Road To Empyre: The Kree/Skrull War #1
Written by: Robbie Thompson
Art by: Mattia De Iulis, Javier Rodriguez
Cover Art by: Phil Noto
Marvel Comics
2020
EMPYRE IS COMING!
The build-up to Marvel’s massive event series of the spring begins here-but in actuality, it began a millennia ago, with a challenge on the moon! In the wake of INCOMING, everything has changed for the Kree and the Skrulls. And out in the cold on Earth, the Warner family (MEET THE SKRULLS) need to work out what has happened and what it means for the future of their family and their race! And that means educating their kids on just how the Kree and the Skrulls first went to war!
As an idea, I like this a lot. It’s a great way for the upcoming stories to become more readily accessible to the people who haven’t devoted their lives to being Marvel Universe scholars. If you’ve ever thought, or overheard some at a comic book store ask, “I’d like to read the comics, but after all these years, where do I even start?” right here is the answer. There’s no better time or way to get caught up and ready to go for the latest era defining event.
In practice though, this could have been a lot better. The backstory is unveiled as characters stand around talking to each other, and that’s a bit boring. There’s very little action, and there’s almost no sense of danger throughout most of the issue. This method turns the comic into pure info dump with only about five pages being exciting in the least. That’s not the best way to get new readers, or any one else for that matter, excited about the next big thing. Which is a shame, because the book looks fantastic, the details of the backstory are great, and everything builds up to an existential threat that is sure to be thrilling. Ultimately, Road to Empyre does accomplish its task – I am all caught up and ready for more! I just wish it with a little more flair or finesse.
A Catch Up Comic for the Next Big Thing
While probably nothing exciting for the die-hard fans, this will prove absolutely essential for the more casual readers. Basically a prologue for the latest super-sized story arch, Road To Empyre serves as both an advertisement and a refresher course, and how much you appreciate that is going to depend on how religiously you've been following along for years.
Brian Reed
Brian has been reading comics since January, 1987, when the death of Optimus Prime rocked his young world. Once a regular presenter on The Nerdstravaganza Podcast, Brian now writes for Florida Geek Scene.
