The solicitations for Alien Books’ Valiant Beyond titles for December 2025 are here, and there’s one title that is still missing in action, for the second month in a row: Bloodshot.
Previously, Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot #1, which was released in August, was the subject of an online firestorm for possible transphobic language, referring to a child vampire plot point in the book. While both Valiant’s publisher Alien Books, and writer Mauro Mantella apologized quickly and pledged to do better in the future, this was further compounded by unearthed tweets from Mantella that reposted anti-trans and anti-vaccine memes.
Mantella followed this up with a lengthy second apology online, adding that Bloodshot #2 will continue the child vampire storyline, so readers should be aware… And since then, we haven’t heard much. Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot #2, which was originally planned for a release on September 24, has been shifted to October 8, 2025. And as of this time, Bloodshot #3 is still scheduled for November 5, 2025, at least according to Alien’s upcoming schedule page.
However, a Bloodshot #4 did not appear in the November Valiant Beyond solicits, nor has it appeared in the just-released December 2025 solicits. While one might think the title has been outright canceled, it’s important to clarify that these books seem to be going on a three-issue cycle for story arcs, so it’s just as likely to speculate that Bloodshot is merely on hiatus after the first arc.
Well update if there are any further developments. In the meantime, check out the covers and solicits for the rest of Valiant Beyond’s December books, below. And not for nothing, if you want to read a Valiant Beyond book with some positive LGBTQ+ rep, the character of Alloy in All-New Harbinger is trans-fluid. Just FYI!
TALES OF THE SHADOWMAN: GHOSTS OF THE BAYOU #2
CRY WOLFMAN!
Detective St. Brown requests Shadowman’s help for a personal matter, but is he asking too much? Remember, all things have a cost!
PLUS: The detective’s deep ties with the city’s mystical community lead all the way up to the secretive group of witches governing New Orleans, known as the Pantheon. While powerful, they’re not invincible, as a deadly new threat will emerge with one mission in mind: eliminate every member of the Pantheon!
Script: AJ Ampadu
Art: Sergio Monjes
Main Cover: Nathan Birr (A – Reg)
Variant Covers: Ennio Bufi (B), Nathan Birr (C – Full Art), Ennio Bufi (D – Full Art)
FOC: 11/24/25
On Sale Date: 1/07/26
Rated Mature
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
THE X-O MANOWAR #4
THE DIVE IS UNDER ATTACK BY THE EARTHBORN, AND TYPHON IS DETERMINED TO END ARIC’S LIFE!
It’s hide or fight for the PunX of the Dive when the Earthborn attack, and the leader is set on killing Aric for daring to confront him. The cosmic being inside Aric’s armor, Shanhara, is paralyzed after Typhon’s horrific field vision, with the extent of the damage unknown!
For two thousand years, Aric has been a warrior. From righteous Visigoth to cosmic knight-errant, the ethereal being residing within Aric’s stellar armor inspired his quest for honor. Shanhara has aided Aric for millenia. But with the armor unresponsive, Aric might have to fend for himself once more.
Steel yourself for the climactic final chapter of Steve Orlando and Guillermo Fajardo’s opening arc on THE X-O MANOWAR!
Script: Steve Orlando
Art: Guillermo Fajardo
Main Cover: Federico Sabbatini (A – Reg)
Variant Covers: Andrea Broccardo (B), Federico Sabbatini (C – Full Art), Andrea Broccardo
(D – Full Art)
Final Order Cut-Off: 11/10/2025
On Sale Date: 12/24/25
Rated Mature
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
ALL-NEW HARBINGER: IT NEVER STOPS #1
START READING HERE WITH THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ARC, “IT NEVER STOPS,” FROM FRED VAN LENTE & ERIK TAMAYO!
What’s a superhero story without a little drama?
Archer’s feeling unsure about his role on the team, but there’s no time to second-guess things as he’s assigned to the security detail of a visiting dignitary from New Orleans!
PLUS: A trip to the women’s prison unveils a secret connection to Supremum Peter Stanchek’s past, the Human League gets ready for revenge, and a mysterious force calling itself Sanction is leaping from body to body, possessing people. Surely, none of these events will collide in unexpected and shocking ways. Surely!
Script: Fred Van Lente
Art: Erik Tamayo
Main Cover: Rodrigo Rocha (A – Reg)
Variant Covers: Federico Sabbatini (B), Rodrigo Rocha (C – Full Art), Federico Sabbatini (D – Full Art)
Final Order Cut-Off: 11/03/2025
On Sale Date: 12/17/25
Rated T+
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
Comic Book Club Live Info:
Discover more from Comic Book Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.