Restart Valiant under a different flag.

betterthanezra · Post by **betterthanezra** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 10:36 am

Bob
I love your insite and have been thrilled to read your posts.
I agree with you that acclaim isn't going to "give" these characters away in any form.
I will tell you Bob that I bought and read every Future title you published and thought that they did have a Valiant feel to them and it was great seeing you ink again. Ron Lim is a friend of mine and he was delirious to have you ink him. Others I have talked to have said that Future expanded to fast.......I disagree with that.
I believe that it wouldn't have mattered. Retailers were not going to give you a fair shake period. It's too bad I thought that you had the something exciting going....I also liked that you brought Bob Hall in too.

I know that I was rambling here but it's very simple. It's way to soon to think that these characters can survive in the open comic market competing with Spider-Man and Crossg.... oh wait thats not an issue any more. That said I hope I Books has success with the Magnus projects I just dont see it. Yet.
-Brian

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 10:57 am

Bob, your feedback is greatly appreciated. If there's anyone's opinion on this board that we'd love to hear regarding such an endeavor, it's yours.

My personal thoughts for how to do this would be to start with an original universe (no difficult properties to pay a fortune to obtain), start with one or two titles (1-3,000 print run for each), send out press kits, send them out to the trade publications, and generally attempt to speard the word and arouse interest. Though we have few to no connections in the buisiness, we also have a staff that's willing to work for free if and until we see revenues.

What would you say is the best plan of attack for us? How would you go about doing this?

Much thanks and kindest regards!

Bob Layton · Post by **Bob Layton** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:13 pm

"What would you say is the best plan of attack for us? How would you go about doing this?"

I think you're doomed to failure in the current market.
I lost a quarter million dollars of my own money with Future, even though we had mostly glowing reviews. (I've unofficially closed the company down, BTW.)
As I stated, the best bet is to wait for Acclaim to die and see what happens with its holdings. More than likely, one of their creditors will wind-up with the properties. They will want to liquidate them swiftly, unless they suddenly get interested in the publishing business. (not likely) The holder of the pink slip will try to recoup their investment by a quick selloff of Acclaim's holdings--including the Valiant characters.

Bob
bob@boblayton.com

magnusr · Post by **magnusr** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:20 pm

Bob Layton wrote:(I've unofficially closed the company down, BTW.)

That's quite a BTW. I got a bit nervous when you announced your change of email address. It's a sad day.

/Magnus

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:39 pm

Bob Layton wrote:
I think you're doomed to failure in the current market.

I was afraid you'd say that, but appreciate your candor. I still want to try. I don't give up easily. But I think I'll make it my goal to minimize expenditure across the board. I'd be lying if I said I really expect this comic to break ground and take off with a warm reception (though it would be a pleasant surprise).

Being such a fan of comics and a complete production virgin, even simply publishing a few issues, regardless of cost, would be worth all the trouble to me. Just so long as I didn't throw away more than a couple of thousand dollars on it (What does it cost to do a 1-3000 print run these days, anyway?). Even if they never really took off, at least we would have done it. At least we would have gotten our ideas out there, and into a few people's hands.

Vault-Keeper · Post by **Vault-Keeper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 4:44 pm

Bob-
I am also saddened by hearing from you that Future has shut down. I am also interested in what the future held for the characters, as John stated in his earier post. More importantly is what is in store for YOUR future? Any plans? Good fortune to you in any of your future endevors.

As far as self-publishing goes, I don't know if you guys have discussed it yet or not, but it might be advisable to produce a black & white comic, due to expenses, or maybe an ashcan to circulate, which would be much cheaper to produce.---Steve G

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 4:46 pm

Black and White was actually what I was thinking. And besides, I'm not aware of any colorists on the site. You can't really fake that stuff with an inexperienced amateur.

Vault-Keeper · Post by **Vault-Keeper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 4:53 pm

JayJay (Janet Jackson) is a board member. Maybe she could color the cover for you. Her work is most excellent. I've been wanting to buy some of her color pages, but haven't had the 'extra' extra cash right now.

I think someone has already contacted her about doing some coloring for either the Bloodshot or Solar 2004 projects. It's posted here somewhere....

Good luck with the project. It looks good so far.

You guys need to look into getting your characters copyrighted asap. Regardless of whenever you finally publish. Just my opinion.---Steve G

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:24 pm

money will definitely be a concern for us, particularly if the flagship title doesn't get noticed right away.

The good news is, with such small print runs, if and when our comic does get noticed, back issues will sell quite nicely

Bob Layton · Post by **Bob Layton** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:33 am

<<Well, I too had to pause when I read that line. I have all your Future comics and loved every one. Could you drop a few blurbs of what was instore for the characters?

When a company goes under the fans wonder about their characters that they read and cared about. What was the future of each title? At a convention, I had Rom Lim draw one of my characters, he told me that the metallix suit had "absorbed" Gil who died. So Gil was still "alive" in the suit. Any more hints about the title?

At the end of issue 7 of Freemind, what did Dulac have up his sleeve for the Freemind title...Was there a more advanced body in the works for our hero? Could he use the Metallix suit as well?

Deathmask...This book was great, so losing this title will hurt. In the end(far, far future) who won Dulac or Deathmask. Was there any more to the origin of the mask you could drop for us?

Peace...Never released. Could you photocopy the artwork so we can read it? I'll pay for shipping/printing costs. Is there an ashcan or test printing I can buy to read it? What was your vision for the title.

And last, If you were able to secure some or all the rights to the Valiant, would FUTURE have done better? Did you consider any other properties to add/mix with the Future universe at any time?

Thanks,
Unknowntales
john>>

I'd love to answer all of your questions, but I don't think it would be polite to do so on a Valiant message board. This thread is about reviving the Valiant characters and I think I should respect that.
If you e-mail me at: bob@boblayton.com, I'll be happy to answer any of your questions, John.
BTW: thanks to everyone for the words of support.
Bob

Byrneout · Post by **Byrneout** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:38 am

Bob Layton wrote:(I've unofficially closed the company down, BTW.)

Excuse my French...

Damn it!

I'm sorry to hear that. I really enjoyed the Future line of books, and I will say that I, like many others, loved the "Valiant style" feel of the universe you created.

Damn it all. Each time I find something good about the comics industry...

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:08 pm

Bob Layton wrote:I'd love to answer all of your questions, but I don't think it would be polite to do so on a Valiant message board. This thread is about reviving the Valiant characters and I think I should respect that.
If you e-mail me at: bob@boblayton.com, I'll be happy to answer any of your questions, John.
BTW: thanks to everyone for the words of support.
Bob

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/futurecom ... id=4944286

You could use my Future Comics Fans mailing list

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:27 pm

go to www.futurecomicsonline.com, they have an issue of Metallix online.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:43 pm

Knightt_333 wrote:With the company 'officially closed down' that may not be possible. And their website must be closed down as well because that link does not work.

Anybody out there have any copies of Future Comics ???

I have all of them.

They were very good (some more than others).

Deathmask, without question, was the best executed one of the bunch.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:50 pm

Knightt_333 wrote:What is the whole list of titles ?

Freemind

Metallix

Deathmask

Peacekeeper was gonna be the fourth one but it was never released.

You might have liked Metallix, it had a military character.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:56 pm

Knightt_333 wrote:Cool MOTA, THANKS... I looked on Ebay for these but only found TWO issues and I have never seen them at my LCS or in my travels. Now I am REALLY interested in reading these books. Damn, just when I thought I was done buying comics for a while. LOL

http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/s ... lisher=FUT

Try Mile High.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:24 pm

Well, you could contact Bob directly, see if he has any back issues in stock.

http://www.mailordercomics.com/

Mailordercomics has Deathmask 1 and 2 (at 2.99), Metallix 1,2 and 3 (at 3.50 each), and Freemind 0 through 6 (0 at 2.25 and the rest at 3.50).

sonicdan · Post by **sonicdan** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:08 pm

I collected Future Comics and enjoyed them quite a bit.
I was actually on their comp list for awhile (thanks Bob!

)
My favorite was Deathmask followed by Metallix.
DAN

Bob Layton · Post by **Bob Layton** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 2:16 pm

I'd be happy to send anyone (who is a regular on the Valiant boards ) any of the Future books for half-off the cover price.
Simply send me a s.a.s.e. manilla envelope and some loot and I'll fire them off to you.
Send your requests to:
Bob Layton
P.O.Box 2776,
Valrico. FL 33595

Available comics are:
Metallix#0-5/$3.50 cover price
Metallix #6/$2.99 cover price
Deathmask #1-3/ $2.99 cover price
Freemind#0/$2.25
Freemind #1-6/$3.50 cover price
Freemind #7/$2.99 cover price
Freemind Bound Volume (containing issues 0-3)/$14.95 cover price

And, if I have enough ashcans left of Peacekeeper, I'll throw it in for free.
It's the least I can do for my Valiant friends.
Bob

Bob@boblayton.com

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 2:55 pm

Could I have an ashcan? I already have everything else you published (far as know...)

dino · Post by **dino** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:33 pm

Bob Layton wrote:I'd be happy to send anyone (who is a regular on the Valiant boards ) any of the Future books for half-off the cover price.
Simply send me a s.a.s.e. manilla envelope and some loot and I'll fire them off to you.
Send your requests to:
Bob Layton
P.O.Box 2776,
Valrico. FL 33595

Available comics are:
Metallix#0-5/$3.50 cover price
Metallix #6/$2.99 cover price
Deathmask #1-3/ $2.99 cover price
Freemind#0/$2.25
Freemind #1-6/$3.50 cover price
Freemind #7/$2.99 cover price
Freemind Bound Volume (containing issues 0-3)/$14.95 cover price

And, if I have enough ashcans left of Peacekeeper, I'll throw it in for free.
It's the least I can do for my Valiant friends.
Bob

Bob@boblayton.com

Dude thats awesome of you bob!

sonicdan · Post by **sonicdan** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:17 pm

Yes, very cool of you Bob.
Here's a couple quick pix of what some of the books look like.
These are some of the best covers I had seen in a long time.

DAN

x-omatic · Post by **x-omatic** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:45 pm

Knightt_333 wrote:Nice indeed... what was the print run on any of these ?

Here we go again......

Sector3600 · Post by **Sector3600** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:59 am

I would like to add my 2 cents:

I agree with Bob Layton, in regards to acquiring the rights after Acclaims "end" but I have to say that for creator-owned comics there is still a market. You need good reviews, strong word of mouth and patience.

Maybe your energies would be better focused on creating a series of new characters that if ever the 'rights' for the Valiant Universe came into your hands, you could easily add the 'universe' to your creator owned offerings.

One possible "assistance' may be found with Dark Horse Comics, they are one of the Top 3 longest running comic publishers and they offer their 'Rocket' line for creator-owned projects.

In addition, seeing that they acquired the rights to the original Magnus issues they may have an interest in the rest of the Valiant Universe.

The key is to start off small, build a fan base and don't let the distributors gouge you.

Dark Horse (under the Rocket Comics brand) offered an interesting take on the man/machine concept. Similiar to X-O, reflective upon Iron Man (tm) but its own creativity.

It's called 'Fused' - [For Mark Haggerty life has become more than a little complicated. He’s been fused inside of a robotic Cy-Bot exo-suit, forced to live on a military base, and become the subject of endless tests, all the while trying to figure out how to relate to his wife from inside a hulking metal body. If that weren’t enough now he has to defend himself against the unwanted advances of group of superheroes who want to recruit Mark into their ranks... It’s enough to give even a robot an ulcer—and judging from the mysterious ache in Mark’s metal "stomach" it may just have done that!] by Writer: Steve Niles, Artist: Josh Medors, Cover Artist: Eric Powell, Letterer: Michelle Madsen, Colorist: Michelle Madsen, Dan Jackson, Genre: Action/Adventure, Science-Fiction, Superhero

http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=12-782

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Thu Jun 24, 2004 5:31 pm

I love Ron Lim.

Well, ok, not him personally..but his art has rocked for nearly 20 years.

So there.