Shadowman is a character I’ve enjoyed from the Valiant reboot. Some of these comics are honestly pretty bad (*cough* Peter Milligan *cough*), but I liShadowman is a character I’ve enjoyed from the Valiant reboot. Some of these comics are honestly pretty bad (*cough* Peter Milligan *cough*), but I like the idea of Shadowman, and think he has a cool look. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of my favorite writers, Garth Ennis, wrote a Shadowman story in the 90’s. Well, I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up because it’s rather awful. Ennis is on autopilot here and you can tell he doesn’t care about what he’s writing, Irish Jaunty notwithstanding. At least half the problem is Ashley Wood’s art, which is confusing and grainy. He can’t decide whether he wants to be Dave McKean or Kelley Jones; the result is a mess. Shadowman doesn’t even have a distinct look while other characters are difficult to tell apart. Oof, this was disappointing, considering Ennis� work-for-hire stuff is usually at least decent. But I can’t really find anything good here.
Also included is Paul Jenkins� “Deadside� story with Wood on two issues, Dennis Calero on one, and an unpublished fourth issue script. The art is markedly better in this miniseries, though I can’t say it helps the drab story. And the script is a weird addition. Why even include this story if it was unfinished?
Pick this up if you’re a Shadowman completist, otherwise don’t bother....more
About the same as volume one. That is to say, okay for what it is but not really my thing. Valiant’s comedy books - mostly written by Van Lente - are About the same as volume one. That is to say, okay for what it is but not really my thing. Valiant’s comedy books - mostly written by Van Lente - are more to my liking than their straight superhero stuff....more
Generation Zero is sort of like Runaways in the Valiant universe. It spins out of Harbinger, featuring young psiots who escaped Project Rising Spirit Generation Zero is sort of like Runaways in the Valiant universe. It spins out of Harbinger, featuring young psiots who escaped Project Rising Spirit fighting the good fight on their own. If I read this around the time I read Harbinger (or Runaways for that matter) I would’ve thought it was pretty good. I’m less impressed now. There’s nothing flat out bad here, but the story is unoriginal and unmemorable. Derek Charm issue notwithstanding, I’m not a fan of the super computerized art in most modern Valiant books. Certain readers will definitely like this but these teen team books just don’t do it for me anymore....more
Great art once again by Ryp, but the story’s kind of lacking. It doesn’t feel as meaty as the first one and I find Milligan’s script to be all over thGreat art once again by Ryp, but the story’s kind of lacking. It doesn’t feel as meaty as the first one and I find Milligan’s script to be all over the place for what’s otherwise a straightforward mystery. I also find it awkward that the series is called Britannia, yet the story doesn’t take place there and there’s only one brief mention of the region....more
Set in 65 CE, Britannia follows Roman detective (“detectioner�) Antonius Axia as he investigates supernatural happenings in northern Britain, the fartSet in 65 CE, Britannia follows Roman detective (“detectioner�) Antonius Axia as he investigates supernatural happenings in northern Britain, the farthest reaches of the Empire. Did I mention he’s sent by Emperor Nero himself? And being coddled by the Emperor’s Vestal Virgins, who see him as some sort of savior? It’s an intriguing premise, and I was pleasantly surprised by the story since I usually don't like Valiant's serious comics. And let’s get this out of the way: Britannia is wildly different from the publisher's usual stuff. As far as I can tell, there's no connection to the larger Valiant universe here. I get the feeling Milligan had this idea in his pocket happy to take it to any publisher, and Valiant obliged.
This volume feels longer than just four issues. Normally that’d be a complaint, but I found myself impressed by how much story Milligan crams into that space he’s given, and that it reads fluidly. A few scenes are rushed, though they hardly bother me. The art by Juan Jose Ryp and Jordie Bellaire is surely the best thing about the book. Every page is expressive, detailed, and beautiful (with frequent bursts of gore). The scenes in the fog are particularly striking - I feel like I’m there with the soldiers, my vision obscured as I peek through the mist at whatever horror awaits. Also, the intro pages to issue one by Raul Allen and Patricia Martin are stunning....more
I read volume two of Doctor Mirage a while back and was underwhelmed. Turns out the first book isn’t much better. The dialogue is flat, the plot jumblI read volume two of Doctor Mirage a while back and was underwhelmed. Turns out the first book isn’t much better. The dialogue is flat, the plot jumbled and uninteresting, and the art looks scratchy. I like Doctor Mirage as a character, but this series needed a better creative team to make her stand out. I not surprised I don't like it because Valiant's comedy books almost always do more for me than their serious ones....more
Very boring and not good. This is basically the fallout from Death of a Renegade and a setup for Imperium. I’ve already forgotten most of what happeneVery boring and not good. This is basically the fallout from Death of a Renegade and a setup for Imperium. I’ve already forgotten most of what happened and don’t care to remind myself....more
I think I figured out my biggest problem with Harbinger (aside from the fact that I don't love Valiant's serious books): it’s always about Peter. I liI think I figured out my biggest problem with Harbinger (aside from the fact that I don't love Valiant's serious books): it’s always about Peter. I like the other Renegades (and Toyo Harada) far better. While everyone has their moments, it always comes back to Peter and his introspective whining. Plus I haven’t forgiven him for what he did to Kris way back in the first issue.
Anyway, this volume furthers the Renegades vs. Harada story. This time, our heroes take the fight directly to him with the help of Ax the hacker. This is a pretty emotional volume, what with the titular death. But it’s unsurprising in hindsight and doesn’t pack as big a punch as Dysart was aiming for. The bulk of the book shows the fallout from the Renegades� actions against Harada. It’s fine, I guess. Surely an interesting direction to take the story, even if it feels like table setting for spinoffs (Faith, Imperium).
Harbinger is perfectly readable with generally good characters, but it just doesn’t leave that big of an impression on me. The writing is fine and the art is fine. I can understand why people love it, though, as it’s a fairly novel take on teen superheroes. Not really for me I suppose....more
Another Harbinger volume that’s good, but not great.
Perfect Day reveals what actually happened to the Renegades after Harbinger Wars. It’s a familiarAnother Harbinger volume that’s good, but not great.
Perfect Day reveals what actually happened to the Renegades after Harbinger Wars. It’s a familiar type of story that I won’t spoil here, but Dysart does a solid job telling it. There’s some Ivar/Archer & Armstrong-type irreverence throughout that I appreciated (Fred Van Lente’s A&A and Ivar are my favorite Valiant titles). Also, Animalia is awesome. I’d love to see more of her!...more
These Harbinger Wars tie-ins are essential to the event. They’re best read alongside the HW issues for the complete picture. On their own, they’re stiThese Harbinger Wars tie-ins are essential to the event. They’re best read alongside the HW issues for the complete picture. On their own, they’re still solid, featuring strong character moments for the Renegades as they risk their lives and learn to work together amidst increasingly dangerous situations. It’s Toyo Harada, though, who most interests me here. We glimpse his childhood in Hiroshima before and after the bomb, plus the early stages of his feud with Project Rising Spirit. Harada is my favorite character along with Faith. He’s certainly the most interesting of the Harbinger cast....more
As an event, Harbinger Wars succeeds in delivering high stakes action and bombshells while bringing together various corners of the Valiant universe (As an event, Harbinger Wars succeeds in delivering high stakes action and bombshells while bringing together various corners of the Valiant universe (Harada, Rising Spirit, Bloodshot, Renegades, more). It’s decent enough on its own, but best read with the Harbinger and Bloodshot tie-ins....more
The Renegades take shape as Peter, Faith, and Kris traverse the country seeking out latent psiots, namely Flamingo and Torque. Meanwhile, Project RisiThe Renegades take shape as Peter, Faith, and Kris traverse the country seeking out latent psiots, namely Flamingo and Torque. Meanwhile, Project Rising Spirit is on their tail. I think Dysart has a good handle on these characters. He gives each of them a unique voice. I also like how every issue in this volume is narrated by a different Renegade. Faith is easily my favorite character, and her issue was probably the best.
I’m still not totally in love with the series though. It feels unsurprising and unoriginal story-wise. I've also tended to like Valiant's serious books less than their humorous ones. And this falls into the former camp....more
A pretty good start to the series. I’m interested to see where it goes. I’ve read a number of Valiant titles, but for some reason never got around to A pretty good start to the series. I’m interested to see where it goes. I’ve read a number of Valiant titles, but for some reason never got around to Harbinger. Time to fix that....more
Though there’s one more volume, this is essentially the end of the series. Archer and Armstrong head to Hollywood to find Archer’s real parents at theThough there’s one more volume, this is essentially the end of the series. Archer and Armstrong head to Hollywood to find Archer’s real parents at the Church of Retrology. It’s a museum that doubles as a place where dead celebrities who still have living fans are kept. The guys run in to them while trying to stop the head of the Church (Jim Morrison) from using the wheel thing that’s been in the last few books. Hijinks ensue, including time travel.
I liked the wackiness of this volume, and the series as a whole. There’s a message here about not letting your life be weighed down by the past, to live in the present. A nice sentiment to go out on.
I think the first half of the series is stronger than the second. But as a whole, it’s fun, creative, and well-written, better than most modern superhero comics....more
After Archer became leader of the Sect in the last volume, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps (yes, that is their real name) are tasked by Project Rising SpAfter Archer became leader of the Sect in the last volume, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps (yes, that is their real name) are tasked by Project Rising Spirit to bring them in. Predictable fighting follows, interspersed with humorous bits and sudden changes of plans. On the whole, not quite as strong as previous volumes, partly due to the fact that it’s a crossover with writers who are not Van Lente. But it’s still fun and advances the story.
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