Poll: Solar & Magnus stories at Dark Horse

[J-Scott-R]

I will definately check out both books at Dark Horse as I consider them a high quality company, but I will probably only stick with Magnus, Solar was okay but I never really got into the all-powerful characters.

Scott

[superman-prime]

Dark horse definitly makes great stuff look at star wars legacy

[etos45]

Dark horse definitly makes great stuff look at star wars legacy

A & MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the main reason I have such faith in Dark Horse is because of the awesome job they have done with Star Wars... not to mention Serenity. They are very good with self contained universes.... oh oh oh!!!! What about a Solar/Magnus/Darth Vader crossover??? Maybe Solar created the force and Magnus is the reason they don't use battle droids anymore! It's PERFECT!!!!

[ncameron]

Dark horse definitly makes great stuff look at star wars legacy

Other great Dark Horse books are Buffy Season 8 and anything Hellboy/BRPD related.

As to DH publishing new Magnus stories, I am excited by the prospect, as long as DH gets a good creative team on it.

-neil

[k_c_collectibles]

I'm bummed that VEI appears to have lost out on the opportunity to pull these characters back to the Valiant U, but at least they will have new stories again. I think Dark Horse will do right by the characters.

I will follow both VEI & the new incarnations of the Gold Key characters.

I'm just worried about the new Valiant... They will have to be careful how they start things back. I'm not sure how they can make the universe feel "complete".

I TOTALLY agree with you Pete!

I understand that VEI has a timeline of sorts that they are following, but leaving their biggest fans totally in the dark is becoming... aggravating to say the least.

I personally think that losing Magnus and Solar to Dark Horse is a HUGE loss for the company if it is true. Solar is a key character and is responsible for so many things including the Unity crossover.

Can VEI go on without these characters? Yes, but only having reprint rights to stories will surely have an impact on their continuity bible - thereby effecting what "really" happened back in the Voyager Communication / Valiant days.

I would assume VEI can still use Solar the Destroyer and Phil Seleski along with Mothergod since these characters were Valiant only. They COULD use Solar this way. They COULD also use Magnus' son Torque as the future robot fighter, but these are only cob job solutions to the problem.

I think what will happen is that Valiant history will be rewritten without Magnus and Solar and they will move on. As much as this will pain me losing them life will have to go on...

I am very disappointed by this news and am troubled that VEI did not make more of an effort to bring back the cohesive Valiant Universe as it was. I HOPE that they are actually going to start releasing monthly titles and occasional special and mini-series. They can't be making a killing releasing hardcover reprint after hardcover reprint albeit with added goodies.

Here is how to keep me interested in the "new" Valiant Universe:

1) Bring in an editor in chief who knows what they hell they are doing. They need to hire an industry professional who has a stellar track record - like Jim Shooter. In my opinion he would be the obvious choice, but who knows how long the window will be to get him before Dark Horse signs him on for their "NEW" Gold Key Universe.

2) Start publishing a monthly title or two!!!

If VEI wants to succeed as a viable comic company they need to build on their very limited fan base (that's us guys... )

While they may get an occasional new reader to buy their hardcovers the sales are mostly to pre-existing Valiant fans from back in the day like ourselves. If they wanto to get NEW fans they have to print NEW material on a monthly basis - PERIOD!

3) If monthly titles finally DO appear they have to have GREAT stories!

Bring back the old Valiant "House Style" art which was good, but not splashy with GREAT story telling. That is what hooked me on Valiant. If I wanted to be "oohed" and "aahed" by art I would have bought Image. House style art with simple, easy to follow panel construction with Jim Shooter's balloon rules are simple, but make for a great story flow.

I am sure that is what most - if not all - of us are looking for. A few monthly titles with great stories in a cohesive universe.

Unfortunately, I am beginning to think that the Valiant characters were purchased just to sell their movie rights.

Don't get me wrong - it think that would be a natural extension of a comic book line, but not the first goal of a COMIC BOOK company. Just in case I did not say that loud enough a COMIC BOOK company!

Would that not lead you to believe that they purchased new comics?

Anyhoo - that is enough of my ranting. I have to get it out of my system every once in a while or I am just going to go nuts!!!

Don't get me wrong - I am a big supporter of all things put out by VEI. I am just EXTREMELY disappointed at the pace in which they are releasing new stuff...

Chris

[UnknownTales]

At their pace, I could see a toy license, cartoon option for X0, and direct to DVD stories FIRST, ever before a new comic appears on the shelf. I agree that they seem to be interested in being a character farm rather than a comic publisher.

[ManofTheAtom]

At their pace, I could see a toy license, cartoon option for X0, and direct to DVD stories FIRST, ever before a new comic appears on the shelf. I agree that they seem to be interested in being a character farm rather than a comic publisher.

Which is really smart.

Both VALIANT and VH2 tried to be the comic publisher first and failed. VEI is being smart by exploiting the properties outside comics first.

They are exploiting Pete and the gang, Aric, Gilad, and Jack Boniface for movies, TV, toys, etc first, not the Troublemakers, Donovan, the "Warmaster", and Michael Leroi. That guarantees that the first comics we'll see will be based on the original properties, not the DC lite versions.

[BloodOfHeroes]

Both VALIANT and VH2 tried to be the comic publisher first and failed. VEI is being smart by exploiting the properties outside comics first.

Wow. THIS is an unexpected change. I can't tell if you mean it or if you're just sucking up in an attempt to get some more work out of VEI.

[ManofTheAtom]

Both VALIANT and VH2 tried to be the comic publisher first and failed. VEI is being smart by exploiting the properties outside comics first.

Wow. THIS is an unexpected change. I can't tell if you mean it or if you're just sucking up in an attempt to get some more work out of VEI.

It's not a change, it's a fact.

Look at the Wizard VALIANT Special where Steve talks about how close they were to making Hollywood deals and stuff like that, none of which ever materialized. Nicieza did the same thing (remember when they claimed that they had set up Quantum & Woody as a TV show? That never happened).

VEI can at least say that they already have a property set up. Not in talks to set up, not rumors that they are in talks, but an actual deal in place with a director and a studio. (unlike the Bloodshot movie with Triple H, which I think only got interest from a producer and a script but no studio attached, right?)

[k_c_collectibles]

Both VALIANT and VH2 tried to be the comic publisher first and failed. VEI is being smart by exploiting the properties outside comics first.

Wow. THIS is an unexpected change. I can't tell if you mean it or if you're just sucking up in an attempt to get some more work out of VEI.

That is the way I am taking his comments also - he wants to get more trips to Vegas.

A COMIC BOOK company needs to print COMIC BOOKS before any other stuff. How well do you think an X-O Manowar toy will sell if nobody knows who the hell he is? The market for the hardcovers is pretty damn small compared to what the print runs were of the comics and that was a L-O-N-G time ago.

I already stated what I think the best strategy is, but I do not own the company. VEI will do whatever they believe is the correct thing to do with their properties. However, I am believing more and more that comic books are an afterthought...

Until they start rolling out monthly titles I am going with the assumption that they are just trying to sell the rights to the characters for movies, cartoons, etc. I think that is putting the horse in front of the carriage, but who the hell am I to tell them what to do with their money, eh?

Am I the only person who is thinking this way or am I totally in the wrong?

I think I will start a poll with that question...

Chris

[Cyberstrike]

Dark horse definitly makes great stuff look at star wars legacy

Other great Dark Horse books are Buffy Season 8 and anything Hellboy/BRPD related.

As to DH publishing new Magnus stories, I am excited by the prospect, as long as DH gets a good creative team on it.

-neil

Terrible news.

Hopefully, the DH versions will fail like the iBooks version failed and VEI will have another chance to get them.

You will pardon me if I don't jump up and down with joy. Dark Horse has
pretty crappy track record with super-heroes (Remember Comics' Greatest World and their assorted titles?) and some how I think their Magnus, Robot Fighter and Dr. Solar won't last long.

Since I'm sick and tied of Star Wars and I don't like Mike Mingola's art, so outside of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer season 8 is the only DH title that I give really a damn about (and even Joss Whedon's great writing talents are still not enough to get me buy it).

[BloodOfHeroes]

A COMIC BOOK company needs to print COMIC BOOKS before any other stuff. How well do you think an X-O Manowar toy will sell if nobody knows who the hell he is? The market for the hardcovers is pretty damn small compared to what the print runs were of the comics and that was a L-O-N-G time ago.

Ah, but Valiant Entertainment is NOT a comic book company...

http://www.valiantentertainment.com/company.php

[ManofTheAtom]

Both VALIANT and VH2 tried to be the comic publisher first and failed. VEI is being smart by exploiting the properties outside comics first.

Wow. THIS is an unexpected change. I can't tell if you mean it or if you're just sucking up in an attempt to get some more work out of VEI.

That is the way I am taking his comments also - he wants to get more trips to Vegas.

A COMIC BOOK company needs to print COMIC BOOKS before any other stuff. How well do you think an X-O Manowar toy will sell if nobody knows who the hell he is? The market for the hardcovers is pretty damn small compared to what the print runs were of the comics and that was a L-O-N-G time ago.

I already stated what I think the best strategy is, but I do not own the company. VEI will do whatever they believe is the correct thing to do with their properties. However, I am believing more and more that comic books are an afterthought...

Until they start rolling out monthly titles I am going with the assumption that they are just trying to sell the rights to the characters for movies, cartoons, etc. I think that is putting the horse in front of the carriage, but who the hell am I to tell them what to do with their money, eh?

Am I the only person who is thinking this way or am I totally in the wrong?

I think I will start a poll with that question...

Chris

The short stories give us an idea of what they intend to do, as well as offer us the promise of new comics in the future.

Were comics an aftethought, they could have done the reprints without the new stories to tell people who XO is for when the toy comes out. The short stories are for us who were there the first time to know that they are respecting the foundation that came before and building on it.

[ManofTheAtom]

A COMIC BOOK company needs to print COMIC BOOKS before any other stuff. How well do you think an X-O Manowar toy will sell if nobody knows who the hell he is? The market for the hardcovers is pretty damn small compared to what the print runs were of the comics and that was a L-O-N-G time ago.

Ah, but Valiant Entertainment is NOT a comic book company...

http://www.valiantentertainment.com/company.php

They are a character based company, whose characters happen to be the original VALIANT heroes (with some DC lite stuff, like Ninjak - aka Shazam-)

[J-Scott-R]

I'm bummed that VEI appears to have lost out on the opportunity to pull these characters back to the Valiant U, but at least they will have new stories again. I think Dark Horse will do right by the characters.

I will follow both VEI & the new incarnations of the Gold Key characters.

I'm just worried about the new Valiant... They will have to be careful how they start things back. I'm not sure how they can make the universe feel "complete".

I TOTALLY agree with you Pete!

I understand that VEI has a timeline of sorts that they are following, but leaving their biggest fans totally in the dark is becoming... aggravating to say the least.

I personally think that losing Magnus and Solar to Dark Horse is a HUGE loss for the company if it is true. Solar is a key character and is responsible for so many things including the Unity crossover.

Can VEI go on without these characters? Yes, but only having reprint rights to stories will surely have an impact on their continuity bible - thereby effecting what "really" happened back in the Voyager Communication / Valiant days.

I would assume VEI can still use Solar the Destroyer and Phil Seleski along with Mothergod since these characters were Valiant only. They COULD use Solar this way. They COULD also use Magnus' son Torque as the future robot fighter, but these are only cob job solutions to the problem.

I think what will happen is that Valiant history will be rewritten without Magnus and Solar and they will move on. As much as this will pain me losing them life will have to go on...

I am very disappointed by this news and am troubled that VEI did not make more of an effort to bring back the cohesive Valiant Universe as it was. I HOPE that they are actually going to start releasing monthly titles and occasional special and mini-series. They can't be making a killing releasing hardcover reprint after hardcover reprint albeit with added goodies.

Here is how to keep me interested in the "new" Valiant Universe:

1) Bring in an editor in chief who knows what they hell they are doing. They need to hire an industry professional who has a stellar track record - like Jim Shooter. In my opinion he would be the obvious choice, but who knows how long the window will be to get him before Dark Horse signs him on for their "NEW" Gold Key Universe.

2) Start publishing a monthly title or two!!!

If VEI wants to succeed as a viable comic company they need to build on their very limited fan base (that's us guys... )

While they may get an occasional new reader to buy their hardcovers the sales are mostly to pre-existing Valiant fans from back in the day like ourselves. If they wanto to get NEW fans they have to print NEW material on a monthly basis - PERIOD!

3) If monthly titles finally DO appear they have to have GREAT stories!

Bring back the old Valiant "House Style" art which was good, but not splashy with GREAT story telling. That is what hooked me on Valiant. If I wanted to be "oohed" and "aahed" by art I would have bought Image. House style art with simple, easy to follow panel construction with Jim Shooter's balloon rules are simple, but make for a great story flow.

I am sure that is what most - if not all - of us are looking for. A few monthly titles with great stories in a cohesive universe.

Unfortunately, I am beginning to think that the Valiant characters were purchased just to sell their movie rights.

Don't get me wrong - it think that would be a natural extension of a comic book line, but not the first goal of a COMIC BOOK company. Just in case I did not say that loud enough a COMIC BOOK company!

Would that not lead you to believe that they purchased new comics?

Anyhoo - that is enough of my ranting. I have to get it out of my system every once in a while or I am just going to go nuts!!!

Don't get me wrong - I am a big supporter of all things put out by VEI. I am just EXTREMELY disappointed at the pace in which they are releasing new stuff...

Chris

Amen, Brother.
Scott

[etos45]

While they may get an occasional new reader to buy their hardcovers the sales are mostly to pre-existing Valiant fans from back in the day like ourselves. If they wanto to get NEW fans they have to print NEW material on a monthly basis - PERIOD!

It's my assumption that VEI is doing the hardcovers more as a flare to pre-existing fans to let them know they are back. Not everyone frequents these web sites, so the news that Valiant is back might be missed by a few, but some of those people might see one of the HCs at a comic shop or book store and it might draw them back in.

That being said, it also stands as a nice crash course to new fans once the new titles do begin. The thing about HCs and TPBs (to me, anyways) is that they aren't really an out of print or high value kind of thing. They're what people pick up long after a story is done... they seem almost destined to sit on a shelf for a time, wating to be picked up. I'd bet more of the newcomers will buy HCs AFTER the monthly series is launched, but VEI wants to make sure they are all available and waiting, before that.

How well do you think an X-O Manowar toy will sell if nobody knows who the hell he is?

Do you honestly believe people don't know who X-O is? I think if VEI did a toy line it would sell very well. Maybe Valiant characters aren't superstars like Superman or Spider-man, but they are remember by a pretty large handful of people and, to their advantage, they have never had a toy line before. I think that first one would bring pretty large sales.

[Daniel Jackson]

Do you honestly believe people don't know who X-O is

Absolutely. There were people who didn't know who Iron Man was until the movie. Just like there were people who didn't know who Spawn was until they set the movie or cartoon and Spawn was one of the highest selling comics in an era when comics actually moved significant numbers.

I agree, I think lots of people don't know anything about X-O.

[etos45]

Do you honestly believe people don't know who X-O is

Absolutely. There were people who didn't know who Iron Man was until the movie. Just like there were people who didn't know who Spawn was until they set the movie or cartoon and Spawn was one of the highest selling comics in an era when comics actually moved significant numbers.

The idea of selling even top comic book numbers to a toy company would make them (the toy company) cry.

I'm not insinuating that X-O is a household name... I'm just saying that there are enough people out there that know who he is that if a toy line were launched it would sell.... and I believe it would sell well. I don't know if you look at what toy lines are out there, I browse them every now and then and there are some pretty obscure things out there of characters a lot less know than Valiant and they seem to do pretty well. Mostly because there aren't a million different version of them like there are with Iron Man and others.

[Zero]

Well, first off, we have no idea how much effort VEI put into getting the GK licenses. They may have spent a great deal of time without success. Dark Horse did already have their foot in the door... Also, we have no idea what Classic Media wanted in return for the licenses. It may just have been cost prohibitive? What if Classic Media wanted more $ to license the GK characters than what VEI spent for the rest of the VU at auction? It may just have made more sense to move on than to pay more than they could afford. The fact is we just do not know. This situation is likely not as "black & white" as some of you are trying to make it.

I think most of this comes down to your level of faith. Either you have it in VEI or you don't. Personally, I will judge them on what they've done & not on the speculation of what they could have done. To date, they have released 2 hardcovers & have solicited a third. They include new stories, new art, new covers, & computer coloring. They have been impressive products. The Archer & Armstrong hardcover is set to top the first two. For a brand new company they have done really well with what they have printed so far.

We need to give them a break (& some time). They went into this entire process handcuffed. Acclaim left a heckuva mess to clean up. Acclaim let the TMs lapse... Acclaim let the GK licenses lapse... From reading some of the posts here you'd think it was all VEI's fault. Granted, VEI went into the situation with eyes open. They knew about the hurdles they would have to get over, but that does not make the solutions any easier. The one thing that I will say for sure is that VEI has had a plan all along. They understand contingency planning. I truely believe that they have planned for this possibility & will make things work well.

[JustCallMeAric]

Okay, I have been thinking about this a lot. I think VEI can work without Solar as long as they make Phil Seleski stop being Solar. He can still work as a strong character, and the own the rights to the back story.

[hellboydce]

I have to say DH are my favorite publishers now and they have been for a good while, and really i only want to get my Valiant stuff replaced with quality HC, so i doubt i will be getting the new solar and magnus titles, it has probably been mentioned but with DH taking control of these two characters does this mean that VEI won't be able to reprint the original valiant stories?

[Daniel Jackson]

I have to say DH are my favorite publishers now and they have been for a good while, and really i only want to get my Valiant stuff replaced with quality HC, so i doubt i will be getting the new solar and magnus titles, it has probably been mentioned but with DH taking control of these two characters does this mean that VEI won't be able to reprint the original valiant stories?

From what I understand, they can reprint, but not use the characters in new material.

[tarheelmarine]

Dark horse definitly makes great stuff look at star wars legacy

This is exciting. I see DH making new Magnus and Solar comics before VEI(if VEI ever does....). DH makes wonderful comics. Star Wars, Conan, and Hellboy are just a few that come to mind. I will try out DH versions of any Valiant character.

[hellboydce]

I have to say DH are my favorite publishers now and they have been for a good while, and really i only want to get my Valiant stuff replaced with quality HC, so i doubt i will be getting the new solar and magnus titles, it has probably been mentioned but with DH taking control of these two characters does this mean that VEI won't be able to reprint the original valiant stories?

From what I understand, they can reprint, but not use the characters in new material.

oh well, at least that would be something

[JustCallMeAric]

I have to say DH are my favorite publishers now and they have been for a good while, and really i only want to get my Valiant stuff replaced with quality HC, so i doubt i will be getting the new solar and magnus titles, it has probably been mentioned but with DH taking control of these two characters does this mean that VEI won't be able to reprint the original valiant stories?

From what I understand, they can reprint, but not use the characters in new material.

oh well, at least that would be something

I would love to see an Absolute Edition of Solar 1-10.