REVIEW: ‘Imperial’ Issue 3

Imperial Issue 3 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Jonathan Hickman, with Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Cory Petit and Ariana Maher.

 The architect of the war is revealed as a dead planet is revisited.

Imperial Issue 3 features a lot of hand showing, as a giant cosmic game is being played. It steps away from the frontline to show two sides. There are Nova, Peter Quill, and Shuri, having to go to the devastated, shattered planet, Xandar. Obliterated in Annihilation, the heart of the planet still possesses the answers the heroes need to stop the universe from plunging into chaos. The other part of Imperial Issue 3 reveals the two figures responsible for this war. One of them isn’t much of a surprise, but the other culprit is much more shocking.

This chapter of the blockbuster series is much slower, tapping into the gravity of each situation. Hickman makes sure to hammer home the fact that every decision made by each character will have huge ramifications. There’s an understanding of the cultures and history that have been created over decades of comic book storytelling, accentuated by someone who is a master of enormous world-building.

There isn’t much action within Imperial Issue 3, and it doesn’t occur in a sustained manner like the previous chapter. Instead, it’s single but powerful knockout blows as even more powerhouses enter the fray. The ending isn’t devastating, but it becomes clear that this quest for power and empires is far from over.

Imperial Issue 3 is much more like a classic Hickman story. It’s extremely heavy on the dialogue. It’s got exchanges and conversations that sometimes need revisiting to truly grasp its majesty, because there is so much within them. There is a weight to the words. When Nova talks about the tragedy and loss of the Nova Corps, the sadness really comes through.

Likewise, Wiccan and Hulkling, facing the end of their lives, show huge amounts of love and humor. But it’s the conversation between the villains that goes on for pages and pages, which can be too much at once. It’s got machinations and ego, but it isn’t easy to concentrate on it.

What’s also interesting is how characters are introduced in this event. There’s no indication that they’ll appear before they do, with little lead-ins or hints. They just emerge, before delivering something momentous or enormous. Many of these figures are grandiose and have a whole race of people behind them, so it’s a spectacle when they arrive.

The art is magnificent yet again in Imperial Issue 3. There is a sense of history within the universe and its locations, as well as in the characters. Xandar is now a scattered collection of broken chunks from a planet, scars from a cataclysm. And Nova looks dishevelled and haunted, carrying all of that pain solely on his shoulders. The other rulers come with an aura that radiates into the room they enter, with both menace and gravitas.

All of the characters look incredible when illustrated by Vicentini and Coello, with extraordinary detail. The discussion between the villains, although lengthy, still looks spectacular. The level of detail is always eye-catching, and the evil and sinister grins on their faces belie hidden agendas and a delight in deceit.

The colors are stunning in Imperial Issue 3. None of the panels is boring to look at. The lights seem to dance around the page, captivating and constantly adding something different. Behind the villains is a cosmos of very light blue and green. It’s expansive, looking like the ocean. But there’s also a rich gold, which often suggests power and wealth, something empires are fought over. The lettering is faultless, making the abundance of dialogue very easy to read.

Imperial Issue 3 is rich with revelations. Every page feels like it’s submerged in epicness, placing the history and potential futures of several galactic empires in the hands of a mere few. Each issue brings new players to the board, getting closer to war and making it much harder to reconcile differences and return to peace. The cosmic Marvel Universe will never be the same again. But as grand and immaculate as the art is, the plot bogs down in the middle, and it is hard to take in everything that is said fully.

Imperial Issue 3 is available now wherever comics are sold.