Next month, Marvel Comics will kick off the 40th-anniversary celebration of its original crossover event, Jim Shooter, Mike Zeck, and Bob Layton's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, with an all-new series that takes place during the original saga: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: Battleworld.
The series returns to when Marvel's greatest heroes and deadliest villains were pitted against each other on Battleworld by the unbelievably powerful Beyonder. Tom DeFalco, former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief and the editor of the original Secret Wars, will team up with acclaimed artist Pat Olliffe to expose this previously unseen Battleworld adventure starring Spider-Man and the Human Torch.
Today, we have a first look at some interior artwork from Secret Wars: Battleworld for you to check out.
Fitting seamlessly between the pages of the original series, the limited series will take place after Spidey receives his iconic black alien costume that would one day become Venom. This new preview recaptures familiar Secret Wars moments and shows the beginning of Spidey and Human Torch's secret mission.
Secret Wars: Battleworld also holds answers to a 40-year-old mystery with shocking appearances by characters that you didn’t even know fought in Secret Wars! As you can see on the cover for issue #2 below, villains like Baron Zemo, Hobgoblin, Electro, Constrictor, and more found their way onto Battleworld. What do these characters have in common?
Well, many of you will know that Secret Wars didn’t just impact comic book storytelling, it launched a spectacular Marvel Comics toy line. The beloved toy line included various heroes and villains who didn’t make it into the original event - until now! Learn what their roles were and stay tuned to future issues to see what other heroes and villains show up.
Editor Mark Basso says, "Whether you never read Secret Wars, or spent the 80s poring over the comics in between fighting with your Secret Wars figures and their Secret Shields...you’re going to come away from this adventure with a complete story and, if you are a longterm fan, an even greater understanding of the characters and stakes in this greatest of wars!"
We're definitely intrigued to see where this team-up takes us, particularly as Secret Wars is a series which lends itself to multiple expansions and spin-offs. Take a look at this Secret Wars: Battleworld preview below.
MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD #1
Written by TOM DEFALCO
Art by PAT OLLIFFE
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
On Sale 12/27