Virtual Portfolio Review: Round Three

If you missed out on the previous review opportunities, Valiant's giving you another opportunity to get your start in the comics industry. Say, if they keep on doing this, I may have to put together a submission package. Maybe I could write or draw my own Bloodshot, Ninjak, or X-O Manowar story one of these days...

Yeah, I thought that would scare you.

 

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES NEXT ROUND OF THE  
VIRTUAL PORTFOLIO REVIEW PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS

October 27th, 2020 (New York, NY) – Round Three of the Virtual Portfolio Review program is on the way!

Valiant Entertainment will host another edition of the program to assist aspiring comic book artists and find new creators for future projects. For the upcoming round of the program, the award-winning publisher's Senior Editors (Lysa Hawkins, Heather Antos, David Wohl) will be offering virtual one-on-one portfolio reviews for aspiring interior artists, cover artists, colorists, and letterers. 30 people in total will be selected to have their work reviewed. 

Please read the below information very carefully for submission details and deadlines.

Dates of Digital Portfolio Reviews

• Tuesday, November 10th from 12pm-2pm EST
• Wednesday, November 11th from 12pm-2pm EST
• Thursday, November 12th from 12pm-2pm EST

How to Submit

• Email your submission to PortfolioReview@valiantentertainment.com
• Subject line: Name, Discipline, Available Date
• Subject line example: Ray Garrison, Cover Artist, November 10th, 11th, & 12th
• Please note: Submissions should be a digital PDF attachment, a single document with an information page in the back with your name, a link to your online portfolio, and contact info. The document should be no more than 20 pages.

Submission Deadline

• Submissions open October 28th and are due by November 4th at 5pm EST
• Those selected for the first day of sessions will be notified by Monday, November 9th no later than 10pm EST
• Those selected for the second day of sessions will be notified by Tuesday, November 10th no later than 10pm EST
• Those selected for the third day of sessions will be notified by Wednesday, November 11th no later than 10pm EST

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I don’t have a prepared portfolio. Can I share a link to my Website/Twitter/Instagram instead? 

No, we are only accepting PDF attachments (max 25mb). PDF2GO is a free service if you donʼt own Acrobat.

2. I have more than 20 pages I want to share. Can I sneak in an extra couple?
No, this will disqualify your portfolio.

3. Can I just embed/attach single images instead of making a PDF?
No, we are only accepting PDF attachments (max 25mb, 20 pages of art). Again, you can use PDF2GO if you don't own Acrobat. 

4. My PDF is too large to send as an attachment. Can I just send a link to my PDF portfolio?
No, we are only accepting PDF attachments (max 25mb). PDF2GO can shrink your PDF if you do not have Acrobat.

5. I’ve never been hired for professional work before, can I still submit my work?
Of course! If you're an artist, submit any interior, cover, colors, lettering samples you've done on your own or for self-published books. If you're a writer, submit any completed self-published comic you've worked on (no scripts will be accepted, period).

6. I missed the deadline to submit my work. Is it okay to still send it in if it’s before the selections have been made?
No, late submissions will not qualify due to the large number of submissions that need to be reviewed. Please meet the deadline, and if you cannot, keep an eye out for a future edition of the program.

7. I don’t think my work is good enough. What’s the point?

Portfolio Reviews arenʼt a competition to see whoʼs the best, but rather an opportunity to learn how to improve. Weʼre actively looking for creators who we think could benefit from one-on-one time with an Editor to take their work to the next level.


"One of the most fulfilling parts of this job is being able to meet creators and check out their work," said David Wohl. "It’s something that I enthusiastically look forward to because I know how hard it is to get into the comic business. There are so many amazingly talented people all around us who are searching only for a chance to be seen, and without live conventions, those opportunities have been more scarce than usual. That’s why I’m so pleased to be part of the Valiant Virtual Portfolio Review—so I can see your work, and hopefully speak with you about it quite soon!"

Lysa Hawkins also looks forward to the return of attending conventions in person, but in the meantime, she's ecstatic to take part in this program. "Being able to do portfolio reviews was always one of my favorite times. So, I'm thrilled we are offering, once more, artist portfolio reviews. We had such a TREMENDOUS response last time. I'm gearing up for the tsunami of talent to come flooding in. Can't wait and you shouldn't either! We are looking forward to seeing your work!" 

Heather Antos is eager to kick off this next round of reviews and talk to people who are passionate about creating comics. "If the first two rounds of the Valiant Virtual Portfolio review taught us anything, it's that there is a TON of talent out in the world just waiting to be discovered – which is why we can't wait to open our submissions once again for Artists! Whether you've only just begun dabbling in comic art, or have been a working artist, these portfolio reviews are an opportunity for Valiant to see what's out there, but also for us to give feedback to help artists reach their next level. Bring. It. On!"

Please remember to review all of the guidelines carefully before sending your submission. Good luck and Valiant's Senior Editors look forward to checking out your portfolios!

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About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

 

Tragically Misunderstood Hadrian

Everyone wants everything in their lives to be perfect, right? In Alejandro Arbona's series Doctor Tomorrow, the character Hadrian tries to create a universe in which there is no suffering or strife, and everyone can live a long and happy life. It's the manner in which he tries to create that perfect universe that gets in the way of others getting on board with his plan. Here's how artist Jim Towe portrayed him in issue #1.

 

I've always been captivated by this image, so when the Valiant Comic Fans group on Facebook held their annual pumpkin carving contest, I thought, well, why not? It took me a few days to adapt the artwork for a pattern I thought would look cool and retain its structural integrity.

 

Then it took me a few days to carve it.

 

Toward the end, I was fighting against mushy spots and mildew. Carving the perfect pumpkin is not easy!

 

Still, I'm reasonably happy with my efforts. It certainly was a learning experience.

If you have yet to discover the joys of Doctor Tomorrow, head down to your local comics shop. All five issues are out now, so you should be able to find them.

 

 

Discover for yourself how Bart Simms, along with X-O Manowar and the other Valiant heroes, take on the tragically misunderstood Hadrian.

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot 8 Review: A Girl Named Alice

 

Cover A by Bret Blevins

 

As Rai and his positronic brother Raijin scour the Earth of 4002 AD for traces of Bloodfather, they pick up a fellow traveler. Her name is Alice. Like her namesake who fell down a rabbit hole and discovered a completely different world, when New Japan fell from orbit, Alice survived the crash of the orbital city, and has struggled to find her place on a world she knows nothing about.

 

 

When the robots began their journey, they enjoyed a brotherly camaraderie. Sadly, as they have traveled, the gravity of the threat Bloodfather poses to Earth has worn Rai down. He has grown quiet, remote, and more controlling.

His robot brother Raijin has borne Rai's remoteness and stubbornness with greatness of spirit, overlooking the way Rai has treated him. While supposedly less-Human in nature than Rai, Raijin has displayed kindness, patience, and forgiveness.

 

They are an odd couple, as Alice observes. But then, like the characters Alice met in Lewis Carroll's beloved novel, Rai and Raijin are not Human, and should not be judged by Human standards.

 

Nonetheless, Alice knows Rai has not misjudged the threat Bloodfather poses. Along with other survivors of New Japan, she was possessed by Bloodfather. She could only look on, trapped inside her body, as Bloodfather controlled her actions, and forced her to attack and kill people.

 

Not wanting to ever be controlled again, Alice has a vested interest in accompanying Rai and Raijin, and ending the threat of Bloodfather on her new world.

Although her role in the series was not immediately apparent, it has grown as the series developed. I suspect she will play a pivotal role in the culmination of the robot brothers' epic journey.

 

Using Raijin's ability to track the remnants of Bloodfather's consciousness, the trio come across someone who welcomes them to his community.
 

 

Whether he proves friend or foe, and assists them in their quest or impedes them, I'll let you discover for yourself.

 

Pre-Order Cover by Kano

 

In Rai #8, writer Dan Abnett develops upon the themes and events of earlier issues. The artwork of Juan Jose Ryp breathes life into this violent yet whimsical future Earth. Colorist Andrew Dalhouse reveals the grandeur of the travelers' surroundings, while also immersing us in a virtual datastream. There, Rai's friend Lula, also knows as Spylocke, encounters a Valiant hero who very much belongs to our present time. As always, Dave Sharpe's subtle use of fonts bring tonality and feeling to character interaction.

 

Cover by Walt Simonson and Laura Martin

As this series hurtles toward its climax, I can only wonder how Dan Abnett will resolve all the plot threads he has woven into earlier issues. While I will mourn its resolution, I stand in awe of the tour de force this team of talented people have created.

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot 9 Review: When Monsters Attack

Cover A by Tyler Kirkham

 As we open Bloodshot #9, we read these mission notes from General Grayle

 It's obvious he had little time to write them. The despair he feels is equally palpable.

 

Monsters the size of Godzilla or King Kong are attacking Russia. These weapons were created to protect the former U.S.S.R. Now the renegade spies known as The Burned have released these immense beasts upon their former masters.

General Grayle believes nanites give man the power of the gods. He fears such power could destroy mankind. In controlling Bloodshot, he had hoped his internationally funded defense agency--known as Black Bar--could protect the world against the weapons mankind seems so adept at creating. But Bloodshot is tired of being wielded as someone else's weapon. 

 

That doesn't mean that Bloodshot won't do his best to protect humanity from the dangers these monsters present. But if Grayle thinks he is controlling Bloodshot, he's wrong.

 

 

Mina, also known as Eidolon, has proven a real friend to Bloodshot. Together, they have devised a plan the General knows nothing about. If successful, it will defeat both the monsters ravaging Russia as well as the anarchist organization known as The Burned.

 

 

While General Grayle may be obsessed with controlling or destroying all other nanite-driven beings, Bloodshot sees these monsters in Russia as a mere distraction. In their desire to unleash all the secrets held by the major defense agencies of the world, The Burned pose the greatest possible danger to the world.
 

Bloodshot knows where these renegades are. He knows their intentions. But can he stop them in time?

 

With issue #9, the seeds writer Tim Seeley has planted in earlier issues have grown to maturity. Aided by the art of Marc Laming, Jason Masters, and colorist Andrew Dalhouse, the story unfolds like a big budget movie. Dave Sharpe's fonts, dialogue balloons, and sound effects enhance the sense of urgency,  danger, and determination the characters feel.

Cover B by Kael Ngu

Bloodshot #9, with its choice of covers, brings the story arc begun in issue #7 to conclusion. Can Bloodshot, Mina, and Black Bar contain the monsters in Russia? Can Bloodshot neutralize The Burned? And how does the end of Bloodshot #9 tie in with the appearance of Wilfred Wigans in the Valiant 2020 Free Comic Book Day special?

 

Pre-Order Cover by Jason Metcalf & Stephane Paitreau

What? You honestly think I'm going to tell you?

Dragon Dave

New Bloodshot and Faith Apparel

Looking for some new apparel options to show off your favorite characters? Once again, Valiant rides to the rescue! 

  

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS WITH H3 SPORTGEAR FOR NEW FAITH AND BLOODSHOT COLLECTIONS

New York, NY (October 12th, 2020) – Valiant Entertainment is partnering with H3 Sportgear to deliver an amazing collection of apparel that features fan-favorite characters Bloodshot and Faith!

Treat yourself to some fabulous fashion as H3 Sportgear, via its Pop Cult online store, is proud to offer an exclusive collection based on Valiant Entertainment’s breakout characters. There's no better way to celebrate Valiant's characters than wearing this comfy casualwear.

 

“H3 Sportgear and our online store Pop Cult are extremely pleased to be a partner with Valiant Entertainment and with their dynamic title Faith,” says Jorge Verdin Director of Ecommerce at H3 Sportgear. “Pop Cult’s audience is inclusive and we want out products to reflect that. The Faith Herbert character is inspirational and empowering for all.”

 

 

Russ Brown, Valiant's President of Consumer Products, Promotions & Ad Sales, explains why he’s so excited for this partnership. “For over 25 years, H3 Sportgear has been a trendsetter in the apparel industry and we are excited to see the Valiant collections from them come to life at retail.”

 

 

Available right now are two collections available through the Pop Cult online store:

• FAITH Collection: Purchase HERE
• BLOODSHOT Collection: Purchase HERE

 

Be on the lookout for more items and more exciting collections available through H3 Sportgear via its Pop Cult online retailer and Valiant Entertainment.

 

Great job, Russ. Thanks for procuring these tasty apparel options, and thanks again to Valiant for sharing the good news with us.

 

Dragon Dave

 

About H3 Sportgear
 
H3 Sportgear is a global company and is trusted by the largest brand partners since 1994. H3 is the trusted partner for the highest quality licensed, private label and custom headwear, accessories and apparel throughout the world. H3 is driven by a passion for developing products that encompass our brand partners’ and customers’ vision. H3 possesses  expertise in fashion, trend, and design allows us to deliver our products to all levels of retail.  H3 is recognized as a global leader in providing the highest quality products to our customers with offices in the USA, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
 
About Valiant Entertainment
 
Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
 
About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.

New Digital Valiant Classic Collections

What's that you say? You don't wish to undertake the time (and space) consuming habit of collecting comics, but you want to learn how Valiant got its start in the 1990s? Valiant Entertainment has the answer for you!

VALIANT CLASSIC COLLECTIONS KICKS OFF WITH
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG AND X-O MANOWAR

October 7th, 2020 – Experience the epic stories that started it all. Valiant Entertainment is releasing VALIANT CLASSIC COLLECTIONS, a brand-new line of digital mega-sized collections that feature the earliest tales from the Valiant Universe and its iconic characters. 

Up first are two action-packed stories from 1992: ARCHER & ARMSTRONG: REVIVAL and X-O MANOWAR: RETRIBUTION. In addition to collecting the complete storylines that spanned a year of publishing, these collections also feature bonus content like process artwork and in-depth looks into the creation of these fan-favorite characters. See below for more details.

 

 

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG: REVIVAL

SQUARE PEGS IN A ROUND WORLD

Archer is the world's greatest hand-to-hand fighter, an expert marksman, and a seeker of truth and righteousness. Armstrong is an immortal warrior who has reluctantly brawled his way from pre-history to modern times only to realize that the best way to face life's many challenges is to grab a drink. But Armstrong counts as his worst day the one when Archer turned up and decided that they were partners – a team chosen by fate to save the world!

From the minds of legendary creators Barry Windsor-Smith (Weapon X), Jim Shooter (Secret Wars), Bob Layton (Iron Man), and more comes the first Valiant Classic Collection of the groundbreaking series CBR calls a "comic book masterpiece"!

Collecting ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (1992) #0–12

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG: REVIVAL is on sale now at Comixology, DriveThru Comics, Amazon Kindle, and Google Play.

 

 

 

X-O MANOWAR: RETRIBUTION

THE MOST PRIMITIVE MAN, THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON

Abducted from his own time by the predatory Spider Aliens and displaced to the present day, Aric of Dacia will make war on his one-time captors and any who stand with them. Armed with a sentient suit of battle armor and savagery born in an age of war, he will become the hero this new age demands. Tyrants from beyond time and space, superpowered corporate raiders, and corrupt government power brokers… all will quake in fear where X-O Manowar dares to tread.

Featuring groundbreaking work from comic-book legends Jim Shooter (Secret Wars), Bob Layton (Iron Man), Barry Windsor-Smith (Weapon X), Joe Quesada (Daredevil), Steve Englehart (Detective Comics) and many more, the complete adventures of Valiant’s original armored hero begin here in the first Valiant Classic Collection of the series Graphic Policy calls "a must read"!

Collecting X-O MANOWAR (1992) #0–9, and X-O DATABASE #1

X-O MANOWAR: RETRIBUTION will release on December 9th, 2020, and is currently available to pre-order on ComiXology, Amazon Kindle, and Google Play.

 

As long-time readers of this blog may remember, it was while reading the '90s run of X-O Manowar that inspired me to begin this blog. The original Archer and Armstrong is also noteworthy, as it gave Barry Windsor-Smith, the British artist who helped Roy Thomas introduce Conan The Barbarian to comics, another way to shine, a chance to delve into buddy-cop comedy/adventure mode. And what a great romp it is, with bar-fights, shootouts, car chases, and dinosaurs! Highly recommended

Dragon Dave

P.S. As always, many thanks to Valiant Entertainment for sharing this good news with us.

 

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About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com. 

Hailing Frequencies Open: The Harbinger Arrives in Summer 2021

 

As I studied the panel schedule at last year's Wondercon, one title leapt out: Star Trek Year Five. Despite not following a Star Trek comics series since the '80s, I've loved the original TV series all my life. The hour sped by as authors Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and the other panel participants held us every bit as much captive as a Tholian Web. 

 

 

While Kelly and Lanzing plotted out the series, and served as primary writers, they also opened the series to other authors. This allowed Jody Houser, beloved Faith scribe for Valiant (and current Doctor Who scribe for Titan), to lend her passion for storytelling to the original Star Trek universe. 

 

 

Great writers attract great artists, and this has proven true for Star Trek Year Five. Preview art of a Tholian world made it clear to me that my primary directive must be to pick up issue #1. Fourteen issues into Kelly and Lanzing's series, I'm still looking forward to the next issue. So you can imagine my surprise when this announcement from Valiant showed up in my email.

 

THE HARBINGER #1 ARRIVES IN 2021 FROM
ROBBI RODRIGUEZ, JACKSON LANZING, AND COLLIN KELLY

 

October 5th, 2020 – Ahead of the feature film that’s in development at Paramount, Valiant Entertainment is incredibly proud to reveal the vivid new direction that will kick off next summer with THE HARBINGER #1.

Co-written by JACKSON LANZING and COLLIN KELLY (Green Arrow, Gotham City Garage) and featuring art by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (Spider-Gwen, Batgirl), the upcoming series introduces new readers to Peter Stanchek, the most powerful telepath on the planet, and the sole being capable of activating powers in others like him. THE HARBINGER will trace Peter's path from the most feared man in the world to one of its greatest protectors. This character-driven journey will introduce new allies, new villains, new costumes, and a new meaning for the title of Harbinger.

 

 

Despite having immense superpowers, Collin believes that Peter's story is incredibly human and reminds us that we always have the potential to be better. "Like many of us, Peter has made mistakes. People have been hurt. We have no interest in ignoring that part of the character's history." The co-writer added, "By acknowledging those mistakes and taking responsibility for them, Peter will become the person – and the hero – he has always had the potential to be. Peter Stanchek will be more than a hero; he will be a harbinger for the world we want to see."

 

 

"THE HARBINGER is the next big step forward in the Valiant Universe and Peter Stanchek's promised rebirth as a hero, a leader, and a revolutionary," said Jackson. "It's unapologetic in its politics, diverse in its cast, and intimate in its drama. Collin and I love to tell stories that balance character deconstruction and social analysis, and there's no one in comics who needs a little deconstruction and social awareness more than Peter."

 

"When Collin, Jackson, and I first started mapping out this project, we weren’t expecting the themes we are tackling to be as relevant in our own lives as they have become," stated Robbi. "As we see everyone facing more each day, people can feel a change is coming. It makes it all the more fitting that it’s called 'Harbinger', the herald of change."

 

THE HARBINGER #1 arrives in Summer 2021. For more information, visit The Hollywood Reporter, and keep an eye on ComicBook.com, Screen Rant, CBR, and AIPT for additional interviews and artwork throughout the week. 

 

After I discovered Matt Kindt's Ninjak series, I dived into the discount bins to investigate what Valiant was all about. One of the first series I collected and read was Joshua Dysart's Harbinger series, which introduced new Valiant fans to the character of Peter Stancheck in Issue #1, and Faith in issue #3. I've since read the series through several times, and recommended it to others. So in addition to seeing how Robbi Rodriguez' finished and colored artwork breathes life into Peter Stanchek and his fellow Psiots, I'm looking forward to seeing what Kelly and Lanzing, who have proven themselves so able in their Star Trek Year Five series, can contribute to the Valiant universe.

 

Dragon Dave

 

P.S. As always, many thanks to Valiant Entertainment for sharing this welcome news with us.

 

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About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.