Empyre

"Empyre" is a comic book story arc published in July 2020 by Marvel Comics. This storyline follows the events of ''Incoming!'' with the genre of superhero crossover.

Premise

The Avengers, the Fantastic Four and various other heroes of the Marvel universe come together to fight and prevent the incoming invasion of the Kree/Skrull armada being led by Hulkling, who has been crowned as "Dorrek VIII".

Editorial history

The first comic of the story arc, ''Road to Empyre: The Kree–Skrull War'', was announced in December 2019. The comic ''Road to Empyre'' was set for release in March 2020, but; it incorporated references to previous Marvel narratives, ''Kree–Skrull War'' and ''The Celestial Madonna'' from the 1970s, and the 2019 comic ''Meet the Skrulls''. It had previously been set up in the '' Incoming!'' comic as well.

Plot

Lead-up

Teddy Altman is offered to become the ruler of the Kree-Skrull Alliance, at the cost of leaving his longtime lover Billy Kaplan. He adopts the mantle Dorrek VIII and begins preparing to invade Earth for "the final war".

G'iah sends Skrull High Command an encrypted message about Project Blossom. She and her daughters locate a Kree–Skrull War sample in a lab, which is revealed to be from the endangered Cotati species. Dorrek VIII sends a message to all Kree and Skrull soldiers, stating that they will unite to face a common enemy.
Road To Empyre: The Kree–Skrull War (2020) #1
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Meanwhile, Immortus gives Iron Man nightmares about the Kree's massacre of the Cotati long ago. Iron Man and the Avengers investigate a psychic request from the Moon and discover that the Cotati are living there. The "Celestial Messiah" Sequoia, also known as Quoi, tells the Avengers that the Kree and Skrull are united against the Cotati.

At Casino Cosmico, the Elder of the Universe known as the Profiteer re-enacts the Kree–Skrull War despite it being over. Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four are stranded in space before being rescued by a cargo ship. They head to Casino Cosmico, hoping to enter the Thing into a few fights to win them transport back to Earth. During this, Franklin Richards and Valeria Richards temporarily take control of Casino Cosmico, but give it back to the Profiteer.

Main plot

As the Kree and Skrulls approach Earth, the Avengers prepare to defend the Cotati while the Fantastic Four send Franklin, Valeria, and their adoptive children Jo-Venn and N'kalla back to Earth while they make contact with Hulkling to establish the situation. The initial conflict is brief with Hulkling and his inner circle Super-Skrull, Captain Glory, and Tanalth the Pursuer, but it is soon established that the Cotati intend to establish themselves as a new empire to avenge themselves on the rest of the universe.

At the Blue Area of the Moon, Quoi traps several heroes in plants, including Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man. However, Thor summons Mjolnir, enabling him to escape. As Quoi escapes, Iron Man is contacted by Black Panther, who informs him that the Cotati are on Earth. Tanalth reveals that the Universal Weapon was formerly wielded by Ronan the Accuser and gives it to Captain Marvel.

In Wakanda, Black Panther deduces that the Cotati seek Vibranium to grow the same Death Blossom that was used on the Kree/Skrull fleets. The pilot of the ship arrives and is revealed to be Mantis, who plans to reason with Quoi. On the Alliance ship, Captain Marvel, Human Torch, Hulkling, and the Alliance's inner circle discuss their plans to weaken the Cotati. As the Alliance disagrees with Hulkling, Tanalth has Super-Skrull bring up a previous incident where he destroyed several Skrull colonies that imitated Earth culture. Captain Glory speaks with Tanalth in private about how Ronan died standing with the Utopian faction and his gene scan does not identify her as a Kree. Tanalth is revealed to be R'Kill, who survived the destruction of Tarnax IV.

Captain Marvel speaks to Super-Skrull about how Captain America is having a hard time gathering the military to help fight the Cotati. Super-Skrull mentions that the troops are bickering with each other, and that Tanalth has sequestered herself from the command deck. At Avengers Mountain, Tony Stark is working on another Iron Man armor as Mister Fantastic informs him about the Pyre, which they plan to use on the Sun. In Wakanda, Black Panther is leading his allies and the Wakandan army in fighting the Cotati. At Lake Victoria, Quoi and the Swordsman Cotati hear that the battle is not over as She-Hulk, Invisible Woman, and the Thing arrive with Mantis to confront them. She-Hulk is soon revealed to have been possessed by the Cotati, while Wiccan suspects that Hulkling has been possessed as well. Mister Fantastic informs Tony Stark that there is a Death Blossom in Wakanda and with the Pyre triggered, they have nine minutes to save the world.

Meanwhile, Jo-Venn and N'kalla free She-Hulk from the Cotati and Captain Glory discovers that R'Kill is impersonating Hulkling. As the Swordsman Cotati informs Quoi that the Dark Harvest has failed, Black Panther recovers and engages the Swordsman while Mister Fantastic arrives to confront Quoi. Black Panther destroys the Death Blossom while the X-Men destroy a second Blossom on the Moon. The Cotati agree to surrender while Black Panther returns the Sword of Space to Hulkling.

Subplot

Fantastic Four

Skrull general General J'Bahzz talks to Empress R'Kill of his victories. In the present, the Thing and Human Torch break up an argument between Jo-Venn and N'kalla as Franklin and Valeria Richards take them to Earth. At the temple of the High Priests of Pama, the head monk informs his fellow monks that the trees are speaking about the upcoming Dark Harvest. At Alicia Masters' studio, Alicia is working on a sculpture of Sky, a member of the Unparalleled, as Valeria calls for backup.

As the Fantastic Four are fighting the Cotati on the Alliance's command ship, Franklin scolds Wolverine for attacking N'kalla. As Alicia is unaware of how N'Kalla knows her, Wolverine grabs Jo-Venn before he can attack as Spider-Man's Spider-Senses go off. Skye meets Spider-Man who mentions that they are surrounded by danger. They are attacked by the Dark Harvest, the elite Priests of Pama who answer to the Cotati. Spider-Man, Wolverine and Sky fight the Dark Harvest while Alicia and Valeria work to heal N'Kalla. As the Dark Harvest raids the apartment, they encounter Franklin and Valeria and are forced to retreat.

The Kree and the Skrull are engaging the Cotati until Franklin, Valeria, Spider-Man and Wolverine arrive. As Spider-Man and Wolverine fight the Cotati, one of the Skrull soldiers directs Franklin and Valeria where the Dark Harvest went. Arriving at Alchemax, Franklin, Valeria, Spider-Man, and Wolverine learn from a security guard that the Dark Harvest stole something from them. The High Priests enter Jo-Venn's mind and learn the Kree and Skrull's history with the Cotati. N'kalla poses as a disciple to free Jo-Vann, but is captured before Franklin and Valeria free them both.

Empyre: Avengers

The Avengers, the Agents of Wakanda, and Mockingbird discuss their plans on a Helicarrier. In Manhattan, Vision and Doctor Nemesis meet with Luke Cage in Central Park. Black Knight states to Captain America that he has been focusing on becoming a hero again after fighting the Giants and Dark Elves as Black Panther detects that there are Cotati in South America, China, Canada, and the Savage Land. As Ka-Zar is unable to reach Shanna the She-Devil, Black Panther instructs Brother Voodoo to take Ka-Zar, Zabu, Black Knight, and Scarlet Witch to investigate. They arrive to find a slain ''Tyrannosaurus'' as Scarlet Witch senses they are surrounded. The group is attacked by the Cotati, who unleash a mind-controlled Man-Thing.

The Cotati explain that they were able to control Shanna due to her containing the Savage Land's lifeforce. Ka-Zar frees Shanna from the Cotati, but is stabbed with Black Knight's Ebony Blade. Doctor Voodoo subdues the Cotati, while Scarlet Witch learns that Wakanda is under siege.

Empyre: X-Men

One year ago in the Sanctum Sanctorum, Doctor Strange talks with Scarlet Witch about her actions during M-Day. In the present, the Cotati have set up a base on Genosha and plan to invade Wakanda. Scarlet Witch inadvertently resurrects the 16 million mutants who were previously killed by Cassandra Nova as zombies, and they attack the X-Men who have an encounter with the Cotati and Hordeculture. Magik recruits several psychic mutants - Exodus, Lady Mastermind, Mastermind, Mister Sinister, Quentin Quire, Shadow King, Selene, and the Stepford Cuckoos - to battle the zombies and the Cotati's Cotatinaught. Using Hordeculture's technology, Beast was able to revive Explodey Boy who confronts his zombie counterpart and flies into the Cotatinaught's mouth. Due to the spell taking 30 days to wear off, the zombies are reduced to dust.

Lords of Empyre

Years ago, on Tarnax IV, Anelle is advised by the Skrull guards to evacuate as Galactus is preparing to consume the planet. In the present, Hulkling and Wiccan battle the Children of Lost Tarnax, a group of rebel Skrull soldiers. Tanlath the Pursuer, M'ur-Ginn, and Super-Skrull believe that Wiccan has interfered in their goals, causing Hulkling to break up with him and have him return to Earth. Tanalth contacts the captain of the Kree zealots, who she had secretly been in league with. She has the scout-ship set to self-destruct, killing everyone on board.

Meanwhile, the Swordsman Cotati and Quoi travel to Earth to bring Swordsman's blade to his grave. After returning to Tamal, Quoi creates a new sword as he orders the Cotati elders to let his father join their meeting.

Captain Marvel

At the edge of the galaxy, a ship containing Kree and Skrull soldiers is in the middle of a losing battle with the Cotati. They are saved by Captain Marvel wielding the Universal Weapon. The ship then plans to set a course to join the Kree/Skrull Armada on Earth. Captain Marvel investigates the destruction of the Ki'nal sanctuary and learns that the culprit is Lauri-Ell, an artificial Kree and her half-sister. Later, Marvel discovers that Lauri-Ell was framed and that the real culprit is Walter Lawson, a scientist whose identity Mar-Vell took years prior. Lawson is arrested and Lauri-Ell becomes a Kree Accuser.

Empyre: Captain America

In Arlington, Virginia, the army is fighting a losing battle against the Cotati led by Shi Qaanth until Captain America arrives. When the soldier Bennett snipes Shi Qaanth, he sends a vine which strikes him. Before he disintegrates, Qaanth states their bones will nourish the Earth. At the Pentagon, the Cotati are laying siege until Captain America arrives with the soldiers. Qaanth is revealed to have survived and creates a giant earth monster known as the Man of Earth. Captain America fends off the Man of Earth and the Cotati-infected humans before being informed of something big happening in Wakanda.

Empyre: Savage Avengers

Conan is at a lucha libre match where he is not impressed with the modern-day fights. The match is interrupted by the Cotati, who plan to turn humans into fertilizer. As the Cotati attack, Conan comes to the defense of the civilians by fighting the Cotati alongside Venom. Venom throws a tanker truck towards the Cotati's giant plant, destroying it.

X-Men

After being examined by an unknown alien race, Vulcan awakens on the Moon and is greeted by Petra and Sway. He is attacked by the Cotati during a walk, but manages to fend them off. Meanwhile, Magneto battles the Cotati on Krakoa before traveling to the Moon to help the X-Men there.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the war, Hulkling marries Wiccan, who becomes prince consort. Franklin Richards brings the Cotati to an uninhabited planet where they can live in peace, while Nick Fury resurrects Uatu, who was killed during ''Original Sin''.

On the Bowie, the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive at the Proscenium where the Galactic Council meets. Emperor Stote of the Zn'rx is murdered by an unknown assailant, leading Nova to investigate. The culprit is revealed to be the Profiteer, who teleports away.

Meanwhile, in the Outer Rim, the Skrulls rescue Talos from an escape pod. His crew are infected by Symbiotes and he encounters Knull, who is preparing to attack the galaxy.

Issues involved

Prelude

* '' Incoming!'' (December 2019)
* ''Road to Empyre: The Kree/Skrull War'' #1 (March 2020)
* ''Empyre: Avengers'' #0 (June 2020)
* ''Empyre: Fantastic Four'' #0 (July 2020)

Main

* ''Empyre'' #1–6 (July–September 2020)

Solicited tie-ins

* '' Captain Marvel'' (vol. 10) #18–21 (July–September 2020)
* ''Empyre Handbook'' #1 (July 2020)
* ''Empyre: Avengers'' #1–3 (July–August 2020)
* ''Empyre: Captain America'' #1–3 (July–August 2020)
* ''Empyre: The Immortal She-Hulk'' #1 (September 2020)
* ''Empyre: Savage Avengers'' #1 (July 2020)
* ''Empyre: X-Men'' #1–4 (July–August 2020)
* ''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 6) #21–23 (July–September 2020)
* ''Lords of Empyre: Celestial Messiah'' #1 (August 2020)
* ''Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling'' #1 (July 2020)
* ''Lords of Empyre: Swordsman'' #1 (August 2020)
* ''X-Men'' (vol. 5) #10–11 (July–August 2020)

Aftermath issues

* ''Empyre: Aftermath Avengers'' #1 (September 2020)
* ''Empyre Fallout: Fantastic Four'' #1 (September 2020)
* ''Web of Venom: Empyre's End'' #1 (October 2020)
* ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' Vol. 6 #7-8 (October–November 2020)

Cancelled tie-ins

A number of titles were removed from the storyline checklist due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

* ''Empyre: Ghost Rider'' #1
* ''Empyre: The Invasion of Wakanda'' #1–3
* ''Empyre: Spider-Man'' #1–3
* ''Empyre: Squadron Supreme'' #1–2
* ''Empyre: Stormranger'' #1–3
* ''Empyre: Thor'' #1–3
* ''Strikeforce'' #10
* ''The Union'' #1–3 (of 5) (this title was resolicited as a tie-in to the ''King in Black'' crossover event)

Reception

According to the aggregate website ComicBookRoundup, the typical issue of the core series received an average score of 7.2/10.

The series won in the Outstanding Comic Book category at the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards.

Collected editions

Notes

References

External links

*

{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book

2020 in comics
Avengers (comics) storylines
Fantastic Four storylines
Comics about alien invasions
Comics set on fictional planets