Marvel Officially Confirms the Return of Mangaverse More Than 20 Years Later

The Marvel Mangaverse is officially making a comeback, and it's only a few months away.

Marvel Comics has given readers their first look at the return of the Marvel Mangaverse with a series of upcoming one-shots set to be released in celebration of the fan-favorite comic book line's 25th anniversary. These five new titles will all be released throughout September, beginning on Sept. 2 with the release of Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood by writers Josh and Jack Kelly and artist Kenny Ruiz, which will bookend the event along with Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Destiny by the same creative team on Sept. 30.

The official solicit synopsis for Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1 from Marvel Comics reads, "The trio of Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Weapon X-Tremis (Laura Kinney), and Legion (Illyana Rasputin), friends with very different ideas on how to stop a prophesied apocalypse brought on by the return of the Phoenix, will turn on one another as they wrestle with whether their actions are more likely to save the world... or hasten its destruction. Could the return of the Mangaverse be over before it even starts?"

What Fans Can Expect from the Return of the Marvel Mangaverse

On Sept. 9, the Mangaverse will continue its comeback tour with the release of Marvel Mangaverse: Iron Knight #1 by writer Cody Ziglar and artist Kei Zama. The series will follow Riri WIlliams, a.ka. Ironheart, who ends up spiraling into an increasingly dangerous scenario when she crosses paths with the sorcerer Moon Knight following the death of one of her closest friends.

September 16 will mark the release of writer Ashley Allen and artist Mirka Andolfo's Marvel Mangaverse: Arcane Avengers #1, a team title revolving around the eponymous lineup of sorcerers led by none other than Bucky Barnes, better known as the Winter Soldier. Alongside Bucky are Bloodline and Wiccan, both of whom are more than prepared to follow the Winter Soldier into any demonic fray they can find.

The penultimate title in the new line of Marvel Mangaverse one-shots is Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1. Written by Alyssa Wong with art by Michael Yg, Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1 will see Kwannon and her shinigami-possessed motorcycle race against the murderous onslaught of Cletus Kasady, a.k.a. Carnage.

The Marvel Mangaverse was first glimpsed all the way back in 2000, and for nearly two years, it was home to some of the most unexpected versions of iconic Marvel Comics heroes and villains that fans had ever seen. Although the Marvel Mangaverse as a whole wasn't met with rave reviews from critics or readers at the time, it has gone on to become something of a cult favorite in the decades since.

Editor Lauren Amaro said of the return of the Marvel Mangaverse, "Every single creator contributing to this celebration are huge manga fans themselves, and many have either come from international manga backgrounds, or have been heavily influenced by manga in their own creative journeys."

All credit was given to those who inspired the Marvel Mangaverse to begin with. "Of course, none of this could exist without the source material that has inspired our creators, so when it came time to cast the main covers, the first person to come to mind was acclaimed mangaka, Yuji Kaku Sensei," Amaro added. "Kaku Sensei collaborated with the writers by taking their initial story pitches and character descriptions and creating an absolutely amazing set of covers, setting the tone for each character's design and helping to modernize Marvel Mangaverse as we return to it 25 years after its debut."

The Marvel Mangaverse returns on Sept. 2.