Eternal Warrior series schizophrenia

[Phoenix8008]

I saw this over on Reddit.com in the /r/Valiant subreddit. Some stuff I've never heard before that might explain the schism of the first and second story arcs from the main series. I didn't remember hearing about this or seeing these covers back when this stuff came out, so I thought I'd post these over here to see what people thought, or if I had missed it back in the day.

There were some covers solicited for issues 6 & 7 that seem like the series was supposed to be staying in the present day, but almost the same final covers for in the 4001 timeline for the final covers. Sounds like maybe VEI decided to 'support' the upcoming Rai series at the time by showing EW in 4001 time period. If they forced this change, it would be a decision that, in hindsight at least, I wouldn't agree with. Easy to disagree in hindsight though to see how it failed to work out.

Issue 6 solicited cover...


Issue 6 final cover...


Issue 7 solicited cover...


Issue 7 final cover...

[BugsySig]

Yes. Seems as though Pak had a plan to continue his story with Gilad, his kids, and the Geomancers.

If I had to guess, he probably had scripted more (including the 4001 story) and editorial made the decision to go with that over the next chapter originally planned. Maybe they thought it would be cool to alternate arcs between past and future? Maybe they did it to boost sales? We may never know. But Pak left shortly after and those plot points were never revisited.

[DirtbagSailor]

[jmatt]

But of course, DBS.

[ShadowTuga]

Great find, Phoenix.
Had no idea about those covers, but ya, it seems we were going to resolve stuff before going to 4001.
Bummer.

[QUARTZ]

I could use some more Eternal Warrior. I am hoping they have another series in the near future.

[kevinbastos]

Knew about the six solicit - not the seven. Time to upgrade the old website.

http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com/etern ... or-71.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Reminds me of the few changes on the original 8-bit cover.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/32423 ... dowman-11/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com/shadowman-112.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Baramos]

I didn't see it so much as that arc wasn't resolved as it was truncated and resolved quickly/prematurely in order to move onto a different arc, to more quickly churn out the TPB (which was also shortened to 4 issues instead of 6, making it slightly more profitable). Maybe I'm too cynical, being a long time reader, but I think that's what occurred. I didn't see anything there that left me thinking I missed out on anything except a story that was properly paced.

And the whole concept of the war between the Houses seems to be ignored/aborted at this point. I don't think it's going to come back. Hopefully at least the idea of Gilad's children is explored further, though.

I just don't see the House of the Wheel or the House of the Wild being in any future stories (I am still catching up on reading so if this is what Wrath of the Eternal Warrior is all about, color me surprised!). But I suppose some writer or other might have a great idea for that concept.

[Sunlight on Snow]

Isn't it rather strange they didn't change the cover design for the variants of issue #5 while the regular cover already showed old Gilad aka the Eternal Emperor?