Stephen King is not only a famously prolific writer, but he's known as the modern master of horror. For 50 years, Stephen King has been producing masterpieces of the macabre. It's no wonder there have been heated debates over which Stephen King books are the best of the best.

For our list below, we chose from among King's published novels and rounded up our top 10 favorites. This list is in no particular order, (although we numbered the list for ease of scrolling). So, no compilations, novellas, or short stories. Also, note that this list represents top Stephen King novels, not the most obscure. So, if you're already familiar with this work in 2024, you can probably guess what made the cut. Many of these books also made our ranked list of the best Stephen King movies, too.

TL;DR – These are the Best Stephen King Books to Read:

1. Carrie

King struck gold starting with his very first novel, Carrie. The titular character is immediately recognizable to most readers as most of us went to school with someone like her. The themes of ostracism and bullying continue to resonate as much now as they did when the novel was published in 1974. Unlike some of the other books on this list, Carrie is a brisk read and makes a great introduction to King's writing style. It's no surprise this novel was turned into a movie version, Carrie in 1976.

2. Christine

If Carrie is one side of the proverbial coin, then Christine is the other. A beat-up 1958 Plymouth Fury catches the eye of high school outcast Arnie Cunningham, and after purchasing it, he becomes obsessed with restoring it. Unfortunately for him, the car is possessed by evil, and he becomes its pawn. The book critiques car culture, bullying, and masculine self-image and is another title from King that remains incredibly relevant.

3. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger

While the latter half of The Dark Tower book series – and the Dark Tower Movie – missed the mark for some fans, no one can deny it started with a bang. The first book in the multi-decade epic, The Gunslinger, is a western at heart, much more so than the following volumes. Our introduction to Roland Deschain and Mid-World is a short gritty tale full of heartache and death, which snakes its tendrils throughout King's other works.

4. It

It is just a bit shorter than The Stand, but it’s essentially two books. Just like the recent It movies, part one deals with a group of children as they try to deal with an entity preying on the citizens of Derry, Maine. The second half finds them reuniting as adults to take It (otherwise known as Pennywise) down for good. The book drives home the horrors the kids faced in a way the films didn't quite have time to and is lauded as one of the best horror novels of all time.

5. Misery

They say misery loves company, and Annie Wilkes proves that in spades. King was somehow prescient about toxic fandoms because when Wilkes finds her favorite novelist, Paul Sheldon," after a car accident and nurses him back to health, she begins to demand that he start writing the books to her liking. Unfortunately for him, she uses a hammer instead of mean tweets. The movie is an absolute classic, but the source material is definitely worth a read as well.

6. The Shining

As with It, The Shining takes readers deeper than The Shining film ever could. It's evident that Jack Torrance is somewhat of a King self-insert if you know his history of addiction. As a result, the novel is a bit more sympathetic to him, making the end result much more tragic. It also drives home the isolation and the growing madness Jack feels, which makes his inevitable rampage that much scarier.

7. The Stand

A plague devastates the world in The Stand, and two societies form in the post-apocalyptic aftermath. This 1,000-page tome traces humanity's fate from the virus outbreak to the conclusion of a fight between good and evil. The Stand is an excellent read, but like many books this size, there are some pacing issues. However, it's worth slogging through the few meandering sections as it has a very satisfying ending.

8. Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary follows the Creed family, who relocate from Boston to Maine. While settling into their new home, they stumble on a mysterious burial ground in the woods. When they discover it has the power to bring dead animals back to life, they become entangled with an unspeakable evil they'll wish they had never crossed. It's a difficult read for animal lovers, but an outstanding slow burn of a thriller that'll keep you equal parts terrified and engaged to the end.

9. The Mist

In The Mist, a group of small town locals find themselves trapped together inside a busy grocery store when a thick fog rolls in. Attempts to leave during the mysterious storm are met with terrifying attacks and confusing disappearances. This novella is a quick but exciting read that'll have you thinking twice about what could lie in the fog – lest there be dangerous predators looking to snack on human beings. If you haven't read this one yet, it's worth it, even if you've already seen the movie adaptation! For those who haven't read the novel or seen the movie, let me ask you; what lies within the mysterious mist, and how will anyone ever make it out alive?

10. The Green Mile

The Green Mile is widely considered one of King's masterpieces, though it's less of a horror tale than the rest of the books on this list. It follows death row supervisor Paul Edgecombe as he interacts with an inmate named John Coffey. Coffey has been placed on death row for a crime he may not have committed, and he displays powerful, otherworldly healing abilities. If you still haven't seen this movie or read the book, be warned; this thriller is a tearjerker that'll leave you contemplating the meaning of life far beyond you reach its shocking conclusion.

Stephen King FAQs

How many Stephen King books are there?

There are 64 total novels (and more than 200 short stories) by Stephen King to-date.

How many Stephen King adaptations are there?

There are 51 total Stephen King Movies and 28 TV adaptations at this moment in time. Currently, there are three movies planned and one TV series in the works. However, there haven't been any details or updates since production was announced for each title:

1. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Movie)
2. Hearts (Movie)
3. Sleeping Beauties (AMC TV series)
4. Suffer the Little Children (Movie)

Can we expect a sequel to Salem's Lot?

"Actually, I'm hoping to write a sequel to almost all of my novels and you will find those in Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower—really in the whole Dark Tower sequence. You'll find out a lot of what happened in 'Salem's Lot for one thing and one character in particular - I'm not going to tell you which one. This is in no way an advertisement for The Dark Tower books, but it is my way of saying that The Dark Tower books finishes up a lot of business from the other books." - StephenKing.com

New and Upcoming Stephen King Books

Stephen King is never done writing. A new book, You Like It Darker will feature 12 short stories, many of which have never been published. You can expect this book to arrive on May 21, 2024, but you can pre-order it now on Amazon and other booksellers:

Pre-Order 'You Like It Darker'

Brittany Vincent is a freelance video game and entertainment writer for IGN, covering anime, thrillers, and more.

The hit game High on Life is making the jump to comics this summer. As we wait for this promising new spinoff, IGN can exclusively debut cover images and interior art from the second chapter of the series.

Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at High on Life #2:

The High on Life comic is written by Alec Robbins, a veteran of the game who also created the webcomic Mr. Boop. The series is drawn by Kit Wallis (Wonderland) and colored by JP Jordan (Plough Man). Issue #2's main cover is by VV Glass (@ana_dapta on X and @anadapta on Instagram), while Cover C was designed using assets from the game. Cover B is yet to be revealed.

Here's Titan's official description for High on Life #2:

THE BOUNTY HUNTER HAS BECOME THE HUNTED!

The chase is on; Harper leads the Bounty Hunter and the gang to her abandoned Gatlian Resistance, where the horrifying monument stirs long-suppressed memories in Creature's mind. Meanwhile, Smithon Wesson takes a trip to Space Applebee's... WITHOUT a reservation.

High on Life #2 will be released on July 10, 2024.

The High on Life game scored an 8 out of 10 in IGN's review, with Travis Northup writing, "High on Life is an irreverent, absurd shooter that manages to shine with its outrageous humor, silly setting and story, and some really goofy, foul-mouthed guns that pull the whole thing together for the vast majority of the time. Combat is a bit sloppy, especially during the first act, and the whole sci-fi adventure sometimes has an unpolished feel to it, but once you get some new tools of destruction and movement options, it rises to the occasion. Not all of its jokes find their punchline, but with memorable boss fights, unique alt-fire abilities and exploration, and way more terrible movies to watch than I expected, this wacky journey is definitely worth your time."

More recently, the game received its first expansion in the form of the DLC campaign HIgh on Knife.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

The Fallout Magic: the Gathering crossover collection is “probably” Magic’s most successful Commander set of all time, according to Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks.

The entertainment company’s head spoke about the success of its latest collaboration project during its Q1 2024 earnings call today (via Polygon). During a Q&A segment, he explained that, while the set was well-received, Commander sets can’t be compared 1-to-1 with premier sets.

“I would say Fallout has been a great set,” Cocks said. “I’m a little bit of a fanboy, so I’ll try not to preen a little bit too much – I’ve been playing it since the ‘90s – but it’s probably our best-performing Commander set ever, whether it’s a Universes Beyond set or not. However, Commander sets tend to be quite a bit smaller than our overall premier sets, so you have weight that accordingly.”

He continues, explaining that Magic: the Gathering is in a “pretty healthy” place as engagement reaches pre-pandemic levels. That’s thanks in part to Fallout as well as the recently released Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander set.

Commander sets don’t quite compare to premier sets, which include things like the franchise’s massively popular Lord of the Rings collaboration from last year. Magic crossovers fall under the company’s Universes Beyond banner and encompass past releases like the Stranger Things, Tomb Raider, Warhammer 40,000, and Evil Dead sets. Cocks is confident that future crossovers, including the upcoming Final Fantasy and Marvel sets, will reach the same heights Hasbro saw with Lord of the Rings.

“I think Final Fantasy and Marvel are going to be pretty significant sets,” Cocks said. “I would put them in the same league, at least, as what we saw with Lord of the Rings.”

He continued: “Marvel is just a huge IP. We’re going to be doing multiple sets with the Walt Disney Company on that, which we’re pretty excited about. Then, Final Fantasy, it’s huge inside of North America and Europe, but our sales in Japan will probably dwarf what we did with Lord of the Rings because of the resonance it has in that market.”

Hasbro’s Magic Fallout crossover transformed a treasure trove of wasteland creatures into collectible trading cards when the collaboration released early last month. Some notable inclusions saw the ever-loyal Dogmeat and New Vegas’ fierce ruler, Caesar, get their own cards, with other highlights referencing Mr. House, Feral Ghouls, Deathclaws, V.A.T.S., radiation, Nuka-Cola, and more.

The Fallout series has wormed its way into a few different mediums recently. While Magic introduced card versions of some iconic faces from the games, Bethesda brought the franchise to the world of TV with its Fallout show on Amazon Prime. We gave the spinoff series a 9/10 in our review, so be sure to check it out while we wait to see what’s next from the Bethesda post-apocalyptic universe.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Warning: this article contains full spoilers for X-Men ‘97: Season 1, Episode 7. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out IGN’s review for “Bright Eyes.”

X-Men ‘97 threw viewers for a loop with its fifth episode, culminating in the deaths of countless mutants on Genosha, including the fan-favorite Gambit. But who was responsible for unleashing the giant Master Mold? Episode 6 suggested it was Mister Sinister, but in the wake of Episode 7, we know a true mastermind villain is pulling even Sinister’s strings. Meet Bastion.

Bastion is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous and resourceful villains the X-men have ever faced in the comics. But who is Bastion. Is he human, Sentinel or something else entirely? Here’s what you need to know about this Marvel villain and how he may factor into the final three episodes of X-Men ‘97’s first season.

Bastion and Operation: Zero Tolerance

Bastion was created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Pasqual Ferry and debuted in 1996’s X-Men #52. He is the leader of Operation: Zero Tolerance, a secretive government program designed to neutralize the threat of mutants.

While Bastion originally believes himself to be a government agent named Sebastion Gilberti, he eventually discovers the truth about himself. He’s actually a fusion of a Master Mold and the futuristic Sentinel Nimrod, becoming something wholly new after passing through the mystical portal known as the Siege Perilous. His powers include incredible strength, energy projection, flight and the ability to control other Sentinels.

Bastion is the main villain of the 1996 crossover storyline Operation: Zero Tolerance. With Professor Xavier a captive of the government following the Onslaught storyline, Bastion gains access to the Xavier Protocols, giving his invaluable intel on the X-Men’s weaknesses. Using this knowledge and a new nanotechnology that allows him to transform ordinary humans into all-powerful Prime Sentinels, Bastion launches an all-out assault on the X-Men.

Though he was defeated and Operation: Zero Tolerance was shut down, Bastion has returned to plague the X-Men several times over the years. Most notably, Bastion is the main villain of 2010’s X-Men: Second Coming crossover, which occurs at a time when mutantkind is on the brink of extinction. This highly evolved, humanoid Sentinel will always be one of the X-Men’s deadliest foes.

Bastion in X-Men ‘97

Bastion was teased via Easter eggs in early episodes of the series (including a photo in Forge’s cabin in Episode 4), but this villain first makes his presence known in X-Men ‘97’s fifth episode, as he sends a hulking Master Mold to Genosha to wipe out this newly emerging mutant nation. The resulting bloodshed claims thousands of lives, including Gambit and seemingly Magneto.

Bastion doesn’t appear in the “flesh” until Episode 7, as the X-Men mourn the dead and begin uncovering the truth about Operation: Zero Tolerance. Bastion emerges from hiding to kill Henry Peter Gyrich and is later shown conferring with Mister Sinister, who seemingly had a hand in creating Bastion’s advanced cybernetic body.

Based on that scene, it appears the series is altering Bastion’s origin somewhat. Rather than being a mystical fusion of Master Mold and Nimrod, Bastion looks to be designed by Sinister using cybernetics based on Nimrod’s body. Bastion also alludes to being someone the X-Men have faced before, a villain who has managed to evolve in the way men like Sinister haven’t. Is he simply referring to being derived from Nimrod, or is Bastion actually another villain we’ve seen before, like Graydon Creed or the X-Cutioner?

Whatever his origin, it’s clear Bastion is being positioned as the endgame villain of Season 1. The final three episodes of Season 1 are dubbed “Tolerance Is Extinction,” suggesting the series will adapt the Operation: Zero Tolerance comic storyline. The X-Men’s battle with Bolivar Trask shows that Bastion has already perfected his Prime Sentinel technology. He also seems poised to tap into the Xavier Files and target the X-Men with deadly force. Will Gambit be the only X-Man to fall this season?

Bastion also reveals that both Xavier and Magneto factor heavily into his plans. He hopes to expose the lie that Xavier died, shattering the public’s newfound trust in the X-Men. As for Magneto, we learn that the Master of Magnetism survived his apparent death on Genosha and is now Bastion’s prisoner. Will Bastion transform Magneto into some horrific mutant version of a Prime Sentinel? Will he seize on the fact that the general public is still wary of this former mutant terrorist, transforming him into a boogeyman who will further galvanize humans against mutants?

At this point, the time-traveling Cable may be the X-Men’s only hope. Cable is seen racing to prevent the destruction of Genosha in Episode 5, only to arrive too late. He returns in Episode 7, narrowly saving the X-Men from their first encounter with a Prime Sentinel. The threat of Bastion is now so great that Cable has to travel into the past to stop a hellish future from coming to pass. At this point, the X-Men need all the help they can get.

For more on X-Men '97, learn about why Vulcan's debut is such a big deal and why it's great that the series remembered the melodrama.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Russell Dauterman is undoubtedly one of the most talented artists working at Marvel Comics today, both thanks to his gorgeous cover art, his interior work in books like The Mighty Thor and his striking fashion designs for the X-Men's Hellfire Gala. That makes Dauterman a natural choice to join Clover Press' growing lineup of artist showcase books.

With the crowdfunding campaign for The Marvel Art of Russell Dauterman now live, IGN can exclusively reveal the retro-styled trading cards included with higher pledge tiers. Head to the slideshow gallery below for a look at these stunning X-Men cards:

The Marvel Art of Russell Dauterman is a 9"x12" coffee table art book featuring 216 pages of Dauterman's artwork, including both published images and rare and never-before-seen art. The crowdfunding campaign features a number of tiers with different bonus rewards, including the aforementioned trading cards, a 1000-piece Women of Marvel puzzle, art prints and massive 24"x36" posters of Dauterman's Hellfire Gala and X-Men '97 art.

“Since I saw X-Men: The Animated Series as a seven-year-old, I’ve loved the X-Men,” said Dauterman in a press release. “That show led me to a love of Marvel Comics and to a career as a comic book artist. I’m so grateful to work for Marvel and to draw the characters I’ve loved for nearly my whole life. I’m beyond thrilled to share that art in this book!”

“Russell's art is stunning. His sense of design and composition, plus his modern sense of storytelling, makes him one of Marvel's top artists to follow, " added Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz. "And follow they do - it was great to see his X-Men '97 #1 variant cover go viral on social media when he and Marvel revealed it, leading into the animated series debut. His love for these characters comes through with every page.”

Clover Press previous Marvel art books have included The Marvel Art of Alex Maleev, The Marvel Art of David Mack and The Marvel Art of David Nakayama.

In other comic book news, the Avengers are about to cross over with the Aliens universe, and we've got an exclusive preview of IDW's Batman: Year One Artist's Edition hardcover.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

We're always excited to see Dark Horse announce a new comic under the Berger Books imprint, which is helmed by former Vertigo Executive Editor Karen Berger. IGN can exclusively reveal the newest addition to the Berger Books line, a time travel-themed graphic novel called Backflash.

Backflash is created by writer Mat Johnson (Inconegro) and artist Steve Lieber (Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, Whiteout). The creative team also includes colorist Lee Loughridge (Fables) and letterer Clem Robins (Abe Sapien). Check out Lieber's cover art below:

Here's Dark Horse's official description for the graphic novel:

Presented by acclaimed and award-winning creators, writer Mat Johnson (Incognegro, Pym) and artist Steve Lieber (Detective Comics, Hawkman), Backflash tells the story of Devin, whose life is spiraling out of control, until he discovers the impossible: by touching an article of family memorabilia, he can travel back in time, mentally reliving the best moments of his past while escaping his problems of the present. But the more Devin "backflashes" he finds himself on a trail of family mystery and betrayal. On this hunt for a truth that was never supposed to come to light, Devin must come to terms with his past if he wants any chance at a future.

"I’ve been Steve Lieber’s number one fan since reading The Superior Foes of Spider-Man,” said Johnson in a statement. “Not only are his illustrations gorgeous, but their mix of humorand heart are totally unique in the comics landscape. It was a bucket-list dream to teamup with Steve, and even more special to do so on such a personal project, inspired as it is by the recent loss of my mom. Having the project benefit from the editing of the legendary Karen Berger made it all even more magical.”

I’ve been a huge fan of Mat's work since Pym and Incognegro, and it's been a tremendous privilege to work with him on Backflash,” said Lieber. “Every moment of this story is full of humor and pathos and true-to-life observation."

“It’s been a thrill working with Mat again, and Steve for the first time--two masterful storytellers at the top of their game,” said Berger. “Together they deliver a delightfully strange and fresh take on time travel, full of emotional power and sly wit. It’s a hell of a ride!”

Backflash is 104 pages long and is priced at $22.99. The book will be released in bookstores on November 12 and comic shops on November 13.

In other comic book news, the Avengers are about to cross over with the Aliens universe, and we've got an exclusive preview of IDW's Batman: Year One Artist's Edition hardcover.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Today happens to be National Shakespeare Day, which is the perfect time to reveal that the acclaimed comic book series Kill Shakespeare is making a comeback. Pulitzer Prize-winning creator Anthony Del Col is continuing this saga with a new original graphic novel titled Romeo vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure.

IGN can exclusively debut the cover art for this new graphic novel and its Free Comic Book Day 2024 preview issue. Check them out, along with interior art from the upcoming Kill Shakespeare 1st Folio compendium, in the slideshow gallery below:

Romeo vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure is written by Del Col, with art by Stefan Tosheff, letters by Becca Carey and cover art by Richard Isanove. This new graphic novel is the debut release from Gemstone, the company best known for publishing The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.

For those not familiar with Kill Shakespeare, the franchise explores a world where all of Shakespeare's stories and characters exist in one shared universe. While Romeo vs. Juliet is designed as an accessible entry point into KIll Shakespeare, for those who want to catch up on this unique universe, Gemstone will be publishing two Folio collections that reprint the earlier IDW Publishing graphic novels.

“Hamlet. Juliet. Othello. Lady Macbeth. These are some of the greatest characters ever created,” said Del Col in a statement. “I'm so excited to be back in the world of Kill Shakespeare where they—and many others—all co-exist (and sometimes battle, naturally) and to be working with Gemstone on this. Our new story Romeo Vs. Juliet is a great entry point for everyone—a Shakespearean western in which Juliet Capulet has survived her ordeal with Romeo and has reinvented herself as an independent warrior-for-hire. In order to help protect a small nunnery and border town from her ex-lover, Juliet must reunite with old allies, including Hamlet, Othello, and Puck. And did I mention Juliet’s pregnant? And the father could be either Hamlet… or Romeo? What could be more Shakespearean than that?”

Look for the Romeo vs. Juliet saga to begin with the release of the FCBD 2024 special on May 4, followed by the full graphic novel on November 19. Kill Shakespeare 1st Folio will be release on September 24, and 2nd Folio will follow in Spring 2025.

In other comic book news, the Avengers are about to cross over with the Aliens universe, and we've got an exclusive preview of IDW's Batman: Year One Artist's Edition hardcover.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

The trailers for Deadpool & Wolverine definitely raise more questions than they answer. The plot of this long-awaited third Deadpool movie is still shrouded in mystery, and it’s only with the release of the full trailer that we’ve even gotten a good look at Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. But which Wolverine is this, anyway?

That’s probably the biggest question surrounding the new trailer. So let’s take a closer look at the evidence and why this might not be a version of Logan we’ve ever seen before. And while we’re at it, what does Wolverine have in common with Tom Hiddleston’s Loki? Here’s what we know.

Which Version of Wolverine Is This?

Trying to make sense of the convoluted X-Men movie timeline is far easier said than done. In some ways, that cinematic universe just doesn’t fit together. But the gist is that there are two distinct timelines in Fox’s X-Men universe. The first consists of everything through 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. The events of DoFP create an alternate timeline that paves the way for 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse, 2019’s Dark Phoenix and, finally, the bleak and depressing endcap that is 2017’s Logan. No matter which timeline you choose, it seems things are destined to end in death and misery for the X-Men.

So, which timeline is this Wolverine being pulled from? The evidence in the new trailer seems to point to this being a post-Days of Future Past, pre-Logan version of the character. We see him mourning the X-Men in front of a series of massive gravestones, suggesting this flashback scene is after the ailing Professor Xavier accidentally killed his students in a psychic attack. It’s possible Deadpool & Wolverine will do what Logan didn’t and showcase that tragic event rather than simply alluding to it.

Another telltale clue is that Logan is having trouble popping his claws (“Whiskey d*** of the claws,” as Wade sums it up). The version of Wolverine in Logan had similar problems. This Wolverine isn’t quite as haggard and physically broken as he is in Logan, but he’s well on his way.

These signs point to the idea that Deadpool recruits Wolverine a few months or years before the events of the Logan movie. However, another possibility is being floated by some fans. What if this Wolverine is from a third timeline we haven’t seen before?

In the original X-Men movie timeline, Logan leaves the team for years after the events of 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, before finally being re-recruited by Xavier and Magneto in the post-credits scene of 2013’s The Wolverine. Wolverine plays an instrumental role in helping the X-Men rewrite history and eliminate the threat of the Sentinels. But what if this Wolverine never agreed to rejoin the X-Men? What if our mutant heroes fail to change the past because of that, leaving a guilt-ridden Wolverine to mourn his fallen comrades?

These latter two options are certainly intriguing possibilities, and both gel with Ryan Reynolds’ previous comments about this Wolverine being “something completely new.” It would also help Deadpool & Wolverine sidestep any concerns about potentially undoing the events of the Logan movie and erasing the character’s noble sacrifice at the end. This incarnation of Wolverine may share similarities with the Logan version, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same character.

It’s also entirely possible the film will keep things vague. If you want to believe this is Logan’s Wolverine, you can. But if you’d prefer that this is a brand new version of the character, go for it.

Either way, the end result is pretty much the same. This is a Wolverine forced to watch as his loved ones die and carry on alone in a world that hates and fears him. He’s a man filled with pain and regret, and that’s where Deadpool and the TVA step in.

Could Wolverine Be the New Loki?

The first Deadpool & Wolverine trailer showed Reynolds’ Wade Wilson being recruited by the Time Variance Authority. In the second, we get a slightly better idea of why Wade wants to recruit Logan to fight alongside him. Wade has no experience in saving the world, let alone the entire multiverse. The previous two Deadpool movies were smaller in scope, with Wade being motivated by revenge or the desire to save those close to him. He’s too selfish to be a true superhero, in other words. He clearly hopes fighting alongside Wolverine will give him a crash course in playing the hero. Unfortunately, this Wolverine seems too disillusioned and heartbroken to be of much help.

It’s hard not to be reminded of Marvel’s Loki series here. The show opens with the 2012 version of Loki being apprehended by the TVA following his escape in Avengers: Endgame. Loki is then shown a highlight reel of the many triumphs and tragedies that befall him in the future, culminating in his death at Thanos’ hands in Avengers: Infinity War. This glimpse of the future comes as a shock to the self-absorbed god of mischief, sparking a profound transformation in him. Over the course of the series, Loki learns to place the good of the multiverse over his own desires, culminating in a truly selfless sacrifice in the series finale.

Will Wolverine undergo a similar transformation when he’s inducted into the service of the TVA? Will he also be shown glimpses of his future or alternate universe selves as a way of piercing through his crippling depression?

If this is the version of Wolverine from Logan, the TVA might show him the events of the movie and how he learns to become the father figure and protector Dafne Keen’s Laura needs. If this a Wolverine who never rejoins the X-Men for Days of Future Past, maybe the TVA will show the events of that film and the hero he could have become. And if this is a more Old Man Logan-inspired version of the character, the TVA might show him glimpses of other universes where he was the hero the world needed.

Whatever this Wolverine’s backstory is, there’s almost certainly going to be a scene where he undergoes the same crash course in Marvel history that Loki did before him. He’ll be shown proof that he can still be a noble hero to help motivate him to take up the good fight once more. That’s not to say Wolverine will be immediately shaken out of his funk, any more than Loki immediately transformed into a selfless leader in his series. But the TVA will plant the seeds, and eventually Logan will get his mutant groove back in the movie. Deadpool & Wolverine is all about redemption for this disillusioned former X-Man and his wise-cracking partner.

Deadpool and Wolverine vs. Cassandra Nova

We still don’t know a great deal about the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine after the new trailer. Marvel continues to play things pretty close to the vest here. We do know that the TVA recruits Deadpool to help defend the multiverse from an existential threat, and Deadpool in turn seeks out Wolverine’s help.

We may see Wade travel to many Earths in search of the best possible Logan as a partner. The original teaser trailer shows a glimpse of Wolverine in a casino in his Patch persona. This could be another variant of the character, possibly even played by a different actor. The movie could introduce several Wolverine variants before Wade finally settles on the broken-down, world-weary version we see in the main trailer. This would be a great opportunity to include an older version of Dafne Keen’s X-23 as one Wolverine variant.

From there, it appears that much of the conflict in Deadpool & Wolverine takes place in The Void, the barren realm where all the relics of dead timelines are sent to be devoured by the monstrous Alioth. As in Old Man Logan, it appears that Wolverine is embarking on a road trip of sorts, only in this case his partner is Deadpool, not Hawkeye. The trailer shows some Mad Max-style vehicular combat, including the return of Red Skull’s souped-up muscle car from 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. Wherever Wade and Logan are headed, they’re going to face an uphill battle in getting there.

So how does Cassandra Nova fit in? She appears to be the ringleader of a group of mutant villains struggling to stay alive after their universe is pruned. We can clearly see a half-buried 20th Century Fox logo in the sand, so it may be that Fox’s entire X-Men universe is being consigned to the wastebin of the Marvel multiverse. Cassandra and her minions are the last dying gasp of a once-proud universe.

In the aftermath of the Loki series, the TVA is no longer dedicated to preserving the one Sacred Timeline, but instead allowing the multiverse to grow and flourish along its natural course. Some branching timelines must be eliminated for the greater good. Cassandra Nova may want to stay alive, but fate has decreed that she and her timeline must be wiped away. For Deadpool, stopping her is the only way to safeguard his home universe and those he loves. For Wolverine, battling Cassandra Nova is a way to atone for his failures as an X-Man. It’s a bigger fight than either hero has ever faced before, and it’s one that might just leave them in a perfect place to help out during the events of Avengers: Secret Wars.

For more on Deadpool & Wolverine, brush up on the history of Cassandra Nova and see all the Marvel movies and shows in development.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Youtuber Sean McLoughlin, better known as Jacksepticeye, recently made the jump to comic book publishing with a one-shot special called Altrverse #0. Now that this new multiverse has been established, the Altrverse is expanding with the release of two new, full-length issues, Void Silver #1 and The Somewhat Incredible Jackie-Boy Man #1.

IGN can exclusively reveal new details and artwork for both series. Read on to learn more about what to expect from Void Silver and The Somewhat Incredible Jackie-Boy Man.

Void Silver

Creative Team: Jacksepticeye, Alejandro Arbona, Suzi Blake, Andrew Dalhouse & Dave Sharpe

Magic exists alongside science and technology, and its practitioners dwell in every strata of modern society. Exceptional even among these exceptional individuals is the preternaturally gifted…the iconoclastic…the sarcastic and short-tempered…Marvin the Magnificent!

The Somewhat Incredible Jackie-Boy Man

Creative Team: Jacksepticeye, James Asmus, Megan Huang & Dave Sharpe

A long time ago, in a galax—no, wait. Gifted with Great Power and Great Respon--nope. Not that either. After a lifetime of fandom and fantasy, Jackie was caught in a strange, cosmic cock-up that gave him amazing powers! …Or at least, ‘fairly impressive physical abilities’? Now, inspired by the kinds of heroes from his favorite comics, anime, and video games, he’s trying to be a real-life super hero in an otherwise ordinary world, as the somewhat incredible JACKIE-BOY MAN!

Both comics will go up for pre-order on Monday, April 22 on the Bad Egg Publishing website. Each is priced at $5.00 for the digital edition, $15.00 for the standard print version and $20 for the exclusive foil cover. The foil covers will only be available for preorder until April 30. The books will begin shipping on May 15.

In other comic book news, the Avengers are about to cross over with the Aliens universe, and we've got an exclusive preview of IDW's Batman: Year One Artist's Edition hardcover.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Mad Max: Fury Road was praised for continuing the series' tradition of high-octane desert action sequences, and it sounds like upcoming prequel Furiosa is well on track to live up to that.

Director George Miller's longtime producing partner Doug Mitchell hinted at one particularly in-depth action scene in a new interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar), saying the film "has one 15-minute sequence which took us 78 days to shoot." He added that it required nearly 200 stunt workers on set daily.

Unfortunately, we didn't get many more details on that sequence could entail, at least not from Mitchell. However, star Anya Taylor-Joy, who plays a younger version of the title character that Charlize Theron originated in 2015's Fury Road, teased a little bit more about what leads up to it.

"George and I would have these big conversations about why this particular set-piece was so long," Taylor-Joy told Total Film. "It’s because you see an accumulation of skills over the course of a battle, and that’s very important for understanding how resourceful Furiosa is, but also her grit."

Taylor-Joy added that it's "the longest sequence any of us have ever shot": "On the day we finished, everybody got a 'Stairway To Nowhere' wine!"

The highly anticipated prequel is set 15-20 years before the events of Fury Road, and will serve as an origin story for the hardened warrior we saw in Theron's portrayal. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga finds the character after she's snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers by a Biker Horde led by Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), and it'll follow her as she fights her way home through the warring Wasteland.

We've gotten a glimpse at that struggle through a number of trailers over the past few months, and lucky attendees at CinemaCon got a look at some extended footage a couple of weeks ago.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hits theaters on May 24, 2024.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Warning: This article contains plot spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World!

Captain America: Brave New World is the first MCU movie hitting theaters in 2025. And while Marvel has yet to release any footage to the general public (there were clips screened at CinemaCon), we’ve just learned a major new detail about the movie thanks to a McDonald’s Happy Meal leak: Red Hulk will appear as one of the major villains in the fourth Captain America movie.

For those familiar with Harrison Ford’s character, General Thunderbolt Ross, this isn’t exactly surprising news. His transformation into Red Hulk was inevitable. But for those who haven’t kept up with Marvel’s Incredible Hulk comics, here’s what you need to know about Ross’ super-strong alter-ego and why he’s being positioned as the villain of a Captain America movie.

Red Hulk: Who Is Harrison Ford’s Marvel Villain?

General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross is one of Hulk’s oldest enemies, dating all the way back to 1962’s The Incredible Hulk #1. For most of that time, Ross has been a military man and a constant thorn in the side of the wayward Bruce Banner. But there was a period where Ross transformed himself into the very thing he despises most.

Marvel's 2008 Hulk series first introduced Red Hulk. Like Hulk himself, this villain possesses incredible strength and durability. Unlike Hulk, Red Hulk retains his intelligence when transformed and possesses other handy abilities like energy absorption. However, anger is his true weakness. Whereas Hulk grows stronger the angrier he gets, rage causes Red Hulk’s body to overheat with excess gamma radiation.

Red Hulk’s true identity remained a mystery for nearly two years before finally being revealed in the pages of Hulk. Readers finally learned that Red Hulk is none other than Thunderbolt Ross, with Ross relying on a Life Model Decoy to fake his own death as part of the ruse. However, being a Hulk has the unexpected effect of making Ross more sympathetic to Bruce Banner’s plight, and he eventually helps bring down the cabal of super-intelligent villains known as the Intelligencia.

With his human persona dead and buried, Red Hulk has little choice at that point but to accept Steve Rogers’ offer to join the Avengers. Red Hulk serves as a member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and later spearheads his own version of the Thunderbolts.

Eventually, however, his powers are drained when Banner sets about ridding the world of excess Hulks (including Ross’ daughter Betty, who became Red She-Hulk). This dooms Ross to a miserable existence inside a military prison, and he’s later killed as part of a plot to frame Captain America. But with Red Hulk set to make his MCU debut soon, we may see Ross return to life and Hulk out once more in the comics.

How Red Hulk and Thunderbolt Ross Fit Into Captain America 4

Captain America: Brave New World features what may be the biggest MCU role yet for Thunderbolt Ross. That role was previously played by the late William Hurt in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and other films. Now Harrison Ford is taking over the Ross role following Hurt’s death.

Ross is apparently moving up in the world during the Multiverse Saga, as he’s become the new U.S. president following the chaos of 2023’s Secret Invasion. In a world still recovering from the Snap and increasingly fearful of alien shape-shifters hiding in plain sight, we can infer that there exists a real desire for a leader with Ross’ decorated record and experience with superhuman affairs.

Ford’s Ross doesn’t appear to be openly antagonistic to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and other heroes. The footage screened at CinemaCon shows Ross thanking Cap for his role in recovering a valuable material from a Japanese mining site and imploring him to reform the Avengers. That material is described as “the find of the millennium,” and a popular fan theory suggests it’s adamantium (the unbreakable metal that covers Wolverine’s bones).

We suspect the conflict in Captain America 4 hinges on the search for more of this invaluable metal, with Ross seeing it as a tool to develop bigger and better weapons to safeguard his country. Just as Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers rebelled against S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam may not agree with Ross’ militaristic views.

At some point, Ross’ obsession with protecting his country may lead to him undergoing the procedure to become Red Hulk. This Captain Ahab-like figure may find himself becoming the very thing he always hated most. Can Cap and Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres/Falcon stand up to a Hulk unleashed? Will Cap’s unbreakable shield withstand the wrath of Red Hulk?

It’s probably safe to assume that Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader has a central hand in creating the Red Hulk, as he did in the comics. The Leader is likely the true villain of Captain America 4, with Red Hulk being a useful pawn he can manipulate into conflict with Captain America and Falcon.

There’s also the question of what role, if any, Ford’s character will play in 2025’s Thunderbolts. How closely does Captain America 4 set up that film? Are the Thunderbolts specifically named in honor of the general-turned-president-turned-Hulk? Could Red Hulk find himself becoming a member of the Thunderbolts after falling from grace in Brave New World? These are questions worth pondering as we wait for the next wave of MCU movies after Deadpool & Wolverine.

For more on the future of the MCU, brush up on what to expect from Marvel in 2024 and see every Marvel movie and show in development.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Diamond Select Toys recently unveiled a Miles Morales statue based on Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which raises one important question. Where's Peter Parker? Now the wait is over, as Diamond reveals the Marvel Gallery Diorama Gamerverse Spider-Man 2 Spider-Man Deluxe PVC Statue.

IGN can exclusively reveal the first images of this very dynamic piece. Check them out in the slideshow gallery below:

This PVC statue is designed as a companion piece to the Miles Morales statue, with both forming a diorama showcasing the two Spider-Men battling Venom's symbiote tendrils. Even better, Diamond teases that a third statue of Venom himself is also in the works. The final product might dwarf even the infamous "19 inches of Venom" statue from the Spider-Man 2 Collector's Edition.

This Spider-Man statue measures roughly 12 inches tall. It was designed by Nelson X. Asencio and sculpted by John Cleary.

The Marvel Gallery Diorama Gamerverse Spider-Man 2 Spider-Man Deluxe PVC Statue is priced at $85.00 and is slated for release in Winter 2024/2025. Preorders will open on the Diamond Select Toys website and other retailers on Friday, April 26.

You'll also be able to order this new Spidey statue on the IGN Store. For now, you can check out the various other Diamond Select Toys products on the IGN Store.

Not to be outdone, Hot Toys is getting in one the Spider-Man 2 fun with a truly massive Venom figure that clocks in at a whopping 21 inches tall.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

The Avengers have saved Earth from many extraterrestrial threats, but they're about to face their biggest challenge yet in Avengers vs. Aliens. That's right, Earth's Mightiest Heroes are taking on the Xenomorphs.

As revealed by Entertainment Weekly, this new four-issue limited series will reunite Secret Wars writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribić. The series is set in the future of the Marvel Universe, as an older, grittier team of Avengers fights to protect Earth from a Xenomorph invasion (a doomsday scenario that has yet to happen in the Alien movies).

"I've never worked on a licensed or 'non-superhero' property the entire time I've been at Marvel, so when all of this came together almost two years ago, I kind of jumped at the opportunity," Hickman told EW. "I love the Aliens universe and the mythology, and obviously just how atmospherically and well-designed everything is has always gotten my creative juices flowing. It was tricky finding a way to make these two things work together, but I think Esad and I landed on something that works for fans of both franchises."

"Probably one of the coolest things about the project is how we've found really fun ways to 'Avengerize' Aliens and 'alien-up' Avengers," Hickman added. "I think fans will be surprised at how elegantly some of those things fit together. It really turned out to be a chocolate-and-peanut-butter situation."

Marvel teases that the series will delve deep into the mythology of the Alien movies, including featuring the home world of the Engineers in the Marvel Universe for the first time.

Aliens vs. Avengers #1 will be released on July 24, 2024, ahead of the August 16 release of the new movie Alien: Romulus.

This isn't the first time Marvel's heroes have collided with the Alien/Predator universe. 2023's Predator vs. Wolverine chronicled a decades-long feud between Wolverine and a Yautja hunter.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Matt Kindt remains one of the busiest creators in comics, especially since launching his experimental Flux House imprint in 2022. And while Kindt is known for interesting creative collaborations (including co-writing BRZRKR with Keanu Reeves), his latest project, Gilt Frame, might just be his most interesting creative collaboration to date. This time, Kind is writing alongside his own mother.

IGN can exclusively reveal the cover art for all three issues of Gilt Frame. Check them out in the slideshow gallery below:

Gilt Frame is co-written by Matt Kindt and Margie Kraft Kindt and illustrated by Matt Kindt. The series consists of three oversized issues, all chronicling a complex murder mystery and the unlikely detective duo called upon to solve it. Here's Dark Horse's official description of the series:

A classic whodunit that spans the globe from Paris to Hawaii to Montenegro, Gilt Frame stars Sam, an orphan in his early twenties, and his well-off Aunt Merry who has an outsized appetite for antiques, travel, and solving crimes. Sam was adopted by his aunt years ago and together they have solved some of the most notorious murders in the world. Now their latest Parisian adventure is cut short when they stumble upon a murder scene so bizarre that only a raging psychopath could have produced it. To solve this crime, Sam and Merry will have to wrestle with jewel thieves, art-forgers, gun-runners, the century-old ghost of the woman in black, a lost puppy, and a master French detective who just might solve the crime before they do.

“While we were working on this book it brought back memories of me when I was ten or so…and Mom constructing pretend 'crime scenes' at home for me to solve,” said Matt Kindt in a statement. “Follow the fake bloody footprints to figure out what happened. Pay attention to the broken clock. Why is that door open? That childhood memory actually explains a lot. Very formative. So of course it only makes sense for us to build another crime scene together. Brings me back to my roots and to what writing has always been for me – play. We’re having fun.”

“Although it is a privilege and thrill to collaborate with someone of Matthew’s caliber and of his generation, the real joy and value is personal,” said Margie Kraft Kindt. “What a bonus at this time of life, the gift and pleasure of so many hours and days in the company of a grown-up son, sitting across from each other at our partner table, settling into our chairs as we brainstorm plot twists. Each of us takes on the roles of our characters. I develop the energetic persona of the star of Gilt Frame, the take-charge Meredith Pearson — Aunt Merry to her beloved nephew and best buddy, Sammy — while Matt shoots out dialogue for him. We toss around how they would play off each other — so completely immersed in the exhilarating work we are both passionate about, that every once in a while, we stop and ask each other, ‘Are you getting this down?’”

Gilt Frame #1 will be published by Dark Horse Comics on August 7, 2024, with advance copies also being sold at San Diego Comic-Con.

Previous Flux House releases include Spy Superb and the horror series Hairball. On the BRZRKR front, BOOM! Studios recently unveiled the latest spinoff to this ever-growing saga - BRZRKR: A Faceful of Bullets.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

For comic book readers who love seeing the process of how their favorite books came together, IDW's Artist's Edition line is a real treasure trove. Each of these books reproduces the artist's original, uncolored artwork in minute detail, blemishes and all. It's the next best thing to owning that original artwork. Now the Artist's Edition line is finally getting around to tackling one of the most iconic and influential DC stories of all time, Batman: Year One.

IGN can exclusively debut a new preview of the Batman: Year One Artist's Edition hardcover, featuring the stunning artwork of David Mazzucchelli. Get a closer look in the slideshow gallery below:

Batman: Year One is written by Frank Miller. The Artist's Edition hardcover includes the entirety of the original storyline, as seen in Batman #404-407. Also included are Mazzucchelli's original layouts and a new introduction penned by Mazzucchelli himself. The book features design work by artist Chip Kidd.

Here's IDW's official description for the Batman: Year One Artist's Edition:

In 1986, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli produced this groundbreaking reinterpretation of the origin of Batman: who he is and how he came to be. Sometimes careless and naive, this Dark Knight is far from the flawless vigilante he is today. In his first year on the job, Batman feels his way around a Gotham City far darker than the one he left. His solemn vow to extinguish the town’s criminal element is only half the battle. Along with Lieutenant James Gordon, the Dark Knight must also fight a police force more corrupt than the scum in the streets. Batman: Year One stands next to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns on the mantle of greatest Batman graphic novels of all time.

This edition includes the complete graphic novel and a new introduction by David Mazzucchelli. All of Mazzucchelli’s layouts are presented, giving true insight into a master storyteller's process from initial spark to completed page. This is an art book featuring rare and beautiful imagery, a collection for connoisseurs of the form. Chip Kidd, the legendary designer, will be guiding the look of the project.

Batman: Year One Artist's Edition is priced at $150 and is slated for release on August 13, 2024. You can preorder a copy below:

You can find out where Year One places on our list of the 27 greatest Batman graphic novels.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

The Lab Press is one of the newest publishers on the comic book scene, and they've got quite the star-studded lineup for their debut graphic novel. Essentials is a new sci-fi adventure written by Black Sails star Luke Arnold and animator Chris "Doc" Wyatt.

With the crowdfunding campaign for Essentials live now, IGN can exclusively debut a preview of this new graphic novel. Check it out in the slideshow gallery below:

Essentials also features a very impressive lineup of artists, including DaNi (Sandman Universe: The Dreaming), Glenn Fabry (Preacher), Jason Howard (Transformers), Vince Locke (A History of Violence), Brendan McCarthy (Spider-Man: Fever), Andrea Mutti (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), M.K. Perker (Air) and a cover by Bill Sienkiewicz (New Mutants). The book's colorists include Jordie Bellaire, Brad Simpson and Wesley Wong. The creative team also features letterer DC Hopkins of AndWorld Design and designer Emma Price.

Here's the official description for Essentials:

In Essentials, mathematician Harris Pax predicted the end of the world, but failed to prevent it. Now he’s living alone in a bunker and his niece’s favorite toys are starting to talk to him. The good news? He’s not the world’s sole survivor. The bad news? The other survivors are trapped in alternate realities — trapped in imagined worlds full of zombies, pterodactyls, and chaos. And now Harris Pax and an unlikely ally must travel the country on a quest to restore reality, save humanity, and defeat his new interdimensional nemesis: Snuggles.

“The great joy of writing Essentials is that when it comes to setting and genre, we can do anything we want," Arnold tells IGN. "Each stage of our heroes’ quest involves them entering the subjective reality of someone else. This “bubble reality” has been unconsciously formed from the mind of the person inside: a zombie apocalypse that has grown out of someone’s fear for their family’s protection, a mighty throne for a man being crushed by responsibility, and for a ravenous collector who’s disgusted by his own desires… well, you’ll want to see that one for yourself.”

“We visit such different realities in Essentials that the thought occurred to us, if each reality were presented by a different artist, not only would we get to work with a variety of cool people, but there’d be a very clear visual difference between the realities," says Wyatt. "We honestly didn’t think The Lab Press would go for it, because it creates a lot more work for them to coordinate all of those artists… but they’re crazy, so they agreed to it.”

Wyatt is keeping plenty busy these days thanks to his collectible company Wandering Planet Toys. IGN recently got an exclusive look at the second series of figures based on the classic sci-fi series The Prisoner.

In other comic book news, Josh Gad is making his comics debut with The Writer, and a copy of Action Comics #1 just became the most expensive comic ever.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Update: Reports of Feige's involvement in the Death of Ms. Marvel storyline are greatly exaggerated, it seems. Marvel has clarified with IGN that Ziglar's version of events is inaccurate and that the decision to kill Kamala and resurrect her as a mutant was collectively made by Marvel Comics' editorial staff, not Feige.

The original story is below:

Sometimes being a superhero has deadly consequences, as Kamala Khan learned when she sacrificed her life in the pages of 2023's The Amazing Spider-Man #26. But it turns out there was a secret architect behind Kamala's temporary demise - Kevin Feige.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Cody Ziglar pointed to Feige as the mastermind behind the Death of Ms. Marvel storyline. As spotted by ComicsXF, Ziglar made the claim during an appearance on The Amazing Spider-Talk podcast, saying Feige wanted to promote greater synergy between the MCU and Marvel's comic book universe.

“It was funny watching when the whole Kamala stuff was going down,” Ziglar said. “[The Amazing Spider-Man writer Zeb Wells] had told me months before the plan, which was, Feige was like, ‘Hey, I don’t do this very often but, can you please do this to make things in line with Marvel because we have some stuff we want to do with Kamala,’ so [Wells] was like, ‘F***, I’m the guy that drew the short straw? People are going to be very mad that I have to kill Ms. Marvel.'”

Kamala didn't actually stay dead for long. She was soon revived by the X-Men, following the discovery that she carried a dormant mutant gene and could be brought back to life via Krakoa's Resurrection Protocols. That's where the MCU synergy in question comes in. Her death and resurrection proved to be a way of reworking Kamala (originally depicted as an Inhuman) to become a mutant, just as she is in the MCU.

While it's not exactly surprising to learn that Marvel wanted to create further synergy between the comics and the MCU, it is interesting that Feige himself was apparently the driving force behind the move. Feige has technically been in control of Marvel's publishing line since his promotion to Chief Creative Officer in 2019, but this is a rare example of him having an overt hand in a comic book storyline. Is this a sign of things to come for Marvel's comic book line?

These days, Ms. Marvel actress Iman Vellani and writer Sabir Pirzada are chronicling Kamala's further comic book adventures in the limited series Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace. The character will also soon star in Marvel's new NYX series, which is part of the X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch kicking off in July 2024.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Warning: this article contains minor spoilers for X-Men '97 Episode 6 and potential spoilers for future X-Men '97 storylines!

IGN just debuted a new clip from Episode 6 of X-Men ‘97. While the latest chapter of the series returns the focus to Storm and Forge (it is called “Lifedeath - Part 2,” after all), this clip proves that the show is simultaneously expanding its scope beyond Earth and into the depths of the Marvel cosmos. Along the way, we’re getting our first look at a new villain with potentially huge ramifications for the series.

First, check out the clip below for a look at Deathbird and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard waging war on Ronan and the Kree:

While it’s fun seeing cosmic heavy-hitters like Deathbird and Ronan in action, the real significance comes with the introduction of Vulcan, the character dressed in red and black tights. That’s because this character also happens to be the long-lost brother of Cyclops. This quick cameo is one that promises to stir up even more drama for the X-Men’s already deeply troubled field leader. Let’s break down what you need to know about Vulcan and his connection to Cyclops.

Who Is Vulcan, aka Gabriel Summers?

The Summers family tree might just be the most convoluted in the entire Marvel Universe, and Vulcan is a big reason why. Traditionally, Scott Summers is depicted as having one brother, Alex (aka, Havok). But in 2006’s X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Marvel finally made good on the earlier tease that there are more than two Summers brothers in existence.

Deadly Genesis introduces Gabriel Summers. When Scott’s parents were abducted by the Shi’ar, his mother Katherine was still pregnant with Gabriel. The Shi’ar scientists kill Katherine and place the fetus in an incubator, causing Gabriel to rapidly reach adolescence. He becomes a slave of the villain Erik the Red until he escapes and makes his way back to Earth. He briefly becomes a member of Professor Xavier’s second team of X-Men, at least until that team is seemingly killed by Krakoa and Xavier wipes all memory of Gabriel’s existence from Scott’s mind.

Capable of manipulating and projecting energy on a massive scale, Vulcan is far more powerful than either of his brothers. His tragic upbringing also makes him far more unstable. He survives his run-in with Krakoa and returns to take revenge on the X-Men. Later, Vulcan travels to space and usurps the Shi’ar Imperial throne. He’s an incredibly dangerous and chaotic force in the Marvel Universe, to put it mildly. Fortunately, these days Vulcan has largely mellowed out and repaired his relationship with his family.

How Vulcan Will Transform X-Men ‘97

X-Men ‘97 doesn't get into all of this tragic back-story in Episode 6, and Vulcan himself only appears as a non-speaking cameo character. Still, there’s little doubt that the Vulcan cameo is meant as a tease of big things to come for the character. Sooner or later, Cyclops will uncover the existence of his long-lost younger brother and be forced to reckon with another skeleton in the Summers family closet.

At this stage, Vulcan appears to be an amnesiac, given that he’s serving as a member of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard despite the tragedy the Shi’ar inflicted upon his family. At some point (perhaps in Season 2?), X-Men ‘97 will likely tackle its own adaptation of Deadly Genesis and reveal the connection between Vulcan and Cyclops. This may include the revelation that Vulcan was once an X-Man himself and Xavier wiped Cyclops’ memories. Just as in the comics, Xavier’s legacy may become profoundly tarnished as a result. On the other hand, if Xavier and Vulcan had met in the past, wouldn't Xavier have noticed his former student serving among the Imperial Guard?

It’s worth pointing out that Cyclops is still in the process of discovering the truth about his family in the X-Men ‘97 universe. In the original X-Men: The Animated Series, Cyclops eventually learned that the space pirate Corsair is his father. However, he doesn’t yet know that Havok is his brother, though the series hinted at that revelation when the two men found they were immune to each other’s powers. Expect a lot more Summers family drama in the future, even as Cyclops continues to deal with the fallout of the Jean Grey/Madelyne Pryor situation.

It’s even possible that X-Men ‘97 will adapt the 2006 Uncanny X-Men storyline “The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire.” In that story, Vulcan sets his sights on the Shi’ar throne, and a group of X-Men fight unsuccessfully to stop him. No sooner is Xavier returning to Earth to aid his former students than he may be dragged right back into space to deal with Vulcan's ascension.

How do you think Vulcan will factor into X-Men ‘97? Is this a tease we’ll see pay off in Season 1, or is the series playing a longer game? Let us know your theories in the comments below.

For more on X-Men '97, read up on our biggest burning questions after Episode 5 and learn how the series brings real consequences to this animated universe.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

G.I. Joe collectors have been eating well in recent years thanks to the advent of Hasbro's G.I. Joe Classified series of 6-inch figures. Now IGN can exclusively reveal the next addition to the Classified line - a bundle set featuring Tiger Force Wreckage and his Tiger Paw ATV vehicle.

Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at this new G.I. Joe Classified set:

Tiger Force Wreckage is #137 in the G.I. Joe Classified line. This 6-inch figure features multiple points of articulation and includes ten accessories, such as a helmet, backpack, landmines, knife and other weapons. The bundled Tiger Paw ATV comes in 14 pieces, including handlebars, rear rail bar, winch detail, adjustable cannon and missile accessories.

The Tiger Force Wreckage and Tiger Paw ATV set is priced at $54.99 and is slated for release in Fall 2024. The set will be sold exclusively at Target stores. You can preorder the figure here.

This is just the latest Target-exclusive Hasbro release. Previously, IGN debuted a first look at the Target-themed Optimus Prime figure.

For more collectibles fun, check out the collectibles hub on the IGN Store.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

For a movie that hasn’t even begun filming yet, we’re sure getting a lot of Fantastic Four-related news lately. First came word that Julia Garner has been cast as the Silver Surfer. Then, Marvel revealed new teaser art and a list of comics that have presumably inspired the latest FF reboot.

If you’re not a hardcore FF reader, some of these reveals may raise more questions than they answer. Why is Silver Surfer a woman in the MCU? Is this movie even set in the MCU in the first place? And what’s the significance of the five comics Marvel singled out? We’re here to break down what you need to know about the latest Fantastic Four news.

How Can the Silver Surfer Be a Woman?

It remains to be seen just how faithful the MCU’s Fantastic Four will be to the comics, but it’s clear at least one major detail is changing. The new movie will introduce a female version of Silver Surfer, played by Ozark’s Julia Garner. Surfer isn’t the first Marvel character whose gender has been changed for the MCU (Captain Marvel’s Mar-Vell is also a man in the comics), but this might be the most significant example to date.

Technically, though, Marvel isn’t changing the character’s gender in this case, but rather which character becomes Silver Surfer. Traditionally, Silver Surfer’s origin depicts him as Norrin Radd, an inhabitant of the utopian world of Zenn-La. Zenn-La becomes the latest target of Galactus’ world-devouring hunger, and so Radd agrees to become Galactus’ herald in exchange for sparing Zenn-La and saving the life of his lover, Shalla-Bal.

Garner isn’t playing Norrin Radd, but Shalla-Bal. In this version of the story, it seems she’s the one who makes the bargain with Galactus. It’s she who becomes doomed to seek out other worlds for her insatiable master to consume. We assume that means Norrin is the one forced to stay behind and lead Zenn-La in his lover’s absence.

However, it’s also possible that both characters become Silver Surfer. This is the case in one particular version of the Marvel Universe introduced in 1999’s Earth X. In that twisted future version of the Marvel U., Norrin bestows a portion of his power onto Shalla and the two serve as the twin heralds of Galactus (who in this universe is actually a hyper-evolved version of Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman’s son, Franklin).

Is Fantastic Four Set in an Alternate Universe?

Rumors and speculation point to the theory that the new Fantastic Four movie is set in an alternate universe rather than the traditional MCU. It would certainly be one way of explaining the FF’s absence in the MCU up until now. Perhaps they simply don’t exist in that universe, or maybe they were stranded in another universe after the fateful spacecraft flight that gave them their powers.

The fact that the movie features the Shalla-Bal version of Silver Surfer is another sign that this theory may actually be correct. This could be a universe where the Silver Surfer’s origin plays out differently. Instead of Norrin Radd making the Faustian bargain with Galactus, it’s Shalla-Bal. But that could still mean the MCU has its own version of Silver Surfer who is Norrin Radd.

That said, it’s just as likely that Marvel made this change simply to diversify its cosmic heroes. Outside of Guardians of the Galaxy characters like Gamora, Mantis and the recently introduced Phyla-Vell, Marvel’s cosmic superhero lineup tends to skew heavily male. That includes Nova, Beta Ray Bill, Darkhawk, Gladiator and Adam Warlock. Rather than setting up an alternate universe, Marvel may simply want to level the playing field a bit.

However, there’s another clue that Fantastic Four is set in an alternate universe. Marvel recently debuted the following teaser image as part of their 4/4 Day event:

This image of Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch is set against the backdrop of New York City, but that skyline is very unlike the one seen in the MCU. There’s a clear retro-futuristic quality to this city that strongly suggests it’s set in an alternate version of New York. And don’t forget the original FF teaser art, which includes an iconic Life Magazine cover from 1963.

Taken together, these teasers hint that the film is set in an alternate Marvel Universe where the year is 1963 and technology and fashion have taken their own turn. The FF themselves may have influenced the course of history, with Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards using his technology to build a bigger, better version of New York City. But what happens when Galactus arrives to consume everything? And if this isn’t the MCU, there’s no guarantee Earth will be saved in the end.

The Fantastic Four Comics That Influenced the Movie

Also as part of 4/4 Day, Marvel released a list of five comics that have presumably influenced the plot of the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. The list of comics is presented in the form of a message from the Future Foundation, an organization spearheaded by the Fantastic Four that mentors various child geniuses (including Reed and Sue’s own daughter, Valeria). Is this a clue we’ll see the Future Foundation in the new movie as well?

It’s worth taking a closer look at each one to see what they reveal about the tone and plot of the FF reboot.

Fantastic Four #1

It makes sense that the new movie would go back to the very beginning for its reboot of Marvel’s First Family. This is the very first Fantastic Four comic, and the first of many FF adventures from creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It chronicles the team’s origin story, as brilliant scientist Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm, Sue’s kid brother Johnny and skilled pilot Ben Grimm take an ill-fated ride on a spaceship and are bombarded by cosmic rays. That radiation transforms them into something fantastic (maybe not so fantastic in Grimm’s case).

This issue is notable for downplaying the superhero elements that would become commonplace in the series a few issues later. The FF didn’t don costumes and become a full-fledged superhero team right out of the gate. There’s an almost body horror element to this issue as the characters confront their respective transformations.

That could be a clue as to the role they play in the film. They may be less traditional Marvel superheroes and more a dysfunctional family of metahuman adventurers. But perhaps the arrival of Galactus forces this motley crew to become something more to save their world.

Fantastic Four #48-50

It’s no surprise Marvel is looking to this trio of Fantastic Four issues for inspiration. This is the original Silver Surfer and Galactus storyline - a rare three-part tale in an era when superhero comics mainly focused on standalone issues.

These three issues pit the FF against Galactus and his herald with the fate of Earth in the balance. Even The Watcher shows up to warn our heroes of their impending doom. Does that mean we should expect Jeffrey Wright to reprise his What If…? role in the film? It’s possible.

If the movie is anything like these issues, expect the focus to be on Silver Surfer as she’s won over by the humanity shown by the FF and turns against her master. Also expect a tense climax as Reed Richards seeks out some device or invention that can turn the tide against the unstoppable Galactus. But again, with all the signs that point to this movie being set in an alternate universe, there’s always the possibility that the FF won’t be able to save their world.

Fantastic Four: Life Story #1

This limited series from writer Mark Russell and artist Sean Izaakse is set in an alternate universe where the Fantastic Four and other characters age in real time. It begins in the 1960s and serves as a retelling of the FF’s many adventures as the team slowly ages and grows apart.

The fact that Marvel is singling out the first issue of the series is another sign that the new movie is likely a period piece set in the 1960s. We’ll probably see a movie set against the backdrop of the Space Race (or whatever version of it existed in this Marvel Universe). We assume the film will avoid some of the darker developments in later issues of the series, however.

Earth X

Marvel didn’t specifically include Earth X in the list of comics that inspired the new movie, but it’s still worth mentioning these comics because they introduced the idea of Shalla-Bal becoming Silver Surfer. Earth X is sort of the Dark Knight Returns of the Marvel Universe - a story set in a grim, alternate future where things have turned out badly for many heroes. That includes Reed Richards, who is one of the central figures of the original story.

In this universe, Silver Surfer eventually bestows some of his power onto Shalla-Bal and they become the twin heralds of Galactus. Will the movie follow that example, or is Shalla-Bal Silver Surfer instead of Norrin Radd? Whatever the case, we don’t foresee the movie drawing too much inspiration from Earth X. It’s a dark story, and everything we’ve seen of the new Fantastic Four so far suggests something more hopeful and uplifting.

For more on the new Fantastic Four movie, find out how the reboot can take advantage of Marvel’s biggest weakness and learn why Doctor Doom should be played by a voice actor.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.