Eternal Warrior #1: A Question of Values

 

The Eternal Warrior #1 reveals how different two siblings can be.

Here's a key panel from the early years of Gilad and Aram. (In case you have trouble reading it, I've split it into two halves below).

 

The eldest son, Gilad, is the ultimate fighter for his tribe. His younger brother Aram, who as a child dreamed of being a great warrior, finds his heart leads him down a different path as he grows older.

Aram may be beloved by his family, but he is a disappointment to his tribe. He chooses to cherish life, love, and laughter.  To his father, Aram is no more useful than a woman past her childbearing years.

It's a curious contrast of values. Blessed (or cursed) with long life, the two men will see civilizations rise and fall. Gilad will go on to fight--to embrace new causes--time and again. His brother Aram, who dislikes fighting, will in time adopt the name Armstrong, and end up living on the streets of Los Angeles, California. 

Each man can only be himself, and follow the calling of his heart. Still, I wonder which of the two brothers is the happiest?

Dragon Dave

Archer & Armstrong in Unity #0

 

In Unity #0, our heroes are drawn to a land outside of normal time and space, to fight a battle of epic proportions. But this doesn't happen automatically.

Archer may have just met Armstrong in Archer & Armstrong #0, but the issue ends with the two surrounded by bad guys, and in fear of their lives. So when his brother Gilad Anni-Padda (aka The Eternal Warrior) suddenly appears amid a storm of sparkling light, asking him to join him in an entirely different battle, Armstrong is naturally hesitant. After all, he doesn't want to leap out of the fire, only to end up in the frying pan.

On the other hand, Archer is looking for a worthy cause to dedicated his life to. So when Gilad asks for help, he doesn't hesitate to volunteer the both of them.

I wonder if Armstrong is angered by the way Archer just volunteered his services, or stunned that his new acquaintance already feels a strong connection to him. What do you think?

Dragon Dave

The Harbinger #7 Review: The Heroes' Journey

 

The Harbinger #7 Pre-Order Cover by Cully Hamner

Perhaps the truest test of a leader comes when he falls. How do his followers react? Do they pick up the torch and continue along the path he advocated? Or do they falter and fail to carry on with the mission?

 

 

In The Harbinger #7, Peter Stanchek lies in the streets, his blood leaking from a head wound. He's not conscious, and cannot lead his followers. So Ago and Cici are given a choice: to step up, and be the heroes Psiot City needs them to be, or walk away. 

 

 

Faith may no longer be his follower, but she's on hand, and a smart cookie. Peter's fall gives her the chance to strut her stuff. Leading by example is something Faith has grown good at.

 

 

The Rolling Stones may feel a certain sympathy for the Devil, but Faith doesn't hesitate to take on Blam, the psiot who shot Peter. He showcases his own kind of crazy in this issue. 

 

 

Meanwhile, upping the stakes for sheer villainy is The Renegade, the puppetmaster behind Mr. Wham Blam, and the man who now channels Peter's darker nature. A revelation late in the issue suggests that an ultimate victory over Peter Stanchek could unleash chaos and destruction that make Harbinger Wars I and II look like a Harbinger Holiday Special.

 

 

The art may be less detailed in this issue, but the spectacular coloring elevates the penciling and inking to convey some very trippy imagery. The colored dialogue balloons are gloriously old-school. This pleasing fusion of content-heavy panels and imaginative storytelling, along with involving drama and high-flying action, make this very different series an intriguing successor to the Harbinger crown.

 

 

I look forward to seeing how the creators wrap everything up--no doubt spectacularly--in The Harbinger #8. In the meantime, decide the merits of The Harbinger #7 tomorrow, when it arrives in your local comic shop.

Dragon Dave

THE HARBINGER #7
Written by COLLIN KELLY, JACKSON LANZING
Art by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ
Colors by RICO RENZI
Letters by HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
Cover A by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ
Cover B by JONATHAN MARKS BERRAVECHHIA
Pre-order Cover by CULLY HAMNER

The Harbinger #7 Preview Pages

 

The Harbinger #7 Cover B by JONATHAN MARKS BERRAVECHHIA

When last we tuned in, Peter Stanchek was falling through the sky, shot through the head by the evil flimflam Blam with his wicked Psiot gun. And this right after he and Faith have resolved his differences, and agreed to work together to take down the ravaging Renegade. So what happens next, hungry Harbinger fans? Is this the end of Peter Stanchek? Is Psiot City doomed?

Piece together what clues you may, from these preview pages (one a double-page spread) from Valiant Entertainment...

Preview Page 1

Preview Page 2

Preview Page 3

Preview Pages 4 and 5

Preview Page 4

Preview Page 5

Preview Page 6

Blam's laughter echoes over the raging storm, and the Renegade's declaration of war. With Valiant's announcement that this is the penultimate chapter of this sizzling series, surely Peter Stanchek is dead, and any slight hope for Psiot City resides with Faith, young Ago, and Cici. 

Alas, poor Peter, I knew him well. (At least the part of him that was good...)

A psychic storm blows The Harbinger #7 into your local comic shop this Wednesday, April 27!

Dragon Dave

The Harbinger #7 Covers

 

The Harbinger #7 Cover A by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ

Series artist Robbi Rodriguez does his usual stunning job providing Cover A's here. He showcases the issue's major players, with Peter Stanchek in the center. At the same time, he upgrades his portrayal of the characters: particularly Cici and Ago. 

Now, if only he could have fit The Renegade in somewhere...

The Harbinger #7 Cover B by JONATHAN MARKS BERRAVECHHIA

Jonathan Marks Berravechhia provides a rather offbeat image of Peter holding back a raging storm. Unlike Robbi, Jonathan showcases Peter's ultimate opponent, the puppetmaster who currently holds Psiot City in his power. Despite the chaos, Peter fights to maintain control of the situation, while the Renegade crouches beneath, waiting to see if his hated enemy will fall.

At least, I think that's the Renegade crouched beneath Peter...

The Harbinger #7 Pre-order Cover by CULLY HAMNER

Cully Hamner provides the final cover for this issue with his 3D Coming At Ya cover. It shows Peter summoning a vortex in the background. In through this dimensional portal fly all manner of tools, weapons, and detritus. Is he hurling them at the Renegade? I wonder...

Say, is that the Eternal Warrior's axe in the background? Is that a British lamppost hurtling from the vortex? I wonder if Gilad Anni-Padda and Colin King may be stopping by Psiot City soon? After Peter's confrontation with Faith in The Harbinger #5 and #6, that's a battle I'd love to see!

Dragon Dave

Armorclads #2 Review: Infinite Possibilities

 

Armorclads #2 Cover B by LIVIO RAMONDELLI

Spoiler Alert: If you have not yet read Armorclads #1, please do so before reading this review!

Armorclads #2 begins with the miners' compound under siege. Any of the genetically engineered teens who dreamed of restructuring the stratified Alphan society must think again.

The dark, moody sky signals the brewing trouble ahead. 

The spikes jutting from the dome, and the armored ground level, remind us how dangerous Xeru can be.

The art also gives us a view from inside the mechs--either the the soldier-class armor, or what they call the heavy cruisers. (Presumably, the latter are what Sam referred to as god-suits in Armorclads #1). This targeting-view neatly re-introduces us to the members of the mining community we know best, and reminds us that not all Armorclads actually spend their days extracting the precious substance known as the Pure from the rocky caverns on Xeru.

 

The stated ages beg the question of the miners' cost to Alphan society. Are the genetically engineered miners birthed as babies? If so, how long did the Alphans have to care for their needs as they aged and were trained in their skills?

In Armorclads #1, Sergeant Troy maintained that Sam's life wasn't worth the risk of losing another Ironclad suit. Does this mean that the miners are born as young teens, and somehow gifted with the knowledge and skills they need? If so, does the age signify their equivalent age (when compared with the Alphans), or like the replicants in Blade Runner, their years of service?

Their appearance certainly matches the ages listed.

The artists build mood, drama, and tension into every scene.

The characters are expressive, and drawn consistently well.

Armorclads #2 makes clear that the Alphans are quick to stamp out the sparks of any potential insurrection.

One miner's decisions can have implications for all Armorclads in an entire base.

When danger threatens, the colorist and letterer work hand-in-hand to foreshadow this. Show, don't tell, is their watchword.

Armorclads #2 reveals more of the dangers that threaten the Alphans and their precious mining operation on Xeru. The scene below casts additional light on what happened to the Pure convoy, and explains why Sergeant Troy was so hypervigilant in Armorclads #1.

Even the heavy cruisers, or Sam's so-called god-suits, are vulnerable.

Armorclads #2 opens up the series in unexpected ways. It introduces us to new characters, gives us a fuller understanding of Alphan society, and deepens our knowledge of conditions on Xeru. Thankfully, it leaves plenty of questions to be answered in future issues.

 

Armorclads #2 Cover C by BAGUS HUTOMO

 

In issue #1, our characters became heroes. In issue #2, they showcase their abilities and individuality, and flex their hero-muscles. By the end of the issue, they face new dangers, but also, perhaps, new possibilities for the future.

 

Armorclads #2 Pre-order Cover by IKHWAN WALLIYUDDIN

 

New characters. New dangers. Higher stakes. This Armorclads series--already a winner as of the first issue--just keeps getting better!

Dragon Dave

Armorclads #2 Credits

Created by JJ O'CONNOR
Written by JJ O'CONNOR AND BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Pencils by MANUEL GARCIA
Inks by RAÜL FERNÁNDEZ
Colors by JORDIE BELLAIRE
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by BAGUS HUTOMO
Cover B by LIVIO RAMONDELLI
Cover C by BAGUS HUTOMO
Pre-order Cover by IKHWAN WALLIYUDDIN

To read my review of Armorclads #1:

Armorclads #1 Review: A Revolutionary Tale

Armorclads #2 Preview Pages

 

Armorclads #2 Cover A by Bagus Hutomo

Here you go, comic fans: the first five pages from Armorclads #2, perhaps the most exciting new title Valiant Entertainment has produced for some time. As a lifelong science fiction fan, it's definitely rocking my world. Enjoy!

 

From Valiant Entertainment:

What happens after a mission goes completely FUBAR? With Sam and SGT Troy dead, the Major is determined to get to the bottom of what went wrong in Outpost 12. With the Outpost split up, the fates of several Ironclad workers hang in the balance as the mystery of Alpharon continues to build. Can our disenfranchised heroes claim agency and take back some measure of control?

ARMORCLADS #2 is created by JJ O'CONNOR, co-written by JJ O'CONNOR and BRIAN BUCCELLATO, pencilled by MANUEL GARCIA, inked by RAÜL FERNÁNDEZ, colored by REX LOKUS, and lettered by DAVE SHARPE. ARMORCLADS #2 features covers by BAGUS HUTOMO (Cover A and C), LIVIO RAMONDELLI (COVER B), and IKHWAN WALLIYUDDIN (Pre-order Variant). 

 

Looking for answers about what happened with Sgt. Troy, the Major and his Armorclads remove the Ironclads from Outpost 12, taking Peris in for questioning and reassigning the others. But with the remaining Ironclads en route to a new outpost, the deadly Legionnaires strike, leaving Lela and her friends caught in the crossfire.

We're already learning a little more about Alphan society here. Despite the promises of earning their citizenship or freedom, the Alphan soldiers on Xeru all regard the genetically engineered Armorclads as insignificant. So it wasn't just Sergeant Troy who called them grubs.

I can't wait 'til Wednesday, April 20, when you'll get to read how this story of soldiers, mercenaries, and vat-grown slaves continues in Armorclads #2!

Oh, and happy Easter, everyone!

Dragon Dave

A New Era Begins

 

Change can be good. 

Change can be bad. 

One thing is certain in life: change is not only inevitable, but essential to growth. 

Here's some bittersweet news from Valiant Entertainment...

 

 A NEW ERA IN VALIANT MARKETING 

Valiant is proud to introduce an all-new era in marketing taking the brand to new heights with the promotion of Nic Osborn to Marketing Manager and introduction of Cody White in the role of Sales Communication Coordinator. 

Joining the team last year, Nic Osborn has been promoted to the role of Marketing Manager following his success promoting the Valiant brand in comics with the debut of The Year of Valiant lineup including the upcoming launches of ARCHER & ARMSTRONG FOREVER, BOOK OF SHADOWS, BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED and X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED alongside Valiant's entrance into the metaverse, Kickstarter initiatives and more. Nic will be focusing on continuing to expand the Valiant brand while having a larger presence in the publishing of Valiant comics. 

Stepping into the new role of Sales Communication Coordinator is Cody White. After a lifetime of reading, writing about and talking comics with anybody who would listen, Cody White is joining the Valiant team and eager to promote the Valiant brand. 

With a Masters Degree in English from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Cody has spent the last four years working in freelance comics press. Now, as the Sales Communication Coordinator at Valiant Entertainment, he brings all of that experience to help bolster the already stellar reputation of the Valiant Universe.

"I remember buying the original releases of X-O Manowar #1, Bloodshot #1, Archer & Armstrong #1 and being super impressed by just how tangible the connections between stories in the Valiant Universe were," he says. "That tightness of continuity has continued to this day to be a hallmark of Valiant and to me as both a fan and an advocate is truly something exciting and unique about this universe.”

Current Director of Marketing for Valiant Publishing Gregg Katzman will be moving on to a new opportunity in comics press and Valiant wishes him all the success. 

"I'm grateful for my time with Valiant and I have nothing but optimism about the upcoming slate of comics," says Gregg. "Valiant's Marketing is in great hands with Nic and Cody. I look forward to everything they will accomplish while I follow Valiant as press and an active member of the Valiant fan community!"

The future of Valiant takes shape with this new era in marketing. For all media inquires please contact Nic Osborn at nico@ValiantEntertainment.com and Cody White at codyw@ValiantEntertainment.com. Be sure to look for Valiant comics at a comic shop near you, how you can engage with the Valiant Universe in the metaverse and so much more in 2022 and beyond.

If you're a regular reader, you have Gregg Katzman to thank for putting me on Valiant's press list. So let's all thank Gregg for including us, and keep him in our thoughts and prayers as he journeys on to whatever new opportunities life sends his way. 

Congratulations on your promotion, Nic. Welcome to the team, Cody. Best wishes for both of you in your new roles at Valiant Entertainment!

Archer & Armstrong #0: An Unexpected Partnership

 

Archer & Armstrong #0 (1992) Cover by Barry Windsor-Smith

In Archer & Armstrong #0, young Obadiah Archer wants nothing more than to make his parents proud of him.

 Sadly, his parents, who run a faith-healing ministry, never have time for him.

 

He's so blinded by his love and admiration for them that he fails to pick up little signs he should. 

 

 

Until he suffers the ultimate betrayal. 

 

Although firefighters reach him in time, his small, fragile body experiences conditions that would kill most people.

 

He resolves to bring his parents to justice. But he's only a boy. How can he act against adults with a powerful following?

 

 

So alone, and without a penny to his name, he sets off on a globe-spanning mission, seeking empowerment.

One day, he will return, and meet a man who despite his appearances, can change his life beyond anything he could possibly imagine.

 

Archer & Armstrong #0 features strong, compact storytelling by Bob Layton and Jim Shooter. Artist Barry Windsor-Smith whisks us effortlessly along with classic panel art to rival anything Valiant Entertainment has produced since its revival ten years ago. Chris Eliopoulus's lettering may lack the flash-and-dazzle of modern computer-generated cousins, but even without big expressive sound effects, it more than gets the job done.

 

Archer: a young man who believes he was brought back-to-life for a reason. Armstrong: a man who claims to have lived thousand of years and never died. The two couldn't seem more different.

But then, what's that old saying? Opposites attract?

Dragon Dave