Bishop saw the worst in humanity but wasn’t prepared to be transported to an alternate universe with an all-Black X-Men team! Find out what happens in Bishop: War College #3 by Marvel Comics!

BISHOP: WAR COLLEGE #3

Writer: J. Holtham
Artist: Sean Damien Hill, Victor Nava, and Alberto Foche
Colorist: Espen Grundetjern
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Sarah Brunstad and Mark Basso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 19th, 2023

Previously in War College: As commander of Krakoa’s military defenses, Bishop launched a training program for young mutants. His program was shut down when his teachings proved too dangerous. On the last training day, Bishop takes Aura, Cam Long, Armor, Surge, and Amass underneath Krakoa, where they are attacked by the Fenris twins and poisoned by Brightswill. Meanwhile, Tempo and Bishop are teleported to an alternate universe with a different X-Men team!

A NEW WORLD

Bishop: War College #3 has two distinct storylines. One involves Bishop’s students fighting the Fenris twins. Due to the Brightswill, Amass’ powers run wild, absorbing Andreas Fenris and Cam! Andrea leads the Orchis troops to use knockout gas to stop the Amass form and save her brother. Meanwhile, the other students find Wrongslide and devise a plan, realizing that Orchis plans to poison all of Krakoa.

Meanwhile, Bishop talks to the Quiet Council in the alternate dimension. Charles Xavier uses his powers to share the memories of both worlds. The X-Gene only affected Black children in this dimension, thus causing a different timeline than Earth-616. Regardless, Bishop states that he must find Tempo, who isn’t a mutant in this world, but rather a geneticist. Arriving in New York, 616 Bishop accosts this world’s Tempo before suddenly being attacked by the Human Liberation Front, who are wearing powered armor suits!

UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

Many exciting ideas within Bishop: War College #3 express complex and challenging topics. I am conflicted about using Bishop as this alternate universe’s main point of view. Bishop is a great character, but he has a ton of trauma in his character history. In a way, that trauma may not mesh well with the themes of the alternate universe. As a reader, I look at this world through Bishop’s eyes. Because of his nature, there comes an element of distrust. That is why his first instinct is hostility. I wonder if using a younger character may have allowed this new world to be explored more deeply.

On top of that, our attention is split between Bishop’s students. In this issue, the students have a unique plot we don’t see much of. This may represent the comic trying to do too many things instead of focusing on one idea intensely.

I enjoy the character designs of an alternate reality. The creative team did an excellent job exploring costumes, hairstyles, and setting structure, making the comic a joy. Great work here with both the language and artistic choices.

BOTTOM LINE: LOSING DIRECTION

Bishop: War College #3 introduces exciting concepts, but I don’t know if it has found its footing yet. Now that the shock value of this new world has worn off, I want to learn more about the setting and see some real character growth from the title character. Bishop: War College #3 is a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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