The iconic Battleworld is back, and it’s bringing an all-new “Secret War” with it! Marvel’s famed patchwork planet, first seen in the classic 1984 Secret Wars and later reimagined in Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 event, is set to host another epic conflict in a new five-issue limited series. Get ready for Christos Gage (writer) and Marcus To (artist) to throw heroes and villains from across the Multiverse into a fight for survival.
Get ready to see some fan-favorite characters thrown into the mix, including the original Starbrand, Storm from Days of Future Past, Kushala the Spirit Rider, and even Maestro. Plus, exciting new versions of heroes like Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man will join the fray. A mysterious force has drawn the battle lines, pitting this incredible assembly against each other in a war for the ultimate prize! The chilling promise echoes: “SLAY YOUR ENEMIES, PROVE YOUR WORTH AND ALL YOU DESIRE SHALL BE YOURS IN THE WORLD TO COME!”
Writer Christos Gage, a “rabid consumer” of the original Secret Wars, couldn’t resist the chance to revisit the Battleworld concept. “Then they offer me Hank Pym, one of my favorite Marvel characters to write, and the amazing Marcus To on art?!” Gage shared.
The idea of pulling fragments from different timelines allowed Gage to build a unique team. He explained, “Using Hank gave me the idea to build a team of characters with mistakes to atone for or tragedies to overcome.” This includes a young, guilt-ridden Spider-Man, a newly sober Carol Danvers, King Thor from a dead future Earth, a fugitive Luke Cage, and Bucky Barnes fresh from WWII. Gage was particularly excited to include Ken Connell, the ORIGINAL Starbrand, from his beloved New Universe comics. And watch out for the Big Bad: Korvac, and Hank Pym’s first encounter with Arcade since his infamous kidnapping of the Avengers Academy students.
Artist Marcus To was equally thrilled, noting, “As a comic fan growing up, my favorite stories were books like Avengers Forever, Onslaught, Heroes Reborn… I was always excited to see all these different heroes and villains share the stage with each other, and I couldn’t wait to draw all these heroes and villains that I have loved reading.”
Don’t miss out on the action! Check out the incredible connecting cover by Nick Bradshaw that will span all five issues, and make sure to preorder BATTLEWORLD at your local comic shop today!
