June 4, 2025 marks one of the most significant New Comic Book Days of the year, headlined by Jonathan Hickman’s universe-reshaping cosmic event Imperial #1. This week delivers major launches across Marvel and DC that promise to redefine the comic landscape for months to come. From cosmic empire building to multiverse adventures, here are the must-have releases that every collector should prioritize.
Event Spotlight: Imperial #1
Imperial #1 - Jonathan Hickman Reshapes the Marvel Universe
IMPERIAL #1 (OF 4)
Jonathan Hickman, Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello take on the universe! A sweeping Marvel cosmic event featuring HULKS, BLACK PANTHERS, NOVAS, GUARDIANS and COSMIC KINGS and QUEENS.
This is the comic event everyone’s been waiting for. Jonathan Hickman returns to cosmic Marvel with a four-part series that promises to do for Marvel’s space titles what his Ultimate line did for the core universe. Following the mysterious elimination of several galactic leaders, the Marvel Universe’s cosmic order is in chaos, and nature abhors a vacuum.
The stellar creative team of Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello brings Hickman’s grand vision to life with stunning cosmic scope and character redesigns that will define these characters for years to come. Early previews show the death of the Hulk’s son and massive implications for the Shi’ar Empire, Wakanda’s galactic presence, and the Nova Corps.
Investment Alert
This is positioning as the foundation for Marvel’s entire cosmic future. Hickman’s track record with universe-building events makes this essential for any serious collector. Multiple high-profile variants available including Peach Momoko, Jim Lee, and Skottie Young covers.
Marvel Highlights
Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1 - Miles Crosses Dimensions
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: INCURSION #1
Miles Morales travels to the new Ultimate Universe to rescue his baby sister in this multiverse-spanning adventure.
The Ultimate Universe expansion continues as Miles Morales crosses dimensional barriers to rescue his baby sister. This series represents the first major crossover between the classic Ultimate line and Hickman’s new Ultimate Universe, potentially setting up massive multiverse implications.
With the success of Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men, this crossover event could be the key to understanding how the two Ultimate realities will interact going forward.
Multiverse Significance
First official crossover between Ultimate universes. Miles’ dimensional travel could establish precedent for major multiverse events in 2025-2026.
Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 — Christopher Priest and Joe Quesada reunite for a tale that will kill Black Panther—and that’s only the beginning. This collaboration between two Marvel legends promises to deliver both shocking story beats and collectible significance.
Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1 — The Spirit of Vengeance faces the World Devourer in what promises to be an epic cosmic showdown with major implications for both characters.
DC Highlights
DC Pride 2025 - Alan Scott’s Magic Bar
DC PRIDE 2025
Unlike previous anthology formats, this year's Pride issue features one cohesive story focusing on Alan Scott and a magical bar where LGBTQ+ heroes gather.
DC’s award-winning Pride series takes a new approach this year with a single, unified narrative rather than an anthology format. The story centers on Alan Scott (the original Green Lantern) and a mystical bar that serves as a gathering place for LGBTQ+ heroes throughout the DC Universe.
This format change allows for deeper character development and more substantial storytelling while maintaining the celebration of diversity that has made the Pride series so successful.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #1 — The sequel to the blockbuster crossover kicks off by sending Task Force X into the Monsterverse. Following the success of the original series, this continuation promises even bigger kaiju action and DC character integration.
Why This Week Matters for Collectors
Investment Strategy for June 4
This week represents a perfect storm of collecting opportunities:
- Prioritize Imperial #1: Main cover and key variants (Peach Momoko, Jim Lee)
- Ultimate crossover potential: Incursion #1 could be historically significant
- Creator pedigree plays: Priest/Quesada reunion has strong collector appeal
- Format firsts: DC Pride’s narrative approach creates collecting milestone
- Long-term positioning: These titles set up major storylines through 2026
The Bottom Line
June 4, 2025 delivers what may be the most significant New Comic Book Day of the year. Imperial #1 alone justifies a trip to your local comic shop, but the supporting releases create a week where every collector will find something essential for their collection.
Hickman’s return to cosmic Marvel represents the kind of universe-building event that defines eras in comic history. Combined with the Ultimate Universe expansion, DC’s innovative Pride approach, and multiple creative dream team reunions, this week offers both immediate reading pleasure and long-term investment potential.
Whether you’re seeking epic cosmic adventures, multiverse-spanning stories, or representation milestones, June 4 provides comics that will shape the industry conversation for months to come. This is the kind of week that reminds us why we love this medium.
