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Valiant Comics Relaunched with Former Marvel CEO as Chairman

Which of Valiant's 1,500 characters would you like to see come back to print?

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After nearly ten years without publishing any books, Valiant Comics is preparing for their return to comics. Earlier today Valiant Comics announced their return to publishing as Valiant Entertainment with former Marvel CEO and Vice Chairman Peter Cuneo at the helm as Chairman. The announcement comes at a time where comic markets have stabilized, and non-superhero books seem to be strengthening.

Cuneo first joined Marvel in 2009 as their Chief Executive Officer around the time Marvel first filed for bankruptcy. Cuneo managed to help turn the company around and continued to serve on the company's Board of Directors until Marvel's sale to The Walt Disney Company was finalized in 2009. Following his departure from Marvel, Cuneo has acted as Managing Principal of Cuneo & Company, LLC., the same company that has invested in Valiant Entertainment.

== TEASER ==

Valiant Announces Investment and Expansion of Management Team
New York, NY – June 2, 2011 – Valiant Entertainment, the character-based entertainment company with more than 1,500 characters in its library, announced it will reintroduce the critically acclaimed Valiant Universe in print and digital comics in 2012. Valiant has hired accomplished industry executives and creative talent to expand its management team. The first announcement is that former Marvel CEO and Vice Chairman Peter Cuneo has assumed the role of Chairman of Valiant.

Valiant Entertainment, co-founded by Jason Kothari and Dinesh Shamdasani, has received a capital infusion from private investment company Cuneo & Company, LLC. Peter Cuneo, Managing Principal of Cuneo & Co., recently concluded ten years of leadership at Marvel Entertainment.

Valiant first launched during the comics boom in 1989 and saw success for about ten years, selling over 80 million comics within the first five years of it's inception. The company was eventually purchased by Acclaim Entertainment in 1994, and in 1996 Valiant Comics was renamed to Acclaim Comics and began streamlining their properties to cater to the development of new Acclaim video game franchises; such as Shadowman and Turok the Dinosaur Hunter, for example. Valiant saw it's decline coincide with the decline of the comics industry, and it's parent company Acclaim filed for bankruptcy in 2004. During the years of it's publication, Valiant predominantly published superhero comic books that were grounded by consequence, continuity and the laws of physics. It will be interesting to see if Valiant returns to it's superhero roots, or if they will focus on other, different genres. What do you think of the return of Valiant? Did you read Valiant in the 1990's? Did you have a favorite title? Do you look forward to it's return?

Valiant Director Dinesh Shamdasani plans to announce Valiant Entertainment's 2012 scheduled launch soon.

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rasx

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Edited By rasx

Anyone read X-O Manowar# 1 it was really good and the Spider aliens are now called the vine.

Valiants line up for summer 2012 is:

X-O MANOWAR- MAY

HARBINGER- JUN

BLOODSHOT- JUL

ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG- AUG

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Silkcuts

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Edited By Silkcuts
@turoksonofstone: I am offended that Lapham was not name dropped....
 
I have been interested in this harcovers for a while.
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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@cbishop said:

@turok son of stone said: Looks like they are headlining with RAI.
 
 
Hey, turok, thanks for the info.  I thought about Rai/Bloodshot, right after I posted my comment, but my opinion's pretty much the same: it was a cool enough book, but I don't think it can carry a comic line.  I don't think a new Valiant can last.  Marvel tried to reintro their New Universe characters several years ago, with Newuniversal, and that tanked - and NU at least had good continuity.  I'd rather see Ultraverse climb out of its legal hindrances, and relaunch.

But doesn't Marvel OWN most of the Ultraverse and it's characters?? 
I think they are waiting for the respective creators to die off. Then they have full ownership. 
BTW I was wrong the Valiant relaunch centers on Bloodshot not Rai.  
Also they have 1500 characters because they also have the Acclaim era characters. 
like Quantum and Woody as well as Troublemakers and Punx
 
Jason Kothari: 
"The 2012 relaunch will focus on popular characters including Harbinger, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot. 
"Some of our central beliefs at Valiant are worth mentioning. We think the comic book industry is the best means to nurture and grow characters that can expand into other mass media channels. We recognize that comic book retailers are the key ingredient for success. They are the blood that runs through the veins of this industry. We believe that this can only be achieved if our content is highly imaginative and is unafraid to explore new creative approaches. We do think film is the best way to promote and create excitement for our characters with consumers worldwide. Most important, we will be focused on aligning Valiant with the best talent, old and new, to accomplish our goals.

Valiant CEO Jason Kothari gave a tease about what characters the planned 2012 launch might involve:

"We are initially focusing on 9 or 10 of Valiant’s A-list characters, such as X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and Harbinger, and the interactions between them."  

"Valiant was blessed to have an incredible roster of creative talents work on its characters and stories, such as Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor Smith, Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Garth Ennis, Warren Ells, Mark Waid, Bryan Hitch, Rags Morales, Bernard Chang and Sean Chen, just to name a few. We would love to have some of them back with Valiant."  
 
" Valiant has a number of major motion picture projects in development with Hollywood’s leading producers and directors. We will provide more details at the appropriate time." 
 
No Caption Provided
I understand they recently published Harbinger, X-O Manowar, and Archer & Armstrong HC TPB's each including a newJim Shooter penned tale. So they already have some books out there sort of...
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cbishop

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Edited By cbishop
@turok son of stone said: Looks like they are headlining with RAI.
 
 
Hey, turok, thanks for the info.  I thought about Rai/Bloodshot, right after I posted my comment, but my opinion's pretty much the same: it was a cool enough book, but I don't think it can carry a comic line.  I don't think a new Valiant can last.  Marvel tried to reintro their New Universe characters several years ago, with Newuniversal, and that tanked - and NU at least had good continuity. 
 
I'd rather see Ultraverse climb out of its legal hindrances, and relaunch.
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@turoksonofstone: No, not offended at all! Just saying I'd forgotten about that fact. You're right, glad you mentioned it! All Cool Baby!

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@Decept-O:  
No offense intended. The Dark Horse books are grand.
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@turoksonofstone: Yes, that is what I am saying. I know Solar is originally from the Silver Age. Manhattan I assume is loosely based off him as well as Captain Atom, I had read many years ago.

I keep forgetting some of these characters and properties were divvied up to Dark Horse. Easy enough mistake to make I think.

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@Decept-O:  
Being that Solar is from the Silver Age I'd contend Dr. Manhattan is the one similar to Solar, BTW the Gold Key Line from Dark Horse already has Magnus, Turok, and Solar so the better movie options are already out. lol.
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@turoksonofstone: With Solar, unfortunately, some people would say he's too much like Dr. Manhattan. Actually, Alan Moore did base Manhattan off a number of characters, so there is little surprise there. The Destroyer version, well, have to say I am not familiar with it. My Valiant reading was sporadic but I enjoyed what I did read...well, Ninjak being an exception...Ha Ha! I love dissing on Ninjak.

I would love to see a Turok Dinoasur Hunter movie. While my video gaming has also been sporadic I have played the video game and do know the character a little. I think it could be a joy ride just to watch nothing but mayhem!

Harbinger and Hard Corps would be a bit of a challenge. I'd say Rai, Turok, and possibly Archer and Armstrong would be good potential materials for movies. Just my opinion.

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@Decept-O:  
I know a Harbinger Movie was in the works at some point.. 
Rai and Harbinger would allow them to utilize gobs of the iffy, Magnus, Turok, and Solar continuity 
Maybe the Valiant version of Lost Land too?. 
What about the Destroyer version of Solar? I wonder..
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@turoksonofstone: Interesting, thanks for the fill-in. I read RAI but only when he crossed over into the other titles. My Valiant comics were sporadic but I enjoyed them even if they got a bit of a bad rap. Well, Ninjak always got a bad rap.

I am still surprised. I think RAI could be potential movie material, perhaps that is why they are trying this?

Also, does this mark the return of the Chromium Cover?

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@cbishop@Decept-O:  
Looks like they are headlining with RAI. (bloodshot, blood of heroes) see Rai #0.
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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

This is very surprising news and a huge gamble.

Valiant, like Image, spurned forth an excess amount of comics and essentially flooded the market as well, but people still got into the comics. They weren't bad ( although there will be some contention about some titles), but I don't know which properties they would choose to relaunch.

I think Solar, Man of the Atom was really good. I will check them out if they are affordable, but I am just thinking this is a risky move in today's comic book market. I wish them success.

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cbishop

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Edited By cbishop

I think X-O Manowar was the best all-original book that they had, but I do not think that it can carry a comic line.  If the Gold Key characters aren't part of the line, I don't see this lasting very long.  I'd have much rather seen the rest of the Valiant line fold into Dark Horse.

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@kumo4033:  
Toyo Harada- Evil Version of Professor X 
Harbinger- A more realistic young "X-Men" 
Master Darque- Works with Necromantic (Death)energy to perform magic, he created Dr.Eclipse an evil version of Dr.Solar that Valiant still owns.  
 X-O Manowar Vol. 1 was sweet!
They introduced tons of characters or at least hinted at them. Thick continuity.
Later issues set in Magnus's time period Introduced alluded to others. 
It only know occurs to me they must also own Erica Pierce AKA the "Mothergod" from Unity
and many others have a look...... 
No Caption Provided
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kumo4033

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Edited By kumo4033

Valiant Entertainment, the character-based entertainment company with more than 1,500 characters in its library, 
 Can anyone list some of the Character from the 1500 library , Because  I can't 

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4Essence

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Edited By 4Essence

Wait. So how is this working? Did Valiant get back the titles and characters sold to Acclaim?
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@Baal1986 said:

                Archer and Armstrong please!!! (and may it be written by Barry Windsor-Smith)
           

Own most of the run my self .It had it moments of greatnes with windsor-smith for sure.That an Harbinger were some of the mroe intresting titles to me.Hopeing for windsor on arhcer an armstrong my self as well.Id buy that as a monthly.Tho these days i just buy hardcovers an trades i could be lured back to a monthly with that combo.
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blackair9

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Edited By blackair9

NINJAK! can't wait

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Raul_The_Man

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Edited By Raul_The_Man

Valiant was great! This is great news. There were many I enjoyed but what stands out right now in my head is xo manowar and ninjak.
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AskaniSon295

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Edited By AskaniSon295

I Hope They make it like the Old valiant U was, Before Acclaim took over and tried to turn it into the Image U. I Liked Eternal Warrior, Archer & Armstrong and Timewalker, Geomancer, Shadowman, H.A.R.D. Corps, Harbinger, Bloodshot, Ninjak, Rai, Psi Lords.  Would Love to see a real Intercontinuity that is revealed over time Like Babylon 5 or Battlestar Galactica. The should get Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis, Brian K. Vaughn, Mark Millar to write it.

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karrob

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@turoksonofstone said:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
No Caption Provided
Dr.Eclipse is coming Battle Forums.  The Acclaim line sucked!!!! the VEI line is focused on the V1 line according to the site(which has now been locked. used to have full bios on everyone). So no Turok, Magnus, Solar for sure. I would expect to see Master Darque, Dr. Eclipse, The Spider Aliens, X-O Manowar (Aric), Rai, Bloodshot, The Immortal brothers, Archer, Shadowman I and II, etc.      Very exciting. But without Jim Shooter my expectations will be low.
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FortressoftheMoon

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Harbinger, Blooshot, and Man-O-War. I hope they do another Man-O-War/Ironman crossover.
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Out_of_Space

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Edited By Out_of_Space

Damn that's interesting.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

Unexpected?
 
They shoulda just joined Dark Horse, for the best..

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SuperXAsh

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Edited By SuperXAsh

Uhhh... Turok??? :P *doesn't know much about the Valiant stuff*

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pikahyper

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Edited By pikahyper  Moderator
@turoksonofstone said:
They don't own those guys I think Acclaim does...Are you familiar with the legal hangups these properties have had? 
Ya I kept up with some of the drama but eventually gave up, they probably do own them, I'm pretty sure they own Concrete Jungle, I'm just hoping since Valient is somehow getting back their other properties that they will snag some of the other ones. That Waterworld mini they did was barely getting started :P
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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@pikahyper said:

@turoksonofstone said:

Dr.Eclipse is coming Battle Forums.  The Acclaim line sucked!!!! the VEI line is focused on the V1 line according to the site(which has now been locked. used to have full bios on everyone). So no Turok, Magnus, Solar for sure. I would expect to see Master Darque, Dr. Eclipse, The Spider Aliens, X-O Manowar (Aric), Rai, Bloodshot, The Immortal brothers, Archer, Shadowman I and II, etc.      Very exciting. But without Jim Shooter my expectations will be low.
Awww Acclaim wasn't that bad, come on Quantum and Woody and the G.O.A.T. !!! and Master Darque under Leonardo Manco was incredible, I've still got original signed art from Master Darque and Darque Passages.
They don't own those guys I think Acclaim does...Are you familiar with the legal hangups these properties have had? 
 
@JonesDeini said:
@Dude4:  We could always read Dynamite's Public Domain characters form Project Super Powers lol but yeah, Comics used to have such a wide rang of diversity even within the sub genres. I hope that Valiant can keep it going and open the door for other small companies to carve out a niche. Ever since T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents resumed under Nick Spencer I've been thinking about things like this. 
I thought superpowers got cancelled.
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Tigerstriper

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Edited By Tigerstriper

Bloodshot

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JonesDeini

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@Dude4:  
We could always read Dynamite's Public Domain characters form Project Super Powers lol but yeah, Comics used to have such a wide rang of diversity even within the sub genres. I hope that Valiant can keep it going and open the door for other small companies to carve out a niche. Ever since T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents resumed under Nick Spencer I've been thinking about things like this. 
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Piout

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Edited By Piout

X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Hard Corps, Armorines...  and then some...
They're the reason I started reading comic books.  I still have most of them in mint condition...
 
CANT WAIT

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RustyGates

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Edited By RustyGates

This is great news for the comics industry if it's able to sustain these smaller publishers.   
 
Also, I really miss the days when you had multiple superhero universes like the Ultraverse and Image Universe to choose from.  Good to see that those days are kinda making a comeback.
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pikahyper

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Edited By pikahyper  Moderator
@turoksonofstone said:
Dr.Eclipse is coming Battle Forums.  The Acclaim line sucked!!!! the VEI line is focused on the V1 line according to the site(which has now been locked. used to have full bios on everyone). So no Turok, Magnus, Solar for sure. I would expect to see Master Darque, Dr. Eclipse, The Spider Aliens, X-O Manowar (Aric), Rai, Bloodshot, The Immortal brothers, Archer, Shadowman I and II, etc.      Very exciting. But without Jim Shooter my expectations will be low.
Awww Acclaim wasn't that bad, come on Quantum and Woody and the G.O.A.T. !!! and Master Darque under Leonardo Manco was incredible, I've still got original signed art from Master Darque and Darque Passages.
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Amegashita

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Edited By Amegashita
@haydenclaireheroes:  Well your mind was way more open than mine was.  Lol.
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kumo4033

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Edited By kumo4033

Without the Main three characters (Magnus, Solar, Turok) . It will be interesting to see where Valiant Comics will be heading .  Just think about it . DC comics without Superman . Batman and Wonder Woman . Or Marvel without  Iron Man ,  Captain America  Spider - man. I don't know. But I wouldn't mind giving it a look .

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Valiant's coming back? Yeah baby! I absolutely loved Valiant in the 90s and have several issues, but probably my favorite is the whole first volume of X-O Manowar.  I really look forward to this.

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Old_Comic_Lover_50

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X-O MANOWAR ALL THE WAY.
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Mumbles

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Edited By Mumbles

x-o-manowar baby!

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini

Hmmm color me intrigued. 

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shadow303030

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Edited By shadow303030

Love to see their lineup posted. Would also love to see the First comic lineup added to Valiant.

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turoksonofstone

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Edited By turoksonofstone
@Baal1986 said:

Archer and Armstrong please!!! (and may it be written by Barry Windsor-Smith)

I would but any BWS issues they publish! I still have an unopened "Armstrong Ale"
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stuamerica

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Edited By stuamerica

Without Turok and Solar I am skeptical
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Baal1986

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Edited By Baal1986

Archer and Armstrong please!!! (and may it be written by Barry Windsor-Smith)

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iLLituracy

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Edited By iLLituracy

What is Valiant without Magnus and Solar? If they don't have those characters I'm not sure I'll be reading many of their books. Harbinger and X-O will be on my pull list, though. If they come back.

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Baddamdog

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Am I really bad in saying I have no idea about Valiant comics? 

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Enderof295

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Edited By Enderof295

Not to be a stickler, but he was CEO from 1999 to 2002.
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Wattup

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Edited By Wattup

Ninjak!!!

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Woodclaw

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Edited By Woodclaw

The Valiant Universe is still one of my favourite comic book continuities, this news can be the beginning of a new era for it. Great!!

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Jordanstine

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To lazy to google but is X-O Manowar a Valiant book?
 
I always liked the design.

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