Preview: Shadowman: End Times # 3 (Finale)

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #3 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by RUSSEL DAUTERMAN

The curse of the shadow loa is a terrible cross to bear…and Jack Boniface is about to be crushed by it.

As an army of voodoo invisibles makes war on Shadowman, the tortured spirit inside Jack will begin to consume his soul – and force a final confrontation with his greatest enemy, Master Darque…once and for all.

$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
ON SALE 6/25/14 (FOC – 6/2/14)

1st Impression: SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 1

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 1

Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Valentine De Landro, Livesay & David Baron
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:
                Jack dreams of his heroic dad.  Going by what was told to him, his father was one of the best Shadowmen … he controlled the Shadow Loa. And that brings us to the beginning of this very torrid story. Jack seemingly has gotten control of the Loa … only to find it slipping again.  Yet, Alyssa has not given up on him while we find out more about Josiah than we didn’t believe possible.

WRITING:
                Milligan writes a strong issue. We get plenty of development with Jack, the Loa, Alyssa and Punk Mambo (GOD I LOVE HER!)  Jack is fighting to keep his sense of self and not lose control to the Loa again and Milligan writes that struggle as the Loa reveals two things: 1 – its enjoyment of hunting down the other Loa; and 2 – its own feelings about its banishment.   Milligan writes a great sense of vunerabilty this issue that I have never seen before and it really works. The dialogue was very powerful and the narrative very gripping.

                The pacing of the whole issue was just great, allowing readers to really feel the emotions of Jack, Alyssa and even other characters. And the plot has strong supernatural and emotional ties. Kudos to Milligan for writing a solid first issue.

ART:

                De Landro goes for a different style here that works. De Landro was a bit more detailed during his time when he was an artist for X-Factor. But It works well. De Landro’s style change allows to give a darker mood for the book; which really helps set off the story. While the detail isn’t as much, De Landro gives just enough to show off some strong panel work and good action. Livesay really compliments De Landro’s work, making the panels appealing.  

                Baron tops it off, really giving some expressive tones of dark green, browns and darker shades of blue throughout the issue to immerse readers into the art and story. A solid job by this art team.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                The art was good. The story was excellent. This is the beginning of the end times. But who is the end for? And that question makes this title all the more intriguing.

RATING:

                I give Shadowman: End Times # 1 a 9 … out of 10. Pick it up Wednesday!!!

First Look: SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1

First Look: Judgement Awaits in SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 – A Merciless New Mini-Series from PETER MILLIGAN and VALENTINE DE LANDRO!

Valiant is proud to present your first look inside SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3) – the oversized, 40-page FIRST ISSUE of an all-new, standalone adventure that will push New Orleans' nocturnal guardian to a perilous new tipping point! From master storyteller Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, Red Lanterns) and acclaimed artist Valentine De Landro (X-Factor), start reading here on April 30th with a brand new introduction to the series that Bloody Disgusting calls "infectious" as the newly anointed Shadowman, Jack Boniface, meets his End Times head on!

Jack Boniface thinks that he’s finally fixed his life – and the source of the dark power inside him. But when a figure from the past emerges to reveal the troubling truth about his destiny, the latest Shadowman will be forced to run a gauntlet of his darkest fears realized: the rise of a wild new pantheon of Voodoo loas… the return of his father, Josiah…and the earthly restoration of his oldest and deadliest enemy, Master Darque!

Shadowman is about to get pushed to the edge…but can Jack Boniface survive the plunge? Find out onApril 30th when SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3) awakes – in comic shops everywhere the same day as RAI #1!

 

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

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (FEB141460)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by JEFF DEKAL (FEB141461)
Variant Cover by DAVID MACK (FEB141462)
$3.99/T+/40 pgs.
ON SALE  4/30/14

VALIANT Comics June 2014 Solicitations

VALIANT Solicitations for JUNE 2014
 

   

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4)

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Chromium & Standard Edition Covers by JORGE MOLINA*
Character Design Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN
Armor Hunters Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Artist Variant by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Blank Cover also available

This summer, Earth will be the greatest hunt of all when VALIANT FIRST unleashes the first issue of 2014’s must-read crossover event – ARMOR HUNTERS – from superstar creators Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, Green Lantern) and Doug Braithwaite (Unity)!

A relentless and surgical strike team from the farthest reaches of space – sworn to exterminate the X-O Manowar armor and all like it – have finally found their last target. They will hunt. They will trap. They will kill. And they will rid the universe of the X-O Manowar’s incalculable destructive power…even if it means taking the Earth with it.

In the tradition of the universe-shaking HARBINGER WARS, Valiant’s biggest heroes begin the summer’s blockbuster 18-issue crossover event right here in Armor Hunters #1 (of 4) – and then launch the resistance against the world’s first full-scale cosmic threat with new arcs beginning in Unity #8 and X-O Manowar #26 in June; and Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 (of 3) and Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1 (of 3) beginning in July!

*RETAILERS BE ADVISED: Due to the lead time needed to produce chromium, Armor Hunters Chromium Editions will be available in robust but limited quantities set prior to solicitation, and orders may be allocated.

CHROMIUM EDITION: $5.99 | STANDARD EDITION: $3.99
32 pages, full color | T+ | ON SALE JUNE 11 

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UNITY #8 (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Chromium & Standard Edition Covers by MICO SUAYAN*
Character Design Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN
Armor Hunters Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE

ARMOR HUNTERS descends on Valiant’s all-star superteam in an all-new story arc from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and red-hot artist Stephen Segovia (Superior Carnage)!

When an ultra-powerful threat from deep space begins brutalizing Earth, humanity’s first response is – who else? – the fearless team of heroes, soldiers, and short fuses called Unity! Now it’s down to Ninjak, Eternal Warrior and Livewire – plus some special surprise recruits – to lead the assault on the ARMOR HUNTERS’ frontline...even if they die trying!

*RETAILERS BE ADVISED: Due to the lead time needed to produce chromium, Armor Hunters Chromium Editions will be available in robust but limited quantities set prior to solicitation, and orders may be allocated.

CHROMIUM EDITION: $5.99 | STANDARD EDITION: $3.99
32 pages, full color | T+ | ON SALE JUNE 18

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X-O MANOWAR #26 (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DIEGO BERNARD
Chromium & Standard Edition Covers by CLAYTON CRAIN*
Character Design Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN
Armor Hunters Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE

ARMOR HUNTERS unleashes an all-new starting point for the world’s most wanted hero – X-O Manowar – right here with a brand new story arc by Robert Venditti (Green Lantern,The Flash) and Diego Bernard (Eternal Warrior)!

Abducted from his own time by a vicious alien race, the courageous Visigoth warrior known as Aric of Dacia spent years in slavery among the stars before escaping with his captors’ most feared weapon – the X-O Manowar armor. Now, stranded in the modern day, the world’s most primitive man also just happens to wield its most powerful weapon. But what is the X-O Manowar armor? And who before Aric of Dacia dared to wield its incalculable power? The ARMOR HUNTERS hold the key to the armor’s untold history and – one way or another – they’ll crush anything that dares threaten their secret.

*RETAILERS BE ADVISED: Due to the lead time needed to produce chromium, Armor Hunters Chromium Editions will be available in robust but limited quantities set prior to solicitation, and orders may be allocated.

CHROMIUM EDITION: $5.99 | STANDARD EDITION: $3.99
32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 25

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RAI #2
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Covers by RAUL ALLEN and MICO SUAYAN
Mask Cover by RIAN HUGHES
Variant Cover by BART SEARS
Variant Cover by PAOLO RIVERA

Discover the astonishing world of the 41st century! This summer, Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain’s one-of-a-kind adventure proves that there is nothing else in comics like RAI! 

In the far future of 4001 A.D., Japan is a single endless city-state, governed by a benevolent artificial intelligence and policed by one lone enforcer – the mysterious Rai, spirit guardian of the rising sun. But, soon, a single bullet will shatter the peace it has taken 2,000 years to secure…

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 4

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HARBINGER #24
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY

One of the Renegades is dead…but the battle isn’t over yet.

The penultimate issue of the most important Harbinger story ever told is almost here, and the countdown to the “EVERYTHING CHANGES,” mind-shattering spectacular of Harbinger #25 is heading toward you like a freight train. Hold on tight!

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 18

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #3 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

The curse of the shadow loa is a terrible cross to bear…and Jack Boniface is about to be crushed by it. 

As an army of voodoo invisibles makes war on Shadowman, the tortured spirit inside Jack will begin to consume his soul – and force a final confrontation with his greatest enemy, Master Darque…once and for all.

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 25

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QUANTUM AND WOODY #11
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art by WILFREDO TORRES
Covers by KANO and WILFREDO TORRES

Q+W=DEAD MEAT!

The mad super-scientists of Edison’s Radical Acquisitions are BACK! Well…the ones who aren’t dead, anyway. (Or the ones who were dead and…uh, came back?) WHO?! is the mysterious new leader calling the shots? And HOW?! will Quantum and Woody survive a second fight against the 1980s robots, mad vivisectionists, and evil astronomers who almost offed them the first time?! Wilfredo Torres (The Shadow: Year One) joins Team QW for this hilarious new two-parter!

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 4

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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #21
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Covers by SHAWN CRYSTAL and MICHAEL WALSH

Living it up at the Hotel California!

Dead celebrities, an extra-dimensional hotel, the truth about The Doors…and that was all in our first issue! Fred Van Lente’s ground-breaking run continues as Archer & Armstrong face off against their greatest foe, The Lizard King, as the fate of reality itself hangs in the balance!

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 11

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BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #23
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE & JOSHUA DYSART
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Covers by AL BARRIONUEVO and PERE PEREZ

BLOODSHOT VS. H.A.R.D. CORPS – ROUND II!

The six men and women of H.A.R.D. Corps are all that stand between Bloodshot and everything he’s ever wanted – the total destruction of Project Rising Spirit. The clock is ticking down to zero, the stakes are life-or-death…and no one in this fight has anything left to lose.

$3.99 | 32 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 11

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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG VOL. 5: MISSION: IMPROBABLE
Written by FRED VAN LENTE, CHRISTOS GAGE, and JOSHUA DYSART
Art by PERE PEREZ and TOM RANEY
Cover by TOM FOWLER

Archer & Armstrong are going to war with Bloodshot and H.A.R.D Corps! (GULP!)

That’s right, Valiant’s globetrotting adventure duo have been targeted for elimination by Project Rising Spirit’s most elite kill crew. Their mission? Assassinate the the newly appointed leader of a homegrown fundamentalist terror sect named…Obadiah Archer?! And if they could take out his mentally ill, alcoholic bodyguard who just happens to think he’s a 10,000-year-old immortal, that’d be swell, too!

It’s an improbable mission with impossible odds. Do Bloodshot and the steely killers of the H.A.R.D. Corps stand a chance against two conspiracy-smashing heroes that never go down without a fight? Find out right here with the complete collection of the mayhem-soaked "Mission: Improbable” crossover, collecting ARCHER & ARMSTRONG: ARCHER #0, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #18-19 and BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #20-21 by acclaimed writers Fred Van Lente, Christos Gage and Joshua Dysart, and all-star artists Pere Pérez and Tom Raney!

$14.99 | 128 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 11
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 9781939346353

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ETERNAL WARRIOR VOL. 2: ETERNAL EMPEROR TPB
Written by GREG PAK
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Long live the Eternal Emperor!

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 only just beginning for the Eternal Emperor and the tattered remnant of humanity under his protection. Will this be a new dawn for the age of heroes – or its death knell? And what uncanny confluence of science, myth, and magic has rendered the world – and its own Eternal Warrior – into war-ravaged remnants of their former selves?

Collecting ETERNAL WARRIOR #5-8, the Fist and Steel’s battle continues right here as New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak (Batman/Superman) and rising star Robert Gill (Batgirl)build a bridge to the year 4001...and unearth a brand-new era for the heroes of the Valiant Universe.

$14.99 | 112 pages, full color | T+ | On sale JUNE 18
TRADE PAPERBACK | ISBN: 9781939346292

1st Impressions: SHADOWMAN # 16

SHADOWMAN # 16

Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Roberto de la Torre & David Baron
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                The Abettor decide that want to take out Jack with the Screaming Whip, a mystical whip that was used on slaves and mystical beings. Yet, Alyssa realizes that she’s been played and helps Jack make some tough choices. Jack finds that he must confront demons head on in order to regain control of the Loa.

ART:

                De la Torre does a spectacular job this issue with his art. A great amount of detail alsongside some very moodly looking backgrounds. De la Torre presents a very gritty look at Shadowman and his battle yet can also produce some powerful, emotional panel work.  De la Torre does a good job with creating angles in panels that make things visually appealing and not typical.
                The grittiness is balanced out with Baron’s colors as he knows what scenes to keep dark and dreary while other scenes are a little brighter. Baron does a fantastic job of coloring the right tones to match the mood of the scene while also creating something very appealing with De la Torre’s art. A really fantastic job from this creative team.

WRITING:

                Milligan wins me over with this final chapter of his first storyline. Jack and Alyssa get some very strong development while also tying up all the loose ends of the storyline. Jack, especially, seems to have growing a lot in the course of the story as he faces his demons, personal and real, head on. Milligan captures the right amount of emotion for the book  he redefines Jack and Alyssa during this last chapter.

                The pacing was great as we got a very packed issue but it didn’t feel too heavy. There seemed to be just enough between action and drama to really make the book stand out. The dialogue definitely felt real and Milligan adds more and more to the Shadowman mythos.  An outstanding finish by Milligan.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                At the beginning of the storyline, I was not too keen on this new direction. Now, I am very much on board. This issue tied up everything well with great art and some powerful moments. The cliffhanger ending will make you want more. That said, this was definitely a great issue.

RATING:

                I give Shadowman # 16 a 10 …. Out of 10. This issue was perfect. Pick it up.

Preview: SHADOWMAN # 16

SHADOWMAN #16
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art & Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE (JAN141374)
Variant Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN (JAN141375)

A great and terrible loa of the Vodun pantheon is at large in the world of men…and its name is SHADOWMAN!

The only way to contain it: kill the man who houses the shadow, Jack Boniface — an innocent, cursed with possession and gifted with a tremendous power he doesn’t yet understand. But a force of nature known only as Tremble is spreading terror through the city of New Orleans. Turning Shadowman loose on his ancient rival, the god of fear, is either humanity’s best option…or impending disaster.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 3/19/14