Valiant's 25th year is going to be the biggest one yet! The silver anniversary celebration begins this May on Free Comic Book Day 2015, and continues all summer long with monumental new releases honoring Valiant's historic place in comics history – and laying the groundwork for another 25 years to come!

In 1990, the first Valiant comics hit the shelves and, then, the impossible happened – an upstart, independent company created a new, cohesive universe that managed to go toe-to-toe with the industry's biggest publishers, forever changing the comics landscape in the process. Some of comics' greatest talents – Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor-Smith, and more – joined the ranks with a who's who of up-and-comers – including David Lapham, Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Sean Chen – to build one of the first true legends of the modern age of comics.

Quickly becoming one of the most recognized comic book companies in the world with more than 80 million comics sold, Valiant became the first publisher to ever approach Marvel or DC in scope and sales. In turn, Valiant's now-classic characters – X-O MANOWAR, BLOODSHOT, HARBINGER, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, RAI, and dozens more – became a pivotal force in comics fandom, reshaping the industry with a character-first approach to comics storytelling and creating what would eventually grow to become the largest independent universe anywhere in comics.

Now, two and half decades on from those monumental origins, Valiant is proud to announce the Valiant 25th Anniversary celebration – a months-long commemoration of the indelible heroes, volatile villains, and world-class creators that shaped Valiant into one of the most celebrated publishers in comics history. Spanning an all-star cast of Valiant's talents past and present, this summer's celebration of 25 years of Valiant begins on Free Comic Book Day with the Valiant 25th Anniversary Special, and will continue with all-new new releases across Valiant's monthly publishing line in print and digital, hardcover and trade paperback catalog, and roster of licensed merchandise.

"Valiant has always been about creating stories that will stand the test of time 25 years from now, not reflecting on the successes of 25 years ago," said Valiant Publisher Fred Pierce. "As a member of the Valiant team across more than two decades, I can say that our 25th anniversary is an incredibly exciting turning point for us as one of the premier storytelling companies in comics. All summer long, we'll be revealing glimpses of where Valiant is headed next with special initiatives in print, digital, and licensing for one of our largest and most coordinated efforts to date."

"Even after two decades, many of the innovations Valiant brought to the industry shortly after its arrival in 1990 continue to be felt today," said Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "For the 25th anniversary, we're celebrating that spirit of creative freedom that made Valiant such an influential force in the first place, and honoring those that made it possible for us to continue the mission of making the best superhero comics in the industry.

"Each year, we always make it known to fans and retailers that they can expect something big from Valiant on Free Comic Book Day," he added. "Rarely are there occasions bigger than the 25th anniversary of one of the most iconic publishers in comics history. Kicking off with our Free Comic Book Day release, and continuing throughout the summer, we're going to make Valiant's 25th year its most exciting to date. Titles like BLOODSHOT REBORN, NINJAK, IMPERIUM, and DIVINITY are only the beginning. All summer long, we'll be revealing a slew of surprises spinning out of our silver anniversary plans."

The year's can't-miss celebration officially kicks off on May 2nd in the FCBD 2015: VALIANT 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL – featuring two all-new stories and a myriad of never-before-seen special features chronicling Valiant's storied place in comics history! First, New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire and blockbuster artist Butch Guice chronicle the devastating fallout of THE VALIANT as Bloodshot rises from the ashes to unleash a never-before-seen prelude to BLOODSHOT REBORN! Then, Valiant superstars Robert Venditti and Rafa Sandoval throw down the gauntlet for an action-packed introduction to the world of X-O MANOWAR and an all-new tale of DEAD HAND! Plus: NINJAK; IMPERIUM; DIVINITY; IVAR, TIMEWALKER; RAI; special guests from throughout Valiant's decades-long history; and a cavalacade of special surprises!

The Valiant 25th Anniversary celebration continues throughout the summer with a host of new offerings in May and beyond, beginning with two very special places for fans to discover Valiant's biggest heroes! First up, don't miss the all-new VALIANT UNIVERSE HANDBOOK: 2015 EDITION, spotlighting everything you need to know about Valiant's heroes – who they are, what makes them tick, and where they're headed next! Featuring highly detailed and thoroughly updated entries on all of Valiant's most important players, discover everything you need to know about Valiant's award-winning publishing line here -- just as the 25th Anniversary celebration begins in full force!

Then, get up close and personal with the legendary origins behind Valiant's most indelible icons in the VALIANT: ZEROES & ORIGINS trade paperback collection, re-presenting each of Valiant's greatest zero issue introductions to X-O MANOWAR, BLOODSHOT, HARBINGER, SHADOWMAN, and more from a world-class cast of creators including Joshua Dysart, Matt Kindt, Lewis LaRosa, Clay Mann, Peter Milligan, Mico Suayan, Robert Venditti, and many more!

Plus: don't miss a very special new series of Valiant 25th Anniversary variant covers by red-hot artist Rafa Sandoval showcasing a diverse cast of heroes and villains from across 25 years of Valiant history beginning in May! A special series of alternate shelf covers featuring Valiant's ever-growing line-up of heroes new and old, look for these Valiant 25th Anniversary variant covers on your favorite Valiant titles all summer long.

May 2015 is only just the beginning… Stay tuned for even more exciting Valiant 25th Anniversary news and releases in the weeks and months to come!

As usual with Valiant, it all looks fantastic.

Cool.

Golden Age of Valiant, I wish more ppl could branch out from the Big 2 to enjoy, I would post X-O Manowar v. Iron Man in battle forum but I know if I got 1 or 2 posts I would be lucky.

Come on ppl give Valiant a chance!

I just started reading Valiant this month trying to catch up now, really good stuff some of the best I've read in a while. I love Marvel but Valiant is so manageable to keep up with everything and so far the line exudes quality. Really pleased I finally started reading.

This all looks so awesome. I bought divinity, but haven't read it yet. I don't doubt that its as good as everything else they put out so far. I can't wait for the new Bloodshot. Lemire equals auto-buy for me.

Well really anything Valiant right now is a auto-buy. The only thing I need now from Valiant is some new Archer and Armstrong. Come on Valiant I need my A&A fix! or some more Delinquents action please!

Oh and X-O would beat Iron Man.

I always used to love Handbooks but these days the Marvel ones are just full of gibberish but since Valiant so young the handbook should be accurate and I'll enjoy reading it.

Also dat Bloodshot art!

Love that Bloodshot cover.

I agree, sadly in a recent battle of the week the community voted that Colossus could take X-O Manowar! Shows how little ppl know what this guy could do, I can see him take on some of the powerhouse from both companies i.e. Thor, Hyperion, Supes and maybe pulling a few of those out.

Loving valiant!!! Big handbook fan so i will see whats up with it

The lack of respect I say! It's true ppl don't really know what he can do and thats a shame honestly. He's a badass! And I agree with you, I think he would give a few of the powerhouses of the big 2 a good fight.

Valiant is awesome like another poster above said more people should branch out from main two and give Valiant a try.

@earthsmightiest: @joe_diablo: yeah I agree xo manowar would stomp iroaman

Valiant Character of the Month for May!

@k4tzm4n: Something to consider, how about a poll choosing a Valiant character for change?

Next month's options have already been selected. I'd love that, but the segment needs to build more of a following before we can branch out and focus on non-big 2 characters.

@k4tzm4n: May is still a bit away, still time to mull it over.

@k4tzm4n:

Valiant characters need all the help and promotion they can get! X-O and Ninjak are starting to grow, give them a shot and see what happens.

Thanks

Valiant is awesome.

I think we've been doing plenty to give them a shot and promote them. That said, the CotM segment needs time to grow and, seeing as there's only options once a month, we'd like to get many of the heavily demanded/obvious choices out there first.

I like how EW isn't even mentioned at all

@jonny_anonymous said:

Did you see the REBORN inks they put up on their new tumblr site?

Edit: You can find them here, too. It's faster.

Nice inks, huh?

@donfelipe: Yeah I seen them, pretty great

Those are some good looking covers.

@earthsmightiest: people should explore past the big 2 , there are so many great comics

love that livewire cover but with that est. 1993 date would be nice to see her back then and now...oh she was a red head white girl? nevermind lol.

but on a serious note LOVE valiant, BRING BACK HARBINGER SOON!, and will continue to celebrate and spread the greatness of this company that is naturally very diverse in terms of characters, titles and talent

@k4tzm4n: what about image? i get how "popular" the big two are but this is a comic site i think fans here are diverse enough to branch out into other companies like zenescope, image and valiant

I'm reading volume 2 of X-O Manowar.

Is Livewire on Unity 18 sneaking out of Ultron's Lair?

I haven't read Valiant since pre-armour hunters, need to change that. The Valiant now selection looks so good.

I'm still waiting for one particular title to come back somehow. It changed the whole way I viewed Valiant comics. Talking about the Visitor....

~KL~

Blood shot reborn... whoa... this gonna be good

@earthsmightiest:

If this 25th anniversary is the Silver Anniversary does that make it the Silver Age now or was it the Silver Age until now? And now it's the Golden Age?

Also Valiant = Greatness.

Valiant attempted tie in to fellow Indie publisher Image at one point, doing a crossover with some interesting similarities to the Marvel / DC that occurred 2 years later.

Unfortunately, a comic company 'by artists and for artists'... forgot that they need writers and a 'boss' at the helm setting deadlines. Image was plagued by late issues and missed deadlines for their half of the story.

VALIANT!

I truly regret not getting the Armor Hunters FCBD last year. *sigh*