Valiant Entertainment 2019
On Sale June 19th 2019
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Renato Guedes
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
The Psi-Lords make their debut in the modern-era Valiant Universe in a brand-new ongoing series! But WHO are they? And where the heck are they?! Prepare for a cosmic adventure like no other! Seriously, it’s wild stuff.
I have said in the past that Valiant understands how to introduce new series into their line-up of titles. I stand behind this still which is frustrating as all get out since we always seem to want more of a good thing. I am huge fan of Fred’s writing style and how he’s able to weave stories like a spider weaves a web. Beautifully crafted, layered and with a mesmerising pull to it that is undeniable to the reader. This issue sets up their story while not giving away a damn thing and honestly all I can say about that is Leapin’ Lizards.
I love the way that this book is structured and how we are introduced to the characters. Fred creates a spectacular ebb & flow through those introductions with the dialogue and the action sequences that follow. It kind of amazes me that he can bring us so much in such a short time and I feel as if initially we get to see who they are and immediately get a sense of them yet know that over time my opinion of each of them will inevitably change. The opening here where we go from character to character in way of setting the stage and introducing us is interesting, captivating and leaves that impression with you that isn’t easy to shake off.
I have no idea what it is about them that I find so fascinating at the moment. It could be that they are completely unaware of what is happening to them or that for me it feels like that moment the Guardians of OA and their Chosen back in the 80’s. The premise almost feels similar and it really takes things to a place where we inherently want to know more. Why them, were they the only choices, If Toyo or Peter didn’t activate them who did and how. Fred grabs the reader and makes them ask questions about what the overall bigger picture and by getting to be so involved in the first issue is a recipe for everyone coming back time and again to see how those questions are answered.
The interiors here are extraordinary to see. The attention to detail in the linework and in how the colour work is seen are mindbogglingly good. I mean seriously to see the colour used to in let’s say Tanks face utilised to bring out his facial features are next level stuff and considering this feels traditional and not computer generated that’s even more impressive. The creativity and imagination that is on display here is utterly marvellous and a lot of that comes from the backgrounds that we see too. The way panels are constructed so that they are filled so as to maximise the effect the art has on the reader is beyond expectation. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a sensational eye for storytelling. Again I will stress the colour work here is phenomenal how we see light sources utilised to create shading, colour gradation and shadows is perfectly done.
This will be the second of half the years most intriguing new series. The creators involved are at the top of their game and the setting and the way everything thus far has been put into place means we’re going to get a book that many of us have long for. It has been far too long since we have been able to see space epics and it’s high time they returned and this, this is the leader of the pack in terms of level and quality work being done.