Another lapsed collector, returning to the 90s

[Vansau]

Hey, everyone!

I'm sure this is a pretty common origin: I grew up in the 80s and started seriously collecting comics in the early 90s. I was aware of Valiant books, but didn't really get into them because I felt pretty lost when I tried to read a couple of issues (while the early issues were prohibitively expensive for an 11-year-old). By contrast, the Image books from the early 90s were incredibly accessible to an entire generation of dumb kids with a couple of bucks to burn.

I know "Deathmate" is a dirty word around here, but that was the series that got me interested in a number of characters on the Valiant side, so I got into The Second Life of Doctor Mirage and then started picking up back issues of other series when I could afford them. I managed to piece together an entire run of Solar, Man of the Atom, plus a number of random issues.

One of my local comic shops recently had a "blind box" sale and I grabbed the two 90s Valiant boxes that were available. There's a lot of random stuff in here but it includes a complete run of Eternal Warrior, most of Bloodshot, and almost all of Shadowman. I was really surprised by how well so many of these books still hold up.

Anyway, thanks for having me! I'll post photos of any really cool stuff I find.

[greg]

Welcome to the board!


Deathmate isn't the highlight of Valiant story-telling, but anything that leads people to the best Valiant stuff can be a legit part of the journey.

[Vansau]

Welcome to the board!


Deathmate isn't the highlight of Valiant story-telling, but anything that leads people to the best Valiant stuff can be a legit part of the journey.

Oh, Deathmate is dreadful. I recently re-read it and was really stunned by a) how confusing they made it with no clear reading order b) cut crucial story stuff out for the preview editions and c) had such a lackluster story. But, like I said, it made me curious about Valiant characters and I started checking them out.

[mkb28]

Welcome and enjoy the ride!

[greg]

Oh, Deathmate is dreadful. I recently re-read it and was really stunned by a) how confusing they made it with no clear reading order b) cut crucial story stuff out for the preview editions and c) had such a lackluster story. But, like I said, it made me curious about Valiant characters and I started checking them out.

It's like going out to eat and all the parents order filet mignon, but the kids get the junior sirloin.
Any kid that's interested in having more junior sirloin is most likely going to really enjoy filet mignon.

[Vansau]

Oh, Deathmate is dreadful. I recently re-read it and was really stunned by a) how confusing they made it with no clear reading order b) cut crucial story stuff out for the preview editions and c) had such a lackluster story. But, like I said, it made me curious about Valiant characters and I started checking them out.

It's like going out to eat and all the parents order filet mignon, but the kids get the junior sirloin.
Any kid that's interested in having more junior sirloin is most likely going to really enjoy filet mignon.

That's an excellent way to describe the situation!

[grendeljd]

Welcome!

It’s true what they say - every comic is potentially someone’s first… it’s crazy that Deathmate of all things became your intro to Valiant, haha!

[geocarr]

Welcome to the board!

[caxiotis]

Welcome