Titan Comics 2017
Written by Louis
Illustrated by Valentin Secher
Lettered by Cat Connery
Original Translation by Ivanka Hahnenberger & Carroll Burrell
Khaal’s reign of terror continues unabated, and the only beings left who could oppose him have sought sanctuary in the wastes of the world-ship, cut off from what pretends to be civilization. Their last chance for rebellion draws near, but again, they have underestimated the sheer brilliance of Khaal...As the world-ship hurtles across the universe, Khaal can finally see his destination clearly, and he spares nothing and no one in his quest to conquer the strange world that calls to him across the void…
I can’t believe that this tale is only four issues long. It feels like it’s been going on a lot longer than that. It’s been an absolutely amazing run and never fully going where you expect it to and yet completely as it should without question. Is there supposed to be a lesson that we take from this story or it is just a case of man with vision who is unbeatable and so bloodthirsty and capable that there’s no stopping him? Khaal desired more with the more he got and somehow or another that thirst, that gluttony was never sated, still he wanted more.
The way this is told is utterly fascinating, captivating and terrifyingly electric. The ship itself feeding Khaal’s desires for more and still being able to restore some of that it destroyed so that it grew to an unspeakable size. It’s too bad that the brothers never had that chance to fully explore the entirety of the ship I would have been fascinated to see the creativity and imagination in bringing those alien cultures to life. The sneak peek that we did get only made me want to see more.
Valentin is such an accomplished and talented artist/illustrator. The way he’s able to use the page so fully and bring this level of detail to all that he puts down is astonishing. His vision realised is a thing of beauty and the way he renders the people we see here is astounding and that they are so familiar and yet so alien is just a bonus. I could get lost in his work and forget to read the story it’s so good. The angles, perspective and use of backgrounds throughout make the flow of the story stunning in it’s scope.
While we were never quite sure how this would end or if the coup that had been brewing since the beginning would bear fruit I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting this. It’s kind of brilliant in that unexpected way that takes Khaal to that place where he should be heading naturally. I hadn’t thought he’d actually go there with how he sees this destination and it’s people or himself for that matter but it’s the final step in his progression. Where else is there for him to go? He’s pretty much done everything he wanted or needed to do.
Are there more Chronicles of a Galactic Emperor on the horizon? Who’s to say it’s a natural ending that we have and yet there’s still something that could be told but perhaps shouldn’t be. This was magnificent to read, experience and be a part of.