The Valiant #1

[String]

The Immortal Enemy is rather plant-like and seems to spring from the Earth itself. Perhaps that is why it can hurt Gilad.

But the killing can't just be about balance. Otherwise, why let Gilad (or Armstrong) live?

Yeah I agree, I think because its a part of the Earth itself - That may be why the scar is permanent. + its a reminder of him failing to protect the Geomancer.

I also hope they expound upon why the Earth goes into darkness after a Geomancer is killed by the Immortal Enemy. Buck of course dies in the A&A arc - and there was no worry indicated that this would cause an age of darkness (although maybe thats why Gilad was going so berzerker about it).

But I would assume that the death of Geomancer has to be by the hands of the Immortal Enemy to cause the age of darkness.

If we go by simple visual evidence, that his scars are remnants of his encounters with the Immortal Enemy, then Gilad has only faced this creature three times throughout his long history.

So the question is, what causes this Immortal Enemy to seek out a Geomancer? Is it something Humanity does or something the Geomancer does or something else? Is Gilad aware of this summoning condition and thus can 'sense' when it is coming for a Geomancer or does he have to perpetually be alert for it's arrival? (Which begs another question over his refusal to serve the Earth at various points. Is he willing to condemn the world to another age of darkness just so he can retire from this long hard life?)

Plenty of questions, but a fantastic start, one of the best issues I've read this year. Rivera's art is amazing.

[agent_graves]

This was aight, great art, and I like how they finally got around to explaining/showing how Gilad got those famous scars across his face, other than that though, story wise, I wasn't that impressed...

[leonmallett]

I enjoyed the issue. The story grabbed a number of threads and characters, drawing them together nicely.

It was great to see Kay again, and it reminds me that as VEI builds it library of IP's, that an increasing number are 'resting' at any time.

No criticisms of this one, and more of what I would like to see from VEI - less of the emphasis on 'event' approach to drawing the disparate characters together. Good stuff.

[leonmallett]

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.

[leonmallett]

And I'm really glad I stayed away from the previews as well. Holy moly was there a lot of pages out there before this book was released.

Same here, didn't read a single one. Why spoil the fun?

I too avoided the previews, and have been for a while. I am glad that I did so.

[leonmallett]

Something that occurred to me while reading one of the deluxe editions today was how The Valiant may get collected? TPB obviously, but with the effort spent on the book, I hope it gets hard-cover treatment. Would that be on its own, or bundled in with something else (Eternal Warrior?).

[BugsySig]

Something that occurred to me while reading one of the deluxe editions today was how The Valiant may get collected? TPB obviously, but with the effort spent on the book, I hope it gets hard-cover treatment. Would that be on its own, or bundled in with something else (Eternal Warrior?).

I commented on another thread that it would fit nicely into a Deluxe HC with EW 1-8 and Days of Steel.

[leonmallett]

Something that occurred to me while reading one of the deluxe editions today was how The Valiant may get collected? TPB obviously, but with the effort spent on the book, I hope it gets hard-cover treatment. Would that be on its own, or bundled in with something else (Eternal Warrior?).

I commented on another thread that it would fit nicely into a Deluxe HC with EW 1-8 and Days of Steel.

Agreed. I do hope it gets the deluxe treatment somehow.

[bygranddesign]

Since this seems to be pretty successful (with the 2nd issue getting such high re-orders) - They should make this into an ongoing ... Or make it an annual tradition.

Have different creative teams every arc (or every year if its an annual mini-series) - focusing on different characters/different corners of the universe.

For the next arc - Make it a dark corner arc.

This could be a great way to re-introduce fans to Shadowman.

Have it also focused on Dr. Mirage, Punk Mambo ... and maybe someone who could be a bit of a fish out of water character like Archer .... Shadowman/Master Darque as the main baddies. And I'd love to see Hive brought back into the universe as a bad guy.

And then ... after 3 arcs ... The Valiant could have its own Deluxe Hardcover. (And be a great book to give to new fans)

[leonmallett]

I re-read this last night, and have been re-reading Archer & Armstrong via the deluxe edition vol. 1 in the past few days, and so those things have got me wondering if Kindt and Lemire have considered trying to position either the Houses (from Pak's EW tenure) or the Last Enemy and the Null from the Wrath of the Eternal Warrior arc in context of this unfolding view of the VALIANT mythos? Especially since Gilad is at the heart of things.

[Sven the Returned]

It was great, but, butt!!!!!

Anybody else noticed how Eternal Warrior's backside should had been bigger considering his muscle structure. I a talking about the first page where he fights.

[leonmallett]

It was great, but, butt!!!!!

Anybody else noticed how Eternal Warrior's backside should had been bigger considering his muscle structure. I a talking about the first page where he fights.

Can't say I considered that!

[Joshua]

I bought this today and really liked it. I especially liked seeing the past with EW's failures vs the Immortal Enemy. While tragic, it just gives that much more story to the characters. Storytelling is strong with Valiant.

[bygranddesign]

I bought this today and really liked it. I especially liked seeing the past with EW's failures vs the Immortal Enemy. While tragic, it just gives that much more story to the characters. Storytelling is strong with Valiant.

[Nairbe]

Agree with the majority, I thought it was a great issue, from the stock to the story, just an excellent job by VEI.

The explanation of the scars automatically made the story feel so much larger, giving it some history even though this was the first issue. It did feel a bit short to me, but that may also just be my excitement for more.

I would definitely like some details on how the world falls into darkness with a death of a Geomancer (I assume it only occurs with a death by the Immortal Enemy). I just read Kay's introduction in A&A and while I do like the update to Geomancer's, I have a fear that they may become to Captain Planet'ish. I guess we'll see.

[turbod16]

Agree with the majority, I thought it was a great issue, from the stock to the story, just an excellent job by VEI.

The explanation of the scars automatically made the story feel so much larger, giving it some history even though this was the first issue. It did feel a bit short to me, but that may also just be my excitement for more.

I would definitely like some details on how the world falls into darkness with a death of a Geomancer (I assume it only occurs with a death by the Immortal Enemy). I just read Kay's introduction in A&A and while I do like the update to Geomancer's, I have a fear that they may become to Captain Planet'ish. I guess we'll see.

I got a good laugh from the Armstrong and Kay exchange , which issues of A&A are her intro in ?

[leonmallett]

Agree with the majority, I thought it was a great issue, from the stock to the story, just an excellent job by VEI.

The explanation of the scars automatically made the story feel so much larger, giving it some history even though this was the first issue. It did feel a bit short to me, but that may also just be my excitement for more.

I would definitely like some details on how the world falls into darkness with a death of a Geomancer (I assume it only occurs with a death by the Immortal Enemy). I just read Kay's introduction in A&A and while I do like the update to Geomancer's, I have a fear that they may become to Captain Planet'ish. I guess we'll see.

I got a good laugh from the Armstrong and Kay exchange , which issues of A&A are her intro in ?

The second arc, 'Wrath of the Eternal Warrior' (#5-#9), in tpb 2.

[turbod16]

Agree with the majority, I thought it was a great issue, from the stock to the story, just an excellent job by VEI.

The explanation of the scars automatically made the story feel so much larger, giving it some history even though this was the first issue. It did feel a bit short to me, but that may also just be my excitement for more.

I would definitely like some details on how the world falls into darkness with a death of a Geomancer (I assume it only occurs with a death by the Immortal Enemy). I just read Kay's introduction in A&A and while I do like the update to Geomancer's, I have a fear that they may become to Captain Planet'ish. I guess we'll see.

I got a good laugh from the Armstrong and Kay exchange , which issues of A&A are her intro in ?

The second arc, 'Wrath of the Eternal Warrior' (#5-#9), in tpb 2.

, hopefully I can pick this up tomorrow.

[hunter_peterson]

It was great, but, butt!!!!!

Anybody else noticed how Eternal Warrior's backside should had been bigger considering his muscle structure. I a talking about the first page where he fights.

Can't say I considered that!

They should turn his having a flat butt into a running joke. "Eternal Warrior, Inferior Posterior." He's like the anti-Dick Grayson.

[Sven the Returned]

He is built like a tank, his butt should look like naked Marshawn Lynch's.

[eschnit]

I just read the tpb. I saw somewhere it's the only book reviewed with higher ratings than Divinity. I think I agree. My favorite beginning to end, teed up a lot of what's happened since. Lemire and Kindt together were bound to make some magic. Hope down the road it's made into a movie. Mr. Flay is one of the few morally black or white characters. Loved it.