For the first time in seventy-one years, the Muppets have earned a permanent position as universally cherished figures in entertainment. Icons like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are popular across all generational demographics thanks to the Muppets’ perfect balance of slapstick comedy for children and self-aware satirical wit for adults, as well as to each of the characters’ relatable flaws. For instance, Kermit battles constant anxiety as a stressed stage manager, Miss Piggy fights for the spotlight, and Fozzie Bear perseveres through terrible jokes out of a pure desire to make people happy.

The Muppets’ cultural footprint is so massive that they have become semi-fictional characters who interact with the public and real-life figures like genuine flesh-and-blood celebrities. It’s common for Jim Henson’s creations to promote their projects conducting live interviews on late-night talk shows, presenting prestigious trophies at the Academy Awards, and even attending an event celebrating their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not to mention, the Muppets have their own comic lines, and they have guest-starred in countless projects and starred in their very own movies, TV shows, and musical specials, rubbing shoulders with A-list actors all along the way.

While they’re as highly coveted as many Hollywood celebrities, the Muppets have yet to collaborate with many world-famous franchises, something they’re finally starting to rectify seven decades after their first-ever appearance.

The Muppets Cross Over With The Marvel Universe

The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe #1, Available September 30

Over a dozen star writers and artists assemble to bring the Muppets and the Marvel Universe together this September 30th with the release of The Muppets Take Marvel Universe #1. The preview pages released by Marvel tease several unprecedented encounters. For instance, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear will meet Howard the Duck, while Wolverine will find himself stuck in the musical van of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Miss Piggy will also be among the first to meet Rocket Raccoon and Groot, while Doctor Bunsen and Beaker will team up with two of Marvel’s most brilliant minds, Hank Pym and Bruce Banner.

The reason both pop culture giants will finally meet rests on Rowlf the Dog, who has been captured by Marvel’s Mojo. After investigating, Doctor Bunsen discovers the multiverse and meets the Interdimensional Council of Bunsens, one of whom reveals the Muppets need to reach out to Marvel’s superheroes for help. Meanwhile, Clea is in need of medicine for her rare cold, and the Avengers are searching for one to three new Avengers who can fill the temporary void left behind by Captain Marvel, Hulk, and Vision as they prepare to fight Doctor Doom and his army of Doombots.

The Muppets’ Marvel Crossover Has Been 71 Years In The Making

The Wait For The Muppets’ Marvel Adventure Will Be Worth It

The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe marks the culmination of seventy-one years of no official interactions between both world-famous franchises. Part of the explanation for this massive delay is the recent shift in editorial strategy, as Marvel only recently turned an aggressive focus toward major inter-franchise comic book collaborations. Marvel Comics’ first-ever crossovers with Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, and the Muppets are happening almost simultaneously. Although limited-time events are too short to make up for multiple decades’ worth of waiting, seeing each franchise’s characters finally interact with the Marvel Universe’s heroes and villains is more than worth the wait.

Alongside the lead creative partnership of writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Pete Woods in their Mojoverse rescue story, various creative duos manage the chaotic backup segments. Kyle Starks and Mike Henderson lead the volatile gamma ray experiment at Muppet Labs, Ashley Allen writes and Paco Medina illustrates the Swedish Chef’s mystical rescue, and the Pigs of the Galaxy plot is brought to life by MacKenzie Cadenhead and David Baldeón. Phillip Kennedy Johnson headlines “Bad Man” alongside Áthila Fabbio, and Adam F. Goldberg brings the Avengers together alongside E.J. Su. Meanwhile, Yen Nitro and Mike Atiyeh provide The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe with their breathtaking colors.

Which character interactions would you like to see in the Muppets‘ Marvel crossover?

The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe #1 is available September 30 from Marvel Comics