Comic Line: Can Valiant be the Third Shared Comic Universe?

[Sven the Returned]

A panel with suits, but no ties.

Please somebody do the magic that embeds it. Thanks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H0Kz-dP0i4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Beware Cyclops]

A panel with suits, but no ties.

Please somebody do the magic that embeds it. Thanks.

BAM!!

[jmatt]

Wow, that made me feel great about being a Valiant fan.

[Keith]

I love it when people describe The Valiant as a team book.

Otherwise, that was pretty great. Lots of interest to check out Valiant in the comments section, too. We should be hitting that up.

[Phoenix8008]

I love it when people describe The Valiant as a team book.

Otherwise, that was pretty great. Lots of interest to check out Valiant in the comments section, too. We should be hitting that up.

I already posted in the comments in multiple places. Fact checking a couple things they got wrong, and pouring some buzz for the movies and the 9 figure funding deal in for good measure!

[hunter_peterson]

I love it when people describe The Valiant as a team book.

Otherwise, that was pretty great. Lots of interest to check out Valiant in the comments section, too. We should be hitting that up.

I wish they'd used the name The Valiant for their team book instead of Unity...

[jmatt]

I love it when people describe The Valiant as a team book.

I think they merely meant an ensemble cast.

[kjjohanson]

I love it when people describe The Valiant as a team book.

Otherwise, that was pretty great. Lots of interest to check out Valiant in the comments section, too. We should be hitting that up.

I wish they'd used the name The Valiant for their team book instead of Unity...

I like the idea of using "The Valiant" as an occasional series of minis for stories with ensemble casts, even if the stories aren't tied to each other. Those sorts of stories could usually be a good entry point for new readers.

[Cyberstrike]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite, Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

[Keith]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

[leonmallett]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Totally agree with this, but moreover, the limit seems wholly self-imposed, which in turn as an observer seems to be ultimately self-limiting to growth - they are not actually trying to grow the line.

If the limit is not wanting quality to drop with more monthly books - well that ship has sailed as poor output and editorial choices is and has been occurring. A matter of perspective, but that is how I see it.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant.

While i didn't care for the VEI take on core VALIANT-Earth/alterniverse Q&W, I don't think having books sitting in similar niches is bad per se, since a lot of lines develop 'signatures' over time.

The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered

I think this is less and less an issue for newcomers reading via collected editions, since tpb numbering tends to be fairly clear. I think it is more of an problem for longer established readers, and I know I hated the phase where one third of books were minis which just felt like a confused mess of 'titles'.

I suspect the avalanche of minis served to pad the breadth of the VEI offer for trying to snag interest from other media....

and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

The variant covers I can take or leave as a reader. Making story content part of variant packaging was a crass decision IMHO, the worst aspect of VEI being beholden to gimmickry.

Crossovers and events I think are okay when used judiciously, but arguably, as you suggest, VEI have now followed the Marvel/DC model by in effect having one event feed into the next without clear and ultimate resolution from either (The Valiant leaving dangling threads that fed into Book of Death, then Book of Death being used to set up Wrath of the Eternal Warrior). It was that kind of thing that turned me off the big two personally, after over 35 years of comics reading.

VEI are free to pursue whatever modes of story-telling they like of course, but there runs the risk that a small core readership (as VEI has compared to Marvel or DC) may be more sensitive to rejecting the various gimmicks employed.

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version.

I have to disagree with the latter sentiment (while agreeing with the first half), but mileage will of course vary.

Archer & Armstrong and Ivar,Timewalker, and Harbinger and Imperium both show massive commitment from the lead writers IMHO, each with well thought out and constructed mythos.

X-O Manowar has had low points, but we are past 40 issues with the same author which suggests commitment to me.

Kindt is clearly very committed to re-using the same tropes over and over (Ninja-K, Unit-y etc., POV stories over and over....)

On balance I think VEI are not perfect, but I accept they are trying. At times I hate what they do (the Asmus Quantum and Woody; the Milligan Shadowman run; the poor conclusions to a growing number of stories; the creatively wasteful killing of Kay McHenry; I could go on...), but at the same time they allow for work I regard as modern classics (Archer & Armstrong; Imperium; Ivar, Timewalker).

I think VEI do have problems in the editorial side: not just the typos and occasional visual gaffe that gets through. Rather in lining up their own mythos based on a relatively small number of back-facing references in a given month (in other words continuity gaffes); not thinking through the major character decisions seemingly based on freedom to write what they want certain 'stars' are given; and blowing chances to develop pre-existing and new characters in an enduring way (Jack/Shadowman; the Gen Zero cast; Kay McHenry again; there will no doubt be more if I took time to think).

Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

While I agree there are times they could be better (Dead Drop; the art in Unity #24 was awful IMHO; Unity #25 and much of their bonus #25 issues content is pretty worthless to me; the 'humour' and weak plotting in the Asmus' Quantum and Woody which I found puerile - not in a good way - and constructed around happen-stance and logic leaps; re-setting two headline characters in a little over 3 years; the choice of Gill for Book of Death - the Wrath of the Eternal Warrior made the same imagery much more sinister as a simple comparison; etc.), I do think they have had high peaks, and will have more. Just a few examples for this reader:
- Imperium
- Archer & Armstrong
- Ivar,Timewalker
- The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage
- Bloodshot #1-8
- Shadowman #0, #10
- The art in The Valiant
- Harbinger Wars
and more. Any list will vary per reader of course, but my point is I am still reading because they do produce some good stuff in my perspective as one consumer.

But through it all, their line does not feel like it is aping DC or Marvel to me. It does feel like its own thing, high and low points considered. But again mileage will vary.

[grendeljd]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

That's awsome, Keith!

I still cannot, for the life of me, figure out why he continues to hang out around here when all he does - in general - is show up to take a big dump on just about anything that isn't a Transformers comic. I mean, I love me some transformers comics, but seriously...

[Chiclo]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

That's awsome, Keith!

I still cannot, for the life of me, figure out why he continues to hang out around here when all he does - in general - is show up to take a big dump on just about anything that isn't a Transformers comic. I mean, I love me some transformers comics, but seriously...

Rasslin'. 'Strike loves some rasslin'. Also Jim Starlin and hard left-wing politics.

[Ras the future fan]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

Starting in 2012 there was a rush of revived superhero universes: Valiant, Extreme, Project Black Sky(formerly CGW), Chaos, Gold Key, Dark Circle(formerly Red Circle) and as the years go bye these lines just kept falling out of the race. As of 2015 the only ones that remain are Valiant and Dark Circle, with the rest returning to limbo. Valiant is not perfect but it is the best alternate to the Big 2 right now. In terms of events and short runs, that's how the industry is moving right now and if you want to compete with the Big2 you have to do events, just make sure that you have a better quality product.
Companies like IDW, Image and Dark Horse etc, should not be categorised with Valiant because they don't have a shared universe and focus mainly on licensed and creator own stuff. The few times these publishers tried a shared universe has been met with failure. Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

[Keith]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

Starting in 2012 there was a rush of revived superhero universes: Valiant, Extreme, Project Black Sky(formerly CGW), Chaos, Gold Key, Dark Circle(formerly Red Circle) and as the years go bye these lines just kept falling out of the race. As of 2015 the only ones that remain are Valiant and Dark Circle, with the rest returning to limbo. Valiant is not perfect but it is the best alternate to the Big 2 right now. In terms of events and short runs, that's how the industry is moving right now and if you want to compete with the Big2 you have to do events, just make sure that you have a better quality product.
Companies like IDW, Image and Dark Horse etc, should not be categorised with Valiant because they don't have a shared universe and focus mainly on licensed and creator own stuff. The few times these publishers tried a shared universe has been met with failure. Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

I would argue that those other companies attempts at a shared universe were a direct result of VEI successfully relaunching. However, with their attentions diverted amongst all the licensed properties or brands that exist outside the particular shared universe in question, they have not had the stomach to stick with things for the long haul. Dark Horse, in particular, seemed almost surprised that they'd actually have to put a greater effort into PBS.

Personally, I don't hold out much hope for Dark Circle... Archie seems a little more focused on their main brand, enough to let other properties suffer (Dark Circle and the horror titles.)

[dornwolf]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

Starting in 2012 there was a rush of revived superhero universes: Valiant, Extreme, Project Black Sky(formerly CGW), Chaos, Gold Key, Dark Circle(formerly Red Circle) and as the years go bye these lines just kept falling out of the race. As of 2015 the only ones that remain are Valiant and Dark Circle, with the rest returning to limbo. Valiant is not perfect but it is the best alternate to the Big 2 right now. In terms of events and short runs, that's how the industry is moving right now and if you want to compete with the Big2 you have to do events, just make sure that you have a better quality product.
Companies like IDW, Image and Dark Horse etc, should not be categorised with Valiant because they don't have a shared universe and focus mainly on licensed and creator own stuff. The few times these publishers tried a shared universe has been met with failure. Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

I would argue that those other companies attempts at a shared universe were a direct result of VEI successfully relaunching. However, with their attentions diverted amongst all the licensed properties or brands that exist outside the particular shared universe in question, they have not had the stomach to stick with things for the long haul. Dark Horse, in particular, seemed almost surprised that they'd actually have to put a greater effort into PBS.

Personally, I don't hold out much hope for Dark Circle... Archie seems a little more focused on their main brand, enough to let other prtoperties sudder (Dark Circle and the horror titles.)

Do the titles in the Dark Circle line even take place in a shared universe?

It was a shame that Project Black Sky basically bombed it had a great theme but as mentioned Dark Horse clearly thought it'd be easier than it actually is. At this point I think they're still trying to find the Star Wars replacement.

[Cyberstrike]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

That's awsome, Keith!

I still cannot, for the life of me, figure out why he continues to hang out around here when all he does - in general - is show up to take a big dump on just about anything that isn't a Transformers comic. I mean, I love me some transformers comics, but seriously...

Oh I'm sorry, that all my posts aren't full of sunshine, kittens, puppies, and rainbows. I'll try to better in the future. /sarcasm]

I've been wanting to give my personal opinion on VEI for quite a while and this seemed to be the right thread to do just that. Now of course I could lie and say that "VEI is greatest publisher ever!" which is what you and everyone else wants me to do, but that is not something I will ever do and if you think I will ever do that I got 2 words for all of you: FORGET IT!

When I give you my honest opinion it is just that my 100% HONEST no BS opinion. If you agree with me fine. Don't agree with me equally fine. If you like me fine. If you don't like me, I don't care. You leave me alone and I'll leave you alone.

But all of you need to understand this: At the end of the day as I told several posters at the old IDW boards several times when I would post unpopular opinions, or when I refused to kiss certain creators' butts just to be popular and/or to fit it I told them in no uncertain terms that I would rather be hated for being honest than being loved as a liar. And for me the same applies here always has and always will. When I look myself in the mirror I want to see an honest man, one who is not always to go along with the crowd and not a liar just to be popular and/or fit in. Any of you can hate me, you won't be the first and you won't be the last. I've been hated all my life but I simply don't give a damn what people online think of me. What I will always do is this: I will give you my 100% NO BS HONEST OPINION even if it goes against the popular opinion, and sometimes my opinion is the same as the popular opinion.

And for the record this is actually the first time I posted in the Valiant forum in YEARS. and also I hope realize that Jeff Goldblum's character was proven right in Jurassic Park. So thanks!

Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

Yes, I read them both Dark Cybertron was dumb fun and Combiner Wars was just plain dumb. The fact that they came out a year apart is why they didn't bother me, there was no other crossovers between the two books for a year. The two titles could actually set up a new status quo in each book and explore it. You don't do that with Marvel for example where they do what 6 crossovers a year! And yes the alternate covers for the various TF comics are just as stupid as they are for VEI, Marvel, DC, Dynamite, and the rest. I just buy one cover per book and I generally don't care which one it is.

[Sven the Returned]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

Starting in 2012 there was a rush of revived superhero universes: Valiant, Extreme, Project Black Sky(formerly CGW), Chaos, Gold Key, Dark Circle(formerly Red Circle) and as the years go bye these lines just kept falling out of the race. As of 2015 the only ones that remain are Valiant and Dark Circle, with the rest returning to limbo. Valiant is not perfect but it is the best alternate to the Big 2 right now. In terms of events and short runs, that's how the industry is moving right now and if you want to compete with the Big2 you have to do events, just make sure that you have a better quality product.
Companies like IDW, Image and Dark Horse etc, should not be categorised with Valiant because they don't have a shared universe and focus mainly on licensed and creator own stuff. The few times these publishers tried a shared universe has been met with failure. Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

I would argue that those other companies attempts at a shared universe were a direct result of VEI successfully relaunching. However, with their attentions diverted amongst all the licensed properties or brands that exist outside the particular shared universe in question, they have not had the stomach to stick with things for the long haul. Dark Horse, in particular, seemed almost surprised that they'd actually have to put a greater effort into PBS.

Personally, I don't hold out much hope for Dark Circle... Archie seems a little more focused on their main brand, enough to let other prtoperties sudder (Dark Circle and the horror titles.)

Do the titles in the Dark Circle line even take place in a shared universe?

It was a shame that Project Black Sky basically bombed it had a great theme but as mentioned Dark Horse clearly thought it'd be easier than it actually is. At this point I think they're still trying to find the Star Wars replacement.

Does that universe have a proper sendoff? i might want to read it.

[Keith]

Back in the 90s: Yes, they were before they were sold to Acclaim

In 2016: MAYBE, but I doubt it. Look it's going to take a long time and a lot of talent to get there, but after almost 5 years I don't see VEI as rival to Marvel or DC. IMHO they're barely a rival against Archie/Dark Circle, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Dynamite (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!) (sucks!), Boom, or even Titan for that matter.

Part of the problem is that they have released titles like Quantum and Woody when they already had a good super-hero buddy team up book with Archer & Armstrong and IMHO it made both titles feel redundant. The lack of any ongoing series that last longer than 25 issues (besides X-O Manowar) that then gets rebooted, relaunched, and renumbered and the overuse of stupid crossovers like Harbinger Wars and events along with so many stupid and pointless alternate covers all of which was a major reason why I dropped them. IMHO they weren't ready for a crossover and it made them into a bad Marvel and/or DC wanna-be. So why should I waste my money on a third-rate company that is just a copycat?

Valiant has the characters and/or the concepts to be a major player but most of their books have lacked the passion and commit of the creators of the 90s version. Right now they seem content not to be anything other than a bunch of Marvel and DC wanna-be when they could be something so much more and better than that.

Starting in 2012 there was a rush of revived superhero universes: Valiant, Extreme, Project Black Sky(formerly CGW), Chaos, Gold Key, Dark Circle(formerly Red Circle) and as the years go bye these lines just kept falling out of the race. As of 2015 the only ones that remain are Valiant and Dark Circle, with the rest returning to limbo. Valiant is not perfect but it is the best alternate to the Big 2 right now. In terms of events and short runs, that's how the industry is moving right now and if you want to compete with the Big2 you have to do events, just make sure that you have a better quality product.
Companies like IDW, Image and Dark Horse etc, should not be categorised with Valiant because they don't have a shared universe and focus mainly on licensed and creator own stuff. The few times these publishers tried a shared universe has been met with failure. Did you read Dark Cybertron and Combiner Wars two TF events that came out only a year apart? Since I know you hate stupid events and pointless variant covers.

I would argue that those other companies attempts at a shared universe were a direct result of VEI successfully relaunching. However, with their attentions diverted amongst all the licensed properties or brands that exist outside the particular shared universe in question, they have not had the stomach to stick with things for the long haul. Dark Horse, in particular, seemed almost surprised that they'd actually have to put a greater effort into PBS.

Personally, I don't hold out much hope for Dark Circle... Archie seems a little more focused on their main brand, enough to let other prtoperties sudder (Dark Circle and the horror titles.)

Do the titles in the Dark Circle line even take place in a shared universe?

It was a shame that Project Black Sky basically bombed it had a great theme but as mentioned Dark Horse clearly thought it'd be easier than it actually is. At this point I think they're still trying to find the Star Wars replacement.

Does that universe have a proper sendoff? i might want to read it.

Not really. I think things kinda ended with a crossover between Captain Midnight and X, and that left open the idea of some kind of team book. Then Dark Horse launched a Barb Wire series and King Tiger mini. I think there was just a hint of the Project Black Sky theme, but they didn't have the PBS labeling like the previous titles, so it's unsure if those two comics even count or are just assumed.