The times are changing for Marvel's youngest superheroes, with their very right to fight crime about to be questioned by the United States government. But when a controversial new law orders super-teenagers to remove their masks and stop being heroes, Ms. Marvel, Nova, and Spider-Man will do the only thing they can: reunite the Champions for a brand new ongoing comic series.
The new Champions series will be the main book launching in the wake of Marvel's Outlawed one-shot, with writer Eve L. Ewing carrying the shockwaves of the 'ban on teen superheroes' forward, along with artist Simone Di Meo. As expected, the series unites the star trio of Kamala Khan, Miles Morales, and Sam Alexander. But from what Ewing tells us to expect from the new series, and our exclusive first look at Champions #1 artwork, the defiant rallying cry that launches the book will bring more teen vigilantes to their side -- fast.
From the very first details on Eve L. Ewing and Kim Jacinto's coming one-shot, it was clear how Outlawed could change Marvel's Universe in a powerful, timely way. As our own world is witnessing a growing rift between the aging power and youth of tomorrow, it only seems right to reflect it in Marvel's superhero community. And once Outlawed raises the question of 'allowing' underage superheroes, and decides on legislation... it seems those adolescents have no choice but to embrace their 'outlaw' brand. Take a look at Toni Infante's cover art for Champions #1 below:
It would be hard to call the series "Champions" without the three heroes seen above, but the cover art gives even more texture to the coming relaunch. The "OUTLAWED" stamp makes the fugitive nature of the team clear, but the mural of Kamala Khan's unmasked face suggests how far she will be going to make her stand for every hero under the age of twenty-one. Marvel has also offered the official plot synopsis for Champions #1, which can be found below:
THE CHAMPIONS RETURN IN TROUBLED TIMES! A law is passed that goes against everything Ms. Marvel, Nova and Spider–Man founded the Champions for…But the world still needs heroes, even if the world doesn’t want them right now. After Ms. Marvel makes an unexpected and emotional announcement that her team won’t go down without a fight, a group of teen vigilantes gathers to plan their next move. But the C.R.A.D.L.E. task force is hot on their trail, and there’s a spy in their midst… Eve L. Ewing (IRONHEART, OUTLAWED) and Simone Di Meo (IMMORTAL HULK: THE BEST DEFENSE and VENOM: ACTS OF EVIL) team up for a dramatic new era of Champions that will define Marvel’s teen heroes for years to come!
The expectations were already high that Outlawed would be used to inject new energy into young heroes across Marvel's catalogue. But for those disappointed by the surprise conclusion of the previous Champion series, the news that Outlawed will be used to unite the team with a new mission only guarantees more eyes on the coming one-shot. And speaking with Ewing about the new ongoing series, the writer's own excitement to carry the Champions torch forward is evident. Paired with a preview of Simone Di Meo's variant cover and interior artwork, it's no wonder.
For all the excitement building around Outlawed, I know the first question a lot of fans had after the announcement was the future of the CHAMPIONS. Can fans officially get excited about having the team 'back together'?
Yes! I'm excited and I hope readers are excited! I'm a huge fan of the Champions and I love everything Jim Zub and the team did with them on their last go round, so I'm so geeked that I get to tell a story with so many of my faves in one title.
Even with some of the industry's top talent handling these heroes in other books, the end of the previous CHAMPIONS series showed how much this team means to a lot of comic book fans. At the time Jim Zub said their future in 2020 was "vibrant, exciting, and absolutely worthy." Does that affection mean you put more pressure on yourself?
I always put pressure on myself, but it's less about anything anyone says and more about what I know the characters and our fans deserve. I think individually and collectively the Champions are some of the coolest, most interesting characters in the Marvel Universe. I loved writing Kamala on Marvel Team-Up, and observant readers noticed that I brought in Nadia van Dyne (Wasp) and Miles Morales on Ironheart. And I want to tell a story that's worthy of them. For me the big challenge is working with an ensemble cast, trying to make sure that we tell a cohesive story while individual characters also have moments to shine.
It's been said this story you're telling is going to ripple out from these young heroes into the larger Marvel Universe, even more than you would have anticipated at the outset. Is that impact going to be a part of the CHAMPIONS' story, or a sign this new series will be tying into other books and creative teams?
Alanna Smith came to me with this story idea last summer. I was so into it and we were just talking about it as a cool series that I would do. But after I started working on the pitch, it became clear that there was interest from other creative teams in picking up the story, and that was humbling and cool. So now it's creeping more toward becoming a complete status quo change for the Marvel Universe, and I've connected with a couple of other writers to think about what they're gonna be doing in other titles. Can't wait to see where it all goes!
Considering that the first Champions were united under the motto that "the world still needs heroes," this new change of status quo doesn't stray too far from their inspiration. No matter what laws are passed, the world does still need heroes, regardless of whether they're teenagers asking if they should act, or if they are allowed to by law. And as Ewing alludes to other characters with ties to young heroes being impacted, there is already evidence arriving to suggest the Champions may have Avengers on their side. Which is good, since they may also have to deal with a few who want to enforce the new legislation.
What will the future hold for Marvel's next generation of costumed superheroes? That question will be thoroughly explored in the coming year, but when the dust kicked up by Outlawed finally settles, fans can at least be sure that Champions #1 will emerge.