After you feeling the aftershocks of the Civil War II finale?
The fate of Tony Stark is revealed.
The near future and possible events that will rock the Marvel Universe are exposed.
One character ascends to what could be a massive, cosmic-level role.
Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez along with an all-star team of artists bring the epic superhero showdown to a close. Fans have already seen some ramifications and major changes in new Marvel Now (Champions, Infamous Iron Man, Invincible Iron Man) books. Now we know the how and why but we’re left with big burning questions.
Civil War II #8 picks up where we left off with Captain Marvel delivering a knockout blow to Tony in his Hulkbuster armor.
Ulysses is the young Inhuman at the center of the story. Carol Danvers wanted to use the power of predictive justice. Tony discovered the Inhuman’s power to see the future wasn’t absolute. It was just possibility. How can you arrest and punish a suspect based on what they might do?
The death of someone Tony and Carol both loved made the moral tug of war an emotional powderkeg that exploded into all-out war.
Where do these three stars of the story trinity go next?
Before we continue here’s a SPOILER ALERT!
If you have not read Civil War II #8 yet stop reading now.
Seriously.
OK.
Here it comes.
As the story evolved so did Ulysses’s power. After Carol knocks Tony out of his armor and he’s falling to Earth, Ulysses unleashes his power like we haven’t seen before. The young Inhuman shows the gathered heroes what he calls “the futures” in what turns out to be parting…gifts?
Seven visions. Seven splash pages.
Are these warnings from Ulysses? Are these teasers from the Marvel editorial team?
Here’s what we know is coming and what might be in 2017 based on the seven:
1. Monsters Unleashed
This limited series pits Earth’s heroes against an army of monsters. This main event is by Cullen Bunn and a team of superstar artists begins January 18 with several tie-in books starring Avengers, Spider-Man and more.
2. X-Men Attack
The X-Men are on the attack in a page by Leinil Yu, artist of the IvX limited series. The twist? There are no Inhumans in the page. The only non-mutant is Nova/Sam Alexander. Why is the Champion (and young Cyclops teammate) appearing to stand up to the mutants? Another surprise is Strong Guy, who recently had a cameo in Death of X. Psylocke, Magik, Archangel appear on this page but are not among the mutants on the ResurrXion X-books in 2017 and Storm is still sporting her Extraordinary X-Men look here too.
3. Captain America vs Spider-Man
Vision three hearkens back to one of the most shocking moments of Civil War II: Steve Rogers killed by Miles Morales. Carol’s quest to arrest Miles led to this week’s final showdown with Tony. The new vision shows Miles over a bloody Rogers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in D.C. with an ghostly image of Steve Rogers in Hydra green shadows looking down. Will Miles discover Steve’s secret? Will this deadly vision actually come to pass next year?
4. Inhumans and…Killraven?
Legendary Alan Davis and Mark Farmer created this image of Medusa being rescued by Killraven and his Freemen from robot invaders. Killraven is a freedom fighter from the future. The Queen and her court are heading into outer space in Royals next year as part of ResurrXion. Will the Royal Family’s space journey lead to Mars with Killraven to their rescue?
5. Spider-Man of Future Past?
Masked Miles Morales is in the foreground of this Marco Rudy image with piles of dead bodies and heroes on spikes including what looks like a Wolverine with claws popped. Above the carnage a mystery hero is fighting the Sentinel.
6. Ultron Triumphant?
Captain Marvel is on the forefront of an image showing classic Avengers lying at the feet of a Ultron in an image by Mark Bagley. Ultron was last seen merged with his creator Hank Pym. It sure looks like the dead Wolverine in this image is the actual dead Wolverine aka Logan/James Howlett.
7. Thor vs Loki
The final vision shows Loki armed with a sword attacking Thor Odinson in a vision by Esad Ribic. The Odinson (now starring in Unworthy Thor) is armed with the classic hammer currently carried by Jane Foster. Does this mean Mjolnir will return to Thor Odinson and he is worthy again?
After the visions end, a major cosmic character enters the action giving the young Inhuman his new destiny. Eternity is the embodiment of the Marvel Universe and invites Ulysses to join him. Ulysses could ascend to iconic cosmic characters like Infinity, The Beyonder, The Living Tribunal. Ulysses could be our guide to new Marvel multiverse created in the Secret Wars finale.
Tony Stark…not dead yet.
Beast reveals Tony has been experimenting on himself for years. Always a futurist, Stark appeared to do what was needed to stop Carol from profiling people and the future. Tony is now in a coma state but connected to Riri Williams now in the pages of Invincible Iron Man.
Carol is now the world’s most powerful and popular hero with an offer from The President but she’s carrying a price for her role in Mighty Captain Marvel.
The aftermath continues in an epilogue: Civil War II: The Oath #1 by Nick Spencer and Rod Reis in January.
By Editor