Have you ever wondered what would happen if dinosaurs ruled the Roman Empire? Well, you’re gonna find out!

This is probably the most entertaining alternate history scenario that I can currently imagine. I’d be willing to pick up this comic simply because of the idea of Roman dinosaurs, to be completely honest with you, but thankfully Ivar, Timewalker #10 is also a very entertaining comic in it’s own right. 

Opening where the last issue left off, with Ivar Anni-Padda in the custody of – and let this image sink in for a minute – Tyrannosaurus Rex (Tyrannosaurs Rexes?) riding Stegosauruses on the way to dinosaur Rome. If you didn’t read the last issue, but do want dive into this comic you probably can, although you’ll miss out on the awesome issue #9, and a fair bit of set up for the current story arc Ending History but you’ll be able to enjoy the Roman dinosaurs just as easily.

As awesome as the idea of Roman dinosaurs is, the concept is one that could easily fall apart were it not for the way in which Fred Van Lente has written this comic. Combined with the artwork of Pere Perez, and you’ve got a recipe for success that would work without the dinosaurs. That the creative team would be able to deliver a compelling and interesting story without the dinosaurs is beyond any doubt in my mind; the non human characters here work so well because the plot doesn’t hinge entirely on the idea of Roman dinosaurs, but is actually a strongly written comic in its own right.

Pere Perez has an ability to capture the characters within the story in such a way that you need only minimal text to follow along and enjoy, that enables Fred Van Lente‘s dialogue to really shine here, and I can’t think of a creative team that has been able to work together this well off the top of my head. By the end of the 23 page issue (the pdf copy I’m reading had no ads or back cover) you feel as though the comic was a lot longer – in a good way. The creative team are able to put a lot of story, characterization and action into just a score or more of pages. Despite the potentially confusing nature of Ending History with Neela trying to save Ivar‘s life by enlisting the help of a younger Ivar, the story never seems overly confusing and hard to follow. On top of that, this issue is funny; not in a laugh out loud all the way through kind of way, but when the comic aims to get a laugh from you, whether it be visual, verbal, or both, then you’re usually left with a smile.

This is only the second issue of Ivar, Timewalker that I’ve read, but I’m hooked already. I’ve become a pretty big fan of Valiant over the past few months, which I’m sure you’ve noticed if you’ve read any of the reviews from Valiant I’ve written lately, and the past two issues of this series have been some of the most enjoyably fun comics that I have read in a long time.

This series is worth a place on your pull list.

Story: Fred Van Lente Art: Pere Perez Colours: Andrew Dalhouse
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant Entertainment provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review.