“Yesterday’s” Comic> War Of Kings #1

My money’s on King Arthur.

War Of Kings #1

Marvel Comics (May, 2009)

“Asunder”

WRITERS: Dan Abnett & Andy Landing

PENCILER: Paul Pelletier

INKER: Rick Maygar

COLORIST: Wil Quintana

LETTERER: Joe Caramagna

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Michael Horowitz

EDITOR: Bill Roseman

The Starjammers make a rather rushed entry through the Kree barrier to attend the wedding of Crystal and Ronan The Accuser, which will solidify Black Bolt and the Inhumans’ rule of the Kree. Crystal believes this to only be a typical power consolidation marriage, though Ronan may not be as convinced of that as she thinks. The ceremony is interrupted (because it’s a Marvel comics wedding) by the Shi’Ar, now under the control of the mutant Vulcan, whose forces wreck the place and even some of the Kree and Inhumans, though Gladiator is one of the few Guardsmen not taken out. The real target is Llandra, the previous ruler and now member of the Starjammers, who sought sanctuary with Black Bolt’s new Kree alliance. Black Bolt and Medusa…well, “not happy” would be an understatement.

What they got right: As a setup to the current storyline, yet another crossover event, it works well enough. You get introduced to the players, the battle is well done, and you know what’s going to happen. The Kree and Shi’Ar Empires with their Earth-influenced leaders are about to throw down, which means Earth will get dragged into this somehow. I do like the artwork.

What they got wrong: It’s a huge crossover with a bunch of subplots (which as I recall since I didn’t read the event) included an unnecessary retcon for Darkhawk, one of my favorite Marvel heroes. I’m also not well enough versed to know just when the Inhumans took over the Kree and a mutant from Earth took over the Shi’Ar, but thankfully the players were easy to follow even if I would have liked to have known when that all happened. Seems important.

What I think overall: Being sick of Eventitis and annoyed by the Darkhawk thing (if it was even connected to this event) I wouldn’t be interested in continuing. Anyone know if the event overall was any good? This comic at least had a decent start.