User blog:ARTaylor/30 Years of the Secret Wars

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the Secret Wars, the first major crossover event for Marvel Comics. Originally intended to sell toys, the innovative twelve-issue comic series began in May of 1984 lasting until April 1985.

The story had Beyonder pitting the heroes Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Iron Man, She-Hulk, Thor, Wasp, Human Torch, Mister Fantastic, Thing, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Hulk, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, Lockheed, and Magneto against of villainous forces of Absorbing Man, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Enchantress, Kang, Klaw, Lizard, Molecule Man, Titania, Ultron, Volcana, Wrecking Crew, and Galactus.

The most lasting effects of the story were the introductions of the Julia Carpenter version of Spider-Woman as well as the alien symbiote that would be bonded to Spider-Man eventually leading to the creation of Venom.

The story was adapted into the fifth season of Spider-Man:, , and. This abridged version focused on the training of Spider-Man by Beyonder and Madame Web.