Lilandra

Princess-Majestrix Lilandra Neramani () is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with the X-Men. She is the Empress, or Majestrix, of the Shi'ar Empire and shares a lifelong bond with the leader of the X-Men, Charles Xavier. As the Empress, Lilandra is protected by the Imperial Guard, led by Gladiator.

Lilandra has often been a pivotal secondary character in the X-Men's history, from her participation in the Phoenix Saga, to her role in Grant Morrison's experimental and controversial run on '' New X-Men''. Her role as one of Professor X's most cherished loves has played a significant part in the development of both characters, as well as many of the plots throughout the X-Men books.

Lilandra has appeared in various media outside comics, including animated series and video games. She was voiced by Camilla Scott in '' X-Men: The Animated Series'', Morla Gorrondona in the sequel series ''X-Men '97'', and Nika Futterman in a guest appearance in '' Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.''

Publication history

Lilandra Neramani first appeared in ''X-Men'' #97 (February 1976) and was created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. She continued to appear in the series as an ally of the X-Men throughout the late 70s and early 80s, frequently residing at the X-Mansion.

After her return to space, she would continue to make appearances as part of the Shi'ar Empire, appearing in '' Operation: Galactic Storm'', and ''Starjammers'', among others, throughout the 1990s. In the 2000s, Lilandra appeared in ''New X-Men'', ''Uncanny X-Men'', as well as the limited series ''X-Men: Emperor Vulcan''. She also appeared in the crossover book ''War of Kings'' before her death in the fourth issue. Years after her death, Xavier resurrects Lilandra using a Krakoan egg.

Fictional character biography

Lilandra is the sibling of D'Ken, Deathbird, and an unnamed older sister. Lilandra hatches on the Aerie (now known as Chandilar, native world of the Shi'ar). Deathbird, the oldest of the surviving three, is denied the throne for "unspeakable" crimes (the murder of her mother and older sister) and exiled. Instead the throne went to D'Ken, who becomes a power-mad dictator. Lilandra becomes a Grand Admiral of the Imperial Guard in the Shi'ar fleet, but turns against D'Ken after learning of his plans involving the M'Kraan Crystal.

Branded a traitor, Lilandra flees to Earth and becomes an ally of Charles Xavier and his X-Men. Finally meeting Xavier in person, she is captured by Davan Shakari before being rescued by the X-Men and the Starjammers. She invites Xavier to accompany her to the Shi'ar throne-world.

Majestrix-in-Exile

Lilandra takes the throne as Majestrix-Shi'ar (empress of the Shi'ar Imperium) with Xavier as her official consort. She stages a trial by combat to determine the fate of Phoenix and overcomes Deathbird's first attempted coup. However, a short while later her position is usurped by Deathbird, who had made a pact with the Brood and Badoon. She escapes along with the X-Men to Earth. She becomes a freedom fighter and allies with the Starjammers to retake her throne.

Trial of Reed Richards

As monarch, Lilandra takes a leading role in interstellar affairs, such as dealing with the menace of Dark Phoenix and indicting Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four for daring to save the life of the planet consumer, Galactus.

Return to the throne

When Charles Xavier suffers a near-fatal heart attack, the Starjammers heal him, but due to enemy spacecraft, they cannot return to Earth. With the help of Xavier and the Starjammers, Lilandra eventually manages to retake the throne and separates from Xavier.

Kree-Shi'ar War

Before much longer, interstellar war erupts between the Shi'ar and the Kree. Lilandra orders the Starjammers to transport the Nega-Bomb into Kree space. She survives an assassination attempt by the Kree Starforce, and decides to recall the Bomb before discovering that a Skrull impersonating Araki helped cause the Kree-Shi'ar War. At the end of the war, she takes control of the devastated Kree Empire and appoints Deathbird as her viceroy. Fearing the Kree will seek retribution against the Avengers for their part in ending the war, Lilandra sends Deathcry to protect Earth.

Cassandra Nova

While Lilandra is a peaceful and beloved empress, her reign proves to be tumultuous. During her reign, the Skrull attempt to infiltrate and control the Shi'ar government, an intergalactic war with the Kree erupts, and the Phalanx and Uncreated attack. The most damage done to the Shi'ar Empire was done by Cassandra Nova, who, in the body of Charles Xavier, mind-controls Lilandra and takes control of the Shi'ar fleet. Lilandra is lost for a while on earth and attempts to kill Xavier, not understanding he was his own self again. Afterwards, Lilandra and Xavier's marriage is annulled.

Emperor Vulcan

Vulcan attempts to gain control of the Shi'ar, kills D'Ken and several members of the Imperial Guard, and becomes the ruler of the Shi'ar Imperium. Lilandra is currently in the company of the Starjammers, opposing Vulcan's tyranny. Most of the Starjammers are eventually captured by Vulcan. However, Korvus, Marvel Girl and Lilandra remain free.

X-Men: Kingbreaker & War of the Kings

Lilandra appears as a central character in the Emperor Vulcan sequel, ''X-Men: Kingbreaker'' and in the ''War of Kings'' miniseries, which began in early 2009. In ''War of Kings'', Lilandra is killed by Darkhawk's Razor persona.

Xandra

It was revealed in '' Mr. & Mrs. X'' #3 (September, 2018) that following Lilandra's death, the Shi'ar Empire used her genetic material and combined it with Xavier's to birth their daughter. The child grew in an egg and was cared for by Cerise, who eventually reached out to Rogue and Gambit on their honeymoon to help her defend it from the likes of the Imperial Guard, Technet, and Deadpool. She was protected by the group of heroes and left with the Starjammers. Xandra would later go on to lead the Shi'ar Empire as the new Majestrix.

Krakoan resurrection egg

After Shi'ar rebels attack Xandra, she reaches out her father Xavier for help which prompts him to escape Graymalkin Prison during the crossover event storyline ''X-Manhunt'' (March 2025). He teams up with Storm to reach San Francisco's Utopia and battles both Cyclops's X-Men and X-Factor in order to obtain the last Krakoa resurrection egg. After feigning being kidnaped, Xavier is extracted by Sage so he can begin to hatch the egg. This egg contained Lilandra's body, which Xavier had The Five secretly create during the Krakoa Era. Using his telepathy, Xavier restores her memories, and upon learning of Xandra's danger, Lilandra agrees to help. Boarding a VTOL vehicle, the couple prepares to aid their daughter while evading the X-Men.

Powers and abilities

As a Shi'ar, Lilandra has heightened strength and stamina to that of a human. Lilandra also has limited telepathic abilities whose extent have yet to be clearly defined.

Lilandra is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and pilot and wields various Shi'ar weaponry.

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Lilandra Neramani from Earth-1610 appears in ''Ultimate X-Men''. This version is the human leader of the Church of Shi'ar Enlightenment, and claims to represent an ancient religion that worships the Phoenix.

X-Men: The End

An alternate universe variant of Lilandra Neramani from Earth-41001 appears in '' X-Men: The End''.

In other media

Novels

* Lilandra appears in ''X-Men: Empire's End'' (1997) by Diane Duane.

Television

* Lilandra appears in '' X-Men: The Animated Series'', voiced by Camilla Scott.
** Lilandra returns in ''X-Men '97'', voiced by Morla Gorrondona. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
* Lilandra appears in the '' Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.'' episode "It's a Wonderful Smash", voiced by Nika Futterman.

Video games

* Lilandra appears in ''X-Men''.
* Lilandra appears in the PlayStation Portable version of '' X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse''.
* Lilandra appears in '' Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'', voiced by Marabina Jaimes.
* Lilandra makes a cameo appearance in '' Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy''.
* Lilandra appears as a playable character in ''Marvel Strike Force''.

Merchandise

* HeroClix created a figure of Lilandra for the X-Men Rise and Fall line.
* In 2024, Marvel Legends created a figure of Lilandra as part of the Wolverine 50th Anniversary line.

Reception

''Screen Rant'' ranked Lilandra 9th on "The 10 Most Powerful Members Of The Xavier Family", 6th on the "11 Most Dangerous Shi'ar Warriors in Marvel History" and as one of the "Best Non-Mutant Supporting Characters". '' CBR'' ranked Lilandra 9th on "The 10 Most Powerful Shi'ar".

Ramzi Fawaz, in the academic journal ''American Literature'' in 2011, opined that "arguably the most canonical storyline in the X-Men's publishing history, 'The Phoenix Saga' tells the story of the alien princess Lilandra Nermani's desperate effort to gain allies in a cosmic struggle against the machinations of her tyrannical brother, D'Ken". Fawaz highlighted that "in her time of need, Lilandra discovers a psychic rapport across the galaxies that leads her to Earth and Xavier's X-Men, calling forth a monstrous mutant kinship against the tainted bonds of blood and empire". Fawaz, in the book ''New Mutants: Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics'' (2016), highlighted the "The Dark Phoenix Saga", noting that "if the Hellfire Club stands in for the machinations of global capital, the Shi'ar Empire functions as its political double, representing the corruption of governmental power by the interests of economic imperialism". Fawaz highlighted that Lilandra "dramatizes the threat Dark Phoenix" and "disavows the Shi'ar Empire's own imperialist claim to the galaxy by equating Jean with a political tyrant, her brother D'Ken, while basing the value of Jean's life on her level of 'benecence' or lack thereof to the Shi'ar Empire".

Arnold T. Blumberg of ''IGN'' commented that "takeaway" of Lilandra "is that she has a convoluted backstory" and noted her deep impact "in Marvel cosmic history". He highlighted that she "overthrew D'Ken", married Xavier, "assumed her position as Empress Majestrix, eventually presiding over the proceedings that led to the death of Phoenix; she also played a part in putting Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four on trial for saving Galactus' life".

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Neramani, Lilandra
Characters created by Chris Claremont
Characters created by Dave Cockrum
Comics characters introduced in 1976
Fictional aviators
Fictional emperors and empresses
Galactic emperors
Marvel Comics extraterrestrial superheroes
Marvel Comics female superheroes
Marvel Comics martial artists
Marvel Comics politicians
Marvel Comics telepaths
Shi'ar
Space pirates
X-Men supporting characters