This article refers to the 1984 Secret Wars comic book series. For the 2004 series, see Secret War (comics). For other uses see Secret Wars (disambiguation).

Secret Wars
Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #1 (May 1984). Cover art by Mike Zeck.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
Schedule	Monthly
Format	limited series
Publication date	May 1984 – Apr. 1985
Number of issues	12
Main character(s)	Cast of characters
Creative team
Writer(s)	Jim Shooter
Penciller(s)	Mike Zeck, Bob Layton

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is a twelve-issue comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton.

Contents 1 Publication history 2 Plot summary 3 Alternate versions 3.1 What If? 4 In other media 4.1 Television 4.2 Toys 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Publication history

The series was conceived by Marvel Comics' Editor-in-chief Jim Shooter:

“

Kenner had licensed the DC Heroes. Mattel had He-Man, but wanted to hedge in case superheroes became the next big fad. They were interested in Marvel's characters, but only if we staged a publishing event that would get a lot of attention, and they could build a theme around. Fans, especially young fans often suggested to me 'one big story with all the heroes and all the villains in it', so I proposed that. It flew. Mattel thought that kids responded well to the word, "secret" so after a couple of working names bit the dust, we called the story 'Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars'.'[1]

”

Crossover titles include Amazing Spider-Man;^[2] Avengers;^[3] Captain America;^[4] Hulk;^[5]Iron Man;^[6]The Thing;^[7] Fantastic Four;^[8] Marvel Team-Up;^[9] Thor^[10] and Uncanny X-Men^[11]

A sequel titled Secret Wars II was published from July 1985 to March 1986.

[edit] Plot summary

A cosmic entity called the Beyonder observes the mainstream Marvel universe. Fascinated by the presence of superheroes on Earth and their potential, this entity chooses a group of both heroes and supervillains and teleports characters against their will to "Battleworld", a planet created by the Beyonder in a distant galaxy. This world has also been stocked with alien weapons and technology. The Beyonder then declares: "I am from beyond! Slay your enemies and all that you desire shall be yours! Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!"^[12]

The heroes include the Avengers (Captain America; the second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau; Hawkeye; the second Iron Man, Jim Rhodes; She-Hulk; Thor and the Wasp); three members of the Fantastic Four: Human Torch, Mister Fantastic and the Thing; solo heroes the Hulk; Spider-Man; Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter) and the mutant team X-Men, Colossus; Cyclops; Magneto; Nightcrawler; Professor X; Rogue; Storm; Wolverine and mascot Lockheed the Dragon).

The villains include the Absorbing Man; Doctor Doom; Doctor Octopus; Enchantress; the time-traveller Kang the Conqueror; Klaw; Spider-Man foe Lizard; Molecule Man; Titania; Ultron; Volcana and the Wrecking Crew. The cosmic entity Galactus also features as a non-aligned entity.

The heroes (the X-Men choose to remain a separate unit) and villains have several skirmishes. There are several significant developments in the series: villainesses Titania and Volcana are created;^[13] the second Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter, is introduced;^[14] Spider-Man finds and wears the black costume for the first time, initially unaware that the costume is actually an alien symbiote;^[15] Doctor Doom temporarily steals a portion of the Beyonder's power;^[16] having fallen in love with the alien healer Zsaji (who sacrifices her life on Battleworld to save the heroes), mutant Colossus ends his romantic relationship with a heartbroken Kitty Pryde;^[17] the Thing remains behind on Battleworld and explores the galaxy for a year^[18] with heroine She-Hulk temporarily joining the Fantastic Four as his replacement.^[19]

[edit] Alternate versions

[edit] What If?

The alternate universe title What If features two issues depicting different outcomes: the heroes staying on Battleworld (and having children)^[20] and Doom retaining the Beyonder's power.^[21]

[edit] In other media

[edit] Television

• An abbreviated form of the Secret Wars was depicted in the 90's Spider-Man TV series.

[edit] Toys

• Mattel released three Secret Wars toylines consisting of figures (with a series of vehicles and accessories) in 1984 - 1985.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Secret Wars at Marvel.com
• The Ultimate Guide to Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars Action Figure Index
• The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
• Secret Wars at the Comic Book DB
• Art Asylum Fans's Choice Secret Wars Poll