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

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