Book Of Shadows #1: Bulletproof In Black & White

 

This cover art for Book Of Shadows #1 was created by artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey. The unique variant was produced by Bulletproof Comics & Games in Brooklyn, New York. As Aric of Dacia recently took up residence in nearby Harlem, it has the distinction of being approved by X-O Manowar.

Valiant recently released this page a page of initial interior art by penciler Vicente Cifuentes. It reveals that, like Shadowman and his apprentice Persephone, Earth's defender Gilad Anni-Padda must also battle the dreaded hellhounds. 

There's quite a big difference between this Black & White interior art and the colored and lettered version. I'll let you discover the dramatic transformation when you pick up your copy of Book Of Shadows #1.

Dragon Dave

Maria Llovet on Shadowman & Persephone

 

 

Here's an exclusive store variant cover for Book Of Shadows #1. This art was made by Maria Llovet, an acclaimed international artist and illustrator. Her credits include Luna, Faithless, Loud and Porcelain. She currently has a short story in Image Comics 30th anniversary Anthology #4 in stores. 

 

 

If you like this image of Shadowman and his former adversary-turned-apprentice Persephone, you can pick up this cover at Atomic Comics in Gilbert, Arizona. 

Dragon Dave

 

X-O Manowar Unconquered Preview Art

 

 

Looking forward to Valiant's upcoming X-O Manowar Unconquered series? 

What's that? You can't wait?

Artist Liam Sharp recently shared four unlettered art pages on Twitter. In case you missed them, here they are.

 

 

Hold on a second. What's with all the skulls? Is this X-O Manowar, or Shadowman?

 

Whoa! Has Hela just stepped into the Valiant Universe?

 

No, despite all the Thor allusions in Dennis Hopeless Hallum's recent X-O Manowar series, that's our man Aric. 

Wow, we're even going into space! How de-Vine!

So, are you looking forward to Valiant's upcoming X-O Manowar Unconquered series? 

What's that? You can't wait? I'm with you!

Many thanks to Liam Sharp for sharing his elegant, stately, and haunting art on Twitter. 

Dragon Dave

Book Of Shadows: London Calling

 

Years ago, young Victoria Greaves-Trott abandoned her loving family, and her exclusive English school, for the glittering punk scene of London. After falling in with the wrong crowd, she saved herself from an evil magician by learning his secrets. Now she works to protect our world from its own evils, as well as incursions from the Deadside.

 

She may not be the most charming person you'll ever meet, but she's proven a capable ally. She helped Shadowman fight Lady Deadside in writer Cullen Bunn's recent Shadowman series, only to see him transform their powerful foe into Persephone. To say that her Punkness disagreed with Shadowman's decision would be a polite way to expressing her feelings on the matter.

 

Sadly, Punk Mambo doesn't do polite. She's brash, obnoxious, and most definitely anti-social. So why do we all love her so much?

 

Decide for yourself, when you pick up your copy of writer Cullen Bunn's new Book Of Shadows #1, in stores today.

Dragon Dave

All the Details...

BOOK OF SHADOWS #1
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Colors by NICK FILARDI
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover B by ADAM GORHAM
Cover C by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY
Pre-order Cover by KELLEY JONES

Book Of Shadows: Death Becomes Her

 

 

In Cullen Bunn's recent Shadowman series, we knew her as Lady Deadside. Now, in Book Of Shadows, she goes by Persephone. Shadowman sees her as a fragile innocent, newly-born into our world. But has all the evil and malevolence truly really been purged from her character?

 

 

While she cares for Shadowman, her power is fierce and undeniable. What happens if she tries too hard, and unleashes too much of the power she wields?

Shadowman's been careful to keep Persephone apart from the other Valiant heroes. Even Alyssa and her Abettors, whom he should view as his assistants, are keeping their distance. What exactly is Shadowman afraid of?

Some extremely popular heroes will take the stage in Book Of Shadows. But for me, the tremendous power she wields, and the fragility Shadowman sees in her, make Persephone the character to watch in Valiant's Must See Event of 2022.

Dragon Dave

All the details...

BOOK OF SHADOWS #1
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Colors by NICK FILARDI
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover B by ADAM GORHAM
Cover C by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY
Pre-order Cover by KELLEY JONES

Book Of Shadows #1: Beware The Hellhounds

 

I didn't have time to split the big two-pager in yesterday's Preview Pages post. 

I thought I'd do so today, just so you can revel in its greatness.

"Shadowman, beware the Hellhounds!"

Because I love the hellhounds so much, here's two more pics of them.

"Shadowman, what part of 'Beware the hellhounds' did you not understand?"

 

The hellhounds aren't the only thing that's got me excited about Book Of Shadows #1. Nor are they the only danger threatening our world. To discover the rest, check out this extraordinary debut issue next Wednesday.

Dragon Dave

 

Details, details...

BOOK OF SHADOWS #1
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Colors by NICK FILARDI
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover B by ADAM GORHAM
Cover C by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY
Pre-order Cover by KELLEY JOMES

Shadowman. Eternal Warrior. Punk Mambo. Doctor Mirage. The supernatural protectors of the Valiant Universe unite for the very first time to stand against a terrifying ancient threat: Exarch Fane. No one is safe as the fearsome foe has his cold hands on the Book of Shadows.

Master of horror Cullen Bunn and bone-chilling artist Vicente Cifuentes present BOOK OF SHADOWS, a supernatural event that forms a brand-new team in the Valiant Universe… but will they be enough to stop Fane’s wrath?

On sale July 27th | 32 pages, full color | $3.99 US | T+

Book Of Shadows #1 Preview Pages

 

The must see event of 2022 is here as Valiant's supernatural defenders must unite to extinguish an ancient evil in BOOK OF SHADOWS #1! Before the fabulous first issue arrives in your local comic shop, enjoy this sneak peak the good folks at Valiant.

Shadowman. Eternal Warrior. Punk Mambo. Doctor Mirage. The supernatural protectors of the Valiant Universe unite for the very first time to stand against a terrifying ancient threat: Exarch Fane. No one is safe as the fearsome foe has his cold hands on the Book of Shadows.

Master of horror Cullen Bunn and bone-chilling artist Vicente Cifuentes present BOOK OF SHADOWS, a supernatural event that forms a brand-new team in the Valiant Universe… but will they be enough to stop Fane’s wrath?

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to find out!

Dragon Dave

 

Details, details... 

 
BOOK OF SHADOWS #1
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Colors by DAVE FILARDI
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover B by ADAM GORHAM
Cover C by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY
Pre-order Cover by KELLEY JONES

Armorclads #5 Review

 

Cover A by BAGUS HUTOMO

Four short months ago, writers J. J. O'Connor and Brian Buccellato swept us away to a galaxy far, far away. Now, with the help of writer Ryan Cady, they conclude the first chapter of their extraordinary Armorclads saga.

It is a rule of life that what goes up must eventually go down. So it is with the tether that transports all personnel and goods between the spaceships and the surface of the troubled planet Xeru. 

Naturally, this includes the precious Pure mined by the Ironclads, which sustains the Alphans' war efforts. (Not that that's important or anything). 

After his Alphan soldiers arrested Ironclad Peris, Governor Domahn offered the genetically-engineered Ironclad a partnership. Now, both men will meet their fates. 

Peris' friend Lela, who led an Ironclad insurrection, will also discover hers.

Armorclads #5 closes off all the essential plot points satisfactorily. We're left wondering what happens next on the planet Xeru, and if, just possibly, the Armorclads might find their way to our own galaxy.

Oh yes, and the Bugs are back. Weapons hot, everyone!

Penciler Miguel Sepulveda does a fine job, imbuing each panel with realism. Inker Raul Fernandez helps him pack each page with incredible detail.

Colorist Hi-Fi and letterer Dave Sharpe breathe life and stereophonic sound into this final, tumultuous battle.

Bagus Hutomo's Covers A and C showcase the tremendous scope of this final battle. 

Yunggeun Yoon's Cover B reminds us that the Ironclad Peris is somehow key to bringing peace to this war-torn galaxy.

Cover B by YUNGGEUN YOON

Kael Ngu's fifth Pre-Order Cover features Lela again. I guess that means she's twice as important as any of the other Ironclads. At least, among those who don't have the super-genes that the Governor was searching for--and found--in Peris.

 

Cover C by BAGUS HUTOMO

 

Watch the Ironclads' bid for freedom!

See Governor Domahn's quest for the god-weapon-wielder!

Feel the Legionnaires' battle with the Alphans!

Experience one final Battle Of The Bugs!

Pre-Order Cover by KAEL NGU

It's all in Armorclads #5, an action-packed story brought to life with panoramic splendor. Weapon up today with the cover of your choice, available at your local comic shop or favorite internet provider.

Dragon Dave

First Look at Bloodshot Unleashed #1

 

And now, the latest news on Bloodshot's long-awaited return to your local comic shop...

Duty unbound. 

Power unmatched. 

BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED!

Valiant Entertainment launches its first-ever Mature Readers title as the iconic action franchise returns in September with BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED. A brutally unflinching examination of who BLOODSHOT is, the action-packed new series BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED is set against a backdrop of violence that echoes his own abuse at the hands of others by pitting him against deadly rampaging monsters in small town America who reflect his own place in the Valiant Universe. 

Check out this first look inside the debut issue BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1! 

 

Making its highly anticipated debut on September 21st, BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED features an action figure homage variant cover series showcasing the Valiant — FigZero S 1/12 BLOODSHOT action figure with threezero. These covers will be available for the first four issues of the series, recreating iconic Valiant BLOODSHOT moments and showing how you can put the Valiant Universe in your hands like never before. Preorder yours now at the Valiant Store!

 

Action Figure Cover

Featuring covers by Jon Davis-Hunt, Nicole Rifkin, Pete Woods and Gerardo Zaffino, BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1 is written by Deniz Camp with art by Jon Davis-Hunt, colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Be sure to preorder all of your favorite covers at your local comic shop or favorite digital platform when preorders begin on July 28th. 

 

Cover A by John Davis-Hunt

Cover B by Nicole Rifkin

Cover C (Not Final Art) by Pete Woods

Preorder Cover Art by Gerardo Zaffino*

Brace for impact with the release of Valiant's BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1 on September 21st, 2022. Remember to join the Valiant Community on Discord and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and as always, stay Valiant! 

* Apparently, the Pre-Order Cover is part of a "Hard To Killer" cover series. Can't wait to hear more!

Dragon Dave

Archer & Armstrong Forever #3 Review

 

Archer & Armstrong Forever #3 Cover A by Bernard Chang

 

Archer & Armstrong Forever writer Steve Foxe links his story with the reimagined origins of Valiant's Entertainment's 2012 Archer & Armstrong series. Archer was a member of a Sect which taught that immortals such as Armstrong represented great evil. Personal experience taught Archer otherwise, and he embraced Armstrong as a friend. 

Now, with Armstrong's fabled immortality stricken from him, Archer returns to his upbringings to determine if the Sect's teachings might hold a clue to restoring Armstrong's eternal life.

 

 

Writer Steve Foxe imbues the series with lighthearted fun. Comic readers will doubtless be familiar with this issue's take on a Norse myth, given Dark Horse Comics' recent series based on Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology book. The discovery of a powerful mythological locale so close to the grand city of Oslo, Norway, reminds me of the way Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan locates the gods and their holy places near the people that keep their memories--and therefore their power--alive.

In addition to Steve Foxe and Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan's another author who's been drawn to the power of Norse Mythology.

Marcio Fiorito's characters move effortlessly through the issue. His depictions of these classic characters--as well as his makeover of the goddess Frigg--are consistent and fun. He also transports us to a land that, while reminding us of Valiant's recent Savage series, provides another link to Valiant's Entertainment's first Archer And Armstrong series a decade ago.

Alex Guimaraes' colors are sumptuous and vibrant. Their pleasantly soft tones will draw readers of all ages and sensibilities into this lighthearted, kid-friendly story.

Despite one seeming inconsistency on the first page, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou's lettering remains as inventive and eye-catching as ever. While pushing the field forward through his innovative style, Hassan also pays homage to the past by showing Archer's thoughts in pleasing thought bubbles, instead of his normal (and industry-standard) narrative boxes.

As always, Valiant provides readers a selection of attractive covers. Cover A is story-specific, symbolizing the issue's focus on the mythological Golden Apples of Idunn. Nick Robles' Cover B focuses on the threat to the pair's longtime partnership with its retro look, while also signalling its imminent demise, should Archer prove incapable of returning Armstrong's eternal youth. 

Archer & Armstrong Forever #3 Cover B by Nick Robles

 

Ro Stein and Ted Brandt's Pre-Order cover celebrates Armstrong's long-life. Like other covers in their Pre-Order series, this latest masterpiece suggests it should hang in the national gallery of one of Europe's capital cities. Oslo, Norway, perhaps?

Archer & Armstrong Forever #3 Pre-Order Cover by Ro Stein & Ted Brandt

Archer & Armstrong Forever #3--in stores today--continues the fun began in the first issue. The story carries the duo forward into unexpected places. Character growth and action walk hand-in-hand toward an unexpected and exciting cliffhanger that'll make you wonder what will happen next, and feel as if the wait until the issue #4 will last...forever.

Dragon Dave