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Valiant High #1-4
Valiant High
TEENAGERS TODAY... HEROES TOMORROW! A unique entry-point that's perfect for new fans and longtime readers alike, Valiant High presents a hilarious reimagining of Valiant's award-winning superhero universe – one where the next world-ending cataclysm will have to wait until after prom night! Before they became legends, the world's most formidable heroes were roaming the halls at Valiant High – a super-powered preparatory academy where Aric "X-O Manowar" Dacia is a record-setting running back, Colin "Ninjak" King is a debonair foreign exchange student, and Coach Bloodshot is way, way too into dodgeball. Now, Amanda "Livewire" McKee and her best friend, Faith "Zephyr" Herbert, are taking it all in for the first time at the one high school where power trumps popularity! From The Late Show with Stephen Colbert writer Daniel Kibblesmith, artist Derek Charm (Jughead) and David Baron (BLOODSHOT REBORN), this highly anticipated comiXology Originals series takes Valiant's biggest and most beloved superheroes out of battle and into the greatest challenge of all: high school! Collecting VALIANT HIGH #1–4.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2017
8 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Kibblesmith
148 books133 followersDaniel Kibblesmith is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and author from Oak Park, Illinois.
He was most recently a Co-Executive Producer for Netflix Animation’s Strip Law (2026) — as well as writing for shows like Inside Job (Netflix, 2021), Clone High (Max, 2023), The Nevers (HBO, 2021) and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS, 2015 - 2020). He was also the writer of the televised live event Celebrating Marvel’s Stan Lee (ABC, 2019) and a writer for the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017).
His next book is So You’ve Been Bitten By A Radioactive Spider: How To Survive The Marvel Universe, with illustrator Kyle Hilton from Chronicle Books and Marvel. With illustrator, Ashley Quach, he is the author of the picture books Princess Dinosaur (LBYR, 2021) and Santa’s Husband (Harper Design, 2017). He is also the author of We Wish You a Harley Christmas: DC Holiday Carols (Chronicle Books, 2020) and the co-author of the humor book, How to Win at Everything (Chronicle Books, 2013).
In comics, he’s written for characters like Spider-Man, Loki, Black Panther, Deadpool, Harley Quinn, Darkwing Duck, Rick and Morty and others for Marvel, D.C. Comics, Dynamite, Oni, Valiant Comics, Vault, Archie, Boom! Studios and possibly others. With co-writer Eliot Rahal, and artist Kendall Goode, he is co-creator of the creator-owned comic, The Doorman.
He was also a founding editor of ClickHole (2014), and has written humor for outlets like The New Yorker, McSweeneys, and The Onion News Network.
He is a frequent podcast and live comedy guest, and is married to his favorite author, Jennifer Wright. Together they have one child, a daughter who is funnier than he is.
Follow him on social media @daniel.kibblesmith.
TV & Film Representation: Underground; Verve
He was most recently a Co-Executive Producer for Netflix Animation’s Strip Law (2026) — as well as writing for shows like Inside Job (Netflix, 2021), Clone High (Max, 2023), The Nevers (HBO, 2021) and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS, 2015 - 2020). He was also the writer of the televised live event Celebrating Marvel’s Stan Lee (ABC, 2019) and a writer for the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017).
His next book is So You’ve Been Bitten By A Radioactive Spider: How To Survive The Marvel Universe, with illustrator Kyle Hilton from Chronicle Books and Marvel. With illustrator, Ashley Quach, he is the author of the picture books Princess Dinosaur (LBYR, 2021) and Santa’s Husband (Harper Design, 2017). He is also the author of We Wish You a Harley Christmas: DC Holiday Carols (Chronicle Books, 2020) and the co-author of the humor book, How to Win at Everything (Chronicle Books, 2013).
In comics, he’s written for characters like Spider-Man, Loki, Black Panther, Deadpool, Harley Quinn, Darkwing Duck, Rick and Morty and others for Marvel, D.C. Comics, Dynamite, Oni, Valiant Comics, Vault, Archie, Boom! Studios and possibly others. With co-writer Eliot Rahal, and artist Kendall Goode, he is co-creator of the creator-owned comic, The Doorman.
He was also a founding editor of ClickHole (2014), and has written humor for outlets like The New Yorker, McSweeneys, and The Onion News Network.
He is a frequent podcast and live comedy guest, and is married to his favorite author, Jennifer Wright. Together they have one child, a daughter who is funnier than he is.
Follow him on social media @daniel.kibblesmith.
TV & Film Representation: Underground; Verve
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 26, 2018
The Valiant universe mashed up with Archie. Valiant even brought one of the Jughead artists over in Derek Charm. Unfortunately, this was just boring. It had potential to be funny if they had tried to parody these types of books. But they play it straight and it just feel like Valiant trying to jump on the DC Super Hero Girls bandwagon.
Received an advance copy from Valiant and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received an advance copy from Valiant and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
July 22, 2018
High school is tough, even for super heroes. They deal with all the same problems high schoolers have while fighting evil. Home coming takes on a whole new meaning when you and your date have super powers.
Excellent story with excellent art!
Excellent story with excellent art!
January 18, 2018
I had high hopes for this story, and it exceeded those pretty easily. It's essentially a mash-up of Valiant Universe and the gang from Riverdale. In fact, Valiant High could easily fill-in for anyone looking for modern Archie comics done in the classic, All-American vein; especially with how the CW show goes for a noirish murder mystery.
Despite being set in an alternate universe where its characters are perpetually in high school, it still feels like a Valiant comic. The setting is different, but even a casual Valiant reader would still find the characters recognizable and true. There road towards icon status is long and daunting, but Valaint is doing right movies with its characters going in that direction.
Despite being set in an alternate universe where its characters are perpetually in high school, it still feels like a Valiant comic. The setting is different, but even a casual Valiant reader would still find the characters recognizable and true. There road towards icon status is long and daunting, but Valaint is doing right movies with its characters going in that direction.
June 13, 2018
I enjoyed the alternate take on the Valiant characters by placing them into a high school setting. It allowed the characters to interact in different ways while keeping the core of each one intact. There are some humorous moments that take full advantage of the history of these characters.
The story didn't wow me though. I felt like this existed solely for the purpose of throwing the characters into this idea and to draw in a younger group of readers. It seemed to lack a real conflict that would have made me feel more invested in the book. I did like the art. It fit the story pretty well. And the color choices were superb.
The story didn't wow me though. I felt like this existed solely for the purpose of throwing the characters into this idea and to draw in a younger group of readers. It seemed to lack a real conflict that would have made me feel more invested in the book. I did like the art. It fit the story pretty well. And the color choices were superb.
February 22, 2021
Valiant High seems like a mash-up of the gang from Riverdale and the cast from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters from the X-Men.
The storylines as well as the art were okay but nothing original that I haven't read before. I most liked the covers from the first and fourth story in the series but was disappointed that the artist who designed the covers did not do the inside story art as well.
I voluntarily read this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I downloaded this book because the cover drew me in.
The storylines as well as the art were okay but nothing original that I haven't read before. I most liked the covers from the first and fourth story in the series but was disappointed that the artist who designed the covers did not do the inside story art as well.
I voluntarily read this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I downloaded this book because the cover drew me in.
March 23, 2022
This volume collects the full four issue Valiant High story arc. It appears that this is a one-off that's outside the Valiant Universe canon, but that's fine because it seems mostly to be a fun, and slyly funny, goof on the characters.
The premise is that all of the familiar Valiant heroes are teenage students, or teachers, at Valiant High. The drawing and a lot of the hijinks are in the "Archie" sort of style, which makes sense. Through footnotes and sidebars we are familiarized right away with who each kid will become, but the tale is not burdened with too much exposition about the kids' futures. Rather, we get to see what these characters might have been like as teens, and we get a superpowered but still high schoolish story.
The Valiant heroes aren't given equal time. The central figures are Livewire and Zephyr. The amusing teams - Archer and Armstrong, Woody and Quantum - don't figure much at all. There's a fair amount of Ninjak, but just a touch of Dr. Mirage as a teacher. Needless to say, Bloodshot makes an insane gym teacher. Almost everyone makes at least a cameo. The inside humour is along the lines of Livewire being able to interface easily with any digital tech, but failing miserably at driver ed.
I am very much a fan of the Valiant Universe, and I'm willing to give just about anything they do a try, so I guess I'm biased. But I got a kick out of this. If you don't know the Valiant players the book is probably still entertaining, but you will miss a bunch of the jokes. On the other hand, this might whet your appetite to read more of the Valiant titles.
The premise is that all of the familiar Valiant heroes are teenage students, or teachers, at Valiant High. The drawing and a lot of the hijinks are in the "Archie" sort of style, which makes sense. Through footnotes and sidebars we are familiarized right away with who each kid will become, but the tale is not burdened with too much exposition about the kids' futures. Rather, we get to see what these characters might have been like as teens, and we get a superpowered but still high schoolish story.
The Valiant heroes aren't given equal time. The central figures are Livewire and Zephyr. The amusing teams - Archer and Armstrong, Woody and Quantum - don't figure much at all. There's a fair amount of Ninjak, but just a touch of Dr. Mirage as a teacher. Needless to say, Bloodshot makes an insane gym teacher. Almost everyone makes at least a cameo. The inside humour is along the lines of Livewire being able to interface easily with any digital tech, but failing miserably at driver ed.
I am very much a fan of the Valiant Universe, and I'm willing to give just about anything they do a try, so I guess I'm biased. But I got a kick out of this. If you don't know the Valiant players the book is probably still entertaining, but you will miss a bunch of the jokes. On the other hand, this might whet your appetite to read more of the Valiant titles.
July 13, 2018
I received a copy of Valiant High through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Valiant High is part of comiXology’s new Originals line. If you’ve read anything of Valiant’s superheroes, then you’re probably going to recognize a lot of the characters that show up here. There’s Aric “X-O Manowar” Dacia, Colin “Ninjak” King, Faith “Zephyr” Herbert, and Amanda “Livewire” McKee. They’re in an alternate universe that isn’t, where they’ve been thrown into a new setting, reimagining these heroes as if they were in a superhero high school.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Valiant High is part of comiXology’s new Originals line. If you’ve read anything of Valiant’s superheroes, then you’re probably going to recognize a lot of the characters that show up here. There’s Aric “X-O Manowar” Dacia, Colin “Ninjak” King, Faith “Zephyr” Herbert, and Amanda “Livewire” McKee. They’re in an alternate universe that isn’t, where they’ve been thrown into a new setting, reimagining these heroes as if they were in a superhero high school.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
February 1, 2019
Archie, but with superheroes!
Honestly, there aren’t enough comic books starring teens. There definitely aren’t enough comic books exploring adult heroes AS teens. But this does both and I am totally here for it.
I had Valiant High on my radar but it wasn’t until James at Isotope Comics (shoutout to my amazing store!) placed issue one in my hands that I knew I had to read the series. The art on this story is vivid and attractive, as are the characters.
I loved getting to know various Valiant characters through this story, which was the focus versus the story. I read Faith and I have Livewire on my TBR but seeing them and so many more characters made me even more interested in the Valiant universe. I especially loved how a character was called on a non-consensual kiss.
Wish there were more than 4 issues!
Honestly, there aren’t enough comic books starring teens. There definitely aren’t enough comic books exploring adult heroes AS teens. But this does both and I am totally here for it.
I had Valiant High on my radar but it wasn’t until James at Isotope Comics (shoutout to my amazing store!) placed issue one in my hands that I knew I had to read the series. The art on this story is vivid and attractive, as are the characters.
I loved getting to know various Valiant characters through this story, which was the focus versus the story. I read Faith and I have Livewire on my TBR but seeing them and so many more characters made me even more interested in the Valiant universe. I especially loved how a character was called on a non-consensual kiss.
Wish there were more than 4 issues!
September 2, 2018
I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.
Welp, this wasn’t good. I was bored out of my mind for most of the book. Whiny characters, lame drama, not that good art style (at least it isn’t my kind of style, not saying it is a bad art style).
I was quite excited about this one, and I finally decided to just go for it and request it. I quite like superheroes, though I cannot for life remember if I ever cared that much about the Valiant universe. 😛 But still, I cannot resist a story that reincarnates characters into a school setting. Having them be students instead of crime fighters.
This comic places the superheroes in school, high school to be exact. Drama, powers that need to be balanced and (as it seems) hidden, romance, friendship. But also tons of boredom and I frankly didn’t have one character I truly loved. Oh wait, no, correction, I had one girl. The girl who could fly. Lol, only I have totally forgotten her name already, let’s see. Ah, Faith! Faith, I just adored that girl who was a bit chubby but all happy in her skin and I adored that she could fly.
The teachers are also superheroes though they are generally the more tired versions of our teens.
I did think it was weird that people would get punished if they used their powers. I can understand slightly that it may get chaotic, and that some powers aren’t meant to be used during several things (like telepathy during tests or using it to bully or hurt someone). But I have also read enough superhero stuff were it never went wrong. You would see people fly by over the heads of those who can’t fly, use their strength to open up lockers.
I am also a bit tired of the fact that apparently people who do athletics, the jocks, get the free reign by the teachers. It is something I have seen in other things, and it just annoys me to no end.
There was also some drama and instead of enjoying it or wanting to know more, I was just rolling my eyes (which is so not a thing I wanted to do this week due to what happened on Sunday).
We also got some mystery, action, and a villain. I was not that impressed with it. Especially given how fast everything was over. Like one moment everything went to hell, the next everything is solved.
I am not really up to talking more about this book, I just want to stop and forget about it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Welp, this wasn’t good. I was bored out of my mind for most of the book. Whiny characters, lame drama, not that good art style (at least it isn’t my kind of style, not saying it is a bad art style).
I was quite excited about this one, and I finally decided to just go for it and request it. I quite like superheroes, though I cannot for life remember if I ever cared that much about the Valiant universe. 😛 But still, I cannot resist a story that reincarnates characters into a school setting. Having them be students instead of crime fighters.
This comic places the superheroes in school, high school to be exact. Drama, powers that need to be balanced and (as it seems) hidden, romance, friendship. But also tons of boredom and I frankly didn’t have one character I truly loved. Oh wait, no, correction, I had one girl. The girl who could fly. Lol, only I have totally forgotten her name already, let’s see. Ah, Faith! Faith, I just adored that girl who was a bit chubby but all happy in her skin and I adored that she could fly.
The teachers are also superheroes though they are generally the more tired versions of our teens.
I did think it was weird that people would get punished if they used their powers. I can understand slightly that it may get chaotic, and that some powers aren’t meant to be used during several things (like telepathy during tests or using it to bully or hurt someone). But I have also read enough superhero stuff were it never went wrong. You would see people fly by over the heads of those who can’t fly, use their strength to open up lockers.
I am also a bit tired of the fact that apparently people who do athletics, the jocks, get the free reign by the teachers. It is something I have seen in other things, and it just annoys me to no end.
There was also some drama and instead of enjoying it or wanting to know more, I was just rolling my eyes (which is so not a thing I wanted to do this week due to what happened on Sunday).
We also got some mystery, action, and a villain. I was not that impressed with it. Especially given how fast everything was over. Like one moment everything went to hell, the next everything is solved.
I am not really up to talking more about this book, I just want to stop and forget about it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. Cute, bright colors and always interesting to see “supers” as teens.
What pushed this from 3 to 4 stars was the non-double standard and females as equal to men. How you ask? The MC, a female, kissed her male crush out of the blue. He didn’t ask for it, nor was he overly positive about it (ie. he didn’t kiss back).
The next day, she apologized and acknowledged to him that if she was a guy and he a girl, that would have been at the least unwanted attention and assault. He also acknowledged it and accepted her apology.
So. Much. YES!
If women are to be seen as equals to men, then they need to be held accountable for the same bad behaviors, as well as listened to and respected.
So 4 stars for this one from me.
Disclaimer: I received this as a complimentary eBook from the publisher. That does not affect my review in any way. This book stands on its own merits.
What pushed this from 3 to 4 stars was the non-double standard and females as equal to men. How you ask? The MC, a female, kissed her male crush out of the blue. He didn’t ask for it, nor was he overly positive about it (ie. he didn’t kiss back).
The next day, she apologized and acknowledged to him that if she was a guy and he a girl, that would have been at the least unwanted attention and assault. He also acknowledged it and accepted her apology.
So. Much. YES!
If women are to be seen as equals to men, then they need to be held accountable for the same bad behaviors, as well as listened to and respected.
So 4 stars for this one from me.
Disclaimer: I received this as a complimentary eBook from the publisher. That does not affect my review in any way. This book stands on its own merits.
September 7, 2018
Yes, I've been on a bit of a graphic novel binge lately on Netgalley. Every time I saw a graphic novel that looked remotely interesting, I would request it. And Valiant High was just one of the ones that I requested.
Before they became legends, the world’s most formidable heroes were roaming the halls at Valiant High – a super-powered preparatory academy where Aric “X-O Manowar” Dacia is a record-setting running back, Colin “Ninjak” King is a debonair foreign exchange student, and Coach Bloodshot is way, way too into dodgeball. Now, Amanda “Livewire” McKee and her best friend, Faith “Zephyr” Herbert, are taking it all in for the first time at the one high school where power trumps popularity!
From rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Eisner Award-winning artist Derek Charm (Jughead), get ready for your first day of school inside a hilarious reimagining of Valiant’s award-winning superhero universe – one where the next world-ending cataclysm will have to wait until after prom night!
I never realised that this graphic novel was a prequel of some sorts to the Valiant superheroes. I haven't even read (or even heard of) the superheroes, so I was going into this completely blind. For those of you who have read the comic books of the Valiant superheroes, then I think you'll have a lot of fun seeing what the superheroes were like in high school! And if like me, you haven't read the original comic books, then I think you will still find this graphic novel still accessible.
I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I loved its bright colours and I loved seeing teen superheroes. You always see them as adults and taking on loads of responsibilities of saving the world blah blah blah, but it's so interesting to see them in high school and having to deal with all of the problems with high school.
What made this graphic novel 3 stars for me was the diversity throughout, and I also liked how Kibblesmith conveyed a world of double-standards. There is a point in the graphic novel where our main character - who is a female - kisses her male crush without his consent. If a male had done this to a female, there would have been an uproar. However, the next day, the main character apologises to the boy and actually says that if she was a man, and he a girl it would have been considered assault. After that, he accepts her apology. I just thought that this was amazing. This is what feminism is. Feminists don't want women to 'rule the world', or to be better than men, we went to be equal, and this is being seen as equal. It's not ok for men to sexualise women, but when women sexualise men, it's ok?? It's all about equality. It's all about having the same rule being applied to all genders.
Anyway, feminism rant over. But hopefully, you see what I mean about Kibblesmith doing a brilliant job of conveying double standards within society.
The only negative about this graphic novel was that some things moved a little bit too fast, and I would have loved to see more of the characters outside of school (?), but maybe we'll get to see that in future issues.
I definitely think that there is room for these characters to improve and to have brilliant character development over future issues, and I think that when the next volumes come out, I will be reading them.
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Before they became legends, the world’s most formidable heroes were roaming the halls at Valiant High – a super-powered preparatory academy where Aric “X-O Manowar” Dacia is a record-setting running back, Colin “Ninjak” King is a debonair foreign exchange student, and Coach Bloodshot is way, way too into dodgeball. Now, Amanda “Livewire” McKee and her best friend, Faith “Zephyr” Herbert, are taking it all in for the first time at the one high school where power trumps popularity!
From rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Eisner Award-winning artist Derek Charm (Jughead), get ready for your first day of school inside a hilarious reimagining of Valiant’s award-winning superhero universe – one where the next world-ending cataclysm will have to wait until after prom night!
I never realised that this graphic novel was a prequel of some sorts to the Valiant superheroes. I haven't even read (or even heard of) the superheroes, so I was going into this completely blind. For those of you who have read the comic books of the Valiant superheroes, then I think you'll have a lot of fun seeing what the superheroes were like in high school! And if like me, you haven't read the original comic books, then I think you will still find this graphic novel still accessible.
I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I loved its bright colours and I loved seeing teen superheroes. You always see them as adults and taking on loads of responsibilities of saving the world blah blah blah, but it's so interesting to see them in high school and having to deal with all of the problems with high school.
What made this graphic novel 3 stars for me was the diversity throughout, and I also liked how Kibblesmith conveyed a world of double-standards. There is a point in the graphic novel where our main character - who is a female - kisses her male crush without his consent. If a male had done this to a female, there would have been an uproar. However, the next day, the main character apologises to the boy and actually says that if she was a man, and he a girl it would have been considered assault. After that, he accepts her apology. I just thought that this was amazing. This is what feminism is. Feminists don't want women to 'rule the world', or to be better than men, we went to be equal, and this is being seen as equal. It's not ok for men to sexualise women, but when women sexualise men, it's ok?? It's all about equality. It's all about having the same rule being applied to all genders.
Anyway, feminism rant over. But hopefully, you see what I mean about Kibblesmith doing a brilliant job of conveying double standards within society.
The only negative about this graphic novel was that some things moved a little bit too fast, and I would have loved to see more of the characters outside of school (?), but maybe we'll get to see that in future issues.
I definitely think that there is room for these characters to improve and to have brilliant character development over future issues, and I think that when the next volumes come out, I will be reading them.
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 19, 2018
If you like comic books about teenage superheroes, and like stories set in high schools, then this collection will tick all your boxes. This is a light, sometimes funny, story of a group of super heroes, from the Valiant universe, which I had never heard of before this, as they were in high school. For those who do read those comic books, they will have fun seeing how their heroes were as young men and women. For those who have never read those comic books, this is still very accessable if you are familiar with high school stories.
I almost said if you had ever gone to high school, but high schools are never like they are in the comic books.
The characters are likable. All students are prevented from using their powers. This is ok, until they need to use them.
Perfect that like the silly side of high school stroies, a sort of Archie comics for super heroes.
#ValiantHigh #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I almost said if you had ever gone to high school, but high schools are never like they are in the comic books.
The characters are likable. All students are prevented from using their powers. This is ok, until they need to use them.
Perfect that like the silly side of high school stroies, a sort of Archie comics for super heroes.
#ValiantHigh #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 1, 2018
I received this as a free e-ARC from Net Galley and the publisher for my honest review! So thank you to both of them!
So the artwork is crazy cute and quirky. Like a mix of a modern Archie comics (with superheroes!!). However, I felt like there was a lot of story lacking. I know this is volume 1 and only contains 4 issues but the pacing felt so off to me. Also, I did not realize that this was more of a spin-off and cross-over for a lot of these characters from their original source material in graphic novels and other comics. So maybe if I had some background knowledge, I would have felt differently. But it was still fun and cute to read for the first time!
So the artwork is crazy cute and quirky. Like a mix of a modern Archie comics (with superheroes!!). However, I felt like there was a lot of story lacking. I know this is volume 1 and only contains 4 issues but the pacing felt so off to me. Also, I did not realize that this was more of a spin-off and cross-over for a lot of these characters from their original source material in graphic novels and other comics. So maybe if I had some background knowledge, I would have felt differently. But it was still fun and cute to read for the first time!
June 11, 2018
This is a fun read which fans of the Valiant universe will enjoy.
All the main characters from Valiant are here as high school students under the watchful eye of principal Harada. They have the usual high school challenges that teenagers face - friends, attraction, tests and who is going to be homecoming king . They also have a determined enemy. They arent allowed to use their powers but what happens when the enemy strikes.
It is a nice vloume if you like Valiant heroes and there is something amusing about seeing your favourite hereos as teenagers. Good artwork as usual!
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
All the main characters from Valiant are here as high school students under the watchful eye of principal Harada. They have the usual high school challenges that teenagers face - friends, attraction, tests and who is going to be homecoming king . They also have a determined enemy. They arent allowed to use their powers but what happens when the enemy strikes.
It is a nice vloume if you like Valiant heroes and there is something amusing about seeing your favourite hereos as teenagers. Good artwork as usual!
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 27, 2018
This reminds me of a more sophisticated and better written Superhero Girls, and unlike that series, I completely loved this. It’s clean so a younger person could read it, but deals with real feelings of being left out, of trying to fit in, etc. It has a bit of old fashioned Archie feel, without all the slapstick. I eagerly await the next volume.
March 14, 2020
Nous voilà plongé dans un lycée ordinaire où les élèves sont loin d'être ordinaires ! Certains ont des supers pouvoirs et ne s'en cachent pas, mais interdiction d'utiliser ses pouvoirs pendant les cours ! J'ai adoré découvrir les différents personnages, et j'ai beaucoup aimé les dessins ! Maintenant j'ai hâte de me plonger dans l'intégrale de Faith ! 😊
November 15, 2020
What was life like for our favorite superheroes before they were superheroes? You know, like in high school! Valiant High is not only an excellent start to a new series, it's a great way to get everyone in your family to share the same reading experience. Excellent concept written and illustrated by professionals who would never let us down, Valiant High is a great experience.
January 30, 2021
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this from NetGalley for an honest review.
I am a 34 year old woman who is unfamiliar with the Valiant Universe and not entirely sure why I requested this...at first I was worried that there were references I wouldn't get, it'd be a little too teen fiction for me, etc etc...Valiant High really surprised me though! It was cute and engaging and full of characters I want to know more about; definitely in the vein of Riverdale and Sabrina (a little more wholesome though) and if you're a fan of those shows/comics, this is a quick fun read.
I am a 34 year old woman who is unfamiliar with the Valiant Universe and not entirely sure why I requested this...at first I was worried that there were references I wouldn't get, it'd be a little too teen fiction for me, etc etc...Valiant High really surprised me though! It was cute and engaging and full of characters I want to know more about; definitely in the vein of Riverdale and Sabrina (a little more wholesome though) and if you're a fan of those shows/comics, this is a quick fun read.
May 10, 2018
Love it
Just started reading valiant comics and I love it... big fan of ninjak, those who don’t know about valiant check them out
Just started reading valiant comics and I love it... big fan of ninjak, those who don’t know about valiant check them out
June 10, 2018
Fun for Valiant Fans
This volume collects the full four issue Valiant High story arc. It appears that this is a one-off that's outside the Valiant Universe canon, but that's fine because it seems mostly to be a fun, and slyly funny, goof on the characters.
The premise is that all of the familiar Valiant heroes are teenage students, or teachers, at Valiant High. The drawing and a lot of the hijinks are in the "Archie" sort of style, which makes sense. Through footnotes and sidebars we are familiarized right away with who each kid will become, but the tale is not burdened with too much exposition about the kids' futures. Rather, we get to see what these characters might have been like as teens, and we get a superpowered but still high schoolish story.
The Valiant heroes aren't given equal time. The central figures are Livewire and Zephyr. The amusing teams - Archer and Armstrong, Woody and Quantum - don't figure much at all. There's a fair amount of Ninjak, but just a touch of Dr. Mirage as a teacher. Needless to say, Bloodshot makes an insane gym teacher. Almost everyone makes at least a cameo. The inside humor is along the lines of Livewire being able to interface easily with any digital tech, but failing miserably at driver ed.
I am very much a fan of the Valiant Universe, and I'm willing to give just about anything they do a try, so I guess I'm biased. But I got a kick out of this. If you don't know the Valiant players the book is probably still entertaining, but you will miss a bunch of the jokes. On the other hand, this might whet your appetite to read more of the Valiant titles.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This volume collects the full four issue Valiant High story arc. It appears that this is a one-off that's outside the Valiant Universe canon, but that's fine because it seems mostly to be a fun, and slyly funny, goof on the characters.
The premise is that all of the familiar Valiant heroes are teenage students, or teachers, at Valiant High. The drawing and a lot of the hijinks are in the "Archie" sort of style, which makes sense. Through footnotes and sidebars we are familiarized right away with who each kid will become, but the tale is not burdened with too much exposition about the kids' futures. Rather, we get to see what these characters might have been like as teens, and we get a superpowered but still high schoolish story.
The Valiant heroes aren't given equal time. The central figures are Livewire and Zephyr. The amusing teams - Archer and Armstrong, Woody and Quantum - don't figure much at all. There's a fair amount of Ninjak, but just a touch of Dr. Mirage as a teacher. Needless to say, Bloodshot makes an insane gym teacher. Almost everyone makes at least a cameo. The inside humor is along the lines of Livewire being able to interface easily with any digital tech, but failing miserably at driver ed.
I am very much a fan of the Valiant Universe, and I'm willing to give just about anything they do a try, so I guess I'm biased. But I got a kick out of this. If you don't know the Valiant players the book is probably still entertaining, but you will miss a bunch of the jokes. On the other hand, this might whet your appetite to read more of the Valiant titles.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
June 6, 2018
Valiant’s an award-winning superhero universe, and these are the first four issues of Valiant High, a high school where these well-known superheroes (in their teenage versions) are ready to team up and fight evil.
We are first introduced to these characters who are struggling a bit to keep up with their lives while having to deal with daily issues related to low self-esteem, friendships, popularity, romance and drama like any other kid of their ages, and this first encounter is pretty cool, as they all have distinct personalities plus superpowers!
I was positively impressed by its representativity and diverse characters. I loved the art, the concept, and how the chapters end in cliffhangers, which kept me invested the whole time. I see so much potential, and I’m surprised at how much I already care about some of the characters.
I honestly think though, that some things happened just too fast, so hopefully, we can see more character development on the following issues, and who knows, maybe some more of their lives outside of school. I'd love to see that.
We are first introduced to these characters who are struggling a bit to keep up with their lives while having to deal with daily issues related to low self-esteem, friendships, popularity, romance and drama like any other kid of their ages, and this first encounter is pretty cool, as they all have distinct personalities plus superpowers!
I was positively impressed by its representativity and diverse characters. I loved the art, the concept, and how the chapters end in cliffhangers, which kept me invested the whole time. I see so much potential, and I’m surprised at how much I already care about some of the characters.
I honestly think though, that some things happened just too fast, so hopefully, we can see more character development on the following issues, and who knows, maybe some more of their lives outside of school. I'd love to see that.
June 7, 2018
I only know of the cheesy and childish DC school of a couple of years ago as comparison, but I have to hope there are better high school comics out there than this. It's not bad, but it's not funny (what are the cover quote writers even on?!), and it kind of veers too erratically from superheroes snogging each other dramas to supernatural possession, complete with very unconvincing battle scenes. It seemed to be a reasonable attempt at getting all the Valiant characters into earthly costume and having them star as a younger version of themselves, but at the same time the fit didn't quite work – the suave one was never going to be Ninja-K, and I'd never have known the jock was X-O Manowar without being told. Still, it did work as a book you can pick up with zero foreknowledge, which is something you can say in relation to about 10% only of their output.
Read as an e-arc of the paperback, via edelweiss.
Read as an e-arc of the paperback, via edelweiss.
September 19, 2018
This story collects many characters from Valiant Entertainment comics and puts them in a high school setting.
I haven’t read many Valiant comics before, so I felt a little left out reading this story. I’m sure there were some jokes about the characters that I would have understood if I was familiar with the characters. The only one I recognized was X-O Manowar. I wish there was more to the story than just showing a variety of characters from their comics.
This comic reminded me of other series by comic book publishers that make all of their characters interact with each other. DC Comics has a few series which their super heroes in a school setting, such as DC Super Hero Girls and DC Comics: Secret Hero Society. Those series were better for me because I know the characters of DC Comics much better than Valiant entertainment.
If you’re a fan of Valiant comics, this would be a great comic for you!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher on NetGalley.
I haven’t read many Valiant comics before, so I felt a little left out reading this story. I’m sure there were some jokes about the characters that I would have understood if I was familiar with the characters. The only one I recognized was X-O Manowar. I wish there was more to the story than just showing a variety of characters from their comics.
This comic reminded me of other series by comic book publishers that make all of their characters interact with each other. DC Comics has a few series which their super heroes in a school setting, such as DC Super Hero Girls and DC Comics: Secret Hero Society. Those series were better for me because I know the characters of DC Comics much better than Valiant entertainment.
If you’re a fan of Valiant comics, this would be a great comic for you!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher on NetGalley.
October 17, 2018
Readers with at least a passing familiarity with Valiant characters will have the most fun with this collection of the short series. It’s a lighter version of the Valiant universe of heroes, with all of them portrayed as either students or faculty at a high school for kids with powers. There’s a typical teenagers dealing with life sort of plot – friends, jocks, nerds, bullies, dating – but it all has a super-powered edge to it. And, of course, there’s an evil plot to attack the school and take over the world, so everyone has to put aside differences and work together to stop it.
Valiant High is a fun, quick read and the final action sequence is well done. There’s also a lot of diversity among the characters, not only in gender and race, but also LGBTQ representation. The volume includes a gallery at the end showcasing some character designs, cover art and storyboarding.
Valiant High is a fun, quick read and the final action sequence is well done. There’s also a lot of diversity among the characters, not only in gender and race, but also LGBTQ representation. The volume includes a gallery at the end showcasing some character designs, cover art and storyboarding.
July 30, 2021
'Valiant High' by Daniel Kibblesmith with art by Derek Charm and David Baron is a fun graphic novel look at Valiant's heroes as teenagers.
Valiant High is where you will find the young superheroes of the Valiant universe. Aric "X-O Manowar" Dacia is the star running back. Ninjak is a foreign exchange student. Faith and Livewire are best friends just trying to navigate their way through high school, especially when danger suddenly seems to be lurking.
This was a lot of fun to read, and even pretty funny in places. The characters younger selves seemed to be well thought out, and the art reminded me of other high school type comics I read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Valiant High is where you will find the young superheroes of the Valiant universe. Aric "X-O Manowar" Dacia is the star running back. Ninjak is a foreign exchange student. Faith and Livewire are best friends just trying to navigate their way through high school, especially when danger suddenly seems to be lurking.
This was a lot of fun to read, and even pretty funny in places. The characters younger selves seemed to be well thought out, and the art reminded me of other high school type comics I read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
August 1, 2018
This book reminded me a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - it's real-world high school meets action movie. The characters may have powers but they are still teenagers. The story is not overly sappy like some high school stories can get but it carries real emotions with a lot of humor. I loved that the characters are complex - there is still a lot to discover about them in future stories as well. While there is a happy ending, there is not an "everything is wonderful" sort of ending.
There's enough that I really want more.
The artwork is fun and colorful. While the characters are in high school, the themes are general enough that a younger reader could easily enjoy this book. There are fight scenes and potential for more mature themes in future stories.
There's enough that I really want more.
The artwork is fun and colorful. While the characters are in high school, the themes are general enough that a younger reader could easily enjoy this book. There are fight scenes and potential for more mature themes in future stories.
August 8, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
What a fun read. (I also now know where Faith ties to because I’ve seen her stand alone series on some lists and am even more intrigued and inclined to start reading it than I was before.)
This was a great read, the various characters all popped in their own way, there are some I definitely want to know more about than others but I’m definitely captivated by the world they live in and the people they are. Comics are a huge hit right now and this definitely reads as an all-ages story which is great. I’m somewhat worried sometimes about suggesting some comics to readers because maturity levels vary and I’m not always sure of the readers maturity level.
***
What a fun read. (I also now know where Faith ties to because I’ve seen her stand alone series on some lists and am even more intrigued and inclined to start reading it than I was before.)
This was a great read, the various characters all popped in their own way, there are some I definitely want to know more about than others but I’m definitely captivated by the world they live in and the people they are. Comics are a huge hit right now and this definitely reads as an all-ages story which is great. I’m somewhat worried sometimes about suggesting some comics to readers because maturity levels vary and I’m not always sure of the readers maturity level.
June 20, 2018
I loved this graphic novel. It is well written and beautifully illustrated. It tells the story of a school where special kids go to develop their superpowers. They have these powers but need to learn how to use them for the best results. When a dark entity threatens the school, how can they defeat it? Altogether, of course. First crushes, learning who they are is what high school is so about. I was happy to see how the authors put kids of all shapes, sizes, colors and sexual orientation all together. I was honored to be able to read this great book. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise.
June 20, 2018
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy for me to read in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a quick and amazing read for me!
The illustrations were really amazing, and exactly how I would like them.
The characters were fascinating and so complex, which I found completely awesome, albeit surprising, considering that this was a 4-volume story.
It's only flaw? Why was it just a 4-volume story?? I would have gladly immersed myself into a full-fledged comic series, centered around Valiant High and its amazing students.
All in all, 4 stars for a quick but really action-packed and intriguing comic I really enjoyed!
This was such a quick and amazing read for me!
The illustrations were really amazing, and exactly how I would like them.
The characters were fascinating and so complex, which I found completely awesome, albeit surprising, considering that this was a 4-volume story.
It's only flaw? Why was it just a 4-volume story?? I would have gladly immersed myself into a full-fledged comic series, centered around Valiant High and its amazing students.
All in all, 4 stars for a quick but really action-packed and intriguing comic I really enjoyed!
August 1, 2018
I recieved a free electronic arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short story type comic. A slice of high school life for the characters from the wider Valiant franchise
I really enjoyed this, it was such a cool idea and so well written and such a good introduction into the franchise which sounds like all the characters are adults. I'm not sure so I'll have to check it out at some point as I can imagine that they would be as good as this was.
There were a few things that didn't really get an explanation but I'm assuming that it would be explained in future comics or are explained within the larger franchise :)
This is a short story type comic. A slice of high school life for the characters from the wider Valiant franchise
I really enjoyed this, it was such a cool idea and so well written and such a good introduction into the franchise which sounds like all the characters are adults. I'm not sure so I'll have to check it out at some point as I can imagine that they would be as good as this was.
There were a few things that didn't really get an explanation but I'm assuming that it would be explained in future comics or are explained within the larger franchise :)
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