New Universe
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The New Universe is a comic book imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986—1989. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco and edited by Michael Higgins.
In 1986, in honor of Marvel Comics' 25th anniversary, Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter launched the New Universe line of comics. Shooter's vision of a suitable twenty-fifth celebration of the launch of the Fantastic Four was to go back to the roots of the works of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. This was to be a distinctly separate world, fully divorced from the mainstream continuity of the Marvel Universe, consisting of its own continuing characters and stories in a more realistic setting.
There would be no aliens, hidden races, gods, mythological beings, magic or supertechnology. Superhuman characters and powers would be limited and thus more subdued in their activities, yet their actions would have more realistic consequences. This served to act in direct contrast to the traditional Marvel Universe, which always purported to take place in a mirror of the real world where public knowledge of superheroes, supervillains and their activities had little effect on normal "day-to-day" business.
Adding to the sense of realism, the New Universe titles were designed to operate in "real-time"; roughly a year would lapse in the universe for each year that passed in reality. The limitation of fantasy elements and the low-key nature of the characters' activities in the New Universe gave the imprint verisimilitude, to seem like "the world outside your window".
The New Universe was the first line produced by Marvel Comics utilizing a pre-conceived shared universe concept. The central concept tied all of the titles together, allowing them to serve as one unified crossover. The line could either be read as individual title(s) or the entire line of titles could tell a much broader story when read together chronologically, following a timeline that appeared in the back of the comics.
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[edit] Original Era
[edit] Premise
The premise behind the New Universe line of comics was the question "What would happen if normal people became superhuman overnight?" The event that started it all was known as the White Event. It was a strange astronomical phenomenon that occurred on July 22, 1986, 4:22 a.m., EST, and lasted for mere moments. It bathed the earth in a bright white light and caused two out of every million persons the world over to develop genetic anomalies which led to the birth of strange and wonderful powers. Many looked completely normal, but for others, the anomaly resulted in a physical manifestation which led to many of them looking horribly disfigured. Human beings who developed a reaction to the White Event were referred to as "Paranormals".
Eventually, the true nature of the White Event was revealed - it was caused when The Old Man tried to rid himself of the Star Brand, the most powerful energy source in the known universe, by transferring its power onto an asteroid. In many ways, the New Universe was the first time concepts of advanced human potential (such as in the current television show Heroes) were explored in popular media.
[edit] Titles
The New Universe initially launched with eight monthly titles:
- D.P. 7 (Displaced Paranormals 7) (created by Mark Gruenwald) (32 issues, one annual)
- They are strange. They are horrifying. They are constantly ridiculed. They are seven people out of place in the world. Seven People afraid of what they are; afraid of what might become of them. Seven of the most dangerous beings ever to walk the face of the earth.
- Justice (created by Archie Goodwin) (32 issues)
- He was a warrior. A law officer in his own world. He has the awesome power to destroy, to shield, to protect and to read the true nature of a man by his aura. How he came to this place he cannot remember. But this he knows - the good must be protected and the evil exterminated.
- Kickers, Inc. (created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz) (12 issues)
- Jack Magnicante, the highest paid professional athlete in the world, perhaps the most physically gifted specimen ever to wear a football uniform, has a problem. Yesterday, suddenly, by means he can't understand, he became much stronger, much faster than before. It cost him the life of his brother. It will change his life forever. And that's just the beginning.
- Mark Hazzard: Merc (created by Archie Goodwin) (12 issues, one annual)
- Combat. It's what he does best. He's Mark Hazzard, a Vietnam veteran who has gone on to become a soldier of fortune, selling his fighting abilities to causes he believes in - or, at least, can live with. It has cost him, though. Cost him his wife. His son. The love of his parents. The other mercs are Mark's only family now. But what choice does he have? Combat is what Mark Hazzard does best.
- Nightmask (created by Archie Goodwin) (12 issues)
- He's Keith Remsen. She's his sister Teddy. Together they run a unique psychoanalytical consulting service. With Teddy's help, Keith can enter the dreams of others, roam the labyrinths of their minds and, in the process, help the seriously disturbed. However, Keith remains anonymous in their clients dreams. Protected from their psychological defenses by a psychophysically manifested camouflage called the Nightmask.
- Psi-Force (created by Archie Goodwin) (32 issues, one annual)
- One is a psychic healer. One can project his astral self. One is a telepath. One is telekinetic. One can use psionic powers to explode things. Divided, they're vulnerable to exploitation - by individuals, by organizations, by governments. United they can mindmeld and create a single being who possesses all of their paranormal abilities. United they're invincible.
- Spitfire and the Troubleshooters (created by Eliot R. Brown and John Morelli) (13 issues; renamed Spitfire from issue #8; renamed Codename: Spitfire from issue #10)
- Jenny Swensen doesn't care about the rules. She only cares about what's right. When her research scientist father is killed, Jenny suspects that something is most decidedly, and murderously, wrong. Stealing his greatest invention, the Man Amplified Construction Suit, Jenny pursues the man she believes responsible for her father's death - his employer.
- Star Brand (created by Jim Shooter) (19 issues, one annual; renamed The Star Brand from issue #11)
- There is a weapon in the universe more powerful than all others. It is called the Star Brand. There is no more coveted, feared, loved or hated thing in existence. Now, this dreaded thing has fallen into the hands of Kenneth Connell, an Earthman. Another man might crumble under the burden. The Star Brand brings its bearer pain, worry, suspicion, fear - fear that it will be wrested away into the wrong hands. Worse, fear that it is in the wrong hands. Another might live only to pass the dreaded thing on, to find another bearer. But Ken Connell is a man like no other.
[edit] Problems
The New Universe was heavily marketed, but faced substantial problems. Jim Shooter had planned to recruit top creators, but this became unfeasible when Marvel's corporate owners unexpectedly reduced his available budget. As a result, many of the pitches were handled by others and certain books lacked focus as creative teams were swapped. Shooter was also involved with complex politics at Marvel Comics (which eventually led to him resigning his position), and thus could not give the line as much attention as he would have liked. Eventually, four of the titles, Kickers, Inc., Merc, Nightmask and Spitfire, were cancelled.
[edit] Parody
- Failed Universe (Blackthorne Publishing, 1986)
- Legends #5 (DC, Mar 1987)
[edit] Second Era - from The Black Event to The War
In an effort to save the line, then Editor-In-Chief Tom DeFalco and Editor Howard Mackie ended up removing some of the more fantastic elements from it and in a few cases doing radical revamps - John Byrne was enlisted to write and do breakdowns on Star Brand, altering the title so that it focused less on Ken Connell and more on the power of the Star Brand itself. This began initially with the idea of having Ken Connell go public with his identity as Star Brand. Similarly, the premise of Justice was revealed to be a hallucination which had been artificially induced in the title's protagonist by another Paranormal. From this point on, Justice becomes judge, jury, and executioner of Paranormals who abuse their powers. The writers also allowed for major catastrophic events which could not have occurred in the Marvel Universe - such as the sudden obliteration of the city of Pittsburgh (the Black Event) in The Pitt (one-shot), and the war with South Africa in The Draft (one-shot) and The War (four-issue limited series).
Despite all of this, sales were poor and the imprint was abruptly discontinued in late 1989 after a total of 174 comics had been published. There was talk of releasing one-shots, but nothing came of it.
[edit] Reintroduction
Despite the original decision to keep the New Universe entirely separate from Marvel's other comics, it was later incorporated into the Marvel Multiverse, allowing crossovers with other Marvel titles. Writer Mark Gruenwald brought the New Universe characters into the Marvel Universe proper, first via appearances in Quasar #31-53, then later in the Starblast limited series/crossover.
At the end of Starblast, the Stranger used the Star Brand to move the Earth of the New Universe into orbit around his Labworld. The Living Tribunal then judges the Star Brand to be a threat to the hierarchy of the greater powers of the Marvel Multiverse. The New Universe's earth is quarantined, surrounded by an impenetrable energy barrier so that no one can enter or leave it, and none of the greater powers are ever allowed to observe it again.
- Fantastic Four #385 - 386
- Namor the Sub-Mariner #46 - 48
- Quasar #54 - 58, 60
- Secret Defenders #11
- Starblast #1 - 4
[edit] Spider-Man 2099 (1993 - 1996)
Writer Peter David introduced an amnesiac character known as the Net Prophet into Spider-Man 2099. He eventually revealed that Net Prophet was actually the New Universe character Justice, who slowly regained his memories during the course of the storyline.
- Spider-Man 2099 #12 - 14 (1993)
- Spider-Man 2099 #25 (1994)
- Spider-Man 2099 #41, 42, 44 (1996)
- Spider-Man 2099 Annual #1 (1994)
[edit] Cameos (1990 - 2000)
- Avengers West Coast #65 (Dec 1990) - D.P. 7 Illustrator Paul Ryan drew the splash page of this comic featuring Wonder Man in a graveyard among several D.P. 7 members gravestones.
- Avengers Forever #12 (Feb 2000) - Writers Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern, and Artist Carlos Pacheco include Star Brand on the page 2 and 3 double page splash, which features a variety of Avengers, new and old.
- Gambit #19 (Aug 2000) - Psi-Force Writer Fabian Nicieza asked Illustrators Yannick Paquette and Sean Parsons to include an image of Star Brand in the background of page 5 panel 2, which features a variety of Marvel alternate realities.
[edit] 2005 Reintroduction
[edit] Wha...Huh? #1
In early 2005, writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Jim Mahfood created a three-page story entitled "What If Galactus Got Food Poisoning?" for inclusion in Marvel's Wha...Huh? comedy one-shot. It explains, in a very fun (but gross) way, the origins of The New Universe.
[edit] The Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005
This issue of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 feature a two page entry on The New Universe wherein New Universe Earth is designated Earth-148611.
[edit] Exiles #72 - 74 "World Tour: New Universe"
In late 2005, the Exiles find a Proteus-possessed Mimic in an approximation of New Universe era Pittsburgh. After observing this world, Proteus becomes determined to retrieve the most powerful weapon in the known universe, The Star Brand, by taking the body of Ken Connell. He also encounters Justice, D.P. 7, and Nightmask. This arc runs through Exiles #72 - 74 and is the second of six stops on their "World Tour".
This alternate universe has the Marvel Multiverse designation Earth-15731 and exists circa 1986, shortly after The White Event. Because of this, it is completely divorced from the original New Universe continuity.
[edit] The 20th Anniversary of the New Universe
In 2006, Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada and Editor Mark Paniccia set in motion events to celebrate Marvel Comics' 20th Anniversary of the New Universe. Below is a listing of the various titles which celebrated this anniversary.
[edit] Untold Tales of the New Universe
In late February and early March, Marvel launched the Untold Tales of the New Universe, a five week comic event that takes place in a pre-Pitt timeframe in the original continuity. These were released as a lead-in to Warren Ellis' forthcoming ongoing title, newuniversal, which would re-introduce The New Universe Saga to the world.
The line of Untold Tales of the New Universe titles included:
- The New Avengers #16 "Untold Tales of the New Universe starring: Kickers, Inc. - Kickin' It in Hell"
- Amazing Fantasy #18 "Untold Tales of the New Universe - Mark Hazzard: Merc"
- Marvel Milestones: Star Brand & Quasar
- Untold Tales of The New Universe - "Star Brand: Adventures in the Mulletverse"
- Untold Tales of The New Universe: Nightmask - "Kingdom of the Gnome"
- Untold Tales of The New Universe: Justice - "Who Judges the Judge?"
- Amazing Fantasy #19 "Spitfire: Danger Zone"
- Untold Tales of the New Universe: D.P. 7 - "The Dead Plains Seven"
- Untold Tales of the New Universe: - "Psi-Force in: An Army Of One"
[edit] All - New Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe A - Z #6 (of 12) "Justice To Marvel"
This issue features a biography of John Tensen (Justice).
[edit] All - New Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe A - Z #10 (of 12) "Shadowoman to Tara"
This issue features a biography of the Starblasters, who were instrumental in Quasar : Prelude to Starblast (1992 - 1994) and Starblast (1994). The Starblasters had frequent interactions with many of The New Universe characters throughout these storylines.
[edit] Marvel Legacy: The 1980's Handbook
In November of 2006, Marvel released a 1980's version of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. The profiles within cover everything published by Marvel Comics in that decade and feature D.P. 7, Nightmask, and Psi-Force.
[edit] newuniversal
(See Alternate Versions: newuniversal).
[edit] Recent Appearances
[edit] All - New Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe A - Z: Update #1 (of 4)
This January 2007 issue features an updated biography of Mark Hazzard: Merc, Quasar, and Spider-Man 2099.
[edit] Alternate versions
[edit] newuniversal
Main article: newuniversal
In 2006, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the New Universe, Marvel launched newuniversal - a single title re-imagining of the New Universe concepts by writer Warren Ellis and artist Salvador Larroca. The series is ongoing.
[edit] Universe-2
In 1996, DC and Marvel Comics created a five-week event known as the Amalgam Universe, mixing and merging the characters and settings used by the two companies. The Challengers of the Fantastic Amalgam one-shot, published in 1997, introduced Universe-2. This second universe was the home to Spitfire and The Blackhawks, Infinite Kickers, Inc. and other characters that combined elements of Marvel's New Universe with characters from the various universes of DC's Pre-Crisis multiverse.
There is also speculation that the Human Lantern (seen in the Super-Soldier: Man of War one-shot) came from this Universe-2 dimension.[citation needed]
[edit] Collections
- Star Brand Classic Volume 1 Trade Paperback
Contains material originally published in magazine form as Star Brand #1 - 7. First printing: December 6th, 2006. ISBN 0-7851-2352-0.
- Exiles Volume 12: World Tour Book 1 Trade Paperback
Contains material originally published in magazine form as Exiles #69 - 74. First Printing: March 15, 2006. ISBN 0-7851-1854-3.
- Untold Tales Of The New Universe Trade Paperback
Contains material originally published in magazine form as Untold Tales Of The New Universe: Nightmask, Star Brand, Psi-Force, Justice, and D.P. 7; and stories from Amazing Fantasy #18 - 19 and New Avengers #16. First Printing: July 26, 2006. ISBN 0-7851-2185-4.
[edit] Further reading
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age Annual #2 "The Coming of The New Universe", Marvel Comics Group, Jun. 1986
Ed. David Smay, Amazing Heroes #101 "The New Universe Tour", Fantagraphics Books, Aug. 15 1986
Ed. Hal Schuster, Comics Feature #48 "Marvel's New Universe", Medialand Publishing, Oct. 1986
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #44 "Behold...The New Universe", Marvel Comics Group, Nov. 1986
Ed. David Anthony Kraft, Comics Interview #36 "Archie Goodwin: The Real Story of The New Universe", Fictioneer Publications, 1986
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #47 "New Universe Part I", Marvel Comics Group, Feb. 1987
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #48 "New Universe Part II", Marvel Comics Group, Mar. 1987
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #50 "Exploring The New Universe" & "New Universe Part III", Marvel Comics Group, May 1987
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age Annual #3 "Marvel A to Z", Marvel Comics Group, Jun. 1987
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #58 "John Byrne Takes on The Star Brand", Marvel Comics Group, Jan. 1988
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #59 "The New New Universe", Marvel Comics Group, Feb. 1988
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age Annual #4 "New Universe A to Z", Marvel Comics Group, Jun. 1988
Ed. David Anthony Kraft, Comics Interview #54 "Mark Gruenwald: From Captain America to The New Universe", Fictioneer Publications, 1988
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #74 "The War", Marvel Comics Group, May 1989
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #76 "Mark's Remarks", Marvel Comics Group, Jul. 1989
Ed. Jim Salicrup, Marvel Age #77 "Mark's Remarks", Marvel Comics Group, Aug. 1989
Ed. Steve Saffel, Marvel Age #131 "Mark's Remarks" & "Starblast", Marvel Comics Group, Dec. 1993
[edit] External links
[edit] New Universe
- Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe: The New Universe
- Jim Shooter on the Genesis and Failure of the New Universe
- Mark Gruenwald on the Positive Aspects of the New Universe
- Mark Gruenwald on the Reasons Why the New Universe Failed to Catch On
- The New Universe Handbook
- Nuke Me with the New
- Shooterswork.com - Jim Shooter New Universe Retrospective
- WhiteEvent.com - The Unofficial Marvel Comics New Universe Fan Site
