Valiant has announced Armstrong and the Vault of Spirits #1 – a hard-charging, standalone special coming this winter from New York Times best-selling writer Fred Van Lente and red-hot rising star CAFU! On February 7th, join in a riotous celebration for the ages as Armstrong, for the very first time, uncorks the ancient mysteries of his centuries past – and dares his closest comrades into the adventure of several lifetimes!
Deep beneath New York City’s seediest dive bar, Armstrong – the hard-hitting, harder-partying immortal veteran of history’s greatest escapades – is hosting an invitation-only affair for his most beloved friends and allies! Archer… Ivar, Timewalker… Faith… Quantum and Woody… And special guests from across the Valiant Universe… All have been offered a seat at the table for a personally guided tour of Armstrong’s most valuable and tightly guarded treasure… From the Great Flood to ancient Greece to the height of the Crusades, raise a glass as Armstrong recounts the true stories of his wine-soaked path down through the ages and the artifacts that reside within his own secret archive!
Adventure! Mystery! Romance! Get ready to raise a glass and throw a punch! Featuring covers by Kalman Andrasofsky, Juan José Ryp, Ryan Bodenheim, and Clayton Henry!
Born of the True North and tested in war, Captain Canuck is a soldier granted a choice of how to use incredible power that could alter the fate of the world. Thrust into battle at the head of the global crisis intervention agency called Equilibrium, Canuck must find his way as warrior, leader and ultimately, hero in order to save humanity.
I grew up in Buffalo, not far from the Canadian border, and thus spent a lot of time in the country, and interestingly also reading some Captain Canuck. The classic character is back, with a new series, and updated look. I have to say, the first issue is awesome.
Captain Canuck #1 is full of action, infused with enough that makes it “feel” Canadian. That means more than just references to locations, there’s use of French, and a general vibe that just feels like our friends up North. It’s those small touches that writer Kalman Andrasofsky (who also does double duty on art) adds that makes the comic feel more than an American super hero with a Canadian skin over top.
Since I first heard this series was coming, and especially after reading the Free Comic Book Day release, I’ve been looking forward to this debut issue, and it didn’t disappoint at all.
You’re thrown directly into the action as Captain Canuck learns about his new suit on what seems like his first mission out. You’re in the center of action, and it doesn’t let up at all. You learn as you go through the comic, things aren’t explained overtly, you need to pick up things as the story progresses, which makes this issue feel much further along than a debut.
The action too is solid, and fun, having a bit more down to Earth vibe than going out and battling some super villain. Instead Captain Canuck is thrown into a burning refinery. I know that might sound boring, but it isn’t there’s some surprises he has to deal with while there. Forgoing some stereotypical villain fight for the first issue also makes the comic a bit more grounded. In reality, what Captain Canuck goes through would be much more realistic if heroes existed.
The art is fantastic the updated look of the new character is awesome, a design worthy of the Big 2. The design is cool, makes sense in many ways, and use of color is just fantastic. The interiors are solid with great coloring, and angles of some of the poses. What really stood out to me was the use of panels, especially in some of the two page spreads.
As if the main story wasn’t enough, writer Ed Brisson and artist Marcus To team-up bring us a story of an earlier Captain Canuck case file involving some mysterious monsters and a drilling platform. This story too is fantastic, and To’s art is amazing. The two are top talents so it shouldn’t be a surprise at all. The back-up story actually makes me want a “sister series” following earlier adventures of Captain Canuck with these two at the helm.
It’s a first issue and you get two stories from three top-notch creators. I’ve waited for this first issue, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. It was a fun first issue, with a mix of classic and modern sensibilities about it. It also presents a super hero that can stand with the Big 2, and that’s not easy to do. Can’t wait for the second issue to hit.
Story: Kalman Andrasofsky, Ed Brisson Art: Kalman Andrasofsky, Marcus To Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
ChapterHouse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Written by Mark Waid
Drawn by Diego Barreto
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Kalman Andrasofszky
COVER B: Matteo Scalera
Diamond Code: MAR120859
THE FINAL ISSUE OF MARK WAID’S SEMINAL SUPERHERO SERIES! Can the Plutonian, seemingly IRREDEEMABLE, find his salvation? What is the true definition of a hero? And can a world, ravaged by loss and carnage, ever believe in such an idea again? The stunning, breathtaking conclusion to Mark Waid’s Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated superhero saga. DO NOT MISS THIS FINAL ISSUE OF A MASTER WRITER’S TOUR DE FORCE!
Written by Mark Waid
Drawn by Diego Barreto
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Kalman Andrasofszky
COVER B: Dan Panosian
Diamond Code: DEC110919
BRAND NEW ARC! GREAT FOR NEW READERS! The Paradigm finds itself severely weakened by the death of in-progress megalomaniac Survivor, but the situation is even more dire than they realize, as an old enemy walks among them… meanwhile, the Plutonian wrestles with his origins as he faces…his parents. This is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers to experience Mark Waid’s superhero-gone-wrong masterpiece!
Written by Mark Waid
Drawn by Diego Barreto
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Kalman Andrasofszky
COVER B: Dan Panosian
Diamond Code: NOV110813
THE LEGENDARY IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE CROSSOVER CONTINUES TOWARD AN EXPLOSIVE CONCLUSION!Part 3 of the 4-part crossover event. The Plutonian and Max Damage have always been epic adversaries…but why? The superhero epic that tells the story of their first face-off continues! NOT READING INCORRUPTIBLE? You need to pick up INCORRUPTIBLE #26 to get this story’s conclusion. Another can’t-miss issue from Mark Waid’s multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated superhero series!
Top Cow‘s high octane event continues. This has contender for “event” of the year written all over it. It helps such top talent such as Ron Marz and great artists are involved.
The Wolverine Family Will Be Torn To Shreds in COLLISION!
Wolverine’s family may just destroy itself as his son Daken and his daughter X-23 face off in a battle to the death this March in Collision! Brought to fans by fan favorite writers Marjorie Liu and Daniel Way alongside artists Marco Chechetto and Ryan Stegman, Collision will change the future of Wolverine’s progeny With a foothold in Madripoor as king of the criminal underworld, Daken is untouchable…that is until X-23 shows up at his doorstep. Claws are popped and blood is drawn as the battle for supremacy starts this March in Daken: Dark Wolverine #7 and continues in both X-23 and Daken: Dark Wolverine. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing in Collision?
This is the part in the story when the sides gather and get their soldiers in order. Artifacts #3 pulls this off quite well, giving a lot for those reading about these characters for years and at the same time making it accessible for new readers as well. It’s a tricky balance and Ron Marz has masterfully been pulling it off so far in this event series.
At the various Top Cow panels I’ve seen it’s stated over and over, good writing will pull off both and the goal of this major event is to allow people to just pick up the Aritfacts series, but for those who pick up other titles, their rewarded with an enriched experience. Mission accomplished.
While Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and Darkness host Jackie Estacado form an uneasy alliance to search for their missing daughter, more of the all-powerful Artifacts are brought into play as Magdalena, Tom Judge and the Angelus join forces. But unbeknownst to any of them, the unseen villain is manipulating people and events to bring about the end of the world.
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and Top Cow superstar artist Michael Broussard (The Darkness) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Top Cow artists Facundo Percio (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade), Paolo Pantalena (Epoch), Sheldon Mitchell (The Darkness) and Nelson Blake II (Magdalena) join Broussard on the issue to showcase the studio’s diversity. Featuring a gorgeous cover by superstar artist Kalman Andrasofszky (Dazzler, R.E.B.E.L.S.) as well as a variant cover series featuring Tom Judge by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
I wish I could say there’s tons going on here, but really this is that “gathering” moment. But, at the same time there’s some shocking moments. Characters are offed and killed, deals struck and backs turned. We’re laid out exactly what’s going on here. This is the part where the heroes find out the mission before them. And we’ve learned this is a motley, never quite getting along and not seeing quite eye-to-eye in what they need to accomplish. On the flip-side the bad guys are methodical and ordered in a robotic fashion, they have no heart versus the cup that overruns for the protagonists.
The first three issues have all been about set up. That’s a good thing as this is a big event and there’s a lot more to come. We’re at the beginning of the roller coaster and we’re just about to reach the apex of that first major hill, and you better believe I have my hands in the air with a smile on my face enjoying the ride.
(W) Ron Marz (A) Michael Broussard (Cov) Kalman Andrasofszky, John Tyler Christopher
Top Cow’s biggest event gets even bigger!
While Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and Darkness host Jackie Estacado form an uneasy alliance to search for their missing daughter, more of the all-powerful Artifacts are brought into play as Magdalena, Tom Judge and the Angelus join forces. But unbeknownst to any of them, the unseen villain is manipulating people and events to bring about the end of the world.
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and Top Cow superstar artist Michael Broussard (The Darkness) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Top Cow artists Facundo Percio (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade), Paolo Pantalena (Epoch), Sheldon Mitchell (The Darkness) and Nelson Blake II (Magdalena) join Broussard on the issue to showcase the studio’s diversity. Featuring a gorgeous cover by superstar artist Kalman Andrasofszky (Dazzler, R.E.B.E.L.S.) as well as a variant cover series featuring Tom Judge by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
“This is definitely the book I’ll be most recommending to people this week.” — NEWSARAMA’s Amanda McDonald
“Even without Lee’s name, this project would be worth checking out.” — IGN
“SOLDIER ZERO should be picked up…your not going to want to miss what is next! 9 out of 10″ — PLAYER AFFINITY
“I highly recommend you give this title a chance. Stan Lee wouldn’t steer you wrong” — PENDRAGON’S POST
“I am hooked. If you’ve read and enjoyed other BOOM! titles like IRREDEEMABLE or INCORRUPTIBLE, you should definitely enjoy this.” — COMIC VINE
“Stan Lee has done it again!” — JAZMA ONLINE
“Cornell and Pina create a really intriguing first issue.” — COMICS BULLETIN
“Pina’s art is the perfect companion to Cornell’s script and both are more than capable of handling this momentous launch and doing justice to a Stan Lee creation. Bring on issue two!”— POP CULTURE ZOO
“Writer Paul Cornell’s exploration of the experiences of a disabled person rings true and makes for some strong interpersonal moments in the story… Javier Pina seems to take a two-pronged approach to the art for this inaugural issue, and it’s quite effective. The slick, sci-fi elements boast a bold, sharp look, and the action is choreographed quite well. But for the more down-to-earth moments, there’s a lighter touch at play.” — EYE ON COMICS
“Javier Pina’s art is simply fantastic, filled with clean bold lines, and a rich assortment of facial expressions. He’s truly one of those artists who doesn’t just DRAW a story, but TELLS a story in picture form. It’s great. And Alfred Rockefeller’s colors really sell it.” — PROJECT FANBOY
“There was nobility there in Cornell’s writing… I can say this – I REALLY enjoyed Javier Pina’s art. He’s a real find… Ok, Stan Lee may not have written the script, but this is a Stan Lee book through and through” —MULTIVERSITY COMICS
“…look at the hero behind the mask — and you’ll find that Soldier Zero is really, truly, finally not like any other character out there” — NEWSARAMA’s David Pepose
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STAN LEE’S SOLDIER ZERO #1
Written by Paul Cornell
Drawn by Javier Pina
SC, 32 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A:Trevor Hairsine
COVER B:Dave Johnson
COVER C:Phil Noto
COVER D:Trevor Hairsine
COVER E:Dave Johnson
COVER F:Phil Noto
COVER G:Kalman Andrasofszky
Diamond Code: AUG100871
STAN’S BACK! THE PUBLISHING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Stan Lee, the most colossal force in the history of comics, teams up with BOOM! Studios to deliver a brand new line of superhero comics! The great innovator of our industry brings his inimitable talents back to the direct market in an explosive line of comics that nobody is prepared for! Half Human. Half Alien. All Weapon. In this first ongoing series, SOLDIER ZERO, Stan teams up with critically acclaimed writer Paul Cornell (ACTION COMICS, DOCTOR WHO) and artist Javier Pina (SUPERMAN, BATMAN) for a dramatic, action-packed superhero scorcher. When an alien parasite falls to Earth, wheelchair-bound college student Stewart Trauttmann becomes infected, and goes through super-human changes that no mortal could imagine. Forced into a galactic war that’s chosen Earth as the battlefield, Stewart defends the front line as…SOLDIER ZERO! The intergalactic war hits Earth this October in a new ongoing series from Stan Lee and BOOM! Studios. Featuring covers by fan-favorite artists Trevor Hairsine (X-MEN), Dave Johnson (PUNISHER), and Phil Noto (AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN).
