Limited telepathy Shi'ar armor and ceremonial staff
Princess-Majestrix Lilandra Neramani (/lɪˈlændrə/) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with the X-Men. She is the Empress, or Majestrix, of the Shi'ar Empire and shares a lifelong bond with the leader of the X-Men, Charles Xavier. She and Xavier were married, but their marriage was annulled after the Cassandra Nova incident.
Lilandra has often been a pivotal secondary character in the X-Men's history, from her participation in the Phoenix Saga, to her role in Grant Morrison's experimental and controversial run on New X-Men. Her role as one of Professor X's most cherished loves has played a significant part in the development of both characters, as well as many of the plots throughout the X-Men books.
Publication history
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Lilandra Neramani first appeared in X-Men #97 (February 1976) and was created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum.
Fictional character biography
Lilandra is the sibling of D'Ken, Deathbird, and an unnamed older sister. Lilandra hatches on the Aerie (now known as Chandilar, native world of the Shi'ar). Deathbird, the oldest of the surviving three, is denied the throne for "unspeakable" crimes (the murder of her mother and older sister) and exiled. Instead the throne went to D'Ken, who becomes a power-mad dictator. Lilandra becomes a Grand Admiral of the Imperial Guard in the Shi'ar fleet, but turns against D'Ken after learning of his plans involving the M'Kraan Crystal. Branded a traitor, Lilandra flees to Earth and becomes an ally of Charles Xavier and his X-Men.[1]
Dealing with D'Ken
Finally meeting Xavier in person, she is captured by Davan Shakari before being rescued by the X-Men and Starjammers.[2][3] She invites Xavier to accompany her to the Shi'ar throne-world.[4]
Majestrix-in-Exile
Lilandra takes the throne as Majestrix-Shi'ar (empress of the Shi'ar Imperium) with Xavier as her official consort.[5] She stages a trial by combat to determine the fate of Phoenix and overcomes Deathbird's first attempted coup.[6][7] However, a short while later her position is usurped by Deathbird, who had made a pact with the Brood and Badoon. She escapes along with the X-Men to Earth.[8] She becomes a freedom fighter and allies with the Starjammers to retake her throne.[volume & issue needed]
Trial of Reed Richards
As monarch, Lilandra takes a leading role in interstellar affairs, such as dealing with the menace of Dark Phoenix and indicting Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four for daring to save the life of the planet consumer, Galactus.[9]
Return to the throne
When Charles Xavier suffers a near-fatal heart attack, the Starjammers heal him, but due to enemy spacecraft, they cannot return to Earth.[10][11][12] With the help of Xavier and the Starjammers, Lilandra eventually manages to retake the throne and separates from Xavier.[13]
Kree-Shi'ar War
Before much longer, interstellar war erupts between the Shi'ar and the Kree. Lilandra orders the Starjammers to transport the Nega-Bomb into Kree space.[14] She survives an assassination attempt by the Kree Starforce, and decides to recall the Bomb before discovering that a Skrull impersonating Araki helped cause the Kree-Shi'ar War.[15][16] At the end of the war, she takes control of the devastated Kree Empire and appoints Deathbird as her viceroy.[17] Fearing the Kree will seek retribution against the Avengers for their part in ending the war, Lilandra sends Deathcry to protect Earth.[18]
Cassandra Nova
While Lilandra is a peaceful and beloved empress, her reign proves to be tumultuous. During her reign, the Skrull attempt to infiltrate and control the Shi'ar government, an intergalactic war with the Kree erupts, and the Phalanx and Uncreated attack. The most damage done to the Shi'ar Empire was done by Cassandra Nova, who, in the body of Charles Xavier, mind-controls Lilandra and takes control of the Shi'ar fleet. Lilandra is lost for a while on earth and attempts to kill Xavier, not understanding he was his own self again. Afterwards, Lilandra and Xavier divorce.[volume & issue needed]
Emperor Vulcan
Vulcan attempts to gain control of the Shi'ar, kills D'Ken and several members of the Imperial Guard, and becomes the ruler of the Shi'ar Imperium. Lilandra is currently in the company of the Starjammers, opposing Vulcan's tyranny. Most of the Starjammers are eventually captured by Vulcan. However, Korvus, Marvel Girl and Lilandra remain free.[19]
X-Men: Kingbreaker & War of the Kings
Lilandra appears as a central character in the Emperor Vulcan sequel, X-Men: Kingbreaker and in the War of Kings miniseries, which began in early 2009.[20][21] In the War of Kings crossover, Lilandra is assassinated by Darkhawk.[22]
Powers and abilities
As a Shi'ar, Lilandra's physical abilities are somewhat greater than those of a human woman. Lilandra also has limited telepathic abilities whose extent have yet to be clearly defined.
Lilandra is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and pilot and wields various Shi'ar weaponry.
An alternate universe variant of Lilandra Neramani from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate X-Men. This version is the human leader of the Church of Shi'ar Enlightenment, and claims to represent an ancient religion that worships the Phoenix.[23][24] Additionally, the Mad Thinker uses an illusory entity named Lal-Qil-Atrox, similar to Lilandra, to assist her in stealing parts of Cerebro.[25]
Lilandra Neramani appears in X-Men: The Animated Series, voiced by Camilla Scott.[citation needed] This version met Xavier after the foundation of the X-Men while fighting D'Ken and offered to have the former join her, but he declines for as long as there is no peace between mankind and mutants. Lilandra returns to Earth in the series finale to care for Xavier after Henry Peter Gyrich shoots him.
Lilandra returns in X-Men '97, voiced by Morla Gorrondona.[26] By this time, she has resumed her relationship with Xavier.
^ ab"Lilandra Neramani Voices (X-Men)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 18, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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