Tag Archives: ryan winn

Preview: Red Hood and the Outlaws #25

Posted on by

Red Hood and the Outlaws #25

(W) Scott Lobdell (A) Dexter Soy, Ryan Winn, Phil Hester, Ande Parks (A/CA) Trevor Hairsine
In Shops: Aug 08, 2018
SRP: $4.99

Batman versus Red Hood for the right to fight in Gotham-grab your ringside seat for the battle 25 years in the making! Jason Todd broke a promise to his mentor, and must now confront an angry and betrayed Batman. That means a good time for readers, but probably not so much for Jason: it’s likely going to take more than the Outlaws’ help in order for the Red Hood to avoid wearing an orange jumper in prison.

Review: Eternity #4

Posted on by

ETERNITY_004_COVER-A_DJURDJEVIC“At the farthest edge of human understanding, Abram Adams – the lost cosmonaut called Divinity – and his comrade, Myshka, have discovered the purpose of their existence in this universe… and in the next one beyond our own. Now, as a seemingly infinite pantheon of mythic gods and cosmic beings rises to meet them head-on, they’ll be forced to ignite a maelstrom of untold proportions to save their child from a fate worse than annihilation…”

My first reaction upon putting this comic down was that I couldn’t recall reading something that felt so complete upon the conclusion of each chapter as the Divinity/Eternity saga. Yes, there are always threads left for continuation in later miniseries, but for the most part each of the chapters are brilliantly self-contained arcs of comic book brilliance.  Eternity #4 is no exception to that rule.

I can’t recall being as excited to read a comic as I was to read this issue (but it was probably another Valiant comic), because with this series the creative team have been producing some utterly fantastic work. This isn’t the typical superhero stuff you’ll find on the racks, instead bearing more of a stylistic relation to Jack Kirby’s outer space work than the spandex clad adventures. Matt Kindt‘s script could, with minor tweaks, very easily be translated into a noir style detective story – his story, despite the bright visuals found at the edge of the galaxy, can be broken down at its essence to Divinity and Myshka’s quest to find their kidnapped child. One could be forgiven for thinking that the story’s essence is deceptively simple, and in some ways it is, but then Kindt uses the most powerful man in the Valiant universe to explore non-violet conflict resolution. What happens when a man determined to rescue his child must also examine his non-violent beliefs?

The back drop to this incredibly well written story is frankly jaw dropping. Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn and David Baron produce some of the most exciting and visually impressive art as they explore concepts that are limited only by their imagination.

Eternity #4 lives up to the high standards set by the creative team’s previous offerings in the saga, as it brings the miniseries to a powerful conclusion. For me, this is an early contender for book of the year, and is an absolute must-read for any who have been reading the series, those looking for something a little different, or those who want to experience a comic that sets a high bar for the rest of the industry in every way imaginable.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.5 Art: 10 Overall: 9.75 Recommedation: Buy

Although Valiant provided a FREE copy for review, I read the physical copy from my LCS for this review. 

Review: Eternity #1

Posted on by

ETERNITY_001_COVER-A_DJURDJEVICFrom the minds of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine comes an expedition into the Unknown. Beyond time… Beyond space… Beyond reality itself… ETERNITY awaits!

This October, Valiant unveils a new plane of existence beyond our own and unleashes a universe of new worlds, new beings, and new myths…

There are two questions I aim to answer with this review once I’ve read the comic. The obvious, whether it’s any good, is self-explanatory; but the second, whether you need to read the Divinity trilogy in order to be able to make sense of and enjoy Eternity, is asked because while this is a follow up to that trilogy Valiant are billing this as an introduction of an entirely new universe in the vein of the late, great, Jack Kirby, and I suspect that the publisher are hoping to draw a larger audience to this series.ETERNITY_001_003.jpg

Eternity #1  reunites writer Matt Kindt, artist Trevor Hairsine, inker Ryan Winn, and colorist David Baron, the same team behind Divinity, as they explore the far reaches of the cosmos – an area which, truth be told, has never really excited me, and were it not for the publisher or creative team the odds are pretty even as to whether I would have picked this book up. Had I decided not to pick this up (or had I ignored the review copy… because we all know I ignore Valiant’s comics…) then I would have missed out one hell of an artistic experience. As you can see from the preview pages here, there’s very clearly an off-world feel to the opening of the comic that, for my money, has echoes of some of Kirby’s off world work. I’m not going to compare Eternity to Kirby because while I’m aware that’s a very lofty comparison, that’s not my intent – I’ve never really read much of Kirby’s work beyond his Marvel stuff, but I have seen images here and there, and when I see pages like those in this review? The art feels as though it was inspired by Kirby, and that’s no bad thing.

ETERNITY_001_004.jpg

Beyond the art we come to Matt Kindt’s story. The Divinity trilogy grew from a story about one man with god like powers to an all encompassing tale that featured almost the entire Valiant universe in one form or another, and with Eternity focusing on the wider universe (the cosmos one and not the publisher’s cast of characters universe) the new chapter in the story of Divinity flows incredibly well from the closing of Divinity III. As the opening chapter of a sequel, this feels like the beginning of a suitably epic universe spanning story that will be rooted in a very human desire.

The way Kindt is able to weave both the far cosmos into a grounded and relateable tale whilst being able to make some theoretically unrelatable godlike beings very human is something to behold. Given my love and admiration of the first three Divinity books, I had some huge expectations for this series, and honestly I am shocked that  Kindt, Hairsine, Winn and Baron have been able to exceed them. There’s a reason that Divinity is so critically acclaimed – it’s time you find out why.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Ink: Ryan Winn Color: David Baron
Story: 9.25 Art: 10 Overall: 9.67 Recommmendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review. And I love them for it.

Advanced Review: Eternity #1

Posted on by

ETERNITY_001_COVER-A_DJURDJEVICFrom the minds of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine comes an expedition into the Unknown. Beyond time… Beyond space… Beyond reality itself… ETERNITY awaits!

This October, Valiant unveils a new plane of existence beyond our own and unleashes a universe of new worlds, new beings, and new myths…

There are two questions I aim to answer with this review once I’ve read the comic. The obvious, whether it’s any good, is self-explanatory; but the second, whether you need to read the Divinity trilogy in order to be able to make sense of and enjoy Eternity, is asked because while this is a follow up to that trilogy Valiant are billing this as an introduction of an entirely new universe in the vein of the late, great, Jack Kirby, and I suspect that the publisher are hoping to draw a larger audience to this series.ETERNITY_001_003.jpg

Eternity #1  reunites writer Matt Kindt, artist Trevor Hairsine, inker Ryan Winn, and colorist David Baron, the same team behind Divinity, as they explore the far reaches of the cosmos – an area which, truth be told, has never really excited me, and were it not for the publisher or creative team the odds are pretty even as to whether I would have picked this book up. Had I decided not to pick this up (or had I ignored the review copy… because we all know I ignore Valiant’s comics…) then I would have missed out one hell of an artistic experience. As you can see from the preview pages here, there’s very clearly an off-world feel to the opening of the comic that, for my money, has echoes of some of Kirby’s off world work. I’m not going to compare Eternity to Kirby because while I’m aware that’s a very lofty comparison, that’s not my intent – I’ve never really read much of Kirby’s work beyond his Marvel stuff, but I have seen images here and there, and when I see pages like those in this review? The art feels as though it was inspired by Kirby, and that’s no bad thing.

ETERNITY_001_004.jpg

Beyond the art we come to Matt Kindt’s story. The Divinity trilogy grew from a story about one man with god like powers to an all encompassing tale that featured almost the entire Valiant universe in one form or another, and with Eternity focusing on the wider universe (the cosmos one and not the publisher’s cast of characters universe) the new chapter in the story of Divinity flows incredibly well from the closing of Divinity III. As the opening chapter of a sequel, this feels like the beginning of a suitably epic universe spanning story that will be rooted in a very human desire.

The way Kindt is able to weave both the far cosmos into a grounded and relateable tale whilst being able to make some theoretically unrelatable godlike beings very human is something to behold. Given my love and admiration of the first three Divinity books, I had some huge expectations for this series, and honestly I am shocked that  Kindt, Hairsine, Winn and Baron have been able to exceed them. There’s a reason that Divinity is so critically acclaimed – it’s time you find out why.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Ink: Ryan Winn Color: David Baron
Story: 9.25 Art: 10 Overall: 9.67 Recommmendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review. And I love them for it.

Review: Divinity III: Stalinverse #4

Posted on by

DIVINITY-III_004_VARIANT_GORHAM

The world has gone red, and now the epic final confrontation begins as Divinity, Ninjak, Shadowman, Komandar Bloodshot, X-O Manowar, and the Red Brigade all choose their side on the lines of the coming battle… Wait, you think we’ll tell you how this one ends? Nyet, comrade! The universe as we know it hinges on this, so make sure you read this one first, Valianteers!

If you’re reading this review to decide whether it’s worth picking this story up in trade when it’s released, but haven’t yet read any of the three previous issues, then your answer is yes. Yes, this is absolutely worth picking up in trade, because Divinity III: Stalinverse  #4 is an incredibly strong conclusion to an already fantastic story.

Skip down to the ratings if you want to, because there will be minor spoilers for the story from here on out.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects to Abram Adams, the original Divinity, is that he’s more interested in solving problems without using his godlike powers – although that preference did result in him losing his head last issue – which gives Divinity  a recurring thread that’s quite unlike many other publisher’s major crossover stories of late; that sometimes violence doesn’t solve everything.

That’s not to say that there isn’t a climactic battle this issue, but rather that’s not where the comic’s focus is – this is a story about Divinity, and not just another typical superhero fighting miniseries. There’s a spectacular sequence where two characters are having a verbal meeting of the minds, a meeting that’s a fantastic read, but it’s the mind bendingly beautiful artwork of Trevor Hairsine and the rest of the artistic team that elevate the sequence to the next level. If you want an example to show to your friends of a story that exemplifies, and indeed transcends, the comic book medium, then look no further than Valiant‘s Divinity.

The overarching Divinity story is the rare story that explores the nature of power and responsibility on a grand scale, while bringing the internal conflict of the three godlike cosmonauts down to a very human level in such a way that enables you to actually empathize with gods.

Divinity III: Stalinverse #4 is so much better than I expected it to be – rarely have I read a story that concludes as strongly as this did.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Inkers: Ryan Winn with Alisson Rodrigues
Colourists: David Baron with Allen Passalaqua
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.75 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review, but as with previous issues, I’ll be buying this myself.

Review: Divinity III: Stalinverse #2

Posted on by

divinity-iii_002_cover-a_djurdjevicWelcome to the year 2017…where the Soviet Union has spent decades as the world’s reigning superpower and the Iron Curtain now encircles a planet riddled with war, strife, and oppression. Freedom is a thing of the past in the Stalinverse… So why can’t Russian intelligence officer Colin King shake the feeling that something has gone terribly wrong? He’ll put his freedom and life on the line to uncover the truth… Even if that means finding out whatever happened to the long-missing cosmonaut Abram Adams – the one man who just might hold the key to unraveling the dystopian world of today…

There are few comic book series scheduled for release from any publisher that have me as excited as Valiant‘s Divinity III: Stalinverse and it’s respective tie-ins, two of which we’ve already received, and the rest of which I have no idea about because I’ve stubbornly avoided any and all solicitations regarding the series.

Although you could probably start the story here, make no mistake that this isn’t as good a jumping on point as the first issue was, because that first issue did an excellent job of establishing the new Valiant Universe, and the direction of the story, with a very grand overview. If you haven’t read it, and you want to read this, then I strongly encourage you to do so in order to get the most from this story.

Speaking of the story,  Divinity III #2, brings the grand story established in the first issue down into a much more character focused comic, which serves to bring the reader right back into the story in a slightly different manner as we get glimpses into some of the more personal motivations of some of the characters playing a role in the story. Matt Kindt clearly knows how to get you invested in his stories, although he task is made infinitely easier when the stories look as good as they do under Trevor Hairsine‘s pencils and Ryan Winn‘s inks. Although David Baron‘s colors are great throughout the comic, there’s a scene within the cold north that is a simply fantastic use of color to impart details that you would otherwise probably have over looked.

I just can’t accurately convey how awesome this comic is; the creative team are on one hell of a streak with this series, and Divinity III #2 is another brilliant chapter in what’s shaping up to be one of the best event stories of the year.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 Sells Out and Gets a Second Printing

Posted on by

Valiant is proud to announce that Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of Valiant’s shocking, event-level blockbuster from the best-selling creative team of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt, blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine, Harvey Award-nominated inker Ryan Winn and master colorist David Baron, has sold out at the distributor level and will return to store shelves with the Divinity III: Stalinverse Second Printing on February 1st!

At the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were racing to the stars. But, while America was aiming for the moon, Russia had its eyes on the cosmos. In secret, they launched a three-man mission into the far reaches of space. In the depths, they discovered something Unknown. Something that…changed them. Imbued with god-like powers, the long-lost cosmonauts returned home…only to discover that their old ideology, communism, lost the war to western capitalism in the decades since their journey first began. But now they have the power to change it all…

Earth has a new god. The world you know is gone. Welcome to the Stalinverse, comrade.

divinity-iii_001_second-printing_cover_djurdjevic

Valiant Reveals The Red Legend Who Makes Her Debut in Divinity III: Stalinverse #1

Posted on by

Valiant has unveiled the first appearance of The Red Legend – the first of four major new characters that will be introduced in Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 (of 4) by writer Matt Kindt, artist Trevor Hairsine, inker Ryan Winn, and colorist David Baron – on sale December 21st! Featuring covers by Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic, Tom Muller, Jeffrey Veregge, Greg Smallwood, and Adam Gorham!

Then, following her introduction and first appearance in Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 (of 4), The Red Legend’s origin will be revealed in full with a brand-new tale by Kindt and artist Juan Jose Ryp as a newly added bonus feature in the Divinity III: Komandar Bloodshot #1 one-shot special by writer Jeff Lemire and artist Clayton Crain – on sale just one week later on December 28th!

But who is the Red Legend? She is a woman of immense power, birthed into the universe by unknown cosmic forces. No one on the planet knows where she came from…only that she was discovered deep in the heart of Russia, floating among the burning logs of an abandoned lumber mill. Raised under the muzzles of Russia’s brutal authoritarian forces, the Red Legend only knew a life of pain and strife as shed labored day in and day out at one of the world’s most unforgiving labor camps. She harbored a burning power inside her throughout these years however, as her true potential became ever more apparent. By the time she became a woman, The Red Legend was recruited by Myshka—the god-like champion of Communism—and embraced her destiny as one of the Stalinverse’ greatest protectors.

The other three members of the Red Brigade to be revealed in the coming weeks and months!

At the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were racing to the stars. But, while America was aiming for the moon, Russia had its eyes on the cosmos. In secret, they launched a three-man mission into the far reaches of space. In the depths, they discovered something Unknown. Something that…changed them. Imbued with god-like powers, the long-lost cosmonauts returned home…only to discover that their old ideology, communism, lost the war to western capitalism in the decades since their journey first began. But now they have the power to change it all…

Earth has a new god. The world you know is gone. Welcome to the Stalinverse, comrade.

div3-bloodshot_001_005

Read the First Half of Divinity III: Stalinverse #1

Posted on by

Valiant has released an extended advance preview of Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of Valiant’s startling, event-level blockbuster from the visionary creative team of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt, blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine, Harvey Award-nominated inker Ryan Winn and master colorist David Baron!

At the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were racing to the stars. But, while America was aiming for the moon, Russia had its eyes on the cosmos. In secret, they launched a three-man mission into the far reaches of space. In the depths, they discovered something Unknown. Something that…changed them. Imbued with god-like powers, the long-lost cosmonauts returned home…only to discover that their old ideology, communism, lost the war to western capitalism in the decades since their journey first began. But now they have the power to change it all…

Earth has a new god. The world you know is gone. Welcome to the Stalinverse, comrade.

On December 21st, witness a disturbing new vision of the world as it now stands! One where the Cold War was won long ago and a global Soviet empire now rules the world… Where the Iron Curtain extends across oceans and continents, subsuming freedom and liberty in its wake… And where the Russian communist super-state rules the world not only with an iron fist, but with ultimate power far beyond the comprehension of mortal men.

divinity-iii_001_cover-a_djurdjevic

Review: Divinity II #4

Posted on by

DIVINITY2_004_COVER-A_DJURDJEVICMyshka’s plot to reengineer the globe in Russia’s favor is all but complete. Will Abram Adams – the god-like being now called Divinity – stand against his former comrade…or, together, will they reshape the world as we know it with hammer and sickle in hand?

If you haven’t been reading Divinity II, then you’re missing out. In all honesty the review could end there, with a strong recommendation to read what is going to be one of the better stories released this year. And no, it’s not too early to say that. But would it really be fair to end the review right there?

Of course not.

I’ve written before about how I never wanted a sequel to the first Divinity, because I felt the series was complete on it’s own; a sequel wasn’t needed or called for. I wouldn’t read the sequel, I wouldn’t even look at it. Alright, I said to myself, maybe I shouldd read it, because if it is a train wreck, I should let people know, right? So four months ago I sat down and read the first issue of what I was positive would be a terrible story following the critically acclaimed first series, and before I realized it the comic was over and I needed the second issue. And the third.

Having finished the fourth and final issue I’ll stand up and say that I have never been so happy to be wrong about a body of work needing a sequel before, because the Matt Kindt scripted Divinity II  is an incredibly well written comic book that any summary I give you won’t be doing any justice to it.

So I won’t summarize the story here.

Nor will I talk much about the stunning page composition; that the comics feature some breathtaking moments for those who like their comics to look good is undeniable, but I won’t talk too much about just how wonderful Trevor Hairsine, Ryan Winn and David Baron work together to bring the final confrontation to life. And that confrontation? This is what a final chapter to any story can only hope to equal, but I won’t anything more about the ending – it’s a thing of beauty and you deserve to experience it for yourself the same way I did.

Without any idea of what is coming.

Instead, I’ll ask you a question: If you got lost in space, somehow attained control over everything and then returned to Earth only to find out the world had turned to shit, and you had the power to change it. Would you? Should you? And what if an equally powerful being was trying to stop you?

I may not have wanted a sequel to Divinity, but I’m sure glad that I got one. This is a book that only gets better with each read through.

Story: Matt Kindt Penciler: Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Ryan Winn Colourist: David Baron
Story: 9.75 Art: 9.75 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided a FREE copy for review, but I read my purchased copy (hence the late review…)

« Older Entries Recent Entries »