Britannia #1
Britannia #1
written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Juan Jose Ryp with Raul Allen
published by Valiant Comics
This is the first issue of this new mini series from Valiant comics. Britannia takes place in 60 AD. We open on a couple pages explaining who the Vestal Virgins are and kind of give us a sense of where we are in Roman politics with Emperor Nero. We are then introduced to our hero Antonius Axia who is a Roman centurion. Antonius is tasked with liberating one of the Vestal virgins from an Estruscan cult, which he does. It appears that the Vestal Virgins have larger plans for Antonius as they preform strange rituals on him. 6 years pass and Antonius has gained a reputation as an investigator, and as such he is being sent away to investigate the strange paranormal happening in Britannia, and that's where the issue ends.
This was a very compelling read. The issue was engaging and flowed really well. There was lots of good history stuff in here that set the stage quite nicely. Unlike 95% of what Valiant puts out this book has no connections to either the 90s series nor any of the current stuff, for now at least. I really enjoyed it a lot. On an unrelated note, the book has no ads at all, Valiant books rarely have ads but usually have house ads showing the upcoming releases, but this one has nothing. I'm not sure exactly what's going on in Britannia, the place not the book just to be clear. It seems there's monster or something magical going on. I'm really excited for the next issue either way. Peter Milligan's Valiant books have been really middle ground stuff, with Shadowman being a bit of a let down, but this book is probably going to be his lasting legacy at Valiant if the rest of the mini series is as good as this first issue.
I love Juan Jose Ryp's art so much. It is a bizarre unique style that reminds me of golden age artist Fletcher Hanks (see Fantomah, Stardust the Super Wizard). Every panel is detailed, beautiful and grotesque all at the same time. He does this barbarian, ancient warrior stuff so well, as was seen with his other Valiant works. Thinking about it I wish he would do Conan, or some sort of Robert E. Howard story, it would be amazing. I love the cover as well, it looks great.
Great first issue with a lot of story and great art to match. Valiant has been putting out quality books since day one, and this one lives up to that. I recommend buying this one if you find it, if not you will want the trade if it keeps going like this.
written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Juan Jose Ryp with Raul Allen
published by Valiant Comics
This is the first issue of this new mini series from Valiant comics. Britannia takes place in 60 AD. We open on a couple pages explaining who the Vestal Virgins are and kind of give us a sense of where we are in Roman politics with Emperor Nero. We are then introduced to our hero Antonius Axia who is a Roman centurion. Antonius is tasked with liberating one of the Vestal virgins from an Estruscan cult, which he does. It appears that the Vestal Virgins have larger plans for Antonius as they preform strange rituals on him. 6 years pass and Antonius has gained a reputation as an investigator, and as such he is being sent away to investigate the strange paranormal happening in Britannia, and that's where the issue ends.
This was a very compelling read. The issue was engaging and flowed really well. There was lots of good history stuff in here that set the stage quite nicely. Unlike 95% of what Valiant puts out this book has no connections to either the 90s series nor any of the current stuff, for now at least. I really enjoyed it a lot. On an unrelated note, the book has no ads at all, Valiant books rarely have ads but usually have house ads showing the upcoming releases, but this one has nothing. I'm not sure exactly what's going on in Britannia, the place not the book just to be clear. It seems there's monster or something magical going on. I'm really excited for the next issue either way. Peter Milligan's Valiant books have been really middle ground stuff, with Shadowman being a bit of a let down, but this book is probably going to be his lasting legacy at Valiant if the rest of the mini series is as good as this first issue.
I love Juan Jose Ryp's art so much. It is a bizarre unique style that reminds me of golden age artist Fletcher Hanks (see Fantomah, Stardust the Super Wizard). Every panel is detailed, beautiful and grotesque all at the same time. He does this barbarian, ancient warrior stuff so well, as was seen with his other Valiant works. Thinking about it I wish he would do Conan, or some sort of Robert E. Howard story, it would be amazing. I love the cover as well, it looks great.
Great first issue with a lot of story and great art to match. Valiant has been putting out quality books since day one, and this one lives up to that. I recommend buying this one if you find it, if not you will want the trade if it keeps going like this.
A Look Inside
