My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comics
Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comics
To begin my discussion of how I found Valiant and became an absolute nut for their comic books, it's best to start with how I got into comics:
First off, my comicbook experience began with reading trades and graphic novels. These consistently almost exclusively of Batman comics. See, I got interested in checking out these comics because of my revitalized interest in Batmab because of Chris Nolan's Batman films. I was a Batman fan in my youth - action figures, the Animated Series, even those awful Schumacher films. And I was even a big Chris Nolan fan. I appreciated the art of his filmmaking and upon learning he took inspiration from a certain Batman book titled "The Long Halloween", I thought I'd give it a look. If an accomplished film artist like Nolan could, why couldn't I?
After reading Batman's essential graphic novel catalogue (Dark Knight Returns, Long Halloween, Year One, etc.) over the duration of a couple years, I eventually was itching to explore other characters. This is where I finally bought my first single monthly issue. It was at a Barnes and Noble's, and the book was Iron Man #4 of the Marvel Now! Line. And as you are probably now aware, I am fairly new to monthlies in general. I've been reading for about 6 months, mostly exploring characters I was familiar with through movies or past experiences (i.e. Avengers characters, the X-Men, Green Lantern). It wasn't long before I got "bored", so to speak. Comic reading is something I absolutely love, but some of the foundational characters of comics weren't interesting me as of recently because of various reasons. Some being continuity issues, long back stories that were hard to catch up on or just the redundancy of it.
On another comic forum well over a month ago, someone issued a challenge to go into your comic shop and buy something totally new that you haven't read before. The goal was to bring you out of your confort zone and maybe find something new you didnt know you liked. Just to give it a try. That book was X-O Manowar #6 for me. And boy was I captivated. Especially by this Ninjak character. I had heard of the title before, and knew Venditti wrote it and was going to be writing GL, so I thought it'd be nice to see his work. This resulted in me buying Ninjak #1 and subsequently exploring the Valiant Universe. I found out that they had created a similar tight knit comic universe two decades ago to much of the similar acclaim they receive today. What I found was a comic company more interested in great storytelling than anything else. They didn't have the cheap gimmicks of the big 2. No super overexposed characters appearing in 15 comics a month *cough* Wolverine. And after reading trades or X-O, Bloodshot, Harbinger and Shadowman I KNEW these were the comics for me. All different genres but such great mythologies and filled with wonderful characters. Not only that but I loved this universe Valiant created. Sure there's superheroes, psonics and such. But it just felt more realistic. It just hit a cord with me like no other comic universe could. I tried so hard to get into events at DC and Marvel and I just never cared. They never seemed to matter as it was just one meaningless shameless marketing technique after another. But Valiant, this was a universe I fit in without when trying.
I hope to remain a Valiant fan for the rest of my comic reading days. I promise not to turn on Valiant as long as they stay true to the reader. And if there's one thing I've learned, they're one company that actually cares about their readers, cares about making great stories. And at the end of the day, storytelling is what's most importnt and Valiant just knocks it out of the park time and time again. I'd like to coin te phrase that there is no bad Valiant issue. And to be completely honest if there is one I personally haven't read it.
What's maybe even harder for me is to pick my favorite Valiant character. Is it the deadside-trekking Shadowman? The time traveling, alien slaying Aric of Dacia AKA X-O Manowar? Or is it the Nanite infused, mind wiped super soldier; Bloodshot? I just love them all. They're all sympathetic in their own way, and that's one thing Valiant's creators know how to do well: create characters worth caring for. Great management, great writing, great art and just plain great storytelling. That's how I'd describe Valiant. I hope they're really here to stay.
Long live Valiant!
First off, my comicbook experience began with reading trades and graphic novels. These consistently almost exclusively of Batman comics. See, I got interested in checking out these comics because of my revitalized interest in Batmab because of Chris Nolan's Batman films. I was a Batman fan in my youth - action figures, the Animated Series, even those awful Schumacher films. And I was even a big Chris Nolan fan. I appreciated the art of his filmmaking and upon learning he took inspiration from a certain Batman book titled "The Long Halloween", I thought I'd give it a look. If an accomplished film artist like Nolan could, why couldn't I?
After reading Batman's essential graphic novel catalogue (Dark Knight Returns, Long Halloween, Year One, etc.) over the duration of a couple years, I eventually was itching to explore other characters. This is where I finally bought my first single monthly issue. It was at a Barnes and Noble's, and the book was Iron Man #4 of the Marvel Now! Line. And as you are probably now aware, I am fairly new to monthlies in general. I've been reading for about 6 months, mostly exploring characters I was familiar with through movies or past experiences (i.e. Avengers characters, the X-Men, Green Lantern). It wasn't long before I got "bored", so to speak. Comic reading is something I absolutely love, but some of the foundational characters of comics weren't interesting me as of recently because of various reasons. Some being continuity issues, long back stories that were hard to catch up on or just the redundancy of it.
On another comic forum well over a month ago, someone issued a challenge to go into your comic shop and buy something totally new that you haven't read before. The goal was to bring you out of your confort zone and maybe find something new you didnt know you liked. Just to give it a try. That book was X-O Manowar #6 for me. And boy was I captivated. Especially by this Ninjak character. I had heard of the title before, and knew Venditti wrote it and was going to be writing GL, so I thought it'd be nice to see his work. This resulted in me buying Ninjak #1 and subsequently exploring the Valiant Universe. I found out that they had created a similar tight knit comic universe two decades ago to much of the similar acclaim they receive today. What I found was a comic company more interested in great storytelling than anything else. They didn't have the cheap gimmicks of the big 2. No super overexposed characters appearing in 15 comics a month *cough* Wolverine. And after reading trades or X-O, Bloodshot, Harbinger and Shadowman I KNEW these were the comics for me. All different genres but such great mythologies and filled with wonderful characters. Not only that but I loved this universe Valiant created. Sure there's superheroes, psonics and such. But it just felt more realistic. It just hit a cord with me like no other comic universe could. I tried so hard to get into events at DC and Marvel and I just never cared. They never seemed to matter as it was just one meaningless shameless marketing technique after another. But Valiant, this was a universe I fit in without when trying.
I hope to remain a Valiant fan for the rest of my comic reading days. I promise not to turn on Valiant as long as they stay true to the reader. And if there's one thing I've learned, they're one company that actually cares about their readers, cares about making great stories. And at the end of the day, storytelling is what's most importnt and Valiant just knocks it out of the park time and time again. I'd like to coin te phrase that there is no bad Valiant issue. And to be completely honest if there is one I personally haven't read it.
What's maybe even harder for me is to pick my favorite Valiant character. Is it the deadside-trekking Shadowman? The time traveling, alien slaying Aric of Dacia AKA X-O Manowar? Or is it the Nanite infused, mind wiped super soldier; Bloodshot? I just love them all. They're all sympathetic in their own way, and that's one thing Valiant's creators know how to do well: create characters worth caring for. Great management, great writing, great art and just plain great storytelling. That's how I'd describe Valiant. I hope they're really here to stay.
Long live Valiant!
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lorddunlow
- I think you might be a closeted Canadian.
- Posts: 13561
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:51:31 pm
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome to the boards. It's fun here. Avoid the noid! And the Canadians.
*SQUEE* your science, I have a machine gun.
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bobby97801
- Just jumpin' through time arcs, that's all.
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:42:18 am
- Favorite character: X-O Manowar
- Location: vancouver, washington
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comicsyte95
- It's Porktastic!!!
- Posts: 9572
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:30:20 pm
- Location: somewhere in the valiant universe
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome! 
If I just can't be me ,and the Arrow isn't enough.. then maybe I should be Ra's al Ghul
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kevinbastos
- I felt 'used car salesman' kind of dirty.
- Posts: 3868
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:34:06 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: Rai
- Favorite title: Quantum & Woody
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome. It IS fun here. Even the Canadians can be fun, when they Ren't talking about pretend holidays. 
Hey, look! I have a podcast!
And a Website!
http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If I win an argument, it doesn't mean I'm right. It means I'm a better arguer.
In addition, I'm right.
And a Website!
http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If I win an argument, it doesn't mean I'm right. It means I'm a better arguer.
In addition, I'm right.
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FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15:58 pm
- Location: Florida
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mkb28
- Honey, it's time to spawn!
- Posts: 4741
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:16:51 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2012
- Favorite character: X-O Manowar
- Favorite title: X-O Manowar
- Favorite writer: Venditti and Dysart
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome! I got my start with Batman too. Everything you said about Valiant is right on.
Glad to have you on board!
Mkb28
Glad to have you on board!
Mkb28
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iwantvaliant
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1117
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:24:38 pm
- Location: CT, USA
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome! 
My podcast reviews the Valiant trades: http://vepodcast.wordpress.com/
And my timeline on the original Valiant Universe: http://valiantfans.com/vctimeline/
And my timeline on the original Valiant Universe: http://valiantfans.com/vctimeline/
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings 
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
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lorddunlow
- I think you might be a closeted Canadian.
- Posts: 13561
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:51:31 pm
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Woo-hoo! Rack one up for team LordDunlow! Take that MarkRoseHFX!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
*SQUEE* your science, I have a machine gun.
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MarkRoseHFX
- smother you to death with a big pile of poutine
- Posts: 4697
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 11:03:12 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: Chiclo
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Dysart,V-ditti,Kindt,Lemire
- Favorite artist: Cary Nord
- Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Don't tell me I have to add yet another to my hockey stick beatdown listlorddunlow wrote:Woo-hoo! Rack one up for team LordDunlow! Take that MarkRoseHFX!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
Welcome CallMeBloodshot!
Hell Yeah Valiant Comics! Tumblr - http://bit.ly/16xoK8x" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://about.me/markrosehfx
PSN- gorakthebunny
Dynamite can suck my balls
http://about.me/markrosehfx
PSN- gorakthebunny
Dynamite can suck my balls
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Burrito Boy
- Just jumpin' through time arcs, that's all.
- Posts: 1651
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:56:47 pm
- Favorite character: Gunny Lewis
- Favorite title: Armorines
- Favorite writer: Jorge Gonzalez
- Location: Cimmeria
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome to the board.
Here, have a taco.
Here, have a taco.
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Thank ya kindly.MarkRoseHFX wrote:Don't tell me I have to add yet another to my hockey stick beatdown listlorddunlow wrote:Woo-hoo! Rack one up for team LordDunlow! Take that MarkRoseHFX!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
Welcome CallMeBloodshot!
And I see you're a fan of Chiclo, from OTV podcast perhaps? I'm a fan of their work as well. The reason I found this forum is because of their podcast.
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MarkRoseHFX
- smother you to death with a big pile of poutine
- Posts: 4697
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 11:03:12 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: Chiclo
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Dysart,V-ditti,Kindt,Lemire
- Favorite artist: Cary Nord
- Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Yes indeed I am one of the "Chiclorious Basterds"CallMeBloodshot wrote: Thank ya kindly.
And I see you're a fan of Chiclo, from OTV podcast perhaps? I'm a fan of their work as well. The reason I found this forum is because of their podcast.
I actually discovered the forum the very same way just over a year ago
Hell Yeah Valiant Comics! Tumblr - http://bit.ly/16xoK8x" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://about.me/markrosehfx
PSN- gorakthebunny
Dynamite can suck my balls
http://about.me/markrosehfx
PSN- gorakthebunny
Dynamite can suck my balls
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Chiclo
- I'm Chiclo. My strong Dongs paid off well.
- Posts: 21679
- Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:09:11 am
- Favorite character: Kris
- Location: Texas
- Contact:
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Thanks!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Thank ya kindly.MarkRoseHFX wrote:Don't tell me I have to add yet another to my hockey stick beatdown listlorddunlow wrote:Woo-hoo! Rack one up for team LordDunlow! Take that MarkRoseHFX!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
Welcome CallMeBloodshot!
And I see you're a fan of Chiclo, from OTV podcast perhaps? I'm a fan of their work as well. The reason I found this forum is because of their podcast.
Glad you enjoy the podcast. I am always amazed that people we don't know directly listen to it.-
String
- Cruisin' in Darpan's Winnebago
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:33:18 pm
- Location: The Bright Sunny South
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
That's pretty cool that movies helped re-kindle your interest in comics.
So a hearty welcome to you good sir!
So a hearty welcome to you good sir!
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grendeljd
- innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
- Posts: 8156
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:51:43 am
- Valiant fan since: 1991
- Favorite character: Aric
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Location: On the 7.5th floor of LesterCorp, headed through the back door to John Malkovich's brain.
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
I believe I extended a warm welcome to you elsewhere already, but have another (from a Canadian, no less).
I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone took pity on Laird Dunlow & sided with him.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone took pity on Laird Dunlow & sided with him.
I like to draw stuff... http://grendeljd.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Daniel Jackson
- A toast to the return of Valiant!
- Posts: 38007
- Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:33:38 pm
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome to the board.
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Man Of The Atom
- Is it Dee-no or Die-no? Dunno.
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 3:41:35 am
- Favorite artist: Ramon Villalobos
- Location: San Francisco
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Welcome to the board and great story!
But if you want us to call you Bloodshot, why is your avatar Shadowman?
But if you want us to call you Bloodshot, why is your avatar Shadowman?
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Hey Chiclo! It's strange connecting the person on here with the voice I get over on OTV podcast. Anyway, Keep up the good work!Chiclo wrote:Thanks!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Thank ya kindly.MarkRoseHFX wrote:Don't tell me I have to add yet another to my hockey stick beatdown listlorddunlow wrote:Woo-hoo! Rack one up for team LordDunlow! Take that MarkRoseHFX!CallMeBloodshot wrote:Wow thanks to everyone for the nice greetings
I can tell everyone seems very friendly around these parts. Unless they're Canadian. I just stay eh-way from them.
Welcome CallMeBloodshot!
And I see you're a fan of Chiclo, from OTV podcast perhaps? I'm a fan of their work as well. The reason I found this forum is because of their podcast.
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Haha fixed itMan Of The Atom wrote:Welcome to the board and great story!
But if you want us to call you Bloodshot, why is your avatar Shadowman?
Now you can call me bloodshot
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BloodShot
- Guess I'll have ta' start bein' on here 25 hours a day
- Posts: 3537
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:21:09 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1991
- Favorite character: Dude, seriously?
- Favorite title: Yer kiddin', right?
- Favorite artist: BWS
- Location: Harley City, GA
- Contact:
My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Don't count on it.CallMeBloodshot wrote:Haha fixed itMan Of The Atom wrote:Welcome to the board and great story!
But if you want us to call you Bloodshot, why is your avatar Shadowman?
Now you can call me bloodshot
If guns kill people, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat .
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CallMeBloodshot
- Get those scissors away from my coupons
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: 2013
- Favorite character: Bloodshot
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Venditti & Dysart
- Favorite artist: Trevor Hairsine
- Location: Deadside
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
This board deserves a better class of Bloodshot, and I'm going to give it to them. SCREEEEEEBloodShot wrote:Don't count on it.CallMeBloodshot wrote:Haha fixed itMan Of The Atom wrote:Welcome to the board and great story!
But if you want us to call you Bloodshot, why is your avatar Shadowman?
Now you can call me bloodshot
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doodlebird
- Nanite-powered posting
- Posts: 1440
- Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:41:11 pm
- Valiant fan since: Solar #1
- Favorite character: Armstrong
- Favorite title: Harbinger / A & A
- Favorite writer: was Shooter
- Favorite artist: Lapham, Starlin, Henry, and...
- Location: Lake Worth, FL
Re: My Valiant Story... Or How I Learned to Enjoy Great Comi
Yay ! Another soul lost to the Valiant universe ! Enjoy and stay the course, you won't be disappointed !
read me, HC/TPB me; sign me, sketch me, slab me.
S.SAHLE
S.SAHLE