Editor’s Note: Some details were edited for clarity and consistency.
As announced earlier this week, Alien Books and IDW Publishing are partnering, which very well could save Valiant Entertainment’s superhero comics. While Alien Books has continued to publish Valiant titles, it’s safe to say the releases have fallen under the radar. Now, with IDW’s distribution, marketing pushes, sales analysis, and logistical support, it’s very likely Alien Books titles, along with Valiant comics, will get the attention they deserve.
“The team at IDW has been incredibly welcoming, and this partnership allows us to continue to produce the best comics possible while enabling access to IDW’s terrific sales and operation teams to better position the work of our creators,” said Matias Timarchi, Alien Books Director and Editor-in-Chief. “Alien has big things planned for the rest of 2025, including our upcoming ‘Valiant Beyond’ relaunch with our partners at Valiant Entertainment, as well as some new licensed properties that we’ll be announcing soon. This deal is a huge win for Alien Books, IDW, Valiant, comic shops, and all of our readers and fans.”
The deal keeps creative control with Alien Books, which includes the upcoming relaunch of the Valiant Universe in the Valiant Beyond initiative, a move that’s akin to the Ultimate Universe and Absolute Universe relaunches. Pairing IDW’s business with new and exciting versions of characters such as X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and Shadowman could be the injection the line needs to be able to dance with the big dogs of superhero comics as it once did.
The news comes after Resurgence event was announced for 2025 and completed. Things were running smoothly, especially after the “Road to Resurgence,” like Becky Cloonan and Michael Conrad’s X-0 Manowar, but the Valiant Beyond initiative was delayed.
Prior to Alien acquiring the license to publish Valiant comics in 2023, the publisher had a tough road, especially after so much was invested in the Bloodshot film, which was discussed in an AIPT interview from 2020.
Speaking as someone who covered Valiant and truly loved everything they were doing years ago, I’m excited for the future of the line and hoping this new partnership can be the extra juice Valiant needs.
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