Bishop’s Back in Action: Bishop War College #4

Somebody read my criticism of Bishop War College. What a fun issue. It finally developed the things it set up while getting us back into that good balance of action and world exploration.

The pressure is on Bishop to get to Temp0 and get home. But she has other priorities. Meanwhile, Bishop’s students finally make some headway against Fenris, but is it too late?

The story picks up and delivers an action-packed issue where Bishop is, illustrating a new section of the multiverse while Armor, Surge, and the rest of his students are trying to stop Fenris. What criticism I had from the last issue disappears as the dual stories progress and utilizes the momentum to deliver swift action sequences. Not only do Surge and Armor quickly mobilize everyone and take charge. Exactly what we should be seeing from them.

It would have been nice to see a more nuanced discussion between the two Bishops about their different stories since our Bishop is a hardened warrior from a dystopian future, and this other Bishop is rocking the adorable professor vibe. Can we get more from this Bishop to see how his life has shaped him? From what we got, it was still fun to see. Where in the multiverse Bishop and Tempo go next is anybody’s guess. The small bit of insight we get into Tempo and what she’s dealing with are excellently executed.

The art continues to be relatively the same depending on the earth where the story takes place. It’s cool to have two artists drawing different worlds, giving each side a unique feel. But it does make it nearly impossible not to compare the two. Sean Damien Hill’s art delivers perspectives and empty backgrounds that serve a purpose. Alberto Foche’s designs are simpler and could benefit from some more details and a bit more shading. His character designs are also not quite as sharp as Hill’s

This is a much more exciting issue than the previous one and manages to move the story. Moira has a backup plan that puts Krakoa’s mutants in serious danger. Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite half-demon mutant, Illiyana, knows something is up.  Will Illyana get the others and help Bishop’s college stop Fenris and Moira’s plan?