Armorclads #1 Preview Pages

Armorclads #1 Cover B by Marco Mastrazzo & Jeremy Roberts

 

If you're a fan of military science fiction involving soldiers clad in futuristic armor, such as Joe Haldeman's classic The Forever War, and David Weber's Honor Harrington novels, you'll love Valiant's new series. It reminds me of two of my favorite Sci-Fi movies: Starship Troopers and Avatar. After my first read-through, I can attest that Armorclads is a whole lot of fun.

Here's the inside front cover, and the first five pages to whet your interest. Enjoy!

 

 

Armorclads #1 arrives in stores next Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Whatever you do, don't miss this one.

Dragon Dave

Armorclads Prologue Announcement

 

Excited about Valiant's upcoming series Armorclads? Here's the latest.

Discover the beginnings of an inspiring legacy. The dawn of an all new-corner of the Valiant Universe filled with epic mechs and sprawling worlds arrives with the ARMORCLADS Prologue digital exclusive short comic.

 

Years ago in a different solar system, peace and prosperity flourished in a golden age of honor, justice and order at the hands of seven families and their mythical suits. But the legacy of this past is about to clash with the present, where nations wield advanced armor known as Armorclads in a continuing battle for supremacy. 

 

 

 

With the debut of the highly anticipated ARMORCLADS #1 on March 23rd, Valiant is proud to reveal the new ARMORCLADS Prologue digital exclusive short comic. This exploration into the history of the Armorclads will be first available during an exclusive period for the Valiant Community beginning on March 18th. Become a member of the Valiant Community to get access to all-new digital comics, giveaways, creator interviews and so much more by holding any of the Valiant metaverse collectibles found at NFT.ValiantEntertainment.com.

 

The community-first approach and focus on direct fan engagement at Valiant continues with this reward for the Valiant Community during an exclusive period to access the ARMORCLADS Prologue before the launch of ARMORCLADS #1. Stay tuned for more details to be revealed soon allowing fans everywhere the opportunity to read the ARMORCLADS Prologue.

 

Join the Valiant Community on the official Discord to find out how you can get your Valiant metaverse collectible and gain access to the ARMORCLADS Prologue digital exclusive short comic. 

 

 

 

Praise for ARMORCLADS #1…

 

“Armorclads drops you into a world you'll want to escape in." - Dave Brooke, AIPT

 

“What a rush. A reminder of why Valiant should always be on your radar." - Alex K. Cossa, Graphic Policy

 

“"Armorclads is an intense and intriguing new entry into the Valiant Universe!" - Lex Wilridge, The Wednesday Pull List!

 

ARMORCLADS Prologue Official Synopsis:

 

In a solar system with planets engaged in continuing battles for supremacy, nations have constructed advanced exoskeletal armor known as Armorclads to fight wars and build worlds.

 

Many years ago, there was no war or strife. It was a golden age of honor, justice, and order. Seven families kept the peace and ensured prosperity with mythical suits now only whispered about as legends or children’s tales. But the past and present are about to collide...

 

ARMORCLADS PROLOGUE

Created by JJ O’Connor

Writers: JJ O’Connor and Ryan Cady

 

Art & Colors: E.J. Su of Magnus Arts

Penciller (Present Day): Manuel García

Inker (Present Day) : Raül Fernández

Colorist (Present Day): Rex Lokus

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Jeremy Roberts

Shadowman #7: Extra! Extra!

 

Shadowman #7 Cover A by Jon Davis-Hunt

Somehow, when I posted the preview pages for Shadowman #7, I inadvertently skipped one of them. Worse, this page was actually a two-page spread, featuring Punk Mambo and Shadowman's new team of abettors! What can I say? I guess I must have found the issue completely disturbing!

If you can zoom in on the spread, I suggest you do so. In case you can't, I've split the spread into the individual pages for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

To make up for my error, I've enclosed a very special panel from Shadowman #7 that wasn't included in the preview pages. If you're a regular reader of this blog, there's a good chance you'll enjoy it.

Was I right, or was I right? Yes, Aric of Dacia is in the house!

To see what other heroes from the Valiant U can be glimpsed in Shadowman #7, and read a story that apparently disturbed this reviewer, pick up the issue at your local comic shop today.

Dragon Dave

Shadowman #7 Review: The Refusal To Go Quietly

 

Shadowman #7 Cover B by Dan Brereton

 

In Shadowman #7, writer Cullen Bunn gives us a silent issue. Or should I say his best attempt? Cullen often shares his protagonists' thoughts with readers. So accompanying this issue's breakneck action is Shadowman's soliloquy.

 

 

It may not be Hamlet, or for that matter the Scottish Play. Nonetheless, it's a view inside the struggle of the hero. Like all those who set aside a normal life to take up a cause, Jack Boniface often yearned to set aside the burdens of the world, only to heave them back onto his shoulders. 

 

 

In issues #4, 5, and 6, he strove to wield reason instead of a scythe. He tried to make peace with the Deadside.

 

 

Now, as the barriers break down, and the Deadside invades our world, we see people everywhere struggling to fight back the demons. Heroes and villains set aside normal pursuits to defend their homelands. Yet Shadowman remains the key to restoring the balance. He must repair the barrier that once protected our world, or everyone's life--as they know it--is over.

 

 

Aiding Cullen is Pedro Andreo, a rising star in the penciling and inking wars. Sometimes he struggles to convey our heroes convincingly, yet he's always good in a fight. This time out, he ushers us through the chaos and violence like a seasoned veteran. 

 

 

Colorist Jordie Bellaire helps us feel Shadowman's despair, resolution, and determination. Lacking his usual spectacular sound effects, letterer Clayton Cowles comforts us with calm, reliable narrative boxes. Like Jack Boniface, Cullen leads his own team of abetters through the violent fray.

 

 

Sometimes a reader's attention wanders. Sometimes his admiration fades. But in this third issue of the Deadside War story arc, fueled by fighting and monologue, Cullen Bunn grabs and refuses to let go. For someone who loves stories driven through dialogue between the primary characters, that comes as a welcome surprise.

 

 

If you've yet to pick up an issue of Shadowman, now's the time. It may fall midway through this story arc. The series may be well on its way. Still, you'll find the issue fun, exciting, and self-explanatory. Shadowman #7 feels like the perfect introduction to the Valiant universe, while also rewarding loyal readers with character development and a world-spanning battle. 

 

 

It also reminds us that heroes are not born. They're made, time and again, everyday.

Dragon Dave

 

Shadowman #7: Covers To Die For

 

Shadowman #7 Cover A by Jon Davis-Hunt

Jon Davis-Hunt's Cover A is a team-cover. Well, okay, it's almost a team-cover. It's Shadowman, his chief Abettor Alyssa Miles, the flamboyant Punk Mambo, and their adversary--the woman they're all fighting--Lady Darkside. 

While I'm a Pre-Order guy,I love all the work Jon Dais-Hunt put into this one. I especially love Shadowman's expression here. It's like he's been told to smile for the camera, and Shadowman just wants to muck it up. 

That Punk Mambo's a bad influence!

Shadowman #7 Cover B by Dan Brereton

This time out, Dan Brereton takes up the Movie Homage Cover challenge with his take on that famous Jack Nicholson moment in director Stanley Kubrick's 1980 classic film The Shining. Author Stephen King, who wrote the original novel, may not have loved Stanley Kubrick's adaptation, but I love it! I'm guessing everyone loves Kubrick's movie these days, even people who haven't seen it! I mean, how could you not love The Shining, when it features so prominently in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Ready Player One?

Oh, I also love it because I grew up loving Johnny Carson, once the host of The Tonight Show. And then there was Ed McMahon, his compatriot, who introduced Johnny each night with his enthusiastic "Heeeerrrrrrreeeeee's Johnny!" 

Can you hear Ed calling out from the Deadside? "Heeerrrrreeee's Punk!"

Shadowman #7 Pre-Order Cover by Christian Ward

Is it just me, or does Christian Ward do the coolest covers? He certainly wins the prize for the most cosmic covers. Diamond hasn't been listing the Pre-Order covers lately in their Customer Order Form booklets for any Valiant series, which is what my LCS hands out to all his customers. Nor can he seem to find the Pre-Orders in the Diamond system. He wasn't even aware that Armorclads had a Pre-Order option until Valiant tweeted a copy of the Pre-Order cover, and I copied it and sent it to him. 

Anyway, I sent him a copy of this one yesterday, as soon as I got a copy of it, because this image of Shadowman is so cool that I've gotta have it. What can I say? Christian Ward just does the coolest covers!

Dragon Dave

Shadowman #7 Preview Pages

 

Shadowman #7 Pre-Order Cover by Christian Ward

 

Prepare yourself, for five spellbinding preview pages from...

 

SHADOWMAN #7 

PART 3 OF DEADSIDE WAR

The Deadside War has entered our world...has SHADOWMAN already lost? 

 

The horrors of the Deadside have spilled over into the world of the living, led by the embodiment of terror leading the forces of darkness that SHADOWMAN, PUNK MAMBO and the new Abettors are forced to confront. As the battle rages all over the world bringing in heroes of the Valiant Universe hoping to stop the tide, the supernatural protectors must prepare to make their stand. 

 

SHADOWMAN #7 is written by CULLEN BUNN, illustrated by PEDRO ANDREO, colored by JORDIE BELLAIRE, and lettered by CLAYTON COWLES. SHADOWMAN #7 features covers by JON DAVIS-HUNT (Cover A), DAN BRERETON (Horror Movie Homage Variant), and CHRISTIAN WARD (Pre-order Variant).

The world has been invaded. The Deadside spills through. Shadowman, Punk Mambo, Alyssa and the Arbettors struggle to keep the horrors of the Deadside at bay, but are they in a losing battle?

 

Find out this coming Wednesday, March 16, 2022!

 

Dragon Dave

Aric The Valiant

 

Aric of Dacia

Defender of his homeland

Invaders will fall.