In a surprising recent turn of events, Marvel Comics announces legendary writer J. Michael Straczynski will return in 2025 to write a series of unlikely team-up stories. Starting with the unlikely pairing of Doctor Doom and Rocket Raccoon, Staczynski will tell a unique story in each new issue and launches on January 22nd.
“I like to go to interesting places, and the idea of putting together Marvel characters who have never been paired together before or only minimally paired together seemed like it would be fun and more exciting than I expected,” Straczynski said in explained in a Marvel press release. “For the first time in China, we saw the original Nick Fury and the Flying Tigers take on the newly awakened Fragrant Fur… traveling to the edge of time and space with Rocket Raccoon and Doctor Doom… seeing the Ghost Rider duke it out with Galactus has nothing to do with it…Aunt May and Agatha Harkness are thrown into a supernatural battle together…the more unlikely the pairing, the weirder the combination, the more interesting it is to see it come to life I’m already following this series. News for over a year now, I’m excited to know it will finally be on newsstands starting in January.
The series is created in the spirit of best-selling comics such as Jonathan Hickman and Sanford Green doom and Chip Zdarski and Daniel Acuña Avengers: Twilight. There will be an incredible line-up of artistic talent taking part in these runs Will Robson, Bernard Chang, Elena Casagrande, Germán Peralta, Juan Ferreiraand Phil Noto.
Full list of titles and pairings:
- Doctor Doom and Rocket Raccoon
- Captain America and Volstagg
- Nick Fury VS. Fin Fang Fu
- The Incredible Hulk and Doctor Strange (and a backup story starring Aunt May and Agatha Harkness!)
- Ghost Rider VS. Devourer
- Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus
Check out the covers and read the official press release below.
Prolific writer J. Michael Straczynski has brought his masterful storytelling skills to nearly every corner of the Marvel Universe, including the critically acclaimed series The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Fantastic Four,etc. Starting this January, follow Straczynski’s imagination to his next step as he creates a new series of standalone one-shots, collaborating with two of his chosen Marvel icons – both in unexpected ways Teamwork or action-packed showdowns!
In the spirit of recent best-selling comics by Jonathan Hickman and Sanford Green doom and Chip Zdarsky and Daniel Acuña Avengers: Twilight SagaStraczynski’s new one-shot invites all fans—new and returning readers alike—to enjoy timeless and thrilling stories about some of today’s most beloved and talked-about Marvel characters . Joining Straczynski will be an incredible cast of artistic talent: Will Robson, Bernard Chang, Elena Casagrande, Germán Peralta, Juan Ferreira and Phil Noto.
Straczynski and Robson start the game Doctor Doom and Rocket Raccoon Doom does something he never wanted to do: ask for help! What awaits Latvian Rockets? Mischief, miscommunication, and an emotional journey across time and space in the Mighty Marvel Way! Vostagg then recruited the Liberty Sentinels from Straczynski and Zhang Captain America and Volstagg. When war breaks out across the Nine Realms, Volstagg, a trio of warriors, turns to the only man with the power to end it: Captain America Steve Rogers!
Check out all the characters featured in a special promo created by Leinil Francis Yu, which will also be available as a variant cover for DOCTOR DOOM & ROCKET RACCOON #1 as well as the first three one-shot covers.
Doctor Doom and Rocket Raccoon #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Will Robson’s artwork
Cover by Gary Frank
PROMOTIONAL VARIANT COVER FOR LEINIL FRANCIS YU
On sale 1/22
Captain America and Volstagg #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Bernard Chang’s artwork
Cover author: Terry Dodson
On sale 2/26
Nick Fury VS. Fragrance Form #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Elena Casagrande’s artwork
Cover by Gary Frank
On sale in March
Hulk and Doctor Strange #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
ARTWORK BY GERMÁN PERALTA
Cover author: Terry Dodson
On sale in May
Ghost Rider vs. Devourer #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Juan Ferreira’s artwork
Cover author: Terry Dodson
On sale in June
Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus #1
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Artwork by Phil Noto
Cover author: Terry Dodson
On sale in June
