COMICS: Axel Alonso Reveals Which Characters Will Have The Biggest Impact On The MU In 2012!

Talking to Comic Book Resources recently, Marvel's Editor-in-Chief was quizzed by the site about Marvel's BIG plans for 2012 and which characters fans should be keeping an eye on now that "Fear Itself" is coming to an end. Details are still pretty sketchy, but it sounds like the company have something very special planned, and you can read more of Alonso's teases by clicking the link below to head on over to the site.

"Shattered Heroes" is both an epilogue to "Fear Itself" and a prelude to where the Marvel Universe is headed in 2012. Ditto for the new X-Men books, "Uncanny X-Men" #1 and "Wolverine And The X-Men" #1. Both are epilogs to "Schism" that introduce a profound new status quo to the X-Men Universe and a prelude to where it's headed in the future. I've long wanted to see the X-Men more integrated into the Marvel Universe, to see them bumping shoulders with heroes like the Avengers, and this is our shot. When you see a bomb explode in "Avengers," you can see the mushroom cloud in "Uncanny X-Men." That's what we're building toward in 2012 -- an event that encompasses all the Marvel heroes, where they all have an equal role and stake in the outcome.

Miles Morales -- aka Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Couldn't be more excited about what Brian [Bendis] and Sara [Pichelli] are doing with this series. Fans are going to fall in love with Miles the same way they did Peter Parker.

Hope: Look for the so-called "Mutant Messiah" -- with her green eyes and red hair -- to be a pivotal character in 2012. The scope of her powers and her place in the universe will be revealed.

Hawkeye: Clint Barton fans, I am one of you. And I will prove it in 2012.

Iron Fist: Another key character in 2012.

Nova: Ditto. Save the questions, folks -- my lips are sealed.

Dracula and the Vampire-verse: Dracula could become our supernatural Doctor Doom. And his nemesis, Raizo – the vampire whose origin was told in "Tomb of Dracula: Throne of Blood" and who'll play a key role in "Fear Itself; Hulk" tie-in -- represents a clear challenge to Dracula's authority -- a vampire who has chosen to walk a very different path.

The Forgiven: Who are they? Find out in "Fear Itself: Hulk vs Dracula."

Moon Knight: Brian [Bendis] and Alex [Maleev] are doing something special with this book.

Ant-Man: Size does matter.

The Defenders: We discussed what characters could play a role in the Marvel Universe post-"Fear Itself." I've been pushing for a new "Defenders" book for a while, and Tom [Brevoort] had always been on my side. We both see the potential of building a team with a strong mission statement that could anchor a franchise. What we needed was a writer with a killer high concept -- we found that with Matt [Fraction] -- and a launching pad -- we found that in the post "Fear Itself" landscape, loose strands from that story that the Defenders could deal with. The Defenders are not the Avengers. They're called "The Defenders" for a reason. And you'll see why immediately.

They're going to be a force in the Marvel U, and you'll see why when you see what Matt and Terry are planning. While the team has a core group, there'll be lots of opportunities for some cool guest-stars that fit more easily into the Defenders roster and mandate than, say, an Avengers story.