The issue despite set on the moon didn't exactly send my wig into orbit. It's overall a slow zinger of an issue but I guess everything needs to be set up despite having the "Incoming" issue to do just that. It does set up the Skrulls and Kree teaming up to exact revenge on the Cotati. It's not too strong enough of a setup to heavily invest in the Cotati whereas the Skrulls and the Kree is just second nature to me since I've read many of stories growing up.
It's interesting to see the #0 issue is told from the perspective of Iron Man since this will be in the back Hulkling's playing field crossover event. It's clear that he does suffer from a sort of trauma brought on by memories that were implanted into him of the Skrull-Kree war but then in the middle of the issue it's a cleansing of souls when he is "baptised" by the rain of Thor. I wonder how much of this will play into the main event or even tie in. If it is a one-off thing then I would say it would have been of better use to use the panels to build up the Cotati a bit more for the main course.
There's only a handful of characters but some immediately just head into the background like Black Panther and Captain America (I actually forgot the Cap was in the issue too). Then the reintroduction of the Swordsman is sort of a nice welcome I guess seeing it all tie in together the whole issue of the incoming war. I honestly can't see how the Avengers is able to take down 2 armies when they barely could take down a mutated Skrull in Kree armoury in this very issue combined with the might of Cotati who are deemed as pacifists. We shall see!
Subscribe? Yes
Not of the strongest crossover event starter but I'll pick up the next issue to see where it takes off.
Empyre #0
Al Ewing - writer
Pepe Larraz - artist
Marte - colour aritst
VC's Joe Caramagna - letterer
Marvel - publisher
