If I could give this book a higher score than 10 I would. Since I can't do that I'll just say that this issue is, in a word, perfect! The creative team is top notch and the story looks to launch the cosmic side of Marvel into a brand new world of storytelling. I cannot wait to see where this story goes! Read Full Review

Offering up equal parts who did it and king or queen of the hill, Imperial #1 unleashes more cosmic chaos than cohesiveness for the Marvel Universe. Even with a length of 54 pages, Imperial #1 never feels bloated or borders on the edges of boredom. The pacing of this spectacle from the stars is perfect from the start straight through as it proceeds to the issue's cliffhanger. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 delivers a compelling start to a major Marvel event, combining political intrigue, personal loss, and cosmic conflict. The creative team's collaboration results in a richly layered narrative that sets the stage for significant developments in the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

IMPERIAL #1 sets the stage for a grand event and the creative teams brings a blockbuster feel to the story. Read Full Review

Imperial Issue 1 spreads the story across the stars. This first issue only had the first flickers of a cosmic epic, and already it makes the hair on the back of the neck stand up. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 knocks it out of the park making this feel like the premiere comic book event that is going on right now. The scope of the story is properly epic as what happens here has a great sense of importance. The surprise of who has turned out to be the antagonist creates a lot of intrigue for what will be the new status quo when all is said and done. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 is a surprisingly taut, engaging political thriller centered on an intergalactic murder mystery. Jonathan Hickman's story presents the same level of mystery, intrigue, and intensity as Captains America: The Winter Soldier in space, and the art team's visuals capture the science fiction vibe of a galactic adventure. But for a few nitpicks, this is the best comic from Marvel this week. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 successfully establishes a rich, complex story with a compelling central conflict. Jonathan Hickman's masterful storytelling is evident on every page, beautifully complemented by Federico Vicentini's striking artwork. While it may lean into familiar territory for long-time Hickman fans, the sheer craftsmanship and promise of epic scope make "Imperial an easy recommendation for anyone seeking an intelligent new science fiction series. It's a grand opening act, and one can only hope the subsequent movements live up to this ambitious overture. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 is an epic first salvo in a blockbuster summer event series that (as far as I know) doesn't require reading 20 other books. Read Full Review

Imperial #1 is a bold, visually dynamic start to Hickman's next cosmic saga, offering a galaxy full of political players and mysterious forces. The weight of the setup and the lack of emotional urgency may leave some readers waiting for the real game to begin. This is a Marvel cosmic chess match fans have been waiting years for. Read Full Review

Cosmic Marvel changes rapidly, but this issue just THROWS us into the middle of crazy back-and-forth "Game of Thrones" political intrigue, and it is a bit overwhelming. The sheer number of characters in play makes it hard to follow. Read Full Review

This big, new cosmic event just doesn't seem to have a lot to work with to build tension and excitement, and therefore falls a little flat. Read Full Review

My dog Nova back in a big Marvel Cosmic mini-series? You know its good.

I rate things based on how much I enjoyed it. I think everyone does, but some people just try to fool themselves into thinking objectivity is a thing in an out of 10 rating.

There's a lot to like here - that's why it's a 9. It's a good set up, and I subjectively love marvel cosmic stuff!

But how is Ronan around? Did I miss his resurrection?? I like Hickman, I'm leaning towards continuity error. Lazy use of character bugs me and keeps it from a 10. Also, Nova is my favourite character and I'll read anything he shows up in. But I'm still critical of continuity. The issue says the worldmind is dormant... but it was cancerverse corrupted and destroyed. I'd like it to return, but give it an explanation please. Also, I'm all for exploring Novas PTSD, he's earned it, but it's been done already and I hope it doesn't become a defining characteristic with each writer who uses him.

Side note - Marvel needs to bring the Nova Corps back. Fully and properly. It's the Marvel version of Green Lanterns and I would buy the crap out of a Nova Corp book. And find Sam's dad. Can't believe that's been left unanswered for like a decade.

Ramble over. Aside from the minor gripes mention, this comic was awesome! It'll get a reread and excited for what's next more

This issue puts a lot of pieces on the board, but it seems like Hickman has a plan.

On another note, it really bugs me that so many Marvel fans will pass judgment after one issue on whether Hickman has "done his homework" on the characters' histories.

They're also so possessive, acting as if the writer is playing with *their* toys and playing with them incorrectly. The idea that fans are the ultimate arbiters of what is "in character" or "canon" and writers just have to color within the lines that fans have set is rapidly ruining almost all popular culture.

There's more than enough comics in the world to read—if you don't like what a writer is doing with one of your favorites, go re-read an old issue or try something you aren't pathologically attached to. more

When Jonathan Hickman writes something, you can expect a solid story in return. Prices are always a bit higher but it's just worth it. The story needs some of your reading time but its needed for a major setup. The good thing is you can enjoy it with some amazing art.

Do I want the read the next issue? hell yeah!

Another win for Hickman.

This was good. Some of the plot felt a little "too neat."

Overall I liked it. Lots of good character work. I've never understood people complaining about Hickman's character work. He's always been good at writing distinct voices for each chat and that really shows here. Nova, Starlord, Hulk, Cho, J'son and She-Hulk are all well written.

There's plenty of action and plot development for a first issue. It's not all setup and I'm interested in how things go from here.

On the negative, it's clear that that is Hickman melding his usual style with the current marvel 616 house writing style. It's not pure Hickman. Which makes sense since he's not going to be writing the cosmic series that will spin out of this. It's lacking the exploration of big ideas that hickman usually does. There's some nods to current geopolitical themes, but this is definitely a popcorn comic. more

This story starts out on a good note and the artwork is petty good. Back to Planet Hulk storyline..again. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because I find it a cool concept. Though after the first few pages the story becomes convoluted and boring. When I find myself skimming over dialogue boxes because nothing is relevant I know my interest is waning. Sometimes I wonder if Hickman even knows what he is writing. It could be cool, but I don’t think I will be back for the next snoozer installment.

Super dialogue heavy with a simplistic plot (despite a large cast of characters). I wish the reading had been “smoother”

I'm not a huge fan of Marvel's cosmic books. They usually consist of brightly colored weirdos floating in space, talking. So why am I reading this? I guessI I wanted to know what happens to Professor X, but he's not even in this issue.

Hickman, as usual, is doing a good job. The art is technically good too, but not my cup of tea. I would have preferred a more realistic, less funny style for this book. It would have served the darker moments in the story much better.

As a result, Imperial 1 is a mixed bag for me - well written, mildly entertaining, but drawn in an art style that I don't really like.

Hickman has a way with words - a lot of them and that's good because this book took more than the 5 minutes most issues do nowadays.

But, I have to groan and roll my eyes at things such as She-Hulk ignoring a small alien being pummeled by a larger one, and worse yet, she watches Hulk murder someone and she doesn't blink an eye - so much for her being labeled "Lawbringer".

And then there's Hulk himself, last time I checked, he was a spaceship (yeah, a spaceship lol). apparently he got better.

I've never been a fan of aged-up characters (i.e. Jon Kent, the Wally West twins, Valeria Richards, Mar-Vell's kids, etc - and not to forget, Hulk's twins); so I could only applaud that one of them is now gone.

If I had a farm, I'd bet that Wakanda is being set up (and on a related note, Space Wakanda has always been stupid).

Obvious too was Nova not being a by-stander, or that it would take Quill's dad's death to strt the plot.

Art is decent enough and it was nice to see some Legio... uhm, Imperial Guard characters.

Lastly, if this council is as big as they infer it is, there's a number of races not present that should be like Dire Wraiths, Badoon, Ovoids, Toadmen, etc.



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Boring

This is the kind of book that makes you feel sick when you see the positive reviews it gets on the internet just to attract the attention of an uninformed person who would spend money on such crap. I see more and more the deconstruction they're doing to Hulk and the limitless attempt to bring Planet Hulk back.

The more I see the interior art, the more I ask for Joe Bennett's return. If you make videos ripping this book to pieces, count on me to engagement.

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Phantom of Krankor - Jun 6, 2025

Are you Joe Bennett?

Amoebas - Jun 7, 2025

I find it funny all the people who give 10's (not just for this issue). Just silly, people ranking 10's just because they can. No way is this book on par with DD: Born Again, Whatever Happened to the Man of Steel, Maus or books that really do deserve a 10. Funnier still are those that rate any score any where without comment imo.

NobleGass - Jun 11, 2025 (edited)

@SadComics Your reviews make me sad. Everything you’ve rated on here you gave a 1/10 lol. Maybe you should try reading stuff you enjoy? @Amoebas Some people just rate on their subjective enjoyment of the book. Not every review is meant to be some objective assessment of the quality of the book. It’s not that serious. If everyone’s favourite comic book was Maus or Watchmen that would just be lame. Diversity in taste is a good thing.

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Waaaayyyy to mid to be charging this much, I was fully expecting a mind blowing first issue and I’m pretty disappointed, hulk does something cool and there a cool assassin, but that’s about it…
Art is mid, and the writing is mid, they repeated the same thing in at least five pages I seriously stopped reading and started skimming