Category Archives: Retailer

VALIANT New Printing Alert: RAI #1 THIRD PRINTING | X-O MANOWAR #25 SECOND PRINTING

Valiant is proud to announce that two of May’s most high-profile releases – RAI #1 and the oversized X-O MANOWAR #25 anniversary spectacular – have sold out at the distributor level and will soon return to store shelves with all-new printings in June and July!

First up, discover a daring new vision of what comics can be in the RAI #1 THIRD PRINTING VARIANT – your latest chance to enter the astonishing world of Japan in the 41st century as realized by superstar creators Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain! Returning to stands on July 9th alongside RAI #3, the red-hot launch book of the all-new VALIANT FIRST initiative continues to burn up the charts after a record-setting second print sell-out. Start reading here to jump on board the new ongoing series that has fans and critics heralding RAI as a comic book milestone for the modern age.

Praise for RAI #1:

“✮✮✮✮✮… [Rai] comes with the highest praise.” – PopMatters
“✮✮✮✮½… Rai is just plain amazing.” – IGN
“✮✮✮✮… An immersive experience…unlike anything else in comics.” – Comic Book Resources
“✮✮✮✮… This is a book you really need to check out.” – Comic Vine
“Maybe the best looking comic Valiant has produced yet, and a book that has nearly unlimited potential…” – Multiversity Comics

Plus, the sold-out, 48-page introduction to June’s much anticipated ARMOR HUNTERS crossover event returns to store shelves on June 25th with the X-O MANOWAR #25 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT! Featuring all-new stories from Robert Venditti, Bryan Hitch, J.G. Jones, Cary Nord and many more, find out everything you need to know about X-O Manowar – from his origin among the stars to his battle in the modern day – just in time for the beginning of ARMOR HUNTERS this June! Look for the X-O MANOWAR #25 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT in stores alongside X-O MANOWAR #26, the FIRST ISSUE of an all-new, standalone story arc detailing the untold history of the Armor Hunters – and the forbidden secret that put them on inescapable collision course with the planet Earth.

Praise for X-O MANOWAR #25:

“✮✮✮✮✮… A great jumping on point for any new fan…” – Comic Bastards
“✮✮✮✮½… If this doesn’t hook you nothing will. This is a perfect blend of history, action, anticipation wrapped in stunning and brilliant art.” – Unleash the Fanboy
“✮✮✮✮½… New or old to the series you’ll appreciate the work that was put into this issue and you’ll be yearning for more.” – Herotaku
“✮✮✮✮… This is how anniversary issues should be done… X-O Manowar #25 sets the bar high for the rest of the line.” – Comic Book Resources

For a complete calendar of Valiant’s upcoming releases, visit Valiant online here.

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

RAI #1 (THIRD PRINTING VARIANT)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 7/19/14 (FOC – 6/16/14)

X-O MANOWAR #25 (SECOND PRINTING VARIANT) (APR148227)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with TOM FOWLER and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by DIEGO BERNARD, SEAN CHEN, TOM FOWLER, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, BARRY KITSON, CARY NORD, RAFER ROBERTS, and ANDY RUNTON
Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 6/25/14 (FOC – 6/2/14)

“DEATH OF A RENEGADE – PART ONE” Sells Out, Returns with HARBINGER #22 Second Printing!

Valiant is proud to announce that HARBINGER #22 – the FIRST ISSUE of “Death of a Renegade”, the devastating new story arc from New York Times best-selling creators Joshua Dysart and Clayton Henry – has sold out at the distributor level just one week after its initial release, and will return to stores with a red-hot second printing on May 28th!

United by their unique abilities, five teenage misfits have come together under the leadership of dysfunctional runaway Peter Stanchek – a psionically-powered “psiot” forced to self-medicate to keep his immense powers in check. Recruited into the Harbinger Foundation – a secret academy where others like him are trained for the betterment of the world – Peter studied to become the protege of Toyo Harada, a wealthy business magnate and the only other “psiot” capable of rivaling Peter’s incredible telekinetic capabilities. But teacher and pupil clashed when Peter discovered the true purpose of Harada’s secretive Harbinger empire – a better world…but one built by any means necessary, even subversion, conspiracy and control. Now, with only the rejected recruits of the Renegades to aid him, the one boy to ever challenge Harada’s vise-grip on the future of humanity has been left with no choice but to expose his former mentor to the world – then bring the fight to his front door.

Featuring a new cover by acclaimed artist Joe Eisma (Morning Glories), look for the HARBINGER #22 EISMA SECOND PRINTING VARIANT to arrive in finer comic shops everywhere alongside HARBINGER #23 – the next staggering issue of “Death of a Renegade”…and the dawn of a milestone moment that will change everything in its wake.

Beginning the storyline that will culminate in July’s extra-sized HARBINGER #25 and the launch of August’s HARBINGER: OMEGAS #1 (of 3), witness a pivotal turning point for the series The Onion/A.V. Club calls “one of the most binge-worthy superhero comics currently available” with an all-new beginning – and a sudden end – for Valiant’s premier team of teenage heroes on May 28th when HARBINGER #22 returns to the stands!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

HARBINGER #22 EISMA SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (“DEATH OF A RENEGADE” – PART 1)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by JOE EISMA (MAR148228)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/28/14 (FOC – 5/5/14)

HARBINGER #23 (“DEATH OF RENEGADE” – PART 2)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (MAR141414)
Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA (MAR141415)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141416)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/28/14 (FOC – 5/5/14)

HARBINGER #24 (“DEATH OF RENEGADE” – PART 3)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (APR141430)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (APR141430)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 6/18/14 (FOC – 5/26/14)

VALIANT Reveals World’s Largest MEGA-COVER for ARMOR HUNTERS – Limited to Six Participating Retailers!

The summer’s biggest crossover event is about to get even bigger!

Valiant is proud to announce the ARMOR HUNTERS 18-PART MEGA-COVER – a limited edition, one-of-a-kind interlocking cover divided across all 18 issues of ARMOR HUNTERS, this summer’s hotly anticipated crossover event featuring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, the Unity team, and many more of Valiant’s most formidable heroes.

Featuring a colossal, four foot tall by two-and-half foot wide cover image by heat-seeking rising star Diego Bernard (X-O Manowar, Red Lanterns), the ARMOR HUNTERS 18-PART MEGA-COVER is the biggest comic book cover ever attempted in the history of the medium, and will span all issues of the ARMOR HUNTERS crossover event beginning this June – ARMOR HUNTERS #1-4, UNITY #8-11, X-O MANOWAR #26-29, ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1-3, and ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER #1-3.

Spotlighting each of Valiant’s greatest heroes – and a few select classified recruits – as they combat the ARMOR HUNTERS‘ brutal invasion of Earth in search of the X-O Manowar armor, this is the only place to witness the true size and scale of the Hunters’ deadliest asset – the gigantic alien robot simply called GIN-GR.

“As soon as we saw Clayton Crain’s amazing character designs for GIN-GR, and the rest of the Armor Hunters, we knew that this was going to be an enemy and a crossover unlike anything else in comics. But we also wanted to present it in an equally bold manner on the shelf. When it comes to the biggest story that Valiant has attempted to date, what could be more appropriate than the world’s biggest cover?” said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce.

Available in limited quantities per issue, each component piece of the ARMOR HUNTERS 18-PART MEGA-COVER will be available exclusively from these six participating retailers nationwide:

DCBS
www.DCBService.com
customer.service@dcbservice.com
10202-C Coldwater Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Graham Crackers Comics
GrahamCrackers.com
At all 9 locations in Illinois!

Laughing Ogre
www.laughingogrecomics.com/wordpress/
At all 3 three location in Virginia and Ohio!
(703) 437-9530
(703) 250-6479
(614) A-MR-OGRE

M & M Comic Service
www.mmcomics.com
830-438-6131
service@mmcomics.com
3128 Hidden Haven
San Antonio TX, 78261

Midtown Comics
www.midtowncomics.com
info@midtowncomics.com
212-302-8192
800-411-3341

Mile High Comics
www.milehighcomics.com
back_issue@milehighcomics.com
1-800-676-6423
(303) 455-2659
4600 Jason Street, Denver CO, 80211

In the tradition of the universe-shaking HARBINGER WARS, the year’s can’t-miss crossover event begins in ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4) – and then continues with new arcs beginning in UNITY #8 and X-O MANOWAR #26 in June; and ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1 (of 3) and ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER #1 (of 3) in July – each featuring one of five wraparound Chromium shelf covers by some of the biggest talents in comics today!

To get in on all the action from start to finish – and to assemble your own ARMOR HUNTERS 18-PART MEGA-COVER – contact a participating retailer today to pre-order!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

VALIANT Unveils 45 Retailer Customized FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL Covers for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS Sells Out, Returns with Second Printings in April and May!

Valiant is proud to announce that both X-O MANOWAR #23 and X-O MANOWAR #24 – featuring the landmark PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS, Valiant’s summer 2014 crossover event – have both completely sold out at the distributor level and will soon return to store shelves with new covers featuring the stunning interior art of red-hot rising star Diego Bernard (Red Lanterns, Eternal Warrior)!

“Diego Bernard is a phenomenal new talent, and he’s delivering some truly mind-blowing work on PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS. He’s dedicated to X-O Manowar for the long haul and, with his first issues rocketing into a lightning-fast sell-out, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase his jaw-dropping interiors with new covers for X-O MANOWAR #23 and X-O MANOWAR #24,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons.

Written by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Flash) with art by Bernard, the road to the Valiant event of 2014 begins right here in PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS as X-O Manowar hurtles toward his first epic confrontation with the galaxy’s most feared team of hunter-killers. For eons, one threat above all others has brought pain and strife down upon civilizations across the universe – the X-O Manowar armor. And now X-O Manowar has come to Earth. What will follow in its wake? Only the creature called Malgam knows the truth…and, before the ARMOR HUNTERS strike this June, Aric of Dacia is about to be forced into a brutal confrontation with the deadly legacy behind the universe’s most powerful weapon.

“The fact that we’re seeing such high demand for ARMOR HUNTERS-related titles months before the event launches in full this June – and even before X-O MANOWAR #24 has arrived in stores – is an excellent indication that Valiant’s upcoming crossover will be the event to watch this summer. These two prelude issues are an indispensable introduction to the action-packed blockbuster of a story that Robert Venditti and Doug Braithwaite have in store,” said Hunter Gorinson, Valiant’s Director of Marketing, Communications, and Digital Media. “Combine those facts with Diego Bernard’s incredible artwork, and you can see why PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS is a pivotal turning point for one of Valiant’s flagship series.”

Picking up out of the pages of X-O MANOWAR #23 and X-O MANOWAR #24, New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite unleash the first issue of 2014’s must-read crossover event this June in ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4). Then, Valiant’s biggest heroes launch the resistance against the world’s first full-scale cosmic threat with new arcs beginning in UNITY #8 and X-O MANOWAR #26 in June; and ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1 (of 3) and ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER #1 (of 3) beginning in July!

Don’t miss the opening salvo of the cataclysm that is to come right here with the X-O MANOWAR #23 SECOND PRINTING and X-O MANOWAR #24 SECOND PRINTING – featuring new covers from Valiant’s next heat-seeking superstar Diego Bernard! Start reading here to find out why PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS is a comic book milestone in the making:

“The fact that this is only the prelude to the Armor Hunters storyline is very good news. If things start off this awesome, they can only get better.” – IGN

“✮✮✮✮✮… X-O Manowar always pushes forward towards something greater and that’s what makes this just not a top book at Valiant, but also a top book in comics in general. This next arc kicks off with a bang…” – Comic Vine

“Armor Hunters is the next big thing at Valiant… I can dig that for sure.” – Multiversity Comics

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 #23 SECOND PRINTING (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by DIEGO BERNARD (FEB148213)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 4/16/14 (FOC –3/31/14)

X-O MANOWAR #24 SECOND PRINTING (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by DIEGO BERNARD
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/21/14 (FOC –4/28/14)

X-O MANOWAR #25 (ARMOR HUNTERS PRELUDE)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with TOM FOWLER, JUSTIN JORDAN, and Many More!
Art by DIEGO BERNARD, SEAN CHEN, TOM FOWLER, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, BARRY KITSON, CARY NORD, RAFER ROBERTS, ANDY RUNTON, and Many More!
Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC and BRYAN HITCH (MAR141400/MAR141401)
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI (MAR141402)
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN (MAR141403)
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON (MAR141404)
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 5/21/14 (FOC – 4/28/14)

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Chromium & Standard Edition Covers by JORGE MOLINA*
Character Design Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN
Armor Hunters Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Artist Variant by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Blank Cover also available
CHROMIUM EDITION: $5.99/STANDARD EDITION: $3.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 6/11/14 (FOC – 5/19/14)

*RETAILERS BE ADVISED: Due to the lead time needed to produce chromium, Armor Hunters Chromium Editions will be available in robust but limited quantities set prior to solicitation, and orders may be allocated.

RAI #1 Release Date Moves Up to April 30th, 2014 – Just in Time for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

Valiant is proud to announce that RAI #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of an all-new ongoing series from superstar creators Matt Kindt (Unity, Justice League of America) and Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage), and the launch title of the VALIANT FIRST publishing initiative – will be hitting stores one week early on April 30th, just in time for Free Comic Book Day 2014!

“Free Comic Book Day has been a major component of Valiant’s success since our return, and we always like to make sure that our retail partners are adequately equipped for the single biggest day of foot traffic in stores across the world,” said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce. “Moving the release of Rai #1 up to April 30th is the perfect way to ensure that local comic shops shops can get the jump on the launch of the Valiant First initiative, and introduce as many fans as possible to the stunning world of 41st century Japan as realized by two of the most phenomenally talented creators working in comics today.”

This summer, Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain’s one-of-a-kind adventure proves that there is nothing else in comics like RAI! 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. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…

What do you read first? Throughout 2014, VALIANT FIRST will be rocketing to the top of your read pile with a major #1 issue debut monthly by some of the most talented creators in comics. Each month, Valiant is committed to delivering compelling and accessible new entry points to its award-winning publishing line – all while releasing no more than nine core titles per month by the end of the year. A combination of new ongoing titles, unprecedented crossover collisions, and high-profile mini-series, these are the titles that will have you reading Valiant FIRST when you head home from the comic shop –and it all begins on April 30th with RAI #1 by superstar creators Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain! Contact your local retailer to pre-order your copy today!

Also hitting on Free Comic Book Day, get a sneak inside the far-flung world of 4001 A.D. in the pages of Valiant’s ARMOR HUNTERS FCBD 2014 SPECIAL – also featuring an advance look inside the launch of VALIANT FIRST‘s colossal summer crossover event ARMOR HUNTERS!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit FreeComicBookDay.com.

RAI #1 (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN (MAR141386)
Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141387)
Cover C by STEPHEN SEGOVIA (MAR141388)
Cover D by RAUL ALLEN (MAR141389)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141392)
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE (MAR141393)
Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN (MAR141394)
Blank Cover also available (MAR141390)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

RAI #1 PLUS EDITION* (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 4/30/14 (FOC – 4/7/14)

*For Valiant’s dedicated pullbox subscription customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring 16 extra pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won’t be collected for the trade paperback!

VALIANT Announces ARMOR HUNTERS FCBD SPECIAL Retailer Customized Editions!

Valiant is proud to announce that the FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL – the publisher’s flagship release for Free Comic Book Day 2014 – is now being offered in a special, customizable edition for retailers worldwide! Before ARMOR HUNTERS #1 arrives this June, get an action-packed prelude to the Valiant event of 2014 right here on Free Comic Book Day in this special FCBD release, featuring surprise details on Valiant’s newest launches, anniversary milestones, and unexpected team-ups for 2014 and beyond!

For retailers that secure a minimum order of 500 copies by the title’s February 3rd, 2014 final order cut-off (FOC) date, Valiant will design a specially customized FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL cover featuring their store’s logo and contact information. The customizable area can also be modified to include a store promotion or coupon.

Setting the stage for Valiant’s blockbuster crossover event, the FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL is the perfect entry point into the ambitious storyline that will engulf X-O Manowar, Unity, and a star-studded cast of Valiant’s fearless heroes. Following the best-selling success of last year’s Harbinger Wars crossover, jump into the fight behind X-O Manowar’s first event mini-series right here on Free Comic Book Day with the FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL – featuring an all-star roster of superstar Valiant talents including CAFU, Joshua Dysart, Trevor Hairsine, Bryan Hitch, Matt Kindt, Peter Milligan, Cary Nord, Fred Van Lente, and many more!

When Aric of Dacia returned to Earth with the stolen X-O Manowar armor of an alien race, he thought he finally found a weapon to guard the peace and kingdom he’d struggled so long to secure. But now, a relentless and surgical strike team from the farthest reaches of space – sworn to exterminate the armor and all like it – have found their final target. The ARMOR HUNTERS are coming. They will hunt. They will trap. They will kill. And they will rid the universe of the X-O Manowar’s incalculably destructive power…even if it means taking the Earth with it.

Kicking off in June with ARMOR HUNTERS #1 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Unity), Valiant’s 2014 crossover epic then continues with two brand new story arcs beginning in UNITY #8 by New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Justice League of America) and rising star Diego Bernard (Eternal Warrior), and continues in X-O MANOWAR #26 by Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan). And look for even more Valiant heroes to join the fight against Valiant’s first full-scale alien incursion as the summer continues.

For more information on Valiant’s FCBD 2014 ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL retailer customized editions, contact Valiant Sales Manager Atom Freeman at (530) 830-2866 or at atomf@valiantentertainment.com.

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit Valiant.CinderBlock.com.

For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit FreeComicBookDay.com.

VALIANT: ARMOR HUNTERS FCBD 2014 SPECIAL
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI, MATT KINDT, JOSHUA DYSART, FRED VAN LENTE, and PETER MILLIGAN
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE, BRYAN HITCH, CLAYTON CRAIN, CAFU, CLAYTON HENRY, DIEGO BERNARD, and MORE
Cover by J.G. JONES
T+/32 pgs.
IN STORES 5/3/14 (FOC – 2/3/14)

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (OF 4)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
COMING IN JUNE!

UNITY #8 (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by DIEGO BERNARD
COMING IN JUNE!

X-O MANOWAR #26 (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
COMING IN JUNE!

VALIANT Rewards Comic Shop Subscribers With X-O MANOWAR #1 PULLBOX EXCLUSIVE VARIANT

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)

VALIANT Reaches Out To Every Comics Retailer in North America, Appoints New Sales Manager

Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce the appointment of Eisner Award-winning former comics retailer Atom! Freeman to the position of Sales Manager. As his first order of business, Freeman is contacting every comic retailer in North America to open an ongoing, direct line of communication between Valiant and the retail community in advance of the publisher’s 2012 relaunch. Valiant’s first release, X-O Manowar #1, arrives on shelves on May 2nd from the creative team of New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord.

“As a veteran of the comics shop trade, I can say that Valiant Entertainment is making an unparalleled effort to include the voice of the retailers in its decision making,” said Freeman. “Some of my favorite people are to be found among the group of passionate, fiercely independent, incredibly hardworking innovators that is the retail community. To be tasked with speaking to each of them directly is not only a worthy goal, but proof that Valiant remembers that small business owners are the backbone of the comics industry.”

Valiant’s campaign to contact the nearly 2,500 stores in operation across the United States and Canada today is one never before attempted by a major comics publisher. In addition to collecting comments from retailers, Freeman will also act as Valiant’s direct contact for comics retailers around the world, spearhead sales efforts and ensure maximum visibility for Valiant’s return on the retail level.

“With Valiant returning to monthly comics this summer, Atom!’s enthusiasm and knowledge of comics retail has been invaluable,” said Valiant Entertainment founders Jason Kothari, CEO, and Dinesh Shamdasani, Chief Creative Officer. “Our primary focus is on the direct market and its network of independent retailers. In dealing with the changing landscape of the comics market, having someone with Atom!’s background and experience will make Valiant’s return that much greater.”

Freeman managed and co-owned Brave New World Comics in Santa Clarita, California for a decade. In 2008, the store received the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, making Freeman one of only 27 store owners to ever receive the highest award in comics retail. Over the years, he has also managed the sales and marketing departments of several companies both in and out of the comics industry.

“I know firsthand the amount of effort that goes into keeping a comic shop open and accessible in this day and age. And I also know that many retailers – some with more than 20 years experience – have never received a phone call from a publisher,” said Freeman. “Fortunately, that’s about to change.”

Valiant’s retailer outreach campaign is just the first of several retailer-specific programs that the publisher will debut over the course of 2012. In the interim, shop owners and retail staff around the world are encouraged to register for Valiant’s new online retailer portal at http://ValiantUniverse.com. Retailers with suggestions, questions or comments can also contact Freeman directly at atomf@valiantentertainment.com or at (530) 830-2866.

Author ROBERT VENDITTI Recharges X-O MANOWAR

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!

• “Venditti & Nord Relaunch X-O Manowar” [Comic Book Resources]
• “Writer Robert Venditti Rebuilds X-O Manowar at Valiant” [MTV Geek]
• “Interview: X-O Manowar Writer Robert Venditti” [iFanboy]

More on the return of X-O Manowar and reactions from around the web:

• “After Long Hiatus, Valiant Comics Returning in May” [Associated Press]
• “Valiant’s X-O Manowar Team: Robert Venditti, Cary Nord” [Newsarama]
• “Valiant Unveils X-O Manowar Team” [IGN.com]
• “Robert Venditti and Cary Nord Team for X-O Manowar #1 in May [ComicsAlliance]
• “Robert Venditti and Cary Nord to Relaunch X-O Manowar [Bleeding Cool]
• “Valiant Announces X-O Manowar with Venditti & Nord [iFanboy]
• “Valiant Comics Returns With X-O Manowar on May 2nd [MTV Geek]
• “Valiant Announces First Book” [iCv2.com]
• “The First Valiant Series Announcement” [The Beat]

Photo by Gerald R. Lucas