More Valiant "Key" re-reading

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:59 pm

So after my re-reading of A&A 0-12, I have decided to re-read some more "key" Valiant books.

I read Eternal Warrior #1-7. What a great concept (I know not entirely original), but what a super executed concept. I LOVE the historical aspect of this book. I think VEI could, and should, use Gil as a major pillar of their new universe.

Next I read Shadowman 0-8. Again, great! For me, a home run in concept and execution. I really like the setting (New O just seems so interesting and that any concept is almost believable). And of course we get Darque. I think with Darque , Toyo, and the Spider Aliens VEI has the "Big 3" baddies they need to launch the universe.

Then I read Magnus #0. Again, a very good book. I like how this book shows the early conflict that Magnus has with killing the robots. I know Mag #0 technically came out after #1, but it does a super job of setting the scene and basic plot of the early Magnus run.

Next I read Solar Alpha & Omega TPB. While it is a great story, I think what I really enjoyed the most was the visual storytelling that BWS does with his pics. For me, just spot on.

Up next is Rai #0.

I want to encourage some Valiant "key" re-reading.

kevinbastos · Post by **kevinbastos** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:02 pm

Done and done. In with you!

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:04 pm

kevinbastos wrote:Done and done. In with you!

Sweet.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:06 pm

In contrast, today I read Geomancer 1 to 8.

David_Cody · Post by **David_Cody** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:28 pm

Chiclo wrote:In contrast, today I read Geomancer 1 to 8.

Elveen, have fun with the Solar issues. Genius writing by Shooter.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:07 pm

Chiclo wrote:In contrast, today I read Geomancer 1 to 8.

I assume you will blame me for that.

I... have not read them. But I did read most of the Dark Key books today.

BloodShot · Post by **BloodShot** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:00 pm

Elveen wrote:Next I read Solar Alpha & Omega TPB. While it is a great story, I think what I really enjoyed the most was the visual storytelling that BWS does with his pics. For me, just spot on.

Absolutely. Same for me, as I just finished (re)reading A&O TPB a couple weeks ago. Again, BWS artwork really was a major factor in garnering my interest in the early Valiants from the very beginning. Granted, it had a lot to do with great writing, too, but his visuals (for me) were absolutely key.

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:19 pm

So I started the Rai TPB. This is the kind of book that is better the more you re-read it. There is so much character development and emphasis on setting and theme in this book.

It's like every other page is a different plot development. Re-reading Rai #1 showed me that VEI does not need Magnus or Solar to make interesting "future" stories. Rai and Japan can be enough.

Johnseye · Post by **Johnseye** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:55 pm

I just read the entire Solar run. I think Rai is next.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:47 pm

Dr. Solar wrote:
Chiclo wrote:In contrast, today I read Geomancer 1 to 8.
I assume you will blame me for that.

I... have not read them. But I did read most of the Dark Key books today.

How did you survive? Or, do we need to send the men in white suits after you, as your brain cannot possibly be the same?

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:53 pm

xodacia81 wrote:
Dr. Solar wrote:
Chiclo wrote:In contrast, today I read Geomancer 1 to 8.
I assume you will blame me for that.

I... have not read them. But I did read most of the Dark Key books today.
How did you survive? Or, do we need to send the men in white suits after you, as your brain cannot possibly be the same?

(this may be a preview of my thoughts about these books, but...)

I read some good comics after I finished reading the Dark Key books, so I think I saved my mind a bit.

kevinbastos · Post by **kevinbastos** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:12 pm

BloodShot wrote:
Elveen wrote:Next I read Solar Alpha & Omega TPB. While it is a great story, I think what I really enjoyed the most was the visual storytelling that BWS does with his pics. For me, just spot on.
Absolutely. Same for me, as I just finished (re)reading A&O TPB a couple weeks ago. Again, BWS artwork really was a major factor in garnering my interest in the early Valiants from the very beginning. Granted, it had a lot to do with great writing, too, but his visuals (for me) were absolutely key.

Loved Archer & Armstrong. Not really certain what it is with BWS... Gotta say - and I mean this with the utmost respect - not a huge fan of his art. Saw him on X-Men 186, 198, 205, and 214. Outside of 214 - I thought all of the comics were crap. And 214 wasn't one of my faves, either. 205 - while now seen as a classic of the time - I thought didn't go much of anywhere. I can remember thinking "What the hell is this?"

I first read him on Archer & Armstrong - and knew he belonged there. I'm not certain if the art matched the characters, or the story matched the artistry, but it was amazing. Realized it more on the SOLAR origin story - a classic in itself.

kevinbastos · Post by **kevinbastos** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:13 pm

Elveen wrote:So I started the Rai TPB. This is the kind of book that is better the more you re-read it. There is so much character development and emphasis on setting and theme in this book.

It's like every other page is a different plot development. Re-reading Rai #1 showed me that VEI does not need Magnus or Solar to make interesting "future" stories. Rai and Japan can be enough.

Totally agree. Rai had me from the first books - and held his own against Magnus - both as a character and in storytelling. It still shocks me that sales on this book (3 and 4) were one of the few declining spots in Valiant's early run.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:02 pm

kevinbastos wrote:
BloodShot wrote:
Elveen wrote:Next I read Solar Alpha & Omega TPB. While it is a great story, I think what I really enjoyed the most was the visual storytelling that BWS does with his pics. For me, just spot on.
Absolutely. Same for me, as I just finished (re)reading A&O TPB a couple weeks ago. Again, BWS artwork really was a major factor in garnering my interest in the early Valiants from the very beginning. Granted, it had a lot to do with great writing, too, but his visuals (for me) were absolutely key.
Loved Archer & Armstrong. Not really certain what it is with BWS... Gotta say - and I mean this with the utmost respect - not a huge fan of his art. Saw him on X-Men 186, 198, 205, and 214. Outside of 214 - I thought all of the comics were crap. And 214 wasn't one of my faves, either. 205 - while now seen as a classic of the time - I thought didn't go much of anywhere. I can remember thinking "What the hell is this?"

I first read him on Archer & Armstrong - and knew he belonged there. I'm not certain if the art matched the characters, or the story matched the artistry, but it was amazing. Realized it more on the SOLAR origin story - a classic in itself.

BWS can draw one face. Every comic I have seen of his, almost every character is Archer wearing a wig. When I read any of his X-Men work, that's not Rogue - that's Archer in a Rogue wig.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:22 pm

Elveen wrote:So I started the Rai TPB. This is the kind of book that is better the more you re-read it.

Re-reading Rai #1 showed me that VEI does not need Magnus or Solar to make interesting "future" stories. Rai and Japan can be enough.

I think they do have enough with just Rai. I always liked the family concept in the book. Father / son / grandfather and then the separation from the mother. I don't think there was much of that (if any) in the other Valiant books.

What makes characters special? For me, it's their interactions with other people....... often family. Spidey had Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Supes had the Kents. FF is based on a family. It can't always be about robots, dinosaurs and gods.

Jersen · Post by **Jersen** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:47 am

Rai #0 always feels so epic to me. I can't really think of another regular-sized issue of a comic book that has so huge of a scale in such a small amount of space. Especially during the span of the Harbinger Wars, my mind can't help but wander and expand on the specifics of what happens in-between those big story beats.

KenClarkson4Prez · Post by **KenClarkson4Prez** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:26 pm

Harbinger hardcover. Not only a brilliant arc, but bound to be key in the relaunch.

yardstick · Post by **yardstick** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:17 pm

Jersen wrote:Rai #0 always feels so epic to me. I can't really think of another regular-sized issue of a comic book that has so huge of a scale in such a small amount of space. Especially during the span of the Harbinger Wars, my mind can't help but wander and expand on the specifics of what happens in-between those big story beats.

Rai 0, FTW

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More Valiant "Key" re-reading

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