In 2025, Marvel is set to launch one of its most ambitious and expansive new comic book projects: Imperial. This groundbreaking series comes from the creative mind of Jonathan Hickman, the visionary behind transformative Marvel narratives such as House of X and the new Ultimate Universe. Just as those projects revolutionized their respective universes, Imperial aims to redefine the landscape for Marvel's cosmic heroes, including Nova and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
To delve deeper into how Imperial will reshape the cosmic realm, IGN had the opportunity to discuss the project via email with Hickman himself. Below, you can view an exclusive preview gallery of Imperial #1, followed by insights into the series' origins and its broader implications.
Marvel's Imperial #1 Preview Gallery
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Curious about the inception of Imperial, we asked Hickman whether the story was born from his own creative urge or if it was commissioned by Marvel to replicate the success of previous hits like Krakoa and Ultimate Invasion. Hickman explained that 2025 presented the perfect moment to revisit Marvel’s cosmic roster with fresh perspectives.
“I think it was simply time to revisit this corner of the Marvel Universe,” Hickman shared with IGN. “That I was available and interested, and that it’s been of ongoing interest to the company, and that the model of launching something like this had just been done with the Ultimate line, all added up to it feeling like this was an opportunity to do Imperial. It’s come together well and I think people are going to enjoy it. It’s a fun book.”
The success of the new Ultimate line over the past two years has set a high bar, and there are clear parallels to how Imperial serves as the cornerstone for a new suite of cosmic titles. When asked about the similarities and lessons learned from launching the Ultimate Universe, Hickman offered his perspective.
“You can, in my opinion, draw a direct line between the two in terms of what we think can succeed with in the current market,” Hickman stated. “A small, tight line of books that readers can invest in and not feel overwhelmed, and where creators can execute their vision for the individual titles without drowning in external continuity seems to be a pretty solid model of how to launch something like this.”
Hickman further elaborated, “The big difference, obviously, is that this isn’t set in an alternative Marvel Universe, so we won’t be doing the ‘real time’ aspect of the Ultimate line. Which has its pluses and minuses, but I think most people will be pleased about.”
The launch of Imperial evokes memories of the 2006 Annihilation crossover, which similarly shifted the cosmic status quo and paved the way for the modern Guardians of the Galaxy. However, Hickman emphasized that Imperial follows a different narrative path.
“No. Simply because that’s an invasion story and this isn’t anything like that,” Hickman clarified. “The ‘what-you-get’ end results might be similar in that all of a sudden there are a bunch of Marvel cosmic books you care about. But plot/story-wise? No.”
Imperial draws on elements from Hickman’s previous Marvel work, such as the recent “Hunt for Xavier” crossover in the X-Men series, which tied up loose ends from the Krakoan era and set the stage for Imperial. This crossover saw the resurrection of the former Shi’ar Empress Lilandra and her reunion with Charles Xavier as they embarked on a mission to rescue their daughter Xandra. Additionally, Imperial introduces the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, an idea first hinted at in 2015’s Secret Wars and later developed in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther series.
Despite these connections to his past projects, Hickman stressed that Imperial isn’t solely reliant on those narratives.
“Well, I’m kind of notorious for mining my own continuity inside of the greater Marvel one, but I’d say well over half of this is more like me picking up pieces from a bunch of extended stories that have been done over the years by other creators than me just picking up plot threads from my previous books,” Hickman explained. “Sure, there’s some of that in there, but not as much as some people might expect.”
Imperial also marks a significant shift for the Hulk family, steering them back into cosmic territory. The preview art hints at a return to the war-torn world of Sakaar, reminiscent of the 2006 Planet Hulk storyline. Hickman confirmed that this return is intentional, aligning with a significant milestone.
Hickman teased, “All I’ll say there is we’re coming up on the twentieth anniversary of Planet Hulk and Marvel doesn’t usually let those opportunities pass by.”
Finally, we inquired about the decision to split the artistic duties between Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello for Imperial. Hickman praised the collaboration and the unique contributions of both artists.
“Both of those guys are crushing it,” Hickman said. “I’ve been very pleased and surprised at how they’ve tackled some of the story beats, character designs, and wild locations this thing has. And with the book having a compressed publishing schedule (we actually moved it forward at the beginning of the year), the only way it could be done was for them to tag team it. The trick there is they have to complement each other and that’s clearly the case here.”
Imperial #1 is slated for release on June 4, 2025.
For more on the world of comics, find out what you should read in this year’s FCBD lineup, and check out our exclusive interview with the writers of TMNT: The Last Ronin II.
