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Something new and terrifying is coming to the pages of Marvel comics. A fresh continuity of darkness awaits, in the Midnight Universe.
Forget Ultimate, it’s time for the Midnight Universe
Marvel has dabbled in horror at times over the decades, there’s really no arguing that. And it’s done so in terms of its mainline universe, as well as offshoots like Black, White, and Blood. But what’s on tap for launch this October is something altogether new and different.
That would be the Midnight Universe, an entirely new universe of Marvel-themed heroes and villains. But, that said, if you’re expecting those characters to be slightly different riffs, you might want to reconsider. Because from what Marvel has shared today, it’s looking like they might be as different as night and day.
As an initiative, the Midnight Universe will be headed up by Executive Editor Dan Buckley and will include major talent. The likes of Jonathan Hickman, Matteo Della Fonte, Benjamin Percy, Kev Walker, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and ScieTronc will all be onboard for what’ll be a trio of initial offerings. Fans can look for all three titles to appear in stores on the same day as well, October 7th, 2026.
Just in time for some Halloween thrills and chills.
Expressing his confidence in the new line, Midnight Universe Executive Editor Dan Buckley said, “The more we talked about Midnight, the more we realized it was far more than just the birth of another new universe—it was on an entirely different scale creatively, a doorway to something that was not only immediately exciting, but had immense long-term promise.”
“I was very excited when Marvel told me the revamped plans for the Midnight launch because when I read both Ben and Phillip’s first scripts—and even more than that when the art started rolling in—I knew that this line was going to be something special,” Hickman shared. “As for me personally, I haven’t been this excited about a book in a very long time. There are certain kinds of projects that I, and I think most fans, prefer for me to be working on: Ambitious stories with intricate plots and long-form payoffs, which is exactly what MIDNIGHT X-MEN is.”
Discussing his expansive vision for the project, Percy explained, “I have an epic, rich storytelling blueprint for this series, and I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so…in the zone…when writing comics.”
“The Midnight meetings with Jonathan and Ben continue to energize me, every time. I want my readers and fans to know I’ve never written a longer series outline than the one for MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN,” Johnson added. “By the time the first issue comes out, I’ll have written two 50-plus-issue series for Marvel and DC, but I want and expect MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN to be the longest, most epic series of my career… the series on which I bring everything I’ve learned to bear.”
“The world these creators are building is truly special and the passion behind the stories they’re envisioning was palpable,” Buckley continued. “We wanted to match their ambition with this unique launch plan, one that allows both retailers and fans to fully immerse themselves into this new line right from the start. When the clock strikes Midnight on October 7, these three series will unleash a bold new energy that we hope echoes throughout the industry for the foreseeable future.”
Marvel press release
A dark new vision
You’ve got a sense of the themes now, but as for the roster, the Midnight Universe is coming out swinging. As you saw above, the heaviest-hitters will be there for day one. Fans can look for Midnight Spider-Man #1, Midnight X-Men #1, and Midnight Fantastic Four #1 to all land on October 7th.
Take a scroll down the page to get the full descriptions of what to expect from each of them. But as we’ve hinted more than once already, ditch your expectations. These heroes are a fair shade darker than what you might’ve expected.
Oh, and if you’d like to read the official word from Marvel on all of the above, click here.
MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by MATTEO DELLA FONTE
The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire.
MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by KEV WALKERAn obsessive scientist delves into the secrets of the universe perhaps best left unknown to humankind, leaving himself and three others warped in strange and horrifying ways. What horrible secrets lie in the new dimensions they have discovered? And can humanity survive the discovery?
On twisting the mythology of Marvel’s original super hero team, Percy said “Let’s be honest: any other circumstances, Marvel wouldn’t let me write the Fantastic Four. Because I’m too mean and evil for the first family. But this is the dark continuity of the Midnight Universe—a fresh origin story for the characters that channels cosmic, Lovecraftian terror—which makes it a perfect match for me. Mad science and cults and hidden realities await. The pacing is patient and full of dread and mystery and rich with a mythology that will feel both familiar and uncanny.”
MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by SCIETRONCA young man is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, he must embrace his grotesque new form to fight back.
“Marvel’s putting a TON of trust in ScieTronc and me on this project, and we’re using that trust to make big asks and take big creative risks. I want to see a Spider-Man that was conceived by H.R. Giger, directed by David Cronenberg, adapted for the comic page by Junji Ito. I want Peter’s origin to be so upsetting it haunts me, and to see the Lizard and Doctor Octopus through the lens of a John Carpenter movie or a Resident Evil game. I’m so stoked for readers to see what we’re making.”
Marvel press release
