Valiant Entertainment 2019
Story by Andy Diggle & Alex Paknadel
Written by Alex Paknadel
Illustrated by Doug Braithwaite
Coloured by Diego Rodriguez & Leonardo Paciarotti
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Beware the necromancer known as Imperatrix Virago. A narcissistic creature, Virago has devised a way to keep herself young by converting organic matter into necromantic energy, utilizing the special talents of her young servant, Syntilla. Virago invaded Earth with an armada of undead soldiers in search of the Earth’s avatar, Tama, who Syntilla succeeded in infecting with a necromantic virus. Tama’s guardian, Gilad the Eternal Warrior, ventured into the ghastly realm of the Deadside, where he bargained with a demon for a cure. In the meantime, Virago and her army found Tama, and are now poised to deliver the killing blow and absorb Earth’s life force for her own selfish needs…
Okay see this is what we all want from comics. This is a series that paves the groundwork for a new ongoing series starring the Geomancy and the Eternal Warrior. Auntie Shan understands what is at play between them and the situation and how things need to progress. Which sets up an already established cast, supporting cast and a situation they are all extremely aware of. So Alex and the art team, including Mr. Dillon, are tasked with a new project because this level and quality of storytelling is hands down what the industry needs right now!
I am a huge fan of the way that this book is structured. There is a sensational ebb & flow to the book as the action, drama and pure storytelling are woven together and throughout each other in ways that keep the reader riveted to the page as well as guessing what aspect is going to be revealed next. It is a rather unique style of writing that Alex seems to have developed and it works extremely well for him. I like seeing his talent, depth and growth when it comes to how he utilised his talent and skill. Alex has made my ones to watch list with this and his other book. Case in point is the characterisation here. It isn’t easy to use pre-established characters and yet Alex seems to know who they are an is able to use them and help them grow and evolve like we’d expect them to.
Goodness gracious great balls of fire are the interiors so freakin good. The way that the linework and the colour work are utilised together to create this attention to detail that we see is off the charts. From the cuts and bruises already forming, to the level of detail in the armour, clothing including the hair and teeth not to mention seeing Shan’s husband with that opaque blue glow I mean seriously folks this is some top class shit. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a stellar eye for storytelling. My goodness the emotions and feelings that we get from the characters and their resilience all shine here and then some.
This all gets wrapped up very nicely here and there’s still time to focus on the future and I think that kind of solidifies for me what and who should be in charge of that future. The fact that Gilad and Dr. Mirage can get along like we’re seeing here, and that she openly referred herself to Auntie Shan let us all know how their relationship even after this near end of the world catastrophe. So yeah I am way beyond impressed with the way the story has been told with it’s story & plot development, pacing and characterisation alongside this mindbogglingly good interior artwork.
It is books like this that show you why Valiant fans are so incredibly loyal.