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That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)

We mentioned this last night and everything seemed to explode. The big revealed ending for today's Empyre #4. An issue that saw Hulkling take some rather regrettable decisions, as the new emperor of both Skrull and Kree empires in an assault against the genocidal Cotati alien race, as it seems that one good genocide deserves another.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Empyre #4

But we learn that all may not be as it seems, with one other traditional Marvel hero revealing that they are not what it seems. And so it may be with Hulkling, as Wiccan gets a view as to what he has become.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Empyre #4

What, Billy? What could it be?

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Empyre #4

The marriage of Hulkling and Wiccan, and one that has been established for a short time now. Looks like the invites were close family and Young Avengers.

Reaction was swift.

No one tell Spider-Man though, today's Fantastic Four suggests that he might be getting marriage non-invitation paranoia.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Art from Fantastic Four.

Will this be enough to hit the headlines? It's certainly possible.

Wiccan (William "Billy" Kaplan) and Hulkling (Theodore "Teddy" Altman) were created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, in Young Avengers, published in 2005.

Wiccan's appearance is patterned on Thor and Scarlet Witch, and he and fellow teen hero Speed are long-lost twin sons of Scarlet Witch and Vision. Hulkling's character is patterned on the Hulk, but is a Kree/Skrull hybrid with shapeshifting abilities, and superhuman strength.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Cover of Young Avengers Special.

On initial publication, exchanges between Wiccan and Hulkling had led to speculation that the two teens had a much more intimate bond than mere friendship and Allan Heinberg confirmed this speculation, stating that his intent was to reveal the relationship, and he was surprised that his subtle clues were picked up on so quickly.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Art from Incoming #1.

According to Marvel executive, Tom Brevoort, "Originally, Allan pitched Hulkling as a female character using her shape-changing abilities to pose as a man. I suspect this was as close as Allan felt he could get to depicting an openly gay relationship in a Marvel comic. But as we got underway… he started to have second thoughts and approached me about maintaining Hulkling and Wiccan as two involved male characters". The pair became superheroes' most prominent gay couple.

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)
Teddy And Billy – Lords Of Empyre

Recently, Hulkling became a key player in the Empyre series, detailing a war between the Skrull, Kree and Cotati, with humanity in the way, called on to become emperor and is forced to denounce Wiccan before privately reassuring Wiccan that he didn't mean it and had his fingers crossed.

 

That Very Big Moment From Empyre #4 (Spoilers)

Now we see why the pair were so confident that their relationship would survive such a separation.

Teddy And Billy - Lords Of Empyre

EMPYRE #4 (OF 6)
MARVEL COMICS
APR200845
(W) Al Ewing, Dan Slott (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Jim Cheung
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER…
•  Tensions mount as the action heats up!
•  As the attack on Wakanda intensifies, the heroes find themselves under attack from their enemies – and their allies!
•  In a war where nobody can be fully trusted, betrayal cuts deep – as the alien invasion claims its first casualty!
•  In this issue: The shock ending you never expected! You'll want to frame it for your wall, True Believer! Rated T+In Shops: Aug 05, 2020 SRP: $4.99

 

I bought mine from Piranha Comics in Kingston-Upon-Thames. Piranha Comics is a small south London comic store chain with a small south-east store in Kingston-Upon Thames's market centre, which runs Magic The Gathering nights on Fridays, and a larger south-west store in Bromley, which also runs Magic nights and has an extensive back issue collection and online store. If you are in the neighbourhood, check them out.

Piranha Comics in Kingston-Upon-Thames.
Piranha Comics in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

 


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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