Exclusive Comic Book Prequel for Upcoming Marvel Universe LIVE! Reveals Intriguing Backstory and New Element of Marvel Lore - Featuring Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man and More!

ELLENTON, Fla., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Feld Entertainment, Inc., the world's leading producer of touring live family entertainment, will put fans right in the middle of one of the most electrifying battles between good and evil ever conceived this summer with Marvel Universe LIVE!, but the story begins even before audiences arrive. Today, Feld Entertainment announces the release of an exclusive prequel comic book created by Marvel that will give audiences insight into the story that will play out in the live arena spectacular. With a story by Frank Tieri (Iron Man, Wolverine), illustrations by Miguel Sepulveda (Hulk, The Thanos Imperative), and color art by Jay David Ramos (Uncanny X-Force, Captain America), this complimentary comic book will be available exclusively for a limited time beginning April 16 to those who pre-order tickets.

Marvel Universe LIVE! will captivate audiences with an authentic and original story that brings more than 25 Marvel characters together on one epic quest.  The story is framed around the battle over the Cosmic Cube, the source of ultimate power and one of the most feared and coveted treasures in the Marvel Universe, that has been shattered into pieces by the mighty Thor in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. With the pieces scattered across the globe, Thor's villainous brother, Loki, devises a scheme to clone its powers, inciting a threat that could not only decimate Earth but also obliterate the Universe. 

The original comic book will give audiences a look into how Thor gained possession of the Cube and reveals a new item in the Marvel Universe that will play a key role in the live show and the success of its heroes -- the Lectro Link. A brand new addition to Marvel lore, the Lectro Link is a wearable tech invention created by Tony Stark and Peter Parker that provides a remote power source for the Iron Man suit.  The Lectro Link is being made available to fans as a unique collectible item that will thrust audiences into the action. Customers can pre-order the Lectro Link online when purchasing tickets or buy it at the show.

"We are excited that even before the live arena action begins, we introduce fans to a piece of all-new Marvel lore: the Lectro Link.  We teamed with Marvel to tell an action-packed story in Marvel Universe LIVE!, and this exclusive prequel comic book gives fans an inside look at the fantastic adventure they'll experience at our show. It explains the origins of the Lectro Link and sets the stage for the unprecedented spectacular," said Feld Entertainment Executive Vice President and Marvel Universe LIVE! Producer Juliette Feld.

"Which two vile villains attempted to destroy the Avengers with the Cosmic Cube? Did Tony Stark almost destroy Avengers Tower by attempting to analyze the cosmic construct? How did Loki nearly tear apart Earth's mightiest heroes from within? Find out the answers to these colossal questions and feast your eyes on some amazing art in the pages of this all-new comic book created exclusively for the audience of Marvel Universe LIVE!" said Marvel Custom Solutions Creative Director Bill Rosemann. 

Produced by Feld Entertainment, this first-ever live Marvel tour makes its 85-city debut in July in Tampa, Fla., followed by the world premiere in New York City's Barclays Center on Wednesday, August 13. The first leg of its North American tour will feature stops in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Nashville, Miami and Atlanta, among many others.  Tickets for Marvel Universe LIVE! are now on sale.

For a complete list of tour dates, make sure to head over to the show's Marvel Universe LIVE! website (http://www.marveluniverselive.com) to see which city the Marvel world will invade next, and stay current on the latest developments through social media including:

• Facebook  (www.facebook.com/MarvelOnTour)
• Twitter  (@MarvelOnTour/@Juliette Feld (show producer's twitter feed))
• YouTube  (www.youtube.com/MarvelOnTour)
• Instagram (@MarvelOnTour)
• Google+ (http://gplus.to/MarvelOnTour)

About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz^®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Disney On Ice and Disney Live! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com. More information on Marvel Universe LIVE! is available at www.marveluniverselive.com.

About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com. ©MARVEL

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SOURCE Feld Entertainment, Inc.