Category Archives: Announcements
Cutting-Edge Digital Technology Brings Best-Selling Superheroes to Life, Beginning with Free X-O Manowar #1
NEW YORK, July 22, 2014 – Visionbooks is proud to announce a new partnership agreement with award-winning comic book publisher, Valiant Entertainment. Launching today with the release of X-O Manowar #1-4 on the Visionbooks app, relive the best-selling first story arc of Valiant’s alien-armored Visigoth hero as realized by Visionbooks’ groundbreaking digital animation process.
Visionbooks revolutionizes comic book reading by transforming two-dimensional comic books into a digital animation experience. By combining traditional comics with cutting-edge technology, Visionbooks creates dimensional action like explosions, smoke, weather, character conflicts and action, all within static comic panels.
From New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Armor Hunters, Green Lantern) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan), X-O Manowar is the acclaimed series that relaunched Valiant’s publishing line in 2012 to critical and commercial success. Named the “Best Revival of 2012” by The Onion/A.V. Club and “Best Ongoing Series” by Ain’t It Cool News, the tale of Aric of Dacia’s transformation from fifth-century freedom fighter to modern-day America’s most powerful superhero begins right here with the chart-topping debut that IGN calls “one of the best books being published right now, period.”
Visionbooks’ technology and application showcases comics in a whole new way, while preserving the original narrative and layout found in paper comics. Click here to download Valiant’s X-O Manowar #1, free of charge, right now at Visionbooks.
“This partnership with Valiant gives Visionbooks an opportunity to work with classic superheroes and create a cinematic reading experience that engages the next generation of new comic book fans,” said Francesco Scrufari co-founder of Visionbooks.
“Visionbooks is pushing the envelope with our new digital technology. Who better to partner with than Valiant, a publisher who is also known for their innovation and creativity,” said Simone Offredo, co-founder of Visionbooks.
In addition to Valiant Entertainment, Visionbooks’ current partnerships include: Asylum Press, Arcana, Real Interface Studios, A.P.N.G. Enterprises, Vanquish Interactive, Pavesio and Cavalletto.
For more information visit: http://www.visionbooks.co
Follow Visionbooks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VisionbooksApp
Like Visionbooks on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisionbooksApp
Check out Visionbooks on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/visionbooksapp
About Visionbooks:
Visionbooks is a division of Visionborne Inc. Founded in 2012, Visionborne created a ground breaking technology, Armid that turns static editorial content into enriched, vibrant and skillfully animated format. Visionbooks believes in the universal language of comics and strive to provide artists and writers the best, most innovative means of getting their message across to others. Prior to launching Visionbooks, Francesco Scrufari and Simone Offredo, founded Ulixe, a well-recognized European provider of web-based services and international solutions for the banking and industrial sectors.
About Valiant Entertainment:
Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,750 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. Visit them online at ValiantUniverse.com.
Valiant is proud to announce a new exclusive partnership with custom-painted apparel company Punk Your Chucks – the number one destination for unique, custom hand-painted Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, Vans, Nike Air Force Ones, tote bags, and more on the web!
Beginning this July, Punk Your Chucks will offer a wide array of made-to-order footwear and accessories featuring Valiant’s award-winning library of comic book characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Ninjak, Rai and many more. Made on-site at Punk Your Chucks’ New York studio, each item is painted by hand and completely one of a kind. Submit your order today at PunkYourChucks.com.
Punk Your Chucks was founded by owner and artist “AKA MAG”, an urban graffiti artist originally from New York City. MAG started his love for painting, sculpting, and sketching in the cultural chaos of 1970s New York, where his playground was the city’s subways, parks, rooftops, alleys, museums, zoos, and rivers. Valiant marks the latest addition to Punk Your Chucks extensive roster of licensors and celebrity clients, which currently includes Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Marky Ramone, Black Label Society, and more.
“It is an amazing honor to have this opportunity to collaborate with Valiant Comics on many upcoming projects,” said MAG. “As an apparel artist, I can’t think of a bigger thrill than to be asked to work with such an outstanding organization. It’s going to be really cool to hit the fans with some awesome custom and production Valiant merch. Stay tuned!”
“Valiant is proud to be Punk Your Chuck’s first exclusive partner in the comic book category,” said Russell A. Brown, Valiant’s President of Consumer Products, Promotions, and Ad Sales. “With an array of exciting, high-quality products in the works, the combination of Valiant’s heroes and MAG’s craftsmanship is something fans should look forward to.”
For more information or to submit your order, visit PunkYourChucks.com.
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,750 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year.
About Punk Your Chucks
Custom apparel company, Punk Your Chucks, and custom sneaker artist, MAG, have created custom freehand painted apparel for some of the top celebrities and bands in the world. The list is extensive and includes Motley Crue, Thin Lizzy, Will Smith, Chad Szeliga from Breaking Benjamin, Nickelback, Alexa Ray Joel, Peter Facinelli, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Elliott from Def Leppard, 3 Doors Down, Eddie Money, Marky Ramone, Richard Fortus and Dizzy Reed from Guns and Roses, Kelly Clarkson, and many more! See more of their work at www.punkyourchucks.com and www.facebook.com/punkyourchucks.
Valiant is proud to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) with the HARBINGER #25 SDCC Liberty Variant, a limited edition release of July’s 48-page anniversary spectacular that features a brand new cover by Harvey Award-winning cartoonist and industry icon Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets, Marble Season, Sloth)! Debuting this July exclusively at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, the HARBINGER #25 SDCC Liberty Variant will be limited to 750 copies and feature Hernandez’s first-ever rendition of the Harbinger Renegades, Valiant’s best-selling teenage superteam.
In addition to a new cover by Hernandez on behalf of CBDLF, the 48-page HARBINGER #25 milestone issue also features contributions from a star-studded roster of comics talents, including a lead story by the founding creative team of Joshua Dysart (Harbinger Wars) and Khari Evans (Archer & Armstrong), and new stories and artwork from Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle), Lewis LaRosa (Punisher MAX), Dan Goldman (Red Light Properties), Clayton Henry (Archer & Armstrong), Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode), Rafer Roberts (Carpool Buddies of Doom), Lucy Knisley (Relish: My Life in the Kitchen), and Barry Kitson (Empire).
“It is an enormous honor for both Valiant and myself to work with the legendary Gilbert Hernandez for one of the most vital causes in our medium today, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund,” said Valiant Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons. “Gilbert’s cover is an amazing addition to HARBINGER #25′s already stellar line-up, and one that adds even more resonance to our celebration of one of the most beloved teams in the Valiant line.”
To celebrate this milestone collaboration, CBLDF will host a group signing at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, during which Hernandez will sign copies of the HARBINGER #25 SDCC Liberty Variant alongside New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart, New York Times best-selling writer and Eisner nominee Vivek J. Tiwary, and acclaimed cartoonist Lucy Knisley. The signing will begin at 12:00 P.M. PT sharp at CBLDF booth #1920 inside the San Diego Convention Center.
Hernandez’s HARBINGER #25 SDCC Liberty Variant will be available exclusively at the CBLDF’s booth (#1920) inside the San Diego Convention Center and via the CBLDF website (cbldf.org). All proceeds will directly benefit the First Amendment legal and education work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, an organization that works to protect the freedom to read.
Valiant Entertainment has been a supporter of CBLDF since 2012, and a Corporate Member of the Fund since 2013. This marks the second variant cover Valiant has created as a Comic-Con International exclusive for the fund.
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals. www.cbldf.org
About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,750 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year.
Award-winning, multi-million selling comic coming to film from Valiant developed and financed script
As revealed exclusively at the Hollywood Reporter, New York-based comic book publisher Valiant Entertainment today announced that they are adapting their award-winning comic book series, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, into a feature film. Valiant has partnered with the Sean Daniel Company (THE MUMMY, BEST MAN HOLIDAY, MGM’s upcoming BEN-HUR) for the production and has funded a script from writer BenDavid Grabinski. The film will be produced by Sean Daniel, Jason Brown, and Dinesh Shamdasani.
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG is an action-adventure/buddy comedy colliding a drunk, delinquent immortal who has given up on saving the world and the idealistic young man who needs him for a globetrotting quest to stop history’s oldest conspiracy from toppling modern civilization.
Co-created by former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter (AVENGERS), and legendary comics creators Barry Windsor-Smith (CONAN) and Bob Layton (IRON MAN), Archer & Armstrong first appeared in 1992 and quickly became one of the most successful comic book franchises in history, selling more than 4.5 million copies worldwide. With a devoted following that stretches around the globe, Ain’t It Cool News has called Archer & Armstrong “the best buddy team book of all time,” adding that “not since Batman & Robin has a more important duo hit the comic world.”
Most recently, Valiant re-launched the property with a new series in 2012 to an immediate worldwide sell-out and rave reviews. The series’ debut issue garnered three printings; earned numerous awards and accolades; and was named as one of the Best Comics of 2012 by Crave Online and Bloody Disgusting, as one of the Best Comics of 2013 by Comic Book Resources, and was nominated for Best New Comic Series of 2012 by IGN.
“ARCHER & ARMSTRONG is one of the greatest untapped franchises in comics, and BenDavid’s script is delivering a vision for these characters that has made us all very, very excited,” said Sean Daniel. “The movie is about the relationship between these two amazing characters, the comic clash between optimism and pessimism, and how family is the most important unifier. It combines globe-spanning action with BenDavid’s singular sense of humor, and is rooted in resonant themes that give it a powerful emotional core.”
Founded in 1989, Valiant experienced a meteoric rise in the 1990s, selling 80 million comic books and quickly becoming the number three publisher in the comic book industry. One of the few companies to ever rival Marvel and DC in popularity and market share, Valiant re-launched its universe of characters to tremendous commercial and critical success in 2012. The company previously announced that SHADOWMAN, another award-winning franchise from Valiant’s library of more than 1,750 comic book characters, was being adapted into a feature film. Screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski (THOR, WORLD WAR Z, and the upcoming SENSE8 for Netflix) has been hired to adapt SHADOWMAN with Valiant funding and producing alongside the Sean Daniel Company. Additionally, BLOODSHOT – another Valiant property with sales in excess of 7 million copies to date – has been optioned by Sony Pictures with Matthew Vaughn (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) attached and a script by Jeff Wadlow (KICK-ASS 2). Valiant has partnered with Original Film for the project. Neal Moritz, Toby Jaffe and Dinesh Shamdasani are producing.
BenDavid Grabinski, writer of SKIPTRACE with Jackie Chan and Seann William Scott starring, also previously wrote an untitled project for Peter Berg (LONE SURVIVOR), as well as CON ED for Alcon Entertainment; SWIFT for Sony Pictures; and THE HOW-TO GUIDE FOR SAVING THE WORLD for MGM with Barry Sonnenfeld (MEN IN BLACK) directing, which was featured on the Black List.
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG joins a highly anticipated slate of upcoming feature film and television projects at the Sean Daniel Company, including THE MUMMY reboot for Universal in 2016, BEN-HUR for Paramount/MGM with director Timur Bekmambetov (WANTED) also in 2016, and THE EXPANSE, which received a straight-to-series commitment from the Syfy channel and is based on the New York Times bestselling series of novels by James S.A. Corey.
“We couldn’t have more apt partners than Sean Daniel – who, as an executive at Universal, shepherded the seminal movies in the genre in BLUES BROTHERS, MIDNIGHT RUN, and ANIMAL HOUSE – and BenDavid Grabinski, who just turned in a truly awesome adaptation,” said Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “We’re bringing the same quality and creativity that established our success in comics to our film and television adaptations. SHADOWMAN, BLOODSHOT, and ARCHER & ARMSTRONG are just the beginning.”
In the wake of the sold-out success of Valiant’s blockbuster crossover event, ARMOR HUNTERS, Valiant is proud to announce that superstar artist Clay Mann has signed on as the publisher’s next exclusive artist for X-O MANOWAR #0 – the first of two fan-demanded, must-read zero issues that will serve as all-new introductions to Valiant’s biggest ongoing series this fall!
Also joining X-O MANOWAR #0 on store shelves, look for UNITY #0 – a brand new tale revealing the top secret origins of Valiant’s elite superteam from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (THE VALIANT, RAI) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (X-O MANOWAR)!
First, on October 8th, the true story of Aric of Dacia – aka the unstoppable X-O Manowar – will stand revealed in X-O MANOWAR #0, an essential new jumping-on point for Valiant’s flagship hero from New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (ARMOR HUNTERS, Green Lantern) and Valiant’s newest exclusive superstar Clay Mann (X-Men: Age of X)!
Known for his action-packed and kinetic work on titles including X-Men, X-Men: Legacy, Indestructible Hulk, and Gambit, X-O MANOWAR #0 will mark Mann’s first work for Valiant. Mann is the latest in a recent string of high-profile additions to the publisher’s roster of creators, including Jeff Lemire (THE VALIANT), Paolo Rivera (THE VALIANT), and Rafa Sandoval (HARBINGER: OMEGAS), and joins a stable of other acclaimed, Valiant-exclusive writers and artists that includes Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS), CAFU (UNITY), Joshua Dysart (ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER, HARBINGER: OMEGAS), Clayton Henry (HARBINGER, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG), Trevor Hairsine (ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT), Cary Nord (X-O MANOWAR), and Brian Reber (UNITY, X-O MANOWAR).
After narrowly surviving the events of ARMOR HUNTERS, X-O Manowar – or what is left of him – must look to the future, but, to do so, Aric must first learn the startling secret of his past. Be here on October 8th to learn the violent, never-before-told origin of Visigoth life under the brutality of the Roman Empire, and how the modern day’s most feared armored hero began his journey to the stars nearly two millennia ago. Don’t miss the most demanded Valiant story of the year as Robert Venditti and Clay Mann usher in a brand new beginning for one of the most acclaimed series in comics today, only in X-O MANOWAR #0!
Then, on October 15th, Valiant all-stars Matt Kindt and Cary Nord come together to reveal the classified history of Valiant’s biggest heroes – then…now..and forever – in UNITY #0!
The unbreakable all-star superteam known as UNITY has saved the planet, and the world is in its debt…but is this the first time a band of exceptional heroes and soldiers has rescued humanity from a doomsday threat? The Eternal Warrior remembers…and, one hundred years ago, he led another team of valiant champions on a life-or-death mission that changed the very course of history. Now, for the first time, find out why the world needs UNITY…and there has always been one to stand against the threats no ordinary team could match!
This October, start at the beginning to discover two of the most incredible series on the stands today in X-O MANOWAR #0 and UNITY #0 – two perfect introductions to the mind-blowing world of Valiant’s heroes and villains!
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
X-O MANOWAR #0
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CLAY MANN
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Cover B by CLAY MANN
Variant Cover by JEFF LEMIRE
Variant Cover by BRYAN HITCH
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
COMING IN OCTOBER!
UNITY #0
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by RAUL ALLEN
Variant Cover by CHRISCROSS
Variant Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
COMING IN OCTOBER!
In celebration of THE VALIANT – Valiant’s upcoming prestige format mini-series from superstar creators Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and Paolo Rivera – Valiant is proud to announce that the publisher is making nine of its biggest #1 issues available as FREE downloads on comiXology for the month of July!
From now through July 31st, jump on board each of Valiant’s award-winning, fan favorite ongoing series with an all-access pass to some of the publisher’s most acclaimed #1 debuts – completely FREE for a limited time and featuring contributions from some of the premier storytellers in comics today, including James Asmus (Gambit, Thief of Thieves), Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Journey into Mystery), Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage), Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier), Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Ultimate Nightmare), Matt Kindt (Justice League of America, Mind MGMT), Cary Nord (Conan), Greg Pak (Batman/Superman, Action Comics), Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Flash), and many, many more!
From Archer & Armstrong to X-O Manowar, now is your chance to discover each of Valiant’s best-selling series with a complete array of FREE #1 milestones from across the Valiant library, including:
• ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #1 by Fred Van Lente & Clayton Henry
It’s history in the breaking! Eighteen-year-old adventurer Obadiah Archer and the immortal miscreant currently called Armstrong will have to work together if modern civilization is to stand any chance of surviving a centuries-old conspiracy that stretches from the catacombs beneath Wall Street to the heights of the Himalayas!
• BLOODSHOT #1 by Duane Swierczynski & Manuel Garcia
Heroes aren’t born…they’re built. Brought back from the dead and infused with cutting-edge nanotechnology, the walking weapon of mass destruction now known as Bloodshot has escaped his handlers at Project Rising Spirit and vowed to bring war down up his masters…but first he’ll have to figure out where the programming ends and the real “him” begins.
• ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 by Greg Pak & Trevor Hairsine
Soldier. Guardian. Warrior. Legend. Across ten millennia and a thousand battlefields, Gilad Anni-Padda has traversed the darkest, most mysterious corners of history. But the horror and bloodshed of constant warfare has finally taken its toll on the man who vowed to serve the Earth as its Eternal Warrior…and soon his oath will bring an ancient war roaring down on modern day.
• HARBINGER #1 by Joshua Dysart & Khari Evans
Read minds. Bend steel. Break all the rules. Runaway teenager Peter Stanchek is on a dangerous path. Skipping across the country in a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, Peter is quickly realizing that he’s a telekinetically powered “harbinger” with the potential to reshape the course of human history. His first lesson? All power comes with a price.
• QUANTUM AND WOODY #1 by James Asmus & Tom Fowler
KLANG! Once upon a time, Eric and Woody Henderson were inseparable. Adopted brothers. Best friends. Brilliant minds. Years later, they are estranged siblings, petty rivals, and washed-up failures. But when their father’s murder leads them into the throes of a life-altering scientific accident, Eric and Woody will find themselves with a whole new purpose – and a perfectly legitimate reason to wear costumes and fight crime.
• RAI #1 by Matt Kindt & Clayton Crain
Japan in the 41st century! The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai.
• SHADOWMAN #1 by Justin Jordan & Patrick Zircher
There are a million dreams in the Big Easy. But now its worst nightmare is about to come true. As the forces of darkness prepare to claim New Orleans as their own, Jack Boniface must accept the legacy he was born to uphold. As Shadowman, Jack is about to become the only thing that stands between his city and an army of unspeakable monstrosities from beyond the night.
• UNITY #1 by Matt Kindt & Doug Braithwaite
The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most lethal, most volatile, most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon. Kill X-O Manowar!
• X-O MANOWAR #1 by Robert Venditti & Cary Nord
Born into battle, Aric of Dacia – heir to the throne of the Visigoth people – has never known peace. After a brutal encounter with a mysterious enemy known as The Vine leaves him a prisoner on an alien world, the only hope Aric has of returning to his family and saving them from slavery is to seize armored suit capable of incalculable destruction and become X-O Manowar!
Start at the beginning with all nine of these best-selling #1 milestones today at comiXology, then get ready for THE VALIANT – an all-new prestige format mini-series coming in December from all-star creators Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and Paolo Rivera! An entirely self-contained comics event spotlighting Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, and a cast of heroes and villains from across the Valiant Universe, THE VALIANT is a visionary new adventure from three of the greatest creative talents in comics today.
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
A battle ten millennia in the making is about to begin…
Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce THE VALIANT – a new prestige format four-issue limited series beginning in December from New York Times best-selling writers Jeff Lemire (Green Arrow, Animal Man) and Matt Kindt (RAI, UNITY, Mind MGMT), and featuring interior artwork and covers by Eisner Award-winning artist Paolo Rivera (Daredevil)!
An entirely self-contained comics event spotlighting Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, and a cast of heroes and villains from across the Valiant Universe, THE VALIANT is a visionary new adventure from three of the greatest creative talents in comics today.
The Eternal Warrior has protected the Earth for more than 10,000 years. A master of countless weapons and long forgotten martial arts, he is guided by the Geomancers – those who speak for the Earth. During his long watch, the Eternal Warrior has failed three times. Each time, the Geomancer was killed…and a new dark age for humanity began. Each time, he was unable to stop The Immortal Enemy – a monstrous force of nature. A civilization killer. A horror that appears differently each time it arrives…and whose seemingly only purpose is to bring disorder and darkness to the world. Now, the time has come for The Immortal Enemy to return once more. But, this time, the Eternal Warrior will be ready. This time, he has a force greater than any single warrior. This time, he has…THE VALIANT.
“I’ve been a huge fan of what Valiant Comics has been doing for the past two years, with a lot of my favorite creators, and favorite people, like Matt Kindt, Josh Dysart and Rob Venditti, doing incredible work for the publisher,” said writer Jeff Lemire. “So, it’s a huge thrill for me to now step into the Valiant Universe in a BIG way with the upcoming four-issue series, THE VALIANT, along with co-writer Matt Kindt, and one of the most incredible artists working in comics today, Paolo Rivera. THE VALIANT will not only serve as a great entry point for brand new readers to Valiant, but also enrich the existing universe and shake it up dramatically moving forward. Valiant has an incredible stable of characters to play with, and they will ALL play a role in THE VALIANT.”
“Jeff and I have been threatening to work together for a long time,” said writer Matt Kindt. “And we did a little bit on Sweet Tooth with the few issues I did, but this is the first time we’ve really created something from scratch and written a long piece of work together. Collaborating on writing isn’t something I normally get excited about, but Jeff and I just got coffee after a con one night and started brainstorming different things we could do and, by the end of the night, the waitress got a big tip and we’d written an outline for this epic story. It was like being transported to your best friend’s kitchen table when you’re 11 and cooking up fantastic comic book ideas. But in this case, when we were done, we got Paolo to draw it. We couldn’t be more excited. I was just a fan of his on his now classic run on Daredevil. He’s just a great cartoonist, you know? He can tell a story so well – and I think we gave him plenty of story to draw.”
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Jeff and Matt, and their script does not disappoint,” said artist Paolo Rivera. “One of the major things that brought me to this project was the epic scale. Most of the stories I’ve worked on, even when action-packed, have been on the level of individuals. While our main characters are still the heart, this story spans epochs and realms, with consequences that, quite literally, affect the entire Earth.”
“I worked with [Valiant Editor-in-Chief] Warren [Simons] briefly at Marvel, but he’s been doing his best to lure me (and my Dad) to Valiant since 2012,” added Rivera. “We’ve been doing mostly covers since then, so it’s awesome to be drawing comics again. That, and it’s fun to draw Bloodshot getting blown to bits.”
A New York Times best-selling writer and artist, Jeff Lemire is the award-winning author of some of the most acclaimed graphic novels and comic book series in recent memory, including the Essex County trilogy, Sweet Tooth, and The Underwater Welder. A recipient of the American Library Association’s prestigious Alex Award and the Joe Shuster Award, Lemire’s work has also been nominated for the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards. Most recently, his work for DC Comics has included critically acclaimed runs on Animal Man, Green Arrow, and Justice League United, as well as the creator-owned series Trillium for Vertigo. THE VALIANT will be Lemire’s first full-length work for Valiant Entertainment.
Matt Kindt is the New York Times best-selling writer and artist of many acclaimed graphic novels and comic book series, including Mind MGMT, 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, Pistolwhip, Red-Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes, Revolver, and Super Spy. A Harvey Award winner and Eisner Award nominee, his other works include Justice League of America and Suicide Squad for DC Comics, and Marvel Knights: Spider-Man for Marvel Comics. In addition to THE VALIANT, Kindt currently writes two ongoing series, RAI and UNITY, for Valiant Entertainment.
Paolo Rivera quickly gained notoriety for his painted artwork on Marvel Comics’ Mythos before moving on to provide distinctive and striking covers for nearly all of the publisher’s top series. With his father Joe Rivera inking his work, Rivera penciled the best-selling relaunch of Marvel’s Daredevil with writer Mark Waid – a run that won the father-son duo two Eisner Awards for their work. THE VALIANT will mark Rivera’s first full-length comics’ work since Daredevil in 2012. He can be found online at paolorivera.blogspot.com and twitter.com/PaoloMRivera.
This December, the Geomancer’s sacred mission begins anew as superstar creators Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and Paolo Rivera bring together THE VALIANT – a new comic book milestone, coming soon from Valiant Entertainment.
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
THE VALIANT #1 (of 4)
Written by JEFF LEMIRE & MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by PAOLO RIVERA
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
COMING IN DECEMBER!
Just as ARMOR HUNTERS #2 (of 4) arrives in stores to a record-setting sell-out, Valiant is proud to announce a blockbuster new chapter for the summer’s most acclaimed crossover event, ARMOR HUNTERS, and a fleet of brand new second printings to meet demand for X-O Manowar’s epic confrontation with a squadron of alien hunter-killers tied to the very origin of his armor!
This October, the must-read crossover event of the year reaches its milestone conclusion in ARMOR HUNTERS: AFTERMATH #1 – an essential one-shot epilogue to the Armor Hunters’ invasion of Earth by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, Green Lantern) and red-hot artist CAFU (Unity)! In the devastating wake of ARMOR HUNTERS #4 (of 4), our planet – and its heroes – will be forever changed. Start reading here to discover the new status quo for the world’s most formidable heroes as X-O Manowar, Unity, Bloodshot, and the Harbinger Renegades forge a new frontline of defense for humanity!
“With rave reviews for each installment thus far and the fastest sell-outs we’ve ever seen occurring at a rapid clip across multiple issues, Armor Hunters is shaping up to be nothing short of a phenomenon. Robert Venditti, Doug Braithwaite, Matt Kindt and every other participating creator have outdone themselves at each turn, building a truly earth-shaking crossover event perfect for new fans and longtime readers alike,” said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce. “But the stakes are only getting bigger, and ARMOR HUNTERS: AFTERMATH #1 is where we’ll finally see how the battle waged has not only affected X-O Manowar and Unity, but Bloodshot, Harbinger, and other titles from throughout the Valiant publishing line.”
The fallout of the summer’s blistering crossover event starts here and no hero can escape what happens next – only in ARMOR HUNTERS: AFTERMATH #1, on sale in October!
Plus, arriving in stores alongside ARMOR HUNTERS #3 (of 4) on August 18th, look for all-new printings for three sold-out chapters of the ARMOR HUNTERS saga in the ARMOR HUNTERS #2 (of 4) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT, UNITY #8 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT, and X-O MANOWAR #26 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT! Don’t miss a moment of Valiant’s acclaimed crossover event with three all-new entry points into the high-stakes world of X-O Manowar’s brutal clash with the alien Armor Hunters – a relentless battalion of soldiers dedicated to eradicating the X-O Manowar armor and all others like it…no matter what the cost.
Praise for ARMOR HUNTERS:
“✮✮✮✮✮…Venditti, Braithwaite, and Martin are putting together one exciting book.” – Comic Vine
“✮✮✮✮✮…The stakes are high, the opponents look unbeatable, and [X-O Manowar] will not come out of this battle unchanged.” – Comic Bastards
“✮✮✮✮½…If there’s one event to get in on from the beginning to the very end, [Armor Hunters] is it!” – Unleash the Fanboy
“✮✮✮✮…Immersive and well rendered… Armor Hunters is shaping up to be Valiant’s next big thing.” – IGN
“✮✮✮✮…It’s an event story for readers who think they hate event stories.” – Comic Book Resources
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
ARMOR HUNTERS: AFTERMATH #1
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CAFU
Cover by DIEGO BERNARD
Variant Cover by BRENT PEEPLES
Variant Cover by MICO SUAYAN
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ONE-SHOT | COMING IN OCTOBER!
ARMOR HUNTERS #2 (of 4) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ON SALE 8/13/14 (FOC – 7/21/14)
ARMOR HUNTERS #3 (of 4)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
#ValiantCraft Cover by DONOVAN SANTIAGO
Armor Hunters Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Artist Variant by MICO SUAYAN
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ON SALE 8/13/14 (FOC – 7/21/14)
UNITY #8 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ON SALE 8/13/14 (FOC – 7/21/14)
X-O MANOWAR #26 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DIEGO BERNARD
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ON SALE 8/13/14 (FOC – 7/21/14)
From Thursday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 6th, join Valiant for a holiday weekend packed with signings, special guests, and convention-only exclusives, only at Florida Supercon – Miami’s largest comic book and pop culture convention!
Join Valiant all weekend long at Booth #736 inside the Miami Beach Convention Center for signings from New York Times best-selling artist and creator Clayton Henry (Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong)! Plus, stop by to shop a complete collection of hardcover and trade paperback collections, Valiant merchandise, and convention-only exclusives that can’t be found anywhere else!
Then, round out the weekend with the VALIANT FIRST AND BEYOND panel presentation on Saturday, July 5th at 4:15 PM in the Flamingo 3 Ballroom! As Valiant steamrolls into yet another super-summer, find out what the future holds for the publisher’s power-packed VALIANT FIRST line-up of new series – including RAI, ARMOR HUNTERS, THE DELINQUENTS, THE DEATH-DEFYING DR. MIRAGE, and more – with an all-star panel including Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani and special surprise guests!
We’ll see you in Miami!
For tickets, programming information, and more, visit FloridaSuperCon.com.
For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.
For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
Valiant Entertainment today announced that Executive Editor Warren Simons has been promoted to the position of Editor-in-Chief. Since joining Valiant as Executive Editor in 2011, Simons has overseen the relaunch of the resurgent publisher’s comic book line with an array of best-selling, critically acclaimed series including X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Bloodshot, Archer & Armstrong, Unity, Rai, and more.
In his new role as Editor-in-Chief, Simons will continue to preside over all day-to-day operations of Valiant’s editorial department, and manage Valiant’s growing editorial team. Additionally, Simons will also continue to edit a stable of Valiant’s flagship series and special projects, including Rai, Unity, Harbinger, X-O Manowar, and this summer’s Armor Hunters crossover event.
“Warren has been an enormous asset in Valiant’s tremendous success. He’s built one of the most talented rosters of creators anywhere in comics today, and has played an integral role in accomplishing the numerous critical and commercial successes that Valiant has achieved in a very short time,” said Valiant Chairman Peter Cuneo.
“Warren has played an essential part in making Valiant one of the most well-regarded and formidable publishers in the industry. Our exceptional success to date has built the perfect platform for future growth. We have even bigger plans for the next three years. The future is bright for Valiant and we’re proud to have Warren playing an even bigger role,” said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.
“Valiant is a company that was built and defined by some of the greatest visionaries in the medium, and it’s an honor to be named Editor-in-Chief at this extraordinary publisher,” said Simons. “It’s an absolute privilege to work alongside such incredibly talented and dedicated colleagues and creators every day. In the last three years, the teams have helped fashion a new, bold voice in the industry, and 2014 is going to be an amazing year for Valiant and our fans. I’m energized and excited for what’s on the horizon.”
One of the most critically acclaimed editors in the comic book industry today, Simons spent seven years at Marvel Entertainment, revitalizing some of the publisher’s classic properties to great critical and commercial success. Simons’ credits during this time included Invincible Iron Man, Thor, Daredevil, Immortal Iron Fist, and Sensational Spider-Man – titles which garnered numerous Eisner and Harvey Award nominations.
During his tenure at Valiant thus far, Simons’ co-architected the hugely successful revival of the Valiant Universe – the third largest library of its kind in comics – beginning with X-O Manowar #1 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord in 2012. Selling in excess of 50,000 copies, the issue ranked as one of the year’s best-selling new series from an independent publisher, and was followed in quick succession by the “Summer of Valiant” – a slate of new ongoing titles, including Harbinger, Bloodshot, and Archer & Armstrong, that each debuted to rave reviews and sold-out status.
After multiple awards and nominations, including a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Publisher of the Year, Valiant forged even farther in 2013 with the debut of its first crossover event, Harbinger Wars, and the release of Unity #1 by writer Matt Kindt and artist Doug Braithwaite – the year’s highest charting debut issue from a non-premier publisher with sales in excess of 70,000 copies. Just this past May, Valiant followed up with “Valiant First” – an all-new line of titles led by the smash-hit ongoing series, Rai, and its biggest crossover event to date, Armor Hunters.
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ABOUT VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,750 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. Outside of the United States and Canada, Valiant titles are published in a number of languages and territories internationally, including Brazil, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, China, and others. Visit them online at ValiantUniverse.com.
