Dustin Gebel
Agatha Harkness takes center stage in the Marvel Universe later this summer with Contest of Chaos, an event spanning the annual issues of multiple books. The story starts with August’s Scarlet Witch Annual #1 and continues through eight titles including Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and Moon Knight.
The larger saga comes from writer Stephanie Phillips, who will write back-ups featuring Harkness, recently restored to a younger body, as she works to reshape the balance of magic. Each issue will also feature art from different up and coming artists, while Alberto Foche will provide the art for the back-up stories. Each annual will focus on the lead of the series battling another hero or villain, compelled by a magic item stolen in the prelude Scarlet Witch annual story.
In the press release, Phillips stated:
“CONTEST OF CHAOS is the kind of story I would absolutely sprint to the comic store to buy as a reader. There’s action, mystery, magic, and my favorite characters from all over the Marvel Universe. To be spearheading the storyline is just incredibly cool for me as a creator. It’s going to be big with ramifications for the larger universe… See you this summer—THWIP!”
Marvel also provided synopsis for each annual, along with their respective creative teams and cover, all of which can be seen below:
SCARLET WITCH ANNUAL #1 – “Contest of Chaos” Prelude
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art by CARLOS NIETO
Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN
On Sale 6/21
The drama kicks off in next month’s SCARLET WITCH ANNUAL #1, a CONTEST OF CHAOS prelude issue, by Scarlet Witch writer Steve Orlando and artist Carlos Nieto. After stealing something dark and dangerous from her former pupil, Agatha unleashes her corruption on various unsuspecting heroes!
SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 – SPIDER-MAN VS. WOLVERINE!
Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by R.B. SILVA
On Sale 8/9
Writer Stephanie Phillips kicks off the CONTEST OF CHAOS alongside artist Alberto Foche! First on Agatha’s list is Spider-Man, whose regular day is turned upside down when he involuntarily walks through a portal to a remote, magical city…and is attacked by Wolverine!
IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 – IRON MAN VS. STORM!
Written by JASON LOO & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by DAVID CUTLER & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by FRANCESCO MOBILI
On Sale 8/16
Writer Jason Loo and artist David Cutler bring you a clash of titans you won’t want to miss! When the forces of chaos move upon our heroes, the past, present and future come crashing in on them – and only one can emerge victorious! The might of human ingenuity versus the power of the natural universe.
FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1 – GHOST RIDER VS. THE HUMAN TORCH!
Written by ZAC GORMAN & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by ALAN ROBINSON & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by FRANCESCO MANNA
On Sale 8/23
Writer Zac Gorman and artist Alan Robinson bring the Fantastic Four into the mayhem when the Human Torch is pitted against Johnny Blaze! It’s flame versus hellfire when the two heroes face off – but who will emerge victorious?!
MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1 – MOON KNIGHT VS. TAEGUKGI!
Written by JED MACKAY & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by CREEES LEE & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
On Sale 8/30
Current Moon Knight scribe and Taegukgi co-creator Jed MacKay teams up with acclaimed artist Creees Lee for a power-packed showdown! When the champion of a god battles a godlike champion, who will win? The Fist of Khonshu faces off against Tiger Division’s fearless leader!
SPIDER-GWEN ANNUAL #1 – GHOST-SPIDER VS. WHITE FOX!
Written by KARLA PACHECO & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by ROSI KÄMPE & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by R1CO
On Sale 9/6
Ghost-Spider and White Fox get caught in Agatha Harkness’ tangled web in this roller coaster of a rumble by writer Karla Pacheco and artist Rosi Kämpe! Gwen Stacy technically isn’t even supposed to be in this universe, and now she’s cutting chem lab to go to…a theme park?! Wait, something doesn’t feel right here – and why is this masked fox attacking her?
VENOM ANNUAL #1 – VENOM VS. DEADPOOL!
Written by ALYSSA WONG & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by SERGIO DÁVILA & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by BEN HARVEY
On Sale 9/13
When the forces of chaos call upon Venom and Deadpool, it becomes an issue of family – and whose deserves to win the ultimate prize. It’s symbiote might vs. frankly awesome assassin skills in an epic showdown you won’t want to miss by current Deadpool scribe Alyssa Wong and artist Sergio Dávila!
X-MEN ANNUAL #1 – CAPTAIN MARVEL VS. CYCLOPS!
Written by PAUL ALLOR & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO & ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by JOSHUA CASSARA
On Sale 9/20
The leader of the X-Men and the leader of the Avengers size each other up in this epic brawl from writer Paul Allor and Alessandro Miracolo! Drawn to the Alaskan wilderness by magic neither of them understand, Captain Marvel and Cyclops duke it out! Agatha Harkness’ plan for the Darkhold is slowly taking shape…but will it come at the expense of two of the world’s greatest heroes?! And what can an energy-blasting mutant do against a woman who can absorb the energy of the sun?!
AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 – CONTEST OF CHAOS FINALE!
Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by ALBERTO FOCHE
Cover by PACO MEDINA
On Sale 9/27
Stephanie Phillips and Alberto Foche bring the CONTEST OF CHAOS to a fantastical finish as the fate of Marvel magic is decided! When Agatha pits the Avengers against the winners of the previous chaos battles, they realize they must choose between saving their friends and stopping the creation of the new Darkhold. But their choice may have consequences that no one – not even Agatha – could have imagined.