Warning! Spoilers for Empyre #3 by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia and VC's Joe Caramagna below!
The latest big Marvel comics crossover event continues in Empyre #3, with the Kree and Skrull union not being the true villains of the story that everyone was expecting. As the newly formed team helps the Avengers and Fantastic Four defend Earth against the true enemy, there are yet more unexpected twists and turns to the tale. The latest issue reveals a huge hidden secret embedded within the Kree-Skrull friendly alliance that could threaten the new union and worse, the rest of the universe.
Empyre sees the Fantastic Four, Avengers, Kree/Skrull alliance and the Cotati come together in an explosive multi-issue story-line that spans across multiple tie-ins. The Kree/Skrull alliance was thought to be the enemies of the series, with previews showing the army heading towards Earth to attack it. In Empyre #2, it is revealed that it is actually the peaceful Cotati race that is the real enemy. After years of suffering at the hands of the Kree, Quoi and the rest of the Cotati wanted revenge. The surprises continue in the third issue, but this time involves a twist to do with Hulkling's family
Hulking's lineage plays a big part in the Empyre plot. Teddy is the first child known the be born with both Kree and Skrull heritage, which meant he was the rightful leader of both races. Not only is his mother a Skrull, but she was also the princess of the Skrull empire known as Princess Anelle. Tanalth, the leader of the Kree Pursor Corps, helped with the coronation of Hulking and is one of the main Kree/Skrull alliance members alongside Captain Glory. In a conflict with Super Skrull, Tanalth reveals she knows restricted Skrull information that the Kree should not have access too, which makes Captain Glory suspicious. After Tanalth leaves the room, she is followed by Captain Glory. Although her gene scan shows she is pure Kree, he doesn't believe this information. He recognizes that she is in fact, a shape-shifting Skrull that has taken the form of Tanalth.
Tanalth actually being a Skrull in disguise throws a wrench into the entire Kree/Skrull alliance.
The fake Tanalth does not deny that she is a secret Skrull and tells Captain Glory the truth. She is ultimately there to protect the union of the Skrull and Kree empire, but also to preserve the bloodline of Hulking. She finally drops the Kree disguise to reveal that she is in fact R'Klll, who is the mother of Anelle and grandmother of Hulking himself. Tanalth's secret intent, to ensure that not only is her grandson the ruler of the Kree/Skrull empire, but to see that he will change his heroic nature to also become the absolute ruler of the galaxy. Empyre #3's huge twist sets the stage for some serious double-crossing in the future.