Marvel is reshaping the cosmic side of its universe with the Jonathan Hickman epic known as Imperial, though there's even more to this grand tapestry than what's in the main series. There's also five key Imperial War one-shots that provide not only important context but showcase threads that will be picked up eventually in the main series, and one of the most critical one-shots is the upcoming Imperial War: Imperial Guardians #1. ComicBook had the chance to speak to Imperial Guardians writer Dan Abnett all about the one-shot, and not only do we have a big-time first look preview, but Abnett reveals why this is a can't-miss issue for one longtime fan-favorite character.
There's still a lot we don't know about Imperial Guardians, but we do know that the issue is written by Abnett and Hickman and features artwork by Cory Smith. To say this team has extensive experience in the Marvel Cosmic world would be an understatement, and now they are bringing their expertise to a truly unique collection of heroes that includes Gamora, Captain Marvel, and yes, the powerhouse known as Darkhawk, and you can check out your first look at this new team in action below.
ComicBook: Not much is known about Imperial Guardians, aside from Super-Skrull being the central character. He's in a pretty tenuous position considering the Kree/Skrull Alliance appears to be no more. Can you walk us through his point of view on recent events?
Dan Abnett: The Imperial Guardians issue fills out some intriguing - and shocking - details of the "how we got here" variety, running on a parallel path to the main Imperial story until it lines up for a high-velocity head-on collision. As a result, Super-Skrull is a prime mover, and we reveal a lot about what's driving him as Imperial ramps up to the final act.
The cover of Imperial Guardians has some interesting characters represented who haven't appeared in Imperial. Can you shed any light on who readers can expect to see, and why have they decided to come together as a team?
For similar reasons, this issue is an opportunity to track what other characters are doing during - and in reaction to - the crisis. So we have Gamora, Captain Marvel and Darkhawk (and this is something Darkhawk fans - and people who don't yet realise they're Darkhawk fans - must NOT miss) closing on the true causes of the catastrophe. I think I used the word "shocking" in my first answer. "Shocking" is a good word....
There's an Imperial Guardians title scheduled for Winter 2026. How does your book factor into those plans, and is this team representing a new phase of the Guardians of the Galaxy?
It directly factors into those plans, and oh boy, it IS a new phase, but in ways that are hard to imagine from here in the thick of the crisis. I can't say any more without spoiling everything, but you will NOT want to miss it.