Optimisim: The Heroic Age

New York, NY (January 28, 2010) – Marvel Comics is proud to announce The Heroic Age, the dawn of an exciting new era of heroism in the Marvel Universe! Beginning in May 2010 with the release of AVENGERS #1, The Heroic Age ushers in a brighter Marvel Universe and a bold new era for the world’s greatest super heroes as they emerge from darkness with a renewed sense of hope and optimism, leading to the formation of all new teams with new members…and brand new characters! Titles branded with the Heroic Age banner offer a perfect jumping on point for readers new and old alike, as the top comic book creators in the world deliver a Marvel Universe like you’ve never seen before!

Over the past few years, the Marvel Universe and its citizens have found themselves living in a dark age of despair. Beginning with the disbanding of the Avengers, the heroes of the Marvel Universe have been caught in a demoralizing downward spiral that has included the genocide of the mutant population, a divisive civil war between heroes, the assassination of Captain America, a worldwide subversive alien infiltration and invasion, and the media-fueled and publicly-supported ascension of the Green Goblin’s civilian identity, Norman Osborn, to power and control of the United States. Now, the heroes have united once again, stronger than ever and are prepared to face the dangers that lie ahead.

This is being advertised as a perfect jumping on point for many titles. The Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Dark Avengers and The Initiative will all be cancelled and The Avengers will start from issue #1.

In the above image, it looks like Clint Barton (Ronin) will be taking back his Hawkeye persona and the Captain America shown looks to be Bucky Cap.

I wonder if the Marvel Knights line will be re-introduced to pander to those who like the darker work?

I have also heard mention of a Shadowland story arc, which will have many of the ‘street level’ heroes. Shadowland has recently been mentioned by Daredevil in a project with The Hand.