Secret Invasion Review – “Captain Britain and MI13 #4”

The crossover that got extended by an issue is now done. Is the final chapter better than the first three parts?

General Information

Title: Captain Britain and MI:13 #4

Author: Paul Cornell

Illustrator(s): Leonard Kirk (pencils), Jesse Delperdang (inks) and Brian Reber (colors)

Cover Date: October 2008

Cover Price: $2.99 US, $3.05 Can

Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address.

Premise

Captain Britain is back, armed with Excalibur, and waging war on the Skrulls. Meanwhile, Wisdom, John and Spitfire have been captured, and the Black Knight has been mortally wounded.

High Point

That one little word referencing the rest of the Marvel Universe, showing a little more heart from Wisdom than I’m used to seeing.

Low Point

I’ve repeatedly complained about how this seemed too similar to common stories or past events. Well, the conclusion is taken almost word for word from the conclusion to another Marvel event.

The Scores

The originality is not good. It’s too predictable and too similar to other recent and higher profile projects from Marvel. I give it 2 out of 6.

The artwork remains my favourite part of the title. Kirk and his supporters have done fantastic work. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is well paced, but just far too much like the standard tropes we’ve all seen a hundred times. That “conclusion” still sticks in my craw. I give it 3 out of 6.

The characterization is solid. Different personalities and interactions come through nicely. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response started picking up when I saw Captain Britain in action, but the cheap cop-out conclusion defused a lot of that. I give it 3 out of 6.

The flow was smooth, taking us from point to point very nicely. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a predictable outing, but worth picking up if you like the art or these particular characters. I give it 3 out of 6.

In total, Captain Britain and MI 13 #4 receives 25 out of 42.