Tag Archives: valiant

Valiant launching an App?

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Valiant Logo

Valiant has had a rough couple of years. Once a popular publisher, the company has switched leadership and direction and in June 2023 it was announced that Alien Books would be handling the imprint. Since then, the releases have been sporadic and not captured readers like the line has done in the past and not without controversy. Alien Books too is figuring things out and signed a publishing deal with IDW in March 2025.

This year, Alien Books launched a Kickstarter for an omnibus of classic Harbinger comics, raising $104,622 from 901 backers. But, when it comes to publishing and releases for stores, things have been rather quiet with the last preview we ran for All-New Harbinger #5 in March.

Alien Books has also been part of the fight over consigned goods and Diamond, which has impacted numerous publishers.

This evening, we received the below email with a from email address as hello@valiantapp.io and a Valiant logo at the top.

You know who we are. We know you’re the first ones. The real OGs.

You’re the insiders.

Aric of Dacia is 1,600 years from home in living alien armor and pretending he’s fine. Bloodshot is running on nanite blood and borrowed memories. And Punk Mambo is in a Louisiana swamp arguing with the ghost of Sid Vicious about which voodoo magic will cause the most chaos.

They’ve been quiet for a minute, but I think you know what that means. Something big is coming. And when they show up it’s the real deal.

This is not for everybody. This is for the insiders who get it.

No one here is stuck in board meetings and earnings calls, and maybe the world feels like a dumpster fire right now, so screw it let’s break free. Join the crew and raise the pirate flag.

You in?

BE FIRST →

-The Valiant Team

(Still in the bunker. Send snacks.)

The email is clearly for a soon to be launching app focused on Valiant.

But…

When it comes to information in the contact the email address is listed for valiant.com which then forwards to trackforce.com and the phone number is 555-123-4567, clearly fake.

What we do know:

So, expect a new Valiant digital platform doing who knows what launching at some point… You can sign up to be notified when it launches.

Classic Valiant comes to Humble Bundle to benefit BINC

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Digital bookshelves looking a little bare? Comic collection could use a spring refresh? Humble Bundle has you more than covered with this bundle of superhero omnibus editions from Valiant Entertainment! Follow the origins and adventures of Valiant’s favorite heroes, starting with X-O Manowar, the Visigoth warrior with the alien armor who finds himself out of time, but never outclassed! Take the action to the streets with Bloodshot, the revenant gunman searching for clues from his unknown past! Prowl the highways and byways of New Orleans with the night-dwelling demon-hunting avenger Shadowman! Discover how two misfits and their goat sidekick defy the odds and the laws of physics to become the world’s greatest superhero team in Quantum and Woody! There’s a lot more to enjoy in this bundle of collected comics, so grab it now at the price of your choice and support BINC with your purchase!

The Valiant Classic Omnibuses Comic Bundle has a retail value of $435 and you can get it all for just $18.

Valiant Classic Omnibuses Comic Bundle

Underrated: Ivar, Timewalker

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We’re going back to early 2018 to revisit an old column this week, because if you listen to Those Two Geeks, then you’ll understand why this comic was so loved.

This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Ivar, Timewalker

IVAR_HC_001_ALLEN-281x414.jpg

My comic shop recently got the deluxe hardcover edition of Valiant’s Ivar, Timewalker in on a special order for yours truly, which collects the entire twelve issue run in one place for $40. You can also pick up the series in three softcover trade paperbacks, if you’re so inclined, but I’ve become partial to the oversized hardcovers (especially because of the bonus material in the back, but then I love that stuff). I had already read the final four issues of the series long before I started reading the hardcover, which some would think would be foolish, but when you’re reading a book about time travel then it suddenly becomes less foolish.

In order to give you a bit of context, you’ll find the preview text for the series below.

“At this very moment in Geneva, Switzerland, history is being made. A thousand meters underground inside the Large Hadron Collider, researcher Neela Sethi is about to discover time travel – and jeopardize her life in the process. But she doesn’t know that yet. Ten minutes from now, every deadbeat chrononaut, wannabe conqueror, and misguided protector of the timestream will be banging down her door. Good thing that the legendary Ivar, Timewalker, got there first…right? Now it’s down to history’s most jaded, most tempestuous time traveler to stop the worst of everything that is, was, and will be…before time runs out!“

The series was written by Fred Van Lente, who was joined by Pere Perez, Francis Portella and Clayton Henry with Robert Gill, the first issue being released in January 2015, with the final issue coming in December of that year. The twelve issue series is one of the more underrated offerings from Valiant Entertainment, as many people don’t tend to think about Ivar, Timewalker when talking about the great comics to have come from this publisher – myself included.

As a story about time travel, Ivar, Timewalker is a series that rewards multiple readings – indeed, you could reasonably start at the beginning of any of the three arcs within the series, though this is admittedly more difficult to do with the deluxe edition than the single issues or the trades. Van Lente put together a story that will leave you with as many questions as it will provide answers with an intelligent script that effortlessly blends a heartbreaking story of loss, hope and determination with a sly wit that will have you laughing out loud more often than you would expect in a series that, technically, isn’t a comedy.

Time travel, and effects travelers can have on history are touched on, and often provide some interesting flashes to a story that at its heart is a tale of two incredibly different people; Ivar himself, and Neela Sethi – the scientist who will invent time travel. For as fantastical as the scenery is in this series (and thanks to the artists, it truly is phenomenal), the true draw is the relationship between the two leads.

And that relationship is why you need to read this wonderful story at least twice. I didn’t realize how good this book was when I first read it, and I dare say it’ll only get better with time. Pardon the pun.

Time travel has never been so wonderful.

Join us next week where there will doubtless be another movie, series, comic or comic related thing discussed that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

Underrated: Valiant Masters: Ninjak: Black Water

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Valiant Masters: Ninjak: Black Water.

Ever since I’ve started to collect Valiant comics, I’ve been picking up the hardcover deluxe editions here and there as a way to catch up in bulk on some of the series I’ve missed, and also because I just like the look of them. A while back I did a cost analysis as to whether it was worth buying the deluxe editions verses the softcover trades or single issue floppies at cover price; generally the savings were negligible depending on the size of the book (less than $5, I think) between the hardcovers and soft covers, but the difference between the hard covers and cover price floppies varied greatly depending on how many books were collected (and it didn’t factor in the cost of the floppies after they’ve been on the market for a while, as they can fluctuate higher or lower depending on different trends).

This is relevant only because the Valiant Masters hardcovers generally contain the first eight issues of the original Valiant series (either 1-8 or 0-7 depending on the stories within), which means that for $25 you end up paying about $3.25 a comic. Whether that’s a good price for the early Valiant books depends on which book you’re looking at; I’ve paid $20 for the first appearance of Rai, $6 for the first appearance of Ninjak and around $1 for others, so it’s largely a crap shoot, but for the most part the individual issues collected in the Valiant Masters are going to be cheaper than the hardcover itself depending on which one you’re looking at.

The point I’m making here is that while I’m talking about the hardcover today, in reality I’m really looking at the eight issues within the book (Ninjak #1-6, before giving us his origin with issues #0 and #00), and those you can probably find easier than the hardcover which may be out of print now. The floppies will likely be cheaper given how out of print Valiant hardcovers tend to sell for higher than cover price.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of these Masters editions is in comparing what I know about the characters from their 2012 relaunch and the versions that appeared in the 90’s. The Ninjak of the 90’s had his differences from the modern version; born to English parents as part of an experiment to grow enhanced humans, he grew up in Japan and learned the ways of the ninja from a temple he sought refuge in after his father was murdered. The rest, his technology and such, differ only in what was conceivable to the writers of the time.

Black Water has the titular ninja taking down an international conglomerate. It sounds fairly cliche now, but the story’s echoes of Batman and James Bond set it apart from the general run of the mill hero vs corporation stories. The story is only the first two issues of the series and , but by the time that story had wrapped I felt like I’d read a full trade – one of my favourite things about comics from the 90’s and before has always been the amount of content packed into each issue. The first six issues we get are wonderful. Reading these, and the other early Valiant, I can understand why the publisher gained such a strong following over the years. Compact, exciting, and with some truly exciting art (I acknowledge that comic art has come a long way since the 90’s, but these issues of Ninjak hold up very well even today).

There may only be a limited number of folks left who, like me, want to explore the original Valiant comics of the 90’s that haven’t already done so, but these hardcover editions are a brilliant gateway to the past, and great encouragement to go hunting for the comics that haven’t been collected – and may never be at this point. That’s why I think these books are underrated; because so few of you will be looking for them. Which is a shame because those early Valiant stories are fantastic.

Join us next week when we look at something else that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

Underrated: Graphic Novel Biographies

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Graphic Novel Biographies.

Biographies aren’t always the first thing you think  of when you think of graphic novels, and vice versa. But the thing is a graphic novel is a fantastic way to tell a person’s life story, or a portion there of, that isn’t often used as much as it could be. Graphic novel biographies are a wonderfully unique way of telling a story that you really can’t capture the same way with a prose book. By utilizing the graphic novel format, the creative team have the opportunity to bring the story to life with picture, or temper  the harshness of what the biography’s subject went through so that the reader can take more of the story in (seriously, imagine the first entry with realistic artwork). Or the artwork can tell give you a subtlety that’s missing in other mediums as you’re more readily able to spend time pouring over the images in front of you. Yeah, I think it’s safe to say that I think graphic novels are an underrated method of telling a biographical story.

So I present to you here a short list of graphic novel biographies. 

A few things before we start; firstly, these biographies are all told primarily in the graphic novel format, but they my not encapsulate  the entirety of the subjects life. Secondly, because I’ve got eclectic taste these selections may not be for everybody so be prepared for some potentially foolish claims. Lastly, this isn’t a complete, or inclusive, list and it is completely subjective.

Maus (Pengiun)
Lets’s be honest here, Maus is far from underrated as a comic book. It’s one of the prime examples of excellence in the medium, and for good reason; this is a book that tackles the harsh realities of life in a concentration camp, and is still every bit as relevant now as it it ever was. So its far from underrated as a comic, but as a biography? It’s not often thought of in that way, especially by non comics fans.  Granted, this book takes a spot in this weeks Underrated simply because it’s a graphic novel that really exemplifies the mediums power, but also because when those outside of comics think of a biographical tale seldom does a graphic novel crop up. It’s for this reason that Maus is on the list.

Andre The Giant: Closer To Heaven (IDW)
You don’t need to be a wrestling fan to appreciate this story, but I won’t deny that it helps. I am not a wrestling fan any more (though I still appreciate the talent these men and women have to do what they do), but I found Closer To Heaven is an incredibly touching tribute to a great man. A giant who entertained millions of people around the world, while suffering an incredible amount of pain because of his gigantism. Andre is a truly inspiring figure, and this is a fantastic way to honour his story. It’s not the only biography of Andre released in graphic novel form, but it is the only one that I have read.

Bill The Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator Of Batman (Charlesbridge)
Perhaps the most powerful book on this list that isn’t Maus, Bill The Boy Wonder tells the story of Bill Finger, and his integral role in creating Batman that went largely known know, and entirely uncredited, until last year. This is a must read for any fans of Batman who want to know the true origin story of the caped crusader, and for those who want to read the book that helped Bill Finger get the recognition he deserves.

Dark Night:  A True Batman Story (Vertigo)
Telling the story of the night that legendary Batman writer Paul Dini was mugged, this book is honestly hard to read at times thanks to it’s frank and honest depiction of one man’s struggle to overcome one of the mot traumatic nights of his life, and how Batman inspired him to get back up.

March (Top Shelf Productions)
This is a bit of a cheat because March is actually a three volume graphic  novel that tells the story of congressman John Lewis, a congressman in the state of Georgia. Each volume in this series is amazing, and delivers to an incredible reading experience about an American icon. Brett has an incredible series of reviews on this modern classic that can all be found within the first paragraph here, so if you want to know why you should read these books then read those.

There we have it – some of the best of the graphic novel biographies. Not all are underrated in the typical sense as relates to this column, (Mausfor example is one of the most respected graphic novels around), but all are worth reading. There are without a doubt other graphic novel biographies that I missed, so there’s a good chance there will be a second (or third) part to this list eventually.

In the meantime, Underrated will return to highlight more comic book related stuff  that either gets ignored despite it’s high quality, or maybe isn’t quite as bad as we tend to think it is.

Preview: RAI: The Book of Darque #2 (of 2)

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RAI: The Book of Darque #2 (of 2)

Script: Dan Abnett
Art: Emilio Utrera, Exequiel F. Roel, Ludwig Olimba, Ezequiel Inverni
Main Exequiel Fernandez Roel
Variant Exequiel Fernandez Roel VIRGIN (C), Salvador Sanz VIRGIN (D)
On Sale Date: 6/26/24
Rated T+
24-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

Rai and Raijin unite to face the formidable Darque, accompanied by a cadre of familiar faces from the past! Crafted by the acclaimed writer Dan Abnett, this thrilling conclusion intertwines legacy with destiny, ensuring that the saga of Rai will be remembered through the ages!

RAI: The Book of Darque #2 (of 2)

Preview: Bloodshot Unleashed: Reloaded #4 (of 4)

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Bloodshot Unleashed: Reloaded #4 (of 4)

Script: Mauro Mantella
Art: Rodrigo Rocha, Sergio Monjes, Exequiel F. Roel, Ludwig Olimba, Marina Leon
Main Exequiel F. Roel
On Sale Date: 6/26/24
For Mature Readers
24-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

The stunning conclusion to the BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED saga! The clock is ticking as Jessie and Magic race against time to join the fray. Just as we think we’re concluding, we have NEW BLOOD.

Bloodshot Unleashed: Reloaded #4 (of 4)

Preview: Ninjak vs. Roku #1 (of 4)

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Ninjak vs. Roku #1 (of 4)

Script: AJ Ampadu
Art: Emiliano Correa, Marina Leon
Main Cover: Luca Erbetta
Variant Covers: Toby Willsmer (B), Luca Erbetta VIRGIN (C), Toby Willsmer VIRGIN (D)
On Sale Date: 6/26/24
Rated T+
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

The line between ally and foe blurs as these two extraordinary warriors clash in a battle that will redefine the very essence of danger. Ninjak’s latest mission catapults him into a face-off with the lethal and enigmatic Roku. In a pulse-pounding race against time, Ninjak finds himself at odds with this formidable adversary, both vying for the same coveted prize.

Ninjak vs. Roku #1 (of 4)

A New World Order Rises in Valiant’s event, Resurgence

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Alien Books has announced Resurgence of the Valiant Universe, a special event kicking off in September. The event is set to dramatically alter the Valiant Universe beginning with the can’t-miss crossover comic book Resurgence of the Valiant Universe #1! Written by the team of co-writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad with art by Guillermo Fajardo, Lautaro Ftuli, Ezequiel Inverni, and Marina Leon, the 4-issue mini-series will follow iconic Valiant heroes including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Ninjak, Ivar, Rai, Livewire, Faith and more through a world they no longer recognize as the villainous Dr. Silk rewrites the rules of heroism, governance, and death itself.

Alien Books and Valiant Entertainment’s publishing partnership began in 2023 and saw a return of many iconic comic series to comic shops and digital platforms. The ‘Road to Resurgence’ banner has adorned titles including X-O Manowar Invictus and The Valiants as the groundwork for this game-changing crossover event was carefully planned and plotted by the villainous Dr. Silk. All of the planning and machinations come to a head in September as Silk’s vision for the future of humanity takes hold and unleashes a threat that will forever change the lives and destinies of the Valiant Universe’s heroes.

Dr. Silk, once an infamous villain, is now a beacon of hope! But his promise of utopia and to make humans immortal has divided the entire planet and set everyone at odds. How will our heroes react to this new world order and who will be left standing at the end?

Resurgence of the Valiant Universe #1 releases September 18 in comic shops nationwide, and will boast an assortment of covers by Guillermo Fajardo, Agustin Alessio, Juan José Ryp, and Mico Suayan.

Preview: Faith Returns #2 (of 2)

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Faith Returns #2 (of 2)

(W) Jody Houser (CA) Fernando Baldo
In Shops: Jun 19, 2024
SRP: $4.99

Faith is ensnared in a web of deceit and conspiracy, framed by a mysterious and malevolent group known as the Faithless. Accused of crimes she did not commit, our heroine must navigate a treacherous path to clear her tarnished name and expose the truth hidden in the shadows. Final issue.

Faith Returns #2 (of 2)
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