Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant story
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- TheeBaldMoose
- Rockin' out in Torquehalla
- Posts: 2451
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:03:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
- Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
- Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
- Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
- Favorite artist: All of them, really
- Location: Tacoma
Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant story
Comics, to me, were always a mystery. I was a card collector when I was a kid, somewhere in my hoard of cards I have a rookie Wayne Gretzky (in poor shape, cuz I was a damn kid!). Mainly, I collected football cards. I figured, I played football, that was one thing I could easily relate to. Girls, Military, Video Games, and the over-watering of cards back in the 90's kind of killed my remaining love for cards and collecting.
I do remember Superman's Death, and was intrigued! I wanted to read about his death, wanted to learn about it, but I was young and impressionable. Dad already coughed up some money to get me started on cards, he wasn't going to open THAT can of worms too.
Military. I was good at that. I could teach, I could yell. They said, go become a Basic Military Training Instructor (Air Force Basic Training), so I did. Met thousands of kids, taught them all, made an impression. Some maintained contact (after their careers started and FB became a thing).
Emerald City Comic Con (Seattle), been going for the last 4 or 5 years, absolutely love it! Started with a few Crossed, didn't last. Year after year I went, mainly for the art and the local comic book talent (still love the Scottish Ninjas). One of the guys I put through Basic Training that I still talk to asked me to hook him up with a few things this year, especially if they were free. Sure I said, If it's for free, it's for me, I'll check it out. He tells me that Valiant was hot back in the 90's, but fell apart in the early 2000's. Started making a huge come back around 2012 in a big way and he was starting to really get back into them. Said he would send me some of his old comics my way as part of a trade. OK, sounds like fun, I'll swing by and take a look. I spent some time studying the history of Valiant (who is this Dinesh character? Acclaim? Movies?).
First stop Thursday AM was at the Valiant table (ECCC is 4 kick *SQUEE* days!), best to see what I can get for free early. Started talking to this short guy with a "Nerd Boss" baseball cap on, and joked that I thought his hat was funny. "Yea, I'm the boss of all these nerds here, even if they don't want me to be (or something of that sort)". OK, I'm still not sure who this guy is at first. I tell him about the guy I put through the military, how he is a big fan, I was curious. I bought a few books (5 for $15 was a good deal), then it donned on me. *SQUEE*, that's the CEO! This whole time, I just thought this guy was the head guy for this table, not the FREAKIN CEO! Honestly, I thought he looked way to young to be a CEO.
So, how is Dinesh evil? Simple, he gave me free crap! Wrath of the Eternal Warrior Gold was the first hook he sank into me. But before he decided to hand it to me, he said "Hey Robert, sign these real quick please" (yea Robert Venditti). He then turned to me and said "This one is for you, and this one is for your friend, tell him I said thank you." Was it a lack of coffee? Second hand smoke (it's legal here)? It didn't click in at all. Many interactions later, purchased T-shirt, Panels, Faith, A&A, Imperium, and Wrath Gold #1's and I was utterly hooked! Set up a pull list a mile long that next Wednesday! Damn you Dinesh (because I know he will read this)! My whiskey allowance (two bottles a month) has now become my comic allowance, and I love (and miss) whiskey!!
Seriously, if a company's CEO spends as much time as Dinesh spent with me, well they have earned my loyalty. Mad Love, Much Respect!
I do remember Superman's Death, and was intrigued! I wanted to read about his death, wanted to learn about it, but I was young and impressionable. Dad already coughed up some money to get me started on cards, he wasn't going to open THAT can of worms too.
Military. I was good at that. I could teach, I could yell. They said, go become a Basic Military Training Instructor (Air Force Basic Training), so I did. Met thousands of kids, taught them all, made an impression. Some maintained contact (after their careers started and FB became a thing).
Emerald City Comic Con (Seattle), been going for the last 4 or 5 years, absolutely love it! Started with a few Crossed, didn't last. Year after year I went, mainly for the art and the local comic book talent (still love the Scottish Ninjas). One of the guys I put through Basic Training that I still talk to asked me to hook him up with a few things this year, especially if they were free. Sure I said, If it's for free, it's for me, I'll check it out. He tells me that Valiant was hot back in the 90's, but fell apart in the early 2000's. Started making a huge come back around 2012 in a big way and he was starting to really get back into them. Said he would send me some of his old comics my way as part of a trade. OK, sounds like fun, I'll swing by and take a look. I spent some time studying the history of Valiant (who is this Dinesh character? Acclaim? Movies?).
First stop Thursday AM was at the Valiant table (ECCC is 4 kick *SQUEE* days!), best to see what I can get for free early. Started talking to this short guy with a "Nerd Boss" baseball cap on, and joked that I thought his hat was funny. "Yea, I'm the boss of all these nerds here, even if they don't want me to be (or something of that sort)". OK, I'm still not sure who this guy is at first. I tell him about the guy I put through the military, how he is a big fan, I was curious. I bought a few books (5 for $15 was a good deal), then it donned on me. *SQUEE*, that's the CEO! This whole time, I just thought this guy was the head guy for this table, not the FREAKIN CEO! Honestly, I thought he looked way to young to be a CEO.
So, how is Dinesh evil? Simple, he gave me free crap! Wrath of the Eternal Warrior Gold was the first hook he sank into me. But before he decided to hand it to me, he said "Hey Robert, sign these real quick please" (yea Robert Venditti). He then turned to me and said "This one is for you, and this one is for your friend, tell him I said thank you." Was it a lack of coffee? Second hand smoke (it's legal here)? It didn't click in at all. Many interactions later, purchased T-shirt, Panels, Faith, A&A, Imperium, and Wrath Gold #1's and I was utterly hooked! Set up a pull list a mile long that next Wednesday! Damn you Dinesh (because I know he will read this)! My whiskey allowance (two bottles a month) has now become my comic allowance, and I love (and miss) whiskey!!
Seriously, if a company's CEO spends as much time as Dinesh spent with me, well they have earned my loyalty. Mad Love, Much Respect!
Last edited by TheeBaldMoose on Tue Jun 21, 2016 3:29:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Moose
- TheeBaldMoose
- Rockin' out in Torquehalla
- Posts: 2451
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:03:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
- Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
- Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
- Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
- Favorite artist: All of them, really
- Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Sorry, I'm a bit of a story teller, I know it's long....
Well, now I know what this *SQUEE* thing is
Well, now I know what this *SQUEE* thing is
Moose
- iggy101us
- I bought my first comics at Kwik-E-Mart
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome to the board. Thanks for sharing your story.
There's only one true evil . . . and his name is evil greg.
There's only one true evil . . . and his name is evil greg.
- Ricomortis
- lookin pu nub in all da wong pwaces
- Posts: 1905
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:31:46 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1991
- Favorite character: Shadowman - Harada
- Favorite title: Imperium
- Favorite writer: Dysart & Fred Van Lente
- Favorite artist: Larosa, Henry & CAFU
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
That is a kick *SQUEE* story!
Welcome!
And THIS is why Valiant will succeed. (At least one reason)
Rico
Welcome!
And THIS is why Valiant will succeed. (At least one reason)
Rico
Check out my Gallery for this year: A year in the life of Ricomortis (2018) http://www.valiantfans.com/forum/viewto ... 35&t=50927" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Check out my Gallery for last year: "A year in the life of Ricomortis (2017)" http://www.valiantfans.com/forum/viewto ... 6#p1056798" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- TheeBaldMoose
- Rockin' out in Torquehalla
- Posts: 2451
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:03:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
- Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
- Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
- Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
- Favorite artist: All of them, really
- Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
I totally agree! Kind of felt a little like family, or at least the type of family that may be a bit distant, but still welcome you with a cold beer and a "how have you been". Kind of seems the same way with this website, been feeling quite welcome.Ricomortis wrote:That is a kick *SQUEE* story!
Welcome!
And THIS is why Valiant will succeed. (At least one reason)
Rico
Heck, Paradise is already helping me with some specifics regarding some comics I am searching for, wwise03 selling me his XO Manowar run, I'm enjoying myself!
Moose
- JCP
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1098
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2015 11:06:14 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: Toyo Harada
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart
- Favorite artist: Mico Suayan & Lewis LaRosa
- Location: Arizona
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome! And yes, Valiant is an addiction without a means to a cure. Would you even want the cure?
Egad, a base tone denotes a bad age!
- bobby97801
- Just jumpin' through time arcs, that's all.
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- grendeljd
- innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
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- Location: On the 7.5th floor of LesterCorp, headed through the back door to John Malkovich's brain.
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome! Enjoy being a part of one of, if not *the* best fan communities around! Nice to hear you got hooked in from the top man himself. The Nerd Boss rules.
I like to draw stuff... http://grendeljd.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- paradise
- Major Valiant-supporting retailer
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- Valiant fan since: 1994
- Favorite character: X-O Manowar
- Favorite title: X-O Manowar, Unity
- Favorite writer: Matt Kindt
- Favorite artist: Bart Sears
- Location: Winnetka, CA
- Contact:
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Great story there, many of us know the Nerd Boss rather well, which NEVER happens at any other company. We have been a community since way before VEI and most of us feed the same addiction, even some of us who are retailers and should know better. You will do well here. Welcome.
Edward
COLLECTOR'S PARADISE Stores:(Canoga Park, Pasadena, North Hollywood)
7131 Winnetka Ave - Canoga Park, CA - 91306 - 818-999-9455
319 S. Arroyo Parkway - Pasadena, CA - 91105 - 626-577-6694
5118 Lankershim Blvd - NoHo, CA - 91601 - 818-980-BOOK
http://ComicsAndCards.net
COLLECTOR'S PARADISE Stores:(Canoga Park, Pasadena, North Hollywood)
7131 Winnetka Ave - Canoga Park, CA - 91306 - 818-999-9455
319 S. Arroyo Parkway - Pasadena, CA - 91105 - 626-577-6694
5118 Lankershim Blvd - NoHo, CA - 91601 - 818-980-BOOK
http://ComicsAndCards.net
- betterthanezra
- Wanna see an unpublished Shadowman page?
- Posts: 12342
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- Location: Scoot over, I have to get in behind you.
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome
This is one fun club you're in
-Brian
This is one fun club you're in
-Brian
I'm on Twitter follow me
https://twitter.com/#!/shadowsip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My Valiant story here
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://twitter.com/#!/shadowsip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My Valiant story here
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- DirtbagSailor
- I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome!
DBS
MY COLLECTION: http://tinyurl.com/DBSValiantCollection
MY CAF PAGE: http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerydeta ... cat=100809
MY COLLECTION: http://tinyurl.com/DBSValiantCollection
MY CAF PAGE: http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerydeta ... cat=100809
- comicsyte95
- It's Porktastic!!!
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome!
If I just can't be me ,and the Arrow isn't enough.. then maybe I should be Ra's al Ghul
- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome! Great story.
- TheeBaldMoose
- Rockin' out in Torquehalla
- Posts: 2451
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:03:41 pm
- Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
- Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
- Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
- Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
- Favorite artist: All of them, really
- Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
I have to agree, I've NEVER met a CEO who is as open and as friendly as he is. Totally gets the collecting part of comics. I found this out when I met him and he let me pick the Gold #1's he gave me so that I'd be happy.paradise wrote:Great story there, many of us know the Nerd Boss rather well, which NEVER happens at any other company. We have been a community since way before VEI and most of us feed the same addiction, even some of us who are retailers and should know better. You will do well here. Welcome.
Moose
- jmatt
- Mmm, I was drooling over Cooshie tonight.
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Dinesh is awesome because he's a Valiant fan that also happens to be their CEO. And this forum is a great place to hang. I offer a belated welcome!TheeBaldMoose wrote:I have to agree, I've NEVER met a CEO who is as open and as friendly as he is. Totally gets the collecting part of comics.
Last edited by jmatt on Sat Jul 16, 2016 11:22:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Jace
- You gotta have Faith!
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- Favorite artist: Clay Mann
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
Welcome! As others have said you have discovered the best comic publisher that exists today. Dinesh, Atom!, Andy, Hunter, Josh Johns, Warren, Fred .... Man I could go on and on, but let's just say as a company, to man, they all genuinely care about their fans and about putting out the best books possible. It is indeed a family. Hope you can make it out to SDCC some time or I get to go to ECCC. It's always great to meet new Valiant fans/VF Board members.
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto
I might be one of those kids you yelled at (was in basic '98).
Welcome to the board! Looks forward to reading your take on the new comics.
Welcome to the board! Looks forward to reading your take on the new comics.