When the Marvel NOW initiative was announced last year, it was seen by many - including myself - as a cheap “me too!” maneuver from the House of Ideas, in the wake of the success of DC Comics' New 52.

Just one year later, however, Marvel NOW is seen more as a mission statement - a guarantee to fans to bring passionate creators to unique and interesting takes of their iconic characters.  Marvel NOW has culminated in the huge Infinity crossover spanning across the Avengers titles today, and so it only seems proper that this December brings the next step…All-New Marvel NOW.

Starting on December 24th, three titles mark the beginning of this next era in Marvel Comics - Avengers, by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribic, the previously announced Inhumans by writer Matt Fraction and artistic superstar Joe Madiurera, and the surprise announcement of All-New Invaders, by new Marvel writer (but long-time DC Comics staple) James Robinson and artist Steve Pugh.

As opposed to kicking off how Marvel NOW did, with a “Point One” issue, the Avengers title (launching the “Rogue Planet” storyline, involving the superteam chasing down a runaway planet) will be numbered #24.NOW.

The All-New Marvel NOW launch will continue with new titles through April, as Marvel hopes to capture the same excitement which gave them the position of being the best selling comics publisher between October 2012 and May 2013.  For fans who are worried about being lost - don’t be - specially selected issues of this launch will include digital codes to give you a free-copy of the entire first collection of that series.

Who wants to bet that we’ll see the Even Newer 52 come out of this? Because right now, God knows DC Comics can use all the help it can get.

Source: USA Today