The Valiant

I know that I am not very familiar with Valiant Entertainment. But I think it is safe to say that this 2015 miniseries from Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt is this publisher's Crisis on Infinite Earths.

For 10 centuries, the Eternal Warrior has struggled to protect the Geomancers. These special people are the living embodiment of the planet and have the power to create life on earth and maintain a harmonious balance. Seeking to keep the world in chaos is the Immortal Enemy, who has a pretty impressive track record of defeating the Eternal Warrior's efforts. 

The Immortal Enemy returns every 100 years. His latest return is imminent. Only this time, the Eternal Warrior has a slew of allies to help him protect the latest Geomancer, Kay McHenry. Enter: The Valiant.

While just about every rebooted Valiant Entertainment character is presented in this book, I was unimpressed with the use of these resources. There's some great battle scenes by Paolo Rivera. But that's the only time you will see characters such as Archer, Quantum and Woody (and the Goat!), Faith and others. None of which have any dialogue. Even though Crisis had 30 times as many characters, I never felt that any one character was underused. That's pretty much my only complaint.

I loved the story and the artwork. I was introduced to several characters that I've yet to really be introduced to, such as Ninjak and Bloodshot. Both of which I am now very interested in reading more about.

The Valiant was quite good. Unfortunately, it wasn't properly balanced for a story that would unite an entire universe of characters. I think only having 4 issues in which to tell the tale was what limited the scope. That, plus I think Lemire and Kindt's schedules prevented these two talents from devoted extra time to a 5th, 6th or further along issue.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Rai, Volume 1: Welcome to New Japan

Set in the year 4001, Rai was an interesting mix of sci-fi futurism, ancient Japanese lore and all the twists and turns expected by from Valiant Entertainment. 

There's a character known as Bloodshot and this book's title character is somehow tied in. One might think that you need to have a prior knowledge of Bloodshot in order to enjoy this book. But in all honesty, the opposite is true. The less you know or think you know, the better.

The crux of this story is that Obadiah Konishi, the latest Rai of New Japan, has a crisis of faith which causes him to revolt against the megalopolis' ruler, 'Father.' As Rai goes rogue, Father will try to bring his 'son' back under to control. However, like with most teens, the more the parent rallies his child back into the family, the most Rai will run into the arms of New Japan's rebel insurgency!

As I was reading this book, I went from confusion, trying to figure out the connection between this character and Bloodshot. Then I just went with it and enjoyed it. But coming back a day or so later to review this book, I feel that if given the chance to read volume 2, I would pass. 

It just wasn't that memorable a journey for me. I found myself going back trying to remember the plot of the story. A good rule of thumb is this- 'if you can't recall events from the book you just read, it's not that great of a book.' For a book by someone as good and talented as Matt Kindt (MGMT), this was quite disappointing.

Also looking back, the art really isn't my thing. Ghost Rider's Clayton Crain has a painted anime-style. Though in all likelihood, the art was done by some sort of computer program. Compared to Alex Ross who paints his own work with oils and brush, it's just not as impressive. 

I normally don't do this but I am going to give this one bad marks. Rai just is not all that memorable. The art is better than I can do, surely. But compared to masters like Kirby, Allred or Adams, it is far lacking. I love a lot than Valiant has been putting out in it's rebooted universe. But Rai isn't one of those highlights.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong, Volume 1: In The Bag

The adventures of an immortal every-man and a teen-aged fallen acolyte continue in A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong. I was a little bit afraid that I was going to be lost with this series considering that I hadn't read all of the rebooted Archer & Armstrong regular series. But for the most part, writer Rafer Roberts does a great job not hinging the plot too much on that series- as long as you have read the first issue. 

This volume's first story arc explores more of Armstrong's past. When a former partner dies, Armstrong goes searching through his bottomless satchel. When some of the immortal's secrets start pouring out of the bag, Archer must trek into it's contents to find his new friend. Leaving his untrustworthy step-sister to guard the bag, Archer and especially Armstrong will learn that some secrets are best not forgotten.

I bought this book along with some other books at a con. Valiant was in attendance and they had a 5 for $20 sale. Well, 3 books in and so far not a dud among them. This book was very funny, had great action and art by David Lafuente and the story was really engrossing. I don't care what that dunderhead from HBO thinks about comic books! Sequential art can have intellectual merit especially when they build upon established tropes of myth and legend. 

I was just at another convention that Valiant was at. I should have stopped there to see if there were any further volumes of Archer & Armstrong were in stock on sale. I know from now on; when Valiant is involved, always check for discounts!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage

A supernatural thriller that starts out really good, gets kinda confusing and then ends as greatly as it started. 

A paranormal investigator who can speak to the dead, has one little problem. Unable to locate her deceased husband, Doctor Mirage has lost her passion for life. But when a former covert ops agent seeks Mirage's help to release himself from a demon, she discovers a chance to reunite with her spouse.

The first third of this book is so much like The Sixth Sense. It wasn't a rip-off of that movie. But it just flowed so well that I didn't want that segment to end. 

The middle act gets a little like that Robin Williams afterlife picture What Dreams May Come. In that regards, things get really metaphysical and weird. (Now, I will admit the Director's Cut commentary at the end of this volume helped clear things up. But it was too little, too late.)

The final act didn't return to The Sixth Sense. But it was such a beautiful ending, I didn't want it to end. If the book had cut out that confusing middle act, I would read further adventures of Doctor Mirage.

This wasn't a bad read from Jen Van Meter (Captain Marvel.) The art from Robert Le Torre was okay. His demons were quite terrifying but some of his other characters were hard to decipher from one person to another. Especially the human characters.

A series that wasn't very smooth in it's transitions. However, there is enough promise that I
would give it another try. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating 7 out of 10 stars.

Quantum and Woody Deluxe Edition Volume 1

I first become aware of Quantum and Woody last year. It was from looking at an ad in the back of some other Valiant trade. I'm glad that I did because those two are hilarious.

The world's worst superhero duo are completely insane but unlike other personal favorites Deadpool and Harley Quinn, mental illness isn't at the heart of the craziness. Instead both Quantum and Woody are flawed characters and pretty darn damaged. They're the buddy cop equivalent of superheroes and neither are all that good at it.

Another thing I love about this series is that it's not PC. Really, nothing is sacred in the book at all. Woody has zero couth and poor Quantum who wants to be a super hero but just can't get ahead in the game. Race, religion, sex, and politics are examined in this book but it's not over-the-top preachy like some of Marvel's new and most annoying titles. It's refreshing to read a book that covers series issues but doesn't make me feel like I've been talked down to either.

Along with covering the entire 12 issue run of the 2013 series, this book contains Goat #0 in which the secret origin of everybody's favorite Quantum and Woody character, Vincent Van Goat is finally revealed. And man was that a twist I never saw coming!

Featuring the talents of James Asmus, Ming Doyle, Tomy Fowler, Kano and more, this was a fun read. And no- it doesn't end here. There's another Deluxe Edition out there and Q&W have a new series that just started earlier this year. So there's much more to look forward too!

Keep it up Valiant! You're doing a fantastic job!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.