Why???

[Ladakh]

June 2016 Comic Channel Market Share

40.08% Marvel Comics
29.93% DC Entertainment
7.88% Image Comics
5.22% IDW Publishing
2.81% Dark Horse Comics
2.23% BOOM! Studios
1.45% Dynamite Entertainment
1.09% Titan Comics
0.97% VIZ Media
0.75% Valiant Entertainment

[Keith]

Wait... What are we talking about?

[Sven the Returned]

I have no idea what the Big 2 is giving that no one else can...

[Psiot X]

Nearly the same numbers as always. I am not sure how Valiant can move from last to first. Is it something as simple as getting product on shelves? Or as complicated as building some form of niche recognition? I don't know. It does make me question if making good comic books is enough anymore.

[jeremycoe]

Nearly the same numbers as always. I am not sure how Valiant can move from last to first. Is it something as simple as getting product on shelves? Or as complicated as building some form of niche recognition? I don't know. It does make me question if making good comic books is enough anymore.

Last and 10th are very different things

[Keith]

Nearly the same numbers as always. I am not sure how Valiant can move from last to first. Is it something as simple as getting product on shelves? Or as complicated as building some form of niche recognition? I don't know. It does make me question if making good comic books is enough anymore.

Last and 10th are very different things

Indeed. I'm sure Zenescope, Action Lab, Avatar, etc. would love to be 10th.

[Psiot X]

Nearly the same numbers as always. I am not sure how Valiant can move from last to first. Is it something as simple as getting product on shelves? Or as complicated as building some form of niche recognition? I don't know. It does make me question if making good comic books is enough anymore.

Last and 10th are very different things

Indeed. I'm sure Zenescope, Action Lab, Avatar, etc. would love to be 10th.

Last as in, last on the OP's chart...

[Keith]

Nearly the same numbers as always. I am not sure how Valiant can move from last to first. Is it something as simple as getting product on shelves? Or as complicated as building some form of niche recognition? I don't know. It does make me question if making good comic books is enough anymore.

Last and 10th are very different things

Indeed. I'm sure Zenescope, Action Lab, Avatar, etc. would love to be 10th.

Last as in, last on the OP's chart...

Indeed. I'm sure Zenescope, Action Lab, Avatar, etc. would love to be last on the OPs chart.

[Psiot X]

I now feel like my Valiant fan card has been taken.

[Keith]

I now feel like my Valiant fan card has been taken.

Or I'm just being Captain Sassalot.

When did we get cards?

[Psiot X]

I now feel like my Valiant fan card has been taken.

Or I'm just being Captain Sassalot.

When did we get cards?

I know lol.

[DirtbagSailor]

June 2016 Comic Channel Market Share

40.08% Marvel Comics
29.93% DC Entertainment
7.88% Image Comics
5.22% IDW Publishing
2.81% Dark Horse Comics
2.23% BOOM! Studios
1.45% Dynamite (sucks!) Entertainment
1.09% Titan Comics
0.97% VIZ Media
0.75% Valiant Entertainment

I suppose it is because (most) people are drawn to what they know (or at least are familiar with to a degree), and regardless of quality, will resist/ignore anything new (unless it is socially acceptable/reinforced to do so).

In the early 1990's Valiant was heavliy promoted by Wizard Magazine as an "alternative" to Marvel and DC at a time when "alternative" music, art, and ideas were all the rage. Valiant's quality was there, yes, but had they not received such focused and visual promotion at the time we might not even be discussing this topic today.

Modern Valiant (with some exception) is a quality product as well; however, it has been re-launched at a point in history where there is information overload and where shallow concepts thrive. People are not looking for the next new thing; they are looking for what they recognize and can discuss at work or in their social circles.

Personally, I really enjoy most of what Valiant puts out now; however, until large scale media projects occur and are seen by the popcorn eating public, they will not jump onboard in overwhelmingly large numbers.

Rather, they will read Harley Quinn and Deadpool since it's the "in" thing right now (even though most likely have no real clue about what these characters really are outside of recent films).

People are sheepish, and while we can lead them to water, they won't drink until they see (or believe that) everyone else is drinking too.

Still, Top 10 is where Valiant is, which is a good thing. As a publisher, it's up against a LOT, and time will tell what the future holds.

I'm optimistic, as I was in the 1990's.

DOLLAR SHARE
MARVEL COMICS - 40.08%
DC ENTERTAINMENT - 29.93%
IMAGE COMICS - 7.88%
IDW PUBLISHING - 5.22%
DARK HORSE COMICS - 2.81%
BOOM! STUDIOS - 2.23%
Dynamite (sucks!) ENTERTAINMENT - 1.45%
TITAN COMICS - 1.09%
VIZ MEDIA - 0.97%
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC - 0.75%
OTHER NON-TOP 10 - 7.58%

UNIT SHARE
MARVEL COMICS - 44.17%
DC ENTERTAINMENT - 31.69%
IMAGE COMICS - 7.64%
IDW PUBLISHING - 4.15%
DARK HORSE COMICS - 1.76%
BOOM! STUDIOS - 2.18%
Dynamite (sucks!) ENTERTAINMENT - 1.17%
TITAN COMICS - 1.07%
VIZ MEDIA - 0.34%
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC - 0.84%
OTHER NON-TOP 10 - 5.00%

[Dr. Solar]

I suggest that instead of the premise of this thread, we Drink Bud Dry.

[TheeBaldMoose]

June 2016 Comic Channel Market Share

40.08% Marvel Comics
29.93% DC Entertainment
7.88% Image Comics
5.22% IDW Publishing
2.81% Dark Horse Comics
2.23% BOOM! Studios
1.45% Dynamite (sucks!) Entertainment
1.09% Titan Comics
0.97% VIZ Media
0.75% Valiant Entertainment

The jump from 10th to 8th seems real possible. Wonder, once the numbers are all completed, if the Faith release will move us up some. Thinking the 100k copies given away for free was maybe the "push" Valiant has tried for, just to get noticed. If this release does help in these numbers, how will it translate into continued success? How can they transition? More A&A readers (I'd imagine a few), Curious fans who are willing to explore (a few more)? Is the movie the big spark they are counting on?

8th is a great possibility, but can they stabilize and stay in that spot?

[Shadowman99]

I suggest that instead of the premise of this thread, we Drink Bud Dry.

Who's Bud?

I'm not into that guy-on-guy stuff, but it's a free country so knock y'self out

[Shadowman99]

If Valiant ever want to be a true rival to Marvel and DC they'll have to put as many books on the shelves as those two for a start, and probably more because the company just doesn't have that household name legacy that the other two do. Gotta grab reader attention if nothing else, and if flooding the shelves is the way to do that then that's what'll have to be done.

Seems like VEI are happy enough playing the long game for the time being and I'd say that stretching their creative budget much further at this point in time (as a long-term strategy) probably isn't really possible if the truth were known, perhaps not until they've increased their readship and income as a result.

Personally I'm not really bothered if Valiant ever manage to compete with the big two. As long as they're publishing good comics then that's all I want from them. Besides, if there ever comes a day when they do rival M/DC for # comics/month then chances are we won't afford to be all-in on Valiant any more, so it's not as if it's all roses if they ever do manage to become a true rival.

[Aram]

I don't think VEI will ever compete with Marvel/DC again unless there is a sell-out (again) and it tries to compete with the pop-culture fad of the moment craze (again).

I'd say the goal-post would be with the Image camp. Quality over quantity crowd. I think VEI is succeeding with the quality and just needs the recognition to get up there now.

[Dr. Solar]

The goal post should be to overtake Marvel.

You have to aim for the stars if you want to reach the sky.

[Joshua]

Seems like there are plenty of fans still not interested in Valiant or don't know about it. Valiant does a lot to get into shops and have done enough great promotions. Shops need to take advantage. I try to bug every shop in SLC to do stuff like the time capsule and other sales incentives. I hope the Faith second printing does a lot because I feel it's a great chance to get a fun title to a lot of new readers.

[Tony_H]

Modern Valiant (with some exception) is a quality product as well; however, it has been re-launched at a point in history where there is information overload and where shallow concepts thrive. People are not looking for the next new thing; they are looking for what they recognize and can discuss at work or in their social circles.

Personally, I really enjoy most of what Valiant puts out now; however, until large scale media projects occur and are seen by the popcorn eating public, they will not jump onboard in overwhelmingly large numbers.

Rather, they will read Harley Quinn and Deadpool since it's the "in" thing right now (even though most likely have no real clue about what these characters really are outside of recent films).

I agree with DBS' argument in general, and these observations most of all. The art-product quality is there for anyone who looks to see.

[Elveen]

Do you know how
Many peeps eat at McDonalds? Are they the best burgers you can find?

For Valiant get any kind major push upwards one if the following needs to Happen.

Successful movie / TV.

Sustained Back issue heat.


To move the herd towards Valiant something "major" will have to happen.

Quality is NOT enough. We are all creatures of habits.

[Sven the Returned]

Seems like there are plenty of fans still not interested in Valiant or don't know about it. Valiant does a lot to get into shops and have done enough great promotions. Shops need to take advantage. I try to bug every shop in SLC to do stuff like the time capsule and other sales incentives. I hope the Faith second printing does a lot because I feel it's a great chance to get a fun title to a lot of new readers.

Time capsule? What commercial wizardry is that?

[jmatt]

Modern Valiant (with some exception) is a quality product as well; however, it has been re-launched at a point in history where there is information overload and where shallow concepts thrive. People are not looking for the next new thing; they are looking for what they recognize and can discuss at work or in their social circles.

Personally, I really enjoy most of what Valiant puts out now; however, until large scale media projects occur and are seen by the popcorn eating public, they will not jump onboard in overwhelmingly large numbers.

Rather, they will read Harley Quinn and Deadpool since it's the "in" thing right now (even though most likely have no real clue about what these characters really are outside of recent films).

I agree with DBS' argument in general, and these observations most of all. The art-product quality is there for anyone who looks to see.

Yeah, DBS has it about right. Elveen too. The numbers won't change until a successful movie arrives. Animated tv show would help. I know these are in the works.

[jshelton2001]

[DirtbagSailor]

The McDonald's Hamburger reference was 100% spot on.

Virtually EVERY other hamburger chain has (arguably) a superior product to McDonalds; yet, McDonald's likely sells more than all others (minus perhaps Burger King) combine.

Does this mean that every other quality burger joint should just give-up and close shop? No, they continue to make a quality product and set goals for growth. I was a fan of Valiant in the 90's, I'm a fan today, and will say that (again, with some exceptions) today's Valiant is an incredible product with tremendous potential!

I'm part of about 50 or so comic related groups. Some of these groups have multiple members who buy 1,000+ copies of the newest Deadpool, Harley Quinn, or Star Wars book for nothing other than flipping (which is 100% fine). These flipping buyers/sellers by themselves would match or exceed almost every Valiant title in terms of sales. But this is because they are selling brand recognition (McDonald's Hamburgers) to a borderline zombie-like population who might know on an intellectual level that better hamburgers are out there, but are simply not motivated enough to go find them.

They want what they know will make a turd right now, because it's yummy (not the turd...), they are hungry, and they have been eating Big Mack's for the last 30 years. Once Valiant is a more visual and well-known brand, perhaps the conversation will be:

...I'm hungry... ...do you want to take the next exit and grab some McDonald's?

Naw dog, I think there is a Valiant's up ahead. My boy Jesse said they have better burgers and also have Cajun fries with each order...