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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Book Of Death #4 (Valiant Entertainment) – This has been one of the most entertaining series I’ve read over the past few months, and this issue is somewhat bitter sweet; I don’t want it to end, but I really want to see how it ends… if you haven’t read this series, then grab the trade.

The Black Hood #6 (Dark Circle Comics) – A drug addicted cop and a brutal vigilante. The Black Hood is both of those, struggling to take the fight beyond the law as he battles his own demons. Duane Swierczynski has been praised for his portrayal of addiction with this series, and I can’t wait to find out why.

Brett

Top Pick: Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (Marvel) – One of the most intriguing All-New, All-Different Marvel releases, what’s drawing me is a group of of characters that make me smile (Hit-Monkey!) being written by Frank Barbiere with art by Brent Schoonover. Comics are supposed to be fun, and that’s exactly what this one seems like it’ll be to me.

Black Magick #1 (Image Comics) – Greg Rucka writing, Nicola Scott on art. Ruck doing a gothic-noir series with a female lead? Yeah, this is a no-brainer for me.

The Black Hood #6 (Dark Circle Comics) – This darker line of superhero comics from Archie have been knocking it out of the park. A dark noirish hero, this comic begins a new story arc. Every issue has been entertaining mixing a modern sensibility with its pulp roots.

Cyborg #4 (DC Comics) – One of DC’s best recent releases, each issue mixes superhero antics, but also has given me thought about the character of Cyborg himself and how reflects upon me and my life. Entertainment as a reflection of ourselves, a definite read.

Prez #5 (DC Comics) – I love my politics, and of course this is on my list. The satire series hits WAY too close to home, and the 2016 Presidential election doesn’t feel that far off from this political send-up set in the future.

Elana

Top Pick: Black Magick #1 (Image Comics) – The first ever “witch noir”! A new series from Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott. Both excel at writing and drawing (respectively), fascinating, believable female characters. This dream team is can’t miss and the genre sounds like fun.

Angela Queen of Hel #1 (Marvel) – Look at these beautiful queens! Look at the adorable queer women in flawlessly painted art by Stephanie Hans! The best new couple in Marvel is back in black. In hell.

Batgirl #45 (DC Comics) – Big Queer Wedding Issue! This is a comics first: an Asian-American bisexual trans woman marrying her redheaded activist fiancée. And Dick Grayson will show up. Get ready to throw rice and munch on popcorn at the same time.

Captain America: Sam Wilson #2 (Marvel) – Captain America has always been a progressive hero (listen to our podcast for more on that) and this new series has African-American war vet superhero Sam Wilson in the drivers seat making his own political statements. Good.

Cyborg #4 (DC Comics) – The surprise hit comic full of socially aware sci-fi. Can Vic make peace with the people who KILLED him? Why does society always expect black men to make piece with their oppressors? Also, the highly silver-age and adorable Metal Men showed up last issue.

Island #4 (Image Comics) – Out there art. Multiple Warheads. A new story about a city kid with wings that kinda made me cry.

Kenny

Top Pick: Colder: Toss the Bones #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – I don’t like scary things but, this comic is so good I keep coming back to it. The psychological horror of Nimble Jack keeps has me peeking through my blanket to see what he’s going to do next. If you like horror, this is one of the better comics out today.

Justice League: Darkseid War Batman #1 (DC Comics) – I’m not normally a fan of spin-offs for large crossover events like the Darkseid War. But, I’ve enjoyed the main series a lot and Batman as the god of knowledge is a concept I am really excited to see fully play out.

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 (Marvel) – There is no real logic behind why I am excited for the new Squirrel Girl comic. It could be it’s very self aware cover claiming this is only it’s second #1 so far this year (well played Marvel), or it could be that I am excited to take a flyer on a quirky and fun looking new story. Sometimes, the latter is all you need.

Mr. H

Top Pick: Justice League: Darkseid War Batman #1 (DC Comics) – The true itteration of the almighty Bat-God is here. I couldn’t be more pumped for this. An all knowing and stubborn Batman on Metron’s chair. I think I just squeaked. Hopefully we get good use of the ultimate knowledge and maybe even the Joker’s real name. Just coolness x2.

Batman and Robin Eternal #4 (DC Comics) – Hoping this is the week we get an answer to that cliffhanger bomb from issue #1. At the very least I want to see bearded Bruce Wayne kick some ass. I know it’s going to be a slow burn for this epic but I want some good stuff on the plate now.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #51 (IDW Publishing) – New era. New Direction. What awaits our half-shelled heroes going forward? Well I can’t wait to find out. Gonna read this one with a hot pie!

Indie Icons: Ninjak #9

Posted on October 26, 2015 by

Comics are strange sometimes. Here at Indie Icons we celebrate each bizarre moment. Like when Ninjak was a college kid who got his powers from a Ninjak video game and then, a man with a tiny body and enormous head tried to kill him by bringing him into the same Ninjak video game. This story sounds right up Indie Icons’ alley. Let’s see how this goes. I’m guessing not well.

Our story opens with Ninjak on the roof of a building, trying to come up with a new super hero name. The company that made the video game he got his powers from is threatening to sue Ninjak for using their character’s name and costume. What kind of sick company would try and sue someone simply for cosplaying? Acclaim. That’s who. If you don’t remember Acclaim, that’s OK. I could barely remember who they were until I realized they made Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. That game is amazing and if you own a Nintendo 64 and love fun, you need to buy that right now. So, what happened to Acclaim? This game happened to Acclaim.

It’s hard to regain your credibility after that. But, back to Ninjak. He comes up with the new identity of Black Belt. This makes sense. His outfit’s black and he’s a ninja. I will never fault a hero for picking a sensible name. After the evil that is Acclaim is established and we have a new name, it’s time for Ninjak, or Black Belt, to go do hero things. Luckily, right below the building he’s standing on, a group of rival gangs start trying to kill each other. We never actually find out who these gangs are though. They are just lovingly referred to as “Immigrant Gangs”.

Ninjak begins doing what Ninja’s do. People get kicked in the face, smacked with a wooden staff, and he even has a pair of nunchuks he uses to bruise a whole lot ankles. He is also, apparently impossible to shoot. There is no one who should ever escape this situation. How is he dodging that!? He’s not even moving at the end! I can accept Storm Trooper accuracy to a certain point but eventually, someone has to accidentally hit our hero right? No. No they don’t. Ninjak uses his super power of never being shot and dismantles Immigrant Gang 1 with ease. For some reason, Immigrant Gang 2 is not very happy that their rivals have just been defeated. They decide the best way to get revenge against Ninjak is to just back their car into him as hard as possible. Normally, Ninjak could just walk out of the road and be fine but, someone left their baby in the middle of the street during a gang battle and it’s right in the path of the car. The parenting in the world of Ninjak is just atrocious. Being the only responsible being in the city, Ninjak does the heroic thing and pushes the stroller to safety. What? He doesn’t do that at all?

He just decides to cut the entire car completely in half. It’s a bit aggressive but, I’ll be honest, if I could, I would do the same exact thing. After all of that, the police finally arrive and Ninjak runs down an alley to escape being arrested for saving everyone. It’s at this point Ninjak shows off his power of undressing. His costume disappears into a cloud of green smoke and he finds himself in the clothes he was wearing before his outfit. Sure, this power doesn’t help with fighting crime but… I can’t think of anything. That’s a really useless power. Although, looking at the villain of this story, he really doesn’t need many super powers.That my friends, is Kraniak. He is a man with a head so large, that his body literally cannot bear the weight. This requires an amazing helmet that holds his entire tiny body off the ground. It also has two enormous chicken feet on either side so he can walk. He answers to a swarm of hairy robot bugs who are not pleased that he keeps losing to Ninjak. They threaten to take away all that they have given him. I assume this means his walking helmet. I also assume it means that, the only way he could move would be to roll on his face while his body dangles helplessly from his neck. Spoiler alert. We never get to see him roll around on his face. It’s a huge letdown.

We quickly cut to Ninjak in his dorm talking to a woman wearing part of a shirt and very tight pants. This does not interest Ninjak though. He doesn’t have time for attractive women on his bed. He’s trying to play the Ninjak video game. This is his downfall. His video game decides it’s time to play him… I’m really sorry guys. I’m not proud of that pun.A giant blue tenticle pulls him into the Ninjak video game where Kraniak is waiting for him. The entire plan centers on Kraniak raising the difficulty two levels higher than the highest “Shogun Samurai” difficulty. He’s hoping that Ninjak will fail and be killed by the numerous monsters he goes up against. He also takes away all the magic food in the game which you can use to turn the monsters against Kraniak. This is all very important to the narrative but, the best part of all this is Kraniak sitting in the most absurd attempt at a villain’s throne I have ever seen. His plan is quickly foiled when Ninjak begins to chop away at the black twigs holding his throne in the air. Kraniak and Ninjak begin to fall and end up coming through one of the giant monitors that line Times Square. Oh, they are also as tall as sky scrapers for some reason. Honestly, after the last Indie Icons adventure, I’m starting to believe more and more that no one in the 90s understood anything about how computers work.

Now that they are all the size of Godzilla, they just start destroying the hell out of the city. A giant purple monkey grabs a tanker truck and throws it at Ninjak. His first reaction is to grab a giant screen off the side of a building to block his face. This causes an unnaturally huge explosion and Ninjak finally realizes he should move and stop randomly destroying New York. But, not before a tiger with green tentacles grabs him and launches him miles into the sky. The more I type this the more I realize how absolutely out of hand this story has gotten at this point.Ninjak lands in an empty construction site and decides that the only way to defeat Kraniak is to overload the game. The same game that they’re no longer in because they’re back in New York… I think. I’m actually not sure what’s reality at this point so let’s just keep going. He ties every single monster to a crane. A crane that each of them is significantly taller than. Kraniak doesn’t seem to actually realize this and freaks out. Ninjak puts the cord against a light pole and yells reboot. This sends Kraniak and his monsters to…limbo? They just kind of disappear. I don’t know anymore. Ninjak is then spit out of his computer and lands face first onto his apartment floor. He uses his magical undressing power and sits very contently as he soaks up his great, sort of, victory. Except, he forgot about the true enemy…Acclaim! If you’ve learned anything from Indie Icons this week, its to never, ever trust anything Acclaim has ever done. Except, Turok. That game is awesome.

Review: Book Of Death: Legends Of The Geomancer #4

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Alex K Cossa

Anni, the first Geomancer, has lived countless centuries and shepherded the Earth and her people through upheaval and disaster. Now, generations upon generations later, she finally begins the twilight of her life. The secrets of the Geomancer will not die with Anni, and the Earth must not be left without her warrior…

Book Of Death comes to a close this week, and it has honestly been one of the most entertaining events that I’ve read in a long time, Although it was billed as a good bye to Valiant‘s characters, it has been easily readable and enjoyable for new readers alike (aside from a single one shot where I wasn’t familiar enough with the characters, I was able to follow along quite easily with only minor knowledge of the characters), but one of the more interesting spin offs from the main story has been Legends Of The Geomancer.

This is, honestly, an interesting review to write. I was able to read this series because Valiant had provided review copies to Graphic Policy, but due to the retailer incentive nature of the series I know that not everybody will get the same opportunity. You see in order to qualify to order this series then your Local Comic Shop needed to reach a certain preorder level on the main Book Of Death series, and there were some retailers (like my own) who simply didn’t have the interest level or order numbers required to even qualify to bring this book in, so there are people who will never have the ability to read this series.

Finding this print only series on the racks won’t be easy, as according to Valiant, it won’t be collected into a trade paperback – whether that will change in the coming months or not I have no idea..

That being said, this has been a fantastic addition to the main series. The glimpse offered of the Valiant Universe of a time before The Eternal Warrior walked the earth protecting the geomancers has been fascinating and extremely enjoyable. Written by Fred Van Lente, this series has featured some terrific dialogue and characterization, and the final issue to the Legends Of The Geomancer is no exception; I really enjoyed the relationship of the three brothers here, and how their interaction . Juan Jose Ryp and Jordie Bellaire have delivered some stunning artwork from tart to finish on this series, with Jordie Bellaire‘s colours really bring the detail and smoothness to Juan Jose Ryp‘s artwork. This series has been a wonderful glimpse into the chronologically earliest days of the publishers timeline, and a story that has been superbly enjoyable.

If there is a chance for you to read Book Of Death: Legends Of The Geomancer, then take it. It’s well worth it.

Story: Fred Van Lente Art: Juan Jose Ryp Colourist: Jordie Bellaire
Story: 8.25 Art: 9.75 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy (if you can find it)

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review

Preview: Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer #4

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

BOOK OF DEATH: LEGENDS OF THE GEOMANCER #4 (of 4)

Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by JUAN JOSE RYP (AUG151766)
BOOK OF DEATH: LEGENDS OF THE GEOMANCER #4 (of 4)*
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by JUAN JOSE RYP (AUG151766)

Anni’s final trial lays everything on the line…and the violent transformation it creates will determine the shape of the Valiant Universe forever!
Anni, the first Geomancer, has lived countless centuries and shepherded the Earth and her people through upheaval and disaster. Now, generations upon generations later, she finally begins the twilight of her life. The secrets of the Geomancer will not die with Anni, and the Earth must not be left without her warrior…

INCENTIVE | 24 pgs. | T+ | On Sale OCTOBER 28

Anni’s final trial lays everything on the line…and the violent transformation it creates will determine the shape of the Valiant Universe forever!

Anni, the first Geomancer, has lived countless centuries and shepherded the Earth and her people through upheaval and disaster. Now, generations upon generations later, she finally begins the twilight of her life. The secrets of the Geomancer will not die with Anni, and the Earth must not be left without her warrior…

Retailers Prepare for Battle with Customized Battle Axes from Valiant

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

In honor of the launch of Valiant’s latest tentpole ongoing series – Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #1 by writer Robert Venditti and artist Raul Allen – Valiant Entertainment will be providing select comics retailers across North America with custom-engraved, full-size battle axes in advance of the first issue’s November 18th launch.

Emblazoned with the Wrath of the Eternal Warrior logo on the blade and standing 27 inches tall, these once-in-a-lifetime, real-world replications of the Eternal Warrior’s signature weapon will be provided free of charge to participating retail stores in the United States and Canada that have enlisted in Valiant’s Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #1 retailer exclusive program. Other retailers interested in obtaining a custom Wrath of the Eternal Warrior battle axe can submit a request to Valiant directly via the retailers@valiantentertainment.com email address.

Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #1 is on track to become one of Valiant’s single biggest releases of the year.

For five millennia, the Eternal Warrior has shaped history at the end of his sword. He’s razed empires, toppled civilizations, and broken armies as an immortal soldier in service to the Earth.

But now, the Eternal Warrior has been torn from the world he once protected and finds himself stranded in a hostile alien landscape unlike any he’s ever faced. Separated from his earthly environs, can history’s deadliest soldier survive a realm far older, far deadlier, and far more ruinous than anything he’s ever encountered before? Beyond Earth lies eternity…

Preview: Book of Death #4 (of 4)

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

BOOK OF DEATH #4 (of 4)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by ROBERT GILL and DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover A by CARY NORD (AUG151757)
Cover B by MICO SUAYAN (AUG15178)
Cover C by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE (AUG151759)
Valiant Icons Variant by PERE PEREZ (AUG151760)
Artist Variant by PAOLO RIVERA (AUG151761)
$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale OCTOBER 28

An evil Geomancer has torn the world asunder… The dark puppet master pulling the strings has been unmasked… And the Valiant Universe as we know it is being torn apart… The end is here!

Now, not even the combined might of the Valiant’s best and brightest can avert the coming apocalypse – not without a sacrifice, that is. Who will pay the ultimate price to avoid the Armageddon promised in the pages of the Book of the Geomancer? And how will it irrevocably change the course of Valiant Universe?

All the answers are here in the climactic final chapter by longtime Valiant scribe Robert Venditti (X-O MANOWAR) and all-star artists Robert Gill (ETERNAL WARRIOR) and Doug Braithwaite (UNITY)! So let it be written… So let it be done!

Valiant in January 2016

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

FAITH #1 (of 4)

Written by JODY HOUSER
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA and MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Cover B by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by KANO
Variant Cover by COLLEEN COOVER
Blank Cover also available

FAITH BEGINS! VALIANT’S MOST DEMANDED HERO STEPS OUT OF HARBINGER…AND INTO AN ALL-NEW ADVENTURE!

Orphaned at a young age, Faith Herbert – a psionically gifted “psiot” discovered by the Harbinger Foundation – has always aspired to greatness. But now this once ordinary teenager is taking control of her destiny and becoming the hard-hitting hero she’s always known she can be – complete with a mild-mannered secret identity, unsuspecting colleagues, and a day job as a reporter that routinely throws into her harms way! Well, at least she thought it would… When she’s not typing up listicles about cat videos, Faith makes a secret transformation to patrol the night as the City of Angels’ own leading superhero – the sky-soaring Zephyr!

But flying solo is going to be tougher than she ever thought when Zephyr uncovers a deep-rooted alien conspiracy. Two-bit burglars and car thieves are one thing, but when the world needs a hero to stave off a full-blown extraterrestrial invasion, will Faith find herself in over her head…or ready for her biggest challenge yet?

Rising star Jody Houser (Orphan Black) and explosive artists Francis Portela (Green Lantern) and Marguerite Sauvage (DC Comics Bombshells) pilot a new chapter for Valiant’s high-flying hero right here in Faith’s first-ever limited series!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 27

BLOODSHOT REBORN #10 (NEW ARC! “THE ANALOG MAN” – PART 1)

Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by LEWIS LAROSA
Cover A by LEWIS LAROSA
Cover B by RYAN SOOK
Cover C by DAVE JOHNSON
Cover D JEFFREY VERGGE
Variant Cover by TULA LOTAY
Variant Cover by DAVID LAFUENTE
B&W Sketch Variant by LEWIS LAROSA
Valiant Linewide Variant by JEFF LEMIRE

ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! WHO OR WHAT IS…“THE ANALOG MAN”?

Many years from now, Los Angeles has become a post-apocalyptic wasteland and the once unstoppable killing machine known as BLOODSHOT has become THE ANALOG MAN. Hopelessly outdated, Bloodshot’s taken on a new role as the protector of a small town, eking out a subsistence existence with the great love of his life – Magic – and protecting a group of stragglers who’ve weathered the storm. But when a gang of marauders arrives, the settlement’s survival is threatened, and Bloodshot is forced to bring justice to the distorted and disjointed badlands of the Valiant Universe!

Blockbuster artist Lewis LaRosa joins New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire for a gasoline-soaked storyline two years in the making right here for “THE ANALOG MAN”!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 27

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #3

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAUL ALLEN
Cover A by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover B by RAUL ALLEN
Cover C by MARCOS MARTIN
Variant Cover by TOM FOWLER
Variant Cover by ADAM POLLINA
B&W Sketch Variant by DAVID LAFUENTE

Torn from the world he once knew, Gilad’s bone-breaking journey back to Earth and the people he was sworn to protect takes a brutal turn!

Putting all he holds dear on the line to save our world’s future, the Eternal Warrior prepares to confront the most nefarious adversary of all – but the cost of victory may be too steep.

Valiant superstars Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and Raul Allen (Hawkeye) continue the Eternal Warrior’s perilous quest into the unknown reaches of the Valiant Universe!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 20

NINJAK #11

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE with JUAN JOSE RYP
Cover A (Glow-in-the-Dark) by KANO
Cover B (Glow-in-the-Dark) by CARY NORD
Cover C (Glow-in-the-Dark) by CLAYTON HENRY
Character Design Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

“OPERATION: DEADSIDE” – PART 2! THE RETURN OF SHADOWMAN!

Stranded in a parallel dimension with no hope of rescue, MI-6’s own Ninjak and Punk Mambo are about to make a startling discovery…the truth about the broken hero called Shadowman!

What happened to Shadowman, the fallen hero of the Valiant Universe? And is he responsible for the strategic attacks that have laid siege to Ninjak’s homeland?

The can’t-miss Valiant milestone of 2016 continues here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (DIVINITY) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS) fall further into the depths of Deadside…and recover the long-lost secret of Valiant’s most mysterious hero!

$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 13

X-O MANOWAR #43 (NEW ARC! “THE KILL LIST” – PART 1)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ
Cover B by STEPHEN MOONEY
Variant Cover by DAS PASTORAS
Variant Cover by MIKE CHOI

ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! X-O MANOWAR AND NINJAK GO DEEP UNDERCOVER FOR…”THE KILL LIST”!

With two kingdoms now under his command, Aric of Dacia has pledged loyalty to his adopted nation – the United States of America – and now…America has given him a new mission: destroy the Vine’s network of humanoid alien agents once and for all. To do it, he’ll have to turn to the one man among us he can trust…his own former enemy, the deadly MI-6 operative called Ninjak!

Meanwhile, the Vine’s most militant warrior, Commander Trill, is readying a counterattack…and what happens next will shake the Valiant Universe to its core. Can X-O Manowar and Ninjak cut their way to the source of this stealth attack before all is lost?

New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR) and fan-favorite artist Rafa Sandoval (X-Men: Legacy) prepare the next epic salvo in X-O MANOWAR’s unfolding epic as the march toward the issue #50 game-changer continues!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 6

THE DEATH-DEFYING DOCTOR MIRAGE: SECOND LIVES #2 (of 4)

Written by JEN VAN METER
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Cover B by KEVIN WADA
Cover C by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Variant Cover by EMI LENOX

A lethal menace has been loosed on the world and everyone – alive or dead –is in harm’s way!

Shan Fong-Mirage is married to a ghost – the late Hwen Mirage, who she herself pulled back from the brink of eternal imprisonment in the underworld. But this team of paranormal investigators has discovered that even the unliving like Hwen can be killed…and that their own research has unwittingly freed a malevolent spirit from a centuries-old enchantment. Now innocent victims – both among the living and dearly departed – are being massacred. To set this right, the Mirages need to unlock another copy of the ancient spell…and only one other paranormal collector has it. And so now the good doctors must pay a house call to an old enemy…

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 13

IMPERIUM #12

Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CAFU
Cover A by CAFU
Cover B by HOWARD CHAYKIN
Variant Cover by JEFTE PALO

“THE VINE IMPERATIVE” – FINALE! Spy vs. superhuman!

Toyo Harada’s utopian ambition has been shaken to the depths by a decades-old enemy. Since the day Harada began accruing power, the undercover agents of the
Vine’s alien empire have watched…and waited. Years later, as Harada strives to reshape the global economy, establish governments friendly to his goals, and gift the ability of space travel to all humankind, the Vine want him put in check – permanently. Now, with saboteurs riddling his organization and the alien assassin called LV-99 slavering to snap his master’s neck…are the Vine about to succeed?

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 20

ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: NINJAK #1

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAY MANN with BUTCH GUICE
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA

Re-presenting NINJAK #1 (2015)

$1.00 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 6

ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: RAI #1

Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Re-presenting RAI #1 (2014)

$1.00 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 6

BOOK OF DEATH TPB

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by ROBERT GILL and DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover by ROBERT GILL

The Valiant heroes. X-O Manowar. Bloodshot. Ninjak. The Harbinger Renegades. Unity. This is how they lived. This is how they died.

Now we know. The Book of the Geomancer has recorded it all. But only a young girl – the last in a line of the enigmatic mystics who protect the Earth known as
Geomancers – has seen this future come to pass, from the coming cataclysm to the dawn of the 41st century. Alone with her sworn protector, the Eternal Warrior – a soldier battle-forged across five thousand years of combat – the duo must defy their allies to stop the Dark Age that now threatens to eclipse our world.

Together, they are the number one target of every hero and villain on Earth. Either the Eternal Warrior hands her over…or they take him down. But can even he single-handedly protect one child when the entire Valiant Universe wages war against him?

New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (X-O MANOWAR) joins superstar-in-the-making Robert Gill (Batgirl) and visionary artist Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS) to begin a thousand-year journey into the future of the Valiant
Universe…and rain, fire, blood and war on the heroes of today.

Collecting: BOOK OF DEATH #1–4.

$14.99 | 160 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 20
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 9781939346971

BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF THE VALIANT UNIVERSE TPB

Written by JEFF LEMIRE, MATT KINDT, JOSHUA DYSART, and ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE, TREVOR HAIRSINE, KANO, and CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by CARY NORD

So let it be written, so let it be done…

The dawn of the new Dark Age foretold in BOOK OF DEATH continues right here with a glimpse into the future of the Valiant Universe in four visionary tales of present and future ripped directly from the pages of the Book of the Geomancer! An all-star cast of creators comes aboard the year’s monumental comics event to chronicle the ultimate fate of Valiant’s most indelible heroes. From the modern day to the far future, the destinies of Bloodshot, Ninjak, the Harbinger Renegades, X-O Manowar, and more will stand revealed in these four essential, standalone chapters at the epicenter of the blockbuster Valiant event of the year.

Join Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN), Matt Kindt (NINJAK), Joshua Dysart(HARBINGER), and Robert Venditti (X-O MANOWAR) and superstar artistsDoug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS), Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY), Kano (THE DELINQUENTS), and Clayton Henry (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG), as they foretell the deadly future and final days of the greatest heroes of the Valiant Universe.

Collecting: BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF BLOODSHOT #1, BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF NINJAK #1, BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF HARBINGER #1, and BOOK OF DEATH: THE FALL OF X-O MANOWAR #1.

$14.99 | 112 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 27
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 9781939346988

X-O MANOWAR VOL. 10: EXODUS TPB

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with AMY CHU, RAFER ROBERTS, and ANDY RUNTON
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL with CLAYTON HENRY, RAFER ROBERTS, and ANDY RUNTON
Cover by RAFA SANDOVAL

Two people. One world. Can a man of war broker peace between earth and alien nation?

Aric of Dacia is X-O Manowar, hero to humanity, leader of the remaining Visigoths, and a husband about to start a new family. He is also the bearer of Shanhara, and tantamount to a God in the eyes of the alien race known as The Vine. Now, in the aftermath of DEAD HAND, The Vine need a new home and have chosen Earth – tearing Aric between two races that worship him, but each despise one another.

New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and red-hot artist Rafa Sandoval (Ultimate Hawkeye) unite here to begin a bold and tragic new era in the life of X-O Manowar!

Collecting X-O MANOWAR #38–42.

$14.99 | 160 pgs. | T+ | On sale JANUARY 13
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 99781939346933

Review: Rai #11

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Alex K Cossa

The last issue hada newly healed, but still depowered Rai trying to find a way back to New Japan after being exiled to Earth, Rai set out with a simple, yet loyal tribesman to search for the one person who may be able to help him; a person known as “the warrior eternal.”

When the object of their quest was revealed last issue, I was excited.

I hoped that “the warrior eternal” would turn out to be not only my favourite Valiant character, but one of my favourite comic book characters – Gilad Anni-Padda, The Eternal Warrior. It was a fair leap of logic, and one that had me anticipating this issue more than I had before. The idea of Rai meeting up with a much older Gilad is one that really interested me, but what is more exciting than the thought of that is how Rai #11 looks.

Clayton Crane‘s artwork is fantastical, eerie and very atmospheric. The details within some panels are jaw dropping; when we get our first close up shot of a certain characters face, you can really appreciate the talent on display here. I said in my review of the last issue that “there are several panels and full pages where the vibrancy of the colours can take your breath away,” and that rings just as true with this issue. As the story continues to be told between the technological nirvana of New Japan and the surface of the Earth miles below the flying nation, Crane is able to effortlessly differentiate between the two settings for the story, highlighting the differences with subtle colour changes that enable the reader to easily differentiate the two locations.

Rai‘s quest for the warrior eternal is a long one that is captured well with subtle but effective nods to just how long he and his companion and guide Lemur have been travelling, both with Rai‘s internal monologue and the differing shades of the landscape that the two characters travel through. As beautiful as the comic looks, though, if not for Matt Kindt‘s writing, it would be a beautiful comic that has a poor story. That’s far from the case here, however, and as the multiple plot points begin to head toward the conclusion next issue there are some brilliant moments that could easily have served as a great ending to the issue. The final page is a brilliant, if somewhat expected, conclusion to the penultimate issue of the current story arc, and sets up the next chapter in a simple yet oh-so effective way.

Rai #11 is one of the best looking comics to hit the racks this week, that it’s also a well written comic only makes it that much better. Valiant have been consistently producing some of the best series from any publisher lately, and this is no exception to that. Whether you hop on board now, pick up the first two chapters in the arc or wait for the next arc to begin, make sure Rai is on your radar.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Clayton Crain
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review.

Review: Ivar, Timewalker #10

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Alex K Cossa

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.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Ivar, Timewalker #10 (Valiant) – There are dinosaurs riding dinosaurs. That’s all.

Rai #11 (Valiant) – I usually stay clear of most sci-fi comics, or at the least those set in the far future, but something about Rai has me intrigued. Ive enjoyed the first two issues in the current arc, and I can’t wait to see where it ends up.

The Shield #1 (Dark Circle Comics) – The last series I read from Dark Circle, The Fox, was amazing. I can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for this series.

Brett

Top Pick: The Arab of the Future (Metropolitan Books) – Riad Sattouf recounts his nomadic childhood growing up in rural France, Gaddafi’s Libya, and Assad’s Syria, but always under the roof of his father, a Syrian Pan-Arabist who drags his family along in his pursuit of dreams for the Arab nation. It not only allows us to learn more about an eccentric family, but also a world many of us will never know.

Back to the Future #1 (IDW Publishing) – I love the fist two films (third not so much), and I’m nervous about this series, but holy crap am I excited for it.

Justice League #45 (DC Comics) – The “Darkseid War” continues as the second wave begins as the Justice League members have gained great power, but at a price. Wonder Woman and Mister Miracle must help the League escape the curse of the New Gods and hold on to their humanity. The last issue left my jaw on the floor. I’m expecting more of the same.

The Paybacks #2 (Dark Horse) – One of the funniest new series out there. Each issue so far has had me laughing, and left me beyond entertained. Absolutely brilliant on so many levels.

Uncanny Inhumans #1 (Marvel) – The Inhumans are one of four main cores of the Marvel universe (Spider-Man, X-Men, and Avengers being the other three). This new series, featuring the talents of writer Charles Soule and artists Steve McNiven and Brandon Peterson, not only features Medusa, Black Bolt, Triton, and Reader, but also Torch and Beast!? Yeah, I’m intrigued.

Mr. H

Top Pick: Titans Hunt #1 (DC Comics) – The original Titans back together again solving a mystery? Hell yes. So excited for this book and have faith the creative team will knock it out the park. I will be waiting with my catchers mitt to see if I’m right.

Amazing Spider-Man #2 (Marvel) – This book has just been flat out fun. I’ve heard people say that Peter Parker is being handled like a poor man’s Tony Stark. I don’t buy that argument at all, but I will be buying this. Why? Because it’s fun and for our Friendly World Spider-Man that’s exactly what I want. Go Team Slott!

Batman and Robin Eternal #3 (DC Comics) – The first issue was gangbusters, last week’s was a bit slow. Now that the characters and the list has been introduced, I hope the action ramps up and we get a great Bat tale. Very glad Cassandra Cain is back too.

Justice League #45 (DC Comics) – What can be said about this book that hasn’t already been said? It’s a steamrolling juggernaut and like the New England Patriots I can count on Johns and Co. to give me a great performance and the W! Hoping Darkseid is not really dead though.

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