MARK BROOKS

Since Marvel revealed that Captain America, Steve Rogers was a Nazi --- I'm sorry, "agent of HYDRA" --- last year, we all knew it would blow up eventually, and earlier this year the publisher announced plans for a summer event titled Secret Empire. Today, Marvel spilled some of the beans on what exactly Secret Empire is and how it will impact the heroes of the Marvel Universe.

We always hoped that Darth Maul was more than just a pretty face. He was introduced way back in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where he looked cool and was great at fighting but barely had lines, displayed little personality, and (seemingly) died at the end. He's appeared since in various tie-in stories and animated episodes, but now he's getting a spotlight like never before in a new Marvel comic --- and Marvel has provided a first look at issue #1.

The recently released trailer for Logan — Hugh Jackman's final outing as Wolverine — has fans hopeful it could be the best in what can generously be referred to as a patchy trilogy of solo films for the character. The central focus for the new trailer is the young girl left in Logan's care by Professor X, who it was revealed will be called "Laura" confirming her as at least analogous to Laura Kinney, the X-Man formerly known as X-23 and currently starring as the new Wolverine in All-New Wolverine. Laura first appeared in the animated series X-Men Evolution before making the leap to the comics as Wolverine discovered the existence of his teenage female clone. Laura has been a huge part of Marvel Comics for over twelve years now, and there's a lot of continuity packed in there, but we've picked out the five best comics to help familiarize yourself with the character.

Marvel's Star Wars comics have been going from strength to strength, and the rotating series of miniseries starring the likes of Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and Obi-Wan and Anakin have provided creators room to tell a rich variety of stories spotlighting fan-favorite characters. This trend is set to continue next month as everyone's favorite galactic scoundrel and his trusty Wookiee co-pilot star in a brand new miniseries from Marjorie Liu, Mark Brooks and Sonia Oback. Star Wars: Han Solo looks to be packed with all the swashbuckling derring-do and high-octane space races you've come to expect from Han Solo, and Marvel has provided us with an unlettered preview of the first issue.

Our judges have adjudicated; our readers have voted. We’re proud to present to you the best cover of 2015 — and four great runners up.

Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato, Jr are teaming with Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca for the six-part Star Wars event Vader Down, which will begin in Vader Down #1, and continues through Darth Vader #13 and Star Wars #13 in subsequent weeks. Courtesy of Marvel we have a unlettered preview of Vader Down #1, as well as a handful of the variant covers for the event's first chapter.

Marvel is releasing "Hip-Hop Variant” covers for its books in October, paying tribute to classic rap album covers using the heroes of the Marvel Universe. Mark Brooks takes on Notorious B.I.G.’s classic Ready to Die for his Ant-Man cover, while Mike Del Mundo pays tribute to both Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers for Squadron Supreme #1, and A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders for Amazing Spider-Man #1.

Darth Vader — the most dangerous man in the galaxy — crashes on an alien planet and the entirety of the Rebel forces will stop at nothing to take him out. That's the pitch for "Vader Down," the new story coming this fall to both the Darth Vader and Star Wars comic series from Marvel. Announced during Saturday's Cup O' Joe panel from Marvel chief creative officer Joe Quesada, the six-part crossover kicks off in its own giant-sized #1 issue and then continues across the two titles, with art from Mike Deodato and Salvador Larroca and covers by Mark Brooks. ComicsAlliance chatted with 'Vader Down' writers Kieron Gillen and Jason Aaron about what makes Vader tick; the promise of sweet, sweet droid fights; and the mechanics of lining up the crossover the galaxy has been waiting for.

Not everyone can make it to San Diego Comic-Con to see what's happening in person, but ComicsAlliance has you covered! We know that it's not just about the news that comes out of the biggest con of the year --- it's also about seeing the booths, checking out new collectibles, and putting faces to names of your favorite creators. Thankfully talented photographer Pat Loika is on hand to document as much as he can for your enjoyment. Scroll down for some exceptional photography of the people, places, and things that SDCC has to offer. Sore feet, aching back, and claustrophobia not included.

We make a regular practice at ComicsAlliance of spotlighting particular artists or specific bodies of work, as well as the special qualities of comic book storytelling, but because cartoonists, illustrators and their fans share countless numbers of great pinups, fan art and other illustrations on sites like Flickr, Tumblr, DeviantArt and seemingly infinite art blogs that we’ve created Best Art Ever (This Week), a weekly depository for just some of the pieces of especially compelling artwork that we come across in our regular travels across the Web. Some of it’s new, some of it’s old, some of it’s created by working professionals, some of it’s created by future stars, some of it’s created by talented fans, and some of it’s endearingly silly. All of it is awesome.