VALIANT CANCELS NINJAK & X-O, NO NEWS FROM ALIEN BOOKS!

[agent_graves]

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/valiant ... ien-books/

[MartinAlien]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

[SwiftMann]

That "article" also says we got #1-5 but it was only the first three issues that actually made it to stores, right?

[slack]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

What group is that? is it a private group?

[MartinAlien]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Valiant ... tid=NSMWBT

[slack]

Thanks, it's unavailable for me. I was a member... I guess they banned me for some reason. I must've said something unacceptable.

[syzhang28]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

[syzhang28]

Thanks, it's unavailable for me. I was a member... I guess they banned me for some reason. I must've said something unacceptable.

Yeah, the admins are pretty toxic and ban people for disagreeing with them. I'm not banned but two friends are and they did nothing wrong. I barely post there now because I'm afraid. I just read. Possible that I get banned just for saying this here lol

[ManofTheAtom]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

If VALIANT is no longer releasing comics through Previews because they are moving operations to Alien Books, it makes sense for Diamond to cancel the orders. Now it is up to Alien to fulfill those orders.

[syzhang28]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

If VALIANT is no longer releasing comics through Previews because they are moving operations to Alien Books, it makes sense for Diamond to cancel the orders. Now it is up to Alien to fulfill those orders.

yes. i said that. but the timing. If you move out of your house it makes sense for the owner to rent it someone else. I'm saying its a bad sign that you didn't go rent another house knowing your lease was coming up, and now you have nowhere to sleep. That's what this looks like. No way every store will order the books again. Alien will lose sales because they didn't get ahead of this.

[MartinAlien]

Yes, Valiant has to cancel the titles because they are going to be published by Alien Books. Only that Bleeding Cool needed to click bait you.

I'll quote Dani that explained it better at the Valiant Comic Fans Facebook Group:

Pssst -
Hey guys, ignore that bleeding cool piece saying future releases are CANCELED - it's just canceled all off Valiant's Diamond account since all future releases will be on Alien's new account.
I'm working with Diamond to make sure all the retailers get notified of the new item IDs, etc. There are going to be a few minor changes but Superkillers, X-O UNCONQUERED, and more are all coming!
If your LCS/retailer wants more specific information asap, or just wants to say what's up, give them my email daniw@alienbooks.com -
Just hang in there a tiny bit longer and you'll have brand spanking solicits very soon. Unfortunately, it was not all ready to make the deadline for November..

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

If VALIANT is no longer releasing comics through Previews because they are moving operations to Alien Books, it makes sense for Diamond to cancel the orders. Now it is up to Alien to fulfill those orders.

yes. i said that. but the timing. If you move out of your house it makes sense for the owner to rent it someone else. I'm saying its a bad sign that you didn't go rent another house knowing your lease was coming up, and now you have nowhere to sleep. That's what this looks like. No way every store will order the books again. Alien will lose sales because they didn't get ahead of this.

That's not the case. To release a book on November you need to send all the information to Diamond on July. The deal was too fresh to meet their deadline, so November was already lost. Solicitations for December are due in August and retailers get that information in September, so just wait a little.

[Ryan]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

[daniellew61]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However, I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

It's just the diamond system and they operate. They have set schedules for things. It's been this way for a long time.
If I knew ahead of time at Valiant, I would have set it up to save time for sure.

I asked if it was possible to do a transfer on the accounts just to save time, and it's not.

But - most importantly, It also isn't the same *exact* product anymore.

[Chiclo]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However, I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

It's just the diamond system and they operate. They have set schedules for things. It's been this way for a long time.
If I knew ahead of time at Valiant, I would have set it up to save time for sure.

I asked if it was possible to do a transfer on the accounts just to save time, and it's not.

But - most importantly, It also isn't the same *exact* product anymore.

Teasing a little something there?

[Ryan]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However, I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

It's just the diamond system and they operate. They have set schedules for things. It's been this way for a long time.
If I knew ahead of time at Valiant, I would have set it up to save time for sure.

I asked if it was possible to do a transfer on the accounts just to save time, and it's not.

But - most importantly, It also isn't the same *exact* product anymore.

That makes sense, thanks for clearing it up!

[daniellew61]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However, I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

It's just the diamond system and they operate. They have set schedules for things. It's been this way for a long time.
If I knew ahead of time at Valiant, I would have set it up to save time for sure.

I asked if it was possible to do a transfer on the accounts just to save time, and it's not.

But - most importantly, It also isn't the same *exact* product anymore.

Teasing a little something there?

Yes.

But really, I just want the books out already too!

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm reminded of when VALIANT and Acclaim would solicit comics that would then end up on the cancellation lists. I kept waiting for them to be solicited again, heh.

[Ryan]

I'm reminded of when VALIANT and Acclaim would solicit comics that would then end up on the cancellation lists. I kept waiting for them to be solicited again, heh.

Yeah any long-time Valiant fan has a lot of scar tissue from so many broken promises and failed relaunches, just from the classic/Acclaim era alone. Obviously no one at current Valiant is to blame for any of this, but they should be aware of the history so they know why the fans get sensitive about certain things.

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm reminded of when VALIANT and Acclaim would solicit comics that would then end up on the cancellation lists. I kept waiting for them to be solicited again, heh.

Yeah any long-time Valiant fan has a lot of scar tissue from so many broken promises and failed relaunches, just from the classic/Acclaim era alone. Obviously no one at current Valiant is to blame for any of this, but they should be aware of the history so they know why the fans get sensitive about certain things.

Yeah.

[syzhang28]

Happy to hear that but there's also a dark cloud in there. We've all been blaming DMG for the lack of books but it looks like the people on the ground making the books also can't hit deadlines. Even we've known about Alien books for weeks, surely Valiant has known longer. How could they not have got ducks and solicits in order so that the new ones come out before the old ones are canceled. Or informed stores before orders were deleted. Or even put new solicits up the same day as the old ones are taken down. Maybe I don't understand comics solicits but this is a little embarrassing and not a great sign of things to come right?

I also don't understand how solicits work exactly, but I think you make some good points, isn't there a smoother way to deal with this if everything is going so perfectly?

However, I think we're all willing to give Alien the benefit of the doubt at this point. They should also understand that the last 5 years of DMG have led to many fans becoming more skeptical for legitimate reasons. That's just the reality of what they're walking into.

It's just the diamond system and they operate. They have set schedules for things. It's been this way for a long time.
If I knew ahead of time at Valiant, I would have set it up to save time for sure.

I asked if it was possible to do a transfer on the accounts just to save time, and it's not.

But - most importantly, It also isn't the same *exact* product anymore.

What about an email to your retailer partners to let them know? Or an announcement to your fans? I get the Diamond thing might have precluded that going smoothly but communication is key in any business and Diamond isn't Valiant nor Alien's only method of communication. It reads like you all were caught with you pants down by Diamond or didn't understand the Diamond system well enough to foresee this.

If it isn't the same product then all orders are cancelled permanently and stores have to reorder from scratch right? Those are antitrust distribution laws Diamond has to follow right? Will the stores get the same discount they did the first time around? It would be a great sign of goodwill to match or exceed those discounts on the first releases, especially if those books are these previously promised stories.

[daniellew61]

What about an email to your retailer partners to let them know? Or an announcement to your fans? I get the Diamond thing might have precluded that going smoothly but communication is key in any business and Diamond isn't Valiant nor Alien's only method of communication. It reads like you all were caught with you pants down by Diamond or didn't understand the Diamond system well enough to foresee this.

I did a small outreach that immediately could do on Facebook. Working on the rest but it's not that serious when people[retailers] already know it's a new company. This was inevitable, it just took this long to get pulled down.

If it isn't the same product then all orders are canceled permanently and stores have to reorder from scratch right? Those are antitrust distribution laws Diamond has to follow right? Will the stores get the same discount they did the first time around? It would be a great sign of goodwill to match or exceed those discounts on the first releases, especially if those books are these previously promised stories

Not the same product. It's a new Valiant product now. Nothing to do with antitrust laws.
Customers decide if they want to order the new products - wouldn't be fair to force the orders for adjustments if it changed over. It doesn't work that way. Different publisher, company, etc.

[daniellew61]

But I agree with how annoying this all is and looks, not that fun ..

We're almost through this weird phase though! It'll especially be much more fun than this!

[slack]

I bet if Alien launches their Valiant books before DMG makes the Kickstarter right... there will probably be a pretty unfavorable mention in some of the press about new releases.

Hopefully Alien and other license partners are willing to protect their investment, and pressure DMG to fulfill their obligations made in the name of the (tainted) Valiant brand.

[syzhang28]

I bet if Alien launches their Valiant books before DMG makes the Kickstarter right... there will probably be a pretty unfavorable mention in some of the press about new releases.

Hopefully Alien and other license partners are willing to protect their investment, and pressure DMG to fulfill their obligations made in the name of the (tainted) Valiant brand.

That's a really good point. Alien can't be happy about that.

[syzhang28]

But I agree with how annoying this all is and looks, not that fun ..

We're almost through this weird phase though! It'll especially be much more fun than this!

Happy it's almost over. Wish you and the Alien crew the best luck.