As the conflict begins to spread out to the wider universe! We find out who’s really orchestrating the great game of cosmic houses as the last chance to stop a universal war presents itself. Will our heroes be able to stop it in time? Imperial #3 pulls back the curtain of who’s behind the chaos with major implications.

Imperial #3 promised a reveal of who has been behind the cosmic chaos and it delivers with an intriguing examination of the puppet masters and then an ending that shakes up the entire Marvel Universe, not just the cosmic portion. Written by Jonathan Hickman, this series has delivered with every issue, nailing down its teases and filling them with action and surprises. Under Hickman’s guidance, Marvel’s cosmic characters didn’t just wake up, they’ve come back with a massive explosion.

It’s hard to really describe what makes Imperial #3 solid without spoilers. Part of the comic is a trio of characters attempting to stop war from spreading while the other half is who is behind it all. There’s been teases as to one based on what has been presented, a chess like game and blue hand, making it clear who one is. But, the second individual is a surprise and just the tip of the iceberg as to what’s going on. For those who have been paying attention, there’s been a major absence in Marvel comics and this issue marks a big return with a clear direction.

The art by Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini is top notch. With color by Federico Blee and lettering by Cory Petit and Ariana Maher, the visuals go from big action and borderline horror to a more quiet match of minds. The colors and visuals pop with a comic that looks great and echoes earlier cosmic events like the Annihilation saga. The comic hits every beat it needs visually with the fear and concern of our trio of heroes and the cold calculation of the revealed villains.

After years of stumbling, the “Marvel Event” is back with both Imperial and One World Under Doom delivering two epic stories that promise to shake up the Marvel Universe going forward, and delivering. Imperial #3 was full of surprises and where those might lead has us excited for what comes next in this series and when everything is settled.

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini
(C) Federico Blee (L) Cory Petit, Ariana Maher
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Against the fallout of someone mysteriously killing the rulers of the Marvel galactic empires, the fires of war are lit! As that conflict simmers, Nova and Star-Lord race to discover who is behind all these evil acts – a journey that takes them to the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda! Imperial #2 is packed with surprises as reveals come quickly as war is declared.

If Imperial kicked off with a bang, really a poison, Imperial #2 delivers the actual bang. Numerous leaders have been killed with an attack that points to the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda as the perpetrators. We all know this isn’t who’s really behind it, as the comics have teased manipulation by a greater force and political thrillers like this are rarely so straight forward. Writer Jonathan Hickman amps up the action of the issue as forces muster and the assault against the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda comes in many forms and tactics. And that’s one of the first things that stands out in the issue. Hickman gives thought as to how each force would attack and how they’d play off of each other a bit. With that, we get a space battle that’s epic in scope, scale, and brutal in the results.

But, Imperial #2 really stands out as to how quickly the story moves. Things are compacted in a good way here as the series is rather short for such an event, just four issues and a series of one-shots. With that brevity, it needs to make every issue count and can’t string things along. By the issues end, it’s a bit clearer as to what’s going on, though not totally, as betrayal, reveals, and some crazy action all play out in the epic way that so many stories in Marvel’s cosmic corner have delivered.

Part of that epic sense is due to the art of Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini who are joined by Federico Blee on color and Cory Petit and b on lettering. The visuals are crazy with ships battling and shooting off volleys, assaults from uber power beings, and battles onboard ships that feel claustrophobic and chaotic as they should. All of the characters look great and everyone, and so many moments, stand out. Gladiator telling his forces to hold until its the right moment to strike comes off in such a badass way. It’s a comic whose visuals give it a grand scope the story is going for.

Imperial #2 is a solid issue that wastes no time at all. Two issues in and this event has lit a fire in Marvel’s cosmic corner and if it keeps it up, this is a story that’ll be up there with other modern Marvel cosmic stories like Annihilation. It’s delivered in every way, storytelling and art, and has kept its promise to shake up this underused setting and underused characters. It’s an event that delivers as promised.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Cory Petit, Ariana Maher
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle