In all our talk about cinematic universes, it’s easy to pit Marvel against DC and forget that there are still a couple waiting in the wings. One reason Sony might have been willing to lease Spider-Man back to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe is that they were lining up a secret weapon of their own: the Valiant Universe.
With both Bloodshot and Harbinger coming, the five movie plan is solid and self-contained. If I may totally overuse the secret weapon metaphor, these films also have the advantage of a screenwriter who has already proven he can create mature, satisfying science fiction on screen: Eric Heisserer, the writer who adapted Arrival from Ted Chiang’s novella. As both Bloodshot and Harbinger are superhero dramas designed to be not so superheroic at first, these could be terrific films that break the mold of what moviegoers expect.
And Valiant knows a good thing when they see it, bringing Heisserer in to play in their comic book universe as well.
From Valiant:
Valiant is proud to present your first look inside SECRET WEAPONS #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of the all-new Valiant Prestige-format limited series initiating a riveting new turning point for the most acclaimed publisher in comics today!
On June 28th, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Eric Heisserer – writer of the internationally acclaimed, smash-hit motion picture ARRIVAL, as well as Valiant’s upcoming HARBINGER and BLOODSHOT feature films from Sony Pictures – leads the charge alongside Harvey Award-nominated artists Raul Allen (Wrath of the Eternal Warrior) and Patricia Martin (Bloodshot Reborn) to launch the super-charged heroine called Livewire into her very first solo adventure as she recruits a new generation of superhumans with unique abilities unlike any we’ve seen before…
The government has dispatched Amanda McKee – the technopath codenamed Livewire – to investigate the ruins of a secret facility formerly run by Toyo Harada, the most powerful telepath on Earth and her former mentor. In his quest for world betterment at any cost, Harada sought out and activated many potential psiots like himself. Those who survived, but whose powers he deemed to have no value to his cause, were hidden away at this installation. But Livewire, having studied Harada’s greatest strengths and learned his deepest weaknesses, senses opportunity where he once saw failure. A young girl who can talk to birds… A boy who can make inanimate objects gently glow… To others, these are expensive disappointments. But, to Livewire, they are secret weapons…in need of a leader. Now, as a mechanized killer called Rexo seeks to draw them out, Livewire and her new team of cadets will be forced to put their powers into action…in ways they never could have imagined…
This summer, the visionary writer behind ARRIVAL and the astonishing art team of WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR present a standalone introduction to the awe and action of the Valiant Universe with a new series that has already become one of 2017’s most anticipated comics events:
“[SECRET WEAPONS] could shake up comics… [Livewire] is the ideal character for [Heisserer] to focus on after his Academy Award-nominated ARRIVAL screenplay.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“[SECRET WEAPONS] looks amazing.” – Entertainment Weekly
“Some of [Heisserer’s] most ambitious work.” – MTV
“[Heisserer] is set to make a splash in the comic book world.” – Blastr
“We’re stoked on [SECRET WEAPONS] and can’t wait to see what Eric Heisserer, Raul Allen, and colorist Patricia Martin are cooking up… This is a match made in heaven.” – Nerdist On June 28th, meet the Valiant Universe’s next vanguard force as Livewire takes command in SECRET WEAPONS #1 (of 4) – featuring an astonishing line of covers from Raul Allen (Ninjak), Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic (Thor), Roberto De La Torre (Daredevil), and Bryan Hitch (Justice League of America)!
SECRET WEAPONS #1 (of 4)
Written by ERIC HEISSERER
Art by RAÚL ALLÉN with PATRICIA MARTIN
Cover A by RAÚL ALLÉN
Cover B by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Variant Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Variant Cover by BRYAN HITCH
Signed Virgin Art Variant by RAÚL ALLÉN (Individually Signed by ERIC HEISSERER)
Blank Cover Also Available
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PRESTIGE | On Sale JUNE 28th (FOC – 6/5/17)
In addition to running Fanboy Planet, Derek has contributed stories to Arcana Comics (The Greatest American Hero) and Monsterverse Comics (Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave). He has performed with ComedySportz, City Lights Theater Company and Silicon Valley Shakespeare, though relocated to Hollywood to... work in an office? If you ever played Eric's Ultimate Solitaire on the Macintosh, it was Derek's voice as The Weasel that urged you to play longer. You can buy his book "I Was Flesh Gordon" on the Amazon link at the right. Email him at [email protected].
