Welcome comics fans, to the “Death of the Marvel Universe” edition of Comics Relief! (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I suggest you head to your local comic shop and pick up Secret Wars #1 from Marvel.) Although you might be mourning the death of your beloved Marvel Universe today, we still have plenty of comics news to put a smile on your face, including Marvel’s ever increasingly cool plans regarding that galaxy far, far away….

Marvel and IDW Team Up For Awesome New Star Wars Product

Well, this edition of Comics Relief didn’t land on May the 4th or “Revenge of the 5th” (isn’t a little greedy to get two Star Wars days? I’m just sayin’) but we do have a bit of Star Warsy goodness for you anyway. Marvel and IDW are teaming up to bring the classic 1970s Star Wars comics to their oversized Artist’s Edition line of books, with each page scanned and printed directly from the actual original comic book art at full size. “The collaboration between IDW and Marvel has produced some of the most immaculate collections of reprinted original comic book material ever to be offered,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “Now with the addition of the Marvel Comics’ 1977 Star Wars being gathered in this over-sized format, this collection truly is a pantheon of content that any and all fans of Star Wars will want to get their hands on.”

Star Wars is also coming to the Micro Collectors Fun Pack line, a format pioneered by IDW that has become a fan favorite. Micro Collector Fun Packs consist of a full-length, pocket-sized comic-book story, along with exclusive inserts including posters, standees, or stickers. Micro Collector Fun Packs continue to reach new audiences with great content and are available at both local comic shops and mass retail locations. Both projects are planned for a Fall 2015 release.

Are Marvel’s Illuminati Set To Get Their Own Series Soon?

About a decade or so back, writer Brian Michael Bendis introduced the concept of the Illuminati, a secret cabal of the Marvel universe’s most powerful players and greatest minds, who secretly steered the events of the Marvel Universe. This is based on the real world Illuminati, a European secret society from centuries ago that some people still think exists and controls the world, largely by turning Super Bowl halftime shows into Satanic mind control spectacles. (Seriously, Google it, it’s sad.)

Originally consisting of Reed Richards, Charles Xavier, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Namor, Black Panther and Black Bolt, the lineup has changed somewhat over the years, and many of the members were the stars of the recent New Avengers series. It seems that after Secret Wars is over, the Illuminati will be dropping the Avengers pretense; last week, Marvel registered the trademark for “Illuminati” for “Comic books; printed periodicals in the field of comic book stories and artwork.” That means one thing: sooner rather than later, the Illuminati are getting their own series. Will the “all-seeing eye” be part of their logo? Let the conspiracy theories begin. [Bleeding Cool]

Naruto’s’ Masashi Kishimoto to Make Rare U.S. Appearance 

Manga fans, if you’re in the New York area come October, then I’ve got good news for you: Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto will make his first-ever appearance outside of Japan at New York Comic Con and New York Super Week. Kishimoto, who finished the beloved manga series in November after 15 years, will participate in two convention panels (on Thursday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 10), and multiple autograph sessions as well. In a statement, Lance Fensterman from NYCC said “Kishimoto is one of the biggest names in manga and a major influence on artists across the globe; We’re thrilled to have him added to our lineup this year and think fans are going to love the chance to get close to an icon.” [Comic Book Resources]

Cassandra Cain To Finally Return To the DCU

Ever since the launch of the New 52 continuity at DC, fans have been clamoring for the return of the a couple of former Batgirls–namely, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. Well, we got Steph back as Spoiler last year in Batman: Eternal, and now, based on some comments made on Twitter, it appears Batman writer Scott Snyder has plans for Cassandra Cain very, very soon.

We have very immediate plans for Cass. Not indefinite, like years away plans, (1/2) @Ssnyder1835 #BatmanChat https://t.co/xS5gLWexMo

— DC Comics (@DCComics) May 1, 2015

Well, I’d say that sounds pretty promising. The question that remains now is, what identity will Cassandra take? Batgirl is taken, so will she go by “The Black Bat” again, or come up with something new? It doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait too long for the answer at least.

Fantagraphics Announces Daniel Clowes’ New OGN Patience

Although it’s been rumored for awhile now, Fantagraphics has gone and made it official, announcing Ghost World’s Daniel Clowes‘ first new work in half a decade. Called Patience, this all-new, original graphic novel is being described by the publisher as “the biggest and most ambitious book of a storied career in which he’s received an Academy Award nomination, a PEN Award, and multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards.”

The official synopsis for Patience describes it as “an indescribable psychedelic science-fiction love story, veering with uncanny precision from violent destruction to deeply personal tenderness in a way that is both quintessentially ‘Clowesian,’ and utterly unique in the author’s body of work. This 180-page, full-color story affords Clowes the opportunity to draw some of the most exuberant and breathtaking pages of his life, and to tell his most suspenseful, surprising and affecting story yet.” Patience will hit stores in March of 2016. [Newsarama]

Lois Lane Totally F%#*$ Over Superman

Did you all happen to catch DC’s Free Comic Book Day offering? Well, if you missed it, I got some spoilers for you. We revealed not too long ago that Superman would have his identity as Clark Kent revealed to the entire world. Now it’s been confirmed leaked the information: none other than Lois Lane. Way to say thanks for all the times he rescued you from certain death, Lois. No wonder Supes went for Wonder Woman in this continuity. Lois tries to apologize to Clark for ruining his life, but manages to also let him know that he looks like crap. Lois used to be one of my favorite characters in the DCU, but I hate this Lois….can I get the old one back please? [Bleeding Cool]

Gwen Stacy Continues To Take Over The Marvel Universe In These New Variant Covers

Lastly, we’ve got four more variant Gwen Stacy covers from Marvel to show you for the month of June, where Spider-Gwen decides to cosplay as pretty much the entire Marvel Universe. In this batch, we’ve got the covers for Thors #1,” Magneto #19, X-Men ’92 #1, and  Secret Wars. Check out all four new Gwentastic covers in our gallery below: [MTV]