During the #ValiantSummit 2017 event – live from Twitch TV’s Hyper RPG studios in Los Angeles – Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani and Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons discussed the future of Valiant. The pair were joined by Matt Kindt, Eric Heisserer, Jody Houser, and Christos Gage to discuss their roles in Valiant’s exciting upcoming event, Icons.
Following the record-breaking success of X-O Manowar #1, Icons presents an all-new wave of ongoing series, prestige format projects and standalone events featuring Valiant Universe’s greatest heroes and top talents. Icons will continue throughout 2017 with one major new series launch each month, featuring the publisher’s most enduring heroes.
It includes X-O Manowar #1 by Kindt and Tomas Giorello in March; Britannia: We Who are About to Die #1 by Peter Milligan and Juan Jose Ryp in April; Rapture #1 by Kindt and CAFU in May; Secret Weapons #1 by Heisserer and Raul Allen with Patricia Martin in June; Faith and the Future Force #1 by Houser, Stephen Segovia, Barry Kitson, and Special Guests in July; Bloodshot Salvation #1 by Jeff Lemire, Lewis LaRosa, and Mico Suayan in September; Eternity #1 by Kindt and Trevor Hairsine in October; Ninja-K #1 by Gage and Tomas Giorello in November; and Quantum and Woody #1 by Daniel Kibblesmith and Kano in December. Currently, the Icons title and creative team for August is classified.
“X-O Manowar wasn’t just the launch of a new series, it was a statement of purpose. Even before the first issue hit stands, the success of that series has emboldened Valiant and its creators to redouble our efforts and create what might just be our most high profile roster of titles to date. Over the course of the coming year, Valiant has dedicated itself to bringing the same level of creative vision, formidable storytelling and intensive quality to each of its most important new series and most beloved characters – a process that began with X-O Manowar and will soon extend outward into Faith and the Future Force, Bloodshot Salvation, Ninja-K, Quantum and Woody, and some of our most exciting titles yet,” said Shamdasani.
“Valiant is fortunate to have a team of some of the most dedicated and talented creators anywhere in the industry manning the frontline of our universe, and, together, Valiant’s Icons have a very bright future indeed. From Faith and the Future Force to Bloodshot Salvation to Ninja-K to Quantum And Woody, you’re about to see our biggest and most-demanded characters step into their most memorable adventures yet,” added Simons.
In addition the Icons 2017 schedule, Shamdasani and Simons teased fans with a major story and a look into 2018. This December, Kindt and Doug Braithwaite will lead into next year’s big event with Harbinger Wars 2 #0. Then in July 2017, prepare yourself for the incredibly graphic death of a major Valiant hero in Harbinger Renegade #5. As far as who will perish, that is a secret so hush-hush only five people at Valiant know about it.
Finally, on March 28, 2018, mark your calendars for the release of an all-new Shadowman book. Details are being kept under wrap for now, but Shamdasani teased that this will be “the next X-O Manowar success story.” He also shared that in the coming years, March will become Valiant’s biggest month.
Fans can rewatch all of the #ValiantSummit 2017 announcements on Twitch TV’s Hyper RPG channel or Facebook Live.