Marvel Comics is gearing up for its next major event, the miniseries "Imperial," written by Jonathan Hickman and featuring art by Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello. This four-issue saga aims to shake up the cosmic status quo and is set to commence on June 4, 2025. The storyline revolves around the assassination of several galactic leaders, which ignites chaos and reshapes power dynamics across the universe.
Hickman, renowned for his work on series such as "House of X" and "Ultimate Spider-Man," expressed his enthusiasm for this project, and emphasized its significance. “I’m very excited about this project as I’m obviously a huge fan of all things Marvel Cosmic,” he stated. "The goal here is to kind of do what we did with the recent Ultimate line for all of our space titles, except having the setup book (IMPERIAL) be more of an event than a world building exercise.” Hickman is particularly eager to establish groundbreaking developments within the vast Marvel cosmos.
The miniseries will feature familiar characters including several Hulks, Black Panther, the Nova Corps, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Each character will undergo new designs and revamps, nourishing the excitement among fans for fresh narratives and visual interpretations. “Being involved in this project is incredible,” stated Coello about designing the new characters and costumes. “Working with Hickman is something I never expected to be able to do, and it’s both cool and intimidating at the same time.”
The event promises to deliver transformative experiences for existing fans and attract new readers to the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. Hickman’s approach to storytelling aims to pave the way for subsequent narratives set beyond Earth’s atmosphere, reversing the recent trend where cosmic tales were eclipsed by terrestrial stories.
Vicentini echoed similar sentiments about his collaboration with Hickman: “Working with Hickman is a great challenge. I love his scripts. He writes really brilliant dialogue and puts incredible attention to details when it come to the story’s setting.” Reflected also by both artists is their commitment to producing the best possible work for this anticipated venture.
Marvel has not only mixed creativity with formidable talent but positioned "Imperial" as pivotal for future exploration within its cosmic narratives. The issues outlined within the miniseries will encompass coups, wars, and the evolution of empires, echoing the urgency and interconnectedness of the cosmic tales. Through Hickman's stewardship, the project is set to enrich the already expansive Marvel lore across its many realms.
“The art team is killing it, and we’re all just very excited for what’s happening,” Hickman observed. Characteristic of his distinct storytelling style, Hickman aims to inject life and conflict back to the cosmic narrative, addressing themes of power, leadership, and the impacts of betrayal.
"Imperial" #1 will officially launch at comic shops on June 4, 2025, illustrating not only the return of grand cosmic drama but potentially nurturing new directions for Marvel comics overall. With anticipation building, readers can look forward to iconic figures returning with refreshed appearances and thrilling new plotlines.