REVIEW: ‘Imperial’ Issue 4

Imperial Issue 4 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Jonathan Hickman, art by Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Cory Petit.

This is the final part of the Imperial event. The Skrulls have declared war on the rest of the universe, drawing in multiple parties for one last battle.

Imperial Issue 4 has a lot riding on it, ending an enormous cosmic event. The sense of spectacle is fantastic, bringing all of the major players back for one final push. The problem is that it’s been a long time since the last issue, and it’s difficult to understand what’s going on fully. From the start, the pace is incredible, with a battle erupting across multiple fronts. Black Panther, the Hulks, and Ronan the Accuser are battling through the Skrulls, as are Nova, Star-Lord, and Shuri.

There has always been an aim to preserve the union of the Kree and the Skrulls. But the religion of the World had been reignited through trickery and lies. It had turned them back into the ultimate villains of the universe once again, and what phenomenal villains they are. The battle in Imperial Issue 4 goes on for a long time, filled with ferocity and intensity. And on the outskirts of the fight are the other elements of the event. The Shi’ar uprising, Wiccan and Hulkling, and other stories that have been on the periphery but have enormous consequences.

The fight and its conclusion reshape everything. There are friendships and intergalactic allegiances that can be rebuilt, and others that are shattered forever. The epilogue is brilliantly written, extensive and wide-ranging, weaving the threads that will follow from this event and the new dawn across the galaxies.

A fascinating aspect of Imperial Issue 4 is the characters who have led and ended it. As the issue opens, the Shi’ar bow out instantly to focus on their crumbled empire. At the heart of the fight are T’Challa, Hulk, and Brawn. These were figures who were never at the center of cosmic stories like this, but are now the heroes. Black Panther is the voice commanding the main army, and Hickman writes him superbly. He’s a ruler of his own empire, but is also a general who can not only strategize, but also hold his own on any battlefield.

Meanwhile, an age-old hatred has been rekindled. Super-Skrull and Ronan, leaders of the Skrulls and the Kree, have gone from begrudging allies to being able to try to kill each other again, something that both appear to prefer.

On the other side of Imperial Issue 4, A long-standing friendship is reaching its limits. Nova and Star-Lord have been through many wars together, but Nova’s desire to reveal the Inhumans’ involvement in causing the whole war may come into conflict with Quill’s new role as Emperor of the Spartax Empire. The dialogue is rich and filled with malice and venom. The anger in their voices, laced with ancient alien history, makes the exposition feel more engrossing.

The art is glorious, unleashing the full majesty of the cosmic clash. From when the ships first burst out of the stargate, there’s a fantastic feeling of velocity. The ships are charging towards the Skrulls, making the heart pound within the first pages. But it’s when the characters step onto the station to try to reclaim it that the action really kicks into high gear. Every character, whether they be Kree, Inhuman, Skrull, or human, is designed superbly, clashing against each other in a sensational sequence.

The battle is brutal and bloody in Imperial Issue 4, with Skrulls eager to survive against enemies from multiple sides. The wide shots are impeccable, but the closer panels depict a sprawling devastation. Like the plot, there are times where it’s hard to understand what’s happening fully, but both Coello and Vicentini are there to make the battle as exhilarating as possible. The aftermath is also important. The scars of the war can be seen everywhere, but there are also the foundations of what’s being built in its wake.

The colors in Imperial Issue 4 are stunning, creating not only character but also a sense of atmosphere. The shades are intensely vibrant, with burning orange and so many other colors poking out against the gorgeous oil painting that Blee has presented as the vastness of Space. The lettering had a terrific clarity against such chaotic warfare.

Imperial Issue 4 reenergizes a whole universe. The quest to return to the status quo has passed, and all that exists now is a fight for supremacy. The classic characters who have led this event are all brought together to face a common enemy that they shouldn’t even have to fight. Hickman beautifully merges the past with the future.

Many of those involved in this war have reverted to type, but other staples have been fractured and forced to change. The battle is breathtaking in this huge issue, ending the blockbuster in the manner it deserves. The Cosmic Marvel Universe had been too safe for so long, with alliances keeping the peace. Now it is a fertile land for more conflict and storylines to come.

Imperial Issue 4 is available now wherever comics are sold.