Divinity

• Writer: Matt Kindt
• Artist: Trevor Hairsine
• Published by: Valiant Comics (valiantuniverse.com)
• Pages: 164 , Publish Date: July 15, 2015 Price: $9.99
• Notes: Collects #1-4 of the monthly mini-series, now available in comic retail stores and apps

Synopsis:

“From New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (THE VALIANT, Mind MGMT) and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis) comes a shocking new vision of 21st century science fiction!

At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union – determined to win the Space Race at any cost – green lit a dangerously advanced mission. They sent a man farther into the cosmos than anyone has gone before or since. Lost in the stars, he encountered something unknown. Something that…changed him.

Long thought lost and erased from the history books, he has suddenly returned, crash-landing in the Australian Outback. The few that have been able to reach him believe him to be a deity – one who turned the scorched desert into a lush oasis. They say he can bend matter, space, and even time to his will. Now the rest of the world’s powers must decide for themselves – will the enigmatic Divinity offer his hand in friendship, or will Earth’s heroes fi nd themselves helpless against the wrath of the divine?”

Personal Recommendation:

A science fiction tale for those who enjoy post space-age drama set in a superhero filled universe, being the Valiant one.

Divinity tells the story of one man who is unlike others, also for reasons before developing his god-like power. Abram Adams from the beginning is special, with no information given on his birthplace or parents. He is adopted by others in the Soviet Union, and recognized for his intelligence and dedication to excellence. He is also dark-skinned, and considered Russian because he grows up in this adoptive homeland. It’s hard to accept with my ignorance on race relations in the Soviet Union of that time, but it’s believable in this book for one to find acceptance and do further within a society that pushes for excellence at any cost.

That is where this book goes but not for the Soviets, as Abrams himself has a destiny to fulfill in the stars. He becomes the first astronaut in the Valiant Universe, to be sent into deep space. A classified mission from the start, for reasons I think could lead to an embarrassing failure, should the project fail. But, the idea of what was possible considered during our own historic Space Race by the main world powers fascinates me. I imagine this fantastic time, where the great thinkers of the world become unrestrained in thinking what humanity can achieve.

And what comes back of course, if also interesting. The mysteries of deep space will always give some interesting stories. In addition, we also have this strange world of time travelers, immortals, ninjas, mystics and other fantastic sorts. We began with something familiar to our own and end with the fantastic. But with Divinity, we need not familiarize ourselves with the assortment of interesting characters without. Their part adds interest to an interesting situation, and does not push upon the reader to read other titles set in the same universe (also available to read). There is more room however, to learn about the other characters further, and delve further into those titles, should any be of interest.

Meanwhile, the focus of Divinity is on a metamorphosis through Abrams’ trip which never ended with the space travel. We get a forward to the present, where we find the result; a living god who has come back to Earth.

What follows is some action, and interesting uses of his power. The present day story is mostly set in the Australian Outback, where Abrams confronts some of the best humankind has in taking him down. There is a twist, to his past that brings changes in him and perhaps those around him. We look to what makes him more human, even after godhood, which brings the character to its full development.

The art is beautiful and fitting..with moments full of emotional expressionism in the faces and surroundings. I love the positioning and transition of story elements here, leading me through the pages of this grand drama. The colors and inking brings some fantastic sequential art depth to the story as well, giving some excellent filters to the uncommon setting, putting all into great context for the reader to enjoy.

Overall, a compelling read I highly recommend.  One does not need to familiarize with the current Valiant universe setting, as it brings a wonderful accessory to the drama. The story itself is enough, for anyone who loves comics to enjoy.

The first volume of this is a great experience on its own and worth checking out. There, is room in the bittersweet ending for more story, with a Divinity II story in the works, by Valiant. If that continuation brings more goodness and further similiar storytelling, than I look forward to the overall epic of the Divinity saga to be told.

– Orion T