Writer Jason Aaron, X-Men senior editor Nick Lowe discuss ‘Avengers vs. X-Men’

Overland Park, Kan.  —  The Avengers  —  including Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor  —  are some of Marvel’s highest-profile heroes, set for a new movie release on May 4.  The X-Men have long been fan favorites, with characters like Wolverine, Storm and Cyclops.

The two groups come into conflict in “Avengers vs. X-Men,” a 12-issue miniseries from Marvel Comics.

The otherworldly Phoenix Force is coming toward earth, seeking the X-Men’s Hope Summers as its host.  The X-Men hope the force may signal the rebirth of the mutant species.  The Avengers, meanwhile, look at the force as potentially deadly to the human race.

X-Men senior editor Nick Lowe and “Wolverine and the X-Men” writer Jason Aaron talked about “Avengers vs. X-Men” in a panel focusing on the X-Men at the recent Planet Comicon.   Lowe said the project is “the biggest thing out this year on the horizon.”

The book will feature five writers and three artists.

“It’s an event unlike any we’ve done at Marvel that I know of, as far as our big giant events,” Lowe said.

Writers on the book include Aaron, Brian Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction. Artists for the book are John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel and Adam Kubert.

“Avengers vs. X-Men” No. 0 is on sale now, featuring the prelude to the conflict.  Hope and Scarlet Witch play prominent roles in the zero issue of the book.

“Avengers vs. X-Men” No. 1 will go on sale at special launch parties at more than 1,100 comic shops across the country at 8 p.m. local time on April 3.   Stores were able to choose in advance whether they supported X-Men or Avengers, and will have special variant covers to the first issue available.