Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Juan José Ryp
Colourist: Jordie Bellaire
Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Release date: OUT NOW!
Price: Retailer Incentive Only

Valiant’s Book of Death miniseries is accompanied by Legends of the Geomancer, which goes back to the dawn of the Valiant universe, long before the Eternal Warrior. Book of Death Legends of the Geomancer chronicles the origin of the first Geomancer, Anni, a mystic tribal warrior who speaks for the earth and shapes its future.

Anni has sworn a sacred pact to the service of Earth but will that pact save or doom the world she seeks to protect? This book is a self-contained story that ties into the core Book of Death series but is not essential to it.

Plunging into Legends of the Geomancer #3 without having read the first two issues can be a challenge but it is credit to Fred Van Lente’s story telling abilities and Juan José Ryp’s brilliant artwork makes it possible for the reader to immerse themselves into this world and enjoy the back story of the original Geomancer. Anni appears to be some kind of early eco-warrior, not beyond destroying her allies in her pursuit of a balanced eco-system!

Book of Death Legends of the Geomancer #3 has stirred quite a bit controversy in US fandom forums as this series is only available to retailers who order a minimum quantity of Book of Death. This policy results in only something like one in twenty-five readers of the Book of Death having access to a copy of Legends of the Geomancer. Seems to me to be a poor reward for fans of the Valiant universe but that is marketing departments for you!

Reviewer: Steve Weller
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker