Jonathan Hickman, Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini’s Imperial project is growing in scope, as Marvel has announced the four-issue miniseries will be accompanied by five one-shots that “spotlight individual characters and groups as they navigate the startling developments and explosive conflicts sweeping the stars.”
In case you missed it, Imperial is the latest project from Hickman, the architect of Marvel’s very successful Ultimate Comics relaunch as well as the Krakoa era of the X-Men line. He’s working with Coello and Vicentini to redefine Marvel’s cosmic characters in this new miniseries that kicks off in June.
From what’s been revealed so far, Imperial looks like it’ll showcase a huge battle between various cosmic factions, including the Kree/Skrull Alliance, The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda and New Sakaar, which will bring characters like Hulk, She-Hulk and Amadeus Cho into space.
The first two one-shots will help flesh out Black Panther and She-Hulk’s roles in the story. Hickman will work with writer Victor LaValle and artist CAFU on Imperial War: Black Panther.
“Working with Jonathan Hickman on an interstellar epic—who wouldn’t be thrilled by that idea?” LaValle said. “I’m excited to start working on the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda because there’s not enough stories about Black folks in outer space. There could always be more. By the time I’m done, T’Challa and Shuri will have constellations named after them, in some distant galaxy.”
Marvel shared more details on the one-shot, which sees the Black Panther facing off with the Hulk:
The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is under fire from all sides in IMPERIAL WAR: BLACK PANTHER! Blamed for the assassinations that have started an all-out galactic war, T’Challa will first need to survive a brutal assault from the World-Breaker Hulk and Amadeus Cho before he can even think about hunting down the true culprit! And all while his spacecraft spirals towards certain doom! Sounds like another day at the office for the Black Panther!
With the Hulk off chasing T’Challa, another Hulk steps up to oversee New Sakaar in Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk. Hickman teams with writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Emilio Laiso on this one-shot:
Then, a brutal war of succession ignites in IMPERIAL WAR: PLANET SHE-HULK! Left behind on New Sakaar to keep the peace, Jen Walters discovers that in this savage realm, what’s needed isn’t a litigator, it’s a liquidator! Fortunately, She-Hulk is accomplished at being both!
“She-Hulk’s voice just came naturally to me from the first line—she’s so sharp, funny, and confident,” Phillips said. “It’s been incredible getting to bring her story to life as part of Imperial and see what this talented lineup of creators is building together.”
August also brings the third issue of the Imperial miniseries:
This issue promises to reveal who has been pulling the strings behind the scenes:
As the conflict begins to spread out to the wider universe, find out who’s really orchestrating the great game of cosmic houses as the last chance to stop a universal war presents itself. Will our heroes be able to stop it in time?
Imperial #3 will land on Aug. 13. Imperial War: Black Panther will arrive Aug. 20 and Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk will come out a week later on Aug. 27.
One thought on “Jonathan Hickman’s reimagining of Marvel’s cosmic comics adds ‘Imperial War’ one-shots”