Reviews»Comic Books»Book of Death #1
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Kareem Ali 5

Book of Death #1

 

  • The good

    Engrossing story and great character development. Masterful storytelling when Tama reads from Book of Death

  • The bad

    Unity not giving Gilad benefit of doubt considering recent events with Kay and Immortal Enemy

  • The ugly

    • Book of Death #1 is the start of a 4-part series that has Gilad attempting to protect the future Geomancer from Earth’s forces while alluding the Dark Geomancer. When future Gilad sent back a Geomancer in order to circumvent the impending destruction due to the Immortal Enemy killing Kay, only the current Gilad could unlock the message and free the Geomancer sent back in time. However this was unprecedented, and so the understanding of what was coming next was unclear to all those who tried to stop the Immortal Enemy, including Gilad. But Gilad knew he had to protect and teach the new Geomancer since she was only a child, and help her become acclimated to the current world and her task. He didn’t expect to be on the run from Unity since there has been a recent slate of massacres in any area Gilad and the Geomancer show up, and they’re being blamed for them. Colonel Capshaw can’t see any other explanation for nature turning against people in such a fashion except to believe that the Geomancer lost control of her powers. What they don’t know is that Gilad and the Geomancer are being hunted by a dark Geomancer seeking to kill her and fulfill the prophecy of darkness covering the entire Earth. The only answer to preventing this is in the Book of Death, which only the Geomancer can read. But how can they prevent this catastrophe when seemingly the entire planet is hunting them?

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    Despite loving the premise, I was slightly disappointed in the way the Valiant series unfolded because it just didn’t feel like it was necessary to be a massive event. There were some other issues that I expounded on in my reviews. However, it feels good to be able to say that this issue was everything the Valiant series should’ve been. Right from the start the overall situation was laid out in a clear manner showing the new Geomancer discovering his powers to the response team sent by Colonel Capshaw discovering bodies all the way in Wyoming. The scene was graphic enough to explain by the colonel wouldn’t want Gilad and the Geomancer from the future, Tama, to keep running because of the massacres left in their wake. And the exchange between Aric and Gilad in an attempt to reason with him set the stage for Gilad to inevitably have to face off with Unity to some extent. At least until they realize he was right, of course. But it’s the way the story flowed, and the next 10 pages were just masterful in the way the series of events were laid out in the Book of Death after Kay died, and the doom prophesied by her death. It was incredible and very engrossing as the message from the book and all that occurred was read by Tama. It was easy to understand and made me care more about everything that was to occur, and what had to be prevented, more than the Valiant series. And Tama’s character development instantly made her the most interesting Geomancer to date. Actually, both Geomancers were interesting, and I don’t want to spoil anything but all the questions regarding the purpose of a Geomancer and how the Earth could enter such a dark period were answered. And there was also plenty of action, which fit perfectly in the story, and it’s amazing how it’s all just getting started. This series may be called the Book of Death but this issue certainly gave me life, and I can’t wait for the next one.

     

    SUMMARY

     

    Book of Death #1 is a highly entertaining start to the series complete with an engrossing story and interesting character development. The inclusion of a Dark Geomancer clarifies the previous actions of the Immortal Enemy while opening the door to so much potential with 2 Geomancers existing at the same time. Unity not even giving Gilad the benefit of the doubt considering recent events with Kay feels slightly forced but the story progression and the setup are wonderful. This is the series I’ve been anticipating, and everything the Valiant should’ve been.

     

    Release Date: 7/15/15

    Writer: Robert Venditti

    Artist: Robert Gill with Doug Braithwaite

  • Rating ( 9.75 )
  • Total score 9.8

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