Transition Between Mutant Sagas
The conclusion of the X-Manhunt event marks a turning point in the X-Men stories. While a chapter centered on the pursuit of Charles Xavier closes, the first hints of Imperial, the next major cosmic saga that will affect the entire Marvel universe, begin to emerge.
"An ending is never really the end in the Marvel universe, but the prologue of what is to come"
The Decisions That Will Change the Cosmos
The key events that will trigger Imperial revolve around:
- The mysterious farewell of Charles Xavier
- The threat against galactic leaders
- The fate of the Shi'ar empire and its princess Xandra
- The connections between Earth heroes and cosmic ones
The Weight of Xavier's Legacy
Professor Xavier's actions during X-Manhunt have unforeseen consequences. His final statement suggests a possible sacrifice, raising questions about his future in the Marvel universe. This uncertainty extends to:
- His relationship with the X-Men
- His connection with the Shi'ar royal family
- His role in upcoming intergalactic crises
The Expansion of the Conflict
What begins as a story centered on Earth mutants evolves into a cosmic-scale event. Imperial promises to involve various factions from the Marvel universe, including:
- The Guardians of the Galaxy
- The Shi'ar empire in its entirety
- Earth heroes like Black Panther
- The different Hulk factions
The Rebirth of Marvel Cosmic
Jonathan Hickman sets up with Imperial a restructuring similar to what was done with the Ultimate line, but applied to space stories. This approach seeks to:
- Establish new connections between franchises
- Create a unified narrative framework for cosmic adventures
- Lay the groundwork for future developments