Still playing catch up. The goal is to get through all the books I have missed and get back to our regularly scheduled content as soon as possible. Thanks for coming along for the ride. I hope you are enjoying the path that the new Valiant Universe has taken over this last year. Some great stuff, awesome creative teams, and really amazing plans being unfurled. But first, let’s warp up this massive crossover event, Armor Hunters.
Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #3 (of 3) – M.E.R.O. has evacuated their base and is currently flying in a ship called the Love Boat piloted by Livewire. Their numbers have been decimated during the attacks by the Armor Hunters. Bloodshot stayed in the base and continues this hunt for Malgam, hoping that he will provide the key they need to defeating this group of extraterrestrial destroyers. This will be a battle for the ages, but will Bloodshot be strong enough to destroy Malgam. All the things you love about Bloodshot! I will say that this is an awesome capstone to this mini-series and a great piece of the overall Armor Hunters story. Great job, to the whole team. My Rating: 4.5/5
Armor Hunters: Harbinger #3 (of 3) – The alien Armor Hunters have released a deadly swarm of insect monsters in Mexico City, or the remains of Mexico City. As the Faith, Torque, and the rest of Generation Zero run for their lives, things are looking awfully grim for the group. The survivor they found at the center of the blast, a pregnant woman with no clothes or hair, is giving off readings like she is an activated psiot. Cloud was attacked and one of the insects made its way inside of her, but this may just be the thing they need to stop this awful crisis and save the city. A very gross, but very cool story from Joshua Dysart and team. Great, as always. My Rating: 4.5/5
Unity #11 – Meanwhile, on the Love Boat hovering over L.A., Livewire is trying to communicate with and control all of the drones released by the Armor Hunters. Ninjak has been collecting certain pieces of technology to battle some unknown threat, but it may just be the tactical advantage that the Unity team needs to defeat the drones released by Gin-GR. The Unity team will continue to fight against these alien invaders, hoping to defeat the Armor Hunters before they do more damage to the Earth. Matt Kindt brings us a great story, a look inside of Ninjak, and a nice addition to Armor Hunters. My Rating: 4.5/5
Armor Hunters #4 (of 4) – The epic conclusion to the Armor Hunters saga! Aric of Dacia must once again don the X-O Manowar armor and fight for his people, for all people. The alien Armor Hunters have attacked Earth and threatened destruction just to destroy the last known armor, something they see as a plague of the universe, a thing that has destroyed countless numbers of their teammates and ravaged myriad worlds. The Unity team fights on, using the powers of Livewire to manipulate the drones and open a gap in the defenses to allow for a last ditch effort to stop these beings before it is too late. The toll is a heavy one, but Aric is willing to do what needs to be done to protect his people and the world. Robert Venditti crafts a perfect ending to this awesome crossover event that will have wide ranging effects on almost every character in the Valiant Universe. My Rating: 5/5
X-O Manowar #29 – This issue begins with the fallout of the Armor Hunters crossover. This issue also includes the first time that Aric is officially given the title of X-O Manowar. Pretty cool. The armor healed him, but it replaces a little piece of him every time it does that, so the simple answer is “Don’t get hurt them.” Easy for you to say, Lady Colonel. This issue also deals with Malgam, who has survived all of this event and yet, there is still a threat to his life. Very cool story. Great writing, as always, from Robert Venditti. My Rating: 4.5/5
Armor Hunters: Aftermath #1 – The Armor Hunters crossover event is over, with the hunters all dead during the battle. All, that is, except their giant robot spaceship, Gin-GR. At a special NASA base in Florida, Gin-GR has been put back together by the US government, and the help of the Unity team member Livewire. Changes are in the works, not the least of which is a name change for M.E.R.O., now known as G.A.T.E.. Global Agency for Threat Excision. Pretty swanky. Find out the final resting place of all members of the Armor Hunters and see the dawning of a new era for the people of Earth, a world that is no longer alone and certainly no unprotected. My Rating: 5/5
That’s a wrap, folks. Break out the champagne. This was an amazing story and has really changed the lives of every character in the Valiant Universe. Stay tuned as I continue to catch up with the newest Valiant comics fresh from the Valiant Universe. Check out all the previous reviews of every Valiant book here.
