Publisher DC Comics has had tremendous success over the past year with their “back to basics” approach to their line with DC Rebirth, and now Marvel Comics seems to be taking a cue from their so-called “distinguished competition” and doing a rebirth of their own, with the just announced Marvel Legacy. After paying homage to their legacy heroes this upcoming summer with the Generations series, Marvel Comics is set to launch a new initiative that puts the spotlight on their most popular and iconic characters in all-new storylines, and are returning many of their long-running titles to their original numbering.

Announced at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (via CBR), Marvel Legacy will begin this fall with Marvel Legacy #1, a 50-page one-shot written by Jason Aaron (Doctor Strange, Star Wars) and illustrated by Esad Ribic (Gamora, Secret Wars). This one-shot will “set the stage for the next chapter of the Marvel Universe with hope, heroism, heart and the Earth-shattering return of a beloved Marvel mainstay.”

According to Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, “The Marvel Legacy initiative is a celebration of everything that makes Marvel the best in fiction and it’s a signifier of a new era for Marvel Comics. It’s a loving look at the heart of Marvel as we embrace our roots and move enthusiastically forward with all the Marvel characters you know and love starring in the biggest, boldest, best Marvel stories. All of which kicks off with the giant Marvel Legacy special.” You can see Quesada’s cover for the special issue down below:

The one-shot will feature a four-panel foldout cover by Quesada, and the issue is being described as being “a perfect entry point for all readers.” After the issue hits stores, the Legacy banner will be featured prominently on the covers of new and continuing series starring such characters as the Avengers, Squirrel Girl, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, America Chavez, Deadpool, the X-Men, Ironheart, The Punisher, Ms. Marvel, Captain America, Moon Knight, the Champions, Luke Cage, Odinson, the Hulk, Iron Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

The inclusion of America Chavez and Ironheart shows that despite the old favorites returning, Marvel isn’t giving up on their diverse legacy heroes either.Marvel is also planning to bring back long gone elements from their glory days, such as the Marvel Value Stamp, the fan magazine FOOM, and corner box art on covers, just as the company used from the ’60s through the ’90s.

So the real question is just which character (or characters) will be the “beloved Marvel mainstays” who make their triumphant return? The smart money is on the Fantastic Four, who have not had their own title in nearly two years, and are the original Marvel comic from which almost all others sprang from. A variety of reasons have kept the Fantastic Four from being prominent in the Marvel Universe over the past several years, allegedly because of Twentieth Century Fox owning the movie rights and not Marvel Studios. But it doesn’t seem there can be any kind of “back to basics” approach at Marvel without their “first family” being a part of it, right?

What are you most excited (or nervous) for in the upcoming Marvel Legacy initiative? Let us know down below in the comments.

Images: Marvel Comics