2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of US publisher Marvel Comics‘ “Giant-Size” format, and the publisher is celebrating with a mix of new Giant-Size one-shots and facsimile editions of older issues. The first new Giant-Size will feature a cover by Bryan Hitch.
Over 60 Giant-Size comics were published during the title’s original run, the series featuring Marvel superheroes such as The Avengers, Master of Kung-Fu, Spider-Man during its original run, as well as Conan the Barbarian, Dracula, Kid Colt and Man-Thing.
The anniversary program will kick off with a facsimile edition of Giant-Size Super-Stars #1, which will go on sale from 27th December in comic shops, by Gerry Conway and Rich Buckler, the very first Giant-Size comic.
Like all the best bouts, this one takes place in the ring at Madison Square Garden—with the Fantastic Four watching on! In the green corner, it’s Bruce Banner’s incredible alter ego! In the orange corner, it’s bashful Benjamin J. Grimm! But there’s a twist to this fight that you won’t believe – and the formidable warrior Thundra is on hand to tag in! Will it be Clobberin’ Time for the Hulk? Or will the ever-lovin’ Thing get smashed?
The facsimile will include the ads that ran in the original comic and will have a cover by Rich Buckler.
The first new comic, on sale from 10th January 2024, will feature a cover by Bryan Hitch, and will be Giant-Size Spider-man #1 by current Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Cody Ziglar and Stormbreakers artist Iban Coello, featuring Miles Morales and Dylan Brock in a one-on-one grudge match.
In the Giant-Size tradition, the comic also includes an extra story: a reprint of Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli’s Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #22, featuring the climax of Miles’s battle with Venom.
“Before crossover events became the norm, True Believers knew that Giant-Size issues were home to Marvel’s most earth-shattering developments,” say the publisher. “During its original run, the pages of Giant-Size included legendary Marvel moments like the groundbreaking debut of the all-new, all-different X-Men, the wedding of Vision and Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man’s run-in with Dracula, and the first appearances of Multiple Man, Lilith, Korvac, and Tigra!
“Ever since then, when fans see Giant-Size on a comic, they know they were in for an epic ride, and these new one-shots will pack the same punch! These new instalments will also include backup reprints of key stories, giving readers a gigantic dose of Marvel brilliance, past and present.”
• GIANT-SIZE SUPER-STARS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by Gerry Conway | Art and Cover by Rich Buckler | On Sale 27th December 2023
• GIANT-SIZE SPIDER-MAN #1
Written by Cody Ziglar | Art by Iban Coello | Cover by Bryan Hitch
On Sale 10th January 2024
• Marvel Comics is online at
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, US Comics
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