Sometimes I see a comic book series and hesitate to buy it. In this case, there’s the Marvel Comics space event Imperial. The funny thing is, Imperial has everything from a great creative team (written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini), three Hulks (Worldbreaker, She-Hulk, and Brawn), the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, and more. So, I decided to give it a shot. It was more than worth buying. There is mystery, action, betrayal, and weird space science that makes no sense.
The main storyline is on issue No. 2 of 4, but the tale is more than that. There are also one-shot tie-ins titled Imperial War: Black Panther and Imperial War: She-Hulk. Usually, side comics in major storylines rarely lead into something else after the event is done. This isn’t one of those cases. At the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel announced that the space epic continues in five upcoming comic books.
World War She Hulk
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Aaron Kuder
Stephanie Phillips has been killing it. Her comics Grim, Phoenix, and Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider, are all must-reads. Now, she’s taking her talent and lending it to one of the most underrated superheroes ever, Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk. If you need more convincing, Phillips said, “...think big Game of Thrones.” For those familiar with Sakaar (the planet that Jennifer is stranded on), you understand how close that description is. For everyone else, you’ll understand once you buy the issue.
Stephanie Phillips gives more reasons to check this out by saying She-Hulk will face witches, rebels, and cannibals. Plus, she has a sword, and we can only hope she will use it.
Nova: Centurion
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artist: Alvaro Lopez
Like Stephanie Phillips, Jed MacKay has been killing it too. His four-year run of Moon Knight is one of the few comic books that have remained nearly flawless since its debut. Plus, he took the reins of the X-Men and reminded people why Cyclops is comic books’ most resourceful leader. Putting MacKay in charge of Nova: Centurion and making Richard Rider a hero for hire of sorts will be nothing short of spectacular.
The description mentions that Rider (Nova) will have to do some things that he may not agree with to do what’s right. However, this is nothing new to Nova. Back in the 2006 cosmic event, Annihilation, he did horrific things in the name of war. Sadly, he hasn’t been right since. Having him be a hero with (as Marvel describes it) “dirty hands” will leave Richard Rider more messed up than ever. Or, maybe this is the thing that gives him his smile back.
But wait, there's more!
Regarding Black Panther: Intergalactic, Exiles, and Imperial Guards, there isn't much to go on. The creative teams haven't even been announced yet. However, Marvel Comics VP & Executive Editor Tom Brevoort leaves you anticipating their reveal, "This is a story that unites all the disparate and separate powers of the galactic portion of the Marvel Universe—the Kree, the Shi'ar, the Skrulls, and more—all in one big science-fiction epic..." While it's exciting, there isn't much else. Thankfully, Marvel will release more information soon. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow for those reports.
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