The Defenders Of Light And Dark Assemble To Protect Earth From Hela And Knull

By Chad Burdette

on April 3, 2026

Hela and Knull wage war over the Marvel Universe this summer in QUEEN IN BLACK, a new crossover event from Al Ewing and Iban Coello.

But when Hela’s army of symbiotes and Knull’s forces of light arrive to conquer Earth, they’ll be met by two new super hero teams specifically assembled for their destruction in QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK, a three-issue tie-in series by writer Tom Waltz, currently writing one of the event’s key lead-in chapters in Knull, and artist Zé Carlos (Amazing Spider-Man), who will also draw sequences in the main Queen in Black series.

Queen In Black News:

Spinning directly out of QUEEN IN BLACK #1, QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK follows two daring and pivotal confrontations with the Queen in Black and God of the Void themselves as BETA RAY BILL leads PHOTON, SUNFIRE and DAGGER to cast a light against Hela’s sweeping darkness while IRON MAN, equipped in new Darkforce armor, leads DARKSTAR, AGENT ANTI-VENOM and CLOAK to snuff out Knull’s all-encompassing light.

Comic Watch Reviews: Knull #1: The King Is Back In Black

Waltz shared in a press release announcing the series:

“Working with Al Ewing, Juanan Ramirez, and Erick Arciniega on the Knull mini-series was an absolute blast! And I’m very excited to rejoin Al and Co. for more Marvel Cosmic fun with QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK.

We (or, rather, Tony Stark) have assembled a rag-tag team of super heroes to serve as the first line of Earth’s defense against the dual invasion threat of Knull and Lady Hela. These aren’t your normal Defenders — and teaming them up to help save the planet might seem unorthodox at first — but maybe a little super hero chaos is just what’s needed to stop Hela and Knull’s own chaotic machinations.

The only way to find out is to join uber-talented artist Zé Carlos, me, and the rest of the creative team for this cosmic tale of bravery, sacrifice, renewal, and redemption!”

Check out David Marquez’s cover now:

QUEEN IN BLACK: DEFENDERS OF LIGHT AND DARK #1 (OF 3)

UNLEASH THE HEROES!

Beta Ray Bill is the only hero in Midgard who remembers Hela, the Goddess of Death…but does that mean he and his team can counter a Queen In Black?

Meanwhile, Tony Stark’s all-new Black Metal Armor is the ultimate weapon against Knull, God of the Void…but does he have command of his own defense squad?

It’s the mission that’ll decide the outcome of the entire conflict!

Creative Team