Divinity III: Stalinverse

Divinity

by Matt Kindt (Writer), Trevor Hairsine (Penciler)

Earth has a new god. The world you know is gone. Welcome to the Stalinverse, comrade.
Welcome to the year 2017 where the Soviet Union has spent decades as the world's reigning superpower and the Iron Curtain now encircles a planet riddled with war, strife, and oppression. Freedom is a thing of the past in the Stalinverse So why can't Russian intelligence officer Colin King shake the feeling that something has gone terribly wrong? He'll put his freedom and life on the line to uncover the truth Even if that means finding out whatever happened to the long-missing cosmonaut Abram Adams the one man who just might hold the key to unraveling the dystopian world of today.
New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (4001 A.D.) and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine (DIVINITY II) bring you the Valiant Universe like you've never seen it before!

Collecting: Divinity III: Stalinverse 1-4

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Fantasy

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The conclusion to this story seems to be somewhat unliked, but I didn't feel all that let down. It was a crossover event, they usually suck, and this one was better than most.



Extra points given for making Bloodshot look like an even bigger badass!



And while I did enjoy the alternate reality stuff, I do feel a bit sorry that the Russians are always depicted in such a poor, mustache-twirling light. Russians and Germans, man. They never catch a fucking break when it comes to being bad guys, you know?



Oh, and this entire story proves Ninjak is just the coolest in any timeline.
I mean, it kind of hard to believe that you have someone like Divinity, who can warp reality, and it's the James Bond ninja-dude that basically rescues the universe.
Then agian...NINJAK!



Anyway, for what it was, I thought it was fun enough. I wasn't highly invested in this but it was cool to see the whole thing play out.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russian intelligence officer Colin King (Ninjak) finds himself in an alternate universe where the Iron Curtain has fallen hard on the rest of the world. He must try to find allies to try to set things right before he is discovered and killed - but who can he trust? Fantastic Elseworld/What If take on the Valiant line of heroes!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the godlike cosmonauts from the previous Divinity series has changed time so that the Soviets take over the world after WWI. Now the only two people who remember the old universe must convince Abram Adams to help revert history.

This was pretty great. I wish Valiant would abandon its 4 act structure for some of their event books. 6 issues would have given us more time to explore the Stalinverse. But overall a great series.

Received an advance copy from Valiant and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating alternate history, but the conclusion is ultimately disappointing, as the cerebral science-fiction awe wanes to predictable boss battles. Then again, the series continues in Kindt’s Eternity.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the last issue of Divinity II again to get myself up to pace. It wasn’t necessary.

Things have changed drastically with the beginning of this last book in the trilogy. Giving us an alternate history in which the world is ruled by the Global Soviet Union.



Of course one or several of the three cosmonauts that, in the first two books, discovered something in deep space and then returned to earth with the power to change time and space has something to do with it.
But we do get a nice recount of previous events, which makes this third book pretty much stand-alone-readable.

So, what’s going on?

While not everybody is happy with their communist rulers, very few remain that actually remember the original timeline. But those are determined to restore it. They will need Divinity’s help, who’s now in a mental asylum. So first they have to make him remember and then get out of there.

A few other Valiant characters join in as well. But they too have to be convinced that something is amiss and that there’s an original timeline worth fighting for.

Taking into account the god-like powers of their enemy, it all builds up to an epic battle in the end …



… that never really happens.

What the …?! Yep. They just talk it over. Pretty sensible, actually. But maybe not the right choice for a comic book like this. Seldom have I seen something so anticlimactic.

Overall it was still fun, thanks to an interesting setting and the often very dynamic artwork. But ultimately it was a disappointment.

Well, apparently this trilogy is setting up another series in Matt Kindt and Trevor Hairsine’s Eternity. But I’ve read Chad’s review of that book and decided not to bother.

There’s a Divinity III spin off book, though, that’s apparently fun.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Divinity III: Stalinverse' by Matt Kindt with art by Trevor Hairsine is a cool take on an alternate history and what some are willing to do to set things right.

If you're new to this series, this isn't the best place to start. A powerful godlike being has messed up history. What has now happened is that during World War II, Russia took over Europe. It's now 2017 and the Americas have been Soviet colonies since 1995. A man named Colin King suspects that this is not the way things are supposed to be. He visits a man named Abram Adams who may be able to help set things right. The only problem is that Abram is in a psychiatric hospital.

The art is just great. I loved the way this book looked. The covers are some of the best I've seen. This is a 4 issue story arc, and it builds really nicely, but the ending felt like a bit of a let down. I am giving this 4 stars for a mostly good story and all good art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Sud666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divinity III takes place directly after the events of Volume 2. But the start will surprise you due to the events from Volume II. I won't spoil what happens but the world is very different. In a liberal's wet dream-the Communists conquer the world. Then the world is "united" under the loving care of the Soviets. As with any communist/socialist nation-state, everything is simply awesome! It's so awesome that if you disagree you "disappear". Welcome to Stalinverse. Not only have the Soviets won, but the bestrepresentative of their "wonderful" system Uncle Joe Stalin is in charge. Yayyy!

So Colin King, of Ninja-K fame, is trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Requiring the help of Abram Adams yet again- the struggle against the forces of communism begins. More than that I shall not spoil, though the ending was somewhat anti-climactic it was somehow apropos for the dealing with godlike beings.

Good art, great plot and a very cool story make for one of the better sci-fi comics I've read in awhile. If there is an Divinity Iv, count me in! Highly recommended.

[Judah Radd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valiant reaches and grasps a new level of madness.

This is crazy and awesome. In a lot of ways, this feels like the MCU Avengers Endgame of Valiant comics. The world is all fucked up, and it takes an epic teamup to save it. Under the surface is some really interesting metaphysical and theoretical coolness. Overall, an enthralling read.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

By this point the Soviet Union rules the world (universe?) and many of the biggest Valiant heroes serve the state. But there are some that remember, and want to return the world to the way it should be. This was actually a little too timely considering the state of the world now and some of the themes touched upon here. This is pretty good stuff here, as to me the Divinity series gets better as it goes.

I referred to this series in previous reviews as a trilogy, but there's also a companion story as well as what I suppose is a bit of "epilogue" in the "Eternity" series.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise and great art, but that really was kind of a disappointing conclusion...

[ik.ben.henri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flauw

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The threat that Divinity posed way back when finally comes to pass as all of reality is rewritten. Only Ninjak remembers what the world was like before the Soviet Union took over, but can one man stand against the might of the entire world? And where is Abram Adams, the world's only hope?

Divinity's been building up to this storyline since the original mini-series, and I'd say it's been worth the wait. There's a real sense of hopelessness in these issues that really makes it feel like our heroes have no chance at all of winning - and really, they don't. With the power of Myshka on the side of the Soviets and Divinity out of action, there's no way they can win...or can they? There are a few reveals that probably have more impact if you've waited a year between mini-series, but are a little more obvious if you're reading these in quick succession, but overall the pacing is pretty good, and while the ending is a tad rushed, it does feel earned given the relationship between the characters in question that has been built up over the past two mini-series.

Trevor Hairsine's art remains a standout; he's a bit square here and there, but he has the visuals for Divinity and Myshka down pat, and his reimaginings of the other Valiant characters as part of the Stalinverse are eerily familiar and yet so alien.

It's taken a bit of momentum building, but the third Divinity series capitalizes on everything that the previous ones have laid down, as well as crafting a whole new world in just four issues. Matt Kindt and Trevor Hairsine are in total sync, and it really shows.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out good, fizzles out toward the end. There's a lot put on the new baddie, who you never really get to know, and so their transformation feels unconvincing.

I also have a problem with what basically is a It Was All A Dream! ending. Feels too easy, and again, unconvincing.

(Read as four single issues.)

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a Valiant version of Flashpoint or Secret Wars, I enjoyed this quite a bit.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprints Divinity III: Stalinverse #1-4 (December 2016-March 2017). The Motherland means everything. Heroes like Aric, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and the Red Brigade fight for the might and power of the Soviet Union. It is Colin King’s job to keep checking the loyalty of the USSR’s agents, but King has a secret. As Ninjak, he remembers the world that existed before the Stalinverse and knows the only hope to restore it could be in Divinity…but Abram Adams is institutionalized and doesn’t seem capable of even saving himself!

Written by Matt Kindt, Divinity III: Stalinverse is the final part in Valiant Comics’ acclaimed Divinity Trilogy. Following Divinity II, the series features art by Trevor Hairsine, and the issues in the volume were also collected as part of Divinity: The Complete Trilogy.

The Divinity storyline is a rather entertaining “event” series in a world where event series are rather blasé. It isn’t a true event series in that there aren’t crossovers and spin-off titles that appeared throughout the run of the three series, but it is an event series in that it feels bigger than the standard comic book (especially for the rather youthful Valiant). While Divinity III: Stalinverse does a lot of what other comic book series have done, it does a good job (if not better) than some of Marvel and DC’s similar stories.

The series essentially creates a big “What If/Elseworlds” storyline. It is reminiscent of House of M, 1602, or Flashpoint, but due to the fact that it is a lead-up of three four issue limited series, Divinity III’s world altering storyline feels a bit more justified through the build-up. Like many of these stories, few people remember the natural world, and it is up to an underground network to restore order.

While many Marvel Comics hinge around a team fixing everything, Ninjak kind of only has one goal and one mission…get Divinity up and running again. The event is too big for most of the heroes to do anything legitimately. I always find it ironic in movies like The Avengers where someone like Black Widow or Hawkeye is going up against a powerhouse like Thanos. Here, you get characters like Ninjak and other superhumans realizing their actions and success are rather inconsequential…and the bigger game is the only powerhouse that can fix things.

Divinity III: Stalinverse is a solid ending to the Divinity trilogy. The series demonstrates Valiant’s potential, and its ability to rival DC and Marvel in telling a good story. By not rushing Divinity and allowing it to unroll at their own place, Valiant shows a lot of control…something that Marvel and DC used to do better. If Valiant can keep producing solid storylines like this (even if it is only one or two a year), it could have a long future ahead of it.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5

I was not aware that this was part of a larger series when I requested the ARC, though I am not surprised. This is collecting issues of a comic series to republish in graphic novel format. Previous to this are Divinity and Divinity II. I definitely got the sense that I was missing out on some possibly important information.

Essentially, this is an Alternative History story. What if Russia took over Europe during WWII and the United States is now a Soviet Union colony? We're still living in a world where some individuals have unique powers or abilities -- superheroes -- but of course they are defenders of the Soviet way of life.

One man suspects that the current timeline is not correct and sets out to make adjustments or find the help needed to restore the correct timeline. But that won't be easy with the superheroes set out to stop him.

This is a really intriguing story and I really wish I had started with the first graphic novel to build into this title and to really understand what is happening. Still, author Matt Kindt does a nice job of pulling the reader along with the story.

But the real winner here is the art by Trevor Hairsine who manages to capture the classic look of the 1970's style comics (such as that by Sal and John Buscema, Neal Adams, John Romita, et al) and still appeal to a modern comic-reading audience. It is really beautiful to look at, which makes reading it that much more fun.

I would probably rate this a full 4 or 4 and a half stars if I had a better idea of the storyline going in to it.

Looking for a good book? Divinity III: Stalinverse is a graphic novel with a fascinating storyline and beautiful art, but it's the continuation of a story that begins in an earlier book and therefore just a little confusing as a stand-alone.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Divinity portion of the Valiant Universe hasn't been my favorite. But this story, about how yet another powerful Russian cosmonaut manages to change history so that the USSR becomes an intergalactic superpower, had me on board for the first three issues. It's sort of House of M meets Superman: Red Son. A nice balance of explanation for how the world came to change while also advancing the story and making the universe genuinely interesting.

Unfortunately, for me, the final issue had one of those action sequences where there's too much Telling as the fighters state their motivations and reasonings and rehash the plot while they punch each other. It's very silly. And, while they obviously had to reset the universe at the end of the series, it wasn't in a fun or interesting way. I found myself wishing they could have told a longer story so that they could have a more impactful ending.

If you enjoy Elseworlds or Multiverse stories, as well as the regular Valiant Universe, you should check this out. I really did enjoy it quite a bit more than its predecessors.

[Marcelo Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este comic escala la influencia de las divinidades en el poderío mundial. Ahora la Rusia de Stalin tiene un perfecto dominio del mundo. Está tan marcado políticamente que pasa perfectamente por propaganda.
La historia principal no es tan interesante como algunas de las cosas que pasan por el costado. Es más interesante ver a los héroes en posiciones más propias de villanos, imponiendo un régimen dictatorial como parte de un terrible ejercito rojo. Entre la oposición aparecen los seguidores del primer divinity. Su aparición es una de las cosas que me molestan. Su inclusión es forzada, como un personaje del que te acordaste a última hora. Su influencia es nula y son perfectamente reemplazables por personajes sin rostro. La historia estaría mejor si no hubiesen estado allí. Son estas realidades alternativas las que le dan sabor a la historia. Por eso, el final también es insatisfactorio. No porque sea malo, si no porque es simple. Toda la lucha que tuvimos en el tomo anterior entre divinities ahora se reduce a tres páginas.
Es un comic interesante, no tan bueno pero bastante interesante.

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Global Soviet Union is now a worldwide affair. A chilling thought... Still, there is rebellion. The most active rebels are in the US - the Divine Army led by David Camp. Colin King is Politburo Counsellor in charge of world security. He is the handler for the psiots the Union employs to keep control over the populace. In reality he is working against the Union because he remembers a free world where the Union fell.

This new reality was shaped by Kazmir, the third cosmonaut in Abrams' expedition. Colin plans to acquire documents of the real world history to convince Divinity to act. Toyo Harada has a similar plan and joins Colin.

Putin orders the Red Brigade, a group of psiots led by cosmonaut Valentina, to destroy all rebellion. They soon target Harada and Colin. Thankfully, Colin reaches Divinity who finally remembers the real world. He challenges Valentina who shows herself loyal to his cause, but also possessed by Kazmir. The only way to defeat Kazmir is to convince him to explore the galaxy like in the scifi books he and Abrams read in their childhood. The Red Brigade is disbanded and reality is restored.

[Paul Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union invaded and took over all of Europe in WW2. Funnily enough, they placed McCarthy as their puppet US president. Now there’s plenty of protests, so the Soviets send one mean-looking dude to put them down, while around the world other agents show how they fight against rebellions.
There’s double agents, fantasy elements, humans on Mars. One of the bad squad is named Baba Yaga, so there’s some humor here. But the cliffhanger at the end of issue #3. . .
For what started out as a promising plot to have such a. . . pedestrian ending dropped my enjoyment a notch.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but this is the weakest part of the story. This book felt rushed in a way. What I liked about the first two books was the focus on the struggles of these god-like cosmonauts. Those god like beings are sidelined in the 3rd book to focus on Ninjak trying to correct the Stalinverse. In doing that, it became that predictable superhero story where our hero is the only one who realizes reality has been altered and now has fix it. And then when we finally get back to the cosmonauts, everything is resolved very quickly. After how strong the first two books were this one is kind of disappointing.

[brian annan · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating. a good balance of alternate history, philosophy and super heroic action. could have used some more of the Valiant characters in there. the cosmonauts are all unique and used well to express different views of the Russian Communist way of life. well drawn with solid layouts but could have had some more embellishment. though clearly not the end of the series, this chapter was a little anti-climactic.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you read Divinity III: Stalinverse, you are entering the conclusion of the tale. The tale is set in a world where Stalin assassinated in the 1920's, and lead Russia to dominated the world by the present day. But a few folks remember how the world should be and are determined to bring it back. But that requires Divinity to act and be able to defeat the other superbeing who has brought to life the present system. Will that happen? Read and find out.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reality-has-changed comic can be an absolute joy, and Kindt manages to capture that in an alternate VEI-verse where Russia is the world superpower. We get to see all of the universe's major characters in dramatically different situations. The cause of course is Divinity, and Kindt also carries that plotline to its obvious third act conclusion. Overall, not as great as the amazing Divinity I, but still a strong conclusion to the trilogy [5/5].

[Pradivta Ilvansyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's basically a good alternate history comic that incorporates superhero element in it.

Stalinverse world is also rich with it's lore, even though it's rooted in superhero characteristics, they're still pretty unique on their own and also gives a deep context about what the story is about and references about Russian Folklore which isn't used in media nowadays.

Overall, it's a good one to read.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

More brilliance from this excellent dystopian Valiant trilogy; this was really the perfect ending to this weird and mind-bendingly violent transition from series to series. The art, as always, was excellent, and the writing in this one almost deeper, in terms of characterization than the two previous chapters. Really good stuff, and poignantly relevant. "Stalinverse," indeed.

[Η Cultσα · Rating 1 out of 5]

Κακό...πολύ κακό... Πρέπει κάποια στιγμή να σταματήσουν αυτά τα «αλγοριθμικά» υπερ-ηρωικά κόμικς που ανακυκλώνουν ιστορίες σε άλλα σύμπαντα. Θα μου πεις, έτσι είναι όλα τα υπερ-ηρωικά κόμικς. Ε, ας σταματήσουν επιτέλους και ας βγει κάτι καινούριο. Το συγκεκριμένο παραείναι απλοϊκό και ηλίθιο πάντως.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t picked up a Valiant trade in a while, so I forgot how short they can be. But the third Divinity storyline has the last of the reality altering cosmonauts coming home, and he just rewrote the history of the Earth so the Soviets conquered the world before the Nazis rose to power in Germany. Interesting ending where a love of reading saves the world.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man, the writing in this 'thing' is so bad. I was literally embarrassed reading it. Excruciatingly naive, and simplistic. The only reason you'd want to read this is if you're perversely smitten with soviet imagery, as I am. Otherwise, please don't waste your time or money.

[Josh Firer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great story that did a fantastic job portraying an intriguing alternative universe. I appreciated small touches such as propaganda posters of Putin. The pacing of the story was perfect.