MARVEL COMICS WARNS FANS: ANNIHILATION IS IMMINENT! MAJOR SPACE STARS RETURN IN NEW HOUSE OF IDEAS EVENT!

Marvel Comics has stars in its eyes as it announces the impending approach of ANNIHILATION, a major new cosmic event. ANNIHILATION, beginning in March ’06, encompasses a prologue one-shot, four 4-issue limited series, and a 6-issue concluding limited series. The universe itself provides the stage and the backdrop.

Outer space-based characters were once a mainstay of the comics industry, especially in the 40s and 50s, but except for a brief revival in the 70s have never truly been given much in the way of a well-deserved focus. Marvel Comics has a unique and diverse stable of strange space-faring heroes and villains whose time has come to shine once again. But can they survive ANNIHILATION?

“The basic idea is that we've got a ton of cool space characters that have been under used--and to a certain degree misused--for several years,” notes Marvel editor Andy Schmidt. “They're fantastic characters that just need to be dusted off and thrust into some new stories that give them a chance to shine. They should and can be great to read about. And during ANNIHILATION, they will be.”

The scope of the new event is as wide and expansive a space itself:

ANNIHILATION:PROLOGUE – written by Keith Giffen (Legion of Super-Heroes, Justice League, DRAX THE DESTROYER, HOWLING COMMANDOES) and art by Scott Kolins (AVENGERS, MARVEL-TEAM UP) and Ariel Olivetti (Space Ghost). Kolins says: “Working with Giffen is a dream come true. His plans are amazing and I’m ecstatic to be drawing this prologue. It’s gonna rock!”

SILVER SURFER – written by Keith Giffen and art by Renato Arlem (IMPERFECTS)

SUPER-SKRULL – written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach (ABC’s “Lost”, The Middle Man) and art by Greg Titus (Syn, ICEMAN)

NOVA – written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (Legion of Super-Heroes) and art by Kev Walker (EXILES)

RONAN THE ACCUSER – written by Simon Furman (DEATH’S HEAD, TRANSFORMERS UK) and art by Jorge Lucas (INHUMANS, COLOSSUES: BLOODINE)

ANNIHILATION – the 6-issue coda to the event that gathers all the players together, written by Keith Giffen!

Other extraterrestrial entities that will appear in ANNIHILATION will include such hard-hitting powerhouses as Drax, Quasar, and fan-favorite baddie Thanos. Fans should keep their eyes to the telescope, as even more cosmic characters taking part in the event will be revealed as the launch date nears.

“I am front-row-center for this party,” enthuses Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. “Andy’s more than right to point out that these space guys have not been given a proper spotlight lately…but hey! Ya can’t keep good, nay, GREAT characters down at ol’ Marvel, and this one’s chock fulla great characters! Now, if only I could convince Andy and his gang to use the Guardians of the Galaxy…”

When Andy Schmidt is pressed to pinpoint the single best thing about ANNIHILATION, he smiles the smile of a proud papa. “There's so much going on that I can't pick just one.For me, it's just great to finally see these cool space characters in new and intense situations.” “I can't wait to see what all the fans think!”

ANNIHILATION: PROLOGUE
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Penciled by SCOTT KOLINS & ARIEL OLIVETTI
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

This is it! 48 pages of cosmic guts and glory! If you want to see your favorite cosmic level heroes and villains, you dare not miss ANNIHIALTION: PROLOGUE! This 48 page (NO ADS!) book is written by Keith Giffen (DRAX THE DESTROYER, THANOS), and features the stunning art of Scott Kolins & Ariel Olivetti. This is the book to read for the NEXT YEAR’S worth of cosmic stories! Get in on the ground floor as Marvel raises these great characters from the ashes!

Heroes will die. Villains and heroes will form allegiances. Empires will fall.
FEATURING: NOVA, SILVER SURFER, THANOS, DRAX THE DESTROYER, RONAN THE ACCUSER, AND THE SUPER-SKRULL! In space, everyone will hear them scream!