A Bigger Bang?
Most universes don’t get a second shot at the Big Bang. Its generally considered, at least in most scientific circles, to be pretty much a one-time deal. Yet a second shot is exactly what the new Valiant Comics is trying to ignite with their relaunched universe. After 16 years of slumber (only 13 if you count the abysmal Acclaim Comics run), they intend to make a big enough bang that people the world over take notice. Did they succeed? Only time will tell if people take notice – but as far as making their big bang happen? That would be a resounding yes.
Aric of Dhacia is a Visigoth. Now, unless you’re one of the brave and noble few who paid attention during History class, you’re probably under the impression that a Visigoth is some kind of crazy alien, or perhaps an obscure branch of a popular counterculture movement. Fear not, though, as writer Robert Venditti provides a helpful chart explaining both the Visigoth way of life in brief, as well as a modicum of historical context up until the point where the book takes place (for those keeping score, that’s 402 AD).
In keeping with that user-friendly approach, Venditti crafts the world of the 5th century Roman Empire in such a way that one need never have heard of Valiant or X-O Manowar before today in order to become fully engrossed in its world of oppressive Roman overlords, barbaric warfare, and the odd group of evil alien invaders. In fact, it took a second pass before I realized that this was, in fact, a considerably longer book than traditional comic length, coming in at 29 story pages. Of course, it only felt like about half that number – and not due to a lack of content, either. In the space of a single issue, the world and principal character are firmly established, and the stage is set for the premise of the book to be realized in the second issue (how many books can say that these days?).
This is helped in no small part by the masterful artwork of Cary Nord. His crisp, detailed linework sets the foundation for some of the most sweeping battle scenes seen in comics in quite a while. Stefano Gaudiano’s inks complement nicely, and in fact become inseparable from the pencils in many places, and Moose Baumann’s rich, vibrant colors complete the picture, and elevate the book considerably. Together, they establish in one issue a new ‘house style’ for Valiant that is both distinctive from the big two, yet also feels like it belongs in the same conversation as them. X-O Manowar is not the prettiest book currently on the market, but it’s extremely close, and that will be an important step if Valiant wants to go toe-to-toe with Marvel and DC as they once did.
Overall, if you’re someone who was brought into comics by the New 52, and has grown curious about books outside DC’s stable, my recommendation is to buy this book. If you’re someone who’s grown weary of Marvel’s practice of maximum content at the expense of quality, then buy this book. If you’re one of those who is an old-school Valiant fanboy that’s uncertain about the new direction some of these characters are taken, then fear not, and buy this book. Am I making a clear enough picture, yet?
Saddle up – the summer of Valiant is here, folks.
As published on examiner.com
