Over the last two years, Marvel Comics has introduced a new take on the Marvel Universe courtesy of Peach Momoko. The visionary creator has boldly reimagined the Marvel mythos with a fantastical blend of classic storytelling and traditional Japanese folklore in Demon Day and the currently unfolding series, Demon Wars.
The latter has offered a mystical take on Civil War, but next February will deliver a huge twist in a third chapter, Demon Wars: Down in Flames.
Continuing to follow protagonist Mariko Yashida, the series will see Civil War collide with story elements from another legendary Marvel Comics storyline: The Phoenix Saga. Introducing exciting new Variants of two of X-Men’s biggest stars, the conflict in the spirit world will escalate with an incendiary matchup...Phoenix vs. Magik.
The spirit world is divided. Its inhabitants, strange creatures called yokai, have chosen sides, and the two factions are on the brink of all-out war. A bird-like yokai who wields some serious firepower faces off against a club-wielding demon. Mariko Yashida finds herself right in the middle of it.
No matter which side she chooses, there will be consequences not only for the spirit world, but for the human world too.
"I always write the story as I think of Marvel characters to fit the Yokai role," Momoko explains "And for this issue I wanted to introduce Hi No Tori, Fire Bird, because it represents life and destruction, one of the themes of Demon Wars, and felt Jean Grey/Phoenix was the perfect fit for the role."
"Magik also had the perfect characteristics of a particular punkish oni so that is why I chose Magik to be in my Momoko-verse as well. I really enjoyed illustrating Phoenix and Magik’s relationship and using mainly fire for them to communicate. I actually wasn’t familiar with the Phoenix Force stories so it was interesting finding out more as I researched."
We're certainly intrigued by this new spin on such a beloved story, but Momoko's work in the Marvel Universe has been very positively received thus far.
You can check out the cover below, while Demon Wars: Down in Flames will arrive in comic book stores next February.