Tag Archives: wrath of the eternal warrior

Venditti & Ryp Descend into “Prelude to Labyrinth” for Wrath of Eternal Warrior #5

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Valiant has released an advance preview of Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #5 – the FIRST ISSUE of the two-part “Prelude to Labyrinth” from New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and blockbuster artist Juan Jose Ryp! On March 16th, jump on board one of the year’s most acclaimed new series here as the Eternal Warrior takes his first steps out of Hell…and into the crosshairs of one of the greatest villains the Valiant Universe has ever known!

Across six millennia, Gilad Anni-Padda – an immortal warrior sworn to forever serve the Earth – has felled zealots and madmen, emperors and tyrants in the course of his duty. But nothing he’s faced yet can prepare him to run the “Labyrinth” – a miles-long maze of horrors specifically designed to undermine his every strength, enhance his every weakness…and send him screaming into the darkness of death at every turn. But what kind of brilliant but twisted psyche could have possibly conceived such a monument to terror…and for how many centuries have they plotted to break the mind and body of history’s most formidable soldier?

The answer lies at the heart of the “Labyrinth” itself…and as Gilad endures a gauntlet of cutting-edge technology and sharpened steel, he’ll soon discover why the merciless figure known only as the Dying One has singled the Eternal Warrior out for the ultimate deathtrap.

Now, before Valiant’s immortal master of war confronts the cruel implements of his enemy’s “Labyrinth,”  discover where the Dying One’s ancient rivalry with Gilad Anni-Padda began millennia ago…and how his centuries-long search for the secret of the Eternal Warrior’s immortality is going to change both of their futures forever!

Featuring covers by Raul Allen, Pere Perez, Juan Jose Ryp, Khari Evans, and Dave Bullock!

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #5 (“PRELUDE TO LABYRINTH” – PART 1)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by JUAN JOSÉ RYP
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ (JAN161746)
Cover B by JUAN JOSÉ RYP (JAN161747)
Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY (JAN161748)
Variant Cover by SEAN CHEN (JAN161749)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 16 (FOC – 2/22/16)

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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Avengers_Standoff_Welcome_to_Pleasant_Hill_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: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #4 (Valiant) – I’ve been enjoying this series so far, and while it hasn’t captured me like some other Valiant books (or Old Man Logan), it’s still a damn fine series that’s got a very interesting take on immortality,and the Earth’s Fist an Steel.

Wraithborn #1 (Benitez Productions) – I know nothing about this series, but the cover looks awesome. I’m picking it up for that reason alone.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Extraordinary X-Men #7 (Marvel) – This book has been delivering with every issue; lots of action, a kick ass team line up and Humberto Ramos’ art is just icing on the cake.  Plus I’m looking forward to finding out what made Nightcrawler’s trolley jump the tracks.

Avengers Standoff Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1 (Marvel) – I am very curious about this title; a quiet, run of the mill town where everyone knows everyone, but there’s something hiding beneath the façade.  And is that a cosmic cube on the cover?  The upcoming ‘Standoff’ event starts here.

Uncanny Inhumans #5 (Marvel) – A new story arc “The Quiet Room” starts in this issue, and that alone has me curious when it involves a character whose slightest whisper can shatter a mountain.  Brandon Peterson is taking on the art duties for this book, and I am looking forward to seeing his take on the characters.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Power Man and Iron Fist #1 (Marvel) – Written by David Walker with art by Sanford Greene, this classic team-u is back! This is a comic I’ve been excited for, and waiting for, since it was announced and I can’t wait to see how these two creators handle them.

Race For the Moon (Canton Street Press) – This is a reprint that features sci-fi stories with artwork by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Al Williamson, and Bob Powell. I honestly didn’t know about it until I looked a this week’s releases, but it sounds awesome.

Revenger Vol. 1 (Bergen Street Press) – Collecting Charles Forsman’s self-published series. If you haven’t read it in individual issues, now’s your chance to pick it up and see what you’ve been missing. When all hope is lost, and those who meant the most have been ripped away, there is only revenge.

Snowfall #1 (Image Comics) – Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo’s new sci-fi ongoing series kicks off with an oversized debut. It’s 2045, the climate is messed up, a new corporate government is in charge and one man wages a weather war against the system. Sounds awesome.

Wraithborn #1 (Benitez Productions) – A new series from artist Joe Benitez and writer Marcia Chen. I love Benitez’s Lady Mechanika, so really want to check this one out.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1 (Marvel) – So of the big two Marvel has been the one handling it better with their event books. Secret Wars was stellar. I know Civil War 2 is a coming but I hope we are not in for another retread. Honestly I’m just giving this one the benefit of the doubt. That and Mark Bagley.

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Marvel) – This comic has just been fun since go. I like the whole Zodiac storyline and really been enjoying how Slott writes Peter, him and the Parker Industry staff are the highlights of the book. Nothing grand or spectacular but a very reliable book every month. It’s nice.

Poison Ivy: Circle of Life and Death #2 (DC Comics) – She’s sultry, she’s sexy and she’s wanted for murder. It is high time Ms. Ivy has gotten her own monthly. I’m not the biggest supporter of this title but I will in the hopes she gets her own monthly. Scott Snyder please… fingers crossed.

 

Madison

Top Pick: Bitch Planet #7 (Image Comics) – Bitch Planet finally seems to be back on a regular publishing schedule, which is exciting because the story is really getting good. A must-read for feminists, not only for the story, but also for the backmatter, which contains feminist essays.

Sex Criminals #14 (Image Comics) – Sex Criminals is a hilarious comic about time-stopping orgasms (literally time-stopping). I’m not sure if my favorite thing about it is that Fraction and Zdarsky manage a humorous but at times sensitive and relatable story, or trying to describe to people why they should read it.

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #5 (Marvel) – Doreen is still stuck in the sixties, but this issue features an old lady Squirrel Girl to give her a hand. Surely, more hilarity and butt-kicking will ensue.

Preview: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #4

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WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #4

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAUL ALLEN
Cover A by DAVID LAFUENTE (DEC151663)
Cover B by RAUL ALLEN (DEC151664)
Cover C by MARCOS MARTIN (DEC151665)
Variant by CLAYTON HENRY  (DEC151666)
Variant by by ADAM POLLINA (DEC151667)
BW Sketch Variant Cover by DAVID LAFUENTE (DEC151668)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale FEBRUARY 17

Even Hell has met its match…in the unrelenting fury of the Eternal Warrior!

In the wake of BOOK OF DEATH…the Earth’s immortal champion is dead…but his battle is far from over. Cast out of our world and into a fearsome afterlife of pain and punishment, Gilad is determined to return to our world and resume his duty… But can even history’s most formidable master of war forge ahead in an unearthly domain built to break the human spirit? Now, on the cusp of freedom, the Eternal Warrior rises to fight an enemy with a grudge as old as himself…only to the find that the price of victory might just be everything and everyone he has ever loved…

The year’s heart-shattering new ongoing series steps out of Hell…and into the battle for life itself as New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and visionary artist Raul Allen (NINJAK) force the Eternal Warrior into the next brutal level of rebirth in a world beyond our own!

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Robert Venditti and Raul Allen’s “Risen” Runs Red in Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #4

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On February 17th, even Hell will meet its match…in the unrelenting fury of the Eternal Warrior!

Valiant has released an advance preview of Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #4 – the grand finale of “Risen,” the critically acclaimed debut story arc of Valiant’s latest hit ongoing series by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and visionary illustrator Raul Allen! Join the Eternal Warrior as he begins the harrowing final confrontation with the forces of Hell…and begins the long march back to the land of the living!

In the wake of Book of Death…the Earth’s immortal champion is dead…but his battle is far from over. Cast out of our world and into a fearsome afterlife of pain and punishment, Gilad is determined to return to our world and resume his duty… But can even history’s most formidable master of war forge ahead in an unearthly domain built to break the human spirit? Now, on the cusp of freedom, the Eternal Warrior rises to fight an enemy with a grudge as old as himself…only to the find that the price of victory might just be everything and everyone he has ever loved…

Featuring covers by David Lafuente, Raul Allen, Marcos Martin, Clayton Henry, and Adam Pollina, “Risen” reaches its unforgettable conclusion right here!

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #4
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAUL ALLEN
Cover A by DAVID LAFUENTE (DEC151663)
Cover B by RAUL ALLEN (DEC151664)
Cover C by MARCOS MARTIN (DEC151665)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (DEC151666)
Variant Cover by ADAM POLLINA (DEC151667)
B&W Sketch Variant by DAVID LAFUENTE (DEC151668)
$3.99 | 32 pgs | T+ | On sale FEBRUARY 17 (FOC – 1/25/16)

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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Captain Marvel #1Wednesdays 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: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #3 (Valiant) – When a comic is released featuring of one my favourite characters squaring off against the legions of the afterlife alone, how could I not be excited? But beyond that, there is a raw quality to the artwork in this series that lends itself beautifully  to the surprisingly emotional story. Such a great series.

Batman #48 (DC Comics) – The only main Batbook I still read, and that’s entirely because of Scott Snyder. Last issue’s final page has had me counting down the days until #48 was being released. While I’m not a fan of the Robot Bunny Batman suit, I do love where the subplot featuring Bruce is going, and that subplot is the main reason I’m still reading.

Judge Dredd #2 (IDW Publishing) – Dredd was a staple of my childhood growing up in ol’ Blighty, and I’m loving seeing the direction of this new ongoing comic. If you haven’t read the last issue I won’t spoil what’s going on, but it’s not an overly unique idea, but it’s awesome to see it applied to Judge Dredd.

Red Thorn #3 (Vertigo) – This is a superbly illustrated tale about an American girl accidentally wandering into the world of Scottish mythology. Without any preamble, it’s good. Very good, even, and you should read it.

 

Ashley

Top Pick: Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #6 (Image Comics) – It all comes to an end for Emily Aster as well as Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s first series together. Basically everything you love about that team grew out of Phonogram and it will be sad to see the series end it swan song. Will it end in death though? Who knows, but this is Gillen, so probably. There’s also been confirmation that the final B-side story is about David Bowie, who passed away last week.

Batgirl #47 (DC Comics) – More Steph and Babs teamups! The first appearance of Bluebird in a Batgirl comic! Perhaps more resolution on what’s keeping Barbara up at night? Well, those first two are promised at least and I am hype.

Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel) – Even though they are the show runners of the amazing Agent Carter, Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters have big shoes to fill being the first ongoing writers for Captain Marvel after Kelly Sue Deconnick’s iconic three year run on the title. With Carol taking up the role of being Earth’s first line of defense with S.W.O.R.D. and Alpha Flight and art by Kris Anka, it seems like they’re up for the task.

Lumberjanes #22 (BOOM! Studios) – The series has been finding new footing since Kat Leyh joined Shannon Watters as cowriter, but the opening to this arc with a werewolf sea captain vs. selkies was just so darn great that it’s hard to think that Leyh hasn’t gained her sea legs yet.

Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat #2 (Marvel) – Kate Leth and Brittney Williams hit it hard out of the gate with the first delightful issue. Now to see if Patsy can survive working in retail to get her business idea up and going.

 

Brett

Top Pick: American Monster #1 (Aftershock Comics) – Brian Azzarello’s new series sounds like a twisted version of Walking Tall. A man with a scarred faced heads to a Midwestern town where he gets rid of the corrupt sheriff and racist arms dealers. But, he’s actually there to take over. Sounds awesome.

Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel) – The Agent Carter team come to comics to take over this top property. I’m intrigued to see what they do.

Carver: A Paris Story #2 (Z2 Comics) – Just a classic revenge tale started because of a misunderstanding. The first issue felt like one of the films from the 70s and 80s I grew up on.

Star Wars #15 (Marvel) – Vader Down is over. Now to see what Marvel does next with their line of Star Wars comics. Really looking forward to see what comes next.

Transformers #49 (IDW Publishing) – All sorts of plots come together here as we head in to the big 50th issue next month! IDW’s Transformers line of comics continuously entertains.

 

Elana

Top Pick: Phonogram The Immaterial Girl #6 (Image Comics) – The finale issue of the best comic on the stands. If you are the sort of person who is having a deep emotional response to Bowie’s death then you definitely need this comic. The final back-up story is even about a Bowie song. Go read my essay on why Phonogram is the best thing ever. A comic about fandom, music and growing the fuck up while reconciling your past selves. I cannot over state how much I love this series.

Batgirl #47 (DC Comics) – New Arc! Great creative team. Approachable relatable Babs for the 21st century with art that actually appeals to young people (and also to me because I like things that are pretty)

Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel) – New creative team, the writers on the Agent Carter TV show (yay women in comics) and art by the perfectly matched Chris Anka.

Ms. Marvel #3 (Marvel) – The relaunch has really rejuvenated the already excellent title. The current arc is focusing on issues like gentrification and cooption of your public image as well as what happens when someone you always took for-granted falls for someone else.

Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat #2 (Marvel) – One of the most anticipated titles of the year! Kate Leth’s first issue felt like a Marvel comics version of the Archie revamp but through female eyes. Leth’s stories often deal with the indignities of the exploitative retail economy and I’m sensing those themes will continue. The comic is already doing great things on the diversity front. It’s going to be funny and interesting.

 

Jason

Top Pick: Silver Surfer #1 (Marvel) – Anywhere and everywhere, hang on! Slott’s Surfer definitely lives up to this promise in every way as the once lone sentinel of the starways continues his universe panning, reality hopping adventures with Dawn and Toomee. One of the few series to continue throughout Secret Wars, it was surprising how much it tugged in the heart strings last year despite not having a strictly ‘Last Days’ story like most other series. In the past comic fans have talked about Slott’s bold and very divisive Spider-Man writing, but for my money some of his best stories are right here with the Surfer. It continues to deliver everything a reader could want from a space bound adventure series and after the last arcs jaw dropping Mobius strip issue I’m left wondering where Slott and the Allred’s will take the trio next as they begin with a new number one this month.

Patsy Walker aka Hellcat #2 (Marvel) – After hearing her speak about creating fictional worlds at Thought Bubble last year (and then chickening out of speaking to her outside, sigh!) I’d give any series by Leth a chance but was particularly delighted to see her picking up one of the members from Soule’s interesting cast of She Hulk characters, Hellcat! Beyond the recent Soule series I was a little in the dark about Patsy’s history, but Leth effortlessly gets the reader up to speed in the first issue and captures her impulsive and headstrong character. Along with adorable art from Brittney L. Williams the pair are carving out their own unique little queer space in the Marvel Universe, adding more texture and diversity, with Patsy and newcomer Ian’s visit to ‘Burly Books’ in the first issue being one of many wonderful moments with the whole book harking back to the characters roots in romance comics.

Wolf #5 (Image Comics) – Kot’s supernatural noir thriller continues, picking up five years after the last issue and with a previous Zero collaborator Ricardo Lopez Ortiz taking up the art duties from Matt Taylor. Kot’s comics always make or a challenging and intriguing read, and although a little slow to start it finally felt last issue like the pieces were starting to gel together as the writer hits his stride with his newest series. Fans still hurting over the loss of the original John Constantine might find themselves with a new favorite series to fill that Hellblazer shaped hole in their hearts and bookshelves.

 

Javier

Top Pick: Carver: Paris Story #2 (Z2 Comics) – This is my top pick. It’s the comic book Hemingway would write if he was to be resurrected and forced to use his talents to shore up the literary comic book industry.

American Monster #1 (Aftershock Comics) – Lately it seems that Brian Azzarello has been writing with one hand tied behind his back at DC. He’s now partnered with a new indie outfit to produce a series, with art by Juan Doe, about a horrifically scarred, battle hardened soldier, returning home with questionable motives. I’m hopeful Azzarello goes all out with this new project.

I Hate Fairyland #4 (Image Comics) – This is the comic book I don’t share with friends and family. They’ll just think I’ve finally went over the deep end. It’s crude, rude, and funny in a sweet bloody way. And yes, I do buy both covers.

Ted McKeever’s Pencil Head #1 (Image Comics) – We fans sometimes forget that the comic book people who entertain us weekly are human too. This is suppose to be McKeever’s mostly true, semi-autographical, behind the scenes, tell-all of the absurd comic book industry … with a dead stripper. I’ll have fun trying to separate truth from fiction (I’ll bet the stripper is real).

Sunflower #3 (451 Media) – More cults and crime. Not sure why I continually gravitate toward the darkness. Mallouk and Ewington are working overtime to give me nightmares. I’ve been marked.

 

Madison

Top Pick: Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel) – Captain Marvel returns post-Secret Wars as the leader of the Alpha Flight Space Program. Though Kelly Sue DeConnick left some big shoes to fill, Fazekas and Butters are the showrunners behind Marvel’s Agent Carter and I believe Carol is in capable hands.

Ms. Marvel #3 (Marvel) – Ms. Marvel #3 will draw a three part arc to a close, and leaves Kamala to deal with the villainous Hope Yards Development, the company responsible for brainwashing Jersey City. Ms. Marvel is always a joy to read, and has been one of my favorites since the beginning.

Nowhere Men #7 (Image Comics) – Nowhere Men #7 will begin the long-anticipated second arc, after a hiatus that lasted more than two years. The comic follows the story of four scientists whose amazing work has had the cultural impact of The Beatles, which, to me, is a fascinating concept.

Wolf #5 (Image Comics) – Wolf, a story primarily about myths, and Wolf #5 is begins a new story arc. Ricardo Lopez Ortiz is taking over as the artist for this arc, replacing Matt Taylor (a tactic Ales Kot employs in several of his works). Readers were teased with mentions of the apocalypse but, as with most of Kot’s stories, we also got the sense that Wolf Vol. 1 was just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Batman #48 (DC Comics) – The clock is winding down and Bruce is soon to be back in the cowl, but before we get to Gordon and Mr. Bloom, we have the tale of two men on a park bench that will change the world forever.

Dragon Age: Magekiller #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – Greg Rucka’s gamer tale continues with the awesome bounty hunting duo of Tessla and Mathias. Fans of the franchise definitely want to check this out and newcomers will find it very accessible too.

Poison Ivy: Circle of Life and Death #1 (DC Comics) – Finally everyone’s favorite botanical temptress in her own title. Ivy is framed for murder and has to clear her name, or will she find it easier to resort to her wicked ways?

Silver Surfer #1 (Marvel Comics) – Dan Slott, Mike Allred in a trippy interstellar tale that leads us to.. Earth? Come see the book everyone is talking about. Grab your board and catch the wave!

 

Ryan

Top Pick: Pencil Head #1 (Image Comics) – McKeever’s projects are always so individual and idiosyncratic that you literally never know what to expect.

Clean Room #4 (Vertigo) – Each of the next three series have had strong starts with terrific stories, all with their own individualistic art styles.

Red Thorn #3 (Vertigo)

Lucifer #2 (Vertigo)

The Ultimate Deathtrap for Wrath of the Eternal Warrior in Labyrinth

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Valiant has announced “Labyrinth” – a calculating, six-issue blockbuster colliding Wrath of the Eternal Warrior with one of Valiant’s greatest villains in 2016!

Valiant’s next landmark storyline of the New Year begins with the two-part “Prelude to LabyrinthA” in March’s Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #5 by author Robert Venditti and artist Juan Jose Ryp! Then, the escape begins in full force with Labyrinth” – PART 1 (of 4) in May’s Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #7, featuring the triumphant return of visionary artist Raul Allen! The next epic step in the Eternal Warrior’s journey out of Hell and back into battle starts here!

Across six millennia, Gilad Anni-Padda – an immortal warrior sworn to forever serve the Earth – has felled zealots and madmen, emperors and tyrants in the course of his duty. But nothing he’s faced yet can prepare him to run the “Labyrinth” – a miles-long maze of horrors specifically designed to undermine his every strength, enhance his every weakness…and to send him screaming into the darkness of death at every turn. But what kind of brilliant but twisted psyche could have possibly conceived such a monument to terror…and for how many centuries have they plotted to break the mind and body of history’s most formidable soldier?

The answer lies at the heart of the “Labyrinth” itself…and as Gilad endures a gauntlet of cutting-edge technology and sharpened steel, he’ll soon discover why the merciless figure known only as THE DYING MAN has singled the Eternal Warrior out for the ultimate deathtrap.

He will run. He will suffer. And when his ordeal is ended, the Eternal Warrior’s place in the Valiant Universe will be forever altered by the cruel implements of his enemy’s “Labyrinth”

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #5 (“PRELUDE TO LABYRINTH” – PART 1)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by JUAN JOSE RYP
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ
Cover B by JUAN JOSE RYP
Valiant x CGC Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by SEAN CHEN
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | COMING IN MARCH!

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #6 (“PRELUDE TO LABYRINTH” – PART 2)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by JUAN JOSE RYP
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ
Cover B by JUAN JOSE RYP
Variant Cover by PERE PEREZ
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | COMING IN APRIL!

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #7 (“LABYRINTH” – PART 1)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAUL ALLEN
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | COMING IN MAY!

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Valiant in March 2016

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A&A: THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #1

Written by RAFER ROBERTS
Art by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover A by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover B by KANO
Cover C by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by RAFER ROBERTS
Variant Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
B&W Sketch Variant by DAVID LAFUENTE
Blank Cover also available

GET SMASHED…OR BE SMASHED! Valiant’s (somewhat) dynamic duo are going “IN THE BAG” for AN ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES from rising star Rafer Roberts and comic book superstar David Lafuente!

Meet Armstrong: Since the ancient city of Ur, this immortal adventurer has spent the last 7,000 years drinking and carousing his way through history alongside some of the greatest merrymakers the world has ever known.

Meet Archer: A sheltered teenage martial arts master and expert marksman that was raised for a single purpose – to kill the devil incarnate. Little did he know that this undying evil was actually Armstrong (he’s actually a pretty good guy…once you get to know him) and, since hitting the road together, the two have become great friends and even better partners.

Now: Archer is about to set off on his most dangerous mission yet – a quest into the mystic reaches of Armstrong’s bottomless satchel to liberate his friend and comrade from the clutches of the mad god Bacchus! (Okay, so, Armstrong went into the satchel himself to get a bottle of whiskey that he kinda misplaced and got stuck. It’s like the Amazon warehouse of arcane treasures in there…and he doesn’t exactly have a maid service.)

Imprisoned in Armstrong’s satchel for centuries, Bacchus now commands a legion of monsters, goblins and golems bent on escaping back into the world of man and enacting revenge on their captor… Can Archer single-handedly combat the godly embodiment of intoxication himself – and rescue his best buddy – without becoming lost amongst Armstrong’s endless repository of bizarre artifacts and historical oddities in the process?

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+| On sale MARCH 16

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WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #5 (“PRELUDE TO LABYRINTH” – PART 1)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by JUAN JOSÉ RYP
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ
Cover B by JUAN JOSÉ RYP
Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by SEAN CHEN
ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! “PRELUDE TO LABYRINTH” – PART 1!

His wife has been murdered. His son has been kidnapped. As The Eternal Warrior sets out on his greatest challenge yet, an old enemy rears his head. How will his ancient rivalry with Gilad change The Eternal Warrior’s future forever?

The road to LABYRINTH starts here with the FIRST ISSUE of a special two-part prelude from New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and blockbuster artist Juan José Ryp (NINJAK)!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 16

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BLOODSHOT REBORN 2016 ANNUAL #1

Written by JEFF LEMIRE with RAY FAWKES, MICHEL FIFFE & BENJAMIN MARRA, and PAUL MAYBURY
Art by KANO with RAY FAWKES, BENJAMIN MARRA, and PAUL MAYBURY
Cover A by KANO
Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM
Variant Cover by ROBERT WILSON IV
Variant Cover by KERON GRANT

Valiant’s indestructible commando gears up for Valiant’s first-ever annual with a 64-page bloodbath touring Bloodshot’s past, present, and future!

First: Terror doesn’t wait for Friday at Camp Silver Lake in an extra-sized tale of summertime mayhem from New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire and Valiant superstar Kano! A masked menace has stalked this camp for years, but what happens when one unstoppable killing machine comes up against another?
Bloodshot is about to bring his bloody brand of justice to the quiet shores of Silver Lake to take on America’s most notorious slasher!

Then: Jeff Lemire presents a very special Bloodsquirt solo adventure, plus all-new stories from Ray Fawkes (Batman Eternal), Michel Fiffe (Copra), Benjamin Marra (Strange Tales), Paul Maybury (Sovereign), and more!

$5.99 | 64 pgs. | T+| On sale MARCH 23

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FAITH #3 (of 4)

Written by JODY HOUSER
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA and MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Cover B by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover C by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by COLLEEN COOVER

New job. New identity. New life… right? Will the sudden reappearance of a former Renegade bring Faith’s newfound heights crashing back down to Earth?

She’s an intrepid reporter by day and an alien conspiracy hunting super hero by night – so the last thing Faith Herbert needed was her ex-boyfriend and one-time teammate Torque back in the picture. But he is. Does life have a “dislike” button?

Rising star Jody Houser (Orphan Black) and sensational artists Francis Portela (Green Lantern) and Marguerite Sauvage (DC Comics Bombshells) continue Faith’s landmark solo series debut!

$3.99  | 32 pgs. | T+| On sale MARCH 30

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NINJAK #13

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE and JUAN JOSÉ RYP
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by MATT HALEY
Cover C by CLAYTON HENRY
Character Design Variant by MATT KINDT
Variant Cover by RYAN LEE

SHADOWMAN VS. NINJAK! Who will live…and what will be left of them?

As Ninjak and Punk Mambo uncover the truth about the land of the dead, Shadowman makes his final move to finally wrest control of the uncanny parallel dimension called Deadside! The terrifying, intense, and heartbreaking return of a Valiant icon comes full circle as master storytellers Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite deliver OPERATION: DEADSIDE’s riveting finale!

Plus: another chapter of THE LOST FILES chronicling Jack Boniface’s missing days, featuring art by Juan Jose Ryp!

$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 9

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X-O MANOWAR #45

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ
Cover B by STEPHEN MOONEY
Variant Cover by JEFF DEKAL

Commander Trill comes down on “THE KILL LIST”!

The leader of the Vine insurgency has turned the tables on X-O Manowar and Ninjak in a way they never saw coming! By safeguarding a nation of alien refugees on his own sovereign soil, has Aric unwittingly invited a Trojan horse into his kingdom? And just when everything seems darkest…the Armorines return with a surprising new mission…

$3.99 | 32 pgs.| T+ | On sale MARCH 23

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IMPERIUM #14

Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by KHARI EVANS
Cover A by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Cover B by CAFU
Variant Cover by JUAN JOSÉ RYP

“STORMBREAK” – PART 2! Toyo Harada has brought war to the Foundation Zone…and Livewire and H.A.R.D. Corps are manning the frontline!

To his enemies, Harada is a despotic madman with a messiah complex. But to countless refugees and subjects of tyranny, Harada has been a savior and a benevolent provider. Now his world-changing Foundation Zone has grown faster than even he planned for. With diseases to cure, mouths to feed…and all of humanity to save…Harada will go to war against former allies and longtime enemies. At stake? The resources he needs for the Foundation Zone to succeed. In the balance? Everything Harada has ever built and fought for.

$3.99 | 32 pgs.  | T+ | On sale MARCH 16

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THE DEATH-DEFYING DOCTOR MIRAGE: SECOND LIVES #4 (of 4)

Written by JEN VAN METER
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Cover B by KEVIN WADA
Cover C by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Variant Cover by MAËLLE DOLIVEUX

The living. The dead. The good. The wicked. And a husband and wife trapped in the middle, the only ones who might prevent them all from crashing together…

An evil spirit, dead for decades, has usurped all the power of the enchanted scroll that Shan and Hwen Mirage needed to save their lives together. Now they have no scroll, no power, and an unstoppable enemy with the power of death at its fingertips. As this specter of doom leaps from body to body, leaving extinction in his wake, the Mirages know the only way to defeat him…win or lose, live or die…is by making the ultimate sacrifice.

Jen Van Meter and Roberto de la Torre deliver the dizzying, devastating climax for Valiant’s Harvey Award-nominated adventurers…and, for the living and the dead, nothing will ever be the same!

$3.99 US | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 23

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BOOK OF DEATH DELUXE EDITION HC

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with JEFF LEMIRE, MATT KINDT, and JOSHUA DYSART
Art by ROBERT GILL with DOUG BRAITHWAITE, TREVOR HAIRSINE, CLAYTON HENRY, KANO, and CAFU
Cover by PAOLO RIVERA

So let it be written… So let it be done… From New York Times best-selling writers Robert Venditti (X-O MANOWAR), Jeff Lemire (THE VALIANT), Matt Kindt (DIVINITY), Joshua Dysart (IMPERIUM) and a powerhouse roster of all-star artists comes the blockbuster crossover event that will forge the future of the Valiant Universe – collected in its entirety for the first time anywhere!

The Valiant heroes. X-O Manowar. Bloodshot. Ninjak. The Harbinger Renegades. Unity. This is how they lived. This is how they died.

Now we know. The Book of the Geomancer has recorded it all. But only a young girl – the last in a line of the enigmatic mystics who protect the Earth known as Geomancers – has seen this future come to pass, from the coming cataclysm to the
dawn of the 41st century. Alone with her sworn protector, the Eternal Warrior – a soldier battle forged across five thousand years of combat – the duo must defy their allies to stop the Dark Age that now threatens to eclipse our world. Together, they are the number one target of every hero and villain on Earth. Either the Eternal Warrior hands her over…or they take him down. But can even he singlehandedly protect one child when the entire Valiant Universe wages war against him?

Collecting BOOK OF DEATH #1–4, BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF BLOODSHOT #1, BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF NINJAK #1, BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF HARBINGER #1, and BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF X-O MANOWAR #1.

$39.99 | 304 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 30
OVERSIZED HARDCOVER | ISBN: 978-1-68215-115-0

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RAI VOL. 3: THE ORPHAN TPB

Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Rai falls to Earth in…“THE ORPHAN”!

Broken, beaten, and cast down to Earth, Rai and his allies now find themselves hunted, persecuted, and imprisoned for their failed rebellion against Father. Stranded thousands of miles from his former home, Rai is now more determined than ever to save his friends and bring down New Japan’s malevolent ruler once and for all…but how can he do that from Earth? And just what secrets will New Japan’s rising son discover as he journeys across the face of a planet scarred by his nation’s ascent to the stars?

Superstar creative team Matt Kindt (THE VALIANT, DIVINITY) and Clayton Crain (Carnage) return to their one-of-a-kind vision for the future as Rai discovers the true fate of the world New Japan left behind…and the Earth of 4001 is revealed!

Collecting RAI #9-12.

$14.99 | 112 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 23
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 978-1-939346-84-1

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IMPERIUM VOL. 3: THE VINE IMPERATIVE TPB

Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CAFU and JUAN JOSE RYP
Cover by KANO

It’s spy vs. superhuman as “THE VINE IMPERATIVE” boils over!

Toyo Harada’s war to save humanity by taking over the world roars on against the only enemy this planet cannot contain…a sinister network of undercover alien spies! A deadly chess game between Harada and the alien visitors called the Vine has been unfolding for decades. The Vine once even created the living weapon called LV-99 to
assassinate their enemy, but failed. Today, as Harada executes his agenda upon Earth – and with LV-99 on his side. This time – the Vine’s cold war finally turns infernally hot.

Jump on board the series that Bloody Disgusting calls “the height of sophisticated comic book stories” here with a powerful new story arc from New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart (HARBINGER WARS) and red-hot artist CAFU (UNITY) and Juan Jose Ryp (NINJAK)!

Collecting IMPERIUM #9-12.

$14.99 | 112 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 9
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 978-1-68215-111-2

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UNITY VOL. 7: REVENGE OF THE ARMOR HUNTERS TPB

Written by JAMES ASMUS and MATT KINDT with DONNY CATES & ELIOT RAHAL, JUSTIN JORDAN, ELLIOTT KALAN, DANIEL KIBBLESMITH, MICHAEL KUPPERMAN, and TOM SCHARPLING
Art by DIEGO BERNARD and KARL MOLINE with KANO, MICHAEL KUPPERMAN, PERE PEREZ, RAFER ROBERTS, DAN SCHKADE, and BART SEARS
Cover by BILQUIS EVELY

The Armor Hunters never leave a man behind!

Multiple Harvey Award nominee James Asmus (QUANTUM AND WOODY) and rising star Diego Bernard (X-O MANOWAR) rocket UNITY into their most action-packed battle yet!

GIN-GR, the reformed killer robot who destroyed Mexico City and rampaged through downtown Los Angeles during the Armor Hunters’ attack, has turned on her Unity teammates! As she perpetrates the world’s most unstoppable jailbreak– a head-first, guns-blazing, kamikaze flight straight into the military base that holds her one-time squad – can X-O Manowar, Livewire, Ninjak, and the Eternal Warrior stop the giant engine of destruction… while trapped inside it?

Then: Matt Kindt presents the grand finale to his acclaimed two-year run on Valiant’s premier superteam…but not before James Asmus (QUANTUM AND WOODY), Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show), Michael Kupperman (Tales Designed to Thrizzle), and more put Unity through the wringer!

Collecting UNITY #23-25.

$14.99| 112 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 16
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 978-1-68215-113-6

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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Lucifer_Cv1_SDCC_559dae8a9dfde9.56453707Wednesdays 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: Ivar, Timewalker #12 (Valiant) – This series has become one of my favourites with it’s mix of humour and intelligently handled time travel fueled story line that is both twisted and surprisingly easy to follow. With the current arc coming to a close this issue, I’m stoked to see just how the arc comes to a close.

The Goddamned #2 (Image Comics) – You know what? I love the idea behind this comic, and it’s re-imagining of a certain book has an edgy feel to it that I love. Violent and unapologetic, I can’t wait to see where Jason Aaron takes this.

Huck #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue was a great surprise filled with a childlike innocence. While I doubt that’ll continue, I am curious to see what direction Millar heads here.

Judge Dredd #1 (IDW Publishing) – A character that’s a staple for many Brits, I’m looking forward to see how this translates on this side of the pond.

Klaus #2 (BOOM! Studios) – Viking Santa as told by Grant Morrison with some stunning art by Dan Mora? Can’t. Get. Enough.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Lucifer #1 (Vertigo) – I’ve watched the television pilot for the 2016 television series, and I have no idea if this comic will be close in tone or plot. But, Vertigo has a solid history with the character and it’s one I’m eagerly awaiting to see what it’s like and about.

Descender #8 (Image Comics) – Jeff Lemire’s sci-fi tale isn’t just touching and exciting, but the art by Dustin Nguyen is beautiful to look at. Last issue had a hell of a revelation (though you could see it coming) that has me even more excited to see what’s next.

Superman: American Alien #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue of this miniseries was one of the best takes on Superman that I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait to see what the second issue has in store for us.

Squadron Supreme #1 (Marvel) – The concept of a super power team from other worlds taking out threats through any means necessary is intriguing. This is the Avengers who have no issue killing. The concept sounds a bit like the Dark Avengers to me, and that’s ok since it was a concept that worked, and these character push should make an interesting eventually collision with the rest of the Marvel U.

Weirdworld #1 (Marvel) – I’ve already read the first issue and I’ll admit that this comic was initially low on my list. But, after reading that first issue, I can say this is one of the best debuts of All-New, All-Different Marvel and a solid read this week. Fantastic debut.

 

Elana

Top Pick: Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #6 (Image Comics) – I couldn’t love a comic more. In Phonogram phonomancers use music to do magic, generally to transform themselves (which never ever backfires, oh no). A must read for anyone who is super particular about what they listen to. Here’s my treatise on why this comic is so brilliant.  and here’s my fan mix/review of issue 4.

Top Pick: The Wicked + The Divine #17 (Image Comics) – Finally: the Sekmet issue! We haven’t heard much from the Rihanna cat goddess stand in so I’m eager to hear what she has to say. The art is from Brandon Graham who’s anime and hip-hop influenced style is PURRREFECT (sorry) for this issue. Check out my review of issue 16.

Batgirl #46 (DC Comics) – Spoiler is back! Spoiler is back! Batgirl is teaming up with Spoiler!

Jem & The Holograms Holiday Special (IDW Publishing) – Sounds like fun mischief with The Misfits. Sophie Campbell’s exhuberant and wonderfully diverse art has been key to the series success but I am excited to get our first look at new artist Amy Mebberson. She’s done a lot of Disney but I hope she maintains the body diversity that has made this comic resonate with so many people.

The Mighty Thor #2 (Marvel) – Issue 1 starred the arm seen round the (comics) world. Can’t wait to see what issue 2 has for Doctor Jane Foster who is Thor and is awesome.

 

Javier

Top Pick: Descender #8 (Image Comics) – Tim-21 and Tim-22 team up to join the Robot Resistance. Forget Star Wars, when is J.J. Abrams making a Descender movie. Just kidding, I love Star Wars too, but this is really good sci-fi storytelling. Asimov would approve, and so do I.

Cognetic #3 (Boom! Studios) – James Tynion IV’s and Eryk Donavan’s latest horror book concludes as the Apocalyptic Sister and Brother mind bending sibling rivalry comes to an end (for at least one of the two).

ExMortis #2 (451 Media) – Monsters unite to fight the first True Monster: Hitler. Good old fashioned WW II action with a Frankenstein versus Nazis twist; and a werewolf, too, thrown in for good measure.

Tokyo Ghost #4 (Image Comics) – Rick Remender’s dystopian, over-entertained future society, riddled with Japanese inspired memes, is depressing and entertaining at the same time. Plus Sean Murphy’s visuals pushes this one over the edge.

Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #2 (Valiant Entertainment) – The Eternal Warrior’s Dantean escape from Hell (or was it Paradise) begins. It’s written by Robert Venditti who never disappoints, with steel inspired blood splattering art by Raul Allen.

Review: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #2

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WRATH_002_COVER-A_LAFUENTEAt the far end of existence…can even Earth’s immortal soldier withstand a foe as old as life itself?

Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, has sacrificed everything to shape a better world…but his work is only beginning. Turning his back on everything and everyone he loved, he must leave the safety of the world he knew behind…and begin a trek across a savage and unexplored realm to return to Earth…if the true cost of his immortality doesn’t destroy him first.
As with the last review, let’s get one thing out of the way before we start the review proper: there will more than likely be spoilers for Valiant‘s Book Of Death event within this review, so if you still haven’t read that miniseries, A) Why not? B) This series is worth buying. The second chapter digs into Gilad‘s sense of self in a way that I’ve not seen before, and I’m really enjoying .

Alright, there may be Book Of Death and issue #1 spoilers from here on out.

Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #2 is scripted by Robert Venditti, and unlike the first issue which felt like it was missing something, falling short of my admittedly sky high expectations, the second issue not only felt much more complete, but also gave me another appreciation for the first issue.

Venditti is joined again this issue by an extensive art team of artists Raul Allen & Patricia Martin, art assistant David Astruga with additional colours by Borja Pindado (I’m going to refer to them as The Artists or the Art Team from here on out for simplicity’s sake, and because I’m not entirely sure what their process was in creating the issue). Despite the angry sounding title, Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #2 makes great use of a calm, gentle approach a the beginning of the comic. The minimalist use of text during those pages encourages you to focuses on the artwork (which is growing on me surprisingly quickly, but more on that later), and the layouts that hark back to a simpler style of comic book layouts that I really enjoyed. I’m wondering if, as the story progresses, the panel layouts will change at all.

The Artists have delivered some very interesting work with this issue, and despite the style not working fully for me last issue, I really can’t say the same here.  Despite the layout of the panels there is some brilliantly presented art here that I don’t think would work with a different layout. The use of colour in the second half of the book in the scenes where Gilad is the sole focus is also something I appreciated due in a large part to the simplicity of it’s use in emphasizing the wrath of the Eternal Warrior; I don’t mean to beat a dead horse with that word, but it’s honestly the most accurate term I can think of. The simplicity isn’t a bad thing here, indeed the lack of over explaining certain points is actually one of the strengths of the series so far, which in part is reflected in the detailed art.

Whether you’re interested in reading more about the Eternal Warrior, or you just want to read a good comic, this is a series that you should look out for.

Story: Robert Venditti Art: Raul Allen & Patricia Martin
Art Assistant: David Astruga Additional Colours: Borja Pindado
Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review, but I’m picking my copy up on Wednesday anyway.

 

Preview: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #2

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WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #2

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAÚL ALLÉN
Cover A by DAVID LAFUENTE (OCT151739)
Cover B by RAÚL ALLÉN (OCT151740)
Cover C by MARCOS MARTIN (OCT151741)
Variant Cover by KANO (OCT151742)
Variant Cover by ADAM POLLINA (OCT151743)
B&W Sketch Variant by DAVID LAFUENTE (OCT151744)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale DECEMBER 16

At the far end of existence…can even Earth’s immortal soldier withstand a foe as old as life itself?

Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, has sacrificed everything to shape a better world…but his work is only beginning. Turning his back on everything and everyone he loved, he must leave the safety of the world he knew behind…and begin a trek across a savage and unexplored realm to return to Earth…if the true cost of his immortality doesn’t destroy him first.

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