By the end of the event, the Marvel Universe as we know it will be gone. And so will the Ultimate Universe, a separate timeline started in 2000. What’s left will be a fresh universe replacing both of them while carrying over some pieces. The event is the culmination of a years-long run on Avengers and New Avengers by writer Jonathan Hickman, but its reach will be much larger than those two books (which are now ending). “The Ultimate Universe and the Marvel Universe are going to smash together,” editor-in-chief Axel Alonso explained. “Imagine there’s two pizzas. They’re going to smash together. You’re going to have all-new toppings. Some toppings are going to drop off. You’re going to yell about some that are missing. You’re going to love the new ones that are there. That’s the new Marvel universe moving forward.” The initial clash between these two universes will happen in Secret Wars #1, which is coming out in May. Marvel is adamant that some elements of the Marvel Universe’s 60 years of history will remain, but it’s unclear how much or which specific pieces.
