Imperial #2 Review- The Coolest Comic You Will Read This Year
From Marvel Comics
Written by Jonathon Hickman
Art by Federico Vicentini & Iban Coello
In my previous review for Issue #1 of the latest “game-changing” galactic epic, Imperial from comic book superstar Jonathon Hickman, I essentially said that we would have to wait and see if this grand new direction from the seasoned writer would live up to all of the hype surrounding it, as Issue #1 left comic book fans on the edge of their seat having only just reached the inciting incident for this cosmos spanning event series. However, only a few weeks later, we have arrived at Issue #2, where I can definitively say, “Oh sweet heavens, yes… This is everything we hoped for and more!”
However, before we delve into just how monumental and epic this singular issue really is, allow me to paint a picture of what makes an event like Imperial so exciting for comic book fans. If you haven’t been a die hard fan of Marvel Comics recently, or are maybe just a casual comic book fan, you might assume that in a world full of fantastical super powered characters and diverse alien races, that the majority of comics take place in the far reaches of the galaxy. However, the exact opposite is true, with most comic book series taking place on Earth or around our familiar shiny blue planet.
In fact, even though the Marvel Comics Universe hosts so many specifically recognizable alien worlds, empires, and iconic characters (I personally don’t subscribe to this wildly inaccurate CBR Ranking, but if you care to read, so be it), it feels as though we only venture to these grand environs every few years with comic book event titles specifically related to “cosmic” content such as Annihilation, War of the Realms, or Empyre or through the infrequent lens of series titles related to the broader universe such as Guardians of the Galaxy. Though the majority of the key foundational figures and organizational structures of the larger Marvel Comics Universe have been established since the 1960’s, we ultimately know very little about the goings on of these ancient kingdoms (aside from an obvious bias towards the Asgardians.) More frequently, comics on shelves today explore relatable, reflective storylines that speak to a broader truth about our own society through the lens of the superhero medium, which is an important function, but I can’t help but sometimes long for the comics of the mid-1990’s that frequently explored futuristic and cosmic content.
Which is precisely what makes Imperial such an important and alluring title for anyone who has picked up a comic book in the last ten years. This is a chance, at last, to return to an earnest exploration of the cosmos and its people- now dowsed in the fires of an intergalactic war.
In issue #1 of Imperial, Hickman laid out the map, so to speak, bringing together all of the relevant forces and characters about to be intertwined in a chaotic game of subterfuge and destruction. In this issue, we saw major Marvel characters such as The Hulk, Starlord, Nova, and Gladiator of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard, rally themselves to their factions banners at a galactic council gathering to investigate the mysterious recent assassinations of several universal leaders, ultimately culminating in a daring, violent ambush.
If you are looking for a story from Marvel Comics that carries a palpable sense of stakes with harrowing, graphic action more akin to the burgeoning world of independent comics- then Imperial is here to defy your expectations and demand your attention at Marvel Comics again. This is action-packed science fiction at its best with the combined unique and matchless talents of Hickman, Coello, and Vicentini taking center stage.
But let us talk more specifically about the insanity within the pages of Imperial #2 which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
In the finale of issue #1, we witnessed Hulk (returned to his iconic “Green Scar” persona from Planet Hulk) intercept a Wakandan agent who seemingly committed the atrocities at the Galactic Council, including the murder of Starlord’s father, J’Son. Which leads us right into the events of issue #2, where we find the Kree/Skrull Empire surrounding the Wakanda-Prime homeworld alongside the Shi’ar, and the Spartoi Empires. We watch as Ronan, characteristically, assaults the Wakandan forces allowing for the Shi’ar to survey the battlefield. In the warship K’Lyon, Gladiator calmly listens to reports from his commanders before finally assessing the best course of action with the unassuming command, “that will do.”
In a flash, the Imperial Guard leap through space and infiltrate the Wakandan control center and beat back the King’s Guard through the smoke and fire. Gladiator makes out the familiar shape of a panther through the fury and fires with his “omega beam” like eye blasts, only to discover that it was T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, in disguise.
First of all, this entire sequence is rendered like the most thrilling premiere episode of a classic space-centric anime, heightening the spectacle of this issue in a stylistic manner that is rarely seen on the physical page. Second of all, the immediate focus of this issue on the overwhelming might and superior strategy of the Shi’ar empire and Gladiator, is a truly sublime sight to behold. For fans hitherto unfamiliar with Gladiator or the Imperial Guard (which as I mentioned is most likely the case given how infrequently they appear in modern comics) let this issue be an example of how badass and domineering they can be, and join me in my hopeless quest to see Gladiator receive his own solo title series at Marvel Comics (or satisfy your new intrigue with a more recent appearance from Gladiator in Guardians of the Galaxy by Donny Cates.)
From here, we cut to the opposite side of the battle, where T’Challa and the bulk of the Wakandan forces wait in hiding on the moon, where T’Challa is informed that Shuri was just captured. The Black Panther coolly declares that this is “the second mistake they’ve made today,” and mystifyingly orders M’Baku to wait till the enemy forces within range have reached seventy percent.
Next we find ourselves onboard the Spartoi command vessel where King Starlord and Nova intercept the arriving Shi’ar vessel carrying the prisoner, Shuri. Nova and Starlord interrogate Shuri, revealing that the Wakanda’s were responsible for the assassination of King J’Son, which Shuri was entirely unaware of and bawks at saying, “We do not traffic in assassination, we do these things without shame and in the light.”
Meanwhile, the Wakandan response is finally unleashed as they fire a massive EMP, cutting the power of seventy percent of the starships in the vicinity, and allowing the Wakandan forces to attack them without mercy. As King T’Challa makes his way to an attack ship, he is intercepted by the Hatut Zeraze, who ask T’Challa for “leniency” in this battle that will surely have far-reaching and lasting consequences, but T’Chall replies, “Leniency comes after submission. Not before.”
Hickman’s mastery of character motivation and tone is something that I have touched on before in reviews, but it bears repeating that there is something so refreshing and consistent when it comes to reading superhero comics by Jonathon Hickman. In essence, it feels as if you are reading the characters as they were meant to be written. This is certainly the case in this issue of Imperial, represented in the proud authority and tactical genius of Black Panther, the “heart on his sleeve” emotional response from Peter Quill, the reasoned, analytical mind of Shuri, and the unwavering loyalty to the cause from Gladiator.
The latter of which we see patently displayed in the next scene as Gladiator calls for the Majestrix’s royal vessel and orders the ship to evacuate through the stargate, despite Xandra’s orders to the contrary. Gladiator asks for her forgiveness for his disobedience, but insists that, “you are the Empire and you must live.” To which Deathbird, Xandra’s mutant sister replies, “Die with honor Gladiator, you will be remembered.” HOLY SHIT. Things are getting SO intense, SO fast.
Cutting back to the Spartoi vessel, we see Nova, Starlord, and the freed Shuri looking over the Galactic Council’s evidence for the assassinations, where Shuri discovers that the seemingly Wakandan bullet used in the assassination was actually made out of counterfeit vibranium. We then follow T’Challa and his forces boarding a vessel, where they are intercepted by Brawn and The Hulk. The Black Panther stands his ground against the Hulks (wielding a very cool sword that I need him to keep in his arsenal at all times pretty please) but is soon overcome by The Hulk’s sheer obstinate might, who vehemently blames Wakanda for the death of his son from issue #1.
Meanwhile, back on the Wakandan side of the battle, we find M’Bakku proclaiming that conquest is the only thing “worthy of worship,” in life to a religious wakandan acolyte, who reveals himself to be a devout Skrull mercenary in shape-shifting disguise, before stabbing M’Bakku through the back. The Skrull assassin is joined by others, proclaiming their intent to kill Emperor Hulkling and usher in a return to the “old ways” before the Kree/Skurll Alliance. This revelation echoes like a shockwave across the system as more and more Skrulls in disguise reveal themselves aboard every vessel, attacking from within.
Back on board the Spartoi command vessel, Shuri, Starlord, and Nova dispatch the invading Skrulls quickly, and the trio form a plan to use the Guardians ship to travel to the location of a super intelligence (presumably on Xandar) in order to uncover the identity of the perpetrator behind all of this subterfuge.
On the K’Lyon, Gladiator and the Imperial Guard survive the surprise attack and attempt to hail the Shi’ar royal vessel, but receive no reply. On board that ship, we watch as Deathbird and the Shi’ar queen Xandra are cornered by advancing Skrull agents. However, at the last second, the Skrull’s are surprised by the transformation of half of their forces, revealed to be the shape-shifting Shi’ar Hobgoblins in disguise (you really can’t trust anybody in space, huh?) The hobgoblin forces then reveal that the Skrull attack was all an illusion in order to distract from the real threat, a coup of the Shi’ar Empire.
This rapidly unfolding series of events with double crosses and crosses within crosses, speaks to the deep understanding Hickman has for the major forces in the Marvel Comics universe, touching on the religious fanaticism of the Skrulls, the sheer power and ancient royal structure of the Shi’ar Empire, and the hubris of the technologically superior Wakandan’s. While the action-filled spectacle of this issue is enough of a draw on its own (especially with the particular artistic talents of Iban Coello and Federico Vincenti) it is the logical, complex weaving of in-universe lore that makes this issue so rewarding for fans. The events of this issue express that this is no mere contrived comic book crisis, but a well thought out culmination of years worth of history and characterization brought to life by perhaps the only writer capable of expressing it as entertainingly and coherently.
In our final pages, all of our heroes watch in horror as the Stargate to Wakanda-Prime is destroyed and the Shi’ar Royal vessel escapes, leaving the majority of our major characters stranded halfway across the galaxy without a clear explanation of how or why this occurred. We also cut back to the mysterious aquatic vessel and the unrevealed figures from our series prologue, where one of the figures knocks pieces off of the board declaring, “I chose the players. I chose the board. And as such, I cannot lose.” A scene which only further reinforces the sentiment that our story is not nearly finished, and there is much more to be revealed.
There truly is nothing like Imperial on shelves right now for comic book fans, utilizing decades worth of history and some of Marvel Comics most iconic legacy characters to craft a pivotal, dramatic entry point into the genre. Time will tell if this series “sticks the landing” and is truly as monumental and beloved as it is promising to be, but Issue #2 is demonstrable proof of the grand spectacle and layered narrative this story can deliver.
Please support your local comic book stores and read what is likely to be the coolest comic book you will read this year titled, Imperial #2, on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
