Valiant Comics were one of the most exciting publishers of the early ‘90s. Spearheaded by Jim Shooter and Steve Massarsky in 1989, the new universe caused quite a stir, until the company was sold to Acclaim 1994 before the comics market crashed.
Having been acquired from Acclaim by Dinesh Shamdasani and Jason Kothari in 2005, the Valiant Universe was given a fresh start in 2012 as part of Valiant Entertainment! With creators like Robert Venditti, Lee Garbett and Cary Nord on X-O Manowar, Duane Swierczynski, Manuel Garcia and Barry Kitson on Bloodshot, Fred van Lente, Emanuela Lupaccino and Clayton Henry on Archer & Armstrong, and Joshua Dysart, Khari Evans and Trevor Hairsine on Harbinger, the titles went from strength-to-strength. An interconnected universe, with a refreshed and far more modern take on superhuman protagonists with a more manageable selection of titles than the big two publishers – even when the line expanded. The Valiant Universe was back with a brand new beginning…
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Chronology: All appearances of the characters from the Valiant Universe from this period are included in chronological order, laying out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released; all first appearances are in reference to the modern Valiant Entertainment versions of these characters, rather than the original Valiant Comics versions.
Anthology Issues: When an issue contains multiple stories, the relevant story is denoted with square brackets. For example, [2/5] refers to the second story of the five stories in that issue, so you don’t need to read the other four.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Did we miss something? Let us know!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the stories:
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #1-8
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #1-3
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #25 [3/6]
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #9-10
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #1-4
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #11-14
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #4
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #25 [5/6]
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #5
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #0
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #6
- Bloodshot (2012) #25 [4/6]
- ✔ Eternal Warrior (2013) #1-4
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #1-3
- ✔ Shadowman (2012) #1-9
- ✔ Shadowman (2012) #0
- ✔ Shadowman (2012) #10
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #4-5
- ✔ Quantum & Woody (2013) #1-4
- Quantum & Woody (2013) #5-8
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #6-9
- Quantum & Woody: The Goat #0
- Shadowman (2012) #11
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #7-10
- Harbinger (2012) #25 [4/6]
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #5-10
- ✔ Harbinger Wars #1
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #11
- ✔ Harbinger Wars #2
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #11
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #12
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #12
- ✔ Harbinger Wars #3
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #13
- ✔ Harbinger Wars #4
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #14
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #13
- Quantum & Woody (2013) #9-12
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #0
- Quantum & Woody Valiant-Sized #1 (2014)
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #0
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #25 [1/6]
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #15-16
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #14-15
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #15-19
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #17-18
- ✔ Unity (2013) #1
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #19
- ✔ Unity (2013) #2
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #20
- ✔ Unity (2013) #3
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #21 (2014)
- ✔ Unity (2013) #4
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #16-17
- Shadowman (2012) #12 [1/3]
- ✔ Bloodshot (2012) #25 [2/6]
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2013) #22
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #10-13
- Shadowman (2012) #12 [2/3]
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #18-19
- ✔ Unity (2013) #5-7
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #14
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #25 [4/6]
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #15-17
- Bloodshot (2012) #25 [3/6]
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #0
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong: Archer #0
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #18
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #20
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #19
- ✔ Bloodshot and HARD Corps #21-23
- ✔ Harbinger: Bleeding Monk #0
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #20-24
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #25 [1/6]
- ✔ Harbinger (2012) #25 [2/6]
- ✔ Shadowman (2012) #12 [3/3]
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #20-23
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #23-25
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2014) #24
- ✔ Harbinger: Omegas #1
- ✔ Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1-5
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #25 [1/6]
- ✔ Armor Hunters #1
- ✔ Unity (2013) #8
- ✔ Armor Hunters #2
- ✔ Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1
- Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1
- ✔ Unity (2013) #9
- ✔ Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #2
- ✔ Armor Hunters #3
- ✔ Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #3
- Armor Hunters: Harbinger #2
- ✔ Unity (2013) #10
- Armor Hunters: Harbinger #3
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #26-28
- Unity (2013) #11
- ✔ Armor Hunters #4
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #29
- ✔ Unity (2013) #0
- ✔ Harbinger: Faith #0
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #0
- ✔ Armor Hunters: Aftermath #1
- ✔ X-O Manowar (2012) #30-32
- ✔ Unity (2013) #12-14
- ✔ Bloodshot (2013) #24
- ✔ The Delinquents #1-4
- ✔ Unity (2013) #15-18
- Shadowman (2012) #13X
- Shadowman (2012) #13-16
- ✔ Harbinger: Omegas #2-3
- Archer & Armstrong (2012) #25 [2/6]
- Harbinger (2012) #25 [6/6]
- Shadowman: End Times #1-3
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong (2012) #25 [3/6]
- ✔ Punk Mambo #0
- Bloodshot (2012) #25 [5/6]
- ✔ Archer & Armstrong: 1% #1
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #1-8 (2012) In 402AD, Aric of Dacia is among the Visigoth warriors taken prisoner by the alien Vine; aboard the Vine ship, Aric leads an escape and obtains their ‘Armour of Shanhara’/Manowar Armour; when he returns to Earth, over 1600 years have passed; Vine agents send Ninjak to retrieve the Manowar armour; Alexander Dorian convinces Aric & Ninjak to work together, confronting the Vine at MI-6 headquarters. 1st appearance: Aric of Dacia, King Alaric, Neville Alcott, Councillor Anther, Avagis, Patrick Clement, Alexander Dorian, Eternal Warrior/Gilad Anni-Padda (unnamed), Gafti, Gathering, High Priest of the Vine, Ninjak/Colin King, Rolf, Sergei, Commander Vargosh, Trill, Vine, Vine Plantings, Ninjet, Visigoths, X-O Manowar Armour/Shanhara, X-O Wolf Armour | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #1-3 (2012) Peter Stanchek – a super-powered Psiot – is pursued by Project Rising Spirit until he’s rescued and recruited by Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation; Peter begins to question the nature of the Harbinger Foundation and Harada’s intentions. 1st appearance: Bleeding Monk, Darpan the Mirror, Eggbreakers, Toyo Harada, Kris Hathaway, Faith Herbert, Hidden Moon, Ingrid Hillcraft, Rachel Hopson, Ion/Daniel Hessler, Joe Irons, Livewire/Amanda McKee, Psiots, Peter Stanchek, Stronghold/Edward T Sedgewick, Mister Tull | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #25 [3/6] (2014) Joe Irons tells Kris Hathaway what makes Peter Stanchek special. | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #9-10 (2013) Aric of Dacia learns the Vine attack is imminent when he gains the ability to enter the Collective (an astral plane for the Vine hive mind); Aric easily defeats the Vine’s X-O squad, but Trill taunts him with Gafti who’s still hanging on to life; Aric pummels Trill almost to death, then sends the X-O suit to heal Gafti who turns against Aric while blaming him for all that’s happened; Gafti comes to his senses and uses the X-O armour to destroy the fleet, sacrificing himself; the X-O armour returns to Aric who heads into space to confront the Vine directly… 1st appearance: Admiral Xylem, X-O Commando Armour | |
| ✔ | Bloodshot #1-4 (2012) The super-soldier Bloodshot is captured by the enemy who mine files from his memory; Bloodshot goes rogue, pursued by agents of Project Rising Spirit; Bloodshot gains unexpected allies when he decides to take down Project Rising Spirit himself. 1st appearance: Bloodshot/Ray Garrison, Hutch, Emmanuel Kuretich, Kara Murphy, Simon Oreck, Project Rising Spirit, Pulse/Melissa Kranjac | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #11-14 (2013) Aric of Dacia lands on Loam with the intention of wiping out the Vine but learns the last of the Visigoth people are still alive there; Aric barely survives the Vine’s retaliation, but is separated from the armour; Aric finds new allies when he faces the Vine and proves himself worthy of the X-O Manowar armour. 1st appearance: Sole Wanderer, Torment, Hara Vine, Loam | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #4 (pp.1-19) (2012) Toyo Harada tries to convince Peter to forcibly unlock Faith Herbert’s psiot powers, risking her life; Harada manipulates Peter Stanchek. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #25 [5/6] (2014) Peter Stanchek deals with his biggest loss so far. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #4 (pp.20-22) (2012) Harbinger #5 (2012) Peter turns against the Harbinger Foundation; Livewire’s loyalties are tested; Faith exhibits her new powers. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #0 (2013) Toyo Harada reveals more details of his past. 1st appearance: Kalfus Triplets | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #6 (2012) Harada deposes the Syrian President and takes their oil reserves; Kris Hathaway is drawn back into Peter’s life and agrees to help him and Faith fight both the Harbinger Foundation and Project Rising Spirit. 1st appearance: Renegades | |
| Bloodshot #25 [4/6] (2014) Bloodshot leads Kara Murphy and Pulse into a PRS base. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Eternal Warrior #1-4 (2013) Gilad Anni-Padda, the Eternal Warrior, lost his son Mitu on the battlefield of six thousand years ago, when his daughter Xaran went on a rampage and murdered him along with their enemies; in the present day, the Sumerian immortal Gilad is confronted by his daughter who has inherited his longevity; pushed to the edge, Gilad chooses to end the cycle of violence by taking his fight to the gods themselves. 1st appearance: Death Cult of Nergal, Xaran | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #1-3 (2012) Obadiah Archer is raised by a cult in a religious theme park his family send him out into the world to find the man he’s trained his whole like to kill – Armstrong, formerly known as Aram Anni-Padda – one of three brothers who, 10,000 years ago, found the device known as the Boon and unleashed its power with disastrous results and causing the Great Cataclysm; Archer finds the immortal Armstrong but discovers his ‘parents’ are in league with Wall Street’s devil-worshipping One Percent who want the Boon for themselves; Armstrong’s brother Ivar Anni-Padda appears to Archer in a vision and encourages him to ally with Armstrong; mistaking Ivar for Jesus, Archer complies and joins Armstrong to find the lost segments of the Boon before the Sect can; Archer clashes with his beloved ‘sister’ Mary-Marie Archer who believes he’s been turned. 1st appearance: Obadiah Archer, Armstrong/Aram Anni-Padda, Reverend Joseph Archer, Mary-Marie Archer, Congresswoman Thelma Archer, the Dominion, Eternal Warrior (named, cameo), Green Dragon Llamas, Melissa, One Percent/1%, the Sect, Sisters of Perpetual Darkness, Timewalker/Ivar Anni-Padda, Book of the Geomancer, the Boon, the Fulcrum, the Plane, Promised Land, Sows and Cows | |
| ✔ | Shadowman #1-9 (2012-2013) Josiah Boniface was the Shadowman until dragged Master Darque through a portal to the Deadside; twenty years later, Josiah’s son Jack Boniface unexpectedly becomes the Shadowman while looking into his parents; Jack is assisted the Abettors (the rookie Alyssa Myles and mentor Dox Verdad), siding with him against necromantic flesh-construct Mister Twist who’s preparing for Master Darque’s return; in the Deadside, Jack fully inherits the role of Shadowman from his father; blocked by Shadowman, Master Darque allies with Baron Samedi in the Deadside; paranormal investigator Doctor Mirage makes a discovery; Baron Samedi takes a human host and asks Shadowman for an alliance to stop Master Darque bringing the Deadside to the Earthly plane; Shadowman, Alyssa & Samedi assault the Brethren headquarters; Shadowman forces Samedi to the Deadside and raises an army to fight through Darque’s Eaters in an effort to rescue Dox. 1st appearance: Shadowman/Jack Boniface, Josiah Boniface, Abettors, Baron Samedi, Brethren, Lionel Devereaux, Doctor Mirage/Shan Sofia Fong Mirage, Eaters, Keisha Hawkins, Jaunty, Helena LeBreton, Master Darque, Mister Twist, Alyssa Myles, Leland Paige, Thomas Sabatine, Saturday, Shadow Loa, Martin Swain, Gloria Vega, Dox Verdad, Shadowman’s Amulet, Shadow Scythe, Deadside, Manse Ghede | |
| ✔ | Shadowman #0 (2013) Master Darque’s origin is revealed. 1st appearance: Sandria Darque Identity revealed: Master Darque/Nicodemo Darque (full name revealed) | |
| ✔ | Shadowman #10 (2013) Master Darque’s actions lead to the birth of the first Shadowman when Marius Boniface gains the power of the Shadowman Loa. 1st appearance: Shadowman/Marius Boniface | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #4-5 (2012) The Sect obtain the pieces of the Boon, so Archer & Armstrong head to Tibet to face the Sect and the Nazi ninja monks of the La-Chen Monastery; Obadiah Archer is revealed to be a psiot who was adopted by the Archers from Project Rising Spirit; the Sect’s attempt to use the Boon takes their life-forces; Ivar reveals his true self; Arche destroys the Boon and accidentally kills a Geomancer which brings the wrath of the Eternal Warrior down on Archer & Armstrong. 1st appearance: Eternal Warrior/Gilad Anni-Padda (full), the Axia, the Sphere, the Torque, the Wedge | |
| ✔ | Quantum & Woody #1-4 (2013-2014) Serviceman Eric Henderson and his adopted brother Woody Henderson investigate their father’s murder, breaking into his lab and setting off an experiment that gives them superhuman powers; pursued by their father’s killers and Detective Cejudo, they don ‘superhero’ guises – becoming Quantum & Woody – and encounter the bizarre agents of Edison’s Radical Acquisitions led by the Crone; the duo clear their names after discovering the truth about their father’s death. 1st appearance: Quantum/Eric Henderson, Woody/Woodrow Henderson, Beta Max, Big Dumb Russian, Detective Alejandra Cejudo, Crone, Edison’s Radical Acquisitions/ERA, Goat, Haz-Matt, Derek Henderson, Johnny 1, Johnny 2, Miss Sixty-Nine/Number 69/Renee, Nightmare Brigade, Quantum Bands, Quantum Laboratories | |
| Quantum & Woody #5-8 (2013-2014) Terrence Magnum makes Quantum an offer to work as Magnum Security’s own superhero; Woody tags along on Quantum’s suicide mission to infiltrate a white supremacist stronghold, but it seems he’s been set up to fail; Quantum & Woody head back to Washington where 69 has found them and Vincent van Goat a new headquarters. 1st appearance: Terrence Magnum New identity: Goat as Vincent van Goat |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #6-9 (2012-2013) Inadvertently causing the death of the Geomancer makes Archer & Armstrong the target of the Eternal Warrior; shallow spokeswoman for Zorn Capital, Kay McHenry, accidentally stumbles upon Elliot Zorn’s meeting with the 1%; Archer & Armstrong save her life to prove their innocence to the Eternal Warrior; Kay’s new powers show her Archer is a psiot; on their mission to stop Zorn’s Null cult from ending all existence, Archer falls under the spell of the Last Enemy until he’s freed by Geomancer. 1st appearance: Geomancer/Dominique Braithwaite, Geomancer/Kay McHenry, Mother Nature/Voice of the Earth, the Null, Elliot Zorn | |
| Quantum & Woody: Goat #0 (2014) Quantum & Woody sell the Goat to a petting zoo; as they drive off, Goat recalls how he escaped the farm years earlier and found his way to the Quantum labs; when Goat is returned to them, they miss the secret it’s been hiding. New identity: Goat/Vincent van Goat as Gertie/Goatrude | ||
| Shadowman #11 (2013) Jack Boniface has moved to New Orleans, but still encounters creatures from the Deadside; Shadowman teams up with Doctor Mirage when two Djab spirits who possess troublemakers during Halloween. | ||
| ✔ | Harbinger #7-10 (2012-2013) Peter activates and recruits Charlene Dupre into the Renegades; Project Rising Spirit attack when the Renegades activate John Torkelson; Faith’s origin is revealed; the Renegades barely escape with their lives and remain a team. 1st appearance: Flamingo/Charlene Dupre, Torque/John Torkelson, Torquehalla New identity: Faith Herbert as Zephyr | |
| Harbinger #25 [4/6] (2014) Faith finds out people are writing fan fiction about the Renegades. | ||
| ✔ | Bloodshot #5 (pp.1-16) (2012) Project Rising Spirit capture Kara Murphy & Melissa Krajnak as part of Bloodshot’s plan to break into their headquarters to rescue them and learn his true identity. 1st appearance: Chainsaw (Cleaner, Command, Gunner, Point, Recon), Gamma | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #11 (pp.1-5) (2013) Harbinger Wars #1 (pp.1-15) (2013) Harbinger #11 (pp.5-6) (2013) Harbinger Wars #1 (p.16) (2013) Harbinger #11 (p.7-8) (2013) Harbinger Wars #1 (pp.17) (2013) Harbinger #11 (pp.9-20) (2013) The conflict between Project Rising Spirit and Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation heats up; secrets of their ongoing enmity are revealed. 1st appearance: Director Leopold Carter, Griffon, Hunter, Morris Kozol, Saturn New identity: Rising Spirit Psiots as Generation Zero | HARBINGER WARS |
| ✔ | Bloodshot #5 (pp.17-22) (2012) Bloodshot #6-9 (2012-2013) Project Rising Spirit capture Kara Murphy & Melissa Krajnak as part of Bloodshot’s plan to break into their headquarters to rescue them and learn his true identity; instead, Bloodshot finds the psiot kids he captured for PRS, though he doesn’t remember them; a handful of psiots end up in Bloodshot & Kara’s care; Dr Kuretich’s employer is revealed. 1st appearance: Blaster, Cloud/Kalea, Graham, Headspace/Clem, Maggie, Ramsey, Rising Spirit Psiots, Serenade/Nora, Shadow/Jillian, Titan/Baxter Cahill | |
| ✔ | Harbinger Wars #1 (pp.20-26) (2013) Bloodshot #10 (pp.1-21) (2013) Harbinger Wars #1 (pp.26-27) (2013) Bloodshot #10 (p.22) (2013) Harbinger #11 (pp.21-22) (2013) Bloodshot #11 (pp.1-2) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.1-8) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (p.9) / Bloodshot #11 (p.3-4) (2013) Bloodshot #11 (p.5) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.9-11) / Bloodshot #11 (pp.6-11) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (p.12) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.13-14) / Bloodshot #11 (pp.12-13) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.14) (2013) Bloodshot #11 (pp.14-20) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (p.15) / Bloodshot #11 (p.21) (2013) Bloodshot #11 (p.22) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.16-21) (2013) Harbinger #12 (pp.1-7) (2013) Harbinger Wars #2 (pp.22) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (pp.1-7) (2013) Bloodshot #12 (2013) Harbinger #13 (pp.1-10) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (pp.8-10) (2013) Bloodshot #13 (pp.1-7) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (p.11) / Bloodshot #13 (p.8) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (pp.12-16) (2013) Harbinger #13 (pp.10-11) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (p.17) / Bloodshot #13 (p.9) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (pp.18-21) (2013) Harbinger #13 (pp.12-15) / Bloodshot #13 (pp.10-11) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (p.22) (2013) Harbinger #13 (pp.16-19) (2013) Harbinger #13 (p.20) / Bloodshot #13 (p.12) (2013) Harbinger #13 (pp.21-24) (2013) Harbinger Wars #3 (p.23) (2013) Harbinger #4 (pp.1-2) (2013) Harbinger #14 (pp.1-6) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.3-6) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.7-8) / Bloodshot #13 (pp.13-14) (2013) Harbinger #14 (p.7) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.9-10) / Harbinger #14 (pp.8-9) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (p.11-13) / Bloodshot #13 (pp.15-16) / Harbinger #14 (p.10) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.13-21) (2013) Harbinger #14 (pp.11-15) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.22-24) (2013) Bloodshot #13 (pp.17-22) (2013) Harbinger #14 (pp.16-22) (2013) Harbinger Wars #4 (pp.25-26) (2013) The young psiots Generation Zero break out of Project Rising Spirit; Bloodshot wants to lead them to safety, Peter Stanchek is sent by the Bleeding Monk to guide them, while Project Rising Spirit and the Harbinger Foundation want them for their own purposes; when all parties converge on Las Vegas and HARD Corps are assigned to deal with the situation, it could all turn into a bloodbath. 1st appearance: Animalia/Monica Jim, Astral, Atomus, Cronus/Christian, HARD Corps (Gunslinger/Major Charlie Palmer, Hammerhead/Captain Marion Peeves, Lifeline/Carol Jardine, Maniac/Jan Chahosky, Shakespeare/Aaron Brillstein), Hive/Pier, Howl, Little Castle/Siah, Telic/Tara, Traveler, Zygos Twins (James Zygos, Katherine Zygos) | HARBINGER WARS |
| Quantum & Woody #9-11 (2014) Quantum & Woody #12 (pp.1-18) (2014) Woody is conflicted when Quantum asks him to guard the Smithsonian, while his ex asks him to rob it. | ||
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #0 (2013) Armstrong tells Archer the origin of the Anni-Padda brothers and how they found the Boon in a place called the Faraway. 1st appearance: Keepers of the Timeless Word, Faraway | FAR FARAWAY |
| Quantum & Woody Valiant-Sized #1 (2014) Quantum and Woody get a chance to make amends for their actions by saving the world before Christmas. | ||
| ✔ | Bloodshot #0 (2013) Secrets of Bloodshot’s origins are revealed. 1st appearance: Tank Man/Winston Grover, Viet Man/Sergeant Dell Parker |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Bloodshot #25 [1/6] (2014) Project Rising Spirit trainees are given the lowdown on Bloodshot. | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #15-16 (2013) Aric of Dacia returns to Earth with the freed descendants of Dacia and claims Romania in their name; Colonel Capshaw of MERO calls on Gilad Anni-Padda – the Eternal Warrior – to remove Aric; back in the 5th Century, Gilad trained Aric to fight; now, Aric resorts to violence, using the X-O Manowar to fight the Eternal Warrior. 1st appearance: Colonel Jamie Capshaw, Military Extraterrestrial Recon Outpost/MERO, Volo | |
| ✔ | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #14-15 (2013) Project Rising Spirit rally a new line-up for HARD Corps, convincing Charlie Palmer to lead them on a mission to retrieve Bloodshot from Toyo Harada. 1st appearance: Disciple/Aaron Frye, Granite/Arica Connelly, Lifeline/Carol Jardine, Superstar/Victor Salas | |
| ✔ | Harbinger #15-19 (2013) The Renegades take a break in Torquehalla; Toyo Harada takes major risks keeping the Renegades captive; Peter Stanchek gets a shot at revenge against Harada. | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #17-18 (2013) Unity #1 (2013) Unity #2 (pp.1-3) (2013) X-O Manowar #19 (2013) Unity #2 (pp.4-23) (2013) X-O Manowar #20 (2013) Unity #3 (2013) X-O Manowar #21 (2014) Unity #4 X-O Manowar #22 (pp.1-3) (2014) Toyo Harada is called upon to remove Aric of Dacia from Romania; Harada recruits the Eternal Warrior, Livewire and Ninjak to assist him, but a series of twists and turns lead to changes of loyalty as a new team, Unity, is born. 1st appearance: Secretary Allister, Anchor/Farley, Bomb, Captain, Ether, Inga, Mirror, Renee Rousseaux, Unity | AT WAR WITH UNITY |
| ✔ | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #16-17 (2013) PRS send Bloodshot and the HARD Corp back to the Harbinger Foundation to retrieve Harada’s samples of Bloodshot’s nanites; Bloodshot goes for Harada, but instead faces ‘Johnny Garrison’ – the near-sentient aspect of his stolen nanites given form. 1st appearance: Flatline, Genius, Vagabond | |
| Shadowman #12 [1/3] (2013) On the Deadside, Jaunty convinces Shadowman to find the Mendacem Stone to clear his mind. | ||
| ✔ | Bloodshot #25 [2/6] (2014) An explosion on a mission in Syria jolts Bloodshot’s memory; PRS send agents to retrieve Bloodshot when he goes missing and tries to return home. | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #22 (pp.4-22) (2014) Aric of Dacia takes on a new role with MERO. | AT WAR WITH UNITY |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #10-13 (2013) Archer & Armstrong break into Area 51 to find out more about Archer’s powers, running into Anna-Maria and falling through a portal to the Faraway in the process; after strange encounters with dinosaurs, little green men, General Alphonse Redacted, the Skymother to New Roanoke and the Keepers of the Timeless Word, Archer frees Ivar Anni-Padda who has already met Archer in the future and accidentally reveals upcoming events to him; Armstrong’s actions cause a rift between him and Archer. 1st appearance: Anomaly, Ambrose Bierce, Hyper Sphere, General Alphonse Redacted, Resident Aliens, Skymother/Amelia Earheart, TImearcs | FAR FARAWAY |
| Shadowman #12 [2/3] (2013) Shadowman catches up with a drug-dealer selling Soma. | ||
| ✔ | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #18-19 (2014) On a business trip to Nigeria, Project Riding Spirit CEO Morris Kozol is taken captive by former-CEO Simon Oreck and held to ransom; Bloodshot and Charlie Palmer only agree to lead HARD Corps on a rescue mission because of their unfinished business with Oreck. | |
| ✔ | Unity #5-7 (2014) The Eternal Warrior, Ninjak & Aric of Dacia head to Taiwan to rescue Livewire from Doctor Silk who plans to use Vine technology from Earth’s orbit to create a virus; Ninjak is tasked with despatching Silk. 1st appearance: Doctor Silk/Augustus Silkowski, Fitzhugh, Shadow Woman | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #14 (2013) The various different factions within the Sect go to war against each other; Archer makes a deal with Project Rising Spirit to find the Wheel of Aten, reluctantly turning to Armstrong for help. 1st appearance: Black Bloc (Jamar, Veronica), Church of Retrology, Hashish-Eaters, Master Builders | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #25 [4/6] (2014) While travelling through time with Ivar, Armstrong buys his younger self his first drink. | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #15-17 (2013-2014) Archer has a plan to turn the Sect Civil War to his advantage, but it may involve betraying a friend and making an enemy of PRS. 1st appearance: Tachyon Compass, Wheel of Aten New identity: Mary-Maria Archer as Sister Superior | |
| Bloodshot #25 [3/6] (2014) PRS lose track of Bloodshot again due to an error made by an employee. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #0 (2014) In 1970, Project Rising Spirit had their first successes with the HARD Corps project and soon deployed these troops in Vietnam; by 1973, the original test subjects started dying; in the ‘80s, two Hard CORPS members turn against PRS over poor treatment; in 1993, a young Charlie Palmer is sent on a mission to Somalia with PRS’ new weapon, Bloodshot, to take down another rogue trooper, which wasn’t good news for HARD Corps. | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong: Archer #0 (2014) Archer & Armstrong #18 (2014) Bloodshot and HARD Corps #20 (2014) Archer & Armstrong #19 (2014) Bloodshot and HARD Corps #21 (2014) The origin of ‘Obadiah Archer’ is revealed; PRS deploy Bloodshot and HARD Corps to detain Archer & Armstrong to depose the new leader of the Sects. | MISSION: IMPROBABLE |
| ✔ | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #22-23 (2014) Now free of Project Rising Spirit’s control, Bloodshot makes his escape; Morris Kozol deceives HARD Corps into pursuing Bloodshot; Kozol restructures PRS and HARD Corps. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger: Bleeding Monk #0 (2014) Harbinger #20-24 (2014) Harbinger #25 [1/6] (2014) Harbinger #25 [2/6] (pp.1-15) (2014) The origin of the Bleeding Monk is revealed – from the path to the place of Thought-No-Thought in 326BCE, to his first meeting with Toyo Harada in 1951; young hacker Ax leaks a massive number of Project Rising Spirit’s files, incriminating the Harbinger Foundation; Ax and the Renegades perform an organised strike on Harada Global Conglomerates; a member of the Renegades sacrifices themselves to stop Ion from killing Faith and Torque; Animalia frees Generation Zero; Peter Stanchek has a direct showdown with Toyo Harada; the Bleeding Monk announces the end of days for them both. | OMEGAS |
| Shadowman #12 [3/3] (2013) Shadowman tracks down an old friend of Dox when someone starts veve-casting in New Orleans. | ||
| ✔ | Harbinger #25 [2/6] (pp.16-21) (2014) Harbinger: Omegas #1 (pp.1-7) (2014) Harbinger #25 [2/6] (pp.21-23) (2014) In the wake of the data leak, Toyo Harada makes a stand and stakes his claim on the world; Toyo Harada takes over a nuclear sub by force and asserts his position of power over the President; Peter Stanchek decides to lay low. | OMEGAS |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #20-23 (2014) Archer & Armstrong head to Hollywood in search of Archer’s mother; the Lizard King of the Church of Retrology traps the duo in the hotel from Hell, unable to leave without the Wheel of Aten. 1st appearance: Jim Morrison, Fameotorium | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #23-25 (2014) Aric of Dacia encounters an alien in an X-O suit and learns a band of alien Armor Hunters are about to hunt him down. 1st appearance: Armor Hunters (GIN-GR, Helix, Lilt, Quartz, Primary Reebo), Malgam, Swarm Works, Armor Hunter Spears | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong #24 (2014) Sister Superior hunts the man who destroyed her real family. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger: Omegas #1 (pp.8-22) (2014) Peter Stanchek mentally projects dead friends for company; Kris Hathaway’s time with the Renegades catches up with her; Project Rising Spirit learn Peter is alive. 1st appearance: Law | OMEGAS |
| ✔ | Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1-5 (2014-2015) Reclusive billionaire Linton March hires Doctor Mirage to help him break a curse; Mirage accepts the job as it may finally give her the chance to contact the husband she lost; the search takes Doctor Mirage from California to the Deadside, pursued by both demons and March’s former allies along the way. 1st appearance: Leo Bern, Doctor Mirage/Li Hwen Mirage, Fraternity of Dominion, Lord Ivros, Linton March | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong # 25 [1/6] (2014) Archer decides the fate of the Sects. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger: Omegas #2 (pp.1-5) (2014) Toyo Harada starts building his own a society on the coast of Somalia, turning the Harada Foundation into a small country. 1st appearance: Foundation Zone | OMEGAS |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Armor Hunters #1 (2014) Unity #8 (pp.1-20) (2014) Armor Hunters #2 (pp.1-9) (2014) Unity #8 (pp.21-23) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 (pp.1-10) (2014) Armor Hunters #2 (p.10) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 (pp.11-21) (2014) Armor Hunters #2 (pp.11-20) (2014) MERO’s refusal to cooperate with the Armor Hunters has disastrous results; Unity are activated as the Armor Hunters go to war against Earth. | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1 (2014) Generation Zero and the two surviving members of the Renegades rally to help survivors in Mexico City. | ARMOR HUNTERS | |
| ✔ | Unity #9 (2014) Armor Hunters #2 (pp.21-22) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 (pp.22-24) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #2 (pp.1-6) (2014) Armor Hunters #3 (pp.1-2) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #2 (pp.7-22) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #3 (pp.1-12) (2014) Armor Hunters #3 (pp.3-6) (2014) MERO base comes under attack from the Armor Hunters as Bloodshot and Livewire rush to its defence; the Amor Hunters target the remaining Visigoths. 1st appearance: Love Boat | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| Armor Hunters: Harbinger #2 (2014) Faith, Torque and Generation Zero face a swarm. | ARMOR HUNTERS | |
| ✔ | Armor Hunters #3 (pp.7-15) (2014) Unity #10 (pp.1-20) (2014) Armor Hunters #3 (pp.16-22) (2014) Unity #10 (pp.21-22) (2014) Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #3 (pp.13-22) (2014) Aric takes a major risk in order to save Earth; Livewire learns the truth about GIN-GR; the Armor Hunters’ assault on Los Angeles begins; the Eternal Warrior and Ninjak arrive in LA. | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| Armor Hunters: Harbinger #3 (2014) Generation Zero seek a new direction. | ARMOR HUNTERS | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #26-28 (2014) The origin of the Armor Hunters is revealed. 1st appearance: Control, Gennin | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| Unity #11 (2014) Unity attempt to gain control of the Swarm Works. | ARMOR HUNTERS | |
| ✔ | Armor Hunters #4 (2014) X-O Manowar #29 (2014) Aric and Unity give all they have for one last showdown with the Armor Hunters; Aric takes on X-O Manowar as a codename; Malgam’s fate is decided. New identity: Aric of Dacia as X-O Manowar | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| ✔ | Unity #0 (2014) Harbinger: Faith #0 (pp.1-7) (2014) The true history of Unity is revealed; Faith Herbert and Torque return from their mission in Mexico City and learn they’ve become famous. | THE UNITED |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #0 (2014) While fighting an alien creature, Aric recalls his first time on the battlefield. | |
| ✔ | Armor Hunters: Aftermath #1 (2014) MERO is transformed into GATE; Capshaw makes plans to expand Unity’s line-up. New identity: Military Extraterrestrial Recon Outpost/MERO as Global Agency for Threat Excision/GATE | ARMOR HUNTERS |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #30-31 (2014) X-O Manowar #32 (pp.1-18) (2015) The United Nations send an expert to inspect the X-O Manowar armour, but their representative Phillip Zahn wants to destroy it to prove the worth of his Armorines suits. 1st appearance: Armorines, Harold ‘Gunny’ Lewis |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Unity #12 (pp.1-8) (2014) Harbinger: Faith #0 (pp.8-20) (2014) Unity #12 (pp.9-22) (2014) Harbinger: Faith #0 (pp.21-22) (2014) Unity #13-14 (2014-2015) The enemies of the western world gather their own super-team, the United, to take oppose Unity and expose their biggest secret. | THE UNITED |
| ✔ | Bloodshot #24 (2014) Flashback: In the year 2000, Bloodshot was involved in an operation to bring down an old KGB sleeper programme; Bloodshot began to question his mission; Russia revealed an alternative agenda. | |
| ✔ | X-O Manowar #32 (pp.19-21) (2015) The Armorines are given new purpose. | |
| Quantum & Woody #12 (pp.19-22) (2014) Quantum and Woody have a new role as licensed superhuman bounty hunters. | ||
| ✔ | The Delinquents #1-2 (2014) The Delinquents #3 (pp.1-7) (2014) Agricultural company Mondostano hire Quantum & Woody to find the other half of the map that leads to the Great Treasure of the Hobos; Armstrong takes Archer with him to obtain his missing half of the Hobo Treasure Map. 1st appearance: Mister E Meat | |
| ✔ | Unity #15-18 (2015) Unity contain Malgam; Ninjak, the Eternal Warrior and Livewire all struggle to find normal lives outside of Unity. | |
| Shadowman #13X (2014) Shadowman #13-16 (2014) Jack Boniface is seen as a failure by the Abettors who make plans to depose him as Shadowman. 1st appearance: Charles Copeland, Abettor Earlene, Abettor Henry, Punk Mambo/Victoria Greaves-Trott, Tremble Loa | FEAR, BLOOD AND SHADOWS | |
| ✔ | The Delinquents #3 (pp.8-22) (2014) The Delinquents #4 (2014) Archer, Armstrong, Quantum & Woody race Mister E Meat to the Big Rock Candy Mountain. | |
| ✔ | Harbinger: Omegas #2 (pp.6-22) (2014) Harbinger: Omegas #3 (2014) Toyo Harada initiates his plan to take greater control of the world; Peter Stanchek comes to a big decision. 1st appearance: Orchid/Kiki | OMEGAS |
| Archer & Armstrong # 25 [2/6] (2014) Yet another old foe returns, seeking revenge against Armstrong. | ||
| Harbinger #25 [6/6] (2014) Faith uses her powers to make a special plea. | ||
| Shadowman: End Times #1-3 (2014) Jack Boniface learns the previous Shadowman – his father, Josiah Boniface – is still alive; Jack seeks out Master Darque. | FEAR, BLOOD AND SHADOWS | |
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong # 25 [3/6] (2014) The 1% gain new leadership. 1st appearance: Austin Oldenburg-Lancaster | THE 1% |
| ✔ | Punk Mambo #0 (2014) Punk Mambo recalls her origins, growing up and learning magic in England. | |
| Bloodshot #25 [5/6] (2014) Gang leaders on the Mexican-Guatemalan border join forces to take Bloodshot prisoner and sell him back to PRS. | ||
| ✔ | Archer & Armstrong: 1% #1 (2014) Austin Oldenburg-Lancaster makes his bid to rule the Sects. | THE 1% |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| Free Comic Book Day – Valiant Universe Handbook 2014 (2014) Profiles featuring the characters populating the Valiant Universe. |
The Valiant Universe reading order will continue…
- VALIANT UNIVERSE, 2015-2016: A VALIANT FUTURE
The trade paperback collections below are listed in as close to chronological order as possible.
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| X-O Manowar vol.1: By the Sword | X-O Manowar #1-4 |
| X-O Manowar vol.2: Enter Ninjak | X-O Manowar #5-8 |
| Harbinger vol.1: Omega Rising | Harbinger #1-5 |
| X-O Manowar vol.3: Planet Death | X-O Manowar #9-14 |
| Bloodshot vol.1: Setting the World on Fire | Bloodshot #1-4 |
| Eternal Warrior vol.1: Sword of the Wild | Eternal Warrior #1-4 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.1: The Michelangelo Code | Archer & Armstrong #1-4 |
| Shadowman vol.1: Birth Rites | Shadowman #1-4 |
| Shadowman vol.2: Darque Reckoning | Shadowman #5-9 |
| Quantum & Woody vol.1: The World’s Worst Superhero Team | Quantum & Woody #1-4 |
| Quantum & Woody vol.2: In Security | Quantum & Woody #5-8 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.2: Wrath of the Eternal Warrior | Archer & Armstrong #5-9 |
| Shadowman vol.3: Deadside Blues | Shadowman #0, 10-12 |
| Harbinger vol.2: Renegades | Harbinger #6-10 |
| Bloodshot vol.2: The Rise and Fall | Bloodshot #5-9 |
| Harbinger Wars | Harbinger Wars #1-4 |
| Harbinger vol.3: Harbinger Wars | Harbinger #0, 11-14 |
| Bloodshot vol.3: Harbinger Wars | Bloodshot #10-13 |
| Quantum & Woody vol.3: Crooked Pasts, Present Tense | Quantum & Woody #9-12 Quantum & Woody: The Goat #0 |
| Bloodshot vol.4: HARD Corps | Bloodshot #0 Bloodshot and HARD Corps #14-17 |
| Harbinger vol.4: Perfect Day | Harbinger #15-19 |
| X-O Manowar vol.4: Homecoming | X-O Manowar #15-18 |
| Unity vol.1: To Kill a King | Unity #1-4 |
| X-O Manowar vol.5: The War-Monger | X-O Manowar #19-22 |
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.3: Far Faraway | Archer & Armstrong #0, 10-13 |
| Bloodshot vol.5: Get Some! | Bloodshot and HARD Corps #0, 18-19, 22-23 |
| Unity vol.2: Trapped by Webnet | Unity #5-7 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.4: Sect Civil War | Archer & Armstrong #14-17 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.5: Mission: Improbable | Archer & Armstrong #18-19 Archer & Armstrong: Archer #0 Bloodshot and HARD Corps #20-21 |
| Harbinger vol.5: Death of a Renegade | Harbinger #20-25 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.6: American Wasteland | Archer & Armstrong #20-23 Archer & Armstrong #25 [part] |
| X-O Manowar vol.6: Prelude to Armor Hunters | X-O Manowar #23-25 |
| Archer & Armstrong vol.7: The One Percent and Other Tales | Archer & Armstrong #0: Director’s Cut Archer & Armstrong #24 Archer & Armstrong #25 [part] Archer & Armstrong: 1% #1 |
| Harbinger: Omegas | Harbinger: Bleeding Monk #0 Harbinger: Omegas #1-3 |
| Death-Defying Doctor Mirage | Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1-5 |
| Armor Hunters | Armor Hunters #1-4 Armor Hunters: Aftermath #1 |
| Armor Hunters: Bloodshot | Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1-3 Bloodshot #0 |
| Armor Hunters: Harbinger | Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1-3 Harbinger Wars #1 |
| Unity vol.3: Armor Hunters | Unity #8-11 |
| X-O Manowar vol.7: Armor Hunters | X-O Manowar #26-29 |
| Unity vol.4: The United | Harbinger: Faith #0 Unity #0, 12-14 |
| X-O Manowar vol.8: Enter: Armorines | X-O Manowar #0, 30-32 |
| Bloodshot: The Glitch and Other Tales | Bloodshot #1: Director’s Cut Bloodshot #24-25 |
| The Delinquents | The Delinquents #1-4 |
| Unity vol.5: Homefront | Unity #15-18 |
| Shadowman vol.4: Fear, Blood and Shadows | Shadowman #13-16 |
| Shadowman: End Times | Shadowman: End Times #1-3 |
Larger collected editions and hardcovers
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Archer & Armstrong – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | Archer & Armstrong #0, 1-13 |
| Archer & Armstrong – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | Archer & Armstrong #14-25 Archer & Armstrong: Archer #0 Bloodshot and HARD Corps #20-21 |
| Armor Hunters – Deluxe Edition | Armor Hunters #1-4 Armor Hunters: Aftermath #1 Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1-3 Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1-3 Unity #8-11 X-O Manowar #23-29 |
| Bloodshot – Deluxe Edition vol.1 Bloodshot: Definitive Edition | Bloodshot #1-13 |
| Bloodshot – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | Archer & Armstrong #18-19 Bloodshot #0, 24-25 Bloodshot and HARD Corps #0, 14-23 |
| Death-Defying Doctor Mirage – Deluxe Edition | Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1-5 Death-Defying Doctor Mirage: Second Lives #1-4 Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1: Plus Edition |
| Faith – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | A&A: The Adventures of Armstrong & Archer #5 Faith #1-4 Faith #1-8 Harbinger: Faith #0 |
| Harbinger – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | Harbinger #0, 1-14 |
| Harbinger – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | Harbinger #15-25 Harbinger: Bleeding Monk #0 Harbinger: Omegas #1-3 |
| Harbinger Wars – Deluxe Edition | Bloodshot #10-13 Harbinger #11-14 Harbinger Wars #1-4 |
| Harbinger Wars Compendium | Bloodshot #1-13 Harbinger #1-14 Harbinger Wars #1-4 |
| Quantum & Woody – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | Quantum & Woody #1-12 Quantum & Woody: The Goat #0 |
| Quantum & Woody – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | The Delinquents #1-4 Quantum & Woody Must Die! #1-4 Quantum & Woody Valiant-Sized #1 Unity #25 |
| Shadowman – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | Shadowman #0, 1-10 |
| Shadowman – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | Punk Mambo #0 Shadowman #11-13, 13X, 14-16 Shadowman: End Times #1-3 |
| Unity – Deluxe Edition | Unity #0, 1-14 |
| X-O Manowar – Deluxe Edition vol.1 | X-O Manowar #1-14 |
| X-O Manowar – Deluxe Edition vol.2 | Unity #1-4 X-O Manowar #15-22 |
| X-O Manowar – Deluxe Edition vol.3 | Armor Hunters #1-4 X-O Manowar #23-29 |
Reading Order ©OmniverseComicsGuide 2023
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