Marvel Exklusiv #9
Marvel Exklusiv #9 is the first German-language collected edition of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1–12 (May 1984–April 1985), the 12-issue limited series that established the template for the modern superhero crossover event. Published by Panini Deutschland in August 1998, it brought to German-speaking readers the story that introduced Titania (Mary MacPherran), Volcana (Marsha Rosenberg), and the second Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter) — all created specifically for this series — as well as the in-story origin of Spider-Man's alien black symbiote costume, the chain of events that eventually produced Venom. Beyond its new characters, the series permanently reshuffled the Fantastic Four's roster (She-Hulk replaced the Thing, who stayed on Battleworld) and is widely credited as the first major, highly publicized Marvel event built around an ensemble of heroes and villains drawn from across multiple ongoing titles.
"Prolog: Der Ultimative Krieg!" marks a pivotal moment in the Marvel Exklusiv series, bringing together iconic figures in a high-stakes prelude that sets the stage for an escalating conflict. Written by Jim Shooter and Michael Strittmatter, with dynamic artwork by Mike Zeck and inks by John Beatty, the story unfolds with the Hulk grappling with fading intellect, Spider-Man uncovering a shocking turn among the X-Men, and Doom seeking new allies as tensions rise. The cover by Zeck and Beatty captures the intensity of the moment, hinting at a war that’s already begun in shadows.
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The original Secret Wars was conceived by Marvel's then-editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and initially announced under the title Cosmic Champions; Mattel's focus-group research found that children responded strongly to the words 'secret' and 'wars,' and the series was retitled and tied to a Mattel action-figure line. Mattel's involvement also shaped character design — Doctor Doom and Iron Man received more high-tech armor — and mandated the introduction of several new female characters, resulting in Titania, Volcana, and Julia Carpenter's Spider-Woman. Pencilling was shared by Mike Zeck (who designed the black symbiote costume and both new villains) and Bob Layton, with inking primarily by John Beatty, coloring by Christie Scheele, and editing by Tom DeFalco. The Grand Comics Database confirms that Panini Deutschland collected all twelve issues into a single softcover and hardcover volume released in August 1998 as part of the Marvel Exklusiv reprint line, which ran to well over 100 numbered albums presenting key Marvel material in German translation.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Collects all 12 issues of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (May 1984–April 1985), written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton.
- First German collected edition of Secret Wars, published by Panini Deutschland in August 1998 as both a softcover and a hardcover under the Marvel Exklusiv imprint (GCD series #35117).
- Contains the first appearance of Titania (Mary MacPherran), created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, debuting in Secret Wars #3 (July 1984).
- Contains the first appearance of Volcana (Marsha Rosenberg), also debuting in Secret Wars #3 alongside Titania — both characters were empowered by Doctor Doom using alien technology on Battleworld.
- Contains the first appearance of Julia Carpenter as the second Spider-Woman, debuting in Secret Wars #6, created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck; her black-and-white costume design directly influenced the look of Spider-Man's alien symbiote suit.
- Secret Wars #8, also reprinted here, is the in-story origin of Spider-Man's black alien symbiote costume — the organism that later bonded with Eddie Brock to become Venom.
- The series features Jim Rhodes (not Tony Stark) as Iron Man, Monica Rambeau as Captain Marvel, and the X-Men operating as a separate faction, reflecting the state of those characters' ongoing titles in 1984.
- Secret Wars is recognized as the first major, highly publicized 12-issue Marvel crossover event, predating and inspiring later events such as Infinity Gauntlet; its long-term consequences for the Marvel Universe included She-Hulk joining the Fantastic Four and the Thing departing the team.
Cast · 40 characters
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Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Der Hulk befürchtet insgeheim, dass sein Intellekt schwindet. Spider-Man belauscht die X-Men bei ihren Plänen, sich Magneto anzuschließen, und peitscht die Mutanten aus, bis Xavier sein Gedächtnis löscht. Da ihre Kräfte geschwunden sind, sucht sich Doom zwei neue Verbündete für den kommenden Krieg. Thor erweckt die Enchantress wieder zum Leben und die beiden machen sich auf den Weg, um sich zu unterhalten. Als die Morgendämmerung anbricht, lässt der Hulk die Wache im Stich und die Helden sind nicht auf den Angriff der Schurken auf ihre Basis vorbereitet, die schnell die Oberhand gewinnen.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).