Marvel's Secret Wars was originally slated for an eight issue run the crossover event is expanding to nine issues. Touching on the additional issue, Axel Alonso stated, "Apparently, Secret Wars is even bigger than we thought it was. To help Jonathan and Esad conclude this epic event as big and bombastically as it started, we are adding an extra issue. That means one more month of the suspense, action and game-changing storytelling that fans and retailers have been clamoring for since the final incursion started."
But will the extra issue, delay the launch of All-New, All-Different Marvel? Marvel SVP of Sales & Marketing David Gabriel stated, "This extra issue will not affect any of the new launches as part of All-New, All-Different Marvel. But there might be a surprise or two left over from Battleworld you weren’t expecting. In fact, like the original Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, some of those puzzle pieces will hit the Marvel Universe before the event concludes. But if you want to see how they all fit together, you don’t want to miss these last few issues."
Secret Wars #9 will be written by Jonathan Hickan, with art from Esad Ribic and a cover from Alex Ross. Going by the cover, Mister Fantastic is taking off the lab coat and will be looking to put a cosmic-level beatdown on Doctor Doom.