Warning: Spoilers for Imperial #1!Hiro-Kala, the son of the Hulk, is officially dead, and the potential perpetrator of his demise could have massive implications for the Marvel Universe. The death of Hulk's forgotten son had been teased previously in previews for Marvel's next big galactic event, but now, with the release of Imperial's first issue, Hiro-Kala's death has officially been confirmed in Marvel's main continuity, setting off an intergalactic murder mystery.

Imperial #1, written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Iban Coello and Federico Vincentini, reveals that Hulk's son was poisoned, and lays out the suspects for who may have killed Hiro-Kala. The issue establishes how Hiro-Kala's death seems to be a part of a bigger conspiracy, involving of the Galactic Council, more of whom are targeted for assassination.

The Hulk is going to war over his son, and Marvel's most shocking death in years is providing the driving force to an event with ramifications much bigger than the Hulk or his family.

The Hulk's Son, Hiro-Kala, Was Murdered, Kicking Of A Massive Marvel Mystery

Imperial #1; Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Federico Vicentini And Iban Coello; Available Now From Marvel Comics

Imperial's opening pages reveal that Hiro-Kala is dead, and that the Hulk has invited Amadeus Cho, a.k.a. Brawn, and Jennifer Walters, She-Hulk, to his funeral. The escapade takes them to the planet once ruled by Hulk during his Worldbreaker days, Sakaar. Hiro-Kala served as Sakaar's leader in Hulk's place. Soon after landing, the Hulk family are told that multiple lethal poisons were found in Hiro-Kala's bloodstream. The type of poison was difficult to detect for Sakaar's top scientists, but a thorough examination showed two poisons working in tandem with each other.

The timing is particularly suspicious, knowing that this is all happening on the eve of the Galactic Council's negotiations about the sovereignty, treaties, and laws that will govern the galaxy.

Sakaar's scientists decided to look for such poisons without knowing the nature of the poisons because Hiro-Kala is the fourth political leader within the galactic council to mysteriously perish, all in similar ways. The timing is particularly suspicious, knowing that this is all happening on the eve of the Galactic Council's negotiations about the sovereignty, treaties, and laws that will govern the galaxy. The bodies continue to pile up, as a mysterious sniper incites multiple casualties during the meeting, including that of J'Son, father of Star-Lord and Victoria's replacement on the throne.

Marvel is Already Teasing The Suspects In The Murder Of Hulk's Son

One Possible Culprit Would Be A True Shock

Before the meeting itself, J'Son is told by the Spartax Empire's scientists that they think they know who is behind these political assassination attempts. Empress Victoria, the Sakaaran King Hiro-Kala, the throne Guardian of Orion, and the last of the Xartan deviants - all poisoned by compounds that are highly mutable and adaptive, as well as direct and aggressive. "Like the races they came from," says J'Son as he accuses Emperor Hulkling and his Kree-Skrull Empire of these heinous crimes.

Emperor Hulkling denies having any part of this. He is then told by the Kree/Skrull Ministry of Science that they were created to form a compound toxin and so did, but denies using it beyond delivering it. They are shot dead before revealing who requested and received their toxins, but confirms it was other of the council. That's when the sniper strikes, using gravity rounds from a hidden location. The assassin uses Wakandan tech. This places Wakanda, or one of their agents, along with Emperor Hulkling, and the Kree-Skrull Empire as suspects in the murder of Hulk's son.

Imperial #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.