EARTH PRIME TIME: SUMMER OF VALIANT: BLOODSHOT, X-O MANOWAR & UNITY

Before another Summer of Valiant comes screeching to a close, new portals are opening up in the Valiant Universe introducing Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Frankenstein: Agent of Shade) to the characters in Bloodshot #0 and November’s Unity. Aric of Dacia (X-O Manowar) faces former brother-in-arms Eternal Warrior in modern day Romania in X-O Manowar #16. The second year of Valiant is just as exciting as the launch, with some of the industry’s top talent.

Matt Kindt’s Valiant debut, with Chrisscross on art, in Bloodshot #0 explores the origin of our favorite nanite-covered super soldier. Narrated by the scientist put in charge of throttling back the killer instincts of the nanite-driven soldier to give him a conscience, the story spans several decades of the government-run Bloodshot program. We’re taken through Vietnam, the Reagan assassination, and up to the unfortunate soul chosen for the 1993 Project Rising Spirit experiment.

The Man Who Would Be Bloodshot - Chrisscross Art

This is the true origin of Bloodshot that you may have been waiting 25 years to read.

Bloodshot #0 - Matt Kindt Variant

As with the previous issues of Bloodshot, we’re treated to some truly horrifying violence and horrors of war. The Vietnam version was in improvement, physically, with self-repair built in, but, like the real soldiers in the war, lines were blurred and unnecessary casualties were par for the course. It was not until the ’90s when the nanites were infused with the memories of dying men, a step closer to garnering a conscience for the killer.

Bloodshot #0 - Chrisscross Art

Kindt resolves the nanite-soldier/conscience concept in a clever way that delves deep into a different understanding of Bloodshot.

X-O Manowar is another time-spanning tale of fighting men, but this time throw in Visigoths, plant worshiping aliens, and a mystical techno-organic armor that puts Iron Man’s to shame.

X-O Manowar #16 - David Bullock Variant

X-O Manowar #16 has Aric return to Earth after Planet Death and liberating a group of slaves from the clutches of the Vine. He’s landed in his home that is now modern-day Romania to reclaim his right to the ancient throne his late father bestowed on him.

X-O Manowar vs. Eternal Warrior, Round 350 - Lee Garbett Art

Aric’s former sensei, Gilad the Eternal Warrior, is standing in his way. The two have a fierce power battle before breaking it up. Gilad can either be Aric’s enemy or friend in the modern world of Romania, protecting Earth, or the Manowar will be forced to reclaim his ancient Dacia kingdom alone, 1600 years later.

A unique book that bridges history with far out fantasy space tales, X-O Manowar remains at the top of the stack, and a bridge for the upcoming Unity event in November.

Fan-favorite writer Greg Pak (World War Hulk) launches the highly anticipated Eternal Warrior series from Valiant on September 11. Gilad has previously been introduced in Fred Van Lente’s Archer and Armstrong.

Unity is a crossover event in the Valiant Universe starting in November. Two unique facts about Unity, though. First—this is an ongoing series that pits the super alliance of Eternal Warrior, Ninjak, Toyo Harada (of Harbinger Foundation), and Livewire against Aric for the fate of not only Romania, but the world. The second—retailers will be able to return any unsold issues. What does that mean? The comic book retailers often have to order too many books to get the exclusive variants, or to get a deal from the distributors.

Hence, you see discounted back issues in your store, as the retailers were forced to buy too many (this is an oversimplification of the market, but a helpful example in this case).

Toyo Harada - Unity #1 - art by Doug-Braithwaite

Valiant continues to buck industry standards, has quality product, and is allowed a certain amount of freedom to do what they want.

If ever an example of quality vs. quantity in the comic book industry, the new Valiant Comics books are existing in a nice space and showing the big companies how it is done. Editorially, the books can exist, crossover, and fight each other, but the Unity crossover is story based, not necessarily sales based (like a Marvel or DC Event). Also, Valiant books can exist on their own, with funny stories coming from Archer and Armstrong and the recently launched Quantum and Woody. These contrast with the more violent or serious Harbinger, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps, and Shadowman. Only missing an all-ages title, really Valiant has nearly something for everyone from the Wednesday Warriors to the occasional comic reader.