Valiant (Re)visions Power Rankings: Month Four

David: Brandon, this five week month has been bat shit crazy. Up is down, light is darque, and everything in-between. I don’t even KNOW what is going on any more. I do know we’re back for another edition of our month in review, Valiant (Re)visions Power Rankings, and I have to imagine this is going to be a crazy month of rankings.

For those that haven’t read it before, we rank each and everyone of the Valiant releases of the month from least awesome to most awesome, with the ranking being heavily weighted to this month’s issue but considering the whole series so far in the ranking as well.

So Brandon, kick us off with your #6. What book brings up the rear this month in terms of Valiant releases?

Brandon: First of all I want to say that I like what you did there with darque. Let know one say you aren’t a clever little devil David Harper.

As far as my #6 I have to give the spot, yet again, to X-O Manowar. I really enjoyed this month’s offering but this is an overall ranking and one enjoyable issue does not warrant a rise on my list. Now if next month can continue the quality of this month’s issue there is a strong chance that the book may be on the rise. So here’s hoping next month provides some insane shake-up action on the list! I also want to mention that I am excited that this is the first month where I can say I am excited by this book!

What do you have for your #6 and #5?

David: I was way more down on X-O Manowar than you were, and this issue didn’t inspire much faith from me to be honest. Sure, there are seeds being planted, but nothing is really there yet in my opinion. A down month for both writing and art made this the worst issue yet, which is a bit of a problem from a book I am already struggling with. So X-O is going to need a miraculous rise to get back in my favor, and I feel like Lee Garbett joining the book on the next arc might give me that.

My #5 was the very redundant issue of Bloodshot this month. Barry Kitson continues to be a fantastic addition to this comic, but ultimately, there’s just not a lot of new meat on these bones Brandon. AND I GOTTA HAVE DAT MEAT ON DEM BONES! Ultimately, that makes this issue a struggle, as it’s just an unnecessary issue that fills in gaps that ultimately don’t ultimately feel like they’re in need of filling. Big. big, big downturn for Bloodshot. The equivalent of a nice 8 game losing streak in baseball. But they could easily turn it around next month.

What are your #’s 5 and 4, my friend?

Brandon: My # 5 this month goes to Archer and Armstrong. This months offering really didn’t do much for me and in a month that was pretty excellent that’s not a good thing. My list last month was pretty tight and this month is similar so the books slips based solely on my indifference for the offering this month. It wasn’t bad by any means but it wasn’t memorable either.

Sitting pretty in the #4 spot is Bloodshot. It kills me to drop what is arguably my favorite Valiant book this far but again this was a really solid month. This issue, as we discussed in detail, earlier in the month was just redundant and not remotely necessary. It rehashed a lot of stuff from Harbinger Wars and did it in a less than satisfying way. It was my lowest rated book (5.0) which is why it dropped from the top spot of my list last month but because it is usually my favorite offering I couldn’t in good conscience drop it any lower than the #4.

What’s next on your list David?

David: Oh man, this is where it gets hard because I really, really enjoyed the top four here. That said, because of the issues that preceded it, I have to give Harbinger Wars #4 and Harbinger #3 in my ranks. Harbinger Wars was undoubtedly the big, action packed stunner of the month, as it was just a really highly entertaining read that had all kinds of kick ass things in it. Plus, the presentation was just phenomenal and made me smile out of sheer enjoyment. That said, the overall weighting towards the books that follow it on my list make it impossible to put it higher than #4.

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Meanwhile, I though Harbinger was an example of the right way to do an event tie-in, as Josh Dysart gave us some really stellar character insights and some color to expand on the players in Harbinger Wars. There are a lot of people involved in this event, and there’s no time to slow down and examine them in the main series. Dysart does just that and makes this just another rock solid issue of Harbinger, and one that excels at its strengths.

I’m really curious as to how the rest of your list plays out. Let’s see #3 and #2 for you Brandon.

Brandon: #3 in the month of May is Harbinger. Harbinger is always a solid book and this month was no different. Last month it was my #3 as well which shows the consistent quality of the book as it is usually in the top 3. This month’s issue did a great job tying into the Harbinger Wars event and is in all honestly the polar opposite of Bloodshot in that regard. In any other month it would have moved into the top spot but the next two absolutely killed it this month. Did I mention how awesome May was for Valiant?!

Moving into the final two my #2 was really hard to decide as my #1 and #2 have been engaged in bloody battle in my head the whole time we’ve been doing this and I’m just now deciding. It is that close in my mind. Since I have to make a choice though my #2 is Shadowman. I am going to place it at #2 for the same reason X-O Manowar didn’t move from it’s #6 spot. It just isn’t usually as good as this issue. Unlike X-O thought this issue was PHENOMENAL! It is by far the best issue of a Valiant series I have read to date. It was one of the best issues I read all month for that matter. Everything about it was fantastic.

From art to writing the story provided an engaging experience. Emphasis on experience. It really was something to behold. I can’t quite give it the #1 spot though because this issue is more the exception than the rule. Now if the next issue is anything like this we are in store for some serious changes around these parts!

So what do you have to bring us towards home David?

David: Same book, same spot, same reasoning. Shadowman #0 takes my second spot because even though it was undoubtedly the best thing Valiant has produced yet, it was my #5 book last month and overall has been more on the “very solid but with a weak lead” than “stupendous!!!” throughout. This issue focused on Master Darque and, in the process, made the villain infinitely more interesting than the lead character. DC take note: this is how you tell a villain centric story, capturing a horrific and ominous vibe throughout without ever really pouring on the gore or generic scare tactics. Basically, Justin Jordan and his avalanche of artists straight crushed it, and I hope this leads to an overall upswing for this book.

Meanwhile, my favorite Valiant book – Archer & Armstrong – takes the top spot by doing what it normally does, which is telling hilarious stories that are filled with great character moments while mashing Armstrong into the (secret) history of the world. Not only was it Fred Van Lente doing the FVL things I’ve come to know and love, it also potentially further introduces who I theorize is the main A&A villain AND it features the return of Clayton Henry on art. I LOVE Henry’s work, and while he was great on Harbinger Wars too, for me, he’s such a better fit her as this is a book that is all about personality. That’s Henry’s game.

Close it out, brotherman. What’s #1 for you?

Brandon: My #1 this month is Harbinger Wars. I mean what is not to like about this book?! It has the characters from my current two favorite Valiant books, Harbinger and Bloodshot, and is packed with great character development and incredibly vicious action! Bloodshot vs Harada was incredibly cool and was one of the top moments of the month for me. At least the way it was presented her anyway. I’m really enjoying this title and I would highly recommend it to anyone who will listen. If you like Valiant and you aren’t reading this book you must have been mind wiped by a an evil asspsiot! BUY! BUY! BUY!

David: Well that’s it folks. Join us next week as we discuss Archer & Armstrong #10 and Shadowman #7 in a full month of Valiant releases. This is the last month before Quantum & Woody starts taking up residence as the top book on my list, so get it while it’s good other Valiant books!