Divinity was easily one of the best things released by Valiant in their entire history and was one of the best mini-series in comics last year. Bringing the exact same creative team back for this second series entitled Divinity II is very exciting indeed.
The Death Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives #1 is a fun Ghostbusters meet Indiana Jones paranormal adventure with an intelligent, complex female lead, who has a subtle sense of humor. As a first issue, there is a lot of set-up for future issues in the miniseries, but Jen Van Meter’s writing keeps things interesting with a jet setting pace and a tender central relationship between Shan and her incorporeal hubby Hwen. Roberto de la Torre’s art is a real treat with gorgeous cathedrals, churches, and libraries dotting the scenery to go along with his literally spectral linework. This comic is worth checking out for fans of supernatural and adventure stories and does an excellent job of introducing the character of Dr. Shan Fong-Mirage for those who didn’t read the first miniseries (Like yours truly.)
Although Valiant has only released three issues of Divinity to date, and will conclude upon the fourth and final issue, it is pretty safe to say that this mini-series deserves to be in the conversation of one of the best stories that Valiant has produced. Divinity introduces and manages to merge a brand new character within the Valiant universe that is both empathetic through his purpose and fearful from his unknown level of power from the cosmos.
It is quite clear from the early pages of Bloodshot: Reborn that Bloodshot is one damaged individual. He has gone through quite the ordeal over the past year or so in the Valiant Universe from finding out the true intentions of Project Rising Spirit – the company that experimented and engineered nanites through Bloodshot’s bloodstream to enable a Wolverine-like healing factor, tampering with his memories and turning him into a government controlled assassin – to the traumatizing events that came out of The Valiant mini-series.