During the Bronze Age in the 1970s, Marvel Comics frequently published special "Giant-Size" comics with stories so titanic, adventures so grand, and battles so larger than life that they could only be told with the benefit of extra pages.
50 years on, the publisher has announced plans to resurrect the format and, throughout 2024, Marvel will celebrate the milestone anniversary of the first Giant-Size comic with a number of new one-shots featuring our favourite heroes. The first will drop in January with Giant-Size Spider-Man #1.
Before crossover events became the norm, True Believers everywhere knew that Giant-Size issues were home to Marvel's most earth-shattering developments. During its original run, the series included legendary Marvel moments like the groundbreaking debut of the all-new, all-different X-Men, the wedding of Vision and Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man's run-in with Dracula, and the first appearances of Multiple Man, Lilith, Korvac, and Tigra.
Apparently, these new one-shots will pack the same punch and include backup reprints of key stories, giving readers a gigantic dose of Marvel storytelling, past and present.
First up, Miles Morales: Spider-Man scribe Cody Ziglar and Marvel Stormbreaker artist Iban Coello spin a showdown between the next generation's Spider-Man and Venom in Giant-Size Spider-Man #1! Dylan Brock has a bone...or a brain...to pick with Miles Morales in a Spidey story that can’t be missed.
The issue will also reprint Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #22 by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli which features the epic conclusion of Miles' first battle with Ultimate Venom.
In December, Marvel will also re-present the very first Giant-Size title ever, Giant-Size Super-Stars #1, in a special facsimile edition. In that, we'll experience one of the all-time great Marvel comic books from industry legends Gerry Conway and Rich Buckler, in its original form, ads and all.
The Thing and the Hulk have one of the most powerhouse rivalries in the entire Marvel Universe - and in 1974, it spilled out of the pages of both of their own books into a double-length slobberknocker. And like all the best bouts, this one takes place in the ring at Madison Square Garden - with the Fantastic Four watching on! In the green corner, it’s Bruce Banner’s incredible alter ego! In the orange corner, it’s bashful Benjamin J. Grimm!
However, there's a twist to this fight that you won't believe - and the formidable warrior Thundra is on hand to tag in! Will it be Clobberin' Time for the Hulk? Or will the ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing get smashed?
Check out Bryan Hitch's cover for Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 (and that facsimile title) below.
GIANT-SIZE SPIDER-MAN #1
Written by CODY ZIGLAR
Art by IBAN COELLO
Cover by BRYAN HITCH
On Sale 1/10
GIANT-SIZE SUPER-STARS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by GERRY CONWAY
Art and Cover by RICH BUCKLER
On Sale 12/2