Valiant Entertainment, the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), and Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (GEM) joined earlier this week at Cadmus publishing plant in Richmond, VA to celebrate the printing of the one millionth copy of X-O Manowar. It is the one millionth copy, totaling all copies sold in print and digital format across the US and abroad since the series debuted in 2012.
“This was an amazing experience! I’ve been collecting comics for years but this was the first time I’ve ever gotten to see the printing aspect of it,” GEM’s Collections and Exhibitions Manager Michael Solof said. “We got a great peek behind the scenes as each different color page plate was created and then followed them on their journey through printing, drying, cutting, compiling, stapling, poly-bagging, stacking, boxing, palleting and shipping. Whew! I never really knew how many talented people and how much hard work went into making that little comic I read once a week.”
That one millionth issue was removed from Cadmus by Valiant’s representatives during the printing of X-O Manowar #49 and handed over to CGC for preservation, grading, and encapsulation. The one of a kind copy will be displayed at Baltimore Comic-Con before becoming part of the permanent collection at GEM in Baltimore, MD, joining the world’s rarest and most valuable comic books.
“Being invited to such a special event by Dinesh [Shamdasani] and the entire team from Valiant was an unexpected delight and it’s such a tremendous honor to be able to display the signed and graded one millionth issue of X-O in our Comic Library at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum,” Solof added.
At Baltimore Comic-Con, Valiant will give fans the chance to join the celebration of X-O Manowar’s one millionth copy sold. They’ll offer an X-O Manowar One Million Copy Commemorative Seal to fans who purchase a copy of X-O Manowar #49 at Valiant’s booth 2008. The seal can accompany any cover purchased, though it will be limited to ten copies per fan. The seal for this milestone will be given to fans free of charge.
“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,” Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani said.
“Since the first issue hit stands in 2012, we had always envisioned X-O Manowar as an epic, long-term, fifty-issue story for our signature hero. Today, as we stand on the cusp of that achievement, we are able to reflect on a title that has not only been one of the bestselling and best reviewed books in comics every month since its launch, but one that is also about to print its one millionth copy. That is simply incredible, and we owe a huge congratulations to Robert Venditti and all the artists and creators who have contributed along the way. Their work on X-O Manowar stands as a massive feat of long-form narrative and creative vision that is virtually unrivaled by any other series in recent memory,” Shamdasani added.
As part of The Summer of Valiant, X-O Manowar #1 by New York Times bestselling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern) and Eisner Award winning artist Cary Nord (Conan) was the most successful independent series debut of 2012. It had four sold out printings of the first issue plus awards, nominations, and inclusion in “best of” lists. Along with bestselling storylines like “Enter: Ninjak” and “Planet Death” and crossover events with Unity and Armor Hunters, X-O Manowar was the heart of Valiant’s award winning publishing line during Venditti’s 56-issue run.
His tenure on the title will come to a close with the 64-page series finale, X-O Manowar #50, on sale September 28. The blockbuster tribute issue will include art by Joe Bennett (52) and Roberto de la Torre (Daredevil), plus don't miss special guest appearances by Cary Nord, Doug Braithwaite (Armor Hunters), Diego Bernard (Ninjak), Rafa Sandoval (Green Lantern), Robert Gill (Book of Death), Jody Houser (Faith), Javier Pulido (Amazing Spider-Man), Matt Kindt (Divinity II) and Tomas Giorello (4001 A.D.: War Mother), Philip Tan (Suicide Squad), and others. Plus in each issue of the “Long Live the King” storyline in X-O Manowar there will be a bagged 1 of 50 exclusive, 4” x 6” microprints featuring the hero.
X-O Manowar, born Aric of Dacia, was heir to the throne of the Visigoth people, but he was abducted by extraterrestrials, known as the Vine, and forced into slavery. That is until he seized the sentient suit of alien armor, known as X-O Manowar. (Learn more about X-O Manowar in our Did You Know article.)
Fans can participate in the celebration by following Valiant on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Use the hashtag XXOONEMILLION to follow the one millionth copy on its journey.
