In a new variant cover by "Ultimate Spider-Man" artist Mark Bagley, "Contest of Champions" #1 appears to signal the return of Outlaw, a Punisher-inspired British vigilante (via Newsarama).

Nigel Higgins first appeared in "Punisher" #64 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Douglas Braithwaite. After suffering a tragedy, Higgins is inspired by the Punisher to become a vigilante himself, assuming the name Outlaw and taking on crime in London, England. Outlaw has teamed up with the Punisher on several occasions.

Next month, writer Al Ewing and artist Paco Medina will debut "Contest of Champions," a Marvel Universe-set tale of high stakes gladiatorial combat and cosmic mystery. The new series is based on a free-to-play mobile game also titled "Contest of Champions," which allows players to choose and collect a number of Marvel Comics' biggest and baddest fighters, and pit them against each other in unbridled combat. Eddie Brock Venom, the Sentry from "Age Of The Sentry" and Joe Fixit are just a few of the characters who will show up in addition to Outlaw.

Written by Al Ewing and drawn by Paco Medina, "Contest of Champions" #1 will arrive at retailers on October 7.