- Written by: Jonathan Hickman
- Art by: Iban Coello, Federico Vicenti
- Colors by: Federico Blee
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit, Ariana Maher
- Cover art by: Marco Checchetto, Marte Gracia (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: August 20, 2025
Imperial #3, by Marvel on 8/20/2525, finds our heroes escaping a massive betrayal that has fractured the Galactic Council and trapped warring nations on the battlefield, leading to a lengthy flashback that explains everything.
First Impressions
This issue feels like it’s stuck in neutral. While the art is great to look at, the story moves at a snail’s pace. The overall effect is a comic that looks amazing but lacks the punch to keep you turning the pages.
Recap
Peace is gone for the Galactic Council. After five leaders were poisoned, the rest of the council gathered to investigate, but before any answers could be found, a Wakandan sniper assassinated J’Son of Spartax. The resulting decompression caused several other leaders, including Hulkling, to go missing. In retaliation, the remaining nations attacked Wakanda Prime, only to be betrayed by the Skrulls. To make things worse, Superguardian Electron double-crossed Shi’ar sovereign Xandra and destroyed the local Stargate, trapping everyone on the battlefield. Luckily, Star-Lord, Nova, and Shuri escaped on the Milano II, determined to find the truth.
Plot Analysis
Peter Quill, Richard Rider, and Shuri escape the battle in the Milano II, making their way toward Fulcrum Station. They discuss the long journey to the station since their direct access was cut off. As they approach, Peter Quill sends a flyby message to everyone at Fulcrum Station, asking for peace and patience. He explains that a great battle was happening in Wakandan space between that empire and the council worlds who blamed Wakanda for recent terror acts. Peter also states that he is now traveling to find answers about a larger conflict that is putting everyone at risk.
Meanwhile, trapped somewhere within a barrier, Hulkling and Wiccan are trying to communicate with ships that pass by. The Rigellian frigate they try to hail ignores them, probably on purpose. Hulkling worries that he can’t do anything to save them, even though he’s the emperor of two powerful empires. Wiccan explains that his barrier won’t last much longer.
Wiccan then has a sudden realization, recalling a moment when he and Hulkling were with their friends on Earth. He says he’s “so dumb” before pulling out what looks like a glowing golden baton. He tells Hulkling that he is “going to love” him for this.
The comic then jumps back in time to “One Year Ago” and shows an extended flashback between Grandmaster and Maximus of the Inhumans as they explain why they concocted a massive plan to incite an intergalactic war.
Detailed Review
Writing
The narrative presents a complex conflict between multiple empires and characters. However, the plot progression is dull, and the pacing is too slow. The issue focuses on a few conversations and a flashback to events that are little more than a exposition dump without stakes that give the reader a reason to care.
Art
The art is well-drawn and the line work is detailed and clean. The colors and shading work well to create a mood and atmosphere. The visuals are dynamic and do a good job of supporting the story, especially in the conversation on the Milano II and the brief action in the flashback.
Characters
The characters feel like they are spinning their wheels without a clear direction. While there are strong moments of emotion and despair, like when Hulkling says he is powerless, the issue doesn’t give them a clear objective. The characters are believable within the plot, but their actions are limited.
Positives
The art is easily the standout aspect of this issue. The clean, detailed linework and dynamic art make every page a treat to look at. The color palette perfectly sets the mood, from the deep purples and blues of space to the more vibrant colors of the characters themselves. The artists work together flawlessly to create a visually striking comic that manages to hold your attention even when the story lags.
Negatives
The plot progression and pacing are the worst parts of this comic. The story feels like it is moving in place, with long conversations and flashbacks that don’t add much forward momentum. The narrative is mired in exposition without any real action to break up the flow. It leaves you feeling like you read a lot of pages without the plot going anywhere.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Imperial #3 looks great, but it’s a slog to get through. The art is an absolute home run, but the story moves like a glacier in slow motion. It’s a textbook example of style over substance, proving that a pretty face can only get you so far when there is nothing to say. If you’re a fan of art, pick it up; if you’re looking for a good story, you might want to wait for the next issue.
6/10
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 