Exclusive: Abrams ComicArts and Marvel announce ‘Marvels: The Novelization’

‘Marvels: The Novelization’ by Steve Darnall and Alex Ross coming May 2026.

September 24, 2025

Abrams ComicArts, in partnership with Marvel, will bring fans a whole new way to experience one of the most celebrated stories in comics history. The publisher has announced Marvels: The Novelization by Steve Darnall, featuring illustrations from Alex Ross, arriving in May 2026.

This marks the first-ever prose adaptation of Marvels, the landmark 1994 comic series by Kurt Busiek and Ross that redefined how superhero stories could be told. The novelization revisits photojournalist Phil Sheldon’s street-level perspective on the Marvel Universe, chronicling the awe and uncertainty of ordinary people as gods, monsters, and heroes rise above New York City.

The book features a new cover, an afterword, and a mix of full-color and black-and-white artwork by Ross, giving readers both visual and literary dimensions to explore. It represents a new chapter in how this groundbreaking series continues to resonate with audiences more than three decades later.

“Years ago, I had the immense privilege of working with Alex Ross on the story that helped to inspire Marvels—and, like a lot of people, I became a big fan of the story that Alex and Kurt Busiek told in their terrific series,” says Steve Darnall. “It’s been a real pleasure working with the team at Abrams ComicArts as we take Kurt and Alex’s story and present it in a way that hasn’t been done before.”

“Marvels: The Novelization fulfills a long-held ambition I’ve had to see an even greater expansion of the original work,” comments Alex Ross. “I’m thrilled with what Steve has written and look forward to sharing what he’s done with the world.”

“With Marvels: The Novelization, we are revisiting a story that continues to shape the way we look at superheroes,” says Charles Kochman, editor-in-chief of Abrams ComicArts. “Steve’s prose and Alex’s art offer readers a fresh way to engage with this seminal work.”