Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and Paolo Rivera Join THE VALIANT – A New Prestige Format Limited Series Beginning in December!‏

Via press release:

THE VALIANT #1 – Cover by Paolo Rivera

Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce THE VALIANT – a new prestige format four-issue limited series beginning in December from New York Times best-selling writers Jeff Lemire (Green Arrow, Animal Man) and Matt Kindt (RAI, UNITY, Mind MGMT), and featuring interior artwork and covers by Eisner Award-winning artist Paolo Rivera (Daredevil)!

An entirely self-contained comics event spotlighting Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, and a cast of heroes and villains from across the Valiant Universe, THE VALIANT is a visionary new adventure from three of the greatest creative talents in comics today.

The Eternal Warrior has protected the Earth for more than 10,000 years. A master of countless weapons and long forgotten martial arts, he is guided by the Geomancers – those who speak for the Earth. During his long watch, the Eternal Warrior has failed three times. Each time, the Geomancer was killed…and a new dark age for humanity began. Each time, he was unable to stop The Immortal Enemy – a monstrous force of nature. A civilization killer. A horror that appears differently each time it arrives…and whose seemingly only purpose is to bring disorder and darkness to the world. Now, the time has come for The Immortal Enemy to return once more. But, this time, the Eternal Warrior will be ready. This time, he has a force greater than any single warrior. This time, he has…THE VALIANT.

"I've been a huge fan of what Valiant Comics has been doing for the past two years, with a lot of my favorite creators, and favorite people, like Matt Kindt, Josh Dysart and Rob Venditti, doing incredible work for the publisher," said writer Jeff Lemire. "So, it's a huge thrill for me to now step into the Valiant Universe in a BIG way with the upcoming four-issue series, THE VALIANT, along with co-writer Matt Kindt, and one of the most incredible artists working in comics today, Paolo Rivera. THE VALIANT will not only serve as a great entry point for brand new readers to Valiant, but also enrich the existing universe and shake it up dramatically moving forward. Valiant has an incredible stable of characters to play with, and they will ALL play a role in THE VALIANT."

"Jeff and I have been threatening to work together for a long time," said writer Matt Kindt. "And we did a little bit on Sweet Tooth with the few issues I did, but this is the first time we've really created something from scratch and written a long piece of work together. Collaborating on writing isn't something I normally get excited about, but Jeff and I just got coffee after a con one night and started brainstorming different things we could do and, by the end of the night, the waitress got a big tip and we'd written an outline for this epic story. It was like being transported to your best friend's kitchen table when you're 11 and cooking up fantastic comic book ideas. But in this case, when we were done, we got Paolo to draw it. We couldn't be more excited. I was just a fan of his on his now classic run on Daredevil. He's just a great cartoonist, you know? He can tell a story so well – and I think we gave him plenty of story to draw."

"I've heard nothing but good things about Jeff and Matt, and their script does not disappoint," said artist Paolo Rivera. "One of the major things that brought me to this project was the epic scale. Most of the stories I've worked on, even when action-packed, have been on the level of individuals. While our main characters are still the heart, this story spans epochs and realms, with consequences that, quite literally, affect the entire Earth."

"I worked with [Valiant Editor-in-Chief] Warren [Simons] briefly at Marvel, but he's been doing his best to lure me (and my Dad) to Valiant since 2012," added Rivera. "We've been doing mostly covers since then, so it's awesome to be drawing comics again. That, and it's fun to draw Bloodshot getting blown to bits."

THE VALIANT #1 – Interior Pencils by Paolo Rivera

A New York Times best-selling writer and artist, Jeff Lemire is the award-winning author of some of the most acclaimed graphic novels and comic book series in recent memory, including the Essex County trilogy, Sweet Tooth, and The Underwater Welder. A recipient of the American Library Association's prestigious Alex Award and the Joe Shuster Award, Lemire's work has also been nominated for the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards. Most recently, his work for DC Comics has included critically acclaimed runs on Animal Man, Green Arrow, and Justice League United, as well as the creator-owned series Trillium for Vertigo. THE VALIANT will be Lemire's first full-length work for Valiant Entertainment.

Matt Kindt is the New York Times best-selling writer and artist of many acclaimed graphic novels and comic book series, including Mind MGMT, 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, Pistolwhip, Red-Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes, Revolver, and Super Spy. A Harvey Award winner and Eisner Award nominee, his other works include Justice League of America and Suicide Squad for DC Comics, and Marvel Knights: Spider-Man for Marvel Comics. In addition to THE VALIANT, Kindt currently writes two ongoing series, RAI and UNITY, for Valiant Entertainment.

Paolo Rivera quickly gained notoriety for his painted artwork on Marvel Comics' Mythos before moving on to provide distinctive and striking covers for nearly all of the publisher's top series. With his father Joe Rivera inking his work, Rivera penciled the best-selling relaunch of Marvel's Daredevil with writer Mark Waid – a run that won the father-son duo two Eisner Awards for their work. THE VALIANT will mark Rivera's first full-length comics' work since Daredevil in 2012. He can be found online at paolorivera.blogspot.com and twitter.com/PaoloMRivera.

This December, the Geomancer's sacred mission begins anew as superstar creators Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and Paolo Rivera bring together THE VALIANT – a new comic book milestone, coming soon from Valiant Entertainment.

THE VALIANT #1 (of 4)
Written by JEFF LEMIRE & MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by PAOLO RIVERA
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
COMING IN DECEMBER

BLOODSHOT – Character Study by Paolo Rivera

GEOMANCER – Character Study by Paolo Rivera

IMMORTAL ENEMY – Character Study by Paolo Rivera

2 Cent Reviews - Everything part 1

Hey everyone and welcome back to Oz' 2 Cent Reviews, where our reviews are short (about 2 SENTences worth..get it?) and get straight to the point.  I took a nice holiday break but I'm really eager to get back in it!  So without further ado, this week is Transfusion 2, Saga 8 and 9, Wolverine and the X-Men 23, New Avengers 1 and 2, X-Factor 250, Nowhere Men 2, Fantastic Four 3, Multiple Warheads 3, Justice League 15, Justice League Dark 15 and Flash 15.  Come back sooner then usual because I still have another half-pile to go!

 Nowhere Men #2: I've dropped this book. There are two parts to this story, one that bores me and the other that I enjoy. The negative is the latter reminds me too much of the movie Prometheus. They even have a David type character. Pass.

 Transfusion #2: Smoky, beautiful art throughout. Story: struggle of the final living forms on Earth, the vampires. Versus the robots. Both their sustenance is blood and the human race is just about extinct. What's a poor bloodsucka to do?

 Multiple Warheads #2: Original as always, accompanied with great art. So much scattered treasure in some panels it had my eyes working. You have to liberate your imagination to truly enjoy all the merits of this book. Brandon Graham filled my 2012 quota for stoners actually making it in the industry.

 Justice League #15: Earlier in the months, this issue was solicited to feature the addition of new members Shazam and The Atom. That got me really excited. So where the fuck are they? Instead, we get part 1 of 5 Atlantis Rising (or whatever) which just felt like a sub plot from Flashpoint. The Atlanteans are attacking again...yawn. Really Geoff Johns? You pulled a switcheroo on us in the solicits to push a Fish-Man story? Weak.

 The Flash #15: When will the exposition stop? Flash did nothing the entire issue but sleep. This book is supposed to be about the fastest man alive but it's moving too slow. I get they are baking a love pie here but fuck man....four months of this monkeying around? Yes I went there. Close to considering another drop here.

 Wolverine & The X-Men #23: I'm really glad this arc is done. I'm ready to be entertained again. Stop wasting Nick Bradshaw's talents on this circusy shit. Circus of Crime, these guys ain't.

 Justice League Dark #15: Where did Amethyst go? I really feel like I missed an ish. ReFocusing: The death of magic starts here. The team travels to a mystically rich dimension and a few of our anti-heroes feel the burn. Tim Hunter is the key to everything and Constantine is the man to turn him but the young mage continues to refuse his birthright. Which is bad timing since, as always, their lives hang in the balance.

 New Avengers #1: Hickman sure does love using the set-up method in his premier issues. If you're not a fan of comics for the written word, then I wouldn't suggest trying New Avengers. Anyway, Black Panther is the focal point here, but it ends with an assembly.

 New Avengers #2: It's more talking heads in issue two but keeping in mind the cast involved, it was pretty fucking awesome. Black Bolt steals the entire issue with two panels.  All goodness and future potential aside, I still noticed a giant lack of Beast. What up with that Hickman?

 Fantastic Four #3: A much better show this month around. Finally, things start happening to the first family. Interesting things. Tentacley things...

 Saga #8: This book always leaves me clamouring for more. The last page mind-fucks always shock your scrotum from the inside. The story is going to be insane once fully collected, especially for new readers. Saga, book of the year hands down.

 Saga #9: The all-Will issue. Also, it's the formation of a new zoo crew and they are pretty much the anti-thesis to our main cast. Hopefully, things can end happy and they can all become a big family. But knowing BKV, there will be blood. Always.

X-Factor #250: So X-Factor is awesome again. I'm still not sure what the intention of BREAKING POINT was since almost everyone that left seems to be back. Not complaining though. This first chapter (to the current arc) starts off thumping. Thumping everywhere.

2 Cent Reviews Pre-Weekend: Everything first week December

Today, I'll take a look at my entire pile for the first week of December.  These include Avengers #1, X-Factor #248, Dial H #7, World's Finest #7, Earth 2 #7, Animal Man #15, Swamp Thing #15, Great Pacific #2, Storm Dogs #2, and The Hypernaturals #6.  Come back after the weekend for another helping of reviews for the second week of December releases.

 Avengers 1:  This book is dripping epicness.  I don't want to get into it too much, but the story is VERY reminiscent to Giant Sized X-Men #1.  The last page knocked me off my socks.  In Hickman we trust!

 X-Factor 248: So remember a few issues ago when Pip the Troll got shot in the head?  Well umm...no, I better not say anything or else I'll find Peter David at my door with a baseball bat (he hates people spoiling his books).  The team gets set up for something big and it all leads to their milestone issue, #250.

 Swamp Thing 15:  Rotworld, The Green Kingdom part 3.  The final War against Arcane continues as Holland makes his way to Gotham City with the aid of Deadman.   But not without resistance and not without a price.  Alec finally arrives to the batcave to find a very familiar face, one that has taken a shocking manifestation.

 Animal Man 15:  Rotworld, The Red Kingdom part 3.  Buddy Baker continues to build alliances and a crew of insurgents in this chaotic future.  A certain classic monster shows up to lend a hand and tips the gang off to the location of a powerful being who can help the crew stand a chance against Arcane.  The location is Metropolis...but it's not who you THINK!

 The Hypernaturals 6:  The rookies shine in this one.  The storyline is getting so complex and multi-layered that a re-read for better comprehension is in order.  Still, it went by fast which is always an indication of a good book.

 Great Pacific 2:  Lots of big ideas, lots of intelligent and interesting real-world concepts.  But is it entertaining?  Maybe one day when I'm older and I spend half my time sitting in front of the news channel.  But for now?  Not really.  Dropped.

Storm Dogs 2:  Hine is amazing at world-building.  Never thought I'd enjoy a comic with 22 pages of talking heads.  Yet every sentence was fascinating.  This will satisfy your sci-fi fix without a doubt.

 Dial H 7:  How is that a book with such sub-par art keeps me entertained so much each month?  As a comic fan, I am more of a visual-reader but I do recognize and enjoy good writing and this book has that in spades.  The hunt for a new dial continues and takes our two mismatched heroes on a quest out to sea.  Meanwhile, we meet the next antagonist in the series and he has some pretty funky powers.

 Worlds' Finest 7:  Damian continues guest starring and it's a pleasure.  Not a bad issue, but as typical of the title, not much happens.  Still entertaining enough to warrant another issue, but my patients does grow thin.

Earth2 7:  The slow process of the book can be quite boring but I have to admit that I am excited about upcoming characters.  Mr. Terrific.  Red Tornado.  Sandman.  Doctor Midnight.  Add those to the already "gathered" Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, The Flash and The Atom, and you've got a start to gathering the JSA.  I just wish they would get together faster.  All this politics is doing my head in.

Creator Roundup

This week, Dan Hipp's a hero, Phil Noto's a kitty, Terry Moore fights for his supper, JH Williams III is mainstream, Joe Hill puts up a door, Sean Phillips shows off, Skottie Young casts a spell, Peter David introduces his daughter to Star Wars, Jeremy Bastian is a freak, Chrissie Zullo draws some women, Jeff Lemire is full on DC, Dustin Nguyen goes beyond the JL, Francesco Francavilla goes to space, Will Wheaton, Felicia Day and Jamie McKelvie collaborate, Ryan Ottley rsides in the DMZ and Dustin Weaver os Astonishing.

Review: Animal Man #5

My goodness, can this book get any better? Seriously? There has to be a saturation point of awesomeness somewhere along the line, but Jeff Lemire and Travel Forman are pulling out all the stops on Animal Man. The action in issue 5 is insane, and the freaky horror makes the book so gripping.

As Buddy and Maxine return from their trip through the red, Cliff and Ellen are being attacked by the ridiculously warped agent of the rot, and buddy gets there just in time.

Review: Animal Man #5

My goodness, can this book get any better? Seriously? There has to be a saturation point of awesomeness somewhere along the line, but Jeff Lemire and Travel Forman are pulling out all the stops on Animal Man. The action in issue 5 is insane, and the freaky horror makes the book so gripping.

As Buddy and Maxine return from their trip through the red, Cliff and Ellen are being attacked by the ridiculously warped agent of the rot, and buddy gets there just in time.

Creator Roundup

This week Dan Hipp draws Travolta, Nick Spencer talks about his guidance councillor, Jeff Lemire rejoices over a lost dog, Charles Soule discusses process, JH Williams III flogs a bit of art, Jason Aaron shows off his mightily impressive beard, Peter David pens a bill of rights, Jim Rugg does OC Weekly, Dave Johnson draws a rabbit, Frank Miller opens his mouth, Brandon Graham confirms the rumours and Skottie Young draws Wormwood.

Lemire and Snyder Talk Red & Green

MTV Geek caught up with Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder at NYCC to discuss Animal Man and Swamp Thing.

Get More: Geek: Event Coverage, Full Episodes

Creator Roundup

This week Dan Hipp is on the same bat (adventure) time, Joe Hill passes the blame, Eric Canete channels the power cosmic, Phil Hestor goes bionic, Brian Wood previews barbarity, Georges Jeanty answers a bunch of questions, Bryan Lee O’Malley tells a tale about a fly, Jeff Lemire is not as vain as Grant Morrison, Fabio Moon gives a nod to Chris Claremont and Brandon Graham decides to collaborate. As always, if you want me to follow a specific creator, let me know in the comments.