COLISEUM OF COMICS: For those who haven’t read a Valiant title, what would you tell them about Generation Zero and Britannia to convince them to give them a read?
WARREN SIMONS: I’d say it’s never been a better time to jump into Valiant. GENERATION ZERO is a book about superpowered, teenage psiots who were raised in a secret, government testing facility, similar to some of the kids in Stranger Things. They’re child soldiers, learning to be a family in a world mostly alien to them. Cronus, Telic, Animalia, Cloud and the gang now — if rumors are to be believed — help teenagers in trouble…If they deem your problem to be big enough. The story takes off from there, in an adventure that our writer Fred Van Lente lovingly calls “Archie Meets the Authority.”
BRITANNIA, on the other had, turns the clocks way back to the height of the Roman Empire. The main character is Roman legionnaire Antonius Axia, the world’s first detective. After Antonius is nearly destroyed in an ancient battle, the Vestal Virgins of Rome rehabilitate him — and help unlock the true secrets of how men think, act, and behave. Using these gifts, Antonius makes a name for himself — one which Emperor Nero takes note of. Peter Milligan is writing this story, with Juan Jose Ryp on art, and I have to say that it’s one of the most intense things we’ve ever done at Valiant. This book is a brutal, psychological exploration of life in Rome, and war on the expanding front line of Britannia.
COLISEUM: Britannia centers on Antonius Axia, the very first detective. What kind of mysteries are we expecting to be solved in 65 AD Rome?
SIMONS: Mysteries that challenge reality and possibly defy logic. There could be supernatural forces working against Antonius as he delves deeper into his investigation…or it could all just be a figment of his own mind. That’s the fun with BRITANNIA. You don’t know if the protagonist is really chasing down a monster, or just the monsters that he’s fabricated in his head. Peter’s done a masterful job here.
COLISEUM: What does this time period offer the traditional detective story that other time periods do not offer?
SIMONS: Antonius is the world’s first detective, so a lot of the elements that we take for granted in detective stories and investigations, we see Antonius explore for the first time. In fact, there isn’t even a proper title yet for what he does. He’s called a “detectioneer,” with a bit of skepticism, as this is a time when civilization just blamed everything on the fates and the gods. They never stopped to analyze what was in front of them from a logical standpoint. They can’t fathom a subconscious. They think an autopsy is sacrilegious. Since people don’t know how to feel or react to detective work, we’ll see a certain sense of wonder, and hostility, from those around Antonius.
COLISEUM: There have been dozens of superhero stories trying to balance going to school and extra-curricular superhero activities. What would you say makes the heroes of Generation Zero different?
SIMONS: Well, the fact that these teenage heroes are reformed child soldiers that have killed on multiple occasions. That’s certainly a place to start (laughs). Fred is writing these kids as more of a military strike force, each with their own rank and practical purpose, than a bunch of chums eating pizza and playing video games between missions. This team will do whatever it takes to complete their task, and will spare no sacrifice to see it done. This includes violence, destruction, and some other morally gray decisions that will make them more complex than your cookie-cutter heroes. The kids of Generation Zero are hardened soldiers, but they’re still kids, so a lot of the series’ pathos will come from their nature fighting against their nurture.
COLISEUM: Valiant has released a number of different series together in a shared universe. Will we see other titles interact with the events of Generation Zero? Will we see these characters show up elsewhere in Valiant?
SIMONS: It’s still a little early to say who might show up, as Fred wants to establish the Generation Zero team as compelling characters in their own right first. Since this does take place in the current Valiant Universe however, where Bloodshot, Faith, and our other heroes are operating only a few states away, I’d never say that we’d never see them.
COLISEUM: Is there anything else you feel people should know about the new titles?
SIMONS: Definitely. GENERATION ZERO and BRITANNIA are only two of the seven titles that we’re publishing this year under the “FUTURE OF VALIANT” initiative. Every month between July and December 2016, we’re releasing at least one new series, concept, or character, which will really surprise people’s expectations. The initiative began with FAITH #1, one of our most popular characters, in July, and will then continue with GENERATION ZERO #1 in August, BRITANNIA #1 in September, BLOODSHOT USA #1 in October, HARBINGER RENEGADES #1 and SAVAGE #1 in November, and DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE #1 in December. It’s a really exceptional lineup, and I’m super excited to see readers experience what I see as ‘the next level’ for Valiant.
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