Some earth-shattering news was dropped today by Marvel at Midtown Comics in Manhattan. The company held a press event to discuss its plans for the new "Secret Wars" series that's set to kick off in May.
Some of the more salient points revealed at the event were:
- All the "smashing and incursion" that has been going on in the "Avengers" books as of late has obviously been leading up to something big. Marvel EIC Axel Alonso announced that the "smashing and incursion" is due to the main 166 Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe colliding.
- Marvel then said that all of the titles that they will be publishing during the "Secret Wars" are building the new Marvel universe going forward. None of them are stand alone, and that each will contribute to the "new normal." All the books they have been teasing are included in the new universe and they are only the tip of the iceberg.
- Battleworld is what comes out of the colliding worlds. No Marvel Universe or Ultimate Universe, just Battleworld in an empty void. Later on at Marvel.com/secretwars an interactive Battleworld Map will be available to peruse and that will let people explore all the different worlds.
- Marvel's Free Comic Book Day entry will be the starting point for "Secret Wars," a "bit of a primer" Marvel's Senior Vice President Tom Brevoort stated. Also, Marvel will be including the "Marvel/Attack on Titan" crossover comic on FCBD that was previously only published in Japan.
- The issue of "Secret Wars" #1 launching in May will be a big comic book; #2 will be oversized as well. That will also launching in May, and it will feature a bevy of crazy Thors it seems.
- On top of the "Secret Wars" books, Marvel is also working with many different companies to produce products based on the new universe they are building. Confirmed to be working with Marvel are: Hasbro, Diamond Select, Mighty Fine, Mad Engine, Funko, and Hot Wheels...as well as Marvel's own video game division.
That's a lot to digest in one sitting! Thanks to Comic Book Resources for the heads up. Check out some video from today's event below:
