REVIEW: Eternity #4

Valiant Entertainment“s Eternity “Book Four”“ ”“ the conclusion to the miniseries ”“ is easily the best of all of the issues thus far. It clarifies the backstory in a summary that is more coherent than the preceding narratives across the first three issues. Divinity (Abram) and his life partner, Myshka are former Russian cosmonauts with the power of gods. But they decide to live the normal family life with their newborn son. Unbeknownst to them, their son is the lynchpin in the balance of all of existence. He get“s kidnapped and the story ensues across worlds, throughout the universe and into the unknown.

Eternity has distinguished itself as a very good sci-fi comic in a moment where there are many solid sci-fi inspired titles racking up awards and accolades (Black Science, East of West, Low, Descender, etc.). Think of Eternity as a sort of expansion pack for the Valiant superhero universe. The story reaches through the cosmos and beyond. Reading this fourth installment provides the essential coherence that a story of this nature requires, but ultimately, the contemporary rebuilding of the Valiant superhero universe feels more complete with Eternity“s transcendent foray into the fabric of existence itself.

Matt Kindt“s writing raises many more questions than can be answered in this story arc, but these characters and this expansive look at the Valiant universe deserves the kind of complexity that Kindt is pushing for here. Trevor Hairsine“s pencils, complemented by Ryan Winn“s ink depict a bright but unstable, sometimes intangible set of worlds in a universe that is visually fraying around the edges.

Note to all of the digital comics fans out there ”“ Eternity is part of Valiant“s “prestige”“ offering and as such it earns the $3.99 price point with amazing cover art and paper-heavy interiors that make colors pop in ways that screens simply can“t.

There are many worlds within Eternity that should be revisited by Divinity, Myshka, and hopefully other stars of the Valiant universe. Only in this issue will readers get some hints as to how that might look in an unknown future. That said, Kindt, Hairsine and company provide a fitting ending to an ambitious miniseries, and what they might create going forward could be very interesting. At the thematic core of Eternity is the act of creation ”“ whether that be the creation of a child, the creation of a universe or the creation of a comic book. Matt Kindt“ s ability to thread these matters of creation into an original story about the balance of the universe makes this issue ”“ and the series ”“ worth a good look. 4/5

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(W) Matt Kindt (A) Trevor Hairsine (CA) Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic