Imperial Reading Order Checklist

The Marvel Universe has plenty of exciting corners to visit. While some pockets – like Spider-Man, Avengers, and X-Men – are explored thoroughly, others, like Marvel Cosmic, only get attention now and then. Marvel went all-in on Marvel Cosmic in the 2000s, resulting in some excellent comics. Now the publisher is ready to do it again in 2025, kicking it off with the Imperial comic book event.

Marvel is going all-in with their cosmic comics by bringing Jonathan Hickman in to mastermind it. Known for the X-Men’s Krakoa Era and bringing the Ultimate Universe back to critical and fan acclaim, Imperial and whatever comes after is certain to be an exciting read.

Find out how to enter on the ground floor with the Imperial reading order. It gives all the details on how to read this cosmic event, background reading, and much more to make reading simple.

The Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk trade paperback cover by Jose Ladronn.

Background reading

Jonathan Hickman is the kind of writer who will mine previous ideas and continuity to spin them into new ideas or take them to the next step in their evolution. While Marvel has been coy on Imperial details, I have identified a few concepts or previous stories that look like they will be used in some fashion for this event.

Planet Hulk
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Carlo Pagulayan, Aaron Lopresti, Michael Avon Oeming, Alex Nino, Marshall Rogers and Gary Frank.

Hulks will play a role in Imperial – especially The Hulk, She-Hulk, and Brawn (Amadeus Cho). Part of this will involve returning to planet Sakaar, a planet that The Hulk (Bruce Banner) ruled for a time in the modern-classic Planet Hulk storyline. Read Incredible Hulk (1999 series) #92-105 and Giant-Size Hulk #1 to get the full story.

Return To Planet Hulk
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Greg Land.

As told in Incredible Hulk #709-713, this is the latest story to feature Sakaar.

Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Back-up stories by Danny Lore, Saint Bodhi, Bobby Sessions, and Kaash Paige. Art by Daniel Acuña, Chris Sprouse, Ryan Bodenheim, and Alitha Martinez.

The second half of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther run saw Wakanda branch out into the stars. The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda looks like it will play a major role in Imperial. Read Black Panther (2018 series) #1-25 to get the full story.

Avengers/Fantastic Four: Empyre
Written by Al Ewing and Dan Slott. Art by Valerio Schiti.

The Skrull and The Kree, two of the largest galactic empires in the Marvel Universe have been at war with one another for a long time. Avengers/Fantastic Four: Empyre is latest chapter in that conflict. Check this comic book event out if you want to understand more of the current shape of the balance of power in outer space in the Marvel Universe. Use our the Avengers/Fantastic Four: Empyre reading order to learn how to read it.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2023 series) #1-10 and Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 2024
Written by Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. Art by Kev Walker and Alex Lins.

This is the latest run of Guardians of the Galaxy prior to Imperial. Perhaps not essential background reading but check it out if you want to know what the Guardians of the Galaxy were doing in recent times.

X-Men: X-Manhunt
Written by Various. Art by Various.

This 2025 X-Men crossover will set-up mutant involvement with Imperial. Find out how to read this event with the X-Men: X-Manhunt reading order.

Imperial #1 cover by Marco Checchetto.

Imperial reading order

Below is the recommended reading order for Imperial. This section includes the core issues along with tie-ins, creator credits, and release dates.

Imperial #1 (of 4)
Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello.
Available 4th June.

Imperial #2 (of 4)
Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello.
Available J9th July.

Imperial #3 (of 4)
Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello.
Available 13th August.

Imperial War: Black Panther (Tie-in)
Written by Victor LaValle and Jonathan Hickman. Art by Cafu.
Available 20th August

Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk (Tie-in)
Written by Stephanie Phillips and Jonathan Hickman. Art by Emilio Laiso.
Available 27th August

Note: Marvel has mentioned there will be five “Imperial War” tie-ins in total. So far, only two have been announced. The other three will fall around here in the reading order but cannot confirm it until Marvel has revealed details about them. The reading order will be updated when more is know.

Imperial #4 (of 4)
Written by Jonathan Hickman. Art by Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello.
Available September.

Buy Imperial on…

After Imperial

Marvel Comics has mentioned that Imperial is just the beginning of a new era of Marvel cosmic comics. The event will set up a new line of comics. However, the publisher hasn’t revealed what these will be yet. This section will be updated when more is known.

Have your say

Have you found this reading order helpful? What is your favourite part of Marvel Cosmic? Share your thoughts in the comments below or via Bluesky, Facebook, X, or Mastodon.