Imperium continues to be a smart, tough and exciting series that knows that being “mature” can also mean including complex and nuanced characters with interesting points of view alongside the action and real-world violence. I continue to really love this book. Read Full Review

Imperium #5 is an exciting issue that only gives a taste of the assault on the Leviathan but the plan that's unveiled makes it worth it. It ties up some loose ends regarding Gravedog, and including the two most unpredictable characters,Sunlight On Snow and Lord Vine-99, makes the entire situation more intriguing. I enjoyed how Kozol's perspective was shown because it made Harada's plan seem more grand but I was slightly disappointed in the way other things fell apart in the manner they did. I can't wait to get my hands on the next issue as the battle intensifies. Read Full Review

And it wasn't enough to just have Kozol speak as though he was cracking under the pressure. We had to see it too. That much is present up to that very breaking point with Kozol's frantic search for the truth. He was serious, yet it was through that mask where you see how he was as paranoid as can be. Suspicious of everything around him, second guessing, making questionable judgements, that is believable through the facial expressions and that sold each passing moment. As for Broken Angel, it was just as amusing to see how she reacts to the things around her. Without eyes it is a bit more difficult to show full emotions, and yet the art team makes it work through varying gestures, smiles, and light exposure to her face so that you are focusing only on what she is trying to emote. Read Full Review

The book remains very compelling with a story that is pretty well-paced. The cast is quite large but they do a pretty good job keeping the characters unique in both writing and art so that you don't get lost. Nobody looks alike and nobody really sounds alike so you have the good separation that is required in a large story like this. I'm still fully invested and ready for next month. If you are just starting to get interested in it now then I really suggest tracking it down from issue one and getting caught up before it gets too much of a head start. Read Full Review

The second half, like all good caper films, shows off just how they pulled it off. The only thing that takes away from the story is the art by Scot Eaton. There's nothing wrong with his work. He's a very capable artist in the traditional sense and approach to comic book storytelling. However, it lacks the menace; the grit and the eeriness that helped establish how atypical this book is. Hopefully it steps up next month. This story is so refreshingly original I look forward to seeing what happens next. You should too so keep reading. Read Full Review

Dysart pacing makes the reveal quite effective without giving away Harada's endgame. Unfortunately, once the reveal is made, the remainder of the book feels like a retread of the first half with only minor difference. Still, this is a solid start to what looks to be another winner from Valiant. Read Full Review

If youve enjoyed Imperium, then I dont know why youd not want this one, as its more men existing in the moral grey areas who are at war together. If you like your heroes a bit grey and the fight as much about ideas as about fists, then this should work fine. Then again, if you just like a good yarn thats fun and smartly written, you cant go wrong with this either. Read Full Review

Regardless of the massive swing on the art side of things, Imperium continues to be a fantastic book from Valiant. With all the reboots and relaunches and number ones and all this going on in the industry, Valiant remains on the path it started way back in 2012 and ever single issues is done with the utmost care and consideration as it moves the stories and universe forward. Dysart is a beast, Eaton, Livesay and Reber, everything else aside, kill it and, yeah, Imperium is still a must-read book. Tonto, jump on it, jump on it. Read Full Review

Certainly, Marvel and DC shouldnt have a monopoly on the superhero/sci-fi market. Its a big industry with room for a lot of concepts, so Id encourage readers who are over-saturated with event after event but want to stay within the genre to look to other publishers. Its just that this particular offering from Valiant reads like an average 90s book that youd find in a clearance sale dollar bin today. Its acceptable, but not the standout alternative youre looking for. Read Full Review