Everything You Need To Know About Valiant Beyond

The Valiant Universe has gone through several iterations since it was introduced in 1991. Many of these stops and starts were related to changes in ownership, with each one highlighting a different take on the superhero universe. Alien Books, the current custodians of the Valiant Universe, continue that tradition to a degree with Valiant Beyond.

This exciting new line offers a new take on the Valiant Universe characters. These new interpretations provide new jumping-on points, making them new-reader friendly, while offering something fresh for existing readers.

Find out everything you need to know about Valiant Beyond with this extensive guide. It explains the philosophy behind the line, which comics will be part of it, and loads of other details that will help you jump right in.

Reimagining classic characters

The Valiant Universe characters have always been unique, offering unique spins on familiar ideas. However, these heroes have been around for decades in some capacity. Valiant Beyond is an opportunity to take the characters in new directions without being bogged down with what has happened before.

Alien Books Editor-in-Chief Lysa Hawkins explains the publisher’s philosophy for Valant Beyond:

“We’re looking at Valiant Beyond as an opportunity to refresh these characters by taking them out of their comfort zones while still retaining the essence and spirit that fans have adored over the past 30 years.”

Through this, we’ll see new interpretations of classic characters like Bloodshot, Shadowman, X-O Manowar, and others.

Reimaginings and alternate universe lines have become prominent in comics over the last two years. Marvel’s rebooted Ultimate Universe, DC Comics’ Absolute Universe, and the Transformers/G.I. Joe-centric Energon Universe have been a big hit with readers, critics, and retailers. As a result, Valiant Beyond makes a lot of sense – especially when you consider how it’s an opportunity for many readers to try the Valiant comics for the first time.

New-reader friendly

Comic book publishers open the door for new readers when they reimagine their characters. Alien Books’ approach to Valiant Beyond is no exception. These comics are fresh interpretations of characters and concepts that don’t require any prior reading or knowledge. This makes the comics easy for new readers to enjoy.

Valiant Beyond will be its own comics universe. And because this is superhero comics, of course, there’s a storytelling reason for how this universe is established. This will happen in the pages of the Resurgence of the Valiant Universe comic book event finale. However, you won’t need to read this for Valiant Beyond to make sense.

You can have your first look at Valiant Beyond in the Valiant Universe Ultimate Guide. This one-shot guidebook will get readers (new and old) up to speed with the Valiant Universe and tease what’s to come with Valiant Beyond.

Valiant Beyond’s structure

Alien Books has mentioned they’re committed to each Valiant Beyond series getting at least 12 issues each. However, this will be broken up into three or four-part miniseries.

Each miniseries will tell a story, but when combined together, there’s an overarching story told over multiple series starring each character.

Debut issues will contain extra pages a no extra cost.

A slight delay and a new partnership

Valiant Beyond was originally, Valiant Beyond was meant to launch in March and April, 2025. However, Alien Books needed to delay the launch when Diamond Comics Distributors announced bankruptcy.

To make sure the comics could still be published, Alien Books went into a partnership with IDW Publishing. This gave the publisher access to distribution, marketing pushes, sales analysis, and logistical support while containing creative control. However, the process meant that Valiant Beyond will now launch in August and September 2025.

What is happening to the existing Valiant Universe?

It is unclear what is happening with the regular Valiant Universe. Alien Books announced Valiant Zombies: Resurrection in early 2025, with the storyline meant to begin with a Free Comic Book Day prelude. However, Alien Books withdrew from Free Comic Book Day in the wake of the Diamond Comics Distributors bankruptcy. It’s unclear when readers will see this story published.

Which comics are part of Valiant Beyond?

Alien Books has announced the following titles as part of Valiant Beyond.

Note: This section will be updated when new titles and details are revealed.

Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot

Written by Mauro Mantella. Art by Fernando Heinz Furukawa and Juan Pablo Massa.

Bloodshot takes on Yakuza vampires in a fast-paced action series. Expect plenty of crime-fighting, horror, and ultra-violence (as suggested by the cover) in this take on the character.

For those unfamiliar with him, Bloodshot is a nanite-enhanced cyborg that has regenerative abilities similar to that of Wolverine.

Unfortunately, this comic has been marred with controversy. Writer Mauro Mantella slipped anti-trans rhetoric into the dialogue of the debut issue. Something that I missed when I first reviewed the comic. However, on a second read and with further context, it’s clearly there and very disappointing to see. It makes it very hard to recommend this to anyone.

Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot #1 goes on sale 13th August.

Valiant Beyond: Tales of the Shadowman

Written by AJ Ampadu. Art by Sergio Monjes.

The series follows a detective trained in the art of voodoo who can summon the enigmatic force known as The Shadowman. Here, The Shadowman is an ancient god of unknown origin drifting through the mystic wasteland known as The Deadside.

This will be set in a utopian version of New Orleans, the magic capital of the world.

Valiant Beyond: Shadowman #1 goes on sale 20th August.

Valiant Beyond: All-New Harbinger

Written by Fred Van Lente. Art by Erik Tamayo.

Humans and psiots (psychic mutants) have found a way to live together without conflict. This was achieved by these super-powered beings taking over. But they’re not completely safe. There are still those seeking to destroy their ideals.

Enter Harbinger, a psiot team consisting of Archer, Flamingo, Alloy, and Crane. In this 3-part story, they’ll take on a terrorist organisation that has taken a building hostage.

Writer Fred Van Lente is no stranger to Archer and the Valiant Universe, writing a great run of Archer, Flamingo, Alloy, and Crane Archer & Armstrong.

Valiant Beyond: All-New Harbinger #1 goes on sale on 10th September.

Valiant Beyond: The X-O Manowar

Written by Steve Orlando. Art by Guillermo Fajardo.

X-O Manowar, a.k.a. Aric of Dacia, traverses a deadly wasteland full of mutated horrors in search of horror. There, he will be put to the test when he encounters a mysterious gang known as the Earthborn.

Valiant Beyond: The X-O Manowar #1 goes on sale on 17th September.

Will there be more Valiant Beyond titles?

As previously mentioned, the Valiant Beyond series will get at least 12 issues over multiple miniseries. However, Alien Books Art Director Martin Casanova has stated that “we’re optimistic that fan and retailer support will help us expand this line further with more mini-series and specials.”

That’s a great sign that we may see more Valiant Beyond later down the line!

How can I learn more about the Valiant characters?

Want to know more about the Valiant characters? How To Love Comics has a Valiant column that spotlights great jumping-on points for new readers. Check it out if you want to find out how to immerse yourself in this alterative to Marvel and DC.

Alternatively, you can check out the Valiant Heroes Universe Origins reprint collections. These collect big chunks of comics and will get you up to speed with character origins and some of the early stories in the modern interpretation.

Have your say

Which Valiant Beyond series are you looking forward to reading? Share your thoughts in the comments below or via Bluesky, Facebook, X, or Mastodon.