Dark Ages: Marvel kills off major heroes in apocalyptic new installment

Marvel Comics: Dark Ages begins with death and the origin of a new and darker world.

The Marvel Comics event Dark Ages was promoted as an event that will shake the universe. It’s safe to say that was an apt promotion. An ancient being awoke and began destroying the Earth, prompting a team of Marvel heroes to unite and stop it.

Unfortunately, the being’s defeat came with consequences. Ben Grimm and the Scarlet Witch were the first to be killed. Doctor Strange was killed while summoning an EMP that shut the being down. This also cut all the power in the world and beyond.

Planes all over, including the S.H.I.E.L.D. Herricarier, fell out of the sky. Tony Stark was in his armor and lost his leg when his armor’s power cut out. Peter Parker’s web shooters kicked out on him and Giant Man couldn’t shrink back down. The world as they knew it was over. It didn’t end, but bad things were around the corner.

In the beginning of the issue, we find out that Peter Parker is narrating the story. This event happened seven years after the world changed. Before the issue ends, Peter says, “Years after the lights went out -after the end… came the Apocalypse.” We then see that Apocalypse, a.k.a. En Sabah Nur, wasn’t alone. With him was Reed Richards, Steam-Powered Iron Man, a black and red Venom (possibly Miles Morales), a Hulk, and a more feral-looking Hank McCoy (Beast), and a woman with claws like Lady Deathstrike.

Marvel-ous thoughts

Originally, it seemed like Dark Ages was going to be a series that would take place in the main 616 universe but it looks like that won’t be the case after all. There were noticeable differences like Peter and Mary Jane having a child and the fact that Jessica Jones and Luke Cage both knew he was Spider-Man.

There was also the fact that Jean Grey and Professor Xavier were in the school instead of Krakoa. Could this be a reality that needs to be fixed in the upcoming title Avengers Forever? Is this the death of Doctor Strange that was previously announced? We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think? Do you have any expectations with this series? Is this the future of the 616 universe? Let us know in the comments below.