WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy #13 by Al Ewing, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee, and VC’s Cory Petit, on sale now
The face of the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe has been evolving recently, with the entire galactic infrastructure shifted by the events of Empyre — which transformed Hulking into the Emperor of an unheard-of Kree/Skrull Alliance. But while peace has been brought to the galaxy in the process, a new threat is brewing at the edge of the universe.
The Guardians of the Galaxy just learned of a brewing cult known as the Brethern of the Forgotten Flame on an outskirt world — and it might actually become a genuine threat to Hulking’s rule.
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The modern incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy has been expanding as a superhero team, aiming to become the Avengers of the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe. While most of the team moves to help the Kree/Skrull Alliance Throneworld to try and help defeat the arrival of the Progenitors. However, despite the chaos of the conflict, Nova and Super-Skrull make sure to keep posted on a newly discovered rimworld known as the Cauldron at the end of the galaxy. On that world, a small explorative team of Guardians — consisting of Phylla-Vell, Marvel Boy, Quasar, and Drax — venture there to find out what happened to a missing band of surveyors.
Finding the bodies of the surveyors, Marvel Boy also locates ancient Skrullian writings near the bodies. Super-Skrull reveals that they say “Believe in the Flame,” citing the history of ancient Skrulls centering cults around mystical flames — with the markings even still being seen as a universal symbol for magic. The group continues to move through the planet to find a massive number of people huddled in front of a massive golden statue of an ancient Skrull figure. At the foot of the statue, Sister Talionis leads a speech to the assembled crowd — revealed not just to be Skrulls but beings from across the universe.
Having lost their place in the universe following the collapse of the previous galactic economy during the events of Empyre, the crowds cheer when Talionis brings up how their great empires are “run now by children and pacifists, by interfering Earthers.” Revealing themselves to be capable of magic, the assembled crowd is motivated by claims that this force will burn the galaxy to ash and reshape it into their idealized universe. As they wait for the Hidden Constellation to reveal itself and portend the coming of He-Who-Waits, the group will prepare some unknown sacrifice that could result in them rising up in power.
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This new religion poses a unique challenge for the Kree/Skrull Alliance, as it could stand as a true rival to the united empire that has come around Hulking. With royal Skrull blood in his veins and a powerful amount of respect from the Kree Empire, Hulking is currently seen as one of the best chances the universe has ever seen at peace between the long-warring species. But this also positions Earth-interests at the forefront of the galaxy and highlights just how powerful humanity is poised to become on a galactic scale. This Skrull-centric cult seems to be attracting aliens from across the universe who’ve become increasingly angry with the universe and how it’s shifted in the last decade, drawing upon the fury of others to bolster their ranks.
With a galactic alliance forming around the current power-base of the Marvel Universe, there’s no more dangerous time for a rival power to be rising up. The Guardians may find themselves contending with an entirely new kind of magic that they’re not prepared for — especially considering the Guardians are relatively inexperienced when dealing with full-blown magic as opposed to more cosmic-level threats. The Skrull connection could even eat away at Hulking’s birthright, making it harder for him to serve as the prime example to Skrulls why they should be willing to work with other species instead of installing their own ways by force. Hulking may have just gained his ultimate rival — and it’ll be on the Guardians to help put out the chaotic flames they’re looking to raise up against the Kree/Skrull Alliance.