NEW YORK COMIC CON: MARVEL'S CUP 'O JOE PANEL

NEW YORK -- Marvel Apes apparently have come full circle.

An idea that originated from a fan at convention panel, Marvel Apes was teased at Marvel Comics' Cup O' Joe panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday.

Joining editor-in-chief Joe Quesada on the panel, were publisher Dan Buckley, C.B. Cebulski, Axel Alonso and marketingšs Jim McCann. Stan Lee also made an appearance.

Other highlights included:

* The art team of Mike Choi and Sonia Oback are now exclusive to Marvel and will rotate on X-Force, where they will re-team with writers Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle.

* Quesada confirmed that the Speedball returning would be Robbie Baldwin.

* Quesada said he wants to keep the Ultimate line small and tight.

* The Ultraverse continues to have legal hurdles making its return "problematic," Quesada said.

* There will be more Ultimate Universe annuals.

* Lee showed up and talked about the decision to make Peter Parker single again. "Actually I think it's a great idea," he said.

* Alonso said Duane Swierzynski's Punisher story involves Frank Castle being injected with a poison that will kill him in six hours. Victor Gischler will write the next arc, "Welcome to the Bayou."

* Quesada and Buckley hinted that something might be in the work's for Marvel's "heavy hitters" -- Thor, Ares, Hercules and Sentry.

* Alonso said something might in the works for Deathlok.

* Buckley said there are plans for another Halo mini-series.

* Quesada said he has all of Damon Lindelof's scripts for Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk except for the final issue.

* McCann said there will be developments with characters from Gravity.