What We Learned - July 2014 Edition

[Keith]

I present to you: What We Learned from Valiant's July Solicitations

<spoilers from recent previews below, ye be warned!!>

1) They’ve Done A Bad Bad Thing
The solicit for Armor Hunters #2 references a shocking conclusion in issue #1. Based on sneak previews of Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1, it looks like there is massive devastation has been wrought on one or more cities. The Armor Hunters are here, and they have put a hurting on the global population. Hope X-O has been eating his Wheaties.

2) When I Was A Boy, We Hunted X-Os Barefoot… Uphill… In a Snowstorm… And We Liked It!
Similar to the Harbinger issues flashing back to 1969 during Harbinger Wars, X-O Manowar #27 looks to be supplying historical background to the Armor Hunters, and how they came to hunt the armors. Will we be seeing revelations on the origins of the armor as well? Unknown, but V-Ditti’s comments in the recent OTV After Dark podcast make my Magic 8-Ball say “All signs point to yes.”

3) Apparently, Bloodshot’s Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard
As we now know from announcements earlier this month, and confirmed in the solicits for Unity #10 and Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1, everyone’s favorite nanite enhanced soldier is not only the newest member of Unity, but he is also standing front and center at MERO as the sole guard over Malgam. But how did Bloodshot become the object of all this attention, not to mention what happened to the H.A.R.D. Corps after their recent battle? More to the point, how will Bloodshot survive when the Hunters come collecting? Personally, I’m hoping we get to see him stare down GIN-GR.

4) <hits replay on the iPod> This Is The End, My Only Friend, The End…?
We all know that The Delinquents starts up in August. The solicits for Archer & Armstrong #22 and Quantum & Woody #13, however, are non-descript on if these are the last issues of the respective titles (for now.) Will there be issues in August, perhaps serving as lead-ins to Delinquents? Definitely a wait and see what next month brings, but one thing is for certain…

5) It’s Harbinger’s Birthday, And I’ll Cry If I Want To
… Harbinger #25 marks the end of the current series, in a blow-out, 48 page spectacular celebrating the past two years. Dysart has promised continued resolution to the Death of a Renegade storyline, along with other artists providing their own unique contributions in “out of continuity” ways. And fear not… while it sucks mucho that Harbinger “the title” is ending, we have been assured there is much more to come for Harbinger “the story.” Be here next month for more, but be sure to also check out…

6) The Kids Are Alright
… Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1, where the kids from Generation Zero take center stage. Interesting thing about this solicit… it has changed from the mini’s initial announcement several months back, and now references the Renegades. Will any of our surviving members make an appearance in the title? The cover shows Torque, Faith, and possibly Flamingo… are they surviving? Spoilers… a recent preview appears to show Monica Jim amongst the Gen Zero kids… but how did she get reunited with them?

7) It’s Like Déjà Vu All Over Again
Rai #3:
Japan, 4001.
Rai, sole protector.
Father, A.I.
First murder in 2000 years.
Same solicit from the previous two times, just reworded.

Oi.

[betterthanezra]

Valiant isn't going to put out two books with the same characters in the same month that are the focus of those issues it's bad for continuity and it's something they don't need to do. I'm fairly certain that at least Q&W #12 will be the final regular issue of 2014. With Delinquents and the Priest & Bright book coming after that's about the full calendar year.

-Brian

[bygranddesign]

Nice job summing things up Keith

[bamaphilosopher]

Quantum and Woody ending? Yay. Priest and Bright doing a miniseries of Quantum and Woody still? Yay.

Harbinger ending? Boo.

I really, really don't like that they're pulling a VH1 on Harbinger after 25. I hope they'll keep Sting and the surviving renegades active in the universe.

Moving to Gen Zero seems like a VH1 "new team after 25" move. Man, I didn't like that with VH1. Hopefully, that's not what VEI is doing, and they'll handle it better. JMHO.

[BugsySig]

Quantum and Woody ending? Yay. Priest and Bright doing a miniseries of Quantum and Woody still? Yay.

Harbinger ending? Boo.

I really, really don't like that they're pulling a VH1 on Harbinger after 25. I hope they'll keep Sting and the surviving renegades active in the universe.

Moving to Gen Zero seems like a VH1 "new team after 25" move. Man, I didn't like that with VH1. Hopefully, that's not what VEI is doing, and they'll handle it better. JMHO.

If the Gen Zero characters are joined by lets say Faith and Torque, and maybe add a vet like Stronghold to the mix, I'd definitely be interested.

[bamaphilosopher]

If the Gen Zero characters are joined by lets say Faith and Torque, and maybe add a vet like Stronghold to the mix, I'd definitely be interested.

Well, nothing against the Gen Zero characters, I think it's great to expand the ranks of Harbingers. I just don't like the idea of the original renegades disbanding or being shuffled aside.

But, I guess we'll see what happens. I have faith in VEI, that they won't repeat some of the mistakes of VH1.

[lorddunlow]

I actually think the power sets of the Gen Zero characters are much cooler. The Telic is one of my favorite characters with Hive a close second. I'm actually pretty upset we haven't seen most of them in a while.

I still miss Pulse.

[Phoenix8008]

I actually think the power sets of the Gen Zero characters are much cooler. The Telic is one of my favorite characters with Hive a close second. I'm actually pretty upset we haven't seen most of them in a while.

I still miss Pulse.

I'm also looking forward to seeing more of the Gen Zero kids.

[bamaphilosopher]

I actually think the power sets of the Gen Zero characters are much cooler. The Telic is one of my favorite characters with Hive a close second. I'm actually pretty upset we haven't seen most of them in a while.

I still miss Pulse.

I'm also looking forward to seeing more of the Gen Zero kids.

I don't mind seeing more of the Gen Zero kids.

It's seeing less of Sting and the Renegades that I'm worried about.

But again, VEI has done better so far than VH1, so maybe my fears are unfounded. We will see.