Realm of Kings
Realm of Kings is a Marvel Comics crossover event published from November 2009 to April 2010, written primarily by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, that explores the cosmic aftermath of the War of Kings storyline.[1][2] Following the cataclysmic explosion triggered by Black Bolt's deployment of the T-Bomb against Vulcan during the War of Kings, the event centers on the creation of the Fault—a massive rift in space-time that unleashes threats from alternate dimensions, including the undead horrors of the Cancerverse.[1][2] This unstable tear destabilizes the universe, forcing fractured alliances among surviving cosmic factions to confront emerging dangers and vie for power in the resulting power vacuum.[1] The storyline unfolds across multiple interconnected limited series and tie-in issues, including Realm of Kings: Inhumans, Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard, and Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk, alongside arcs in ongoing titles such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova.[2] Key characters include Medusa leading the Inhuman Royal Family, Gladiator and the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, Nova (Richard Rider), Quasar, and Hiro-Kala, the son of the Hulk, as they navigate courtly intrigue, external invasions, and prophetic visions of universal destruction.[1][2] As a pivotal chapter in Marvel's cosmic saga, Realm of Kings bridges the War of Kings to The Thanos Imperative, highlighting themes of instability and interdimensional peril while concluding several key runs by Abnett and Lanning.[1][2]Publication Information
Publication History
"Realm of Kings" was announced by Marvel Comics at Comic-Con Chicago in August 2009 as a direct sequel to the "War of Kings" crossover event, focusing on the cosmic aftermath and introducing new threats across the Marvel Universe.[3][4] The storyline was planned to explore the fractured state of the cosmos following the war between the Kree and Shi'ar empires, setting the stage for further developments in Marvel's cosmic titles.[5] The event kicked off with the one-shot issue Realm of Kings #1, released on November 18, 2009, which established the central concept of the Fault—a massive rift in space-time—and its implications for various cosmic factions.[6] This was followed by limited miniseries that expanded on specific storylines within Marvel's cosmic lineup, marking a shift from ongoing series like Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova to self-contained crossover events. The Realm of Kings: Inhumans five-issue miniseries began with issue #1 on November 18, 2009, and concluded with #5 in March 2010, while Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard started on November 11, 2009, and wrapped up in March 2010 with its fifth issue.[7][8] Additionally, the four-issue Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk miniseries launched on February 3, 2010, tying into the broader narrative.[9] As part of Marvel's 2009-2010 strategy to revitalize its cosmic properties, "Realm of Kings" served as a bridge between the destruction wrought by "War of Kings" and the subsequent event "The Thanos Imperative," maintaining momentum in titles like Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy through tie-ins while emphasizing limited-series formats to contain the crossover's scope.[2][10] This approach allowed for focused explorations of key cosmic elements without disrupting ongoing narratives, contributing to the era's emphasis on interconnected space opera storytelling.[5]Creative Team
The creative team behind Realm of Kings, a 2009-2010 Marvel Comics crossover event, was led by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, collectively known as DnA, who penned the core one-shot Realm of Kings #1 as well as tie-in storylines in Guardians of the Galaxy (issues #20-25), Nova (issues #23-28), and Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard (miniseries #1-5).[6] DnA, British collaborators with a long history in Marvel's cosmic titles, extended their narrative from the preceding War of Kings event, emphasizing interstellar politics and multiversal threats across the event's interconnected miniseries. Artist Mahmud Asrar provided pencils for the opening issue of the main Realm of Kings series, capturing the event's epic scope with detailed depictions of cosmic anomalies like the Fault, while Leonardo Manco handled art duties for the remainder of the miniseries and contributed to Nova's tie-ins, known for his gritty, atmospheric style in high-stakes action sequences.[6] For the Inhumans miniseries (#1-5), Pablo Raimondi served as the primary artist, delivering intricate royal intrigue visuals centered on the Kree Empire's power struggles.[7] In Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard, Kev Walker illustrated the five-issue arc, focusing on the Shi'ar protectors' internal conflicts with his dynamic, shadowy linework. Paul Pelletier continued as the regular artist on Guardians of the Galaxy, providing consistent character-driven artwork for the team's adventures amid the Fault's chaos. Andrea Di Vito contributed to Nova's storyline, emphasizing high-energy space battles.[11] The Son of Hulk miniseries (#1-4) was written by Scott Reed, exploring Hiro-Kala's journey, with art by Miguel Munera, who brought a raw, otherworldly intensity to the Microverse settings. Various one-shots and additional tie-ins featured rotating artists including Wellinton Alves for select segments.[12] Editing oversight came from Joe Quesada as Editor-in-Chief, ensuring cohesion across the event's sprawling narrative, with associate editors including Lauren Sankovitch, who handled production for several cosmic titles during this period.[13][14] DnA's involvement marked a continuation of their influential run on Marvel's Annihilation and War of Kings sagas, solidifying their reputation for architecting large-scale cosmic epics.[1]Collected Editions
The "Realm of Kings" storyline has been collected in several trade paperback (TPB) and hardcover editions by Marvel Comics, providing readers with accessible compilations of the core one-shot and tie-in miniseries, as well as integrations into ongoing series. These editions vary in scope, from focused miniseries volumes to comprehensive omnibuses that include lead-in material from "War of Kings." Many are also available in digital formats via Marvel Unlimited and Comixology, with some featuring variant covers or later reprints.| Title | Release Date | ISBN | Page Count | Cover Price | Collects | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realm of Kings | August 2010 | 978-0785148098 | 368 | $34.99 | Realm of Kings #1, Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5 | Hardcover edition; a 2014 second printing TPB was released with the same content and price.[15] |
| Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard | June 2010 | 978-0785145974 | 120 | $19.99 | Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5 | TPB focused solely on the Imperial Guard miniseries; digital edition available.[16] |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4: Realm of Kings | June 2010 | 978-0785145431 | 147 | $19.99 | Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #20-25 | TPB integrating the storyline into the ongoing series; digital edition available.[17] |
| Nova Volume 6: Realm of Kings | June 2010 | 978-0785140672 | 192 | $19.99 | Nova (2007) #23-28 | TPB integrating the storyline into the ongoing series; digital edition available.[11] |
| War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of Kings Omnibus | February 2017 | 978-1302904470 | 1248 | $125.00 | Realm of Kings #1; Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5; Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5; Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4; Nova (2007) #29-36; Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #20-25; The Thanos Imperative #1-6, Ignition #1, Devastation #1-2; Annihilators #1-4; Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4; Thanos Sourcebook; material from I Am an Avenger #3 | Hardcover omnibus including comprehensive tie-ins and aftermath stories; digital edition available.[18][19] |
Narrative Structure
Background and Setting
The War of Kings (2008–2009) was an interstellar conflict between the Inhuman-led Kree Empire, ruled by King Black Bolt, and the Shi'ar Empire under Emperor Vulcan, a mutant who had seized power following his escape from the Shi'ar throneworld.[20] The war escalated from Vulcan's unprovoked attack on the Kree homeworld during the wedding of Black Bolt's sister Crystal to Ronan the Accuser, drawing in allies like the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Starjammers in efforts to broker peace or rescue key figures such as Lilandra Neramani.[20] The conflict reached its climax when Black Bolt detonated the T-Bomb, a devastating weapon engineered from Terrigen Mists to uplift the Kree population en masse but repurposed as an explosive device powered by Black Bolt's quasi-sonic voice.[20] Vulcan teleported into the bomb's core to confront Black Bolt directly, resulting in a fatal duel that triggered the detonation and killed both leaders.[20] This cataclysmic event tore open the Fault, a colossal rift in space-time that fractured reality and exposed fragments of alternate universes, including necrotic dimensions teeming with otherworldly threats.[6] In the immediate aftermath, leadership transitions reshaped the affected empires: Gladiator (Kallark), praetor of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, ascended as the new Majestor of the Shi'ar, vowing to restore order amid internal dissent.[20] For the Inhumans and their Kree subjects, Crystal assumed the role of regent, partnering with her husband Ronan to stabilize the unified empire while Queen Medusa guided the core Inhuman royal family from Attilan.[7] The Fault's emergence amplified broader cosmic instability, splintering imperial structures, stranding millions of refugees across shattered worlds, and unleashing anomalies like reality-warping energies and incursions from corrupted realms—most notably the Cancerverse, described by Quasar as "pulsing with corrupt life! One giant, twisted organic mass!"[1] These developments left the Marvel Universe's galactic sectors in precarious limbo, vulnerable to opportunistic predators and existential perils spilling through the rift.[6]Main Plot
Following the cataclysmic events of the War of Kings, a massive rift known as the Fault begins to expand across the cosmos, destabilizing realities and pulling in various cosmic entities and heroes. This dimensional tear, originating from the detonation of the Terrigen Bomb by Black Bolt, threatens to consume the Marvel Universe, prompting immediate action from groups such as the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Nova Corps, the Inhumans, and the Shi'ar Empire.[1][21] As investigations intensify, Quasar ventures into the Fault to gather data, only to discover the Cancerverse—a parallel reality where death has been eradicated, resulting in an undead, ever-spreading cancer-like existence. This realm is dominated by the Many-Angled Ones, ancient Lovecraftian entities, and their enforcer, the corrupted Lord Mar-Vell, who leads twisted versions of Earth's heroes in a bid to invade and infect other universes. The Cancerverse's forces, including undead Avengers and X-Men, begin breaching the Fault, escalating the inter-reality conflict.[1][22] Key confrontations arise as heroes respond to the incursions. Quasar battles the Cancerverse invaders in a desperate fight, escaping at great personal risk to alert his allies to the full extent of the threat. Meanwhile, Star-Lord assumes leadership of the Guardians of the Galaxy to probe the anomalies emanating from the Fault, coordinating with the Nova Corps and others to contain emerging dangers.[1][6] The storyline reaches its climax as the Inhumans, under Queen Medusa's rule, grapple with ancient prophecies foretelling doom for their throne while attempting to stabilize their position in the fractured cosmos. Concurrently, the Shi'ar Empire faces internal strife under Emperor Gladiator, with the Imperial Guard suppressing dissent amid the broader crisis. Ultimately, representatives from the Inhumans, Shi'ar, and other factions convene at the Galactic Council, forging an alliance to repel the Cancerverse invasion, highlighted by Nova's critical intervention at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. to thwart a direct assault on Earth.[1][23][8]Tie-in Storylines
The Realm of Kings crossover event featured several tie-in miniseries and ongoing titles that explored parallel narratives in the fractured cosmos, focusing on individual factions and characters navigating the aftermath of the War of Kings and the emerging threats from the Fault. These stories expanded on the main plot by delving into political intrigue, personal journeys, and initial skirmishes with alternate-reality dangers, without directly intersecting the central one-shot's revelations.[1] The event's core is the Realm of Kings #1 one-shot, where Quasar investigates the Fault, discovers the Cancerverse dominated by the Many-Angled Ones and Lord Mar-Vell leading undead heroes, and escapes after battling invaders to warn the universe of the impending multiversal threat.[6][2]| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Realm of Kings | November 18, 2009 | Quasar's Fault expedition reveals Cancerverse horrors and impending invasion.[6] |
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duty Calls | November 18, 2009 | Medusa's return sparks regency tensions; initial Kree uprisings and Earth hero alliances draw scrutiny.[7] |
| #2 | High and Mighty | December 16, 2009 | Crystal's rule faces terrorism; crossover with Mighty Avengers exposes Inhuman vulnerabilities. |
| #3 | Weapons of Mass Destruction | January 20, 2010 | Uprising quelled; Fault exploration reveals anomalies, hinting at broader cosmic instability.[25] |
| #4 | Devices and Desires | February 24, 2010 | Political machinations intensify amid ongoing threats to the throne. |
| #5 | Back to the Beginning | March 24, 2010 | Efforts secure Medusa's rule but foreshadow Fault-spawned perils. |
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Imperial Guard, Part 1 | November 11, 2009 | Gladiator suppresses a secessionist planet; early signs of Guard dissent surface. |
| #2 | Imperial Guard, Part 2 | December 9, 2009 | Betrayals within the Guard escalate; first Fault monster attacks on Shi'ar outposts. |
| #3 | Imperial Guard, Part 3 | January 13, 2010 | Incursion into the Fault reveals Cancerverse horrors; alliances form with unlikely allies. |
| #4 | Imperial Guard, Part 4 | February 10, 2010 | Battles against Fault-spawned abominations; Gladiator's rule is further undermined. |
| #5 | Imperial Guard, Part 5 | March 10, 2010 | Rescue from the Cancerverse; evidence presented to avert galactic war. |
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Conquest of Jarella's World, Part 1 | February 3, 2010 | Hiro-Kala arrives in the Microverse; initial clashes with Jarella's defenders and Fault rifts.[9] |
| #2 | Conquest of Jarella's World, Part 2 | March 3, 2010 | Discovery of Old Power secrets; encounters with eldritch entities tied to Hulk's history.[28] |
| #3 | Conquest of Jarella's World, Part 3 | April 7, 2010 | Battles against Microverse horrors; ties to Skaar and Hulk family legacy deepen.[28] |
| #4 | Conquest of Jarella's World, Part 4 | May 5, 2010 | Climactic showdown in the Microverse; Hiro-Kala's actions risk cosmic Armageddon.[29] |
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #20 | Faultlines | November 25, 2009 | Team investigates Fault anomalies; first encounters with Cancerverse scouts. |
| #21 | The Hollows of Space | December 23, 2009 | Battles against invading forces; revelations about Adam Magus begin. |
| #22 | War of the Universe | January 20, 2010 | Deep Fault expedition; clashes with alternate-reality threats escalate. |
| #23 | Realm of the Dead | February 24, 2010 | Resurrections and team losses; Cancerverse incursions intensify. |
| #24 | Twist of Fate | March 24, 2010 | Major confrontation with invaders; ties to broader cosmic decay. |
| #25 | No Guardians | April 28, 2010 | Climax against Fault horrors; setup for Thanos Imperative. |
| Issue | Title | Release Date | Key Unique Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| #29 | Destroyer of Worlds | November 25, 2009 | Rider coordinates Corps defenses; initial Fault skirmishes begin.[31] |
| #30 | Operation: Galactic Storm | December 23, 2009 | Battles with reality-warped foes; Corps losses mount.[31] |
| #31 | The Verdict | January 20, 2010 | Alternate threats probe defenses; Fault breaches escalate. |
| #32 | Realm of Kings | February 3, 2010 | Rider faces impersonator threats. |
| #33 | Ka-Krush! | March 3, 2010 | Ka Stones conflict emerges with Sphinx. |
| #34 | Thanos Imperative Prelude | April 7, 2010 | Dark Quasar confrontation at P.E.G.A.S.U.S. |
| #35 | Homecoming | May 5, 2010 | Climactic containment efforts against incursions.[31] |