Although Professor X is no longer with the X-Men, he hasn’t lost his knack for heroism. Following the X-Men event X-Manhunt, Charles Xavier and Lilandra Neramani departed Earth to rescue their daughter, Xandra, who is the empress of the Shi’ar Empire. These occurrences are intertwined with the four-part event series called Imperial, which is redefining Marvel’s cosmic panorama. The initial issue of Imperial disclosed that an unknown assailant is murdering galactic leaders, making Xandra a possible target. Naturally, Professor X and Lilandra won’t stand idly by while she’s in danger, so it’s now time for Charles Xavier to gather a new team to safeguard her.
Marvel has unveiled two upcoming single issues in their “Celestial Conflict” series: “Celestial Conflict: Outcasts” and “Celestial Conflict: Nova Crusader”. This article concentrates on the former, penned by Steve Foxe (known for his work on “Dark X-Men”) and illustrated by Francesco Manna (renowned for his work on “Giant-Size House of M”). The story will pick up from Professor X’s departure from Earth, as he gathers a new group of heroes to safeguard his daughter, the dethroned Empress Xandra. Other announced single issues include “Celestial Conflict: She-Hulk” and “Celestial Conflict: Black Panther”.
Since the 1970s, Mutantkind has been gazing at the stars, so it was only natural that Foxe wouldn’t exclude the X-team from the Emperor’s grand scheme. Watching Jonathan construct this interstellar conspiracy provided a unique lesson in storytelling, and he paved the way for us to spin some of the most epic tales imaginable on this expansive cosmic canvas.
About the team composition, Foxe clarified, “This group is essentially a band of Outcasts in every sense – a motley crew consisting of royals, aliens, miscreants, robots, and anthropomorphic creatures, who find themselves united under extreme conditions. At the center of it all is a family rarely seen together: Charles Xavier, Lilandra Neramani, and their daughter, Xandra. However, let me stress that this narrative primarily revolves around an intense space pursuit, and Francesco Manna is delivering an exceptional performance, making it a cosmic home run. Remember, if the Exiles linger too long…they’ll be wiped out!
In the past, the Exiles were a team known for traveling across the multiverse, and though their current lineup remains unannounced, just hearing their name stirs up recollections of that early 2000s squad. The core members often included Blink, who originated from an alternate timeline during the X-Men’s Age of Apocalypse era.
IMPERIAL WAR: EXILES #1
- Written by STEVE FOXE & JONATHAN HICKMAN
- Art by FRANCESCO MANNA
- Cover by FRANCESCO MORTARINO
- On Sale 9/3
- A coup at home has imperiled Shi’ar Majestrix Xandra, tearing her from the throne in IMPERIAL WAR: EXILES. Her only hope for survival lies in a mismatched group of renegades led by her father, Professor Charles Xavier, and her resurrected mother, Lilandra! But when faced with the awesome power of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard, the only way to survive…is to run!
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2025-06-11 21:10