Marvel Comics will celebrate the dawning of a new regime with the Secret Empire Launch Parties in local comic stores, accompanying the release of Secret Empire  #1 on May 3 (see “The Marvel Universe Vs. Captain America”).

The Secret Empire Launch Party Kit will contain exclusive promotional materials and sales tools including Secret Empire pins (bundles of 25), Secret Empire lenticular back boards (bundles of 25), Secret Empire invitational postcards, a Secret Empire #1 Where’s Hydra?  Todd Nauck Party Sketch variant, downloadable cake toppers, and deep ordering discounts.

“We’re rolling out the red carpet for Secret Empire, and providing retailers with everything they need to get customers in on the ground floor for this story,” Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel said. “In addition to making sure retailers have the first issue on shelves for Free Comic Book Day, one of their most trafficked days of the year, Marvel will be shipping participating retailers additional materials to help promote Secret Empire in their stores. Posters, postcards, promo items, samplers and more.”

Retails must opt-in by April 3 to participate.

Marvel is launching numerous one-shots and companion series to support the Secret Empires event (see “'Secret Empire' Companion Series,” and “'Secret Empire' One-Shots Bring the Fight to Captain America”) as well as targeting potential new readers in theaters (see “Marvel Marketing Drive Targets New Readers”).

See covers and promotional items in gallery below.