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To say that theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)is a major franchise would be a gross understatement. With a host of high-grossing and acclaimed films and shows under its belt, the MCU is now one of the largest media franchises in the world. But as much as we love the shows and movies, it’s important to remember that the comics are where it all begins. And in 2023, Marvel Comics is primed for some major changes with the highly-anticipated release ofJonathan HickmanandValerio Schiti’sG.O.D.S.miniseries. Read on to find out everything we know so far about the new comic series and its repercussions on the greater Marvel Universe.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on August 13.
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When Is G.O.D.S. #1 Releasing?
The first issue of theG.O.D.S.series,G.O.D.S.#1 has an on-sale date ofOctober 4, 2023. While that’s still some time away, fans can see the first appearances of some of the new characters of the series alongsidethe X-MeninX-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023#1, which was released on July 29, 2025. There are also little teases for the story that have been showing up in a number of other titles in the lead-up toG.O.D.S. #1(more on that below). Here’s the cover and preview forG.O.D.S. #1to give you a taste of what’s to come:
Fans who don’t have access to a local comic book store (or prefer reading their comics digitally) will be able to readG.O.D.S.#1 on Marvel Unlimited, the digital home of Marvel Comics. However, it will be released in stores first, and we don’t have a confirmed date for when the digital issue will be released. A subscription to Marvel Unlimited costs a monthly fee of $9.99 or $69.99 annually and gives you access to over 30,000 comic books as well as Marvel’s digital-only Infinity Comics.
Watch Marvel’s G.O.D.S. Trailer
The trailer forG.O.D.S.was released on August 19, 2025. While it doesn’t reveal much of the plot, the teaser video does reveal the involvement ofDoctor Strangeand gives us our first look at one of the new characters. Check it out in the player above.
Who Are the Creators of Marvel’s G.O.D.S.?
G.O.D.S.is written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Valerio Schiti. Colors for the first issue is byMarte Gracia. Eisner-nominee Jonathan Hickman is one of the most acclaimed writers in the comics industry at the moment. His previous work at Marvel includes popular runs onThe Avengersand theFantastic Four. Most recently, Hickman helmed the 2019 relaunch of theX-Mencomics, titled Dawn of X, and is currently the writer on Marvel’sUltimate Invasionlimited series. Valerio Schiti’s previous Marvel work includesGuardians of the Galaxy,Empyre,S.W.O.R.D.,andA.X.E.: Judgment Day#1. Marte Gracia has previously worked on a number of issues ofHulk,X-Men,Hellcat, and more.
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What Is the Plot of G.O.D.S. About?
Marvel has been playing its cards close to the chest on this one. In fact, we didn’t even know the title of the book until March 2023. But in the months since, more details have emerged that paint a rather fascinating picture.G.O.D.S.will be introducing two factions that have worked in the shadows of the Marvel Universe for thousands of years. These two factions are called THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE, and their place in the MU lies at the “crossroads of magic and science”. They also have ties to greater forces of the Marvel cosmic order, likeEternity and the Living Tribunal. Obviously, something happens to push these groups into the light for the first time, leading to them meeting various heroes and villains. That something is referred to as a “Babylon Event”, though what that entails is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, here’s what Valerio Schiti has said in astatement about the book, its take on Marvel’s gods, and working with Hickman on the project:
“When I was given a chance to work with Jonathan on a new project, I accepted right away. Then I discovered that we would be reimagining gods in the Marvel Universe: how they work, what they do, and how they interact with each other and humanity. It’s the kind of project that makes you weak in the knees when you think about it. Luckily, Jonathan has the gift to make even the most complex stories surprisingly simple and understandable. His pitch inspired me almost immediately. The core of the story is so perfect and clear that it swept away my anxiety and turned it into a burst of creativity.”
Here’s how Marvel teased the story in the preview release:
What happens when THE-POWERS-THAT-BE meet THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS? The infinite détente between THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground.
Who Are the New Characters Introduced in G.O.D.S.?
G.O.D.S. will be introducing a new cast of characters with mysterious ties to the grand cosmic side of Marvel. The trailer introduces the first of them, aJohn Constantine-typefigure called Wyn, who has beendescribedas a powerful magic user who “operated in secret for thousands of years and is now forced to come out of the shadows”. The character also makes an appearance during a flashback inDoctor Strange #6, which confirms that he has been part of the Marvel universe and at least an acquaintance of Doctor Strange for some time now. Wyn works with a partner, Dmitri the Science Boy, who Marvel describes as “reckless” and has an agenda of his own, to “discover the dark truth of his past”.Scarlet Witch #7includes a teaser page showing Dmitri in the vampire realm of Sevalith, which reveals that he’s working on a secret project that will likely play a significant role in the story to come.
Then there’s a character who appears to be Wyn’s opposite on the other side of their secret war, Aiko Maki. Maki is said to be “brutally loyal to the ways of science” and has a no-holds-barred approach to maintaining the cosmic balance and the preview forG.O.D.S. #1reveals that she and Wyn were married at some point. The series will also introduce Mia the Magic Girl, who appears to be Dimitri’s opposite, a “young sorcerer struggling to achieve her full potential”. While most of the characters seem to be aligned with one or other faction, there’s also one final character revealed who seems to be the antagonist and the one who sets the story in motion. That character is called Cubisk Core and is described as “a mysterious being of pure corruption seeking to shatter the existing systems.” All we really know about Cubisk Core is that they have been thought dead for years, having now returned more powerful than ever. We’ll certainly know more about them once they start popping up in stories, building up to the release ofG.O.D.S.#1.
G.O.D.S Variant Covers
Here are all the variant covers spotlighting the characters ofG.O.D.S.that have been revealed so far and their on-sale dates. For those of you who are closely following this new story, each of these issues hold brief teasers (as we mentioned above) so they are required reading. Or skip them and dive right in onceG.O.D.S. #1come out. Your choice, really.
