Marvel and DC Comics have lengthy been the main publishing juggernauts within the business, each tapping into ‘shared universes.’ Nonetheless, they nonetheless face competitors from different IPs resembling Dynamite, Darkish Horse Comics, Valiant, and extra. Now, it seems that they may face much more competitors, as a brand-new impartial firm, Summit Comics, is ready to affix the listing of superhero shared universes in 2026.
As a fast refresher, a shared universe refers to a fictional world the place a number of characters and tales coexist, enabling them to work together with each other. This idea originated in 1940, when MLJ Comics (later Archie Comics) revolutionized comedian e-book historical past by teaming up two of its heroes, the Defend and the Wizard, for a crossover occasion.
It was the primary time readers noticed heroes collide in a shared universe. The thought was quickly adopted by different publishers, together with Marvel, DC Comics, and Picture, and has since change into customary follow within the comedian e-book business.
Summit Comics Launches New Superhero Shared Universe to Rival Marvel & DC
All-Star Inventive Workforce and $500K in Crowdfunding Energy the Summit Universe
Summit Comics will join DC Comics, Marvel, Darkish Horse Comics, and different publishers subsequent yr as the latest firm to launch a superhero shared universe. The formidable mission is fueled by over half 1,000,000 {dollars} in crowdfunding raised over time by its all-star workforce of creators, who at the moment are working collectively to deliver the Summit Universe to life.
Acquainted names main Summit Comics embody Travis Gibb (Upheaval, Cthulhu Invades) as Writer, Devin Arscott (Noir, Magni the Mighty) as Editor-in-Chief, and Adam Barnhardt (SHTSHOW, Moonspawn*) as Chief Inventive Officer. Different creators serving to launch the universe embody CJ Hudson (Granite, Interstellar Mud) and Marcus Jimenez (Techoknights, Knight From Hell), forming a powerful basis for Summit’s upcoming debut.
Followers also can stay up for the work of Benjamin Morse (We Are Scarlet Twilight), Cam Kerkau (Gilgamesh), Daniel Kalban (American Desires, Knightwrath), Brian Wolf (Upheaval), Eric Palicki (Guardians of Infinity, Black’s Delusion), Brayden Viloria (Haven), Nate Schachter (The CloakRoom), J. Michael Miller (Child Crustaceous), and letterer Jerome Gagnon, every bringing their distinctive inventive imaginative and prescient to Summit Comics’ shared universe.
Summit Comics Kicks Off with Anthology, Ongoing Sequence, and Solo Titles
A Uncommon Likelihood for Readers to Be a part of a Shared Universe from Day One
The Summit Universe will formally debut with Summit: Pinnacle, an annual anthology that includes totally different creators telling tales throughout the shared universe. These tales will proceed within the bi-monthly sequence Summit Bounce. From there, choose characters will spin off into solo restricted sequence, with Travis Gibb’s Upheaval and CJ Hudson’s Granite already confirmed as a part of the primary wave of titles.
What makes Summit Comics’ launch so thrilling is that it offers readers a uncommon likelihood to leap in on the very starting of a brand-new universe, with out the overwhelming many years of historical past, lore, and baggage typically tied to DC or Marvel. Summit affords followers a real zero-year expertise, permitting them to be a part of the writer’s basis and witness the hype unfold in actual time.
