Britannia: The Great Fire of Rome

[Dallow Spicer1]

It’s been a while since a Britannia book was released and my memory of the characters was sketchy at best. Expectations weren’t too high on this one ….but it was actually VERY GOOD!!

When it was first launched, Britannia seemed an odd fit as it wasn’t explained how it meshed with the rest of the Valiant U. Writer Peter Milligan pulls out all the stops here and firmly fixes the characters of Britannia alongside other well established Valiant characters. Was this always the next intended chapter I wonder?? It felt like I was back in the Dinesh era, like there was a long term ‘plan’ for the books and not just another random release.

In terms of the story, there’s a few different (but interesting) plot threads. A fire in Rome which Emperor Nero wants Antonius to ‘investigate’ and pin the blame on the Christians for, a mysterious woman who hires the Detectioner to find her brother Gilad (that’s right!) and a side plot which involves the Forgotten Queen (remember her? Pun intended). Although not named, Armstrong also makes and appearance during the investigation by Antonius which is nicely disguised by Milligan.

Just when you think the plot twists and ties to Valiant continuity are done there’s one more…turns out Gilad’s ‘mysterious sister’ is none other than the eternal dying one Yeah, the one with the different coloured eyes who comes back from death into a new body!!!!

Milligan nails this story, the art is decent enough and continuity is firmly established.

4.5/5 - very enjoyable. Buy it and support Alien when they get something right

[ManofTheAtom]

Cool.

[Ize]

I agree. Really enjoyed this book - a great read.

These are the levels I'd like them to maintain.

[aj583]

This one is sitting in my reading pile. Thanks for the review. Can’t wait to dive into it with your mention of the connections to Gilad and Armstrong!


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[BugsySig]

This was just OK for me. I enjoyed the appearances by the Anni-Pada clan, and the Geomancer reveal. But the overall “mystery” didn’t really draw me in and Axia’s obsession with the dying one just seemed unnecessary. It was a little too Sam Spade for me.

[aj583]

I thought it was solid. Antonius seemed a bit more shaky then I remember him. Maybe that was scarpia’s influence. Really liked how they did the cameos. Center to the storyline but not too much in-person page time. I feel they are trying to treat the characters and Valiant history with care, and I like that. The last few pages seemed a bit rushed, but again, like the overall effort. A good start!


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