Valiant Announces “Valiant First” – 6 New Series Coming!

News

First saw this story over on The Nerdist:

Starting in May, Valiant will be adding six new series to their stable by the end of the year, including the long-awaited Rai!


RAI #1 (May)
Written by Matt Kindt (Unity, Mind MGMT); Art by Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage)

A VALIANT FIRST ongoing series! Matt Kindt and Clayton Crain are about to prove that there is nothing else in comics like RAI!

In the far future of 4001 A.D., Japan is a single endless city-state, governed by a benevolent artificial intelligence and policed by an army of just one – the mysterious Rai, spirit guardian of the rising sun. But, soon, a single bullet will shatter the peace it has taken 2,000 years to secure…

Skitch Commentary: I said last month in my Eternal Warrior Review that I was expecting Rai to come back now that Valiant has a series set in the year 4001, and they definitely are not disappointing! Really looking forward to this one!

I am wondering what the future of Japan looks like. The quick glimpse we’ve seen of the future so far suggested that the world was pretty much wiped of all technology, but could that have been localized or is Japan in the same condition?  Guess we need to wait until May to find out…


ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (June)

Written by Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, Green Lantern); Art by Doug Braithwaite (Unity, Justice)

A Valiant Universe crossover event! This summer, Earth will be the greatest hunt of all when VALIANT FIRST unleashes the first issue of 2014′s must-read mini-series event!

A relentless and surgical strike team from the farthest reaches of space – sworn to exterminate the X-O Manowar armor and all like it – have found finally their last target. They will hunt. They will trap. They will kill. And they will rid the universe of the X-O Manowar’s incalculable destructive power…even if it means taking the Earth with it.

In the tradition of the universe-changing HARBINGER WARS, Valiant’s biggest heroes launch into the summer’s blockbuster 18-issue crossover event right here in ARMOR HUNTERS #1 – and then take the fight to the world’s first full-scale cosmic threat with new arcs of UNITY and X-O MANOWAR beginning in June, and ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT and ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER beginning in July!

ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1 (July)
Written by Joe Harris (The X-Files: Season 10); Art by Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis)

The most dangerous weapon in the Valiant Universe has come in from the cold. With Earth under siege by the Armor Hunters, Bloodshot is the only thing standing between the destruction of the extraterrestrial intelligence agency known as MERO and the liberation of one of the Armor Hunters’ own.

ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER #1 (July)
Written by Joshua Dysart (Harbinger Wars); Art by Robert Gill (Batgirl)

Because you demanded it! Out of the ashes of Harbinger Wars, the volatile psiot strike force known as Generation Zero step into their very first adventure – and right into the crosshairs of the Armor Hunters!

Skitch Commentary: I have to admit, I didn’t love Harbinger Wars, though I thought it set up a great new status quo for Harbinger and Bloodshot. That makes me a little weary of this crossover, but I am really curious to see how this will bring the whole Valiant universe together, and there is some real cool possibilities here, so I am definitely looking forward to this…despite my concerns.



THE DELINQUENTS #1 (August)
Written by Fred Van Lente (Marvel Zombies) & James Asmus (Thief of Thieves); Art by Kano (Gotham Central)

It’s the world’s worst team-up when Archer & Armstrong meet Quantum and Woody! We apologize in advance for what can only be described as a swashbuckling, conspiracy-smashing, partner-trading, goat-fueled race across the USA!

Skitch Commentary: I don’t think Archer and Armstrong ever encountered Quantum and Woody (I could be wrong, Q+W was the only Valiant 2 book I read), but this is a natural pairing and definitely the new Valiant book I am most excited for.

I assume this is only a mini series, which is probably for the best.   I think too much of this combination could get annoying real fast, but for a mini series, it will be a lot of fun!



THE DEATH-DEFYING DR. MIRAGE #1 (September)
Written by Jen Van Meter (Hopeless Savages); Art by Roberto de la Torre (Daredevil)

World-renowned parapsychologist Dr. Mirage and her husband Hwen were madly, deeply, stuff-of-legends in love – until the day a tragic accident stole Hwen away. Now, Dr, Mirage will have to use every ounce of her training and talents in the mystic arts to do the one thing Hwen taught her never to do – journey across the realms of Deadside and bring her love back to the land of the living.

Skitch Commentary:I really loved the old Dr. Mirage series, and this was the biggest surprise in today’s announcements.   This really should open up some new doors for Valiant, and I hope they market this to people who might not normally be interested in comics.  This seems like a natural for the “supernatural romance” crowd.  One of Crossgen’s biggest strengths to me was their attempts to expand the comic audience, and Dr. Mirage can really be a strong weapon there if Valiant makes the effort!

Mike Maillaro is a lifelong Jersey Boy and geek. Mike has been a comic fan for about 30 years from when his mom used to buy him Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures at our local newsstand. Thanks, Mom!! Mike's goal is to bring more positivity to the discussion of comics and pop culture.