Tag Archives: midnight universe

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

Midnight Spider-Man #1 Gives Us Horror Commentary on the State of Technology

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Midnight Spider-Man #1

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. Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start that delivers a new spin and weaves an interesting web for the origin of the classic character.

Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start to the series adding to the “Midnight Universe,” a new line of comics from Marvel. The comic has a lot of the familiar concepts and characters, Peter Parker, Uncle Ben, Oscorp., but the specifics have been changed for something new and intriguing. Johnson seems to be leaning into the body horror aspect of Spider-Man, something that has at times been center but usually not a major focus. And with that body horror, Johnson also dives into the lack of ethics in modern tech companies.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 gives us some interesting familiar basics for Peter. He lives with his Uncle Ben, Aunt May is an unknown. He’s a science geek who wants to do amazing things with technology. He works for Dr. Connors as he and Ben struggled. There’s something mysterious that happened to his parents and Oscorp. Oscorp is the evil corporation running brutal experiments that are unethical, immoral, and outright criminal. They’re the modern bio tech company, the AI company, the worst of the worst when it comes to our oligarch overlords, abusing individuals for their amusement. Kennedy focuses a lot on the torture and glee the mysterious leaders of Oscorp show in their experiments. It’s a complete disconnect from any empathy, much like current “tech leaders” have displayed in recent years. The basic DNA is there for the character and world.

Johnson though gives us a lot of small details to flesh things out. There’s basics of what Oscorp is doing, hints at Peter’s past with them. Familiar names that work for the mega corporation. And then there’s visual teases like a picture on a table or the events going on around Peter and his Uncle as they drive down the road. Johnson does a fantastic job of building this world and allowing the art to tell more of the story and expand the world.

Scietronc provides the art with color by Neeraj Menon and lettering by Joe Caramagna. The style feels a little like Humberto Ramos with pages that switch from Ramos’ energy and flair to outright horror. As Peter learns a hard lesson as a kid, the panels focus in on the result of his actions. It’s disturbing and likely to unnerve some readers. The comic doesn’t hold back in that sense with death and body horror present throughout. It’s an issue that balances the youthful exuberance of Peter with the darker world around him.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 is a solid start to the series that leans into aspects familiar but not often explored. It teases some key things to come and with its introduction of so many familiar characters, it’s hard to not imagine what might come down the road. It’s a fantastic beginning for Marvel’s “Midnight Universe,” that has us excited to see where it goes.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Scietronc
Color: Neeraj Menon Letters: Joe Caramagna
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

Midnight Fantastic Four #1 Begins a Dark Journey

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Midnight Fantastic Four #1

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 Fantastic Four #1 helps kick off the launch of the “Midnight Unvierse” and delivers a familiar but interesting concept and direction.

The “Midnight Universe” is Marvel’s latest line of comics, these infused with a dash of horror, taking familiar characters and concepts and mixing it up. Written by Benjamin Percy, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 is a solid start to the series getting down the basics of the Fantastic Four but taking the characters in new directions. At its heart, the Fantastic Four is about science and exploration. It’s a different take on the many classic sci-fi stories where a group comes together, at times a family, and goes on a strange adventure. It could be to new worlds or within the body itself. There’s always a sense of wonder to those stories but with a hint of danger.

Midnight Fantastic Four #1 keeps up that tradition with the basic characters we’d expect, Reed Richard, Victor Von Doom, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, except each is slightly different than the characters we’ve known. Reed is pill popping and obsessive, delivering a reckless abandonment in the pursuit of something. That recklessness causes an injury after being fired from his teaching position. Enter Sue Storm, the CEO of a tech company who employs Ben and Johnny and needs Reed’s talents and vision for… something. The issue builds, giving us a Reed Richards who is far more dangerous in his pursuits than normal.

The art by Kev Walker with color by Frank D’Armata and lettering by Joe Sabino fits the series well. The visuals for the comic help create the unease of it all, a comic where small details tease something is going on. Walker and the team create horror out of nothing leaving readers to guess what is real and what is not and if Reed is seeing things or being haunted by something out there. It keeps up the tradition of scary visuals that leaves readers guessing what’s real and what’s not. The design of the characters too tell a story. The difference between Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny in their looks, there’s history for each there, especially Johnny who has a tragic past hinted at. Doom’s tragedy builds into a more Frankenstein feel, and a rivalry for revenge we know is going to come.

Midnight Fantastic Four #1 is a solid start to the series with a slow build that eventually reveals what may or may not be out there. But, it does that using familiar characters and concepts succeeding on infusing horror for a new spin to them all. It’s a solid start, giving us a darker superhero universe where the sci-fi adventure is likely one that deliver dread instead of excitement and wonder.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Kev Walker
Color: Frank D’Armata Letters: Joe Sabino
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 Fantastic Four #1

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Midnight Fantastic Four #1

(W) Benjamin Percy (A) Kev Walker

FIRST STEPS INTO DARKNESS! 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?

From the twisted minds of Benjamin Percy (WOLVERINE, PUNISHER) and Kev Walker (INFERNAL HULK, DOCTOR STRANGE) comes a tale of existential dread and secrets best kept…

Comic book cover for 'Midnight: Fantastic Four' by Marvel, featuring four characters against a backdrop of a mysterious cosmic landscape and an ominous creature.
A dramatic comic-style illustration featuring two lighthouses atop rocky cliffs, surrounded by turbulent waves and stormy skies. One lighthouse emits a bright beacon while the other is struck by lightning.
A comic panel showing a character deep in thought with mathematical equations and formulas scribbled on the walls and his face.
A panel from a comic depicting a young man being evaluated by a panel at the New York Institute of Technology, expressing concern about a formula affecting him.
A man stands outside the New York Institute of Technology building, looking surprised and concerned as he receives news about his employment status.

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.

Collector’s Paradise brings Marvel Midnight to all Marvel Fans in LA early, at Midnight, with Giveaways, Sale, and Signed Comics!

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Collector’s Paradise will host Marvel Midnight release events at its West Valley, Pasadena, and North Hollywood stores on Tuesday, October 6, from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. At 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, fans can purchase all three first issues launching Marvel’s new Midnight Universe: Midnight X-Men #1, Midnight Fantastic Four #1, and Midnight Spider-Man #1.

YOUR CHANCE TO OWN THE MARVEL MIDNIGHT NEON SIGN
Each copy of a Marvel Midnight #1 purchased during the event, regardless of cover, earns one raffle ticket. One winner at each store location will receive that location’s Marvel Midnight Neon Sign after it has been displayed in the store for 60 days.

FREE MARVEL MIDNIGHT ASHCANS
Customers who purchase one copy of each of the three Marvel Midnight #1 titles, in any combination of covers, will also receive the very limited and sought after Marvel Midnight Ashcan while supplies last.

HUGE MARVEL COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS SALE
• Buy 3 Marvel Graphic Novels, Get a 4th Marvel Graphic Novel FREE
• 50% off all Marvel shelf comics. The discount excludes new Marvel Midnight issues.

SIGNED COPIES OF ONI PRESS’ SABRINA #1
The event will also include the Midnight Release of Oni Press’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1. All copies available at Collector’s Paradise will be signed by writer Corinna Bechko.

Participating Locations – Tuesday, October 6th

Special Event Hours: 10 PM – 12:30 AM

All other new issues for that week go on sale at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 7.

Promotional poster for the Marvel Midnight Launch Event at Collector's Paradise, featuring three comic book covers and event details such as date, time, and special giveaways.

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
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