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Secret Wars

Secret Wars is the name of several Marvel Comics crossover storylines, most notably the 1984–1985 limited series *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* and the 2015–2016 *Secret Wars* event.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Secret Wars is the name of several Marvel Comics crossover storylines, most notably the 1984–1985 limited series Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and the 2015–2016 Secret Wars event. The 1984 series is widely regarded as Marvel's first major company-wide crossover, while the 2015 event was a multiverse-spanning storyline that referenced and built on earlier Marvel continuity. Marvel Comics has a large readership in Canada, and Secret Wars is a significant title in superhero comic history that has influenced Canadian comic shops, collectors, and readers of Marvel publications.

1984–1985 original series

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars was a 12-issue crossover miniseries published from May 1984 to April 1985. It was written by Jim Shooter and illustrated by Mike Zeck, Bob Layton, and John Beatty. The series is widely regarded as Marvel's first major company-wide crossover event and helped establish the modern superhero event format at Marvel.

Story and setting

The original storyline centers on Marvel heroes and villains being transported to Battleworld, where they are forced into conflict by a cosmic power known as the Beyonder. The event is remembered for its large cast and lasting continuity effects.

Marvel later used similar titles for other crossover stories, including Secret War (2004–2005) and Secret Wars (2015–2016). The 2015 event was a multiverse-focused storyline written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Esad Ribić, which echoed the original series while operating as a separate continuity event. Secret War is a separate storyline with a different plot and publication history.

Publication and adaptation context

The original Secret Wars was tied to a Mattel toy line and a TSR role-playing game, reflecting its commercial and multimedia importance. Its success made it one of the most influential comic-book crossover events of its era. Marvel Comics has a large readership in Canada, and Secret Wars is a significant title in superhero comic history that has influenced Canadian comic shops, collectors, and readers of Marvel publications.

Key facts

  • The 1984–1985 Secret Wars series ran for 12 issues and was Marvel's first major crossover event.
  • It was written by Jim Shooter and featured a large cast of heroes and villains on Battleworld.
  • The series was tied to a Mattel toy line and a TSR role-playing game.
  • A separate storyline titled Secret War was published in 2004–2005.
  • Marvel published another major crossover called Secret Wars in 2015–2016, written by Jonathan Hickman.
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Canadian context

Marvel Comics has a large readership in Canada, and *Secret Wars* is a significant title in superhero comic history that has influenced Canadian comic shops, collectors, and readers of Marvel publications.

Frequently asked questions

What is *Secret Wars* in Marvel Comics?
It is a title used for several Marvel crossover events, especially the 1984–1985 limited series and the 2015–2016 event.
Who wrote the original *Secret Wars*?
The original *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* was written by Jim Shooter.
How many issues were in the original series?
The original series ran for 12 issues.
What is Battleworld?
Battleworld is the shared setting used in the original *Secret Wars*, where Marvel characters were brought to fight.
Is *Secret War* the same as *Secret Wars*?
No. *Secret War* is a separate 2004–2005 Marvel storyline with a different plot and publication history.
What was the 2015 *Secret Wars* event?
It was a Marvel crossover storyline published in 2015–2016, written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Esad Ribić.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Wars
    Supports: Original 1984–1985 series title, publication dates, issue count, writer, and artists
  2. Marvel Comics — https://marvel.com/comics/series/2063/secret_wars_1984_-_1985
    Supports: Official Marvel description of the 1984–1985 series
  3. Marvel Comics — https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/secret-wars-official-marvel-guide
    Supports: Marvel’s description of Secret Wars as a landmark crossover event
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Wars_(2015_comic_book)
    Supports: 2015–2016 *Secret Wars* storyline details, writer, artist, and continuity context
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_War_(comics)
    Supports: Separate 2004–2005 *Secret War* storyline and distinction from *Secret Wars*