Top 100 Rarest Valiant books 2012-present? Maybe...

[greg]

100 copies - 2015 FCBD Valiant 25th anniversary (Edwards Ultimate Comics)

This 100 is for the "unstickered" copies only. No Ultimate Comics store sticker on the front cover. There are many more copies with the sticker.

I have (unsuccessfully) attempted to find some sort of pattern so that more accurate estimations for other issues can be made. I “can” make certain estimates with a degree of confidence (e.g. the print run for A&A #4 (1:50) is likely less than the print run for A&A #5 (1:50), etc.)

The only thing I would add to the estimate process is that limited variant books which are part of an interlocking larger cover artwork might be printed extra to make the completed interlocking image possible. A&A #1 through #4 have interlocking 1:50 variants, so there could be extra #2 - #4 so that the more common #1 variants aren't "orphaned" if someone needs the set.

[corey]

i gotcha Greg, was just wondering if u had it halfway confirmed from somewhere

[DirtbagSailor]

UPDATED:

SPECIAL BOOKS (Purposely created with 1 copy each)
1 copy - Bloodshot Salvation #12 (LaRosa Vin Diesel Variant)
1 copy - Quantum And Woody (2017) #1 (Second Print)
1 copy - Unity #1 (Hitch Golden Ticket)
1 copy - Unity #1 (Jones Golden Ticket)
1 copy - Unity #1 (Rivera Golden Ticket)
1 copy - Unity #1 (Foreman Golden Ticket)
1 copy - Unity #1 (Crain Golden Ticket)

Store and/or Convention Exclusives:
3-10 known copies - Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe #0 (NYCC Unreleased Edition)

• NOTE: Supposedly all copies of Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe #0 (NYCC Unreleased Edition) were destroyed. This clearly did NOT happen, as a FEW copies still exist and/or have been rarely made available on eBay.

100 copies - 2015 FCBD Valiant 25th anniversary (Edwards Ultimate Comics Un-stickered version)

• NOTE: The variant without an Ultimate Comic sticker on the front cover has 100 copies. The variant with the sticker has far more copies.

100 copies - Bloodshot: Project Rising Spirit #1 (Salgado Virgin)
100 copies - Livewire #1 (Salgado Virgin)
100 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Salgado Shazam Comics & Toys Virgin)
100 copies - Fallen World #1 (Salgado Shazam Comics & Toys Virgin)
175 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (Iron Maiden Homage B&W Sketch)

• NOTE: Initially listed Limited to 100 copies; however, confirmed to have 175 copies (which is not a huge difference really)

200 copies - Fallen World #1 (OASAS B&W Sketch w/ Jae Lee ink)250 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (Knowhere Exclusive Jen Bartel B&W Virgin)
300 copies - Fallen World #1 (OASAS Virgin w/ Jae Lee ink & June Lee Colors)
300 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (Las Vegas Variant/Pink Punk Cat Cover)
400 copies - Bloodshot: Project Rising Spirit #1 (Salgado)
400 copies - Livewire #1 (Salgado)
400 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Salgado)
400 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Salgado Shazam Comics & Toys)
400 copies - Fallen World #1 (Salgado Shazam Comics & Toys)
405 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (Iron Maiden Homage)

• NOTE: Initially listed Limited to 300 copies; however, confirmed to have 405 copies (which is not a huge difference really)

500 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (BSI Comics)
500 copies - Bloodshot Reborn #1 (Nord Ultimate Comics)
500 copies - Bloodshot Rising Spirit #1 (Bulletproof Exclusive)
500 copies - Livewire #1 (Bulletproof Exclusive)
500 copies - Bloodshot Reborn #1 (C2E2 Woodward Variant)
500 copies - Harbinger Wars II #1 (Salgado Baltimore ComicCon)
500 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Adams South Carolina ComicCon Sketch)
500 copies - Fallen World #1 (OASAS w/ Jae Lee ink & June Lee Colors)
550 copies - Fallen World #1 (Nerd Store/Wasatch ComicCon)
650 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Choi Paradise / Wondercon)
750 copies - Punk Mambo (2019) #1 (Knowhere Exclusive Jen Bartel)
750 copies - The Life & Death of Toyo Harada #1 (Adams South Carolina ComicCon)
2,000 copies - X-O Manowar #1 (2017) (LaRosa Virgin Humble Bundle) - Signed by LaRosa

• NOTE: A small percentage of the 2,000 copies of X-O Manowar #1 (2017) (LaRosa Virgin Humble Bundle) were UNSIGNED; possibly 10 or less.

Error Variants and/or Issues
50-75 copies (estimated) - X-O Manowar (2012) #1 (Error Second Print w/ First Print listed)
UNK copies - X-O Manowar #15 (Kotaki 1:50 Error) - NOT the 1st Appearance of COL Jamie Capshaw because it doesn't have X-O #15 inside ( )

• NOTE: A small percentage of the confirmed 400 copy print run of X-O Manowar #15 (Kotaki 1:50) are ERRORs. It is generally assumed that the ERROR copies are LESS common than the REGULAR copies. However, BOTH are rare as hell. The ERROR copies have the contents of Quantum & Woody #1 instead of X-O Manowar #15 inside the cover

Normal Variants and/or Issues
200 copies - Bloodshot Salvation #1 (Suayan Brushed Metal 1:250)
250 copies - Harbinger #25 (Kitson 1:50)
275 copies - Rapture #4 (Suayan 1:50)
275 copies - Savage #4 (LaRosa 1:50)
300 copies - Savage #1 (LaRosa 1:50) - 1st Appearance of Savage
325 copies - Imperium #11 (Walsh 1:20)
330 copies - Imperium #3 (Braithwaite 1:20) - 1st Appearance of LV-99 (Lord Vine)
350 copies - Divinity #1 (LaRosa 1:40) - 1st Appearance of Abram Adams (Divinity)
350 copies - Savage #2 (LaRosa 1:50)
350 copies - Imperium #1 (Braithwaite 1:40) - 1st Appearance of Sunlight on Snow (Mech Major)
350 copies - Imperium #2 (Braithwaite 1:20) - 1st Appearance of Angela Peace Baingana; Gravedog
350 copies - Imperium #12 (Palo 1:20)
350 copies - Imperium #13 (Ryp 1:20)
350 copies - Imperium #14 (Ryp 1:20)
350 copies - Imperium #15 (Doyle 1:20)
400 copies - Imperium #5 (Grace 1:20)
400 copies - Imperium #6 (Kano 1:20)
400 copies - Imperium #7 (Tan 1:20)
400 copies - Imperium #10 (De La Torre 1:20)
400 copies - Imperium #16 (Montoya 1:20)
400 copies - Shadowman #13 (Davis 1:50) - 1st Appearance of Punk Mambo
400 copies - Eternal Warrior #5 (Mack 1:50) - 1st (Modern) Appearance of the world of 4001 A.D.
400 copies - X-O Manowar #15 (Kotaki 1:50) - 1st Appearance of COL Jamie Capshaw
400 copies - Wrath of Eternal Warrior #4 (Lafuente 1:50)
425 copies - Imperium #4 (Braithwaite 1:20) - 1st Appearance of Interdimensional Angela vessel
425 copies - Imperium #9 (Ryp 1:20)
450 copies - Imperium #8 (Henry 1:20)
450 copies - Savage #3 (LaRosa 1:50)
450 copies - Britannia #3 (Johnson 1:50)
500 copies - Harbinger Wars #3 (Zircher 1:50) - 1st (Modern) Appearance of H.A.R.D. Corps
525 copies - 4001 A.D. #4 (Sook 1:100)
600 copies - Imperium #1 (Braithwaite 1:20) - 1st Appearance of Sunlight on Snow (Mech Major)
600 copies - Britannia #2 (Johnson 1:50)
675 copies - A&A: Adventures of Archer & Armstrong #5 (Lafuente 1:50)
800 copies - Harbinger Wars #1 (Zircher 1:50) - 1st Appearance of Generation Zero (RIP )
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1 of 3 Covers released featuring the 1st appearance of Roku on the cover.

[greg]

I feel like Dinesh said how many X-O #1 brushed metal were made. 500 or less... can't find the reference. 400? 300?

[magnus20009]

I feel like Dinesh said how many X-O #1 brushed metal were made. 500 or less... can't find the reference. 400? 300?

I think there was speculation but I do not think he actually confirmed X-O 1 metal. He did confirm Bloodshot Salvation Metal at 200.

[Juki]

X-O metal was a 1:500 variant. All the other brushed metals were 1:250. So, I would speculate that X-O would have the smallest print run.

[aaronchua]

How many are actually key though. Will be useful if there is a bracket beside each book to indicate first app of character.

[DirtbagSailor]

How many are actually key though. Will be useful if there is a bracket beside each book to indicate first app of character.

Some are. Will take a look and update once I have time.

[greg]

How many are actually key though. Will be useful if there is a bracket beside each book to indicate first app of character.

Some are. Will take a look and update once I have time.

[Juki]

DBS,

That is an interesting point that you bring up about the #15 X-O Kotaki Error comic.

Should or shouldn't it be considered a first appearance of Capshaw (since it is missing the entire interior of the comic and she is not on the cover)?

I would have said yes... it is a first appearance since the Error comic itself is considered to represent X-O issue 15 (and not Quantam and Woody). The Error happens to cause the issue to be missing content.

But, you make a good point...Capshaw is actually NOT in the comic.


Historically, how would a first appearance comic be classified if it is missing the interior pages of the actual appearance? Would it not be considered a first appearance since it is only a partial copy of the comic (which is missing the actual appearance)?

Or... Would it simply be a green "Qualified" 1st Appearance copy?


I believe the #15 Kotaki Error CGC copies say they are X-O issue 15 variant. But, I don't think they say "First Appearance" on them.

[kjjohanson]

DBS,

That is an interesting point that you bring up about the #15 X-O Kotaki Error comic.

Should or shouldn't it be considered a first appearance of Capshaw (since it is missing the entire interior of the comic and she is not on the cover)?

I would have said yes... it is a first appearance since the Error comic itself is considered to represent X-O issue 15 (and not Quantam and Woody). The Error happens to cause the issue to be missing content.

But, you make a good point...Capshaw is actually NOT in the comic.


Historically, how would a first appearance comic be classified if it is missing the interior pages of the actual appearance? Would it not be considered a first appearance since it is only a partial copy of the comic (which is missing the actual appearance)?

Or... Would it simply be a green "Qualified" 1st Appearance copy?


I believe the #15 Kotaki Error CGC copies say they are X-O issue 15 variant. But, I don't think they say "First Appearance" on them.

I wonder how much a coverless Action Comics #1 with the Superman story ripped out would cost.

[kjjohanson]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

[DirtbagSailor]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

Can do.

[aaronchua]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

Can I assume the Sauvage has less copies than the shared retailer variant?

[greg]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

Can do.

She's on #1 Cover B (Clay Mann variant). That's 3.

[kjjohanson]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

Can do.

She's on #1 Cover B (Clay Mann variant). That's 3.

True; that's the same art as the retailer variant (just with color)

[TheeBaldMoose]

Hate to keep unloading on you DBS, but I wonder if there is a total number of Bloodshot and Harbinger DMG books.

CGC Census shows 20 total books CGC'ed, so we know there are at least that many. I would think there were at least 200, but maybe only 50 made it back to the states?

Several months ago there was a sizable run on the DMG books, many hit eBay from one user.

I know it's near impossible to lock down an exact number, but maybe Dinesh knows more detail than he led onto in the past?

[aaronchua]

What about Ninjak 1 larosa black and white. Does that have more copies than the Sauvage variant?

[Juki]

UPDATED:
2,800 copies - Ninjak 2015 #1 (Sauvage cover D) - - 1st Appearance of Roku; 1st Roku Cover too!

Would it be more appropriate to identify this is one of the two first Roku covers, along with the shared retailer variant?

Can do.

She's on #1 Cover B (Clay Mann variant). That's 3.

True; that's the same art as the retailer variant (just with color)

Would it be more appropriate to say the Sauvage Variant is the first "Solo Roku Cover?."

[Juki]

What about Ninjak 1 larosa black and white. Does that have more copies than the Sauvage variant?

I would guess that there are less than 1000 1:60 B and W LaRosa's (maybe 600-700 printed) as compared to 2800 Sauvage's. Does anyone know?

I do like that LaRosa cover!

[DirtbagSailor]

Hate to keep unloading on you DBS, but I wonder if there is a total number of Bloodshot and Harbinger DMG books.

CGC Census shows 20 total books CGC'ed, so we know there are at least that many. I would think there were at least 200, but maybe only 50 made it back to the states?

Several months ago there was a sizable run on the DMG books, many hit eBay from one user.

I know it's near impossible to lock down an exact number, but maybe Dinesh knows more detail than he led onto in the past?

I have not asked (still have a few questions pending answers with Dinesh as is). I suspect is would be in the 200-500 range, because it makes sense to me based on a single press events with only so many possible spectators in attendance and also similar print runs for Convention Exclusives (which are generally larger events and open to the public). My guess would be 200-300.

At the time they began appearing, Dinesh stated that he only had a few copies that had come back from China with the team after the press event. He stated that "if people legit want these, they are going to be impossible to find. They're all in Beijing and I imagine in the trash at this point" (likely due to reporters (and in this case, Chinese reporters) not generally being super crazy comic book collectors overly concerned about the condition-sensitive nature of a promotional book).

Since that time, we have seen a number periodically appear on eBay and/or this forum; however, never that many at any one time or in any large qty.

Unless someone sat on a stack of these, or a Beijing clean up crew collected a stack after the event, it is UNLIKELY that many more will ever surface. Right now, there are only a handful of Valiant MEGA-COLLECTORS who will easily toss out $1,000 for a book, and as a result, it "appears" that these are easier to obtain than they otherwise truly are.

All it takes is one moment. One tweet. One Bloodshot movie trailer. One Vin Diesel on The Tonight Show talking about Bloodshot. One CBSI article, or a push notification from the Key Comics Collector app and ***POOF*** they are all gone.

[greg]

I think the Ebay seller who had the rarest VEI books that we've seen, ch33yu13en7, is (at least working on behalf of) Dinesh.

[Juki]

I think the Ebay seller who had the rarest VEI books that we've seen, ch33yu13en7, is (at least working on behalf of) Dinesh.

Well, that kind of came out of left field. But, it would seem he was an insider by the loot he sold.

[kjjohanson]

I think the Ebay seller who had the rarest VEI books that we've seen, ch33yu13en7, is (at least working on behalf of) Dinesh.

Well, that kind of came out of left field. But, it would seem he was an insider by the loot he sold.

I don't remember if it was that seller, but I do remember a seller that had a few high spec books (Harbinger 3 incentive, etc.) that clearly showed a bit of damage, so I always assumed they were in some way tied to damaged returns, since it would be odd for someone to have so many desirable books in so bad a condition.

[nycjadie]

I think the Ebay seller who had the rarest VEI books that we've seen, ch33yu13en7, is (at least working on behalf of) Dinesh.

Well, that kind of came out of left field. But, it would seem he was an insider by the loot he sold.

I don't remember if it was that seller, but I do remember a seller that had a few high spec books (Harbinger 3 incentive, etc.) that clearly showed a bit of damage, so I always assumed they were in some way tied to damaged returns, since it would be odd for someone to have so many desirable books in so bad a condition.

I think this is more likely. They were not in good condition. Or it was someone who bought a lot of rare books from an insider and kept the higher grade stuff for himself.