Warning: Spoilers for Imperial #1!

Marvel's massive space saga Imperial is here, and one of the most surprising takeaways from the first issue is the revelation that Star-Lord, of Guardians of the Galaxy fame, has officially claimed the throne of the Spartax Empire, claiming his rightful role as the heir to J'Son, his alien father.

In Imperial #1, written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Iban Coello and Federico Vincentini, in the wake of his father's death, Star-Lord takes his place as the Emperor of Spartax. After Peter Quill's sister, Empress Victoria, is put in a coma, J'Son returns to lead Spartoi, but he urges his son to take the throne instead. Initially, Peter refuses, until a mysterious sniper claims his dad's life, leaving him no other choice.

It is then that Star-Lord finally accepts his destiny as the ruler of Spartax, regrettably accepting the ring of his father, the mark of the emperor.

Star-Lord Officially Becomes An Emperor, As Marvel Kicks Off Its Interstellar Intrigue

Imperial #1; Written By Jonathan Hickman; Art By Iban Coello And Federico Vicentini; Available Now From Marvel Comics

This isn't the first time Star-Lord has ruled over the Spartax Empire, but it seemingly finds him more prepared than ever for the role. When they were on worse , J'Son had orchestrated the galactic council capture of the Guardians of the Galaxy, during which Peter exposed his father's deceit and murderous nature with a live broadcast across the Spartax Empire. This incited a worldwide rebellion against J'Son, forcing him to flee, leaving Star-Lord to take his place on the throne, until Queen Victoria took his place following an invasion by the Kree.

Star-Lord's Marvel comeback officially begins, but with new power in his grasp and a desire for vengeance, Peter could change in more ways than one.

The difference now is that Star-Lord isn't seizing the throne merely out of necessity for a kingdom in need, but out of obligation and love for his late father. Beyond a sense of duty and, arguably, a sense of guilt for denying the throne when his father was alive, Peter wants to find and catch whoever murdered his father, with help from Nova. Star-Lord's Marvel comeback officially begins, but with new power in his grasp and a desire for vengeance, Peter could change in more ways than one.

Star-Lord's "Imperial" Status Could Be Permanent This Time

Big Changes Are Coming For Peter Quill.

By making him the ruler of Spartax, Marvel seems committed to changing Star-Lord's status quo going forward. There's no way of knowing for certain if there are plans to make this a permanent change that will continue after the Imperial event is over, but there's certainly potential for it. Knowing how power-hungry J'Son would become in past stories, it would be interesting to find out if Peter falls into his father's same bad habits, especially as he's blinded by rage while hunting for his killer. What this means for Star-Lord's future with the Guardians of the Galaxy remains to be determined.

Imperial #1 is available now from Marvel.