Marvel Gold '76 #1 pits Bullseye against Jack of Hearts, Nova and

Marvel Gold '76 #1 arrives on shelves on September 9, pairing the deadliest assassin Bullseye with three 1976‑debut heroes—Jack of Hearts, Nova and Star‑Lord—in a single‑issue showdown above New York City [1]. The story, written by Daredevil scribe Stephanie Phillips and illustrated by Madibek Musabekov, is a one‑shot celebration of the characters’ 50th‑anniversary milestone in 2026 [1].

In the plot, a cosmic figure obsessed with Death—later revealed as Thanos—contracts Bullseye to eliminate a target of “universal importance.” The assassin’s lethal precision brings him into conflict with Jack of Hearts, the energy‑wielding son of scientist Philip Hart, Nova, the interstellar hero Richard Rider, and Star‑Lord, the charismatic leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy [1]. The four converge in a high‑octane battle that blends street‑level grit with cosmic power, a rare crossover for characters who have largely inhabited separate corners of the Marvel Universe. While Nova and Star‑Lord share a long‑standing Guardians connection, Jack of Hearts has rarely intersected with either, making the team‑up especially novel [1].

Phillips says the project was an “exciting opportunity to write a story that celebrates these characters and their legacies,” emphasizing the blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling [1]. Editor Mark Paniccia adds that Marvel Gold aims to “assemble the best talent to celebrate these characters with big swings, great stories, and a fresh spotlight,” underscoring the imprint’s intent to highlight enduring icons [1]. The issue’s cover art by Leinil Francis Yu, along with variant covers by Hicham Habchi, John Romita Jr. and Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim, further signal the high‑profile treatment of the anniversary event [1].

The gathering of Bullseye, Jack of Hearts, Nova and Star‑Lord raises questions about how a street‑level assassin will fare against powers that can “punt him into the sun,” as the promotional copy teases [1]. If the story delivers on its promise of an “intense superhuman battle,” it could set a benchmark for future anniversary one‑shots that pair grounded villains with cosmic heroes, potentially influencing how Marvel leverages legacy characters in limited‑run events.