Comic News: Valiant & Panini Partner For Digital & Foreign Language Print in Europe

VALIANT and PANINI Partner For Foreign Language Print and Digital Publishing in France, Italy, and Beyond

  

This fall, the greatest heroes of the Valiant Universe are taking Europe by storm!

 

Valiant is proud to announce that it has partnered with Panini, Europe's leading publisher of comics and graphic novels, for a new line of foreign language comics, translating Valiant's smash hit monthly series into French and Italian for the very first time.

 

The first Panini-published issues of X-O Manowar by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord, and Harbinger by New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart and Harvey Award nominee Khari Evans will debut in France and Italy in September/October 2013 with more Valiant series to be added to the publishing roster in subsequent months. Panini will also distribute Valiant's foreign language content digitally with both launch titles being made available as day-and-date digital releases in France via comiXology Europe, Hachette and most major French language e-tailers. In Italy, digital editions of Valiant's Italian language releases will be available through Amazon.it and Simplicissimus.
 

"Panini is excited at the prospect of being Valiant’s partner in bringing its array of heroes into key markets such as Italy and France, and beyond," said Panini Publishing Director Marco Lupoi. "Valiant stories are an amazing blend of action, adventure, mystery and socio-political intrigue which resonates strongly with the local comic book culture, and mix exciting modern artwork with storylines which defy genre and are able to intrigue readers with bold new storytelling ideas."

 

"Since day one, getting the Valiant heroes back into the hands of loyal fans in France, Italy and beyond has always been a top priority for Valiant," said Russell A. Brown, Valiant's President of Consumer Products, Promotions, and Ad Sales. "Panini has a fan base and hard-earned reputation that speaks for itself and, with so much quality storytelling to draw upon, Valiant's European fans can look forward to finally engaging with the all-new Valiant Universes in their native languages."

 

Headquartered in Modena, Italy, the Panini Group is a world leader in the collectibles and trading cards market, as well as one of the leading publishers of children’s magazines and books, comics, manga and graphic novels in both Europe and Latin America. In addition to Valiant, Panini's other international publishing partners include Mattel, Hasbro, Blizzard, Disney, Nickelodeon, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Dark Horse, Viz Media, Image Comics, Kodansha, and many more.

 

Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,500 characters. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. Valiant’s current titles include X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Bloodshot, Archer & Armstrong, and Shadowman with a sixth title – Quantum and Woody – scheduled to debut this July.

 

For more information, visit PaniniComics.com or ValiantUniverse.com.

 

Preview: BLOODSHOT # 12

BLOODSHOT #12 Reaps Revenge on HARBINGER WARS!

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Bloodshot #12 – the next blood-stained chapter in Bloodshot's one-man mission to the heart of the Harbinger Wars by acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski and legendary artist Barry Kitson!

It’s payback time! After Dr. Emanuel Kuretich freed Bloodshot from Project Rising Spirit, he promised that the answers to Bloodshot's identity would be found inside PRS’ secret Nevada facility. He lied. Instead, Bloodshot discovered two dozen super-powered psiot children – children that Kuretich then manipulated him into setting free. Now that the kids are out and have ignited the Harbinger Wars on the Vegas strip, Bloodshot is all that stands between them and the opposing forces of Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek. But Bloodshot hasn’t forgotten about Kuretich. And he’s about to reap his revenge.

The series that Comic Vine calls "the best big action book on the shelves" fires off a crucial turning point in the Harbinger Wars on June 19th, only in Bloodshot #12 – also featuring a limited 8-Bit Variant by artist Matthew Waite!

Then, witness Bloodshot's first, no-holds-barred battle against Peter Stanchek and the Renegades in Harbinger #13 – in stores the same day!

For more information on Bloodshot and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter and at ValiantUniverse.com.

BLOODSHOT #12

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by BARRY KITSON

Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY (APR131277)

8-Bit Variant by MATTHEW WAITE (APR131278)

Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131279)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 6/19/13

 

Comic/Gaming News: Harbinger Wars- Battle For Las Vegas Hits iOS & Android FREE May 2nd

HARBINGER WARS: BATTLE FOR LAS VEGAS Hits iOS and Android for Free on May 2nd!

 

Valiant is proud to announce that its much anticipated free 8-bit mobile game, Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas, will be hitting iOS and Android devices everywhere on May 2nd!

Available as a free app via the App Store and Android Marketplace, Valiant's action-packed, retro-styled sidescroller gives users the ability to control Bloodshot or Harbinger's Peter Stanchek as they fight their way out of a classified Project Rising Spirit compound and directly into the crosshairs of an epic superhuman showdown on the Vegas Strip! 

 

Out of the pages of Valiant's smash-hit summer crossover event and onto your favorite mobile device, Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas is a first-of-its-kind gaming experience that mirrors the events of the ongoing Valiant comic book storyline by Joshua Dysart, Duane Swierczynski and Clayton Henry. Developed in concert with Storm City Entertainment and Gameshastra, Valiant's first mobile game comes complete with an all-original 8-bit soundtrack, a wide array of Easter eggs for longtime gamers and Valiant fans, and gameplay that emulates some of the most well-remembered console classics of the 1980s.

 

"With Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas, we were very much trying to create a throwback to the greatest games of the late 80s and early 90s, and our partners at Storm City and Gameshastra have managed to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and cutting-edge mobile utility," said Russell A. Brown, Valiant's President of Consumer Products, Promotions and Ad Sales. "A cross-promotion like this has never before been attempted by a major comics publisher, and it's our hope that it gets fans and retailers all the more excited for the exciting storytelling that Valiant has in the offing with Harbinger Wars."

"Everything that we do starts with producing the best, most accessible comics we can and Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas is an extension of that philosophy," said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "This free mobile game will let fans engage with the story behind Harbinger Wars firsthand, and we've already seen new readers get excited about the game and jump on board the comics."

 

A 12-issue crossover event from an all-star cast of visionary talent, the defining Valiant Universe storyline of the year continues on May 1st in Harbinger Wars #2 (of 4). Jump on board the series that IGN calls "one hell of a ride" right here, then get a sneak peek at things to come this Free Comic Book Day with the Valiant 2013: Harbinger Wars FCBD Special  – available in participating comic shops everywhere this May 4th!

 

For updates on Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas, sign up for Storm City's weekly newsletter at http://www.stormcityentertainment.com/HarbingerWars. 

 

For more information on Harbinger Wars, Harbinger, Bloodshot and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter and at ValiantUniverse.com.

About Valiant Entertainment

 

Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 1,500 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, Harbinger, Eternal Warrior, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. In 2012, Valiant was named Publisher of the Year by numerous press and industry sources, including Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.

Comic/Game News: Valiant's HARBINGER WARS Goes 8-Bit

This summer, Valiant's Harbinger Wars crossover event will be delivering 8-bits of awesome to iOS and Android devices everywhere!

 

Kotaku today debuted the first look at Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas – an 8-bit side-scrolling video game tracing the events of Valiant's upcoming summer crossover! Following the release of Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) on April 3rd, the game's first level – colliding the casts of the Bloodshot and Harbinger ongoing series against one another – will be available as a free download via the iOS App Store and Google Play in mid-April.

 

Developed by Storm City Entertainment, Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas offers fans the chance to follow nanite-enhanced commando Bloodshot or teenage telekinetic Peter Stanchek as they fight their way out of a classified Project Rising Spirit compound and into a psiot-occupied casino on the Vegas strip. Following the release of each of Harbinger Wars' four issues, fans will be offered the opportunity to download new levels, each based around plot developments and settings presented in the Valiant mini-series by writers Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski and artist Clayton Henry. In-app purchases will also allow users to acquire a variety of new weapons and characters as the game progresses, including Toyo Harada, newly introduced members of the H.A.R.D. Corps, and more.

 

"Following on the heels of our partnership with USA Luge, this is just the latest in a series of programs we have in the works to strengthen the Valiant brand in comics and beyond," said Russell A. Brown, Valiant's President of Consumer Products, Promotions and Ad Sales. "Our characters have a history in the gaming community and this is the start of a brand new chapter for the Valiant Universe."

"We are extremely excited to be working with Valiant Entertainment on their first foray in mobile gaming. Valiant's creative staff is incredibly keen to combine the print and digital mediums, and bringing the events of the Harbinger Wars mini-series to mobile is a unique opportunity to do precisely that," said Storm City President Steve Newton.

 

"With Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas, we're striving to achieve the perfect synergy of gameplay and story," said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "The events of the Harbinger Wars series will be reflected monthly in the game itself and we'll also be paying homage to the 8-bit style with a line of non-incentive 8-bit covers for our June comic releases. This has been a tremendously fun initiative to work on, and one that we think fans and retailers will respond to as well."

 

To mark the game's release across the rest of Valiant's publishing line, Valiant is also offering 8-bit variant shelf covers by artist Matthew Waite for each of its ongoing titles this June – X-O Manowar #14, Harbinger #13, Bloodshot #12, Archer & Armstrong #10 and Shadowman #7.

 

  
  

Look for Valiant's 8-bit variants in finer comic shops everywhere this June – and jump into the Harbinger Wars this April with three new standalone entry points into the Valiant Universe in Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) on April 3rd, Harbinger #11 on April 10th, and Bloodshot #10 on April 17th!