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{{Short description|Superhero duo from the Valiant comic book}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox comic book title <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{Infobox comic book title <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = Quantum and Woody 1 Sook.jpg|x220px|
| image = Quantum and Woody 1 Sook.jpg
| caption =Textless cover of ''Quantum and Woody'' #1.<br />Art by [[Ryan Sook (comics)|Ryan Sook]].
| caption =Textless cover of ''Quantum and Woody'' (volume 2) #1, art by Ryan Sook.
| schedule = Monthly
| schedule = Monthly
| ongoing = y
| ongoing = y
| date = '''(Valiant Comics)'''<br>June [[1997 in comics|1997]] - January [[2000 in comics|2000]]<br>'''(Valiant Entertainment)'''<br>July 2013
| date = '''(Valiant Comics)'''<br>June [[1997 in comics|1997]] – January [[2000 in comics|2000]]<br>'''(Valiant Entertainment)'''<br>July 2013
| issues = 50
| issues = 50
| Superhero = y
| Superhero = y
| publisher = [[Valiant Comics]]
| publisher = [[Valiant Comics]]
| main_char_team = [[Eric Henderson aka Quantum (Valiant Comics)|Quantum]], [[Woodrow Van Chelton aka Woody (Valiant Comics)|Woody]]
| main_char_team = Eric Percy Henderson / Quantum<BR>Woodrow "Woody" Henderson / Woody<BR>Vincent Van Goat
| writers =
| writers =
| artists =
| artists =
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}}
}}


'''''Quantum and Woody''''' is a [[comic book]] series co-created by writer [[Christopher Priest (comics)|Christopher Priest]] and illustrator [[M. D. Bright]].
'''''Quantum and Woody''''' is a superhero duo from the [[Valiant Comics|Valiant]] [[comic book]] series created by writer [[Christopher Priest (comics)|Christopher Priest]] and illustrator [[M. D. Bright]].


Editor [[Fabian Nicieza]] called Priest because he wanted a buddy super-hero book similar to ''[[Power Man and Iron Fist]]''. Priest then suggested they use the artist of that series, Bright]]. Originally reluctant to work on this, Bright suggested they make the white character the comic relief for once. Drawing inspiration from the characters played by [[Woody Harrelson]] and [[Wesley Snipes]] in ''[[White Men Can't Jump]]'', they created ''Quantum & Woody''.<ref>http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/08/19/no-more-black-panther-comics-but-maybe-a-novel-christopher-priests-bleeding-cool-interview/</ref> After Acclaim Entertainment purchased the rights to the Valiant catalog in 1994, Quantum and Woody was introduced to the Valiant Universe. In 2013 [[Valiant Entertainment]] began publishing a re-imagined version of the characters written by [[James Asmus]] with art by [[Tom Fowler (artist)|Tom Fowler]].
Editor [[Fabian Nicieza]] called Priest because he wanted a buddy super-hero book similar to ''[[Power Man and Iron Fist]]''. Priest then suggested they use the artist of that series, Bright. Originally reluctant to work on this, Bright suggested they make the white character the comic relief for once. Drawing inspiration from the characters played by [[Woody Harrelson]] and [[Wesley Snipes]] in ''[[White Men Can't Jump]]'', they created ''Quantum & Woody''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/08/19/no-more-black-panther-comics-but-maybe-a-novel-christopher-priests-bleeding-cool-interview/ |title=No More Black Panther Comics, But Maybe A Novel – Christopher Priest's Bleeding Cool Interview |website=bleedingcool.com |date=2016-08-19 |access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>
In 2013, [[Valiant Comics]] began publishing a re-imagined version of the characters.


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
===Acclaim Comics===
====Volume 1====
The first volume of ''Quantum and Woody'' was published by Acclaim Comics for 17 issues beginning in June 1997 and ending in October 1998. It returned for five issues released between September 1999 and January 2000.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.valiantfan.com/valiant/title.asp?tc=q&u=2 |title=Valiant Fan: Quantum and Woody |website= ValiantFan.com |access-date=2013-03-25}}</ref>


===Volume 1===
===Valiant Entertainment===
====Volume 2====
The first volume of ''Quantum and Woody'' was published by Acclaim Comics for 17 issues beginning in June 1997 and ending in October 1998. It returned for five issues released between September 1999 and January 2000.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.valiantfan.com/valiant/title.asp?tc=q&u=2 |title=Valiant Fan: Quantum and Woody |website= ValiantFan.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-25}}</ref>
In March 2013, Valiant Entertainment released a teaser signaling the return of ''Quantum and Woody'', stating "The World's Greatest Comic Company Presents...The World's Worst Superhero Team".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/valiant-teases-quantum-woody-return.html |title=2013 Return Teaser |website= Newsarama.com |access-date=2013-03-25}}</ref>


On March 26, a new series written by [[James Asmus]] with art by [[Tom Fowler (artist)|Tom Fowler]] was announced, later receiving July release date. The characters in the new series are re-imagined and do not continue the story line of the previous series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/quantum-and-woody-valiant.html |title=2013 Interview With New Creators |website= Newsarama.com |access-date=2013-03-26}}</ref> The series lasted 13 issues. Priest and Bright returned to produce a five-issue miniseries featuring the original Quantum and Woody, set 20 years after the last issue of the original series.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=48361 |title= NYCC EXCLUSIVE: Priest & Bright Reunite For 'Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody'| first= Steve| last= Sunu| publisher= [[Comic Book Resources]]| date= October 12, 2013| access-date= March 9, 2014}}</ref> The series was released on November 12, 2014. The duo were later teamed up with Archer & Armstrong for a 4 issue miniseries called ''The Delinquents''.
===Volume 2===
On March 21, 2013 Valiant Entertainment released a teaser signaling the return of ''Quantum and Woody'', stating "The World's Greatest Comic Company Presents...The World's Worst Superhero Team".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/valiant-teases-quantum-woody-return.html |title=2013 Return Teaser |website= Newsarama.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-25}}</ref>


====Volume 3====
On March 26, a new series written by [[James Asmus]] with art by [[Tom Fowler (artist)|Tom Fowler]] was announced. It received a July 2013 release date. The characters in the new series are re-imagined and do not continue the story line of the previous series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/quantum-and-woody-valiant.html |title=2013 Interview With New Creators |website= Newsarama.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-26}}</ref> The series lasted 13 issues. On October 12, 2013, Valiant announced that Priest and Bright would be returning to produce a five-issue miniseries featuring the original Quantum and Woody, set 20 years after the last issue of the original series.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=48361 |title= NYCC EXCLUSIVE: Priest & Bright Reunite For 'Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody'| first= Steve| last= Sunu| publisher= [[Comic Book Resources]]| date= October 12, 2013| access-date= March 9, 2014}}</ref> The series was released on November 12, 2014. The duo were later teamed up with Archer & Armstrong for a 4 issue miniseries called ''The Delinquents''.
After a couple of years inactive, the duo were brought back for a new series written by [[Daniel Kibblesmith]], starting in late 2017 and ending after 12 issues.


===Volume 3===
==== Volume 4 ====
A new miniseries was launched in 2020, written by [[Christopher Hastings]] with art by [[Ryan Browne]].
After a couple of years inactive, the duo were brought back for a new series written by [[Daniel Kibblesmith]], starting in late 2017.


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2018}}
In the version of Quantum and Woody published by the 2010s incarnation of Valiant Entertainment, Eric Henderson and Woodrow ("Woody") Van Chelton are adoptive brothers. After years of estrangement they are brought together by the mysterious death of their father (Woody's foster father). They set out to find their father's killer and, in the course of their investigation, are accidentally imbued with powers.


Straitlaced and earnest Eric Henderson always strove for a life of disciplined achievement—in school, in the Army and in his career. In contrast, Woody, has been irresponsible and undisciplined, living on the streets, gregarious but promiscuous, and leading a life of petty crime. When their father Derek is killed at his top-secret experimental energy lab, the brothers reconnect at the funeral which leads to a fistfight and resultant jailtime.
===Valiant Entertainment (2013)===
Eric Henderson and Woodrow ("Woody") Van Chelton are adoptive brothers. After years of estrangement they are brought together by the mysterious death of their father (Woody's foster father). They set out to find their father's killer and, in the course of their investigation, are accidentally imbued with powers.

Straitlaced and earnest Eric Henderson always strove for a life of disciplined achievement—in school, in the Army and in his career. In contrast, Woody, has been irresponsible and undisciplined, living on the streets, gregarious but promiscuous, and leading a life of petty crime. Where their father Derek is killed at his top-secret experimental energy lab, the brothers reconnect at the funeral which leads to a fistfight and resultant jailtime.


Distraught, suspected of murder, and determined to bring the real killers to justice, Eric and Woody decide to investigate the crime themselves, despite having no qualifications for doing so. They break into Derek's lab to gather clues, but they accidentally activate a machine which emits strange energy to which they are exposed before causing a massive explosion. Miraculously, they survive and moreover, they possess the ability to shoot energy and generate shields of pure power. However, another result requires them to slam their metal wristbands to each other's every 24 hours to avoid being dissolved.
Distraught, suspected of murder, and determined to bring the real killers to justice, Eric and Woody decide to investigate the crime themselves, despite having no qualifications for doing so. They break into Derek's lab to gather clues, but they accidentally activate a machine which emits strange energy to which they are exposed before causing a massive explosion. Miraculously, they survive and moreover, they possess the ability to shoot energy and generate shields of pure power. However, another result requires them to slam their metal wristbands to each other's every 24 hours to avoid being dissolved.


Utilizing their unstable energy powers, Eric and Woody learn of a mysterious group, Edison's Radical Acquisitions (ERA), which was seeking Dr. Henderson's research. Woody convinces Eric that they could find out more about Derek's secret science by snooping around in superhero equipment stolen from Eric's job at private security contractor Magnum Security. Calling themselves Quantum and Woody, the duo infiltrate a ERA gathering in Washington, DC, but Woody is subdued and taken hostage. As Quantum, Eric tracks ERA to an island base brimming with pilfered scientific secrets, [[mad scientist]]s, robots, and genetic experiments.
Utilizing their unstable energy powers, Eric and Woody learn of a mysterious group, Edison's Radical Acquisitions (ERA), which was seeking Dr. Henderson's research. Woody convinces Eric that they could find out more about Derek's secret science by snooping around in superhero equipment stolen from Eric's job at private security contractor Magnum Security. Calling themselves Quantum and Woody, the duo infiltrate an ERA gathering in Washington, DC, but Woody is subdued and taken hostage. As Quantum, Eric tracks ERA to an island base brimming with pilfered scientific secrets, [[mad scientist]]s, robots, and genetic experiments.


ERA's decrepit matriarch is a geneticist known only as the Crone. She has prolonged her life for decades by harvesting parts from [[Human cloning|clones]]. She conducts experiments on Woody in an attempt to unlock the secrets of his power. Eric frees Woody, but they accidentally destroy the island, barely surviving and accompanied by a mysteriously powerful goat and a teenage Crone-clone named Sixty-Nine.
ERA's decrepit matriarch is a geneticist known only as the Crone. She has prolonged her life for decades by harvesting parts from [[Human cloning|clones]]. She conducts experiments on Woody in an attempt to unlock the secrets of his power. Eric frees Woody, but they accidentally destroy the island, barely surviving and accompanied by a mysteriously powerful goat and a teenage Crone-clone named Sixty-Nine.


Because their wristband limitation requires them to remain in close contact, the brothers reconcile, and Woody moves into Eric's apartment. Soon after, Eric is enlisted by his boss, Terrence Magnum, to act as Magnum Security's private superhero. Magnum sends Quantum on a [[suicide mission]] to destabilize a [[white supremacism|white supremacist]] (and possibly other -ists) movement in [[Montana]], and because the brothers need to remain in close proximity, Woody accompanies him. Discovering that Magnum is only using Eric as a pawn to start a profitable domestic war, Quantum and Woody ally with the separatists to defeat Magnum's goal.
Because their wristband limitation requires them to remain in close contact, the brothers reconcile, and Woody moves into Eric's apartment. Soon after, Eric is enlisted by his boss, Terrence Magnum, to act as Magnum Security's private superhero. Magnum sends Quantum on a suicide mission to destabilize a white supremacist (and possibly other -ists) movement in [[Montana]], and because the brothers need to remain in close proximity, Woody accompanies him. Discovering that Magnum is only using Eric as a pawn to start a profitable domestic war, Quantum and Woody ally with the separatists to defeat Magnum's goal.


Resettling in Washington, DC, Quantum and Woody notice a sizable increase in the amount of robo-crimes reported there, which may be an indication of a return of the ERA.
Resettling in Washington, DC, Quantum and Woody notice a sizable increase in the amount of robo-crimes reported there, which may be an indication of a return of the ERA.


==Characters==
==Characters==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2018}}

===The Goat===
===The Goat===
The Henderson brothers have not realized it yet, but this curious creature, named Vincent Van Goat by Woody, has a history with their family that goes back many years, back to the days when their father was a lab assistant to the bombastic Dr. Platzhalter. Platzhalter's work aimed to develop a device capable of backing up and restoring the full mind and thought patterns of any chosen subject, a possible cure for [[Alzheimer's disease]] or the key to a smarter [[artificial intelligence]]. During an impromptu demonstration for the representatives of Edison's Radical Acquisitions, a lab accident resulted in the transfer of a copy of Henderson's mind into the goat. Unaware of what had truly transpired, ERA took the animal into their care and spent the next several years performing unethical scientific upgrades on the Goat. Over time, these experiments entirely changed the Goat's physiology to the point where the true extent of the animal's abilities —including heat vision, enhanced strength, and limited flight —may never be known.

The Henderson brothers haven't realized it yet, but this curious creature, named [[Vincent Van Gogh|Vincent Van Goat]] by Woody, has a history with their family that goes back many years, back to the days when their father was a lab assistant to the bombastic Dr. Platzhalter. Platzhalter's work aimed to develop a device capable of backing up and restoring the full mind and thought patterns of any chosen subject, a possible cure for [[Alzheimer's disease]] or the key to a smarter [[artificial intelligence]]. During an impromptu demonstration for the representatives of Edison's Radical Acquisitions, a lab accident resulted in the transfer of a copy of Henderson's mind into the goat. Unaware of what had truly transpired, ERA took the animal into their care and spent the next several years performing unethical scientific upgrades on the Goat. Over time, these experiments entirely changed the Goat's physiology to the point where the true extent of the animal's abilities—including heat vision, enhanced strength, and limited flight—may never be known.


Years later, when Quantum and Woody desperately try to escape the ERA's island headquarters, the Goat recognizes the "heroes" as his "own" wayward sons and rescues them, deploying a terrifying array of combat abilities to wreak havoc throughout the ERA compound. The Goat initiates the island's self-destruct sequence. It goes to live with Eric and Woody to live in Eric's Washington, DC apartment.
Years later, when Quantum and Woody desperately try to escape the ERA's island headquarters, the Goat recognizes the "heroes" as his "own" wayward sons and rescues them, deploying a terrifying array of combat abilities to wreak havoc throughout the ERA compound. The Goat initiates the island's self-destruct sequence. It goes to live with Eric and Woody to live in Eric's Washington, DC apartment.
Line 66: Line 72:


===Original version===
===Original version===
Eric Henderson is a decorated Army tactical officer. Woodrow Van Chelton is a goofy man with a guitar (but no band). His idea of detective work is hanging a suspect out of a window. They are childhood friends who have lost touch with one another as they entered their teenage years. Reunited after the deaths of their fathers in a suspicious helicopter crash, they begin investigating the fathers' deaths and become victims of a high-tech industrial accident that turns their bodies into pure energy. The metal gauntlets they each wear must be slammed together every 24 hours to reset their energy matrix, or their atoms will break apart and their bodies will fade away. Eric adopts a code name, Quantum, to work undercover and find his father’s killer. Woodrow wants to avenge his father’s death too, but declares that as "code names are stupid," people can call him Woody.
Eric Henderson is a decorated Army tactical officer. Woodrow Van Chelton is a goofy man with a guitar (but no band). His idea of detective work is hanging a suspect out of a window. They are childhood friends who have lost touch with one another as they entered their teenage years. Reunited after the deaths of their fathers in a suspicious helicopter crash, they begin investigating the fathers' deaths and become victims of a high-tech industrial accident that turns their bodies into pure energy. The metal gauntlets they each wear must be slammed together every 24 hours to reset their energy matrix, or their atoms will break apart and their bodies will fade away. Eric adopts a code name, Quantum, to work undercover and find his father's killer. Woodrow wants to avenge his father's death too, but declares that as "code names are stupid", people can call him Woody.


==TV series==
==In other media==
===Television===
A TV series developed by [[Russo brothers|the Russo Brothers]] and [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] has been announced.<ref>http://www.thewrap.com/russo-bros-quantum-and-woody-tv-series/</ref>
A TV series developed by [[Russo brothers|Anthony and Joe Russo]] and [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] was announced in 2017.<ref>Gonzalez, Umberto (March 14, 2017). [http://www.thewrap.com/russo-bros-quantum-and-woody-tv-series/ "Russo Bros to Produce ‘Quantum and Woody’ TV Series After 'Avengers: Infinity War'"]. [[TheWrap]]. Retrieved October 10, 2018.</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
*2014 Shortlisted for Excelsior Award for ''Quantum and Woody'' vol. 1.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/shortlist2014.html| title= Shortlist 2014 | website= ExcelsiorAward.co.uk| publisher= | date= | access-date= January 30, 2017}}</ref>
* 2014 Shortlisted for Excelsior Award for ''Quantum and Woody'' vol. 1.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/shortlist2014.html| title= Shortlist 2014 | website= ExcelsiorAward.co.uk| access-date= January 30, 2017}}</ref>


===Nominations===
===Nominations===
*2014 Nominated for [[Harvey Award]]s<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schedeen|first1=Jesse|title=The 2014 Harvey Award Nominations Are Revealed| date= July 16, 2014 |url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/16/the-2014-harvey-award-nominations-are-revealed| website= IGN.com}}</ref>
* 2014 Nominated for [[Harvey Award]]s<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schedeen|first1=Jesse|title=The 2014 Harvey Award Nominations Are Revealed| date= July 16, 2014 |url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/16/the-2014-harvey-award-nominations-are-revealed| website= IGN.com}}</ref>
**Best Writer: James Asmus
** Best Writer: James Asmus
** Best Letterer: Dave Lanphear
** Best Letterer: Dave Lanphear
** Most Promising New Talent: James Asmus
** Most Promising New Talent: James Asmus
Line 82: Line 89:
** Special Award for Humor in Comics: James Asmus
** Special Award for Humor in Comics: James Asmus


==Digital Publication==
==Digital publication==
[[Valiant Entertainment]] released every previously published Quantum and Woody issue via Digital Distributor [[comiXology]]. The first half arrived on 10/24/2012 while the second arrived a week later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsbeat.com/nycc-exclusive-quantum-woody-at-valiant/ |title=NYCC Exclusive – Quantum & Woody at Valiant Updated |date=2 October 2012 |publisher=comicbeat.com |access-date=2012-10-19}}</ref>
After the initial announcement it was leaked to [[Rich Johnston|Bleeding Cool News]] that two unpublished issues existed and that those issues would be released as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/14/two-completed-unpublished-quantum-and-woody-comics-to-be-published-on-comixology/ |title=Two Completed, Unpublished, Quantum And Woody Comics To Be Published On ComiXology |date=14 October 2012 |publisher=bleedingcool.com |access-date=2012-10-19}}</ref> These issues were not released with the previously published material and no announcement has been made as to their availability.


== Collected editions ==
In October 2012 [[Valiant Entertainment]] announced it would release every previously published Quantum and Woody issue via Digital Distributor [[comiXology]]. The first half would arrive on 10/24/2012 while the second arrives a week later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsbeat.com/nycc-exclusive-quantum-woody-at-valiant/ |title=NYCC Exclusive – Quantum & Woody at Valiant Updated |publisher=comicbeat.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-19}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
After the initial announcement it was leaked to [[Rich Johnston|Bleeding Cool News]] that two unpublished issues existed and that those issues would be released as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/14/two-completed-unpublished-quantum-and-woody-comics-to-be-published-on-comixology/ |title=Two Completed, Unpublished, Quantum And Woody Comics To Be Published On ComiXology |publisher=bleedingcool.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-19}}</ref> These issues were not released with the previously published material and no announcement has been made as to their availability.
|+
!Title
!Material collected
!Published date
!ISBN
|-
! colspan="4" |Acclaim Comics
|-
|''Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 1: Klang''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 1) #0–7
|September 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346780}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 2: Switch''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 1) #8–13, ''The Goat: H.A.E.D.U.S.'' #1
|October 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346803}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 3: And So…''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 1) #14–21, 32
|November 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346865}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 4: Q2 – The Return''
|''Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody'' #1–5
|May 2016
|{{ISBNT|978-1682151099}}
|-
|''Complete Quantum and Woody Classic Omnibus''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 1) #0–21, 32, ''The Goat: H.A.E.D.U.S.'' #1, ''X-O Manowar'' (vol. 1) #16
|November 2014
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346360}}
|-
! colspan="4" |Valiant Entertainment
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Vol. 1: The World's Worst Superhero Team''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 2) #1–4
|November 2013
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346186}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Vol. 2: In Security''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 2) #5–8
|March 2014
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346230}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Vol. 3: Crooked Pasts, Present Tense''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 2) #9–12, ''Quantum and Woody: The Goat'' #0
|September 2014
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346391}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Vol. 4: Quantum and Woody Must Die!''
|''Quantum and Woody Must Die!'' #1–4, ''Valiant Sized Quantum and Woody'' #1
|August 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346629}}
|-
|''The Delinquents''
|''The Delinquents'' #1–4
|February 2015
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346513}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Deluxe Edition Book 1''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 2) #1–12, ''Quantum and Woody: The Goat'' #0
|January 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1939346681}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody Deluxe Edition Book 2''
|''Quantum and Woody Must Die!'' #1–4, ''Valiant Sized Quantum and Woody'' #1, ''The Delinquents'' #1–4, ''Unity'' #25
|June 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1682152676}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody! Vol. 1: Kiss Kiss, Klang Klang''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 3) #1–5
|July 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1682152690}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody! Vol. 2: Separation Anxiety''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 3) #6–12
|May 2019
|{{ISBNT|978-1682152959}}
|-
|''Quantum and Woody: Earth's Last Choice''
|''Quantum and Woody'' (vol. 4) #1–4
|November 2020
|{{ISBNT|978-1682153628}}
|}


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 96: Line 190:
[[Category:Characters created by Christopher Priest]]
[[Category:Characters created by Christopher Priest]]
[[Category:Valiant Comics titles]]
[[Category:Valiant Comics titles]]
[[Category:Valiant Comics superheroes]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 18 June 2024

Quantum and Woody
Textless cover of Quantum and Woody (volume 2) #1, art by Ryan Sook.
Publication information
PublisherValiant Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication date(Valiant Comics)
June 1997 – January 2000
(Valiant Entertainment)
July 2013
No. of issues50
Main character(s)Eric Percy Henderson / Quantum
Woodrow "Woody" Henderson / Woody
Vincent Van Goat
Creative team
Created byChristopher Priest
M. D. Bright

Quantum and Woody is a superhero duo from the Valiant comic book series created by writer Christopher Priest and illustrator M. D. Bright.

Editor Fabian Nicieza called Priest because he wanted a buddy super-hero book similar to Power Man and Iron Fist. Priest then suggested they use the artist of that series, Bright. Originally reluctant to work on this, Bright suggested they make the white character the comic relief for once. Drawing inspiration from the characters played by Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes in White Men Can't Jump, they created Quantum & Woody.[1]

In 2013, Valiant Comics began publishing a re-imagined version of the characters.

Publication history[edit]

Acclaim Comics[edit]

Volume 1[edit]

The first volume of Quantum and Woody was published by Acclaim Comics for 17 issues beginning in June 1997 and ending in October 1998. It returned for five issues released between September 1999 and January 2000.[2]

Valiant Entertainment[edit]

Volume 2[edit]

In March 2013, Valiant Entertainment released a teaser signaling the return of Quantum and Woody, stating "The World's Greatest Comic Company Presents...The World's Worst Superhero Team".[3]

On March 26, a new series written by James Asmus with art by Tom Fowler was announced, later receiving July release date. The characters in the new series are re-imagined and do not continue the story line of the previous series.[4] The series lasted 13 issues. Priest and Bright returned to produce a five-issue miniseries featuring the original Quantum and Woody, set 20 years after the last issue of the original series.[5] The series was released on November 12, 2014. The duo were later teamed up with Archer & Armstrong for a 4 issue miniseries called The Delinquents.

Volume 3[edit]

After a couple of years inactive, the duo were brought back for a new series written by Daniel Kibblesmith, starting in late 2017 and ending after 12 issues.

Volume 4[edit]

A new miniseries was launched in 2020, written by Christopher Hastings with art by Ryan Browne.

Fictional character biography[edit]

In the version of Quantum and Woody published by the 2010s incarnation of Valiant Entertainment, Eric Henderson and Woodrow ("Woody") Van Chelton are adoptive brothers. After years of estrangement they are brought together by the mysterious death of their father (Woody's foster father). They set out to find their father's killer and, in the course of their investigation, are accidentally imbued with powers.

Straitlaced and earnest Eric Henderson always strove for a life of disciplined achievement—in school, in the Army and in his career. In contrast, Woody, has been irresponsible and undisciplined, living on the streets, gregarious but promiscuous, and leading a life of petty crime. When their father Derek is killed at his top-secret experimental energy lab, the brothers reconnect at the funeral which leads to a fistfight and resultant jailtime.

Distraught, suspected of murder, and determined to bring the real killers to justice, Eric and Woody decide to investigate the crime themselves, despite having no qualifications for doing so. They break into Derek's lab to gather clues, but they accidentally activate a machine which emits strange energy to which they are exposed before causing a massive explosion. Miraculously, they survive and moreover, they possess the ability to shoot energy and generate shields of pure power. However, another result requires them to slam their metal wristbands to each other's every 24 hours to avoid being dissolved.

Utilizing their unstable energy powers, Eric and Woody learn of a mysterious group, Edison's Radical Acquisitions (ERA), which was seeking Dr. Henderson's research. Woody convinces Eric that they could find out more about Derek's secret science by snooping around in superhero equipment stolen from Eric's job at private security contractor Magnum Security. Calling themselves Quantum and Woody, the duo infiltrate an ERA gathering in Washington, DC, but Woody is subdued and taken hostage. As Quantum, Eric tracks ERA to an island base brimming with pilfered scientific secrets, mad scientists, robots, and genetic experiments.

ERA's decrepit matriarch is a geneticist known only as the Crone. She has prolonged her life for decades by harvesting parts from clones. She conducts experiments on Woody in an attempt to unlock the secrets of his power. Eric frees Woody, but they accidentally destroy the island, barely surviving and accompanied by a mysteriously powerful goat and a teenage Crone-clone named Sixty-Nine.

Because their wristband limitation requires them to remain in close contact, the brothers reconcile, and Woody moves into Eric's apartment. Soon after, Eric is enlisted by his boss, Terrence Magnum, to act as Magnum Security's private superhero. Magnum sends Quantum on a suicide mission to destabilize a white supremacist (and possibly other -ists) movement in Montana, and because the brothers need to remain in close proximity, Woody accompanies him. Discovering that Magnum is only using Eric as a pawn to start a profitable domestic war, Quantum and Woody ally with the separatists to defeat Magnum's goal.

Resettling in Washington, DC, Quantum and Woody notice a sizable increase in the amount of robo-crimes reported there, which may be an indication of a return of the ERA.

Characters[edit]

The Goat[edit]

The Henderson brothers have not realized it yet, but this curious creature, named Vincent Van Goat by Woody, has a history with their family that goes back many years, back to the days when their father was a lab assistant to the bombastic Dr. Platzhalter. Platzhalter's work aimed to develop a device capable of backing up and restoring the full mind and thought patterns of any chosen subject, a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease or the key to a smarter artificial intelligence. During an impromptu demonstration for the representatives of Edison's Radical Acquisitions, a lab accident resulted in the transfer of a copy of Henderson's mind into the goat. Unaware of what had truly transpired, ERA took the animal into their care and spent the next several years performing unethical scientific upgrades on the Goat. Over time, these experiments entirely changed the Goat's physiology to the point where the true extent of the animal's abilities —including heat vision, enhanced strength, and limited flight —may never be known.

Years later, when Quantum and Woody desperately try to escape the ERA's island headquarters, the Goat recognizes the "heroes" as his "own" wayward sons and rescues them, deploying a terrifying array of combat abilities to wreak havoc throughout the ERA compound. The Goat initiates the island's self-destruct sequence. It goes to live with Eric and Woody to live in Eric's Washington, DC apartment.

Despite the Goat's repeated and non-subtle attempts to let Quantum and Woody know that he is somewhat their father, the duo has yet to realize this. Regardless, the Goat continues to assist them as a significant powerhouse.

Original version[edit]

Eric Henderson is a decorated Army tactical officer. Woodrow Van Chelton is a goofy man with a guitar (but no band). His idea of detective work is hanging a suspect out of a window. They are childhood friends who have lost touch with one another as they entered their teenage years. Reunited after the deaths of their fathers in a suspicious helicopter crash, they begin investigating the fathers' deaths and become victims of a high-tech industrial accident that turns their bodies into pure energy. The metal gauntlets they each wear must be slammed together every 24 hours to reset their energy matrix, or their atoms will break apart and their bodies will fade away. Eric adopts a code name, Quantum, to work undercover and find his father's killer. Woodrow wants to avenge his father's death too, but declares that as "code names are stupid", people can call him Woody.

In other media[edit]

Television[edit]

A TV series developed by Anthony and Joe Russo and TBS was announced in 2017.[6]

Awards[edit]

  • 2014 Shortlisted for Excelsior Award for Quantum and Woody vol. 1.[7]

Nominations[edit]

  • 2014 Nominated for Harvey Awards[8]
    • Best Writer: James Asmus
    • Best Letterer: Dave Lanphear
    • Most Promising New Talent: James Asmus
    • Best New Series: Quantum and Woody
    • Special Award for Humor in Comics: James Asmus

Digital publication[edit]

Valiant Entertainment released every previously published Quantum and Woody issue via Digital Distributor comiXology. The first half arrived on 10/24/2012 while the second arrived a week later.[9] After the initial announcement it was leaked to Bleeding Cool News that two unpublished issues existed and that those issues would be released as well.[10] These issues were not released with the previously published material and no announcement has been made as to their availability.

Collected editions[edit]

Title Material collected Published date ISBN
Acclaim Comics
Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 1: Klang Quantum and Woody (vol. 1) #0–7 September 2015 978-1939346780
Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 2: Switch Quantum and Woody (vol. 1) #8–13, The Goat: H.A.E.D.U.S. #1 October 2015 978-1939346803
Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 3: And So… Quantum and Woody (vol. 1) #14–21, 32 November 2015 978-1939346865
Quantum and Woody by Priest & Bright Vol. 4: Q2 – The Return Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #1–5 May 2016 978-1682151099
Complete Quantum and Woody Classic Omnibus Quantum and Woody (vol. 1) #0–21, 32, The Goat: H.A.E.D.U.S. #1, X-O Manowar (vol. 1) #16 November 2014 978-1939346360
Valiant Entertainment
Quantum and Woody Vol. 1: The World's Worst Superhero Team Quantum and Woody (vol. 2) #1–4 November 2013 978-1939346186
Quantum and Woody Vol. 2: In Security Quantum and Woody (vol. 2) #5–8 March 2014 978-1939346230
Quantum and Woody Vol. 3: Crooked Pasts, Present Tense Quantum and Woody (vol. 2) #9–12, Quantum and Woody: The Goat #0 September 2014 978-1939346391
Quantum and Woody Vol. 4: Quantum and Woody Must Die! Quantum and Woody Must Die! #1–4, Valiant Sized Quantum and Woody #1 August 2015 978-1939346629
The Delinquents The Delinquents #1–4 February 2015 978-1939346513
Quantum and Woody Deluxe Edition Book 1 Quantum and Woody (vol. 2) #1–12, Quantum and Woody: The Goat #0 January 2018 978-1939346681
Quantum and Woody Deluxe Edition Book 2 Quantum and Woody Must Die! #1–4, Valiant Sized Quantum and Woody #1, The Delinquents #1–4, Unity #25 June 2018 978-1682152676
Quantum and Woody! Vol. 1: Kiss Kiss, Klang Klang Quantum and Woody (vol. 3) #1–5 July 2018 978-1682152690
Quantum and Woody! Vol. 2: Separation Anxiety Quantum and Woody (vol. 3) #6–12 May 2019 978-1682152959
Quantum and Woody: Earth's Last Choice Quantum and Woody (vol. 4) #1–4 November 2020 978-1682153628

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "No More Black Panther Comics, But Maybe A Novel – Christopher Priest's Bleeding Cool Interview". bleedingcool.com. 2016-08-19. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  2. ^ "Valiant Fan: Quantum and Woody". ValiantFan.com. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  3. ^ "2013 Return Teaser". Newsarama.com. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  4. ^ "2013 Interview With New Creators". Newsarama.com. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  5. ^ Sunu, Steve (October 12, 2013). "NYCC EXCLUSIVE: Priest & Bright Reunite For 'Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  6. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (March 14, 2017). "Russo Bros to Produce ‘Quantum and Woody’ TV Series After 'Avengers: Infinity War'". TheWrap. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  7. ^ "Shortlist 2014". ExcelsiorAward.co.uk. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  8. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (July 16, 2014). "The 2014 Harvey Award Nominations Are Revealed". IGN.com.
  9. ^ "NYCC Exclusive – Quantum & Woody at Valiant Updated". comicbeat.com. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  10. ^ "Two Completed, Unpublished, Quantum And Woody Comics To Be Published On ComiXology". bleedingcool.com. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
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