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Review: Ivar, Timewalker #1

By Andy Frisk
January 21, 2015 - 18:38

Ivar, Timewalker is the third immortal brother of the Anni-Padda clan, some of the most interesting characters in the Valiant U 2.0. This wasn't always the case with Ivar himself though. Ivar never really got the full storytelling treatment that the character deserved. The Ivar of Valiant 1.0 already pales in comparison to the Ivar of Fred Van Lente and Clayton Henry's Ivar, Timewalker #1. This dear readers is Valiant's next big thing.

What's Happening: Doctor Neela Sethi is about to invent time travel. Which will eventually lead to the existence of the greatest evil in the universe. Ivar, who has spent time unimaginable riding time arcs, which are naturally occurring wormholes in time, arrives just in time to save Sethi from the Prometheans, which are "artificial suicide life from the fifth dimension," by taking her on a trip through time. Confused? So is Dr. Sethi, but what's even more frightening that what confuses her is what she doesn't yet know about her own future...

The Writing: This is a Fred Van Lente book, so we are treated to some of the best humor, drama, action, and sly social commentary wrapped in a wonderfully Easter egg filled historical drama. It's brilliant, hilarious, engaging and overflowing with some of the best dialogue in any comic book produced today from the first word to the last. While I still desperately miss his Archer & Armstrong, his Ivar, Timewalker looks to be just as fun and intelligent a read, even if not a replacement.


The Artwork: Clayton Henry is the artist and if you're not familiar with his work by now I pity AND envy you because you are about to read and gorge your eyes on some of the absolute best sequential art from one of the best sequential artists currently working in the business. So Van Lente needs Henry to recreate the warships used in the Battle of Trafalgar? No problem. The world of Rai's Japan circa 4001 AD. No problem. Both are beautiful and historically accurate (even if it's a fictional future already envisioned by someone else somewhere else).

The Verdict: Between The Valiant and the first issue of Ivar, Timewalker, Valiant Comics have finally, and truly, mined the worth out of the Anni-Padda family of characters. These are books that shouldn't be missed, and must be read. They are that good. 

Rating: 10 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12