Myshka’s plot to reengineer the globe in Russia’s favor is all but complete. Will Abram Adams – the god-like being now called Divinity – stand against his former comrade…or, together, will they reshape the world as we know it with hammer and sickle in hand?

If you haven’t been reading Divinity II, then you’re missing out. In all honesty the review could end there, with a strong recommendation to read what is going to be one of the better stories released this year. And no, it’s not too early to say that. But would it really be fair to end the review right there?

Of course not.

I’ve written before about how I never wanted a sequel to the first Divinity, because I felt the series was complete on it’s own; a sequel wasn’t needed or called for. I wouldn’t read the sequel, I wouldn’t even look at it. Alright, I said to myself, maybe I shouldd read it, because if it is a train wreck, I should let people know, right? So four months ago I sat down and read the first issue of what I was positive would be a terrible story following the critically acclaimed first series, and before I realized it the comic was over and I needed the second issue. And the third.

Having finished the fourth and final issue I’ll stand up and say that I have never been so happy to be wrong about a body of work needing a sequel before, because the Matt Kindt scripted Divinity II  is an incredibly well written comic book that any summary I give you won’t be doing any justice to it.

So I won’t summarize the story here.

Nor will I talk much about the stunning page composition; that the comics feature some breathtaking moments for those who like their comics to look good is undeniable, but I won’t talk too much about just how wonderful Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn and David Baron work together to bring the final confrontation to life. And that confrontation? This is what a final chapter to any story can only hope to equal, but I won’t anything more about the ending – it’s a thing of beauty and you deserve to experience it for yourself the same way I did.

Without any idea of what is coming.

Instead, I’ll ask you a question: If you got lost in space, somehow attained control over everything and then returned to Earth only to find out the world had turned to shit, and you had the power to change it. Would you? Should you? And what if an equally powerful being was trying to stop you?

I may not have wanted a sequel to Divinity, but I’m sure glad that I got one. This is a book that only gets better with each read through.

Story: Matt Kindt Penciler: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.75 Art: 9.75 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided a FREE copy for review, but I read my purchased copy (hence the late review…)

I don’t envy the position that Divinity II is in. The sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed series, it’s currently vying for you attention amidst another sequel event from Marvel, DC’s Rebirth, and Valiant‘s very own summer event 4001 A.D. (which also has a tie in comic released this week). Matt Kindt, who also wrote the first series, doesn’t seem to be aware of any of this, however, because Divinity II is absolutely smashing it.

When the Russian cosmonaut Abram Adams returned to Earth with the powers of a god after fifty years in space in the first Divinity, we were treated to a tale about a man who just wanted to be left alone to exist in peace; that hasn’t been the case with the second cosmonaut – Myshka has been the antithesis of Abram Adams with her desire to bring the now defunct Soviet Union back to power and play a much more active role in the world.

My brief summary above doesn’t do any justice to the first couple of issues, and it won’t do any justice to the comic, either. Despite the fantastical nature of Abram and Myshka’s situation, their motivations are more relateable than you’d expect.

Divinity II #3 is a spectacular comic. Not only has Matt Kindt delivered an issue that is better than the last, he is more than effective in his explanations of just how impactful the two godlike beings can be with their powers in the past, leading to some really jaw dropping moments every page or two. If you’d expect the art to lag behind the writing, think again because Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn and David Baron have kept pace with some gorgeous artwork. While it would obviously help if you’ve read the first  or second issue (or even the first Divinity), this is a comic that stands alone as a phenomenal piece of art. The way that the some of the pages have been constructed, and how the colouring works with the layouts  go beyond any hyperbolic phrases I can come up with to describe them… I’ve already claimed that this miniseries was one of the best of the year after two issues, and the third issue has just proven why.

If you’re not reading Divinity II, I genuinely feel sorry for you. You’re missing out on the best comic of the year.

Story: Matt Kindt Penciller: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.5 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Just a month after the arrival of long-lost cosmonaut Mishka, the former Soviet Union has made an impossible push to become the world’s preeminent superpower. But how? Ninjak has a theory, but it will require going undercover across enemy lines…and maybe some help from Mishka’s old comrade, Abram Adams – the god-like being known as Divinity! But can the motives of a deity among men ever truly be known…and will the return of Divinity’s former teammate rekindle his old allegiances?

I can’t understate how much I am enjoying this comic. Divinity II is the rare case in which an unasked for sequel to the first miniseries is stronger than the original.

A bold claim? Perhaps, but having read the second issue twice already it’s one I am comfortable making. Whether that’ll be the case is something we’ll find out in a couple of months when issue four hits the racks. I can’t wait.

I’m getting ahead of myself, but you can probably guess how this review will go. Minor spoilers may follow.

Divinity II #2 is really not your typical superhero comic, and were it not for the fact that this story is connected to the overall tapestry of the Valiant Universe, it’s entirely plausible that this could have been produced as a standalone series – although the use of some of the established characters is enjoyable, and yet there’s a previously unseen character’s appearance that could have wider implications in other books in the publisher’s line once Divinity II is over.

Series writer Matt Kindt reminds us just how powerful Abram Adams, the godlike character introduced in the original Divinity, is with a scene that had me shaking my head in awe at how effective it was. I’m not going to say anything specific about it, because part of the impact is going in without any fore-knowledge of the scene in question, other than this isn’t the only scene that will have you marveling at the comic as you read it.

In a summer where both DC and Marvel are putting out some heavy hitting event stories Valiant are on pace to deliver the best of them all with Divinity II. To say that I am absolutely loving this series would be a bit of an understatement; even only two issues in there has been so much to enjoy. Divinity II is reminding me why I love comics all over again, and I can’t get enough of it. 

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.25 Art: 9.25 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review, but I read the copy I purchased.

Despite becoming a large fan of Valiant‘s comics over the past year, I only read the first Divinity this week. It was good, and I can understand why it received the praise it did, because it really was a very enjoyable comic. It was a four issue story that felt complete in many ways, and it’s one you owe it to yourself to read.

But did it need a sequel?

Well, not really. That being said I’m excited that there is a sequel, because despite being (technically) a superhero comic, the first series felt like so much more.

Divinity II #1 shows just as much promise.

If you’re curious what the sequel is about, the preview text below should wet your appetite a little.

At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union – determined to win the Space Race at any cost – green lit a dangerously advanced mission. They sent three cosmonauts farther into space than anyone has gone before or since. Handpicked orphans with no connections to Earth, trained as devout Communists, and restricted from having families, they became lost in the stars and encountered something unknown… Something that changed them.

Now, Miska, the female co-pilot of the group, has also returned to Earth…but, unlike Abram Adams she had no secret family. Unlike Abram, she still believes in the Communist ideal. And, unlike Abram, she intends to play a very real role in the return of Soviet glory.

Earth is about to meet a new god. And she’s a Communist. How long can it be before the nations of Earth bend before DIVINITY?

Continuing the aesthetic feel from Divinity, Dvinity II is a visual treat. The way colour is used to bring the cosmological aspects of the story is both subtle and immediately noticeable, and David Baron deserves more credit than he will inevitably get.

Matt Kindt, one of the more consistently solid writers out there, is again on form here. He is able to tell the story of the Russian cosmonaut Mishka in a way that sets up the remaining three issues while still allowing her backstory to be believable. As I was reading this, I never once though that there were any contrivances taken just to move the plot along; Mishka‘s actions all make complete and utter sense based on the established parameters of her character.

Divinity II starts stronger than the previous series did, and I can’t wait to see how this story plays out over the next three issues.

Story: Matt Kindt Penciler: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9 Art: 9.25 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review, but I read the copy I purchased.