Editing Valiant Comics (section)

===Voyager Communications===
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2015}}
In 1988, former editor-in-chief of [[Marvel Comics]] [[Jim Shooter]], [[Steven Massarsky|Steven J. Massarsky]] and a group of investors attempted to purchase [[Marvel Entertainment]].<ref name="Carter">{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chip |title=New Valiant Logo Points to Multimedia Future |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb547586.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115132747/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb547586.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |website=[[Vocus (software)|PRWeb]] |access-date=December 3, 2018 |date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> They submitted the second-highest bid, with financier [[Ronald Perelman]] submitting the highest bid and acquiring Marvel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sloan |first1=Allan |title=MARVEL COMICS DEAL SHOWS WHY PERELMAN IS THE INCREDIBLE HULK OF INVESTING |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1991/06/04/marvel-comics-deal-shows-why-perelman-is-the-incredible-hulk-of-investing/1463f8bd-32ec-4360-99b8-13736ebc1295/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=30 November 2019 |date=4 June 1991}}</ref> Shooter and Massarsky instead formed Voyager Communications in 1989 with significant [[venture capital financing]] from Triumph Capital.<ref name="Carter"/> Valiant (an imprint of Voyager Communications) recruited numerous writers and artists from Marvel, including [[Barry Windsor-Smith]] and [[Bob Layton]], and launched an interconnected line of superhero comics featuring a mixture of characters licensed from [[Western Publishing]] and original creations.<ref name="Samsel">{{cite journal |last=Samsel |first=Robert |date=January 1993 |title=The State of Valiant Address |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |issue=17 |pages=47–54 |publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]}}</ref>

In 1991, Valiant released its first title, ''[[Magnus, Robot Fighter]]'', cover-dated May 1991.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} ''[[Solar, Man of the Atom]]'', cover-dated September 1991 followed as the next release.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Both titles were licenses from [[Gold Key Comics]]. ''[[Rai (comics)|Rai]]'' became the third title published by Valiant and was distributed as a special insert in ''Magnus, Robot Fighter'' beginning with issue 5.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} ''[[Harbinger (comic book)|Harbinger]]'' No. 1 was listed on the top ten list of ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine for a record eight consecutive months and was eventually named "Collectible of the Decade" while ''Rai'' No. 0 appeared on ''Wizard'''s top ten list for a new record nine consecutive months.{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}} In 1992, Valiant won the Best Publisher under 5% Market Share from comic distributor Diamond.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} The next year, Valiant won Best Publisher over 5% Market Share, becoming the first publisher outside of Marvel and DC to do so.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} In 1992, Valiant's Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for co-creating the [[Valiant Universe]] in a ceremony that also honored [[Stan Lee]] for co-creating the Marvel Universe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/jim-shooter-interview-part-1/ |title=Jim Shooter Interview: Part 1 |website=Comic Book Resources|last=Thomas |first=Michael |date=October 6, 2000 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> However, Shooter left Valiant by the end of 1992. According to Massarsky, "Jim had a different idea as to the direction of the company, and he was asked to leave."<ref name="Samsel"/>

Valiant also engaged in several comic book-marketing innovations common in the 1990s, such as issue zero "origin" issues, the gold logo program, coupons redeemable for original comic books, and chromium covers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Zack|title=Memories of Comic Book 'GIMMICKS' Resurface|url=http://www.newsarama.com/10403-memories-of-comic-book-gimmicks-resurface.html|website=Newsarama|access-date=21 July 2015|date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> Following the conclusion of the "[[Unity (comics)|Unity]]" crossover in September 1992, Valiant released ''[[Bloodshot (comics)|Bloodshot]]'', ''[[Ninjak]]'', ''[[H.A.R.D. Corps]]'', ''[[The Second Life of Dr. Mirage]]'', and ''[[Timewalker]]'', among other titles.{{Citation needed|date=July 2015}}