums on cd, and his favorite is ‘..and Justice for All, ‘” pointed out user im_a_weirdo2005. im_a_weirdo2005 is actually correct. The moment in question comes from 2001’s Superboy #83, a pivotal issue in the Superboy ongoing that spun out of the Death & Return of Superman arc. The issue sees Superboy worried that he’s out-of-touch, finding himself at odds after losses alongside Young Justice and feeling neglected by peers who see him as a little more than a braggart superhero. Superboy is able to bounce back with a pep talk from Superman. During the conversation, Superman points out that not everyone truly knows Superman either, and reveals he’s a die-hard Metallica fan who owns all their albums. “No way. Better disc, ‘Master of Puppets?” Or The Black Album?” Superboy asks. “Justice for All.” Superman replies, quickly moving back to the subject at hand. We don’t see a lot of discussion about his musical tastes, but considering this is the current version of the character following his return during DC Rebirth, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the current DC Comics Superman is also a literal Metallica superfan.

Superman just learned the biggest secret Batman kept from him DC ComicsBatman and Santa Claus are working together to fight vampires, but the whole thing may be enough to make Superman a little mad. It’s the holiday season, and no one busts out all the stops for that quite like DC. There’s always a plethora of fun holiday tie-ins, from comics to shows to action figures. This season’s main attraction is easily the four-issue Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight story. This mini-series establishes Batman and Santa Claus as having a long-standing partnership, with St. Nick being akin to a vampire hunter of sorts. But Batman is known for keeping his secrets, and his secret friendship with Santa Claus may have been the breaking point for one of his closest friends. Warning, spoilers for Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight #2 follow Superman learns Batman never told him about Santa Claus Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight reveals that Batman never told Superman about Santa Claus’ existence. Naturally, the Man of Steel seems pretty upset when he finds out at the issue’s end. The issue focuses on Batman rallying the Bat-family and other street-level heroes, like Green Arrow and Black Canary, to help fight back against the undead Draug. The fight escalates to new levels as they race against time to save Zatanna, but Superman’s arrival may change the mood entirely. It’s a tongue-in-cheek moment, but it is in line with past depictions of Superman. For some reason, his innately curious journalist instincts seem to turn a blind eye towards Santa Claus. More appropriately, though, the moment feels like an excellent nod to the animated Justice League‘s perfect Christmas episode, Comfort and Joy. In that episode, Superman takes Martian Manhunter to Smallville to teach him about Christmas. Throughout the episode, it was made apparent that Superman still believed in Santa Claus. With Superman on hand, it’s only a matter of time before the Man of Steel and Jolly St. Nick finally meet. It could be a meeting for the ages, and fans won’t have to wait a few more days for that team-up, as Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight #3 hits stands December 19. Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight #2 is available now from DC Comics. For more Batman and comic book news, be sure to stick with Dexerto. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Superboy just beat his new Vegeta in a sick Dragon Ball-style battle DC ComicsA Dragon Ball Z-style fight marks the end of Superboy’s latest series in an explosive fashion. Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow has finally wrapped up its six-issue run, but the series is going out with a bang. More importantly, it’s going out with a big anime-inspired climax. The finale sees Superboy square off against a new villain, Cyborg Superboy. Cyborg Superboy is, in fact, Travv, a member of a rebel cell whom Superboy has been attempting to help. It’s not gone well so far, with multiple fatalities, including a Green Lantern. Superboy seemed to have inspired the others to change their ways, but Travv merged his mind with a cyborg body at the last second, setting the stage for the all-new Man of Tomorrow’s biggest fight yet. Superboy and Cyborg Superboy square off in a Dragon Ball Z-inspired fight Superboy vs. Cyborg Superboy has a lot of setup, but the actual fight is pretty brief. Most of the fight is Superboy trying to convince his allies to leave the fight. Once the two actually get started, though, it ends pretty quickly. Cyborg Superboy almost immediately goes for his ultimate attack, but he doesn’t count on the ace up Superboy’s sleeve: his Tactile Telekinesis and sheer determination. Superboy pushes back against the impossible in a page that is straight out of an episode of Dragon Ball. He pushes the blast back on Cyborg Superboy, laying out his foe but not killing him, just in time for the Green Lantern Corps to arrive and take custody of everyone. It’s a big payoff for Superboy, who has spent much of this run at odds with his place in a universe that had forgotten him. In that sense, the issue takes inspiration from Dragon Ball Z in more ways than one, as Superboy’s ultimate victory comes after drawing strength from the sheer determination and hope of his friends and allies. The run ends with Superboy in a better place, but it also ends with the tease that Travv survived. All signs point to Cyborg Superboy, much like Vegeta, returning to terrorize Superboy another day. Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow #6 is available now from DC Comics. For more Superboy and comics news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Stephen A. Smith’s dream X-Men draft gets roasted by fans for one glaring omission Stephen A. Smith Show | Marvel ComicsStephen A. Smith made his picks for a dream team of X-Men, but fans are roasting him after he left out Jean Grey. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is a prolific voice in the world of sports, but he’s not afraid to jump into other forms of media, either. He often answers questions on his YouTube podcast about a variety of topics and has gone viral in the past after picking his Pokemon starter and pleading with Rockstar to put him in GTA 6. Now he’s dipping his toes into comics after being asked to draft heroes for one of Marvel’s premier superhero teams, but fans have quickly pointed out he missed a big one. Fans roast Stephen A. Smith for omitting Jean Grey from his X-Men draft On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith responded to a tweet from ESPN’s Mina Kimes asking about his top three X-Men draft picks. “First off, Wolverine,” Smith responds. “Let’s get that out of the way. We’re definitely going Wolverine. I’m doing to do that.” “I’m going to tell you Beast,” Smith continues. “I can do that. And how can I go against Storm? I mean Halle Berry, what do you want me to say? I’m not going against Halle Berry, okay.” Stephen’s picks are a pretty solid base X-Men team, but the comments weren’t 100% on board. In fact, a few users called him out for omitting one incredibly powerful character: Jean Grey. 1) Jean 2) Wolverine 3) Rogue or Storm. Nobody else deserves mention for top 3 lol — Chris Robinson (@c_rob15) February 9, 2024 Many users were quick to accept it, calling his top three picks solid enough. But others pointed out Jean is a powerhouse, both as a telepath and as The Phoenix. Jean, who has been a consistent team member since the very first issue, has also had the most wildly fluctuating powers over the years. Those powers were at their peak in The Dark Phoenix Saga, a story in which a cosmic entity turned Jean into a villain strong enough to destroy planets. Beast over Jean Grey or Rouge? — LakersSpin (@LakersSpin) February 9, 2024 Never let this man draft again Wolverine and Storm are definitely my top 2 but you gotta have Jean Grey in there… a brawler, a psychic and an elemental who can control the weather… that lineup is nasty work!!! — James Hellams (@Jamieh711) February 9, 2024 Fans who want to see Jean at her full power can find her in the currently ongoing Fall of the House of X event, wherein the Krakoa Era of the X-Men is coming to an abrupt and violent end. Jean will also appear in the upcoming X-Men ’97. There’s no news on a live-action Jean Grey joining the rest of the X-Men in the MCU just yet, but it’s bound to happen sooner rather than later.

Star Wars: Visions’ Ronin Sith returns in Marvel one-shot from Afro Samurai creator DisneyThe popular Ronin Sith from Star Wars: Visions is returning in a new Marvel Comics one-shot from creator Takashi Okazaki. The animated anthology Visions remains one of the better Star Wars outings to hit Disney+ in recent years. While titles like Star Wars: Ahsoka and Andor have also been hits, Visions managed to stir up a new kind of audience with its anime take on the Star Wars universe. The world of Visions has since been expanded by Marvel Comics thanks to an announced line of one-shots. The previously announced installment, Star Wars: Visions – Peach Momoko, promises to explore the world of the Sith through Momoko’s unique visual style. Following up on that announcement, the second one-shot has been revealed, and it promises to be the most exciting yet, as it revisits one of Vision’s most popular characters. Star Wars: Visions one-shot presents a new tale of Takashi Okazaki’s Ronin Sith Announced today by Star Wars, Star Wars Visions: Takashi Okazaki brings the legendary mangaka back to the world of Star Wars. Okazaki, perhaps best known as the creator of Afro Samurai, has been a frequent Marvel collaborator for years, providing cover art for books like Non-Stop Spider-Man, Black Widow, and more. The one-shot will feature the return of Okazaki’s creation, the Ronin Sith. Debuting in the critically acclaimed Visions episode The Duel, the Ronin Sith exists in a world that blends Star Wars with Feudal Japan. In the Duel, the Ronin Sith is seen begrudgingly protecting a village from Sith invaders. The twist from the episode comes from the reveal that while he is force-sensitive, he is, in fact, a Sith who is hunting other Siths rather than a noble Jedi, as his foes assumed. The one-shot serves as a prequel and promises to explore the Ronin Sith’s background, including his early history. It also promises to shed light on how he became a Sith slaying Ronin. Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 releases January 3 from Marvel Comics. For more Star Wars & comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Star Wars: Max Rebo reimagines Return of the Jedi in the most depressing way possible Star WarsMany fans love the adorable Max Rebo, a musician living in Jabba’s palace. The new one-shot Star Wars: Max Rebo explores the truly dire existence of the character, putting his life in the palace into perspective. The opening to Return of the Jedi is easily one of the most iconic in all of Star Wars. With Han Solo frozen in carbonite, his allies make a desperate attempt to rescue him, culminating in one of cinema’s most exciting fights. For first-time viewers, the visual spectacle of Jabba’s Palace is a sight to behold, even if you’re watching the CGI monstrosities of the special edition. The palace is full of puppets who are musicians in the palace, akin to the Jizzwailers from A New Hope’s cantina scene. A new Star Wars one-shot from Marvel is now revisiting that era. And while it focuses on one of Jabba’s musicians, it does shed some new light on the dire situation of those performing for the crime lord. Return of the Jedi’s Max Rebo had a depressing life Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – Max Rebo follows the titular blue Ortolan throughout his time in Jabba’s palace, but it does so in a weirdly humanizing way. It presents Rebo as perpetually depressed and longing for his time in Jabba’s Palace to end. Previews for the issue show that Rebo is perpetually depressed throughout the issue and, on multiple occasions, longs for death. It’s a departure from the typically jovial musician fans associate with Return of the Jedi’s opening. He’s even keenly aware that his fate is coming. He notes the deaths of others, including Oola – the dancer whom Jabba threw into the Rancor pit – with a bittersweet lament that “the band cared for her,” but also is aware that they’re too scared to show it. While fans have known for years that life in Jabba’s palace wasn’t anything to be envious of, this new wrinkle expands the lore in a unique way. Fans have seen some truly dire times in the world of Star Wars, but the new Max Rebo one-shot promises to highlight one of the most truly depressing existences in the history of the franchise.

Star Wars just revealed C-3P0 is the Rebel Alliance’s deadliest threat Marvel ComicsStar Wars: Dark Droids is turning Star Wars’ most beloved and iconic characters into horrifying killers. But one Rebel ally has surprised everyone by turning evil for the first time. Warning: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: Dark Droids #1, available now. Marvel’s ongoing Star Wars line continues to delight with a series of tales set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The “Qi’ra Trilogy,” in particular, has stood out, as fans loved the intrigue and excitement of Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire. That team’s now back with Star Wars: Dark Droids, a horror story that writer Charles Soule cites as taking inspiration from franchises like Frankenstein and Evil Dead. For the first time, Star Wars’ greatest threats are the droids who exist everywhere in the universe. Dark Droid’s biggest surprise, though, isn’t just the evil droids. It’s that Rebel Alliance mainstay C-3P0 has been possessed as well, turning him into the Rebel’s gravest threat. C-3P0 threatens the safety of the Rebel Alliance C-3P0’s chilling reveal is just the icing on the cake, though. Dark Droids kicks off with a full-on massacre of a Star Destroyer’s crew. It’s the result of a droid consciousness that is able to possess other droids and replicate itself. The mysterious consciousness slowly takes over droid after droid, killing the unassuming Imperials who work on the Star Destroyer. Eventually, it possesses a series of unassuming mouse droids and jettisons itself into space. It’s not shown how, exactly, but eventually, it possesses C-3P0, who is stationed among the most important figures of the Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar are unassumingly making plans for missions as C-3P0 watches on, thinking to himself that he’s hungry. It makes a true first for C-3P0. The character has been portrayed as an ally of the Rebels since his first appearance in 1977’s Star Wars and has never been portrayed as having a chance of being anything but an ally. The closest fans have gotten to an evil C-3P0 to date was a red-eyed, Sith incantation-reciting version in The Rise of Skywalker, but even that was just the droid reacting to some bad translation. C-3P0’s turn is just the beginning, too. With droids everywhere, it may be the darkest chapter in the franchise to date. With the event touching every currently running Stat Wars book, there promises to be horror everywhere in the galaxy. Dark Droids continues in Star Wars #37, on sale August 9.

Star Wars’ most infamous moment gets the spotlight in new Life Day covers from Marvel Marvel ComicsThe infamous Star Wars Holiday Special is getting a surprising reference with new variant covers to Marvel’s Star Wars comic book line. Life Day has become a surprisingly common theme in Star Wars, an annual holiday that is referenced and celebrated in-universe. Fans have taken to it as their own, and many concede to celebrate the event around November or December. The holiday has been a feature of many stories, with shows like The Mandalorian acknowledging it. Meanwhile, games like Star Wars: The Old Republic holds annual in-game events around Life Day. Despite this, few Star Wars projects acknowledge the origins of Life Day. Now Marvel is doing just that, with a series of surprising Star Wars variant covers acknowledging not just Life Day but the holiday’s dubious origin. The Star Wars Holiday Special returns as Life Day covers from Marvel Comics Announced via Marvel, four covers are dropping in November to commemorate Life Day, the Christmas analogous holiday introduced in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Two of the covers, surprisingly, feature a direct reference to the special itself. The cover art to Star Wars #40 depicts Han Solo and Chewbacca hanging LIfe Day Orbs, with Chewie wearing his red cloak. Meanwhile, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #40 gets a cover depicting Gormaanda, a chef character portrayed in the special by Harvey Korman. Two other covers depict characters outside of the special, with Star Wars: Darth Vader #40 depicting Anakin Skywalker and his mother, Shmi, while Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #38 features the titular Aphra and her wookie companion, Black Krrsantan, with Life Orbs. To have such a direct reference to the Star Wars Holiday Special is genuinely incredible. The special aired only once in 1978 and has never been officially broadcast or released since. George Lucas once allegedly told fans at a convention he would that if he had the time and a sledgehammer, he would “track down every copy of that show and smash it.” Despite never being re-aired, the Holiday Special has developed a cult following. Bootleg copies have been circulated for decades, and it’s become a rite of passage for many Star Wars fans – despite the consensus being that it’s universally terrible. The Life Day cover variants kick off on November 1 with Star Wars #40. For more Star Wars and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Star Wars #43 finally settles debate about Luke’s lightsaber that’s raged for 30 years Marvel ComicsAfter a year-long arc, Marvel’s Star Wars comic has finally offered a canon explanation for how Luke got his green lightsaber crystal. Part of the thrill of Star Wars for fans is the rich lore behind the series. Digging into the story through Legends and the expanded universe, there are decades of stories that expand the world, the characters, and the technology beyond what is seen in the films. But some things still slip through the cracks. Chief among these is Luke’s second lightsaber. It’s a surprise for first-time viewers the first time he ignites it in Return of the Jedi. While a deleted scene showed Luke building it, one aspect has often been debated: where, exactly, Luke got the green crystal. While an on-screen explanation is still missing, the Star Wars comics published by Marvel have now offered their explanation, and it involves Luke’s final step on the path to becoming a true Jedi. Warning, spoilers for Star Wars #43 to follow. Star Wars #43 offers the canon explanation for Luke’s green lightsaber Star Wars #35 had previously shown Luke receiving a red kyber crystal and a blank one. Upon using the blank crystal to speak to Yoda, it turned green; however, the process nearly killed Luke. He tried to enter the red crystal as well, where he believed he encountered a vision of his father, Darth Vader. In Star Wars #43 by Charles Soule, Steven Cummings, Jethro Morales, Wayne Faucher, Rachelle Rosenberg, & Clayton Cowles, Luke has returned to the red kyber crystal in an effort to purify it so he can learn more about his connection to the force. The crystal pushes Luke to embrace his pain, tempting him to ignore the suffering of others and lean into his pain. Luke doesn’t give in, though, even when faced with another vision of Vader. In a moment that surely highlights Luke’s ascension to Jedi Knight, Luke declares that healing from his trauma doesn’t make him weak. Once Luke embraces the need for healing and forgiveness, his lightsaber inside the crystal’s world begins to glow green. Back in the real world, Luke emerges with the kyber crystal purified but declares he doesn’t need it anymore. His connection to the green crystal is now strengthened, and Luke resolves to use it for his new lightsaber. How Star Wars previously explained Luke’s green lightsaber The Marvel Comics explanation is a bit of a shift from previous ones, which have been the source of fan contention for years. In the now-defunct Legends continuity, a one-off story implies the crystal was synthesized by Luke after he found instructions left behind by Obi-Wan, but it never was explored much in stories and most fans A more popular fan theory tied it again to Obi-Wan Kenobi, stating Luke likely returned to Tattooine for guidance after The Empire Strikes Back, where he may have been drawn to the remains of Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber, using its crystal and components to build his own. Given the Star Wars series is published by Marvel, it’s safe to assume this is, for now, the canon explanation for the origins of Luke’s lightsaber. Interestingly, the new story does tie him to another unique corner of Star Wars. In modern canon, red crystals are considered impure, the result of a Dark Side user cracking them and bending them to their will, resulting in the crystal “bleeding.” Luke is now one of only a few individuals to have purified a red kyber crystal. Fans first saw the process being done by Ahsoka Tano, but it has since been accomplished by others, most often in stories set during The High Republic. Star Wars #43 is available now from Marvel Comics. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Spidey fights a throwback Ultimate Comics villain in Ultimate Spider-Man #2 preview Marvel ComicsUnlettered preview pages for Ultimate Spider-Man #2 reveal Spidey facing an all-too-familiar foe, The Shocker, as his first supervillain. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 has already proven to be a huge success for Marvel. The new series, which relaunches the popular Ultimate Comics imprint, sees an older Peter Parker take on the role of Spider-Man. The first issue already had tons of changes, including the surviving Uncle Ben. The road to come is also rife with surprises, like the potentially spoiled identity of the Green Goblin. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. And preview pages for Ultimate Spider-Man #2 reveal he’ll still have to deal with a few familiar supervillains. Spidey fights The Shocker in Ultimate Spider-Man #2 preview pages In unlettered preview pages released on Marvel.com, Spider-Man is seen facing his first supervillain, The Shocker. Spidey seems to be getting his butt kicked, which isn’t too surprising. He’s not been Spider-Man for that long, after all. In the pages, Spidey still hasn’t found his way to his traditional costume yet. He wears a picotech stealth suit sent to him by Tony Stark, who is Earth-6160‘s Iron Lad. The suit is a plain black affair, and there’s really no indication of how (or, frankly, if) he’ll eventually arrive at this traditional costume. However, longtime fans may appreciate the throwback. In the original run of Ultimate Spider-Man, the Shocker was one of the earliest supervillains Spider-Man dealt with. The character became synonymous with the early days of Spidey to the point that he became a recurring tutorial boss in the Ultimate Spider-Man game. Shocker retained that status for Marvel’s Spider-Man, though he did get a huge setpiece boss fight. Those Ultimate Comics did almost end in tragedy, as Shocker would eventually kidnap and torture Spider-Man, furious over being humiliated by a teenage superhero. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 has already proven to be a runaway hit for Marvel, with a second printing on the way.

Spider-Man’s Venom debut issue gets a 35th-anniversary reprint Marvel ComicsThe Amazing Spider-Man #300, the first appearance of Venom, is getting a reprint to commemorate the landmark issue’s 35th anniversary. Comic book fans have their dream issues that they’d love to add to their collections, but the secondary market can make that troublesome. Sure, acquiring something like a mint Action Comics #1 would require you to be a millionaire, but even more recent issues can be pretty pricey. Books with significant debuts can run at higher values than most fans would want to pay. At the time of this writing, the first appearance of Hobgoblin or the first full appearance of Carnage both run over $100 on eBay. More popular characters are higher, too. Completed auctions for the first appearance of Venom, Amazing Spider-Man #300, can run anywhere from $400 to thousands of dollars if they’re signed or properly graded. Fortunately, Comic Book is reporting that Marvel will release a facsimile reprint of Venom’s Amazing Spider-Man debut. Amazing Spider-Man #300 gets a facsimile reprint Facsimile reprints are great for a fan who wants to get their hands on the issue. A facsimile reprint is a reprinting of the original issue in its entirety – all the way down to the ads. For longtime fans, Amazing Spider-Man #300 is a fun get. It’s the first full appearance of Venom, who would go on to become Spider-Man’s most threatening villain throughout the ’90s. The character proved so popular that he would eventually become a hero. The issue is also significant for marking the end of Spidey’s run in the black suit. The original suit, acquired during Secret Wars, would be revealed to be the living symbiote that became Venom. After discarding the symbiote costume, Spider-Man briefly wore a cloth recreation of it. Amazing #300 ends with Spidey back in his classic red-and-blue suit. Aside from Venom, the issue is best known for its iconic cover, depicting Spider-Man in the classic black suit, curled in an impossible pose and swinging through the skyline. The cover has been referenced multiple times in both tone and composition, such as Web of Spider-Man #25’s Spider-Armor debut or Doc Ock in the anniversary Amazing Spider-Man #700. The original artist on the cover, Todd McFarlane, would also have fun referencing it throughout his career, such as a variant cover for Spawn #300. For fans who want to experience reading the original single-issue release of Amazing Spider-Man #300 and the debut of Venom, there’s no better way to do it. For more comic news, head over to check out our coverage.

Spider-Man’s most disgusting story is getting a sequel and fans are in shock Marvel ComicsSpider-Man’s had a lot of good stories and a lot of bad stories. Now, the mini-series many fans hail as the most infamous – Spider-Man: Reign – is being teased for a sequel. Spider-Man is an everyman character renowned for his ups and downs. For every soaring high, like the marriage to Mary Jane or the success of Parker Industries, there’s an equally devastating low point, like the Clone Saga or Doc Ock possessing his body for years. Eventually, Spidey always perseveres, but he definitely hits a low point first. Even knowing that, though, things are rough for fans right now. From an ongoing love triangle with Mary Jane and her new beau, Paul, to the death of Ms. Marvel, the current Amazing Spider-Man run has a lot of detractors at the moment. Now it looks like Marvel may be doubling down on Spider-Man interpretations fans don’t like. A recent teaser hints at a return to the most notorious Spider-Man story ever told, and fans are convinced it’s a sequel to the infamous Spider-Man Reign. Notorious comic book Spider-Man: Reign is getting a sequel Originally reported by AIPT, Marvel released a teaser image of Spider-Man swinging through the sky with a red-haired spectral figure clinging to him. The copy reads “The most notorious Spider-Man story ever told…” with a dim pink 2 at the bottom. The art style and imagery – of a ghostly MJ clinging to Peter – immediately evoked images of Spider-Man: Reign, a 2006 mini-series that has become infamous among comic fans. Set 30 years in the future, an old Peter Parker reassumes the mantle of Spider-Man to fight the oppressive Reign. Reign drew comparisons to The Dark Knight Returns when it was first teased, but the final product was anything but. Reign was dark and edgy, but the last straw for readers was the cause of Mary Jane Watson’s death. In Reign, Watson died of cancer, revealed to be caused by repeated exposure to Spider-Man’s radioactive bodily fluids over the years. It was a dark twist on a character who, at the time of publication, had endured several storylines about difficulty starting a family and had already lost one child. It left a bad taste in the mouth of a lot of fans, and the implied announcement of a Reign sequel has already stirred the hornet’s nest. Fans are, to no surprise, shocked. While not everyone has immediately struck down the appeal of a sequel, many take issue with the idea of revisiting Reign’s bleak take on the character. Fans have longed for an era of stories where Spider-Man can find some semblance of happiness, but recent years have made it worse. Reign stands out because of what it represents. While it was reviewed somewhat favorably at the time, it’s gained a reputation as being the story that puts Spider-Man at his absolute lowest but does little to mitigate it. What semblance of a happy ending there is in Reign’s final panels, where the elderly Peter Parker accepts his losses and seemingly moves forward, is at risk of being undone by a sequel. Marvel teased more info to be revealed at a later date. If you’re looking for some Spider-Man stories that aren’t controversial or depressing, Across the Spider-Verse is available on home video and digital now. Spider-Man: Reign 2 Update Marvel has confirmed the release of Spider-Man: Reign 2, giving it a 2024 release date. A teaser is available in Amazing Spider-Man #31, which is on shelves now.

Why Spider-Man has web wings explained Marvel Comics/InsomniacMarvel’s Spider-Man 2 will allow its heroes to traverse the world via web wings, but does this recent addition to Spider-Man canon have a comic counterpart? Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is bringing the iconic web wings into gameplay. With a map that’s easily double the size of the original’s and lightning-fast loading speeds, it makes sense that Peter and Miles would want a way to get around. Still, the sight of a Spider-Man who can glide on web wings is an odd one. Fans are more accustomed to the sight of Spider-Man swinging through the skyline, so to see him in flight is jarring. While Spidey’s had web wings for decades in the comics, they don’t work the way most fans would think they do. So where does his ability to glide really begin? Spider-Man’s web wings were originally cosmetic Spider-Man had web wings in his first appearance, but they were purely cosmetic. Amazing Fantasy #15 established them as a webbing-like cloth that draped under his arms. They served no purpose other than decoration, though, and Spider-Man would regularly have to make implements out of webbing to glide, like parachutes or gliders. The wings were originally just part of the sensationalist aspect of Spider-Man’s costume. Remember, Spidey originally designed his costume not for crime-fighting but for a life as a showman after his stint in wrestling. It’s why the suit is as garish and bombastic as it is. The web wings have been refined, removed, and returned multiple times over the years, depending on the artist and what suit Spider-Man is wearing at the time. But no matter what, they’ve always been cosmetic in the comic. The first gliding Spider-Man was Spider-Man 2099 Spider-Man 2099 is the first Spider-Man with gliding capability. It’s thanks to the tattered cloth he wears on his back, which has anti-gravity properties. When Spider-Man 2099 receives his powers as a result of a genetic mishap, he goes a little mad at first. Falling from the Alchemax building, the nude Miguel escapes by hitching a ride on a glider piloted by a member of the Church of Thor. The Church member reacted when Miguel said he may be Spider-Man, who he believed was a harbinger of Thor’s return. He gave Miguel the tattered remains of his glider’s Lyte Byte cloth to cover himself with, insisting that Spider-Man should be masked. The Lyte Byte material allows him to glide by preventing him from reaching terminal velocity. Later, Spider-Man replaced the Lyte Byte with more traditional underarm web wings on his upgraded white costume from Parker Industries but eventually went back to his original look and cape. The MCU and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 introduced proper web wings Spider-Man debuted actual web wings in Spider-Man: Homecoming. They’re something implemented in the special advanced suits Tony Stark makes for Peter, but Peter keeps them in all his costumes afterward. They’re really only seen practically in use during Homecoming’s sequence at the Washington Monument. Outside of that, they’re used mainly for traversal, like the final swing in Far From Home or Peter trying to catch MIT Dean on the bridge in No Way Home. The final evolution occurs in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. They’re included as a gameplay mechanic, allowing Peter and Miles to glide through New York in areas where they may not be able to fire a web line without losing speed. That’s all we have for now on Spider-Man’s web wings, but for more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Spider-Man just exposed Kraven The Hunter’s greatest weakness Marvel ComicsKraven the Hunter is one of Spider-Man’s most daunting foes, but now his greatest weakness has been exposed: Spider-Man made him the prey. The sins of the Green Goblin now course through the veins of Spider-Man, and it’s creating a hell of a problem. Spider-Man has turned into an evil mirror image of himself, driven mad by every evil dead Norman Osborn ever committed. It’s thanks to Kraven the Hunter, who intended to return the sins to Osborn so he could hunt the Green Goblin, who he viewed as his ultimate prey. Spider-Man couldn’t stand idly by, though, and as a result, he took the strike meant for Osborn. In preview pages shared by ScreenRant, Kraven now finds himself in an unusual situation: the hunter has now become the prey. As a result, Spider-Man has exposed Kraven the Hunter’s greatest weakness: doubt. Spider-Man makes Kraven his prey In the preview pages, Kraven is clearly shaken by the events. An indeterminate amount of time has passed since Kraven infected Spidey with the Green Goblin’s sins, as he’s had time to make a huge cosmetic change: returning to his black costume. It’s all very reminiscent of Kraven’s Last Hunt, the storyline in which Kraven buried Spidey alive and then took over his identity for days. This time, though, the roles are flipped. Kraven’s weakness is clearly on display: he’s terrified and unstable but lying to himself about it. His own doubts are plaguing him, and it sets him up for Spider-Man to sneak up on Kraven and drug him. While Kraven has memories of Kraven’s Last Hunt, it’s worth noting this isn’t the original Kraven. Rather, this is a clone of the original, The Last Son of Kraven. The clone was tricked into killing his “father” and replacing him in the 2019 storyline Hunted. Since then, he’s been struggling to prove he was worth of Kraven the Hunter’s name. Kraven’s hunt of the Green Goblin was meant to be his triumphant return, but it seems like he’s only going to expose his greatest weakness. Whether Spider-Man kills Kraven or comes to his senses will be revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #33, on sale from Marvel Comics on September 6. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all of our coverage.

Spider-Man just brutally turned the tables on Kraven the Hunter Marvel ComicsKraven the Hunter has created his own worst enemy, as a deranged Spider-Man just tortured the villain and buried him alive. Since being infected with the sins of Norman Osborn, Spider-Man has turned into a dark reflection of himself. No one has seen that more than the man who infected him, Kraven the Hunter. Kraven intended to hunt the Green Goblin as his ultimate prey. Instead, he found himself the hunted as Spider-Man, back in his iconic black costume, stalked the hunter. The issue ends with a shocking twist as Spider-Man turns the table on Kraven the Hunter. In doing so, Spidey finally gets payback for one of his darkest hours – a revenge that was 36 years coming. Spider-Man just relived Kraven’s Last Hunt & buried Kraven alive Much of Amazing Spider-Man #33 is spent with Spider-Man chasing Kraven, who believes he’s been poisoned. In fact, Spidey injected him with a pheromone to attack the Vermins living in the sewer. After forcing Kraven to fight an army of Vermin, Spidey knocks out the Hunter. When Kraven wakes up, he discovers he’s in a coffin. Spider-Man callously tosses a rifle into the casket and proceeds to bury Kraven alive. It’s a grim moment for Kraven but an even darker one for Spidey. The event echoes 1987’s Kraven’s Last Hunt, the iconic storyline in which Kraven buried Spider-Man alive. Spidey was buried for three days, during which time Kraven assumed his identity in an effort to “understand” Spider-Man. Spidey eventually escaped the grave, but he was too late to get his revenge. Kraven took his own life with his hunting rifle, believing Spider-Man to be his final hunt. This Kraven is actually the cloned son of the original, who was briefly resurrected but tricked his clone into killing him as a means of usurping his legacy. That legacy may have stopped dead in its tracks, though, if Spider-Man is successful in killing the Hunter. Amazing Spider-Man #33 is on sale now from Marvel Comics. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Spider-Man fans are at odds about Mary Jane’s Jackpot identity Marvel ComicsThe origin of Mary Jane Watson’s new Jackpot identity has finally been revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. With the story of the new identity and costume also come fans who are split over the change. It’s been a rough time for Mary Jane Watson. The past year of comics has dealt with the reveal that Mary Jane had a new beau, Paul, and two kids. Amazing Spider-Man #26’s reveal that those kids weren’t real has, obviously, shaken her to the core. There are also the events from Amazing Spider-Man Annual, where Mary Jane’s Aunt Anna is revealed to be a victim of Krakoan medicine being tampered with. MJ is forced to drug her and commit her to Ravencroft Asylum. The seeds have been sown for a dramatic change for MJ. Amazing Spider-Man #31 reveals the origin of her new Jackpot identity, but fans are split on what the change means for the character. Mary Jane becomes Jackpot with help from Black Cat MJ becoming the new Jackpot was announced in July, but the beginning of the character ties to the Mary Jane & Black Cat mini-series, which saw the former rivals become close friends. During the series, MJ would occasionally accompany Black Cat on adventures, setting the stage for her to become a costumed heroine. In a more immediate sense, the origin stems from MJ’s reaction to the loss of her children. They were revealed to be constructs created by a supervillain who Spider-Man had bested years ago. It was part of a plan to kill MJ so he could complete a ritual to exist in the real world again, but that was thwarted when a shape-shifted Kamala Khan sacrificed herself. The trauma of losing those kids has motivated MJ much the same way Uncle Ben’s death motivated Spider-Man. With a costume she receives from Black Cat, Mary Jane decides to become the new Jackpot, events which lead into a new limited series for the character. Unfortunately, Spider-Man fans are less enthused about the change. Many have already expressed distaste for MJ’s grief-stricken origin and the seemingly forced nature of her becoming Jackpot. Others have drawn comparisons to the classic Scarlet Witch story in which Wanda’s children were revealed to be fake, which famously led to her mental break and, eventually, the House of M event that decimated mutants. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Some have expressed interest or even excitement. Others remain cautiously optimistic, especially as different writers are handling Jackpot’s stories. Mary Jane is the third character to become Jackpot. The original debuted in the Brand New Day story arc that set up Spider-Man’s status quo after the devil Mephisto reset his continuity. Her design evoked MJ visually enough that fans assumed she was a superhero in the new timeline. Jackpot will be far from the first solo title for MJ. She’s she’s had multiple mini-series over the years, including The Amazing Mary Jane, where she moved to Hollywood and made a movie with Mysterio, and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, an all-ages book focusing on MJ’s feelings for both Peter and Spider-Man during high school.

The best Spider-Man quotes of all time Marvel ComicsAs one of Marvel’s most prominent superheroes, of course Spider-Man has some of the most quotable moments in comic book history. Spider-Man is probably the name most people think of when considering comic book quotes. “With great power” is probably one of the most well-known and most often quoted of all time, after all. But there’s a lot more to Spider-Man than just the one quote. In fact, with more than 60 years of stories, there are plenty of picks to choose from for the best quotes. It also helps that modern writers have demonstrated a real appreciation for the wall-crawler, resulting in some of the biggest moments and most memorable Spider-Man quotes in history. The best Spider-Man quotes in Marvel Comics There’s more to Spider-Man than just great power and great responsibility, as highlighted by these best Spider-Man quotes of all time. “She completes me. So here’s the thing, God… I know I complain a lot, and I know that you and me, we’ve got issues, but right now, just for tonight… Thank you for her. Thank you.” To kick things off, I wanted to highlight one of the more recently ignored aspects of Spider-Man, which is the long-standing marriage to Mary Jane Watson. This moment from Amazing Spider-Man #53, right in the thick of a particularly tense time in Peter’s life, really drives home just how important that relationship was to the character, as well as to fans. The marriage between the two was a driving force for a lot of ‘80s and ‘90s Spider-Man stories, and the early 2000s saw the two go through more than their share of trials and tribulations. There’s a reason fans still clamor to see these two reunite. “I’m not here to kill you. I am.” In the shadow of the critically acclaimed Civil War, Spider-Man underwent an incredibly dark period. The events following the war saw him on the run with his family when a sniper’s bullet struck Aunt May, leading to Peter dropping a lot of the humor and returning to his infamous black costume. Learning the sniper was hired by a then-incarcerated Kingpin, Spider-Man actually breaks into prison to make sure his family stays safe. What follows is a brutal, terrifying beatdown not by Spider-Man but by Peter Parker, as he breaks and threatens Kingpin in front of an audience of shocked inmates. “You’ve got the costume. You’ve got the power. You’re Spider-Man. Act like it.” Morlun remained a threat in Spider-Man stories for a long time, thanks to his role in the Spider-Verse. It’s still his first appearance, though, where he’s portrayed as the deadliest threat to a Spider-Man only recently thrust into a more mystic side of the Marvel U. Spidey spends most of Amazing Spider-Man #33 getting beaten up pretty bad and is even unable to run away from Morlun because he’s so terrifyingly strong. But, in true Spidey fashion, his never-say-die attitude is on full display in this iconic moment. “When I think of Spider-Man? I think, no matter what, he’s never going to stop trying.” There are a handful of writers who seem to really get Spider-Man, and Chip Zdarsky is one of them. His run on Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, brief though it was, highlighted a wholesome take on the character that focused on his humanity and hopefulness above all else. Spectacular Spider-Man #310 is told through talking head segments being filmed for a documentary about Spider-Man. Peter’s final words are a little self-congratulating, but they’re perfect in the context of the rest of the issue, where Spidey is shown being just as important punching thugs as he is helping a school kid with his math homework. “So I see you’ve started dating again.” It wouldn’t be a list of Spider-Man quotes without highlighting his legendarily awful sense of humor. In canon, the humor is meant to distract opponents and alleviate his own fear of leaping into danger. It gets him into trouble more often than it helps, though. Easily the most memorable is this exchange with The Punisher, who had recently taken on a protege in the form of Rachel Cole-Alves. “I’ll keep on coming back…keep fighting…until I find a way to beat you! To win! I won’t give up, you hear? I won’t!” Did you know Spider-Man once managed to bear the X-Men in a fight? Spidey is actually regarded as one of Marvel’s strongest heroes, pound for pound, and has the potential to possibly be its strongest if he were ever able to receive proper training. Every so often, a story happens where Spidey gets to show this off. One of the most impressive might just be Amazing Spider-Man #270, where he goes into a frenzy and accidentally takes down Firelord, who at the time was a herald of Galactus. “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.” Maybe this one doesn’t really count for some people as a Spider-Man quote. After all, the source is Peter’s Uncle Ben, and the quote itself is always attributed to him. But you can’t deny that Spider-Man hasn’t made it his own. It’s not just a rallying cry, either, it’s a mission statement. We’ve seen him turn this harsh life lesson into a moment of wholesome mentoring for those closest to him, like helping Miles acclimate to life in the 616 Universe or this moment where he inspired the X-Man Hope during Avengers vs X-Men. “My name is Peter Parker, and I’ve been Spider-Man since I was fifteen years old. Any questions?” The highlight of Civil War, hands down, was the shocking moment when Peter Parker unmasked himself. It’s meant to inspire support for the Superhero Registration Act, but the ramifications are so much worse than anyone could have guessed. Friends and family turn their back on Peter, while May and Mary Jane are perpetually in danger. But that singular moment of an unmasked Peter, standing before a throng of reporters and identifying himself, is one that sticks with you, even some 15 years later. There are a lot of things fans want to forget about Civil War, but this pivotal moment isn’t one of them. “Except the dignity of knowing I never carried a man-purse.” Otto Octavius becoming Superior Spider-Man by taking over Peter’s body was a shocking twist, but in the back of their heads, fans always knew somehow, someway, Peter would eventually return. And it would have to be a huge moment when it happened, something grand that would let readers know the real deal was back. It turns out it didn’t have to be huge. Dan Slott wrote a perfect, unforgettable moment in history. How does Peter Parker let the world know the original Spider-Man back? By being so immediately annoying that no one could ever deny he’s the original article. “I’m begging you now, Jonah, to look past the mask and see the man.” Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man featured a wild moment wherein Spider-Man actually unmasks himself to Jonah. It’s a show of faith to someone whom he realizes he has absolutely misunderstood, hoping to sway Jonah to understand him better. It’s a heartfelt moment that is sure to leave an impression, but the most remarkable thing is the moment has stuck. Sure, they have a strained (at best) relationship, but this unmasking did actually get Jonah on Spider-Man’s side, although his bitter side still tends to show. Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | Marvel Comics’ Blood Hunt reading guide: Spider-Man tie-ins, Morbius’ return & more | Marvel Comics Ultimate Spider-Man – New origin, villains & more | Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | Marvel actually bought Spider-Man’s most iconic costume design off a reader

New Spider-Man 2099 series pits Spider-Verse star against Marvel’s scariest monsters Marvel ComicsThe Across the Spider-Verse star returns to comics in Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099, a new series pitting the future Spidey against Marvel’s scariest monsters. Spider-Man 2099 was one of the most prominent aspects of the biggest Marvel film in 2023. Despite this, the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse star has been laying low in comics. Miguel last turned up in the Spider-Man 2099: Exodus and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Genesis duology, titles which reestablished the futuristic web-slinger. Still, he’s been noticeably absent from Marvel’s publishing calendar, not having headlined his own ongoing since his last series wrapped in 2017. Miguel’s on his way back for a new Spider-Man 2099 series to kick off 2024. While he may not be getting the new ongoing series that longtime fans want, he is getting an exciting adventure with some of Marvel’s most memorable monsters. Spider-Man 2099 flights Marvel’s monsters in new Marvel Comics event Announced today via Marvel, Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 is a five-week event taking place in January. The story continues the efforts to revitalize the 2099 line, which has undergone something of a soft reboot following the various Spider-Verse events and Miguel’s adventures in the present day. The book pits Miguel against 2099 interpretations of Marvel’s greatest horror icons, including Marvel Zombie 2099, Dracula, Werewolf by 2099, Terror Inc., and Man-Thing. In addition, he’ll be fighting side-by-side with Blade 2099 and Moon Knight 2099. While most of the characters appear to be new, the new Spider-Man 2099 series could potentially mark the return of Moon Knight 2099, a character who has not been seen since the original run of the 2099 universe ended in 1998’s 2099: Manifest Destiny. That Moon Knight saved the universe after pleading with The Watcher to let the Fantastic Four survive. Starting with 1992’s Spider-Man 2099 #1, the Marvel 2099 line was intended to tell stories featuring heroes in the far-off future. Darker and often times more cynical than the main universe stories, the line consisted of new takes on heroes like the X-Men, Punisher, Doctor Doom, and more. While the line maintained a degree of popularity, Spider-Man 2099 was always the breakout star. The line ended in 1998 with a revived Captain America carrying Mjolnir and saving the universe. While many of the characters fell into obscurity, some have managed to find some life outside of the line’s run, such as Punisher 2099 joining the Savage Avengers. Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #1 hits stands on January 3. The month could be the start of a big year for alternate Spider-Men, as the relaunched Ultimate Spider-Man hits shelves in January as well. For more Spider-Man 2099 and Marvel Comics news, be sure to follow our coverage.

Peter Parker & Miles Morales star in new Spider-Man series from Young Justice creator Marvel ComicsThe stars of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are going to be closer than ever thanks to a new ongoing series, the Spectacular Spider-Men. Peter Parker and Miles Morales are easily one of the better-known duos in Marvel Comics at this point. It helps that they just starred in one of the best-received PlayStation games of all time. But long before Sony came knocking, the two were comic book icons. While the two have appeared together multiple times, they’ve never had their own ongoing book. That’s changing now, though, as Marvel will be releasing a brand-new Spider-Man ongoing starring the two heroes. Peter Parker & Miles Morales star in new Spectacular Spider-Men series Announced today by Marvel, Spectacular Spider-Men is the first ongoing book to star Peter and Miles side-by-side. The book will feature industry veteran Greg Weisman on writing chores. Weisman is best known as the creator of the animated series Gargoyles and Young Justice. He also served as creator of 2008’s The Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon. “I see the younger Miles trying really hard to show his maturity to his mentor Peter, while the older Pete feels free to let out his inner 16-year-old with Miles,” Weisman explained. “So there’s a bit of role reversal to the normal mentor-protege relationship than one might expect to see. But I think both Pete and Miles still feel very true to character. And when things get serious, so do our boys (quippage notwithstanding.)” Weisman is joined by legendary comic artist Humberto Ramos, who has previously worked with the characters on The Amazing Spider-Man and The Superior Spider-Man. “From a very young age, my goal was to draw Spider-Man for Marvel Comics, and now that it has become a recurring reality in my life, I enjoy every occasion in which I am called to do so, or as I like to say ‘come back home,’ and I could not ask for a better way to do that than alongside Greg Weisman who gave us the greatest Spider-Man TV series!” Ramos said. Though this is their first ongoing together, the two have obviously had multiple comic book appearances together. The first mini-series they co-lead was the Brian Michael Bendis-penned Spider-Men in 2012, featuring Peter and Miles’s first meeting. A 2017 sequel, Spider-Men II, established Peter and Miles’ place on the merged 616 and Ultimate universes following Secret Wars and established a remade Ultimate Universe, though that universe was later destroyed by The Maker. In addition to Spectacular Spider-Men, the two will continue to headline their solo books, The Amazing Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man. There will also be a brand new Ultimate Spider-Man featuring an older, married Peter Parker. Spectacular Spider-Men #1 goes on sale January 17. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Spawn creator Todd McFarlane’s new figure has fans obsessed with its feet McFarlane ToysA newly announced Todd McFarlane figure is catching the eyes of fans, but only because they’re focused on the bare feet it comes with. McFarlane Toys is ringing in 30 years of business, with a line that started with some fairly basic Spawn action figures in 1994. From those auspicious beginnings, the company has only grown. They’re now the stewards of the DC Multiverse line, and the company is revered for its detailed sculpts across various lines covering The Princess Bride, Mortal Kombat, and, of course, Spawn. Today the company announced new figures of Todd McFarlane and Spawn at IGN FanFest. However, fans are only focused on one aspect of the two-pack: Todd’s bare feet. Fans are obsessed with Todd McFarlane’s swappable feet In a somewhat unexpected move, the two-pack includes a pair of swappable bare feet for the Todd figure. “Set includes optional Todd’s bare feet.” Twitter toy news account Preternia pointed out as a highlight in their post announcing the pre-orders. The rest of the two-pack is fairly stacked. The Spawn figure (which is based on the original design of the character) includes a pair of hands and energy effects, while Todd himself includes two sets of hands, a microphone, and a sketchpad. And, of course…the feet. Many Twitter users are skipping over the rest of the two-pack’s contents, focusing only on the presence of Todd’s grippers in the packaging. It’s an eclectic mix throughout the conversation. Many fans across Twitter and the Action Figures subreddit are confused by the presence of the feet, especially given how light on accessories like extra hands and alternate head portraits McFarlane figures have been in the past. Still, others are enjoying the absurdity of a swappable foot accessory. And then there are those like Dan Yun, one of the chief faces of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line, who think the addition is incredible. The release is intended to celebrate 30 years of McFarlane Toys. The company got its start in 1994 after McFarlane and Mattel couldn’t come to an agreement over quality concerns regarding the line. It also marks only the second-ever figure of Todd McFarlane, the first being a limited edition “Todd the Bum” figure based on his cameo in 1997’s Spawn movie. The two-pack, along with a slew of other 30th anniversary McFarlane Toys announcements, including Commando Spawn, are available for pre-order at McFarlane Toys Store & select retailers. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

How strong is the Silver Surfer? Fantastic Four character powers & weakness explained Marvel ComicsThe Silver Surfer is heavily rumored to factor into the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot, but will the herald of Galactus bring his incredible powers with him? Whenever the Fantastic Four get bandied about for a new comic or a big-screen relaunch, a number of other characters are always brought up in the conversation. Doctor Doom and Galactus tend to be the first names mentioned, but the Silver Surfer is rarely far behind. In 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, the Silver Surfer makes his sensational debut. He’s a herald of the world devourer Galactus, signaling the potential end of the world. Over the decades, the Surfer has gone from a drone-like herald to a powerful explorer of the cosmos. He’s one of Marvel’s most popular and most recognizable characters, and that’s due in part to the sheer power the Surfer wields. Silver Surfer’s powers in Marvel Comics The Silver Surfer’s greatest power comes in the form of the tremendous Power Cosmic. Imbued with the powers as a herald of Galactus, he was allowed to retain a portion of the power when he left the world eater’s side. Through the Power Cosmic, the Surfer becomes one of the strongest beings in the universe. The Surfer can do practically anything. This includes being one of the most physically strong beings in the Marvel Universe, as well as being able to manipulate, see, and absorb energy wavelengths. Practically speaking, if the Surfer wants to do it and his will is sufficient, he can. Though he primarily transports via his surfboard, itself an extension of his own body, it’s not really clear if he needs it. Silver Surfer has some degree of teleportation and can travel through portals of his own creation. The surfboard may just be a matter of convenience or personal preference. Does the Silver Surfer have a weakness? As a result of the Power Cosmic, the Silver Surfer doesn’t really have a traditionally known weakness. That doesn’t mean he can’t be beaten, though. The Surfer is still a humanoid being and, as such, still has reaction times and typical bodily functions. Sure, he can breathe in space, but any sufficient heavy hitter in the Marvel Universe can theoretically knock him for a loop if they can hit hard enough. He’s also not theoretically immune to possession, as seen when the Carnage symbiote attempted to bond with him. As cliche as it sounds, the Surfer’s only true weakness is himself. Upon regaining his memories from Galactus, his life as Norrin Radd became something of a crutch. The Silver Surfer is a fairly morose, almost melancholy individual whose feelings for others can be easily manipulated to goad him into a trap or prevent him from taking action. Silver Surfer is not currently confirmed for the MCU, though rumors persist that a version of the Surfer may show up in Fantastic Four. Until then, keep it locked on Dexerto for more Fantastic Four and comic book news.

She-Hulk’s Venom variant has Marvel fans thirsty on main Marvel ComicsA new What If…? series will merge She-Hulk with Venom, and fans are just as thirsty for it as you would expect. Marvel’s fascination with symbiotes continues in the wake of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s success. The next step: a brand new What If…? mini-series that pairs the symbiote with new hosts. It’s not the first time such a story has been explored. For instance, the recent What If…? Dark included a story that explored what would happen if The Thing bonded to Venom. What is unique is the designs being shared for the new Venom variants, including one that has Marvel fans incredibly thirsty on Twitter. Marvel fans are down bad for What If Venom’s symbiote She-Hulk Announced by Marvel, What If…? Venom features new stories where Eddie Brock rejects the Venom symbiote. Each story instead finds Venom attached to Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, or Loki. Marvel officially shared the first look at cover art and new designs for two characters. One is a grotesque hybrid of Moon Knight and Venom, including a Venomized Mr. Knight. But it’s the second that fans are flocking to, a Venom/She-Hulk hybrid that has stirred some of Twitter’s basest impulses. The replies and quote tweets of the post, shared to Marvel’s Spider-Man Twitter account, are filled with fans asking if they’re in a safe space, leering over the She-Hulk design, and just being generally down bad. I swear to God, Venom She-Hulk is about to unlock something inside me that’s been trying to escape for years https://t.co/lejjjAFPDl — 𝕊𝕡𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕁𝕦𝕚𝕔𝕖🧃 (@SprayJuice) November 8, 2023 Just want to ask one very simple question for everyone here… — Venom by Daylight (@VenomDbd) November 8, 2023 Is this a safe place? https://t.co/gndfMQ0sB1 pic.twitter.com/N5thZFrIy3 It’s not all love for the design, though. Many are frustrated over yet another Venom variant story where the symbiote is on a new host, especially after Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 omitted original host Eddie Brock entirely from its Venom origin. Multiple calls in the comments are made for a return to form with down-to-earth Eddie stories. Brock has been somewhat downplayed in his own mythos recently, thrust through time and paired with a new symbiote following the events of King in Black. Venom has most recently been bonded with Eddie’s son, Dylan. What If…? Venom #1 hits stands on February 28, 2024. For more Venom and Marvel Comics news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Shazam! takes cheap shot at D-list Justice League member DC ComicsBilly Batson is having to avoid using his powers, but that didn’t stop him from taking a shot at Plastic Man in the latest issue of Shazam! The current run of Shazam! has been used to re-establish Billy Batson’s place in the DC Universe. Finally settling on a new codename (The Captain) and embracing life with his adopted family, Billy seems to be settling into his place in the DCU as a superhero. That was before he started having bizarre outbursts, though. It started with yelling at a crowd of onlookers to get away from him, and later culminated in nearly killing Psycho-Pirate. Unsure why he’s losing control, Billy now refuses to say the word and transform. Other heroes are filling the void, which Billy isn’t entirely happy with. Shazam! takes a cheap shot at Plastic Man In Shazam! #3, Billy has forsaken ever speaking the magic word again. He’s obviously upset about it, but he assures himself it’s fine as other heroes step in. Billy reflects on this as he thinks of all the other heroes, like Superman and Wonder Woman, who can stop disasters he could have. As he does so, he notices his sister, Mary Marvel, saving some bystanders – but singles out that Plastic Man is also there, noting that fate is “just rubbing it in.” It’s hilarious that Billy would show such disdain for Plastic Man, considering how many years the two had roughly the same level of popularity. It makes sense in-universe, though. Plastic Man has always been treated like the butt of the joke, even when he was at his most popular in the 1970s. Recent stories have done a lot of work trying to change the perception of Plastic Man. He was a prominent member of the Justice League when the roster expanded during the seminal JLA run. Most recently, he was the key to saving the universe during the Dark Knights event. It’s unlikely Plastic Man and The Captain are going to become fast friends, but Billy will need all the help he gets. The issue ends with Billy having to transform anyway and being challenged by an old Doom Patrol villain, Emperor Garguax. Shazam! #3 is available now from DC Comics. For more Shazam! and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Scarlet Witch vs Loki takes huge twist as Wanda uses secret weapon in battle Marvel ComicsThe Scarlet Witch and Loki are about to go to war, and the Scarlet Witch’s ultimate weapon is to make the God of Lies speak the truth. Although Loki has been rechristened as the God of Stories in recent years, it hasn’t stopped his mischievous ways. The God of Mischief is still a renowned liar, and it takes someone with some serious power to put him in his place. That person may just be Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Wanda’s current storyline sees her running a magic shop that is home to The Last Door, a magically enchanted doorway. Through that door, she is visited by lost souls with nowhere to go and in desperate need of help. The latest person to jaunt through the door is none other than Loki’s cousin, with a bizarre prospect: he wants Loki’s throne. Wanda sets out to resolve the matter and to do so, she’s going to employ a weapon strong enough to stop Loki in his tracks. Scarlet Witch hexes Loki so he has to tell the truth In a preview shared by Screen Rant, Wanda manages to one-up Loki with a powerful hex. Under the effects of the hex, Loki can only speak the truth for one hour. Loki’s impressed, but it doesn’t slow him down in the slightest. If anything, it seems to make him more menacing as he lashes out at Wanda with the truth. The ultimate showdown is the first of a teased love affair between Wanda and Loki. Of course, the end result of the conflict is a little spoiled by the timeline; the story is set before last month’s Immortal Thor #1, wherein Loki revealed he had abdicated the throne. How this battle between Loki and Wanda plays out could be anyone’s guess, but it’s sure to bring some harsh truths to light. The answers will be revealed in Scarlet Witch #8, on sale from Marvel Comics on September 6. For more Scarlet Witch and Marvel Comics news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Sabretooth War: Everyone who died so far in Wolverine’s bloodiest story ever Marvel ComicsMarvel is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wolverine with Sabretooth War, the most violent Wolverine story ever told, and the event is already racking up deaths left and right. It is that time of year again when Sabretooth gives his old rival Wolverine a deadly battle for his birthday. The two have had some gruesome beatdowns over the years, with Sabretooth killing several of Wolverine’s loved ones, while Wolverine has lobotomized or decapitated Sabretooth a few times. One way or another, they both come back, but that may not be the case this time, though. Sabretooth War is billed as “the most violent Wolverine story ever,” with a bold NOT FOR KIDS message slapped on the cover. It’s not kidding, either. The preview pages alone featured a team of mutilated X-Men and a Cyclops who had been split in half. It’s all payoff for the current state of the X-Men books. After the Hellfire Massacre, mutant resurrection is no longer on the table for the first time in years (at least until the X-Men relaunch happens). For now, dead is dead, and Sabretooth War is capitalizing on that twist with a slew of deaths. Warning, spoilers for Wolverine: Sabretooth War follow Contents Everyone who dies in Wolverine #41 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #42 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #43 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #44 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #45 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #46 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #47 – Everyone who dies in Wolverine #48 – If you’re keeping score, here’s everyone who died in Wolverine: Sabretooth War so far. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #41 The first chapter of Sabretooth War sees the deaths of Kid Omega/Quentin Quire, Fang/Akihiro, and a whole bunch of X-Men. It also puts a lot more beloved X-Men characters in danger, including Sage and X-23/Laura Kinney. The issue opens with the reveal of Sabretooths from across the multiverse on Orchis Station Five, where they’ve been killing multiversal X-Men to train themselves to be the ultimate killers. The Sabretooths – consisting of the Earth-616 Sabretooth, as well as Savage, Camo, and Pretty Boy – lead an assault on Krakoa. Having been off the board for the Hellfire Gala massacre, though, they’re surprised to find it abandoned. X-Force member Kid Omega investigates the presence on Krakoa, thinking it’s just mutants who have found their way home. Instead, he finds Sabretooths, who slash his throat and take him back to Station Five, where he’s eaten alive. The Sabretooths move the assault to the North Pole, where Wolverine is in hiding with other X-Force members. Sabretooth kills Logan’s son, Akihiro, and other mutants being protected at the North Pole base, the Greenhouse. In a final act, Sabretooth arranges the bodies to leave Logan a taunting message: Happy Birthday. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #42 The second chapter of Sabretooth War puts Logan in a tough spot. He gets a pretty nasty beatdown from the various Sabretooths, but they ultimately leave him alive. He eventually cuts through his wrists and ankles to escape, chasing Sabretooth variants as more of a bloody stump than a person. The others at the X-Force Greenhouse base aren’t so lucky, though. A handful of children who were being kept safe at the base are killed by Sabretooth before Northstar and Aurora can intervene. They also manage to save X-Force members Sage and Black Tom, who are able to activate Greenhouse defenses to chase off Sabretooth and his multidimensional others. But perhaps most shocking is that X-23 is apparently killed. Though “Pretty Boy” Sabretooth is killed by X-23 as she fights back, she’s ultimately overwhelmed by Camo and Savage Sabretooth. Domino is shown dead in the room, but Laura’s body is not depicted in the book’s final pages. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #43 Shockingly, nobody dies in Wolverine #43. But that doesn’t stop the issue from having its share of body horror. Camo is grievously wounded in a fight with Earth-616 Sabretooth. However, it’s during this fight that we learn they did not kill X-23 but rather took her hostage to entice Logan. X-23 doesn’t escape entirely unscathed, though, as Savage Sabretooth rips off her jaw to keep her from antagonizing the troops. In perhaps the issue’s biggest twist, though, we learn that Kid Omega’s head is being kept alive by the Sabretooths. It’s being used by 616 Sabretooth to track Wolverine and give them the upper hand. However, while Kid Omega’s head eventually reveals some surprising treasure for the Sabretooths to find, it also manages to alert Exiles member Oya, whose team assembles to try and save the day. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #44 Much of Wolverine #44 is spent following what’s going on with Wolverine and the residents of the North Pole base. Wolverine himself is aching to get patched up and back in the fight while others, like Aurora, are grieving those who were lost. Wolverine’s obviously taking a toll, too, but after having his arms and feet stitched back on, he’s back at it, chasing down the straggling Captain Sabretooth, a Captain America variant of Sabretooth who was left behind when the others escaped. Phoebe of Emma Frost’s Stepford Cuckoos offers to read Captain Sabretooth’s mind to pull information from it. While she does successfully learn of goings on at Krakoa, a psychic trap nearly kills her. However, Domino kills Captain Sabretooth before that can happen. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #45 Nobody dies in Wolverine #45 unless you count the security Forge created to dissuade intruders from finding his lab. If anything, there are some close calls, as the Exiles barely manage to evade one of the Orchis Sentinels patrolling Krakoa by going into space, an act that allows Wolverine to touch down on the abandoned island. More intriguing are the efforts of “Savage” Sabretooth and “Camo” Sabretooth, who venture back into the multiverse to find a version of Sabretooth’s son, Graydon Creed, who can help them overthrow Victor. Though we don’t see which Graydon Creed they return with, he does appear to be scarred, indicating this could be aversion like the one from Age of Apocalypse. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #46 Toad and the Melter make up the latest casualties of Sabretooth War. They arrive in Forge’s hidden base in Krakoa, but it doesn’t last long. Toad is killed by Sabretooth, while a brainwashed Wolverine is tricked into killing Melter. Most of the issue sees Wolverine and Sabretooth at peace of sorts, with Kid Omega’s severed head being forced to trick Wolverine into thinking he’s in his Team X days. Laura Kinney gets a few kills of her own in, too, taking out a few more of the headless Sabretooth clones. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #47 Savage Sabretooth is the only death of Sabretooth War Part 7, but not for lack of trying. Laura Kinney finally gets her revenge on this twisted Sabretooth clone by dismembering her and chopping her torso off. But Sabretooth nearly won the war himself. In Forge’s abandoned lab and with Wolverine robbed of his healing factor, Sabretooth fires a kill shot using a gun designed to melt Wolverine’s brain, all powered by the decapitated head of Kid Omega. Kid Omega is able to divert enough power for Wolverine to survive, though, and he himself is saved by the timely intervention of Nekra Sinclair and the Exiles, who trap Sabretooth and rescue Wolverine. But with more Sabretooth variants out in the world, Wolverine’s not done with his war yet. Everyone who dies in Wolverine #48 No one dies in Wolverine #48, though an argument could be made for Wolverine suffering a spiritual death. Without his healing factor, Wolverine finds himself more at risk than ever. He journeys to a remote location where he’s stashed a final gift from Forge, which Wolverine had designed for what he viewed as the inevitable fall of Krakoa: a forged suit of Adamantium armor. He’s going to need it, too. With Graydon Creed taking possession of the Stark Sentinels and Sabretooth seconds away from a return, Wolverine’s friends are in more danger than ever as Sabretooth War races to its finale. What is Sabretooth War? Set in the shadow of the Fall of X, Sabretooth War sees Wolverine and Sabretooth duke it out. It’s the latest in a lifelong tradition of Sabretooth’s where he attacks and torments Wolverine on his birthday. In the real-world sense, the event is to commemorate Wolverine’s anniversary. The popular X-Man turns 50 this year, having made his first appearance in 1974’s The Incredible Hulk #180. Sabretooth War is a 10-part event that runs throughout 2024, with its finale slated for Wolverine #50. The book will ship bi-monthly throughout the event. X-Men: From the Ashes – New X-teams, costumes, & the fate of Xavier’s School | X-Men Krakoa Age finale: Magneto’s resurrection, Iron Man’s downfall, & more | Marvel Comics’ Blood Hunt reading guide: Spider-Man tie-ins, Morbius’ return & more | Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | Five best X-Men comics to read before their MCU debut | The darkest alternate Earths in the Marvel Multiverse

Robin debuts bold new costume in DC’s Absolute Power summer event DC ComicsFurther previews of ‘Absolute Power’ have revealed a surprising tweak to Batman’s son, with Damian Wayne debuting a new Robin costume. The upcoming ‘Absolute Power‘ event promises to shake up the DC Universe, with Amanda Waller’s actions leaving heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman powerless. It falls to a human-led resistance, spearheaded by Batman, to save the day. Readers got their first look at the upcoming event with this week’s DC solicits, but eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice a new Robin costume tucked away on one of the variant covers. ‘Absolute Power: Task Force VII’ #1 features the first of a series of interconnecting covers, this one depicting Batman with Nightwing, Green Arrow, and Robin. But Robin is sporting an updated new costume. At first glance, it appears to be Damian’s current black and gray costume with more traditional Robin colors, but there are some subtle changes, including losing the more tunic-styled top and adding new boots and gloves. It appears Damian has also gone back to a more traditional Robin logo. Of course, fans are mixed on this. Many on the DC Comics subreddit have cried foul, claiming this continues DC’s trend of seemingly erasing Tim Drake, the third Robin. “I feel like the green makes him look too similar to Tim again,” one user pointed out, adding, “With Damian aging faster than Tim, soon it’s gonna be almost impossible to tell them apart!” While Damian’s new costume is strikingly similar to the look Tim has worn for most of his existence, it’s worth noting Damian is really just reverting to the traditional Robin color scheme. He’s worn similar outfits to this for years, though his earlier costumes featured a heavier look with multiple layers and hoods. The current black-and-gray look stemmed from his falling out with Batman and was meant to reflect their then-fractured relationship. Considering father and son are on better terms now, this could be a sign of his renewed bond with the Bat-family. ‘Absolute Power: Task Force VII’ #1 will be on stands July 10.

Folio Society DC Batman Review: A love letter comic book fans didn’t know they needed Folio Society is back with a new Batman hardback collection, but does this selection of the best Batman stories ever told live up to expectations? Folio Society has been making some pretty spectacular comic book collections for a while now. I’ve got their Captain America collection on display in my living room, and honestly, it’s just a really gorgeous book to flip through from time to time. The recently announced DC: Batman marks their first solo DC Comics collection, following up after several Marvel releases and DC Comics: The Golden Age. With a selection of stories curated by long-time DC publisher Jennette Kahn, DC: Batman aspires to be the definitive collection of Batman stories. On that front, DC: Batman wholeheartedly succeeds. The book runs the gamut from the first appearance in 1939’s Detective Comics #27 all the way through the opening chapters of Knightfall in Batman #492, some 54 years later. DC: Batman Key Details Price: $100 (Folio Society Exclusive) – Publisher: Folio Society – Size: 10×7″, 320 pages with slipcover – Release Date: February 20, 2024 – Why buy a Batman collection in 2024? When I first opened the book, I had a bizarre thought: why? It’s 2024, and it’s easier than ever to read these stories thanks to DC Universe Infinite and Comixology’s digital offerings. Why buy a giant hardback copy of these stories now? The answer, for me, is the feel of it. As I sit at a desk lit only by open windows as the first breeze of spring air blows through the room, I am 14 again. All the cares in the world peel away as I thumb through this book. Yes, I feel a little cringe as I hear the spine crackling while I turn the pages. Yes, I’m a bit annoyed at how well the book is picking up my fingerprints as I hold it open. But these momentary concerns vanish once I’m back in worlds crafted by the greatest of all time, names like Bill Finger, Dennis O’Neil, Neal Adams, Alan Grant, Doug Moench, and Norm Breyfogle. And, yes, even Bob Kane. I could easily read these in my web browser or on my phone, but nothing compares to how it felt to hold these pages in my hand and flip through these stories. As a collection, some staggeringly huge moments are here. The debut of Robin, the origin of Two-Face, the introduction of Ra’s al Ghul, and the entirety of The Killing Joke kick off some of the biggest in-continuity moments here. There are also the first issues of Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns, two stories that defined how Batman would be portrayed in popular media for decades to come. A facsimile reprint of Batman #1 rounds out the collection and perhaps provides the best snapshot of early Batman comics. Flipping through the issue with its slew of reprinted ads and backup strips to pad the pages is a truly unique experience that you can’t really get with today’s stories. The reprint is gorgeous and a really fun way to experience the first appearance of the Joker (and the death he very nearly suffered, had editor Whitney Ellsworth not recognized his value as a character and ordered he survive the story!) It was truly a joy to flip through these pages and soar through the decades of Batman comics. Older fans will likely get the same ear-to-ear grin on their face I had going through the pages. My first Batman comics were a promotional re-release of The Untold Legend of Batman before I succumbed to the hype of Knightfall, so it was a thrill to re-visit the ‘70s through the ‘90s era of Batman here. A Batman collection for Batman’s biggest fans, by Batman’s biggest fans The collection’s biggest flaw for fans is likely going to be the nature of its later stories. By the time you hit the Batman tales of the ‘80s and ‘90s, comics have evolved beyond the notion of the done-in-one story. Knightfall, wherein Batman is broken to the point he must temporarily retire, is an incredibly important and exciting Batman tale, but Chapter One is arguably not the most exciting story to end a massive Batman collection on. But what can you do? The book is already starved for space, as Kahn admits in her introduction. There’s not enough room for stories like The Rainbow Batman or Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, so including the yearlong Knightfall arc is definitely out of the question. For me, I find it best to view it as an example of how comics have evolved over the years. 1977’s Daughter of the Demon is a done-in-one tale that’s arguably more important to Batman’s narrative than Knightfall, but if it had been published five years later, it definitely would have been a multi-part epic. For long-time Batman fans who love the characters and have been reading for years, this likely won’t be an issue, as they can view DC: Batman as a definitive “best of” Batman collection. Even then, obvious big beats are missing. While you will see Dick Grayson as both Robin and Nightwing, as well as Tim Drake, Jason Todd is nowhere to be found in this collection. It makes sense, though; the selections for the period where he was Robin are saved for arguably more important stories like Year One, The Killing Joke, and The Dark Knight Returns. For new fans, these issues likely will soar right over their heads. The lore doesn’t bog you down when the stories are just good. 1969’s The Senator’s Been Shot! – a campy Brave and the Bold team-up where Batman and Green Arrow inadvertently reveal their identities to the same therapist hours apart while trying to solve a political assassination – is just fun as hell. And yes, Daughter of the Demon and The Dead Yet Live have massive ramifications for Batman down the road, but on their own, they’re just fun reads that give you an idea of the tone and love that went into classic Batman stories. Final Verdict: 4/5 Some of the best creators to ever work on comics are in this book, which contains some of the most important and memorable Batman stories ever told. For me, that makes this a must-have, though longtime Batman fans may be put off by notable stories that are missing. The DC: Batman collection isn’t the cheapest or most practical way to experience these stories today, but as a book to enjoy, share, and show off, this deserves a spot in your collection. We were provided a copy of Folio Society DC: Batman by the publisher for review purposes.

Redditors step in to help “heartbroken” comic book fan trying to sell his collection Marvel ComicsA Reddit user getting their comics appraised for sale got a miserable offer, but a spirited comic book community came together to highlight the real value of his collections. The hardest part about collecting comics is the end of the road when it’s time to part ways with your collection. Many who got into collecting comics when they were younger eventually find themselves parting ways to make ends meet or just to free up space. Unfortunately, while there are books with value, it’s just not the booming collector’s market it once was in the ’90s. That means it’s now an industry rife with scammers and con artists, leading many collectors to believe decades of saving and protecting collectibles was wasted time. Fortunately, there are communities like Reddit’s comicbookcollecting subreddit, where dedicated fans are offering advice to collectors who are ready to sell. Redditors offer advice to comic fan who received lowball appraisal of comic collection One such fan is user PearsonTiles, who recently took to Reddit with a post expressing how heartbroken they were about their collection. They had recently begun the process of parting ways with his collection but were having mixed success. They had been able to part ways with some vintage GI Joe and Star Wars figures but had a truly devastating encounter when trying to sell comics. According to PearsonTiles, they had met with a local collector who agreed to appraise the collection for free. However, the encounter ended with a miserable offer. “He has the the day off and will check out my goods! For free!!! His conclusion after checking out my whole collection? Couple hundred bucks,” PearsonTiles said. The comicbookcollecting subreddit was quick to come to the rescue, picking apart the images shared and pointing out that the collection had some gems, and they had most likely been lowballed. “I see a couple hundred in just like 5 books, one user said. “The toys are also worth a pretty penny depending on completeness. Sounds like this dude was trying to rip you off.” “Don’t listen to him I see a Transformers comic in there that’s worth several hundred bucks in mint.” one user said of the collection. “Not to mention a Venom #1, SW #8, Spawn #1, & Dark Knight Returns #1,” another user added. “This lot is worth much more than the price OP was given, especially once they’re slabbed or signed.” “Jim Lee Batman, Secret Wars 8, Transformers 1… ACTION COMICS 1!!! (haha) all kidding aside you can see at a glance this is worth more than 200.” one said. “Did he follow that up with a “I’ll do you a favor and take them off your hands for $201″? Sounds like some Pawn Stars valuation to me.” one joked. PearsonTiles later returned to the thread to confirm that the offer was just to have the collection appraised, and the collector expressed no interest in buying. Still, the community came together to make sure they understood the real value of what they had. Others still had their fun with it, though. “how much for the dog” one user asked, pointing to the poodle staring forlornly at the camera in the first image. “Pricey,” PearsonTiles replied, “but taking offers!”

Redditors ask if The Punisher could beat John Wick and it’s not even close Lionsgate | Marvel StudiosReddit is having a debate over whether The Punisher could kill John Wick, but it’s not even a close debate as fans point out The Punisher’s jaw-dropping killing streak. Pitting pop culture characters against each other is no new thing. The desire to see how two favorites would fare when fighting each other is how we wound up with things like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Marvel’s Civil War event. Social media has only fueled this fire. It’s easier than ever for fans to come up with the wildest dream matches and argue who would win and how. Now a debate picking up steam on Reddit is highlighting one such fight, as fans debate who would win in the ultimate shootout showdown: Marvel’s The Punisher or Keanu Reeves’ iconic assassin, John Wick. Redditors declare The Punisher would absolutely destroy John Wick The debate may be biased, given it takes place in a post on The Punisher subreddit, where fans discuss the character across comics, games, the Netflix series, & more. But even among those Redditors, there’s some fairly sound logic to explain why a master assassin like John Wick stands absolutely no chance against The Punisher. “Frank fought billy russo amd John pilgrim + a lot of trained cia operators,” one Redditor says. “To say John wick wins is crazy. And as the other guy said the punisher also got the drop on the guy with super hearing who shoulda sensed him drawing his backup pistol” “Tv show punisher probably looses but comic frank would eat John alive” another added, highlighting the contrast between the live-action and comic book versions of the character. For most, that seems to be the deciding factor: which version of Punisher is doing the fighting. Many are in agreement the Netflix Punisher (who appears to now be canon to the MCU as of Echo) would be evenly matched with Wick, but the version appearing in Marvel Comics would steamroll him. “I like John Wick… but Frank’s kicked the shit out of the avengers… sorry John,” another Redditor added, referencing the various stories where Punisher had run-ins with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and walked away. “Wick would kill Netflix Punisher as his feats, skills, are better portrayed honestly. Wick would also kill 89′ Punisher & 04 Punisher,” one Redditor said, summing up the various versions of Punisher for the brawl. “08 Punisher would absolutely murder Wick. Wick may have killed a guy with a Pencil… but Frank Caved in a guy’s skull! Comic Punisher 616 would kill Wick and pretty much the entire continental without prep. MAX Punisher wins after a long battle and probably several gunshots later… old age catches up with Frank.” Still, not everyone is so quick to give the easy win to The Punisher. Many drew attention to Wick’s more surgical combat skills in comparison to The Punisher’s, as well as Wick’s apparent plot armor based on his last few film appearances. “john wick fought multiple highly trained assassins, Ninjas, samurai, the high table AND fully impenetrably armored soldiers both in new york and japan Mostly with a weak ass pistol. He’s also killed a whole russian mob. I like punisher but wick WOULD win if they dont kill each other at the same time.” one Redditor pointed out. “Long range fight – Frank wins. Close up fight – John wins,” one Redditor finally concedes. “Frank is better with guns, but John is better at fighting”

Predator vs. Wolverine has an absolutely jacked up Wolverine Marvel ComicsPreview pages for Predator vs. Wolverine #1 reveal a Wolverine who has been absolutely beaten to hell, and a Predator who won’t quit. Wolverine had his share of tough fights over the years, but he’s also one of Marvel’s crossover fight kings. Obviously, he went toe-to-toe with Lobo in one of Marvel vs. DC’s more infamous fights, but that’s just the surface. Wolverine was around for some of the great crossovers of the ‘90s, including the classic X-Men/Star Trek series. And, of course, he’s a pivotal figure in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. He might have finally met his match, though. A new upcoming series turns him into the hunted, and he doesn’t seem to be enjoying it too much. Predator vs. Wolverine preview pages show a beaten-down Wolverine Preview pages shared by Marvel of Predator vs. Wolverine #1 show Logan on the run from the Predator. He’s in rough shape here, too – far worse than fans are used to seeing. Wolverine’s covered in cuts, bleeding profusely. His costume is torn to shreds. He’s also missing a massive chunk of his shoulder. What makes it worse is that the Predator is far from done. The preview ends with it decloaking for a final face-off. It’s just the start of a four-issue spectacular, and you can bet nobody’s going down without a long, bloody fight in this one. Predator vs. Wolverine #1 hits stands September 20 from Marvel Comics. For more Wolverine & comic news, be sure to follow our continuing coverage.

New Power Rangers comic by first Pink Ranger crushes Kickstarter goal in 45 minutes Boom! StudiosAmy Jo Johnson’s Power Rangers story hit Kickstarter, and the series has already passed its funding goal thanks to an excited fanbase. Boom! Studios has had a lot of success with the Power Rangers. Since picking up the license in 2015, Boom! has had a hand in some of the biggest events, like the landmark event comic Shattered Grid. More than that, though, they’ve had fun with the mythos. They’ve dabbled in future histories, like the creation of Lord Drakon, the evil future Tommy Oliver, and toyed with the ideas of Power Rangers as a legacy. Now that legacy is being explored in a new event series after Boom! Brought the latest Power Rangers title to a Kickstarter, which already saw a massive outpouring of support. Boom!’s Power Rangers: The Return by Amy Jo Johnson funds on Kickstarter in less than an hour Power Rangers: The Return started as a story called Re-Imagine in Boom!’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 30th Anniversary Comic Special, which itself was funded by a successful Kickstarter. Now, the story is getting a full four-issue comic run after it hit its Kickstarter goal in just 45 minutes, with the promise of potential further adventures. The series, written by original Pink Power Ranger actress Amy Jo Johnson, is an alternate universe story that features the original Power Rangers as middle-aged characters. In The Return, the Rangers saved the galaxy, but at a great personal cost, and disbanded. The team is called back together upon learning the Red Ranger has been operating as a vigilante in the intervening years and is now missing. Johnson plots the book alongside writer/director Matt Hotson. Art is provided by Spider-Man and Hulk artist Nico Leon based on original designs by Batman/Superman: World’s Finest artist Dan Mora. The Kickstarter launched with a $50k goal, but as of this writing, it has already surpassed $80k across 553 backers, opening up stretch goals that include enamel pins for day one backers and digital editions for physical orders. With 27 days left on the campaign, this could truly be one for the record books. Boom! has dabbled more in Kickstarter recently and had great success bringing comics to readers via the platform. Projects like Cyanide & Happiness 20th Anniversary Comic Extravangza and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth were all made possible thanks to fan-driven Kickstarters. Outside of Kickstarter, a recent Boom! Studios BackerKit campaign for a new installment in The Amory Wars met similar success, funding in two minutes and hitting the highest day-one total in the site’s history. For more Power Rangers & comic book news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Batman & Superman: World’s Finest introduces Nightwing’s new movie-inspired costume DC ComicsThe first Robin of another Earth makes a splash in Batman & Superman: World’s Finest, and he’s sporting a slick new costume, too. The Man of Steel and the Dark Knight are in big trouble in the latest Batman & Superman: World’s Finest arc. The two have found themselves stranded on the Earth of the dark ‘90s classic Kingdom Come, battling their doppelgangers from that world. In Kingdom Come, the heroes fans know and love have retired or been killed, with a younger generation of reckless, increasingly violent heroes taking their place. World’s Finest explores the period just before that with our Batman and Superman stranded on the Earth. Given a fight with the Batman and Superman of Kingdom Come, it was only a matter of time before a version of Nightwing appeared. However, this version of Dick Grayson is sporting a surprising new look. Warning: Spoilers for Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #21 will follow. Nightwing gets a movie-inspired costume in Batman & Superman: World’s Finest Nightwing arrives on the scene in Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #21 sporting a slick red and black number. It’s a modified take on his traditional “finger-stripes” costume with a more bat-like chest emblem and red utility belt. He’s also sporting an all-black (albeit Robin-length) cape. Obviously, the look is a riff on two iconic Nightwing costumes: his red New 52 look and the big-screen version of the Nightwing costume from 1997’s infamous Batman & Robin. But the suit has an even more interesting history for that in the eyes of longtime readers. For fans of Kingdom Come, this is the next step in the history of this version of Dick Grayson, who did not appear as Nightwing in the original story. Although Dick Grayson had been Nightwing for well over a decade by that point, 1996’s Kingdom Come instead put him in a new identity, Red Robin. He’s established as having long since retired and left the superhero business to Nightstar, his daughter with fellow Teen Titan Starfire. The Red Robin costume is much more evocative of a traditional Batsuit, with its red tunic, flowing cape, and Michael Keaton-inspired cowl design. This red, updated Nightwing costume almost bridges the gap, establishing a Dick who has begun to adopt some of Batman’s more theatrical approaches. Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #21 is available now from DC Comics. For more Batman & Superman and comic book news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Batman: Knightfall line’s new 90s Nightwing figure has fans going nuts McFarlane ToysMcFarlane Toys’ run of Batman: Knightfall-inspired figures is getting a little more daring with a long-awaited figure of Nightwing in his ‘90s costume. The McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse line has a ton of Batman figures, but Nightwing sure is giving The Dark Knight a run for his money. Nightwing has a staggering number of figures in the line, including his looks from DC Rebirth, Titans, New 52, Gotham Knights, and more. The latest may be one of the most requested Nightwing looks to date, though, with a gorgeous ‘90s figure announced today. McFarlane Toys reveals classic Nightwing from Batman: Knightfall Announced on the McFarlane Toys Twitter for the holiday season, Nightwing in his ‘90s costume is the latest to join McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse’s Batman: Knightfall series. The figure joins an already impressive line that has included ‘90s takes on Robin, Catwoman, and one of the most popular Batman figures released to date. The look is an iconic costume for Dick Grayson, the original Robin who eventually graduated to the role of Nightwing. He wore it for much of the ‘80s and ‘90s, prior to getting his iconic “finger stripes” costume ahead of his 1996 solo series. It’s the look associated with his role in Batman: Knightfall, the storyline in which the unhinged Azrael replaced Batman after his back was broken by Bane. Naturally, fans are losing their minds over the release. Many took to the comments on Instagram and Twitter. Still, some fans aren’t necessarily in love with the look. Many are pointing out that the figure appears to be missing Nightwing’s ponytail, which was DC’s second-most iconic mullet of the ’90s. Others are calling out the lack of detail, with the “feather” design across the chest being painted on instead of sculpted. Others are just calling out for the one last Nightwing look the line has yet to adapt: his original ‘80s “Discowing” look with a high collar. Given McFarlane Toys’ recent forays into classic figures, though, that seems like it may be just a matter of time. McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Batman: Knightfall Nightwing will be available for pre-order starting December 8th, the same day pre-orders open for McFarlane’s new classic Superman figure. For more DC Comics and McFarlane Toys news, be sure to keep it locked to Dexerto.

X-Men fans hate that Nightcrawler is a murderer in Fall of the House of X Marvel ComicsX-Men fans went into Fall of the House of X expecting big action but were surprised to discover fan-favorite Nightcrawler written as a cold-blooded killer. One of the biggest surprises to come out of the end of the X-Men’s Krakoan age was Uncanny Spider-Man and its sister spin-off, X-Men Origins: Blue. Both books were surprisingly deep, introspective character studies into Nightcrawler, a fan-favorite X-Man who has been a superhero, a swashbuckling pirate, a devout religious icon, and more. Uncanny Spider-Man examined Nightcrawler’s more heroic side amid the chaos of Krakoa’s fall, but he’s been the moral compass of the X-Men ever since his debut way back in Giant-Size X-Men. This might explain why so many fans were shocked to see him portrayed as a cold-blooded killer in a recent story. Nightcrawler is a cold-blooded killer and fans hate it In the current mini-series Fall of the House of X, Nightcrawler has been alongside Wolverine, Colossus, and Shadowkat as they strike Orchis from the shadows. But Fall of the House of X #2, which puts the team in space alongside Magneto’s daughter, Polaris, as they raid an Orchis space station. There, Nightcrawler is almost cavalier in how willing he is to execute Orchis soldiers, which some fans on Reddit took issue with. “I’d be okay with Kurt wantonly killing an enemy who is part of the group currently hunting them to extinction but only if it was uniformly applied in the same issue…but really, what the hell was that?” one user said. “Yeah, I’m all for Orchis getting what’s coming to them, but Kurt casually killing mooks seems extreme.” another said. “If he did this to Doctor Stasis, I’d cheer. Doing this to a random no-name grunt is messed up.” “I think the Krakoa era has evolved his belief system from devout Catholic to something new.” another pointed out, referring to Nightcrawler’s character arc throughout 2021’s Way of X and 2022’s Legion of X. “They were setting him up to be the priest of a new religion. And there’s no commandment against dumping fash into space.” It’s the latest of a host of criticisms levied against the books in the Krakoa era, which have been slowly setting up a proposed grand finale. Many have taken issue with how the books are setting up the characters, with X-Men like Cyclops spending multiple issues promising to do something cool and then doing nothing. For Nightcrawler, many of the fans point their fingers squarely at the writer of Fall of the House of X, Gerry Duggan. “Yes, Duggan, everyone knows that Nightcrawler fucking loves to kill people.” one user said, calling out just how out of character the moment is. “Definitely out of character (especially after the excellent “Uncanny Spider-Man” series). But of course, this is Duggan who has had Kate go full slaughter everyone ninja, so …” one user added. “Duggan is phoning it in compared to Ewing and Gillen and it shows glaringly.” another user said, drawing a comparison to the well-received X-Men Forever and Rise of the Powers of X. “Seems like lots of stuff in this issue happened off panel and it makes for a poor reading experience.” Fall of the House of X #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.

Best new comics week of January 15 – Superman: Lost #10, Cobra Commander #1 & more Skybound | Marvel Comics | DC ComicsFrom The Avengers to the Transformers to Spider-Man 2099, these are the best comics releasing the week of January 15, 2024. There’s a lot going on in comics this week. Spider-Man’s Gang War event is racing towards its inevitable conclusion, while Nightwing is teaming up with Superman to save Robin. Meanwhile, there’s a cowboy Superman, a brand new future Avengers, and a Daredevil/She-Hulk meeting that is probably going to involve some punching before there’s some lawyering. That’s not to account for what’s happening outside of the big two, either. Savage Dragon rings in 300 issues this week, and Skybound’s Energon universe adds another layer to its quickly growing foundation. To help you decide what to buy this week, these are the best new releases for January 15, 2024. DC books will be shipping on Tuesday, January 16, while Marvel, Image, and other publishers will release their books on Wednesday, January 17. The best new comics coming out the week of January 15 A return to Kingdom Come, a new origin for Cobra Commander, and a landmark Spider-Man 2099 issue are all part of the best new comics for the week of January 15, 2024. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #23 We’ve already spoken at length about how great Batman/Superman: World’s Finest is, even putting it on our list of the top comics of 2023. Mark Waid and Dan Mora are doing god’s work for older fans, bringing the Silver Age flavor everyone knows and loves to the modern day. That goes doubly so for the current arc, Heir to the Kingdom. Revisiting the universe of Waid’s modern epic, Kingdom Come, the story has retold the origins of Magog in a way that pre-Flashpoint’s The Kingdom wished it could. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #23 is the penultimate issue of this arc, which focuses on how Superman’s forgotten sidekick, Boy Thunder, got lost in the multiverse and became the deadly anti-hero Magog. Can the World’s Finest change the fate of one of DC’s most iconic alternate universes, or are they just present to witness the fall of another Earth? Avengers: Twilight #1 Can Captain America unite the Avengers to save a world that doesn’t want Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? That’s the question asked in Avengers: Twilight, a story writer Chip Zdarsky has apparently been working on since 2019. Zdarsky has more than proven his chops with acclaimed runs on Spider-Man and Daredevil. He’s currently making a hell of an impression on Batman, but it’s still nice to see him back at Marvel, and paired with the gorgeous, moody art of Daniel Acuña, no less. The Avengers comics have been in kind of a weird place for a while, with the ongoings drifting between big events and self-contained narratives. It’s been a while since it felt like we had a genuine big-deal Avengers book. Could Twilight change that? Cobra Commander #1 Skybound’s Energon Universe may not be the biggest thing in the world right now, but you can tell there’s something huge brewing there. The effort to merge Transformers and GI Joe into a shared property has already turned heads with its Transformer ongoing, but now it’s time for the Joes to step up. The conceit of the Energon Universe – that the arrival of the Autobot and Decepticon war would lead to the formation of GI Joe and Cobra – has already kicked off in gory fashion. After seeing his friend killed by Starscream, Duke is on a mission to find a way to stop the Decepticons – a mission that has already branded him an outlaw in his own mini-series. Cobra Commander #1 aims to set up the other side of the conflict, showing the evil mastermind as he sets about forming the criminal organization Cobra. The Energon Universe isn’t huge yet, but it has all the markings of the next great comics event, and this is the chance to get in on the ground floor. Superman: Lost #10 Superman: Lost might be one of the best examples of how DC can tell stories outside of its normal books. This haunting out-of-continuity tale uses the best aspects of Superman to tell a narrative that will certainly stick with readers for years to come. The series follows Superman at two points in his life. In the present, he’s returned to Earth after being stranded in space for 20 years, away from everyone he loved. The series focused on how a person as eternally hopeful as Superman can function when all that hope is taken away. The series has had some incredible moments so far and might just be one of the best Superman stories ever told. #10 is the finale and threatens to turn the world on its head even more when Earth is attacked by the renegade Green Lantern Superman fought during his 20-year absence. John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #1 The new Sandman Universe branding across DC is a great way to capitalize on the popularity of the Netflix series, but it also means some beloved characters we don’t see often are getting the spotlight again. Lo and behold, John Constantine is back, and he’s got a returning A+ creative team. First announced during New York Comic-Con, this new Sandman Universe series reunites 2019’s John Constantine, Hellblazer creative team Si Spurrier and Aaron Campbell. That series ended with Constantine cheating death but at a terrible price. Dead in America sees John alive in a decaying body without a pulse, summoned by Dream of the Endless to stop a nightmare plaguing the States. The book also teases a new meeting between Constantine and The Swamp Thing, a duo who have very rarely seen eye-to-eye. Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #3 Alright, this might not be the biggest book out this week. Maybe this one’s just on the list for me. But it’s still incredibly notable. After 32 years, Spider-Man 2099 finally gets a canonical 100th issue. Sure, Miguel O’Hara has made way more than 100 appearances, but his own on-goings have always been fairly brief affairs. Does it suck that the 100th Spider-Man 2099 issue is part of an event series and not a gala celebration of one of Marvel’s more popular characters? Yeah, a little bit. Will that detract from the sheer bonkers fun of watching Miguel duke it out with Werewolf by Night 2099? Not a chance. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Best new comics week of January 24: Superior Spider-Man #3, The Flash #5, & more IDW | Marvel | DCFrom the return of an iconic X-Men villain to the end of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the best new comics for the week of January 24 will keep readers on their toes. It’s a big week to be a comic book fan. The week of January 24 sees a lot of big books hit shelves, and a number of major events are moving forward. The Fall of the House of X got a huge shot in the arm with upcoming solicits for X-Men books, highlighting the reunited X-Men and the beginning of the end in their fight for Orchis. This week sees the stage set for those fights, as X-Force hunts Beast and Magneto returns from the dead. Meanwhile, the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles volume is racing to its finale, and the Titans event Beast World returns following last issue’s shocking death of Beast Boy. The best new comics week of January 24 Check out Dexerto’s coverage of the best new comics releasing the week of January 24. DC Comics titles will be released on Tuesday, January 23, while Marvel Comics and other publishers will release their comics on Wednesday, January 24. The Flash #5 Things are getting real weird for The Flash. His powers are sending him into untold depths as he discovers a bizarrely serene place beyond life, love, and the Speed Force. A place that touches everything and nothing, where Wally finds himself at risk of losing the memories of his family. It’s been a real treat digging into this current run of The Flash. As someone who grew up with Wally as The Flash, this feels like a beautiful love letter to classic Wally stories where things keep getting weirder and weirder. There’s still time to catch up before the first arc concludes next month! THE MIND-BENDING TAKE ON THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE CONTINUES! As Wally West’s powers continue to evolve beyond his understanding, another confrontation with the Stillness makes the group wonder if they are here to protect Earth with the Flash, or from him. While Wally seeks out the Resident for answers, Jai has a secret he really needs to tell his dad, and Jai’s quest to find Wally brings him into the heart of the horrors affecting Central City! By Simon Spurrier, Mike Deodatao, Trish Mulvihill, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Superior Spider-Man #3 Superior Spider-Man may be one of the best concepts Marvel has had in the past two decades, so it’s no surprise they keep going back to the well. After the initial run and the revival with Doctor Octopus in a clone body, though, there is a slightly different flavor to this one. Fans were rightfully shocked to discover the current Superior Spider-Man is not Doctor Octopus, but Peter Parker. Thrust into the Superior Spider-Man suit after his costume was destroyed, Spidey and Doc Ock now form an uneasy alliance to save Anna-Maria from the Superior Spider-Man’s greatest failure. Will the series find a way to twist us again and put a revitalized Doc Ock back in the suit? TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Only ONE man can save the day! Well, one man and his army of expendable Spider-Minions! The Spider-Base will be reactivated! Refuel the Arachno-Mechs! Load your web-cannons! The moment you’ve been training for has arrived! Suit up, dolts! We’re going to WAR! By Dan Slott, Mark Bagley, John Dell, Joe Caramagna, & Edgar Delgado The Immortal Thor #6 The Immortal Hulk is easily one of my favorite books ever. It’s an incredible mix of high drama, body horror, and Marvel Comics shenanigans. Immortal Thor is already promising to take everything that made Immortal Hulk great and amp it up. Last issue saw an incredible brawl with the all-new Thor Corps, as anyone who had ever wielded Mjolnir tossed the mythic hammer between each other for a stunning fight against Toranos. This week promises to get back to what really makes Ewing’s Immortal titles shine, as it explores the rich history of Marvel’s extended universe. A LEGEND FROM THE PAST! The All-Father sought answers to his new troubles in memories of old. And to refresh those memories, he consulted his Skald…to tell a tale of when Young Thor and Young Loki journeyed out beyond Asgard—on a quest that would determine the fate of all the Realms. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR…and of his first Journey Into Mystery. By Al Ewing, Martín Cóccolo, Matt Wilson, & Joe Sabino Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #147 There’s something big on the horizon for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Road to #150 sees the Turtles hurtling towards the end of its current volume. Things are dire, too, with threats of a shattered reality and a world-changing event. We still don’t really know what the new TMNT will be. Jason Aaron (the superstar writer behind some of the best Thor comics ever) will be taking over writing chores, with the artist being announced this week. IDW maintains it’s not a reboot, but if you’re curious what the newest era of the Turtles will look like, here’s a good place to start. Armaggon’s intentions are revealed, and it’s worse than Donatello could have ever imagined… The very fabric of reality is at stake-and back in the present, Leonardo’s new protégé is on a path toward destruction! Can Donnie find a way to stave off Armaggon’s attack or is it time for the TMNT? The road to #150 continues here! By Sophie Campbell & Vincenzo Federici Batman: The Brave & the Bold #9 We talked recently about the best Batman books for new readers, and The Brave and the Bold’s The Winning Card may have been the most unconventional of those choices. There are plenty of stories that focus on Batman and The Joker’s first meeting, but this may be one of the best. The Winning Card wraps up with #9, but there’s still plenty more to find in this anthology series. Brave & the Bold so far has been a real treat, and this week sees the end of its Wild Dog story and a new Batman story from Nightwing artist Bruno Redondo. Batman finally confronts The Joker in the brutal conclusion to “The Winning Card” by Tom King and Mitch Gerads! Aquaman faces down the Dominator threat at the bottom of the ocean in Gabriel Hardman’s epic final chapter! Hell comes to the Quad Cities in the conclusion of Kyle Starks and Fernando Pasarin’s “Wild Dog: Here Comes Trouble!” Eisner Award winner Bruno Redondo writes and illustrates a poignant tale of the Dark Knight! Featuring work by Bruno Redondo, Gabriel Hardman, Kyle Starks, Tom King, Mitch Gerards, Clayton Cowles, Fernando Pasarin, & Matt Hearms Resurrection of Magneto #1 Fall of the House of X has been in full swing now, but it feels like this is the week where things really kick into gear. That’s because this week sets the stage for the return of Magneto, a piece of the narrative that feels like it’s been missing for far too long. Magneto’s been dead since the Judgment Day event, where he asked Storm to not resurrect him as there was no backup of his personality. That makes it all the more curious that Storm seems to be laying the groundwork for his revival. Is this how we get an evil Magneto again? LIFEDEATH! On Krakoa, resurrection from the dead was as easy as completing a circuit—but Krakoa fell. The time of easy miracles is over, and only the hard roads are left. Now it falls to Storm—as the epic conclusion to the Krakoan age looms—to bring their oldest enemy home to fight against the FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X…but after all he did, and all that was done to him, can Magneto bear to return? By Al Ewing, Luciano Vecchio, David Curiel, & Ariana Maher New comics shipping week of January 24, 2024 Akolyte #3 – Akolyte #4 – Al Capone Vampire #4 – Amazons Attack #4 – Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #347 – Bad Omens: Concrete Jungle #4 – Banshees #5 – Batman: The Brave and the Bold #9 – Beast of Bower Boulevard #3 – Blade in the Dark #4 – Blade Runner 2039 #9 – Blood Force Trauma #7 – The Bone Orchard Mythos: Tenement #8 – Comic Book Creator #33 – Crashdown #1 – Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO #4 – Damn Them All #12 – Daredevil: Black Armor #3 – Dead Detective #2 – Deer Editor #1 – Detective Comics #1081 – Disney Villains: Hades #5 – Dune: House Harkonnen #12 – Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #3 – Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #1 – Edenfrost #2 – Edie: You Are What Eats You #1 – Empath #3 – Faceless and the Family #3 – The Flash #5 – G.O.D.S. #4 – Gargoyles: Dark Ages #5 – Ghost Machine #1 – Green Arrow #8 – Grimm Fairy Tales #79 – Grimm Fairy Tales Annual 2023 – Harley Quinn #36 – Here Comes Calico #8 – Hexagon Bridge #5 – The Holy Roller #3 – The Immortal Thor #6 – Judge Dredd: Megazine #463 – Jungle Comics #24 – Junior Baker the Righteous Faker #5 – Justice Ducks #1 – Klaus Nomi: A Graphic Biography and Collaborative Anthology – Lady Death: Cybernetic Desecration #2 – A Legacy of Violence #9 – Lotus Land #3 – Mech Cadets #5 – Midnight Western Theatre: Witch Trial #5 – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #116 – Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #4 – Mundus Tenebras #3 – My Hero Academia #412 – Newburn #14 – Nightfall Double Feature #4 – One Piece #1104 – The Penguin #6 – Power Girl #5 – Power Pack: Into the Storm #1 – Project: Cryptid #5 – Punisher #3 – Quested #1 – Red Sonja #7 – Resurrection of Magneto #1 – Rick and Morty: Meeseeks P.I. #3 – Rumpus Room #5 – Savage Pulp #1 – The Schlub #6 – Skeeters #2 – Slow Burn #4 – Spawn #349 – Spider-Woman #3 – A Splatter Western One-Shot #4 – Star Trek Explorer #10 – Star Trek: Defiant Annual #1 – Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #2 – Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances #1 – Starfinder: Angels of the Drift #5 – Superior Spider-Man #3 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #147 – Titans: Beast World #5 – Titans: Beast World Tour – Star City #1 – Trakovi #5 – Universal Monsters: Dracula #4 – Van Helsing: Vampire Hunter #1 – White River Monster #4 – X-Force #48 – Zawa + The Belly of the Beast #3 – If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Best new comics week of February 7, 2024: Batman #142, Ultimate Black Panther #1 & more DC Comics | Marvel Comics | BOOM! StudiosThe Joker’s origin, Guy Gardner’s love story, and the return of the original Pink Mighty Morphin Power Ranger make up the best new comics for the week of February 7. With January behind us, February’s comics are starting to ramp up. We’re already seeing events like Gang War draw to a close while Fall of X races to its conclusion. February also obviously brings Valentine’s Day with it, which means romance comics are lining up, including romantic spins with Guy Gardner and…Godzilla? If you’re looking for the best new comics this week, here’s a rundown of what you can expect. Best new comics releasing the week of February 7, 2024 From the Joker’s origins to a Guy Gardner love story, here are the best comics releasing the week of February 7, 2024. Books from DC Comics will be released on Tuesday, February 6, while books from other publishers, such as Marvel, Image, & BOOM!, will release on Wednesday, February 7. You can find your local comic shop by visiting Comic Shop Locator. Batman #142 Chip Zdarsky’s Batman has been a somewhat divisive run, with events like Gotham City War not ringing the bell like fans hoped. Still, it’s hard to deny that the run is doing some incredible work fleshing out the Bat-family, with the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh getting a huge upgrade. Now that attention to detail is being turned to The Joker. The character has always had a multiple-choice origin, though The Killing Joke is often treated as the “correct” origin. So what will happen with this version of a Joker origin? And after last year’s The Man Who Stopped Laughing…is this even the real Joker? THE JOKER YEAR ONE, REVEALED BY CHIP ZDARSKY AND GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI! The tragic “death” of the leader of the Red Hood Gang in a vat of chemicals has become the subject of myth…but what is the heartbreaking and gruesome tale of the monster who walked away from that violent birth? And how does it affect Batman’s distant future? “The Joker Year One” begins here! By Chip Zdarsky, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Sorrentino, Stefano Nesi, Dave Stewart, Alejandro Sánchez, & Clayton Cowles Ultimate Black Panther #1 For me, personally, Ultimate Black Panther is the biggest surprise of the announced titles. Yeah, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 was incredible, and Ultimate X-Men makes a lot of sense. But there’s a ton of baggage around Ultimate Comics and Black Panther. The original Ultimate Comics run introduced a Black Panther, but it was used as a twist to make Captain America the Black Panther before bringing T’Challa in. Beyond that, the books didn’t use the character a lot. This new version promises to change that, bringing Storm and Killmonger into the fold from the onset and pitting Black Panther against an Ultimate incarnation of Moon Knight. THE NEW ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER! In the wake of ULTIMATE INVASION, Khonshu and Ra — the force known together as Moon Knight — are seeking to expand their brutal control of the continent of Africa. In response, the lone bulwark against them, the isolated nation of Wakanda, will send forth its champion… its king… the Black Panther! From the creative minds of Bryan Hill (BLADE, KILLMONGER) and Stefano Caselli (X-MEN: RED, AVENGERS) comes a bold new take on the world of Black Panther and Wakanda! By Bryan Hill, Stefano Caselli, & David Curiel DC’s How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days #1 DC Comics has a ton of romance-oriented comics in their back catalog, like the all-time classic Young Heroes in Love or pretty much any Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy story. So it may seem bizarre to include Guy Gardner for 2024’s Valentine’s Day festivities. There is a kind of sense to it, though. Guy’s the eternal hot-headed schmuck who means well but seems to have his foot perpetually in his mouth. There’s more to this one than just Guy, though, with promises of romantic hijinks starring Red Tornado, Plastic Man, The Flash, and more. EIGHT ROM-COM-INSPIRED NEW STORIES ABOUT LOVE—AND TRYING TO FIND IT—IN THE DC UNIVERSE! Romance is rarely a simple affair—love is almost always followed by some sort of conflict. Whether you’re Plastic Man twisting yourself into knots trying to please someone, or the Flash traveling back in time to make a catastrophic 50 first dates perfect, or even a lonely robot who just can’t seem to find love unless it’s mail from a computer screen, like Red Tornado, love actually is…a pain in the 27 dresses. So in the grand tradition of these dating conundrums a la rom-coms of the ’90s and ’00s, we are proud to present eight new stories about love and trying to find it in this zany world. By Marguerite Sauvage, Aaron Waltke, Alex Galer, Brendan Hay, Danny Lore, Dennis Hopeless, George Mann, & Kenny Porter Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1 We spoke back in November of BOOM!’s Kickstarter for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return, a story about the Rangers forced to reunite to find a missing ally. The book lit up Kickstarter, becoming one of BOOM!’s most successful endeavors on the platform. Fans who have been eagerly awaiting the comic can finally get their hands on the issue this week. Written by the original Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson, The Return is promising something grand and new for the world of Power Rangers. BOOM! has made that promise multiple times already and delivered, with characters like Lord Drakkon and events like Shattered Grid, so The Return should be just as much of a slam dunk. In an alternate universe, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers finally defeated Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, but at a terrible cost… In the wake of tragedy, the team went their separate ways. 22 years later, the long-disbanded team reunites to mourn the losses of beloved friends, but Zack and Billy have some unexpected information to share-Jason, the Red Ranger, has been operating as a lone vigilante, and has since disappeared. Will the remaining Rangers be able to track him down, especially with a mysterious figure in pursuit? Written by actress, screenwriter, and director Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Ranger herself, along with rising star co-writer Matt Hotson (Titans) and renowned artist Nico Leon (Spider-Man, Catwoman), fans can experience something unlike anything they ever have before in the Power Rangers universe, in TV or comics! By Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson, & Nico Leon X-Men #31 Another week, another chapter in the ongoing Fall of the House of X. Things are ramping up, though, as last week saw the Dead X-Men form to stop Moira X from developing her powers in the first place. This week, the X-Men go on the offensive to battle Nimrod. The creation of Nimrod has always been presented as a turning point in mutantkind’s battle for acceptance, but can the disjointed X-Men really stand a chance against him? THE ULTIMATE MUTANT HUNTER! The X-Men lived in fear of Nimrod’s creation, and now it’s clear why! The ultimate weapon of mutant extinction is ever-adapting, ever-evolving, with only one goal—DEATH TO MUTANTKIND! By Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto, & Clayton Cowles Doctor Strange #12 There are good characters, and there are great characters. And then there is Bats the Ghost Dog, who is the goodest character. Bats, the spectre of a senior dog who wound up in Doctor Strange’s care while he was briefly working as a veterinarian (I swear to you that is a real story), has long been a fan-favorite. There’s just an earnestness and fun to him that fans really connect with. A Bats-centric issue of Doctor Strange? Yes, please. Doctor Strange is a busy man—sometimes, it seems like the busiest man. But that man has a best friend. So when there’s something strange haunting the Sanctum Sanctorum, who can we turn to? Why, BATS THE GHOST DOG, of course! But can Bats solve the mystery on his own, or is this good dog in over his head? By Jed MacKay, Danilo Beyruth, K.J. Diaz & Cory Petit Every new comic releasing the week of February 7, 2024 Addams Family: Charlatan’s Web #2 – Alien #4 – Antarctica #8 – Archie Valentine’s Spectacular #1 – Avengers #1 – The Avengers #10 – Batman #142 – The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2 – The Beano #4222 – Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 – Birds of Prey #6 – Bloodrik #3 – Captain America #6 – Conan the Barbarian #7 – Count Crowley: Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter #2 – Crave #3 – The Cull #5 – Daredevil: Gang War #3 – Dark Souls: The Willow King #1 – Dark Spaces: Dungeon #3 – DC’s How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days #1 – Doctor Strange #12 – Exciting Comics #41 – Fantastic Four #17 – Fiendish #2.5 – Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #6 – Ghostlore #8 – Godzilla: Valentines Day Special #1 – Gone #2 – Grit n Gears: War Between Dames #1 – Gumaa: The Beginning of Her #3 – Gunslinger Spawn #28 – Haunted House: A Love Story #3 – Horror Comics #32 – Jack Kirby Collector #89 – Kaya #15 – Kneel Before Zod #2 – Love Everlasting #12 – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1 – Monster Fun #16 (Manic Movies Special 2023) – My Little Pony: Best of Rarity #1 – My Little Pony: Classics Reimagined – Valentines Day Special #1 – Nice Jewish Boys #4 – No’madd The Unconquerable: The Cave of Broken Tombs #4 – Nouns: Nountown #2 – Once Upon a Time at the End of the World #12 – The One Hand #1 – One Piece #1106 – Pine and Merrimac #2 – Poison Ivy #19 – Red Hood: The Hill #0 – Robotech: Rick Hunter #3 – Rogue Sun #18 – Saucer Country: The Finale #1 – Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #126 – The Sensational She-Hulk #5 – Shazam! #8 – The Space Between #4 – Space Negro: The Last Negro #1 – Star Trek: Defiant #11 – Star Wars: Mace Windu #1 – Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi #5 – Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1 – Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #4 – Symon Sayz #4 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures #10 – Thanos #3 – Thundercats #1 – Time Traveler Tales #3 – Tom Holland’s Fright Night #4 – Toxx #5 – Traveling to Mars #10 – U & I #1 – Ultimate Black Panther #1 – Venom #30 – A Very Valiantines Special #1 – The Walking Dead Deluxe #82 – Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1 – Wonderland Child of Madness #3 – World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #137 – X-Men #31 – X-O Manowar Unconquered #6 – Мрак #2 – If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

February 28’s best new comics: Amazing Spider-Man #44, Wolverine #44, Punisher #4 & more Marvel Comics | SkyboundGang War’s conclusion, Sabretooth War’s next violent issue, and Marvel’s new take on Punisher villain Jigsaw make up the best comics hitting stands the week of February 28, 2024. February ends with a bang as Marvel and DC begin laying the foundation for their next big events. Amazing Spider-Man is finally wrapping up Gang War this week. While a few stray tie-ins are still to come, this week’s book marks the conclusion of the main story. On the flip side, Green Arrow is making his own deal with the devil with Amanda Waller, something which is sure to have repercussions in this summer’s Absolute Power event. But there’s still work to do before vampires attack in Blood Hunt and Waller takes over in Absolute Power. To get you up to date on all of the goings on, here are this week’s best comics. Best new comics releasing week of February 28 The Amazing Spider-Man #44 – The Flash #6 – Punisher #4 – Wolverine #44 – Duke #3 – Batman: The Brave & the Bold #10 – Every new comic releasing February 28 – These are the best new comics releasing the week of February 28, 2024. DC Comics title will hit shelves on Tuesday, February 27, while other publishers such as Marvel, Image, and IDW will release books on Wednesday, February 28. However, DC did announce at last week’s ComicPRO that DC Comics will return to shipping on Wednesdays starting in July. You can find your local comic shop at Comic Shop Locator or purchase digital copies via the digital storefronts linked below. The Amazing Spider-Man #44 Gang War has been a hell of a mini-event, tying together various Spider-Man adjacent allies and villains in a tangled web (pun intended) of violence and misery. With Gang War’s conclusion, the landscape for the Spider-Man titles may be changed forever. Fans eager to see how the stage is set for the upcoming Spider-Men won’t want to miss this one. GANG WAR CONCLUSION! Madame Masque makes the power move she’s been waiting to make her entire life. This is not going to go the way you think it will! By Zeb Wells, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz & Joe Caramagna The Flash #6 The first arc of The Flash draws to a close this week, and the preview pages are already some of the most heartbreaking we’ve seen in the series so far. Not only does the preview feature a tense reunion between Wally West and Barry Allen, but they also focus more on the depression Linda Park-West is facing. Linda’s role post-childbirth and after losing her powers has been the most interesting idea the book has had, so I’m really hopeful we’ll get some more exploration of what’s going on with her starting with this month’s issue. THE FIRST ARC OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES CONCLUDES! After the shocking ending of last issue, Wally West’s world has been completely upended—and as he quite literally is putting the pieces together, The Stillness’s attempts to reach out to a higher power are answered. Lace up your boots as the first arc of the critically-acclaimed new era for the Scarlet Speedster concludes! By Simon Spurrier, Mike Deodato Jr, & Trish Mullvihill Punisher #4 Someone other than Frank Castle being The Punisher shouldn’t work, but I’ll be damned if this run hasn’t been great so far. Joe Garrison is different enough from Frank that he stands on his own while still encapsulating what makes The Punisher great. That appeal is going to be put to the test this month, though, as Joe faces off against a radically different take on classic villain Jigsaw. All signs point to this being Joe’s first real trial as the new Punisher, but fans have to wonder: if Jigsaw is in the picture, can Frank Castle really be that far behind? WHO IS JIGSAW? Ever since his family was murdered, retired S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Joe Garrison has turned New York City upside down in his bloody search for answers. But now he’s finally put all the pieces together…and what he’s found could lead to all-out war. Alone and outgunned, Joe must push his deadly set of skills to their limit to stop the clandestine terror group known as JIGSAW—but even if he survives, can this all-new Punisher finally come to terms with his role as the Marvel Universe’s most dangerous hero? By David Pepose, Dave Wachter, Dan Brown, & Cory Petit Wolverine #44 We’ve been keeping up with Sabretooth War for a while now, but Part 3 may have been the biggest shocker so far. Not only did nobody die, but it actually undid a few apparent deaths. Expect Sabretooth to compensate by going wild in the other direction as both X-Force, the Exiles, and more converge. And we’re not even halfway through this thing yet! SABRETOOTH WAR—PART 4! Death has followed LOGAN for over a century. But as the blood pools and the gravestones pile up around him, what happens when SABRETOOTH kills again? The fallout of significant mutant deaths, and a desperate tactical play by WOLVERINE and X-FORCE turns the SABRETOOTH WAR on its head! By Victor LaValle, Benjamin Percy, Cory Smith, Frank D’Armata, & Cory Petit Duke #3 Joshua Williamson’s surprising Duke series returns, with the titular GI Joe stalwart incarcerated and seemingly forced to make a deal with a figurative devil in order to escape. The arrival of The Baroness is sure to surprise many, but it was only a matter of time before such a well-known GI Joe villain made themself known in this series. Duke’s search for answers has led him to a classified holding site for America’s most dangerous prisoners. Now he’s the most wanted man in the world. Unfortunately, everyone seems to prefer him Dead over Alive. By Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, & Jordie Bellaire Batman: The Brave & The Bold #10 With The Winning Card now officially in the rearview (though fans who missed it will get the opportunity to pick it up in trade soon), The Brave & the Bold moves into its next era with a host of exciting new stories. One such story is the surprise return to Gotham Academy. Once simultaneously one of DC’s most underrated and important ongoing books, Gotham Academy seems to be mostly forgotten in the eyes of many. But will the story, which features Maps Mizogchi, find a way to tie into her appearances in the incredible Birds of Prey run? GOTHAM ACADEMY IS BACK IN SESSION! PLUS, A RIP-ROARING ADVENTURE STARRING ARTEMIS, AND A BATMAN BLACK & WHITE TALE FROM DAN WATTERS AND RICARDO LOPEZ ORTIZ! Gotham Academy is back in session in the first part of Karl Kerschl’s thrilling three-part Batman adventure, guest-starring Maps Mizoguchi and Tristan Grey! Kirk Langstrom, formerly Man-Bat, now clean of his serum for years, is teaching at Gotham Academy. But Man-Bat is menacing the city. Has Dr. Langstrom fallen off the wagon, or is there a deeper, far more sinister, plan afoot? Plus, get ready for a conspiracy only Lois Lane could solve, a tale of rip-roaring adventure starring Artemis, and a Batman Black & White tale from Dan Watters and Ricardo López Ortiz! By Karl Kerschl, Dan Watters, Delilah S. Dawson, Torunn Grønbekk, Fernando Pasarin, & Ricardo López Ortiz Every new comic shipping week of February 28 The All-Nighter #15 – The Amazing Spider-Man #44 – Amazons Attack #5 – Arcbound #1 – Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #348 – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora #1 – Avengers: Twilight #3 – Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10 – Beowulf #5 – Borealis #3 – Cable #2 – Canary #3 – Carnage #4 – Charred Remains #3 – Chico Bento Moço #55 – Conan the Barbarian #8 – Crashdown #2 – Dead Detective #4 – Dead X-Men #2 – Deadpool #4 – Deep Cuts #5 – Destiny, NY: Mystic Mafia #2 – Detective Comics #1082 – Duke #3 – Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #2 – Edenfrost #3 – Edenwood #5 – The Expanse: Dragon Tooth #9 – Fantasy Comics #8 – Fire and Ice: Teegra #1 – The Flash #6 – Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1 – Godzilla: War for Humanity #4 – Green Arrow #9 – Grim: Pen & Ink #1 – Grimm Fairy Tales #81 – Hack / Slash: Back to School #3 – Happy Astronaut #4 – Harley Quinn #37 – Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer #6 – Holmes & Houdini #2 – Hornrim #4 – Ice Cream Man #38 – The Immortal Thor #7 – The Invincible Iron Man #15 – Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 – Jill and the Killers #2 – Lady Death: The Reckoning – 30th Anniversary Edition #1 – Marvel Previews #30 – Maui Mighty Comics #1 – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #117 – Miles Morales: Spider-Man #17 – Monstress #49 – My Little Pony: Kenbucky Roller Derby #2 – The Nasty #7 – Negaduck #4 – Newburn #15 – Oil – The Penguin #7 – Phantom Road #9 – Power Girl #6 – Power Pack: Into the Storm #2 – Previews #426 – Previews: Customer Order Form #426 – Punisher #4 – Quested #2 – Radiant Black #28 – Radiant Black #28.5 – Rare Flavours #4 – Red Sonja #8 – Resurrection of Magneto #2 – The Ribbon Queen #8 – Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: The Great Hunt #4 – The Savage Sword of Conan #1 – Slow Burn #5 – Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter #2 – Spellweaver #2 – Spider-Punk: Arms Race #1 – Star Trek: Defiant #12 – Star Trek: Picard’s Academy #6 – Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances #2 – Symon Sayz #5 – Syphon #4 – Terrorwar #9 – Tomorrow Girl #4 – Undiscovered Country #28 – Van Helsing: Vampire Hunter #2 – W0rldtr33 #8 – What If…?: Venom #1 – White Widow #4 – Wolverine #44 – Women of Marvel #1 – Working Class Wizards #1 – If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Best new comics week of February 21: Ultimate Spider-Man #2, Spawn #350, & more Marvel Comics | DC Comics | Image ComicsIt’s the beginning of the end for Nightwing’s creative team and the culmination of three decades of Spawn stories in the best new comics releasing February 21. February was off to a slow start for comics, but it’s promising to end with a bang. The penultimate week of the month promises big changes for some of the biggest books. The creative team of Nightwing is preparing to wrap up their current run while the long-running Spawn reaches a major milestone. All this in the shadow of the next massive Ultimate Spider-Man reveals. The various publishers are no doubt in the process of lining up books for their major summer events, with DC revealing theirs on Free Comic Book Day and Marvel preparing for Blood Hunt and Fall of X’s finale. As they continue to line up the pieces, be sure to prepare yourself for more big comic book moments in the weeks to come. Best new comics week of February 21, 2024 These are the best new comics releasing the week of February 21, 2024. DC Comics title will hit shelves on Tuesday, February 20, while other publishers such as Marvel, Image, and IDW will release books on Wednesday, February 21. You can find your local comic shop at Comic Shop Locator or purchase digital copies via the digital storefronts linked below. Ultimate Spider-Man #2 If you feel like it’s been a million years since the first issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, you’re not alone. The last issue was one of Marvel’s biggest surprises, with a radical new origin and more than a few characters showing up in unusual places. It feels like we’ve learned a lot of the book’s surprises in the weeks since, too. The identity of the new Green Goblin, Spidey’s first encounter with a classic villain, and more have all been revealed in early preview pages. Which just begs the question: what the hell surprises does this book have that it hasn’t revealed? THE MOST SURPRISING SPIDER-MAN STORY OF THE 21ST CENTURY CONTINUES! Spider-Man faces his first super villain! J. Jonah Jameson’s quest to uncover who is really pulling the strings of this new Ultimate Universe leads to a shocking revelation! And New York City welcomes its newest hero… the Green Goblin! By Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, Matt Wilson, & Cory Petit Nightwing #111 The biggest comic news out of last week was the announcement that Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo would be leaving Nightwing with #119, marking the end of one of the character’s most successful runs. The stage for that finale is being set now, as something is desperately wrong with Nightwing. We saw the beginning of that in the previous arc when he seemed to be gripped with fear. Nightwing was our pick for the best comic book of 2023 for good reason, and the finale promises to be one hell of an event. WHAT’S WRONG WITH NIGHTWING?! Something’s very wrong with Nightwing and it’s starting to catch up to him. Can the world’s greatest detective help him figure out what’s going on before it’s too late? Plus: The Plague has left 14th Century Europe in chaos, as a young man known only as the Son of Gray hunts the man who killed his father. A story of revenge, told in two parts. By Tom Taylor, Sami Basri, Vicente Cifuentes, Adriano Lucas, & Wes Abbott Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #24 Return to Kingdom Come has been a hell of a surprise in a book that has been consistently surprising. It’s not often that the iconic Mark Waid & Alex Ross event is referenced these days, but World’s Finest has truly been a love letter to one of the biggest comic book stories ever told. This arc is wrapping up with the arrival of Darkseid and the looming threat of the Anti-Life Equation, as many great Batman and Superman stories do. However, this one is in a unique position thanks to where it’s placed in Kingdom Come’s timeline. Will the original’s story be radically retconned, or is Kingdom Come’s fate inevitable? “RETURN TO KINGDOM COME” BY MARK WAID AND DAN MORA CONCLUDES! With no way back to their own Earth, will Superman and Batman have to witness the tragic events that led to cataclysm—or are they fated to take the place of their doppelgangers? By Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, & Steve Wands Spawn #350 It’s hard to believe Spawn’s a 30+ year franchise, but here we are. What was once the bastion of independent, edgy comics is now as much the establishment as the big two it once was seen as the antithesis of. Unlike its big two counterparts, though, Spawn is promising big changes, and it starts with #350. The promise of a hell ruled over by Spawn has been looming for years. Now fans will finally get to see if the book is going to make good or put someone shocking in charge. SPAWN #350, a story 32 years in the making, is being offered for sale. This industry mainstay title that has constantly outsold some of the biggest names in the comic book industry will reveal to readers who will finally sit on the vacant “Throne Of Hell.” Will it be Spawn? An enemy? Or someone else hiding in the shadows? And more importantly…are any of them worthy enough to claim the power of the throne? This anniversary issue will give answers to ALL those long-gestating questions, and the aftermath of which will continue into the four current titles (SPAWN, GUNSLINGER SPAWN, SCORCHED, and KING SPAWN). By Todd McFarlane, Rory McConville, Brett Booth, & Carlo Barberi Cobra Commander #2 Cobra Commander might wind up being the biggest surprise to come out of the new Energon Universe initiative. The first issue presents a radically different take on the classic character, tying in elements of old GI Joe with new twists and a more unpredictable characterization. Issue 2 is putting that character to the test if the solicit is any indication, with the Commander finding himself at odds with the mercenary organization Dreadnok. They’re usually tied to Cobra in some fashion, but will the Commander be able to win them over in this new continuity too? After last issue’s shocking reveals, Cobra Commander searches for a power greater than any the Earth has ever seen. But when this mission brings him face-to-face with a fan-favorite G.I. Joe faction-will they be friend, foe, or something else entirely? By Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, & Annalisa Leoni X-Force #49 How do you fix the problem of modern Beast? The character is a fan-favorite and a consistent presence, but the last decade has been super unkind, as he turns into a darker and darker reflection of who he once was. The solution, for now, seems to be to revive a Beast clone with a scan of his memories from the ‘60s. It sounds convoluted, but it means the return of classic Beast, and a reunion with his bff Wonder Man, so fans are sure to be all in on this. At the very least, the lighter tone should provide a nice respite from the grim and gory Sabretooth War. WONDER MAN AND BEAST – THE DYNAMIC DUO RETURNS! In a simpler time, the bounding BEAST partnered up with Avenger WONDER MAN! But after Beast’s fall from grace, is there any chance these two can see eye to eye? In a last desperate attempt to take down Beast, witness the return of…Beast?! TARGET: BEAST part 2! By Benjamin Percy, Robert Gill, guru-eFX, & VC’s Joe Caramagna New comics releasing week of February 21, 2024 The Agent #3 – Alien: Black, White & Blood #1 – Animal Pound #2 – Army of Darkness Forever #5 – Basic Instinct #3 – Batman #144 – Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #24 – Blasfamous #1 – Blitmap #3 – The Bone Orchard Mythos: Tenement #9 – Captain Marvel #5 – Catwoman #62 – Cemetery Kids Don’t Die #1 – Clusterfux Comix #6 – Cobra Commander #2 – Critical Role: The Tales of Exandria – Artagan #2 – The Crying Boy #1 – Daredevil #6 – Dr. Korvus: Children of the Abyss #3 – Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #4 – Edge of Spider-Verse #1 – Edie: You Are What Eats You #2 – Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft #1 – Exciting Comics #42 – Fairy Tale Team Up: Robyn Hood & Belle #1 – Fire Power #30 – Forgotten Runes: Wizard’s Cult #2 – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #304 – G.O.D.S. #5 – Godzilla Rivals: Mothra vs. Moguera #1 – Green Lantern: War Journal #6 – Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1 – A Haunted Girl #4 – Haunted House: A Love Story #4 – The Holy Roller #4 – Horror Comics #33 – Humbaba #1 – Ice Canyon Monster #2 – The Incredible Hulk #9 – Interstellar Dust #3 – Invasive #3 – The Jaguar #1 – James Bond 007 #2 – John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #2 – Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #5 – Lotus Land #4 – Luke Cage: Gang War #4 – Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: Battleworld #4 – Mech Cadets #6 – Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) #5 – Neurocron #1 – Nights #5 – Nightwing #111 – Predator: The Last Hunt #1 – The Prism #5 – Project: Cryptid #6 – Prometheus in Chains #6 – Rick and Morty Finals Week: SheRick Holmes and Mortson #1 – Rise of the Powers of X #2 – Ronin Book II #6 – Saint John #2 – Savage Dragon #268 – The Sentry #3 – The Sickness #4 – The Six Fingers #1 – Skeeters #3 – Space Usagi: Death and Honor #3 – Spawn #350 – Spider-Boy #4 – Spider-Woman #4 – Star Trek #17 – Star Wars #43 – Superman #11 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Sourcebook #1 – Titans #8 – Ultimate Spider-Man #2 – Unnatural Order #3 – Vampirella / Dracula: Rage #5 – Van Helsing Annual: Bride of the Night #1 – The Walking Dead Deluxe #83 – Winter Ember #6 – Wonder Woman #6 – X-Force #49 – X-O Manowar Unconquered Prestige Edition #2 – Zor #1 – Zorro: Man of the Dead #2 – If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

April 3rd best new comics: X-Men #33, Deadpool #1, Batman #146, & more Marvel ComicsThe return of Deadpool and the continuing Batman and X-Men epics kick off the best new comics for April 3rd, 2024. It’s a new month, and April may be one of the biggest comics months this year. Not only are the X-Men closing in on the finale of Fall of X, but Batman is learning more about the mysterious prison he’s trapped in. This week also sees the long-awaited return of Deadpool, just in time for the Deadpool & Wolverine synergy to kick into full gear. Best new comics & solicits for April 3rd, 2024 Contents: X-Men #33 – The Immortal Thor #9 – Batman #146 – Deadpool #1 – Doctor Strange #14 – Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 – All new comics releasing April 3rd, 2024 – These are the best new comics releasing the week of April 3rd, 2024. DC Comics titles hit shelves on Tuesday, April 2, while other publishers – such as Marvel, Image, and IDW – will release books on Wednesday, April 3. You can find your local comic shop at Comic Shop Locator or purchase digital copies via the storefronts linked below. X-Men #33 What it’s about: X-MEN X-SSEMBLE! If there were ever a time to rally the troops and take the fight to the enemy, it’s NOW! Stand side by side with the X-Men as they head for their final stand! They can’t stop ALL of us! What we think: Fall of X has been a roller coaster ride for longtime X-Men fans, but we’re very much at the apex of the ride. With Moira X’s plans evolving and Xavier seemingly snapping and killing Rachel Summers last week, expect the ride to get even crazier in the lead-up to the violent finale and the upcoming reboot story, From The Ashes. The Immortal Thor #9 What it’s about: THE ENCHANTRESS OF WORLDS! The Son of Odin came to the citadel of Roxxon — to make war for the sake of the Earth herself. But his enemies were waiting to steal from him the one thing that was Thor’s alone… and they had crafted the foulest of weapons to do it. This is the story of THE IMMORTAL THOR… and of the trap he could not escape. What we think: Immortal Thor hasn’t received the same kind of perpetual buzz as Ewing’s previous Immortal Hulk, which is a shame. The exploration of Thor’s mythology and Loki’s relationship to the Asgardians has been incredible. This month, we finally see what the deal is with The Roxxin’ Thor, which looks to be a darkly tongue-in-cheek meta-commentary about the industry. Batman #146 What it’s about: ZUR’S PLANS REVEALED, “DARK PRISONS” BY CHIP ZDARSKY AND JORGE JIMÉNEZ CONTINUES! The explosive “Dark Prisons” continues as Batman learns from an old mentor what Zur’s plans are for Gotham City… and the world! Can the Dark Knight escape from a prison designed by the ultimate version of himself? And what nefarious role does The Joker play in all of this? What we think: Zdarsky’s Batman run has been pretty divisive, but you can’t deny he’s doing a lot of interesting things with the Batman chessboard. Bruce is trapped in a prison that may as well have been his own design, while Zur uses Failsafe’s body to deceive the Bat-family. We already know Zur is going to be a major player in this summer’s Absolute Power, so look for Dark Prisons to start setting up that event soon. Deadpool #1 What it’s about: A NEW ERA FOR THE MERC WITH A MOUTH, AND A GUN, AND A SWORD… Cody Ziglar (MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN) has a wild ride planned for the Merc with the mouth! Introducing a terrifying new villain who won’t stop until he catches Wade in his DEATH GRIP. But all work and no play makes Deadpool a very dead boy! What we think: It feels like it’s been a while since we last saw the Merc With a Mouth. Deadpool has been fairly quiet since his last ongoing ended in 2023, last seen helping Captain America and Rogue in the pages of Uncanny Avengers. Now, he’s back with a new ongoing and the current Deadpool/Wolverine: World War III event. With a new movie coming up, look for the synergy machine to go into full swing as Deadpool starts to turn up everywhere again. Doctor Strange #14 What it’s about: A living game has taken root in Manhattan, transforming parts of the city into a dark fantasy world. Doctor Strange and his Secret Defenders have managed to insert themselves into the narrative, but they’re not alone… Can Strange and company learn the rules and rescue those trapped within, or is it back to the Dark Ages for the Big Apple? What we think: The Doctor Strange ongoing does feel like it’s in something of a holding pattern right now as it waits for Blood Hunt to start, but taking a sidestep to do a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired tale is pretty incredible. Plus, it’s always fun to find a new take on the Defenders. Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 What it’s about: NORMAN OSBORN WAS NOT THE FIRST GOBLIN! Norman Osborn is the GREEN GOBLIN you know. But he is NOT the ORIGINAL GOBLIN! Learn the shocking secrets of the PROTO-GOBLIN, and its dramatic connection to the Osborn family! What role does a young Peter Parker, who has not yet understood his great power and responsibility, play in this unfolding of events? J.M. DeMatteis (THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) continues to build his legacy and the mythos of classic SPIDER-LORE, this time paired with rising star MICHAEL STA. MARIA! What we think: The returning all-time great J.J. DeMatteis alone is enough to pique our interest, but Shadow of the Green Goblin looks like it’s more than just a throwaway mini-series. Web of Spider-Man teased a Norman who is slowly reaching his breaking point. Will the endgame of Shadow of the Green Goblin be an explanation for how Norman relapses into madness again? All new comics releasing April 3rd, 2024 2024 Custom Showcase #1 – Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods #1 – Alien: Black, White & Blood #3 – Antarctica #10 – Archie & Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1 – Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #349 – The Avengers #12 – Batman #146 – The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #4 – Big Ethel Energy: Season 2 #59 – Birds of Prey #8 – Blood Desert #33 – Blue Beetle #8 – Blue Beetle: Edición en Español #8 – Britannia: Great Fire of Rome #1 – By A Thread #4 – Can I Scream #1 – Captain America #8 – Cinderella Murder For All Seasons #1 – Crashdown #3 – Crave #5 – Dark Souls: The Willow King #3 – The Dead and the Damned #1 – Deadpool #1 – Deep Cuts #6 – Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #3 – Doctor Strange #14 – Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft: Caravan of Curses #1 – The Fog #2 – Geiger #1 – Ghostlore #9 – Godzilla vs. the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers II #1 – Grim #16 – Gumaa: The Beginning of Her #5 – Gunslinger Spawn #30 – Hack/Slash: Kill Your Idols #1 – The Hero Trade: Fourth Anniversary Special #1 – The Immortal Thor #9 – Kaya #17 – King Kong: The Great War #5 – Kneel Before Zod #4 – Lady Liar #60 – The Last Mermaid #2 – Livewire & The Secret Weapons #1 – Love Everlasting #14 – Minor Threats: The Fastest Way Down #1 – Mortal Terror #3 – My Hero Academia #418 – Neurocron #3 – The One Hand #3 – Opal and Earl – Poison Ivy #21 – Power Pack: Into the Storm #4 – Principles of Necromancy #1 – Ranger Academy #6 – Red Sonja: Empire of the Damned #1 – Redcoat #1 – Robotech: Rick Hunter #4 – Rook: Exodus #1 – The Sacrificers #7 – Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #127 – The Sensational She-Hulk #7 – Shazam! #10 – Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter #3 – Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin #1 – Star Wars #45 – Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #3 – Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #6 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures April Special #1 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Sourcebook #2 – Time Traveler Tales #5 – Torpedo 1972 #2 – Traveling to Mars #11 – Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow #1 – Vengeance of the Moon Knight #4 – Venom #32 – Void Rivals #8 – The Walking Dead Deluxe #86 – X-Men #33 – If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The 10 most valuable comic books ever sold DC Comics | Marvel ComicsWith Superman’s first appearance selling for millions, these 10 comics now comprise the most valuable comic books ever. The recent news that a copy of Action Comics #1 sold for $6 million surprised everyone. At the time of this writing, it was the most valuable comic ever, and it may be a while before it’s topped. The previous most expensive comics ever held their records for some time, but it’s only a matter of time before something new hits auction and collectors snap them up. With that in mind, these 10 comics are currently the 10 most valuable comics, according to CGC Comics. For the purpose of this list, the comics have been graded. The grading process includes having the title professionally graded and sealed in a plastic container (a process informally called “slabbing”). Contents: Fantastic Four #1 – All-Star Comics #8 – Detective Comics #27 – Tales of Suspense #39 – Batman #1 – Marvel Comics #1 – Captain America Comics #1 – Amazing Fantasy #15 – Superman #1 – Action Comics #1 – 10. Fantastic Four #1 It’s hard to explain just how important Fantastic Four #1 is to comics. The title is responsible for the Marvel Comics resurgence of superhero comics, and gave birth to the modern superhero genre as we know it. It benefits from releasing decades after the heydays of Superman and Batman, so there are more copies in better condition. 2022 saw a 9.2 graded copy hit the auction block, which sold for $1.5 million. 9. All-Star Comics #8 The All-Star branding has been used by DC a number of times over the years. The origin of the branding hails back to their seminal All-Star Comics series. All-Star Comics was known for its Justice Society of America stories, but this issue holds a fun surprise: the first appearance of Wonder Woman. It’s made this issue of an otherwise forgotten run quite valuable, with a 9.4 graded copy selling for $1.62 million in 2022. 8. Detective Comics #27 It’s no surprise that the first appearance of Batman makes this list. Detective Comics #27 has as many issues with rarity as Action Comics #1, but there are seemingly fewer good-condition copies on the market. While a 6.5 graded copy sold in 2024 for $1.82 million, a copy graded at 8.0 sold for $1.07 million in 2010. Other copies have been in far worse shape, with a 3.0 graded Detective Comics #27 selling for $600,000 in 2024. 7. Tales of Suspense #39 Most fans today won’t recognize Tales of Suspense. The original run ran until 1968, but Tales of Suspense #39 from 1963 is its most valuable issue, with a 9.8 graded copy selling for $2 million in 2023. Tales of Suspense #39 is the debut of Iron Man, who originally wore a clunky suit of gray armor. Iron Man’s popularity would see him co-lead the title with Captain America until 1968, when Iron Man spun off into his own book and Tales of Suspense was relaunched as a Captain America solo series. 6. Batman #1 Surprisingly, the first issue of Batman is considered more valuable than Batman’s debut in Detective Comics, with a 9.4 graded copy of Batman #1 Selling for $2.22 million in 2021. But that’s all because of how landmark this issue is. While Batman and Robin both had their debuts in Detective Comics, Batman #1 is the first appearance of The Joker. Infamously, Joker was supposed to die in his debut, but editor Whitney Ellsworth saw the potential of the character and mandated Joker survive his first story. 5. Marvel Comics #1 Marvel Comics #1 is a wild bit of history. It’s where the company gets its current name, having been known as Timely Comics when this issue was released. Marvel Comics #1 is a huge issue, too, featuring the first appearances of Namor, Ka-Zar, the original World War II-era Human Torch. Appropriately, the issue is incredibly valuable; a 9.4 graded copy sold at auction in 2022 for $2.4 million. 4. Captain America Comics #1 There are few comics quite as memorable as Captain America Comics #1. The cover features a very early days version of Captain America (complete with his heater shield and a cowl separate from his mask) laying out Hitler with a man-sized punch. It’s an appropriately valuable comic, too. A 9.4 graded copy was auctioned by Heritage in 2022 for $3.12 million. 3. Amazing Fantasy #15 Originally, Amazing Fantasy was a fairly nondescript anthology series. Issues would focus on thriller-style stories with twists, but it just never took off. With the book ending and no one looking, Stan Lee took a gamble on an original character in 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15. That character, of course, was Spider-Man. Though Amazing Fantasy was already canceled, his popularity warranted his own ongoing the following year. His first appearance makes Amazing Fantasy #15 a valuable collector’s item, with a 9.6 graded copy selling at auction for $3.6 million. 2. Superman #1 Sure, Action Comics was the Man of Steel’s debut, but his success was too big for just one book. In 1939, he spun off into his own title, the adjectiveless Superman. This copy of the original Superman #1, graded at an 8.0, sold in a private auction for a cool $5.3 million. 1. Action Comics #1 Action Comics #1 recently made history with a record-breaking $6 million price. Originally published in 1938, the comic is notable for being the first appearance of Superman. Graded an 8.5, the comic is said to be in exceptional condition. Action Comics #1 is one of the rarest comics in existence, with less than 100 copies known to be in collector’s hands. Every Free Comic Book Day 2024 title: Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men, Star Wars & More | The best Superman comics for new readers and where to find them | The best Spider-Man comics and where to find them | The five best Batman comic books for new and returning readers | The ten best Fantastic Four comics to read before the next movie

Mortal Kombat creator admits he’s dying to make a Marvel vs. DC fighter Capcom/NetherRealm StudiosAhead of the release of Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm Studio’s Ed Boon speaks about the possibility of a Marvel vs. DC Comics fighting game. Mortal Kombat 1 is releasing soon, much to the delight of fans. The game was rumored for months before its eventual May 2023 reveal trailer, with players speculating about what NetherRealm’s next game would be. Fans expected Injustice 3, given the past decade of NetherRealm Studios releases. However, another rumor gained prominence during that time, with many believing the next game would not be a sequel. Rather, they believed it would be a brand new, NRS-developed Marvel vs. DC fighting game. The rumor bounced around but never gained any legs as it seemed like a pipe dream. Now, in the lead-up to MK1’s release, Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon has admitted it’s a game NetherRealm would love to make. Mortal Kombat’s Ed Boon wants to make a Marvel vs. DC Comics fighting game Speaking exclusively with Comic Book, Boon talked frankly about his desire to create a Marvel vs. DC fighting game. “I mean, we did a number of games with DC characters. When you’re kids and you’re like, ‘Who would win in a fight, Mighty Mouse or Superman?’ Just these dumb different universe things. There’s part of us that still [has those] immature conversations,” Boon said. “To me, Spider-Man and Batman would be the coolest thing in the world. So of course we’d love to do that. But it’s probably very difficult to jump that hurdle.” Thanks to licensing agreements, Marvel and DC crossovers do happen in gaming; it’s perfectly feasible for Batman and Spider-Man to hang out in Fortnite, for instance. But the idea of the two in a dedicated fighter has long been a pipe dream for fans. Nonetheless, the two franchises have had massive success in the fighting game realm. NetherRealm’s previous duality of superhero fighters, Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2, were a huge hit with fans. The games took place in an alternate timeline where Superman killed the Joker and led a terrifying dictatorship called The Regime. Injustice branched out to become popular in comics, as well, most recently culminating in the Regime’s Superman fighting the son of DC Comics’ Superman, Jon Kent. Marvel has had its slew of popular fighters, but perhaps none more popular than the Marvel vs. Capcom series. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is still hailed as the pinnacle of fighters, the gold standard against which all other fighting games are measured. While the MvC franchise fell dormant after the mediocre reception of 2017’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite when it comes to new releases, the series is still incredibly popular. UMvC3, for instance, managed to pull in hundreds of thousands of viewers at EVO 2023 during the Grand Finals. There is a precedent for the two crossing over, too. 1994’s Marvel vs. DC (or DC vs. Marvel, depending on which issues you bought) pitted the two universes against each other in massive brawls, some of which were even determined by fan votes. Though the two companies seldom crossover today, the impact of Marvel vs. DC is still felt even today with characters like Spider-Kid almost making it into Across the Spider-Verse. Mortal Kombat 1 releases September 19 for PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch.

MCU fans have the perfect role for Ghostbusters’ Ernie Hudson Sony Pictures | Marvel ComicsAfter Ernie Hudson turned heads at the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premiere, MCU fans have handpicked him to play superpowered scientist Blue Marvel. In a (now deleted) post on the Marvel subreddit, user greentea422 shared an image of Ernie Hudson and Marvel Comics character Blue Marvel side-by-side with the title “I need it kevin feige. Make it happen.” The post is in response to the fervor over Ernie Hudson’s appearance at the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premiere. While the film wasn’t the box-office-shattering return most fans hoped for, fans took notice that Hudson appeared to be in better shape than his co-stars. It was, of course, not long before fans started discussing what Hudson’s next role should be, and MCU fans may have found the perfect character for him to play. “Also ernie hudson is 78,” greentea422 added. “He might be [Blue Marvel] forreal.” Other users in the thread were largely in agreement, with many citing Hudson as a prime candidate for the role. “He’s the voice I hear when I read the comics.” Clean-Proposal-3219 said. “Ernie Hudson is 78 years old. And he looks like that. My god.” ninjew36 added. Others weren’t quite as enthusiastic, with many suggesting the 78-year-old Hudson may be too old for the kind of long-term character Blue Marvel would be. “Do you really think if they have a second movie with Blue Marvel in it Ernie Hudson is going to be there at 82 years old???” Darrkman asked. “You’re asking a 78 year old to be in one of the most hated film making processes around?” user WissWatch pointed out. “Strapped to a harness, in a spandex bodysuit with ping pong balls on it, alone in a green room talking to cgi characters that aren’t actually there?” “Does he look the part? Sure.” Supersecretsword added. “Passed that, nothing supports the possibility of him taking on this role. There’s more than nostalgia and looks for a casting to work out.” Who is Marvel Comics’ Blue Marvel? Blue Marvel/Adam Brashear was created by screenwriter Kevin Grevioux in the mid-2000s. Debuting in Adam: The Legend of the Blue Marvel, Brashear is involved in an accident that turns him into an antimatter reactor, potentially making him one of Marvel’s strongest superheroes. In the mini-series, Blue Marvel is established as having been an active superhero in the ‘60s who was forced into retirement when the world learns he’s a black man. Decades later, his old foe Anti-Man returns in the modern era and Blue Marvel is pulled from retirement to save the world. Following the initial mini-series, Blue Marvel returned to being a superhero, joining teams like the Mighty Avengers and forming the 616 Universe incarnation of The Ultimates. He’s most commonly something of a loner, though, preferring to be an explorer and scientist first.

McFarlane Toys finally reveals classic Superman figure everyone has been waiting for McFarlane ToysFans eager for the perfect classic Superman figure are in luck, as McFarlane Toys finally revealed its best Superman figure to date. While the McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse line is full of Batman figures, there’s no shortage of Superman figures, either. The problem is there’s not really a good Superman figure. There have been more than a few tries, but fans have still been longing for the perfect Superman, especially as McFarlane Toys releases more and more classically styled figures. The wait may finally be over, though. McFarlane finally revealed its Classic Superman figure, and it may check every box. McFarlane Toys finally reveals its DC Multiverse Classic Superman Announced via the McFarlane Toys Twitter and Instagram, the Classic Superman is pretty damn close to perfect. The body appears to reuse the popular Page Punchers Superman, but with more appropriately scaled hands. The head is a beautiful face sculpt, complete with a Superman-appropriate smile and spit curl. But the paint job may be what appeals to long-time fans the most. It’s the classic Superman everyone knows and loves, with vibrant blues and reds. Capping off the figure is a vibrant, sculpted S-shield across the chest. The release is a breath of fresh air for collectors frustrated by less-than-perfect Superman figures depicting the classic look. The original Page Punchers release might have been the closest, but its dark color scheme and giant hands turned off collectors. Other releases have had weird quirks like the ‘90s mullet Superman that reused the bulky Dark Knight Returns Superman body or the Superman & Ultraman two-pack, which promised a smiling head but gave fans something akin to Shrek. Superman is the latest DC superhero to get the classic treatment. A ’90s-flavored Batman based on his appearance in Knightfall was one of the hottest DC Multiverse figures over the summer, while a long-awaited classic Wonder Woman is available for pre-order now and expected to release wide in December. McFarlane Toys DC Classic Superman will be available for pre-order on December 8th. For more DC Comics and McFarlane Toys news, be sure to keep it locked to Dexerto.

McFarlane Toys reveals Return of Superman figure with character’s iconic mullet DC ComicsThe new wave of McFarlane Collector Edition figures brings the classic Superman mullet look to toy shelves, alongside a new Batman and Captain Carrot. McFarlane Toys has announced the next wave of its McFarlane Collector Edition line, and it’s got more than a few surprise faces. The Collector Edition line has already met with some speed bumps. Figures in the line faced criticism over reusing old molds and designs that closely represent characters but are off just a little. That hasn’t stopped the company from pushing forward, and now they’re expanding the Collector Edition to include one of Superman’s most iconic looks from the ‘90s. McFarlane Toys announces mulleted Return of Superman figure pre-orders Announced today via the McFarlane Toys Instagram, McFarlane Collector Edition wave 3 will feature Superman as depicted in the classic Return of Superman storyline. This means fans finally get a new figure featuring Superman’s ‘90s mullet hairstyle. While there are no packaging shots or word on everything the figure will come with, the post does confirm Superman will ship with a figure of Krypto the Superdog. As many fans have pointed out, though, the figure is again largely re-use, with a new head on an existing Superman body. This new McFarlane figure will immortalize Superman’s mullet look even further. The look ties into the biggest comic book story of all time, The Death of Superman. When he returned from death to deal with four pretenders to his title, Superman sported a sleek black bodysuit and noticeably longer hair. Once Superman was back as the definitive Man of Steel, he ditched his black recovery suit for his more traditional red and blues. The mullet remained for years afterward and is depicted in some of the era’s biggest stories, like Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s JLA. He would finally chop it off for 1996’s Superman: The Wedding Album, just in time to get married to Lois Lane. Rounding out wave 3 will be Batman as a Green Lantern and Captain Carrot, based on his Justice Incarnate appearance. The wave join a collection of impressive, albeit not quite beloved, figures. Other McFarlane Collector Edition figures include Action Comics #1 Superman, Green Lantern Alan Scott, Hawkman, Firestorm, Abyss, and Sinestro. The line has been plagued with minor controversy as old figures re-used molds, resulting in inaccurate figure designs, such as Alan Scott’s Green Lantern ring being on the wrong hand or Superman’s Action Comics #1 look having mold lines for the wrong boots. While some fans take issue with the practice, re-use is a common strategy for the action figure industry. Using existing parts allows for the budget to be spent on making new, complex molds for additional characters. In this instance, the re-use of parts on Superman and Batman is likely how the wave can include a character as unique as Captain Carrot. McFarlane Collector Edition wave 3 will be available for pre-order on November 15th. For more McFarlane Toys & DC Comics news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

McFarlane Toys’ Batman ’66 pre-orders include new Joker & Superman revealed at SDCC DC ComicsPreviously announced at San Diego Comic-Con, McFarlane Toys has opened up pre-orders for a new wave of Batman ‘66 figures. Included is a brand-new Superman, an original character for the line. McFarlane Toys is best known for its 7-inch lines, like DC Multiverse, Spawn, and more. However, the company has also had a successful line of 6-inch figures based on the classic Batman TV series. Airing in 1966, Batman starred Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, respectively. The show also had a number of high-profile guest stars playing Batman’s rogues gallery, including Cesar Romero as The Joker, Burgess Meredith as The Penguin, and Eartha Kitt as Catwoman. McFarlane Toys’ Batman ‘66 series has captured many of these characters in plastic form, but the latest wave goes a step above. The latest wave, available for pre-order now, includes characters who debuted in the Batman ‘66 tie-in comic, as well as a unique Superman. Batman ‘66 McFarlane Toys wave brings Superman to the universe McFarlane Toys’ Batman wave has predominantly focused on characters who appeared in the original TV show. However, there have been some exceptions, such as a Two-Face based on William Shatner’s likeness from the animated film Batman vs. Two-Face. This Superman is unique, though, in that it’s not based on any existing version of the character. Superman has not appeared in either the animated series or the Batman ‘66 comic. It’s also not based on any Superman of the era, such as George Reeves or Christopher Reeve. Notable in the wave is also a re-release of Batman and Robin. While other versions have been released, such as a black-and-white version or wearing episode-appropriate accessories like swim trunks, this is the first time the basic figures have been released since wave 1. The classic 1966 Batmobile vehicle will also receive a re-release. Rounding out the line is a new Joker and Lord Death-Man, both of whom are based on their appearances from the Batman ‘66 comic. All five figures and the Batmobile are available for pre-order now at McFarlane Toys Store and select retailers.

McFarlane Toys announces highly-anticipated Batwoman figure – with a catch DC ComicsThe DC Multiverse line from McFarlane Toys is finally releasing a Batwoman figure. However, it’s only available in a three-pack with two figures collectors may be disappointed by. It’s hard being a fan of Kate Kane. The current Batwoman, who debuted during DC’s landmark 52 series, has been a fan favorite and queer icon for over a decade. However, she remains relegated to co-starring roles and bit parts. These days, Batwoman is most well-known for her appearances in Detective Comics. Spinning out of DC Rebirth, Batwoman was a significant member of Batman’s team, operating alongside Robin, Clayface, Spoiler, and Orphan. Though she would have a falling out when she briefly betrayed the team, things have largely cooled down. Collectors have it rough, too. Batwoman is scarcely released as an action figure, despite being a member of the popular Bat-family. McFarlane Toys has finally announced the character is getting the action figure treatment, but there is a catch. McFarlane Toys’ Batwoman is only available in a three-pack – for now Announced today via the McFarlane Toys Instagram, Batwoman appears in a three-pack including Batman and Clayface. The designs are based on the DC Rebirth-era Detective Comics, but Batwoman stands out. That’s because she’s the only original sculpt in the pack. Both Batman and Clayface were released individually in January 2022, nearly two years prior to this release. Clayface doesn’t appear to be any kind of repaint or redeco, though Batman is a slightly brighter gray than the original release. While reusing parts and re-releasing figures is nothing new, it does particularly sting in this instance. The three-pack clocks in at a staggering $70. While this is slightly discounted, considering Clayface is an oversized MegaFig, it’s still a hefty price tag for fans who just want a Batwoman figure. In comics, Batwoman’s last significant appearance was Detective Comics’ Arkham Tower storyline. She’s slated to return as the leader of a new team of Outsiders. The character also appeared on a CW Television series, although Kate Kane was written off and later recast after one season, with a new character taking on the Batwoman role. The last Batwoman figure was part of Mattel’s DC Comics Multiverse line, which now sells for well over $100 on the secondary market. Like other figures who debuted in multipacks, Batwoman will likely eventually get a single release, but there is no indication when that could be. The three-pack is available for pre-order now and is an Amazon exclusive. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Massive Avengers Giant-Man Haslab crowdfunding project announced by Marvel Legends HasbroFounding Avenger Giant Man is Marvel Legends’ latest Haslab, stepping off the page and into collector’s hands – assuming the project gets funded. Hasbro has made waves with its Haslab crowdfunding projects, which have allowed fans to support massive action figures and vehicles for the company’s various lines. Without Haslab, we wouldn’t get mammoth projects like the GI Joe Classified Skystriker or Star Wars TVC’s Ghost from Rebels & Ahsoka. Marvel Legends has had mixed success, with two of its three Haslab projects successfully funded. Today, Hasbro announced the next massive Haslab project, a piece intended to celebrate the 60th year of the Avengers. The Avengers: Beyond Earth’s Mightiest wave has had some killer retro and updated figures, including Black Widow and Bucky Barnes as Captain America. Now, the line has expanded with the highly anticipated Giant-Man Haslab. Marvel Legends’ latest Haslab crowdfunding project is Avengers’ Giant-Man The Giant-Man figure is based on the character’s earliest appearances and stands a mammoth 24” tall. It will also include two faceplates – a smiling and a scowling face. The figure boasts 91 total points of articulation, with the hands each having 29 on their own. The Haslab will run until 11:59 PM EDT on October 23 and requires a total of 10,000 backers to fund. Each figure runs $199.99, making it one of the more affordable Haslab projects. As is tradition, unlock goals were announced. At 12,000 backers, the project unlocks a Marvel Zombies faceplate. 14,000 backers will unlock an additional alternate Skrull head. Giant-Man is the third giant-sized Marvel Legends Haslab and the fourth overall project since the initiative started. Two previously funded Haslab included a 32” Galactus paired with his heralds and a roughly 27” Sentinel, which included Bastion and Sentinel Prime figures, as well as additional heads and accessories. A third Marvel Legends Haslab, Ghost Rider: Engine of Vengeance, consisting of Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes and his Hell Charger, failed to fund. For more Marvel Legends and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man relaunch features an older Spidey with a family Marvel ComicsFans have finally gotten their first look at the new Ultimate Spider-Man and the surprise marriage and kids he’s bringing to the title. Since the announcement of Ultimate Spider-Man’s relaunch at NYCC, fans have been dying to know one thing: just who the hell is the new Spider-Man, anyway? Logic would dictate it would be an update of the original Ultimate Spider-Man, where Peter was again a high school-aged student. However, the rebooted Ultimate Universe has already thrown that out the window, with The Maker preventing the younger Peter from being bitten by the Spider. Ahead of January’s relaunch, though, Marvel has made the surprise reveal of the all-new Ultimate Spider-Man…and his kids. Marvel reveals Ultimate Spider-Man and Mary-Jane are the “ultimate couple” In a press release from Marvel Comics, it was revealed the title will, in fact, star a brand new, older version of Peter Parker. This Peter will be happily married to Mary-Jane Watson and, in a surprising addition, will feature the pair’s kids. “When we decided that we were going to do a book about an older Peter Parker becoming Spider-Man, we really wanted to lean into him starting his super hero life from a very different place than what’s traditionally expected,” writer Jonathan Hickman explained. “Peter and MJ being married is one of many decisions we made that underline this being quite a ‘different’ kind of Spider-man story.” That Peter and MJ are married with children will surely pique fans’ interest. The two, once one of comics’ longest-lasting pairs, famously sold their marriage to the devil to save Aunt May in 2007’s One More Day. One More Day rebooted Spider-Man’s timeline and ended his marriage, with MJ becoming a supporting character again. Many stories have teased a reconciliation, but to this day, Marvel has enforced the separation. Fans did have some hint of what a married Spider-Man with kids would look like in one alternate universe story, Renew Your Vows, in which Peter and MJ were happily married with a daughter. The three regularly operated as costumed vigilantes, even popping up in Spider-Verse events. Ultimate Peter Parker finally settles down Settling down with kids is a huge twist for Ultimate Spider-Man. Though he was still an awkward nerd, Ultimate Peter Parker was something of a casanova compared to his 616 Universe counterpart, having long-standing romantic relationships with Mary-Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy, and Kitty Pryde. Peter always seemed destined to reconcile with Mary Jane, but he ultimately died in the event Death of Spider-Man. His death paved the way for Miles Morales, who would become the primary Spider-Man for the remainder of the Ultimate Universe. Though a revival was teased, Ultimate Peter Parker was erased from existence entirely following Secret Wars. As of this writing, little is known about the nature of the new Peter Parker or his family. However, the released covers do paint the picture of a much more stable Peter and MJ than fans have seen in over a decade. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 releases January 10 from Marvel Comics. For more Spider-Man news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Marvel’s “most violent Wolverine story ever” pulls no punches in grisly preview Marvel ComicsPreview pages for the long-awaited Sabretooth War are already fulfilling the story’s promise of being the most violent Wolverine story ever told. Wolverine’s turning 50 in 2024. Marvel is pulling out all the stops for the celebration, but their first big celebration is kicking off with a gory X-Men death. Wolverine has spent the last several months on the run following the Hellfire Gala Massacre and the persecution of all mutants. That involved seeking out his surviving clones, with help from old allies like the Hulk, Spider-Man, and Captain America. Now that his clones are dealt with, though, he’s running headfirst into a confrontation with his oldest nemesis: Sabretooth. And not everyone is going to make it out of even the first issue alive. Wolverine’s bloody Sabretooth War kicks off with the violent murder of the X-Men Preview pages for Wolverine #41 tease a violent confrontation after Sabretooth has killed the original X-Men. The pages are shockingly gory for a mainstream Marvel title. Iceman, Angel, and Beast appear to have been crucified. What remains of Cyclops, his skull split open, lays at Sabretooth’s feet. It shouldn’t be surprising. Sabretooth War was built on the notion that Marvel would be telling the “most violent Wolverine story ever.” It’s even slapped on the issue’s cover, warning readers of what’s to come. Wolverine and Sabretooth have had a host of confrontations over the years, usually ending in some kind of violent battle. Sabretooth has historically attempted to kill Wolverine on his birthday, a tradition that has sparked many a fight. Several of the fights have had the veil of finality to them. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90 ended with Wolverine driving a claw into Sabretooth’s brain, effectively lobotomizing him and turning him into an anti-hero until his healing factor repaired the damage. A later fight in Wolverine (Vol. 3) #55 ended in Wolverine decapitating Sabretooth. A later story would reveal that was actually a clone. Neither of those had quite the kind of brutal gore that Sabretooth War is promising in just its preview, though, which means fans may be in for some of Marvel’s most violent displays ever. Wolverine #41 hits stands on January 10. For more Wolverine and Marvel Comics news, stick with Dexerto.

Marvel’s earliest out-of-print horror comics to get a spine-tingling reprint Marvel ComicsPublisher Fantagraphics is bringing Marvel’s rarest horror comics back with a new Adventures into Terror collection. Marvel Comics is known today for its superhero comics, but that wasn’t always the case. In reality, superheroes were a necessity after the Comic Code crushed the industry. Established in 1954, the Comics Code Authority was presented as the lesser of two evils – the other being government regulation. The Comics Code would be largely defunct by the 21st century, with DC and Archie Comics being the last to abandon it in 2010. The Code immediately affected the industry, decimating the incredibly popular horror comics market. Those books are now some of the rarest on the market, with many, like Marvel’s Adventures into Terror, being highly sought after. Publisher Fantagraphics is alleviating some of that pain now with a brand-new collection. Fantagraphics announces Adventures Into Terror collection Announced via ScreenRant, Fantagraphics will be releasing The Atlas Comics Library: Adventures into Terror Volume One. The 180-page hardback is the first of an effort by Fantagraphics to reprint Marvel’s iconic genre titles, many of which are all but lost to time. The first collection consists of eight issues of Adventures into Terror, a horror anthology series originally published by Atlas Comics. Atlas would shift gears in the ‘50s to become Timely Comics before taking on the name Marvel Comics in the 1960s. The reprints mark the first time these comics have been made available in decades. Many of these titles were canceled because of the horror content that made them popular to begin with. Adventures into Terror are Marvel’s rarest horror comics By today’s standards, Adventures into Terror seems tame. In the 1950s, though, horror titles like this were incredibly popular with kids for their gruesome content and grisly art. That content led to something of a moral panic. The parental outcry to horror comics, along with the publication of Fredric Wertham’s Seduction of the Innocent, forced the comic industry to restructure its publishing practices. With horror comics all but banned under the new Comic Code, existing copies became even more valuable. Today, copies of Adventures into Terror can go for anywhere from $90 to $400 and are highly sought after by collectors. The Atlas Comics Library: Adventures into Terror releases October 31 and is available for pre-order now. For more Marvel Comics news, be sure to follow all of Dexerto’s coverage.

Marvel Stormbreakers Zombies cover variants see dead superheroes walk the earth Marvel ComicsJust in time for the return of Marvel Zombies, the latest class of Stormbreakers artists are releasing a series of zombie variant covers across Marvel Comics. Marvel is kicking off the spooky season appropriately with a collection of horrifying Marvel covers. Appropriately, the covers bring Marvel Zombies back to the forefront, just in time for their return. Marvel Zombies: Black, White, & Blood follows in the footsteps of Marvel’s Black, White, & Red minis. These books have taken characters like Moon Knight and Darth Vader and pit them in visually stunning stories with a minimalist color palette. To commemorate the occasion, Marvel’s Stormbreakers artists will be illustrating zombie variant covers for some of the top Marvel Comics in October. Marvel Stormbreaker artists unveil terrifying Marvel Zombies variant covers Stormbreakers is the name for Marvel’s next generation of artists. Stormbreakers has been a tradition for a decade-and-a-half now and has included some truly spectacular talent in the past, including Ryan Stegman, Sara Pichelli, and more, just as they were blowing up in the industry. The Class of 2023 has already made waves, and the new Marvel Zombies variants are no different. There are eight covers in total, each depicting a gruesome undead take on popular characters like Wolverine and Spider-Man. BLACK PANTHER #5 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Chris Allen – AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Elena Casagrande – VENOM #26 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by C.F. Villa – DAREDEVIL #2 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Federico Vicentini – MOON KNIGHT #28 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Nic Klein – SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #1 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Lucas Werneck – CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Jan Bazaldua – X-MEN #27 Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Martin Coccolo – Marvel Zombies has been a popular concept in its own right. Spinning out of Ultimate Fantastic Four, the concept sees a world where a zombie virus infects most superheroes. It’s gone on to spawn multiple mini-series and crossovers, including a memorable adventure with Evil Dead’s Ash Williams. It was also prominently featured in an episode of the Disney+ series What If. The new zombie variants will be on sale throughout October. Marvel Zombies: Black, White, & Blood #1 hits stands on October 25. For more on Marvel Zombies & comics, make sure to follow all our coverage.

Marvel reveals Spider-Man’s new vampire hunter costume Marvel ComicsSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s Miles Morales is getting a new costume, just in time for a vampire hunting adventure with Blade. Updated Spider-Man costumes are nothing new, and there have been a few attempts to give Miles Morales a new Spider-Man costume over the years. Much like Peter Parker, though, he almost always winds up back in his original duds. That doesn’t stop Marvel from trying, though. He got a new look during the Beyond Spider-Man era and two new looks in both Spider-verse films. Now Miles is getting another brand new look, shared by Marvel in preview pages for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #11. Not only does will he get a new look, but he’s also teaming up with a future MCU hero and a monster-slaying adventure. Spider-Man Miles Morales gets a new vampire-slaying costume In the unlettered preview pages, Miles gets a new costume for a vampire-slaying adventure with Blade. Based on the energy rippling around Miles’ body in the suit’s first appearance, the new suit may be mystical in origin, too. The new look largely resembles his main look but with the webs colored gray. The top also becomes a jacket with a long red tail. There are several pouches added to the waist, as well as a spider signal and a knife. The spider signal is something Peter Parker has used often – it’s a light built into his belt, which he shines to intimidate foes. For Miles, though, it appears to be some form of sunlight emitter, as we see a vampire reacting to it. The costume is designed by Federica Mancin, who won a 24-hour art challenge during the Marvel Art Atelier training program at Disneyland Paris. Mancin fills in on the issue, which sees Miles Morales and Blade battling vampires and Miles’ latest villain, Hightail. “Having the opportunity to work on a Miles Morales issue as my first job at Marvel has been a dream come true as he is my favorite Marvel character,” Mancin shared. “I have enjoyed every second of it, the chance to draw Miles swinging across New York or throwing webs at his enemies. Of course, all the action sequences were super fun to me, as I love trying to find ways to convey energy and motion through the page. I have also enjoyed bringing to life other cool characters like Blade or Hightail as they make the adventure even more gripping and thrilling. I think it’s going to be an amazing and spooky journey!” Miles Morales: Spider-Man #11 hits stands on October 18. For more Spider-Man and comic book news, be sure to follow all our coverage.

Marvel reveals plans for two new X-Men teams with surprising leaders Marvel ComicsWomen of Marvel has revealed Marvel’s upcoming X-Men plans, including Kate Pryde and Rogue as the new leaders of two teams of X-Men. There’s a lot to keep up with in the X-Men right now. The Krakoa era is coming to an end in Fall of X, which sees the mutants separated from their paradise home of Krakoa and hunted. That’s all in the wake of Sabretooth War, which is killing mutants left and right. The Krakoan Age of X-Men comes to an end soon, but plans are already well underway for the next era in a reboot only teased as From the Ashes. Fans now have their first look at just what that era means, and it’s thanks to a reveal in a surprising place. Kate Pryde & Rogue announced as Marvel’s new X-Men leaders In the pages of Women of Marvel, author Angélique Roché teased a few upcoming Marvel events, including our first confirmation of two new X-Men teams with female leaders. “Rogue and Kate Pryde will each be leading a new X-Men team,” Roché reveals in her intro to the book. “More to come as details on the summer 2024 X-Men launches are released!” It didn’t stop there, as fans got their first tease of what the team composition would look like, thanks to a vision from none other than Madame Web herself. In the vision, Web sees Kate Pryde in a costume that is both a new look and a throwback to her original, alongside Emma Frost and three shadowy figures. We also see Rogue alongside Gambit, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler, hinting that she’ll lead a more traditional X-Men team. It’s a far cry from the usual X-Men composition, which tends to see mainstays like Cyclops, Wolverine, or Storm in leadership roles. However, it’s not an unusual twist, as both have led their own teams of X-Men and variations over the years. The vision also teases the future of other X-Men, with Storm appearing in a suit and speaking at some kind of conference, as well as Jane Howlett, the Earth-1281 Wolverine slated to star in Weapon X-Men. Women of Marvel #1 is available now from Marvel Comics. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.