As Marvel continues to eke out bits from its upcoming August solicitations, we’re getting some teases about what to expect from the Imperial event series. Specifically, Imperial #3 will reveal the real bad guy pulling the strings; and there will be two spinoff one-shots focusing on Black Panther and She-Hulk.
Let’s start with the main series, first. Written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Iban Coello, the third of four issues will reveal “who’s really been pulling the strings and using the universe’s most powerful empires—from the Shi’ar to the Kree/Skrull Alliance—as mere pawns,” per PR from the publisher. Given the game pieces, I’d say Gamesmaster. But it could also be whatever Anya Taylor-Joy’s character was named from The Queen’s Gambit.
Also of interest? Hulking and Wiccan will be featured at least in the third issue, as they show up on the cover. Here’s the solicit and cover, and Imperial #3 hits stores on August 13.
Part three of a four-part Marvel cosmic event!
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?
Next up, those two one-shots we mentioned: Imperial War: Black Panther; and Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk.
Hickman will be co-writing both issues, with Victor LaValle joining him on Black Panther with artist CAFU, and Stephanie Williams co-writing She-Hulk, with art by Emilio Laiso.
“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.”
Here’s the synopsis for that issue, which hits stores on August 20.
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!
And then there’s Planet She-Hulk, which finds Jen Walters on New Sakaar trying to keep the peace through both her lawyer skills and her smashing skills. That’ll hit stores on August 27.
“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.”
Check out covers and solicit info for both one-shots, below.
IMPERIAL WAR: BLACK PANTHER #1
Written by VICTOR LAVALLE & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by CAFU
Cover by FRANCESCO MORTARINO
On Sale 8/20
IMPERIAL WAR: PLANET SHE-HULK #1
Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS AND JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by EMILIO LAISO
Cover by FRANCESCO MORTARINO
On Sale 8/27
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