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Midnight X-Men #1 teases Hickman’s Signature Worldbuilding

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The clock strikes midnight, and it’s the dark dawn of a new era. The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire. Midnight X-Men #1 is an interesting start that teases an expansive thought out world taking the best from modern vampire properties.

Story: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Matteo Della Fonte
Color: Arthur Hesli
Letters: Cory Petit

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Midnight X-Men #1 teases Hickman’s Signature Worldbuilding

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Midnight X-Men #1

The clock strikes midnight, and it’s the dark dawn of a new era. The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire. Midnight X-Men #1 is an interesting start that teases an expansive thought out world taking the best from modern vampire properties.

Written by Jonathan Hickman, Midnight X-Men #1 takes the classic X-Men and mixes them with vampires. There’s humans. There’s mutants. There’s vampires. There’s also mutants who have been turned into vampires. And with that there’s alliances, rules, clans. It’s the X-Men larping Vampire: The Masquerade.

Midnight X-Men #1 is an entertaining start doing it’s best to lay out the various factions in the best way it can while teasing the specifics. Who are empyres? Who are vampires? It’s not 100% clear but we do know some of that reality and what remains of the X-Men. Set in New York City, Hickman also includes the more fanatical religious elements to throw into the conflict as if everything else wasn’t enough to entertain. With classic throwbacks and teases, the stage is set for a drama that takes the mutant metaphor to another level. And, it works.

The comic does a solid job of winking and nodding to the decades of stories while plotting it’s own path that at times feels like a sourcebook for a tabletop roleplaying game. But, that’s not a bad thing. The concept of the World of Darkness mixed with Marvel’s mutants is a cool one that has us wanting that sourcebook! Drama with mutant powers? Hell yes!

There are some bumps in the issue, a battle leaves survivors, for what purpose isn’t clear. It’s an odd choice that maybe we see play out but left as is feels a little weird. Add in that Midnight Spider-Man also takes place in New York City with no signs or concerns of the issues present in Midnight X-Men #1 is also a little odd. It’s small quibbles but enough to notice.

The art by Matteo Della Fonte is fantastic. With color by Arthur Hesli and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic feels like it’s a mix of classic Vampirella and modern X-Men. The new designs for some characters are solid as can be and the choice of colors look great. There’s also special care in the art to leave readers guessing who is and isn’t a vampire, it’s not always clear right away. The issue is solid like that mixing in quiet religious power play drama with multiple battles. It’s a comic that delivers the action and the drama well and has an underlying sadness to it manifested in Kurt Wagner, a character who is the center of the first issue.

Midnight X-Men #1 is a great first issue that feels like it could fit in as a story arc in Marvel’s main line for the X-Men (especially with their numerous run ins with vampires). Most importantly, it keeps the basics of the X-Men with its factions, power plays and of course cool use of powers mixed with personal drama. Another solid start for Marvel’s “Midnight Universe.”

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Matteo Della Fonte
Color: Arthur Hesli Letters: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Midnight X-Men #1

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Midnight X-Men #1

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Matteo Della Fonte

AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DISTURBING UNIVERSE BEGINS HERE!

The clock strikes midnight, and it’s the dark dawn of a new era. The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire.

Blockbuster comic book writer Jonathan Hickman returns to the X-Men with a hunger for blood as this new world of terror reimagines the heroes of the Marvel Universe!

Comic book cover featuring characters from the Midnight X-Men series, showcasing a figure with white hair and red eyes, alongside another character holding a sword, set against a dramatic background.
A comic panel showing two characters with intense expressions, one shouting and the other appearing distressed. The backdrop uses dark colors with red highlights, conveying a dramatic atmosphere. Text bubbles include dialogue about morality and friendship.
A dramatic comic book illustration featuring two female characters in a tense interaction. One character leans in closely, expressing an intense emotion, while the other appears distressed. The scene is illuminated by a focused light beam, creating a contrasting dark atmosphere.

Explore the covers for Marvel’s Midnight Universe Launch!

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The darkness is coming.

On October 7, Marvel’s newest storytelling initiative, the Midnight Universe, makes its debut with a unified launch of three bold new titles: Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker and Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte. The three debut issues—the only Marvel comics released that day—will usher in a creator-driven line where some of Marvel’s most acclaimed modern talents are given free rein to reimagine the world’s greatest heroes in chilling and daring new ways. Fans can get their first taste of what awaits with the new Midnight Universe Trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork from all three titles.

With boundaryless storytelling and rich interconnected mythology, the Midnight Universe offers an exciting entry point for new readers while giving longtime fans a thrilling new take on their favorite heroes. In Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Spider-Man discovers that with great power… comes something monstrous. In Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker, a scientist’s curiosity accidentally unleashes ancient terrors upon the world while also transforming himself and three others in strange and horrifying ways. In Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte, the X-Men’s battle is no longer one of acceptance, but of survival…and blood.

Check out all of the covers for the debut issues of each series!

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONC
COVER A STEVE BEACH REGULAR COVER – 75960621681900111
COVER B RYAN STEGMAN MIDNIGHT BLOODBATH VARIANT – 75960621681900121
COVER C PEACH MOMOKO MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT – 75960621681900131
COVER D SKAN MIDNIGHT HORROR HOMAGE VARIANT – 75960621681900141
COVER E JEEHYUNG LEE MIDNIGHT GALLERY VARIANT – 75960621681900116
COVER F CLAYTON CRAIN 3-PART CONNECTING VARIANT – 75960621681900151
COVER G PEACH MOMOKO MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621681900117
COVER H ERIC CANETE VARIANT – 75960621681900161
COVER I INHYUK LEE VARIANT – 75960621681900171
COVER J INHYUK LEE VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621681900118
On Sale October 7

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by KEV WALKER
COVER A KEV WALKER REGULAR COVER – 75960621680200111
COVER B RYAN STEGMAN MIDNIGHT BLOODBATH VARIANT – 75960621680200121
COVER C BEN HARVEY MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT – 75960621680200131
COVER D E.M. GIST MIDNIGHT HORROR HOMAGE VARIANT – 75960621680200141
COVER E JEEHYUNG LEE MIDNIGHT GALLERY VARIANT – 75960621680200116
COVER F CLAYTON CRAIN 3-PART CONNECTING VARIANT – 75960621680200151
COVER G BEN HARVEY MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621680200117
COVER H LEINIL FRANCIS YU VARIANT – 75960621680200161
COVER I ROD REIS VARIANT – 75960621680200171
COVER J ROD REIS VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621680200118
On Sale October 7

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
COVER A DIKE RUAN REGULAR COVER – 75960621668000111
COVER B RYAN STEGMAN MIDNIGHT BLOODBATH VARIANT – 75960621668000121
COVER C SKAN MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT – 75960621668000131
COVER D BJÖRN BARENDS MIDNIGHT HORROR HOMAGE VARIANT – 75960621668000141
COVER E JEEHYUNG LEE MIDNIGHT GALLERY VARIANT – 75960621668000116
COVER F CLAYTON CRAIN 3-PART CONNECTING VARIANT – 75960621668000151
COVER G SKAN MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621668000117
COVER H ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO VARIANT – 75960621668000161
COVER I ITO VARIANT – 75960621668000171
COVER J ITO VIRGIN VARIANT – 75960621668000118
On Sale October 7

The Nightmare Begins in the New Trailer for Marvel’s Midnight Universe

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The darkness is coming.

On October 7, Marvel’s newest storytelling initiative, the Midnight Universe, makes its debut with a unified launch of three bold new titles: Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker and Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte. The three debut issues—the only Marvel comics released that day—will usher in a creator-driven line where some of Marvel’s most acclaimed modern talents are given free rein to reimagine the world’s greatest heroes in chilling and daring new ways. Fans can get their first taste of what awaits with the new Midnight Universe Trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork from all three titles.

With boundaryless storytelling and rich interconnected mythology, the Midnight Universe offers an exciting entry point for new readers while giving longtime fans a thrilling new take on their favorite heroes. In Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Spider-Man discovers that with great power… comes something monstrous. In Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker, a scientist’s curiosity accidentally unleashes ancient terrors upon the world while also transforming himself and three others in strange and horrifying ways. In Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte, the X-Men’s battle is no longer one of acceptance, but of survival…and blood.

Get a First Look at the Debut of Marvel’s Midnight Line and Covers Revealed for the Third Issues

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On October 7, Marvel’s newest storytelling initiative, the Midnight Universe, makes its debut with a unified launch of three bold new titles: Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker and Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte. The three debut issues—the only Marvel comics released that day—will usher in a creator-driven line where some of Marvel’s most acclaimed modern talents are given free rein to reimagine the world’s greatest heroes in chilling and daring new ways.

Get a first look at all three debuts!

Midnight Spider-Man #1

Midnight Fantastic Four #1

Midnight X-Men #1

Marvel continues to pull back the curtain with the covers for Midnight Spider-Man #3, Midnight Fantastic Four #3, and Midnight X-Men #3, all arriving on December 16.

The new artwork offers a glimpse at the darkness ahead from Reed Richards’ ruthless pursuit of knowledge and Peter Parker’s gut-wrenching transformation to the holy war erupting in the shadows between mutants, humans, and Empyres! The newly revealed covers tease even more of what’s to come, from Cyclops, the last of the X-Men, taking a young mutant under his wing to the unimaginable horrors of Oscorp’s experiments and the Fantastic Four’s daring journey into the cosmic unknown.

Read on to learn more!

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #3

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONC
COVER A STEVE BEACH REGULAR COVER
On Sale December 16

THE PARKER INCIDENT!

As Peter Parker frantically searches for a way to reclaim his humanity, Oscorp hunts the emerging urban legend THE SPIDER-MAN in their first breakthrough on the path to a post-mortality future. Meanwhile, in Oscorp’s deepest, most top-secret labs, Doctor Octavius has used the lessons of the “Parker Incident” to engineer the world’s second synthetic mutant… a living horror that will make even Spider-Man obsolete.

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #3

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #3

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by KEV WALKER
COVER A KEV WALKER REGULAR COVER
On Sale December 16

FINDING THE HIDDEN WORLD!

The Four head to the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was detonated by Oppenheimer and the Los Alamos labs. And here they discover the residue of another world, left behind by a crack in the firmament.

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #3

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #3

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
COVER A DIKE RUAN REGULAR COVER
On Sale December 16

NO MUTANTS. NO MERCY.

Weapons of Earthly and Heavenly construct. Realms that exist between old failures and the shiny new sins of expedience…

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #3

Marvel Reveals New Midnight Covers

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The all-new, all-disturbing Midnight Universe begins on October 7, and Marvel Comics has unveiled new variant covers for all three debut issues—Midnight Spider-Man #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and ScieTronc, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 by Benjamin Percy and Kev Walker, and Midnight X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte.

Bringing greater clarity and consistency to the variant cover collecting experience, the Midnight line will debut all-new ongoing variant cover programs. Starting with issue #1, each MIDNIGHT series will feature recurring themes across Covers labeled A-E, along with additional variant covers. Covers revealed today include:

  • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN COVER B BY RYAN STEGMAN, a MIDNIGHT BLOODBATH VARIANT, blood-soaked covers showcasing the terror of the Midnight Universe.
  • MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1 COVER D BY E.M. GIST, a MIDNIGHT HORROR HOMAGE VARIANT, chilling re-creations of iconic horror images.
  • MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1 COVER I BY ROD REIS, an additional variant cover that will also be available as a virgin variant (Cover J).
  • MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1 COVER H BY ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO, an additional variant cover spotlighting the Midnight versions of Magneto, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver.
  • MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1 AND MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1 COVERS E BY JEEHYUNG LEE, prestige painted covers of the haunting Midnight Universe.

SDCC 2026: Marvel’s Midnight Universe Gets the Spotlight

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The light had its turn.

At the Marvel Comics: Midnight Universe Panel at San Diego Comic-Con, all three Midnight writers—Jonathan Hickman, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Benjamin Percy—shed more light on their bold titles and their shared vision for this terrifying new line. Revealed during the panel were the second issue covers for each title—Midnight Spider-Man, Midnight Fantastic Four, and Midnight X-Men—along with the unveiling of additional variant covers. Attendees also received an early black and white Midnight Universe ashcan preview, which will be available at local comic shops in the near future.

Midnight X-Men #1, Midnight Fantastic Four #1, and Midnight Spider-Man #1 will have a unified launch, hitting stands together on October 7 as the only new Marvel comics released that day, a first for Marvel. The line will also introduce ongoing variant cover programs, with recurring themes across Covers labeled A-E. Bringing greater consistency and clarity to the variant cover collecting experience, this new program allows readers to choose their favorites and ensure that their local comic shop knows exactly what they’ll want, every month, without question.

Befitting the line’s ominous tone, the main covers of the Midnight titles will be presented in Cloaked Cover trade dress that conceals the full artwork until readers open the issue. With the exception of the debut issues, the full artwork will remain shrouded in shadow, only revealing themselves to those who pick them up on stands. While the newly revealed #2 covers offer a glimpse into the horrors ahead, new variant covers spotlight Iceman’s chilling new form, Peter Parker’s monstrous transformation and more.

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #2

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONC
COVER A STEVE BEACH REGULAR COVER
COVER C PEACH MOMOKO MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT
COVER F PEACH MOMOKO MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VIRGIN VARIANT
On Sale November 18

Where is Peter Parker?

A new Oscorp employee is missing. An NYC teaching assistant is missing. In Queens, a municipal services tech didn’t clock in this morning. And for some reason, Oscorp defense contractors are scouring their building’s security tapes… for a spider.

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #2

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by KEV WALKER
COVER A KEV WALKER REGULAR COVER
On Sale November 18

Reed Richards—haunted by a past he can barely recall and a scientific breakthrough he can barely understand—begins his tenuous working relationship with Sue, Johnny, and Ben at Storm Systems. They’re about to test out one of their theories—a theory that will revisit and redefine the perils of the atomic age.

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #2

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
COVER A DIKE RUAN REGULAR COVER
COVER C SKAN MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VARIANT
COVER G SKAN MIDNIGHT SPECIAL VIRGIN VARIANT
On Sale November 18

Eat. Prey. Love.

Preview: Punisher vs. Spider-Man #1

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Punisher vs. Spider-Man #1

(W) Dan Abnett (A) Matteo Della Fonte

A WALK DOWN MEMORY PAIN!

THE PUNISHER AND SPIDER-MAN, two of the most notorious names in New York City with very different approaches to making the Big Apple safer (or not, depending on who you ask!). Join us now for a trip to the days of their earliest encounters with returning fan-favorite writer DAN ABNETT (PUNISHER: YEAR ONE) and your new favorite artist, MATTEO DELLA FONTE! Brought together by happenstance and forced to stay that way by an ally from Frank Castle’s past in need, will the web-slinger and the gunslinger be able to begrudgingly set aside their differences before they find themselves at one another’s throats?!

Punisher vs. Spider-Man #1

Marvel’s Midnight Universe Begins October 7 for all Three Launch Titles

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Marvel Comics has announced a new unified launch for its upcoming Midnight line. The debut issues of all three titles—Midnight X-Men, Midnight Fantastic Four, and Midnight Spider-Man—will hit stands together, arriving on October 7 as the only new Marvel comics released that day, an impactful and rare move reflecting the project’s unique scope and potential to grip readers. In addition to being the exclusive Marvel releases for that week, retailers should keep their eye on Marvel Mailers for special launch promotions including promo items, orderable incentives, an enhanced Midnight Variant Program, and special exclusive variant offers.

Fans can see all three debut issue covers, including the reveal of Kev Walker’s Midnight Fantastic Four #1 cover and Steve Beach’s Midnight Spider-Man #1 cover. As previously announced, the main covers of the Midnight titles will be presented in Cloaked Cover trade dress, only revealing the full artwork when turning to the first page. With the exception of the debut issues, the full artwork will remain shrouded in shadow, only revealing themselves to readers who pick them up on stands.

The light had its turn.

Dark. Unpredictable. Unmissable. The Midnight Universe draws in longtime fans and newcomers alike to enter a terrifying new world where anything can happen. Interconnected by rich lore, Marvel’s most acclaimed modern creators are given free rein to reimagine heroes with shocking twists and chilling transformations in boundary-less storytelling that will keep readers on edge issue after issue. The X-Men no longer fight for acceptance, they hunger for blood. The Fantastic Four venture into the unknown not to save the world—but to unleash terror upon it. And Spider-Man discovers that with great power… comes something monstrous.

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
Cover by DIKE RUAN
On Sale October 7

The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire.

MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art and Cover by KEV WALKER
On Sale October 7

An obsessive scientist delves into the secrets of the universe perhaps best left unknown to humankind, leaving himself and three others warped in strange and horrifying ways. What horrible secrets lie in the new dimensions they have discovered? And can humanity survive the discovery?

MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONC
Cover by STEVE BEACH
On Sale October 7

A young man is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, he must embrace his grotesque new form to fight back.

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