As a die-hard film fanatic, I can’t help but feel a thrill running down my spine with the announcement of a new team gracing the Marvel universe! The question on everyone’s lips is: Who are these New Champions? Hailing from the vibrant city of San Francisco, this teenage squad, first seen as The Assembly in Steve Foxe’s 10-issue run of Spider-Woman, has stepped into the limelight. This team comprises Cadet Marvel, who possesses jet propulsion capabilities; Hellrune, a sorceress with spell-casting abilities; Beacon, able to create hard light constructs; and Moon Squire, who can absorb light. After Spider-Woman liberated these superheroes from the clutches of the terrorist organization Hydra, The Assembly has reformed and now stands as the New Champions!
As a passionate film aficionado, I’d rephrase it like this: When Hellrune conjured her enchantment to assemble the New Champions, she gathered a team of young, valiant heroes destined to combat the sinister Cult of Hela. This formidable group includes Fantasma, who channels the spirit of Ghost Rider in roller derby; Hulkette, a powerhouse with emerald skin and superhuman strength; Amaranth, a protege of the Scarlet Witch; the indomitable Kid Juggernaut, Justin Jin; Nightshade, a prodigy who manipulates temperature like the X-Man, Logan Lewis; Spider-Boy, Bailey Briggs, an overlooked sidekick to everyone’s favorite wall-crawler; and the elusive Gold Tiger, a fugitive from Wakanda. Future installments will introduce Monte, a magician who wields cards with mystical prowess, and Magnetrix, a character reminiscent of Magneto, clad in pink.
Marvel’s 2025 Black History Month special edition cover series offers an up-close glimpse at Gold Tiger, who will grace the cover of New Champions #2 in February. This variant cover will be illustrated by artist Alitha Martinez, known for her work on Iron Man.
Artistically crafted by Ernanda Souza, Gold Tiger made its debut on the cover of issue #5 of the 2023 Black Panther comic, featuring in the New Champions Variant Cover series which envisioned a fresh set of young champions teaming up with established superheroes such as Deadpool, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, and Moon Knight.
Souza’s initial concept (as shown) drew inspiration from an unused design by Black Panther co-creator Jack Kirby for the character T’Challa, originally known as “Coal Tiger” by Kirby and his partner Stan Lee. The Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in 1966, while Coal Tiger, an alternate universe version of T’Challa, would confront his main counterpart in 1992’s Avengers #356.
Gold Tiger derives her name from her golden talons and exhibits magical abilities similar to Doctor Strange. It’s yet unclear if this young Wakandan character shares any links with Queen Nehanda, Wakanda’s eleventh-century Black Panther, who was versed in the dark arts and bestowed with the power of Soul Perception through the Heart-Shaped Herb that confers the powers of a Black Panther.
Upon viewing the New Champions variants, ideas for origins, powers, and codenames for these imagined sidekicks began flooding my mind,” Foxe explained about the characters designed for variant covers. “Coming up with this cast from the covers was a unique creative experience unlike any other I’ve encountered, and I can’t wait to introduce a fresh batch of Marvel heroes – and some villains too! – in New Champions, collaborating with Ivan Fiorelli to ensure each new character seamlessly fits into the universe as if they’ve been there all along.
As a lifelong enthusiast, I’ve been yearning to craft a teen hero team throughout my career. This stage of life, where we’re all trying to discover our true selves, makes for an exciting canvas. Infusing it with Norse enchantments, high-speed fisticuffs, or even unintentional gateways to the underworld, only amplifies the richness of the narrative, creating a tale that shines brightly.
During Black History Month, Marvel Comics will highlight Black superheroes such as Black Panther (from the Avengers #29), Luke Cage (Power Man: Timeless #1), Storm (Storm #5), Captain America (Sam Wilson, Captain America #2), Tempest (X-Men #11), Frenzy (X-Factor #7), and Spider-Man (Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30) on their variant covers. The cover for The Gold Tiger in New Champions #2 will be available for purchase starting February 12th.
New Champions #1
Who are these new champions? Four seemingly unrelated individuals – kids whose lives were disrupted by Hydra, Scarlet Witch’s enigmatic apprentice, a jammed-up roller derby player haunted by a curse, and a runaway from Wakanda – share little in common. However, when the enigmatic powers of Hellrune unexpectedly unite them, they’ll need to rapidly adapt to teamwork – or risk falling prey to the Cult of Hela! In the exciting collaboration between Steve Foxe and Ivan Fiorelli (TIMESLIDE), we meet the next wave of Marvel superheroes!
On sale: Jan. 8
New Champions #2
Gathering champions from distant lands, Hellrune introduces a new era: Who among these young heroes will rise as the New Champion? Charming sorcerer Monte looks promising, yet there’s a sense of mystery about him. Who exactly is this enigmatic Magnerix?
On sale: Feb. 12
New Champions #3
Title Rematch: The New Titlists Claimed a Name Not Theirs, Sparking Controversy Among the Original Ones! However, when an ancient foe looms over them both, these rival champions may need to join forces just to stay alive – or risk losing their titles altogether!
On sale: March 19
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2025-01-13 07:12