Tag Archives: andy diggle

Review: Incursion #2

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Incursion #2

There is only one world left to conquer…

Entire planets have suffered and died at the cold, close-fisted hands of the alien Imperatrix Virago – and now her gruesome sights are set on our world. As Earth’s chosen protector, the Geomancer named Tama fights for her life, while the Eternal Warrior goes on the ultimate mission through the perilous realm of the Deadside to find the secret to saving her…and the entire planet in the process.

This is an exciting time for Valiant. The long anticipated The Life and Death of Toyo Harada is due to hit shelves any day now, Livewire is beginning to pick up steam, and The Forgotten Queen is looking to be a sleeper hit. But it’s Incursion that has this reviewer most excited; chiefly because it features Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior (though I can’t deny LADOTH isn’t high on my list, either).

Conveniently enough, Incursion is what we’re talking about today, and, spoiler alert, it’s pretty freaking great.

Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel  wasted no time in establishing the threat and setting the tone for the story in the first issue, and they keep the plot rolling here at a steady pace. Picking up almost immediately after the conclusion of the first issue, we follow Gilad as he seeks aid for Tama’s condition. The ensuing scenes show a subtly touchy (and touching) Gilad as he fusses over the young Geomancer, with his advanced years and experience showing through in an interesting, yet almost throwaway line about the sound of dry leaves over flagstones. Which brings me to an aspect of the comic that could easily be over looked; the dialogue between Gilad and Doctor Mirage. It’s incredibly well written, with each character clearly owning their own voice, culminating in an almost terrifying question for the Valiant universe (though the answer, one can argue, can be gleaned from The Valiant).

The reason the dialogue can be over looked so easily is because Doug Braithwaite and Diego Rodriguez are working with an almost symbiotic relationship – there are fine details from Braithwaite that Rodriguez highlights that seem almost too subtle to be intentional. The furrow in Gilad’s brow when he’s leaning over Tama, the concern in Doctor Mirage’s eyes… and the gradual scrapes and tears to Gilad’s clothing. Subtle details that add more to the story than you’d expect.

Up until this point, I’ve only been talking about the first nine pages of the comic; there’s a lot of comic here to dissect, a lot of comic to absorb – you certainly get a good bang for your buck here. The rest of the comic remains at a consistently high quality level, although there are moments of pure brilliance sprinkled throughout – whether it is from the art, the dialogue or the plot as a whole, this comic offers something very special.

If you wondered, you don’t need to be a Valiant fan to enjoy this story (of course, it helps). You can read this easily as a standalone story because the creative team are able to easily impart the depth of Gilad and Tama’s relationship and the weight it bears. The stakes in the comic are world-endingly high, but because the central pillar of the story is the relationship between Geomancer and the Eternal Warrior, the one against many nature of the story doesn’t seem out of place or conceited. It feels just right.

Incursion #2 is, once again a great comic. The series is on pace to end up as one of my very favorite Valiant stories – and certainly one of Valiant’s very best.

Story: Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel
 Pencils: Doug Braithwaite 
Colours: Diego Rodriguez
Letters: Marshal Dillon 
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Incursion #2 (of 4)

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INCURSION #2 (of 4)

Story by ALEX PAKNADEL & ANDY DIGGLE
Script by ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Colors by DIEGO RODRIGUEZ
Letters by MARSHALL DILLON
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM
B/W Cover C by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Pre-order Variant Cover by TONCI ZINJIC
On sale March 20, 2019 

There is only one world left to conquer…

Entire planets have suffered and died at the cold, close-fisted hands of the alien Imperatrix Virago—and now her gruesome sights are set on our world. As Earth’s chosen protector, the Geomancer named Tama fights for her life, while the Eternal Warrior goes on the ultimate mission through the perilous realm of the Deadside to find the secret to saving her…and the entire planet in the process.

INCURSION #2 (of 4)

Advance Review: Incursion #2

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Incursion #2

There is only one world left to conquer…

Entire planets have suffered and died at the cold, close-fisted hands of the alien Imperatrix Virago – and now her gruesome sights are set on our world. As Earth’s chosen protector, the Geomancer named Tama fights for her life, while the Eternal Warrior goes on the ultimate mission through the perilous realm of the Deadside to find the secret to saving her…and the entire planet in the process.

This is an exciting time for Valiant. The long anticipated The Life and Death of Toyo Harada is due to hit shelves any day now, Livewire is beginning to pick up steam, and The Forgotten Queen is looking to be a sleeper hit. But it’s Incursion that has this reviewer most excited; chiefly because it features Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior (though I can’t deny LADOTH isn’t high on my list, either).

Conveniently enough, Incursion is what we’re talking about today, and, spoiler alert, it’s pretty freaking great.

Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel  wasted no time in establishing the threat and setting the tone for the story in the first issue, and they keep the plot rolling here at a steady pace. Picking up almost immediately after the conclusion of the first issue, we follow Gilad as he seeks aid for Tama’s condition. The ensuing scenes show a subtly touchy (and touching) Gilad as he fusses over the young Geomancer, with his advanced years and experience showing through in an interesting, yet almost throwaway line about the sound of dry leaves over flagstones. Which brings me to an aspect of the comic that could easily be over looked; the dialogue between Gilad and Doctor Mirage. It’s incredibly well written, with each character clearly owning their own voice, culminating in an almost terrifying question for the Valiant universe (though the answer, one can argue, can be gleaned from The Valiant).

The reason the dialogue can be over looked so easily is because Doug Braithwaite and Diego Rodriguez are working with an almost symbiotic relationship – there are fine details from Braithwaite that Rodriguez highlights that seem almost too subtle to be intentional. The furrow in Gilad’s brow when he’s leaning over Tama, the concern in Doctor Mirage’s eyes… and the gradual scrapes and tears to Gilad’s clothing. Subtle details that add more to the story than you’d expect.

Up until this point, I’ve only been talking about the first nine pages of the comic; there’s a lot of comic here to dissect, a lot of comic to absorb – you certainly get a good bang for your buck here. The rest of the comic remains at a consistently high quality level, although there are moments of pure brilliance sprinkled throughout – whether it is from the art, the dialogue or the plot as a whole, this comic offers something very special.

If you wondered, you don’t need to be a Valiant fan to enjoy this story (of course, it helps). You can read this easily as a standalone story because the creative team are able to easily impart the depth of Gilad and Tama’s relationship and the weight it bears. The stakes in the comic are world-endingly high, but because the central pillar of the story is the relationship between Geomancer and the Eternal Warrior, the one against many nature of the story doesn’t seem out of place or conceited. It feels just right.

Incursion #2 is, once again a great comic. The series is on pace to end up as one of my very favorite Valiant stories – and certainly one of Valiant’s very best.

Story: Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel
 Pencils: Doug Braithwaite 
Colours: Diego Rodriguez
Letters: Marshal Dillon 
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Shadowman Vol. 3: Rag and Bone TPB

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SHADOWMAN VOL. 3: RAG AND BONE TPB

Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Art by RENATO GUEDES and ERIC BATTLE with ULISES ARREOLA
Colors by ANDREW DALHOUSE
Letters by SIMON BOWLAND
Cover by TONCI ZONJIC
On sale March 13, 2019

Bones are buried for a reason…

Shadowman is back in New Orleans and with a better handle on his powerful abilities, just in time for a war like no other! The vicious battle between the Brethren and the Abettors over the ultimate magical artifact – the remains of Shadowman’s arch-nemesis, Master Darque – will impact the future of the Valiant Universe, so will the formidable foe return from the dead, or will his bones be destroyed once and for all?

Collects SHADOWMAN (2018) #8-11.

Shadowman Vol. 3: Rag and Bone TPB

The Eternal Warrior Battles Demons in the Incursion #2

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The Eternal Warrior lets loose in the Incursion #2 preview!

The epic first issue dropped last week and it was only a taste of what’s to come! Alex Paknadel, Andy Diggle, and Doug Braithwaite’s Incursion is a can’t-miss event as it introduces a brand-new threat to the Valiant Universe while putting Gilad and the Geomancer front and center!

INCURSION #2

Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
Story by ANDY DIGGLE & ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Colors by DIEGO RODRIGUEZ
Letters by MARSHALL DILLON
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM
B/W Cover C by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Pre-order Edition Cover by TONCI ZONJIC

There is only one world left to conquer…

Entire planets have suffered and died at the cold, close-fisted hands of the alien Imperatrix Virago—and now her gruesome sights are set on our world. As Earth’s chosen protector, the Geomancer named Tama fights for her life, while the Eternal Warrior goes on the ultimate mission through the perilous realm of the Deadside to find the secret to saving her…and the entire planet in the process.

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale MARCH 20th

INCURSION #2

Review: Incursion #1

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Limited event series! A new villain approaches!

Incursion #1

Beyond the margins of human reason lies a realm known as the Deadside, where the souls of the dearly departed linger – and where demons wait for us in the dark. For countless ages, Earth’s chosen protectors have guarded the veil between both worlds – but there are other doors to the Deadside, through which gruesome terrors from galaxies untold can trespass… With the planet’s freedom at stake, can the reigning Geomancer and her steadfast Eternal Warrior stand together against an invasion unlike any they’ve ever witnessed?

The book that finally sold me on Valiant‘s comics was the 2016 Book of Death four issue mini series that focused primarily on the Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer as the former sought to protect the latter from a mystical threat. The story still holds up today. Needless to say, when I saw the blurb and art for Incursion, I was excited to see the Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer facing another threat – although this time slightly more alien in nature.

Andy Diggle, fresh of his run on Shadowman, takes the scripting helm here with Alex Paknadel  and wastes no time in establishing the threat and setting the tone for the following three issues. We don’t know a lot about the antagonist, yet, but what we do know is just enough to tantalize. The preview text (the first paragraph above) hints at an epic confrontation between the Geomancer, a person with the ability to commune with and utilize the powers of the Earth, and the Eternal Warrior, the Earth’s immortal champion, and a newly introduced antagonist who seems to hunger for life force in a way not too dissimilar to Marvel’s Galactus. However, by the time you’ll make the comparison, you’ll notice a very specific, and perhaps more horrifying, difference; where Galactus takes moments to devour a planet, Virago seems to take years (this is only a minor spoiler for the first few pages, which have been previously revealed in the back of other Valiant books or preview pages).

The writing duo have set up the following story wonderfully with a well paced opening that doesn’t fall into the familiar trap of too much exposition and not enough story progression. Instead we have a comic that’s about as complete a comic as any first issue can be; that is to it checks every box it needs to.

Speaking of checking the boxes, the comic is very nice to look at.  Doug Braithwaite‘s art seems to have very minimal inking, and based on the comic’s credits at the beginning, that’s because he penciled the book and Jose Villarrubia and Diego Rodriguez were on colour art duties. There’s no specific mention of an inker, nor is Braithwaite credited with anything other than penciling the book. I mention this because there’s a very soft edge to the art that works really well. With the definition feeling far more… I don’t want to say classical/high art style, but that’s exactly what it feels like.

I’m normally hesitant when it comes to multiple writers on the same project as in my experience aside from Eliot Rahal and Donny Cates on The Paybacks, the results are usually average at best. At best. With Incursion #1, however, Diggle and Paknadel have delivered a comic that’s every bit as good as I hoped it would be, if not more so. For some context, the series I’ve read featuring the Eternal Warrior as a prominent character (Book of Death and Wrath of the Eternal Warrior) are some of my absolute favourite so my expectations are naturally higher for any comic with the character as a focal point. And yet, I loved this issue, and am happy to say that Incursion #1 is a great comic.

Story: Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel
 Pencils: Doug Braithwaite 
Colours: Jose Villarrubia and Diego Rodriguez 
Letters: Marshal Dillon 
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Incursion #1 (of 4)

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INCURSION #1 (of 4)

Written by ANDY DIGGLE & ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
B/W Cover C by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Blank Cover Also Available
On sale February 20, 2019

Limited event series! A new villain approaches!

Beyond the margins of human reason lies a realm known as the Deadside, where the souls of the dearly departed linger – and where demons wait for us in the dark. For countless ages, Earth’s chosen protectors have guarded the veil between both worlds – but there are other doors to the Deadside, through which gruesome terrors from galaxies untold can trespass… With the planet’s freedom at stake, can the reigning Geomancer and her steadfast Eternal Warrior stand together against an invasion unlike any they’ve ever witnessed?

From celebrated writer Andy Diggle (SHADOWMAN), rising star Alex Paknadel (Friendo), and legendary artist Doug Braithwaite (X-O MANOWAR) comes a story that will rock the Valiant Universe across dimensions!

INCURSION #1 (of 4)

Early Preview: Incursion #1 (of 4)

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INCURSION #1 (of 4)

Written by ANDY DIGGLE & ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
B/W Cover C by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Blank Cover Also Available
On sale February 20, 2019

Limited event series! A new villain approaches!

Beyond the margins of human reason lies a realm known as the Deadside, where the souls of the dearly departed linger – and where demons wait for us in the dark. For countless ages, Earth’s chosen protectors have guarded the veil between both worlds – but there are other doors to the Deadside, through which gruesome terrors from galaxies untold can trespass… With the planet’s freedom at stake, can the reigning Geomancer and her steadfast Eternal Warrior stand together against an invasion unlike any they’ve ever witnessed?

From celebrated writer Andy Diggle (SHADOWMAN), rising star Alex Paknadel (Friendo), and legendary artist Doug Braithwaite (X-O MANOWAR) comes a story that will rock the Valiant Universe across dimensions!

INCURSION #1 (of 4)

Advance Review: Incursion #1

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Limited event series! A new villain approaches!

Incursion #1

Beyond the margins of human reason lies a realm known as the Deadside, where the souls of the dearly departed linger – and where demons wait for us in the dark. For countless ages, Earth’s chosen protectors have guarded the veil between both worlds – but there are other doors to the Deadside, through which gruesome terrors from galaxies untold can trespass… With the planet’s freedom at stake, can the reigning Geomancer and her steadfast Eternal Warrior stand together against an invasion unlike any they’ve ever witnessed?

The book that finally sold me on Valiant‘s comics was the 2016 Book of Death four issue mini series that focused primarily on the Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer as the former sought to protect the latter from a mystical threat. The story still holds up today. Needless to say, when I saw the blurb and art for Incursion, I was excited to see the Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer facing another threat – although this time slightly more alien in nature.

Andy Diggle, fresh of his run on Shadowman, takes the scripting helm here with Alex Paknadel  and wastes no time in establishing the threat and setting the tone for the following three issues. We don’t know a lot about the antagonist, yet, but what we do know is just enough to tantalize. The preview text (the first paragraph above) hints at an epic confrontation between the Geomancer, a person with the ability to commune with and utilize the powers of the Earth, and the Eternal Warrior, the Earth’s immortal champion, and a newly introduced antagonist who seems to hunger for life force in a way not too dissimilar to Marvel’s Galactus. However, by the time you’ll make the comparison, you’ll notice a very specific, and perhaps more horrifying, difference; where Galactus takes moments to devour a planet, Virago seems to take years (this is only a minor spoiler for the first few pages, which have been previously revealed in the back of other Valiant books or preview pages).

The writing duo have set up the following story wonderfully with a well paced opening that doesn’t fall into the familiar trap of too much exposition and not enough story progression. Instead we have a comic that’s about as complete a comic as any first issue can be; that is to it checks every box it needs to.

Speaking of checking the boxes, the comic is very nice to look at.  Doug Braithwaite‘s art seems to have very minimal inking, and based on the comic’s credits at the beginning, that’s because he penciled the book and Jose Villarrubia and Diego Rodriguez were on colour art duties. There’s no specific mention of an inker, nor is Braithwaite credited with anything other than penciling the book. I mention this because there’s a very soft edge to the art that works really well. With the definition feeling far more… I don’t want to say classical/high art style, but that’s exactly what it feels like.

I’m normally hesitant when it comes to multiple writers on the same project as in my experience aside from Eliot Rahal and Donny Cates on The Paybacks, the results are usually average at best. At best. With Incursion #1, however, Diggle and Paknadel have delivered a comic that’s every bit as good as I hoped it would be, if not more so. For some context, the series I’ve read featuring the Eternal Warrior as a prominent character (Book of Death and Wrath of the Eternal Warrior) are some of my absolute favourite so my expectations are naturally higher for any comic with the character as a focal point. And yet, I loved this issue, and am happy to say that Incursion #1 is a great comic.

Story: Andy Diggle and Alex Paknadel
 Pencils: Doug Braithwaite 
Colours: Jose Villarrubia and Diego Rodriguez 
Letters: Marshal Dillon 
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

ComiXology and Delcourt Reveal a Promethee 13:13 Poster by Shawn Martinbrough and Jock

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ComiXology and Delcourt Group join forces to bring readers everywhere the upcoming comiXology Originals title Promethee 13:13, a prequel to Christophe Bec’s best-selling, mind-bending, science-fiction bande dessinée, Promethee. The Promethee 13:13 team along with original Promethee creator Christophe Bec will be in attendance at the 46th annual Festival International De La Bande Dessinée – happening January 24-27, 2019 in Angouleme, France – to promote and discuss new details about this upcoming title.

Coming this year as part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive digital content, Promethee 13:13will be exclusively available as two 48-page volumes on Kindle and comiXology and available to members of Prime Reading, Kindle Unlimited, and comiXology Unlimited at no additional cost. Each volume will be simultaneously released in English and French worldwide at debut.

To celebrate this announcement, the all-star Promethee 13:13 creative team of Andy Diggle, Shawn Martinbrough and Jock, along with Promethee original creator, Christophe Bec, will appear at the Delcourt Group booth in Le Monde des Bulles Marquee to sign an exclusive, limited edition poster illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough, with colors by Jock, Friday, January 25th from 5-6pm, and Saturday January 26thfrom 7-8pm. Additionally, the Promethee team along with comiXology Originals Head of Content, Chip Mosher, Directeur Editorial at Delcourt Group, Jean Wacquet, and Editor Will Dennis, will discuss this upcoming comic series during the Past, Present and Future: Promethee 13:13 panel, Thursday, January 24th at 4:30pm at the Conservatory Gabriel Fauré in Angoulême, France.

Promethee 13:13 is a psychological sci-fi horror comic full of alien conspiracy, written by Andy Diggle with art by Shawn Martinbrough, colors by Dave Stewart, covers by Jock, and headed by veteran editor Will Dennis.

Darla, a successful author, has visions of apocalyptic invasions and being abducted by aliens as a child. After years of medication she’s put it behind her, until one day while speaking at a mental illness conference in San Diego, her life gets turned upside down. At the same time, strange things begin to happen during the latest space shuttle Atlantis mission. Promethee 13:13 tells the thrilling fast-paced space drama leading up to the moments of September 21, 2019 at 13:13.

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