The Valiant

Gilad is a warrior who cannot die but must, time after time, face the terror of a murderous creature known only as the Immortal Enemy. He must also desperately attempt to protect a reincarnated figure named the Geomancer who, despite all efforts, is always defeated at the hands of the enemy. This is the plot of this graphic novel, crafted by the all-star creative team of Lemire (Essex County), Kindt (Super Spy), and the father-and-son Riveras (Daredevil). Despite Gilad’s history of failure, this time it looks like things may be different, with an arsenal of superhumans at his disposal. The Geomancer, this time a woman named Kay, finds herself under the careful watch of the enigmatic hero. With narrative economy, Lemire and Kindt create a story line readers will care about, populated by characters whose complexity comes from an inability to fully articulate who or what they are. The Riveras provide a beautiful visual canvas, with excellent linework backed up by a strong color palette. The result is a classic adventure story that hits all the right notes. (May.)