I’m not sure the order these new books came out as I picked them all up at the same time. Four new #1 issues from the latest incarnation of the Valiant comic universe as published in conjunction with the company Alien Books.
All New Harbinger, X-O Manowar, Tales of Shadowman, Bloodshot. I’m going to dig into each one a little.
All New Harbinger
The concept of the Harbinger series centered around the idea of Psiots. Essentially Valiants version of Mutants and the X-Men. With Pete Stanchek as the suddenly “new” super powerful one. There have been a variety of reboots and each does different things with him.
In this one, Pete is some sort of Professor X type of entity. Previously the Professor X type of the series had been Toyo Harada, who was more evil Magneto. In this one, both Harada and Pete aren’t center of issue 1. Instead it is Obadiah Archer! A character who has been both serious and slapstick in prior series. But here he appears to be a sort of HARD CORPS type of character.
Essentially this story is a bit Umbrella Academy but in a blade runner style of world. Which is odd, because if all 4 of these series are in the same universe, it doesn’t make sense. (Side note here, I found like 3 errors in the lettering where words were omitted, and that really pulled me out of the story. Thankfully it didn’t follow in the other titles. Do better, be better.)
X-O Manowar
Aric Dacia has always been a fascinating character. A Visigoth transported to a future against his will who happens to gain access to an Iron Man style power suit. Violence was his lifestyle back then, but now he has access to real power.
In this series, Aric seems to be in a Mad Max type of world mixed with Conan. Ok, Aric always feels a bit like Conan. Right off the bat though, it doesn’t feel like this is the same world as Harbinger.
Tales of Shadowman
Always loved Shadowman. Such a fun supernatural character. The Valiant universe has a thing called the Dead Side. It isn’t hell, or limbo, but some sort of combination of them. In this new series, Shadowman appears to be the ruler of the Dead Side. It definitely has a vibe of Lucifer or Sandman. And I am all in on this one.
Bloodshot
I remember when this character debuted. He was interesting and edgy and incredibly cool. With a background that is as complicated and inexplicable as Wolverine used to be. But as different writers have gotten ahold of the character, they have sought to explain it. And complicate it. And weave explanation and complication into a tapestry that simply doesn’t work. He was a great character who has been ruined by longevity.
In this new series he has a bit of a Lobo feel to him as well as a Blade vibe. Part of that centers around him fighting ninja vampires in daylight.
Wrapping up though I want to be clear about one thing. I am a major Valiant fan. Got into the company shortly after it launched back in the 90’s, and have collected every reboot and variation that has followed. The picture at the top of this is the very first comic the Valiant universe put out. Ironically, a character that Valiant no longer has the rights to utilize. With regards to the new books, I will get these and read them every month. But without hesitation I can say that my expectations are pretty set already.
Tales of the Shadowman will be the top of the read pile and I give the debut issue here a 10.
Harbinger will be the second one I read, but very cautiously. I give the debut harbinger issue a 7 with an expectation that issue two will either shoot it up to a 9 or drop it down to a 5.
X-O Manowar follows right along with a solid 7, but I feel the same way. Issue two is going to rock or die on the vine.
Bloodshot… I so want to like this book. But I really don’t think I can. In my mind I see the debut issue with the chromium cover and remember how much I like the character. And I enjoyed the movie. But this book feels like it is gonna suck. And at $5 an issue, the completionist in me is already bummed out at how much I am going to invest in this lackluster series. A generous 4 is what I give it, and I hope it manages to entice me with the story in issue two, but I gotta say it won’t be in the top 4 of the read pile when I get comics that day. If I get a dozen comics, it may well be number 14 in the pile!
I expect at some point they will bring more titles, but I hope they take it super slow. I don’t want to see Quantum and Woody, and while I loved Ninjak, I think every iteration complicates and rewrites it and makes it suck. Keep it small and simple Valiant. Be better, do better.
Cthulhuville 