Speaking to a packed room at this year’s Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski unveiled first story details and cover art for Marvel’s upcoming series THE RISE OF ULTRAMAN, launching later this year! THE RISE OF ULTRAMAN #1 will revisit the classic first generation of the worldwide phenomenon, co-helmed by writers Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom with art by Francesco Manna.

Both known for their talents in world building, Higgins (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Winter Soldier) and Groom (Self/Made) will combine their acclaimed storytelling skills with the stunning style of superstar artist Francesco Manna, who has drawn for some of Marvel’s biggest series like Jason Aaron’s Avengers and Dan Slott’s Fantastic Four. As fans of the Ultraman series themselves, they will introduce Ultraman to new fans young and old and revisit the iconic era – and spirit – of the Ultras longtime enthusiasts know and love.

“A few years ago, thanks to my time on Power Rangers, I was able to discover and learn more about Tokusatsu. With its wildly different conventions and inspirations, Tokusatsu — and Ultraman in particular — has been a huge source of joy for me,” said Higgins. “It’s a genre so ripe with possibilities, even down to what we conceive of in the structure of super hero storytelling. It’s both an honor and a privilege to bring Ultraman to Marvel.”

“Monsters in fiction have been embodying all that is dark and scary in our world for as long as we’ve been telling stories. But I don’t think anybody understood the immense scale of our most pressing problems quite like Eiji Tsuburaya,” shared Groom. “He imagined the darkness looming overhead as tall as skyscrapers— alien and unknowable and ANGRY. But he also imagined us being able to stand up to those monsters, by rising above our worst impulses and embracing a nobler way of being. He imagined ULTRAMAN. What does that mean in this complex, contradictory world of lies? We’re going to find out…”

At the end of last year, Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Productions announced a landmark collaboration to produce all-new stories based on the classic Ultraman series starring the beloved pop culture icon, Ultraman. Ultraman has been a pop culture staple since the franchise debuted in the 1960s, and his thrilling stories have been depicted on both the page and the screen. Now, Marvel Comics will be able to add to this iconic character’s legacy. Stay tuned for more details about what can you expect from Ultraman’s adventures when ULTRAMAN #1 hits stands later this year.

In 1975, writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum changed the comics landscape forever with Giant-Size X-Men #1. This special issue marked a new genesis for the team, introduced iconic Marvel characters like Storm and Nightcrawler, and set the X-Men on the path to becoming the cultural powerhouses they are today.

Now, 45 years later, Marvel Comics is honoring this landmark issue in an extraordinary way with the help of 37 of the industry’s top artists. Each pulse-pounding page of this unforgettable issue will be re-envisioned by artists such as Alex Ross, Carmen Carnero, and Mark Brooks. This diverse group of talent have joined together to pay homage to this comic book masterpiece by redrawing Cockrum’s original art in their own unique styles.

“The artists were so excited to work on it because the art in this book inspired them all,” recounts Editor Jordan D. White. “Everybody involved loves this comic book and is doing amazing work. You’ve gotta check it out.”

“As a kid the X-Men was my very first comic and Len Wein and Dave Cockrum were instrumental in influencing me to become a comic book illustrator,” says artist Mark Brooks. “Being able to contribute to the recreation of a book that means so much to me is an honor and a privilege. This assignment along with the accompanying pressure to do Len and Dave justice is one I’m thrilled to take on as a thank you for showing a nerdy kid that it’s okay to be different and pave your own path.”

“The presence Wein and Cockrum have on comics is too immense to weigh,” says artist Mike Hawthorne. “I can honestly say their X-Men were my first love and it’s a privilege to pay homage to these two giants and their contribution to our culture. I drew my page with my heart in hand, sirs. I hope it’s enough. Thank you.” GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: TRIBUTE TO WEIN & COCKRUM #1 goes on sale May 27th but you can get your first look at this milestone issue in this special announcement trailer featuring Editor Jordan D. White and Assistant Editor Annalise Bissa.

Starting next month and continuing through June, MARVELS SNAPSHOTS will be a bi-monthly series consisting of eight standalone issues offering unusual viewpoints on some of your favorite Marvel heroes. Curated by industry legend Kurt Busiek with iconic painted covers by Alex Ross, this milestone series will feature new creative teams for each giant-sized story handpicked by Busiek himself! In May 2020, this unforgettable tour through Marvel history will showcase tales focusing on the Avengers and Spider-Man.

First up will be an Avengers story like none other by superstar writer Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and acclaimed artist Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin). Set during the influential David Michelinie, John Byrne, and George Perez era of AVENGERS, MARVELS SNAPSHOTS: AVENGERS will depict a romance that could only happen in the Marvel Universe when a rookie cop and new-to-the-city emergency medical technician meet amidst a devastating battle between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and a giant, rampaging robot.

“When Kurt first asked me about this project, it took me a minute to realize he wasn’t just telling me about this fun Marvels-eye concept, he was asking me if I wanted to be involved!” Kesel said. “My favorite stories are the ones that step into the personal lives of people in the vicinity of the Big Action, so a big YES to anything Marvels-scale, and getting to step back into that sweet yet insane 80s Avengers vibe was the frosting on the crazy cake! I have so totally enjoyed adding a little piece to the mighty Marvel mythos. Kurt started it off with an image that became the catalyst for two non-powered NYC heroes who would “meet cute” during a crisis. Then, when we started speculating about what the people on the street do when chunks of buildings fall from the sky…where do they go to shelter out the emergency?”

Following that will be MARVELS SNAPSHOTS: SPIDER-MAN written and drawn by industry great, Howard Chaykin! This action-packed story will be told through the eyes of a lowlife criminal just trying to make a living in the super hero infested streets of New York City. See firsthand how hard life as a henchman can be when someone like Spider-Man lurks around every corner!

“I was delighted to be summoned by the fabulous Kurt Busiek to work on the Marvel Snapshots series,” said Chaykin. “Not having worked for Marvel in any steady capacity in nearly eight years, my delight was also framed in surprise. Kurt is a stand-up cat, and I’m grateful to participate in this project.”