This week, our Off the Presses section is diving into the original Valiant comics line. Valiant told superhero tales within science fiction and fantasy genres with heroes like X-O Manowar, Shadowman, Bloodshot, and Eternal Warrior, humorous characters like Archer and Armstrong, and villains such as Toyo Harada and Master Darque. For these reviews, we are taking a look at some of our favorite characters and issues from Valiant’s original line that was published in the early 1990s. 

Valiant; $2.50  

Hwen Mirage and Carmen Ruiz are a husband and wife team of parapsychologists who investigate supernatural events and paranormal activity. Their happy marriage and business takes a major hit during an investigation into necromantic sorcerer Master Darque. When Hwen pursued Darque, the sorcerer tried to absorb Hwen’s life force. He failed, however, because of Carmen’s love for her husband. Instead, Hwen was turned into a positively charged necromantic being who is incorporeal (most of the time), can turn invisible, and has other abilities.  

Early issues of the series center around Hwen and Carmen adjusting to their new situation. Issue 8 finds Hwen looking for something to keep himself busy while Carmen sleeps (since he no longer needs sleep), and grows frustrated by all the TV ads for food (because he also no longer eats). Unfortunately, his attempt at starting a new hobby causes another problem. Then help arrives in the form of someone connected to a previous case who has a plan to make Hwen’s life a little bit easier.  

When comic readers think of original Valiant, they’re likely to conjure images of X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and Solar. But my favorites are their books like Archer & Armstrong, H.A.R.D. Corps, and The Second Life of Doctor Mirage. The reason is because of the relationships.  

Doctor Mirage is part slice of life, part superhero book, and all about the relationship between Hwen and Carmen. In this issue, writers Bob Layton and Jim Perham take Hwen through the difficulty of losing basic abilities and experiences. But no matter how disappointed he gets, Carmen is always there to help him through it. They are a balanced duo, both brave, both smart, and both completely supportive. The art team of penciler Mike Leeke, inker Ken Branch, and colorist Mark Csaszar illustrate this through the loving way they look at each other, down to a sweet pillow talk scene.  

While this issue was more focused on the slice of life aspect, other issues don’t skimp on the supernatural/necromantic angle with some really creepy villains. Whatever the challenge, be it humorous or horrible, Doctor Mirage and Carmen are always ready to meet it. 

–Amanda Sheriff