"We Anticipate Being Able to Focus on Expanding": Valiant Publisher Breaks Down New IDW Deal

[Ryan]

Everything I've seen in the new 'Valiant Beyond' universe could've been done in a post-Resurgence VEI universe. Want a new Harbinger led by Archer with some new characters? Set it up in Resurgence. Want Bloodshot to be a Japanese dude? Make a new in-universe Bloodshot. Want a new Shadowman and more fantasy-magical New Orleans, easily done in VEI with a little explanation. X-O has already been space-fantasy barbarian for a number of years now.

If they wanted a reboot without ties to the old versions, just do that from the beginning. Why spend a year hyping and producing comics leading to a big hyped event only to immediately after launch a new line of the same characters but different versions in a different universe that have nothing to do with any of the last year of comics that you've spent $100s of thousands producing and marketing? It makes no sense to me.

Bloodshot Beyond is not a Japanese dude, though.

Ok, I thought he was Japanese. My point still stands though, whatever changes the Beyond BS has could have been done to the VEI BS or a new BS could have been created in-universe.

[Ryan]

Bloodshot Beyond is not a Japanese dude, though.

You sure about that?




Maybe it's just the artist's interpretation, but definitely looks like a different ethnicity than the previous iterations of BS. Nothing wrong with that, there's always been possibilities for multiple Bloodshots. I'm just saying that it could have been done in VEI, or at least set up in Resurgence. No need for a full reboot.

[ManofTheAtom]

Everything I've seen in the new 'Valiant Beyond' universe could've been done in a post-Resurgence VEI universe. Want a new Harbinger led by Archer with some new characters? Set it up in Resurgence. Want Bloodshot to be a Japanese dude? Make a new in-universe Bloodshot. Want a new Shadowman and more fantasy-magical New Orleans, easily done in VEI with a little explanation. X-O has already been space-fantasy barbarian for a number of years now.

If they wanted a reboot without ties to the old versions, just do that from the beginning. Why spend a year hyping and producing comics leading to a big hyped event only to immediately after launch a new line of the same characters but different versions in a different universe that have nothing to do with any of the last year of comics that you've spent $100s of thousands producing and marketing? It makes no sense to me.

Bloodshot Beyond is not a Japanese dude, though.

Ok, I thought he was Japanese. My point still stands though, whatever changes the Beyond BS has could have been done to the VEI BS or a new BS could have been created in-universe.

It's better this way. Let the VEI iteration continue.

[Ryan]

It's better this way. Let the VEI iteration continue.

Sure man. We know, whatever Alien does you'll say it's great. We got it

[Chiclo]

It's better this way. Let the VEI iteration continue.

Sure man. We know, whatever Alien does you'll say it's great. We got it

You’ve cracked the code.

[ManofTheAtom]

It's better this way. Let the VEI iteration continue.

Sure man. We know, whatever Alien does you'll say it's great. We got it

I'm not saying Beyond looks that great for VALIANT. I'm saying that the alternative, a replacement like with VH 2, is not favorable.

[Ryan]

It's better this way. Let the VEI iteration continue.

Sure man. We know, whatever Alien does you'll say it's great. We got it

You’ve cracked the code.

Dude spends decades railing against VH2 and reboots, browbeating anybody who dares to suggest Valiant is a multiverse. Alien - It's a whole new Valiant universe, a reboot like VH2 but worse! MOTA - Amazing!

[Ryan]

I'm not saying Beyond looks that great for VALIANT. I'm saying that the alternative, a replacement like with VH 2, is not favorable.

You lost me there, how is Beyond not like VH2? Because of the Zombie book? That means its not meant to replace VEI? Are you saying Beyond is just a side universe like an elseworlds?

[Chiclo]

I'm not saying Beyond looks that great for VALIANT. I'm saying that the alternative, a replacement like with VH 2, is not favorable.

You lost me there, how is Beyond not like VH2? Because of the Zombie book? That means its not meant to replace VEI? Are you saying Beyond is just a side universe like an elseworlds?

Microcircuitry. No Valiant zombies ever met anyone that Faith Herbert listed as comic properties, like Wolverine or Elf Quest.

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm not saying Beyond looks that great for VALIANT. I'm saying that the alternative, a replacement like with VH 2, is not favorable.

You lost me there, how is Beyond not like VH2? Because of the Zombie book? That means its not meant to replace VEI? Are you saying Beyond is just a side universe like an elseworlds?

Yes, Beyond is a side universe like Marvel's Ultimate and DC's Absolute.

The Zombie book continues the VEI Universe.

[Ryan]

Microcircuitry. No Valiant zombies ever met anyone that Faith Herbert listed as comic properties, like Wolverine or Elf Quest.

Makes perfect sense

[Ryan]

Yes, Beyond is a side universe like Marvel's Ultimate and DC's Absolute.

The Zombie book continues the VEI Universe.

A side universe with four 12 issue series and a 'main' universe with a single FCBD one-shot. Quite a stretch of the imagination.

Multiverses are cool now? When did that change? When Alien announced Beyond.

[ManofTheAtom]

Yes, Beyond is a side universe like Marvel's Ultimate and DC's Absolute.

The Zombie book continues the VEI Universe.

A side universe with four 12 issue series and a 'main' universe with a single FCBD one-shot. Quite a stretch of the imagination.

Multiverses are cool now? When did that change? When Alien announced Beyond.

The zombie comic was part of FCBD. Obviously they intended to follow it up with something. Time will tell if they'll still be able to.

No, multiverses are not good. I never said they were. Neither are reboots.

[Ryan]

The zombie comic was part of FCBD. Obviously they intended to follow it up with something. Time will tell if they'll still be able to.

No, multiverses are not good. I never said they were. Neither are reboots.

Even if there is a Valiant Zombies series or whatever, that would still make VEI the 'side universe' since the four biggest properties (X-O, BS, SM, Harb) will all be having their main adventures in the 12 issue Beyond series. 48 issues vs maybe a 4 issue mini. Beyond is the new 'main' Valiant. A reboot.

Exactly what I'm saying, this reboot didn't even need to be a reboot, all these ideas could have been done within the existing universe. It's only being done as a reboot for the cheap sales bump of being an 'all new jumping on point'. I think another reboot will only do more damage to these properties.

Just looking at the descriptions and covers, I question the quality as well. Half of the covers look like thirst trap anime smut. It's so far from the thoughtful, intelligent comics that made us all Valiant fans in the first place. I see why most of the fans have left already.

[ManofTheAtom]

The zombie comic was part of FCBD. Obviously they intended to follow it up with something. Time will tell if they'll still be able to.

No, multiverses are not good. I never said they were. Neither are reboots.

Even if there is a Valiant Zombies series or whatever, that would still make VEI the 'side universe' since the four biggest properties (X-O, BS, SM, Harb) will all be having their main adventures in the 12 issue Beyond series. 48 issues vs maybe a 4 issue mini. Beyond is the new 'main' Valiant. A reboot.

Exactly what I'm saying, this reboot didn't even need to be a reboot, all these ideas could have been done within the existing universe. It's only being done as a reboot for the cheap sales bump of being an 'all new jumping on point'. I think another reboot will only do more damage to these properties.

Just looking at the descriptions and covers, I question the quality as well. Half of the covers look like thirst trap anime smut. It's so far from the thoughtful, intelligent comics that made us all Valiant fans in the first place. I see why most of the fans have left already.

You're making assumptions informed by the information we have, which is not much beyond the Resurrections one-shot and the four Beyond 12 issue series.

Neither is supposed to represent the end all and be all of what Alien intended and/or intends to do.

For one thing, Resurgence had FOUR endings; one was a number of VALIANT heroes stuck in the Underdeadside with the zombies, the other was Dr. Silk returning to life in the VEI Universe, the other was the Beyond series, and the last one was Faith and Aram somehow being lost in the multiverse.

While the Resurrections one-shot (and whatever might come after) would continue/wrap up the Underside story and the Beyond maxi-series would cover what comes next with that, we have no idea when we were next going to see Faith and Aram and what was going to happen next with Silk and the OTHER VALIANT heroes and villains who were not sent to the Underdeadside, such as Stanchek, Harada, and, pretty much, most other Harbingers who were not part of Resurgence.

There is likely a LOT more Alien intends to do beyond (no pun) those four maxi series and the Resurrections one shot we know nothing about yet.

[Ryan]

You're making assumptions informed by the information we have, which is not much beyond the Resurrections one-shot and the four Beyond 12 issue series.

Neither is supposed to represent the end all and be all of what Alien intended and/or intends to do.

For one thing, Resurgence had FOUR endings; one was a number of VALIANT heroes stuck in the Underdeadside with the zombies, the other was Dr. Silk returning to life in the VEI Universe, the other was the Beyond series, and the last one was Faith and Aram somehow being lost in the multiverse.

While the Resurrections one-shot (and whatever might come after) would continue/wrap up the Underside story and the Beyond maxi-series would cover what comes next with that, we have no idea when we were next going to see Faith and Aram and what was going to happen next with Silk and the OTHER VALIANT heroes and villains who were not sent to the Underdeadside, such as Stanchek, Harada, and, pretty much, most other Harbingers who were not part of Resurgence.

There is likely a LOT more Alien intends to do beyond (no pun) those four maxi series and the Resurrections one shot we know nothing about yet.

True, you're also making a ton of assumptions into Alien's intentions. If we look at just the facts:

Beyond - 48 announced issues (12 each for 4 flagship characters), 12 (3 each x 4 books) of which have been solicited.

VEI Zombies - One announced/solicited issue (FCBD special).

From that data alone, putting all assumptions aside, it's clear that Beyond is the now the main Valiant universe.

[ManofTheAtom]

You're making assumptions informed by the information we have, which is not much beyond the Resurrections one-shot and the four Beyond 12 issue series.

Neither is supposed to represent the end all and be all of what Alien intended and/or intends to do.

For one thing, Resurgence had FOUR endings; one was a number of VALIANT heroes stuck in the Underdeadside with the zombies, the other was Dr. Silk returning to life in the VEI Universe, the other was the Beyond series, and the last one was Faith and Aram somehow being lost in the multiverse.

While the Resurrections one-shot (and whatever might come after) would continue/wrap up the Underside story and the Beyond maxi-series would cover what comes next with that, we have no idea when we were next going to see Faith and Aram and what was going to happen next with Silk and the OTHER VALIANT heroes and villains who were not sent to the Underdeadside, such as Stanchek, Harada, and, pretty much, most other Harbingers who were not part of Resurgence.

There is likely a LOT more Alien intends to do beyond (no pun) those four maxi series and the Resurrections one shot we know nothing about yet.

True, you're also making a ton of assumptions into Alien's intentions. If we look at just the facts:

Beyond - 48 announced issues (12 each for 4 flagship characters), 12 (3 each x 4 books) of which have been solicited.

VEI Zombies - One announced/solicited issue (FCBD special).

From that data alone, putting all assumptions aside, it's clear that Beyond is the now the main Valiant universe.

No, it's not. For one, it's a side-verse, therefore canonically it is not the main universe. For another, we don't know how many projects set in the VEI continuity they intended or intend to publish.

Casanova is literally quoted as stating that they intend to expand. That clearly denotes a plan. It may be to do more Beyond projects, but it may also be about other projects set in the VEI canon published concurrently to that side-verse.

[Ryan]

No, it's not. For one, it's a side-verse, therefore canonically it is not the main universe. For another, we don't know how many projects set in the VEI continuity they intended or intend to publish.

Casanova is literally quoted as stating that they intend to expand. That clearly denotes a plan. It may be to do more Beyond projects, but it may also be about other projects set in the VEI canon published concurrently to that side-verse.

Where does anyone ever say Beyond is 'canonically a side-verse'? It sounds like more stuff you just made up to fit your argument.

48 to 1 announced comic books are the current facts. Those facts clearly indicate Beyond is the new main universe.

What you're talking about is assumption, conjecture, and wishful thinking.

[ManofTheAtom]

No, it's not. For one, it's a side-verse, therefore canonically it is not the main universe. For another, we don't know how many projects set in the VEI continuity they intended or intend to publish.

Casanova is literally quoted as stating that they intend to expand. That clearly denotes a plan. It may be to do more Beyond projects, but it may also be about other projects set in the VEI canon published concurrently to that side-verse.

Where does anyone ever say Beyond is 'canonically a side-verse'? It sounds like more stuff you just made up to fit your argument.

48 to 1 announced comic books are the current facts. Those facts clearly indicate Beyond is the new main universe.

What you're talking about is assumption, conjecture, and wishful thinking.

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

[Ryan]

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

Show the quote then. When has anyone from Alien ever said "Beyond is not the main universe" "Beyond is a side-verse" or even "Beyond is not a replacement"? Sounds like things that have never happened.

[ManofTheAtom]

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

Show the quote then. When has anyone from Alien ever said "Beyond is not the main universe" "Beyond is a side-verse" or even "Beyond is not a replacement"? Sounds like things that have never happened.

Ryan, it's been reported by Bleeding Cool, ICV2, Newsarama, and likely others.

There's even a Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_Beyond

[ManofTheAtom]

https://www.alienbooks.com/news-or-vali ... nce-finale

"As we enter into the second year of our partnership with Valiant Comics and come out of the RESURGENCE crossover event, we wanted to take a big swing and try something new," explains Alien Books Director Matias Timarchi. "The success of the Absolute, Ultimate and Energon universes has shown that there is an appetite from both retailers and readers for accessible and high-quality storytelling. Our goal is to take inspiration from those lines while doing something that is distinctly our own."

"And rest assured, the versions of the characters that you've followed through to the RESURGENCE event will be back as part of the VALIANT ZOMBIES: RESURRECTION event that begins on Free Comic Book Day. Keep reading and Stay Valiant!"

EVENT. Not just a one-shot.

[Ryan]

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

Show the quote then. When has anyone from Alien ever said "Beyond is not the main universe" "Beyond is a side-verse" or even "Beyond is not a replacement"? Sounds like things that have never happened.

Ryan, it's been reported by Bleeding Cool, ICV2, Newsarama, and likely others.

There's even a Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_Beyond

Where does it say Beyond is a "side universe". Your own source says the opposite, it's "a new reboot"

Screenshot 2025-04-19 224625.png

Personally I don't care if its called a reboot or a side story or Faith Herbert's bath bubbles, they all just look like more bad comics to me. They look like the opposite of what good Valiant comics should be.

[ManofTheAtom]

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

Show the quote then. When has anyone from Alien ever said "Beyond is not the main universe" "Beyond is a side-verse" or even "Beyond is not a replacement"? Sounds like things that have never happened.

Ryan, it's been reported by Bleeding Cool, ICV2, Newsarama, and likely others.

There's even a Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_Beyond

Where does it say Beyond is a "side universe". Your own source says the opposite, it's "a new reboot"


Screenshot 2025-04-19 224625.png


Personally I don't care if its called a reboot or a side story or Faith Herbert's bath bubbles, they all just look like more bad comics to me. They look like the opposite of what good Valiant comics should be.

Maybe you don't know what Absolute, Ultimate, and Energon cited in the above quote refers to.

One is from DC, the other from Marvel, and I believe the third is from IDW.

Google those to get more context to understand how Beyond compares to them.

[Ryan]

That's been the official line from Alien since the start. Beyond is not a replacement.

Show the quote then. When has anyone from Alien ever said "Beyond is not the main universe" "Beyond is a side-verse" or even "Beyond is not a replacement"? Sounds like things that have never happened.

Ryan, it's been reported by Bleeding Cool, ICV2, Newsarama, and likely others.

There's even a Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_Beyond

Where does it say Beyond is a "side universe". Your own source says the opposite, it's "a new reboot"


Screenshot 2025-04-19 224625.png


Personally I don't care if its called a reboot or a side story or Faith Herbert's bath bubbles, they all just look like more bad comics to me. They look like the opposite of what good Valiant comics should be.

Maybe you don't know what Absolute, Ultimate, and Energon cited in the above quote refers to.

One is from DC, the other from Marvel, and I believe the third is from IDW.

Google those to get more context to understand how Beyond compares to them.

Maybe you don't know what "a new reboot" means. Google reboot to understand what it means.