Current Valiant Continuity Discussion

[IMJ]

The thread on Valiant collections got me thinking about the current continuity that began with the March 2012 books. The question at hand here is if they got around to printing the whole line thus far in Deluxe editions, what books would you need to read to get a sense of continuity?

I think a main part of the draw of original Valiant was how well the Universe was marketed - "its all connected". Unity in the 90's was simply brilliant and was as upscale an event as the Infinity Gauntlet was for Marvel. But I never got a sense of solid continuity from the new Valiant.

Dropping all fringe titles off the radar, what would you have to read to get the whole continuity of new Valiant under your belt?

[IMJ]

No takers on this, seriously?

[DirtbagSailor]

No takers on this, seriously?

Give it a moment.

[WrathOfArmstrong]

I was waiting for someone else to answer this...

but in my opinion, Bloodshot/Harbinger/HW2, and/or then XO/ARMORHUNTERS/UNITY/NINJAK followed by THE VALIANT/BS REBORN/BOOKS OF DEATH/WRATH OF ETERNAL WARRIOR.

It's hard not to recommend a lot of the other stuff, but I think this gives the clearest and most concise picture. Everything post Wrath I'm not sure how it really all ties together in the current state of the universe. It's good, but it feels more like the universe has branched, and HW2 has made other branches seem dead.

[TheFerg714]

I guess I just don't think VEI was really that concerned with keeping everything "connected," like VH1 did. I think the VEI universe DOES feel connected, but VH1 was much more direct and obvious about it (having only read pre-Unity, Unity, and Rai #0).

However, I think there's a fairly clear through-line that can be pretty easily found by looking at the events, crossovers, team-ups, and "major" arcs, although you will probably be missing some stuff. As for the events, you could add the tie-ins if you wanted, but I don't think it's necessary if we're getting rid of the "fringe" stuff.

X-O Manowar Vol. 1- By The Sword
Harbinger Vol. 1- Omega Rising
Bloodshot Vol. 1- Setting the World on Fire
Archer & Armstrong Vol. 1- The Michelangelo Code
X-O Manowar Vol. 3- Planet Death
Harbinger Wars
Archer & Armstrong Vol. 3- Far Faraway
Quantum & Woody! Vol. 1- World's Worst Superhero Team (probably unnecessary)
Unity Vol. 1- To Kill a King (add X-O Vol. 4-5 if you want the full event)
Archer & Armstrong/Bloodshot Vol. 5- Mission: Improbable
Harbinger Vol. 5- Death of a Renegade
Armor Hunters
Rai Vol. 1- Welcome to New Japan
The Valiant
Bloodshot Reborn Vol. 1- Colorado
Ninjak Vol. 1- Weaponeer
Imperium Vol. 1- Collecting Monters
Divinity
Book of Death
Faith Vol. 1 or 2
4001 A.D.
X-O Manowar Vol. 12- Long Live the King
Bloodshot USA
Harbinger Renegade Vol. 1- The Judgement of Solomon (might be able to leave this one out)
Divinity III: Stalinverse
X-O Manowar Vol. 1- Soldier
Ninjak Vol. 6- The Seven Blades of Master Darque
Secret Weapons
Ninja-K Vol. 1- The Ninja Files
Shadowman Vol. 1- Fear of the Dark
Ninja-K Vol. 2- The Coalition (arguably)
Harbinger Wars II (unfortunately)