The Muppets have taken on Hollywood, Manhattan, Treasure Island, Haunted Mansion, and so much more – and soon they will take on iconic Marvel heroes and villains.
It’s Not Easy Being a Green Hero
Marvel Comics has announced The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1, a new crossover one-shot celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show.
The crossover marks the first time the Muppets have officially teamed up with Marvel Comics heroes in this kind of comic-book event.
Chip Zdarsky, one of the lead writers for the one-shot comic, conveyed his excitement for the project:
“With the great power of two iconic properties comes great responsibility. I promise to not let down Kermit, Fozzie and Animal the way Spider-Man let down his Uncle Ben. It’s impossible to overstate how excited I write for Miss Piggy, who I consider to be one of the greatest icons of the last hundred years, a character who speaks to every generation.”
The official announcement teases several plot points where much of the leading cast of Muppets will cross paths with other popular Marvel heroes.
Readers will see Rowlf the Dog kidnapped by Mojo, the X-Men villain known for his obsession with entertainment, ratings, and televised spectacle. This time, Mojo is apparently looking to launch a new streaming service, putting a very modern spin on his long-running media-satire gimmick.
To rescue Rowlf, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Wolverine, Emma Frost, and many more characters will team up for what Marvel is calling a “pop culture history-making adventure”.
Muppet Mayhem through the Marvel Universe
Several other short crossover stories will also be featured in the one-shot.
In one story, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker welcome Bruce Banner and Hank Pym to Muppet Labs for an experiment involving Gamma Rays and Pym Particles. Considering Banner’s connection to the Hulk and Pym’s work as Ant-Man, the combination of Marvel science and Muppet Labs chaos seems like a recipe for disaster.
Another story brings Doctor Strange into the mix when Clea Strange becomes ill from a mystical virus. When Stephen Strange does not have the cure, help comes from an unexpected source: the Swedish Chef.
The final teased story sends the Muppets into deep space, as Pigs in Space collides with Marvel’s own cosmic mischief-makers. Captain Link Hogthrob, First Mate Piggy, and Dr. Julius Strangepork crash into Rocket Raccoon and Groot, leading to what Marvel describes as “cosmic chaos.”
Some original artwork shared by Marvel on Instagram leans heavily into both brands. One image combines Kermit’s face with Spider-Man’s mask, splitting the two icons down the middle.
Another celebrates the 30th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island, showing the Muppets in pirate attire with Deadpool looming behind them in a pirate-inspired costume.
Additional artwork shows Gonzo caught in Ghost Rider-style mayhem, with a flaming-skulled rider on a motorcycle behind him.
Another image features Kermit alongside Spider-Man, with the frog appearing delighted to be web-slinging through the Marvel Universe.
The final image gathers several Marvel and Muppet characters together, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm, Captain America, Iron Man, Deadpool, Black Panther, Emma Frost, and more.
The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 continues a recent pattern of Disney properties crossing over in Marvel Comics, including another crossover event this year that featured Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship.
The crossover one-shot is currently scheduled to release this September.
Are you excited to see the Muppet gang enter the Marvel Universe? Join the discussion with us on social media!
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