David: Well Brandon, on a giant sized month of Valiant books as Harbinger Wars is in full effect, we have our Power Rankings kicking off. I hope you’re ready to drop some knowledge on what your favorite books were for Valiant this month, because I am.
Before we jump in, the Power Rankings find Brandon and I breaking down our favorite books from Valiant from least to most favorite. With 6 books this month, we’ll have a top 6 list. So let’s get to it.
What were your sixth and fifth favorite books this month, Mr. Burpee?
Brandon: My #6 book this month is without a doubt X-O Manowar as well. I agree entirely that it is all just kind of blah. I don’t feel a sense of excitement about the book and it really has very little to emotional connect with. If I can’t emotional invest in the characters of a title the title typically doesn’t engage me. Nothing new here though.
So David “MF” Harper, what do you have for your 5th and 4th in the power rankings?
David: Oh, you hit the nail on the head again. We’re 2 for 2 now, as Shadowman was undoubtedly my #5 pick this month. It’s actually a good book, but the big struggle with it is – as you said – the lack of a quality lead. So far we know very little about him, and this issue preyed upon that one thing we knew – he was into the hot waitress at a diner he’d go to – and it still made it overall a downturn from the previous issue simply because no matter how great the surrounding stuff is – and it is great – the lack of a quality lead brings it down big time. It’s strange that both this and X-O struggle so mightily with that, but here we are.
What are your next couple books?
Brandon: My #4 this month is Archer and Armstrong. This was a decent issue but not my favorite. Overall, this title sits at this spot more because of the strength of the other books remaining more so than any real qualms with the title or this months issue. For me this is a solid book with a solid team but I really enjoy the next set of books more. In all honestly, this is the portion of my list where from here on out things can and have shifted on a month to month basis. 4 and up and the cream of the Valiant crop.
Continued belowWhatcha got for #3 and #2 Mr. Harper?
David: This is where it gets really hard for me. The top three books I all really, really enjoyed. But if I’m going to have to make the hard decisions, I’ll let my original decisions stand. I’m going to give my #3 spot to Bloodshot, as I really, really enjoyed the arrival of Barry Kitson to the team. I’ve enjoyed this book since Day One, but man oh man, is Kitson getting added to the equation a huge uptick for the book overall. Now for me this book is firing on all cylinders, with art and writing matching each other. Granted, it helps that we’re really getting into the meat of Bloodshot as a character, and this issue underlines how important a quality lead is in a book like this. There’s some great stuff here.
Because of the longevity of me preferring Harbinger overall though, tie goes to the runner here and Harbinger gets the #2 spot over Bloodshot. I gave them both 8.5’s, and I stand by that. Harbinger has been more consistent throughout though, and I thought this issue really crushed it on the interpersonal front. I loved that everyone in the cast got a little light, that Torkelson acted a damn fool, that they’re starting to get some direction and that Faith made Peter be a hero because he wants to be one, not because he has to. That was a great little storytelling bit from Josh Dysart right there.
Alright Brandon, let’s close this down. What finished at #2 and #1 for you, respectively?
This of course leaves Bloodshot as my #1! I love this book and have said multiple times that it is probably my favorite of the Valiant books even if it is only by a hair over Harbinger. I have enjoyed the series and didn’t have any issues with the previous artist but I do have to admit that Kitson added a nice shot to the arm of the title that really helped to launch it to the top. It’s a quality book that is even more so now.
Drum roll time! What’s your #1 David?!
Plus, I love love love love Lupacchino’s art. Her stuff continues to blow me away, and it’s especially amazing considering how seamlessly they worked Alvero Martinez’s art in. I did not notice a downturn or even a change. Stellar stuff.
I love Archer & Armstrong. It’s that simple.
It was a great month of Valiant books, Brandon, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.