Marvelis seeking to overhaul the cosmic side of its universe ahead ofAvengers: Doomsday, and we think we know how that will happen. The Marvel Universe’s cosmic side is one of its richest, full of awe-inspiring heroes and terrifying villains, some of which have made their way to the MCU. Now, in the forthcomingImperialevent, the cosmos is due for a massive upheaval.
Speaking withComicbook.com,Imperialartists Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini gave details about the forthcoming crossover, which will be written by superstar writer Jonathan Hickman. Marvel has remained mum on details surroundingImperial, but Coello and Vicentini’s interview gives fans a deeper look into the book’s first issue. Marvel providedComicbook.comwith advanced art, showcasing a wide variety of alien races and empires from across the universe, including the Shi’Ar and the Kymellians, as well asfeaturing Marvel icons such as the Hulk, who will play a major role inImperial.
The Cosmic Side of the Marvel Universe Dates Back to the Silver Age
However, It Did Not Start Growing in Earnest Until the 1970s
Thanks to the works of creators such as Jim Starlin and Steve Englehart, the Marvel universe’s cosmic corner grew quickly, with characters such as Adam Warlock, Drax the Destroyer and Captain Marvel.
The cosmic side of the Marvel Universe was seeded in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s landmarkFantastic Fourcomic, which introduced a number of characters who would play major roles in it, such as Galactus. However, it was not until the 1970s that Marvel truly began exploring this fascinating side of its universe. Thanks to the works of creators such as Jim Starlin and Steve Englehart, the Marvel universe’s cosmic corner grew quickly, with characters such as Adam Warlock, Drax the Destroyer and Captain Marvel. Some of these stories would form the basis of certified Marvel classics.
The Infinity Gauntletran for six issues in 1991.
One of these wasThe Infinity Gauntlet,which would go on to become a massive influence on the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with some minor changes. The MCU also introduced the Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s premiere cosmic team, to a mainstream audience. The three films in the series adapted various aspects of Marvel’s cosmic side, such as Ego the Living Planet, the Celestials and the Elders of the Universe. While the MCU is de-emphasizing the Guardians franchise, it still leaves pieces behind for future filmmakers to pick up.
ImperialCould Provide Several MCU-Worthy Franchises for Future Filmmakers
Nearly Every Marvel Alien Race and Empire Will be Involved inImperial
The MCU is currently barreling towardsAvengers: Doomsday, which will later lead toAvengers: Secret Wars,which will be the capstone for the “Multiverse Saga.” So far, no cast members from the threeGuardians of the Galaxyfilms have been announced forDoomsday,leading fans to wonder if the entire cosmic side was now finished. Rumors continue to persist over Nova entering the MCU, but these talks remain inconclusive. The cast forSecret Warsstill hasn’t been revealed, meaning the MCU’s cosmic characters could still have time to return.
After Thanos Flubbed the Infinity Stones, Norman Osborn Is the Perfect Choice to Wield Their Power
Thanos famously wielded (and ultimately flubbed) the Infinity Stones on multiple occasions in Marvel Comics, but now they belong to the Green Goblin.
And if Kevin Feige and the MCU creators ever decide to return to the cosmic side of Marvel, thenImperialjust might be the blueprint for how to revitalize it ahead ofAvengers: Doomsday.Imperialwill spotlight nearly every major alien race in theMarvelUniverse, and even some minor ones as well.Imperialcan give some of these races and empires new status quos, ones perfect for adaptation to the MCU. The impending introductions of The Fantastic Four and the X-Men are the perfect vehicles to bring these races into the MCU, andImperialcan be where it starts.
