Mark Waid's Empire Review

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Mark Waid and Barry Kitson's 2000-2004 Empire mini-series blew my socks off when I first read it, and I had read it three times since them. Empire holds up each time. The premise is one that could never work in mainstream DC or Marvel comics: the bad guys won. In this case, Golgoth has conquered most of the earth and has an inner circle of warriors that he controls via a drug called Eucharist, which grants them enhanced skills. Empire publishing note: It started out with Gorilla Comics, an imprint of Image Comics. This was a joint venture with Mark Waid and other writers that was a failed commercial enterprise. DC Comics eventually picked Empire up and republished the first two issues as "issue 0". Six more issues were created. Golgoth at first glance seems to be a Dr. Doom pastiche, but the motivations and originals are totally different. It's true that they have the same base personality (Enneagram Type 3), but that's about it. Empire's issues are loaded with action, intrigue, and intense characterization. Golgoth is surrounded by schemers who vie for power. In addition to potential betrayers, Golgth has to deal with the occasional rebellion, and making sure his innocent daughter Delfi doesn't become him one day. I literally can not put Empire down. The first few issues kind of set the stage, and once the war with Greenland starts going, the comic book series is as addictive as Eucharist. It has been said that a comic book super-villain could never hold an ongoing title, and unfortunately Empire was not able to disprove this theory since it was a limited series. However, if there was to be an ongoing super-villain comic book, Golgoth would be the only one to pull it off. Reason being- Dr. Doom eventually would turn good or fight other villains. In Empire, Golgoth remains a ruthless S.O.B., who still is imprisoning earth's last hero Endymion. As far as the art goes, Barry Kitson is his usual great self. Waid and Kitson are buds and always make a great team. However, Kitson's style was never considered "hot" by Wizard Magazine fanboys. He's a steady worker who creates fantastic work, kinda like Gary Frank. But Empire never got the "buzz" because Kitson is not a hot artist. If there is one nitpick that holds Empire back from being muttered in the same breath as Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, or other perfect comic book limited series, it's that the target audience for Empire is not mainstream enough. Let me explain: Waid is appealing to the hardcore fanboys (like myself) that secretly root for the bad guys. Kitson's costumes are cartoony and bright. Make no mistake: Empire doesn't feel like a dark and gritty Vertigo series. So if you're a coffee shop casual graphic novel fan you may think Empire is a bit tame compared to works by Garth Ennis or Mark Millar. If you are a Mark Waid fan- from his work on The Flash, Fantastic Four, Kingdom Come, Captain America, Ka-Zar, JLA, Impulse, Irredeemable, and other great runs, Empire is a MUST READ.

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