Since first learning about Valiant comic books so many years ago after their relaunch in 2012, I have always enjoyed the fact that they are not interested in long runs that can intimidate new readers to jump on. They have always focused their attention on shorter arcs and stories that allow new readers to come on board and enjoy their stories and at the same time allow returning readers to continue to watch their favorite characters develop.

The same can be said about Valiant Entertainment’s new four-part title Incursion, written by Andy Diggle, current writer for Shadowman and Alex Paknadel, writer for Friendo, along with the very talented artist Doug Braithwaite with Jose Villarrubia. This book will feature the Valiant character’s Gilad Anni-Padda aka Eternal Warrior and Tama aka who is the current Geomancer. It will also include a brand new character who will be Incursion‘s primary threat named Imperatrix Virago.

One of my favorite aspects of this book will be the seeing the growing relationship between the Eternal Warrior and Tama, who by the way is now almost a teenager and how because of this she needs constant protection. Paknadel talked with Paste Magazine about their relationship in a recent interview. “The pair is living off the grid, but as Tama is questioning more and more aspects of her role as Geomancer and guardian of the Book of the Geomancer, it’s becoming more and more difficult for Gilad to provide easy answers for the evil Tama sees in the world”, said Paknadel.

Another interesting thing about this title will be the role the Deadside plays in the story. Lately, the Deadside has played a role in a lot of Valiant’s stories like Shadowman, Faith and Bloodshot. Paknadel went on to talk about how the new villain, will try to take advantage of this place.“It’s a living, breathing ecosystem with its own customs and flora and fauna. The antagonist in this story, a new character named Imperatrix Virago, doesn’t care about all that, though; for her, it’s a transport medium that will take her to any world in the universe where there is life. In other words, it’s the place from which she strikes. It’s also where she keeps her army and a young girl of her own species called Syntilla, who will play a pivotal role in the series.”

Valiant and their team of writers, I feel, have done a great job at introducing characters to the Valiant Universe, this new threat Imperatrix Virago, “insanely powerful necromancer” should be no different. Paknadel talked about how she travels from world to world absorbing energy to stay alive, but that she has now found a source of power that would allow her to be immortal, the Geomancer.

Incursion is the latest book in Valiant’s Beyond initiative which kicked off with Faith: Dreamside #1 in September, Bloodshot Spirit #1 this month and Livewire #1 in December. You can check out the covers and some of the interiors by Braithwaite and Jose Villarrubia down below!

INCURSION #1 (of 4)
Written by ANDY DIGGLE and ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover A by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover B by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
B/W Cover C by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Blank Cover Also Available
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale FEBRUARY 20th

RELATED: THE COMIC SOURCE PODCAST EPISODE 544 – VAILIANT SUNDAY LIVE FROM NYCC 2018 WITH ANDY DIGGLE & JODY HOUSER

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Source: Valiant Entertainment, Paste Magazine