Warning: contains potential spoilers for Imperial #1!

Hulk family. Marvel’s Imperial is almost here, and it promises to redefine the publisher’s cosmic side. Among Imperial’s many factions are the Hulks, including She-Hulk. It is no secret the Hulk franchise has struggled as of late, but a preview for Imperial #1 is a harbinger of better things, including new nicknames.

Jonathan Hickman just finished redefining another corner of the Marvel Universe: it's gods and cosmic beings in the G.O.D.S. miniseries.

Imperial #1 will be written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Iban Coello, Federico Blee and Federico Vicentini. Three of the Hulk Family: Bruce, Jennifer and Amadeus Cho, are heading to Sakaar En Nevo to attend the funeral for the Hulk’s son. For the duration of their visit, they are in their human form. Upon their arrival, they morph into their Hulk forms. The text declares Hulk the “Worldbreaker,” while She-Hulk is given the nickname “the Lawbringer.”

Imperial Just Might Be a Course Correction for the Hulk Franchise

The Hulk Franchise Has Struggled Since the Conclusion of Immortal Hulk.

Imperial will reposition the Hulk Family as a dominant force in the Marvel Universe, after a “wilderness” phase which began upon the conclusion of The Immortal Hulk.

Imperial will reposition the Hulk Family as a dominant force in the Marvel Universe, after a “wilderness” phase which began upon the conclusion of The Immortal Hulk. Many fans consider Immortal Hulk a definitive take on the character, a once-every-so-often book that took Bruce Banner and his allies and enemies to new places. Immortal Hulk was a tough act to follow, but the publisher tried. However, the first post-Immortal attempt failed to land with audiences. When writer Donny Cates took medical leave, Marvel relaunched the book, this time with a horror theme, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

While Johnson’s Incredible Hulk, usually drawn by artist Nic Klein, was slightly better received, it too failed to connect with fans. The Incredible Hulk started strong, with a solid premise that firmly entrenched the Hulk in the horror section of the Marvel Universe. The Jade Giant fought terrifying entities, all while making a play for the soul of a teenage girl. Johnson’s writing was sold, as was Klein’s art, but the plot meandered and dragged on. The book recently ended with issue 25, setting the stage for the Hulk’s great reinvention as part of Marvel’s cosmic side.

Sakaar Is an Important Place for the Hulk

Two Epic Hulk Stories Revolve Around His Time on Sakaar

If Marvel seeks to breathe new life into the Hulk franchise, then returning his family to Sakaar is a prime way for this rebirth to happen. Sakaar is known to fans as the Hulk’s adopted homeworld, as seen in the legendary Planet Hulk story. After being launched into space by Reed Richards and the Illuminati, the Hulk crash lands on Sakaar, a bleak and unforgiving world where the inhabitants compete in gladiatorial games. The Hulk’s strength and size carried him all the way to becoming Sakaar’s ruler, and starting a family.

Planet Hulk, and its follow-up, World War Hulk, are some of the character’s best-loved stories. At the time of Planet Hulk’s publication, Marvel was rejuvenating its cosmic side, and the Hulk’s time as ruler of Sakaar ranks as a highlight of that period. The two stories, both written by Greg Pak and drawn by an all-star roster of artists, not only helped give new life to Marvel’s cosmic side, but also the Hulk. The character had been floundering for years after the departure of writer Peter David, and World War Hulk/Planet Hulk represented a course correction.

She-Hulk's Life Over the Past Decade Has Been Rough

She-Hulk's Worst Fears Were Realized

She-Hulk has also not had an easy go of it lately either. She-Hulk prides herself upon her ability to retain her intelligence when she transforms, but that changed for a period. As She-Hulk’s humanity began slipping away, she became prey to a renegade faction of Russian superpowered individuals, who kidnapped her and put her through the notorious Red Room, turning her into a mindless killing machine. She-Hulk pulled through, and returned to her original form. She-Hulk starred in a series of critically acclaimed books written by Rainbow Rowell, and the last was recently cancelled, presumably to make way for Imperial.

The Hulk Family’s return to Sakaar will give She-Hulk a new beginning, one far away from her old life on Earth. It is also her first trip to the planet, as she was on Earth while Bruce was on Sakaar. As seen in the preview for Imperial #1, She-Hulk already has a suit of armor just like her cousin wore during his first time on Sakaar. The preview makes it clear this is She-Hulk’s first time to Sakaar, and it appears she is already leaning into her new role as “the Lawbringer.”

Will She-Hulk (and the Rest of the Hulk Family) Find A New Beginning on a New Sakaar?

Will She-Hulk Succumb to Sakaar's Brutality?

And She-Hulk’s awesome new nickname shows how serious Marvel is about restarting the Hulk franchise. On Earth, She-Hulk works as a lawyer, often representing super-powered individuals. On Sakaar, she will apparently still dabble in law, but to what extent is not revealed. The preview also does not reveal how She-Hulk will be applying the law. Will she dispense a brutal form of justice, more in line with Sakaar? Or will she introduce concepts such as mercy, which are foreign to Sakaar? She-Hulk has a golden opportunity to build a legacy on Sakaar, as do the rest of the Hulks.

Imperial #1 is on sale June 4 from Marvel Comics!