Newuniversal

Last updated
newuniversal
Newuniversal 1.jpg
Cover to newuniversal #1.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Title(s)
newuniversal #1-6
newuniversal: shockfront #1-2
newuniversal: 1959 #1
newuniversal: conqueror #1
FormatsOriginal material for the series has been published as a set of limited series  and one-shot comics.
Genre
Publication dateFebruary  2007  October  2008
Number of issuesnewuniversal
6
newuniversal: shockfront
2
newuniversal: 1959
1
newuniversal: conqueror
1
Main character(s) Justice
Nightmask
Cipher
Star Brand
Dr. Emmett Proudhawk
Creative team
Writer(s)newuniversal and newuniversal: shockfront
Warren Ellis
newuniversal: 1959
Kieron Gillen
newuniversal: conqueror
Simon Spurrier
Artist(s)newuniversal
Salvador Larroca
newuniversal: 1959
Greg Scott
Kody Chamberlain
newuniversal: conqueror
Eric Nguyen
Penciller(s)newuniversal: shockfront
Steve Kurth
Inker(s)newuniversal: shockfront
Andrew Hennessy
Colorist(s)Jason Keith
Reprints
Collected editions
Everything Went White Premiere ISBN   0-7851-2858-1
Everything Went White ISBN   0-7851-2302-4

newuniversal is a comic book series by writer, Warren Ellis; artist, Salvador Larroca, and colorist, Jason Keith. The book series was published by Marvel Comics. The series is a re-imagining of Marvel's New Universe concepts, launched to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the New Universe's creation in 1986.

Contents

As with the original New Universe, newuniversal is set in a world where several people suddenly develop superhuman abilities. However, where the New Universe began with the 'real' world as its starting point, the world of newuniversal is already markedly different.

Publication history

Newuniversal imagines concepts and characters that were introduced as part of Marvel's New Universe series during the 1980s. The New Universe was a set of eight linked titles launched in 1986 to celebrate Marvel's 25th anniversary, and championed by Marvel's editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. The New Universe comics were not a long-term success, with four titles canceled after a year, and the entire line canceled by the end of 1989.

The original New Universe initially had no links to the Marvel Universe shared setting and did not present traditional superheroes. Instead, it offered "the world outside your window", a world that was identical to the real world in every respect until it was suddenly changed by the mysterious White Event, an incident that gifted some humans with inexplicable powers.

Ellis has stated that he doesn't "think the original creators and editors realized until it was too late—it was all a single story. It shouldn't have been eight books (or whatever) that were eventually consolidated into ensemble miniseries. It was a single story that should have spun new series and serials off of it". [1] Ellis has taken this approach to newuniversal, with his first storyline intentionally revolving around the four lead books of the original New Universe - Justice , Nightmask , Star Brand and Spitfire and the Troubleshooters . [1] Among the many changes that newuniversal presents is that the four main characters all possess extra-dimensional glyphs that grant them their powers. Also, the character Spitfire (Professor Jenny Swensen, later known as Chrome), becomes Cipher (Dr. Jennifer Swann).

Artist Salvador Larroca has stated that he "wasn't a big fan" of the original New Universe, while Ellis has mentioned that he "paid little or no attention" to the New Universe books when they were first published. [1] [2]

In December 2006, newuniversal #1 had sold out through Diamond Comic Distributors. A second printing was later released, with a new variant cover by artist Esad Ribic. [3] [4] newuniversal #2 had sold out and Marvel reissued the comic with a second printing again, with a variant cover by Esad Ribic.

After issue #6, newuniversal went on hiatus and Salvador Larroca left the project.

In 2008, the story was continued with a mini-series written by Ellis, newuniversal: shockfront, which was illustrated by Steve Kurth (penciller) and Andrew Hennessy (inker). The shockfront series was accompanied by two one-shot stories exploring the past of the newuniversal universe: newuniversal: conqueror [5] and newuniversal: 1959. [6]

From the first issue of newuniversal: shockfront onwards, all newuniversal comics included a statement acknowledging that the series is based on original concepts by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald and Tom DeFalco, creators who worked on the original New Universe comics.[ citation needed ]

In 2009, Warren Ellis lost his story files in a computer accident; he subsequently announced that the project is "basically dead". [7]

Setting

Writer Warren Ellis describes the setting of newuniversal as "an alternate world where America is somewhat isolationist, Soviet Russia fell apart early and China took the lead in spaceflight"; [1] newuniversal #1 mentions Chinese moonbases, as well as hundreds of flights by Chinese spaceplanes. There are also other, smaller changes to the world's history; for example, Paul McCartney is dead and John Lennon is still alive. Chinese manhua comics have all the market penetration that manga does in the real world. The September 11, 2001 attacks never happened and the World Trade Center towers are still standing in 2006, as seen in newuniversal #1. Hillary Clinton is President of the United States. [8] In Newuniversal: Shockfront #2, Charlotte Yolanda Beck shows how history changed after Richard Nixon won the 1960 election.

Aspects of the wider universe also play a direct role in the setting. The sudden changes to the world are triggered by the Earth's contact with the "newuniversal structure", an artificial web of strange matter. Each strand of the web is several light years across. The structure, assembled by a long-gone race, is mechanical in nature and deliberately alters several sentient beings on each world entering its strands, modifying them to perform specific roles. [9]

Ellis has confirmed that the alternate universe of newuniversal is also part of the larger Marvel Multiverse, designated as Earth-555. [1] This is briefly touched upon in newuniversal #2, with a passing reference to the "Superflow for Universe 555".

The first few issues of newuniversal state specific dates and times for their events, in keeping with the original New Universe concept—and quite different from the established Marvel Universe, where characters do not age in 'real time' and their histories are sometimes updated.

Characters

The main characters of newuniversal are based on the main characters from the original New Universe imprint, although Ellis felt that the New Universe "featured an awful lot of people with similar names, which I found odd -- Swensen, Remsen, Tensen" [1] and some of the newuniversal characters have been renamed to avoid this.

Some of the newuniversal characters are alternate versions of existing Marvel Universe characters, such as Tony Stark, who apparently was among the first to receive hyperscientific powers and built an armored suit to escape Vietnam. [6] Mostly, these are characters who appear as main or supporting characters in other Marvel titles, but fulfill relatively minor roles in the newuniversal plot.

White Event Glyph Quartet

Four powerful extra-dimensional glyphs (which manifest as tattoos) confer superhuman powers on different sentient beings (who often take on the names of these glyphs). Originally the Starbrand was the only extra-dimensional glyph, but Warren Ellis' re-imagining broadened the concept to allow others to exist: Justice, Cipher, and Nightmask. The purpose of glyphs is to aid in the transition of any given world through the inevitable paradigm shift caused when it comes into contact with the "newuniversal structure", which is a web of strange matter wherein normal physical laws operate differently. Whenever a world enters the web, it can become unstable, taking thousands of years before it finishes traveling along one of its many strands, thus contact implies the danger that any given world could be destroyed if its transition period is not guided.

Other characters

Creators

Collected editions

The initial newuniversal series has been collected into individual volumes:

Related Research Articles

The New Universe is an imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986 to 1989. It was the first line produced by Marvel Comics utilizing a pre-conceived shared universe concept. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco, and edited by Michael Higgins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Ellis</span> English comic book writer, novelist, and screenwriter

Warren Girard Ellis is an English comic book writer, novelist, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-creator of several original comics series, including Transmetropolitan (1997–2002), Global Frequency (2002–2004) and Red (2003–2004), which was adapted into the feature films Red (2010) and Red 2 (2013). Ellis is the author of the novels Crooked Little Vein (2007) and Gun Machine (2013) and the novella Normal (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In-Betweener</span> Comics character

The In-Betweener is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in Warlock #9 (1975).

Salvador Larroca is a Spanish comic book artist, primarily known for his American work on various X-Men titles for Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Weisman</span> American television and comics writer

Greg Weisman is an American writer, producer and voice actor. He is best known as a creator of the animated series Gargoyles, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice. He is also known for being the supervisory producer for the second season of W.I.T.C.H..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny McFarlane</span> Comics character

Kenneth "Kong" McFarlane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, the character appears in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man. Kenny McFarlane is one of the few characters not based on a counterpart from Marvel's main continuity, being an original Ultimate Marvel invention to the comics, and is indirectly based on Bendis himself. However, his personality is based on Flash Thompson of the main continuity during his high school years. Several versions of the character are later introduced in the main continuity.

<i>Psi-Force</i> Comic book series

Psi-Force is a comic book series created by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson and published by Marvel Comics under their New Universe imprint from 1986 to 1989. It ran for 32 issues and an annual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justice (New Universe)</span> Comics character

Justice is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character appeared in the New Universe imprint of Marvel Comics, primarily as the protagonist of a 32-issue comic book series of the same name published from 1986 to 1989. Most of its run was written by Peter David and penciled by Lee Weeks, though it also featured rare 1980s Marvel work from Keith Giffen. David later reintroduced Justice as a supporting character in Spider-Man 2099, a series with a very different setting. This version of the character, also known as the Net Prophet, was older and had different powers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderbolt Ross</span> Comic book character

General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics featuring the Hulk. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, and the ex-father-in-law of both Glenn Talbot and Bruce Banner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Eagle (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

American Eagle is a Navajo superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<i>Star Brand</i> Comic book

The Star Brand is the name of a number of similar objects of power in the world of the Marvel Comics. The name "Star Brand" is also often adopted by the wielders of these objects. Three of these Star Brands have been prominently featured in series published by Marvel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightmask</span> Fictional character in Marvel Comics

Nightmask is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer Archie Goodwin, and first appeared in Nightmask #1, a series which was published under Marvel's New Universe imprint. The 2006 series newuniversal and Marvel's 2012 rebranding, Marvel NOW!, reintroduced the character with different civilian alter egos.

<i>Spitfire</i> (New Universe)

Spitfire and the Troubleshooters is a short-lived comic book series from Marvel Comics' New Universe line. It followed "Spitfire" and a group of brilliant but eccentric college students as they used high-tech powered exoskeletons to combat the mysterious terrorist organization called The Club.

Mark Hazzard: Merc is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics under their New Universe imprint. The series ran for twelve issues in 1986 and 1987, plus one annual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starr the Slayer</span> Comics character

Starr the Slayer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Chamber of Darkness #4,, and was created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith. In 2007, writer Warren Ellis introduced a new version of Starr in the Marvel series newuniversal.

<i>The Pitt</i>

The Pitt is a 1987 one-shot comic book written by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald, and illustrated by Sal Buscema and Stan Drake. It was published by Marvel Comics as part of its New Universe line. The story depicts the total destruction of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and its immediate twelve-hour aftermath. The Pitt was the first graphic novel published for Marvel's New Universe series.

<i>Protectors</i> (comics)

The Protectors was a 20-issue comic book series published by Malibu Comics from 1992 until 1994. Originally meant to be a six-issue series, response was positive enough that Malibu decided to make the series ongoing. The series was cancelled so that, according to Malibu, they could focus more on the "Ultraverse" line.

The War is a four-issue comic book mini-series, published by Marvel Comics. It was the final publication in Marvel's New Universe line, and resolved a number of unfinished plotlines, as well as radically changing the New Universe setting.

<i>Infinity</i> (comic book) 2013 Marvel Comics storyline

"Infinity" is a 2013 comic book crossover storyline that was published by Marvel Comics. Written by Jonathan Hickman with artwork by a rotating team of artists including Jim Cheung, Jerome Opeña, and Dustin Weaver, the series debuted in August 2013 and ran through November 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "CCI, DAY 4: ELLIS TALKS "NEWUNIVERSAL"". Comicbookresources.com. 2006-07-23. Archived from the original on 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  2. "The New Universal & Salvador Larroca". Comicon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  3. "newuniversal #1 Sells Out". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  4. "Marvel Goes Back To Press On 5 Sell Outs". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  5. Simon Spurrier  ( w ),Eric Nguyen ( a ). newuniversal: conqueror(October 2008). Marvel Comics .
  6. 1 2 3 Kieron Gillen  ( w ),Greg Scott, Kody Chamberlain  ( a ). newuniversal: 1959(September 2008). Marvel Comics .
  7. "Whitechapel - Warren's Work FAQ (Revised Apr 2011)". freakangels.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Tumble"newuniversal,no. 6(2007). Marvel Comics .
  9. 1 2 3 4 Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Trauma"newuniversal,no. 2(2007). Marvel Comics .
  10. 1 2 3 4 Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Enter"newuniversal,no. 1(2007). Marvel Comics .
  11. 1 2 3 Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Mathematics"newuniversal,no. 3(2007). Marvel Comics .
  12. Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Distance"newuniversal,no. 4(2007). Marvel Comics .
  13. Warren Ellis  ( w ), Salvador Larroca  ( a )."Mystery"newuniversal,no. 5(2007). Marvel Comics .
  14. Warren Ellis  ( w ),Steve Kurth ( p ),Andrew Hennessy ( i )."Tumble"newuniversal: shockfront,no. 1(July 2008). Marvel Comics .
  15. Newuniversal: Shockfront #2