Mags - Previews Magazine vol. III, no. 5

Check out this cover scan for Previews Magazine featuring a Deathmate cover by Mike Leeke. The cover art was also used for the cover of Deathmate: Yellow and features many characters including Shadowman, Ninjak, Wild C.A.T.S., Master Darque, H.A.R.D. Corps and Timewalker.

Darque Passages full cover

Darque Passages is a four issue mini series published by Valiant Comics (under the Acclaim Comics Valiant Heroes banner). The mini explored the Master Darque character of the Acclaim universe (where he was called Alexander Darque). The series is a little confusing but has some interesting moments and great painted covers, all four of which connect to form a larger image. I recently found a picture of the issues combined. Check it out below:

UPDATE: Here is a larger and clearer look at the combined image without the logo and credits thanks to ValiantEntertainment.com

Promo - Armstrong Ale

The companion piece to the Darque Brew, Armstrong Ale is a promotion for the Archer & Armstrong comic book series. Valiant (or Acclaim as it was called then) sent comic book retailers across America incentive/thank you Christmas packages that included a bottle of specially packaged beer in a box with a label that reads "Valiant Comics Special Holiday Brew: Armstrong Ale" and a greeting card that reads "Enjoy some Holiday Cheer from your friends at Acclaim Comics". Occasionally, these were accompanied with a letter from Valiant discussing the upcoming event books and promotions. 


The Darque Brew greeting card featured a picture of a Binosaur from Turok (which was originally used on the cover of Internal Correspondence, see the post about that here) but Armstrong Ale features a Christmas image of Doctor Mirage and Carmen (I'm not sure if this is an original image or if it was published before). Check out some images below:

The bottles were brewed exclusively for Valiant in 1994 by the Capital Brewing Company. These bottles have become sought after collectors items, especially when they come complete with the greeting card. Valiant had planned to issue 6 different bottles (I believe one per Christmas, though I'm not sure) which would then be collected in a six pack holder that would accompany the sixth bottle. Only Darque Brew and Armstrong Ale were ever produced.

Mags - Hero Illustrated #1 Platinum

A few days ago I posted a scan of the cover to Hero Illustrated #1 which features a Second Life of Doctor Mirage cover. Well today, I have a scan of the Platinum edition of Hero Illustrated #1. It's exactly the same magazine except the purple foil is now silver (or platinum). I love how the Second Life of Doctor Mirage cover looks with the silver. Check it out:

No idea how this was given out. Probably to retailers and related to the number of Hero Illustrated #1's bought. When I do find out I'll update this post so keep checking back.

For comparison, here's the regular cover again:

Mags - Hero Illustrated #1

Hero Illustrated is the magazine that tried to give Wizard Magazine a run for its money by spending crazy amounts on advertising and giving away the most valuable comics in history - the first issue came with a scratch and win card that automatically awarded prizes ranging from Harbinger #1 with coupon (the most in demand issue of the modern era as Hero Illustrated called it) to Amazing Spider-Man #1 (the most in demand issue of the silver era as Hero Illustrated called it).

The inaugural issue of Hero Illustrated featured a pretty amazing foil embossed (remember those days?) Second Life of Doctor Mirage cover.

And a cool article about the series.

Credit to www.ValiantEntertainment.com for the scans.

Mags - Comic Buyers Guide #1065

Got another Valiant Comics related magazine for you today - Comic Buyers Guide #1065 which has a Chaos Effect cover.

Promo - Darque Brew

One of the most famous Valiant Comics promotional items is the Darque Brew bottle of beer. Valiant (or Acclaim as it was called then) sent comic book retailers across America incentive/thank you Christmas packages that included a bottle of specially packaged beer in a box with a label that reads "Valiant Comics Darque Brew" and a greeting card that reads "Happy Holidays from your friends at Acclaim Comics". Occasionally, these were accompanied with a letter from Valiant discussing the upcoming event books and promotions. 

The bottles were brewed exclusively for Valiant in 1994 by the Capital Brewing Company. These bottles have become sought after collectors items, especially when they come complete with the greeting card. Valiant had planned to issue 6 different bottles (I believe one per Christmas) which would then be collected in a six pack holder that would accompany the sixth bottle. Only one other bottle was ever produced - Armstrong Ale - promoted Archer & Armstrong.

UPDATE: You can now see pictures and read description of Armstrong Ale in my Armstrong Ale post.

Commission - Valiant Universe by Jamie Biggs

Check out this huge 4 page Valiant Universe commission by artist Jamie Biggs.

In his own words:

This is one HUGE commission I did for a new friend of mine named Sandra. She really blew my mind when she contacted me requesting a 2-page (DPS) commission of some of her favorite Valiant Comics characters. I must say I was taken aback by her request in that these were some cool characters that I had not seen in many years. Many, Many years! Yes, I am dating myself a little here! I could feel the excitement and love she felt for these characters, so I jumped right on board. I must say that doing this piece was quite an experience. As I said, she had originally requested a 2-page piece, but I wanted to make sure that all of the characters were recognizable, so I asked if I could make it a 3-pager. She said yes, so I set out to complete this monster. Well... as I was bluelining this piece, I noticed that this monster was quickly turning into a Beast! I couldn't stop. I kept going and going and before I knew it, and after many hours of excrutiating pain in my hand and wrist (lol), this 4-pager was born! I had never drawn most of these characters before, so this was something totally new for me. I just hope that Sandra will be happy with this labor of love (I don't even know if she has recieved the final pics in her email yet)and I hope to do more work for her in the future. I decided to go with all of the heroes Sandra requested in the forground, looking like they were on the terrain of some alien world. Almost like they were brought there by a very powerful force, sort of along the lines of Marvel's Secret War. That was where I thought Master Darque would fit in. I made him large in the background and had him with his arms outstretched with those heiroglyphic tattoo things everywhere. Almost like he was spreading them out and using them to create the world that the heroes are on. I put a slight grin on his face to give him that smug, slightly evil look that most villains have. Like he knows he's just a little bit better than everyone else... Even the most powerful of heroes. I was happy with the way most of the characters turned out. I especially like X-O and Turok, but I think my favorite has got to be Ninjak. I just like the way he is sitting there, perched atop that peak. Not really looking like he is bothered at all, just ready for whatever is thrown at him. Isn't that the ninja way though? Just chillin'... Not looking for any trouble, but more than ready to deal with it if it comes along!

Here are some close ups

 

I'm not crazy about the art (the anatomy is awkward, the characters are overly dramatized, the layout is crowded and many of the characters are off spec) or the artists style (bad 90s Image imitation) but I have to applaud the sheer scale of the job.

Original Art - Eternal Warrior #6 cover color art

Found the color art to the famous cover for Eternal Warrior #6 by Barry Windsor-Smith at Comic Art Fans. It's great seeing the cover without the logos and price box. This may be my favorite image of Master Darque. Take a look.

And here is the published cover for comparison (admittedly not the best scan).

Promo - Chaos Effect flyer

Found these pictures of a nifty Chaos Effect promo that I've never seen before. I have no idea what it was used for or how it was distributed but it was most likely given to retailers to promote the Chaos Effect crossover. I really like the image on the front and the Darque logo. Bob Layton drew the image and it features Magnus Robot Fighter, Doctor Mirage, Doctor Eclipse, Shadowman, Carmen Ruiz, Master Darque and Sandria Darque. If I find out more I will update this entry.

Here is the front:

And the inside:

Unfortunately,  I don't have any pictures of the back.

Master Darque song lyric

This is a strange post. A band I've never heard of called You Love Her Coz Shes Dead wrote a song I've never heard of called Bloodlust in which they talk about Master Darque. It must be a popular song because its all over the internet and YouTube and has tens of thousands of views. Check it out for yourself. Video and lyrics posted below.

LYRICS:
Master Darque's got evil schemes /
What do you live for when evil is what you dream? /
Her ghost sleeps with killers and knives /
Scene from a movie /
Bloodlust in his eyes /
In his eyes /
Yeah living on the dead side
/ You're the shady black night with fear in your eyes
/ No surprise
/ Spreading those lies
/ It's your disguise /
Evil eyes /
In the fire /
Tongue lashing at his jaw /
He's got a secret lust for waging war /
In love with death /
On backstreet meth /
Waiting with baited breath /
You've got grim jack on call back / You've got grim jack on call back /
Her ghost sleeps with killers and knives / S
cene from a movie /
Bloodlust in his eyes /
In his eyes

VIDEO:

Fan Art - Master Darque digital art

A cool digital image of Master Darque created by none of then Valiant alum Clifford Van Meter. Since this was not created for any product but out of love for the character I'm labeling it fan art!

Unpublished - Master Darque designs

No idea what this is for but it's a new look Master Darque that was faxed from Steven Butler (the artist?) to Jim Perham. Could this be related to the unpublished Master Darque books that Perham was planning for 1999/2000? I am not a fan of the art (look at that face on the right) or the costumes.

Valiant Computer Icons

Found these cool Valiant Comics desktop icons.  Not sure how to use them as the instructions are in French but someone went to a lot of trouble putting together 46 icons.  Check out images of a few of them below:

Bloodshot

X-O Manowar

Spider Aliens

Shadowman and Master Darque

Rai

 Rai from the Future Force

Black and purple outfit Ninjak's

Solar the Destroyer and Solar: Man of the Atom

Turok Dinosaur Hunter

Archer & Armstrong

Doctor Mirage and Carmen Ruiz

Armorines

Doctor Eclipse

Sting, Torque, Kris and Toyo Harada

Eternal Warrior and Geoff the Geomancer

Ivar the Timewalker

Shakesphere and Heydrich

Magnus Robot Fighter

Check out how cool these icons can look with the right desktop wallpaper:

UPDATE: The original site I found these icons on is down (seemingly for good) but the good folks at Valiantfans.com also have the icons. So head over to their page on Valiant Comics computer icons to download them.

UPDATE II: I've recently learned that these computer icons were made by Steven Louie of Brooklyn for the PC. And that Steven submitted them to Valiant, won a Gold logo book and had the story published in the editorial section of the comics!