Fans of the Valiant Universe, do I have good news for you.
Announced this morning at the Associated Press but given more detail in a press release just released, Valiant will be releasing a brand new monthly series entitled “Unity” that stars their entire line. It’s not just an event, people: it’s a brand new ongoing.
To sweeten the pot, the series is written by Matt Kindt (who has dipped his toe into the Valiant waters a bit and now is taking a full dive in) and — take a deep breath — comic illustrating juggernaut Doug Braithwaite, with Brian Reber on colors, both of whom have signed new Valiant exclusive deals. I’m biased as all hell here because Kindt’s writing plus Braithwaite on a new monthly ongoing is something along the lines of a comic dream come true; Braithwaite’s art in “Journey Into Mystery” repeatedly blew me away, and did you read “Storm Dogs?” Wow. Plus, when you read about the story’s plot (which I’ll get to), it seems right up Kindt’s spy-thriller alley, just now with even more superheroes.
So what’s it all about? Well, fans of the current Valiant series will probably be able to see the threads, but the gist of it is that Toyo Harada, the man at the top of the Harbinger food chain, forms a team comprised of himself, Livewire, Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior (who has a new book coming out in september), the main purpose of which is to kill X-O Manowar. There is no word yet as to which other Valiant characters will be showing up (Shadowman, Quantum and Woody) but with a title like “Unity” I’d expect to see a few of them around. The series will mark the publishers first ever superhero team, and will be largely self-contained save for one tie-in with “X-O Manowar’s” November issue.
But. Want to know the best part? “Unity” #1 will be 100% returnable for qualifying retailers. If there was ever a time to take a chance on a book of this caliber, now is the time.
Take a look at a preview:
I’m excited. Are you excited? Be excited.
The book launches November 13th. For the full press release, please see below.
Valiant Press Release
On November 13th, Valiant’s most uncompromising heroes will unite for the very first time – in all-new ongoing series!
As revealed today by the Associated Press, the must-read comic book event of the year is UNITY #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of a new monthly series written by New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Justice League of America) with art by comics superstar Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Journey Into Mystery) and colorist Brian Reber (Harbinger Wars, Shadowman)!
To kill a king…he has created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most lethal, most volatile, most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon. Kill X-O Manowar!
“UNITY is the single biggest thing that Valiant has thrown its weight behind since the launch of the company with X-O Manowar #1,” said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “If you’ve heard the buzz about Valiant, if you’ve seen the incredible reviews, but have yet to try one of our titles, UNITY #1 is the perfect starting point. Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite are crafting an incredibly daring, action-packed epic from page one. UNITY is the very definition of can’t miss comics.”
In anticipation of launching the publisher’s first milestone super-team title, both Doug Braithwaite and Brain Reber have signed Valiant-exclusive contracts, joining Cary Nord (X-O Manowar) and Joshua Dysart (Harbinger, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps) on Valiant’s growing roster of exclusive talent.
In another first for Valiant, UNITY #1 will be 100% returnable for qualifying retailers and feature five limited Pullbox Exclusive Variants (available to fans who pre-order with their local retailer) from a “murderers’s row” of comics all-stars – Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates, Age of Ultron), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis, Wanted), Travel Foreman (Animal Man), Paolo Rivera (Daredevil) and Clayton Crain (Ghost Rider, Carnage).
Continued belowLegendary artist and industry icon Neal Adams (Green Lantern/Green Arrow) will also contribute an incentive cover for issue #1.
You’ve heard the buzz. You’ve seen the reviews. On November 13th, find out why Valiant is the must-read publisher of the 2013 when UNITY #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere! Start reading here for a perfect introduction to the most acclaimed characters in comics.
For more information, read the Associated Press’ complete coverage here, or visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, or at ValiantUniverse.com.
UNITY #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Pullbox Exclusive Variants by BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, TRAVEL FOREMAN, PAOLO RIVERA and CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by by NEAL ADAMS
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 11/13/13 (FOC – 10/21/13)
