My VALIANT (all capitals, all the time and all that) story

How did you become a VALIANT collector?

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Not an update, but an addendum to the first post in this thread.

The story of how I came to be a VALIANT fan late in the day (well, in fact very late in the day to be honest), needs to be placed in context I feel, given a recent event in my life. I read my first comic book at about 6 years of age or so. It was issue 153 of the Brave and the Bold, which was at the time a team-up book that starred Batman with a different guest character in each issue, primarily drawn by Jim Aparo in the era in which I read it. That issue featured Batman teaming up with the Red Tornado, and the magic of reading that first American comic book (vastly different from UK comics) ignited a spark of wonder and enthrallment in my mind. So much so that almost 30 years on I am addicted to the medium despite beyond inflation price rises, as well as the cyclical nature of storytelling, 'events', changing flavour-of-the-day art styles and so on. That first comic book was bought for me by my father, as was my second. Following this I used my pocket money - given to me by my father - until I was working part-time in my mid-teens to support my hobby myself.

My father passed away at the end of October. We were estranged which was my choice, and one I haven't second-guessed, and the decision to have no contact was a complicated one, but the right one for me and my own well-being. I was sad and indeed upset at his passing. Things were evidently very difficult between us as I have said, but I have to thank him for introducing me to the medium as a life-long hobby. He was not a reader of comic books, but it was a hobby he supported and it helped me as I grew up. My English language skills were developed through reading comics - I had a reading age rated at equivalent to 14 at the age of 10, despite having read pretty much only comic books. It helped give me some understanding of scientific principles (even if comic book science is woolly and more than slightly crazy - including VALIANT 'science'). It gave me an escape during difficult times growing up when I needed my own company. It is a hobby that has given a lot, and in recent years taken it back in cash! But I would not be without my hobby, VALIANT included now, and I have my father to thank for that.
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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siren3-4
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Post by siren3-4 »

I'm glad you're back . . . :)

:thumb:

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Rufusharley
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Post by Rufusharley »

Good post leon. Nice to see you again. :)

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myron
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Post by myron »

Rufusharley wrote:Good post leon. Nice to see you again. :)
:thumb:

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
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Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

Hey dude, cool stuff from one UK resident to another.
Ian

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Chiclo
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Post by Chiclo »

We missed you, leon.

We got another English DU guy, but he missed the memo about all Englishmen have to use Shadowman avatars.

It's like there was a large, Shadowman-shaped hole in our hearts.

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Elveen
I sell comics, I collect Valiant.
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Post by Elveen »

Leon, thanks for sharing.

A truely heartfelt post.

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Chiclo wrote:We missed you, leon.

We got another English DU guy, but he missed the memo about all Englishmen have to use Shadowman avatars.

It's like there was a large, Shadowman-shaped hole in our hearts.
Damn. It is a simple rule that even Paul Smith would have understood...

You can't get quality limeys these days...
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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siren3-4
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Post by siren3-4 »

leonmallett wrote:
Chiclo wrote:We missed you, leon.

We got another English DU guy, but he missed the memo about all Englishmen have to use Shadowman avatars.

It's like there was a large, Shadowman-shaped hole in our hearts.
Damn. It is a simple rule that even Paul Smith would have understood...

You can't get quality limeys these days...
Who ?

:kidaround:

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Posts: 10178
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:44:09 pm
Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


ok ok ok....

........ here i am looking for my new shadowman avatar

no really...

:D

ZephyrWasHOT!!
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Post by ZephyrWasHOT!! »

I was worried I wouldn't have somewhere to crash when I visited the UK.....phew! :P

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Draco wrote::lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


ok ok ok....

........ here i am looking for my new shadowman avatar

no really...

:D
Can we get greg to post the Brit-member 'Shadowman avatar rule' somewhere?
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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Elveen
I sell comics, I collect Valiant.
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Post by Elveen »

leonmallett wrote:
Draco wrote::lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


ok ok ok....

........ here i am looking for my new shadowman avatar

no really...

:D
Can we get greg to post the Brit-member 'Shadowman avatar rule' somewhere?

I second it.

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Posts: 10178
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:44:09 pm
Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

but i really i like my ring really

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Rules are rules. <he said in a solemn voice>
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Posts: 10178
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:44:09 pm
Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

GAH !!!!!!!!!!

made me miss my 300th post too.

I was intending to say something really profound.

Phhft.

oh well

:mad: :mad: :mad:

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Rufusharley
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Post by Rufusharley »

Draco wrote:GAH !!!!!!!!!!

made me miss my 300th post too.

I was intending to say something really profound.

Phhft.

oh well

:mad: :mad: :mad:
there's always post 478.

:P

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Rufusharley wrote:
Draco wrote:GAH !!!!!!!!!!

made me miss my 300th post too.

I was intending to say something really profound.

Phhft.

oh well

:mad: :mad: :mad:
there's always post 478.

That is the important post, really. 478 is the way to go. Or 503. That is a true milestone... :D

:P
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Posts: 10178
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:44:09 pm
Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

Why you crazy old...............

:lol: :lol:

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Draco wrote:Why you crazy old...............

:lol: :lol:
Carzy? Crazy? Incompetent more like. Look at the mess of my quoted post. Damn, but I am a NOOB....

Not even going to edit it. I want my shame to be in public.

Time to flagellate myself. Where is my rusty razor wire...?
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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Draco
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Well I think I talked enough poop...
Posts: 10178
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:44:09 pm
Valiant fan since: preordered vh1 from start
Favorite character: X-O from vh1
Favorite title: X-O vh1
Favorite writer: Good question?
Favorite artist: ooooh another good question
Location: Dead Universe Comics, Buckinghamshire, England

Post by Draco »

:funnypost:

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Dr. Solar
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Post by Dr. Solar »

Welcome back, Leon. Good to see you back around.

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leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9444
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39:01 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...

Post by leonmallett »

Dr. Solar wrote:Welcome back, Leon. Good to see you back around.
Thanks a lot. :thumb:
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

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Rufusharley
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Post by Rufusharley »

leonmallett wrote:
Rufusharley wrote:
Draco wrote:GAH !!!!!!!!!!

made me miss my 300th post too.

I was intending to say something really profound.

Phhft.

oh well

:mad: :mad: :mad:
there's always post 478.

That is the important post, really. 478 is the way to go. Or 503. That is a true milestone... :D

:P
:thumb:

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Chiclo
I'm Chiclo. My strong Dongs paid off well.
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Post by Chiclo »

leonmallett wrote:
Draco wrote:Why you crazy old...............

:lol: :lol:
Carzy? Crazy? Incompetent more like. Look at the mess of my quoted post. Damn, but I am a NOOB....

Not even going to edit it. I want my shame to be in public.

Time to flagellate myself. Where is my rusty razor wire...?
It's a big internet and there are much better suited websites for flagellating yourself than this one.

Fetishes you never knew you had.


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