Marvel's Battleworld Is Bringing Back a Forgotten Comic Universe

1 month ago 12

John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

The following contains major spoilers for Battleworld #2, on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Marvel Comics' latest trip to Battleworld has just brought back the heroes from two other fan-favorite comic book universes.

While a ragtag group of interdimensional heroes led by Hank Pym prepare to strike out against the villainous Arcade in the pages of Battleworld #2 (by Christos Gage, Marcus To, Rod Reis, Rachelle Rosenberg, and VC's Travis Lanham), the denizens of Arcade's Murderworld are busy watching the Spirit Rider known as Kushala face off against the sorceress Giselle Villard. No matter how powerful Kushala might be, Giselle's Sigil grants her abilities that can overcome seemingly any obstacle. That being said, there is no guarantee that Giselle or anyone else will be able to stave off the mighty Star Brand once he arrives, especially not when he seems so willing to help maintain Battleworld's violent status quo.

Battleworld #2

Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Art by MARCUS TO and ROD REIS
Colors by RACHELLE ROSENBERG
Letters by VC's TRAVIS LANHAM
Design by CARLOS LAO
Main cover art by LEINIL FRANCIS YU & ROMULO FAJARDO JR.
Variant covers by NICK BRADSHAW & RACHELLE ROSENBERG; PACO MEDINA & JESUS ABURTOV; and GREG LAND & RACHELLE ROSENBERG

Originally introduced in the pages of Mystic #1 by Ron Marz and Brandon Peterson back in 2000, Giselle Villard was initially one of the leading heroes of the Sigilverse line of comics published by CrossGen Entertainment. One of the line's many Sigil-Bearers, individuals who are marked by a supernatural orange-and-red symbol that identifies them as wielding and imbues them with immense power. The Sigilverse was replete with Sigil-Bearers of every ilk, although the line was ultimately shuttered when CrossGen filed for bankruptcy back in 2004 despite its relative popularity. Since then, Disney and Marvel have acquired the rights to the CrossGen Entertainment catalog, with several rereleases being published in recent years.

The New Universe, also known as The World Outside Your Window, was introduced by Marvel Comics in 1986 in the pages of Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #1 by Gerry Conway and Herb Trimpe. Set in the reality of Earth-148611, which was created and crafted by industry icon Jim Shooter, the New Universe was a world where superpowered individuals only began emerging in the 1980s. Unlike the Marvel Universe, where such characters were commonplace, the New Universe offered readers a decidedly more nuanced and panicked vision of a world in which superheroes exist. Among the most prominent of the New Universe's heroes was Star Brand, otherwise known as Ken Connell, who wielded the powers of the sentient planetary defense system of the same name, which comes in the form of a literal brand.

The Star Brand, or Starbrand, is one of the few aspects of the New Universe to have made its way into the mainstream Marvel Universe outside of Multiverse-bending events such as those seen in Battleworld. In the primary Marvel Universe timeline of Earth-616, the young Kevin Kale Connor took on the mantle of the Starbrand, becoming a genuine hero during his time with the likes of the New Avengers and Nightmask. When Kevin's life was cut short, his powers were transferred to the pregnant Suzanne Selby, then to her newborn daughter Brandy shortly after Suzanne passed away. Despite her young age, Brandy proved to be a powerhouse in her own right and went on to play a key role in the Avengers' battle against Mephisto and the Council of Red.

Battleworld #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.