David: Brandon, we’re at the end of the month, and it’s time to look back on what’s hot and what’s…less hot at Valiant. As per usual, Valiant fans, we rank all of the Valiant books in order, rating the title as a whole while weighting it towards recency.
What are #6 and #5 for you, Brandon?
Brandon: Well my #6 is also X-O Manowar. Last month I felt things were heading more in a direction that I enjoyed. I was right in that I feel like this books is moving in the right direction but i’d like to see the cast developed so that I care about them more than I do. I really enjoyed the Vine people toward the end of this because they felt so defined and fleshed out. Now though they are gone for now it seems. Either way the books is getting better but at this point I can’t justify it moving up the list. It’s starting to pop it’s little puppy paws out though.
What do you have up next David?
David: I’m going to have to go with Shadowman as well. Even though the art is rock solid and Justin Jordan continues to a mostly good job, the complete lack of care I have for the lead continues to prohibit this book from going much higher. Even with quality writing and art, until Jordan can make me care about Shadowman himself, it’s going to be hard for the book to finish much higher.
Go forth for #4 and #3 Brandon!
Brandon My #4 for the month is Harbinger. It may be the lowest it has ever finished for me since we started doing this. It is overall one of my favorite books from Valiant but this month it just didn’t hit the mark as it retread water from Harbinger Wars a little too much for me this month. A lot of what you already mentioned is completely on the nose. I am loving Harbinger Wars but I am excited for Harbinger to move beyond it.
What’s next up on your hit list David?
David: #3 is the man with the missing face: BLOODSHOT. I’ve really enjoyed Barry Kitson’s art on this book, but he had some great comedic moments in the issue which you don’t see so often from him. Bloodshot crawling to the cows, saying “hello ladies!” was a laugh out loud moment and a half. He and Duane Swierczynski crushed that part, and overall, this issue was a nice blend between fight sequence and wrapping storylines up in a nice little bow. Plus, Bloodshot brought the kids some steaks. What’s not to love?
Up next, we have the event of events, Harbinger Wars at #2. I’ve really enjoyed this event. In fact, this event by itself has been one of the most satisfying comic events in recent memory, as it combines great writing and art into a great little storyline that blends two of their books together. It’s been fun to see this rise in my list – the first issue finished at #4 for me, the second at #3, this one at #2…could its finale be my top book of the month next time? Bonus props for making H.A.R.D. Corps pretty damn awesome. This book is firing on all cylinders, fo sho.
Take us home Brandon. #2 and #1 for you!
Brandon #2 for me this month is Bloodshot. I really enjoy this title and would consider it one of my top two favorites if not my favorite Valiant title. This month highlighted a lot of the reasons for that. This month was action packed and humorous. It also had stand out moments like the cows as you mentioned previously that made me actually laugh. I’m interested to see how much this title will change in the months to come as the title and the direction shift.
David: I’ll close this mother out, as my favorite is, unsurprisingly, my usual favorite: Archer & Armstrong. It takes a lot to knock this book off its perch as my favorite at Valiant, and this month didn’t have it. It did have a great Archer & Armstrong issue, however, that had hilarious moments, a great play on Area 51, some great tie-in to the previous zero issue, and much more. I’m really digging Pere Perez’s art on this book, as his very expressive characters fit perfectly with Fred Van Lente’s scripts. I enjoy this book so much, and until something drops the freaking hammer, it likely will continue to be my top book.
