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Exclusive: James Asmus Talks QUANTUM & WOODY, Villains and Goats

The 'Summer of Valiant' returns and James Asmus is ready to unleash world's worst superhero team upon the Valiant Universe.

Back in March, Valiant announced the return of Quantum & Woody. At WonderCon, we interviewed writer James Asmus about the series, which will be drawn by the amazing Tom Fowler. The first issue goes on sale July 10 and Valiant is bringing back their 'Summer of Valiant' initiative. That means they will have one big announcement each day. We are exclusively premiering the first one, featuring QUANTUM & WOODY.

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We took this opportunity to ask James a few question to find out more about the duo, what threats they'll go up against and, of course, the goat.

Comic Vine: How would you describe the QUANTUM AND WOODY series?

James Asmus: The short version? It's like a buddy cop movie - but with super powers.

The longer answer is that it's a dynamo built to generate surprise, intrigue, laughs, and maybe even a misty eye every once in a while. All of those things were there in Christopher Priest and MD Bright's original. We're updating the vibe a bit, streamlining some stuff and amping up others. Then, we set these really fantastic characters out into the Valiant Universe to cause trouble. And it's all illustrated by one of the best one-two punch art teams I've had the pleasure to collaborate with - Tom Fowler & Jordie Bellaire!

CV: What's the tone of the book going to be?

JA: It's a punchy, character-centric action comedy. The real heart of the story is the relationship between the guys - brothers from other mothers - who always manage to rub each other the wrong way, but now literally can't survive without each other. There was a surprising heart to the original, especially in Eric (Quantum) and Woody's relationship. It was complicated, and it felt real - while also being incredibly fertile ground for delightful chaos.

Everything - the story, the humor, the action - it all comes from the characters, not just some idea for spectacle or a fight scene. But it's also a hell of a lot of fun.

CV: What sort of trouble are they going to get into?

JA: All of it. I managed to work my favorites - public nudity and exploding authority figures - into the first few issues.

CV: What can you tell us about the adversaries Quantum and Woody will be going up against?

JA: They're new creations - and as twisted, flawed, and fun to write as our heroes are. They're inspired by a real bit of history, and if Valiant didn't want to go with the idea - I would have built a whole other story around them on my own! I can't say much more - the way we reveal more bits about them as we go are some of my favorite surprises we have for you...

CV: What's the motivation for the guys? Are they going to seek out trouble? Looking for vengeance? Or looking to have fun now that they have superpowers?

JA: All of this is kicked off by the mysterious death of their father. Eric and Woody actually haven't spoken in years - but this brings them back together. Pretty soon - they're trying to "solve" their father's death, despite being completely unqualified to do so. From there, things only get out of hand fast and there's no turning back.

CV: And just where does the goat fit into all of this?

JA: The goat was a sort of accidental mascot of the original series. But like all the new Valiant Universe stuff so far, you don't have to have read the older stuff to jump on board. He's definitely a big part of ours, but his proper introduction happens a little later in the first arc. But when we reveal the Goat's secret origin (soon after this first arc) - you'll realize just what a huge character he is for the series. (Teasers!)

Look for QUANTUM & WOODY in stores on July 10. Be sure to let your comic shop know you want them to order the series. And in case you missed it last week, Valiant will also release a QR Voice Variant:

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QUANTUM & WOODY #1

Written by JAMES ASMUS

Art by TOM FOWLER

Cover by RYAN SOOK (MAY131302)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MARCOS MARTIN (MAY131303)

Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON (MAY131304)QR

Voice Variant by TOM FOWLER (MAY131305)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 7/10/13 (FOC - 6/17/13)

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28 Comments

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doordoor123

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Why hasn't Valiant had any female-lead books yet? HMMMMM?!

At least this one has the first black guy. Even Harbinger doesn't have black people. And Shadowman is only half-black.

I'll definitely be picking this up though.

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jwalser3

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Edited By jwalser3

Why hasn't Valiant had any female-lead books yet? HMMMMM?!

At least this one has the first black guy. Even Harbinger doesn't have black people. And Shadowman is only half-black.

I'll definitely be picking this up though.

What does it matter?

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Jonny_Anonymous

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GOAT

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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James Asmus: "Its like a buddy cop movie..." Exactly darn right. Anyone who knows this series from its original can see the parallels here to any good buddy cop situation, for me the most appropriate is Lethal Weapon. Can't wait for it!

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gunmetalgrey

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Already looking good so far.

I hope Ninjak gets his own series soon..

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Hawkguy

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Can't wait for this! I just hope there's some serious moments in this. I never read the original, but if anyone has please do confirm my hopes.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

Already looking good so far.

I hope Ninjak gets his own series soon..

Everybody is hoping for that

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DonFelipe

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This is the best thing in comics in 2013!

However, I'm kind of disappointed now that Vincent van Goat will not have its first appearance before the end of the first story arc despite the fact of its appearance on the cover of issue #1. On the other hand, I certainly like the idea Goat will get its own secret origin issue (or arc).

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Mucklefluga

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Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't waaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiit ! :D

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theTimeStreamer

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@doordoor123: well arent you obsesive about heroes of all colors? taste the rainbow.

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Fuchsia_Nightingale

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Deadpool and Booster Gold out of costume with goat.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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reignmaker

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Loved the original series. If my pull-list wasn't completely maxed out, I would totally buy this book. Might have to go back and collect it after it's been out for a while. It's a Valiant title, so you know it's going to be good.

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blkson

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Why hasn't Valiant had any female-lead books yet? HMMMMM?!

At least this one has the first black guy. Even Harbinger doesn't have black people. And Shadowman is only half-black.

I'll definitely be picking this up though.

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millennium

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@redheadedatrocitus: from what i was able to get form the interview it sounds like this series will be more like the tv show psych

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2chimcha3

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I'm buying it for the goat.

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doordoor123

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@jwalser3 said:

@doordoor123 said:

Why hasn't Valiant had any female-lead books yet? HMMMMM?!

At least this one has the first black guy. Even Harbinger doesn't have black people. And Shadowman is only half-black.

I'll definitely be picking this up though.

What does it matter?

You're right. Females don't matter... THEY JUST CREATE US!

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doordoor123

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XPJKingX

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Edited By XPJKingX

A couple of you have mentioned wanting a Ninjak series. The wait is over! This summer Valiant is starting 4 new titles. Quantum & Woody, Eternal Warrior, H.A.R.D. Corps & (drum roll please!) Ninjak! Plus a new project starting in Dec. It's a little thing called UNITY!

This fall Bloodshot & HARD Corps will be absorbed into one title called Bloodshot & The HARD Corps.

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jwalser3

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Edited By jwalser3

@doordoor123: I guess. If you wanna be like that....you need the supplies to make the product. I'm just saying, why does it matter if ShadowMan is only half black? There are girls in Harbingers as well.

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DJ1107

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Ninjak probably getting his own series from the promo I saw in the FCDB issue.

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XPJKingX

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@dj1107: Uuhhh....yeah, that's what I said. Read the post I just wrote.

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doordoor123

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Edited By doordoor123
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doordoor123

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@jwalser3 said:

@doordoor123: I guess. If you wanna be like that....you need the supplies to make the product. I'm just saying, why does it matter if ShadowMan is only half black? There are girls in Harbingers as well.

Uhm because he is the biggest black character. Why is the only black main character in a series only half-black?

There are girls yes, but the main character isn't a female. Again, FEMALE LEAD. There needs to be a book lead by a female. Diversity. These look like white supremacist books right now.

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bob808

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Can't wait

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Samuel_Simmons

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@doordoor123 yeah i know, but look, Valiant only has five on-going titles currently. This will make six, but what they've been doing is rebooting old series, and the majority of those had a leading male character. Maybe they're planning on getting to a female led series, but again they aren't very far along yet and it's kind of soon to be making such rash judgments of them. Even if they never get a female led series, while they may be deemed sexist, that will not deter from the quality of their other books. Personally I'm really looking forward to Quantum and Woody because it looks great to me. I don't make my judgments of how good series or publishers are based on the diversity of their characters in a sense of gender and ethnicity, but rather on the quality of the book itself. And as far as Shadowman goes, that can be looked at in a variety of perspectives, I could easily make the argument that him being half-black shows more diversity by supporting multiracial groups.

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G_Money_Christmas

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I hope that goat screams like a human. The first caption, I thought it said, "May the road be with you" haha I checked back because it didn't seem to make sense