VH1 Valiant Validated Signature Series history and demand

[Juki]

Can anyone fill me in on the history of the VH1 Valiant Validated Signature Series comics? I have the Rai and the Future Force VVSS with certificate and the Bloodshot VVSS without a certificate. I realize that they are limited numbered signature comics. I am assuming that the certificate was issued directly from the Valiant Comic Book Company itself (and not a secondary confirmation of signatures) . In other words, I think they are officially recognized by Valiant as a limited signature comic. Were they done all at the same time, or with any specific intent, rhyme or reason? Are any of them considered more desirable or harder to find for any specific reason? In shopping for these what is fair value in VF/NM?

Thanks.

[magnusr]

Strictly speaking VVSS were comics signed through Valiant with a certificate and a special mylar that were embossed.

There are some early VVSS that are not embossed.

How many that were signed of each varied and they did them one by one during '93 and '94, I believe.

In other words, I think they are officially recognized by Valiant as a limited signature comic.

Correct.

Are any of them considered more desirable or harder to find for any specific reason?

I would say Eternal Warrior 27 is the toughest to find. The grail is Dr Mirage. Not sure about the story but very few certificates exist.

In shopping for these what is fair value in VF/NM?

No idea. I paid a lot for Eternal Warrior, but others I have gotten for next to nothing.

I have attached two pages about Valiant's special books, including some VVSS from the Wizard special. I see they are rotated. No idea why.

/Magnus

[Juki]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[unityshadowman]

The grail is Dr Mirage. Not sure about the story but very few certificates exist.

http://valiantarchive.com/valiant/vvsstitle.php
"Though the VVSS edition of the Second Life of Dr. Mirage #1 was planned,
the books were never officially solicited by Valiant as part of the program,
and only two surviving copies of the VVSS certificate have surfaced to date.
One of the certificates was cut, as if it was to be destroyed.
The other was found with a Turok #1 VVSS edition."

[Juki]

So, if I understand this correctly, The Dr. Mirage #1 VVSS was started by Valiant and then scrapped (for some unknown reason). From what was said I am assuming that there are more signed books in existence than the 2 known surviving certificates of authentication (one cut and one uncut). I guess my question is: “Are there a lot of the signed books in the wild ? Did the whole signed series make it out unofficially?” Or, is just the certificate of authenticity the rare thing?

Also, does there seem to be a reason that Eternal Warrior #27 VVSS is one the hardest to find? Was it a smaller signed edition?

[magnusr]

is just the certificate of authenticity the rare thing?

As far as I know, no embossed Dr Mirage has ever been found, so for now I would say it's only the certificate.

Also, does there seem to be a reason that Eternal Warrior #27 VVSS is the hardest to find? Was it a smaller signed edition?

Check some other certificates and googled:
Armorines 1 - 1200
Bloodshot 0 - 2500
Eternal Warrior 27 - less than 1000
Geomancer 1 - less than 1000
Magnus 25 - 5500
Psi-lords 1 - 800
Rai 9 - 5500
Secret Weapons 11 - 1600
Turok 1 - 5500

Anyone can fill in with others?

/Magnus

[corey]

Who has the 2 known dr. Mirage copies i wonder?


Be cool to see one

[aj583]

I never knew about the canceled Dr. Mirage version. Very cool! Thanks for the info. Here is a link I ran across detailing the VVSS books and print counts.

http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/LiveD ... 1c12b14d24

I love picking up these books when they come up for a good price.

Juki, I tend to look for the higher print count versions in the $10-$15 range. Fun books.


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[SouthernComicGeek]

There was also one done during the VE1 era Secret Weapons. The Eternal Warrior, Timewalker, and Geomancer 1 were the hardest to find. The Eternal Warrior I found on mycomicshop.com earlier this year.

[aj583]

Very nice. The EW #26 is a rare find. Still searching for one.

The VEI secret weapons has 2 flavors. One is raw with VVSS certificate. However, there was a special VEI partnership with CGC when it was released. If you sent it in for grading within the first month or two, CGC would grade it as a Yellow SS label instead of a Green Qualified Label.

Love these little fun incentives from Dinesh and team back in the day!


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[iggy101us]

Once you track down the official VVSS comics, you will then have an urge to track down the VVSS "related" ones. The search never ends

[iggy101us]

Bloodshot #6 red and gold signed by Don Perlin, Kevin VanHook. There are no COAs and the comics are not embossed. This one signed in red I have below was given out and personally hand signed on the cover by artist Don Perlin and writer Kevin Van Hook at the May 2-5 1993 Capital City Sales Conference. This was acquired from a Gold Member attendee. It comes in a clear acrylic comic book holder with the Valiant name and logo embossed on the upper middle back of holder. This mylar is different from the other Valiant mylars in that the corners are rounded and the logo is clear and bigger (see close-up comparison below - the top 2 are from the Bloodshot #6 VVSS mylar). I am not sure of the origin (or validity) of the gold and silver versions.






X-O Database signed by Cliff VanMeter with the Survey COA and Retailer COA. These are not embossed.

[iggy101us]

Chaos Effect Red Alpha signed by Bernard Chan with Retailer Letter.



Unity Diamond TPBs
The inside cover of each TPB reads:

In October 1991, some representatives from Diamond and I went out to lunch at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and I asked them to help us develop an idea to improve the visibility of Valiant. Their response was to urge a big, strong crossover project with all Valiant titles. Upon my return to the office, I put their suggestions to Jon Hartz, and Jon and I together presented out thoughts to Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor-Smith and Don Perlin. There was a large meeting held with many of the Valiant creators in attendance to develop the story, and Jon and I went on the elaborate marketing plan which supported Unity.

Thanks to Diamond’s input and your enthusiasm, Unity was an overwhelming success for all of us, and as Valiant’s way of saying thank you for your role in its success, we would respectfully like to dedicate the book to Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. and give it to you for being part of the team that made our dreams of Unity a reality.

Time is not absolute, but our appreciation for all you’ve done for Valiant is.

Enjoy this book. You are responsible for its existence.

Steve Massarsky
October 5, 1992




Unity Diamond TPB #1 signed by Mike Cavallaro, Jade Moede, Jim Shooter, Kevin VanHook


Unity Diamond TPB #2 signed by Mike Leeke, Don Perlin, Jim Shooter, Kevin VanHook

[aj583]

Bloodshot #6 red and gold signed by Don Perlin, Kevin VanHook. There are no COAs and the comics are not embossed. This one signed in red I have below was given out and personally hand signed on the cover by artist Don Perlin and writer Kevin Van Hook at the May 2-5 1993 Capital City Sales Conference. This was acquired from a Gold Member attendee. It comes in a clear acrylic comic book holder with the Valiant name and logo embossed on the upper middle back of holder. This mylar is different from the other Valiant mylars in that the corners are rounded and the logo is clear and bigger (see close-up comparison below - the top 2 are from the Bloodshot #6 VVSS mylar). I am not sure of the origin (or validity) of the gold and silver versions.






X-O Database signed by Cliff VanMeter with the Survey COA and Retailer COA. These are not embossed.

Really cool. I have a red without the Mylar but did not know about the existence of the gold!


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[nycjadie]

Just when you think you have seen everything! Iggy schooling me on rarities I didn’t even know existed.

[GGSAE]

The print runs above are a pretty good indicator of the rarity of the VVSS books. I’ve owned two EW books over the years (and now need another one to recomplete my set), and for whatever reason it is by far the rarest. I think it’s because it was a random book (whereas most issues are number one), the copies either got trashed or weren’t distributed, or perhaps were never made in much quantity. Most of the VVSs can be had pretty cheap, even the Rai 21 and Psi Lords 1 have down a lot in price over the years. Timewalker is fairly hard to find as the second rarest to EW.


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[nycjadie]

The print runs above are a pretty good indicator of the rarity of the VVSS books. I’ve owned two EW books over the years (and now need another one to recomplete my set), and for whatever reason it is by far the rarest. I think it’s because it was a random book (whereas most issues are number one), the copies either got trashed or weren’t distributed, or perhaps were never made in much quantity. Most of the VVSs can be had pretty cheap, even the Rai 21 and Psi Lords 1 have down a lot in price over the years. Timewalker is fairly hard to find as the second rarest to EW.


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That aligns with my experience. I can't recall how many years I wanted to get the EW one. 5-6 years? Longer? Just to get the opportunity to bid on one.

[aj583]

Interesting theory about the rarity of EW 26. I always thought Timewalker 1 VVSS should be just as hard to find (there’s a high priced one on eBay now), so maybe that explains it!


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[Brother J]

Does anyone recall the board doing a fan project involving a Dr. Mirage VVSS? Did a board search and came up with nothing. I have this book, with stamp, auto and COA.

[iggy101us]

It was a Knightt project back in 2010.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29953

[Brother J]

It was a Knightt project back in 2010.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29953

Thanks, iggy!

[valiantdude]

heres a weird anomaly.. jim shooter was out at valiant before unity #1 hit
. yet he signed the diamond tpb set that went to retailers? that included unity #1?

[The Chosen 1]

Maybe.........they're counterfeits???

[valiantdude]

china

[Chiclo]

china