Valiant 101: BOOK OF DEATH

When we last left the Valiant universe, (spoilers for The Valiant:) the Eternal Warrior had took a time-displaced geomancer under his wings. Safeguarding the world’s geomancer is sort of what he does. This time around, however, he has gone AWOL leaving behind Unity and the MI-6. They soon catch up to him, though, for reasons that are revealed in a haunting double page spread brought to life by Robert Gill and David Baron.

Robert Venditti writes this ominously titled story. At regular interval, with the assistance of Doug Braithwaite and Brian Reber, he presents flashes of Valiant universe’s future. Much to Braithwaite and Reber’s credit, they do not stick with a particular character for long, making these flashes of the future exactly that. It’s interesting to see is what has become or rather, what will become of characters like Archer and Faith in these sequences. At the same time, it is interesting to see characters we are not acquainted with yet and guess how they might impact the Valiant universe.

The rest of Venditti’s script is pretty simple, though, and at times lack dimensions. Eternal Warrior’s dedication towards Tama’s protection seems rather obsessive. He seems all too dismissive to the massacres that seem to be the effects of her presence in this timeline. When Unity, more specifically, when X-O Manowar confronts him, Gilad’s words come across hollow. This obviously leads to dissension between Unity and a huge fight erupts.

After making quick work of Unity, Gilad and Tama continue their journey, reading and deciphering from Tama’s book. This eventually leads them to David, a young boy who was supposed to be the geomancer of this timeline, and prima facie Tama’s presence here and now seems to be the cause. The actual cause is soon revealed as a popular villain from the pre-Valiant, VALIANT, days makes his debut in the new universe.

When Valiant first announced Book of Death, they promised that the tie-ins will showcase how all of their major characters die. It may sound like a cheap publicity stunt to sell their books, but it’s not. The tie-ins offer exactly what Valiant promised. Every book is titled Book of Death: The Fall of (insert character’s name here), and they showcase how years from now, the eponymous character, well, falls.

The Harbinger book in particular is amazing. The psychedelic artwork of Kano elevates Joshua Dysart’s tale of one final epic battle between two of the most powerful psiots in the Valiant universe, Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek. Kano not only captures the bright details of futuristic cities but also renders what is -- and I’m not out of words here, it is what it is – indescribable with such exquisite detail, it’s unbelievable. Every page on that comic is joy to behold.

Except Fall of Bloodshot, all tie-ins are fun. I found Bloodshot too clichéd: typical lone wolf tough guy story. Doug Braithwaite’s art is great, though.

Unlike its pessimist title, Book of Death wraps up with a hopeful denouement. The moments after the battle, especially the one immediately after, between Gilad and Tama, is wonderful and makes up for any shortcomings the book may have had.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, we wrap up this little experiment/project of mine. Thank you for joining me. This has been Valiant 101.