Marvel has announced via Newsarama that a new Red Skull limited series will launch as part of the upcoming "Secret Wars" event. Set on Battleworld, the three-issue "Red Skull" series is written by Joshua Williamson with art by Luca Pizzari. Riley Rossmo provides covers for the three-issue series.

When "Red Skull" picks up, the titular character will actually be presumed dead, but rumors of his return will start to ignite a revolution against the leaders of Battleworld. The series will follow a team of disparate characters -- Winter Soldier, Magneto, Lady Deathstrike, Electro, Jack O'Lantern and Moonstone -- as they hunt down the Red Skull's body in an attempt to discredit rumors that the villain still lives.

"Essentially it's a team of villains... and past villains with nothing left to lose," Williamson told Newsarama. "Going over the Shield is a death sentence. This team was chosen because the mission has to be off the books. No one can know that Red Skull could actually be alive. This team could keep it quiet... if they survive. The Red Skull's legend needs to be buried... and this is the best team to do it. If you need to go kill a villain... who better than a bunch of villains?"

Considering that Battleworld is a patchwork planet comprised of dozens of alternate Marvel universes, Williamson addressed the question of which version of the Red Skull will factor into his series.

"The Red Skull's identity is part of the mystery of the book, so I can't say just yet. He's still one of the most evil bastards in the Marvel Universe. Still someone to hate. A master manipulator with a black heart. Which works for me because I love writing dark stories with characters that lean more to the sinister side. And Luca Pizzari's skills make him awesomely suited for this gig."

"Red Skull" is scheduled for release in July.