In the summer of 1992, Valiant released Unity #0 as a free comic, allowing hundreds of thousands of readers to experience this new comic universe and precipitating the Valiant explosion. More than 20 years later, let’s take a look at the pre-Unity Valiant comics that are still worth adding to your collection.
Valiant in 1992
In 1992, Valiant was publishing a half-dozen comics, typically with print runs in the 60 to 75,000 range, a far cry from the hundreds of thousands for typical Marvel or DC comics.
When the publisher released Unity #0 and subsequent issues of each of their series – plus all-new series – began experiencing great success, print runs would dwarf those of previous issues. Collectors turned to those comics released prior to the release of Unity as worthwhile investments.
Part of what makes pre-Unity Valiant comics worth considering adding to your collection is the relative rarity caused by the low print runs, as well as Valiant’s early marketing campaign of offering coupons for exclusive comics in many of the issues. Finding top-condition issues with the coupons still intact can be quite a hunt.
Because of this, you’re better off focusing on graded issues than raw. The decline in comics values has struck Valiant Comics hard, making for very affordable opportunities. Here are just a few to focus on.
Magnus Robot Fighter
As the first comic in their superhero line, Magnus Robot Fighter #1 holds a special place in the hearts of Valiant fans. However, while there are a plentiful 1,250 graded copies in the CGC census, values are very low right now.
The current 30-day average for a 9.8 stands at just $77, as compared to a 90-day average of $99 and a one-year average of $109. If you like Valiant and you don’t have a copy, prices are now near pre-boom levels.
The issue of Magnus Robot Fighter to focus on is Magnus Robot Fighter #5, the first appearance of Rai. Prices are down right now. In fact, this comic had absolutely cratered to a low of $25 for a 9.8 in an April 9 eBay sale.
It’s since bounced back, and the current 30-day value stands at $97. That’s still a low price to pay for the first appearance of this key Valiant character.
Solar, Man of the Atom
Valiant’s second series was another licensed property – Solar, Man of the Atom, with art by Barry Windsor-Smith. As with Magnus Robot Fighter #1, you should be able to find a 9.8 of Solar, Man of the Atom #1 for under $100.
Slightly more valued by collectors is Solar, Man of the Atom #3, the first appearance of the Harbinger Foundation and long-time Valiant villain Toyo Harada. With 90-day and one-year averages holding steady at $105, prices haven’t been consistently this low in nearly a decade.
The big kahuna when it comes to issues of Solar, Man of the Atom – and one of the top collectible Valiant comics for that matter – is Solar, Man of the Atom #10. Featuring an all-black cover and the first appearance of Eternal Warrior, there are 1,419 graded copies in the CGC census. However, that all-black cover makes it a great deal easier for flaws to pop up when grading.
Because of this, only 166 copies have received the 9.8 grade. Compare that to the 499 copies graded 9.6. Values, while they have dropped, are still about the highest you’ll find for a Valiant comic, with a current 90-day average of $667.
Harbinger
Valiant’s third published series was its first all-original publication. In many ways, Harbinger #1 and its immediate success was what would eventually lead to Unity. Like all Valiant comics, it’s been hit hard by the downturn. The 90-day average for a 9.8 stands at $715. That’s lower than you could find it for from 2014 to 2019.
While it dipped in 2020, it shot back up again, reaching a height of $1,459 in May 2022. This is one of the must-have Valiant comics and it’s been a decade since prices were this low.
X-O Manowar
In many respects, X-O Manowar became the face of Valiant Comics. His initial series would last longer than any other from the publisher, making it all the way to 70 issues. X-0 Manowar #1 is one of the most graded pre-Unity Valiants in CGC’s database with 1,976 graded copies.
While there have been some spikes for this book – most notably in 2015, 2019, and 2022 – current 30-day and 90-day averages for a 9.8 are at $116, slightly below historical norms from 2014 to 2022.
Jack Boniface, who would later be known as Shadowman, made his first cameo appearance in X-O Manowar #4. The current 30-day value for a 9.8 is $100, lower than it’s been since 2020.
Rai
Rai would finally receive his own series in 1992, beginning with Rai #1. Like most Valiant first issues, it can be had for around $100. The print run for this issue was around 120,000. However, subsequent pre-Unity issues only had print runs of around 40,000.
Rai #4 – with a print run below 40,000 - is the most valued of these issues, with the 30-day average for a 9.8 currently at $350.
Shadowman
Shadowman was the final pre-Unity series for Valiant. There are 1,158 graded copies of Shadowman #1 in the CGC census. Prices for a 9.8 had dipped to a post-boom low of $77 in a March 19 eBay auction but have begun climbing again with a May 28 eBay sale reaching $135.
Unity #0 would be published just a few months later, leading to Valiant becoming one of the top comic publishers, right around the same time Image Comics began. The combination of the two put Marvel and DC on their heels and changed comic publishing forever.
Do you collect Valiant comics? What are some of your favorite pre-Unity issues?
**Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.