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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{short description|American comic book publisher}}
▲{{Advert|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox publisher
| name = Valiant Comics
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| country = United States
| headquarters = New York City
| distribution = [[Diamond Book Distributors]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Publishers|url=http://www.diamondbookdistributors.com/default.asp?t=2&m=1&c=53&s=660|website=Diamond Book Distributors|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072326/http://www.diamondbookdistributors.com/default.asp?t=2&m=1&c=53&s=660|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| keypeople = Russ Brown, President, Consumer Products, Promotions & Ad Sales<br>Fred Pierce, publisher
| publications = [[Comics]]
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| url = {{URL|valiantentertainment.com}}
}}
'''Valiant Comics''' is an American [[comic books|comic book]] publisher, the first incarnation of which was founded in 1989 by former [[Marvel Comics]] editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] along with lawyer and businessman [[Steven Massarsky]]. In 1994, the company was sold to [[Acclaim Entertainment]]. After Acclaim’s 2004 bankruptcy, the company’s assets were purchased as part of Valiant Entertainment by entrepreneurs Dinesh Shamdasani and [[Jason Kothari]] in 2005.<ref name=LAWeekly>{{cite web|last=Carrie|first=Stephanie |url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/05/valiant_comic_bloodshot_manowar_xo.php|title=Valiant Comics: Two Students Did Not Want to See Their Favorite Comic Book Brand Die. So They Bought the Company|date=May 16, 2012|work=[[L.A. Weekly]]|access-date=21 July 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171359/http://www.laweekly.com/arts/valiant-comics-two-students-did-not-want-to-see-their-favorite-comic-book-brand-die-so-they-bought-the-company-2371115 |archivedate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=September 1, 2004 |title=Acclaim Officially Files For Bankruptcy |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4235 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109072455/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4235 |archivedate=January 9, 2016 |access-date=23 March 2015 |website=Gamasutra}}</ref> In 2011, Valiant received a capital infusion from private investment company Cuneo & Company, LLC.
Valiant Entertainment launched its publishing division in 2012 as part of an initiative dubbed the "Summer of Valiant",<ref>{{cite web|last=Sunu|first=Steve|url=http://www.cbr.com/summer-of-valiant-wraps-with-archer-armstrong/|title=Summer of Valiant" Wraps With "Archer & Armstrong|date=March 8, 2012|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="BleedingCool">{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/04/26/xo-manowar-hits-over-pre-orders/|title=X-O Manowar Hits Over 42,000 Pre Orders|date=April 26, 2012|website=Bleeding Cool|author=Rich Johnston|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> winning Publisher of the Year and being nominated for Book of the Year at the Diamond Gem Awards.<ref name="BCDiamondGems">{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/02/27/diamond-gem-awards-2012/|title=Diamond Gem Awards 2012 Awarded – With A Couple Of Surprises|date=February 27, 2013|website=Bleeding Cool|author=Rich Johnston|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Valiant has set sales records,<ref>{{cite web|last=Ching|first=Albert|url=http://www.cbr.com/exclusive-valiants-unity-1-sells-68500-copies-execs-talk-numbers/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Valiant's "Unity" #1 Sells 68,500 Copies, Execs Talk Numbers|date=October 29, 2013|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> and was the most nominated publisher in comics at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 [[Harvey Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/16/the-2014-harvey-award-nominations-are-revealed|title=The 2014 Harvey Award Nominations Are Revealed|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=July 16, 2014|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=13 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost1">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/05/bloom-county-and-bloodshot-reborn-are-among-the-multiple-2016-harvey-award-nominees/ |title='Bloom County' and 'Bloodshot Reborn' are among the multiple 2016 Harvey Award nominees |newspaper=[[The Washington Post
Valiant was sold to [[DMG Entertainment]] in 2018.<ref name="Kit">{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |date=January 29, 2018 |title=Comic Book Shake-Up: DMG Entertainment Acquires Valiant (Exclusive) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-acquired-by-dmg-entertainment-comic-book-shake-up-1078980 |access-date=January 29, 2018}}</ref> In June 2023, Valiant Comics announced a licensing partnership with Alien Books, which would take over publishing Valiant's characters.<ref name=ComicsBeat6.27.23>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/alien-books-takes-over-comics-publishing-from-valiant-comics/|title=Alien Books to take over publishing for Valiant Comics|website=[[Comics Beat]]|author=[[MacDonald, Heidi]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=June 27, 2023|access-date=September 7, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230907151228/https://www.comicsbeat.com/alien-books-takes-over-comics-publishing-from-valiant-comics/}}</ref>
The company's properties have been adapted to other media, including [[Video game|video games]], digital series, and collectible figures.
==Publication history==
===Voyager Communications===
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2015}}
In 1988, former editor-in-chief of [[Marvel Comics]] [[Jim Shooter]], [[Steven Massarsky|Steven J. Massarsky]] and a group of investors attempted to purchase [[Marvel Entertainment]].<ref name="Carter">{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chip |title=New Valiant Logo Points to Multimedia Future |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb547586.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115132747/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb547586.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |website=[[Vocus (software)|PRWeb]] |access-date=December 3, 2018 |date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> They submitted the second-highest bid, with financier [[Ronald Perelman]] submitting the highest bid and acquiring Marvel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sloan |first1=Allan |title=MARVEL COMICS DEAL SHOWS WHY PERELMAN IS THE INCREDIBLE HULK OF INVESTING |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1991/06/04/marvel-comics-deal-shows-why-perelman-is-the-incredible-hulk-of-investing/1463f8bd-32ec-4360-99b8-13736ebc1295/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=30 November 2019 |date=4 June 1991}}</ref> Shooter and Massarsky instead formed Voyager Communications in 1989 with significant [[venture capital financing]] from Triumph Capital.<ref name="Carter"/> Valiant (an imprint of Voyager Communications) recruited numerous writers and artists from Marvel, including [[Barry Windsor-Smith]] and [[Bob Layton]], and launched an interconnected line of superhero comics featuring a mixture of characters licensed from [[Western Publishing]] and original creations.<ref name="Samsel">{{cite journal |last=Samsel |first=Robert |date=January 1993 |title=The State of Valiant Address |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |issue=17 |pages=47–54 |publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]}}</ref>
In 1991, Valiant released its first title, ''[[Magnus, Robot Fighter]]'', cover-dated May 1991.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} ''[[Solar, Man of the Atom]]'', cover-dated September 1991 followed as the next release.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Both titles were licenses from [[Gold Key Comics]]. ''[[Rai (comics)|Rai]]'' became the third title published by Valiant and was distributed as a special insert in ''Magnus, Robot Fighter'' beginning with issue 5.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} ''[[Harbinger (comic book)|Harbinger]]'' No. 1 was listed on the top ten list of ''[[Wizard
Valiant also engaged in several comic book-marketing innovations common in the 1990s, such as issue zero "origin" issues, the gold logo program, coupons redeemable for original comic books, and chromium covers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Zack|title=Memories of Comic Book 'GIMMICKS' Resurface|url=http://www.newsarama.com/10403-memories-of-comic-book-gimmicks-resurface.html|website=Newsarama|access-date=21 July 2015|date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> Following the conclusion of the "[[Unity (comics)|Unity]]" crossover in September 1992, Valiant released ''[[Bloodshot (comics)|Bloodshot]]'', ''[[Ninjak]]'', ''[[H.A.R.D. Corps]]'', ''[[The Second Life of Dr. Mirage]]'', and ''[[Timewalker]]'', among other titles.{{Citation needed|date=July 2015}}
===Acclaim Comics<!--'Acclaim Comics' redirects here-->===
In 1994, Voyager Communications was purchased by video game developer and publisher [[Acclaim Entertainment]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Acclaim Comix "Ultra" Hot|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=62|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=September 1994|page=160}}</ref> for $65 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/08/business/company-news-acclaim-entertainment-deal-for-comics-publisher-near.html|title=COMPANY NEWS; Acclaim Entertainment Deal For Comics Publisher Near|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 8, 1994|accessdate=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Plugging into comic world|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|page=B4|date=March 22, 1997}}</ref> '''Acclaim Comics'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> created a number of video games based on Valiant properties, such as ''[[Shadow Man (video game)|Shadow Man]]'', ''[[Turok: Dinosaur Hunter]]'', ''[[Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.]]'', and ''[[Iron Man and X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal]]'', which featured Valiant's X-O Manowar alongside Marvel's [[Iron Man]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/iron-man-xo-manowar-in-heavy-metal/ps-750 |title=Iron Man / XO Manowar in Heavy Metal – PlayStation |website=IGN |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> In 2004, after losing a major sports video game license, Acclaim became financially insolvent and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.<ref name="gamasutra"/>
In 2005, the rights to Valiant/Acclaim's original characters such as ''Archer and Armstrong'', ''Rai'', and ''Quantum and Woody'' were auctioned off and bought by Valiant Entertainment,<ref name="LAWeekly"/> while the rights to the three licensed characters (''Solar'', ''Magnus'' and ''Turok'') reverted to [[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]] (then-owner of the [[Gold Key Comics]] properties), which was acquired by [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks Animation SKG]] in July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Verrier |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-20120722,0,6340731.story |title=DreamWorks Animation buys "Casper," "Lassie" parent Classic Media |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> DreamWorks itself was bought by [[Universal Studios, Inc.|Universal Studios]] on August 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lieberman |first1=David |title=Comcast Completes Its $3.8B DreamWorks Animation Purchase |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823100053/http://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=8 December 2019 |language=en |date=22 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Meg |title=NBCUniversal completes purchase of DreamWorks Animation; Katzenberg payday tops $390 million |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-comcast-dreamworks-deal-complete-20160822-snap-story.html |access-date=8 December 2019 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=23 August 2016}}</ref>
===Valiant Entertainment===
[[File:5.2.12ValiantPersonnelByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|From left to right: Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani, Sales Manager Atom! Freeman, Marketing and Communications Manager Hunter Gorinson and Publisher Fred Pierce at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan]]
In 2005, a group of entrepreneurs led by Dinesh Shamdasani and Jason Kothari raised financing and acquired the rights to the Valiant Comics library from Acclaim Entertainment's estate, forming Valiant Entertainment.<ref name="LAWeekly"/> In 2007, Valiant hired former Valiant Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter to write new short stories that would accompany hardcover reprints of classic Valiant Universe stories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/jim-shooter-returns-to-valiant-universe/ |title=Jim Shooter Returns to Valiant Universe |website=Comic Book Resources|date=June 6, 2007 |access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> Two of the three collections were named among "The Ten Best Collected Editions" of their respective years of publications.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}. In 2011, Valiant announced that it had received a capital investment from Cuneo & Company.
In 2012, Valiant Entertainment began publishing new monthly comic books based on the Valiant Comics universe of characters.<ref>{{cite news|author=Esposito, Joey |title=Your First Look at the New Valiant Comics |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/121/1214270p1.html |publisher=IGN |date=December 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108192528/http://comics.ign.com/articles/121/1214270p1.html |archive-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref>
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To coincide with the launch of publishing in 2012, Valiant introduced the ''Pullbox Program'', which encourages readers to start a pull box subscription for the title being launched with their comics store to obtain an exclusive alternate cover version of the comic,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gerding|first1=Stephen|url=http://www.cbr.com/exclusive-valiant-launches-pullbox-variant-program/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Valiant Launches Pullbox Variant Program |website=Comic Book Resources|date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> and the ''QR Voice Variant'', where the reader's smartphone, after scanning a QR code on the cover of the comic, plays a video of the figure's mouth, giving the impression that the figure has come to life and is talking to the reader.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sunu|first1=Steve|title=Creating "X-O Manowar's" Talking Variant Cover|url=https://www.cbr.com/creating-x-o-manowars-talking-variant-cover/|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=March 24, 2018|date=February 27, 2012}}</ref>
Valiant Entertainment extended The Summer of Valiant 2012 event and added a fifth ongoing title with ''Shadowman'' in November 2012 by writer [[Justin Jordan]] and artist [[Patrick Zircher]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Valiant debut at the New York Comic Con|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/a-valiant-debut-at-the-new-york-comic-con-1.4094763|website=Newsday|access-date=September 28, 2017|date=October 10, 2012}}</ref> The comic debuted as the number 1, non-Marvel and/or DC comic of the month.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=John Jackson|title=Comic Book Sales Figures for November 2012|url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2012/2012-11.html|website=Comichron|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/valiant-comics/shadowman/1 |title=Shadowman No. 1 Reviews |website=ComicBookRoundUp.com |access-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401035719/http://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/valiant-comics/shadowman/1 |archive-date=1 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In February 13, Valiant won Comic Book Publisher of the Year – Under 4% and was nominated for Best Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.00 ''X-O Manowar'' # 1 at the Diamond Gem Awards.<ref name="BCDiamondGems"/>
In January 2013, Valiant announced that Chief Creative Officer and co-founder Dinesh Shamdasani had been promoted to CEO & Chief Creative Officer and Jason Kothari was leaving management.<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW CEO AT VALIANT |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/24727/new-ceo-valiant}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Valiant Voice |url=http://valiantuniverse.com/2013/01/07/valiant-entertainment-appoints-dinesh-shamdasani-to-ceo-jason-kothari-to-vice-chairman/ |title=Valiant Entertainment Appoints Dinesh Shamdasani to CEO, Jason Kothari to Vice Chairman |publisher=Valiant Entertainment |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>▼
▲In January 2013, Valiant announced that Chief Creative Officer and co-founder Dinesh Shamdasani had been promoted to CEO & Chief Creative Officer and Jason Kothari was leaving management.<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW CEO AT VALIANT |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/24727/new-ceo-valiant}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=The Valiant Voice |url=http://valiantuniverse.com/2013/01/07/valiant-entertainment-appoints-dinesh-shamdasani-to-ceo-jason-kothari-to-vice-chairman/ |title=Valiant Entertainment Appoints Dinesh Shamdasani to CEO, Jason Kothari to Vice Chairman
[[File:5.5.18ClaytonCrainSignsValiantByLuigiNovi2b.jpg|thumb|left|Artist [[Clayton Crain]] signing copies of Valiant titles whose covers he has illustrated during an appearance at [[Midtown Comics]] in Manhattan]]
In May 2013, Valiant announced The Summer of Valiant 2013, during which the company would launch two new ongoing titles, ''Quantum & Woody'' and ''Eternal Warrior'', and publish a special ''Bloodshot'' zero issue.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Webb |first1=Charles |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2629035/valiant-comics-unity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109072456/http://www.mtv.com/news/2629035/valiant-comics-unity/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |title=Interview: The Summer Of Valiant Might Be Paving The Road To 'Unity' |publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=
Several of Valiant's launch titles reached their planned conclusions in 2014, with ''Harbinger'', ''Bloodshot'', and ''Archer & Armstrong'' all concluding. Valiant celebrated the milestones by publishing a 48-page anniversary issue for each series' twenty-fifth issue, and hinting at new directions for the characters.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Siegel|first1=Lucas|title=VALIANT FIRST Launches New Series, Ends Others as Year Three Begins|url=https://www.newsarama.com/20287-valiant-first-launches-new-series-ends-others-as-year-three-begins.html|website=Newsarama|access-date=May 15, 2018|date=February 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Yehl|first1=Joshua|title=X-O Manowar Hits Landmark Issue #25|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/04/x-o-manowar-hits-landmark-issue-25|website=IGN|access-date=May 15, 2018|date=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McMillan|first1=Graeme|title=Valiant Revives 'Harbinger' Property for New Comic Book Series 'Renegades'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-revives-harbinger-new-comic-936231|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 15, 2018|date=October 7, 2016}}</ref> Ongoing series such as ''X-O Manowar'', ''Unity'', and ''Rai'' continued, and were coupled with limited series such as ''Harbinger: Omegas'', ''Eternal Warrior: Days of Steel'', ''The Death-Defying Dr. Mirage'' and ''The Delinquents''. In December 2013, Valiant announced the 2014 "Armor Hunters" crossover storyline, consisting of a four-issue ''Armor Hunter'' mini-series and issues of ''XO-Manowar'' and ''Unity''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-announces-armor-hunters-summer-667021 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 19, 2013| access-date=October 11, 2015| title=Valiant Announces 'Armor Hunters' Summer 2014 Crossover Event |author=Graeme McMillan}}</ref> In April 2014, Valiant announced several new partnerships with digital distributors, including [[Visionbooks]], to distribute a form of animated Valiant comic books for digital devices.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://segmentnext.com/2014/07/31/visionbooks-partners-with-valiant-entertainment-to-bring-digital-comics/ |website=Segment Next |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=April 17, 2015
Following the conclusion of ''Armor Hunters'', Valiant announced its Valiant Next initiative. Launching in December 2014 with the miniseries ''The Valiant'', it continued through 2015 with the ongoing titles ''Ninjak'', ''Imperium'', ''Ivar, Timewalker'' and ''Bloodshot Reborn'' and the miniseries ''Divinity''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbr.com/exclusive-valiant-leadership-discuss-valiant-next-moving-forward-in-2015/|website=Comic Book Resources|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2015|title=Valiant Leadership discuss "Valiant Next," Moving Forward in 2015|author=Steve Sunu}}</ref> For the summer of 2015, Valiant announced the event miniseries ''Book of Death'', accompanied by one-shots ''Book of Death: The Fall of Bloodshot'', ''Book of Death: The Fall of Ninjak'', ''Book of Death: The Fall of Harbinger'' and ''Book of Death: The Fall of X-O Manowar'' and the miniseries ''Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://valiantuniverse.com/2015/04/20/valiant-announces-book-of-death-legends-of-the-geomancer-by-fred-van-lente-juan-jose-ryp-a-retailer-incentive-limited-series-available-only-with-book-of-death-1-4/|publisher=Valiant Entertainment|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2015|title=Valiant Announces Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer by Fred Van Lente & Juan Jose Ryp – A Retailer Incentive Limited Series Available Only with Book of Death #1–4|author=The Valiant Voice}}</ref> ''Book of Death'' was one of the best-reviewed comics of the year and the biggest selling independent crossover event of the decade.<ref name="Rich Johnston"/> Spinning out from ''Book of Death'', the ongoing series ''Wrath of the Eternal Warrior'' launched in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbr.com/exclusive-venditti-provokes-wrath-of-the-eternal-warrior-for-new-ongoing-series/|website=Comic Book Resources|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2015|title=Venditti Provokes Wrath of the Eternal Warrior for New Ongoing Series|author=Steve Morris}}</ref>
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In 2015, Valiant renewed its print distribution agreement with Diamond Distributors, making Diamond the worldwide distributor of Valiant's comics and graphic novels within comic book specialty and book markets worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valiant Entertainment Renews Distribution Deal with Diamond |url=https://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/163604-Valiant-Entertainment-Renews-Distribution-Deal-with-Diamond#:~:text=Diamond%20Comic%20Distributors%20is%20pleased,specialty%20and%20book%20markets%20worldwide}}</ref>
In 2017, Valiant added ten new international publishing partnerships for China, India, South Korea, Pakistan and other
In January 2016, Valiant announced at Valiant Summit 2016 that Valiant would spend 2016 focusing on expanding its universe of characters beyond its core titles, launching brand new characters in the ''Britannia'' and ''Savage'' miniseries; expanding Divinity in two sequels — ''Divinity II'' and ''Divinity III: Stalinverse''; and elevating supporting characters from the ''Harbinger'' title in two new miniseries — ''Generation Zero'' and ''[[Faith Herbert|Faith]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2016/05/17/valiant-summit-2016---valiant-comics-announces-new-products/ |website=ComicBook.com|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=January 1, 2017|title=Valiant Summit 2016 – Valiant Comics Announces New Products |author=Lucas Siegel}}</ref> That same month, a four-issue ''Faith'' miniseries launched, garnering significant media interest,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/30300-100k-copies-of-faith-1-given-to-retailers-free.html |title=After Valiant's Faith No. 1 Sellout, 100k Free 2nd Printings Shipping To Retailers |website=Newsarama |date=July 23, 2016 |access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> and was one of only a handful of series in the past decade to reach a fifth printing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/04/02/valiants-faith-1-gets-a-fifth-printing/ |website=Bleeding Cool|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=January 1, 2017|title=Valiant's Faith No. 1 Gets A Fifth Printing|author=Rich Johnston}}</ref>
In July 2016, Valiant was nominated for 50 Harvey Awards, the most nominations for any publisher that year, including eight for ''Bloodshot Reborn''.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/>
In
===DMG Entertainment===
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On January 7, 2019, Valiant announced it had hired former JHU Comic Books manager Dani Ward as its Sales Manager.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Newsarama Staff |title=VALIANT Hires Comics Retailer as Direct Market Liaison |url=https://www.newsarama.com/43351-valiant-hires-comics-retailer-as-direct-market-liaison.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=January 17, 2019 |date=January 7, 2019}}</ref> On January 9, 2019, Valiant announced it had hired former Marvel assistant editor Heather Antos as an editor.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Newsarama Staff |title=MARVEL Alum HEATHER ANTOS Joins VALIANT |url=https://www.newsarama.com/43394-marvel-alum-heather-antos-joins-valiant.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=January 17, 2019 |date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> The following month Valiant announced an ongoing ''Psi Lords'' series written by Fred Van Lente and drawn by Renato Guedes that will launch in July 2019.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Newsarama Staff |title=VALIANT Launches New PSI-LORDS Title - 25 Years After The Last |url=https://www.newsarama.com/43902-valiant-launches-new-psi-lords-title-25-years-after-the-last.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=February 13, 2019 |date=February 13, 2019}}</ref> This would be followed in subsequent months by announcements of new series. On March 14 Valiant announced a new ''Bloodshot'' ongoing series would launch in September 2019, written by [[Tim Seely]] and drawn by [[Brett Booth]]. The series would launch with a one-shot written by Seely which will be released on May 4, 2019 as part of [[Free Comic Book Day]]. The first three issues will be collected and released as a [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] in December to coincide with the release of the Bloodshot movie on February 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=Valiant's BLOODSHOT Relaunched with SEELEY & BOOTH |url=https://www.newsarama.com/44303-valiant-s-bloodshot-relaunched-with-seeley-booth.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=March 15, 2019 |date=March 14, 2019}}</ref> On April 17 editor Heather Antos announced on Twitter that a new ''X-O Manowar'' ongoing series would launch in November 2019, written by [[Dennis Hopeless]] and drawn by Emilio Laiso.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=New X-O MANOWAR Title's Creative Team & Launch Window Revealed |url=https://www.newsarama.com/44800-new-x-o-manowar-title-s-creative-team-launch-window-revealed.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=April 17, 2019 |date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> On July 11 it was announced that a four-issue ''[[Ninjak]]'' miniseries written by Cullen Bunn and drawn by Ramon F. Bachs would debut that October.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marson |first1=Gerorge |title=Valiant's ROKU Gets Her Own Solo Title |url=https://www.newsarama.com/45970-valiant-s-roku-gets-her-own-solo-series.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=October 4, 2019 |date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>
On July 30, 2019, Valiant announced it had hired Kat O'Neill as Live Events & Sales Manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valiantentertainment.com/2019/07/30/former-comic-shop-manager-joins-valiant-entertainment/|title=VALIANT Recruits JIM HANLEY'S Alum KAT O'NEILL|author1=Newsarama Staff|date=July 30, 2019|website=Newsarama|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> On August 13 Valiant announced a new ''Rai'' ongoing series would launch in November, written by [[Dan Abnett]] and drawn by Juan José Ryp.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Newsarama Staff |title=VALIANT's RAI Returns with New Ongoing |url=https://www.newsarama.com/46485-valiant-s-rai-returns-with-new-ongoing.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=October 4, 2019 |date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> On September 17 Valiant announced a five-issue ''The Visitor'' mini-series would launch in December, written by [[Paul Levitz]] and drawn by M.J. Kim.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marston |first1=George |title=PAUL LEVITZ Brings THE VISITOR to VALIANT |url=https://www.newsarama.com/46978-paul-levitz-brings-the-visitor-to-valiant.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=October 4, 2019 |date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> Three days later, the company hired [[Legendary Comics]] Co-Founder/Senior Editor Greg Tumbarello as Editor to develop new properties and advance existing IP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://valiantentertainment.com/2019/09/30/meet-greg-tumbarello-valiants-new-editor/|title=Greg Tumbarello, Valiant's New Editor|last=Voice|first=The Valiant|website=Valiant Entertainment|date=September 30, 2019 |access-date=2019-10-18}}</ref>
On October 1, 2019, Valiant announced a new ''Quantum & Woody'' series would launch in January 2020, written by Chris Hastings and drawn by Ryan Browne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://valiantentertainment.com/2019/10/01/quantum-woody-leap-into-action-this-january/|title=QUANTUM & WOODY Leap Into Action this January|last=Voice|first=The Valiant|website=Valiant Entertainment|date=October 2019 |access-date=2019-10-18}}</ref> Two days later, the company revealed that the character [[Faith Herbert]] would be featured in a series of Young adult prose novels co-published with [[HarperCollins]] imprint Balzer + Bray. The first novel, ''FAITH: Taking Flight'', written by author [[Julie Murphy (author)|Julie Murphy]], would be released in early 2020.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Newsarama Staff |title=Valiant's FAITH to Star in YA Prose Novel |url=https://www.newsarama.com/47235-valiant-s-faith-to-star-in-ya-prose-novel.html |website=Newsarama |access-date=October 4, 2019 |date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> On October 30 Valiant released a teaser image featuring the bird logo of ''Harbinger'' on a blue background, with the hashtag #Valiant2020 on the bottom.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=Core VALIANT Franchise Teased for 2020 Return |url=https://www.newsarama.com/47642-core-valiant-franchise-teased-for-2020-return.html |website=[[Newsarama]]|access-date=November 9, 2019 |language=en |date=October 30, 2019}}</ref>
On November 12, 2019, Valiant announced that a new version of [[Doctor Tomorrow]] would be debuting in a self-titled ongoing series that will launch in February 2020, written by Alejandro Arbona and drawn by Jim Towe.<ref name=
On March 11, 2020, Valiant announced that Heather Antos and Lysa Hawkins had been promoted to Senior Editors.<ref name=
In August 2020, it was reported that Valiant, which had been one of the earliest comic book publishers to go into [[COVID lockdowns|lockdown]] in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York City|COVID-19 pandemic]], had chosen to permanently close its Manhattan office, and have its employees work remotely.<ref name=
By June 2023, Valiant Comics' output had slowed over the course of the preceding year to one monthly title, ''X-O Manowar Unconquered'', with another title, ''Ninjak Superkillers'', scheduled to debut later in the year. That month, the company announced a licensing partnership with Alien Books, which would see that publisher take over publication of Valiant comics, graphic novels and [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] collections.<ref name=ComicsBeat6.27.23/>
=== Alien Books ===
{{Expand section|date=June 2024}}
==Characters==
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==In other media==
===Audio===
In August 2014, Valiant partnered with Pendant Productions to produce audio dramas based on their comic books.<ref name=
===Film and television===
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In March 2015, Valiant signed a partnership agreement with DMG Entertainment which included a nine-figure investment for film and TV adaptations of the Valiant characters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Busch |first=Anita |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/chinas-dmg-and-valiant-entertainment-to-expand-superhero-universe-1201388594/ |title=Valiant Entertainment Partners With Beijing-based DMG For More Super Heroes |work=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 12, 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> That May, Valiant announced a partnership with [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony Pictures]] to produce five films based on the ''[[Bloodshot (comics)|Bloodshot]]'' and ''[[Harbinger (comic book)|Harbinger]]'' comic books.<ref>{{cite web|author=Graeme McMillan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/bloodshot-harbinger-comics-get-film-790433 |title='Bloodshot,' 'Harbinger' Comics to Get Film Treatment From Sony, Valiant Entertainment (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 21, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> The films would be set in a shared universe, which would be launched with ''Bloodshot'', to be co-produced by Original Film, and culminate in a crossover film, ''Harbinger Wars''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sony Pictures and Valiant Announce Five-Picture Deal to Bring Properties to Big Screen |url=https://news.yahoo.com/sony-pictures-valiant-announce-five-191500379.html|author=Elfring, Mat|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=May 1, 2015|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref> The rights for ''Harbinger'' would later be acquired from Sony by [[Paramount Pictures]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/paramount-picks-up-comic-book-movie-harbinger-sony-1238972|title=Paramount Picks Up Comic Book Movie 'Harbinger' From Sony|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 12, 2019|access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>
In March 2017, it was announced that Valiant was developing a ''Quantum and Woody'' TV show with the Russo Brothers. It was later announced the TBS was developing the series as a franchise.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russo Bros to Produce 'Quantum and Woody' TV Series After 'Avengers: Infinity War' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/russo-bros-quantum-and-woody-tv-series/}}</ref> That June, it was reported that Reginald Huldin, Director of Marshall and former President of BET, was set to write and direct Valiant's ''Shadowman'', while [[J. Michael Straczynski]] would executive produce.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Reginald Hudlin to Direct
In March 2018, it was announced that [[Vin Diesel]] would star as the [[Bloodshot (comics)|title character]] in a ''[[Bloodshot (film)|Bloodshot]]'' feature film adaptation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sobon |first1=Nicole |date=March 8, 2018 |title=Vin Diesel Confirmed to Star in Sony's Bloodshot Adaptation |url=https://www.cbr.com/vin-diesel-angelo-mortalli-sony-bloodshot-movie/ |access-date=March 24, 2018 |website=[[CBR.com]]|language=en-US}}</ref> The film was released on March 13, 2020,
That December, it was announced that a ''Dr. Mirage'' drama was being developed by the [[CW network]].<ref>{{Cite news |title='Dr. Mirage' Drama Based On Comic In Works At the CW With 'Reign' Co-Creator |url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/dr-mirage-drama-based-valiant-comic-development-the-cw-laurie-mccarthy-1202512888/}}</ref>
In November 2020, it was reported that a sequel to ''Bloodshot'' was in development with Vin Diesel to again play the title character. <ref>{{Cite news |title=Bloodshot 2: Vin Diesel Confirms He Will Be Returning For A Sequel |url=https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/bloodshot-2-vin-diesel-confirms-returning-for-a-sequel/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title='Bloodshot 2' Is In Development With Vin Diesel Set To Return |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/577701/bloodshot-2/}}</ref>
===Digital series===
In 2015, the first Valiant Summit was broadcast from Twitter's San Francisco headquarters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valiant's Major Announcements From Twitter HQ Via Periscope In One Week's Time #ValiantSummit |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/valiant-to-make-major-announcements-from-twitter-hq-via-periscope-in-one-weeks-time-valiantsummit/}}</ref> The Valiant Summit 2016 was broadcast live on Twitch from New York City's UCB Theatre.<ref>{{Cite news |title=VALIANT ANNOUNCES THE VALIANT SUMMIT 2016 |url=https://graphicpolicy.com/2016/05/10/valiant-announces-the-valiant-summit-2016/}}</ref>
Season 2 of the game show ''Valiant Vanquished'' began streaming on Twitch in March 2017.
On April 21, 2018, Bat in the Sun Productions and Valiant Digital released the web series ''[[Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe]]'' on ComicBook.com, featuring [[Michael Rowe (actor)|Michael Rowe]] as Ninjak.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gomez |first1=Emmanuel |date=April 18, 2018 |title=Official Debut Date For Ninjak Vs. The Valiant Universe |url=https://lrmonline.com/news/official-debut-date-for-ninjak-vs-the-valiant-universe/ |access-date=October 14, 2019 |website=LRMonline}}</ref>
===Video games===
Acclaim Entertainment produced numerous video games based on Valiant characters.
In December 2019, Valiant announced a partnership with Blowfish Studios to create multiplatform video games featuring Valiant characters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Valiant, Blowfish Studios Team for Superhero Video Games (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-blowfish-studios-team-superhero-video-games-1264480 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=April 29, 2020 |language=en |date=December 20, 2019}}</ref>
===Consumer products===
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in 2016, Pop! Vinyl debuted a figure of Faith "Zephyr" Herbert.<ref>{{Cite news |title=NYCC '16: Valiant and POP Life offer utterly adorable exclusive Faith vinyl figure |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-16-valiant-and-pop-life-offer-utterly-adorable-exclusive-faith-vinyl-figure/}}</ref>
In February 2017, the Vans Warped Tour announced it was teaming with Valiant, which would provide all the artwork and branding for the tour's summer 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valiant Entertainment will join this year's Warped Tour |url=https://ew.com/books/2017/02/17/valiant-entertainment-will-join-this-years-warped-tour/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|author=Holub, Christian|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=|access-date=September 14, 2023|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230914154406/https://ew.com/books/minor-threat-book-glen-e-friedman-stories/}}</ref> That September, [[Build-A-Bear]] produced a bear based on Valiant's Bloodshot character.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-crossover-shocker-valiant-and-build-a-bear/|title=NYCC Crossover Shocker: Valiant and Build-A-Bear|author=Allen, Todd|date=September 18, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref>
In 2019, [[McFarlane Toys]] introduced a Bloodshot action figure.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bloodshot Comes to Life In The New McFarlane Toys Figure |url=https://bleedingcool.com/collectibles/bloodshot-comes-to-life-in-the-new-mcfarlane-toys-figure/}}</ref>
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* Valiant was named "Item to Watch for 2014" by Rob McMonigal of [[Newsarama]] in "The Best of Best Shots 2013" column in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/19917-the-best-of-best-shots-2013-our-review-crew-picks-the-best-of-the-year.html |title=The BEST of Best Shots 2013: Our Review Crew Picks the BEST of the Year |website=Newsarama |date=December 30, 2013 |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>
* Valiant was named "Best Publisher" by Optimous Douche and Ambush Bug of [[Ain't It Cool News]] in its 10th Annual AICN COMICS 10th Annual @$$IE Awards in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ambush Bug |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/66381#3 |title=AICN COMICS 10th Annual @$IE AWARDS Day 1: Best Single Issue! Best Miniseries! Best Publisher! |website=Ain't It Cool News |date=March 3, 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>
* In 2014, Valiant was nominated for 16 Harvey Awards, that recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/16/the-2014-harvey-award-nominations-are-revealed |title=The 2014 Harvey Award Nominations Are Revealed|date=July 16, 2014 |publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref>
* In 2015, Valiant led the Harvey Awards as the most nominated publisher with 20 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/valiant-dominates-harvey-awards-2015-with-boom-and-image-right-behind/ |title=Valiant Dominates Harvey Awards 2015, With Boom And Image Right Behind |date=July 18, 2015 }}</ref>
* In 2016, Valiant again led the Harvey Awards as the most nominated publisher with a total of 50 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicsalliance.com/2016-harvey-awards-nominees/ |title=VALIANT DOMINATES 2016 HARVEY AWARDS NOMINEES|date=July 5, 2016 }}</ref>
* In August 2016, the one millionth copy of Valiant’s X-O Manowar comics was enshrined in the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, the world’s comics and pop culture hall of fame, located in Baltimore’s historic Camden Yards complex. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/x-o-manowar-prints-its-1-millionth-copy/ |title=X-O Manowar Prints Its 1 Millionth Copy|date=August 17, 2016 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/news/valiant-celebrates-x-o-manowars-one-millionth-copy-sold/ |title=Valiant Celebrates X-O Manowar's One Millionth Copy Sold}}</ref>
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