Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars

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"Secret Wars" redirects here. For the 2015 series, see Secret Wars (2015 comic book). For other uses, see Secret Wars (disambiguation).
Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars
Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #1 (May 1984). Cover art by Mike Zeck depicting Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Hawkeye, The Wasp, Rogue, She-Hulk, The Thing, Captain Marvel, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Hulk, Spider-Man, Storm, Human Torch and Iron Man
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatLimited series
Publication dateMay 1984 – Apr. 1985
No. of issues12
Main character(s)Avengers
Fantastic Four
X-Men
Spider-Man
Hulk
Doctor Doom
Magneto
Beyonder
Creative team
Written byJim Shooter
Penciller(s)Mike Zeck, Bob Layton

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, commonly known as Secret Wars for short, is a twelve-issue American comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter, with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton. It was tied-in with a toy line of the same name from Mattel.

Publication history[]

The series was conceived by Marvel Comics' editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. In the eleventh issue of the Marvel Age news magazine, published February 1984, a news column announced the series as Cosmic Champions. One month later, the twelfth issue of Marvel Age featured a cover story on the series with the revised title of Secret Wars.

Shooter stated:

Kenner had licensed the DC Heroes, and Mattel had He-Man, but wanted to hedge in case superheroes became the next big fad. They were interested in Marvel's characters, but only if we staged a publishing event that would get a lot of attention, and they could build a theme around. Fans, especially young fans often suggested to me "one big story with all the heroes and all the villains in it", so I proposed that.[1]

Shooter further explained Mattel's input for the series:

We went through a number of ideas for names for the toy line and series. Mattel's focus group tests indicated that kids reacted positively to the words 'wars' and 'secret'. Okay.

Mattel had a number of other requirements. Doctor Doom, they said, looked too medieval. His armor would have to be made more high-tech. So would Iron Man’s, because their focus groups indicated that kids reacted positively...etc. Okay.

They also said there had to be new fortresses, vehicles and weapons because they wanted playsets, higher price point merchandise and additional play value. Okay.

When time came to actually do it, I realized that only I could write it.[2]

Crossover titles include The Amazing Spider-Man #249–252,[3] The Avengers #242–243,[4] Captain America #292,[5] The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #294–295,[6] Iron Man #181–183,[7] The Thing #10–22,[8] Fantastic Four #265,[9] Marvel Team-Up #141,[10] The Uncanny X-Men, #178–181.[11] and Thor #341. In 1987, Thor #383 was presented as an previously untold tale from Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars.[12]

Plot summary[]

The cover of Secret Wars #8, which featured the origin of Spider-Man's black costume, art by Mike Zeck

A cosmic entity called the Beyonder observes the mainstream Marvel universe. Fascinated by the presence of superheroes on Earth and their potential, this entity chooses a group of both heroes and supervillains and teleports characters against their will to "Battleworld", a planet created by the Beyonder in a distant galaxy. This world has also been stocked with alien weapons and technology. The Beyonder then declares: "I am from beyond! Slay your enemies and all that you desire shall be yours! Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!"[13]

The heroes include the Avengers, (Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Iron Man, the She-Hulk, Thor, the Wasp, and the Hulk), three members of the Fantastic Four (Human Torch, Mister Fantastic and the Thing), solo heroes (Spider-Man and Spider-Woman) and the mutant team the X-Men (Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, and Lockheed the Dragon). Magneto is featured as a hero, but immediately becomes non-aligned when the Avengers question his presence. In 2015, Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars revealed that Deadpool was also a chosen hero, but the Wasp accidentally caused the other characters to forget his involvement.

The villains include the Absorbing Man, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, the Enchantress, Kang the Conqueror, Klaw, the Lizard, the Molecule Man, Titania, Ultron, Volcana, and the Wrecking Crew. The cosmic entity Galactus also appears as a villain who immediately becomes a non-aligned entity.

The heroes (the X-Men choose to remain a separate unit) and villains have several skirmishes. There are several significant developments in the series: villainesses Titania and Volcana are created;[14] the second Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter, is introduced;[15] Spider-Man finds and wears the black costume (in the story inspired by Carpenter's costume) for the first time, initially unaware that it is actually an alien symbiote (the symbiote would subsequently bond with journalist Eddie Brock, giving birth to the villain known as Venom);[16][17] Doctor Doom temporarily steals the Beyonder's power.[18] Colossus ends his romantic relationship with a heartbroken Kitty Pryde after he falls in love as a side effect of treatment by the alien healer Zsaji.[19] The Thing gains the ability to revert to his original human form of Ben Grimm at will. He chooses to remain on Battleworld after the contest and explores the galaxy for a year,[20] with the She-Hulk temporarily joining the Fantastic Four as his replacement.[21]

The next issues of series tie-ins with Secret Wars open right after the return of the Marvel combatants. Immediate developments include: the Thing replaced by the She-Hulk in the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man has a new costume, and the Hulk has an injured leg and the savage side is re-emerging (to culminate in a totally animalistic, inarticulate and mindless Hulk in #299–300). Readers would have to read Secret Wars all the way through to find what caused these changes.

Reception[]

Secret Wars was a best-seller when it was published in 1984, selling more copies than any other comic in the previous 25 years. While it was a financial success, it was not well received by critics when it was published, being criticized for its uninspired and juvenile content. An announcement of a sequel series, Secret Wars II, from Carol Kalish, Marvel's Direct Sales Manager at the time, was first met with boos. Kalish was even quoted saying: "Let's be honest. Secret Wars was crap, right? But did it sell?"[22]

In 2011, IGN listed Secret Wars as one of the best comic book events. Their writers found the action and goofiness of the story to be enjoyable. They also highlighted the effect it had on the Marvel Universe by introducing the symbiote and new characters.[23] In 2011, Alex Zalben of MTV News ranked Secret Wars as the second biggest comic event ever, after only DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths event. Zalben praised Secret Wars' story and lasting effect on the Marvel universe, as well as honouring the storyline as the "semi-official first Event Comics ever".[24]

Sequels[]

One year later, Secret Wars II was published, with the Beyonder visiting Earth and having a tie-in with almost every Marvel comic book written at the time.[25]

Marvel published a third Secret Wars tale written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Keith Pollard within two issues of the Fantastic Four series (the "Secret Wars III" story in Fantastic Four #318–319 (September–October 1988)).

Spider-Man & the Secret Wars, a Marvel Adventures all-ages non-canonical miniseries, was released in 2010. It tells the story from Spider-Man's perspective and features major discrepancies with the original event. These tales include him receiving the Beyonder's power and creating "New Parker City", Spider-Man and the Thing spying on Dr. Doom, and a story featuring Spider-Man's suspicions concerning the Hulk. It was released in conjunction with Avengers & The Infinity Gauntlet and Captain America & The Korvac Saga, similar self-contained, all-ages re-imaginations of past events, that appear to take place in their own separate continuities in the standard "Marvel Adventures" manner.[26]

In 2015, as part of the modern day Secret Wars event, Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars was released. This four-issue miniseries retold the events of the original miniseries from Deadpool's point of view and fixed inconsistencies with the original and later events. Among these was the Wasp and Magneto's sudden one-night stand, and the purpose of the Secret Shields from the original toy line. It was ultimately revealed that the Wasp, out of either disgust or regret for seeing Deadpool's cancer-ridden body, accidentally caused everyone to forget his involvement in the storyline, creating the inconsistencies.

Spoofs[]

The IDW Publishing six-issue comic miniseries Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War featuring various characters from Cartoon Network is a spoof of both Marvel Comics' Secret Wars and DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths with its title taken from those two books.

Other versions[]

What If?[]

Some issues of What If? revolve around the Secret Wars:

  • "Brave New World" by Jay Faerber and Gregg Schigiel explored what would happen if the heroes became stranded on Battleworld[27] after Galactus and the Beyonder destroy each other in battle. The battle continues for a while, but after the deaths of Bulldozer, Captain Marvel, Cyclops, Doctor Octopus, Kang, Magneto, and Spider-Woman, both sides declare peace. The Hulk heads into the wilderness to find a way to get everyone back home, while Doctor Doom builds a replica of his Latverian castle. The Enchantress disappears, Mister Fantastic somehow dies, and Spider-Man's black costume causes him to turn cold and accelerates his aging to the point of becoming a skeleton. Eventually, some of the inhabitants have children who inherit some of their powers, including Bravado, Chokehold, Crusader, Firefly, Gator, Malefactor, Moleculon, Mustang, Raze, and Torrent. By Bravado's 18th birthday, Malefactor disposes of his father and gathers Chokehold, Gator, Klaw, Moleculon, and Raze in a plot to take over Battleworld. Bravado, Crusader, Firefly, Mustang, Torrent, and the heroes and reformed villains defeat them. The Hulk and Doctor Doom (who faked his death when Malefactor attacked him) return to help end the conflict. The Hulk has used 30th century technology from the deceased Kang to create a portal that will take everyone home with the help of Thor's hammer. Uatu soon appears and warns them of the bad thing that will happen if they return to Earth. Though the adults call off the trip, the younger heroes sneak out at night and end up on Earth, which is overrun with Sentinels. The five agree to stay on Earth as the Avengers and liberate Earth.[27] On a related note, these five had appeared in the Destiny War storyline.
  • In another alternate universe, Doctor Doom retains the Beyonder's power and takes over the universe.[28]

Secret Wars (2015)[]

Main article: Secret Wars (2015 comic book)

In May 2015, Marvel published a new Secret Wars miniseries, written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Esad Ribić, that picked up from where the "Time Runs Out" storyline running in Avengers and New Avengers at the time had ended.[29] The storyline involved the Marvel Universe combining with other alternate universes, including the Ultimate Universe, as well as the 2099 Universe, to form Battleworld, a world which exhibits aspects of the various universes. The core limited series was nine issues long, and ran for eight months, ending in January 2016.[30][31][32] One of the core miniseries, Ultimate End, had ended the Ultimate Marvel imprint after 15 years at the time. Ultimate End is written by Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagley, the team that began the Ultimate Marvel universe with Ultimate Spider-Man.[33]

Spider-Man: Life Story[]

In Spider-Man: Life Story, which depicts an alternate version of the Marvel Universe (designated Earth-2447) where characters aged in real time and debuted in the same year as their first issue publications, the Secret Wars began in 1984 when a number of United States-based superheroes were transported to Battleworld during "the Russian War" (the World War III of this reality). Among them was Spider-Man, who received the Venom symbiote/black costume like his Earth-616 counterpart.[34]

In other media[]

Television[]

  • An abbreviated form of the 1990s "Secret Wars" storyline appeared in the animated television series Spider-Man, in which the Beyonder and Madame Web selected Spider-Man to lead a team of heroes (consisting of himself, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Captain America, Storm, and later the Black Cat) against the villains Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, the Lizard (who later switched sides), Alistair Smythe, and the Red Skull. The goal was to allegedly determine whether good or evil was stronger, but was later revealed after the war that the real goal was to determine which of several alternate Spider-Men was worthy to lead a team to save the multiverse from the twisted Spider-Carnage. One completely written chapter of "Secret Wars" involved Spider-Man finding another black suit and the X-Men, but transporting the X-Men cast to L.A. (where production for the Spider-Man animated series was based) from Canada (where the X-Men animated series was based) was too costly in the previous episodes the X-Men appeared in, so the episode was dropped and only Storm was used for the rest of the chapters of "Secret Wars" due to the fact that Iona Morris (who was the first voice of Storm) lives in L.A.[35][36] The Hulk and the She-Hulk were not used in these episodes because the Hulk series was on UPN.[35][36] Furthermore, Quinton Flynn was the only voice actor to reprise his role from the Fantastic Four animated series.[36]
  • The fourth season of the animated show Avengers Assemble is titled Avengers: Secret Wars, after the storyline but focuses only on the Avengers. As it turns out, Loki had told a powerful being, who comes to be known as the Beyonder, about Earth's existence. To Loki's dismay, the Beyonder uses the Bifrost Bridge to take various parts of Earth, places across the universe such as Asgard, and other realities including the one where Tony Stark was stranded, and then combines them in order to form Battleworld for his "experiment", taking those who live there with them, including the Avengers. With Iron Man back with them, the Avengers must form an unlikely alliance with Loki to rebuild the Bifrost Bridge and get everyone back to Earth. During the final battle against the Beyonder, Doctor Strange gives Loki the Orb of Agamotto to begin activating the Bifrost Bridge and Thor throws Mjolnir to Jane Foster to save her from the quicksand transforming her into a female Thor. Through their efforts, they finally undo the Beyonder's experiment, but Loki reveals that Doctor Strange giving him the Orb of Agamotto was the purpose of his telling the Beyonder about Earth, and with his new power plans to conquer Asgard, Earth, and other locations. With help from Jane Foster's Thor form, the Avengers defeat Loki, who is consumed by the All Dark. After Thor regains Mjolnir, Odin has a new weapon created for Jane Foster, where her weapon is dubbed Thunderstrike.[37][38]

Video games[]

  • The mobile game Marvel Realm of Champions is loosely based on the 1984 Secret Wars storyline.

Literature[]

  • Secret Wars received a novelization in 2016 to commemorate the 2015 storyline of the same name, written by Alex Irvine.

Merchandise[]

  • Mattel released three waves of action figures, vehicles, and accessories in the Secret Wars toy line from 1984 to 1985.
  • An original page of the 1984 Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars, showing Spider-Man wearing the black suit for the first time, was sold by Heritage Auctions in January 2022 for over $3 million.[39]

References[]

  1. ^ "Lofty Concepts". Archived from the original on 2004-08-13.
  2. ^ Shooter, Jim (April 4, 2011). "Secrets of the Secret Wars". jimshooter.com.
  3. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #249–252 (February–May 1984). Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ The Avengers #242–243 (March–April 1984). Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ Captain America #292 (April 1984). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #294–295 (April–May 1984). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Iron Man #181–183 (April–May 1984). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ The Thing #10–22 (April 1984 – April 1985). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Fantastic Four #265 (April 1984). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Marvel Team-Up #141 (May 1984). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #178–181 (February–May 1984). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Thor #341 and 383 (September 1987). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 (May 1984)
  14. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #3 (July 1984)
  15. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #6 (Oct. 1984)
  16. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (Dec. 1984)
  17. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #298–300 (March–May 1988)
  18. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #10 (Feb. 1985)
  19. ^ Uncanny X-Men #183 (July 1984)
  20. ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12 (April 1985)
  21. ^ Avengers #243 (May 1984); Fantastic Four #265 (April 1984)
  22. ^ Dallas, Keith (May 28, 2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1980s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-1-6054-9046-5.
  23. ^ Esposito, Joey; Schedeen, Jesse; Norris, Erik; Perez, Migurel (30 May 2011). "The Best Comic Book Events". IGN. p. 2. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  24. ^ Zalben, Alex (10 March 2011). "The 11 Biggest Comic Book Events – Ever". MTV News. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  25. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (January 21, 2015). "A History of Marvel's Secret Wars". IGN.com. UK. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  26. ^ Clevinger, Brian (April 16, 2010). "Avengers Vs The Infinity Gauntlet Once More". IGN.com.
  27. ^ a b Faerber, Jay (w), Schigiel, Gregg, What If? (vol. 2) #114 (Nov. 1998)
  28. ^ What If...? Secret Wars (vol. 7) (February 2009)
  29. ^ Babos, John (November 10, 2014). "Time Runs Out For All-New Marvel Now With 2015's Secret Wars & 13 Redux With Civil War, Infinity Gauntlet, Avengers Vs X-Men, Age of Ultron & More Spoilers For A Multiverse's Reboot Or Convergence?". Comics Nexus.
  30. ^ "Marvel Unveils 'Battleworld' Map Ahead of 2015's 'Secret Wars'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  31. ^ "New Brevoort Formspring – I've been hearing different things about the". Brevoortformspring.tumblr.com. 2014-12-26. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  32. ^ "Marvel Adds Extra Issue to Secret Wars". Newsarama.com. 2015-08-26. Retrieved 2015-08-27.
  33. ^ McMillan, Graeme (2015-01-28). "'Ultimate End' Closes a 15-Year Era of Marvel's Comic History". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
  34. ^ Spider-Man: Life Story #3: "Our Secret Wars", Chip Zdarsky, Marvel Comics
  35. ^ a b "Interview with John Semper". wariocompany. Archived from the original on 2010-02-20. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  36. ^ a b c "Secret Wars, Part 1: Arrival". wariocompany. Archived from the original on 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  37. ^ Awesome, Amy (October 8, 2016). "Hayley Atwell Returning As Agent Carter". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  38. ^ "SDCC: Marvel Announces Animated "Secret Wars", Skottie Young-Style "Rocket & Groot"". 23 July 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  39. ^ Scottie, Andrew (14 January 2022). "A page of Spider-Man comic book history just sold for $3 million". CNN. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

External links[]

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