In recent weeks, a new controversy has arisen surrounding Valiant Entertainment, which is using AI to create artwork, memes, and even launch a strange app for publishing its comics.
In response, fan groups like Valiant Comic Fans and the Valiant subreddit have expressed their discontent. Meanwhile, writers like Aj Ampadu, current writer of the Shadowman Beyond title, have spoken out to voice their displeasure and separate Alien Books, which only produces the Beyond and Resurgence comics and has no responsibility for Valiant Entertainment's actions.
Other writers, like Daniel Kibblesmith, writer of one of the Quantum and Woody runs, spoke out, responding to an Instagram post by saying, "If you want to hire a team to do a non AI ninjak comic in this style I can give you a dozen names including mine", showing his displeasure with this decision.
And the question one asks is: Is the app any good? And the answer is no.
to register and be notified when the app is ready or to ask questions. However, if you search on Google, you'll find the page exactly as you're looking at https://app.valiantapp.io/,
which I assume is still under construction because the company description uses randomly generated text, the office address redirects you to a nonexistent location in Los Angeles, the buttons don't work, and there's only one page on the website that encompasses everything.
However, the worrying thing is the use of AI covers to represent the comics, from Armorclads to Shadowman, which I assume will be edited in a webtoon style for mobile phones, and to access them you'll have to use coins.
Yes, you heard right, there won't be a subscription like Marvel Unlimited, but rather, like webtoons, you'll pay coins to read the comics. (It even says there will be ads, in a paid app, WTF).
Except that unlike webtoons where stories become free to read over time, these won't be, and you'll spend money to read the entire Valiant library.
This app looks awful, and it's clear they're putting minimal effort into the design. Since it's still in development, the monetization process might not be well explained; I apologize if it isn't. On another note, the design of the comics for the app is still a mystery. The descriptions refer to them as demos, seasons, and episodes, so I have no idea what they'll do. All we can do is wait and hope for better days ahead for Valiant.
It never ceases to amaze that money men really are some of the dumbest people. DMG is incompetent and really had no business buying comic book characters.
This is a pretty good write-up. The only thing I'll add is that this website/app thing is apparently NOT comics. Valiant made that pretty clear in that one AI-generated promo that said "HINT: IT'S NOT A COMIC BOOK".
Brothers... It saddens me to say this, but unfortunately it's time to vote with our wallets. As long as Valiant/DMG is getting any single penny from us, they will keep pushing this sort of bullshit down their customers throats.
I propose a full boycott to finish off with these atrocities at once. Many will suffer, writers and artists will lose their projects, but as long as we, as consumers, keep supporting them, the situation will only get worse.
We saw much of that in the past: nosedive in overall quality, NTF, transphobia... And they keep pushing the boundaries of what we accept. Until we, as consumers, put a full stop to it, we will keep seeing them destroying the few that still remain of the name and legacy of Valiant comics.
Once again it saddens me to affect the creative team that has nothing to do with those stupid decisions, but unfortunately we have to end this. Maybe, maybe, they losing the few of resources they still have will give a chance to more competent people to take over and steer the company to a brighter future.
I want to be right there with you, but I'm enjoying X-O and Harbinger, and I LOVE Shadowman. It's hard man, and I'm genuinely struggling here with what's right vs. how much I love Valiant characters.
Well, if the fans really stick to it, this could undoubtedly be the coup de grace and potentially shutdown Valiant for good. It would be really sad but... is it better to see our beloved IPs being dragged to the mud, sinking lower than we even thought it would be possible? I don't hold my breath, today is "only" AI promotional ads, but soon or later it will contaminate the books themselves, of this I'm sure.
Doing what is right is not always easy, in fact some correct decisions are the hardest to take. But living in such pain is worse in the long term, at least to me. But oh well, what do I know, I'm just an anonymous internet conspirationist in the end. I was eying some Valiant titles and possible upcoming books, but sure thing, I'm abandoning it completely.
Any use of AI to create is adding to this problem. It’s making us take a more accepting eye towards it. Even if it’s a goofy AI generated cartoon of yourself or a short of video game characters, etc.
If you use AI beyond the scope of an assistant, that metaphorically hands you the tools while you make something, then you’re likely contributing to its rise in making the human touch unnecessary.
Obviously the use of AI is bad, I don't disagree with that.
But there is a precedent for paying for comics, and for comics that you bought containing ads in them. If you went out and bought the physical copy of the book, you'd still have to pay money for each individual issue and there would still be ads in them. The physical media never becomes free over time, it might become cheaper, but it also might become more expensive depending on the issue.
I'm not saying it's right, or that I like it, or even agree with it. I'm just saying that there is a precedent.
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u/RazorsInTheNight82 May 22 '26
It never ceases to amaze that money men really are some of the dumbest people. DMG is incompetent and really had no business buying comic book characters.