Warning! Spoilers for Imperial #1 ahead!The launch of Imperial #1 reveals a huge conspiracy has begun in the Marvel Universe, and the least likely civilization is now the prime suspect in the murder of various influential figures: the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda.

A galactic alliance has been taking shape far from Earth, and several major cosmic leaders are willing to work with Star-Lord's father Emperor J'son to create a new system of stargates. However, they aren't the only ones furthering an ambitious plan. A galactic council is summoned, gathering multiple heads of state and representatives of governments, kingdoms, and peoples such as the Kree, the Skrulls, the Chitauri, and the Shi'ar.

Emperor J'son reveals that his daughter Victoria and other influential figures — including Hulk's son Hiro-Kala — have been poisoned. To everyone's shock, a Wakandan agent murders a representative of the Kree-Skrull ministry of science right as he reveals that they were commissioned to create the poison. The Wakandan assassin manages to kill twelve individuals, Emperor J'son, and two other heads of state included.

Wakanda Appears To Be Behind Major Murders And A Galactic Conspiracy

Imperial #1; Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini, and Federico Blee

Ronan the Acc investigates the available data, and reveals that the Kree-Skrull ministry of science was commissioned by "the banking houses of Wakanda Prime," and the bullets fired by the Wakandan assassin were, in fact, made with authentic vibranium. Moments before addressing all delegations, Emperor J'son laments the fact that the Wakandans refused to , citing their hesitation to mess with their existing allegiances. Clearly, the galactic council is in all its right to suspect Wakanda is actively trying to sabotage the ongoing agreements, possibly for monetary reasons.

Aside from disrupting the galactic alliance's plans, the systematic murder of several public figures like Hiro-Kala and Empress Victoria suggests the Intergalactic Wakandans, if they were to be the true culprits, are gearing up to wage a full-fledged war against all cosmic empires. The Wakandan assassin did little to conceal their allegiance, and the fact that vibranium bullets were used seems more like a warning sign than a mere oversight. At this point, a full takeover by the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda would appear to be a logical outcome.

The Empire of Wakandans May Be But One Piece Of The Puzzle

Two Mysterious Figures Seem To Be Pulling The Strings Behind The Scenes

There's little apparent reason why Wakanda would want to attack so directly, if they truly intended to wipe out every other empire. The Wakandan assassin did detonate a bomb that left all attendees to the countil adrift in space, but it wasn't potent enough to guarantee the death of everyone present. Wakanda would be wise enough to take out major players like Hulk, Star-Lord, Kl'rt, and Dorrek VIII a.k.a. Hulkling one by one before performing an attack of that scope. Not to mention, eliminating all competition without notice seems out of place for an empire as diplomatic as Wakanda, even if they had aggressive intentions.

Imperial #1 starts with a conversation between two mysterious figures, who play the chess-like game of 'Sharrat' as they discuss their sinister plans. One of them explains the game to the other, calling attention to the fact that Sharrat is "the perfect representation" of the real-life game they're "about to play." And just like the subsequent events that shake the galaxy to the core, "someone has to die" for the game to truly begin. Hence, Wakanda's apparent attack may not be what it seems at first sight, and the Wakandans may have their chance to clear their name sooner or later.

Imperial #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.