DC's main comics competitor is Marvel, where the "Secret Invasion" has been repelled but a "Dark Reign" of villains has begun. Many heroes are broken and battered. January's "Dark Reign" stories will answer who the new "Dark Avengers."

In fact, "Dark Reign" may end up remaking the Marvel universe more than the "Secret Invasion" did. March's Dark Reign: Elektra miniseries finds the popular Daredevil character at her lowest point. That month also sees the debut of Dark Reign: Fantastic Four, a time-traveling miniseries in which Marvel's "first family" of super heroes is attacked at home.

Marvel also has several titles with no ties to "Dark Reign," such as the company's more kid-friendly, "Marvel Adventures" lines. In March's issue of Marvel Adventures: Avengers, the superhero team is thrown back in time — and will have join forces with Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos during World War II.

The Avengers/Invaders March 4 issue also finds the Avengers back in time, facing the Nazis. Hmmm …

Who would win in a fight, the Hulk or Wolverine? Marvel stages an "ultimate" smackdown between the two, in the Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk miniseries.

And speaking of the Green Goliath, he spans time and space in the one-issue special, Hulk: Broken Worlds, which debuts in March 4.

Marvel has non-superhero titles as well, including a re-telling of "The Wizard of Oz." Dorothy Gale and her friends finally meet the title character in No. 4, scheduled for release March 11.

William Katt, star of the 1980s TV show "The Greatest American Hero," is returning to the character and concepts. The first issue of a Greatest American Hero title came out in December and was co-written by Katt. That issue sets the stage for a brand-new story line.

Katt also co-founded a new company, Catastrophic Comics, with movie director Christopher Folino. The first releases from the company are the Sparks miniseries and the new Greatest American Hero title.

E-mail: lynn@desnews.com