Valiant’s Divinity miniseries have been some of the publisher’s most captivating stories, exploring what happens when Soviet-era Cosmonauts are given god-like powers in space and return to an Earth where the U.S.S.R. has been dissolved. The first Divinity series introduced Abram Adams, a man who used his incredible abilities to create a paradise in the Australian outback, but the lead of Divinity II, Abram’s fellow Cosmonaut, Myshka, had a more fraught return to Earth when she saw how her country had fallen from power. Writer Matt Kindt’s story has expanded with each new miniseries, and next month’s Divinity III: Stalinverse is shaping up to be the most ambitious narrative yet as it takes readers to a Valiant Universe where the Soviet Union has taken over the entire planet.
This exclusive extended preview of December’s Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 reveals new interpretations of Valiant’s top heroes like Bloodshot, Peter Stanchek, X-O Manowar, Ninjak, and Shadowman, who are now all loyal to Mother Russia. Artist Trevor Hairsine, inker Ryan Winn, and colorist David Baron have delivered meticulously detailed, dramatically composed visuals for all the Divinity titles, and these qualities immerse readers in the new world order while highlighting the terror of a planet dominated by a cruel, cold Communist regime in these pages.
Images like Kommandar Bloodshot emerging from the flames of a Molotov cocktail and disloyal Shangai residents drowning themselves while under Peter’s psychic command make the new status quo especially horrifying, but the smaller character beats during the interrogation sequences indicate that these “heroes” may not be fully on board with what they’re ordered to do. The big question is how the Valiant Universe has changed so dramatically, and readers can uncover the answers by picking up Divinity III: Stalinverse #1 when it hits stands on December 28.