Nova, Beta Ray Bill, Silver Surfer and More Spin Out of Marvel's Cosmic 'Annihilation: Scourge' Event This December

Marvel's upcoming "Annihilation: Scourge" event will pickup steam in December with four one-shots focused on the story's primary heroes.

Along with November's already revealed Annihilation: Scourge - Alpha one-shot which kicks everything off, Marvel Comics has unveiled one-shots for Beta-Ray Bill, Fantastic Four, Nova, and Silver Surfer dropping in December. And of course, Annihilus will be along for the ride.

Launching "Annihilation: Scourge" with the Alpha one-shot and closing things out with a commensurate Omega conclusion one-shot (along with the Nova story in-between) is writer Matthew Rosenberg, who spoke with Newsarama alongside the announcement of the Scourge one-shots about setting the stage for a full-on cosmic epic, and putting Richard Rider and Annihilus back in the spotlight.

Newsarama: Matthew, you're kicking off "Annihilation: Scourge" with an Alpha one-shot. What can you tell us to set the stage for this big Marvel Cosmic tale?

Matthew Rosenberg: The original "Annihilation" and "Annihilation Conquest" are some of my favorite Marvel books of all time because they are so big in scale and yet so full of great characters and real drama.

That's what we're doing here. It's huge stakes, brutal action, universe destroying threats, and some of the best heroes (and not-quite heroes) the Marvel Universe has to offer thrown headfirst at it. We're definitely paying tribute to the original "Annihilation" books, but I think for fans of those books they will be shocked at where this goes.

And if you've never read "Annihilation," stop reading this and go read it right now. Or maybe finish reading this, and then go read it. Either way, read it today.

Nrama: Previous "Annihilation" stories have been connected to Annihilus (naturally). What’s the threat here?

Rosenberg: Well, Annihilus plays a pretty huge role in this. It is sorta named after him, of course. But he is NOT the threat here. I can't say too much, but let's just say we're going to see Annihilus in a very different way here. This new threat has him scared and fighting for his life. And when that new threat reveals itself... Well, he's going to need some help if he hopes to stop it.

Nrama: It’s been a while since Marvel had a truly cosmic event. Can we expect "Annihilation: Scourge" to dig deep into that side of the Marvel Universe?

Rosenberg: Short answer: Yes. There are definitely some characters and places that people are going to be surprised to see.

I think anytime you get Blastaar on the cover of a book, you know you're getting some good cosmic stuff, but we're going a bit deeper in places. The story doesn't hinge on knowing who Cosmo, Stygorr, or the Uranian are. You can pick it up if you've never read a Marvel space book before. But we're trying to give the big cosmic fans a lot to smile about.

Nrama: What’s it like framing an event that’s going to branch off with multiple characters and creative teams? What are the guidelines you keep in mind for that kind of story?

Rosenberg: It's really intimidating. I'm setting up some of the best writers and artists in comics to tell their stories. It's surreal but such an honor. My hope is that people love the Alpha issue that Juanan Ramirez and I are doing and it makes them even more excited to read everyone else's books.

So, a lot of pressure. But I know where we leave things after Alpha, everyone else really took the ball and ran with it in such great and unexpected ways. The whole thing is really wild.

As for guidelines, my editor, the great Darren Shan gave me the best advice when we started- "Just focus on making it @#$%?*& awesome!" So that's what we're doing.

Nrama: As you mentioned, Scourge Alpha is drawn by Juanan Ramirez. How does Juanan take to this cosmic event? What’s your favorite thing he drew in Scourge Alpha?

Rosenberg: I've worked with Juanan a bunch in the past and was thrilled to get to again. He draws insane action so well and his grasp on crazy characters is near perfect. I have been in love with every page he's done, but the first time I saw his Annihilus in action it blew my mind. I want him to draw an Annihilus ongoing so bad... If Annihilus survives all this, I guess.

Nrama: You’re closing out Annihilation: Scourge with an Omega one-shot as well, and the solicitation is ominous. What’s actually at stake in this galaxy-wide event?

Rosenberg: The survival of the galaxy. If our heroes can't win, it ends. So I hope readers show up because this might end up being the last Marvel comic ever published if they don't pull it together, which would be really sad.

Nrama: You’re not just writing Scourge Alpha and Omega, you’re also writing a Nova tie-in. Which Nova – or Novas – are gonna show up here?

Rosenberg: I love the Nova Corps and all the Novas. But when you need a Nova to save the universe, there is only one choice. Our book follows the pride of Long Island- Rich Rider. He shows up in the Alpha issue to set the stage, but he is sort of the main driving force of the event in some ways.

That doesn't mean we won't see any other Novas. But this is a Rich story, for sure.

Nrama: Nova has strong ties to "Annihilation" – and in this one-shot, he’ll run into Annihilus. What can you tell us about that?

Rosenberg: The original "Annihilation" is the beginning of a really nightmarish time for Nova.

Starting with "Annihilation" and ending with being trapped in the Cancerverse, Rich has basically fought in one of the biggest wars ever and then been sent to hell. He's back now, but those things took a big toll on him. He doesn't necessarily know what his place in the universe is anymore. He's a long way from the New Warriors and he doesn't really see a way back to that. He's lost a lot and he got lost in the process.

So running into your old enemy, who you killed, it's not helping his mental state. But hopefully it helps him find his calling when he comes out of this. If he comes out of it.

I'm going to keep doing that.

Nrama: Ibraim Roberson is drawing Nova. What makes him the perfect artist for this cosmic tale?

Rosenberg: Ibraim is about to be a superstar, for sure. His pages just feel alive. The level of detail he brings to a page gives it this amazing level of immersion. It helps lends real stakes and drama to what Rich is going through. People are going to feel like they are in the middle of this war with him. You can practically smell Annihilus when you look at this book. Spoiler- he smells awesome.

Nrama: What’s your favorite thing he’s drawn for your Annihilation: Scourge - Nova so far?

Rosenberg: I get a real kick out of seeing Nova blast through the bad guys. It rules. 

Here are the full solicitations and covers for December's "Annihilation: Scourge" one-shots. Look for Marvel Comics' full December 2019 solicitations on Newsarama later this month.

ANNIHILATION - SCOURGE OMEGA #1 (WITH DIGITAL CODE)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Penciled by Manuel Garcia
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant Cover by Arthur Adams
In the face of the Annihilation, there is no more room in the cosmos for heroes or villains—only survival.
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
 

ANNIHILATION - SCOURGE: BETA RAY BILL #1 (WITH DIGITAL CODE)
Written by MICHAEL MORECI
Penciled by Alberto Alburquerque
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant Cover by Patch Zircher
The Scourge has arrived! As the local population becomes infected, will Beta Ray Bill be able to fight back the horde and save the innocents—or are they already lost? Overwhelmed, will Bill himself fall victim to the Annihilation wave?!
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
 

ANNIHILATION - SCOURGE: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (WITH DIGITAL CODE)
Written by Christos Gage
Penciled by Diego Olortegui
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant Cover by Phil Noto
Alerted to a potential tear in the dimension, the Fantastic Four go to investigate - but what they discover is so much worse than they prepared for! Will the Fantastic Four be able to hold back the Scourge or will the Negative Zone finally succeed in tearing this family apart? Overrun, the Fantastic Four are about to learn: No one ever truly comes home from war.
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
 

ANNIHILATION - SCOURGE: NOVA #1 (WITH DIGITAL CODE)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Penciled by Ibraim Roberson
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant Cover by Eduard PetrovicH
The universe hangs in peril! With no room for old grudges, Nova is forced to team up with one of his most nefarious adversaries – ANNIHILUS! But can Richard Rider trust the ruler of the Negative Zone to fight alongside him—or will this turn into a war with two fronts?
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
 

ANNIHILATION - SCOURGE: SILVER SURFER #1 (WITH DIGITAL CODE)
Written by Dan Abnett
Penciled by Paul Davidson
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant Cover by Ozgur Yildirim
The Scourge is closing in, wreaking havoc across the galaxy. The Silver Surfer has returned in time to bear witness to the Scourge’s atrocities - but his new status quo leaves him helpless to intervene! Will the Surfer be able to find a way to save the fleeing innocents around him - or will he be forced to stand by and herald in a new age of death?
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

Editor's Note: Since the original story was published, Marvel has provided the artist's name for Annihilation - Scourge: Beta Ray Bill #1.

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Originally published on Newsarama.