WOTN Review: Valkyrie #6 (Marvel)

Doctors of Marvel Unite in Valkyrie #6

Jane Foster: Valkyrie. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Not that Jane ever wants her identity to be revealed to the public. In Valkyrie #6, Jane works with various characters, from the iconic legends to some surprising throwbacks.

As of late, Jane has been struggling with something that all heroes with a secret identity must face: keeping one’s secret alive while balancing both sides of their lives. It’s easier said than done, and keeping that secret has already cost Jane so much.

But she loves being Valkyrie- that much is obvious. And because of Valkyrie, Jane has faced a whole new threat. One that will require her to reach out to the doctors of the Marvel universe.

Writing

Al Ewing and Jason Aaron have started pushing the boundaries of Valkyrie’s series with this latest issue. Valkyrie #6 is full of cameos, surprising side characters, and one large and looming threat on the horizon.

This plot might be a bit surprising for some. In many ways, it isn’t your typical Marvel series. But it fits well with the world (and job) they’ve created for Valkyrie. Much of her questing will and should involve the dead and dying. What is perhaps more surprising are those we find at risk.

All things considered, this was an interesting issue. They perfectly balanced the humor (most of which was in the earlier part) with the intensity and drama expected of a darker series. Valkyrie is finding her groove, and along with her is the series.

Art

It’ll be no surprise to hear that the artwork inside Valkyrie #6 is vibrant and dramatic. The bland scenes of the ordinary sharply contrast with the brilliant scenes of magic and wonder. And it’s all in the daily life of a Valkyrie. Or rather, the Valkyrie.

Pere Perez was brought on as a guest artist for Valkyrie #6, and they immediately showed an understanding of how Valkyrie’s powers work. They’re all shown in delightful lighting here. That’s not what will grab the reader’s attention, though. No, that honor goes to the sheer number of cameos in this issue. Even the unfamiliar characters have distinct looks, and seeing them all through Valkyrie’s sight is a harrowing experience. This simple scene really brought the whole purpose of Valkyrie home.

Jesus Aburtov was again for this issue, providing the colors we’ve come to know and love. And boy, are they vibrant! Aburtov’s sense of color and balance makes some scenes truly made.

And finally, Joe Sabino was the letterer, and once again, he showed off his skill here. There was a decent amount of writing between character conversations, internal thoughts, and sound effects in this issue. And they are all so carefully placed.

Conclusion

Valkyrie #6 begins a new plot for Jane Foster: Strange Aeons. And that’s an accurate name if I’ve ever heard one. This is a dramatic issue from start to finish. And it will leave readers eager to get their hands on the next issue.

The cameos and guest artists were all nice surprises, which helped bring this issue to new heights. One character’s appearance, in particular, will likely make fans want to catch up with his series (or feel smug for already doing so).

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.

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