Hubbry Logo
search
logo

Marvel Now!

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
from Wikipedia
"Marvel Now!"
Promotional image for Marvel Now!
Art by Joe Quesada.
PublisherMarvel Comics
Publication dateOctober 2012 – May 2015
Genre
Main characterMarvel Universe
Creative team
WriterVarious
ArtistVarious

Marvel Now! (stylized as Marvel NOW!) is a comic book branding for the relaunch of several ongoing comic books published by Marvel Comics, that debuted in October 2012 with new #1 issues. The relaunch also included some new titles, including Uncanny Avengers and All-New X-Men. Described as a shifting of the Marvel Universe following the conclusion of the "Avengers vs. X-Men" storyline, Marvel Now! entailed changes to both the publishing format and the universe to attract new readers. Publishing changes included new creative teams for each of the titles and the in-universe changes included changes to character designs and new storylines. It marked the next stage of the Marvel ReEvolution initiative,[1] which began in March 2012.[2] The original run went through several waves before coming to an end in May 2015 at the start of the "Secret Wars" storyline. A second Marvel Now!, Marvel Now! 2.0, debuted in 2016 following the "Civil War II" storyline. Marvel Now! 2.0 was followed in 2017 by Marvel Legacy.[3]

Publication history

[edit]

Marvel Comics first announced the launch of Marvel Now! in July 2012. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso described it as "the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the Marvel Universe." Alonso further explained, "From October through February, we’ll provide at least one great reason for readers—old, lapsed or new—to go into a comic store each week: a new issue #1, featuring an exciting new creative team and driving concept, that’s an easy entry-point into the Marvel Universe." Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada stressed that unlike DC Comics' The New 52, it is not a reboot, but a shifting of the Marvel Universe following the events of Avengers vs. X-Men. Quesada explained that there will be "a lot of changes to the character status quos, alter egos, costumes, creator shifts, design shifts, the way that we do our covers, digital shifts and the way we start delivering our books".[4]

In March 2013, Alonso announced that Marvel would be launching a new wave of Marvel Now! titles, dubbed Wave Two, in the summer of that year. Alonso stated, "There are plans for a Marvel Now! Wave 2—a new wave of titles that will generate the same amount of excitement amongst retailers and fans that the first wave did. From 'Uncanny Avengers' to 'Thanos Rising,' Marvel Now! has been a hit, and we're far from done. Look for exciting new series, starting in July and carrying through next year".[5] It was announced a week later that Avengers A.I. would be the first of these new titles.[6]

In September 2013, Marvel announced a next phase of Marvel Now! in the aftermath of the "Infinity" storyline, (which led into the "Inhumanity" storyline) called "All-New Marvel Now!" which will see new series being launched and will also provide entry issue to existing series. These entry issues will be branded as .NOW issues. For example, Avengers #24 was billed as Avengers #24.NOW. Several new series, such as Inhuman and All-New Invaders were also announced.[7]

In January 2014, Marvel announced that following the conclusion of the Ultimate Marvel miniseries Cataclysm in April 2014, and coinciding with the Marvel Universe All-New Marvel Now! launch, three new Ultimate series will debut from April 2014, under the banner Ultimate Marvel Now!. The three series are: Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate FF, and All-New Ultimates.[8]

In July 2014, Marvel announced that a fourth wave, Avengers Now!, would launch in October. The wave focuses exclusively on solo titles for individual Avengers, and takes place in the aftermath of the "Original Sin" storyline.[9]

Marvel Now! officially ended in May 2015 at the start of the "Secret Wars" storyline, which saw the end of the Marvel Universe. Following the conclusion of Secret Wars, the universe was scheduled to be relaunched again with the branding All-New All-Different Marvel.[10] Alonso described the relaunches as reminiscent of the North American television season, explaining "I think that the comics industry – certainly, we are – slowly working into a season model that's not too unlike what we see in our favorite cable TV shows: a seasonal model that offers accessible entry points for new readers and is respectful of long-term fans. We did Marvel Now! and All-New Marvel Now!, which were both two very successful campaigns. And [All-New All-Different Marvel] is the latest campaign."[11]

In May 2016, Marvel announced the return of Marvel Now! following the conclusion of the "Civil War II" storyline.[12] Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort stated that the relaunch was timed to coincide with "Civil War II" as means to "refresh and revitalize" the titles explaining, "One of the things a big event story is judged on, rightly or wrongly, is what kind of an impact it has on the Marvel Universe in its aftermath. That just becomes a condition of these big event stories: what is it at the end that changes the landscape?"[13]

Titles

[edit]

Wave One

[edit]

New on-going series / volumes

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
A+X 1–18 October 2012 – March 2014[14] Writer
various
Artist
various
An anthology series with each issue consisting of two stories by different creative teams featuring a different team-up of an Avenger and an X-Man.[15]
All-New X-Men 1–21 special 1 November 2012 – December 2013
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Stuart Immonen
Features the past versions of the original X-Men (Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman and Jean Grey) being transported to the present.[16]
Avengers 1–23 annual 1 December 2012 – November 2013
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Jonathan Hickman
Artist
Jerome Opena
Hickman said, "Avengers and New Avengers are really just two sides of the same book, of the same story. Thematically, they’re aligned too. Avengers is about life and New Avengers is about death. That’s what the two books are. It’s a big book. In the Avengers, we tackle the biggest things."[17]
Avengers Arena 1–18 December 2012 – November 2013 Writer
Dennis Hopeless
Artist
Kev Walker
The series takes 16 young heroes from the Marvel Universe including Avengers Academy's Hazmat, Mettle, Reptil, X-23, and Juston Seyfert and his Sentinel; Cammi, and Darkhawk; Runaways' Nico Minoru and Chase Stein; and a host of new characters, and pits them against each other in a kill-or-be-killed reality-show-like scenario on Murderworld run by Arcade.[18]
Cable and X-Force 1–19 December 2012 – January 2014 Writer
Dennis Hopeless
Artist
Salvador Larroca
The team initially consists of Cable, Forge, Domino, Colossus and Doctor Nemesis. Hopeless said, "In my mind this is a crime series, so I tried to cast the book like you would a bank robbery. This isn't a family or a school. It's a crew. A safe cracker may hate her getaway man, but at the end of the night, she still needs him to drive the car. Cable puts the team together for their skills, not because he thinks they'll get along."[19]
Captain America 1–15 November 2012 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
John Romita Jr.
Remender described the tone to be "almost like Kirby Sci-Fi Indiana Jones". "High adventure dipped in sci-fi spy fantasy with heavy focus on the man under the suit. Steve’s fabric and his relationships drive our story and the action is the byproduct. Tonally it’s very serious. You want to make sure the characters go up against things that feel like real threats and [put] them into interesting situations. It’s a lot less of the connection with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the spy work and more big high adventure super hero stuff with sci-fi that I tend to lean into."[20]
Deadpool 1–24 annual 1 November 2012 – February 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Brian Posehn
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Tony Moore
In terms of concept, Duggan said, "It starts with a man who has decided that America has a lot of problems that can only be fixed by bringing back our former leaders, our great American Presidents. But that’s not how it works out. Once they’re back, they have a completely different idea of what they need to do and what the country needs. It’s a distasteful job having to send our presidents back, but Deadpool is up for the job and is suited for it."[21]
FF 1–16 November 2012 – January 2014 Writer
Matt Fraction
Artist
Mike Allred
Features a new team initially consisting of Ant-Man, Ms. Thing, Medusa, and She-Hulk.[22]
Fantastic Four 1–16 5.AU November 2012 – January 2014
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Matt Fraction
Artist
Mark Bagley
In the initial storyline, the superhero family takes a vacation into space to expand their children’s view of life.[22]
Fearless Defenders 1–12 4.AU February 2013 – December 2013 Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Will Sliney
Centers on a new all-female team that includes Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Danielle Moonstar amongst others. Bunn said, "The basic idea of the book is that Valkyrie is choosing a new team of Valkyrior, and she's been asked to choose all these women from the heroes of Midgard (Earth), instead of from Asgard".[23]
Guardians of the Galaxy 0.1 1–10 February 2013 – December 2013
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Steven McNiven
Features the line-up reestablished in Bendis' Avengers Assemble (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Groot and Rocket Raccoon) plus a new member; Iron Man. Bendis said, "Here's an Avenger (Iron Man) who wants to get to the next level and he's just not going to get it where he is, but if he does a tour of duty with the Guardians he may find himself opening up his eyes to things that will help him with his inventions and the way he sees the world".[24]
Indestructible Hulk 1–20 annual 1 special 1 November 2012 – March 2014[25] Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Leinil Yu
The series picks up a few weeks after the events of Jason Aaron's Incredible Hulk. Waid said, "No one's seen Hulk or Banner for a few weeks, which has the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. really nervous. S.H.I.E.L.D., in particular, has gone to great lengths in recent years to make absolutely certain that it's impossible for Banner to stay off the grid for any length of time—and yet, he's vanished. And this literally affects the entire planet. Every country is on the equivalent of orange alert. Airport security is a nightmare. World leaders are ready to bunker down at a moment's notice. Surveillance cameras are selling faster than they can be manufactured. Everyone's tense. Maria Hill, in particular, has taken "Finding Banner" as her own personal mission, and when our story opens, she's finally taking her first break in weeks. And as it happens, her timing sucks."[26]
Iron Man 1–22 20.INH annual 1 November 2012 – February 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Kieron Gillen
Artist
Greg Land
Gillen said, "The story will focus on him (Iron Man) questioning things about himself and trying to find out exactly how the universe ticks, what’s this all about and why he does this anyway. It’s going to be one of the major themes of the book going forward."[27]
Morbius: The Living Vampire 1–9 January 2013 – October 2013 Writer
Joe Keatinge
Artist
Richard Elson
Keatinge said, "There are very strong horror elements to it, but there's a lot more to it than that... This is a book largely about people who have absolutely no easy role in society. The outcasts. The people on the fringe. The people of the Marvel Universe who are even too weird for the X-Men.[28]
New Avengers 1–15 January 2013 – February 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Jonathan Hickman
Artist
Steve Epting
The title centers on the Illuminati, initially consisting of Black Panther, Black Bolt, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, and Namor.[17]
Nova 1–12 February 2013 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Jeph Loeb
Artist
Ed McGuinness
Centers on the new Nova, Sam Alexander and answers questions about the character's origins.[29]
Savage Wolverine 1–13 January 2013 – December 2013
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Frank Cho
Artist
Frank Cho
Cho said, "This isn't just a solo Wolverine story. It's actually a team-up story with Shanna the She-Devil. Both Wolverine and Shanna have similar assertive personalities. The story is not just a quest to get home; it's a story about surviving each other's company and the Savage Land.[30]
Secret Avengers 1–16 February 2013 – March 2014
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Luke Ross
Features a team consisting of Black Widow, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Hulk, and a new Iron Patriot, which works closely with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury, Jr. and Phil Coulson. Spencer said, "This really is a S.H.I.E.L.D. book. I think it's something we've been long suffering for and is long overdue. This gave us a nice excuse to get a proper S.H.I.E.L.D. comic going. This Avengers initiative within S.H.I.E.L.D. is obviously a big focal point of the book, but it still is a S.H.I.E.L.D initiative so everything originates there. So Nick Fury and Agent Coulson are very much involved in the missions. Nick will be in the field with the team. That's his role. He's the S.H.I.E.L.D agent that goes with these characters on the missions. Coulson has a fun role in that he's backup and support. He's the guy who makes the pitch, and brings in the team. So they're a big part of every issue and in some ways they're even our leads.[31]
Superior Spider-Man 1–26 6.AU annual 1 January 2013 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Ryan Stegman
The series follows up the events of The Amazing Spider-Man #700. Slott said, "This is still very much the world of Spider-Man. There may be a new Spider-Man here, doing things in a new and different way, but you’re going to see the Spider-cast reacting to this. You’re going to see how this Spider-Man will deal with our Spider-Man’s villains. How will he react to this Spider-Man’s supporting cast? Whoever makes it out of The Amazing Spider-Man #700 will find a different Spider-Man waiting for them when Superior Spider-Man starts."[32]
Thor: God of Thunder 1–18 November 2012 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Esad Ribic
The series is set over the course of a millennium. Aaron said, "ultimately it's all about Thor, and by showing him in three very different eras of his life—as the young hotheaded god of the Viking Age, as the accomplished and legendary Avenger of the present, and as an aging king of a broken future Asgard".[33]
Thunderbolts 1–19 annual 1 December 2012 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Daniel Way
Artist
Steve Dillon
Features a line-up consisting of Deadpool, Elektra, Punisher, and Venom, led by Red Hulk. Editor Jordan D. White said, "They're a team of loners, but all highly trained and highly skilled as either mercenaries or soldiers. This is a black ops dream team... They're all characters with their own very particular morality, who do the things they do because they believe in them. They believe they are doing right, even if the world around them might not."[34]
Uncanny Avengers (vol. 1) 1–17 8.AU October 2012 – February 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
John Cassaday
A new team of Avengers that initially features a line-up of both classic Avengers and X-Men including Captain America, Havok, Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Wolverine. The team is a response to the events of Avengers vs. X-Men.[35]
Uncanny X-Force 1–17 January 2013 – January 2014 Writer
Sam Humphries
Artist
Ron Garney
The series focuses on Psylocke, who survives the events of "Final Execution", the final story arc running in Rick Remender's Uncanny X-Force. The team's initial line-up also includes Storm, Puck, Spiral and newcomer Cluster. Humphries said, "I think it's fair to say that Psylocke is a survivor. She's someone who rises above her complicated past and the tragedy and figures out what's best for Betsy. I can't spoil anything, but at the end of Rick's run, we leave Betsy in one situation, and in the first issue of my run, we pick up six months later, and Betsy is definitely in a life transition point. It's kind of being in that moment that kicks off the events of that first arc.[36]
Uncanny X-Men 1–18 February 2013 – February 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Chris Bachalo
Centers on Cyclops and the remnants of his Extinction Team following the conclusion of Avengers vs. X-Men, including Magneto, Magik, and Emma Frost although the romance between Cyclops and Emma Frost is finished. Bendis said, "The romance is done. They are not together anymore romantically. It's pretty hard to come back from what they went through in Avengers Vs. X-Men. Things were said, powers were stolen, and as we will discover in the very first issues of Uncanny X-Men, some things happen between them that cannot be taken back".[37]
Wolverine (vol. 5) 1–13 March 2013 – January 2014
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Paul Cornell
Artist
Alan Davis
Cornell said, "This is the series that gets into what makes James Logan (Wolverine) tick, that shows him being, as he puts it, 'a regular guy,' interacting with civilian friends of his in New York City. The most amazing thing about James is that he's been alive so long, gone through so many extraordinary things... but holds on to being a guy who likes to hang out in bars with good company... He's a man of the people. I'm going to poke that and see what happens."[38]
X-Men 1–9 May 2013 – January 2014
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Brian Wood
Artist
Olivier Coipel
Features an all-female cast, including Jubilee, Storm, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Rachel Grey, and Psylocke. Wood said, "I feel like as far as the X-Men go, the women are the X-Men. Cyclops and Wolverine are big names, but taken as a whole, the women kind of rule the franchise. If you look at the entire world as a whole, it's the females that really dominate and are the most interesting and cool to look at. When you have a great artist drawing them, they look so amazing and always have." X-Men debuted May 29, 2013.[39]
X-Men Legacy 1–24 300 November 2012 – March 2014 Writer
Si Spurrier
Artist
Tan Eng Huat
The series is centered around Legion (David Haller), the son of Professor X. Spurrier said, "As far as I know the idea of basing the series round David has been in the works since the plotting of Avengers Vs. X-Men. David’s story grows organically from those events. In fact I’d go so far as to say it’s the tale that really needs to be told in the aftermath period. My brief was pretty simple: take a thoroughly screwed-up young character—who’s been handled so differently by so many narrative teams down the years that it’s tricky for anyone to say for sure exactly who he is or what his voice might be and launch him into the Marvel Universe... Show us who he is. What he can do. What he wants to do but can’t yet."[40]
Young Avengers 1–15 January 2013 – January 2014 Writer
Kieron Gillen
Artist
Jamie McKelvie
Features a line-up including Wiccan, Hulkling, America Chavez, Hawkeye, Marvel Boy, and Loki. Gillen said, "The first arc is pretty much Loki puts the Avengers together. [sic] And of course Loki did inadvertently put the original Avengers together, but why is he actively trying to put this team together? The readers know that Loki is bringing the group together. The characters don't. There's a sense that Loki is clearly the manipulator here".[41]

Other on-going series

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Avengers Assemble 9–25 annual 1 November 2012 – March 2014[42] Writer
Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist
Stefano Caselli
Starting with issue #9, DeConnick and Caselli took over duties on Avengers Assemble. DeConnick revealed the initial lineup includes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Spider-Woman, and Captain Marvel. She said, "I'm interested in them as celebrities. I'm interested in how you work being a hero and a celebrity – how that status works for them. I'm interested in new media ideas, as well, and I'm trying to weave a little of that through... The Avengers in the age of the internet – how does that affect their public personas? And the ideas of evolution and transformation and the different ways that these people look at the future."[43]
Avenging Spider-Man 16-22 January 2013 – June 2013 Writer
Christopher Yost
Artist
Paco Medina
Captain Marvel 9–17 January 2013 – November 2013
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist
Dexter Soy
Beginning with issue 9, Captain Marvel became a part of Marvel Now!.[44] In the series, Carol Danvers, the longtime super-heroine known as Ms. Marvel, assumes the mantle of Captain Marvel. DeConnick stated at the 2012 WonderCon that the series reflects on what the legend of Captain Marvel means to Danvers, what she will do with it and what the rest of the Marvel Universe thinks of her new role.[45]
Daredevil 23-36 February 2013 – February 2014
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Chris Samnee
Dark Avengers 184-190 December 2012 – May 2013 Writer
Jeff Parker
Artist
Neil Edwards
Gambit 8-17 January 2013 – September 2013 Writer
James Asmus
Artist
Pasqual Ferry
Hawkeye 6-22 December 2012 – July 2015 Writer
Matt Fraction
Artist
David Aja
Red She-Hulk 58–67 October 2012 – July 2013 Writer
Jeff Parker
Artist
Carlo Pagulayan
Wellington Alves
Starting with issue #58, the title and focus of Hulk shifted to Red She-Hulk, still written by Jeff Parker with art by Carlo Pagulayan and Wellington Alves.[46][47]
Scarlet Spider 13-25 January 2013 – December 2013 Writer
Christopher Yost
Artist
Khoi Pham
Venom 31-42 February 2013 – October 2013 Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Declan Shalvey
Winter Soldier 15-19 February 2013 – June 2013 Writer
Jason Latour
Artist
Nic Klein
Wolverine & the X-Men (vol. 1) 19–42 27.AU annual 1 October 2012 – February 2014
(relaunched in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Nick Bradshaw
From issues #19–23, Wolverine and the X-Men was part of Marvel Now! and continued to be written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Nick Bradshaw. Aaron said, the series would follow the events of Wolverine and the X-Men #18, in which the character Broo was shot in the head, and would return to the same type of stories that they were doing before Avengers vs. X-Men, "This is our first Marvel Now! issue, issue #19, so if anything we're trying to get back to where we were before the 'AvX' madness. It picks up right after the events of 18. There were a lot of angry people on the Internet, which was great. It made my day."[48]
X-Factor 250-262 January 2013 – September 2013 Writer
Peter David
Artist
Nic Klein

Limited series

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Alpha: Big Time 1-5 February 2013 – June 2013 Writer
Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist
Nuno Plati
Superior Carnage 1-5 Annual 1 July 2013 – November 2013 Writer
Kevin Shinick
Artist
Stephen Segovia
Thanos Rising 1–5 April 2013 - August 2013 Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Simone Bianchi
A five issue limited series that tells the origin story of the supervillain, Thanos. Aaron said, "This is without a doubt one of the creepiest stories I've ever gotten to write for Marvel. It's the origin of an outer space serial killer, the story of the universe's weirdest romance and a grand cosmic tragedy, all wrapped up in one. This is me taking five issues to really dig into the head of a space-faring world conqueror, mass murderer and hopeless romantic. I love writing stories with villains as the main character, and this book is about Thanos all the way."[49] Marvel previously announced a Thanos origin story titled Thanos: Son of Titan to be written and drawn by Joe Keatinge and Richard Elson, respectively, but was canceled prior to its planned release in the summer of 2012 and the creative team moved over to Morbius: The Living Vampire.[50]

One-shots

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Marvel Now! Point One October 2012 Writer
various
Artist
various
A one-shot that features six short stories from the creative teams of Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven, Matt Fraction and Mike Allred; Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness; Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie; Nick Spencer and Luke Ross and Dennis Hopeless and Gabriel Hernandez Walta. Tom Brevoort, Marvel's senior vice president of publishing, stated that the intent of this book is to set the stage for several of the Marvel Now! series and plots.[51]

Wave Two

[edit]

New on-going series / volumes

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Avengers A.I. 1–7 July 2013 – December 2013
(rebranded in All-New Marvel Now!)
Writer
Sam Humphries
Artist
Andre Lima Araujo
The series serves as an aftermath to the Age of Ultron event and the first new title in Marvel's Wave Two of Marvel Now! comics. The book follows a team of synthetics brought together by Hank Pym in order to combat a new danger. Humphries said, "Artificial intelligences are a product of human ingenuity, and although they are going to be going down their new path, they will remain a mirror to humanity...Understanding that and exploring that in ways that are going to be funny and touching and endearing are definitely going to be parts of this book".[6]
The Superior Foes of Spider-Man 1–17 July 2013 – November 2014[52] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Steve Lieber
The series explores Boomerang and the new Sinister Six (Shocker, Speed Demon, Overdrive, and Beetle) as they team up to pursue crime in a city dominated by a new, less forgiving Spider-Man and the title has a humorous tone.[53][54]
Superior Spider-Man Team-Up 1–12 special 1 July 2013 – April 2014[55] Writer
Christopher Yost
Artist
David Lopez
The series continues where Yost's "Avenging Spider-Man" left off, with the new title acknowledging the changed status quo since the events of "Dying Wish".[56][57]

All-New Marvel Now!

[edit]

New on-going series / volumes.

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
All-New Ghost Rider 1–12 March 2014 – March 2015 Writer
Felipe Smith
Artist
Tradd Moore
Smith said, "Our All-New Ghost Rider, as the title suggests, is an absolutely new character: Robbie Reyes. Robbie's an East Los Angeles high school senior with a short fuse and a passion for electronic music and absolutely anything powered by an engine. In comparison to previous Ghost Riders, he's young and inexperienced in life; but his harsh inner city upbringing, overall distrust for most people, and serious contempt for his violent surroundings make him the perfect host for a Spirit of Vengeance. The circumstances by which Robbie becomes our blazing anti-hero differ from those of his predecessors, and his vehicle of choice is the automobile; so in more than one way, this is the story of a different brand of Ghost Rider."[58]
All-New Invaders 1–15 January 2014 – March 2015 Writer
James Robinson
Artist
Steve Pugh
The series follows the classic four members of the original Invaders (Captain America, the Winter Soldier, Namor, and the original Human Torch) and puts them in a present-day battle against the Kree.[59]
All-New X-Factor 1–20 January 2014 – January 2015 Writer
Peter David
Artist
Carmine Di Giandomenico
Features a corporate sponsored team of mutants including Polaris, Quicksilver, and Gambit. David said, "It picks up sort of directly after X-Factor #260. I dropped some reasonably obvious hints in that one as to what direction we were going."[60]
The Amazing Spider-Man 1–18 1.1–1.5 16.1–20.1 annual 1 April 2014[61] – October 2015 Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Humberto Ramos
Peter Parker returns (in body and mind) as Spider-Man. Quipped series writer Dan Slott, "(Parker's coming back) just in time, fancy that, for a major Spider-Man motion picture. It seems uncanny. It was very nice for Sony to schedule the movie around the story."[62]
Avengers Undercover 1–10 March 2014 – September 2014[63] Writer
Dennis Hopeless
Artist
Kev Walker
The series follows the survivors of Avengers Arena as they try to infiltrate the Masters of Evil. Hopeless said, "The characters who survived Murder World came out the other side much different than they went in. Those psychological scars from the "Arena" weigh heavily on all of the kids. They don't fit so well into their old lives. They no longer feel like they belong and they're all looking for a way to get back what they've lost. All of this leads them down the path of Avengers Undercover."[64]
Avengers World 1–21 January 2014 – July 2015 Writer
Nick Spencer
Jonathan Hickman
Artist
Stefano Caselli
Spencer said, "What the book is all about is really in the title. This is a book about geography. Its about what Marvel Earth looks like now. Obviously we've seen the Avengers make a pretty big statement about this world being under their protection and them being the representatives of our world. So it felt like it was time to do a book about what that planet looks like; not just Marvel New York or Marvel Space, but what does Marvel Europe, Asia and Africa look like right now? So it was a chance to do a story that was really global in scope and go some places that maybe we haven't been to before and really play with the idea of what that changing landscape would look like."[65]
Black Widow 1–20 March 2014 – September 2015 Writer
Nathan Edmondson
Artist
Phil Noto
Edmondson said, "Without giving too many of our plot turns away, Natasha [Romanova] is a character driven by atonement. She's a hero now, but she was a villain, and a dirty one. The kinds of things she's guilty of in her past, in Russia, do not go away with some vitamin B and a glass of water in the morning. She has a lifetime to make up for her past deeds, and we'll see that her "penance," if you will, is both interior and exterior: she's helping her own psyche as well as those she's injured, in a very particular way."[66]
Captain Marvel (vol. 8) 1–15 May 2014 – July 2015 Writer
Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist
David Lopez
Editor Steve Wacker said, "The first Captain Marvel series was very personal for Carol. It got rid of a bunch of baggage that had built up around the character over the years. We’re going to see Carol reaching out more. We're going to see her in a context we haven't seen her in a lot during the last couple of years. As she moves up and away from Earth, she'll probably meet the Guardians of the Galaxy at some point. So her new mission takes her higher than she's ever been, faster than she's ever been and farther than she's ever gone. It gives her sort of a clean start, which is something Kelly Sue sets up very well at the end of the last "Captain Marvel" series."[67]
Cyclops 1–12 July 2014 – June 2015 Writer
Greg Rucka
Artist
Russell Dauterman
The series deals with the time-displaced, young Cyclops, brought to the present in All-New X-Men, joining his father Corsair on a cosmic road trip. Rucka said, "This is a story about the two of them. At the heart of everything we're going to do here, it's about these two. When you think about that 16-year-old Scott, what he's carrying into this is pretty obvious. "I've spent eight years as an orphan, I've moved from place to place, and some places have been awful. I got to a place that was a good place, relatively, I had a father figure in Xavier, and I had a purpose – and then all of that got disrupted. And then here comes my real dad, and he's Han Solo!" So that's awesome right there."[68]
Daredevil 1–18 0.1 1.50 15.1 September 2014 – June 2015 Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Chris Samnee
The series sees Matt Murdock transplanting to San Francisco. About the move Waid said, "Without spoiling too much of the final issue of the previous series, we can tell you that Matt has to leave New York and, in many ways, has no choice but to return to California–specifically, California, no where else to go. But that's where he and his cast will hang their collective hat from now on." Adding, "At least one cast member will accompany him. Maybe not all. And the nature of Matt’s law practice will have to change substantially. And, of course, there's the architecture–cityscapes and street locales have always been a big part of DD's storytelling, and this will be a whole new look."[69]
Elektra 1–11 April 2014[61] – February 2015 Writer
Haden Blackman
Artist
Mike del Mundo
Wells said, "It's about her trying to find herself, through violence, of course. I don't want to give too much away, but Elektra is given a list of targets to hunt that are even deadlier than her. She becomes a hunter of assassins."[70]
Fantastic Four (vol. 5) 1–14 642–645 annual 1 February 2014[71] – April 2015 Writer
James Robinson
Artist
Leonard Kirk
Robinson said the series is about "a family finding the strength to face adversity through the help and love of each other." Robinson continued, "We're going to see the fragmentation of the family due to villainous outside forces that are slowing picking at them and eroding them. The arc I'm going to be telling is basically the fall and the rise of the Fantastic Four, and especially the fall and rise of Johnny Storm."[72]
Hulk 1–16 annual 1 June 2014[61] – July 2015 Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Mark Bagley
Banner's status quo will be violently disrupted when new volume of "Hulk" kicks off. Waid said "Banner's in a VERY bad way physically as the series opens up a few hours after the end of the previous one."[25]
Inhuman 1–14 annual 1 special 1 June 2014[61] – June 2015 Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Joe Maduiera
The series follows the fate of Black Bolt and his royal family in the aftermath of the Infinity event, in which new Inhumans have sprung up around the globe forcing the once-secret society of the Inhumans into the open.[7] Originally scheduled for January it was later delayed until April,[73] and writer Matt Fraction was replaced by Charles Soule over "creative differences" with Marvel.[74]
Iron Fist: the Living Weapon 1–12 June 2014[61] – July 2015 Writer
Kaare Kyle Andrews
Artist
Kaare Kyle Andrews
In the series, Danny Rand returns to K'un-Lun, the mystical city where he was trained, in order to find purpose in his life. Andrews described Rand "as kind of a Bruce Wayne without a plan. He's despondent. He is not connecting with life, and he doesn't know why."[75]
Iron Patriot 1–5 May 2014 – September 2014 Writer
Ales Kot
Artist
Garry Brown
Kot said, "James Rhodes is the human equivalent of Superman – the Man of Steel – in the Marvel universe. He wants to do good and good only. What he realizes in the beginning of our story is that he's got a deep need to adjust his life. What does James Rhodes want to stand for? What does he want Iron Patriot to stand for? You will know by the end of #1. James Rhodes makes a decision that changes everything for him."[76]
Legendary Star-Lord 1–12 September 2014 – July 2015 Writer
Sam Humphries
Artist
Paco Medina
Humphries said, "Star-Lord is a really fun character to write because he's very bold, he's very confident. The book is going to be Peter's adventures away from the Guardians. ... I like to call him the original outer-space scoundrel — he actually pre-dates Han Solo. He likes to fight, he likes to flirt, he flies by the seat of his pants."[77]
Loki: Agent of Asgard 1–17 April 2014[71] – October 2015 Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Lee Garbett
The series follows Loki, who has been depicted as a teenager in recent years. Ewing said in this series, "Loki isn't the old self that he used to be. He's as adult as say Kate Bishop. A young man of stolen wealth and varied taste with the universe as his oyster and a penchant for black nail varnish. So we're stripping that story right back to the basics and giving him at least the illusion of a fresh start – back to the core of the trickster, the mischief-maker.[78]
Magneto 1–21 May 2014 – October 2015 Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Bunn said, "Magneto in this story is very much a detective, seeking out and investigating threats to mutants before cutting loose with all the fury of a supervillain — or superhero, depending on your point of view."[79]
Moon Knight 1–17 May 2014 – September 2015 Writer
Warren Ellis
Artist
Declan Shalvey
Ellis says the series takes Marc Spector back to New York City because "there's just a wonderful strangeness to seeing that particular figure against a New York landscape... [Out of all the] urban caped superhero characters, I think he's almost the most incongruous." Adding, "[His] cape is actually a crescent moon and he goes out only at night and dresses in reflective white so you can see him coming. Now that’s nuts... I like that."[80]
Ms. Marvel 1–19 April 2014[71] – December 2015 Writer
G. Willow Wilson
Artist
Adrian Alphona
The series follows Kamala Khan, a 16-year-old American Muslim girl from New Jersey with body-morphing powers. Wilson said, "The Ms. Marvel mantle has passed to Kamala Khan, a high school student from Jersey City who struggles to reconcile being an American teenager with the conservative customs of her Pakistani Muslim family. So in a sense, she has a 'dual identity' before she even puts on a super hero costume. Like a lot of children of immigrants, she feels torn between two worlds: the family she loves, but which drives her crazy, and her peers, who don't really understand what her home life is like."[81]
New Warriors 1–12 April 2014[71] – January 2015[52] Writer
Christopher Yost
Artist
Marcus To
The series features a team initially consisting of Speedball, Justice, Nova and a host of new characters including: Sun Girl, a human; Haechi, an Inhuman; Hummingbird, a demigod; Water Snake, an Atlantean; and Scarlet Spider (Kaine Parker), a clone of Spider-Man.[82]
Nightcrawler 1–12 June 2014 – May 2015 Writer
Chris Claremont
Artist
Todd Nauck
The series follows Nightcrawler's resurrection in the first arc of Amazing X-Men, and will also heavily feature Wolverine. Originally, Nightcrawler was slated to be the next version of X-Men: Legacy; about the subject, editor Daniel Ketchum said, "With all the excitement surrounding Kurt's return, the enthusiasm from both fans and creators alike, we ultimately decided that this book couldn't be called anything other than 'Nightcrawler'."[83]
The Punisher 1–20 April 2014[71] – September 2015 Writer
Nathan Edmonson
Artist
Mitch Gerads
In the series, Frank Castle, the New York-based vigilante, relocates to Los Angeles. About the setting, Edmondson said, "Los Angeles offers all kinds of fun opportunities. There are mountains, skyscrapers, beaches and slums all in a sprawl big enough to host a variety of villainous antagonists. The southern border may play a part of the story, too. L.A. is a schizophrenic city — it has so many identities, we can never get bored having Frank interact with each of them. And nearby are military bases."[84]
Rocket Raccoon 1–11 September 2014 – July 2015 Writer
Skottie Young
Artist
Skottie Young
About Rocket Raccoon's adventures in his solo ongoing series, Young said, "We're definitely going to play around with his scoundrel side. We'll get him away from the Guardians and he'll have some solo adventures. So we'll definitely see that side, but we'll weave in and out of there as we look at other aspects of his character. We'll see things like what it's like to be the last of your kind left in the galaxy, but mostly this is a book about a striped-tailed, loud mouth raccoon with big guns."[85]
Savage Hulk 1–6 June 2014 – January 2015 Writer
Alan Davis
Artist
Alan Davis
"We wanted big names, super stars and break out talent to tell their unique Hulk stories within continuity," series editor Mark Paniccia told Marvel.com. "That might be now, or using elements of the past and perhaps even glimpses of the future. It all comes back to the current Hulk mythos while letting the talent cut loose with that Hulk story that they've been dying to tell."[86]
Secret Avengers 1–15 March 2014 – April 2015 Writer
Ales Kot
Artist
Michael Walsh
The series follows the events of the "How to Maim a Mockingbird" storyline in the previous volume and sees the addition of Spider-Woman to the team. Kot said, "Spider-Woman fascinates me because she's a character who is trying to learn how to have a life she can be happy with while juggling many different pieces of her life at once. She's occasionally confused and she very much wants to grow. I find that very relatable."[87]
She-Hulk 1–12 February 2014[71] – January 2015[88] Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Javier Pulido
The series follows Jennifer Walters' personal life, life as lawyer and as a superhero. Soule said, "It's not at all out of character for Jennifer Walters to go out partying all night, or spend a day hanging out at the beach. It's hard to imagine a story where, say, the Punisher does that. At the same time, one of the things I want to work hard to do in this new series is treat her as a real person. She absolutely has problems, just like most of the heroes of the Marvel U, but she chooses to approach them with optimism and good spirit rather than surrendering to the grim and gritty. It takes a lot to bring She-Hulk down, although we'll throw a lot at her."[89]
Silver Surfer 1–15 March 2014 – present Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Mike Allred
The series sees Norrin Radd severed from Galactus and free to explore the universe with a human friend named Dawn Greenwood. Slott said, "The way I look at the Surfer is that he's the embodiment of freedom. The character has really been two things since he became the Silver Surfer. He's been a slave to Galactus, and he's been a prisoner of Earth, trapped beyond that great barrier. There's something about him where, the minute you take that barrier away, and the minute you take him away from Galactus, he's the guy with the board who can go anywhere and do anything. It really is that kind of joy and freedom like you're 16 and you just got the keys to the car. But imagine not just driving near your home – you can go anywhere in the universe. There's something very exciting about that."[90]
Spider-Man 2099 1–12 July 2014 – present Writer
Peter David
Artist
Will Sliney
The series involves Miguel O'Hara getting trapped in Earth-616 and having to live with Peter Parker until he can return home and destroy Alchemax.
Storm 1–11 July 2014 – present Writer
Greg Pak
Artist
Victor Ibanez
In the series, Storm will be leaving the X-Mansion and going around the world solving crimes, stopping natural disasters, and just generally saving the world. About the series, Pak said, "In this series, Storm's going to take on threats no other X-Men would or could — no matter what the consequences."[91]
Wolverine (vol. 6) 1–12 annual 1 February 2014[71] – September 2014 Writer
Paul Cornell
Artist
Ryan Stegman
The series finds Wolverine reconnecting with his darker side and joining a group of minor super villains as he tries to make his life more simple. Cornell said, "This series is going to look into what it means to be a "villain" and how those guys think of themselves. Logan finds a real comradeship there, and a release—and a relationship."[92]
Wolverine & the X-Men (vol. 2) 1–12 March 2014 – November 2014[93] Writer
Jason Latour
Artist
Mahmud Asrar
The series focuses on three students – Quentin Quire, Evan Sabahnur and Idie Okonkwo. Latour said, "These kids are Logan's legacy, but as we've seen up to this point he didn't have such a great track record with that stuff even when he was at his best. In them we could be witnessing the growth of the next great team of X-Men, or the creation of the biggest threats the Marvel U will ever see. Everything we're planning, the adventures, the threats, will reflect that journey."[94]
X-Force 1–15 February 2014[71] – February 2015 Writer
Simon Spurrier
Artist
Rock-he Kim
An X-Force team led by Cable, including Psylocke, Fantomex, and Marrow, which works as a "dirty tricks" department for the mutant nation. Spurrier said, "So we're going to see them on hits. We're going to see them stealing intelligence, technology and weaponry from other factions. We're going to see them truffling-out emergent threats and destroying them before they can get started. It's broadly the same denominator of old — a black ops X-Men team — but with a lot more of an emphasis on International and inter-factional competition."[95]

Other ongoing series

[edit]
Title Publication date Initial creative team Notes / References
All-New X-Men 22–41 annual 1 January 2014 – present Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Stuart Immonen
Starting with issue #22.NOW, begins a new storyline called "The Trial of Jean Grey". Editor Steve Wacker said, "Really, the incident that set this all in motion was the Phoenix coming back. That goes back to the story that Brian built with all the other guys in Avengers vs. X-Men. What I can tell you from the Guardians' — and a lot of the cosmic characters' — point of view is that Earth keeps getting involved in huge messes. So many of these incredibly powerful characters live on Earth, and from what anyone can tell Earth can not by any measure handle this power. So everyone is afraid of our cute, little planet. If you're out in the universe, you see that every day there's some conflagration coming from Earth. It's like a baby that needs its bottle constantly. Earth is this very angry baby, and there's a group of important figures 'out there' that want to fix that, but you're also a little scared of that angry baby."[96]
Avengers 24–44 34.1–34.2 December 2013 – April 2015 Writer
Jonathan Hickman
Artist
Esad Ribic
Starting in issue #24.NOW, the Avengers must reassemble after the events of Infinity and prevent the annihilation of the Earth and a rogue planet, as it hurtles towards Earth.[7]
Avengers A.I. 8–12 January 2014 – April 2014[61] Writer
Sam Humphries
Artist
Esad Ribic
Starting in issue #8.NOW, the threat of Dimitrios, which may result in the extinction of the human race, that's been looming since the start of the series escalates. The story takes the team to the 130th century and will feature guest appearances by the Uncanny Avengers and a new division of S.H.I.E.L.D. called the "Robot Hunter Squad".[97]
Captain America 16–25 February 2014 – October 2014
Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
Pascal Alixe
Nic Klein
Starting in issue #16.NOW, the series falls under the All-New Marvel Now! banner. Remender said, "So #16.NOW is a good jumping on point because it sets up pretty much my next year of Captain America and who Jet Black is. Cap's been living with and confiding with her since she came back to Earth with him in the aftermath of the "Dimension Z" storyline, and Earth to her is the place she was supposed to be queen of. It was a place her father trained her to rule over one day because its populace would be infected with the consciousness of [Arnim] Zola and become her minions."[98]
Deadpool 25–45 annual 1 bi-annual 1 March 2014 – April 2015 Writer
Brian Posehn & Gerry Duggan
Artist
Mike Hawthorne
Issue #25.NOW marks the end of the "Deadpool vs. S.H.I.E.L.D." storyline. About why he chose to end a storyline instead of start a storyline with the issue Duggan said, "I don't want to spoil anything, but the reason we put that issue there is that it sort of turns the page in our run. It's an important moment for Wade, personally, and if you've never read Deadpool, you'll get all of the sense of fun and horror of being Deadpool in that one issue."[99]
Guardians of the Galaxy 11–27 annual 1 January 2014 – present Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Sarah Pichelli
Starting in issue #11.NOW, the series crossover with All-New X-Men in "The Trial of Jean Grey" storyline. Editor Steve Wacker said, "I think the Guardians look at the X-Men and they see a bunch of kids with great power who are more in-the-way than they are helpful. The X-Men, on the other side, have seen a lot in their short time here. When the Guardians show up, it surprises everybody because they don't look like your normal super hero group. They look more Uncanny than the X-Kids — with that raccoon and that talking tree. The group dynamics are going to be very exciting and lend themselves to conflict; maybe a couple of friendships as well. There are certainly a couple of X-Men I could see getting along pretty well with the Guardians."[96]
Iron Man 23–28 Special 1 March 2014 – June 2014 Writer
Kieron Gillen
Artist
Luke Ross
Starting with issue #23.NOW, begins a new storyarc called "Rings of the Mandarin" in which Iron Man takes on Malekith the Accursed. Gillen said, "I've introduced the idea that the Mandarin's rings appear to be sentient, and are seeking a new owner with some grudge against Stark. Malekith is one of the people who gets a ring."[100]
New Avengers 16–33 annual 1 March 2014 – April 2015
Writer
Jonathan Hickman
Artist
Rags Morales
Starting with issue #16.NOW, New Avengers became a part of All-New Marvel Now!. Hickman said, "In New Avengers, we're going to touch on a lot of the multiversal threats. We're going to explain who the adversaries out there are and get into where each of the characters are after Infinity."[101]
Nova 13–31 Annual 1 Special 1 February 2014 – present
Writer
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Paco Medina
Starting with issue #13.NOW, Beta Ray Bill will guest-star in Nova. Duggan said, "My first big arc begins in Nova #13 – we use #11 and #12 to build up the seeds of the confrontation, as Sam does a good thing for the wrong people. In doing so, he unwittingly assists the bad guys so Beta Ray Bill comes to Earth and demands some answers. It's more than a little dust-up, as miscommunication leads to a pretty fun fight that might surprise some people. That kicks off Nova #13 and is a great jumping-on point for new people. People can get to know Sam pretty quickly in the ensuing arc we follow Sam and Bill into space as they try to clean up Sam’s mess."[102]
Savage Wolverine 14–23 January 2014 – September 2014 Writer
Richard Isanove
Artist
Richard Isanove
Starting with #14.NOW, the series begins a new story-arc. Isanove said, "The basic principle of "Savage Wolverine" is that each story arc is self-contained. I didn't want to deal with any continuity issues, so I created a full cast of new characters, good and bad, who are all dealt with by the end of the story. It's set in 1933, at the end of the Prohibition era and 4 years into the Great Depression."[103]
Superior Spider-Man 27–33 annual 1 February 2014 – September 2014[104] Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Giuseppe Camuncoli
Starting in issue #27.NOW, kicks off the "Goblin Nation" storyline, which pits the Superior Spider-Man against the new Green Goblin and the criminal army that he's quietly been assembling. Slott said, "We're heading toward the "Goblin Nation" story where we'll see what happens now after the rise of Spider-Man's greatest enemy, the Green Goblin and what happens with Otto Octavius, the Superior Spider-Man. Because let's be honest. He's fought characters like Cardiac, Screwball and Stunner. [But] This is the Green Goblin! Has everything you've seen this so-called 'Superior' Spider-Man do risen to the level of the Green Goblin?"[105]
Thor: God of Thunder 19–25 February 2014 – September 2014[106] Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Esad Ribic
Starting with issue #19.NOW, begins the first in a five-part saga. Aaron said, "We see Thor fighting to save the Earth on two different fronts. In the present, he's working with S.H.I.E.L.D. to take on the all-new Roxxon, the world's biggest and more nefarious energy corporation. In the far future, King Thor runs up against a very old and very hungry Galactus."[107]
Thunderbolts 20–32 February 2014 – October 2014[108] Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Carlo Barberi
Starting in issue #20.NOW, Ghost Rider joins the team. Soule said, "Part of the reason to include Ghost Rider is simple — why wouldn't you put Ghost Rider into a book? He also fits into the book's dynamic very nicely. Johnny Blaze is certainly someone who has his own demons to battle (yes, that was completely intentional), just like the other members of the Thunderbolts team. I also like that his powers have a magical aspect. Most of the other 'Bolts are either soldiers or warriors, and so putting someone on the team who can cast spells and such opens up some fun story options."[109]
Uncanny Avengers (vol. 1) 18–25 annual 1 March 2014 – October 2014[110][111] Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
Steve Mcniven
Starting with issue #18.NOW, the series begins a new storyline titled "Planet X". Remender said, "The conclusion of 'Ragnarok Now' is pretty shocking, I think. What we have going into the 'Planet X' of it all is that there's some form of a mutant homeworld established in space. That's the big 'Shazam!' that I don't think we're able to promote this without giving away that much. As for what is going on on this planet, I think this is going to be an examination of what happens when the mutants get everything they think they wanted, even if they didn't put it together. Seeing them in this utopia where there are no humans, except for Wasp, they begin to break into factions, and they continue to have problems and strife. It turns out that the problem is a human problem, and it's one they'll have whether they're on Earth or not."[112]
Uncanny X-Men 19–35 600 special 1 annual 1 March 2014 – present Writer
Brian Bendis
Artist
Chris Bachalo
Starting with issue #19.NOW, Cyclops leads his team against S.H.I.E.L.D., which was revealed to have their own Sentinels in the "Battle of the Atom" storyline. Bendis said, "I think it's a bigger risk for him at this point not to take on S.H.I.E.L.D. Something's wrong over there and their lives are in danger. He made a promise both publicly and privately to his people that he would fight for them and protect them. Something is going on [at S.H.I.E.L.D.] that is putting mutant lives in danger. One would have to imagine that it's better to be alive than have goodwill."[113]
X-Men 10–26 February 2014 – present Writer
Brian Wood
Artist
Kris Anka
Starting with issue #10.NOW., the series begins a three-issue story-arc entitled "Ghosts" that involves the new Sisterhood that was introduced in the "Muertas" storyline, which includes Lady Deathstrike, Typhoid Mary, the Enchantress, and a powerful unnamed villain.[114]

Limited Series

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
All-New Doop 1–5 April 2014[61] – August 2014[115] Writer
Peter Milligan
Artist
David Lafuente
Milligan summarized the five-issue limited series with "Doop is a character who lives mostly in the margins, and this story takes place, if you like, in the margins of Battle of the Atom. It shows what happens in those moments just before or after or behind the main storyline."[116]
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu 1–4 May 2014[117] – August 2014[115] Writer
Mike Benson
Artist
Tan Eng Huat
In the four-issue limited series, "a highly trained MI-6 agent has been murdered in cold blood. One with deep, personal ties to Shang-Chi’s past. As he journey’s to England to pay his respects, the Marvel Universe’s most impressive hand-to-hand combatant will learn that not all is as it seems. And if he’s not careful – he’ll be next! Familiar faces and new enemies lie around every twist and turn, as Shang-Chi makes his lone stand against the dangerous unknown."[118]
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March 1–5 February 2014[71] – July 2014 Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
Roland Boschi
In the five-issue limited series, set in 1966, two ex-Nazi scientists have developed a top-secret formula that could potentially win the Cold War, but they have been captured by Hydra. In response, S.H.I.E.L.D. sends in Nick Fury and Ran Shen to collect the scientists, however the Soviet Union sends in the Winter Soldier to try to get them first. About the title character Remender said, "He was a tool who had very little control of his own mind, but I will be exploring how Bucky Barnes is underneath all of it still. Even back then, there was a piece of him trying to stand back up."[119]

One-shots

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
All-New Marvel Now! Point One January 2014 Writer
various
Artist
various
The issue features lead-in stories for Loki: Agent of Asgard, Silver Surfer, Black Widow, Ms. Marvel, All-New Invaders and Avengers World.[120]
Free Comic Book Day 2014 (Guardians of the Galaxy) May 2014 Writer
Brian Bendis
Artist
Nick Bradshaw
In the issue, released for Free Comic Book Day, Captain Marvel and Venom join the Guardians of the Galaxy.[121]
Free Comic Book Day 2014 (Rocket Raccoon) May 2014 Writer
Joe Caramagna
Artist
Adam Archer
A free all-ages comic book starring Rocket Raccoon by the creative team of Joe Caramagna and Adam Archer. About the team, editor Mark Paniccia said, "Joe Caramagna is our premier all-ages writer. Adam Archer is a prolific artist with an energetic and dynamic style. Great expressions and comedic timing. He was born to draw bipedal, ray gun toting raccoons!"[122]

Avengers Now!

[edit]

New on-going series / volumes

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
All-New Captain America 1–6 special 1 January 2015 – June 2015 Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
Stuart Immonen
In the series, Sam Wilson takes over the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers. Series editor Tom Brevoort said, "While Sam shares many of Steve's beliefs in a general sense, he's also a very different person with a very different background. He didn't grow up in the 1930s, he's a modern day man in touch with the problems of the 21st Century. For most of his professional life, Sam has worked as a social worker, so he's seen the worst of urban society up close, and how crime, poverty, lack of social structure and opportunity can affect the community."[123]
Angela: Asgard's Assassin 1–6 February 2015 – July 2015 Writer
Kieron Gillen & Marguerite Bennett
Artist
Phil Jimenez & Stephanie Hans
Gillen said, "Angela is almost an Asgardian Black Widow, and I mean at all levels. We're looking at how someone like that would operate in Asgard. The Avengers movie popularized the 'red in the ledger' aspect to Black Widow. Angela almost has that as a religion. She is someone who is religiously, kind of like in a D&D Paladin way, obsessed with the concept of debt. The idea of her owing anyone anything or someone owing her something and the debt not being repaid is traumatic to her. That's kind of the core character thing for her; what she owes people and what they owe her. Of course there's an especially interesting drive to the story when she owes other people things. That's kind of the heart of it for me. She's gone through this really big change that makes her question all of these debts. Makes her ask, 'What do I owe all these people?'"[124]
Ant-Man 1–5 annual 1 January 2015[88] – September 2015 Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Ramon Rosanas
The series explores Scott Lang's relationship with his daughter Cassie Lang. Spencer explained, "The darkness around Scott's life is starting to lift. Cassie Lang is going to be coming back... Scott is going to get a new shot at being a dad." Spencer stated that Scott being a "superhero single dad" was a big part of his pitch for the series because "[Cassie is] such an integral part of who Scott is as a character."[125]
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier 1–11 October 2014 – November 2015 Writer
Ales Kot
Artist
Marco Rudy
Kot said, "Bucky Barnes has undergone self-numbing amounts of traumatic experiences. He killed for the Soviets. He killed for Americans. He had people taken away from him by rather brutal means. He had his mind wiped out. Repeatedly. To top that, he's hyper-competent when it comes to hurting people and he barely had a childhood. So: a lot of damage. A lot of carefully developed survival mechanisms. The thing about them, though? They might have been important once, but now—well, many of them might be no longer necessary. Bucky is entering a completely new phase of his life and it is a deeply expansive one. Shedding the old and embracing the new is the core of the character and the series – traveling across galaxies as a very capable and damaged ex-mercenary, having experiences you can’t fit into your established worldview, changing in the process."[126]
Captain America and the Mighty Avengers 1–9 November 2014 – August 2015 Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Luke Ross
The series examines changes the team will face given Sam Wilson's new role as Captain America. Ewing said, "As I was writing this, it occurred to me that the general public probably see Sam as team leader now, in the field — he's Captain America, right? So how does that make Monica [Rambeau] feel? Especially since a threat is coming up from behind that only she's had serious experience with? Can she trust the team to follow her orders in the crunch instead of the man in the stars and stripes?"[127]
Deathlok 1–10 October 2014 – September 2015 Writer
Nathan Edmondson
Artist
Mike Perkins
The series focuses on a new Deathlok named Henry Hayes. Edmondson said, "[Hayes] is a father and a medic who doesn't know that he's a machine, a killer behind some of the sweeping changes in geopolitics." Edmondson described the series as The Manchurian Candidate meets RoboCop.[128]
Superior Iron Man 1–9 January 2015 – August 2015 Writer
Tom Taylor
Artist
Yildiray Cinar
In the series, Iron Man relocates his base of operations to San Francisco and receives a new set of armor. Marvel editor-in-chief Axel Alonso said, "The newly-transformed Superior Iron Man has very ambitious plans for the city that some of its residents embrace, but not all. Like the Superior Spider-Man, Superior Iron Man is a character that's hard to root for."[9]
Thor 1–8 annual 1 October 2014 – present Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Russell Dauterman
The series features a female character in the role of Thor after the classic hero is no longer able to wield Mjolnir. Aaron stated that "this is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is Thor. This is the Thor of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we've ever seen before."[129]
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 1–8 January 2015[88] Writer
Ryan North
Artist
Erica Henderson
North said, "Doreen is in this interesting place. She's defeated Doctor Doom, Thanos, tons of the really heavy-hitters, but really – who knows about that? To the general public, if they know about her at all, she's just a lady who dresses up like a rodent and fights crime in Central Park. And that's great – she loves fighting crime! – but she's also not sure she's living up to her full potential. So she decides to make some changes in her life and go to college... There's the life changes of moving into a dorm when your best friend is a squirrel, but there's also some villains that show up and threaten her pretty directly. It's that classic "girl meets squirrel, girl and squirrel go to school and defeat supervillains" story."[130]
Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) 1–5 January 2015[88] Writer
Rick Remender
Artist
Daniel Acuña
The story picks up after the first volume with the team shattered and leaders Havok and Captain America off the team. Remender said, "The idea for the time being, right now, is that Rogue and Scarlet Witch have earned a sisterhood and they've earned each other's trust; they're the lynchpins of the Unity Squad at this point. They've come through it all and learned the most. Their friendship was one of the main points of the first story, and they're co-leaders when we open."[131]
Wolverines 1–20 January 2015[88] Writer
Various
Artist
Various
In the series, Mystique, X-23, Daken, Sabretooth, and Lady Deathstrike come together to investigate the death of Wolverine. Co-writer Ray Fawkes said, In a way, most of the characters featured in Wolverines are incomplete reflections of Wolverine. Perhaps now that he's gone, they are free to fully realize themselves? Or maybe they'll be annihilated by the void that he's left behind?"[132]

Other on-going series

[edit]
Title Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Hulk 5–16 August 2014 – July 2015 Writer
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Mark Bagley
Starting with #5, the series begins a story-arc titled "The Omega Hulk", in which the Hulk will try to put an end to gamma-powered individuals – including friends and relatives like She-Hulk.[133]

Marvel Now! 2.0

[edit]

New on-going series / volumes

[edit]
Title[134] Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy[135] FCBD 1–12, Annual #1 May 2017[136] – October 2017[137] Writer
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Aaron Kuder
Continues with Guardians of the Galaxy #146 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows 1–12 November 2016[139] – October 2017[137] Writer
Gerry Conway
Artist
Ryan Stegman
Continues with Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
America[140] 1–7 March 2017[141] – September 2017[142] Writer
Gabby Rivera
Artist
Joe Quinones
Continues with America #8 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Astonishing X-Men[143] 1–6 July 2017[144] – December 2017[145] Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Various
Continues with Astonishing X-Men #7 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Avengers 1–11, 1.MU November 2016[139] – September 2017[142] Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Mike del Mundo
Continues with Avengers #672 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider[146] 1–9 April 2017[147] – October 2017[137] Writer
Peter David
Artist
Mark Bagley
Continues with Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #10 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Black Bolt[148] 1–7 May 2017[136] – November 2017[149] Writer
Saladin Ahmed
Artist
Christian Ward
Continues with Black Bolt #8 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Black Panther: World of Wakanda[150] 1–6[151] November 2016[139] – April 2017[147] Writer
Roxane Gay & Ta-Nehishi Coates
Artist
Alitha E. Martinez
Black Panther and the Crew[152] 1–6[153] April 2017[147] – August 2017[154] Writer
Ta-Nehishi Coates & Yona Harvey
Artist
Butch Guice
Cable[155] 1–5 May 2017[136] – September 2017[142] Writer
James Robinson
Artist
Carlos Pacheco
Continues with Cable #150 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Champions[156] 1–12 October 2016[157] – November 2017[149] Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Humberto Ramos
Continues with Champions #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Defenders[158] 1–5 June 2017[159] – September 2017[142] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
David Marquez
Continues with Defenders #6 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme 1–12[160] October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Robbie Thompson
Artist
Javier Rodriguez
Elektra[150] 1–5 February 2017[161] – June 2017[159] Writer
Matt Owens
Artist
Alec Morgan
Foolkiller 1–5[162] November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Max Bemis
Artist
Dalibor Talajic
Gamora 1–5[163] December 2016[164] – April 2017[147] Writer
Nicole Perlman
Artist
Francesco Mattina
Generation X 1–9 May 2017[136] – November 2017[149] Writer
Christina Strain
Artist
Amilcar Pinna
Continues with Generation X #85 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Ghost Rider[165] 1–5[166] November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Felipe Smith
Artist
Danilo Beyruth
Great Lakes Avengers 1–7[167] October 2016[157] – April 2017[147] Writer
Zac Gorman
Artist
Will Robson
Hawkeye 1–12 December 2016[164] – November 2017[149] Writer
Kelly Thompson
Artist
Leonardo Romero
Continues with Hawkeye #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Hulk[168] 1–11 December 2016[164] – October 2017[137] Writer
Mariko Tamaki
Artist
Nico Leon
Continues with She-Hulk #159 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
I Am Groot[169] 1–5 May 2017[136] – September 2017[142] Writer
Christopher Hastings
Artist
Flaviano
Iceman[170] 1–5 June 2017[159] – September 2017[142] Writer
Sina Grace
Artist
Alessandro Vitti
Continues with Iceman #6 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Infamous Iron Man 1–12[171] October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Alex Maleev
Invincible Iron Man 1–11 November 2016[139] – September 2017[142] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Stefano Caselli
Continues with Invincible Iron Man #593 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Iron Fist[172] 1–7 March 2017[141] – September 2017[142] Writer
Ed Brisson
Artist
Mike Perkins
Continues with Iron Fist #73 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Iron Fists Postponed[173] Writer
Kaare Andrews
Artist
Afu Chan
Was later released as a ComiXology exclusive limited series titled Immortal Iron Fists.[173]
Jean Grey[174] 1–7 May 2017[136] – September 2017[142] Writer
Dennis Hopeless
Artist
Victor Ibanez
Continues with Jean Grey #8 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Jessica Jones 1–12 October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Michael Gaydos
Continues with Jessica Jones #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Kingpin 1–5[175] February 2017[161] – June 2017[159] Writer
Matthew Rosenberg
Artist
Ben Torres
Luke Cage[176] 1–5 May 2017[136] – September 2017[142] Writer
David Walker
Artist
Nelson Blake II
Continues with Luke Cage #166 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
The Mighty Captain Marvel 0–9 January 2017[177] – September 2017[142] Writer
Margaret Stohl
Artist
Ramon Rosanas
Was originally to be titled Captain Marvel.[134] Continues with Captain Marvel #125 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Monsters Unleashed[178] 1–6 April 2017[147] – September 2017[142] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
David Baldeon
Continues with Monsters Unleashed #7 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Mosaic 1–8[179] October 2016[157] – May 2017[136] Writer
Geoffrey Thorne
Artist
Khary Randolph
Nick Fury[180] 1–6[181] April 2017[147] – September 2017[142] Writer
James Robinson
Artist
ACO
Nova 1–7[182] December 2016[164] – June 2017[159] Writer
Jeff Loveness
Artist
Ramon Perez
Occupy Avengers 1–9[183] November 2016[139] – July 2017[144] Writer
David Walker
Artist
Gabriel Walta
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man[184] 1–6 June 2017[159] – November 2017[149] Writer
Chip Zdarsky
Artist
Adam Kubert
Continues with Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #297 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Prowler 1–6[185] October 2016[157] – March 2017[141] Writer
Sean Ryan
Artist
Jamal Campbell
Rocket[186] 1–6 May 2017[136] – October 2017[137] Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Mike Mayhew
Rocket Raccoon 1–5[186] December 2016[164] – April 2017[147] Writer
Matthew Rosenberg
Artist
Jorge Coelho
Royals[187] 1–8 April 2017[147] – September 2017[142] Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Jonboy Meyers
Continues with Royals #9 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Runaways[188] 1–38 September 2017[142] – August 2021[189] Writer
Rainbow Rowell
Artist
Kris Anka
Secret Warriors[190] 1–7 May 2017[136] – October 2017[137] Writer
Matthew Rosenberg
Artist
Javier Garron
Continues with Secret Warriors #8 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Slapstick 1–6[191] December 2016[164] – May 2017[136] Writer
Reilly Brown & Fred Van Lente
Artist
Reilly Brown & Mike Norton
Solo 1–5 October 2016[157] – February 2017[161] Writer
Gerry Duggan & Geoffrey Thorne
Artist
Paco Diaz
Star-Lord 1–6,[192] Annual December 2016[164] – May 2017[136] Writer
Chip Zdarsky
Artist
Kris Anka
Thanos 1–12 November 2016[139] – October 2017[137] Writer
Jeff Lemire
Artist
Mike Deodato
Continues with Thanos #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
U.S.Avengers 1–10 December 2016[164] – November 2017[149] Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Paco Medina
Continues with U.S.Avengers #11 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Ultimates 2 1–9, 100[193] November 2016[139] – August 2017[154] Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Travel Foreman
Venom 1–6, 150–154 November 2016[139] – September 2017[142] Writer
Mike Costa
Artist
Gerardo Sandoval
Continues with Venom #155 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Unstoppable Wasp 1–8[194] January 2017[177] – August 2017[154] Writer
Jeremy Whitley
Artist
Elsa Charretier
Weapon X[195] 1–11 April 2017[147] – November 2017[149] Writer
Greg Pak
Artist
Greg Land
Continues with Weapon X #12 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
X-Men Blue[196] 1–12 April 2017[147] – September 2017[142] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Jorge Molina
Continues with X-Men Blue #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
X-Men Gold[197] 1–12 April 2017[147] – September 2017[142] Marc Guggenheim
Artist
Ardian Syaf
Continues with X-Men Gold #13 on Marvel Legacy.[138]

Other on-going series

[edit]
Title[134] Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Black Panther 7–18 October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Artist
Chris Sprouse
Continues with Black Panther #166 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Black Widow 7–12[198] October 2016[157] – March 2017[141] Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Chris Samnee
Captain America: Sam Wilson 14–24[199] October 2016[157] – July 2017[144] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Daniel Acuña
Continues with Captain America #25[199]
Captain America: Steve Rogers 7–19[199] November 2016[139] – July 2017[144] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Jesus Saiz
Continues with Captain America #25[199]
Daredevil 15–28 January 2017[177] – October 2017[137] Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Ron Garney
Continues with Daredevil #595 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Deadpool 21–36[200] October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Mike Hawthorne
Deadpool & The Mercs for Money 4-10[201] October 2016[157] – April 2017[147] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Salva Espin
Doctor Strange 12–26, #1.MU October 2016[157] – October 2017[137] Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Chris Bachalo
Continues with Doctor Strange #381 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Guardians of the Galaxy 15–19,[202] #1.MU December 2016[164] – April 2017[147] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Valerio Schitti
Moon Knight 10–14[203] January 2017[177] – May 2017[136] Writer
Jeff Lemire
Artist
Greg Smallwood
Mighty Thor 15–23 January 2017[177] – September 2017[142] Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Russell Dauterman
Continues with Mighty Thor #700 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur 13–24 October 2016[157] – October 2017[137] Writer
Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare
Artist
Natacha Bustos
Continues with Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur #25 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Ms. Marvel 12–24 October 2016[157] – November 2017[149] Writer
G. Willow Wilson
Artist
Takeshi Miyazawa and Adrian Alphona
Continues with Ms. Marvel #25 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! 11–17[204] October 2016[157] – April 2017[147] Writer
Kate Leth
Artist
Brittney L. Williams
Power Man and Iron Fist 10–15,[205] Annual #1 November 2016[139] – April 2017[147] Writer
David Walker
Artist
Sanford Greene
The Punisher 7–17 November 2016[139] – October 2017[137] Writer
Becky Cloonan
Artist
Steve Dillon
Continues with The Punisher #218 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Silk 14–19[206] November 2016[139] – April 2017[147] Writer
Robbie Thompson
Artist
Tana Ford
Silver Surfer 9–14[207] November 2016[139] – August 2017[154] Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Mike Allred
Spider-Gwen 16–24 January 2017[177] – September 2017[142] Writer
Jason Latour
Artist
Robbi Rodriguez
Spider-Gwen #16 did not carry the "Marvel Now!" logo,[208] but the cover was the one on Marvel Previews.[134]
Continues with Spider-Gwen #25 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Spider-Man 12–21 January 2017[177] – October 2017[137] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Sara Pichelli
Continues with Spider-Man #234 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Spider-Man 2099 Cancelled? Writer
Peter David
Artist
Will Sliney
While #21 was supposed to appear on Marvel Now! 2.0,[134] no issue carried the "Marvel Now!" logo[209] and the preview cover appeared only on #25, the final issue of the series,[210]
Spider-Woman 13–17[211] November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Dennis Hopeless
Artist
Javier Rodriguez
Squadron Supreme Cancelled? Writer
James Robinson
Artist
Leonard Kirk
While #13 was supposed to appear on Marvel Now! 2.0,[134] it did not carry the "Marvel Now!" logo,[212] and the series was cancelled at #15.[213]
Thunderbolts 7–12[214] November 2016[139] – April 2017[147] Writer
Jim Zub
Artist
Jon Malin
Totally Awesome Hulk 15–23, #1.MU January 2017[177] – September 2017[142] Writer
Greg Pak
Artist
Continues with The Incredible Hulk #709 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 16–26 January 2017[177] – November 2017[149] Writer
Ryan North
Artist
Erica Henderson
Continues with The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #27 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
The Unbelievable Gwenpool 7–20 October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Christopher Hastings
Artist
GuriHiru
Continues with The Unbelievable Gwenpool #21 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Uncanny Avengers 15–27 October 2016[157] – September 2017[142] Writer
Gerry Duggan
Artist
Pepe Larraz
Continues with Uncanny Avengers #28 on Marvel Legacy.[138]
Uncanny Inhumans 15–20,[215] #1.MU October 2016[157] – March 2017[141] Writer
Charles Soule
Artist
Steve McNiven

Limited series

[edit]
Title[134] Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Avengers #1.1–5.1 November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Mark Waid
Artist
Barry Kitson
Bullseye 1–5 February 2017[161] – June 2017[159] Writer
Ed Brisson
Artist
Guillermo Sanna
Cage! 1–4 October 2016[157] – January 2017[159] Writer
Genndy Tartakovsky
Artist
Genndy Tartakovsky
The Clone Conspiracy 1–5 October 2016[157] – February 2017[161] Writer
Dan Slott
Artist
Jim Cheung
Death of X 1–4 October 2016[157] – November 2016[139] Writer
Jeff Lemire & Charles Soule
Artist
Aaron Kuder
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again[216] 1–5 July 2017[144] – September 2017[142] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Dalibor Talajić
Deadpool the Duck[217] 1–5 January 2017[177] – March 2017[141] Writer
Stuart Moore
Artist
Jacopo Camagni
Deadpool vs. The Punisher[218] 1–5 April 2017[147] – June 2017[159] Writer
Fred Van Lente
Artist
Pere Perez
Deadpool vs Old Man Logan[219] 1–5 October 2017[137] – February 2018[220] Writer
Declan Shalvey
Artist
Mike Henderson
Edge of Venomverse[221] 1–5 June 2017[159] – August 2017[154] Writer
Various
Artist
Various
Prelude to the Venomverse Storyline.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mother Entropy[222] 1–5 May 2017[136] – May 2017[136] Writer
Jim Starlin
Artist
Alan Davis
Inhumans: Once and Future Kings[223] 1–5 August 2017[154] – December 2017[145] Writer
Christopher J. Priest & Ryan North
Artist
Phil Noto & Gustavo Duarte
IVX[224] 0–6 November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Jeff Lemire & Charles Soule
Artist
Leinil Francis Yu
Man-Thing[225] 1–5 March 2017[141] – June 2017[159] Writer
R.L. Stine
Artist
German Peralta & Daniel Johnson
Monsters Unleashed[226] 1–5 January 2017[177] – March 2017[141] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Various
Punisher MAX: The Platoon[227] 1–6 October 2017[137] – February 2018[220] Writer
Garth Ennis
Artist
Goran Parlov
Secret Empire[228] FCBD, 0–10 April 2017[147] – August 2017[154] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Various
Main series of the Secret Empire storyline.
Secret Empire: Brave New World[229] 1–5 June 2017[159] – August 2017[154] Writer
Various
Artist
Various
Part of the Secret Empire storyline.
Spider-Men II[230] 1–5 July 2017[144] – November 2017[149] Writer
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist
Sara Pichelli
The Unworthy Thor 1–5 November 2016[139] – March 2017[141] Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Olivier Coipel
Venomverse[231] 1–5 September 2017[142] – October 2017[137] Writer
Cullen Bunn
Artist
Iban Coello
Main series of the Venomverse Storyline.

One-shots

[edit]
Title[134] Publication Date Initial Creative Team Notes / References
Civil War II: The Oath January 2017[177] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Rod Reis
Part of the Civil War II storyline.
The Clone Conspiracy: Omega March 2017[141] Writer
Dan Slott, Christos Gage & Peter David
Artist
Cory Smith, Mark Bagley & Stuart Immonen
Epilogue of The Clone Conspiracy storyline.
Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix Up December 2016[164] Writer
Various
Artist
Various
Inhumans Prime March 2017[141] Writer
Al Ewing
Artist
Ryan Sook
Beginning of the ResurrXion event.
Marvel Legacy September 2017[142] Writer
Jason Aaron
Artist
Esad Ribic
Introduction issue for the Marvel Legacy brand.
Secret Empire: Omega September 2017[142] Writer
Nick Spencer
Artist
Andrea Sorrentino
Aftermath of the Secret Empire storyline.
Secret Empire: Underground June 2017[159] Writer
Jeremy Whitley
Artist
Eric Koda
Part of the Secret Empire storyline.
Secret Empire: United June 2017[159] Writer
Jim Zub
Artist
Ario Anindito
Part of the Secret Empire storyline.
Secret Empire: Uprising June 2017[159] Writer
Derek Landy
Artist
Joshua Cassara
Part of the Secret Empire storyline.
Spider-Man: Master Plan July 2017[144] Writer
Robbie Thompson
Artist
Nate Stockman
Including a special reprinting of The Amazing Spider-Man #2 featuring the first appearance of Vulture.
Thor: Where Walk the Frost Giants October 2017[137] Writer
Ralph Macchio
Artist
Todd Nauck
Venomverse: War Stories September 2017[142] Writer
Various
Artist
Various
Part of the Venomverse Storyline.
Weapons of Mutant Destruction: Alpha June 2017[159] Writer
Greg Pak
Artist
Mahmud Asrar
X-Men Prime March 2017[141] Writer
Marc Guggenheim
Artist
Ken Lashley
Beginning of the ResurrXion event.

In other media

[edit]
  • On December 13, 2012, a special "Marvel Now!" category was featured on the television quiz show, Jeopardy![232]
  • A costume based on the Marvel Now! title Indestructible Hulk was made available in the game Marvel Super Hero Squad Online in November 2012.[233]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Marvel Now! is a major publishing relaunch initiative by Marvel Comics that began in October 2012, featuring new number one issues for over a dozen ongoing series along with fresh creative teams, designed to refresh the Marvel Universe and draw in new readers without rebooting the established continuity.[1][2] The initiative followed the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event and was positioned as a "natural next step" in Marvel's evolution, emphasizing innovative storytelling, updated character designs, and accessibility for both longtime fans and newcomers.[2][3] Announced on the eve of San Diego Comic-Con in July 2012, Marvel Now! kicked off with Uncanny Avengers #1 by writer Rick Remender and artist John Cassaday, exploring human-mutant relations in the wake of the AvX conflict.[1] Subsequent early titles included All-New X-Men #1 in November 2012, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Stuart Immonen, which introduced time-displaced original X-Men to the present day, and Avengers #1 in December 2012 by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena, expanding the team to over 18 members for galaxy-spanning adventures published bi-weekly.[1][3] Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso described the line as focused on "looking forward" rather than a full reset, while Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada highlighted it as enhancing the comic experience through innovations like a companion augmented reality app.[2] The initiative extended through 2013 and beyond, incorporating additional relaunches and leading into major events such as Infinity, Original Sin, and Secret Wars in 2015, which ultimately transitioned the universe into the All-New, All-Different Marvel era.[3] A second wave, branded as All-New Marvel Now!, arrived in 2013–2014 with further titles like Ms. Marvel #1 introducing Kamala Khan and Uncanny X-Men #1, in which Cyclops leads a team of revolutionary mutants, building on the momentum to introduce diverse new characters and storylines.[4][3] In 2016, Marvel revived the branding as Marvel Now! 2.0 following Civil War II, launching nearly 30 new #1 issues to revitalize the lineup once more, though it was shorter-lived and focused on non-relaunch originals.[5][6] Overall, Marvel Now! represented a strategic pivot toward sustained accessibility and creative reinvigoration, influencing Marvel's publishing model for years.[1][3]

Overview

Definition and Objectives

Marvel NOW! was a major comic book branding and relaunch initiative introduced by Marvel Comics in 2012, stylized as "Marvel NOW!", which involved the release of new #1 issues and creative team changes across dozens of ongoing titles without rebooting the established continuity of the Marvel Universe.[7][8] The initiative served as a strategic evolution following the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event, aiming to build directly on its narrative outcomes while transitioning the publisher's lineup into a refreshed era of storytelling.[9] The primary objectives of Marvel NOW! centered on attracting new and lapsed readers by capitalizing on the heightened visibility of Marvel characters through successful media adaptations, such as the 2012 film The Avengers, and providing accessible entry points into the comics.[9][10] It sought to refresh flagship characters, including the Avengers and X-Men, by organically evolving their status quos through story-driven developments rather than drastic resets, while emphasizing user-friendly elements like "zero issue" backstories to recap essential lore for newcomers.[9] Additionally, the relaunch aimed to boost sales via a unified marketing campaign that highlighted the excitement of new beginnings and integrated digital tools, such as augmented reality apps for recaps and bundled digital codes in print issues.[10] Strategically, Marvel NOW! focused on event-driven storytelling to maintain momentum from prior crossovers, prominently integrating the aftermath of the Phoenix Force's role in Avengers vs. X-Men to reshape character arcs and inter-franchise dynamics.[9] The initiative prioritized diverse character spotlights to broaden appeal, re-unifying disparate elements of the Marvel Universe—such as mutants, cosmic heroes, and street-level adventurers—under a cohesive narrative umbrella that encouraged cross-title exploration without requiring exhaustive prior knowledge.[10] This approach, rolled out gradually over several months starting in October 2012, was designed to sustain long-term engagement by fostering a sense of ongoing evolution in Marvel's shared universe.[7]

Launch Context

Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso announced the Marvel NOW! initiative on July 3, 2012, through an exclusive reveal in Entertainment Weekly, positioning it as a post-Avengers vs. X-Men relaunch rather than a full reboot, with new #1 issues for dozens of ongoing and new series beginning in October 2012.[11] The event series Avengers vs. X-Men, which ran from May to October 2012, served as the narrative bridge, concluding major storylines and setting up the refreshed universe.[12] This announcement highlighted plans for dozens of titles to receive fresh creative teams and story arcs, aiming to integrate seamlessly with the broader Marvel Universe continuity while providing accessible entry points for readers.[3] The marketing campaign centered on the "Marvel NOW!" slogan to signal renewal and excitement, featuring prominent point-of-purchase displays in comic shops to spotlight the relaunches and encourage impulse buys.[7] Free promotional comics, such as the Marvel NOW! Point One #1 anthology released on October 17, 2012, offered introductory stories for key series like Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova, distributed at low or no cost to hook new audiences.[13] Digital initiatives played a key role in broadening accessibility, with same-day digital releases on platforms like Comixology aligning print and online availability to reach a wider readership beyond traditional comic stores.[12] The rollout timeline began immediately after Avengers vs. X-Men #12 in October 2012, with Uncanny Avengers #1 debuting on October 10, 2012, as the flagship title uniting Avengers and X-Men teams under writer Rick Remender and artist John Cassaday.[14] Subsequent releases included Avengers #1 on December 5, 2012, by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena,[15] and Uncanny X-Men #1 on February 13, 2013, by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo,[16] extending through February 2013 to maintain weekly momentum. Alonso emphasized the editorial vision of creating "jumping-on points" for both lapsed and new readers, stating, "In the months of October through February, every week you can go into a comic book store and find a few new jumping-on points for the Marvel Universe."[11] This approach involved coordinated hires of high-profile creators like Bendis, Hickman, and Remender to revitalize characters and narratives, while preserving core continuity to facilitate easy entry without requiring extensive backstory knowledge. The launch sought to boost reader accessibility and refresh the line amid a competitive market, ultimately driving significant sales growth for participating titles.[11][17]

Publication History

Initiation and Wave One (2012)

Marvel NOW! launched in October 2012, immediately following the conclusion of the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event, which had reshaped the Marvel Universe by introducing new dynamics among superhero teams.[18] This initiative debuted over 20 new or relaunched titles, rolling out weekly from October through early 2013 to revitalize the publishing line with fresh creative directions while building on recent narrative developments.[19] The relaunch was positioned as a strategic response to attract both lapsed and new readers, extending into 2013 with coordinated storytelling across the universe.[7] A key component of the rollout was the introduction of "Point One" issues, self-contained stories designed to provide backstory and serve as accessible entry points for newcomers without requiring prior knowledge of ongoing continuity.[20] The inaugural Marvel NOW! Point One #1, released on October 17, 2012, featured multiple tales introducing pivotal characters and events, setting the stage for the broader initiative.[13] Editorial oversight was led by Executive Editor Tom Brevoort and Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso, who coordinated the creative refresh to ensure cohesive integration of post-Avengers vs. X-Men elements, such as the fallout from the conflict that divided mutant factions and prompted hybrid teams like the Uncanny Avengers.[10] This coordination emphasized a "refresh" rather than a full reboot, allowing the X-Men schism—exacerbated by the event—to influence new series while maintaining universe-wide ties.[21] Early milestones highlighted the initiative's commercial impact, with flagship titles achieving bestseller status and driving an overall sales surge for Marvel Comics. Uncanny Avengers #1, the lead title launching on October 10, 2012, sold over 300,000 copies in its debut month, capitalizing on the Avengers-X-Men integration.[22] Similarly, Avengers #1 by Jonathan Hickman sold 186,989 units in December 2012, while X-Men relaunches like Uncanny X-Men #1 contributed to the wave's momentum, with many #1 issues averaging around 119,000 copies—representing a significant increase over pre-relaunch benchmarks for comparable titles.[23] This boost helped Marvel capture a 37.6% unit market share for the year, up from previous periods, as the accessible entry points drew positive reader feedback for simplifying complex histories.[24] Despite these successes, the initiative faced challenges in balancing deep continuity for longtime fans with simplification for newcomers, as the refresh avoided wholesale origin changes to preserve established lore while incorporating recap elements in issues.[9] This approach sometimes led to mixed reception on narrative accessibility, though tools like Point One issues aimed to mitigate barriers. Additionally, while most titles sustained initial interest, some encountered early sales pressures, contributing to cancellations within the first year, such as The Defenders after 12 issues in 2013, underscoring the risks of rapid expansion.[17]

Expansion Through Subsequent Waves (2013–2015)

Following the initial 2012 launch, Marvel Now! evolved through a series of subsequent waves that refreshed ongoing series and introduced new ones, adapting to major crossover events and shifting editorial priorities toward broader accessibility and diverse storytelling.[25] In 2013, Wave Two expanded the initiative by introducing over 10 new titles, emphasizing cosmic narratives alongside street-level tales to prepare for the impending Original Sin event, which would explore secrets of the Marvel Universe through a murder mystery involving the Watcher Uatu. This phase featured reinventions like the cosmic-focused All-New Invaders by James Robinson and Steve Pugh, revisiting World War II-era heroes in a modern context, and Inhuman by Matt Fraction and Joe Madureira, blending large-scale Inhuman society developments with grounded stories of newly awakened characters dealing with their powers in everyday settings. These additions provided fresh entry points for readers while building tension toward Original Sin's revelations about heroes' hidden pasts.[25][26] The initiative underwent a rebranding in 2014 as All-New Marvel Now!, launched in the aftermath of the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men crossover, which had reshaped team dynamics and introduced the Phoenix Force's lasting impacts. This phase added approximately 15 titles, tying into the Axis event—a psychological thriller where inverted moralities turned heroes villainous and vice versa—while prioritizing "all-new" creative teams and directions to revitalize flagship characters. Key examples included Avengers World by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opeña, expanding the team's global scope post-Infinity, and Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona, spotlighting a Muslim teenage girl as a new hero in Jersey City, marking a push for diverse representation. The emphasis was on bold, accessible arcs that encouraged new readers without requiring prior continuity knowledge.[27][28][29] Later in 2014, Avengers Now! emerged as a sub-initiative within All-New Marvel Now!, focusing on eight Avengers-related books to heighten stakes amid the "Time Runs Out" storyline in Avengers and New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman. This arc depicted the multiverse's collapse through "incursions"—colliding realities—forcing the Illuminati's desperate measures and leading directly into the 2015 Secret Wars event, where Doctor Doom salvaged remnants of Earth into Battleworld. Titles like Uncanny Avengers and New Avengers integrated legacy shifts, such as Sam Wilson becoming Captain America and Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir as Thor, underscoring themes of succession and crisis.[30][31][32] By 2015, the initiative reached its final wave with around 12 titles bridging to Secret Wars, highlighting legacy heroes in "Last Days" tie-ins that depicted end-of-the-world scenarios for various teams. This included spotlights on characters like Miles Morales, who transitioned from the Ultimate Universe to become the primary Spider-Man in the main continuity post-event, symbolizing intergenerational handoffs amid apocalyptic threats. Examples encompassed Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez, exploring the young hero's survival during the multiverse's destruction.[33][34] Over its run from 2012 to 2015, Marvel Now! shifted from a full relaunch to an ongoing refresh mechanism, culminating in over 70 titles across waves that revitalized sales and readership before transitioning to All-New, All-Different Marvel in late 2015, a post-Secret Wars era with roughly 60 relaunched series incorporating multiversal survivors and new status quos. This evolution allowed Marvel to maintain momentum through event-driven changes while fostering long-term character developments.[35][36]

Titles and Series

Wave One Titles

The Wave One phase of Marvel Now! introduced a lineup of new and relaunched ongoing series in late 2012 and early 2013, designed to refresh the Marvel Universe following the "Avengers vs. X-Men" crossover by resetting numbering and assembling fresh creative teams to explore post-event dynamics.[15] These titles emphasized accessibility for new readers while advancing ongoing narratives, with many incorporating elements like expanded team rosters and new character arcs tied to the initiative's goal of revitalizing core franchises.[11] Among the new ongoing series, Avengers launched in December 2012 with writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Jerome Opena, assembling an expansive roster of over 18 heroes—including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and newcomers like Shang-Chi—to confront global threats in a twice-monthly format; the series ran for 44 issues until 2015, building toward major events like "Infinity."[15][37] Uncanny Avengers debuted in October 2012 under writer Rick Remender and artist John Cassaday, uniting Avengers and X-Men members such as Captain America, Thor, Wolverine, and Havok to address human-mutant tensions exacerbated by Red Skull's resurrection; it spanned 30 issues through 2014, featuring key arcs on unity and villainous manipulations.[14] Nova began in January 2013 with writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness, introducing teenager Sam Alexander as the new Nova Corps recruit uncovering his father's disappearance amid cosmic perils; the series concluded after 33 issues in January 2015, highlighting interstellar adventures and legacy handoffs.[38] Other notable Wave One titles included All-New X-Men #1 in November 2012, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Stuart Immonen, which introduced time-displaced original X-Men to the present day, running for 41 issues until June 2015, and Indestructible Hulk in December 2012 by Mark Waid, reimagining Bruce Banner as a S.H.I.E.L.D. asset across 20 issues until February 2014.[3] Superior Spider-Man also launched in November 2012 with writer Dan Slott and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, featuring Doc Ock in Spider-Man's body, and Guardians of the Galaxy debuted in January 2013 under Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven, revitalizing the cosmic team. Relaunched titles in Wave One reset numbering to #1 to signal fresh starts while tying into the "Avengers vs. X-Men" aftermath. Uncanny X-Men relaunched in February 2013 with writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Chris Bachalo, depicting Cyclops leading a rogue team of mutants evading government persecution amid rising anti-mutant sentiment; it ran for 36 issues until 2015, culminating in legacy-numbered issue #600 and exploring ideological fractures within the X-Men. Wolverine relaunched in March 2013 by writer Paul Cornell and artist Alan Davis, focusing on Logan's internal struggles against a mystical hunter targeting his past lives and connections to SHIELD; the series lasted 13 issues before transitioning in 2014, delving into supernatural threats and character introspection.[39] Wave One also featured introductory specials to preview the broader initiative. The limited anthology Marvel Now! Point One #1, released in October 2012, comprised six short stories across 64 pages by creators including Brian Michael Bendis, Jeph Loeb, and Matt Fraction, offering glimpses into upcoming titles like Guardians of the Galaxy, Nova, and Indestructible Hulk through plot hooks involving SHIELD agents and emerging heroes.[13] This one-shot served as an entry point, blending espionage, cosmic teases, and mutant tensions to entice readers into the relaunched universe.[40]

Wave Two and All-New Marvel Now! Titles

Wave Two of the Marvel NOW! initiative, launched in 2013, expanded the lineup with new ongoing series that built on the initial relaunches by introducing fresh narratives and character explorations, often tying into broader events like Inhumanity.[3] The All-New Marvel NOW! phase in 2014 further revitalized the initiative with relaunches that capitalized on cosmic and solo hero stories, coinciding with events like Infinity and introducing space-themed revivals to capitalize on growing interest in interstellar adventures. Magneto, written by Cullen Bunn and drawn by Gabriel Hernandez Walta, launched in March 2014 as a solo series depicting the mutant leader stepping up as protector of mutantkind in the wake of diminished X-Men presence, confronting human supremacists and internal threats with brutal efficiency. Running for 24 issues until January 2016, it delved into Magneto's morally ambiguous vigilantism, including battles against Sentinels and the Hellfire Club, underscoring his evolution from villain to reluctant guardian. Legendary Star-Lord, scripted by Sam Humphries and primarily illustrated by Paco Medina with covers by Sara Pichelli, premiered in September 2014, chronicling Peter Quill's pre-Guardians exploits as a roguish space adventurer evading bounty hunters and unraveling family secrets tied to the Badoon empire. This 8-issue limited series amplified the Guardians of the Galaxy's popularity post-movie, blending humor, action, and Quill's origin elements like his abduction by the Kree, to highlight themes of found family and cosmic rebellion. Complementing these phases, limited series like AXIS: Revolutions (2 issues, October-November 2014) served as event tie-ins to the AXIS crossover, where the inversion spell by the Red Skull and Doctor Doom swapped moral alignments of heroes and villains, leading to chaotic alliances such as Cyclops aiding the Avengers against a heroic Skull; the miniseries captured peripheral skirmishes, including Deadpool's inverted heroism and Scarlet Witch's reality-warping struggles, emphasizing the event's psychological fallout.[41] Likewise, Original Sin (8 issues, April-August 2014, with core narrative spanning 6 central installments) unfolded as a murder mystery centered on the death of Uatu the Watcher, prompting Nick Fury and the Avengers to uncover cosmic secrets, including Fury's own aging and the Winter Soldier's identity as the killer, while tie-ins revealed hidden histories like Thor's worthiness and the Hulk's true origins.[42] These stories tied into the mid-period expansions by probing foundational Marvel lore, influencing subsequent titles through revelations about surveillance and heroism. A unique element of this era was the expansion of the Inhuman family, exemplified by Ms. Marvel #1 (February 2014), written by G. Willow Wilson and penciled by Adrian Alphona, introducing Kamala Khan—a Pakistani-American teen from Jersey City—who gains shape-shifting powers from Terrigen exposure and adopts the Ms. Marvel mantle to protect her community from threats like the Inventor.[43] This series ran for 28 issues from February 2014 to August 2016, with Kamala Khan's adventures continuing in subsequent titles; it integrated Inhuman lore with cultural representation, focusing on Khan's coming-of-age amid superhero duties and familial expectations.[44]

Avengers Now! and Marvel Now! 2.0 Titles

The Avengers Now! sub-initiative, launched in late 2014 as part of the broader Marvel Now! relaunch, focused on escalating threats to the Avengers teams, building toward multiversal collapse through high-stakes narratives involving incursions and cabals.[31] This phase emphasized ongoing series that expanded the core Avengers lineup while integrating cosmic and interdimensional elements, setting the stage for the event's culmination. Key titles included New Avengers (2013–2015), written by Jonathan Hickman with early artwork by Jerome Opeña, which followed the Illuminati—a secret group comprising Black Panther, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, and Namor—as they grappled with the ethical dilemmas of destroying colliding worlds to avert universal destruction.[45] The series' "Time Runs Out" arc, spanning issues #24–33 of Avengers and #23–33 of New Avengers in 2014–2015, depicted the accelerating incursions and the fracturing alliances among heroes, with Opeña's detailed, atmospheric art underscoring the impending doom.[46] Complementing this, Uncanny Avengers volume 2 (2015), written by Rick Remender and illustrated by Daniel Acuña, relaunched in January 2015 as an Avengers Now! title, uniting mutants and humans under Rogue's leadership to combat the evolutionary experiments of the High Evolutionary on Counter-Earth.[47] Acuña's vibrant, dynamic visuals highlighted the team's diverse roster, including members like Deadpool, Quicksilver, and Synapse, while the "Counter-Evolutionary" storyline explored themes of prejudice and adaptation amid the growing Incursion crisis.[48] These series interconnected through shared threats like the Cabal and the Beyonders, amplifying the sense of urgency in the Marvel Universe. Shifting to the Marvel Now! 2.0 phase in 2015, which marked the final wave before the relaunch's conclusion, new series addressed mutantkind's precarious future in a world increasingly hostile due to Terrigen Mists from the Inhuman expansion. Extraordinary X-Men (2015–2017), written by Jeff Lemire with art by Humberto Ramos, debuted in November 2015, centering on a core team led by Storm, including Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Magik, Colossus, and Old Man Logan, as they established a hidden sanctuary called X-Haven to cure mutant gene suppression and evade Inhuman-induced threats.[49] Ramos's expressive, fluid style captured the team's emotional turmoil and survival struggles, emphasizing themes of isolation and resilience in a post-Incursion landscape. Similarly, Starbrand & Nightmask (2016), written by Greg Weisman and drawn by Steve Uy, launched in February 2016 as a tie-in to this phase, following Kevin Connor (Starbrand) and a reimagined Nightmask as they navigated the cosmic repercussions of the Incursions, uncovering ancient powers and interstellar conflicts tied to mutant evolution.[50] Weisman's dialogue-driven script and Uy's sleek, high-energy panels highlighted the duo's reluctant partnership and the broader mutant survival narrative. Limited series within these phases provided pivotal crossovers, such as Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014), a nine-issue event written by Rick Remender with art by Adam Kubert and Leinil Francis Yu, where the Red Skull's hate-amplifying Red Onslaught inverted the moral compasses of heroes and villains alike, forcing uneasy alliances between the Avengers and X-Men to reverse the chaos.[51] This storyline, running from October to December 2014, directly fed into the prelude dynamics by exacerbating tensions between the teams. Complementing this were Secret Wars prelude one-shots in 2015, including Last Days issues like Avengers: Last Days and New Avengers: Last Days, which depicted the final hours before multiversal collapse, with fragmented narratives showing heroes' desperate stands against the Beyonders.[52] These Avengers Now! and Marvel Now! 2.0 titles collectively built inexorable momentum toward Secret Wars (2015), Jonathan Hickman's 12-issue event that resolved the Incursion storyline by shattering the multiverse and forging Battleworld under Doctor Doom's rule, effectively concluding the Marvel Now! branding and transitioning the universe into the All-New, All-Different era.[46]

Special Publications

Limited Series

The Marvel Now! initiative produced approximately 20 limited series between 2012 and 2015, featuring multi-issue finite narratives that complemented the era's ongoing titles by delivering self-contained arcs, event tie-ins, and explorations of underrepresented characters. These publications allowed Marvel to test new creative directions and fill continuity gaps without the risks of extended serialization, often spanning phases like Wave One and All-New Marvel Now!. Many concluded due to factors such as sales performance, enabling focused storytelling on thematic elements like time travel, cosmic threats, and personal vendettas.[3] Cross-phase limited series bridged multiple ongoing X-Men titles with standalone resolutions. Battle of the Atom (2013), a 2-issue miniseries, centered on a time travel conflict where a future team of X-Men arrives to eliminate the original five young mutants, leading to a climactic battle at the Jean Grey School and the revelation of a traitor among them; this self-contained arc resolved the immediate paradox while influencing broader X-franchise developments. Similarly, Death of Wolverine (2014), a 4-issue series, portrayed Wolverine's final stand after his adamantium skeleton is liquefied and his healing factor fails, as he battles Lady Deathstrike and Sabretooth in a tale of vulnerability and heroism; the Kimura variant highlighted alternate covers featuring the villainess Kimura, emphasizing her role in Wolverine's past.[53][54][55] Event-driven limited series expanded the initiative's scope through large-scale conflicts. Infinity (2013), a 6-issue epic written by Jonathan Hickman, depicted Thanos's invasion of Earth amid the Avengers' war against the Builders in deep space, weaving interstellar strategy with ground-level defenses by heroes like Black Bolt and the Inhumans; this narrative provided a pivotal cosmic arc that tied into ongoing Avengers and Guardians storylines. In contrast, non-event series like Elektra (2014), spanning 11 issues, offered a street-level assassin saga where Elektra confronts her Hand connections, hallucinatory demons, and rivals like Cape Crow, culminating in a redemptive battle against the organization's corruption.[56][57][58][59] These limited series often spotlighted secondary characters to enrich the Marvel Universe's depth. For instance, The Superior Foes of Spider-Man (2013–2015, 17 issues), written by Nick Spencer, followed Boomerang and the Sinister Syndicate navigating post-Superior Spider-Man chaos, blending humor, heists, and villainous introspection to humanize Spider-Man's adversaries; it filled gaps in Spider-Man continuity by exploring the fallout of Doctor Octopus's reign, but ended after issue #17 due to declining sales despite critical acclaim for its witty take on B-list foes. Such stories underscored how limited formats enabled experimental narratives, like delving into villain perspectives or resolving side arcs, without disrupting core ongoing series.[60][61]

One-Shots and Anthologies

The Marvel Now! initiative featured several one-shots and anthology publications designed to introduce new storylines, characters, and creative directions, serving as accessible entry points for readers amid the relaunch of numerous ongoing series. These specials often included preview stories, character-focused tales, and promotional content to highlight the broader universe changes following the "Avengers vs. X-Men" event.[13] A cornerstone of these efforts was the Marvel Now! Point One series, a trio of oversized anthology issues released monthly from October to December 2012. Each 52-page installment framed future developments through interrogations conducted by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury Jr., Phil Coulson, and Maria Hill with a time-displaced informant, interspersing self-contained stories that teased upcoming titles like Uncanny Avengers, Avengers Arena, and The Superior Spider-Man. For instance, the debut issue (#1, October 2012) spotlighted narratives involving Captain America, Iron Man, and the Hulk, emphasizing themes of heroism and impending threats, while subsequent issues expanded on X-Men integrations and cosmic elements to build anticipation for Wave One launches.[13][62] Complementing these were character-specific one-shots that tied into the relaunch's themes of reinvention and conflict. Wolverine: In the Flesh #1 (July 2013), written by chef Chris Cosentino with art by David Yardin, depicted Logan navigating a high-stakes culinary underworld in Madripoor, blending action with sensory details of food and violence to explore Wolverine's primal instincts in a grounded, non-team setting. This issue reinforced Marvel Now!'s focus on solo hero explorations outside major crossovers. Similarly, Inhumanity #1 (December 2013), by Gerry Duggan and Simon Spurrier with art by Leinil Francis Yu, launched the Inhumans' expanded role by depicting the fallout of Terrigen Mists activating latent genes worldwide, introducing new NuHumans and setting up diplomatic tensions for the royal family.[63] Promotional anthologies appeared through Free Comic Book Day editions from 2012 to 2015, distributed gratis at participating retailers to onboard new audiences. The 2012 offering, Avengers Assemble #1 (May 2012), previewed post-Avengers vs. X-Men team dynamics with stories by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Waid, featuring Captain America and Iron Man amid rebuilding efforts. Subsequent years' titles, such as Infinity #1 (2013) and Rocket Raccoon and Groot #1 (2014), incorporated Marvel Now! elements like Guardians crossovers and Inhumans teases, with over 3.5 million copies circulated annually to promote the era's diverse titles. These specials, totaling around a dozen across the initiative, played a key role in expanding readership by offering standalone glimpses into the evolving Marvel Universe.[64]

Creative Teams

Key Writers

The Marvel Now! initiative featured over 20 lead writers who revitalized the publisher's lineup through fresh narratives and character explorations, drawing from a mix of established talents and emerging voices to emphasize diversity and innovation in superhero storytelling.[65] Brian Michael Bendis served as a cornerstone writer for the relaunch, penning 41 issues of All-New X-Men from 2012 to 2015, where he crafted character-driven ensemble stories centered on time-travel arcs that brought the original X-Men team into the present day to confront modern mutants.[66] His approach focused on interpersonal dynamics and moral dilemmas among large casts, elevating the series' emotional depth while setting up broader X-Men continuity.[67] Jonathan Hickman contributed 44 issues to Avengers (2012 series), building intricate multiverse narratives that laid the groundwork for major events like Secret Wars, with his meticulous plotting emphasizing cosmic threats and Illuminati secrets.) Hickman's style integrated long-term foreshadowing and philosophical undertones, transforming the Avengers into a strategic force against existential dangers.[68] Rick Remender wrote 23 issues of Uncanny Avengers, exploring themes of unity between Avengers and X-Men in a post-Avengers vs. X-Men world, using the series to delve into redemption and inter-team conflicts.[69] His narratives highlighted character growth through high-stakes alliances, blending action with explorations of prejudice and heroism. The initiative also spotlighted writers advancing diversity, such as G. Willow Wilson, who introduced Kamala Khan as the new Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel (2014) #1, authoring the character's debut series to promote representation of Muslim-American experiences in comics.[70] Wilson's voice-driven storytelling combined cultural identity with youthful adventure, making Kamala a relatable icon for new readers. Matt Fraction's 22 issues on Hawkeye (2012) innovated the slice-of-life genre within superhero comics, focusing on Clint Barton's grounded, everyday struggles alongside Kate Bishop to humanize street-level heroes.[71] This run elevated Fraction's career by showcasing experimental pacing and intimate character moments, influencing subsequent Marvel solo titles.[72]

Prominent Artists

Stuart Immonen served as the primary artist on All-New X-Men, delivering dynamic depictions of team action that emphasized the original X-Men's time-displaced adventures through a clean, grounded style suited to historical arcs.[73][74] His work captured the elegance and earthiness of interpersonal conflicts among young mutants, contributing to the series' visual clarity during Marvel Now!'s initial wave.[74] Jerome Opeña illustrated the early issues of the relaunched Avengers (#1-3), bringing epic scale to interstellar battles and global threats with detailed, atmospheric rendering that highlighted the team's expansive roster.[75][76] His contributions in issues like Avengers #1 and #3 portrayed high-stakes confrontations on Mars and beyond, enhancing the narrative's sense of cosmic urgency.[77][78] Sara Pichelli's artwork defined Ms. Marvel, featuring expressive character designs that conveyed Kamala Khan's youthful energy and cultural identity through fluid, vibrant lines.[79][80] Her style in the All-New Marvel NOW! launch brought emotional depth to the protagonist's transformations and daily life, making the series visually distinctive.[81] Ed McGuinness provided the art for Nova, employing humorous exaggeration in action sequences to underscore Sam Alexander's teenage bravado and cosmic escapades.[82] His exaggerated expressions and dynamic poses infused the relaunch with levity, balancing high-energy flights with relatable comedy.[82] The Marvel Now! initiative fostered innovations in visual storytelling such as varied panel compositions and enhanced digital coloring techniques that supported diverse artistic voices. Notable synergies included David Aja's minimalist panels on Hawkeye with writer Matt Fraction, where sparse layouts amplified quiet, character-focused moments in urban settings.[83][84]

Reception and Impact

Critical Response

The Marvel Now! relaunch received generally positive critical reception for its emphasis on accessibility and fresh creative directions, making it easier for new readers to enter ongoing series without extensive prior knowledge. Aggregators like Comic Book Roundup reported average critic scores of around 8/10 for many flagship titles, with IGN praising the initiative's "bite-sized tastes" of upcoming stories in its Point One anthology, rating it 7/10 for its engaging shorts despite some uneven execution. However, critics noted drawbacks, including perceptions of gimmicky renumbering to #1 issues that felt more like a marketing ploy than substantive reinvention, as highlighted in analyses of the era's relaunches. Additionally, the relaunch was critiqued for exacerbating event fatigue among readers, building directly on the sprawling Avengers vs. X-Men crossover and leading to interconnected narratives that overwhelmed standalone storytelling. Title-specific reviews varied, with standout acclaim for Hawkeye, where writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja's innovative, street-level focus on Clint Barton's personal life earned an 8.8/10 on Comic Book Roundup, lauded by CBR for its experimental paneling and character depth that elevated a B-list hero. In contrast, some X-Men titles like Uncanny X-Men faced lower marks, averaging 7.8/10 on the same aggregator, with reviewers at Multiversity Comics pointing to continuity overload from post-Avengers vs. X-Men schisms that complicated accessibility despite strong character moments under Brian Michael Bendis. Thematically, Marvel Now! advanced diversity in representation, particularly through Ms. Marvel, where G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona's introduction of Muslim teen Kamala Khan as the new hero garnered an 8.5/10 on Comic Book Roundup and widespread praise from CBR for its cultural authenticity and intersectional appeal that broadened the superhero genre. Yet, this progress drew backlash over sexualization in certain titles during the era. Overall critic aggregates for key books hovered in the 7.5-9.0 range on sites like Comic Book Roundup, reflecting a mixed but impactful response.

Commercial Performance and Legacy

The launch of Marvel Now! in late 2012 provided an initial commercial boost to Marvel Comics' publishing line, with flagship titles achieving strong sales figures through Diamond Comic Distributors. For instance, Uncanny Avengers #1 sold over 300,000 copies in October 2012, while Avengers #1 moved approximately 187,000 copies in December 2012, contributing to Marvel securing eight of the top ten best-selling comics for November.[85][86] Overall, the initiative helped drive a roughly 15% increase in the direct market's comic book sales for 2012 compared to 2011, with Marvel maintaining a leading dollar market share of 34.06%.[87][88] Subsequent years saw sales stabilize but gradually decline for many ongoing titles, averaging around 50,000 copies per issue by 2015 amid broader market saturation. Event tie-ins associated with Marvel Now! titles, such as Infinity #1 in 2013, generated spikes with over 210,000 copies sold, highlighting how crossover events sustained interest.[89] Additionally, the rise of digital platforms like Comixology bolstered revenue, accounting for approximately 10% of the comics industry's total sales in 2013.[90] In terms of legacy, Marvel Now! established a template for periodic line-wide relaunches, directly paving the way for the All-New, All-Different Marvel initiative in 2015 and influencing subsequent strategies like Marvel Legacy in 2017. It popularized the use of legacy heroes, elevating characters like Miles Morales from a niche role in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man to a cornerstone of Marvel's universe, which encouraged greater diversity in representation and creative hiring. By 2025, the era is regarded as a successful reset that revitalized readership, with many of its core series inspiring direct integrations into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including adaptations of Ms. Marvel (2022 Disney+ series) and Hawkeye (2021 Disney+ series), as well as Miles Morales' prominence in animated films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its sequels. However, it has faced criticism for prioritizing short-term sales surges over long-term narrative continuity, contributing to perceptions of frequent disruptions in ongoing series.[91][92]

In Other Media

Adaptations of Core Series

The Marvel NOW! initiative revitalized several flagship comic series, many of which directly influenced subsequent adaptations in film, television, and animation, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). These adaptations often maintained fidelity to the character origins, team dynamics, and thematic elements introduced or amplified during the 2012-2015 relaunch period, contributing to the narrative foundation of MCU Phases 2 and 3. By 2025, adaptations of core Marvel NOW! series had become integral to the MCU's expansion, with key examples showcasing how the relaunch's fresh takes on legacy heroes bridged comic lore to live-action storytelling. A landmark adaptation is the 2014 MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn, which was inspired by the 2013 comic relaunch written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Steve McNiven, the first issue of which debuted in March 2013 as part of Marvel NOW!. This run reintroduced the team with a modern ensemble including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot, emphasizing interstellar adventure and dysfunctional camaraderie that mirrored the film's tone and character arcs. Bendis himself noted the parallel development between his script and the film's production, highlighting how the comic's explosive narrative helped popularize the Guardians ahead of the cinematic release.[93][94] Similarly, the 2015 MCU film Avengers: Age of Ultron, directed by Joss Whedon, drew from elements in Jonathan Hickman's New Avengers arcs (2013-2015), part of the Marvel NOW! lineup, which explored multiversal threats, artificial intelligence gone awry, and the Avengers' internal conflicts over global security. Hickman's storytelling in New Avengers #1 onward, focusing on the Illuminati's secret dealings and incursions, provided conceptual groundwork for the film's themes of Ultron's creation and the team's fracturing unity, influencing the MCU's escalation toward larger cosmic stakes in Phase 2. The direct tie-in miniseries Age of Ultron (2013) by Bendis, also under Marvel NOW!, further echoed the film's title and dystopian AI premise, blending alternate timelines with hero interventions. In television and animation, the Disney XD series Ultimate Spider-Man (2012-2017) incorporated Miles Morales, whose debut in the 2011 Ultimate Fallout #4 was amplified during the Marvel NOW! era through crossovers and mainline integrations starting in 2012, with the show introducing him as Kid Arachnid in season 3 (2014). This adaptation highlighted Morales' dual heritage and reluctant heroism, aligning with the relaunch's emphasis on diverse Spider-Man narratives. Likewise, the ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020) echoed the comic series S.H.I.E.L.D. (2010-2012) by Mark Waid and Jeph Loeb, which reimagined the organization with high-stakes espionage amid superhuman threats, mirroring the show's focus on Coulson's team post-The Avengers. The series' procedural structure and ties to MCU events reflected the comic's blend of spy thriller elements with Marvel Universe lore.[95][96] A more recent and faithful adaptation is the 2022 Disney+ miniseries Ms. Marvel, which directly adapted the 2014 comic run by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona, debuting with Ms. Marvel #1 in October 2014 as a cornerstone of Marvel NOW!. The series faithfully recreated Kamala Khan's origin as a Pakistani-American teen in Jersey City gaining polymorphic powers, preserving her cultural identity, family dynamics, and coming-of-age struggles from the comics, including her fandom of Carol Danvers and battles against local threats. Showrunner Bisha K. Ali emphasized the adaptation's commitment to Wilson's character arcs, making it one of the most authentic translations of a Marvel NOW! title to screen. Overall, these adaptations—totaling several core series by 2025—underscored Marvel NOW!'s lasting impact on Phases 2 and 3 of the MCU, blending comic fidelity with cinematic innovation.[44][97]

Cross-Media Tie-Ins

The Marvel Now! relaunch was accompanied by a robust multi-platform promotional campaign designed to attract both new and lapsed readers, extending the initiative's reach beyond traditional print comics into radio, digital distribution, and consumer products. In November 2012, Marvel invested heavily in a nationwide radio advertising push, described as the largest marketing expenditure for comic books in the company's history, with ads airing on major U.S. stations to spotlight flagship titles like Avengers, Deadpool, Fantastic Four, All-New X-Men, Uncanny Avengers, and Superior Spider-Man. This effort aimed to generate mass awareness and drive comic store traffic by emphasizing accessible entry points into the refreshed Marvel Universe.[98] Complementing the broadcast promotion, Marvel accelerated its digital strategy to align with the relaunch, implementing full day-and-date digital releases for all titles by March 2012 through the Marvel Comics iOS and Android app, as well as partners like Comixology. This allowed simultaneous availability of print and digital editions, facilitating broader accessibility and appealing to tech-savvy audiences uninterested in physical copies. Titles under the Marvel Now! banner, such as Avengers and Uncanny X-Men, were immediately offered in this format, marking a pivotal shift toward integrated print-digital consumption that supported the initiative's goal of revitalizing readership.[99] Merchandise tie-ins further amplified the relaunch's visibility, with Hasbro producing Marvel Legends action figures featuring updated costume designs from Marvel Now! series. The 2013-2014 Mandroid Build-a-Figure wave included figures like Captain America and Iron Man in their cinematic-inspired Marvel Now! aesthetics, complete with accessories to construct the Mandroid robot, targeting collectors and fans eager to own tangible representations of the refreshed heroes. These toys, retailed at approximately $19.99 each, helped embed the relaunch's visual style into everyday consumer culture.[100]

References

User Avatar
No comments yet.