Writer: Al Ewing and Dan Slott
Artist: Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia, and VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

I can’t win with this Event. When I wasn’t enjoying the first two issues, I got yelled at because I am a dummy and didn’t see the twist and turns coming. Then, I enjoyed the last issue and was finally getting on board, and I was still a dummy…because I didn’t see the twists and turns coming from the other direction. Oh well, I know I am a dummy, but that doesn’t mean I love being reminded about it. So, let’s jump into Empyre #4 and see what I am a dummy for this time!

The issue opens on the deck of the Kree/Skrull Flagship, and while the status report isn’t great, the Cotati better be ready for Emperor Dorrek VIII because he’s had a nap and a huge change of heart when it comes to the Pyre and what that means to Earth. Captain Marvel’s scan reveals no foul play going on, but I don’t buy it one damn second! Just last issue, when T’Challa called to talk, Teddy did not want to be called Dorrek, and now he’s gone full Dorrek? I want to joke that you never go full Dorrek, but I don’t know what that is… yet. We then get a fight with Super Skrull and Captain Glory versus Johnny and Carol, but it doesn’t last long before Mur-G’nn teleports the Human Torch and Captain Marvel away. The cool part is where they end up.

While this is going on, Reed is arguing with Tony in Avengers Mountain about making more Iron Man suits, and we get another mention of Thor being on a mythical quest. That sounds neat and all, but is that supposed to be taking place in the Thor tie-in book? You know, the one that Marvel canceled?!? I sure as hell hope not!

Well, at least we get to see what Black Panther is up to, but it’s not much. Al Ewing might think it’s impressive to waste a spread page with T’Challa wondering if he should irradiate all of Wakanda to stop the Cotati, but he isn’t fooling anyone.

We continue with Mantis (boy, there are a ton of characters in this issue!) going to talk to her son, Quoi. Quoi is still pissed that the Cotati haven’t taken Wakanda yet and wants no parts in his mom’s peace talk. Plus, the Cotati have a secret weapon that even I (remember, big dummy here) saw coming, though I didn’t think it would mean what it does in the end.

The issue ends with verification of the suspicion that all is not right with Teddy. We already saw Tanalth beat a genetic scan (and didn’t see her in this issue), so I think I go with Wiccan’s heart.

I liked this issue. We still mostly have characters standing around talking, but that seems to be what the main book is going to give us. “Save the over-the-top action for the tie-ins” is what I guess Ewing and Slott told each other, probably after blocking their quota of people on twitter. It doesn’t make it a bad event, but reading each issue is not that exciting. Valerio Schiti continues to impress with his art, but while I am still interested in Empyre, I am not as fired up about it like some of the event books I have read in the past.

Final Thoughts:

If you have been reading Empyre, you know what to expect. A bunch of characters standing around talking and a couple of twists that most people saw coming. Valerio Schiti’s art is superb, but Dan Slott and Al Ewing’s story has not hit must-read levels yet, and with two issues left, I doubt it will. Still, there are worse books out there, but I was hoping for something better overall.

7.0/10