IGN REPORT: Like it or not, the steady cycle of event comics at Marvel will continue in 2014. Last year, the publisher gave us Age of Ultron and Infinity as the two big, universe-spanning events. And it seems we’ll be getting at least one project of similar scope this year.
Today Marvel announced their next big event mini-series, which will be called Original Sin. This event will revolve around the murder of the Watcher and the efforts of various Marvel heroes to uncover the identity of his killer. Original Sin will be written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Mike Deodato, Jr. (who coincidentally worked on an unrelated X-Men crossover also called Original Sin). The eight-issue series will debut in May and will ship twice a month through the summer.
USA Today had first details on the new project. The actual murder of the Watcher is only the beginning of the conflict. The killer in question also steals a number of rare and powerful artifacts from the Watcher’s home, as well as gaining access to the many secrets the being has gathered since the dawn of the universe. These secrets, whether good or bad, directly involve many famous Marvel heroes.
Original Sin will focus on two separate groups of heroes. The first is led by Nick Fury Sr., who is resurfacing to lead a team of Avengers (including Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor) on a hunt for the murderer. A separate group, including such disparate characters as Doctor Strange, Emma Frost, Black Panther, and Punisher, will launch their own investigation. Aaron teased that Punisher and Doctor Strange will enjoy a “buddy cop” relationship in the series.
“It’s all the skeletons, all the dark things that you never know, all the interesting and intriguing information — not all of it even bad,” Marvel’s Executive Editor Tom Brevoort told USA Today. “And it will all expand out into dozens of stories that will cut to the core of who these characters are.” But compared to Infinity, Brevoort promises that Original Sin will have a more intimate and personal scope. He said, “It’s all the characters having to deal with something that really throws their whole world for a loop in a very cutting-close-to-the-heart way.”
Naturally, there will be tie-ins to the core Original Sin mini-series. Spider-Man and Wolverine were specifically named as key players in the tie-ins. Also, look for the Original Sin #0 prologue issue in April. This issue, from writer Mark Waid and artist Jim Cheung, will explore the relationship between the Watcher and Nova shortly before the former’s death.
We expect Marvel will have plenty more to say about Original Sin between now and when the first issue is solicited next month. Stay tuned for more on this new event series.