Review: THE VALIANT #1

Written by:  Jeff Lemire & Matt Kindt
Art by:  Paolo Rivera
Published by:  Valiant Comics

Valiant is a comic book publisher with a clear vision.  Ever since they launched the “Summer of Valiant” in 2012, Valiant has published books with a specific goal in mind.  Instead of over-saturating the market with output, each comic is given focus and an opportunity to be in the spotlight.  That has never been more true than with The Valiant.

The Valiant brings together some of the Valiant universe’s biggest stars (Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, X-O Manowar) to fight an evil that has been around for ages.  The Eternal Warrior has battled The Immortal Enemy three times, and failed each time.  Each failure caused the death of a Geomancer – someone who speaks for the Earth.  Will there be a fourth time?  Not if The Valiant has anything to say about it!

What I Liked

The writing team of Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt did a good job of introducing new readers to the Valiant universe  Its primary characters are front and center.  A look into the past of The Eternal Warrior is all we need to become familiar with the overall threat.

As someone who has started reading Valiant books over a year ago, I was still not familiar with the title of Geomancer.  Even so, Lemire and Kindt educate the reader quickly.

Paolo Rivera is one of the top storytellers in comics today.  The amount of precision and detail brought to his pages are to be applauded.  Fight sequences between The Eternal Warrior are action-packed, and quiet moments between the new Geomancer and Armstrong having drinks illustrate their back-and-forth chemistry.

What I Didn’t Like

Very small gripes, but there is one hero in The Valiant who only appears on one page.  Also, The Eternal Warrior might want to do a better job of protecting Geomancers.  Going 0-3 is not the kind of average a hero can brag about to their comrades.

Summary

If you are new to Valiant, The Valiant is THE perfect jumping on point.  This four-issue limited series will lead into Valiant Next, Valiant’s newest initiative going into 2015.  The repercussions felt here will reverberate throughout every comic going forward.

Rating:  4 out of 5

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/ 

Timdogg

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE