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.