Unity .... what does it MEAN?!!

[bygranddesign]

On a side note ... Do the Brethren obtain their powers from the souls trapped in the Deadside? I'm not sure if JJ really delved into this too much yet (need to re-read the 1st arc)... but it sort of came to mind with the whole life from life theme of #0. In order for the Brethren to wield so much power and gifts ..they have to kill people/banish them to the deadside and tap into that deadside power source.

I don't know where I got this from... I thought the Brethren had some supernatural powers but I just skimmed through SM #1-4 and I think they are just *SQUEE* bag business leaders who bow to the alter of Darque and Black Magic.

[jmatt]

In Shadowman #0, Darque "sucks the life out" of the people near him and uses it to make both himself and his sister live to be at least 200 years old.
Darque essentially became the Boon without needing all the pieces.

I could be the boon. I'd still have to bum rides off of people.

Lemme guess. You ate pancreas today and saw a Cubs game?

[400yrs]

Unity:

Theres a war going down between my brothers tonight
I dont want no war going down, going down tonight

Stop this war (2x)

Civilization ha I call it as I see it
I call it *SQUEE* you know I still cannot believe it
Our evolution now has gone the way of hate
A world evolved resolved into this stupid fate

Stop this war (x2)

All so different yeah I say we're all the same
All caught you know in the division game
Self destruction fast impending like a bullet
No one can stop it once its fired no one can control it

Stop this war (x2)

A final word, wait it's not a call to action
We aint no sect, no this aint no *SQUEE* faction
Unity unity unity you've heard it all before
This time its not exclusive we want to stop a war

Stop this war (x2)

Ain't nothin wrong, with another unity song (x2)
Ain't nothin wrong (x4)
With a unity song!

Stop this war (x2)

Unity as one stand together
Unity evolutions gonna come (x4)

[NapoleonBlownapart]

I don't know if this has ever been asked. But since Erica Pierce is a Solar character, does VEI even have rights to her? Or do they only not have rights to Solar himself?

As a VALIANT character rather than Gold Key she should be fair use for VEI; replacing Solar in her origin would be necessary unless VEI acquired the GK license.

I sincerely believe that VEI do not need the GK 3 in any way now, and hope they don't pursue the license. But hey, I have been seriously wrong about VEI before now...

Given that the Valiant version of Solar had a separate identity and origin from the Gold Key Solar (who obtained his godlike powers after being locked in a closet with a pile of nuclear waste if memory serves me right), shouldn't they be able to just get rid of his costume and rebrand him as Phil Seleski, Man of the Atom without licensing out the Gold Key heroes? Valiant Solar really is a completely different character from Gold Key Solar in every way

[leonmallett]

I don't know if this has ever been asked. But since Erica Pierce is a Solar character, does VEI even have rights to her? Or do they only not have rights to Solar himself?

As a VALIANT character rather than Gold Key she should be fair use for VEI; replacing Solar in her origin would be necessary unless VEI acquired the GK license.

I sincerely believe that VEI do not need the GK 3 in any way now, and hope they don't pursue the license. But hey, I have been seriously wrong about VEI before now...

Given that the Valiant version of Solar had a separate identity and origin from the Gold Key Solar (who obtained his godlike powers after being locked in a closet with a pile of nuclear waste if memory serves me right), shouldn't they be able to just get rid of his costume and rebrand him as Phil Seleski, Man of the Atom without licensing out the Gold Key heroes? Valiant Solar really is a completely different character from Gold Key Solar in every way

But do they actually need a Dr. Solar? While we on the board need our Dr. Solar , what value would such a character actually add to the line we have right now versus the risk of possibly destabilizing things to focus on something not seemingly entwined within the very solid foundations they have.

[Captain Craig]

I find it interesting, if not organic, that serious talk of Psi-Lords being brought into the Universe is being discussed now. Due to their connections with being HARD Corps, who are now debuting...not to mention Bloodshot. With Q&W coming all once "down the list" contenders are now in play as well.

I'm fine with it cause I'd like to get into Valiants Cosmic world.
You gotta admit, that it would add a unique new dimension to offer up to existing readers and an avenue for those not yet on board to sample.

• 1.XO Manowar: superhero book
  2.Harbinger: team book
  3.Shadowman: occult book
  4.Archer & Armstrong: buddy book
  5.Bloodshot: vengeance book
  6.Eternal Warrior: warrior/protector book
  7.Ninjak: covert ops/spy/espionage book
  8.Psi-Lords: space book

That's a broad range of sample with no overlap for the base to enjoy and others to sample as an intro.
9.Q&W is the first duplication of a theme, buddy book.

That' enough titles for 2 a week plus what is sure to be eventual mini-series or one shots. IMO, that would be a great goal for this time next year.

[Aram]

Phil Seleski emerges from the reactor with amazing powers and Toyo Harada threatened by his power and the destruction he seemingly caused labels him "The Destroyer".

Poof theres your intro into completely owned and familiar valiant owned property.

[Burrito Boy]

Phil Seleski emerges from the reactor with amazing powers and Toyo Harada threatened by his power and the destruction he seemingly caused labels him "The Destroyer".

Poof theres your intro into completely owned and familiar valiant owned property.

I like it.

[kevinbastos]

While I agree with Captain Craig hat both are a buddy book, I think that this or any universe has space for anything that is good.

Archer & Armstrong in its initial run? Very good.

Why was it canned? It went from great to VERY bad.

Quantum & Woody was good through its run. While it was also a buddy book, it was unique. If it's different and terrible, it will be cancelled. If it is similar and good, it should survive.

Same thing with a hypothetical SOLAR. If it was good, it would make it.

[bygranddesign]

I think Q&W and A&A will differentiate themselves as Buddy Books

I have never read the original Q&W but from what I gather it will be a buddy book that will be more urban themed and dealing more with societal problems whereas A&A as we have seen is more of a buddy book that's more adventure themed dealing with more worldly problems and grand conspiracies.

[leonmallett]

Phil Seleski emerges from the reactor with amazing powers and Toyo Harada threatened by his power and the destruction he seemingly caused labels him "The Destroyer".

Poof theres your intro into completely owned and familiar valiant owned property.

Oh it can be done, and that premise would be interesting - but truly what value would it add is what I ask?

Characters with god-like power sets are a tricky sell in context of a more 'grounded' setting.

[kevinbastos]

Oh it can be done, and that premise would be interesting - but truly what value would it add is what I ask?

Characters with god-like power sets are a tricky sell in context of a more 'grounded' setting.

While I agree, the early SOLAR stuff was some of the best Valiant written. Alpha and Omega and Steel Nation are some of the best comic reading out there. Not just Valiant.

[leonmallett]

Oh it can be done, and that premise would be interesting - but truly what value would it add is what I ask?

Characters with god-like power sets are a tricky sell in context of a more 'grounded' setting.

While I agree, the early SOLAR stuff was some of the best Valiant written. Alpha and Omega and Steel Nation are some of the best comic reading out there. Not just Valiant.

True as that may be, that was then, this is a new VALIANT.

I'd rather VEI play to their own strengths. We can see this is different publisher in many ways - story-telling conceits are different; some characters are much more different in their new iterations than others; we have a merging of VH1 and Acclaim concepts; etc.

Arguably some of the new books have a clearer vision than their forebears.

Ultimately looking too far backwards could be a risk IMHO; I urge VEI to keep looking forwards. If rumors of the licensing fee for the GK heroes are to be believed, I would rather VEI invest that level of capital into what they already own outright, especially as when it comes to the movies etc then they are not profit-sharing with an entity passively taking the money and doing little other than being the owner of the GK IP.

[Blood of Heroes]

Unity:

Theres a war going down between my brothers tonight
I dont want no war going down, going down tonight

Stop this war (2x)

Civilization ha I call it as I see it
I call it *SQUEE* you know I still cannot believe it
Our evolution now has gone the way of hate
A world evolved resolved into this stupid fate

Stop this war (x2)

All so different yeah I say we're all the same
All caught you know in the division game
Self destruction fast impending like a bullet
No one can stop it once its fired no one can control it

Stop this war (x2)

A final word, wait it's not a call to action
We aint no sect, no this aint no *SQUEE* faction
Unity unity unity you've heard it all before
This time its not exclusive we want to stop a war

Stop this war (x2)

Ain't nothin wrong, with another unity song (x2)
Ain't nothin wrong (x4)
With a unity song!

Stop this war (x2)

Unity as one stand together
Unity evolutions gonna come (x4)

[drmirage]

I always thought that Unity meant, TIME IS NOT ABSOLUTE.

[400yrs]

Unity:

Theres a war going down between my brothers tonight
I dont want no war going down, going down tonight

Stop this war (2x)

Civilization ha I call it as I see it
I call it *SQUEE* you know I still cannot believe it
Our evolution now has gone the way of hate
A world evolved resolved into this stupid fate

Stop this war (x2)

All so different yeah I say we're all the same
All caught you know in the division game
Self destruction fast impending like a bullet
No one can stop it once its fired no one can control it

Stop this war (x2)

A final word, wait it's not a call to action
We aint no sect, no this aint no *SQUEE* faction
Unity unity unity you've heard it all before
This time its not exclusive we want to stop a war

Stop this war (x2)

Ain't nothin wrong, with another unity song (x2)
Ain't nothin wrong (x4)
With a unity song!

Stop this war (x2)

Unity as one stand together
Unity evolutions gonna come (x4)

VEI should do a tribute to that cover as a variant for Unity. They make enough variants..... May as well. Bloodshot or Rai would look pretty awesome.

[Dr. Solar]

VEI should do a tribute to that cover as a variant for Unity. They make enough variants..... May as well. Bloodshot or Rai would look pretty awesome.

Wow. Now THERE'S an idea. I would go to rather extraordinary lengths to get that cover.

[Ras the future fan]

I would prefer Rai and the Future Force, for the future/space book than Psi-Lords.

[hunter_peterson]

I think Rai should function separate from the Future Force, actually. For a while at least. Of course, I think the Future Force kind of needs to be retitled something that they can actually call themselves in-universe, so yeah... but definitely before Psi-Lords. It would be really cool just for the novelty of seeing future heroes alone. I want twin Shadowgirls, dammit! It would be the awesomeness.

That said, I think that the 4001 timeline could and should stand really well on it's own and be launched not unlike the present-day-line was. Start with Rai, build it up over a Summer of Valiant.

As for whatever Unity turns out to be... it seems pretty clear that it has to do with Aric's new nation of Dacia. It's to ably the center of the conflict/story. I'd imagine the Bleeding Monk will be manipulating the Harbinger half of the Valiant U into the equation, the Immortals will be involved through the Eternal Warrior and maybe the rest of the characters get drafted by Ninjak as a proto-Secret Weapons? Could work. Could be a great place to reintroduce a bunch of cool concepts.

[Thedinosaur]

Turok?

[BugsySig]

Turok?

Welcome!

Not likely

[Zaphod]

Phil Seleski emerges from the reactor with amazing powers and Toyo Harada threatened by his power and the destruction he seemingly caused labels him "The Destroyer".

Poof theres your intro into completely owned and familiar valiant owned property.

Oh it can be done, and that premise would be interesting - but truly what value would it add is what I ask?

Characters with god-like power sets are a tricky sell in context of a more 'grounded' setting.

It's a similar argument I have had with friends over the X-Men movies. Thus far, each movie (save 'First Class') one of the initial plot points is eliminating Xavier because if you don't, he's over powered.

That said, a toned down Solar character would be interesting to insert into the VEI universe. The biggest mistake of his first run was keeping him on Earth. Pitch a great, "voyager of the unknown space" with that kind of power could be an interesting concept to bridge into potential Valiant cosmic storylines.

[Shadowman99]

There also seems to be a connection between the Necromantic energy "magic" in Shadowman and the Geomancer's ability.

I don't really know anything about Geomancers in the Valiant universe as I'm not reading whatever comic it is that they appear in, but would I be right in guessing they use some sort of 'life energy'?

Because I know although Dox (Shadowman) refers to 'necromantic' energy, I seem to recall that it's more like life energy and not 'death energy' or 'magic' (despite the etymology of 'necromantic') as he said something like "It's a portion of your own will' or something like that when he was explaining it.

Is it likely there's a connection between the two?

[Shadowman99]

[Post Error]

[hunter_peterson]

There also seems to be a connection between the Necromantic energy "magic" in Shadowman and the Geomancer's ability.

I don't really know anything about Geomancers in the Valiant universe as I'm not reading whatever comic it is that they appear in, but would I be right in guessing they use some sort of 'life energy'?

Because I know although Dox (Shadowman) refers to 'necromantic' energy, I seem to recall that it's more like life energy and not 'death energy' or 'magic' (despite the etymology of 'necromantic') as he said something like "It's a portion of your own will' or something like that when he was explaining it.

Is it likely there's a connection between the two?

Kay referred to geomantic energy, I think, so I'd say they come from different sources. Necromantic energy seems to basically be "souls as fuel" type magic and geomantic energy seems to come from the earth, so it's probably energy drawn from tectonic friction. This all probably has something to do with the various "houses of power" that will be explored in Eternal Warrior moving forward.

(And the two known types are basically identical to the ones real sting to alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist, which is always a good thing.)