Only The Valiant

The OTV contingent discuss the later Harbinger comic books, Harbinger 26 through 41. The epic showdown between Pete Stanchek and Toyo Harada is over, and Faith must pick up the pieces. In these issues, Faith joins the Harbinger Foundation, the organization of her former enemy, and joins a group of new Harbinger kids.

We discuss the good and the bad of these Valiant Comics issues, and as always…

• We’re starved for Valiant merchandise
• Valiant Comics kills folks! Says it right here..
• One Valiant comic book hero has the unfortunate nickname of “sloppy seconds”, find out who!
• Code names v. real names – this isn’t the X-Men
• That number is nothing but wood, Butch
• Is Harada the greatest character, or just a run of the mill sociopath? Opinions vary
• Obligatory Star Trek reference
• Sorry about the chaos (effect)! or – when crossovers titles are better as descriptions
• If you go back to junior high to settle your debts, you might be a creep, or this Valiant Comics character
• Listen here Marvel and DC, this crossover shows how to do crossovers right
• Listen here Marvel and DC, this series shows how to do diversity right
• The best zero issues, and our personal favorites

We also discuss listener emails, voicemails, and talk about what we have been reading recently!

Sean, Chiclo and Big Daddy get together to discuss the Malev War, the epic story of man versus robot invaders that was published in Magnus, Robot Fighter 21 through 37, and Rai and the Future Force 9 through 22.

This story is one of the epic, quality, post-Unity stories that Valiant produced

We discuss what we liked, what we didn’t like, ties to the rest of the Valiant Universe, plus…

• this episode is certified Vengeance free
• we don’t judge spelling discrepancies
• learn how to – and how not to – serve a Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t make this mistake at parties!
• find out just how much Valiant retconned their comics. Marvel and DC, step aside
• the Future Force is not like Robin Hood’s Merry Men in one key way. Find out before your friends.
• Would you hook up with a hot (or cold) robot chick?
• we spoil The Exorcist. If you haven’t seen it, too bad.
• “Springtime for Hitler” has nothing on the Nazi silliness in a certain part of the world…
• Are computer viruses like potholes? you decide.

Notes from the show: Malev-6 first showed up in Gold Key Magnus Robot Fighter issues 7, 21, and 24.

We sit down to discuss the result of the greatest idea in comics. In the early 90s, and the height of both company’s popularity, Image Comics and Valiant Comics created a crossover called Deathmate. The result speaks for itself. In addition to the usual rantings and ravings:

• Only 10 words are required to describe Deathmate. Learn these words and sound incredibly smart in your next discussion of inter-company crossovers from the 90s.
• What is the Anti-Unity? We define what this monstrosity is, so you can avoid this dirth of goodness.
• Get a quick history lesson about the founding of Image comics. Impress your friends with this bit of trivia.
• What was the secret of Image’s success, and what does it have to do with selling hamburgers?
• If you are a super powered super dude, learn the best place to go to meet hot, single women that also have incredibly super powers.
• Many of the Deathmate books are not what you might call “good”, but which is the worstest?
• Have you been yearning to make some sense of Deathmate Black? If you are not an Image fan, something is missing to appreciate this book, find out what.
• Next time you want to to be the cool kid in the comic shop that talks smack about Valiant, you will be armed with these 7 distinct criticisms of the books.
• Is this the greatest selling crossover of all time? You are dying to know the answer to this question.
• One Deathmate book in particular is the poster child of the 90′s speculation bubble and crash. Find out which one so you can make your own poster!
• One thing that Armstrong’s contribution to this story gave us that you may never see in another comic book!
• Learn a fun arts and crafts project to do with all of the extra gold variant books in your collection.

If you want a double dose of Deathmate discussion, check out the Image Addiction podcast’s recent review of Deathmate. Click here to check out their site.

Check out these articles we mention in the show:

The Image Story

Valiant Days, Valiant Nights

In this episode, we discuss the epic storyline, Unity. We talk about the story, the history behind it, and compare it to other crossovers. This story still holds up as one of the greatest comic cross overs ever.