Days after the departure of executive editor Joe Illidge, Valiant Entertainment has announced “Breakthrough,” a slate of four new comic book launches in the first half of 2019 intended to act as a jumping-on point for new readers that also expands the genre reach of the publisher.
Notably, none of the four titles — Punk Mambo, Fallen World, Killers and the previously announced The Life and Death of Toyo Harada — is a traditional superhero series, although each takes place inside the shared universe already established by Valiant, with three of the series spinning out of previous superhero titles.
Instead, the genres covered go from political and social intrigue (Toyo Harada) to cyberpunk apocalypse (Fallen World), with a helping of spy drama in Killers and Punk Mambo’s supernatural voodoo horror along the way.
The publisher describes “Breakthrough” as “four boundary-breaking tales to experience,” and adds that “new fans will love the wide range of stories and genres, while Valiant superfans will make new discoveries about their favorite characters.” It further promises that the promotion “will propel Valiant into its breathtaking second half of 2019, featuring surprises, returns and reveals that longtime fans have been demanding!”
Creators on the new titles are Joshua Dysart, CAFU, Mico Suayan, Lewis LaRose and Adam Pollina (Toyo Harada); Cullen Bunn and Adam Gorham (Punk Mambo); Dan Abnett and Adam Pollina (Fallen World); and B. Clay Moore and Fernando Dagnino (Killers).
The launches will begin with The Life and Death of Toyo Harada in March, with Punk Mambo to follow in April, Fallen World in May and Killers in July.
