Title: Valerian Complete Collection Vol 1
Author: Pierre Christin, Jean-Claude Mezieres, Luc Besson, Stan Barets
Rating: 5/5 stars
Page Count: 160 pages
Genre: Comic, SCI-FI, Fantasy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33255584-valerian?ac=1&from_search=true
If you are looking for a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW check out this video on my Youtube channel:
Interview:
I loved that the collaboration between the creators and director is such a great relationship. It was so interesting to hear their different interpretations of each question and I love that they don’t always agree. The most intriguing point is the fact that Laureline was one of the first strong female characters in French comics as most were ‘bimbos’ as Pierre states. Not only that but their discussion of their relationship with the characters which was fascinating as one is easier to writer than the other. I love that there is more of this interview coming can’t wait for more!
History:
The history is written by Stan Barets it is very interesting and he writes it as a story which is a joy to read. It was very interesting to hear about the substaintial similarities in Star Wars from Valerian well inspiration has to come from somewhere I guess. I love that they went to America to escape the dullness of France how hilarious. I enjoyed the fact that there are so many people who have called their children Laureline and Valerian. Some fantastic points in this mini history of the comic and creators I hope there is more to coming!
Bad Dreams:
I loved this comic it was witty and hilarious with an amazingly imaginative world. The artwork was beautiful so detailed and defined I really enjoyed it because every box looked like a cinematic scene. I loved that the colours of the comic worked beautifully and made the drawings come to life even more. The palette of colours throughout drew you more into the comic.
There was lots of dialogue in this comic which I’m not used in other comics I read, but I loved it because I started out with books first. The length of the dialogue really helped bring the wittiness to life. I love how the dialogue is about weirdest things ever but the conversations sounds so normal. Superintendent has the best lines he’s just so irritated all the time which makes his lines hilarious.
In terms of the plot for the first issue, I loved it almost taking the mic out of the middle ages with a serious mission. The mission was fantastic a combination of wizardry and taking over the galaxy what more do you want. I liked that Laureline came later in the plot as you got to see the start of their relationship which I enjoyed. I loved the ending as it was settled but you also had lots of questions on how Laureline would fit in.
In terms of characters the superintendent was a typical angry boss but so funny you just loved him by the end. Valerian was quite cocky but also kind so I was a bit on the fence about him. Laureline I loved she was stunning, strong, independent and fiesty. Jirad was so sweet and nice you felt a bit sorry for him being pushed around. Xombul was such a typical greedy villain but also quite funny mainly because he really didn’t know what he was doing so a bit of a farcical villain. Overall, a great start to the volume with great characters and an imaginative story.
The City of Shifting Waters:
I love the colours in this issue the blues are stunning especially in the scenes in downtown New York. The colours throughout the comic are so beautiful its like looking at a sunset for the whole story. The artwork is mostly very dark in the sense of the colour, the people and buildings have a lot less colour in them and also less detailed which gave it a mysterious look.
The dialogue in this issue is more serious which works well with the plot as Xombul is back and causing havoc. My favourite dialogue is between Valerian and Sun Rae such a bolshie and funny character.
The plot of this issue as it is only half finished because it is in two parts. The first half was thrilling and exciting on how Xombul was connected to this post apocolyptic New York. I loved that Laureline swept in and rescued Valerian mainly because she is from the eleventh century and is super badass now. I really enjoyed that Sun Rae and crew played such a major role in the development of the plot as either badies or goodies.
Sun Rae was so weird and hilarious I really liked his character. Valerian was less cocky in first part of the issue which I liked plus his alone dialogue was funny. Valerian although not huge part in the first part of this issue was badass but also she is the conscious to Valerian. Overall, this first part was mysterious and thrilling with stunning artwork of storm scenes.
Earth in Flames:
What a fabulous ending to the story the second part was thriling and revealed some interesting information. The range of colours in this second part were beautiful and gave a lot of those landscapes a breathtaking look to them. I especially loved the artwork in Yellowstone it was so beautiful to look at the rocky mountains. I also really liked the space artwork its just so spacey and pretty I just don’t have any intelligent descriptive words today lol!
I felt there was more dialogue than usual which I found a bit too much at times but the dialogue is so witty I just ignored my eyes being overwhelmed. I hope Laureline has more dialogue in the next issue as I think she doesn’t have enough in this one but I guess thats the way her personality is. I really enjoyed the dialogue of Scheoder he is sweet, so intelligent and quite funny.
In terms of the plot it had a fast pace which was great as it made the build up to the end battle so exciting. Lots of twists and turns where you thought yes they did it, then no something else goes wrong which kept you interested throughout. Then the ending was satisfying but I felt like Xombul could have gone out with more of a bang. I also felt that instead of somber moment with Valerian at the end I wanted a wise crack from Valerian.
Valerian I enjoyed more in this issue as he developed more as a character. Laureline was funny in this issue especially with her shrinking incident but I still wanted more development from her character as a whole. Schroeder was such an interesting character and quite funny a great addition to this issue. Xombul was not as powerful as I was expecting him to be, he felt quite defeated which was interesting to see from a Villain. The ranch guy (he doesn’t have a name or at least not that I could find!) he was so cool, calm and always said the right thing I would love it if he was going to come back. Overall, a fantastic second part to this issue exciting, kept you on your toes and a great adventure with stunning landscapes!
The Empire of A Thousand Planets:
This was my favourite issue yet I think it is because it had so much relatability to the issues going on in our earth. The artwork OMG even more stunning than the last two issues. I loved that there was more full page artwork in this issue it really made the battle scenes dramatic and stunning. I loved the artwork on the first page it was so simple and effective. Every artwork throughout this issue was so colourful and bright I loved it. Marcyam what an awesome sea creature kind of reminded me of Chinese New Year dragon which is why I liked it so much. The Enligtened were so creepy and a bit scary looking which made them great villains.
The ice storm was so beautiful and sharp such a fantastic addition to the plot. The battle scene were drawn with such epicness and looked so action packed which kept that thrill of the story. When the Enlightened were revealed their true selves wow so horrible to look at but also quite intriguing to look at.
There was less dialogue in this issue which worked well as there was a lot more action in it. The dialogue at the end between the Enlightened and Valerian was sad but also had this important humaritarian message which I liked. The dialogue between Valerian and Laureline was a lot better as it had more wit and teasing to it.
The plot was fantastic kept you gripped to your seat the whole time and I did not put it down at all. The epicness of the conflict between the Enlightened and Syrte residents was very much in connection to a lot of our history which made the story so much more intriguing towards the end. I liked the ending I thought it was very poignant.
Valerian was much more get up and go on this mission compared to other mission which I liked. Laureline had a lot more involvement and development which made me like her character evenmore. Elimir was interesting as you kind of didn’t know what his end game was in terms leadership and the future of Syrte. The Enlightened were intriguing and at first awful creatures but by the end you understood them and at a point felt sorry for them. Overall, the best issue yet with a thrilling plot, fabulous artwork and a surprising ending!
Let me know if you have read this collection what you thought of it or if you are fan of Valerian or Cinebook let me know!
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