Valiant isn’t recognized outside conventions, but the publisher has been at it with its own universe since 1989. At the New York Comic Con on Saturday, Valiant unveiled its plans for a live-action series in a partnership with YouTube filmmakers Bat in the Sun. Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe will be the live-action debut of Valiant where Ninjak squares off against other characters from Valiant’s comic books.
Michael Rowe, best known as Deadshot in the CW’s Arrow, takes center stage as the ninja assassin under MI6 jurisdiction. In Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe, Ninjak enters a gauntlet of other major Valiant characters like Bloodshot, the Eternal Warrior, and X-O Manowar.
Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers) will play Bloodshot, while ex-WWE star John Morrison will become the Eternal Warrior in the series. X-O Manowar, the publisher’s flagship character next to Ninjak, will be played by Derek Theler.
The series, which will premiere on YouTube and distributed in 7- to 8- minute episodes, won’t share the same continuity as the blockbuster films Valiant intends to pursue. Last year, Valiant raised a nine-figure financing from Sony to produce a movie and TV franchise featuring its characters. Valiant CEO Dinesh Shamdasani told Inverse the goal of Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe is to introduce the mainstream to this comic book universe and ignite interest. The other stuff will come later.
Check out the trailer below, which premiered at the company’s panel at New York Comic Con.
Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe is expected to premiere in 2017.
