Lilandra in the MC2

 

I am thoroughly enjoying the X-Men ’97 animated series on Disney + which acts as a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series. Inspired by recent episodes, today’s post will be about Professor Charles Xavier’s long-time lover, Lilandra Neramani, the Majestrix of the Shi’ar Empire. This is Lilandra in the MC2.

 

First appearing in X-Men #97 as an unidentified mental projection, Lilandra’s dynastic surname of Neramani and royal status as a Princess is revealed in X-Men #103 with her first name revealed in her first full appearance in X-Men #105.

Princess Lilandra Neramani is coronated in X-Men #125, officially becoming Majestrix of the Shi’ar Empire. Her lover Professor Charles Xavier accompanies her during this time and is referred to as her ‘consort,’ which may or may not be an official title. Are they married? Well, that’s unclear as there is no on-panel confirmation nor ceremony but perhaps Shi’ar culture considers the role of consort as equivalent to a marriage. In the real world, a consort is generally the spouse of a monarch. Lilandra’s profile in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #7 lists her marital status as ‘Inapplicable. Charles Xavier is her consort’. Back in the first volume of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #8, Xavier’s profile lists his marital status as ‘single’ but notes that he and Lilandra forged a telepathic bond and ‘later became romantically involved and engaged to marry’. In The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #10, Charles is again listed as ‘single’ and Lilandra is not among the list of his known relatives.

 

Regardless, the couple often spend significant time apart due to their sperate responsibilities and eventually ended their relationship in X-Men Unlimited #5. I bring this up because various sources online cite New X-Men #133 as the point that their marriage is annulled by the Shi’ar Empire. So, ironically the first time they are ever explicitly referred to as being married is when it is ended. The Marvel Encyclopedia Vol. 2: X-Men from 2003 refers to Xavier as Lilandra’s ‘husband’ during the time after the Dark Phoenix Saga. Conversely, the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2004 profile for Xavier refers to his marital status as ‘single, former consort to Princess-Majestrix Lilandra Neramani of the Shi’ar Empire’.  But these sources are all obviously past the point of divergence for the MC2 so let’s move on!

 

In the MC2, we witness Galactus’ latest herald Dominas the Wavemaster arrive in the area of space ruled by the Shi’ar Empire, effortlessly going through all their defensive satellites on his way to the Imperial Throneworld of Shi’ar.  Dominas is confronted by the Shi’ar Imperial Guard led by Gladiator as he gives the population it’s only warning to evacuate or die (Last Planet Standing #1).

 

With Galactus’ arrival, Lilandra is advised to flee upon her personal starship alongside the High Council. The Majestrix blames herself for not having enough ships to evacuate the entire planet nor foreseeing this eventuality. Despite the Imperial Guard’s efforts, Galactus activates his elemental converter, draining every precious quanta of biochemical and kinetic energy from the Throneworld, bleeding the planet dry in moments. Lilandra Neramani watches on helplessly while her planet is destroyed (Last Planet Standing #1).

 

While that’s the only appearance we have for Lilandra in the MC2, at the conclusion of the Last Planet Standing series the threat of Galactus is ended for good when Galactus and the Silver Surfer merge into a new being and reverse the destruction caused by Galactus. This newly birthed being uses a new form of energy- The Power Essential -to repair the damage wreaked during his former self’s plot. So, it’s possible -though again, not stated- that Lilandra’s Throneworld was restored afterwards at some point (Last Planet Standing #5).

 

Until I figure out if I should have included Lilandra and the Shi’ar Royal Family on Xavier’s Family Tree, I remain

 

frogoat