The Summer of Valiant is coming! Four months. Four new titles. X-O Manowar #1 in May. Harbinger #1 in June. Bloodshot #1 in July. Archer & Armstrong #1 in August. Now, meet some of the all-star comics talent behind the opening salvo of the all-new Valiant Universe. Just a few weeks before X-O Manowar hits stores everywhere, check out the links below to find out all there is to know about the most anticipated return in comics!
Plus, for an exclusive look behind closed doors, read up on Ain’t It Cool News’ all access tour Valiant’s New York City headquarters to find out where the Valiant Universe might just be headed next:
READ MINDS. BEND STEEL. BREAK ALL THE RULES. First came X-O Manowar. Now another legend of the Valiant Universe returns this June 6 in the all-new Harbinger #1 – the first issue of a new ongoing series from New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, BPRD) and Harvey Award nominee Khari Evans (Carbon Grey, Immortal Iron Fist)!
Skipping across America in a desperate attempt to stay ahead of the authorities, Peter Stanchek is learning that he’s much more than an out-of-work and on-the-run teenager; he is in fact a psionically-powered “harbinger” with the potential to change the course of human history. Now, respected philanthropist and fellow psionic Toyo Harada has come to guide Peter out of harm’s way and teach his new pupil what it truly means to wield power. But Harada isn’t as charitable as he might seem — and the repercussions of these two superhuman harbingers coming face to face might shatter the very planet he hopes to save.
“The idea of really getting a chance to dig in and build an epic mythology populated by a fully-realized cast of characters, all centered around Jim Shooter and David Lapham’s original premise, is super-exhilarating to me,” said Dysart. “I’ve been looking for a book to write that could be dark, weird, trippy, fun, real, unreal, violent and thematically ambitious. All the things I look for in fantastic fiction myself. Harbinger is that book, so I’m pretty damn excited about it.”
Added Evans: “From page one, this has book has been a total blast. It’s a story that begins with Harada and Peter, but soon escalates to include so much more. Working with this cast has been a lot of fun.”
One of the founding titles of the original Valiant Universe, the first Harbinger series was one of the most critically acclaimed super-hero titles of the 1990s and spawned one of first fanatical followings of the modern age of comics. Now, at the hands of the Eisner Award-nominated author behind Unknown Soldier and the fan favorite penciller of Carbon Grey, Harbinger is receiving an unflinching modern update.
“Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada come from diametrically opposite places in this world. Peter’s a broke, disillusioned 18-year-old who sees the American Dream as nothing more than a fiction from another time. Toyo Harada is a self-made billionaire who’s watched the promise of the baby boomers disintegrate into self-interest. These two are inexorably linked by their extraordinary powers, but just because they share a bond doesn’t mean they share an ideology,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “Their eventual collision is unavoidable.”
The generation with nothing to lose is about take on the man who has everything — and no one will escape unscathed. The war for the future of the Valiant Universe begins here this June, only in Harbinger #1!
Visit ValiantUniverse.com later this month for full details on the Harbinger #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant!
HARBINGER #1 — ON SALE JUNE 6! Written by JOSHUA DYSART Art by KHARI EVANS Cover by ARTURO LOZZI Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MICO SUAYAN Variant Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE QR Voice Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
READ MINDS. BEND STEEL. BREAK ALL THE RULES. First came X-O Manowar. Now another legend of the Valiant Universe returns this June 6 in the all-new Harbinger #1 – the first issue of a new ongoing series from New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, BPRD) and Harvey Award nominee Khari Evans (Carbon Grey, Immortal Iron Fist)!
Skipping across America in a desperate attempt to stay ahead of the authorities, Peter Stanchek is learning that he’s much more than an out-of-work and on-the-run teenager; he is in fact a psionically-powered “harbinger” with the potential to change the course of human history. Now, respected philanthropist and fellow psionic Toyo Harada has come to guide Peter out of harm’s way and teach his new pupil what it truly means to wield power. But Harada isn’t as charitable as he might seem — and the repercussions of these two superhuman harbingers coming face to face might shatter the very planet he hopes to save.
“The idea of really getting a chance to dig in and build an epic mythology populated by a fully-realized cast of characters, all centered around Jim Shooter and David Lapham’s original premise, is super-exhilarating to me,” said Dysart. “I’ve been looking for a book to write that could be dark, weird, trippy, fun, real, unreal, violent and thematically ambitious. All the things I look for in fantastic fiction myself. Harbinger is that book, so I’m pretty damn excited about it.”
Added Evans: “From page one, this has book has been a total blast. It’s a story that begins with Harada and Peter, but soon escalates to include so much more. Working with this cast has been a lot of fun.”
One of the founding titles of the original Valiant Universe, the first Harbinger series was one of the most critically acclaimed super-hero titles of the 1990s and spawned one of first fanatical followings of the modern age of comics. Now, at the hands of the Eisner Award-nominated author behind Unknown Soldier and the fan favorite penciller of Carbon Grey, Harbinger is receiving an unflinching modern update.
“Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada come from diametrically opposite places in this world. Peter’s a broke, disillusioned 18-year-old who sees the American Dream as nothing more than a fiction from another time. Toyo Harada is a self-made billionaire who’s watched the promise of the baby boomers disintegrate into self-interest. These two are inexorably linked by their extraordinary powers, but just because they share a bond doesn’t mean they share an ideology,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “Their eventual collision is unavoidable.”
The generation with nothing to lose is about take on the man who has everything — and no one will escape unscathed. The war for the future of the Valiant Universe begins here this June, only in Harbinger #1!
Visit ValiantUniverse.com later this month for full details on the Harbinger #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant!
HARBINGER #1 — ON SALE JUNE 6! Written by JOSHUA DYSART Art by KHARI EVANS Cover by ARTURO LOZZI Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MICO SUAYAN Variant Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE QR Voice Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Valiant is proud to announce the X-O Manowar #1 QR Voice Variant – the world’s first QR code-augmented, talking comic book cover! And, starting this February 29th, the only place to see this comic milestone live and in action will be in local comic shops nationwide when Valiant ships thousands of interactive, retailer-exclusive posters previewing this innovative comics breakthrough.
“We want fans worldwide to know that something special is happening in their local comic shop during the build-up to May 2nd and the launch of the new Valiant Universe,” said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “Valiant’s QR Voice Variant is not only a new innovation in comics and a true incentive for retailers, but an enhanced and immersive experience for fans as well.By merging elements of print and digital, we’ve hopefully created something that fans will just have to see in person!”
Illustrated by fan favorite artist Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic, scripted by Robert Venditti and animated by New York’s Continuity Studios, both the cover and promotional poster will direct smartphone users to a video of X-O Manowar delivering a speech directly to comic fans across the world. On sale May 2nd — from the creative team of New York Times bestselling author Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord — X-O Manowar #1 begins the journey of Valiant’s greatest hero anew, when a Visigoth warrior dons an alien-armored weapon of incalculable destruction, igniting the Valiant Universe in the process.
“From a storytelling standpoint alone, the technology we’re employing here holds enormous potential,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “For the first time anywhere, and exclusively on the printed page, Valiant can literally give its characters a voice.”
Retailers are encouraged to prominently display their X-O Manowar QR Voice posters to showcase this unique promotional item. Valiant will be also be making print-ready PDFs of the posters, as well as the code itself, available to shop owners for promotional use via their retailer portal on ValiantUniverse.com. This is the second innovative promotion Valiant has announced in as many weeks for the release X-O Manowar #1; earlier this month, the publisher unveiled its Pullbox Exclusive Variant program to reward comic shop patrons who open a subscription for X-O Manowar at their local store with a special edition Cary Nord cover.
“From the beginning, it has been Valiant’s mission to get readers into their local comic shop and talking about what makes this such an exciting medium,” said Valiant CEO Jason Kothari. “A trailblazing effort like the QR Voice poster and accompanying limited edition cover to X-O Manowar #1 not only accomplishes that, but also brings a first-of-its-kind interactive experience to print.”
X-O MANOWAR #1 - ON SALE MAY 2nd! Written by ROBERT VENDITTI Art by CARY NORD Cover by ESAD RIBIC (MAR121221) Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CARY NORD (MAR121222) Variant Cover by DAVID AJA (MAR121223) QR Voice Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (MAR121224)
Valiant is proud to announce the X-O Manowar #1 QR Voice Variant – the world’s first QR code-augmented, talking comic book cover! And, starting this February 29th, the only place to see this comic milestone live and in action will be in local comic shops nationwide when Valiant ships thousands of interactive, retailer-exclusive posters previewing this innovative comics breakthrough.
“We want fans worldwide to know that something special is happening in their local comic shop during the build-up to May 2nd and the launch of the new Valiant Universe,” said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “Valiant’s QR Voice Variant is not only a new innovation in comics and a true incentive for retailers, but an enhanced and immersive experience for fans as well.By merging elements of print and digital, we’ve hopefully created something that fans will just have to see in person!”
Illustrated by fan favorite artist Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic, scripted by Robert Venditti and animated by New York’s Continuity Studios, both the cover and promotional poster will direct smartphone users to a video of X-O Manowar delivering a speech directly to comic fans across the world. On sale May 2nd — from the creative team of New York Times bestselling author Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord — X-O Manowar #1 begins the journey of Valiant’s greatest hero anew, when a Visigoth warrior dons an alien-armored weapon of incalculable destruction, igniting the Valiant Universe in the process.
“From a storytelling standpoint alone, the technology we’re employing here holds enormous potential,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. “For the first time anywhere, and exclusively on the printed page, Valiant can literally give its characters a voice.”
Retailers are encouraged to prominently display their X-O Manowar QR Voice posters to showcase this unique promotional item. Valiant will be also be making print-ready PDFs of the posters, as well as the code itself, available to shop owners for promotional use via their retailer portal on ValiantUniverse.com. This is the second innovative promotion Valiant has announced in as many weeks for the release X-O Manowar #1; earlier this month, the publisher unveiled its Pullbox Exclusive Variant program to reward comic shop patrons who open a subscription for X-O Manowar at their local store with a special edition Cary Nord cover.
“From the beginning, it has been Valiant’s mission to get readers into their local comic shop and talking about what makes this such an exciting medium,” said Valiant CEO Jason Kothari. “A trailblazing effort like the QR Voice poster and accompanying limited edition cover to X-O Manowar #1 not only accomplishes that, but also brings a first-of-its-kind interactive experience to print.”
X-O MANOWAR #1 - ON SALE MAY 2nd! Written by ROBERT VENDITTI Art by CARY NORD Cover by ESAD RIBIC (MAR121221) Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CARY NORD (MAR121222) Variant Cover by DAVID AJA (MAR121223) QR Voice Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (MAR121224)
Valiant is proud to announce the X-O Manowar #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant by superstar artist Cary Nord — the first in a new program of exclusive covers designed to encourage fans to open pull lists at their local comic shop and reward long-term pull list subscribers who pre-order Valiant’s new number one issues. Featuring the only X-O Manowar cover by interior artist and Eisner Award-winner Cary Nord, the X-O Manowar #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant is exclusively available only to comic book store pull list subscribers and box holders.
“We’re committed to getting as many fans of Valiant’s original incarnation as possible back into brick-and-mortar comic shops on May 2nd for X-O Manowar #1,” said Publisher Fred Pierce. “There are many lapsed readers out there who haven’t visited a store regularly for years, and this limited edition cover is a great way to incentivize the act of opening a pull list subscription with your local retailer. On top of that, it’s also a perfect opportunity to get a look at the stunning work Cary Nord is delivering with X-O Manowar.”
“One of the challenges that comics retailers face every month is how to order new titles,” added Sales Manager Atom! Freeman. “With the Pullbox Variant program, we’re encouraging fans to let their retailers know ahead of time that they plan on following X-O Manowar monthly and give retailers an extra-added reason to promote the launch of the Valiant line in their stores.”
Valiant will also be shipping in-store request forms for the Pullbox Variant program to retailers during their March ordering period. Register your store for access today at ValiantUniverse.com, or download your own Pullbox Variant request form below! Plus take a look at some never-before-seen interior pages from X-O Manowar #1!
X-O MANOWAR #1 - ON SALE MAY 2nd! Written by ROBERT VENDITTI Art by CARY NORD Cover by ESAD RIBIC (MAR121221) Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CARY NORD (MAR121222) Variant Cover by DAVID AJA (MAR121223) QR Voice Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (MAR121224)
Last week, New York Times best-selling author and newly minted X-O Manowar writer Robert Venditti took the time to talk about his move to monthly comics, working with legendary artist Cary Nord, and what to expect when the Valiant Universe returns to comic shops everywhere on May 2nd, 2012 in X-O Manowar #1! Read on after the jump to find out more about the mind behind the critically acclaimed graphic novels The Surrogates and The Homeland Directive, and what plans he has in the works for the Valiant Universe’s armor-clad hero – X-O Manowar!
The Summer of Valiant is coming! Four months. Four new titles. X-O Manowar #1 in May. Harbinger #1 in June. Bloodshot #1 in July. Archer & Armstrong #1 in August. Now, meet some of the all-star comics talent behind the opening salvo of the all-new Valiant Universe. Just a few weeks before X-O Manowar hits stores everywhere, check out the links below to find out all there is to know about the most anticipated return in comics!
