New Universe - Definition and Overview

New Universe is an obsolete comic book imprint and continuity of Marvel Comics.

In 1986, in honor of Marvel Comics' 25th anniversary, then editor in chief Jim Shooter made an attempt to launch a New Universe line of comics. As opposed to yet another alternate crossover-prone universe, this was to be a fully separate world consisting of its own continuing characters and stories. It was planned to be more realistic in its depiction. There would be no aliens, gods, mythological beings, magic, or supertechnology. Superhuman characters and powers would be limited. Characters would be quieter and more subdued in their activities. This is in direct contrast to the traditional Marvel Universe which always proposed to take place in a mirror of the real world where public knowledge of superheroes, supervillains and their activities has miraculously little effect on business as usual for the average person.

The limitation of fantasy elements and the low key nature of the character's activities in the New Universe made it more feasible to seem like "the world outside our window". The New Universe, however, allowed for major catastrophic events to occur that could not occur in the Marvel Universe, such as the destruction of Pittsburgh in The Pitt and the war with South Africa in The Draft and The War.

Notable New Universe titles included:

• DP-7 (Displaced Paranormals 7)
• Justice
• Kickers, Inc.
• Marc Hazzerd, Merc
• Nightmask
• Psi-Force
• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters
• Star Brand

The New Universe was not considered a successful venture. For instance, critics complained that the character concepts were uninspired and derivative such as Star Brand was considered a copy of Green Lantern. Sales were poor and the imprint was abruptly discontinued as a concept in 1989.

Marvel writer-editor Mark Gruenwald brought New Universe characters into the Marvel Universe via cameo appearances in the Quasar and Starblast series, but otherwise the New Universe is a generally forgotten era.