In recent years, Marvel’s big events have been somewhat reactionary to whatever may be going on in the movies, with Civil War II being a prime example of that. And with the theatrical release of Avengers: Infinity War being just around the corner, many True Believers were probably expecting for some sort of grand cosmic tale to develop. Well, if that was your assumption, then you were 100% correct.
As it turns out, it’ll come in the form of Infinity Countdown, a five-issue series which we’re learning about via the exact same hyberbole that preceded every Marvel event in the past decade or so. Being billed as “the greatest epic in the history of the Infinity Stones” that will “lead to an even greater story – and one that will impact the entire Marvel Universe.”
Here’s the preliminary synopsis that’s been given:
As the hunt for the stones begins, a new weapon of unimaginable power is being forged…and it’s a weapon like nothing the universe has ever seen! What is its purpose? And who – or what – is the destructive force that will be unleashed on the world? The race for power in the post Secret Wars universe has begun, and its search will impact every Marvel character from the street to the cosmos, from the Avengers to Spider-Man to the X-Men, even bringing about the end of the Guardians of the Galaxy!
In other words, “It starts with the Guardians, but the story extends out into the entire Marvel Universe, with stones popping up in some VERY surprising places,” as editor Jordan D. White put it. Furthermore, we’re told that the Guardians will “disassemble,” as ominous as that sounds.
It all kicks off this February in the 48-page one-shot, Infinity Coundown Prime #1, which’ll be written by Gerry Duggan and illustrated by Mike Deodato. Then, the real fun begins in March with Infinity Countdown #1, also written by Duggan, but with art by Aaron Kuder.