A Major New Era of Marvel Cosmic Storytelling is About to Begin

Anyone who had the pleasure of partaking in Imperial by Jonathan Hickman is about to realize exactly how great Spring 2026 will be. Everything changed for Marvel Comics by the hand of Hickman, the Galactic Union beginning to take root in the new order of things.

But every yin must have a yang, even if one doesn't yet know it exists to ultimately balance the other (more on this later), and that means the rise of the Union breeds an alternate force, one that will be presented as Imperial Guardians, a new Marvel Comics series that pulls together a faction of superheroes that can only be described as a shiny new variant of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

• Writer: Dan Abnett
• Art: Marcelo Ferreira
• Cover: Sean Izaakse
• Variant Cover: Netho Diaz
• On Sale: March 11, 2026

Announced by Marvel in early December, Imperial Guardians is the brainchild of Dan Abnett (known very well from his work on Annihilation) and Marcel Ferreira (Spider-Man Kills the Marvel Universe, Predator Vs. Spider-Man) and promises to deliver a level of intensity that ratchets up the stakes even beyond that of Imperial — as explained recently by Abnett.

"The Marvel Cosmic landscape after Imperial has got a very different feel, and it’s rewarding to play around with the aftermath of an event where ‘the good guys won.’ Or did they? No victory comes without back-room compromise, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the new Guardians remit. I chose the roster to reflect that — the clashing, mismatched spirit of Star-Lord’s original team mixed with a professional hard focus.

"An iconic hero in Captain Marvel, an anti-hero in the troubled Darkhawk, brains and brawn in the mercurial Amadeus Cho (yes, that's a Hulk in Hulkbuster armor!), and the downright psychopathic Cosmic Ghost Rider as enigmatic ramrod and drill sergeant. Only Gamora, the Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy, has a chance of keeping them in line as team leader."

Abnett then went on to explain why he and Ferreira chose the heroes they did for a series they hope will be viewed as nothing short of epic and equally as unforgettable as the work that inspired them to create it.

“It’s a dirty job (it’s a whole string of dirty jobs, one after another), and these are the somebodies I picked to do it. Will there be glorious victories? No. But will they learn to bond as a team? Also no. But will they keep it together long enough to guard the Galaxy and save trillions of lives? Again... let's just hope so, okay?"

A Dirty Game Is Being Played in Imperial Guardians

It does sound like quite a ride awaits, especially for those who understand what Abnett and Ferreira are capable of whenever Marvel gives them the green light to let their imaginations run wild. Ferreira also weighed in on the Imperial Guardians series, carrying the same level of excitement as Abnett.

"Imperial Guardians is both a team AND a cosmic book, which for me is a double challenge, but also double the fun! Cosmic books carry these stories full of great energetic scenes, which I love, because they allow me to flex this other artistic muscle. Plus, Dan Abnett has put together this cool lineup, giving me the chance to draw characters such as Cosmic Ghost Rider, Darkhawk and Gamora! I truly hope that all the fun I'm having translates into the pages and to the readers!"

There are clearly several angles at play here that coud lead to a wild climactic and cosmic event. The Imperial Guardians, formed by Maximus of the Inhumans to protect the Galactic Union, and without restrictions so, yes, it could be an entirely no-holds barred mission, could be viewed in the same air as The Suicide Squad, in that Maximus really couldn't care less about their well-being — he simply wants them to do his bidding. The question becomes a fairly simple yet poignant one, though: when does the conscience of each of the Guardians kick in and force them to question Maximus, and how will he keep Cosmic Ghost Rider in line ... assuming he can at all?

It appears Maximus is playing chess with the lives of the Guardians, though that may not go as well as he plans, but let's all give it a read and find out for ourselves if Imperial Guardians can live up to its glaring potential.