Valiant

The high concept behind X-O Manowar has always been the book's biggest strengths, but when the series returns for its new volume in 2017, Matt Kindt, Tomas Giorello, and Diego Rodriguez are diving into the nature of his story in a way that I don't think we've ever seen. The ongoing series will feature four distinct arcs that will chart Aric of Dacia's rise on an alien planet: "Soldier," "General," "Emperor," and finally to "Visigoth." Now, with the debut of the series slated for March, we're getting an early look at X-O Manowar #2 --- and unsurprisingly, it looks like it's going to be pretty brutal. Check it out below!

Shadowman had his own ongoing series with a new take on magic and mysticism early in Valiant's relaunch back in 2012, but after that title ended, he's been conspicuous by his absence. Now, with Divinity III rewriting the Valiant universe with a new history where the Soviet Union took over the world, the stage is set for Shadowman's return and a supernatural battle for the fate of New Stalingrad --- or as we might know it in this timeline, New York City. Check out a first look below!

Listen: At this point, we all know that I am deeply, fervently in the tank for Ninjak and its incredibly rewarding blend of over-the-top high concept action and deeply strange psychological storytelling, mostly because I talk about how much I love it at literally every opportunity. Because of that, I've been excited about the upcoming "Seven Blades of Master Darque" storyline since it was announced, and while some of you might still be on the fence, they didn't need to do anything else to lure me in. But they did it anyway. As this preview reveals, the storyline that kicks off in next week's Ninjak #23 from Matt Kindt, Marc Laming, and Ulises Arreola will feature a cutaway diagram of an underground prison full of deathtraps. Don't miss it!

The question most often asked of the ComicsAlliance staff is a variation of, “Which comic books should I be reading?” or, “I’m new to comics, what’s a good place to start?” The Wednesday deluge of new comic books, graphic novels and collected editions can be daunting even for the longtime reader, much less for those totally unfamiliar with creators, characters and publishers, and the dark mysteries of comic book shopping like variants, pre-ordering, and formats. It’s with these challenges in mind that we’ve created Best Comic Books Ever (This Week), an ongoing guide curated by the ComicsAlliance staff. This is where new comics readers and seasoned Wednesday shoppers alike can find our picks of the best books the medium has to offer.

Check out the best artists of 2016, including our critics’ picks and the artists you voted the runner up and winner in this category!

The question most often asked of the ComicsAlliance staff is a variation of, “Which comic books should I be reading?” or, “I’m new to comics, what’s a good place to start?” The Wednesday deluge of new comic books, graphic novels and collected editions can be daunting even for the longtime reader, much less for those totally unfamiliar with creators, characters and publishers, and the dark mysteries of comic book shopping like variants, pre-ordering, and formats. It’s with these challenges in mind that we’ve created Best Comic Books Ever (This Week), an ongoing guide curated by the ComicsAlliance staff. This is where new comics readers and seasoned Wednesday shoppers alike can find our picks of the best books the medium has to offer.

At this point, you already know the deal with Valiant's big Stalinverse event, but on the off chance that you've forgotten, here's the short version: A shift in history is causing the Valiant universe to be overwritten by an alternate timeline where the Soviet Union has taken over the world, complete with their own versions of Valiant's greatest heroes to keep any would-be revolutionaries in line. And that, of course, includes the nanite-enhanced Komandar Bloodshot, who's being sent in to quell an insurgency in America, forcing the resistance to ask the question of how exactly do you fight Bloodshot? And the answer, of course, is that you make a Bloodshot of your own. Check out the preview --- including the first piece of the origin for new Valiant character Red Legend.

The question most often asked of the ComicsAlliance staff is a variation of, “Which comic books should I be reading?” or, “I’m new to comics, what’s a good place to start?” The Wednesday deluge of new comic books, graphic novels and collected editions can be daunting even for the longtime reader, much less for those totally unfamiliar with creators, characters and publishers, and the dark mysteries of comic book shopping like variants, pre-ordering, and formats. It’s with these challenges in mind that we’ve created Best Comic Books Ever (This Week), an ongoing guide curated by the ComicsAlliance staff. This is where new comics readers and seasoned Wednesday shoppers alike can find our picks of the best books the medium has to offer.

With the Valiant Universe being overwritten by a timeline where the Soviet Union took over using the most powerful being in the world, characters like Bloodshot and X-O Manowar have found themselves recast as "heroes of the revolution," but Obadiah Archer and Aram Anni-Padda aren't so "lucky." In March, Eliot Rahal and Francis Portela are bringing you Divinity III: Escape From Galag 396, a one shot in which Archer finds himself imprisoned as a religious extremist alongside an immortal enemy of the state. Check out an exclusive first look at the covers and some of Rahal's thoughts on the story below!

It seems that Bloodshot Reborn has one last gasp: A #0 issue by Jeff Lemire and Renato Guedes that will bridge USA with Salvation, and contains a reveal so shocking that one of the "cover" images Valiant sent us was literally just a red rectangle with the words "Top Secret! Major Spoilers!" written on it. Seriously.