Warning: Minor SPOILERS for Contagion #3
The Contagion is spreading in Marvel's Universe, claiming hero after hero with no end in sight, and no way to defeat it. But when Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four decides to trust in his Hulk-ending punch, he takes the situation from troubling to downright terrifying. What if killing the source of the infection... means killing anyone attached to it?
That's a strange question for any superhero to be forced to ask, but then, nothing about this Contagion event has been ordinary thus far. After a handful of men were infected in Iron Fist's hometown, one managed to escape to New York City either knowingly spreading his infection, or already being controlled by it. Whatever the specifics, the man--known as 'The Urchin,' was able to instantly infect each member of the Fantastic Four with crippling boils, tentacles, and a total lack of individual thought. Every member except The Thing, that is, who has since become the tip of the spear in what must be the weirdest threat to strike Marvel in years. But he may have just made things a lot worse.
The Thing can't exactly be blamed for relying on a knockout punch to put the spreading Contagion on its heels. And to be fair, the actual nature of the disease/curse/infection is still anybody's guess. But if this unthinkable horror is actually sinking its hooks into heroes everywhere like some massive, coordinated puppet show, is there a way to untangle the victims at all? That may prove to be the most important question in the series going forward. But for now, check out the preview pages below:
Considering just what's at stake in this story--which is apparently taking place in Marvel's current canon, unlike the anti-life apocalypse seen in DCeased--it's safe to assume The Thing is mistaken, and killing the Urchin which started the infection won't actually kill the infection itself, or the identities of the heroes it's already possessed (assuming that wasn't all just cruel trickery to torment others into submission). Still, the solution to this problem has yet to materialize. Fans can see what the next step for The Thing and his friends will be when the full issue arrives next Wednesday. For now, be sure to read below for the full credits and plot synopsis:
- CONTAGION #3 (OF 5)
- Release Date: October 16th, 2019
- Written by: Ed Brisson
- Art by: Roge Antonio, Mack Chater, Damian Couceiro, Adam Gorham, Stephen Segovia
- Cover Art by: Juan Jose Ryp
- A NEW EVIL BEYOND UNDERSTANDING COMES TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! A seemingly unstoppable force has invaded the Marvel Universe, and it’s going to take every hero the streets of New York has to stop it! A strange substance is taking over heroes and citizens alike, draining them of their life force, stealing their knowledge and abilities, and neither science nor magic can stop it! Where did it come from? Can anything destroy it? And who will fall to its awful, overwhelming power?
Contagion #3 will be available at your local comic book shop or direct from Marvel Comics on October 16th, 2019.