CrossGen Tales #1 brings back four cult favorite titles at Marvel Comics

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

CrossGen is coming back to Marvel Comics in November, via a collection of reprinted material meant to be an entry point into the world of the cult-favorite comic publisher turned Marvel imprint.

Dubbed CrossGen Tales #1, the giant-sized softcover comic collection will reprint the original first issues of four of the most popular CrossGen titles, including Mystic by Ron Marz and Brandon Peterson; Sigil by Mark Waid, Barbara Kesel, Chuck Dixon, Ben Lai, and Ray Lai; Ruse by Mark Waid and Butch Guice; and Soujourn by Ron Marz, Ian Edgington, and Greg Land.

Marvel describes CrossGen itself as "the 21st century's most innovative imprint," but that's only part of the tale.

CrossGen Tales #1 cover — (Image credit: Marvel Comics)

CrossGen gained a cult following, partially thanks to its early adoption of the idea of webcomics, allowing subscribers to read CrossGen titles via web browser - an innovation that was basically unheard of in the early '00s.

Following a series of behind-the-scenes controversies, CrossGen Entertainment went into bankruptcy before being acquired by the Walt Disney Company, leading to its eventual short-lives relaunch as a Marvel Comics imprint.

"In Ruse (2001) #1, Detective Simon Archer and his assistant Emma Bishop face magic and mystery on the Victorian-esque planet Arcadia!" reads Marvel's solicitation text for the CrossGen Tales collection. "In Mystic (2000) #1, meet sisters Genevieve and Giselle — one is a sorceress, one is a socialite, but their destinies are about to be transformed!"

"In Sigil (2000) #1, a planetary union is locked in a centuries-long war with the starfaring Saurians!" the solicitation continues. "And in Sojourn (2001) #1, the archer Arwyn and her allies fight for survival in the shadow of the undead dictator Mordath! But who are the Sigil-Bearers who unite these four stories?"

CrossGen Tales #1 goes on sale November 2, with a cover from Paco Medina.

CrossGen may have been more fantasy and sci-fi oriented, but some of the best non-Marvel/DC superhero universes were also bought up by the 'Big Two' over the years.

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I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)