Warning! Spoilers for Avengers Forever #1 by Marvel Comics
Marvel's Black Skull rises in a brand new variant cover showcasing the newest Venom symbiote-wielding villain who's one of the biggest threats in the Multiverse. In a new second printing cover for Avengers Forever #1, artist Aaron Kuder's design for the Black Skull gets a closer look, as the villain admits he can "control the symbiote" while claiming to be "the master."
This week, Marvel Comics revealed four titles would be receiving second printings after selling out at the distributor level. Shang-Chi #7 is getting a second printing variant cover from Dike Ruan, featuring the hero's grandfather, Xin. Captain America/Iron Man #1's stunning Alex Ross cover is getting a black and white second print variant. Death of Doctor Strange: Bloodstone #1 will also be getting a second printing cover from IG Guara, which will feature the newest Bloodstone sibling, Lyra. Lastly, Avengers Forever #1 will be getting two new second printing covers, one of which will feature the Venom-infused Black Skull and another 1:25 black and white variant starring Scarlet Witch.
The Black Skull originally debuted in the Heroes Reborn crossover, as another version of the character just appeared in the Avengers Forever series. Part Red Skull and part Venom symbiote, the Black Skull rules over a wasteland universe that has been ravaged by his armored War Machine army. As part of the Multiversal Masters of Evil, the villain wants to control the Multiverse, killing the Avengers on his own Earth. With the Ghost-Rider ending up on his Earth in search of heroes, Black Skull introduced himself by asking the Earth-616 Avengers' hero to kneel to him. Now, Marvel is providing a closer look at the symbiote-infused dictator.
In a new second printing cover from Aaron Kuder, the Black Skull's design takes center stage. The villain uses his Venom powers in showing off his symbiote-created arm, as his menancing red eyes glow. The Black Skull reveals "I control the symbiote," and that "I am the master."
Avengers Forever #1 will also feature a 1:25 variant which is a black and white verison of Russell Dauterman's original Scarlet Witch cover for the series. Aaron Kuder's Black Skull cover is a standard variant and can be ordered in comic book shops now. The cover, out in February, provides a cool, new glimpse at Black Skull, a villain who combines Red Skull and the Venom symbiote, who's set to play a huge part in the current Avengers Forever series.