WAR! Imperial #4 wraps up Marvel‘s cosmic event setting up the future and direction for that corner of the Marvel Universe. What writer Jonathan Hickman has done is impressive, delivering a compact story with implications that will ripple across the Marvel Universe for many years to come.

Imperial launched things with multiple assassinations from unknown assailants sending the various factions of the cosmic corner into chaos. It was a series that launched with a bang, really a poison, and immediately shook things up. Over the next three issues, Hickman balanced a small group of individuals attempting to uncover the truth behind the assassinations while war was waged in multiple fronts. There were massive surprises including returns of characters on the sidelines for years. Hickman, in other words, delivered more in four issues than some events do with double the number of issues. Including the few one-shots that were connected with the event, it was tight, compact, and focused. Each issue was used to utmost efficiency delivering a fast paced story with massive impact.

Imperial #4 continues that with war raging and a trio of heroes attempting to stop it by getting the truth out. But, chaos on a grand scale and lies are hard to get under control and Hickman delivers a final chapter that is ominous, sad, but also chilling. It sets up the status quo for years to come, a status quo that feels like it’s direct commentary on the state of today’s world.

It’s hard to state why Imperial #4 is so good but it cements the series with storytelling that’s up there with the best drama. The final moments with various characters would have a choir singing over each scene in dramatic fashion emphasizing the nature of what happened. A conspiracy that spans the galaxy is now in place and there’s now a new hierarchy in charge, delivering machinations and maneuverings that are up there with the best dramas. The lies run deep and the gamesmanship is already afoot making the Marvel Cosmic Corner one you’ll want to watch as new series spin out of this mini-event.

The comic is frenetic and Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini‘s art nails it down. The characters look amazing as they battle it out delivering visuals that match the best action out there. The color by Federico Blee pops with Cory Petit‘s lettering adding emphasis to the drama. Every issue of the comic looks amazing and this one does a great job of really delivering fights and battles that feel epic and brutal in their enclosed space. The comic doesn’t rely on giant spreads to catch the eye and amaze. It’s able to pull that off in multiple panels on a page. Moments feel epic and deliver “holy shit” responses that’ll keep reader engaged.

Imperial #4 is a fantastic end to the series setting up what’s to come and making an early case that the cosmic series to spin out of it, might be the most intriguing stuff Marvel is putting out right now. It hints at a grand, sweeping political drama with allies being made and agreements being broken. You never know who you can trust, as characters once thought of as heroes now have a much more sinister cloud hanging over them. It’s an event that shook up and breathed life into dozens of characters and did it all in just four issues.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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