This was my first experience with the Valiant universe and with Aric of Dacia as a character. The tried and true story of a badass retired soldier being forced back into action came across as fairly-run-of-the-mill and unimaginative, but the terrific art and action carried this issue to greater heights than the premise initially implied. Overall, I highly enjoyed it, and will definitely be picking up the remaining two issues of the first arc.