Review - Eternity #1 (@ValiantComics)

"The brothers must know! But many eyes are open."

There are characters in every universe who are more powerful than others. The most-powerful are the ones at the top who move players around for the perceived benefit of the universe at large, but whether or not they really are keeping the best interests of everyone at the forefront remains to be seen. In Eternity #1 from Valiant Comics, big changes are afoot. The issue is written by Matt Kindt and illustrated by Trevor Hairsine.

Beyond time... Beyond space... Beyond reality itself... ETERNITY awaits! A new plane of existence is unveiled beyond our own and unleashes a universe of new worlds, new beings, and new myths...

To say that Eternity #1 is out there would be a massive understatement, but Kindt manages to corral the cosmic zaniness. All of the players involved in the issue operate on an entirely differently level (literally, it's another plane) and Kindt is exploring that plane in earnest with setting up the events of the series. Kindt does a pretty solid job of keeping a hold on things despite all the galaxy jumping, but there are some instances where the transitions feel a little more jarring--it's as if there's too much being crammed into one issue. The dialogue is relatively straightforward and simplistic in its aim of getting the reader for what's coming even if the premise behind the series at large is a little well-traveled at this point. And because everyone involved is so powerful there's something of a tedium to their problems that seems to slow the issue down even more.

Hairsine's artwork is very clean and strong. His approach matches the ethereal tone of the script and gives the reader plenty of insight into the wide variety of beings who inhabit various corners of the universe. The settings on Earth are pretty ho-hum, but when Hairsine goes into space he really stretches the imagination as far as what other worlds would possibly look like.Because much of the book features the characters essentially monologuing, Hairsine doesn't get much opportunity to showcase them in various states of action and/or combat--there's really just a lot of standing around. The muted colors finish the book with a certain drabness that does reign in the art a little bit and allowing it to better resonate with the tone of the characters.

Eternity #1 explores one of the more powerful characters in the Valiant Universe. Divinity and Myshka are very powerful in their own rights, but even all their power can't solve every problem immediately. Kindt throws them a curveball to make the series interesting, even if the first issue seems to involve a lot of really omnipotent beings discussing current galactic events. Hairsine's artwork offers a pretty creative look at the aforementioned universe and its inhabitants. Divinity #1 has some new takes on some familiar characters, mixing in quite a bit of intergalactic trippiness for good measure.

Eternity #1 is available now.