As the events of "X-Men: Messiah CompleX" rage on, fans will discover quite a different reality as Vulcan gains omnipotent power and defeats the X-Men in WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE. Fan favorite scribe Christopher Yost (NEW X-MEN, X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN) and legendary X-artist Larry Stroman team together for the most un-x-pected tale of the year, wrapped up in a stunning cover by Olivier Coipel!
"Once Chris Yost, who was already working on EMPEROR VULCAN and steeped in all things 'Rise & Fall,' came on board as the writer everything started falling into place rather quickly," says Justin F. Gabrie, Editor of the book and Managing Editor of Marvel Publishing. "His whole take was that Vulcan represents the rebellious teen who never felt understood, cared for, much less appreciated and strikes back at the world for it… except played out at a galactic level, of course. This quickly grows to a universal threat when during the course of the story, Vulcan acquires the power of the Phoenix Force. With a person of infinite power who came from such a dysfunctional childhood, what would their ultimate wish be?"
"The best thing to come out of this is the return of Larry Stroman… not only to all things X, not only to Marvel Publishing, but to comics in general," says Gabrie. "Every page that came in from Larry brought out the fan boys in us as shades of his legendary run on X-FACTOR with Peter David was evident with each line stroke. The rest of the team is rounded out by the slick inks of Jon Sibal and by the colorful hues of Christina Strain who also graces the cover art by Oliver Coipel. So come pick up this issue and join us in welcoming Stroman back."
"X-Men: The Rise & Fall Of The Shi'ar" Empire was a wild, cosmic rollercoaster ride in the fashion that only the X-Men can provide, so be sure to check out WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE as this one-shot shows what would happen if that crazy ride went straight off the tracks and Vulcan gained the power of the Phoenix!
Marvel urgers retailers to check their orders on WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE as the first What If? issue of 2007, WHAT IF? PLANET HULK, had quickly sold out at Diamond.
WHAT IF? X-MEN: THE RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE (OCT072131)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by LARRY STROMAN
Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC – 11/15, On-Sale – 12/5/2007
)
)
 "WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE Interior Art by Larry Stroman")
 "WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE Interior Art by Larry Stroman")
 "WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE Interior Art by Larry Stroman")
 "WHAT IF? X-MEN: RISE & FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE Interior Art by Larry Stroman")
