Warning: contains spoilers for The Valiants #1!

The Valiant Universe will soon experience Resurgence, a massive, universe-defining event, and The Valiants #1 moves fans ever so closer to it. Over the next several months, Valiant will launch several new titles, building towards Resurgence later this fall. While details about Resurgence are still being kept under wraps, Valiant’s books are laying the foundation, and The Valiants #1 does so in an exciting and engaging way.

The Valiants #1 is written by Ryan Cady (from a story by Cady and Lysa Hawkins) and drawn by Al Barrionuevo. Brigadier General Capshaw needs heroes to help G.A.T.E., but the heaviest hitters, such as X-O Manowar and Bloodshot, are unavailable, as are Livewire and the Secret Weapons. Capshaw is forced to recruit Ninjak as well as the Eternal Warrior and the Geomancer. The hastily assembled team travels to an archaeological dig, where they discover a “Boon,” an object of great power and potential.

A previous Boon granted Armstrong, Ivar and the Eternal Warrior their immortality.

Valiant Comics Have A Long and Distinguished History

The Valiants Is an Excellent Introduction To the Valiant Universe

Valiant Comics, founded by former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, broke new ground with their grounded take on superheroes, as well as their promotional gimmicks. Some of Valiant’s characters include Bloodshot, Archer and Armstrong, and Ninjak, and some of them appear in The Valiants #1. Valiant was one of the premiere publishers of the 1990s, but by decade’s end they were gone, victims of a downturn in the industry. However, a good publisher cannot be kept down, and the Valiant Universe made its eventual return in 2012, with new and exciting takes on their classic characters.

Now, Valiant is once again set to catch lightning in a bottle with Resurgence, and The Valiants #1 is a strong entry on the road to the massive event. Cady and Barrionuevo juggle a large cast of characters well, taking the time to develop each one. A catch-up page at the beginning of the issue serves as a handy guide to the cast of The Valiants, listing powers and current status quo. Cady’s script manages to effectively utilize all the book’s major players and Barrionuevo brings them to convincing life.

The Valiants Reminds Fans of Why Valiant Rocks in the First Place

Valiant Is Looking Forward While Looking Back

Valiant Comics is home to some of the most compelling characters in comics history, and The Valiants is an excellent showcase for their high-concept adventures. Cady and Barrionuevo tap deep into Valiant lore with this first issue. The appearance of the Boon harkens back to Valiant’s earliest days. A major piece in the Resurgence puzzle, it also stands on its own as a fun adventure comic. As Valiant looks forward to its bright future with Resurgence, it also looks to the past with The Valiants #1.

The Valiants #1 is on sale now from Valiant Comics!