New Valiant Convert

[wwise03]

Hello all...a new Valiant convert with a new story here. I am a 29 year old attorney from Texas and have been reading comics for about 4 years. I started by reading Ultimate Spider-Man, then Ed Brubaker's run on Captain America, then a bunch of random X-Men and Batman stuff. All I knew about comics when I began reading was that there was Marvel, there was DC, and there was other random junk.

In November 2013, I was shopping around my LCS and saw a new title called Velvet by Ed Brubaker. I loved his Captain America run, and I love spy stories, so I gave it a shot, even though it was made by some wannabe comic company called Image. Well, 17 Image pulls per month later, I no longer read any monthly Marvel or DC book (though I get the new 52 Aquaman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in HC format).

Seeing an easy target perhaps, my LCS started giving me the Previews catalog that comes out each month. I'm flipping through it one day, and magically flip it to the previews page for Rai, which was buried towards the latter half of the book. Thinking it looked interesting, I asked my LCS owner about it. Sadly, he didn't know much about it other than Valiant used to be huge in the 90s and eventually led to the downfall of the comic industry (I don't know if this is true or not). Believing that I had plenty of Image titles plus some DC hardcovers to keep me busy, I ultimately decided not to pre-order it. Well, FCBD rolls around a few weeks back, and I am deathly ill. My fiancé, who "tolerates" my comic book reading obsession, offers to go to the comic book store to get me a batch of free comic books. While there, she strikes up a conversation with the store owner and the owner comes to realize that she is my fiancé. He told her he ordered a few copies of Rai which I had asked him about, and my loving fiancé gets me the pullbox plus edition as a surprise. I read it. I LOVED it!!!!

In the following weeks, I start reading about the Valiant universe and ultimately discovered this website. Putting my faith in you guys (and other Valiant lovers), I have back ordered the issues for every new series put out, except Shadowman. I have also put every Valiant title on my pull list going forward (again, except Shadowman). The books are starting to come in the mail, and I anticipate having them all by the middle of next week. I can not wait to get started with the journey!

I have a couple of questions to help get me started, and a mini rant.

1. What order should I read the books in? I am thinking I will read them in the order of their publication so that I can simulate what it was like to have gotten into the new Valiant from the beginning (albeit without the waiting).

2. Shadowman seems to get a lot of flak, but it also gets at least some love. It doesn't seem like my usual comic fare, but I feel compelled to get it because it is Valiant and I want to be all in. Is it skipable or is it ok?

3. My mini-rant is this, why does Valiant insist on putting the little bar code on the front cover? It detracts from the art work. The bar code is on the back of all Image books. It seems like a simple fix.

That is it. That is my story. I have seen some posts lamenting the fact that Valiant has been unable to bring in new readers. Well lament no more, for I am one such new reader!!

[Chiclo]

Welcome.

I would think that reading them in release order would be the best. Most of the titles really won't be affected poorly reading in order but the Harbinger Wars crossover would make more sense read chronologically and the first 4 issues of Unity cross heavily with X-O Manowar.

Harbinger is going to be quite a treat to read for the first time.

Shadowman was lackluster but really turns around with issue 13.

[wwise03]

Thanks Chiclo! Happy to hear from a fellow Texan!!

Would you suggest starting with Shadowman 13 to see if see if the series might be my particular brand of vodka?

[MarkRoseHFX]

Welcome to the board!

Thinking it looked interesting, I asked my LCS owner about it. Sadly, he didn't know much about it other than Valiant used to be huge in the 90s and eventually led to the downfall of the comic industry (I don't know if this is true or not).

yeah that's about right because Marvel, DC and Image were just doing things that strengthened the industry at that time he obviously didn't own a store through the 90's

[wwise03]

Thanks markrose. Yea I thought that was an unfair comment he made...but I wasn't a comic book readers in the 90s, so I wasn't prepared to dispute him.

[Chiclo]

Would you suggest starting with Shadowman 13 to see if see if the series might be my particular brand of vodka?

Maybe later. You certainly have no shortage of Valiant ahead of you in the mean time.

[DirtbagSailor]

Welcome!

DBS

[Daniel Jackson]

Welcome to the board.

[comicsyte95]

Welcome!

[betterthanezra]

Welcome

-Brian

[wwise03]

Thanks y'all! This is by far the best message board I have read. Y'all are obviously a very insightful bunch. But more importantly, y'all are a respectful bunch. I am looking forward to keeping y'all in the loop with how my reading is going and seeking advice moving forwards. I'm already excited about reading the older valiant stuff, but I better read what I've got first!!

[MarkRoseHFX]

Thanks markrose. Yea I thought that was an unfair comment he made...but I wasn't a comic book readers in the 90s, so I wasn't prepared to dispute him.

definitely the best course of action in that situation

[lorddunlow]

Welcome to the boards. It's fun here as long as you avoid the Canadians like MarkRoseHFX...

Oh wait... You said we were respectful.... Hm.

Try this again:

Welcome! Everyone here is great... Nope, can't do it. Those Canadians are horrible.

On a serious note, I've enjoyed Shadowman (except for the two issues between 10 and 13 - I like to pretend they skipped those numbers for some unexplained reason rather than admit their existence) especially #0 and #10 which are arguably the best issues VEI has put out - only Bleeding Monk #0 and a maybe a few issues of Archer and Armstrong come close to that level. But so far that corner of the universe is pretty isolated, so you could read it separately at a later time with no issues.

Bloodshot is my favorite main character with the Bleeding Monk being my favorite supporting character.

As for non-VEI, I really hope you are reading East of West.

[wwise03]

I am definitely on board for East of West. I may order the first few issues of Shadowman just to see if I dig it. Thanks!

[greg]

Welcome to the board!

If you want to roll back the clock and read the books in the order they were released, here's your map: http://valiantfan.com/quickview" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wwise03]

Thanks, Greg.

Sadly perhaps, I already compiled that same reading order using the release dates published on valiantuniverse.com. I tell you this only because this is probably the only place that I can say that without fear of retribution.

And for those of you wondering, yes, I compiled the publish order list while at work.

[mkb28]

Welcome to the boards, Counselor!

Like you, I also order the "Batman" HC's, but I mostly read Valiant, Image and a few others. Are you reading "Lazarus" from Greg Rucka by chance? Fantastic series!

As for going back and reading the Valiant universe, you might try reading each title as a story arc or straight through. I tried to follow the release order of books and I found that I couldn't keep up with 9 different stories, so reading several issues at a time or a complete story arc might be the way to go. You can look up each TPB and see what issues comprise the story arc.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Michael
Mkb28

[wwise03]

Thanks mkb! I am indeed reading Lazarus. It is fantastic. Image is putting out a ridiculous number of good books right now.

I may take your advice on reading one story arc from a book at a time. That is generally what I do with Image. I buy the books monthly, but don't to read them until all the books in a month are out.

[JonesyAZ]

Welcome wwise!!!!!

Loved reading your story! I have no additional advice other than that you check out the Only The Valiant podcast which was co-founded by fellow Texan Chiclo (and co-hosted by yours truly...lol).

We have almost 150 episodes in the can; I recommend you start with #100 which is an epic interview with Valiant CEO Dinesh Shamdasani (and coincidentally an episode I am absent from )

The show can be found on iTunes and here:

http://www.onlythevaliant.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Welcome again!

[Jace]

Welcome to the boards. You have definitely found the best comics community on the internet. Not only is this a great place to talk comics. A lot of people on these boards regularly get together at conventions and such to hang out. It is really a great place to have discovered.

I'll agree with most of what's been said on this thread so far. Harbinger is AMAZING, just a slight notch below is Archer & Armstrong. I am not a huge X-O fan mainly because I find the main character so unlikable. I enjoyed Shadowman personally while Justin Jordon was on the book. Issues 11 and 12 were awful, as some have mentioned the book takes a turn with issue 13. The best way I can describe it is that it goes form being a traditional super-hero book with a supernatural slant to a supernatural book with a little bit of super-hero slant. Not sure if I enjoy the change or not. I still haven't made up my mind. Issue 0 and 10 of Shadowman are absolute must reads though.

It also sounds like you are on board with some of the great books being put out by Image, Lazarus and East of West are both top notch. I'll make my obligatory Think Tank recommendation, along with Aphrodite IX and the forthcoming Wildfire. These are all books put out by Top Cow and written by Matt Hawkins. He is one of my favorite writers of comics currently and very friendly, accessible and fun to talk to at shows. Clone and Thief of Thieves by Robert Kirkman's Skybound imprint are two of my favorite books right now also.

We seem to be in a golden age of comics right now. Many creators I talk to feel like they have never had the freedom and chance to be so successful with creator owned properties and that there are more wonderfully written and drawn books now than ever before, I have to agree wholeheartedly. So once again welcome, glad you have discovered the wonderful world of comics in general and VEI in particular.

Also ask Dinesh about the bar code thing if you ever get to talk to him at a show. I am sure he will have some thoughts about it.

[wwise03]

Thanks for the recs Jace! You're cryptic urging of me to ask Dinesh about the bar codes make it sound like you may already know what Dinesh's thoughts on the bar codes are. Tell me!! Kidding...sort of...but not really. I will likely give Shadowman a go after I really dig into the universe.

And Jonesy, I'll be sure and check out podcast #100 tonight. Thanks for the welcome and the heads up.

[greg]

Thanks, Greg.

Sadly perhaps, I already compiled that same reading order using the release dates published on valiantuniverse.com. I tell you this only because this is probably the only place that I can say that without fear of retribution.

And for those of you wondering, yes, I compiled the publish order list while at work.

Well, you know what they say about giving a man a fish or teaching a man to fish.

Good fishin'.

[leonmallett]

Welcome to the board and to VALIANT wwise03, and happy posting.

Can I heartily recommend digging into Archer and Armstrong as soon as you can? I know you mentioned it as on order, but honestly, my favourite VALIANT book right now, and probably my joint favourite from all publishers.

[grendeljd]

Welcome, wwise!! Very glad to hear that RAI has pulled in at least one new fan to Valiant. Its a fantastic book.

Hope you really enjoy all the other titles too, its a really cool universe to get fully immersed in. And while Shadowman gets a fair share of knocks, it really is an entertaining read. I particularly like the first story arc, as well as 0 & 10. And its currently in pretty good hands with Milligan writing, I think.

I'm also a big fan of Image books, I mostly read them outside of Valiant [& also do not read any Marvel or DC anymore]. Do you read Revival?

[bobby97801]

Welcome