We’d known for some time that Marvel had a “Phase Two” for their relaunch line of Marvel NOW! titles, but we didn’t know when it would roll out. Now, courtesy of USA Today, we can confirm that Phase Two begins this December with All-New Marvel NOW!, featuring headlining acts by “Avengers” #24 by Hickman and Esad Ribic (Part 1 of a new-reader friendly story), Fraction and Madiurera’s “Inhuman” and — ready? — “All-New Invaders” #1 by James Robinson and Steve Pugh.
Robinson at Marvel was something that has been teased since he left DC, his company-owned home for years. Joining Waid on a Spider-Man OGN, we had all heard rumors of what he’d be working on next, including a Namor book, which was quickly dismissed. Well, it looks like that remark wasn’t far off, as Robinson and Pugh’s “Invaders” will feature the original Marvel team of Cap, Namor, Bucky and the Human Torch, in which the “alien Kree Empire seeks to rediscover a device that can control gods and create an unstoppable army, but Cap’s crew springs into action to head them off.”
The Invaders make a lot of sense for Robinson, who is known at DC for being drawn to more classic characters (such as with “JSA” and the recent “Earth-2”). Writing the Invaders seems like a natural fit. Steve Pugh joining is also quite exciting as well, especially for fans of “Preacher” or DC’s original and recent run of “Animal Man,” and while we certainly are more familiar with him drawing the strange and twisted, there’s no doubt we’re excited to see what he has planned for the book’s interiors.
The “All-New” bit is hit or miss, though.
In addition to these two new books and this one old book being treated as if it comes from a new place, select NOW issues will feature a digital code for the first collection of issues in that series. This is pretty monumental when you think about it, because in a manner of speaking it’s Marvel getting a head-start on piracy. A good chunk of people, if they like what they see when they try something new out, will resort to piracy to catch up on what they missed rather than buy collections or hunt down old issues, but now Marvel will be giving it up on books like “Hulk” or “Thor,” which is certainly an interesting idea.
Update: Now with all-new Marvel press release.
Marvel Press Release
The most popular characters. The most acclaimed creators. The most ambitious stories. This is the recharged All-New Marvel NOW!.
This Winter, the Marvel Universe heads in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators like Brian Michael Bendis, Rick Remender, Dan Slott, Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen & more, join the top Super Heroes– Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other Marvel heroes– to deliver the best comics on the market with all-new ongoing series, AND must-read .NOW entry #1 issues for all readers!
It all starts in December with Avengers #24.NOW(=Avengers #1 in All-New Marvel NOW!), from the blockbuster creative team of Jonathan Hickman (Infinity, Avengers) and Esad Ribic (Thor: God Of Thunder, Uncanny X-Force), leading the Marvel Universe in a bold new direction by launching new series—often more than one—every week with unique mission statements, epic scales, and bigger conflicts than ever before.
“All-New Marvel NOW! ushers in 2014 with bold new launches featuring the greatest characters, the greatest creators, and exciting storylines that provide clean entry-points to all ongoing series,” explained Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “With new voices joining our creative chorus, and new heroes stepping into the spotlight, the Marvel Universe is about to expand in every way possible.”
In Avengers #24.NOW(=Avengers #1 in All-New Marvel NOW!), the Avengers must reassemble like never before after the devastating events of Infinity. As a rogue planet hurtles towards Earth, only the mightier-than-ever Avengers can prevent the annihilation of two worlds! Prepare for a sense-shattering tale that sets the stage for 2014’s boldest Avengers epics!
Then in January, All-New Marvel NOW! heads to the battlefront with All-New Invaders #1! From Eisner Award-Winning writer James Robinson (Starman, Earth 2) and red-hot artist Steve Pugh (Animal Man) comes a bold reimagining of your favorite Marvel Heroes. Brothers-in-arms Captain America, The Winter Soldier, Namor, and the Original Human Torch re-band for an all-new, all-different kind of war! But when the Kree Empire discovers a way to weaponize Norse Gods, can these timeless allies survive the deadly cosmic trenches? Find out as Marvel’s most enduring icons take to the stars in All-New Invaders #1!
Continued belowBut the start of the new year only gets bolder, as All New Marvel NOW! asks, “Are You Inhuman?” with Inhuman #1! Superstar creators Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Invincible Iron Man) and Joe Maduiera (Avenging Spider-Man, Savage Wolverine) thrust the Inhumans into the spotlight as the newest power players in the entire Marvel Universe! Unfolding out of the cataclysmic events of Infinity, new Inhumans spring up around the globe forcing the once-secret society of Inhumans out into civilization! With Avengers-level powers and abilities, will they chose to stand with Earth’s Mightiest…or against them? As the chaos consumes the globe, discover the fate of King Black Bolt and his royal family as the world becomes Inhuman!
Every FIRST ISSUE bearing the All New Marvel NOW! branding includes a code for a free digital copy of that same comic on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. But that’s not all! Select .NOW! titles will also come with a digital code for the entire first collection of that series ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Once again, the biggest creators bring you the biggest characters in the biggest stories…and it’s happening NOW!
For more on All-New Marvel NOW!, please visit www.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #AllNewMarvelNOW.
