Marvel revealed a Fresh Start coming this May heralding new creative teams. new series. new directions. new beginnings. The initiative marks the return of the “big three” together again: Steve Rogers, Tony Stark and Thor Odinson.
Marvel revealed the first two new titles and this mighty promo art by Jim Cheung. We see the Odinson with a gold arm and hammer. Two Hulks – Amadeus Cho and Jen Walters. Does Wolverine’s attire mean we still have to wait a while for Logan’s X-Men reunion?
Before we see the new Avengers roster and creative team here’s new Editor-In-Chief C.B. Cebulski and Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada with more on what’s coming with the fresh start:
Who’s Avenging? Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness will launch a new AVENGERS #1. From the preview below, the new series will pick up on the big mystery Aaron revealed in MARVEL LEGACY #1.
“In AVENGERS, the Big Three are reunited at last! Thor Odinson, Steve Rogers, and Tony Stark join forces once again to save the world from total annihilation at the hands of their most powerful enemies yet: the 2000-foot-tall space gods known as Celestials! And as teased throughout the pages of recent Marvel Comics, the Final Host will arrive…”
Joining Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man in the new iteration of the team Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel and Black Panther as you can see from McGuinness’ art for AVENGERS #1:
In MARVEL LEGACY #1 Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) was part of the big mystery involving a Celestial buried in the Earth. In the one-shot Aaron introduced the “prehistoric Avengers” earlier versions of Black Panther, Agamotto, Phoenix, Starbrand, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist and Odin the All-Father.
The second new book is a new VENOM by Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman.
“In the wake of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s collapse, a primordial evil has been awakened beneath the streets of NYC, and with it, something equally evil has awakened in that most Wicked of Webslingers. This never-before-seen threat could force Venom to relinquish everything it holds dear…including Eddie Brock!
“Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be rolling out new beginnings for a few of our key franchises—new creative teams, new starting points, new storylines—all the big stuff that we’ve been building towards since Marvel Legacy began. This isn’t a clearing of the slate—while these new starts will kick off with new #1s, we’ll be maintaining the classic Legacy issue counts as dual numbering on these titles as well,” says SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort said in today’s announcement. “Oh, and don’t read anything into not seeing a character on the Jim Cheung piece…we can only squeeze so many characters in there without killing poor Jim!”
Here’s what else we know:
Dan Slott is wrapping up his epic Spider-Man era to take on a new Iron Man series following the departure of Brian Michael Bendis.
Jen Walters will join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. We assume Amadeus Cho will be part of a revised Champions. Bruce Banner is returning as the Immortal Hulk in the current AVENGERS NO SURRENDER but will he stick around for Fresh Start.
Logan’s return will be part of HUNT FOR WOLVERINE and INFINITY COUNTDOWN.
AVENGERS #1 by Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness arrives May 2.
VENOM #1 by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman on May 9.
By Editor