By Eric Drumm

After Ed Brubaker's killer "The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire" arc in UNCANNY X-MEN, the merry mutants saw themselves in a much different place than they were used to. With long-lost but extremely ticked off X-Man Vulcan killing his way all the way to the Shi'Ar throne, a few dedicated X-Men stayed behind to deal with his growing tyranny. With the EMPEROR VULCAN mini-series, we'll see Havok and crew take on his brother Vulcan and put an end to his evil once and for all. Coming to you from Chris Yost (NEW X-MEN) and Paco Diaz (DEADPOOL), prepare yourself for cosmos-shattering action.

While the rest of the UNCANNY line-up went back home to Earth after UNCANNY X-MEN #489, a few remained in space, feeling that the job wasn't done yet. Havok, Marvel Girl and Polaris have taken it upon themselves to do whatever it takes to take down Emperor Vulcan. The goal is in place, but getting there is the hard part. What can we expect out of the series, EMPEROR VULCAN Assistant Editor Will Panzo?

"High adventure in Shi'Ar space with Havok, Polaris and Marvel Girl, as well as Vulcan, Korvus, the Starjammers, Deathbird, the Imperial Guard—all of your favorites. Also, the single greatest threat to Shi'Ar space in history!" he exclaims.

Three X-Men, and perhaps a few Starjammers, seem like too small a force to take on Vulcan. By himself, Vulcan is one of the most powerful mutants on record (he is a Summers brother, after all). Throw in the fact that he's crazy with evil and commands one of the most formidable empires in the universe and you've got one heck of a figure to take down. Can this rag tag rebellion really put up a fight against the evil empire?

"If you think Vulcan is the biggest threat to the X-Men and the universe, then you're in for a big surprise," mysteriously warns Panzo.

Like most X-stories, EMPEROR VULCAN is a family affair. Vulcan, the once-lost brother to Havok and Cyclops, fried their father Corsair, the leader of space pirates the Starjammers, to a crisp in "The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire." For Havok, emotions are cutting deep. He found out that he had a second brother, which in itself is a shock to anyone's system. Then he watched as his new brother tried to kill all his friends and zapped their father to death. To call this a grudge match is an understatement. However, because they are brothers, will that cloud Havok's judgment in taking Vulcan down?

"This series does an excellent job of exploring Havok's relationship to Vulcan," beams Panzo. "Yes, Havok is mad as hell. But the situation is more complex than that because Vulcan is still Havok's brother, regardless of what he's done. The fact that Vulcan is insane and is the emperor of a highly advanced civilization further complicates things."

It may be personal for Havok, but Marvel Girl and Polaris are onboard for other reasons. The X-Ladies are seeing the bigger picture. Vulcan is oppressing the entire Shi'Ar empire, and although he has personal ties to the Summers family and the X-Men, he's still a threat to millions more lives. Is this a fight of both vengeance and the protection of innocent life?

"A little of both. But there's a wildcard in there as well, a surprise that will make both sides rethink this conflict," affirms Panzo.

Banding together and ready to fight, the X-refugees have picked a doozy of an adversary in Vulcan. Just to get to him, they will have to blast their way through the toughest, most advanced civilization in the universe. And what is this mysterious threat that Will Panzo warns us about? He left us with some last words that will be sure to have you preparing for war.

"Continuing in the tradition of 'Rise and Fall of The Shi'Ar Empire,' expect this series to effect a major change in Shi'Ar status quo. And, of course, when you're dealing with the Shi'Ar, the M'Kraan crystal is always something to be considered. As the nexus of realties, it's one of the most powerful artifacts in the Marvel Universe and could cause a lot of trouble in the wrong hands."

All we can say is good luck, X-kids. You are going to need it.

Join the rebellion with EMPEROR VULCAN #1 by Chris Yost and Paco Diaz on sale September 12.

X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #1 (of 5) (JUL072199)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO DIAZ
Cover by BILLY TAN
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—8/23/07, On-Sale—9/12/07

UNCANNY X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE HC (MAY072186)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN & CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by BILLY TAN
Rated T+ …$34.99
On-Sale—NOW!

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