The Invaders are back as part of Marvel’s All-New Marvel Now recharge. James Robinson and Steve Pugh will put a modern day spin on Marvel’s super-group that once fought the Nazis. Captain America, Namor, the original Human Torch and Bucky Barnes won’t be taking on the Third Reich and Hydra this time. As Robinson tells Marvel.com the new Invaders will tackle the Kree.
“I wanted a book that put the team very much in the present and in the heart of the Marvel Universe. The Kree fascinate me. They’re everywhere, wrapped up in everything to do with the Marvel Universe, so having that being the first threat where ultimately the team has to invade the Kree homeworld, felt like something fresh that I hadn’t seen before.”
The classic team of Steve, Namor and the Human Torch were later joined by Spitfire, Union Jack, Bucky and Toro in the World War II era. Robinson reveals the new team roster:
“We start with the big three: Captain America, Namor and the original Human Torch, with the Winter Soldier too. I wanted to keep the cast small and focused to start out, so I could really get into their characters. This is especially true of Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch, who I’m really honored to get a crack at writing. He’s the very first Marvel super hero, but for some reason, he always seems to be getting the bum end of the stick in my opinion; always dying or being deactivated or losing his powers. I think I have a bit of a reputation for taking obscure or under-utilized characters and fleshing them out. I intend to really flesh out Hammond and turn him into a truly compelling character. It’s always great to write Cap and I’m having a blast writing Namor with his pride and arrogance. Winter Soldier is also fun, trying to capture that spark of “Bucky” that’s still within him while embracing that the guy has had a bizarre and hard life in the time since then.
Then upcoming we’ll see other heroes from the Invaders’ past coming in and out of the book depending on the story. Expect to see Aarkus the Golden Age Vision, a flashback featuring Golden Girl and in an upcoming arc a flashback issue featuring Union Jack in 1917 London taking on H.G. Wells’ Martians that will then tie into an arc where the heroes must invade the alternative world of Killraven and team him with him and his Freemen.”
The All-New Invaders are coming in January 2014.
I highly recommend diving into the old school Invaders volumes by the great Roy Thomas. At Emerald City Comicon last year I was waiting in line and this kid had just bought some classic Invaders issues. It’s cool to see today’s readers discovering and enjoying the classics!
Here are Steve Pugh preview images from the first issue:
By Editor