The Shi'ar ( ) are a fictional species of aliens appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Shi'ar empire (or Imperium) is a vast collection of alien species, cultures, and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree empires. The Shi'ar are one of the three main extraterrestrial empires depicted in the Marvel Universe, alongside the Kree and Skrulls.
Publication history The Shi'ar first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #97 (Feb. 1976) and were created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum.
Biology The Shi'ar are cold-bloodedAstonishing X-Men (vol. 3) #57 humanoids of avian descent; they resemble humans with feathered crests atop their heads in lieu of hair. Two different styles are common: most Shi'ar, particularly those of the aristocracy, have feathers sprouting in a triangular shape away from the face, one peak on the top of the head and one peak on each side slightly over the shoulder; the other commonly seen "hairstyle" is bushy on both sides and very flat on the top.The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (vol. 2) #7 The Shi'ar conceive their offspring in eggs.
Internally, they have lightweight and hollow bones, and on their forearms there are still some vestigial feathers left of wings that were lost over millions of years of evolution.The Avengers #379 The average Shi'ar can lift one ton in Earth-like gravity and has far greater stamina than the average human. Most Shi'ar have no other special abilities, though occasionally a genetic throwback appears possessing wings that allow for flight (an example of atavism).All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update #3Marvel Encyclopedia #1 Also, some Shi'ar have telepathic abilities.The Uncanny X-Men #483
Some Shi'ar have developed superpowers such as Electron, Rook'shir, Deathcry, Dakari, White Noise and Black Light.X-Men: Messiah Complex - Mutant Files #1 Most of these are members of the Imperial Family and are descended from Rook'shir, who transmitted his Phoenix Force manipulation power to his descendants.The Uncanny X-Men #479
Unlike humans the Shi'ar do not dream, except for those born "defective" or "infected by dreams". Shi'ar who have the ability to dream and create do all they can to suppress their impulses. In the past, execution was a common remedy to such 'infections'. Such Shi'ar include Warbird and the Shi'ar having survived the Fianden's weapons.Astonishing X-Men (vol. 3) #58 The Shi'ar have more chakras than a human.A+X #15
Technology The Shi'ar possess technologies common to most Marvel alien races, including:
Starships capable of moving faster-than-light Energy-based weapons in their ships and in their handheld weaponsX-Men #135The Uncanny X-Men #157X-Men: Spotlight on...Starjammers #1 force fieldsThe Uncanny X-Men #485 Faster-than-light communication Teleportation technologyX-Men: Kingbreaker #4 Robots Missiles
The Shi'ar also possess more unique technologies, including:
Hologram technology: which is used by the X-Men in their Danger Room.The Uncanny X-Men #476 Cloaking technology: rendering a craft completely invisible, used by the X-Men on their Blackbird aircraft. Stargates: Devices in a network system. They are used for travel to faraway distances including instantaneous travel between galaxies. There are planet-based Stargates (used for personal travel to other solar systems and galaxies) and enormous space-based versions (used for starships to travel through).X-Men #105 Starcracker technology: This is the Shi'ar ultimate weapon. The Starcracker causes stars to go supernova. War of Kings: Warriors #1 Warp-Capable Warships: Ranging in size from small starships to planetoid sized ships. Armageddon-class Killstations: Orbital battle space stations. Flying Walker-Spacecraft: Spaceships with walker-like legs used on land. Nega-Bomb: A Galactic-level weapon capable of destroying planets and galaxies.Wonder Man #8-9The Avengers #347War of Kings #2 Fusion Space MinesStarjammers #1
According to a statement by Emma Frost in Astonishing X-Men #9, most if not all Shi'ar technology is sentient.X-Men #108
Culture Language A Shi'ar "Galaxian" has stated that they have learned nearly every spoken language.The Uncanny X-Men #477
The Shi'ar language has multiple forms, including High Shi'ar, used for formal events,X-Men Unlimited #5 and Shi'ar Glorkon dialect.All-New X-Men #24
Mostly for tactical terms or insults, the Shi'ar insert words of their language into English sentences.
Philosophy Traditionally, the Imperium has aggressively absorbed new cultures. Warren Ellis' 1995 Starjammers miniseries described the story of the Shi'ar deities Sharra and K'ythri as a parable which guides the Shi'ar expansionist philosophy to other worlds:
Sharra and K'ythri are the gods in marriage. The gods who didn't want to marry, but were forced into it. In marriage they found strength and in strength they found love. That's what the Shi'ar Imperium does. It marries other cultures. Shotgun weddings.Starjammers #1-4
There are aggressive and violent ancient traditions, such as the Rite of Arin'nn Haelar, which is a battle to the death. This rite can be invoked to settle disagreements and their outcomes are accepted by the Imperium.The Avengers (vol. 3) #35 Their philosophy also impacts their court, as they do not recognize insanity.Thanos #10
X-Men writer Ed Brubaker compared the Shi'ar to Star Treks Romulans, saying they are "smart, aggressive, and mean".Uncanny in Space - Talking X-Men With Ed Brubaker , Newsarama, February 12, 2007 (accessed 15 Feb 2007)
Politics Though the empire has grown to include hundreds of thousands of different sentient species and worlds, the Shi'ar race controls and governs the empire. Its central base of power is located on the "throneworld" Chandilar, while the Shi'ar homeworld is called Aerie (it is unknown if the planet still exists). The leader of the empire is given the title Majestor (male) or Majestrix (female) and is a hereditary position, occupied by members of the royal family of the Shi'ar. Formerly, the Neramani family represented the royal bloodline.The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10
The Shi'ar empire is one of the most advanced and expansive civilizations in the universe, spanning entire galaxies. It is mainly an economic co-operative, where trade with other galactic powers is its driving force. Not all races have the same rights in the Imperium, as the Shi'ar appear to have a disproportionate influence on its governance.
It is nominally ruled over by a high council, which has representatives from a large majority of the alien races that exist within the Imperium. However, in practice, the head of the council (the Majestor or Majestrix) exercises strong executive control and can institute policy virtually by decree.
The leader of the Shi'ar empire is protected by a personal guard called the Imperial Guard, which is made up of the most powerful and elite soldiers from throughout the Empire with most of them being Shi'ar and others being from other alien races in the Shi'ar's jurisdiction. The Imperial Guard is led by a praetor. The Shi'ar military, outside of the Imperial Guard, consists almost exclusively of Shi'ar personnel.The Uncanny X-Men #471
Though having warlike and militaristic ancestry, the Shi'ar empire has largely occupied the role of peacekeepers in many interstellar affairs. For instance, Empress Lilandra Neramani tried to broker peace between the Kree empire and the Skrull Empire to help bring an end to their devastating war: she sought interstellar accord when deciding how to end the threat of Dark Phoenix, and attempted to avenge the destruction of Tarnax IV, the Skrull throneworld, by Galactus.
History After leaving their world, the Shi'ar started an intergalactic Empire, conquered other cultures, and ruled for millions of years.Marvel Encyclopedia #X-MenStarjammers #4 Such cultures included the Chameloids, Lupaks, Stygians, Strontians, Hodinn, Saurids and many more. The Shi'ar also conquered the peaceful Mephitisoids, stealing their technology, and erased the truth from history. Another culture the Shi'ar attacked and hid from history was the Threshold, an ancient civilization of mutants who lived on Earth billions of years ago. The ancient Shi'ar were repelled by the Threshold, which damaged their pride.Marauders (Vol. 2) #4
When the Shi'ar known as Rook'shir bonded to the Phoenix Force, he became the Dark Phoenix and wreaked havoc across the Shi'ar empire. In order to stop him, the first Imperial Guard sent Gladiator after him, who killed him. For years, Rook'shir's descendants were killed out of fear that one of them might host the Phoenix Force like their ancestor. Rook'shir left behind a sword known as the Blade of the Phoenix which contained a small portion of the Phoenix Force's power. The sword could only be lifted by Rook'shir's descendants. Korvus is the only known surviving descendant of Rook'shir.
M'Kraan Crystal
D'Ken Neramani, a corrupt Shi'ar ruler, attempts to use the M'Kraan Crystal to take over the universe. His younger sister Lilandra and her new allies, the X-Men, foiled his plans. He was rendered comatose by the crystal and Lilandra then took over as the Majestrix of the Shi'ar empire. The X-Men, as well as most of Earth's other superheroes, have had cordial if not friendly relations with the Shi'ar empire since.X-Men #107-109
Trial of Galactus The Shi'ar put Reed Richards on trial for the crimes of genocide. He was guilty of reviving Galactus after he was defeated on Earth. Shortly after his revival, Galactus proceeded to consume the Skrull throneworld, resulting in the death of billions. Uatu the Watcher, acting as his lawyer and with the help of Odin and Galactus himself, convinced the gathered tribunal that Galactus is a necessary force of betterment of the universe and is not a villain. This was done by summoning Eternity. The truth as shown by Eternity however, is so grand and overpowering that none of the tribunal's members can remember it fully, although the comprehension stays.Fantastic Four #261-262
Deathbird and the Kree-Shi'ar War In the 1980s, Lilandra and D'Ken's unstable exiled elder sibling Deathbird made several attempts to overthrow her sister from power. Deathbird even resorted to attacking Lilandra's Earth-based allies to achieve her goals. She is also responsible for initially directing the alien parasites known as the Brood towards the Earth and its heroes.The Uncanny X-Men #162 Deathbird was eventually deposed with the assistance of the X-Men.The Uncanny X-Men #275
In the 1992 crossover "Operation: Galactic Storm," the Shi'ar annexed the Kree empire at the end of the Kree-Shi'ar War and Deathbird was placed into a prominent position as viceroy of Hala, the Kree homeworld. However, Deathbird did not last long in this position and has since abandoned her responsibilities and it appears that the Kree empire has, at least in some part, been re-established.
Cassandra Nova Professor X's twin sister Cassandra Nova single-handedly destroys a good portion of the Shi'ar empire. Inhabiting the body of her brother, Nova asserts control of Empress Lilandra and causes a Shi'ar civil war. Jean Grey is instrumental in ending this threat.New X-Men #122-126
Phoenix Endsong and End of Greys
Despite the aid she gave them by eliminating the threat of Cassandra Nova, the Shi'ar still held a grudge against Jean Grey for the destruction she caused as Dark Phoenix. In the Phoenix Endsong series, a group of Shi'ar tried to eliminate both the Phoenix Force and Jean Grey. Jean, however, escaped their suicide bomb attack and returned to the White Hot Room to restore herself.X-Men Phoenix Endsong #5