Author name: Chris Bushley

Shadowman must dive into the belly of the beast and survive the hollow coldness of the Deadside. It’s not the battle he must wage there but the decisions he makes that will forever change the course of his life. Can he be content living as just Jack or does he need to become Shadowman in order to truly live?

Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher meld their wildly imaginative writing talents to bring to you a story of discovery and sacrifice that will solidify Shadowman as one of the best books of 2013! Between the fever pitch action, the soul searching drama and the off the wall circumstances our characters find themselves in, there is something to please every fan no matter what their favorite genre is. 

Shadowman is a timeless tale of self discovery where the roads to our future are paved with bricks from our past. But what if the past is unknown to us and our future is strewn with things that are too strange to be real, things that cannot be conceived by the minds of mortal men. Who can take us where we need to be, who can show us who we can become? And, what if the answers to those questions are mired in shadow, where even a flicker of truth is scarier than not knowing at all? These are the questions posed by Jordan and Zircher each month. These are the ideas and plot threads that make Shadowman such a compelling read that never falters to deliver it’s promise of excellence. It is the protagonist’s sheer uncertainty about his actions in the face of horrendous odds that anchors us in our seats, breathlessly awaiting the turn of the next page!

Shadowman may be freezing in the Deadside but things are just heating up in Jordan and Zircher’s tale. This is the issue that will bring everything to a head, creating a scattered front against Mr. Twist and his master. Decisions will be made, friends may fall and the past emerges from the ether. This is a quintessential read for this week! Only one book is worthy of having the moniker “Superior” — Shadowman!

There has been a tense truce made between two completely different warriors. One has the guile and skill of the world’s top assassin, the other is a brash, brutal, headstrong warrior that barges into battle with a cry on his lips and a sword in his hand. Together they must put their animosity aside in order to do something no one else can — save the world!

Robert Venditti continues to steer Valiant’s flagship title to new heights of amazement! Issue eight is a tense, testosterone fueled cornucopia of mass destruction that will make you giddy with excitement. Secret government agents, disguised aliens, the British air force, lasers, throwing stars, a flying Visigoth, spin kicks and two sword wielding warriors! What doesn’t this book have? In a word — NOTHING! This issue is an absolute insane trip of action at it’s best and it will only get better from here! But, don’t think it is just all about devastation and mayhem either. 

Venditti has sown in some very interesting plot twists amidst the chaos of battle as well. The status quo of the Valiant Universe will begin to shift due to the actions taken in this issue. Characters are evolved past their “supporting cast” roles and it will make for some very interesting plotlines in the upcoming issues. We will begin to see things develop that have been hinted at since issue one, but Aric may not be ready for the subtlety it will take to dwell in this modern world. It is about to become a much darker place in the Valiant Universe and this issue is the one that will eventually lead to the widely anticipated “Planet Death” storyline coming in 2013!

If you are ready for an action packed issue that will completely blow you away — wait no longer! Storm your local comic shop and demand for it by name! X-O Manowar! The best flagship title you can get your grubby little hands on!

A trio runs from near death at the hands of Toyo Harada, two of them are psiots while the third — a mere mortal. But it is this mortal’s cunning that has been keeping the trio alive. Her sheer will to live has given them time to escape, time to heal their wounds and most importantly — time to plan. This trio is done with being chased into hiding, they are finished with being hunted, it is time to recruit others to their cause of justice. It is time to prepare for war!

Harbinger #7 is an in depth look at the newest recruit in the war against Harada — Flamingo!  It is a harrowing look at how a young woman, Charlene Dupre, has gone from a small town ‘bad girl” to a used and abused denizen of backwoods hell. Her tale is one all to often seen in reality, making the reader instantly connect with her on an emotional level. We may not agree with her choices or lifestyle, but we can empathize with her inner turmoil and outward pain. It is tough to “watch” her tale as we are led down memory lane from her perspective, but it is these kind of stories that make this book continually a “must buy” every month! The sheer amount of depth given to this character in but a single issue is astonishing!

Joshua Dysart is a maestro at creating powerful characters. Not just with their outward psiot abilities, but with the fractured beings underneath all that power, the “human” aspect that gives great range and duality to the character. Each character is completely multifaceted, creating a world that the reader is emotionally tethered to despite all of the “super powered” things going on in it. It is the “grounding” of the characters in an insane world that makes this book completely unique in the genre and it has captured the hearts of a new generation of Valiant readers!

Sultry, stunning and completely sensational, Harbinger #7 is the pinnacle of character driven stories! So, don’t miss the debut of the next amazing character in the Valiant universe — Flamingo! Believe me, she’s totally “hot!”

Are you ready for the explosive debut of The Eternal Warrior to the all-new Valiant Universe? Even if you think you are ready, believe me, you are NOT!

Continuing immediately after the events of Archer & Armstrong #4, our oddly paired heroes are on the run after the death of a Geomancer, which in turn, unleashes the wrath of The Eternal Warrior! Chaos ensues as Armstrong must try to slow his brother down so his ally can escape. But can even Armstrong’s sheer brute strength be enough to stop a being purely fueled by rage with an immortality to rival his own? It’s a possibility that issue six may only have one moniker in the title!

Steeped in flashback sequences, issue five gives us a look at the past history between Armstrong and The Eternal Warrior. It is a brutal and tense relationship, one that focuses on how completely different the brothers are — mimicking the relationship between Archer and Armstrong in the present. It is a pitch perfect tale, giving the reader a sense of direction and information about such a powerful character without making it feel forced or losing the feel of the story running concurrently with the flashbacks. It is a good juxtaposition between the past and present of the Valiant Universe, making the future storylines even more rich for doing so. 

Fred Van Lente has created a series that is at the pinnacle of perfection and is a crowning jewel in the Valiant Universe! Every issue is filled to the brim with enthralling action sequences, compelling characterization and a sense of wonderment that can only be rivaled by the heaping amounts of fun you will enjoy while reading it again and again! There is no telling how far he will take us on this wild ride but I for one, have become a fan for life!

Be bold, be daring, be — Valiant!

The second book under the “Shadowman” moniker is actually a first real look at the rest of the cast of the book. While Jack Boniface takes a backseat this issue, we get to understand the “hows” and “whys” of almost all the other characters — including the nefarious Mr. Twist! 

Beginning with one of the best first pages I have read in a long time, Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher have created a slow-burn issue that answers some gnawing questions while dredging up even more. It is a focus on the history of the characters that will direct and “misdirect’ the actions of Jack Boniface for the future. A well thought out character piece that not only furthers the initial story revealed in issue one, but also helps to solidify the “world” of Shadowman for the readers. The cast of characters are so intrinsic to each other that it only makes sense to delve into their motivations at such an early start to the series and this writing duo does it flawlessly!

While the story may burst with action and intrigue, Patrick Zircher’s true contribution to this book is his gorgeous art! From squirming demon slugs to a “little person” with a firearm, Zircher makes this book absolutely come alive on the page. It is thoroughly en”gross”ing and utterly entrancing to gaze upon the images on every page, he is a true talent no matter which hat he may be wearing at the time! Just check out this interior panel to understand exactly what I mean: 

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Shadowman #2 is a shining star in an already brilliant Valiant Universe! It is no matter if you were a fan of the previous incarnations, with but a single issue of Jordan and Zircher’s collaboration — you will become one now!

The most anticipated book since the initial rebirth of the Valiant Universe hits stands this week! But is all the hype surrounding the return of Shadowman truly worth it? 

While other companies may rely on movie marketing to propel their fanbase, Valiant has dedicated itself to acquiring the best creative talents in the business and teaming them with the hottest characters of the nineties. These precise pairings have created some of the best “new” comics on the shelves, and in turn, established a whirlwind of excitement throughout the comics industry!

Now, Valiant has brought back one of the most popular characters they have ever created — Shadowman! 

This debut issue is not only as enigmatic and outstanding as the originals, it is also a very heart felt homage by both Patrick Zircher and Justin Jordan. Taking the base roots of the original character and mixing them with their own creative seed, this superb duo has crafted a tale that pays tribute to what Jim Shooter, Steve Englehart and David Lapham did and in the same breath — surpasses it!

Jack Boniface is still the main character for this “new and improved” version, but he is slightly different from what fans will remember. Gone is the long flowing mane of tangled hair and the saxophone is nowhere to be seen, but this younger version doesn’t require the iconic look, he has something far better at his disposal — the creative team!

Jordan and Zircher have created an engrossing look at the world of magic and mayhem in the Valiant Universe. This is an aspect that has been missing from the “Summer of Valiant” and it is a welcome change. Fans of the original series will no doubt recognize some of the old haunts and especially the diabolical Master Darque, but it is the changes that truly make this book an instant fan favorite. From the explosive opening sequence where demons swirl around every corner to the eventual rise of the new Shadowman, you are enthralled by every aspect of this book! The intrigue of Jack’s parents past and the creation of the sadistic Mr. Twist alone are enough to have you on the edge of your seat. But, it is the character of Jack himself that will hold sway over you throughout the book! Jack is a “lost soul” who has filled his life acquiring skills in order to make himself useful in a world that he was left alone in. He is vulnerable and yet, strong willed enough to survive on his own, never knowing the truth about his parents nor the talisman he wears around his neck. And when something horrific befalls him, is it his attackers that are the the true threat or is it the voice calling to him from the shadows that will bring his downfall?

This book will draw you in and ensnare you in the horrifically brutal world that Jordan and Zircher have created. It is fresh and rich in characterization, a book that is easy to get into and extremely hard to put down! Nothing outshines the pure talent that drives this book!

On a personal note, I must thank both Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher for handling this book with such reverence and scope. Shadowman was always my favorite Valiant character and I am proud to say that he is once again! Thank you both for an amazing book and especially for putting the original mask in the museum scene — classy!

So, to answer the original question — is Shadowman worth all the hype? Most definitely! Add this one to your collection and hold on tight, the Valiant Universe is about to get the doors blown off! 

Be bold, be daring, be — Valiant!

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

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1.  Tharg’s Creepy Chronicles (GN):  A collaboration by some of the greatest British creators from the outstanding 2000 A.D. series of books, Tharg’s, has some of the most outrageous, terrifying and spellbinding tales you will read this Halloween season! From hilarity to nauseousness, this graphic novel has it all — including a tale from my personal fave – Mark Millar!

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2.  Lady Death #19:  The character that started the “bad girl” craze back in the nineties, Brian Pulido’s Lady Death has been churning out ghastly and gorgeous tales for over two decades! As the blood begins to congeal on the ground around her, Lady Death is left pondering just exactly where she belongs after the war in Hell has ceased. Do you stay with the evil you know or find out how evil you can be yourself?

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3.  Revival #4:  This awesome take on the modern “zombie” tale has become a fan favorite and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon! As the “revived” begin to lose control of what little sanity they still have left, can the world survive a group of undead that just won’t die? What could be creepier on Halloween than an undead grandma that pulls out her own teeth and feeds them to cats? I’ll tell ya — NOTHING!

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4.  Ghost #1: She’s back again! But, can you really keep a good ghost down? Another nineties female lead character, but there is nothing “bad” about this one — just badass! A gun toting apparition that seeks vengeance, this limited series is all about possession and what it means to disappear into someone else. Plus, what better villain to have in your book than the Devil himself! Awesome!

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5.  Hack/Slash #19:  This perverse book about a girl that must destroy all forms of evil in the world, including her own mother, is the perfect Halloween B horror flick that you can peruse anywhere! Sultry and sadistic, it is the epitome of the modern slasher film about the sexy lead character that has to fight her way through all odds to survive!

The Harada Foundation has been built to train and enhance the psychic potential of humanity. To help them become the best at their own abilities, to evolve them further than they would have been able to on their own. All this for the betterment of the world at large. Or so they are told!

Issue five of this amazing series, will wrap up the initial storyarc and eviscerate a path into the next one! Toyo Harada and Peter Stancheck, the Alpha and Omega, will tear this world asunder in order to defy one another. But will the boy who rose from streets, an addict with nothing to lose, be able to stop the monster that is Toyo Harada? Not on his own! Thus begins the expansion of the Valiant Universe and the arrival of — The Renegades!

Fast paced and hard hitting, Harbinger has consistently been a top-notch book every month! Filled with emotional duress and outstanding action sequences, Joshua Dysart has taken a concept and characters from the past and evolved them to a level that outshines everything that came before! The character of Peter Stancheck, is such a sorrowful icon – a character that is broken emotionally and is continually left to suffer. He literally has nothing left after this issue and that makes him a very dangerous character. One that we, as readers, can identify and empathize with. He is the everyman bestowed with a power that others seek to exploit with a chesire grin on their lips and a knife behind their back. 

This is the defiance issue, where some background characters make a decision to push themselves to the forefront and finally do something about the tyranny of Harada. It is a fundamental need to preserve oneself, but at what cost. Is it worth the lives of others in order to do so? That is the core of this book. What does it take in order for someone to do the right thing for someone else? It is a question well thought out and executed in this series, making it as effective emotionally as it is visually stunning!

This is where the battle lines have been drawn! The Valiant Universe is about to become a very different, very dangerous place and your have a front row seat!

Be bold, be daring, be — Valiant!