Book of Death #4

   This issue wraps up Valiant's intense "event" series, Book of Death - and it's been impressive (if dark) work.

   Death is a common thing in comics, of course - and it rarely lasts - but this series has played on characters and concepts, not cheap stunts, so it's been an excellent read.

   This issue marks the final showdown between the new Geomancer (a young girl), the Eternal Warrior, and the poerful, evil force that threatens... well, everything - with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

   The story keeps the tension throughout, and has what may be far-reaching effects on future storylines. What more can you ask from an event?

   The art is quite good and the story manages some real surprises.

   Recommended!

Grade: A-

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Book of Death - The Fall of Ninjak #1

   Valiant's Book of Death series takes us into unusual territory - the final days of each hero.

   Thankfully, the events are set in the (somewhat) distant future, so there are no worries about how to resurrect each hero in the here and now.

   Thus it's no surprise that the Fall of Ninjak takes place a century in the future, as a surprisingly spry (and even more surprisingly alive) Ninjak faces a final threat - one that may endanger the entire world.

   But how can an elderly hero stand against a small army - much less stop an attempt to displace an entire country?

   That's all part of the fun, of course - and to say any more would be to give away too much.

   The art by Trevor Hairsine and Ryan Winn is strong - dark and menacing, it fits the moody story by Matt Kindt very well.

   Death is all the rage in comics, of course, and I'm not sure if the Book of Death series is just clever in capitalizing on the trend - or if they're just trying to tell some interesting stories.

   I'll go with "both," but the story makes the trendsetting worthwhile.

Grade: A-

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Book of Death #1

   Not to be left out of the most popular trends in comics, Valiant kicks off a major event series this week with Book of Death.

   And what's hotter than death in comics?

   (Nothing, that's what.)

   So here's a series that offers a look at the grim fate facing the heroes in the Valiant universe.

   The problem centers around the person wearing the Geomancer role (as the title suggests, she's linked to the Earth's life force). She's being blamed for a murderous series of events in which nature seems to run wild. But all is not as it seems, of course.

   The young woman is actually from the future, and she brings with her the Book of Death, which outlines the fast-approaching fate of the world - and all the heroes who defend her.

   It promises to be an action-packed series, as heroes fight other heroes (another hot trend!) - and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Grade: A-

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