Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Robert Gill
Coloured by Mike Spicer
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
To save his son, Gilad returned to the afterlife. He learned that the demon Pale Herder stole Kalam from Humungous. Gilad, given passage by Humongous, is ready to confront the Pale Herder…
Wow this was fantastic right from the get go. With the imagery that Robert and Mike bring to it you know something extraordinary is going to happen. The attention to detail here is phenomenal and the use of page layouts through angles, perspective and the use of backgrounds is beyond expectation here. It’s like you could see the story developing before the words even come and that’s amazing to see. Throughout the use of creativity and imagination on display is a joy to see.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this look into Gilad’s life. Getting to see and know his family and his relationship to them has really done wonders to flesh out the way we’ve seen him thus far in the Valiant Universe. Why he’s so stoic and withdrawn and hesitant to form those bonds with others. I think Robert has turned him into one of the most complex and interesting characters around these days. Plus that his immortality works this way, say compared to his siblings, is another factor that speaks to me. That he doesn’t shy away from battle the way he does and not just because he’s a darn fine fighter but because he knows the Earth needs him and he’ll be back.
This is just the beginning of the whole saga with his son. I look forward to seeing if there really is something to Kalam and his being firstborn in regards to the potential of inheriting something from him. I know he’s deceased now but could he traverse this realm and re-enter the living world again? It’s a fascinating thought and hopefully before this is all said and done the two will repair their damaged relationship. The characterisation here has been utter fabulous and it’s really been something to experience.
I’ve been having so much fun exploring this realm you almost begin to forget that Aric has his body under protection as well as that undying one who jumps from body to body every time he dies. You know the guy who killed Kalam to begin with and has been seeking out Gilad’s source of eternal life for well ever it seems. After all the more time we spend before the veil of life and the more factions that are introduced the more interesting this whole thing becomes. Plus it doesn’t hurt to see what Gilad has to go through both mentally and physically before he returns to the land of the living.
This is one of the stronger more consistent books on stands today. The level of storytelling through characterisation, plot development/advancement and interiors really make this too good to pass up.