Imagine you're married to the worst bad guy from your favorite sci-fi movie. An alien dictator feared throughout the universe, who will kill you if you leave -- but you need to escape for the sake of your three children. All you have are your wits, your bodyguard, and three guns. Welcome to EMPRESS, your new favorite comic.
When I had read the solicit for EMPRESS, I kind of expected something similar to Mark Waid's EMPIRE. But as usual, Mark Millar puts plenty of new twists into the story. Millar seems very comfortable creating strong new series, especially with terrific first issues. I have been critical of some of Millar's more mainstream work (like Ultimates or Civil War), but when it's creator-owned, he puts out some excellent comics. Usually I can find at least some small thing to complain about in any comic I read, but EMPRESS #1 was pretty close to flawless. Read Full Review
Empress is an adventurous cosmic series set to the backdrop of family drama. The fun will come in delving into the past of King Morax and Queen Emporia and learning what soured their shared love. What's great is the powerhouse art team bringing this tale to life. I look forward to what's in store. Read Full Review
Simply put, Empress is a really good read. Its a fast-paced, utterly enjoyable space romp (yep. I said romp) with all the impressive characteristics that make up a truly great comic. Im looking forward to seeing where Millar and Immonen intend to take these characters over the rest of the series. This is most definitely one to pick up in April. Read Full Review
A fast paced first issue of a science fiction saga set in Earth's distant past. Get in on the ground floor while you can. This is gonna be good. Recommended. Read Full Review
The Millarverse joins the space race with a massive maiden voyage. Read Full Review
The simplicity of story and the excitement of the action are delightfully boundless. The ending leaves the door open for a world of possibilities. We are left with only the faintest hints of what lies ahead. Empressbeginsas an ancient fairy taleand ascendsinto a massive space opera. Read Full Review
This is another great start to a Millarworld series, one that I will be on board for. Empress #1 is a sci-fi thrill ride that opens the door to danger at every turn. Read Full Review
Empress is shaping up to be one of Millar's better creator-owned comics in recent memory. The book thrives on the strength of the art team, as it delivers a cohesive space fantasy universe with just enough quirks to stand out from the crowd. And this opening chapter serves as a great first issue. It starts the book off on an exciting note while also taking time to begin fleshing out the main characters and the struggle between a desperate mother and her overbearing husband. Read Full Review
If there are any concerns with the issue, it's that the script has a few weak points in it. Exposition is handled a little clunkily, I appreciate the attempts to slip it naturally into dialogue so as not to bog down the pace, yet it makes the dialogue feel pretty unnatural and therefore makes it hard to get a feel for the characters. There's also a flash back sequence that really breaks the flow of the story and doesn't really add any new information other than what could be picked up through the dialogue. It's not a bad scene, it just feels badly placed right after an action scene and right before the end of the comic, it honestly feels like it'd serve better as the introduction to the second issue rather than awkwardly placed where it is. Read Full Review
Empress #1 was just the kind of start I expected from this series, introducing us to its main characters in an engaging manner. Add to this the unique setting for the tale, and I'm sure fans will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second issue. Read Full Review
This was a very fun debut issue with a story that can take so many different directions. As soon as I got to the end I cursed monthly schedules and wish I had the entire story to consume a la binge. Immonen’s art is out of this world (pun intended). He seems to have really hit mark in the sci-fi gendre as of late. Great first issue! Pick it up! Read Full Review
Leave it to Mark Millar to give us a book that offers a teaspoon of setup, hits you over the head with knockdown, drag out action and still manages to be an AMAZING book. Read Full Review
This issue is a great start to what I’m guessing will be a very dramatic and action-packed series. Already we’ve seen so many emotions, and it’s only going to get more intense from here. This is one sci-fi series you won’t want to miss. Read Full Review
My only complaint with Empress #1 is the speed at which the story read. Although entertaining with art that's beautiful, this issue was over all too quickly. At $3.99 it was tough for me to feel as though I got my full money's worth without any extras; letters page, sketches, text feature, etc. With this being a creator owned book, it would have been nice to see some of the creative process involved instead of a preview for Jupiter's Legacy 2. Empress is an exciting first issue that I've come to expect from talents like Millar and Immonen. While I don't feel strongly enough about this to read it monthly at $3.99 a pop, I will be back for the collected edition. Read Full Review
For the fans that loved the Buck Rogers homage that was Starlight, they might also love Millar's take on space adventures once more with Empress. Millar and his killer art team are out to give readers some good-old fashioned space adventures and intrigue, and this premiere issue definitely delivers the goods. Read Full Review
All told, "Empress" is a slick read that falls just short of wowing me. Cool concepts abound, but they aren't tied together with a unified mood, and I'm not left eager to dive back into this world. It's hard not to enjoy "Empress" #1 -- a brisk, beautiful first issue that moves expertly -- but it's just as hard to say what makes it special. Read Full Review
This may have been a fairly bare-bones premiere issue, but Millar allows for many avenues to traverse in this world, set ages in the past. Its worth picking up for the marvelous artwork alone. For readers who love this genre, this is a no-brainer. Basically, dont go in with the expectations of an in-depth, thought-provoking comic, but expect a solid thrill ride. Read Full Review
There is little that needs to be said about a Mark Millar new number one issue: I'm sure everyone is aware of it, and a LOT of people are reading it as well, so I don't really need to promote this story too heavily. It is such a gorgeous book, and so well written, I am all about this series. I really feel like this is a shared-universe story that Starlight could easily cameo in. Flash Gordon-esque stories like this fit easily together, and since they're both by Mark Millar its an easy connection to make. I didn't expect to see such a han solo esque character in the empress's bodyguard, but he is a total BAMF. I also didn't expect the teenage daughter to be such a, well, teenager.
Great start. Millar always delivers a great book.
A clear analog of a battered wife fleeing her abusive husband with the kids. Great idea and great art, can't wait to see what happens next!
good story. Great art and colors. Can't wait for more.
A good start.
Decent if not awesome start.
Beautiful art. Story is kind of boring though.
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