The War of Kings miniseries ends as Black Bolt and Vulcan duke it out.  Officially concluding (although many questions still needed to be answered) with this issue, a one-shot, Who Will Rule, is coming out in September to tie up the lose ends.

The writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning has delivered the sleep hit of the summer.  This miniseries was well plotted, smart, fun, and enjoyable.  The writers have has a grasp on the story from the opening pages and have delivered a powerful event that will have ramifications for the Marvel Universe in the future.  I was amazed at how Abnett and Lanning could balance so many factions (Nova, the Starjammers, the Inhumans, Kree, Shi’ar, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and a large cast within these groups), give each their time in the spotlight, and never lose control of the circus.  I did find the climatic battle between Vulcan and Black Bolt lackluster, but the conclusion of the melee made up for it.  The dramatic tension between those involved in the war was realistic and tight, creating a sense of dread as lives hung in the balance.

Penciler Paul Pelletier along with inkers Rick Magyar and Andrew Hennessy combine for an outstanding artist team.  The cosmic combat was effectively portrayed as the action screamed off the pages.  Capturing subtle emotional moments and earth shattering battles with equal skill is not an easy task, yet the team accomplished both.  They rocked this.

Although the mini has ended, the story is far from concluded.  I will reserve my final judgment after reading the one-shot in September.  I hope all the questions get answered.  For now, I like.

4 out of 5

The gears of war continue to turn in Marvel’s satisfying space epic.  The writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning has carved their niche in the cosmic genre.  War of Kings is their opus magnus.  This story has been slowly simmering throughout the Marvel universe.  Respectfully of many previous storylines, the writers craft their own original tale, but it feels very organic and real.  These events happens within the Marvel Universe, not against it.

War of Kings is certainly about war: Shi-Ar vs. the galaxy.  The Krees, now united and led by the Inhumans, have been drawn into the conflict.  The Starjammers want nothing more than to kill Vulcan, the Summers’ boy gone bad.  WofK is more than a battle royal of alien races.  There has been a patient buildup that put each player in place for war.  The political and character development gives a weight to this story.

The story takes a breathe after last issue’s action.  Crystal is nicely written.  Her marriage to Ronan, more symbolic rather than love, has put her in an unexpected position.  She shows that she can be effective in bridging the Inhumans and the Krees.  She’s maturing and the crucible of war has forced that to happen fast.  Also, Karnak’s super weapon, empowered by Black Bolt’s voice, is unveiled in battle.  I thought the weapon was corny and cheap.  For such talented writers, it could have been done better.

The art, from pencils, ink to color, works.  It ‘s drawn epic and grand, just what a galactic war should look like.  Some of the spaceship battles looked like vintage Star Trek and seemed out of place.  Overall, the panels look good, but nothing extraordinary.

WofK has four more issues to wrap this up.  I’m looking forward to Abnett and Lanning’s next move.  So far, they’ve done a good job.

3 out of 5