CBR: EXCLUSIVE: Inside Valiant's New "X-O Manowar"

[CBR News]

Leading the charge on Valiant's return is X-O Manowar. Designer Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic and Editor Warren Simons spoke [em]exclusively[/em] with CBR on how they reinvented a classic and what's in store for the entire line.


Full article here.

[Alton]

So Valiant's success wasn't because of the speculator boom but because of the strength of their characters? Well, I wasn't around comics in the nineties and I've only seen a few left over issues of various Valiant titles since 2005. I certainly hope they do well because I enjoy indies over most DC/Marvel but I'll have to leave the response to that comment to those that were around for the original Valiant.As for me I'll tradewait because with the market down at this point I see another Stan Lee/Boom Studios coming with lots of splash and low sales.

[Scott M Davis]

The original Valiant was stupendous. It was when Acclaim took over and shat all over everything.

[Pil]

So Valiant's success wasn't because of the speculator boom but because of the strength of their characters?

The initial success? Yes! That was right before the speculator boom took off. After they fired Shooter, they also used the speculator boom to enhance sales. IMO this is indirectly what killed the company in the first place. They concentrated on the enhanced covers and gimmicks and forgot to tell a compelling story.

[TF_loki]

Loved Original Valiant back in the day. Looking forward to this. I'm afraid I'm not fond of Jelena's art style but I can't deny the restyle looks funky...in a good way.

[EMeadow]

The original Valiant was stupendous. It was when Acclaim took over and shat all over everything.

I'd honestly say you need to reread some of the material from VH-2.

Nicieza and crew came up with some really good stuff for a different attempt at Valiant.

[hondobrode]

I'm ecstatic ! Valiant & Acclaim both had some really great stuff.

Maybe the Unity mini will get some play ?

Can't wait.

[markfdavis]

Great looking cover and new X-O Manowar design! I can't wait for new Valiant comics!!!

[fredmanson]

That's an interesting interview!!!

I can not wait May to see the new X-O Manowar!!!

And for the readers who do not know the TRUE Valiant Universe, I counsel them to do a Wiki search and you will see the reasons for what Valiant was one of the best of the best comic book publishers in these wonderful era!!

Do not be fooled by the Acclaim era and the awful seemingly relaunch from Dark Horse (as it is said in the interview :"...beautiful cover and awful interior art...").

Valiant is Valiant.

And that means: excellent comic books to come!!!!

You must take your ticket before the speed-train is leaving the station!!!!

[diablo7]

Hopefully the interior art is better than that cover.

[Nicholas]

Bring back Bart Sears! He was born to draw X-O Manowar!

[sonicdan]

A lot of great new details about Valiant. I'm looking forward to more.
This clarifies a lot of things I am happy to hear. Great interview & article!
DAN
www.sonicdan.com

[.c.h.r.i.s.]

looks awesome.

[BugsySig]

What is funny is Valiant was the total opposite of the no-plot, mega artist books of Marvel and Image in the 90s but also invented most of the gimmicks we have come to associate with the speculator boom: chromium covers, 0 issues, coupon send away, etc.

Valiants stories were amazing, their continuity was tight and their style was consistent across the line...it still angers me that acclaim bought them out and ran the comics into the ground to make their books more video game compatible. There is no reason a company that was selling on par with the big two should just disappear.

This new version looks really good. I wanted to pick up the new remastered trades but they are nearly impossible to find. Obviously there is still an audience out there. If they can bring the right mix of writing and art, valiant has more than enough recognizable properties to make a dent in the market.

[The One and Only]

Am I the only one here who feels a little old when they talk about "modernizing the concept" of X-O ? It didn't seem too long that I was picking up the adventures of Aric Dacia the first time. Interested in seeing this long awaited return.