So many comics from our friends at Valiant have dropped that we have missed. This new little section will catch everyone up and get to books that we initially missed. There are so many books every week and not enough of us here to cover every, but that’s a pretty cool problem to have!
4001 A.D. #3
I’m not sure how to start this review because of the contradictory feelings I have toward this issue in general. It feels like it was supposed to be a big one, but never really reached its apex. The story in 4001 A.D. #3 isn’t that remarkable. It was all very cliché for me, and I felt like I was reading the same old thing in terms of dystopias.
I think that there are so many characters here that their essence gets lost in the mess. Maybe this was so early for them to act like they do, or maybe it was because it’s like some massive event in the Valiant universe, but it just didn’t quite work.
There is a good dose of action and cool fighting bits in almost all of the pages, so it does entertain, which is a plus, but when an entire issue is mostly fighting I lose interest. That being said, I do believe the general idea has much more potential, so I’ll give the benefit of the doubt in this case and see how it develops.
The art was something completely different than the norm. I can see there was a really lot of care put into it, and in terms of semiotic composition it was very well done. It felt like true science fiction at its core, and that’s a great thing. Lots of blues and cold tones in general run throughout, which suits the plot and gives more importance to the various lasers, rays, and many other red-colored-things we may find while reading.
Despite some issues I enjoyed the whole thing and find I think it really cool to learn a little bit more about this world with the cinematic aspect that each page gave us. It’s still early, but there is room for improvement in direction of this series so things can improve. It’s one to keep an eye on, but issue #4 needs to be a strong on to keep me reading.
3 out of 5 Stars
X-O Manowar #48
I was surprised with this issue while reading it. X-O Manowar #48 was one of those reads where you don’t know what to expect and turns out to be a really interesting chapter in the story, and makes you think a little on some topics like humanity and the real meaning of concepts like what home really is. This time, it’s not just about fighting and freedom, but it touches more deep topics. It’s one of those cases where the fiction makes you think about real life.
The story itself feels like the calm before the storm and performs that role very well, because despite the lack of a real plot, it helps us see a little more of the characters, their feelings, and how they deal with the events they’re involved with. X-O Manowar #48 is a very slow paced issue, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad one as it never once got boring. It has a good balance at the beginning, which changes drastically at the end. Promising; that’s the word that best describes the last few pages and setup.
Graphically, this issue keeps the style of the previous ones and while there’s not a great change, it does match the reading pace somehow. The vivid colors add a good dose of drama to key moments, although I think darker tones could have helped more to get me into the moment. The beginning is stunning, it catches the reader’s eye immediately and made me want go further, not wanting to miss any detail or scene and stay attentive to what’s going on.
In many ways it felt like I was reading Civil War II #0 again because of the many lateral panels. Not really a con, but it made me lose the plot’s thread a little when I noticed this. Anyway, this series seems to be on the right direction and I’m starting to think it could turn to be a really cool TV or web series because of the style, the narrative and the plot itself. Can’t wait for what’s next!
4 out of 5 Stars
Divinity II #4
I don’t know if it’s just me or if comics are really getting into moral and message like self-help books more and more. Either way, it doesn’t really bother me as it’s an interesting thing to get lost in. Divinity II #4 is the conclusion of Divinity II, and I can say it was worth it! It filled the expectations I had, and although I wasn’t that thrilled about the series at first, I learned to like It and see the potential the plot had.
Dynamic, fast, light and really, really entertaining are all words to describe this one. For the rest, I will say that there wasn’t as much fighting as I expected, but again, it doesn’t matter at all because of the solid background. There are interesting ideas that I found pretty well-developed and some possibilities for a sequel, and I think there is going to be one!
The many light colors played a good semiotic role and helped to have a clearer image of what was happening in each page. I don’t usually support the idea of panels in empty, blank pages, but it worked very well this time because of this. I also loved the way they used pages again I this issue to illustrate Abram’s monologues. There are many possibilities and I’ll enjoy the wait to see what these guys come with for this new chapter in Divinity.
This time, the commentary in the final pages was from the artist, Trevor Hairsine, again with the creation process of some pages showing pencils, inks and finally the colors. It wasn’t until then that I realized the real effort it was needed to reflect the script. Divinity II #4 was a solid read and I hope for more to come.
3.5 of 5 Stars
4000 A.D. War Mother #1
I’m really surprised with this story. At first I wasn’t sure about it, or if I was going to like it at all, but I have learned that there is more than meets the eye in the most common thing. War Mother turned to be a really interesting story with characters that surprised me more than once in this first issue.
This was just exactly what I needed to get into the science fiction genre, and I’m starting to like it more and more. I think that the slow pace was because this is just the beginning of a new universe, and there are many things I want to know, especially how humanity was led to that kind of living and what happened before. When it comes to potential and possibilities, I consider it still too early to take a position on it, but there are enough elements present here I’d like to think there is a good story that’s going to develop.
What at first was art that was a little messy concept concept wise, ended up being good work in disguise. It took me a little more time than usual to get it, and I’m sure it will happen to many as well, but if you give it a chance it really does work. Not using a structured division for the panels in the inner pages was a creative decision, because there were many times before I wished artists could break that systematic style they sometimes have while drawing.
The coloring helped me a lot to get into the reading despite the uneven pacing of the writing. It’s not that the story is bad, is just a kind of weak beginning supported that happens to be supported by great art, and that’s okay for me right now. I’ll be patiently waiting for the next issue, as this really woke up my curiosity and I’d like to see what happens next in this world
4 out of 5 Stars
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