FIRST LOOK AT NEW IMPERIAL COMIC SERIES

Spectacular writer Jonathan Hickman teams up with talented artists Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello to shatter and redesign the Marvel cosmos in Imperial, a four-issue event series that serves as the foundation for a new wave of galaxy-spanning titles. Coming in June!

To keep up with all the comic news, click here!

Earlier today, in an exclusive interview with artists Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello, ComicBook.com revealed a first look at Imperial, a new comic series launching this June that’s set to transform the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe! The four-part event series is written by the visionary Jonathan Hickman, known for his groundbreaking work on Fantastic Four, X-Men, Avengers, and Marvel’s new Ultimate line, and illustrated by Vicentini and Coello, two of Marvel’s top Stormbreaker artists. Imperial lays the groundwork for a whole new era of interconnected space-themed comic series coming later this year, making it a must-read for this summer!

Imperial begins with the removal of several key intergalactic leaders. Nature despises a vacuum, and as empires crumble, rulers fall, and power shifts, a new galactic order rises. The saga brings major developments for various groups in the Marvel Universe, including Hulks, Black Panthers, Novas, Guardians of the Galaxy, and, as revealed last week in X-Manhunt Omega #1, mutants! The conclusion of the X-Men’s latest event, X-Manhunt, saw Professor X leave Earth to rescue his daughter, Xandra, the deposed Majestrix of the Shi’ar Empire.

The new Imperial preview highlights two key storylines. Coello’s pages show Hulk, She-Hulk, and Brawn returning to the savage planet Sakaar, where Hulk once raged and conquered in the iconic Planet Hulk storyline. Meanwhile, Vicentini’s pages offer a glimpse of both hope and corruption as Star-Lord enlists Nova to help defend the galaxy from the looming chaos—while his father, J’Son, plots to take advantage of the situation. Both sets of pages feature stunning new character designs, highlighting the immense creative energy these talented artists are bringing to this exciting new chapter of Marvel storytelling!

What do the creators have to say?

Asked about his design process, Vicentini told ComicBook.com, “When creating the costumes, I wanted to go back a bit to the past, such as bringing back Star-Lord’s helmet, giving Nova an aviator-style jacket, and taking inspiration from classic heroes like Flash Gordon.”

Usually Jonathan Hickman gives me a general idea of the character’s look in the script, and I work based on that,” Coello said. “Tying the new look with the personality of the characters and having it make sense in this new era they’re entering. I think that She-Hulk is the one who underwent the biggest change.”