Marvel is reinventing theGuardians of the Galaxy, as a new roster unites in response toMarvel’s epicImperialseries. Marvel is currently rewriting the ecosystem of its space-set stories, throwing its most famous alien civilizations into war while establishing new roles for heroes including the Hulk, Nova, Professor X and Black Panther. And what would a gigantic space war be without the Guardians of the Galaxy?
Marvel just announced the upcoming one-shotImperial War: Imperial Guardians. One of several tie-ins toImperial, the comic will unitea new Guardians team including Captain Marvel, Gamora, Darkhawk and more.
DAN ABNETT and JONATHAN HICKMAN
Cover Artist:
FRANCESCO MORTARINO
As the events of IMPERIAL explode in fatal fashion, the Super-Skrull finds himself at the center of a seditious scheme with consequences that will be felt by the entire cosmos! But he’s not the only superpower looking for answers - an unlikely team is on the hunt to avert disaster before galactic order is lost for good!
Fans have been speculating about the full roster, while appears to also include Cosmic Ghost Rider (a far-future variant of the Punisher) and a mysterious figure who some are speculating to be Amadeus Cho’s Brawn.The team’s return is surprisinggiven Star-Lord and Novaaren’t involved in its formation,busy investigating the string of assassinations that kicked offImperial’s galaxy-consuming battle.
Dan Abnett Returns to Guardians of the Galaxy
The Creator of the Franchise’s Most Iconic Team Returns for a New Era
As exciting as this new roster is,Guardians of the Galaxyfans will be hyped for another reason. WritingImperial War: Imperial GuardiansareImperialmastermind Jonathan Hickman andDan Abnett - the writer who reimagined theGuardiansfranchise in 2008, assembling the roster than most modern-day fans are familiar with (the Star-Lord/Rocket/Groot/Gamora/Drax combo used in the MCU.) Abnett has an incredibly deep-cut knowledge and appreciation ofGuardianslore. Regarding the project, Abnett told Marvel:
It’s great to be back telling cosmic stories as part of the IMPERIAL event. My time spent with Nova and the Guardians back in the day was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in comics, and Jonathan’s orchestrating exactly the kind of epic-SF-scale, character-driven and drama-packed epic I love to sink my teeth into. This is quite some ride, and the Galaxy - and the Guardians - won’t be the same again! I’d say it’s the best jumping-on point for Marvel Cosmic since the original ANNIHILATION.
One detail surprising fans is thatthe Captain Marvel leading the team appears to be Carol Danvers, who iscurrently leading the Avengers on Earth. This likely means she’ll need to leave Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, especially if (as fans are assuming) the new Guardians will be sticking together after this one-shot.Imperialpromised to upend Marvel lore, and it’s continuing to fulfill that promise, as theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise enters a new era with a thrilling new roster.
IMPERIAL WAR: IMPERIAL GUARDIANS #1is coming June 26, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, rooted in Marvel Comics, has expanded into a prominent series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), blending action, humor, and a distinctive 1970s and 1980s soundtrack.
