Comics
Comic Book Review: “The Valiant” #2 Is A Thrilling Read
Geomancer. Eternal Warrior. Bloodshot. Ninjak. “The Valiant” #2 assembles the Valiant Universe’s best to combat something that has beaten everyone it has ever gone up against. How do these heroes match up to such an unyielding enemy? Thankfully, not well which makes for a thrilling read.
WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt
ART BY: Paolo Rivera with Joe Rivera
PUBLISHER: Valiant Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: 21 January 2015
Reviewed by: Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady
Twitter: @mrbradysteele
The Valiant Universe is smaller and connected in many ways. It feels like more is on the line in every title. There is less certainty of the heroes winning in this publishing line which gives in an extra gear for thrills. Writers Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt have made this a tale that feels intimate and epic in scope at the same time. Gilad, The Eternal Warrior has one enemy he’s never defeated completely: The Immortal Enemy. For an undying soldier, this stings more than other battles as the world suffers a Dark Age when he loses to this rival. The stakes here feel big and personal all at the same time.
The art by Paolo Rivera is simply brilliant. Having grown up in a land covered by snow half of the year, the way Rivera finds ways to make it all new again is praise-worthy indeed. The mixing of Jeff Lemire’s fairy tale panels is a nice touch. Lemire’s panels show how Geomancer Kay McHenry’s childhood story and Rivera’s nightmare-come-true reality come together in an absorbing way. Making your enemy Mr. Flay / The Immortal Enemy turn into whatever you fear most leaves this villain’s visuals open for some truly horrific imagery.
This story crashes into the midpoint with this chapter in stunning fashion. I don’t know how much of previous Valiant events have merely adapted what was done in 1990s. I get the sense that not too much. The Valiant #2 showcases how these heroes can be remarkable in the right creative hands. Put this book in your hands and get to know what great characters and storytelling looks like.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.