Since 2012, Valiant Entertainment has been a little comic company that can. Keeping a lineup of books lean in quantity but high in quality (it being the publisher of the only perfect ten I’ve given on this site) and making waves with books such as “Faith” and “Divinity”, it has kept a steady but ambitious course.
And it seems to be paying off, because today, Valiant announces that they have now officially sold 1,000,000 copies of the book that started the rebooted line, “X-O Manowar”. Issue #49, the penultimate issue of the series, is what finally tipped the sales over the line (being the combination of sales physically and digital both domestic and international). Representatives from Valiant Entertainment, the Certified Guaranty Group (CGG) and Geppi’s Entertainment Museum are gathering at the Cadmus Printing Plant in Richmond, VA to celebrate. The 1,000,000th issue will be on display at Baltimore Comic-Con 2016 before entering the Geppi’s Museum collection.
Not only that, but fans at Baltimore Comic-Con will be able to join in on the celebration. Fans who purchase or provide a copy of “X-O Manowar #49” (any cover) at the Valiant booth (#2008) will have the opportunity to have their copy embossed with an official Valiant 1,000,000 copy seal.
“Valiant is privileged to enjoy a storied history with many millions of comics sold, legions of fans around the globe, and tremendous successes spanning nearly three decades. We’re excited and proud to be adding to that legacy with today’s milestone. This achievement, in particular, is noteworthy because it affirms the success that comes with a commitment to storytelling,” said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.
Now, this may not seem like some massive achievement, but consider: Valiant isn’t a huge power, at least when it comes to superhero comics. But to sell 1,000,000 copies in four-to-five years, especially considering how unwilling the direct market can be when it comes to new things…? That’s insane!
As such, a tip of the hat to everyone, from Robert Venditti; the legion of artists from Cary Nord to Joe Bennett; inkers, colorists, letterers, and editors along the way. “X-O Manowar” has had some highs and lows along the way, but this is a massive achievement. Hope to see more success along the way.
