Marvel's latest comic endeavor, Imperial, stands out as one of the most ambitious projects of 2025, masterminded by Jonathan Hickman, the creative force behind transformative series such as House of X and the new Ultimate Universe. Much like his previous works, Imperial is poised to redefine the landscape for Marvel's cosmic heroes, including Nova and the Guardians of the Galaxy. To shed light on this game-changing series, IGN conducted an exclusive email interview with Hickman, alongside a sneak peek in our slideshow gallery below.
Marvel's Imperial #1 Preview Gallery
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Curious about the inception of Imperial, we asked Hickman if this was a story he was eager to tell or if Marvel approached him with the intent to replicate the success of Krakoa and Ultimate Invasion. Hickman explained that 2025 was the perfect moment to reimagine Marvel’s cosmic roster.
“I think it was simply time to revisit this corner of the Marvel Universe,” Hickman shared with IGN. “With my availability and interest, coupled with Marvel’s ongoing focus on this area and the successful launch model of the Ultimate line, it felt like the right opportunity to introduce Imperial. It’s coming together beautifully, and I believe fans are going to enjoy it. It’s a fun book.”
Following the success of the new Ultimate line, comparisons to Imperial are inevitable, as it serves as the foundation for a new cosmic book series. We inquired about Hickman's perspective on these similarities and any lessons from the Ultimate Universe launch he's applying to Imperial.
“You can draw a direct line between the two regarding what we believe will succeed in today’s market,” Hickman noted. “A compact, focused set of books allows readers to invest without feeling overwhelmed and enables creators to realize their vision without being bogged down by external continuity. This approach has proven effective for launching such projects.”
Hickman added, “The key difference is that Imperial isn’t set in an alternate universe, so we won’t be using the ‘real time’ aspect of the Ultimate line. This has its advantages and drawbacks, but I think most fans will appreciate the change.”
The 2006 Annihilation crossover, which dramatically altered the status quo for Marvel’s cosmic heroes, naturally comes to mind when discussing Imperial. We asked Hickman if he sees any parallels between the two.
“No, because Annihilation was an invasion story, and Imperial is not that at all,” Hickman clarified. “The end results might be similar in that they both reignite interest in Marvel’s cosmic books, but in terms of plot and story? They’re very different.”
While Imperial builds on Hickman’s previous Marvel work, it also incorporates elements from other creators. The recent “Hunt for Xavier” crossover in the X-Men line, for instance, set the stage for Imperial by resurrecting the former Shi’ar Empress Lilandra and reuniting her with Charles Xavier to rescue their daughter Xandra. Additionally, the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, first introduced in 2015’s Secret Wars and later featured in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther series, plays a significant role.
Despite these connections, Hickman emphasized that Imperial isn’t as tethered to his past works as one might think.
“I have a reputation for weaving my own continuity into the larger Marvel Universe, but over half of Imperial is more about integrating pieces from other creators’ stories than just picking up my own threads,” Hickman explained. “There are some connections to my previous work, but not as many as people might anticipate.”
Imperial also marks a return to cosmic storytelling for the Hulk family, with Hulk and She-Hulk revisiting the war-torn planet of Sakaar, reminiscent of the 2006 Planet Hulk storyline. Hickman hinted at the timing of this return, noting, “We’re approaching the twentieth anniversary of Planet Hulk, and Marvel typically seizes such milestones.”
Lastly, we discussed the decision to have two artists, Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello, collaborate on the series. Hickman praised their work, stating, “Both artists are doing an incredible job. I’ve been thrilled with how they’ve approached the story beats, character designs, and the expansive settings. Given the accelerated publishing schedule—we actually advanced it at the start of the year—they needed to work together. The key was ensuring their styles complement each other, which they’ve managed wonderfully.”
Imperial #1 is slated for release on June 4, 2025.
For more on the world of comics, discover what you should read in this year’s FCBD lineup, and don't miss our exclusive interview with the writers of TMNT: The Last Ronin II.
