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Week 9- Wide World Of Comics

For this week, I reviewed the "Valerian, New Future Trilogy," by Jean-Claude Mezieres & Pierre Christin. An epic science fiction adventure that centers around two radically different, yet very family character archetypes told in new ways. Our main male character, Valérian, a spatio-temporal agent, who fills the role of the broad shouldered, perfect square jawed hero, who travels the galaxy along his lovely female companion and lover, Laureline, an attractive redhead. But about here is where the stereotypes stop, as these characters are constantly being thrown at new challenges, often around the morality of obedience to government and other left wing ideals. The art is fantastic, constantly brimming with divisive colors and interesting silhouettes, making sure you know whose human, whose alien, and whose REALLY alien. The main purpose of the science fiction setting I found was more as an authoritative mouthpiece to display ideals about heroism, but not from a typical, combat or glory-centered point of view. Yes, there are plenty of lasers and explosions, but many a time it comes down to Valérian’s personal conflictions about un-questionably following orders, much to the dismay of Laureline on their adventures. Laureline represents, in many instances, much more than simply sex appeal, but a free spirit and thinker who isn’t afraid to tell you when something bothers her. If she disagrees with Valerian, she’ll not only speak out but take action against it, (though often indirectly), and isn’t the typical damsel in distress whose sole purpose is to be something for the male hero to save. A science fiction staple that’s been noted for decades and will continue to live on in future retellings of the same ideals, “Valerian, The New Future Trilogy," is a story that presents everything we already know in ways we never thought of prior.



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