By now, if you're one of the millions that are reading this blog/Facebook page, you have figured out that I really like VALIANT comics. A LOT.
Yeah, but what makes VALIANT different from any other comics company, you might ask, if you're not a regular reader?*Well, the easy answer is THEY'RE DARN GOOD, plus, IT'S A SHARED UNIVERSE, meaning that every book takes place in the same fictional plane of existence.
In other words, "stuff" that happens in "book A, issue 12" SHOULD matter to whatever is going on in "book B, issue 25", a procedure that Marvel and DC (the other "shared universes" companies) fail to execute, oh-so-many-times, to the sounds of raging readers everywhere; sometimes called "Continuity", or "Canon", it's one of VALIANT'S strongest assets. They sure like their continuity consistent, and as fans, we can not ask for more.
So, you want examples of that same "stuff that matters and GREAT storytelling" that I'm babbling about? Some "continuity shakers"? Some Canon Mi- I'll stop now.
Here you go, an exclusive Temple of The Nerd compilation of what this nerd thinks were the 10 best moments in VALIANT comics... so far.
* Check out my "Year of Valiant" article for more on that.
SPOILER FILLED CONTENT, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK
10- Ninjak's 1st, well 2nd, appearance (X-O Manowar #5)
It was one of the most publicited- and anticipated- moves by VEI (Valiant Entertainment Inc.) last year, the return of fan-favourite ninja spy, Ninjak. And Robert Venditti did not disappoint anyone when he brought the brit assassin back to comics business. In fact, it's a testimony to the quality of this man's writing, the fact that this book surpassed the hype it gathered before release. A stellar example of how to bring a new character into a scenario and make it feel like "well, of course Ninjak would go after Aric!". Organic, natural writing.
We had a first glimpse of how much of a bada** Ninjak is, when we see him getting business done before being given the task of retrieving X-O's armour.
But, when this sneaky son-of-a-gun truly later makes use of his Ninja abilities and takes down Aric in a rather effortless way (yet, TOTALLY believable, for a comic book that is), you can not help becoming an instant fan of the dude.
Are you a Vegan? Do you recicle absolutely everything you can? Ever dreamed of being Mother Earth's protector? If your answer is yes to all of these, you're clearly a crazy person, but even then, I bet that you're not as crazy as this particular moment in VALIANT's history.
Fred Van Lente and a magnificent expression work by artist Emanuela Lupacchino show you what crazy is really all about.
"O.M.G. You're a monkey dressed like Mother Nature from the 1970's Chiffon margarine commercials. When you DIE, you go INSANE."
Quoted for Truth.
8- H.A.R.D. Corps are Hard A.S.S. people (Harbinger Wars #4) We all knew they were coming. It was the first Big reveal of 2013's line of books; after all in a world that is getting aware of these superpowered beings, humanity has got to have an answer for it, right?
Enter these dudes. The Harbinger Active Resistance Division is what the name implies, with a twist: these men- and women- are able to download superpowers, one at a time. More precisely, psiot powers that they somehow managed to code and turn into a downloadable software that is implanted on your body. If you survive the shock.
It's no surprise then, that this group of Matrixized mercenaries would be completely screwed up when it comes to dealing with adversity. Be it a traffic jerk or a psiot kid- and I do mean kid- you're bound to end up with a hole in your thinking device. They are just a brutal bunch of BMF's.
For a particular example of H.A.R.D. Corps' bada**ery, take a good look at their arrival at the Harbinger Wars party. You can close your jaw, now.
7- Torquehalla lives! (Harbinger #8)I'm a total Joshua Dysart fanboy. I just think the guy's brilliant, that's all. So, it's natural that Harbinger gets a lot of space in this article, because I happen to think it's the best comic you can buy on the shelves in 2013. There's nothing like it, and you'll thank me if you give this series a shot. It's genius.
That being out of the way, let's dive into one of the best moments in this book so far, the debut of jerk stereotype turned upside down, Torque.
In just one issue, Dysart gives us a story that I'll not forget for many, many years, until my memory gets as blurry and confused as John Torkelson's take on all things life. Let me explain.
You see, Torque is a disabled kid (he doesn't have control of his legs), who never knew anything remotely close to an intelligent human being (s***, i'm choking as I'm writing this....), and was pratically raised by the values of junk t.v. and reality food (or is it the other way?). His mind is often in an imaginary place called Torquehalla, a realm of babes and stuff for heroes to do. Heroes like Torque himself. Of course.
That and an
Everything that resembles feelings? "Gay!"
and
Music that's not Metal? "Gay!"
and
Gay people? "Gay!" attitude. That's Torque in a nutshell.
He's like that, a big, loud, obnoxious jerk.
(In retrospect, wow, this character has so much "character" after only a couple of pages, it's ridiculous).
So, in this issue we see the Renegades go and meet this jerk for the first time, who promply acts like you would expect from a no-manners kid. Only when Peter unleashes Torque's psiot power (and thus releasing his new physical "alter ego"), you get to take a look inside his head, and actually feel sympathy for him. Sympathy?
That is the under statement of the year, since it is just a heart breaking scene that grabbed me by the balls and made me cry like a little teen girl reading some godawful Twilight fan fiction.
The inner dialogue will have you rooting for this character before the issue is over.
(Voice drowned in male tears of fanboy joy): "GO, TORQUE!!"
6- "So, that's how he was born!" (Shadowman #10)With the aid of a completely unexpected twist, Justin Jordan makes his final issue for VEI, one of the best yet.
Remember (of course you do) issue 0 and it's BEAUTIFUL story about these weird, albino twins who later came to be known as wizard geniuses, Nicodemu -er, Master- Darque and (no title as of yet) Sondria? Issue 10 was the direct sequel to that tale and the answer to the mystery of the origin of the Loa- or Shadowman's spirit. Yes, we finally know just wth a "Shadowman" is- or where and when it came to be, at least.
I will not spoil this moment because it is very recent, but let me just say that I felt so rewarded as a reader. In the grand scheme of the Shadowman mythos, it just makes PERFECT sense and it makes you want to go back and read JJ's entire run.
And, yet, I never saw it coming. Brilliant writing.
It's a natural question to pop in one's mind when reading superhero fiction: who is the most powerful guy/girl around, anyway?
VALIANT readers might point a few names but it's certain that two of them might get more pointed than others. I'm talking about "Harbinger Boss" Toyo Harada and "IdunnowtfIamanymore" composite that goes by the code name Bloodshot. One of them is the most powerful psiot (read, mutant) in the world, the other is a nano-tech infused metahuman, who can shut dow machines with his thoughts and likes to eat entire cows when really hungry. Those thighs are your shame, Bloodshot!
Anyways, we had the PERFECT scenario for a clash between these two alpha males just a couple months ago, in the pages of VALIANT'S first crossover event, Harbinger Wars.
Talk about meeting fan expectations.
Once again, VEI delivers, Big time. The action sequence that serves as background is wonderfuly scripted and drawn, never letting you think that "I got this figured out." If Harada is a perfect example of "subtle power" (he hates to get his hands dirty, I guess), Bloodshot is the bull in the china pottery shop- and boy, is that bull p***** off at the asian dude that runs the shop, or what?!
Two great characters. One hell of a showdown.
4- "I'M THE KING OF THE WOR- er,- DACIAAAAAA!!!!!" (X-O Manowar #14)
Planet Death was advertised as the first major "event" by VALIANT, back in the fall of 2012. By the title (and the direction that the comic was taking) one would guess that after dealing with the imminent alien invasion of the Vine people, Aric would bring punishment to his former slavers, killing an entire planet. Or just their most luxurious moon resort.
Throughout the adventure in Vineland (not it's real name), Aric pulls a Spartacus by Mass release of Slaves and makes a couple of alien friends on the way.
But even among the high-octave action and operatic scenarios, what stood out to me most, is the fact that Aric realizes that Not All Vine Are Evil. Gone are the days of rushing into battle without thinking in all of the consequences... right?
It's a fine, Fine growing arc for our fav Barbarian in a Can, and the last pages will give you not only warm feelings of "resolution" but, more importantly, it leaves you wanting to read more about the adventures of Aric, (rightful) King of Dacia.
(Top 3 will be up tomorrow night)
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