Over the last decade, Hickman has masterfully transformed the worlds of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the X-Men. Now he sets out on his most ambitious undertaking to date! Witness one of the industry’s most brilliant minds dramatically tear down Marvel’s pantheon of cosmic beings, only to build them back with fantastic new purpose! Joining him on this venture is the artist who’s brought Marvel’s biggest modern epics like Empyre and A.X.E.: Judgement Day to life, Valerio Schiti. With his bold character design work and breathtaking action sequences, Schiti is the perfect artist to capture the chaos, mystery, and beauty that exists at the crossroads of science and magic!
The highly anticipated saga will bring to light a eons-old conflict between THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS, two opposite factions that serve the familiar omnipotent forces of the Marvel Universe such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. Throughout the summer in special bonus pages in select titles, readers have been introduced to some of the major players that fight in this reality-shattering war including magic expert Wyn, scientist Aiko Maki, and more. From the Hellfire Gala to the streets of New York City, these agents are stepping out of the shadows to share forbidden knowledge with your favorite heroes—or in some cases, issue dire warnings! This dangerous game between the very building blocks of creation can no longer be played in secret, and you’re about to find out why!
Behold the moment G.O.D.S. overtakes the Marvel Universe in a brand-new trailer featuring never-before-seen artwork from the debut issue. Fans can also check out acclaimed artist Mateus Manhanini’s first four G.O.D.S. covers and read the cryptic clues that serve as Hickman’s official plot synopses for each issue:
G.O.D.S. #1
The infinite détente between THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground.
G.O.D.S. #2
The Centum normally has twenty-five Primes, now only three remain. College isn’t worth the time or the money. There’s a hidden book in the hidden library that hides a hidden door. Cubisk Core is from Georgia, like that matters.
G.O.D.S. #3
Cassandra is cursed with knowing the future, but no one believes her. There are Black Swans in the bar. Oblivion wants to drink alone, but kids these days don’t respect authority figures. Most of the ingredients are illegal outside of Hell’s Kitchen.
G.O.D.S. #4
That guy in the Beekeeper suit is holding a thing that’s freaking everyone out. A Skinner box is bigger on the inside than the outside. The Avatar makes an enemy on the Axis of Power. If you save the universe and no one remembers, is it worth it? Maybe.
“We don’t get a lot of opportunities to try out brand-new properties in the current market,” Hickman said. “And I think that this represents not just a solid effort by the company but a real swinging for the fence by Valerio, Marte, and I, and everybody involved in the production of the book, to really put something new out there.
“The most important thing is that it is us putting all of our energy and weight into doing something brand-new but is done by a creative team that understands the Marvel Universe and understands the complexity, the continuity, and what it usually takes to make a book like this resonate along with all of the stuff that’s been around for a very long time. We’re just super excited about it. I think Valerio has done amazing work and I feel like I have certainly put my back into it. I’m proud of it.”
“You can lose yourself in these places and these locations,” Schiti shared about his world design. “It’s entertaining, and I’m always surprised by how much time I’ve spent on the pages after I finish. This world must seem real. You have to feel like it’s a real place with real people. I love to draw this kind of stuff, this magic and science stuff all thrown together.”
At the crossroads of science and magic, agents of opposing factions operate on the behest of the pantheon of abstract cosmic beings such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. This October, they emerge from the shadows as their war erupts into the wider Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!
The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles. From powerful mystics to daring scientists to chaos bringers, these characters exist outside the fight between good and evil and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. They may be new to readers but they’ve been scheming and clashing with each other for eons and are privy to startling truths your favorite heroes and villains wish they knew! Over the next week, some of the major players of G.O.D.S. will be spotlighted in special teasers and concept art. First up is Wyn, Avatar of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE!
On October 4, everything you think you know about Marvel’s cosmology will be shattered by two of the industry’s greatest modern visionaries in G.O.D.S., an epic new series from the minds of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti! Yesterday, retailers attended a special video conference and learned firsthand just how ambitious this highly-anticipated saga will be. Today, fans can see all five covers for the debut issue and experience a thrilling new lettered preview!
The five G.O.D.S. #1 covers include stunning spotlights on new character Aiko by Peach Momoko and Ejikure, a dramatic group shot by Mahmud Asrar, and a humorous take on new character Wyn by Skottie Young. Wyn and Aiko are devoted members of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS, opposing factions that serve the omnipotent forces of the Marvel Universe including Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. For eons, these groups have operated in the shadows—what has finally brought their existence to light? Fans can see exactly what in an all-new preview! Behold a Babylon Event, a rare occurrence that has the potential to upend the cosmic pantheon! With all of reality hanging in the balance, see a gathering of magic and science users unleash everything they have against eldritch horrors while Wyn attempts a more unconventional solution…
“When I came back to Marvel a few years ago, I wrote two series bibles. The first was HOUSE OF X and the other one was G.O.D.S.,” Hickman explained. “To say that I’m excited to finally be able to share this story with everyone is a massive understatement. G.O.D.S. takes place in its own special corner of the Marvel Universe — in the cracks that lie at the intersection of science and magic — and revisits some characters and concepts that we’ve reimagined for a more modern, continuity-driven audience.”
At the crossroads of science and magic, agents of opposing factions operate on the behest of the pantheon of abstract cosmic beings such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. This October, they emerge from the shadows as their war erupts into the wider Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!
Stay tuned in the days ahead for more G.O.D.S. reveals including new interior artwork, more covers, character designs, and more. Take your first steps into this daring new side of the Marvel Universe by picking up G.O.D.S. #1 when it hits stands on October 5. Preorder it at your local comic shop or digitally today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
