Comics Preview: UNITY Vol. 1: To Kill A King

Valiant 12-Page Preview: UNITY VOL. 1: TO KILL A KING – In Stores Today!

At last – Valiant's fearless all-star superteam is slamming into their first trade paperback collection!

In stores today, don't miss UNITY VOL 1: TO KILL A KING from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice)! Collecting the first four issues of one of 2013's biggest new series debuts, start reading here to join the most volatile team of heroes ever united as Ninjak, Eternal Warrior, and Livewire go head-to-head with the rogue warrior known as X-O Manowar!

To kill a king…they created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the threat responsible for the destruction of MI-6, the decimation of an alien world, and the occupation of Eastern Europe… Unseat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon… Kill X-O Manowar!

A perfect jumping-on point for Valiant's award-winning line of titles, UNITY VOL 1: TO KILL A KING is the place to find out why Unity is the chart-topping new series that has fans and critics wanting more:

"10 out of 10… Count me in." – Newsarama
“★★★★★… Matt Kindt sets everything up perfectly…[and] Doug Braithwaite’s art is breathtaking.” –Comic Vine
"One of the best looking Valiant debuts yet, with a story that's as multifaceted as the artwork..." – The Onion/A.V. Club
"A well-paced, action-packed big-screen adventure… Valiant continues to hook me." – Comic Book Resources
“Amazing… [This] is a big superhero book done right.” – IGN
“[Unity] lives up the hype… Kindt and Braithwaite already have readers on the edge of their seats…” –Bloody Disgusting
“Gutsy, high-conflict, page-turning storytelling… If you want a great jumping on point, this is it.” – Geeks of Doom
“Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite have created something monumental. It is that simple.” – Comic Bastards
"[Unity] sets the bar high for superhero comics." – Culture Mass
“Awesome all over the place… A very good comic that has me genuinely excited about what’s next.” –Multiversity Comics

Also arriving in comic shops today, look for UNITY #5 – the FIRST ISSUE of "Trapped by Webnet," an all-new story arc pitting the newly fortified Unity team against a cunning and unpredictable new foe…the deadly Dr. Silk! With the fate of untold millions on the line, can this team of cutthroat heroes uncover Silk’s endgame – and his connection to Ninjak’s shadowy past?

Find out why Unity is the series that Ain't It Cool News calls "completely satisfying" with two all-new entry points – UNITY VOL. 1: TO KILL A KING and UNITY #5 – on stands today!
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

UNITY VOL. 1: TO KILL A KING TPB (JAN141356)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
112 pgs./T+/$14.99
ON SALE 3/12/14

UNITY #5 (NEW ARC – “TRAPPED BY WEBNET”)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CAFU
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN (JAN141349)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MICO SUAYAN (JAN141350)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by PHILIP TAN (JAN141351)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by RAUL ALLEN (JAN141352)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by DIEGO BERNARD (JAN141353)
Variant Cover by MATT KINDT (JAN141354)
B&W Sketch Variant by MICO SUAYAN (JAN141355)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 3/12/14

Straight Forward Reviews : Unity # 4

The epic crossover event Unity continues on with it's twisting story. 

Writer - Matt Kindt

Artist - Doug Braithwaite

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Livewire, Ninjak and Gilad concoct a plan to go after who they feel is the real threat.  That's all that will be said for the details of the plot so as not to spoil what goes on. 

The dialog in this issue is the shining point here. When the characters speak to each other about what they have planned or on why they're doing what they are doing you really feel that they really do have their own thoughts, motivations and personalities. None of the characters feel like cardboard cut-outs. Which, sometimes can be a downfall of a series like this with so many characters to have to keep track of.

Art

The art in this has a wonderful sense of action. It conveys all the fighting and super powers used clearly and with a great sense of dynamism. 

Verdict

With the great dialog and phenomenal action in this issue and with the plot totally switching from what you thought it was with it's first two issues this is a must read. I give Unity # 4 a 9.5 out of 10.

Preview: Unity # 4

UNITY #4
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN (DEC131323)
Variant Cover by RILEY ROSSMO (DEC131324)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HERNY (DEC131325)


UNITY divided!

Here comes heavyweight showdown you’ve been waiting for! As Harada’s secret machinations come to light, the newly minted UNITY team will be faced with a choice that will change this team forever – and the Valiant Universe along with it. Get ready for a world-shaking battle royale as the final installment of UNITY’s first adventure pits X-O Manowar and Toyo Harada against the most dangerous battalion ever united – and each other.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE

1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 21

HARBINGER # 21
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Clayton Henry & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open to find where the Renegades have been staying since what happened in “Perfect Day.” It seems that @X isn’t the only new person that the Renegades have picked up. As we get to learn why @X hacked into Project: Rising Spirit, members of the group are dealing with Cabin Fever and getting ready for the repercussions of @X’s actions.

ART:

                Henry’s art is absolutely exquisite this issue. The lines are nice and clean. Great panel composition. The backgrounds are varied. Everyone has a distinct look and figure. Henry pulls off some great visual angles this issue as well as giving us some really appealing, emotional moments that are caught well by us.

                Reber’s colors only make Henry’s work stand out more, giving each panel a good amount of color and adding mood to Henry’s already astonishing pencils. This is sequential art at its best.

WRITING:
                Dysart continues what is becoming, in my mind, one of the greatest runs of comics of all time. The amount of character development this issue was astounding and solid. Everyone of the Renegades, including their two new members, got to shine this issue.

                This issue was mostly used for character development and set, which works out just fine.  We see some insecurities amongst our Renegades as well as just how serious the situation is. Dysart molds this issue well; showing us that our protagonists are not only still very human … but are not full ready for what may come.

                Dialogue this issue feels very authentic. Particularly two conversations involving Faith this issue. I really applaud Dysart for making dynamic, fully realized characters who understand their importance. The pacing of the issue was perfect. The various scenes in the book just gave a lot of insight on the characters and the situation they are in. There was definitely a lot of growth with just about all the characters and It feels very real. I applaud the evolution of these characters as Dysart makes sure that each evolution is clearly aligned with what has gone on before. Some of the best work we have seen from him yet. 

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                Stellar issue. Fantastic art. Characters you can relate to. Gripping story. Amazing visuals. This is how comics should be.

RATING:

                Harbinger # 21 gets a solid 10 out of 10 from me! Buy it when it comes out February 12^th. 

Straight Forward Reviews : Unity # 3

The Valiant event Unity marches on and has some twists and turns.

Writer - Matt Kindt

Artist - Doug Brathwaite

Publisher - Valiant 

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Livewire, Harada, Ninjak and Gilad with the X-O Manowar armor on their side are now looking for a way to make it back to Earth safely. During this Aric is still fighting as hard as he can for what he believes in and for his people. But Harada and his group have the advantage now.

The story goes through some nice twists and turns near the end of the issue that I dare not spoil here. I will say that it's a big reveal about what they kept saying for the ads about Unity. "To kill a king they created an army"

Art

The art is nothing short of outstanding in this issue. It has a sense of the fantastic and is a real treat to look at. It also flows really well, which of course this being a comic book is perfect.

Verdict

This issue has beautiful art, twists and turns and leaves a desire to read more because of all the questions that are lingering. What is going to happen with Aric? Is Livewire going to stay that way? With all of that coming together in an epic issue I have to give Unity # 3 a 10 out of 10.

1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 20

HARBINGER # 20
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Clayton Henry & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Harbinger # 20 starts with a bang as it seems that Harada has revealed himself to the military  …  Then we flashback to the present as a hacker named Ax leaks Project: Rising Spirit files about Harbinger Foundation … And with that, the real fun begins.

ART:

                It is great to see Henry back … and with a full issue.  Henry and Reber do a sensational job of giving striking visuals that grab you from the word go. From Harada on an aircraft carrier to Psiots in the sky to Ax making a hasty retreat, there was a lot of impact, detail and style. Everything looked distinct and the action was kinetic.

                Reber’s colors shower the pages with strong, bold colors that help give depth and life to Henry’s strong pencils. This was definitely some of Henry’s best work yet.

WRITING:

                Dysart gives us a very impactful first issue of “Resistance.” There are definitely moves being made as Ax and Harada seem to be trapped in a chess game. In the meantime, Ax himself makes one of the most striking debuts; already making him an important, key player within a mere 3 pages. Dysart gives wonderful dialogue stacked with some really deep scenes as there are things from the UN to soldiers chasing Ax in a park. Dysart gives us an opening shot for this next story leaves a lot of weight to it as Ax’s intentions is revealed and Harada is now playing a whole new game.
                The pacing was great as always and dialogue feels nature. Another great issue in the can.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Strong first impressions leave me wanting more. It will probably do the same to you with great art and story.

RATING:

                I give Harbinger # 20 gets a 9.5 … out of 10. 

Preview: HARBINGER # 20

HARBINGER #20 (NEW ARC – “RESISTANCE”)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Interlocking Pullbox Variant by ZACHARY MONTOYA
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

MUST READ VALIANT! All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! Joshua Dysart and Clayton Henry launch “RESISTANCE” – and end the Renegades war against Toyo Harada once and for all.

Peter Stanchek and his team of teenage superhuman outlaws have decided that the best defense is a strong offense. Pursued from coast-to-coast by their would-be overlord in the Harbinger Foundation, the Renegades are about to launch a strategic strike on Harada’s secret empire – and they’ll start by revealing to the world just what kind of power they’ve been hiding all along. The ace up their sleeve? A seemingly normal teenage hacker named Ax…who knows exactly what Harada has been up to since day one…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JANUARY 15th, 2014!!!

Straight Forward Reviews : X-O Manowar # 20

After the all the action in Unity # 2, Valiant hits you again with the latest issue of X-O Manowar which resumes the action where Unity left off.

Writer - Robert Vendetti

Artist - Cary Nord

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

As stated above this resumes right after Unity # 2 so it's highly recommended, heck one could say it's required, to read Unity # 2 before jumping into this. Also, because of that I'll try and not give too much details about the plot in this review in case you don't know what's happening from Unity # 2. You can read the review for that here. On with the review.

This issue tells it's story through action more than expositional monologs and the like. The actions Aric takes against Harada and his team gives insight into his character and shows that he is more resourceful than people would think. There is some meaningful dialog exchanged between Aric and the Eternal Warrior and the Eternal Warrior definitely does some useful stuff in this issue. If you've read the review for Unity # 2 you'll know what I mean.

After the main action scenes we see a build up for what looks to be round 2 or maybe even round 3 and with things changed it definitely leaves the reader with a sense of wanting more.

Art

With this issue being mostly action the art really shines. Seeing the Manowar suit pull off some crazy

feats and Harada's Harbinger powers is fantastic. The panels look like extremely well polished animated movie stills. The art in this is absolutely fantastic.

Verdict

Even while going through this issue looking at minute details there really isn't anything to complain about in this issue. There's a good narrative, lots of action and fantastic art that really conveys how great the action is. I give X-O Manowar # 20 a 9.5 out of 10

Comics News: Valiant's UNITY Launches On Amazon's Publishing's Kindle Worlds

Valiant’s UNITY Launches on Amazon Publishing’s Kindle Worlds

 

Valiant is proud to announce that UNITY –Valiant Universe's landmark super-team – is coming to Amazon Publishing's Kindle Worlds, the first commercial publishing platform that enables any writer to write stories based on a range of original works and characters and earn royalties for doing so.  

 

Pitching a star-studded roster of characters including Toyo Harada, Ninjak, Eternal Warrior and Livewire into battle against X-O Manowar, the launch of the UNITY World will coincide with the November 13th release of UNITY #1 - the oversized, 40-page first issue debut of Valiant's newest ongoing series by New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice).  Valiant recently announced that UNITY #1 has accrued pre-orders of more than 68,500 copies, cementing its status as one of 2013's highest selling new series debuts.

 

"Kindle Worlds continues to be an amazing showcase for Valiant's most popular characters – and now authors and readers can finally bring them together under the auspices of the UNITY team. Build your own roster, send them on solo missions, introduce your own favorite arch-villain – we had a tremendous time bringing the UNITY comic book to life and, now, it's our distinct pleasure to let fans do the same through the prism of Kindle Worlds and their incredible fan fiction platform," said Gavin Cuneo, Valiant CFO & Head of Strategic Development.

 

“UNITY is another great example of Kindle Worlds providing writers and fans an opportunity to create new stories with their favorite Valiant characters,” said Philip Patrick, Director of Business Development and Publisher of Kindle Worlds. “We can’t wait to see the directions authors take over the coming weeks and look forward to reader responses to these stories.”  

 

To celebrate the launch of Valiant's groundbreaking superhero strike force to Kindle Worlds, Valiant will also be giving away a select number of customized Kindle Paperwhite devices – featuring the artwork of UNITY artist Doug Braithwaite – on the Valiant Comics Facebook page (fb.com/ValiantComics) during the week of UNITY #1's release onNovember 13th.

 

To kill a king…he has created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the threat responsible for the destruction of MI-6, the decimation of an alien world, and the occupation of Eastern Europe… Unseat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon… Kill X-O Manowar!

 

Unity joins Valiant’s previously launched Worlds starring its fan favorite superhero properties, including: Bloodshot, X-O Manowar, Archer & Armstrong, Harbinger, and Shadowman. 

 

 ###

 

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,500 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. For more information, visit ValiantUniverse.com.

 

About Kindle Worlds

Kindle Worlds is a new publishing model that allows any writer to publish authorized stories inspired by popular Worlds and make them available for readers to purchase in the Kindle Store, and earn up to a 35% royalty while doing so. Kindle Worlds stories are typically priced between $0.99 and $3.99 and are exclusive to Kindle. 

 

Amazon Publishing is engaged with additional rights holders from different areas of entertainment—books, games, TV, movies and music—and looks forward to announcing future deals soon. To get started writing works in licensed properties and to view the submission guidelines and instructions, visit the Self-Service Submission Platform atkindleworlds.amazon.com. For updates on licensed properties and to buy Kindle Worlds works, visit www.amazon.com/kindleworlds. For regular updates on Kindle Worlds, follow @KindleWorlds on Twitter. 

 

About Amazon.com 

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the world’s best-selling and most advanced e-reader. It features new display technology with higher contrast, the next generation built-in light, a faster processor, the latest touch technology, and exclusive new features designed from the ground up for readers. Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, features improved fonts and faster page turns. The new Kindle Fire HDX features a stunning exclusive 7” or 8.9” HDX display, a quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, 2x more memory, and 11 hours of battery life, as well as exclusive new features of Fire OS 3.0 including X-Ray for Music, Second Screen, Prime Instant Video downloads, and the revolutionary new Mayday button. The all-new Kindle Fire HD includes an HD display, high-performance processor and dual speakers at a breakthrough price. 

 

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com,www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr,www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, www.amazon.es,www.amazon.com.br, www.amazon.in, and www.amazon.com.mx. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. 

 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment and data center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. 

1st Impression: HARBINGER # 18

HARBINGER # 18

Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Barry Kitson, Riley Rossmo, Mark Pennington, Brian Level & Ian Hannin

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue, we see what Peter’s Perfect Day is and that Harada is handling it himself. Unfortunately … Harada is getting overwhelmed. Meanwhile, back in Torquehalla, the girls decide that this realm might not be for them.  Faith wants out but not sure how that is gonna happen. And finally, Harada’s lack of sleep catches up to him.

ART:

                This issue’s art was split with pencils by Rossmo and Kitson. Also, there was some style/inking changes that were also put between the real world and Torquehalla. And while normally, the styles here might not work well, Kitson and Rossmo’s work really work well in telling the story. Pete’s Perfect Day by Rossmo while Kitson switched his style a little between the real world and Torquehalla. The grimmer style works for Torquehalla parts while Kitson’s more polished style worked well in the real word. The Rossmo’s pages worked to give an innocence that Pete had lost since the beginning of the series.  Level and Pennington give some solid inks; giving Kitson a rougher style for Torquehalla. And Hannin does a great job with colors … even mimicking the classic dot style for Pete’s Perfect Day pages. It was solid art this issue.

WRITING:

                Dysart continues to develop our Renegades and Harada further this issue. Faith steps up which really is great to see. Torque’s paradise seems to not be so perfect. The characterizations this issue were really enjoyable as we definitely can relate to many of the characters feelings. Pete’s want of innocence. Torque’s realizing things are not so greener on the other side. I also love how Dysart is able to develop all the Renegades and Harada without any of the characters being neglected or overshadowing other characters. It is a testament to his writing.
                The overall plot lines go smoothly and don’t over power the other. And we get a strong cliffhanger there at the end. A great job by Dysart.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The series just gets better and better as Perfect Day builds up to be a signature storyline for Dysart and Harbinger. The art was good and wasn’t afraid to take chances while the story was absolutely exsquisite. Another great issue.

RATING:
                Harbinger keeps getting better and this book proves it. I give Harbinger # 16 a 9.5 out 10.

1st Impression: UNITY # 1

UNITY # 1

Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Doug Braithwaite & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This is it! The big Valiant title they have hinted at all summer. This is the book that has been building and spinning off directly from X-O Manowar and features many big characters from the Valiant Universe.
                And it starts with a bang … literally as a woman gives us the opening attack that leads to the world being on high alert. The Russians want X-O Manowar dead and they are gonna do what it takes to do so. Eternal Warrior ends up meeting with Toyo Harada as they plot how best to fight X-O Manowar. But Aric (X-O Manowar) is far stronger than they anticipated and the war between characters in Valiant is just beginning.

ART:

                I admit. I was not the biggest fan of Doug Braithwaite’s art original. But after looking at the panel work and detail from the just this first issue, I am definitely a fan now. There is a great amount of details in each panels; to backgrounds to clothes to people. Braithwaite really gives a 100 percent in his work here with very strong, impressions on his characters; a great amount of personal detail and great angles.
                Braithwaite really captures how gruesome war is, the stature of each main character in the book as well as some deep background detail. Reber adds to the fresh pencil work with his solid colors. The colors are not loud unless they need to be. And Reber does a great job of find the right tones to not only fit the characters but the mood  of the scene as well.  It was a really strong showing by this art team.

WRITING:

                This first issue was absolutely solid from start to finish. We get background detail on the inside cover to catch up new readers. Then Kindt starts us off with not a main character but a woman and seeing events unfold through her eyes. This felt authentic and gave the book and story more depth. This is a person who is caught up in all this …. Not a main character. Not a supporting character. Yet, her narrative really fit about being somewhere when something like war starts. 

                Kindt also has a firm grasp on each and every character that we have already seen before in the Valiant Universe. Kindt presents strong characterization from Harada, X-O Manowar, Eternal Warrior and Ninjak. Ninjak’s banter was refreshing and playful while Harada was very tactical and authoritative. His Eternal Warrior was strong, knowledgeable and very blunt while his X-O Manowar was very much a stubborn, no nonsense king. All these fit extremely well.  Without giving much away, we see where Unity gets against X-O Manowar in this issue. Kindt really does well pacing and building upon events and the characters throughout the entire issue.
                Honestly, this entire issue was very easy to read and get into while providing great amount of character development and strong storyline. Kindt really did a great job grabbing you and making you want more as the story went along.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The art was amazing. The writing was superb. This book delivers on all the hype promised by Valiant Comics and then some.

RATING:

                I am proud to give Unity # 1 from Valiant Comics a well-deserved 10 … out of 10! Buy it when it comes out on November 13^th.

1st Impression: BLOODSHOT & THE H.A.R.D. CORPS # 15

BLOODSHOT & THE H.A.R.D. CORPS # 15

Written by Christos Gage & Joshua Dysart
Art by Emanuela Lupacchino, Guillermo Ortega & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            The HARD Corps end up rescuing Bloodshot from Harada … but not without a casualty. After the extraction, the HARD Corps and Bloodshot go through a shake up, thank to Kozol while Harada gets more into the nanites. And the team must go back to destroy them.

ART:

            Lupacchino continues to dazzle the pages with her detailed pencils. Along with Ortega’s inks, this art team is able to give us some great, detailed work. Lupacchino continues to give us some great, dynamic poses and panel work throughout this issue. Body posture, facial expressions and movement all convey an emotion based on the story and looked very natural. The cartoony, yet detailed style also gave us some great backgrounds as well as people of different shapes and sizes this issue.
            Reber continues his wonderful color job with the right mix of colors to help give a vibrant life to Lupacchino’s work. Overall, a great showing by this art team.



WRITING:

            The writing for this issue was superb. We got major character development from not only Palmer and Bloodshot but also from Maniac and Discipline. Gage and Dysart really have given us great character work as we get to know more about our team on deeper levels than reader might first realize till after they have finished reading. The type of things that both Bloodshot and HARD Corps has done is reprehensible and it does seem to weigh heavy on both Bloodshot and Palmer.

            The pacing of the issue was perfect. Each plotline linked together seamlessly as the issue went along. The dialogue felt very authentic and powerful. There was a lot said in this issue with so few words that I was definitely impressed by it. I even liked how Kozol begins to instituted the status quo of the title of the book. Very smart writing by Gage and Dysart.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            This was even better than last issue and I am really growing to love Palmer and this new status quo. Great art. Superb writing. A win for everyone.

RATING:

            I give Bloodshot & the H.A.R.D. Corps # 15 a 10 …. Out of 10!!! BUY IT NOW!

Comic News: Comics Legend NEAL ADAMS Graces Variant Cover for UNITY # 1

UNITY #1 Recruits Comics Legend NEAL ADAMS!

Valiant is proud to unveil two retailer incentive covers for UNITY #1 by legendary artist and comics iconNeal Adams (Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Batman: Odyssey)! Arriving in stores on November 13th, the UNITY #1 Adams Variant and UNITY #1 B&W Adams Sketch Variant feature X-O Manowar locked in combat against the combined forces of Valiant's first-ever super team – UNITY!

 

The first issue of an all-new ongoing monthly series by New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt(Mind MGMT, Justice League of America) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Storm Dogs), start reading here to find out why UNITY #1 is the landmark comic book event of 2013!

"Any cover promotion you see for this book is a mere reflection of the work you will see inside. Valiant is climbing the ladder that will lead to a new pinnacle of success in your comic book reading. Don't pass this bad boy by," said Adams.

 

To kill a king…he has created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most lethal, most volatile, most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the threat responsible for the destruction of MI-6, the decimation of an alien world, and the occupation of Eastern Europe… Unseat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon… Kill X-O Manowar!

 

UNITY #1 will feature a standard cover by series artist Doug Braithwaite and five Pullbox Exclusive Variants from a "murderer's row" of comics' brightest talents – Bryan Hitch, J.G. Jones, Travel Foreman, Paolo Rivera and Clayton Crain – available only to those comic shop subscribers who pre-order UNITY #1 with their local retailer.

 

As announced previously, UNITY #1 will also be 100% returnable for qualifying retailers. Any retailer who meets the designated threshold will be able to return inventory at no cost, so, fans, make your voice heard and visit a local comic shop near you to reserve your copy of UNITY #1 today!

 

You’ve heard the buzz. You’ve seen the reviews. On November 13th, find out why Valiant is the must-read publisher of 2013 when UNITY #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere!

 

Attention retailers: In addition to full returnability, Valiant is also providing multiple sales incentives for UNITY and related titles. See your order form for details.

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

 

UNITY #1

Written by MATT KINDT

Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE

Pullbox Exclusive Variants by BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, TRAVEL FOREMAN, PAOLO RIVERA and CLAYTON CRAIN

Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS

B&W Sketch Variant by NEAL ADAMS

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 11/13/13 (FOC – 10/21/13)