Marvel Comics have announced Tom Taylor and Iban Coello’s long-in-development series “Dark Ages” will begin in September. The six-issue story, which was first glimpsed in last year’s “Free Comic Book Day: X-Men,” will see the Marvel Universe descend into darkness after its greatest heroes fail to stop a new threat. “Their defeat will usher in an exciting new age full of heartbreaking loss and unimaginable stakes. As the world is remade, fans will meet fascinating new versions of their favorite heroes as they fight to overcome insurmountable odds and restore hope to the universe.”
Taylor, who is no stranger to dystopian timelines after writing “Injustice” and “DCeased,” said, “I’m excited to team up with the brilliant Iban Coello on one of the most epic stories I’ve ever been involved in. Marvel’s ‘Dark Ages’ is a story unlike any we’ve told before. And it all begins with the shocking revelation of what the Watcher has been watching for. A danger older than the Earth threatens everything. And for once, the heroes who have saved the planet time and again find themselves almost completely powerless in the face of it. X-Men and Avengers will assemble. Spider-people and the Fantastic Four will come together. Heroes for Hire will fight alongside Champions. But none of it will be enough. The lights are about to go out… forever.”
Three promotional images by Ryan Stegman were released ahead of the announcement, including new costumes for Spider-Man and Iron Man, and what is apparently Miles Morales as Venom. Tony Stark seemingly died — and lost his foot — after an EMP attack in the “Free Comic Book Day” preview, so it remains to be seen if he survived, or if someone else is wearing the armor.
“Dark Ages” #1 releases September 1.
