Valiant Future Timeline: Is it Necessary?

[blujay]

All of this speculation about Aric returning in 4001 AD after Planet Death got me thinking about the possible future timeline. But now that Doctor Solar (who was, of course, the lynchpin between the present and future timelines in the original universe) and Magnus are no longer in the VU, do we even need to have a future setting at all?

Is it possible that Valiant could just rework some of the origins for the old future titles (Rai, Psi-Lords etc) and just set them in the present day? We've already been teased a few times with the idea that Rai might not be set in the future.

Personally I'd like to see a future in some way but I'd prefer if the main books were all focused in the same time period (with the exception of Eternal Warrior/Time Walker)

Now Discuss!

[Rufusharley]

No , no , and no. Don't mess with it. It's dumb.

[Phoenix8008]

I put 'undecided' because I wouldn't mind seeing it if they can pull it off and do it well, but I don't view it as essential.

[Donovan]

I was thinking Rai would need to be set in the future, but really, it could just be sci-fi and set in space...

[BugsySig]

I put 'undecided' because I wouldn't mind seeing it if they can pull it off and do it well, but I don't view it as essential.

+1

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I put no. I'm very content with the way things are now. If there's no 4001, that's cool. Rai? Let's see him in present time maybe?

[Dr. Solar]

Well, nothing is really *necessary*.

That said, I think the only way we won't see books set in the future is if Valiant goes out of business in the next year.

The strongest link between the present and the future in the original timeline was the Blood Of Heroes. Magnus's link with the past was just an intriguing detail. The best Magnus stories were told before this detail was revealed, and we saw the introduction of Rai and Eternal Warrior before we ever saw this connection. Solar appeared after being in hiding, only to cease to exist after his part in the invasion.

The Blood Of Heroes is by far the biggest link between the present in the future, at least in the old Valiant.

[BugsySig]

Well, nothing is really *necessary*.

That said, I think the only way we won't see books set in the future is if Valiant goes out of business in the next year.

The strongest link between the present and the future in the original timeline was the Blood Of Heroes. Magnus's link with the past was just an intriguing detail. The best Magnus stories were told before this detail was revealed, and we saw the introduction of Rai and Eternal Warrior before we ever saw this connection. Solar appeared after being in hiding, only to cease to exist after his part in the invasion.

The Blood Of Heroes is by far the biggest link between the present in the future, at least in the old Valiant.

I would argue EW was the biggest link (there were 2 of him during Unity, after all) being the same person, but the Rai-Bloodshot connection and the HARD Corps-PsiLords connection were both very strong as well.

There was also the Archies, the Geomancers and Spylocke/Spider Aliens. That's a lot of connections which can still be explored.

Still, keeping it small (just 1 title like Rai) would help keep the connections and continuity from weighing the books down.

[lorddunlow]

I agree with Sean. I never thought of Magnus as tying together the timelines, and Solar's appearance was more to show that he was immortal in they way I read the books. The thing with OG Valiant (at least in my opinion) was that each timeline really could stand by itself. I think the two timelines came about organically (although I'm sure Shooter planned a lot of it) out of Valiant's first 2 books - Solar and Magnus - one set in the future (established by Gold Key) and the other set in the present. Everything grew out of that. I really feel the connections were added to bring the whole Valiant universe together.

In short, I think VEI could do just as well without a future setting, and I feel that they would have a harder time creating interest in a future setting unless it sprung directly from a current title (at least at this point). As long as Rai comes soon, I'll be happy.

[Dr. Solar]

I think the biggest surprise of Wondercon* was hearing someone from VEI actually mention "Rai" and "4001" in the same sentence.


*other than that thing that I am forbidden to mention on threat of excommunication from all things Valiant.

[BugsySig]

I think the biggest surprise of Wondercon* was hearing someone from VEI actually mention "Rai" and "4001" in the same sentence.


*other than that thing that I am forbidden to mention on threat of excommunication from all things Valiant.

I need to start a podcast

[Dr. Solar]

I need to start a world class podcast

Fixed.

[iwantvaliant]

Yes. That is all.

[lorddunlow]

I need to start a world class podcast

Fixed.

What-ever.

Seriously, I can quit listening to your podcast anytime. I just don't feel like quitting right now. I don't have a problem.

[Dr. Solar]

I need to start a world class podcast THAT YOU WILL LISTEN TO ALL THE TIME.

Fixed. LISTEN TO OTV ALL THE TIME.
LISTEN TO OTV ALL THE TIME.

What-ever.LISTEN TO OTV ALL THE TIME.
LISTEN TO OTV ALL THE TIME.
Seriously, I can quit listening to your podcast anytime. I just don't feel like quitting right now. I don't have a problem. LISTEN TO OTV ALL THE TIME.

The subliminal messages are working.

[MarkRoseHFX]

I choose cream bc I don't give a *SQUEE* if they do a 4001 timeline or not. If they come up with an idea or ideas that make sense and they turn into good books, cool. if not everything we got now is ok with me. And I think Rai can easily fit into a past, present or future timeline.

[Chiclo]

I think the biggest surprise of Wondercon* was hearing someone from VEI actually mention "Rai" and "4001" in the same sentence.


*other than that thing that I am forbidden to mention on threat of excommunication from all things Valiant.

It must suck knowing all this cool stuff and not being able to talk about it.

[MoonChild]

A Big Yes for me! I want Valiant future, it's one of the main things that was cool about Valiant growing up. I love how Ivar can timewalk through both eras and Gilad & Aram live through both so they are there, just different slightly. Very cool things you can do with this premise and the RAI/BloodShot connection is just a must! C'mon Now!!

[FormerReader]

A Big Yes for me! I want Valiant future, it's one of the main things that was cool about Valiant growing up. I love how Ivar can timewalk through both eras and Gilad & Aram live through both so they are there, just different slightly. Very cool things you can do with this premise and the RAI/BloodShot connection is just a must! C'mon Now!!

[TheFallen]

I don't care just give me RAI!

[MarrowMan]

Once more big players get more rooted in VEI, I think we may see some sort of future timeline Rai, Eternal Warrior/Timewalker/Armstrong maybe even a future Shadowman, or a really old and even more evil Master Darque, Psi Lords, Future Harbingers, a mind swapping Harada, Someone else in a Manowar or Commando suit, more Aliens like Alexandre, (A "Future Force" even?)

[myron]

only if the direction of the stories takes it there...

[drmirage]

I heard that as well. 4001 is an interesting number. Lots of good stuff yet under VEIs sleeves.

I think the biggest surprise of Wondercon* was hearing someone from VEI actually mention "Rai" and "4001" in the same sentence.


*other than that thing that I am forbidden to mention on threat of excommunication from all things Valiant.

[Zaphod]

Is it needed, no.

If they can pull it off succinctly without disrupting their titles, I am interested. The key will be how they integrate the two timelines. Voyager was able to pull it off well because Shooter is an Editorial *SQUEE* and a stickler for the minutae of details.

I love what Warren Simons has done with this relaunch but I have to say when it comes to the details, VEI has fallen short and far from the measuring stick of the Shooterverse.

A subquestion I would have is, are current comic book readers going to be confused by adding two timelines to this universe? It would be pretty easy to simply ignore the future timeline books, we had Magnus and Rai (and later titles) in V1 and if you weren't reading those titles, it wasn't a big deal but as cool as it could be, I could also see it being a distraction to gaining new readers in the instant gratification, attention span deprived readers of today.

I should probably get a rocking chair and a hose now, to spray the neighbour kids when they put a foot on my lawn...

[caniac]

Does it NEED it? NO
Do I want it? Hell YES

So I voted no...