Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Marvel Comics, Review | Tagged: , , , ,


Empyre: Captain America #3 Review: Does Johnson Stick the Ending?

Empyre: Captain America has been the highlight of the entire Empyre event, due to Phillip Kennedy Johnson's writing that perfectly characterizes Steve Rogers as a patriotic beacon of hope that embodies the ideals of honor, dignity, and sacrifice in the every man. Will Johnson stick the landing with Empyre: Captain America #3?

Empyre: Captain America #3 is the finale of the event's best tie-in series. Credit: Marvel
Empyre: Captain America #3 is the finale of the event's best tie-in series. Credit: Marvel

In Empyre: Captain America #3, Cap leads the soldiers he has been fighting alongside to Mexico City, where some Cotati craziness is about to happen. It's an action-packed finale but, before the battle begins, Phillip Kennedy Johnson manages another inspiring Cap moment without making him too speechy. What follows is an onslaught of action, a final showdown, and then a final scene that preps Captain America for what will be his role in Empyre #6. The ending is a bit sudden and involves a Macguffin that, when Cap sees it and realizes its importance, says aloud: "Can it be so simple?" The reader may be left wondering the same, as this discovery is as quick as the too-speedy resolution. While it's still a solid ending to a great miniseries, the sequence of the Skrull ship being crushed could've been a page shorter, sacrificing a big action moment in favor of a more evenly paced resolution.

The art team delivers another great-looking issue. Ariel Olivetti's lines, Rachelle Rosenberg's colors, and VC's Ariana Maher's letters create a book that maintains the Marvel feel while also giving Empyre: Captain America #3 a bit of an edge that evokes the style of old school horror comics. There are big, splashy action sequences, as this is a final battle, but the best scene is the first page, which begins close on a beautiful single flower… and as we pull out, we see the violence from which it grew.

Empyre was a messy and inconsistent event overall from Marvel, but Empyre: Captain America is a worthy read even for those not interested in the main title.


Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!

Theo DwyerAbout Theo Dwyer

Theo Dwyer writes about comics, film, and games.
Comments will load 20 seconds after page. Click here to load them now.