1st Impressions: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 8

ETERNAL WARRIOR #8

Written by Greg Pak
Art by Robert Gill, Mark Pennington, Guy Major & John Rauch
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Gilad ends up helping the mystery king take down the worshippers of Nergal. With Guns and Robots. It does not end well for some.

WRITING:

                Pak is a capable writer. The dialogue is good. The pacing of the issue was a bit fast, yet still hit all the beats well. We got some development for Gilad and Caroline dealing with the violence and children seeing things they end up mimicking later and the profound weight that comes when children see too much. Pak uses Caroline as Gilad’s redemption for having failed his other children. Although, that might not be the full case. 

                The conflict comes and goes. It serves its point. And the narration does let Pak make some strong statements at the end. Yet … the ending point just felt like filler. Sure. It is strong character arc for Gilad but here we are, posed with a future storyline of them fighting the warriors of Nergal, who we found out in the previous storyline, are being lead by Gilad’s son. It might be just my own expectation but since the revelation, I was thinking we’d see Gilad face his son in this storyline or possible connect to Rai because many of Valiant’s book introduce heroes in one book then give them a spin off.  No dice. And while the issue was solid … it just left me feeling ‘meh.’

ART:

                Gill and Pennington deliver a strong, beautiful art. It is detailed. Backgrounds, people, robots … you name it and these two really give us some detailed work. The varied amount of things lets Gill and Pennington really burst through the page. From action to quiet moments, Gill and Pennington grace us with a good amount of emotional expression as well. 

                Major and Rauch back them up with beautiful color that really makes their work look alive. The more lighter tones help keep in the mind of the landscape that these characters are in. Their colors make that future feel realized. Overall, a spectacular job by the art team.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Eternal Warrior # 8 finished the storyline but left me feeling like it was just ‘filler’. It advanced the character of Gilad but nothing we were hinted at showed up with was a let down. Otherwise, it is written pretty solid.  The art was amazing though.

RATING:

                Eternal Warrior # 8 gets a 7 … out of 10. It looks great and the story is just ok. 

1st Impression: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 7

ETERNAL WARRIOR # 7

Written by Greg Pak

Art by Robert Gill & Guy Major

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Gilad leads the city of people through a forest to look for King Sam, the creator of the robots. And Gilad finds him. When they meet, there is a warm welcome extended but King Sam learns why Gilad is the Eternal Emperor.

ART:

                Gill produces some of the sharpest looking panels in comics. Gill has an amazing sense of prospective and uses it in the issue.  Gill also has a great sense of anatomy, not only for humans but for beasts as well as he draws some very powerful pictures of animals attacking other animals. Gill really does well giving us perspective and angles with his panel work to provide some dynamic art.  From the clothes of the civilians to the robot wolves to the overall look at King Sam’s main base, Gill renders them all with a great amount of detail.  Gilad continues to look regal and battle hardened. And Gill has no issue conveying emotion on the faces of the characters.

                Major’s colors are stellar as they enrich Gill’s work.  From the shades to the direction of lighting, Major pulls off some great, vivid colors that just make Gill’s work explode off the page. Overall, a magnificent job by this art team.

WRITING:

                Pak continues to write a future myth with Gilad in the future.  Pak gives us some solid character development of Gilad as a leader and a warrior. Gilad wants to take care of his people and does his best to make sure that he can with multiple examples of that throughout the issue. Pak continues with his mastery of dialogue as he puts the right amount of wit with the right amount of emotion in the dialogue amongst the characters.

                There is definitely a stronger focus on Gilad himself this issue, with various interactions. This definitely felt good to see the spotlight firmly on Gilad this issue. I also like to applaud the pacing of the issue as Pak keeps things at a steady pace to lead to the strong ending of the issue. Pak just continues to write a superb story.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The writing was spectacular. The art was amazing. I certainly love every minute of this issue.

RATING:

                I give Eternal Warrior # 7 a 9.5 … out of 10. Pick it up this Wednesday!

Preview: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 7

Valiant Preview: GREG PAK and ROBERT GILL Draw Blood for ETERNAL WARRIOR #7!

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Eternal Warrior #7 from New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak (Action Comics) and rising star Robert Gill (Armor Hunters: Harbinger)! The Eternal Warrior's brutal journey through the year 4001 continues right here on March 26th!

King Gilad Anni-Padda hoped to leave his days as the Eternal Emperor behind him. But when an unforeseen challenger threatens the future of his kingdom, Gilad must put down his crown and pick up his sword! After years of peaceful rule, will Earth's immortal champion seek out justice – or give into his own savage nature? And what terror wrought in the modern day has led to this terrible turning point?

War comes to the future's last tattered remnant of civilization when the acclaimed story arc, "Eternal Emperor," soldiers onward in Eternal Warrior #7 – in stores March 26th!

Praise for Pak & Gill's "Eternal Emperor":

"A great jumping-on point… You’ll dig Eternal Warrior." – Ain't It Cool News
"✮✮✮✮✮… Do yourself a favor and buy this." – Comic Vine
"9.0 – A book that is at the top of its game right now." – Multiversity Comics
"A-… An excellent jumping-on point indeed." – Weekly Comic Book Review
"Eternal Warrior is freaking amazing. That's all you need to know." – IGN
"Pak, Bernard, Major, and Sharpe…are blowing it up real good, my friends. Real good." – Comics Bulletin

 

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

ETERNAL WARRIOR #7 ("ETERNAL EMPEROR")
Written by GREG PAK
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover by DIEGO BERNARD (JAN141372)
Variant Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (JAN141373)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 3/26/14 

Straight Forward Reviews : Eternal Warrior # 6

Gilad's life on the shambles of what used to be modern civilization with his granddaughter continues. What does he run into on this very different Earth this time?

Writer - Greg Pak

Artist - Robert Gill

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Gilad The Eternal Warrior is out on a journey with his granddaugter after some disastrous events occurred to the village he was ruling as a benign leader. During his wandering he runs into a village run by some power hungry thug who has enslaved many people.

Gilad wants to help, and being the Eternal Warrior, takes action to do just that and through his fighting learns that the situation is much deeper than he thought at first.

The dialog is short and to the point with a lot of Gilad's personality showing through. It's quite different than it is in the other Valiant books taking place in modern times. It seems to show that he isn't afraid to show he cares, especially for his granddaughter.

Art

The art is bloody and magnificent. For a book that takes place in a future where one needs to be strong and

brutal the art does a good job of showing that especially of course in the action scenes.

It also does a good job of balancing the brutality with art that shows compassion as well especially with Gilad toward his granddaughter. Also, Gilad's character design embodies this balance best. He has features of a kindly old man but the muscles and armor also show he isn't one to push.

Verdict

Eternal Warrior does a fine job of telling a story where things are certainly fairly grim but that also have a spark of hope to it. The art looks great and the action scenes definitely make it a fun read. There are some things that definitely remind me perhaps a little too strongly of Pak's earlier work Planet Hulk and on the classic post apocalyptic anime Fist of the North Star. But that may actually be a reason to buy it so it's not something I can really knock it for. I give Eternal Warrior # 6 a 9 out of 10.

Preview: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 6

ETERNAL WARRIOR #6 ("ETERNAL EMPEROR" – PART 2)
Written by GREG PAK
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (DEC131332)
Variant Cover by DIEGO BERNARD (DEC131333)

Long live the Eternal Emperor!

The first glimpse into the Valiant Universe in the year 4001 continues here! The Eternal Emperor rules over a blighted landscape, the last hope of a desperate band of survivors. When an enigmatic force appears and threatens to destroy the last remnants of his people, he faces a horrific choice: travel an irradiated landscape in search to kidnap an innocent, or see his people destroyed. Welcome to the Valiant Universe of 4001.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 12th!!

1st Impression: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 5

ETERNAL WARRIOR # 5
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Robert Gill & Guy Major
Valiant Entertainment

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Welcome to 4001 AD, where Gilad is still alive after the world has changed and technology is not as … abundant as it used to be from the looks of this future. Yet, we quickly see what machinery can do in this far out future and what Gilad has done in order to help people survive.

ART:

                I have to hand it to Robert Gill for giving us a beautifully rendered opening to this new arc. There is an abundance of detail that really helps bring readers into the world with dramatic looking scenery, redesigned wardrobe and a good amount of people of all shapes and sizes in this future. Gilad looks weathered at this point but is a grandfather to a young girl named Caroline.

                Gill does not disappoint in action either, showing that Gilad still has it after all these years. And Major’s colors really bring out the best of Gill’s art, making sure that everything breathes life. With strong detail, varied designs and great panel composition, this arc visually opens with all rockets blazing into your optics.



WRITING:

                Pak gives us a very intriguing beginning to this new arc. There are a lot of unanswered questions and Pak uses this issue, mostly for set up. And I admit, the set up is good. We see Gilad’s status quo in the future as he is with a tribe of humans. The fact that technology seems frowned upon by some in this future is very interesting. 

                Pak also introduces a new member to Gilad’s family, his grand daughter Caroline. Caroline seems to take after Xaran a little but Gilad, this time around, seems to be okay with his granddaughter being a bit vicious. Pak also creates an interesting relationship between the tribe Gilad is in and Gilad. Their relationship with one another is not as clear cut as it could be; which makes it that much more intriguing.

                Pak paces this first issue well and leaves you with an interesting stinger while still showing you that Gilad is still Gilad. The dialogue was great. And overall, I enjoyed reading the issue.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Solid first part of this new arc. Good writing and great art. There are a LOT of mysteries that are unanswered but this opening issue leaves you asking more questions in a good way.

RATING:

                I give Eternal Warrior # 5 an 8.5 … out of 10. 

1st Impression: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 4

ETERNAL WARRIOR # 4
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Trevor Hairsine, Diego Bernard, Alejandro Sicat, Vicente Cifuentes & Guy Major
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Gilad and Xaran get the scoop on Nergal’s new general from Buck. Buck also gives them the lowdown on the Goddess of the Earth. And after that, Gilad STILL wants to kill her.

ART:

                Hairsine and Bernard do a  fantastic job again with this issue. The art was nice and detailed. Sicat and Cifuentes inks do a great job cleaning up Hairsine’s rougher pencils to make it look cleaner this issue. The transition between the two artists was near seamless.  A great amount of detail in the panels alongside with some great emotional pieces throughout the book really expressed a lot of the story without words. Bernard really does some magnificent pieces this issue and look forward to more of his work. Major does a breathtaking job on the colors. Overall, a good job by this art team.

WRITING:

                Pak ends his first arc on Eternal Warrior with a LARGE BANG. This issue had an amazingly strong amount of emotion and heart that I had not felt since reading Gilad during Archer & Armstrong # 0. This was definitely the high point of the issue. The dialogue in this issue was  nothing short of brilliant. It was powerful, authentic  and moving. There was so much to this issue but it was extremely well paced. And there is some great character development for Gilad, Xaran and even Mitu that felt like a real evolution of what they were going through.  Pak also gives us enough twists this issue to make you go “WTF,” but in a good way. Overall, Pak written his best issue yet.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Hands down the best issue of the series yet and I want more.

RATING:

                I give Eternal Warrior # 4 a 9.5 …. Out of 10. Wow 

Death to the Gods in ETERNAL WARRIOR #4!

Death to the Gods in ETERNAL WARRIOR #4!

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Eternal Warrior #4 from New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak and all-star artistic talents Trevor Hairsine and Diego Bernard! Fist and steel, blood and bone… The Eternal Warrior's first solo adventure in the all-new Valiant Universe thunders into a skull-crushing conclusion right here on December 18th!

Gilad Anni-Padda was once the Earth’s sworn champion…but time changes everything. Together with his daughter and fellow immortal, Xaran, the Eternal Warrior has returned to stop the never-ending cycle of bloodshed that comes with obeying the Earth's command. To do it, he'll slay the god of the Earth itself…and the legion of swords at her command. But, immortal or not, can history's most feared warrior withstand the divine wrath which he has wrought?

A battle thousands of years in the making will be fought today…and what happens here will reverberate for centuries to come…all the way to the year 4001! Begin the journey toward the return of Valiant's famous future timeline right here on December 18th, only in Eternal Warrior #4!

And be back in January for Eternal Warrior #5 – the FIRST ISSUE of ETERNAL EMPEROR, an all-new story arc launching Gilad Anni-Padda into the far-flung world of the Valiant Universe circa 4001 A.D.!
 

For more information on Harbinger and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com. 

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit Valiant.CinderBlock.com.

ETERNAL WARRIOR #4
Written by GREG PAK
Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE & DIEGO BERNARD
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (OCT131353)
Variant Cover by MICO SUAYAN (OCT131354)
Valiant Signature Series Variant by MARK MORETTI (OCT131355)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 12/18/13

ETERNAL WARRIOR #5 ("ETERNAL EMPEROR" – PART 1)
Written by GREG PAK
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN (NOV131267)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by DIEGO BERNARD (NOV131268)
Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK (NOV131269)
Variant Cover by DAVID MACK (NOV131270)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 1/22/14 ( FOC – 12/23/13)

       

1st Impressions: ETERNAL WARRIOR # 3

ETERNAL WARRIOR # 3
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Trevor Hairsine, Diego Bernard, Alejandro Sicat, Brian Reber & Guy Major
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Xaran and Gilad end up going shopping as they are monitored by a group called the House of the Wheel. Yet, this does not go unnoticed as the two make their way to the Geomancer. As the father/daughter duo continue on their path, we find out exactly what Xaran’s done for the last several thousands of years. As Gilad and Xaran track the Geomancer, some frightening revelations come about.

ART:

                I give it to Hairsine, Bernard and Sicat. Their art is a great blend. And while Hairsine’s style is a bit rougher, the transitions between both styles is near seamless visually. There is a good amount of detail from both artists as Bernard really get to stretch his artistic muscles here with flashbacks of Xaran’s past. Hairsine continues to deliver some very impactful panels while still being a bit gritty; which fits for Gilad, the Eternal Warrior. There were some great angles, panel composition and exceptional displays of emotion that was put into these pages this issue. I also give it up to the artists for doing a great job making sure everyone looked distinct.  Major and Reber do an outstanding job coloring the issue with just the right tones and colors to give the book its gritty, yet cultured appeal. Great use of backgrounds and anatomy by Hairsine and Bernard. A really solid job by this art team this issue.

WRITING:

                Pak really dives into Xaran this issue, fleshing her backstory out and really making her better for it. Readers will come to understand why Xaran is the way she is and Pak does this with a style and smoothness that makes melted chocolate jealous. Xaran’s development really gives her a more multi-layered body and is a testament to Pak’s writing abilities. Gilad himself has gotten some really great development as a father who understand his daughter is an adult who challenges his beliefs. It is a really interesting look on how a parent walks away from something they strongly believe but is picked up by the child.

                The pacing of the book is perfection while the dialogue is witty, insightful and full of life. When it needs to be fun, Pak does fun but still maintains Gilad’s more serious nature. Xaran’s arrival has softened it some but definitely a welcome look into the immortal warrior. The plot itself gets a nice jump this issue as we find out much more about the Geomancer, the House of the Wheel and Nergal than we could have anticipated. And the cliffhanger was COMPLETELY from left field. Kudos to Pak for writing such a great issue.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This book continues to just get better and better. Gilad definitely feels more multi-layered. So does his daughter. The art was great. Pak is creating a mythos with Eternal Warrior that will stand the test of time among some of the greatest in comics history and this issue definitely proves it.  DEFINITELY pick up this book.

RATING:

                I give Eternal Warrior # 3 a solid 10 … out of 10. Buy it Wednesday, November 20^th!

Preview: Father Daughter Bonding In ETERNAL WARRIOR # 3

Ancient Immortals, Unlimited Ammo in ETERNAL WARRIOR #3


 

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Eternal Warrior #3 by New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak and fan favorite artists Trevor Hairsine and Diego Bernard! The acclaimed debut of Valiant's immortal champion kicks in overdrive as Gilad Anni-Padda begins a cutthroat quest to locate a Geomancer gone missing in the modern day America!

 

Hungry for glory as the Earth's new Fist and Steel, the Eternal Warrior’s daughter Xaran has started a war between the mysterious Houses that rule the world. Now, as Gilad struggles to contain his daughter’s savage nature, two generations of Eternal Warrior race after the answers that lie between science and myth, rumor and legend, conquest and defeat.

 

Save the wizard – or all is lost! The series that The Onion/A.V. Club calls "gorgeously rendered comic-book action" hurtles into a brand new chapter on November 20th, only in Eternal Warrior #3!

 

For more information on Eternal Warrior and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit Valiant.CinderBlock.com

Comic News: Greg Pak Jumps Into the Future With Eternal Warrior # 5

NYCC: MUST READ VALIANT! GREG PAK Jumps to 4001 A.D. in ETERNAL WARRIOR #5!

This January, see the Valiant Universe of 4001 A.D. for the very first time!

 

Valiant is proud to announce that New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak(Batman/Superman) and rising star Diego Bernard (Shadowman, Witchblade) will be jump-starting the legendary future timeline of the Valiant Universe in Eternal Warrior #5! This January, discover an all-new vision of the year 4001 as the Eternal Warrior soldiers into"Eternal Emperor" – a brand new story arc revealing a transformed Gilad Anni-Padda fighting the forces of final extinction to protect a tattered remnant of humanity on a ravaged continent.

 

"This is a radically different future with huge emotional ramifications for our characters," Pak revealed today in exclusive interview at IGN. "We're going whole hog here – taking advantage of this crazy premise to explore a massive, mind-bending story we could never do in the present."

 

"The future timeline was always an essential element of the original Valiant Universe," added Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. "We're continuing in that grand tradition with 'Eternal Emperor,' an action-packed milestone that shows the Eternal Warrior in a new light, one that's vivid and heartbreaking, and taps into the best that the character has to offer."

 

Two thousand years from today, the planet has been transformed by science, technology…and war. The centuries have not been kind to the Earth's own undying warrior – but a battle that could change everything is just beginning right here in the 21st century. Find out where the roots of humanity's last stand will begin when Greg Pak and Diego Bernard build a bridge to the year 4001…and unearth a brand new era for the heroes of the Valiant Universe.

 

To find out more about 4001 and beyond, join Greg Pak and an all-star panel of Valiant insiders at New York Comic-Con for the Valiant Comics: Must Read Valiant panel presentation on Saturday, October 12th at 4 pm.

 

A wave of new arcs and easy jumping-on points for Valiant's acclaimed ongoing series, previously announced MUST READ VALIANT milestones include Quantum and Woody #5 byJames Asmus and Ming Doyle; Shadowman #13 by the all-new creative team of Peter Milligan and Roberto De La Torre; and Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #18 by Christos Gage,Joshua Dysart and Bart Sears; and Harbinger #20 by Joshua Dysart and Clayton Henry. This winter, find out why VALIANT is the MUST READ publisher in comics today, right here withMUST READ VALIANT!

 

For more information on Eternal Warrior and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant onFacebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

 

ETERNAL WARRIOR #5 (NEW ARC – ETERNAL EMPEROR)

Written by GREG PAK

Art by DIEGO BERNARD

Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by DIEGO BERNARD

Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK

Variant Cover by DAVID MACK

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE IN JANUARY

1st Impressions: Eternal Warrior # 2

ETERNAL WARRIOR # 2

Written by Greg Pak

Art by Trevor Hairsine, Clayton Crain& Brian Reber

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Gilad’s reunion with his daughter, Xaran, gets complicated as she points out cause he neglected his job; there is danger to the entire world. Gilad realizes his daughter is being chased as they meet the Sword of the Wild. It is there where Gilad makes a fateful decision … just like the decision to walk away hundreds of years ago.

ART:

                Hairsine and Crain really get their chance to shine without overlapping with each other or causing some kind of imbalance to the issue’s story. Crain deals with the past and gives us a very brutal wild west while Hairsine gives us a gritty and rough present. Their panels are nice and detailed with full backgrounds and people. The rougher style of Hairsine continues to shape the way Gilad looks but Crain’s work still is breathtaking and dirty at the same time. Reber colors some mean panels to give it the right level of beauty and grit; perfect about a series about an immortal warrior that has no qualms about killing.

                A strong job by this art team.

WRITING:

                Pak continues to get us deeper and deeper into the characters. Not only do we get significant development for Gilad but , also get developments in his daughter as well. The plot continues to add layers of depth into the characters and story while also raising the stakes. Pak’s dialogue and narrative continues to be a fun read.
                Pak continues world building, giving Gilad a more distinctive past, compared to what was done with him before. And the pace and flow of the issue was superb. A great issue.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Great writing at a perfect pace with interesting characters, a developing plot, a troubled parent-child relationship and spectacular art really makes this issue shine.

RATING:

                I give Eternal Warrior # 2 a 9 … out of 10. Pick it up tomorrow.

The SWORD OF THE WILD Strikes ETERNAL WARRIOR #2!

 

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Eternal Warrior #2 from New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak (Batman/Superman) and superstar artists Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis) and Clayton Crain (Carnage)! Who is the Sword of the Wild? And why have they brought a centuries-old war right to the doorstep of the Earth's former guardian?

 

After thousands of years on the battlefield, the Eternal Warrior has finally laid down his sword. But today he learns that when you turn your back on your destiny, your destiny may find another champion. And when that new champion is your own savage, immortal daughter, the balance of the world itself may be at stake.

 

The Fist and Steel's journey back to battle continues on October 9th, only in Eternal Warrior #2! And don't miss the Eternal Warrior #2 Valiant 8-Bit Level Two Variant by artist Donovan Santiago, in stores the same day!

 

For more information on Eternal Warrior and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

 

ETERNAL WARRIOR #2

Written by GREG PAK

Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE & CLAYTON CRAIN

Cover by J.G. JONES (AUG131483)

Valiant 8-Bit Level Two Variant by DONOVAN SANTIAGO (AUG131484)

Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN (AUG131485)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.