We take the first step towards reconnecting with Wakanda, plus we get another epic space battle. Put simply, this is just an exciting issue to read.

Always interesting to see M'Baku and T'Challa butting heads.

The artwork is starting to break down in some panels, particularly with faces. I like the ending because it tries something a bit different from the typical 'giant monster threat' approach and it retains Muti as a new potential support character (he really needs a better name thought).

I'm not sure what's going on with Storm at the end, so I hope the next issue explains that. Muti turns out to be an interesting character.

This issue was a big step up, it makes a huge difference that plot is back to where is was initially intended to go and that the stakes have been raised. This is also the best artwork we've had on this series thus far. The downside is that most readers will have tuned out by now, the series is finding its footing too late in the game.

Still some inconsistency in the artwork, but it has improved a bit over the previous issue. The narrative is a bit better too now that there is character development for the reader to invest in. It turns out that there was zero reason to include Ms. Marvel.

Sloppy art to match a sloppy narrative.

I'll take their word for it that LEDs can be hacked but... those appear to be florescents depicted in the art and, regardless, that still doesn't mean the lights become speakers.

The encounter itself is rushed and ridiculous; I actually found the falling action with Shuri confronting a difficult choice more interesting. I also appreciate the effort to include real African references.

There is a sense of familiarity with Africa from the author that shines though, but the narrative itself is somewhat lacking.

Um, I don't actually know for sure who that is in the reveal on the final page, so some of the effect is lost. Overall this is another scintillating issue though, with all of the grit and angst of the Blade Runner films.

The choice to put Aric into urban and more typical social situations give the opportunity for the fish-out-of-water aspect of his personality to shine through, which I like. Unfortunately, this issue does feel like a soft reboot: Aric suddenly wants his armor's input, plus there isn't any acknowledgment about what happened with Schon between now and the previous run.

You know how X-O Manowar is essentially a cross between Thor and Superman? Well, in case you forgot, we have this as the last issue in the series to remind us. Overall, this was a decent run; it started out strong but it gradually lost steam with each passing month. If you plan to check out this series, I'd recommend sticking around until Aric is the emperor and leaving off on that high point.

Lots of well rendered action and a touching moment between Aric and [spoilers] bring this issue full circle to the feeling that the earlier issues in this run evoked.

Oh hey, it's [spoilers]! Things just got interesting again.

Aw crap, not the bounty hunters again. I'm really just not into these guys. Also, I wasn't under the impression that things were left as sour between Aric and the bounty hunters as they apparently are now.

"Lead yourself, fool."

I'm loving the dudes in the gas masks, can we give them a spinoff? There's also plenty of fun to be had watching Aric mangle some weird druid-hippy cult.

This Atom-13 guy is interesting. I wish I had read Divinity now.

Haven't seen Colonel Capshaw in a while, so it was nice to have an issue that set aside some pages to flush her out. I'm sure it would have had more of an impact if I followed Harbinger Wars 2.

I've read that the Colosseum could be flooded to reenact naval battles, but I think this is the first time I've seen it depicted in fictional media, so that's cool. Somehow, I doubt there was a giant bathtub drain in the middle...

Sooo... The warriors of Thamud had some fighters hidden in the sand far ahead of their own position (and before they even knew they would be there) that waited for the Romans to dig in the sand and wait for their own ambush? That part pulled me out of the story completely. I do appreciate that the pace has slowed down a bit from the massive campaigned squished into each issue though.

Aric is becoming a sideshow. How long was he supposed to be passed out for that the Visgoths have joined up with the Romans?

This issue dives into Aric's history and essentially ignores Harbinger Wars 2, which is absolutely fine by me. I'm not sure what Sabbas has to do with anything though, I guess we'll find out. The highlight of this issue is most definitely when Aric urinates into a Roman aqueduct.

This art style has vibrant colours but the characters remain static and lifeless. The narrative doesn't reveal anything new or interesting.

This issue reveals some much needed character development to keep things interesting as this plot line loses its spark. The character development is great, but the climax is very lackluster.

Wait, so the bounty hunters left Aric on-planet? I thought they'd seclude him on a moon or something.

Up until now, this run has used a painterly art style. This issue incorporates ink lines, which I still like, but much of that fantasy, space opera feel is lost.

We take a break to get to know the new bounty hunter characters. As characters, they are not particularly interesting, but the world that they come from, with the beautifully rendered giant creatures, it pretty cool.

The artwork is better than ever, and we find out that Aric is not necessarily as good an emperor as he is a warrior.

The decision to separate Aric from his armor was a good one, to remind us that he is always a warrior, with or without the suit.