‘Annihilation: Conquest’ steps things up a notch in the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe and sows the seeds for the modern day incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy that became the inspiration for the 2014 film.
Some of the major cosmic powers in the Marvel Universe are about to butt heads in a big way. A rift has opened from the Negative Zone into the positive matter universe and Annihilus plans to take full advantage. With the heroes busy fighting amongst themselves (during CIVIL WAR), the fate of everything is in the hands of some unlikely heroes…
Ever since Wonder Woman caught his eye in a climactic battle with Darkseid in LEGENDS, Superman hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her! Surely two of the most-powerful costumed heroes in the DC Universe are perfect for one another, right? Well, get ready, because Superman we’re about to see the Man of Steel go into this one all wrong…
I’d only been buying the imported American Marvel Comics for about six months when the New Warriors made their debut during ACTS OF VENGEANCE. At the time, I only recognised Firestar from the ‘Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends’ cartoon and thought the rest of the New Warriors were genuinely new!
But Namorita, Nova and the kid who’d become Marvel Boy had all been around since the ’70s. Conversely, Speedball only appeared a year before the team’s debut with Night Thrasher being an actual new Warrior when he first showed up alongside his teammates.
This offense to storytelling reminds me why I rarely read modern Marvel – whether it’s good example of their output or not.
The galaxy has been taking a pounding (see our MARVEL COSMIC READING ORDER, 2003-2008). First, the Annihilation Wavetore through it, wiping out whole worlds and killing the entire Nova Corps. Then the attempt by the Phalanx to take control of the Kree Empire caused further harm. Now the Earth is about to be invaded by the Skrulls, the Inhumans will take control of their destiny in the stars, the Shi’ar Empirewill spread aggressively and an intergalactic war will threaten to rend the very fabric of reality itself asunder!
I thought it might be interesting to go back and see how the earlier appearances of Firestar, Speedball, Nova, Namorita and Vance Astrovik all fitted together in the Marvel Universe timeline before tracking their comics chronology as a team! So here we are… “Before the New Warriors”!
The Beyonder is back! And he’s completely out of character. But don’t worry… so is everyone else…
It seems the original plan for this alleged event was to make it one mini-series, but All-Out Avengers ended up being so badly received, it was cancelled and relaunched as Avengers Beyond.
Following battles with some oddball villains, the Avengers are about to face a genuine threat – one that will drastically change more than one member of the team – and see some new and returning faces at Avengers Compound…
Meanwhile, Steve Rogers only recently resumed his Captain America identity after the U.S. Government replaced him with John Walker. A final showdown resulted in Walker’s demise and Steve reclaiming the mantle. But is Walker really dead?
Superman continues to make the most of fighting alongside Lois Lane under her new guise as the metahuman Superwoman! And the future incarnation of Doomsday who’s become the Time Trapperfaces the growing threat of the Legion of Darkseid…
In 2006, ANNIHILATION would explode onto the scene – an event that would see the Annihilation Wave tear through worlds millions of miles from Earth. The heroes our planet were busy fighting each other during their Superhuman Civil War, unaware that the fate of the entire galaxy was at stake. Giving new purpose to Nova, the Super-Skrull and Ronan the Accuser and repositioning the Silver Surfer in a familiar role, the stakes became immeasurably high as we started rooting for these underutilized characters and feared for their lives…
An unexpected act of heroism cost Lex Luthor his memory. Now, Lex appears to be a much gentler soul. But with his daughter, Lena Luthor, and his bodyguard, Mercy Graves, both working to restore the old Lex, can a return to villainy be far behind?
Before LEGENDS begins, the ‘Bat-Family’ expands as the Dark Knight gains a sidekick in Robin, inspires Batgirl to take up the cowl and meets the deadly Huntress. And the Batman spreads his wings as he meets Superman, becomes a recurring member of the Justice League and first encounters Jason Todd!
The Dark Knight’s career continues as Batman’s New Earth continuity heads towards the original post-Crisis continuity. Many of these stories were released long after the 1985/66 event in an effort to explain the character’s new history - and introducing Batgirl, Nightwing and the Bat-Family!
Venom wants Spider-Man dead and he’ll kill anyone who gets in his path to the web-slinger. Even if it’s a flame-headed Spirit of Vengeance! Unfortunately for Venom, Ghost Rider comes with a reluctant buddy ever since Doctor Strange paired him up with the previous host of the Spirit of Vengeance, Johnny Blaze. As if that wasn’t enough, Ghost Rider and Blaze are already hunting the demons Hag and Troll who are looking to resurrect their master, Deathwatch.
Now, following battles with some oddball villains, the Avengers are about to face a genuine threat – one that will drastically change more than one member of the team – and see some new and returning faces at Avengers Compound…
While existence itself is at stake due to the events of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, half of the Teen Titans are pulled into a civil war on Tamaran in the Vega System. A usurper has returned to claim the Tamarainian throne! But Nightwing‘s focus in on the impact this will have on his relationship with Starfire…
ANNIHILATION would explode onto the cosmic scene in 2006 – an event that would see the Annihilation Wave tear through worlds millions of miles from Earth. The heroes our planet were busy fighting each other during their Superhuman Civil War, unaware that the fate of the entire galaxy was at stake. Giving new purpose to Nova, the Super-Skrull and Ronan the Accuser and repositioning the Silver Surferin a familiar role, the stakes became immeasurably high as we started rooting for these underutilized characters and feared for their lives.
Making his debut in the early ’90s, Chris Powell discovers an amulet that transfers his consciousness into the body of Darkhawk – a suit of armour with numerous battle features. In the years that follow, Chris will learn some of the secrets of Darkhawk’s origins and become a reserve member of both the New Warriors and the Avengers.
While existence itself is at stake due to the events of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, half of the Teen Titans are pulled into a civil war on Tamaran in the Vega System. A usurper has returned to claim the Tamarainian throne! But Nightwing‘s focus in on the impact this will have on his relationship with Starfire…