Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Joshua Dysart
Penciled by Scot Eaton
Inked by Wayne Faucher
Coloured by Brian Reber
Wow Joshua is full of surprises here just as you think things couldn’t get any more intense he goes and amps things up a notch. We’ve seen Angela have her own agenda and we’ve not been too sure what that is though she’s been content to work on P.R.S. sub but after knowing that Gravedog was a pawn of Harada’s we haven’t been able to determine what she was going to next. Well this is the issue that let’s us know and not only that a few surprises along the way keep the reader on their toes.
Last issue Director Kozol was let go and was chased by Lord Vine-99 with the hopes from at least this reader he was going to be torn to shreds. Ah just when everything seems to be happening in favor of Harada the HARD CORPS comes to Kozol’s rescue. Though his actions here clearly paint him in a not so favorable light keeping in line with everything we’ve learned about him so far. The man is a grade A putz and should be eliminated at someone’s earliest convenience. We’ll have to wait and see it that’s in the cards for him though, since the blowhard with no practical experience leading is still firmly in charge.
So with Kozol having trapped HARD CORPS withe Lord Vine-99 you’ll have to read the story to see how that unfolds. As well as a recomposed Kozol on the command deck running things to understand more why he’s incompetent boob in my opinion. I have to say though seeing Harada in action so powerful, strong and determined so full of confidence in his way of thinking is a double edged sword because it’s men like him that went on to become the Hitler’s of the world.
Harada’s encounter with Angela however is the real standout of this issue, and with everything that happens here that’s really saying something because the whole issue is extraordinarily well scripted. Their conversation is really exceptionally well done and in Angela’s host Harada finds himself up against someone he’s never encountered before and almost seems to be at a loss on how to appropriately behave with her. It’s got to be a humbling experience for the man it’s delicious in that we watch him try to keep the upper hand and lose.
There’s a moment that Harada sees Divinity but he doesn’t stop which again is a telling sign for me. He’s dealing with Angela and he isn’t as secure in himself as he thinks to deal both incredibly powerful beings and “keep them under his thumb.” The cracks have been seen here and I like that even more so because if we see the widen or him to try to close unsuccessfully than it’s a moment that will irrevocably define what happens next.
Scot, Wayne and Brian are rocking these interiors too. The moment that the psiot dampers go up and we see Harada’s true age emerge from the facade he puts forward it’s an amazing transformation. There’s an impact in that for the reader that shouldn’t be underestimated. The attention to detail throughout the issue is so nice to see and on the whole the vibe, tone and feel emanating from it works beautifully with the words. While I wish Lord Vine-99 was more terrifying in appearance he’s still fearsome enough to showcase why he’s such a valuable asset.
Valiant has risen like the Phoenix from it’s ashes to become stronger and more powerful than ever before. The talent and the material here is proof positive that they aren’t going anywhere while giving us unique and interesting stories reminding us why we love the medium so much.