Inspired by Spider-Man’s sidekick Spider-Man, Marvel released a series of variant covers last year that included never-before-seen sidekicks from some of Marvel’s most popular heroes, dubbed “New Champions.” True to Gwenpool’s style, these variants have been successful enough that Marvel has announced new champion Writer’s ongoing series Steve Fox and artist Ivan Fiorelli.
The official press release and bidding information are as follows:
Last year, fans were introduced to new heroes inspired by Marvel icons in the popular New Champions Variants cover series. Readers have been eager for their in-universe debut ever since, and after a few appearances in different titles over the past few months, they’re set to explode onto the pages in their own ongoing series.
The group started with free, Hell Rune, Attendant of the Moonand Surprise studentsbut this first part of the series will quickly expand as more new champions answer the call! But not all are destined to be heroes, and some have dark ties to Marvel’s established lore that could spell disaster for the fledgling team. Each new champion has a story to tell, and together they change the world! Mystery, action, and drama await you as Marvel Comics’ next team of beloved teen superheroes assembles!
Who is the new champion?
What do four children, whose lives are upended by the Scarlet Witch’s mysterious disciple Hydra, a cursed roller derby jammer and a Waganda escapee, have in common? not much! But when the mysterious power of the Hell Rune activates and brings them together, they must learn how to work quickly as a team or face the wrath of the Hela Cult!
“When I saw the new champion variants, my mind began to ponder the possible origins, powers and codenames of these imaginary companions,” Fox explains. “Reverse-engineering the cast for the cover was unlike any other creative process I’ve been involved in, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Ivan to debut all-new Marvel heroes (and some villains!) in The New Champions excited.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the new champions!” said Fiorelli. “What really excites me about this project is the opportunity to bring new faces into the Marvel Universe and explore something completely new. These young heroes have their own stories to tell, and I’m excited to see how they evolve as the series evolves. And grow and evolve. I hope readers will enjoy reading our pages as much as I enjoy illustrating them!
“Throughout my career, I’ve longed to write a team of teenage heroes – it’s that time in everyone’s lives when we figure out who we really are and add Nordic magic, jet-powered fists to the search. Or the unexpected gate to hell.
New Champion #1
Written by Steve Fox
ARTWORK BY IVAN FIORELLI AND IG GUARA
Cover author: GLEB MELNIKOV
Variant cover of PACO MEDINA
VARIANT COVER OF LUCIANO VECCHIO
Variant cover of FEDERICO VICENTINI
On sale 1/8