VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT February 2019 Solicitations

[The Chosen 1]

I’m planning to buy all of these titles, although my excitement for them isn’t particularly high. The new guys in charge haven’t inspired confidence so far and the new creators are virtual unknowns. That being said it’s still early days so I’m buckling myself in for the ride!

I'm also still collecting everything. I'm on a wait and see phase. I'm looking forward to Incursion, War Monger and Livewire. It'll be interesting to see where these stories go. So far Ninjak, XO have been consistent. Im disappointed about Shadowman finishing, but hopefully it'll return again soon. After a year of upheaval, lets see where 2019 takes us. No one has a crystal ball, so i'm hoping things improve.

[syzhang28]

Thank you depluto, TheFerg714 and Dallow Spicer1

[jmatt]

Wow. Ignore the positive posts I make

It's possible I've missed those comments, so let's talk about what you like. Which titles or issues have you enjoyed recently?

[TheFerg714]

I honestly don't understand why anyone is positive at all. I mean I get keeping your hopes up, that's exactly what I'm doing, but I just don't think there's been a single bit of good news. Dreamside is way better than I thought it was going to be, Lost Eagles might be my favorite Brittania series, I'm so pumped for Life and Death, and X-O, Ninjak, and Shadowman are still great every month, but those are all things that the previous management team thought up. DMG needs to prove themselves with Bloodshot RS, Livewire, Incursion, and the rest of the 2019, but so far they're just whiffing it over and over again.

Wow. Ignore the positive posts I make

It's possible I've missed those comments, so let's talk about what you like. Which titles or issues have you enjoyed recently?

I'm eager to hear syzhang's response to this.

[syzhang28]

Wow. Ignore the positive posts I make

It's possible I've missed those comments, so let's talk about what you like. Which titles or issues have you enjoyed recently?

Thought X-O Manowar was amazing last year and is still good. Ninja-K started amazingly and is also still good. Shadowman might be the best Shadowman since Bob Hall. Loved Ninjak versus the Valiant Universe. Really liked Rahal on Quantum & Woody. And I'm excited for Life and Death. I've mostly been disappointed with current management's actions, which I speak up about, and that might make me sound negative all the time. But it's because I think if the original team that launched Valiant had stayed we would have had Psi-Lords in X-O Manowar and then a Psi-Lords series, Ninja-K would have kept building, Shadowman wouldn't be ending (they announced the book with a 5 story plan, 3 of those stories seem to have been canceled now). Ninjak versus would have been marketed properly to new readers etc. Also, loving the little bits and pieces about the Bloodshot movie

[Dallow Spicer1]

I’m planning to buy all of these titles, although my excitement for them isn’t particularly high. The new guys in charge haven’t inspired confidence so far and the new creators are virtual unknowns. That being said it’s still early days so I’m buckling myself in for the ride!

I'm also still collecting everything. I'm on a wait and see phase. I'm looking forward to Incursion, War Monger and Livewire. It'll be interesting to see where these stories go. So far Ninjak, XO have been consistent. Im disappointed about Shadowman finishing, but hopefully it'll return again soon. After a year of upheaval, lets see where 2019 takes us. No one has a crystal ball, so i'm hoping things improve.

I’d be more excited if I was more familiar with the talent VEI are bringing in to work on the books. They could be undiscovered gems (like Vditti was) or is the new regime going for choices based on people’s political views? I guess time will tell.

[The Chosen 1]

I’m planning to buy all of these titles, although my excitement for them isn’t particularly high. The new guys in charge haven’t inspired confidence so far and the new creators are virtual unknowns. That being said it’s still early days so I’m buckling myself in for the ride!

I'm also still collecting everything. I'm on a wait and see phase. I'm looking forward to Incursion, War Monger and Livewire. It'll be interesting to see where these stories go. So far Ninjak, XO have been consistent. Im disappointed about Shadowman finishing, but hopefully it'll return again soon. After a year of upheaval, lets see where 2019 takes us. No one has a crystal ball, so i'm hoping things improve.

I’d be more excited if I was more familiar with the talent VEI are bringing in to work on the books. They could be undiscovered gems (like Vditti was) or is the new regime going for choices based on people’s political views? I guess time will tell.

Yeah, I’d prefer if they had some established big hitters. That would attract new readers over, but if the stories are strong enough, they’ll get the recognition they deserve. Another Venditti would be great. Or even get him back again. All writers start as unknowns.

[Sheikhaljabal]

I'll get all the floppies, as usual. March will take us back to half a dozen titles (XO, Livewire, BRS, Incursion, Livewire plus L&D of Toyo Harada) but besides that RAI ad in the new BLOODSHOT RS, nothing seems to be promoted. Maybe INCURSION will spin a new ETERNAL WARRIOR or GEOMANCER title, but I'm still waiting for news on PSI-LORDS and SAVAGE.
I concur with the line's need for some new blood on the writing department but one or two seasoned pros - such as Milligan - wouldn't hurt it either. I would like Van Lente to return, for instance. I also start to doubt that we will ever see the universe grow to 8 or 9 titles per month. With NINJAK, QUANTUM & WOODY and SHADOWMAN finishing their current runs, new RAI, HARBINGER and ARCHER & ARMSTRONG books seems to be lacking more than ever.

[hawkeyeps]

Archer and Armstrong and Harbinger were virtually destroyed as viable characters by their last runs.

[SuperMage]

Archer and Armstrong and Harbinger were virtually destroyed as viable characters by their last runs.

How can they be destroyed as viable characters if literally nothing happened in their last runs?

We had eight issues of the Renegades talking about how they need to get back together as team together, and a mini-series where they played charades in a farm. Archer and Armstrong met a talking fish. That's it. That's all I remember from that series.

You're allowed to ignore filler, which is what Harbinger: Renegade and Adventures of Davey the Mackerel were, so what's preventing a new series from doing just that and establishing a new status quo. If Livewire can jump into an ongoing without missing a beat, I don't see what's stopping anyone else.

[depluto]

Archer and Armstrong and Harbinger were virtually destroyed as viable characters by their last runs.

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

[jxm640]

Archer and Armstrong and Harbinger were virtually destroyed as viable characters by their last runs.

How can they be destroyed as viable characters if literally nothing happened in their last runs?

We had eight issues of the Renegades talking about how they need to get back together as team together, and a mini-series where they played charades in a farm. Archer and Armstrong met a talking fish. That's it. That's all I remember from that series.

You're allowed to ignore filler, which is what Harbinger: Renegade and Adventures of Davey the Mackerel were, so what's preventing a new series from doing just that and establishing a new status quo. If Livewire can jump into an ongoing without missing a beat, I don't see what's stopping anyone else.

I agree with the fact that they could relaunch the characters with a new status quo when they want.

The bigger issue for the new guys is if they relaunch the series in a haphazard manner. If the relaunch for the characters goes badly, they are lost for a year or two. However, if they take too much time in relaunching them, the characters will lose mindshare with the audience.

If there is nothing new by next december, then I assume that the characters are lost.

[otomo]

I thought Diggle did really good on Shadowman so I'm excited for Incursion. Braitwaithe's art is always solid too.

X-O I'm still picking up even though I'm mad at Kindt for what he did to Aric upon his return thus far. I also get the sneaking feeling Kindt won't be much longer for Valiant.

Pretty lackluster though. I miss Dinesh.

[raiden]

This will be the first month since VEI launched in 2012 where I won't be picking up anything. That's partly me trying to cut my spending though. If I were to pick up anything, it would be XO and Livewire (hoping that it picks up some of the goodness that was Secret Weapons).

[jmatt]

Thought X-O Manowar was amazing last year and is still good. Ninja-K started amazingly and is also still good. Shadowman might be the best Shadowman since Bob Hall. Loved Ninjak versus the Valiant Universe. Really liked Rahal on Quantum & Woody. And I'm excited for Life and Death. I've mostly been disappointed with current management's actions, which I speak up about, and that might make me sound negative all the time. But it's because I think if the original team that launched Valiant had stayed we would have had Psi-Lords in X-O Manowar and then a Psi-Lords series, Ninja-K would have kept building, Shadowman wouldn't be ending (they announced the book with a 5 story plan, 3 of those stories seem to have been canceled now). Ninjak versus would have been marketed properly to new readers etc. Also, loving the little bits and pieces about the Bloodshot movie

Thanks for setting the record straight. I stand corrected. Glad to see that you're at least enjoying some of it.

Like yourself, I lament the loss of the original VEI management team and 'what might have been'. But I am content to see how the new team does and judge it on its merits. In my eyes, they've barely gotten started and agree that the transition is not without its kinks. But I remain optimistic and hope they do well.

[jmatt]

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

QFT. For the life of me I don't understand why Pete and the crew aren't front and center in this universe.

[syzhang28]

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

QFT. For the life of me I don't understand why Pete and the crew aren't front and center in this universe.

I believe Harbinger Wars 2 was going to do just that as part of the ICONS push. Seems that changed with DMG and the lionforge guy. He made lots of books based on politics and social issues there and it looks like he's doing the same thing at Valiant. I'm all for doing that but making good comics can't suffer.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

QFT. For the life of me I don't understand why Pete and the crew aren't front and center in this universe.

I believe Harbinger Wars 2 was going to do just that as part of the ICONS push. Seems that changed with DMG and the lionforge guy. He made lots of books based on politics and social issues there and it looks like he's doing the same thing at Valiant. I'm all for doing that but making good comics can't suffer.

I’m definitely NOT for the new guys bringing in their biased politics and social issues...but it could go in that direction

[syzhang28]

Thought X-O Manowar was amazing last year and is still good. Ninja-K started amazingly and is also still good. Shadowman might be the best Shadowman since Bob Hall. Loved Ninjak versus the Valiant Universe. Really liked Rahal on Quantum & Woody. And I'm excited for Life and Death. I've mostly been disappointed with current management's actions, which I speak up about, and that might make me sound negative all the time. But it's because I think if the original team that launched Valiant had stayed we would have had Psi-Lords in X-O Manowar and then a Psi-Lords series, Ninja-K would have kept building, Shadowman wouldn't be ending (they announced the book with a 5 story plan, 3 of those stories seem to have been canceled now). Ninjak versus would have been marketed properly to new readers etc. Also, loving the little bits and pieces about the Bloodshot movie

Thanks for setting the record straight. I stand corrected. Glad to see that you're at least enjoying some of it.

Like yourself, I lament the loss of the original VEI management team and 'what might have been'. But I am content to see how the new team does and judge it on its merits. In my eyes, they've barely gotten started and agree that the transition is not without its kinks. But I remain optimistic and hope they do well.

I have trouble sometimes with sounding negative when I write.

[The Chosen 1]

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

QFT. For the life of me I don't understand why Pete and the crew aren't front and center in this universe.

I believe Harbinger Wars 2 was going to do just that as part of the ICONS push. Seems that changed with DMG and the lionforge guy. He made lots of books based on politics and social issues there and it looks like he's doing the same thing at Valiant. I'm all for doing that but making good comics can't suffer.

I’m definitely NOT for the new guys bringing in their biased politics and social issues...but it could go in that direction

Social issues can be great story lines, if they are handled correctly. Green Lantern/Green Arrow had stories about drugs and racism. The whole X-Men is supposed to be based on fear and prejudice against minorities. i agree that if they start talking hard politics they'll lose a lot of people. But that's no different to Faith having Hillary Clinton on the cover. That was a fairly obvious point.

I personally think the universe needs more villains. We've already got Master Darque, who i feel could be as iconic as the Joker. And there's already been some introduced in Shadowman and Armour Hunters which haven't been utilised as much as they could have been. But all great Heroes have great villains, and a lot of them.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I would love to see these titles returning to the center of the Valiant universe. I thought that was what the new group was intending but I'm still waiting. I'm really missing those first couple of years when we had monthly books from all the great core characters. How fricking great those books were!

QFT. For the life of me I don't understand why Pete and the crew aren't front and center in this universe.

I believe Harbinger Wars 2 was going to do just that as part of the ICONS push. Seems that changed with DMG and the lionforge guy. He made lots of books based on politics and social issues there and it looks like he's doing the same thing at Valiant. I'm all for doing that but making good comics can't suffer.

I’m definitely NOT for the new guys bringing in their biased politics and social issues...but it could go in that direction

Social issues can be great story lines, if they are handled correctly. Green Lantern/Green Arrow had stories about drugs and racism. The whole X-Men is supposed to be based on fear and prejudice against minorities. i agree that if they start talking hard politics they'll lose a lot of people. But that's no different to Faith having Hillary Clinton on the cover. That was a fairly obvious point.

I personally think the universe needs more villains. We've already got Master Darque, who i feel could be as iconic as the Joker. And there's already been some introduced in Shadowman and Armour Hunters which haven't been utilised as much as they could have been. But all great Heroes have great villains, and a lot of them.

Yes i agree the previous VEI management had left wing bias which occasionally came to the fore. I also agree comics can be good places to showcase politic/social issues but comics these days can be partisan which is where I object.

I think there’s quite a lot of villains already but we don’t re-use them enough or cross them over into other books eg Shadow seven from Ninjak. Would like to see the return of Commander Trill and the undercover Vine

[The Chosen 1]

I think there’s quite a lot of villains already but we don’t re-use them enough or cross them over into other books eg Shadow seven from Ninjak. Would like to see the return of Commander Trill and the undercover Vine

True, we do have a lot that aren't being utilised. And they are great villains. I'd like to see them be used more.

[kinggirlfriend]

I miss the Vine and Trill. They were such a huge part of X-O and the rest of the Valiant universe and have been completely dropped.

I guess I'm going to have to wait and see what looks good. Right now I'm probably going to skip Bloodshot Rising Spirit and War-Monger unless reviews say they are amazing. Cautiously looking forward to the rest although that doesn't leave much to root for.