Warning! Major spoilers ahead for Marvel’s Imperial #4!
Marvelmight have just set up the next generation’s Civil War; the ending of the publisher’s epic Imperial miniseries positions a pair of MCU heroes, Black Panther and Star-Lord, for a galaxy-spanning conflict that could make Iron Man and Captain America’s feud from twenty years ago look tame in comparison.
Imperial #4 is written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Iban Coello and Federico Vincenti. The finale finds Black Panther ruling the Wakandan Star Empire once more, while Guardians of the Galaxy’s Peter Quill ascends to the throne of the rival Spartax Empire.
If Marvel wants to chart an unprecedented third act in a Civil War trilogy, this is how it begins.
Marvel Just Set Up “Black Panther Vs. Star-Lord” As A Fight Magnitudes Greater Than “Iron Man Vs. Captain America”
Imperial #4, Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Iban Coello And Federico Vincenti; Available Now From Marvel Comics
Imperial promises to redistribute the balance of power in the wider Marvel Universe, and it did precisely that. Imperial’s four-issue run was a thrill ride of cosmic intrigue, but it was always intended to be all set-up for a much greater pay-off down the line. The final pages of Imperial #4 hints that could be an interstellar version of Civil War.
In his closing scene, Black Panther looks out a starship window at the vastness of space and implies to Shuri that he is in a conquering mood. Over the last few years, Marvel has attempted to divest Black Panther of his imperial power, reverting him to a more street-level heroic status. Imperial #4 suggests Marvel is ready to go in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, the conclusion of the issue confirms Star-Lord’s new status as the ruler of the interstellar Spartax Empire, and one of the leaders of the freshly-established “Galactic Union.” This potentially puts the two heroes on a collision course which could literally tear the Marvel Universe apart, especially if a Black Panther vs. Star-Lord showdown enveloped the heroes of Earth.
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The end of Imperial reveals that Inhuman leader Black Bolt threw the galaxy into chaos in order to effect his own return to power. Black Panther and Star-Lord are two of the galactic leaders complicit in covering up the truth in Imperial #4. This binds them together, but it could also ultimately drive them apart.
Many readers have taken their actions in Imperial as villainous turns for the characters, but really, it is an opportunity to turn both into complex, conflicted leaders, either of whom readers could side with in an eventual showdown. This is what makes a future face-off between their respective forces a natural successor to Civil War.
As the leaders of vast space empires, Star-Lord and Black Panther both have to make increasingly difficult decisions. These decisions can bring them into opposition with one another, which in turn can serve as the foundation for a novel take on what made Civil War such an unforgettable story arc.
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At least at the start of Marvel’s original Civil War, there was a compelling argument for both sides of the conflict. This got readers invested in the series, especially as the story unfolded and allegiances shifted. Characters changed their perspectives, and so did readers. It was as instrumental to the experience of reading the series as the superhero-vs.-superhero action.
To this day, Marvel fans argue about whether Tony Stark was truly the “villain” of Civil War, or at least, how deep into the story his actions can be justified. Civil War stands out as arguably Marvel’s defining crossover because it delivered superhero fights without sacrificing an emotionally and morally resonant plotline.
Black Panther vs. Star-Lord has an opportunity to be the next Captain America vs. Iron Man, a generational superhero fight that determines the future of the Marvel Universe. And now is exactly the time to do it, with the imminent 20th anniversary of Civil War, and 10th anniversary of Civil War II.
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Civil War began in the summer of 2006 and lasted through early the following year. Civil War II followed almost exactly a decade later. Marvel loves to celebrate milestones and anniversaries, and as such, the time has come for Civil War III, which it seems like the company has the perfect story for coming out of Imperial.
Civil War II tried to recapture the magic of the original, this time pitting Iron Man against Captain Marvel. Like the first series, the goal was for each side’s position to have merit. However, many readers felt the divide between the camps was more tenuous, more contrived than the first time around.
A third Civil War series, one that encompasses the entire Marvel Universe, could be the true heir to the original that fans have long craved. Marvel has organically maneuvered Star-Lord and Black Panther into position for an intense confrontation, now all that is needed is a pretext to get Marvel’s other heroes, and villains, involved.
What people love about sequels is an increase in scale, and audacity, and spectacle. A Civil War-style conflict between Black Panther and Star-Lord, in their roles as galactic rulers, can deliver all that and more. It can make Marvel’s original Civil War look like a petty terrestrial squabble in comparison.
Imperial #4 is available now from Marvel Comics.
