Valiant Comics: Where To Start

Video Update 4/17/14:

Readers are always keen to get in on the next big Marvel or DC character that will launch a big exciting movie with lots of fanfare. What happens when they wish to discover something that has the elements of a big bombastic superhero story, but isn’t an incredibly well known or established intellectual property? That’s where something like Valiant Comics can come in. In that respect, fans can have their cake and eat it too. Without having to seek out independent titles, they can still indulge in cape and cowl comics with a shared universe. Since Valiant has been around for a couple of years now, what should they read first or start with? This article will give readers a couple of new barriers to entry that will allow them to discover some of the best material from the excellent new publisher.

FIRST STEPS

X-0 Manowar Volume One: By The Sword by Robert Venditti

Why should I jump in?

The easiest way to break in on the ground floor over at Valiant Comics is to start with issue #1’s. However, those that just want a taste of the universe before they completely indulge have a few places where they can choose to go. The first place that they can start with is X-0 Manowar Volume One: By The Sword by Robert Venditti. The first story follows Aric Of Dacia as he gets abducted by an evil alien race known as the Vine. He successfully pilots the armor of Shanhara when he escapes from his cell. The title is mostly focused on his ongoing brawl with The Vine. New fans can jump in on the ground floor of Valiant Comics and discover the flagship character for the line. This tale will also give readers some of the building blocks that they need to piece together the rest of Valiant’s shared Universe. While this title is obviously important, fans will likely have one more question.

Is it good?

The answer is absolutely! This first storyline is an action packed romp into the core of an alien universe. The action is fast paced and frantic, and sure to keep readers on their toes. It will also make them hungry for more Valiant action. Before continuing any further into an exploration of what makes the publisher so awesome, they need to go check out another book. Some of these other titles are essential, and should be looked at before continuing on with X-0.

FIRST STEPS

Harbinger Volume One: Omega Rising by Joshua Dysart

Why should I jump in?

This is one of the other big components of Valiant that is essential for readers to check out. The title focuses on the psychic Peter Stanchek, and his relationship with his Renegades.The story introduces Toyo Harada and his mysterious Harbinger Foundation and serves as a sort of extended X-Men metaphor. Knowing the information contained in this first volume is essential to the rest of the universe, as the tale is always shifting continuity and this group of characters is always involved in some of the bigger stories featuring this Universe. So the story is important, but let’s play devil’s advocate once again and ask the same question.

Is it good?

This is a really hard question for me to answer. As a whole, it seems the community settling around this book really enjoys the story, but it deals with some content that is hard to condone. If you are okay with one of the darkest stories in comic books at the moment, check it out, but it is important to know what you are getting into. Either way, this a really important block of the Valiant universe and fans need to familiarize themselves with the Harbinger concept to get the mileage they need out of Valiant.

\

NEXT STEPS

Bloodshot #0

Why should I jump in?

Bloodshot is a tough character to love, he is essentially a cybernetic Punisher knock off. He is also one of the most important pieces of the Valiant Universe, and someone who is trying to be redeemed for his past failures. His solo book has been sort of polarizing among fans, so my suggestion to the reader is to check out the #0 issue with the character, and they can decide whether or not they enjoy that tale. Plus, after reading that issue you will have a good foundation into the other big Valiant stories like the Harbinger Wars.

NEXT STEPS

Unity Volume One: To Kill A King

Why should I jump in?

Those who are taken aback with characters like Ninjak, Eternal Warrior, or even Harbinger can also check out the recent Unity series by Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite. Unity is best after reading the main story of X-0 Manowar all the way to the point where Unity happens in the latest arc in the book along with reading a couple issues of Harbinger to get caught up with Harada.

Is It Good?

This might sound like a lot of work in the long run, but it is worth it. This series acts as a sort payoff to those that have been sticking with complex nature of this Universe for such a long time. The first arc of Unity was a thrilling adventure that took risk after risk. Matt Kindt had some really tight plotting in the tale that led to story with an enormous sense of wonder and scope thanks Doug Braithwaite’s lush art.

Check back next week for part two, where we break down the rest of the line, and look at the future of Valiant.