The Valiant #1

[betterthanezra]

I had a chance to pick this up this afternoon and it's so amazing. It truly is a perfect issue I was sad when I finished it I just wanted more. The writing to the art is perfect an absolute brilliant piece of work. This should put VEI on another planet compared to other publishers.

10/10 it's that good and I love the prestige formats the paper stock and quality are absolutely top notch quality.

The pain Gilad has endured during this issue is told realistic and bluntly.

Amazing simply amazing issue.

-Brian

[David_Cody]

I had a chance to pick this up this afternoon and it's so amazing. It truly is a perfect issue I was sad when I finished it I just wanted more. The writing to the art is perfect an absolute brilliant piece of work. This should put VEI on another planet compared to other publishers.

10/10 it's that good and I love the prestige formats the paper stock and quality are absolutely top notch quality.

The pain Gilad has endured during this issue is told realistic and bluntly.

Amazing simply amazing issue.

-Brian

I -cannot WAIT!

[Elveen]

The art is wonderful.
I love this book.

[Cormix]

I CANT WAIT to pick this up today!

[Brapbrap]

Great issue, shame it only had 10 pages that hadn't been released already as previews though

[Blood of Heroes]

Simply phenomanal.

[paradise]

Loved the first issue, second issue is even better (sorry could not stop myself)

Also, shameless plug, you can STILL get one of our 4 issue EXCLUSIVE cover sets here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We are at 33 sets sold, and are raffling off 1 or 2 The Valiant Standees. 7 more sets to get to the 2nd one.

[bygranddesign]

Loved this issue

The art is absolutely brilliant - Rivera is a master storyteller. I love the way he draws these characters, the expressiveness, the layouts, the action ... Absolutely masterful. His drawings feel effortless. Valiant needs to try and keep him on a title long term ... Or at least perhaps a miniseries a year.

Lemire/Kindt do a great job telling this story. The narrative is smart and engaging ... Gilad, Kay, Bloodshot, Neville, the Immortal Enemy, Armstrong .. These characters were all nicely written. I really appreciate the characterization of Gilad in this issue. It's noble and tragic - those are the 2 traits that I want Gilad the Eternal Warrior to be primarily known for... Here he is written to perfection.

The only problem - it read so fast. And waiting another month is going to feel like forever.

I'm giving it a 9/10 - only because I know with this team they can do even better.

[Captain Craig]

Great issue, shame it only had 10 pages that hadn't been released already as previews though

Then this is going to be another one of those instances where I'm glad I didn't look at everything teased prior to release.
I have to work late today. I'll not get a chance to read my book till late tonight!!!

[Keith]

Loved this issue. Great start, and I can already see how this will be a great introduction to the Valiant Universe. The agony waiting for issue 2 is going to suck.

And what was in the mystery package??



On a semi-related tangent... I went to a LCS in St. Louis to buy several copies for friends who are somewhat familiar with Valiant (thanks to moi) but not active comic collectors.

I figured I need 7 copies. I grab the copies (making note that it looks like they had 12 -15 on the shelf) and head to the register.

Cashier eyes what I have: "I have to limit you on the number you can buy."

Me: (Puzzled look.)

Cashier: "We didn't get many of these."

So I was able to purchase four... but this still puzzles me. Opting for comics going back to sit on the shelf as opposed to a guaranteed purchase seems an odd way to run a business. And even if they did sell out, can't more be ordered, if available from Diamond or Valiant?
Over

[BugsySig]

Fantastic first issue. Kind of a mix between an EW mini and a Unity arc, but it looks to expand further to include almost everyone in the VU, so I can see why it's its own thing.

Loved the art by Rivera. Just perfect across the board. His Immortal Enemy is super creepy.

Also interested in what's in the box... ...a Mcguffin or something else entirely?

As for being a quick read, I didn't read a page of previews for it and it read just fine for me.

[bygranddesign]

On a semi-related tangent... I went to a LCS in St. Louis to buy several copies for friends who are somewhat familiar with Valiant (thanks to moi) but not active comic collectors.

I figured I need 7 copies. I grab the copies (making note that it looks like they had 12 -15 on the shelf) and head to the register.

Cashier eyes what I have: "I have to limit you on the number you can buy."

Me: (Puzzled look.)

Cashier: "We didn't get many of these."

So I was able to purchase four... but this still puzzles me. Opting for comics going back to sit on the shelf as opposed to a guaranteed purchase seems an odd way to run a business. And even if they did sell out, can't more be ordered, if available from Diamond or Valiant?
Over

Yeah ... I don't get that either.

If he is concerned about some of his customers not being able to get a copy - he should keep some off the shelf in the back room and/or put a copy in their pull lists. And like you said ... he should be able to order more from Diamond if he wanted anyway.

[bygranddesign]

Also interested in what's in the box... ...a Mcguffin or something else entirely?

Maybe for just this issue its simply a plot device and won't have any real significance on the rest of this mini-series ... But it will come back up again and be revealed and play a significant role in the Lemire's Bloodshot Reborn series

[hunter_peterson]

This was awesome! It also went a long way to tidying the mythology of the Geomancers/Eternal Warrior, which was great. You can see why Gilad would run hot and cold on the whole thing, what with the Immortal Enemy ruining his work again and again.

Also, on the cover for next issue Livewire appears to have a new costume. Looks pretty good.

[Elveen]

The art is wonderful.
I love this book.

The visualls of this book is really, really good. Needs to be said again.

[jkingman]

Fantastic first issue. Kind of a mix between an EW mini and a Unity arc, but it looks to expand further to include almost everyone in the VU, so I can see why it's its own thing.

Loved the art by Rivera. Just perfect across the board. His Immortal Enemy is super creepy.

Also interested in what's in the box... ...a Mcguffin or something else entirely?

As for being a quick read, I didn't read a page of previews for it and it read just fine for me.

that's pretty much exactly what I thought. I also dodged previews as much as possible, and I took time drinking in the amazing art, the panels, then after reading the page, looking at the art on the page as a whole, so it was a great read. I usually do blast thru an issue, so eager to absorb the story, but with this I intentionally took more time. The writing was crisp, clear, great for old and new fans, I think (always hard to pretend I don't know anything about Valiant and trying to judge it with eyes of a new reader). Brilliant set up, can't wait to see these threads come together. GEOMANCER!!! so happy to see a spotlight on her again, such a great, real character. and she doesn't have a "sexy" costume, which I think is great about Valiant, they are aware of the sexism against women and the new readers that are sick of it. I also love how...wait...I am still newish to the rules...can I openly post details in this area or should I cover them with spoiler? I don't think it's a "spoiler" but I loved it when Armstrong literally said that the Geomancer isn't a damsel in distress. sorry if that spoiled it for someone.

hmmm, well, since it's already been mentioned....what's in the box? I literally shouted that, with some excited laughter when I reached the end of the issue...what's in the box?? it seems to me it could be insanely important........can't wait to see what comes next!

And that cover! amazing paper...so beautiful looking...and still regular cover price!!! I hope this brings in a few more Valiant addicts

10/10 because sometimes the books don't live up to the hype, this certainly did, introducing a great story, I can't think of any flaws or disappointing moments or anything negative...except that it ended for the first issue of a limited series, a lot happened, and man, can't wait to see the next issue! also liked the bonus material, so cool to see the insight and thinking of an artist.

[BugsySig]

I also have to point out how well this issue introduced readers to all these characters without it feeling forced in the slightest. Just goes to show what good writers can do.

[hunter_peterson]

I also have to point out how well this issue introduced readers to all these characters without it feeling forced in the slightest. Just goes to show what good writers can do.

Elegant is how I would describe it.

[David_Cody]

I would give it 9.5/10 simply because only the new RAI can do that.

Seriously though. I didn't read ANY previews on this, so I came in completely oblivious. I honestly didn't even know it was a team-up type book ala Secret Weapons. Loved giant swaths of it. Entirely entertaining from start to finish.

LOVED how they described the scars on Gilad's face, cause we were always wondering when VEI was going to handle that one.

So very much to look forward to in the coming months.

[mateo107]

this could very well be the best Valiant comic book this year. I hadn't been able to quite figure out what this book was going to be, it seems like an Eternal Warrior book, but it's not. it seems like another Unity series, but it's not. it's like an event book, like a crossover, like so many things. the Valiant universe appears to be revolving more around this book than any other VEI has published so far, I'm already dreading the void that will be left when this story wraps. my suggestion would be a Geomancer book.

[erwinrafael]

Given how underwhelmed I was with Kindt's work in VEI, I will just chalk up my liking of this book to Lemire. Yes, I changed my mind and picked this up. Figured I better get this in prep for Bloodshot Reborn.

[pixierosa]

Wonderful wonderful wonderful!

First thing: saw the cover stock and loved it. It does raise the profile and expectations of the book inside.

Art: Very well done. I love how the characters are depicted. The art enhanced the storytelling and kept us clued in to the characters' emotions and actions. Also greatly enjoyed his commentary on the process at the end of the book.

Writing: This is how it's done. Very natural introduction to a cast of characters that each have their own long history that needed to be introduced. Skillfully done. I enjoyed the way they were presented to us, and this has to be my favorite Gilad to date. It's a nice look into his internal thoughts and emotions. Kay's mental process and growth was depicted as I imagined her. Bloodshot came off as human despite the story telling us how inhuman his body is.

There's a bit of everything here: battle scenes for action lovers, backstory on characters, and forward movement.

I'm not sure how it could have been improved, it's that good.

[Donovan]

Loved this book. Not a panel seemed wasted. Gorgeous art and understated colours.

The only thing I didn't like was the cover stock/endpaper. (I know, I know... some people will complain about anything!)

[Sir Sandrick]

Absolute blast to read and look at. The love that was put into this book really shows and I cannot wait to read the next one. What a great start!

[hawkeyeps]

I was super impressed with this book in every way, story, art and the high quality of the published issue.

I went to 3 shops yesterday and the shop owners all noted the quality and said they had no damaged books, they were very pleased.

I even got a few people to give it a try, it was such a pretty book it was an easy sell and felt I very confident recommending it.

5/5 for me, I hope brings in a lot of new readers.

I just to choose to forget that FVL made Kay mute