News from the #SpoilerVerse – More Star Wars, Empyre Substories, and Variant Covers!

MARVEL HEROES EMBRACE THEIR DARK SIDE IN NEW VARIANT COVERS!

Sometimes it’s good to be bad! For the month of May, your favorite Marvel characters are showing off their sinister sides in deliciously evil variant covers. From Spider-Man to Captain America, see Marvel’s most popular heroes reimagined in twisted ways and keep your eye out for more Dark Marvel Variant Cover reveals coming your way!

IT’S ALIEN PLANTS VS MUTANT ZOMBIES IN EMPYRE: X-MEN!

It’s going to be a battle so monumental that it’ll take the entire writing crew of the X-Men to depict it! The intergalactic visitors coming to Earth in Marvel’s 2020 event will be arriving just in time to face off against an army of mutant undead this May in EMPYRE: X-MEN. Don’t miss the X-Men’s strange return to Genosha in this unpredictable series written by all your favorite current X-Men writers. It all begins in EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 written by Head of X Jonathan Hickman and writer of Excalibur, Tini Howard, and continues in EMPYRE: X-MEN #2 written by Gerry Duggan (Marauders), Benjamin Percy (X-Force, Wolverine), and Leah Williams, writer of the highly anticipated series, X-Factor.

PREPARE FOR NON-STOP THRILLS WITH NON-STOP SPIDER-MAN!

Announced earlier this week at ComicsPRO in Portland, Oregon, everyone’s favorite web head will be starring in a new ongoing series this June from two of the comic book industry’s greatest creators! Writer Joe Kelly and artist Chris Bachalo are teaming up to give readers the most web-slinging action that can possibly be contained in a comic book!

“[Editor] Nick Lowe has a superpower. He picks up the phone, calls me and says the exact combination of words that make me want to drop everything and dive head first into the Marvel Universe. Last time it was Spider-Man, Deadpool, Ed McGuinness. No brainer, YES,” recounts Kelly. “This time it was Spider-Man, Non-Stop, Chris Bachalo. Again, YES… but ‘Non-Stop?’”

NON-STOP SPIDER-MAN will combine the pulse-pounding action Spidey is known for with even MORE pulse-pounding action! Prepare for the comic book ride of your life featuring Spidey’s best villains and his most amazing feats!

“Non-Stop Spider-Man is, for me, the best of what Marvel comics can be: relentless action, epic storytelling, mind-melting art, and relevant themes, all grounded by the heart and soul of one of my all-time favorite characters, Spider-Man,” Kelly continued. “Chris and I want to redline your adrenaline and shatter your hearts, giggling the whole time. Please sign your waivers and gather your safety gear of choice before issue one comes out. I truly can’t wait for this. Buckle up, Tigers.”

THE GRAND UNVEILING OF THE UNION!

Marvel’s newest super team is here! Meet The Union, a team composed of heroes from all over the United Kingdom, in an exciting new series from writer Paul Grist (Judge Dredd, Jack Staff) and artist Andrea Di Vito (Annihilation). Union Jack along with a host of spectacular new heroes have banded together just in time to take on the galactic threat coming in Marvel’s 2020 event, Empyre, but that is only the start of this team’s epic adventures.

“40 years ago, Roger Stern and John Byrne introduced a new Union Jack into the pages of Captain America! This is the comic I’ve been waiting 40 years to write!” says Grist. “New heroes! New adventures! And a team that’s falling apart before it’s even begun!”

Joining Union Jack will be the best heroes the UK has to offer including Snakes from Northern Ireland, Kelpie from Scotland, The Choir from Wales, and their fearless leader, the legendary Britannia! With new heroes comes new designs and hit artist R.B. Silva (Powers of X) was delighted to provide dynamic looks for the whole cast!

“I really like Medieval themes. With Britannia and Kelpie, I wanted them to look like medieval warriors and I just simplified and modernized it from there,” Silva explained. “For Snakes, I thought of the visual for the Executioner. Someone the enemy will fear from just a look. And for the Choir, more of a light visual, something that can enable quick movements. On her knife I put 3 dragon’s heads. I know on Wales’ flag they have a dragon with only one head but I thought, why not three?”

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER GETS THE MARVEL COMICS TREATMENT THIS JUNE!

Announced earlier this week at ComicsPRO in Portland, Oregon, Marvel Comics will be putting the final chapter of the Skywalker saga to the page in a comics adaptation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Writer Jody Houser (Star Wars: TIE Fighter) and artist Will Sliney (Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren) will be teaming up to retell this epic story in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER ADAPTATION #1. In addition to the shocking twists and turns that were present in the film, the five-issue limited series will also have brand-new story material for readers to enjoy!

“As a lifelong Star Wars fan, it was an honor to be asked to be a part of wrapping up the Skywalker saga with Marvel Comics,” Houser said. “We have some fun plans to add scenes and material that weren’t seen in the movie.”

INCLUDES UNREVEALED STORY!

FROM BEYOND THE OUTER RIM, AN OLD ENEMY RETURNS! REY and the RESISTANCE set out on a desperate quest to stop the threat of the FINAL ORDER! Can they succeed where Jedi Master LUKE SKYWALKER himself failed? And what is KYLO REN’S real goal in partnering with the resurrected PALPATINE? The landmark Skywalker saga is adapted by Jody (TIE FIGHTER) Houser and Will Sliney (THE RISE OF KYLO REN). Featuring extended and deleted scenes.

GET A VENOM BLAST OF ACTION IN THE SPIDER-WOMAN #1 TRAILER!

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Explosions, punching, shocking revelations, and even more explosions await Jessica Drew on her latest adventure! Get your first taste of the action in the Spider-Woman #1 trailer featuring writer Karla Pacheco, Executive Editor Nick Lowe, and Editor Jake Thomas!

Since her debut in 1977, Spider-Woman has played the role of super hero, secret agent, and private investigator, but no matter the mission, Spider-Woman fans have always been treated to electrifying action and high-stakes thrills. This new series from Karla Pacheco and superstar artist Pere Pérez promises all that and more. With a new costume designed by artist Dave Johnson, Jessica Drew is ready to give readers the Spider-Woman series they’ve been waiting for as she goes up against a new foe: the mysterious and deadly Octavia Vermis!

“Jess is interfering with her business. You don’t want to get in the way of Octavia’s business,” Pacheco says. “We’re taking [Jessica] in a completely new direction but still trying to stay true to that  character. I think people are gonna love it.”

“One of the coolest things about Spider-Woman is she can throw punches with your no-name grunts or she can throw punches with Kang the Conqueror,” says Executive Editor Nick Lowe. “This series gives you Jessica Drew doing what Jessica Drew does best which is kick some butt!”

“If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait for that big summer blockbuster extravaganza in your movie theater, this is that book in the Marvel Universe,” promises Editor Jake Thomas.

DISCOVER THE ORIGIN OF MARVEL’S NEWEST SUPER HERO IN THE SWORD MASTER TRAILER!

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After tearing through fire goblins in last year’s War of the Realms, Sword Master went on to star in his own hit series that has taken the comic book world by storm! Now’s your chance to discover the mysterious origins of one of Marvel’s newest super heroes in the SWORD MASTER VOL. 1: WAR OF THE ANCIENTS TPB.

Brought you to by Chinese creators, writer Shuizhu and artist Gunji, Sword Master’s quest to find his missing archeologist father while exploring the secret behind his powerful mystical sword blends treasured aspects of Chinese culture with the beloved storytelling Marvel is known for. SWORD MASTER’s debut series has garnered millions of readers, becoming a mega hit with Marvel fans across the globe. See what all the buzz is about in the action-packed trailer featuring Editor Mark Paniccia and Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski.

“Fans of classic Marvel super heroes will like SWORD MASTER because there’s lots of cool action, a charming cast of characters, and the classic theme of with great power comes great responsibility,” says Editor Mark Paniccia.

“We wanted to go to the best creators that China had to offer, Shuizhu and Gunji,” says Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulkski. “So they can bring authentic real stories of the country that they live in, of events they’ve experienced in their lives.” 

LUKE WIELDS A NEW LIGHTSABER IN STAR WARS #6!

Set after the events of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, writer Charles Soule and artist Jesús Saiz are currently telling the previously unseen adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and the Rebel Alliance in Marvel’s ongoing comic series, STAR WARS. With this exciting new era underway, some of the franchises’ longstanding mysteries are being spotlighted including what happened to the lightsaber Luke lost in his climatic duel with Darth Vader in Cloud City. While the results of Luke’s search remain to be seen, it would appear he eventually obtains a replacement… See the young Jedi ignite a never-before-seen yellow lightsaber on R.B. Silva’s STAR WARS #6 cover below and learn more when this issue hits stands this May!

MARVELS SNAPSHOTS CONTINUES THIS MAY WITH NEW CREATIVE TEAMS AND NEW ADVENTURES!

Starting next month and continuing through June, MARVELS SNAPSHOTS will be a bi-monthly series consisting of eight standalone issues offering unusual viewpoints on some of your favorite Marvel heroes. Curated by industry legend Kurt Busiek with iconic painted covers by Alex Ross, this milestone series will feature new creative teams for each giant-sized story handpicked by Busiek himself! In May 2020, this unforgettable tour through Marvel history will showcase tales focusing on the Avengers and Spider-Man.

First up will be an Avengers story like none other by superstar writer Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and acclaimed artist Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin). Set during the influential David Michelinie, John Byrne, and George Perez era of AVENGERS, MARVELS SNAPSHOTS: AVENGERS will depict a romance that could only happen in the Marvel Universe when a rookie cop and new-to-the-city emergency medical technician meet amidst a devastating battle between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and a giant, rampaging robot! 

Barbara Randall Kesel Interview

“When Kurt first asked me about this project, it took me a minute to realize he wasn’t just telling me about this fun Marvels-eye concept, he was asking me if I wanted to be involved!” Kesel said. “My favorite stories are the ones that step into the personal lives of people in the vicinity of the Big Action, so a big YES to anything Marvels-scale, and getting to step back into that sweet yet insane 80s Avengers vibe was the frosting on the crazy cake! I have so totally enjoyed adding a little piece to the mighty Marvel mythos. Kurt started it off with an image that became the catalyst for two non-powered NYC heroes who would “meet cute” during a crisis. Then, when we started speculating about what the people on the street do when chunks of buildings fall from the sky…where do they go to shelter out the emergency?”

Following that will be MARVELS SNAPSHOTS: SPIDER-MAN written and drawn by industry great, Howard Chaykin! This action-packed story will be told through the eyes of a lowlife criminal just trying to make a living in the super hero infested streets of New York City. See firsthand how hard life as a henchman can be when someone like Spider-Man lurks around every corner!

“I was delighted to be summoned by the fabulous Kurt Busiek to work on the Marvel Snapshots series,” said Chaykin. “Not having worked for Marvel in any steady capacity in nearly eight years, my delight was also framed in surprise. Kurt is a stand-up cat, and I’m grateful to participate in this project.”

MARVEL CELEBRATES THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF A GROUNDBREAKING COMIC WITH A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

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In 1975,writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum changed the comics landscape forever with Giant-Size X-Men #1. This special issue marked a new genesis for the team, introduced iconic Marvel characters like Storm and Nightcrawler, and set the X-Men on the path to becoming the cultural powerhouses they are today. Now, 45 years later, Marvel Comics is honoring this landmark issue in an extraordinary way with the help of 37 of the industry’s top artists. Each pulse-pounding page of this unforgettable issue will be re-envisioned by artists such as Alex Ross, Carmen Carnero, and Mark Brooks. This diverse group of talent have joined together to pay homage to this comic book masterpiece by redrawing Cockrum’s original art in their own unique styles.

“The artists were so excited to work on it because the art in this book inspired them all,” recounts Editor Jordan D. White. “Everybody involved loves this comic book and is doing amazing work. You’ve gotta check it out.”

Mark Brooks Interview

“As a kid the X-Men was my very first comic and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were instrumental in influencing me to become a comic book illustrator,” says artist Mark Brooks. “Being able to contribute to the recreation of a book that means so much to me is an honor and a privilege. This assignment along with the accompanying pressure to do Len and Dave justice is one I’m thrilled to take on as a thank you for showing a nerdy kid that it’s okay to be different and pave your own path.”

“The presence Wein and Cockrum have on comics is too immense to weigh,” says artist Mike Hawthorne. “I can honestly say their X-Men were my first love and it’s a privilege to pay homage to these two giants and their contribution to our culture, I drew my page with my heart in hand, sirs. I hope it’s enough. Thank you.”

A NEW MARVEL SUPER HERO TAKES FLIGHT IN THE AERO TRAILER!

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Take flight with Marvel’s latest breakout super hero! Having already garnered millions of readers when her series initially launched in China, Aero made her English-language debut last year in her very own solo series. Now’s your chance to get in on the action with the AERO VOL. 1: BEFORE THE STORM TPB, collecting the first six issues of her hit series.

Readers will be introduced to Lei Ling, a Shanghai-based architect juggling her career, her boyfriend, and her life as the wind manipulating hero known as Aero! Aero’s action-packed premiere finds the brand-new hero confronting the mysterious Madame Huang, unlocking the mystery of the Jade Monolith, and facing off against an army of Crystal Warriors. Aero’s adventures, brought to you to by Chinese creators, writer Zhou Liefen and artist Keng, are connected to the beloved Marvel Universe while also possessing unique elements of Chinese history. This combination of Marvel storytelling and Chinese culture has made Aero a hit with readers everywhere!

“Aero’s got beautiful art, a really unique character, some crazy villains, and a story that introduces you to a new and interesting part of the Marvel Universe,” promises Editor Mark Paniccia.

“We wanted to make sure that this was a modern take on the origin of the character,” Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski said. “When we were searching for creators, Zhou Liefen and Keng came in and we knew [they] would be the perfect fit for what we were trying to accomplish.”

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