Determined to make a name for himself in comic books after being sacked at Marvel Comics as editor-in Chief, Jim convinced several artists and writers to help him develop a new comic book universe.
Having obtained the publishing rights to Gold Key’s Magnus Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar and Turok Son Of Stone Jim set out to slowly build a new type of comic book company where quality ruled over quantity.
He started out with six-part mini-series of Magnus, developed a similar mini-series for Doctor Solar and eventually developed Turok into this own book.
Along the way Valiant introduced several new titles such as Rai, Harbinger and X-O Man Of War. Jim and his staff planed on introducing titles slowly.
The initial small print runs of each title caught fans by surprise. Demand soon outweighed supply and Valiant found itself a certified hit.
Unfortunately not long after its success Jim was let go and Valiant began releasing titles too quickly which would eventually undermine its success.
Jim Shooter, Bob Layton and Barry Windsor Smith (the big three of Valiant) along with their editorial staff, decided to create a title-spanning event that tied the entire Valiant Universe together.
What they came up with was time-spanning epic called Unity. The series was introduced with a free Unity #0 and would continue through the mini-series and crossover to each Valiant title.
Top talent in the industry contributed covers and the series became a resounding success.
Because of Valiant’s success and its limited product available of its early issues prices began to rise for its early and incentive issues.
Comic book fans clamored for the issues and when Image Comics entered the fray speculators soon followed.
Valiant and Image early issues soared in value and the companies soon began catering to their fan’s fervor supplying them with special covers, niceties and other ‘collector items’.
Naturally Marvel, DC and other comic book polishers took notice and joined the madness.
Speculators who were interested only in profit began ordering outrageous amounts of comics in the hopes that in a few years their value would increase exponentially and they would walk away with a fortune.
But, after a few years speculators found out just the opposite had happened. Because so many comics were printed their value plummeted. The market became over saturated.
Panic set in and speculators dropped out of the market stranding publishers with millions of unsold comic books.
Sadly Valiant was hit the hardest and after too short of time on top the company folded.
Today the early Valiant issues are once again rising in value because of their scarcity.
One particular Valiant character that was introduced in the back of Magnus Robot fighter was Rai.
The white skin, enhanced Asian assassin was inspired by the legend of Bloodshot. Ironically Rai was introduced before Bloodshot and was pivotal in the launch of the pre-Rai warrior. It was like time working in reverse.
Early Rai appearances are much sought after-especially issues #0 and #1. Currently the issues sell for around $30 for #0 raw and #1 for $50 raw.
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