Comic book universes often find themselves on the brink of extinction due to intergalactic threats or dimensional catastrophes. Marvel is currently navigating two such crises, as Hela and Knull arrive to wreak havoc across the cosmos. In response, the heroes are mobilising, with Iron Man and Beta Ray Bill each leading their own teams of Defenders in this crossover event.

Marvel has already unveiled the forthcoming Queen in Black crossover event, crafted by Al Ewing and Iban Coello. This storyline features Hela, the goddess of death, and Knull, the god of the void, as they embark on a relentless quest to obliterate everything in their path. In order to counteract this formidable threat, two distinct teams of heroes are being assembled.

In Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark, writer Tom Waltz and artist Zé Carlos depict Beta Ray Bill leading a team comprising Photon, Sunfire, and Dagger in their battle against Hela. Concurrently, Iron Man, donned in his new Darkforce armour, commands Darkstar, Agent Anti-Venom, and Cloak to confront Knull. These newly formed teams may not be the conventional heroes one might expect to save the world; however, this unconventional approach is intentional. Tom Waltz remarked, “These aren’t your normal Defenders. Teaming them up to help save the planet might seem unorthodox at first, but perhaps a little superhero chaos is precisely what is required to thwart Hela and Knull’s chaotic designs.”

Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #1 (of 3) is set to be released on July 8, 2026.