For years the Marvel Universe has suffered as the Kree and Skrull empires fought each other to oblivion. But the time has finally come for one Young Avenger to claim his throne, and fulfill his destiny of uniting the two into one new EMPYRE. Not because it's what he desires, but because it is his destiny, plain and simple.
Even after the special Incoming! comic helped catch fans up on Hulkling's cosmic Kree-Skrull crown, the first trailer for EMPYRE made it clear to every comic fan, old and new: the time of the Kree-Skrull Wars is over. But out of two broken peoples will arise one, united by a king born of both alien races and descended from the first Kree-Skrull hybrid, Dorrek Supreme. Since Teddy's parents -- Mar-Vell and the Princess Anelle -- were brought together by the famous war, there's no denying destiny's design for him. And in April's EMPYRE #1, his reign begins.
Marvel has been rolling out several pieces of artwork to build anticipation for EMPYRE, primarily spotlighting the Kree and Skrull War itself, and the heroes who fought in the battle when the conflict was brought to Earth. But in the newest piece by artist Jeff Dekal, and released by Marvel with the promise of a "Destiny Fulfilled," there is no mistaking the heart of EMPYRE's story. The tale of how a Young Avenger born of two warring empires must finally unite both... and accept his fate as the King of Space. And Teddy's never looked so good:
The artwork gets two major points across: first, that with his genetic material blending the strengths of both his Kree and Skrull parents, he truly looks like a prime specimen of Marvel's cosmic warriors (his less frequently used wings included). But more importantly, the look of contemplation he wears while looking skyward, and the somber image of the parents he never knew, speaks to the emotional arc beneath it all. Will the heroes of the Avengers and Fantastic Four be able to look beyond their past grudges with the Kree and Skrull empires, and recognize they follow Teddy -- a good, worthy king? Or will they allow old prejudices to turn a Young Avenger into an enemy?
Fans will have to wait for the EMPYRE event to truly begin in April of this year. But first, readers can find out the essentials in Road to Empyre: Kree-Skrull War, arriving in stores in March.
EMPYRE #1 arrives in April 2020 from Marvel Comics.