New Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection: Dark Reign

Award-winning comic-book creator Brian Michael Bendis is one of the most successful writers in the industry today. In addition to an acclaimed run on Daredevil, he has helmed a renaissance for Marvel’s popular Avengers franchise and written the event projects House of M, Secret War, Secret Invasion, Siege, Age of Ultron and Civil War II. Bendis wrote every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man from its launch in 2000 before bringing his multiracial Spider-Man, Miles Morales, to the Marvel Universe for continuing adventures. He took on Marvel’s mutants in the pages of All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men, and launched Guardians of the Galaxy into the stratosphere. Bendis shook up the life of Tony Stark in Invincible Iron Man and related titles, introducing Riri Williams as Ironheart, and then assembled street-level heroes Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Daredevil and his co-creation Jessica Jones in Defenders. His creator-owned projects include Scarlet with Alex Maleev, Brilliant with Mark Bagley, and Takio and the Eisner Award-winning Powers with Michael Avon Oeming.

Artist Jim Cheung began his association with Marvel Comics in the 1990s, drawing titles such as Black Knight, Force Works, Iron Man, Maverick and an extensive run on X-Force. He also did popular work on the CrossGen series Scion. In 2005, Cheung launched the critically acclaimed Young Avengers with writer Allan Heinberg. He went on to illustrate New Avengers: Illuminati with writer Brian Michael Bendis, and reunited with Heinberg and their signature Young Avengers characters in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Cheung’s modern-yet-classic style has made him highly sought-after for covers and event series, including contributions to Infinity, Avengers & X-Men: Axis and Civil War II.

Award-winning artist Stuart Immonen began his comics career in 1988, having worked for most of the industry’s major publishers — including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image — in the decades since. In addition to 2011’s Fear Itself, he has illustrated such high-profile Marvel series as Ultimate Spider-Man, Thor, Incredible Hulk, Avengers and the cult-favorite Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. After joining forces with Mark Waid to inaugurate Marvel’s digital Infinite Comics line, Immonen penciled All-New X-Men in the Marvel NOW! era before taking on the ultimate blockbuster project: Star Wars.

Spanish illustrator Daniel Acuña began his professional career with the publication of the French series Claus & Simon, later reprinted by the popular American magazine Heavy Metal. Acuña then burst onto the American comics scene with DC’s Green Lantern and Flash. For Marvel, he has illustrated such popular series as Young X-Men, Eternals, Black Widow, X-Men Legacy, Avengers, New Avengers, Uncanny Avengers and Wolverine.

Artist Mike McKone was pegged as a future industry superstar when his first work was published in DC’s JLA and Legion. In 2001, McKone collaborated with writer Judd Winick to launch Marvel’s Exiles, a surprise hit among X-fans. Two years later, he teamed with writer Geoff Johns to revamp Teen Titans for DC. Since signing an exclusive contract with Marvel, McKone’s credits include Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers Academy.

Acclaimed cover artist Marko Djurdjević has helped countless Marvel titles leap off the shelves — including Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, Daredevil and Thunderbolts — and his unique, painterly style has also been extensively utilized in promotional artwork by the publisher. The German illustrator has also treated fans with his interior work in the pages of Thor, Mighty Avengers, and numerous annuals and one-shots. 

Artist Mike Mayhew is known for his photo-realistic and painterly renderings. Mayhew began his career at DC, and soon made a name for himself penciling Topps’ Zorro and Lady Rawhide. In 2000, he helped relaunch Vampirella with fully rendered pencils. Mayhew soon brought his art to Marvel, becoming a prolific cover artist on such titles as Elektra, Mystique, She-Hulk and Storm, and providing illustrations for two Mary Jane prose novels. X-Men Origins: Jean Grey was Mayhew’s first fully painted comic; his work has been featured in major titles including Avengers and Justice League. He illustrated The Star Wars for Dark Horse, an adaptation of George Lucas’ original rough screenplay.

One of comics’ premier artists, Bryan Hitch found fame with his dynamic, detailed artwork on The Authority and JLA. His other credits include Marvel’s Sensational She-Hulk and X-Men; Marvel UK’s Action Force, Doctor Who, Mys-Tech Wars and Death’s Head; DC’s Superman; and Image’s Stormwatch. Hitch’s collaboration with writer Mark Millar on The Ultimates, Ultimates 2 and Fantastic Four established him as a comics megastar. He continued to burnish his reputation on books including Captain America: Reborn, Age of Ultron and Venom. Hitch has provided character designs for the Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2 animated films, and the video game Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.