The battle between Knull and Hela escalates this September as Marvel unveils new details for the closing chapters of its symbiote-fueled crossover event.
Launching July 22, Queen in Black is a five-issue event series written by Al Ewing with artwork by Iban Coello. The story centers on a cosmic war between Knull and Hela, with Earth caught in the middle as both villains seek ultimate power.
The conflict has reached catastrophic levels by the time September’s issues arrive. Hela has claimed Knull’s throne and commands an army of symbiotes as the Queen in Black, while Knull has seized control of the Lightforce Dimension and transformed himself into the God of Light. With two cosmic powers battling for dominance, Earth finds itself at the center of the war.
Among the biggest developments teased in the newly announced issues is the arrival of Venomworld in Queen in Black #4 and #5, a concept that has been building throughout Ewing’s run. Marvel also revealed that current Venom host Mary Jane Watson will face a major decision in Venom #262, one that could have lasting consequences for both the Marvel Universe and her future as a symbiote hero.
Elsewhere, Eddie Brock confronts a defining choice of his own in Queen in Black: Venom Unchained #3, while the two Defenders teams join forces for the finale of Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #4. The event’s reach also extends into Black Cat #14, where Felicia Hardy becomes involved in what Marvel describes as the greatest heist in the galaxy.
Speaking with Marvel.com, Ewing discussed how the tie-ins connect to the larger event.
“I’m writing a couple of specials – in QUEEN IN BLACK: HELA, Karnilla of the Norns tells the tale of how Hela started all this, and which forgotten Thor tried to prevent it. QUEEN IN BLACK: THOR, meanwhile, is a tale of Beta Ray Bill and the Mortal Thor, Sigurd Jarlson—how they react to Hela, and how Hela reacts to them. And finally, in VENOM, we get to see the war against Hela from the point of view of the characters in that book—Dylan, Mary Jane, and obviously the Venom symbiote himself. It’ll be a fun time!”
With Venomworld finally coming into focus and major decisions looming for both Mary Jane Watson and Eddie Brock, the event appears poised to reshape the future of Marvel’s symbiote corner heading into its conclusion.
QUEEN IN BLACK #4 (OF 5)
Written by AL EWING
Art by IBAN COELLO
VENOM ASCENDING!
As the war between Hela and Knull gets personal, Tyr unleashes his final weapon on the beleaguered Avengers! Meanwhile, in the Baxter Building, Reed Richards investigates Codex’s half-symbiote power… with cataclysmic consequences! Will the end of Venom’s golden era coincide with the end of Planet Earth?
QUEEN IN BLACK #5 (OF 5)
Written by AL EWING
Art by IBAN COELLO
OH, THE HUMANlTY!
In the war between Light and Dark, the winner’s taken their prize… but is it Hela or Knull who’s ascended to the Throne of All? Either way, the only thing standing between them and all life on Earth is… the VENOMWORLD! It’s the ultimate symbiote battle—and for Mary Jane Watson, it’s the last stand!
BLACK CAT #14
Written by G. WILLOW WILSON
Art by GLEB MELNIKOV
COSMIC THEFT?
The only hope to stop the Knull and the Queen in Black’s war is… BLACK CAT?! Oh, wait—she’s gotta steal something?! PURRRFECT! The stakes couldn’t be higher for Felicia. Hopefully, she knows how to fly a spaceship!
QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK #3 (OF 3)
Written by TOM WALTZ
Art by ZÉ CARLOS
CATACLYSMIC CONTINGENCY!
The Defenders have taken a beating on two fronts, emboldening Knull and Hela to personally finish off both strike teams once and for all. The time has come for Plan B—but will this desperate contingency be enough for Team Light and Team Dark to stop the dual horrors of the Queen in Black and the God of Light from turning Planet Earth into yet another battlefield in their cosmic conflict? Light and Dark forces collide (and unite!) in this bombastic grand finale!
QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNCHAINED #3 (OF 3)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by JUANAN RAMÍREZ
THE KING IS BACK?
Eddie Brock was the King in Black… right up until he wasn’t. It was him vacating the throne that led to the return of Knull and Hela’s rise as the Queen in Black. Can he make up for his mistake? Could he take back the crown as god of symbiotes?
VENOM #262
Written by AL EWING
Art by CARLOS GÓMEZ
WHO IS THE NEW ALL-VENOM?
Mary Jane Watson is Venom… and so is everybody else! VENOMWORLD LIVES!
The war between Knull and Hela just ended—and even Eight Billion Venoms might not be enough to beat the winner! It’s the strangest adventure yet for the World’s Strangest Roommates… but is the lease finally up?
BLACK CAT #14
Written by G. WILLOW WILSON
Art by GLEB MELNIKOV
Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/9
QUEEN IN BLACK #4 (OF 5)
Written by AL EWING
Art by IBAN COELLO
Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
On Sale 9/16
QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK #3 (OF 3)
Written by TOM WALTZ
Art by ZÉ CARLOS
Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
On Sale 9/16
QUEEN IN BLACK #5 (OF 5)
Written by AL EWING
Art by IBAN COELLO
Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
On Sale 9/30
QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNCHAINED #3 (OF 3)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by JUANAN RAMÍREZ
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
On Sale 9/30
VENOM #262
Written by AL EWING
Art and Cover by CARLOS GÓMEZ
On Sale 9/30
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