Tag Archives: wrath of the eternal warrior

Valiant Wins the Internet with Cat Cosplay Covers & It Helps Raise Money for Charity

Posted on by

First came fire… Then the wheel… Now, after centuries of struggle, the most acclaimed publisher in comic books today is proud to present the next great advancement in human civilization: the Valiant Cat Cosplay cover!

Valiant is bringing the three capital Cs of popular culture – cats, comics, and cosplay – together for the first time anywhere in December as ordinary, household feline companions are transformed into the world’s most valiant heroes for a fur-bulous new line of shelf photo covers spanning 10 best-selling series! From teenage martial arts master Archer to reality-warping cosmonaut Divinity to sky-soaring sensation Faith and MI-6 super-spy Ninjak, each Valiant Cosplay Cover cover captures a furried friend pouncing into action as one of Valiant’s leading heroes inside a custom-built costume – tailor-made and photographed by the minds behind the Cat Cosplay of the Feline Variety blog.

Available as “order-all” covers across all of Valiant’s December 2016 series, each cover will be available for retailers to order in unlimited quantities at the standard suggested retail price:

  • A&A: The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong #10
  • Bloodshot U.S.A. #3 (of 4)
  • Britannia #4 (of 4)
  • Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 (of 4)
  • Faith #6
  • Generation Zero #5
  • Harbinger Renegades #2 
  • Ninjak #22
  • Savage #2 (of 4)
  • Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #14

A portion of the proceeds from all Valiant Cat Cosplay covers sold will benefit the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition (BARC), a New York-based non-profit that operates a beloved, no-kill shelter for cats and dogs in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. BARC’s mission is to provide a safe haven for abandoned animals – with quality food, shelter, medical attention, and the love they deserve – and to find permanent loving homes for them.

They’re intrepid! They’re fearless! They’re cats! (Lint roller not included.)

Review: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #11

Posted on by

wrath_011_cover-b_rypGilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, has sacrificed his humanity for the betterment of the Earth. Empowered with the gift to recover from any wound – including death – he has waged an endless crusade to guide the path of civilization through the ages. But as the centuries pass and his list of battlefield victories grows, he is fated to always reap the same sad reward: to see his families, his children, and all his loved ones…age, wither, and die.

Wrath Of the Eternal Warrior, as a series, has grown on me quite a bit over the last four issues, and a lot of that is thanks to the way in which Robert Venditti is constructing the story of the Earth’s immortal guardian. If you’ve been reading from the start, then you’ll be able to appreciate the way that the story  has built upon foundations laid in the very first issue – and in ever arc since.

Whether it’s the first four issues where Venditti took his time in telling us what Gilad endures, and sacrifices, to achieve resurrection each time he dies, or the slowly explained tension between Gilad and his first born son Kalam, there are seeds planted every issue or two that will inevitably bear fruit later. 

But what if you haven’t been with the series from the get go? What if you’ve drawn in by the preview text that tells you that this is a brand new jumping on point (and, being the first part of a story, that’s technically true)?

Then you’re in luck; just because Venditti has been weaving plot threads throughout numerous issues doesn’t mean that this issue specifically is inaccessible for new readers. The recap page tells you (albeit with a minimum of detail) about the events that you’ve missed, and while you won’t see how idyllic Gilad’s post death life could be, or what he fought through when his son was stolen from him, you do learn enough that you can follow along with the story.

Robert Gill and Mike Spicer have taken over art duties from the team who, aside from issues 5 and 6, had handled the book since the first issue.  The new direction isn’t a jarring change, though, and retains much of the same feel as the previous arc – which I’m aware may not be to everybody’s tastes, but I enjoy the style.  This issue, and perhaps this arc, has a similar enough style of art that there is no jarring switch as the artistic team is changed up. You’ll notice a little shift in a how the panels are laid out, and the usage of shadow and negative space, but nothing that’ll take away from your enjoyment.

Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #11 is a great place for new readers to start, but it’s also a comic that rewards readers who have been with the series for an issue or two.  As the first part to a new arc, the comic sets up the story very well;  it builds upon the themes of sacrifice, and the loss that comes with that sacrifice, that a thousand lifetimes in service to the Earth can bring a person. Based upon the first issue alone the story shows some significant promise aready, and I’m excited to see where Robert Venditti takes the character from here.

Story: Robert Venditti Art: Robert Gill Color: Mike Spicer
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE  copy for review. I also purchased a copy.

Preview: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #11

Posted on by

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #11 (NEW ARC! “DEAL WITH A DEVIL” – PART 1)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover A by KANO (JUL162071)
Cover B by JUAN JOSÉ RYP (JUL162072)
Cover C by ROBERT GILL (JUL162073)
Variant Cover by THONY SILAS (JUL162074)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale SEPTEMBER 14 (FOC – 8/22/16)

ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! Valiant’s immortal master of war makes A DEAL WITH A DEVIL!

Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, has sacrificed his humanity for the betterment of the Earth. Empowered with the gift to recover from any wound – and even death itself – he has waged an endless crusade to guide the path of civilization through the ages. But as the centuries pass and his list of battlefield victories grows, he is fated to always reap the same sad reward: to see his families, his children, and all his loved ones…age, wither, and die…

Now, the Eternal Warrior will be presented with a choice that could end his grief forever. An opportunity to resurrect the fallen sons and daughters that he believed forever lost. But this chance for peace and happiness will come at a terrible cost… and in service to an evil far greater than any Gilad has faced before…

New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps) and acclaimed artist Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH) push the Eternal Warrior to the fiery crossroads of guilt and redemption for a wicked new jumping-on point as A DEAL WITH A DEVIL takes hold!

wrath_011_cover-a_kano

Review: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #10

Posted on by

WRATH_010_COVER-A_KANOAgainst all odds, the Eternal Warrior has fought his way to the Labyrinth’s brutal and mysterious center. But his suffering is far from over! Standing between the Earth’s immortal master of war and freedom stands the figure only known as the Dying One…and the masterstroke in his centuries-long plan to unlock the secret of the Eternal Warrior’s immortality! Battered but not beaten, can Gilad Anni-Padda rise once more to fell his greatest foe…or will the madness of the Labyrinth break his mind as well as his body?

The story that Robert Venditti has been crafting over the past ten issues culminates here as he confronts the figure who trapped him within the Labyrinth in an incredibly satisfying issue of Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior.

Since he has escaped his prison within the Labyrinth a couple of issues ago, the Eternal Warrior has been nigh unstoppable as he tracks down the being responsible for killing him over and over – against the odds, the inevitable confrontation between them delivers on the expectations the story has built; not only because it’s swiftly brutal, but also because there are certain things said that may not shock Gilad as much as they should make you, the reader, wonder what is to come in the coming issues.

Through a few well-placed lines of dialogue Venditti cunningly allows readers to get a glimpse into the Dying One‘s motive for having trapped and repeatedly murder the Eternal Warrior, allowing you to, at least in part, understand why our hero has been a rat in a maze for the last four issues.

Visually this is an incredibly slick comic; the fairly standard grid like layout used throughout the comic lends a very old school feel, and allows some very interesting uses of negative space. There’s a great example of this in the early pages of a reeeeeeally slow sequence depicting a trickle of blood fall from Gilad’s axe – a great counterpoint to the frenetic energy surrounding the confrontation between the Eternal Warrior and some hired hands shown at the end of the last issue – when this is collected into a trade, that’s going to be a great sequence to read immediately after said confrontation. A real calm in the middle of the story, so to speak.

Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior is an incredibly well crafted series from start to finish, tying up several threads from across the past ten issues, and laying the grounds for the next arc or two to come. It isn’t an ideal starting point for new readers (try #7 at the very least if you can’t start at #1), but for those familiar with the series – and there’s not enough of you – issue #10 is one of the best released so far.

My expectations were sky high for this comic, and the creative delivered.

Story: Robert Venditti Artists: Raul Allen & Patricia Martin
Art Assistant: Davi Astruga Additional Colours: Borja Pindado
Epilogue: Robert Venditti, Robert Gill
Story: 9.25 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review. I will also purchase a copy on 8/17.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by

Batman #5Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Shay

Top Pick: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1 (DC Comics) – I have long held the belief that for a very long time Birds of Prey is the one of the only DC comics that I religiously read. They’re like an all female Avengers , the story arcs are killer and it oozes girl power on every page. My deep connection with the comic made me watch every episode of that gawd awful TV show on the WB in the hopes that it would be less campy and get renewed. This new issue ushers in the Shawna & Julie Benson era and I’m excited to read it. There hasn’t been a women at the helm of these crime-fighting ladies since 2010 when Gail Simone was running the show. This story arc focuses on Oracle and her stolen identity. It gets bonus points because the women at the helm are TV writers who’ve written for The CW, where most of the DC Universe lives on the small screen, and this brings out all the hope I have for a TV reboot that is worth watching. It’s my top pick of the week because TV show or not, it’s good to get in on the ground floor of what I’m sure will be an interesting story arc.

Amelia Cole Versus The End of Everything (IDW Publishing) – Amelia Cole has an existence that straddles the line between Magic & Tech. There’s something pretty rad about having a woman being a total bad ass using her mind & strength over sex appeal to save the day and make a change. If you aren’t all caught up on the story , this is the last one so it’s a good gateway graphic novel to get you hooked enough to go back and read the whole story from the very beginning. We all need a little intrigue in our lives and there’s something kind of awesome about adding monsters to a story about fighting the power.

Black Widow #6 (Marvel) – The art is wicked good in this issue following the Black Widow in her Civil War II adventures and, the story is nothing to scoff at. Secrets are going to be tumbling out of her closet and there’s a possible Invincible Iron Man showdown in the mix. I can’t wait to see how this all plays out on the pages and on the screen. Grab some popcorn and brace yourself for what I’m sure will be an exciting read.

 

Alex

Top Pick: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #10 (Valiant) – As the fantastic Labyrinth comes to a close with what promises to be a bloody conclusion, I’m already looking ahead and wondering what seeds Robert Venditti has already planted for the future. This is easily one of my favourite series on the racks every week, and a large part of that is because of the way Venditti has carefully crafted the story over the past ten issues to culminate here (at least in part, I’m sure). I’ll have more to say in my review, but me expectations are pretty high at this point.

Batman #5 (DC Comics) – Speaking of high expectations: Tom King and David Finch’s Batman is one of the many great things coming from DC post Rebirth, and the tale of the rise and fall of two young heroes has me thoroughly enraptured.

Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files: Wild Card #5 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I gotta say that this miniseries has surprised me. I never expect to enjoy the Dresden comics a much as I do – I still prefer the books, but the comics aren’t far off.

Klaus #7 (BOOM! Studios) – Seems a little odd reading about Santa in August, but at this point his yearly visit is only four months away.  Grant Morrison’s origin story is coming to a close, which is bittersweet, but I’m looking forward to finally getting to finish the story.

Superman #5 (DC Comics) – Apparently, I’m a Superman fan post-Rebirth. Who knew?

 

Anthony

Top Pick: Black Hammer #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – The first issue of Black Hammer was a strong beginning to an intriguing premise that, though this is a story with superheroes, is more about dealing with the glory of fame being a thing of the past. It will be really interesting to see what Lemire, Ormston and Stewart do with these characters whom bask in the nothingness of the present or remain stuck in their own ‘golden days’.

Descender #14 (Image Comics) – This current arc has progressed the plot in a slower pace but has been a treat so far. Lemire with Nguyen’s gorgeous artwork, have been diving into the backstory of a couple different characters. Each of the covers reveals whom is to be of focus for that issue and from the looks of this issue, Bandit, the loveable pet-bot will be front and center.

The Wicked + The Divine #22 (Image Comics) – The finale to the current arc arrives and there is sure to be blood shed and tears wept by fans. This arc has been particularly brutal, upping the violence as the Gods continue to duke it out with Minerva being the focus for both sides.

Black Widow #6 (Marvel) – Thankfully, Black Widow is one of the few titles not really affected or tied-in to the Civil War II event (at least yet). It has been a continuously fun, emotional, and adventurous ride so far with the creative team having yet to really falter at all. The Weeping Lion has finally shown his cards and revealed a myriad of still unknown but potentially dangerous information with Black Widow being heavily involved.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Batman #5 (DC Comics) – I’ve read this issue already and holy crap is it amazing. This doesn’t feel like a Batman issue. This feels like the finale to an epic DC event. It’s that grand in scope and just fantastic from beginning to end. I actually wish there was more to the issue it’s that cinematic and such a good read.

Briggs Land #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – A solid debut issue that introduces us to a family that resembles a certain Bundy family.

Garth Ennis’ Red Team: Double Tap, Center Mass #2 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I love noir/crime/cop stories and this series which focuses on crooked cops by Garth Ennis should scratch that itch for folks. The first volume was fantastic and this second one kicked off in a good way.

Horizon #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue of this series was really intriguing. The concept is aliens retaliating against Earth for Earth’s aggressions towards them. Great concept. Solid execution so far.

Polar Vol. 3 No Mercy For Sister Maria (Dark Horse Comics) – If you’ve read the first two volumes, you know why this is on my list. Victor Santos’ series is pure action full of hit-men and mercenaries and femme fatales. It also looks amazing. A must get for folks, you won’t be disappointed.

Preview: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #10

Posted on by

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #10

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAUL ALLEN with ROBERT GILL
Cover A by KANO (JUN161915)
Cover B by PERE PEREZ (JUN161916)
Variant Cover by ANDRES GUINALDO (JUN161917)
$3.99| 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale AUGUST 17 (FOC – 7/25/16)

Pain and suffering await at the “LABYRINTH’”s end!

Against all odds, the Eternal Warrior has fought his way to the Labyrinth’s brutal and mysterious center. But his suffering is far from over! Standing between the Earth’s immortal master of war and freedom stands the figure only known as the Dying One…and the masterstroke in his centuries-long plan to unlock the secret of the Eternal Warrior’s immortality! Battered but not beaten, can Gilad Anni-Padda rise once more to fell his greatest foe…or will the madness of the “LABYRINTH” break his mind as well as his body?

New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (X-O MANOWAR) and visionary artist Raúl Allén (NINJAK) bring their blood-curdling epic to a boil as “LABYRINTH” reaches its unforgettable end – and determines the final fate of Valiant’s greatest warrior!

WRATH_010_COVER-A_KANO

Review: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #9

Posted on by

WRATH_009_COVER-A_ALLENThe darkest hour of the Eternal Warrior’s long life has arrived with blood and torment. Behind every wall and around every corner of the Dying One’s “LABYRINTH,” new and sadistic ways to burn, tear, and break Gilad Anni-Padda await. As the Eternal Warrior’s greatest enemy inches closer to unlocking the secret of never-ending life, is all hope lost for Earth’s immortal soldier?

Right from the get go, Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #9 is a very cathartic issue, because after two issues of being repeatedly beaten, tortured and killed, Gilad Anni Padda is finally free to strike back at the man who has had him captive for the past umpteen days in a vast labyrinth.

As a reader, it’s fun to see The Eternal Warrior cut loose as the series marches to the conclusion of Labyrinth.

Labyrinth didn’t start out as one of my favourite tales featuring The Eternal Warrior, although a part of that was surely because of how much I enjoyed the dynamically explosive prelude issues before the story proper got under way, but as the issues progressed I began to really appreciate the way Robert Venditti has framed the story; there has been dialogue from the first four issues that’s played a part in the current arc, and hints thrown about what is going to happen right from the first issue. The long buildup of this series, despite being two different arcs (and a prelude) isn’t really something that you see as much in comics nowadays with the constant reboots and relaunches, and I’ll admit to having to go back to those earlier issues to see what else I could catch that I may have missed.

Typically the third chapter may not always be an ideal place to jump into a series, but the way in which the story has been framed  here will almost allow you to follow along with relative ease. Oh, you’ll miss something, and others won’t mean as much to you without context, but you won’t be completely lost if Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #9 is your first comic in the series.

The visuals in this issue are consistent with the other comics in the series (aside from the prelude issues) and while I wasn’t quite taken with the art with the first issue, it has grown on me since; there’s a simple effectiveness to the line work and colours that taken in conjunction with the layouts and the way that the pages have been put together paneling within each comic which lends a feeling of simplistic brutality that is brilliantly juxtaposed to the advanced technology of the labyrinth itself.

When it comes to the dialogue, there are some hokey moments that feel at odds with the tone of the comic; almost as if Venditti has taken inspiration from the oldest of old school action movies (the Expendables level of cheese) in a couple of scenes. It’ not enough to take away my enjoyment at all, but it’s a little odd all the same. That said, this is still one of the best series on the shelf today, and  you owe it to yourself to give it a read.

Story: Robert Venditti Artists: Raul Allen & Patricia Martin
Art Assistant: David Astruga Additional Colours: Borja Pindado
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review, but I will be purchasing this anyway.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by

The Paybacks #1 CoverWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: The Paybacks #1 (Heavy Metal Magazine) – The first four-issue arc was superb, blending the feeling of overwhelming debt with superpowers and the humour that results from such an outrageous pairing turned into one of the best series I’d ever read from then publisher Dark Horse. Now that the Paybacks are back with Heavy Metal, I’m beyond excited to get my grubby mitts on them again.

Conan The Slayer #1 (Dark Horse) – I always get excited whenever a new Conan comic (or movie, but those are far fewer in frequency), but I inevitably stop reading them at some point – and usually I have no idea why, but a new Conan series is exactly what I want right now.

Nightwing Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – I was never keen on the idea of Dick Grayson as a spy, and by not continuing to read his solo series post-Nightwing, apparently I missed out on a great series. But my dislike of spy heavy stories kept me away from the former Boy Wonder at first, and then there was a general reluctance to dive in after eight-plus missed issues. Now that the issue numbers are restarting, and the mask is back?

Old Man Logan #8 (Marvel) – After the last three issues left me barefoot (that’s a pretentious way of saying they blew my socks off), I have high hopes for the next arc. If it’s half as good as the last one, I’ll be happy.

Wrath Of the Eternal Warrior #9 (Valiant) – The Eternal Warrior is free from the Labyrinth and wants vengeance. I’m just happy to get another issue of my favourite series.

 

Javier

Top Pick: Nightwing Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – Dick Grayson finally returns as one of my favorite characters, together with Tim Seeley rightfully taking back his writing duties. Looking forward to both.

Ragnarok #9 (IDW Publishing) – Walter Simonson’s latest take on Thor’s post-apocalyptic mythology is amazing. Yes, it’s old-school eighties comic book storytelling, but it’s also a pleasant escape to Valhalla—what’s left of it.

The Vision #9 (Marvel) – It’s been on my pull list since the beginning, and I’ve been raving about it since it came out. It’s now near its conclusion, and if King’s ‘Omega Men’ is a harbinger of things to come, we are in for a hell of an ending within the few remaining issues.

House of Penance #4 (Dark Horse) – Tomasi and Bertram have drafted a horror tale around the legendary Winchester House and its builders.  This nightmarish western, with and without guns, has me gasping for air.

Wacky Raceland #2 (DC Comics) – This was one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons back in the day. It was a goofy cartoon, but this most recent updated iteration is anything but. The writing is a bit rough, but the artwork is gritty and realistic, with well-drawn characters more representative of today’s diversity.

 

Anthony

Top Pick: Monstress Vol.1 TP (Image Comics) – If you missed out, now is your chance to catch up and devour one of the best titles released by anyone in 2016. Marjorie Liu has a firm, confident grasp on world-building, establishing quite a bit without feeling overburdened. The array of characters are all so well fleshed out and especially stand out from the insanely detailed artwork of Sana Takeda. Takeda’s designs are just dazzling. From the interior and exterior environments to the clothes being worn, Takeda’s illustrations never wane…you just may cry from how stunning this series is.

Kabuki Library HC Vol.3 (Dark Horse) – David Mack’s Kabuki is a very special series. Combining all sorts of art styles (watercolours, pencils, collage, etc.), Mack weaves in and out of them with a confident ease that never feels pretentious, just plain and simply amazing. These oversized ‘Library’ editions that Dark Horse has been releasing are truly the way to absorb this futuristic tale of an assassin that has been wronged. Words cannot really do justice to Kabuki. Each page is like a treasure beholden to the eye, sometimes requiring a closer examination for the full effect of its use of text (and a very interesting use of comic lettering) and image.

Descender #13 (Image Comics) – Tim-22 and Tim-21 are not getting along. Last issued revealed some backstory from Tim-22, putting some possible reasoning behind his violent tendencies compared to the doughy innocence of Tim-21. Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen have been painting a wonderful sci-fi series so far that has yet to lose any steam.

Mirror #5 (Image Comics) – Mirror has been one of the most beautifully composed titles that Image has released this year. Emma Rios’s emotional script with Hwei Lim’s gorgeous, playful layouts make every single issue a treat for the eyes and mind. Every issue evokes a floating dream type of feeling that works quite well with its fantasy-like setting. A rising tension has been building from the first issue between the Synchronia and the animals of Irzah that is sure to come to a head in this final issue of the first arc.

Bloodshot Reborn #15 (Valiant Entertainment) – The first part of ‘Bloodshot Island’ was a Doctor Moreau-esque introduction to this mysterious place that Bloodshot has found himself in. With a cast of other Bloodshots that appear to have come from other eras and other specific wars all being hunted by a mysterious, powerful being, this looks to be another intriguing storyline crafted by Jeff Lemire. Plus, getting to see Mico Suayan’s incredibly detailed artwork is always a very, very good thing.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – The return of Ethan Van Sciver to the GL books is such a welcome one for me. While I am not the biggest fan of Robert Vendetti’s writing the return of Ethan overshadows that for me. Plus Hal vs. Sinestro. Give me a ring and a charge, I’m going in!

Nightwing Rebirth # 1 (DC Comics) – Sad to see Grayson go, but Dick returns to the front lines again. I love the creative team on this book. Seeley and Pacquette make this a can’t miss for me. While we have the Bat Trainees going on in Detective Comics, I have a feeling Nightwing will show us why he is the first and greatest to graduate from Bat – U.Civil War II #3 (Marvel Comics) The specter of death looms high here. I have big fears that it’s going to be Tony Stark that bites the big one. However being the wrestling fan that I am and how unpredictable Marvel has been of late, I’m not ruling out the swerve here. So far the Civil War sequel has been good. I just want something to really ramp it up. Can’t have a war without deaths. Sprinkle a few Marvel!

Civil War II #3 (Marvel Comics) – The specter of death looms high here. I have big fears that it’s going to be Tony Stark that bites the big one. However being the wrestling fan that I am and how unpredictable Marvel has been of late, I’m not ruling out the swerve here. So far the Civil War sequel has been good. I just want something to really ramp it up. Can’t have a war without deaths. Sprinkle a few Marvel!Conan the Slayer #1 (Dark Horse Comics) I’ve always been a big fan of Conan both the character and late night talk show. (If they make a Conan the Slayer with the Flaming C I’d be all over it) So a new start and number one, makes this a

Conan the Slayer #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – I’ve always been a big fan of Conan both the character and late night talk show. (If they make a Conan the Slayer with the Flaming C I’d be all over it) So a new start and number one, makes this a no-brainer for me. Going to pick this one up and enjoy with some ale.

Action Comics # 959 (DC Comics) – This one just edged out this weeks Detective Comics for me, as I need to know what the heck is the deal with the 3rd Clark Kent? It he a time wraith (left over from the flash TV show) or an impostor or what? Plus my Superman’s return has been a joy and I’m always down for a tussle with Doomsday. Hope Metropolis is current on their insurance payments.

 

Brett

Top Pick: The Paybacks #1 (Heavy Metal Comics) – This was one of my favorite comic miniseries of recent years. It’s a combination of humor, action, and superheroes was beyond entertaining. The fact we’re getting more makes me jump for joy and hopefully others pick it up and find out what they’re missing. This is a series that deserves a wider audience and if you’re into superheroes with a great mix of humor, this is a series that’s a must get.

Aspen Universe Revelations #1 (Aspen Comics) – An Aspen book on my list?! Aspen is converging a few of their comic worlds into one cohesive universe and that begins here. Normally that happens on days ending with y in comics, but the fact that Josh Fialkov and JT Krul are writing it has me super stoked. Fialkov’s involvement is a coup for Aspen.

Horizon #1 (Skybound/Image Comics) – A new sci-fi series from Skybound/Image has me intrigued. That fact that it seems to be an allegory towards war and the current quagmire in the Middle East has me excited.

New Super Man #1 (DC Comics) – I’ve read the first issue and while it doesn’t completely blow me away, there’s a chance this series may be a brilliant dissection of copyright/intellectual property and the appropriation of it that goes on in China known as Shanzhai. If that’s the intention, I have no idea, but that’s how I’m reading it right now.

Rough Riders #4 (Aftershock Comics) – Just an amazing mix of history and utter weirdness.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Old Man Logan #8 (Marvel) – I have really been enjoying his book.  Wolverine was never one of my favorite characters, and not being familiar with the original Old Man Logan story, I didn’t really know what to expect from this book.  But wow, is there some good stuff going on in here.  Loving the journey Logan is on, the darker art, the grit…if you’re not reading this book, you are missing out.

Civil War II Choosing Sides #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was a lighter read, but  it is an interesting point of view to see the lesser known players in the MU taking their positions in this civil war.  I do hope it gets a little deeper though, with more thought on the characters and not just a passing glance.

New Avengers #13 (Marvel) – This title has been a let down from the get go (for me anyway).  A few characters I was excited to see really got lost in this book, and this Maker big bad hasn’t been that big a threat.  However, things have turned around with the new civil war making waves.  The team has been divided on the issue and now things are getting interesting.  The Maker is unleashing his New Revengers in this issue, so I’m looking forward to that; plus Songbird just looks kick ass on the cover, so I haven’t totally given up on this yet.

Wacky Raceland #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue was indeed a wacky ride…and I liked it!  This adaptation of an old kids cartoon is definitely more grown up; apocalyptic waste land, racers driving for their lives… and cars that talk!  I’m looking forward to the next lap of this race.

Preview: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #9

Posted on by

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #9 (“LABYRINTH” – PART 3)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAÚL ALLÉN
Cover A by RAÚL ALLÉN (MAY161898)
Cover B by PERE PÉREZ (MAY161899)
Cover C by TOMAS GIORELLO (MAY161900)
Variant Cover by STEVE LIEBER (MAY161901)
Variant Cover by DEAN HASPIEL (MAY161902)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+| On sale JULY 13 (FOC – 6/20/16)

“LABYRINTH” delivers the killing blow!

The darkest hour of the Eternal Warrior’s long life has arrived with blood and torment. Behind every wall and around every corner of the Dying One’s “LABYRINTH,” new and sadistic ways to burn, tear, and break Gilad Anni Padda await. As the Eternal Warrior’s greatest enemy inches closer to unlocking the secret of never-ending life, is all hope lost for Earth’s immortal soldier?

The monumental Eternal Warrior epic of the year delivers another crushing blow as New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and visionary artist Raúl Allén (Hawkeye) enter the darkest corner of “LABYRINTH” yet!

WRATH_009_COVER-A_ALLEN

Review: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #8

Posted on by

WRATH_008_COVER-A_ALLENSometimes I can be pretty slow on the up-take. Case in point pretty much this entire series; oh sure, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying each issue so far, but after reading Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #8 I finally felt something click. While I wouldn’t say that that something has made the previous issues that much better, it’s certainly allowed me to look at both the first four issues, and the last two in a whole new light.

Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, can die. He won’t stay dead, but he can certainly die, and die he has in Labyrinth; often and painfully. 

It’s these deaths that are so brutally realized on the page that made me realize just how much weight each death carries for Gilad as I thought back to the four part arc Risen; by using four issues to explain what happens each time the Eternal Warrior dies and is resurrected has paid off in spades here. Risen paves the expositional way for Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #8; if you haven’t read the first four issues of this series you will be a little lost when you see Gilad die. And no, that isn’t a spoiler – Gilad epitomizes the comic book death trope in a brilliant way this issue; almost like a video game in which you can die and then try again. No matter how many times he is beaten, the Eternal Warrior will rise again.

And he’s beaten pretty badly here, which while no doubt unpleasant for Gilad Anni-Padda, makes for some pretty unique art by the art team. Make no mistake, this isn’t an all ages comic, but nor is it over-the-top violent either. The violence that is displayed is done in a very methodical (and almost stylized) manner that does more to serve the story than you’d initially expect.

There’s also some foreshadowing here that may tie into something that Venditti has been hinting toward in various issues of the series so far, but I’ll keep my theories away from the review for now (but if you’re curious, you can find me on twitter @Karcossa). Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #8 is a fantastic comic that sets up some potentially awesome moments down the road, and I’ll be waiting for them with baited breath.

Valiant have a series on their hands that’s just begging for multiple readings, and when it’s this good it’d be rude not to oblige.

Story: Robert Venditti Artists: Raul Allen & Patricia Martin
Art Assistant: David Astruga Additional Colours: Borja Pindado
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review, but I’ll also be buying this on the 15th.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »