Hulkling's ascension to King of the Marvel Universe is coming and with it, so is the tale of how the former Young Avenger stepped up to the throne in the first place. With Empyre arriving in April 2020, a new one-shot will explore how Hulkling became the leader of the Kree-Skrull war against our heroes and his journey getting there.
Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling will be written by Chip Zdarsky (Spider-Man: Life Story) and Anthony Oliveira (War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2) with art by Manuel Garcia (Civil War: Black Panther) with a cosmic cover from Patrick Gleason (Amazing-Spider-Man). The one-shot will focus on the bold new path for Hulkling becoming Emperor, the new leader of the Kree/Skrull invasion.
The Empyre Event will see Theodore "Teddy" Altman (Hulkling) taking the throne as Dorrek VIII to lead the Kree/Skrull in an attack against Earth. The story stems from a 2015 storyline in New Avengers where Teddy learned about his secret Kree/Skrull heritage as the son of Ryga'a the War Queen of the Skrulls and Soh-Larr, the Kree Ultra Warriors. Hulkling's ancestry as the first child of the Kree/Skrull will land him the role of King of Space. In Incoming #1, the Kree and Skrull, who have long been enemies, are seen teaming up under his rule.
The new one-shot will show readers how a seemingly happy Hulkling will abandon Earth. Oliveira described Hulkling's "heroes journey" and how the book will explore the cost of being a king.
Hulkling is one of the coolest characters in modern comics - he's the great scion of two galaxies-spanning empires, yet somehow one of its most sweetest, kindest, and down-to-earth heroes,” said Oliveira. “This story is about really delving into that sense of restlessness, and his epic, classic hero's journey - Star-crossed romance! Colossal space battles! A long lost prince! - grounded in its heart with a question about what it might mean, and what it might cost, to be king.
The book will add some much-needed context to why Teddy stepped away from his fiance Wiccan and Earth and decided to lead the Kree and Skrull against the Avengers. There seems to be more to Teddy's mission than what Marvel has let on. Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling is going to be an emotional book that will fill in the gaps to the events of Empyre. With such a strong creative team leading the charge, this seems like a tie-in worth picking up.
Check out Gleason's cover below along with the solicit for the book.
- Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling #1 (of 1)
- Written by Chip Zdarsky and Anthony Oliveira
- Art by Manual Garcia
- Cover by Patrick Gleason
- The child of the Kree hero Mar-Vell and Skrull Princess Anelle, Dorrek VIII — known on Earth as “Teddy” — has spent years evading the clutches of both bloodthirsty empires. But now fate has caught up to him. The Kree and Skrull worlds are aligned — and only a man born of both can lead them. But what has led Hulkling to abandon Earth and the Avengers he’s fought beside? And what will become of his fiancé, the hero Wiccan? Star writers Chip Zdarsky and Anthony Oliveira team up with artist Manuel Garcia for a can’t-miss one-shot!
- In comic stores April 22nd, 2020.