Muppets Crash the Marvel Universe, Zdarsky Clashes with PR Over Uncle Ben Joke

Marvel Comics is bringing the absolute mayhem of The Muppets into its hallowed universe. "The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe" #1, a one-shot comic, drops in September 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of "The Muppet Show." It's an unexpected but genuinely exciting collision of pop culture titans, promising a unique blend of humor and heroics.

Eisner-winning creator Chip Zdarsky, a self-proclaimed Muppets super fan, is spearheading the writing, with acclaimed artist Pete Woods on art. Zdarsky didn't hold back his excitement about tackling characters like Miss Piggy—whom he calls "one of the greatest icons of the last hundred years"—and even managed to weave in Deadpool. Woods' pages are reportedly "stunning, detailed and joyous," bringing these disparate worlds together.

However, the announcement came with an immediate dose of drama. A Marvel press release quoted Zdarsky "joking" about not letting down Kermit and Fozzie the way Spider-Man let down Uncle Ben. Zdarsky swiftly debunked the "joke" claim on his Substack. He made it clear that Uncle Ben's death is no laughing matter. "You think I'd joke about the death of a man? For shame, Marvel. For shame," he retorted, directly challenging the corporate spin. It's a rare and powerful moment of a creator pushing back against PR language, underscoring the serious legacy even a lighthearted crossover must respect.