The Muppets have spoofed everything from classic literature and pirate adventures to the Haunted Mansion, Manhattan, and Hollywood escapades over the years. Their next destination? The Marvel Universe.
Marvel Comics has announced The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1, a special one-shot comic celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show. The release marks the first major comic-book crossover event bringing the beloved Muppet characters together with Marvel’s superheroes and villains.
Writer Chip Zdarsky shared his enthusiasm for the project, saying:
“With the great power of two iconic properties comes great responsibility. I promise to not let down Kermit, Fozzie and Animal the way Spider-Man let down his Uncle Ben. It’s impossible to overstate how excited I write for Miss Piggy, who I consider to be one of the greatest icons of the last hundred years, a character who speaks to every generation.”
According to Marvel, the main story follows an unlikely team-up after Rowlf the Dog is kidnapped by Mojo, the entertainment-obsessed X-Men villain known for turning everything into a ratings spectacle. This time, Mojo is reportedly launching a new streaming service, setting the stage for another over-the-top scheme.
To save Rowlf, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Wolverine, Emma Frost, and several other Marvel characters will join forces in what Marvel describes as a “pop culture history-making adventure.”
The comic will also include several shorter crossover stories featuring additional Muppet and Marvel pairings:
- One tale sends Bruce Banner and Hank Pym to Muppet Labs, where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are experimenting with Gamma Rays and Pym Particles. Given the history of both Marvel science and Muppet inventions, things are unlikely to go according to plan.
- Another story focuses on Doctor Strange after Clea Strange becomes sick with a mystical virus. When Strange is unable to find a cure on his own, assistance arrives from an unexpected source: the Swedish Chef.
- Meanwhile, the classic Pigs in Space crew ventures into Marvel’s cosmic corner. Captain Link Hogthrob, First Mate Piggy, and Dr. Julius Strangepork encounter Rocket Raccoon and Groot, leading to the kind of intergalactic chaos fans would expect from both franchises.
Marvel has also released several pieces of promotional artwork inspired by the crossover. One image combines Kermit and Spider-Man into a single split-face design, while another celebrates the 30th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island with the Muppets dressed as pirates and Deadpool appearing in a pirate-themed look of his own.
Additional artwork features Gonzo caught up in Ghost Rider-inspired mayhem, while another illustration shows Kermit happily swinging through the Marvel Universe alongside Spider-Man.
The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 continues a year of Muppet and Marvel collaborations and gives fans a chance to see two of entertainment’s most recognizable brands collide in one comic adventure.
