Who will rule the cosmos? – review of the comic book “War of Kings: Prelude”

One to rule them all?

The War of Kings: A Prelude is, as the title suggests, an introduction to a larger event. It is worth adding that preparations for it have already begun in X-Men: Murderous Genesis and Uncanny X-Men: Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire. This time we are on the very brink of a great intergalactic skirmish. Here is Gabriel Summers (Cyclops’s brother), also known as the Volcano, who became the ruler of the Shi’ar after marrying Deathbird. His power is based on tyranny, and anyone who chooses to oppose him is sentenced to exile or death. Alex Summers (another brother of the mentioned Cyclops) wants to dethrone him, or – if you prefer – Havok, who together with a group of X-Men outcasts (including Lorna Dane called Polaris or Rachel Gray aka Marvel Girl) and the rebels from the Starjammers group decides to put an end to the domination of the despotic ruler. Unexpectedly, the brothers must join forces when both sides are attacked by the Scy’ar Tal race.

This is the main plot of the comic. However, the notebook is not only one story, but five interconnected stories. The Summers brothers remain at the center of the events almost all the time, fighting side by side as often as against each other. Another significant thread is the Inhumans’ revenge, led by Black Bolt, on the Kree, which is currently ruled by Ronan. Can the universe withstand so many events simultaneously?

Cosmic chaos

The main writer responsible for three of the five stories in The War of Kings: Prelude, there’s Christopher Yost. In addition, we can read the stories created by the duo Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and by Andy Schmidt. Although all the threads are connected with each other and refer to the event that is starting, and the gentlemen had to communicate and get along somehow to make it all make sense, it is impossible not to notice that a lot of chaos has crept into the whole thing. Anyone who would like to read the notebook must first get to know the past of the main characters at least a little. There are many references to their history here and it is easy to get confused who, with whom and why is in such and no other relations. In addition, we have a constant struggle here, in which not two, but as many as five sides of the conflict appear! In addition, there are many political games here. It is therefore important to follow closely what alliances are just being formed and at what point they fall apart. Otherwise, we will have to turn the pages backwards and see if the arrangements are still in progress. However, if someone likes this type of conflict, and the world of politics is no stranger to him, he will certainly be delighted with the work from the Marvel stable.

Colorful universe

The War of Kings: Preludehas several screenwriters and as many as a dozen cartoonists! Each artist deserves recognition. They created a great graphic design for the described notebook. First of all, we are dealing here with a whole range of colors. Both the heroes, the interiors of spaceships and the planets themselves are beautifully displayed. The stars in outer space also look real. More importantly, however, the cartoonists managed to control the chaos better than the authors! We have here great clashes between larger and smaller armies, as well as one-on-one duels. The artists leave no doubt who is winning and on which side of the conflict they are. They can show both dramatic and romantic moments. The recipient sees the emotions accompanying the individual characters. It can be very dynamic, and in a moment everything slows down, and in a moment it can start at full speed again.

Publisher’s Efforts

There should be a big plus in the name of the Polish publisher of the comic book Wojna Królów : Preludium , or Egmont. In order not to get lost in the cosmic struggles of numerous groups, on the occasion of each of the five stories, we get a short introduction telling us about previous events. Additionally, the main heroes of the unfolding events are listed. Names, surnames and nicknames are written above their heads at the time of their first appearance or are listed before the story begins, along with the characters’ faces. Such procedures make reading the notebook much easier for all recipients.

Will you board this ship?

The War of Kings: Prelude is an introduction to a large Marvel event. The creators showed all the most important events preceding the main fight. Have they succeeded? It’s hard to say. It has certainly introduced a lot of unnecessary chaos that can confuse the recipient’s mind. However, we will be able to give the final assessment only after reading The War of Kings . Will everyone like the comic? Fans of Inhumans, Summers brothers or space adventures will be pleased. People who love the X-Men group will probably feel a bit disappointed. In turn, if someone counts on adventures straight from the Guardians of the Galaxy– he will be completely disappointed. Personally, I liked the notebook’s graphic design more than the plot. The story is not bad and it has plenty of twists and turns, but there is something missing. Maybe the main adventure will actually fill in the gaps and connect everything logically, thus increasing the overall reception.