VEI - what is their ultimate goal?

[Drift]

As a poster stated earlier, if a 60 million dollar Harbinger film is to be made, how will it be marketed? Will it be billed as an older comic story, or will that hang in obscurity? Sometimes associating films and comics can drive away potential viewers.

I see this as being a film with a very narrow audience (if it's ever to be made). I equate it to Serenity with its loyal fan base. I'm not taking anything away from it, but for the Valiant films franchise to keep moving, the first film needs to have amazing publicity, meaning the hype better be there.
Will it be "Children of the Eighth Day?"
The director slated (rumored) to direct the film has just bombed with the newest X-Files remake. I'm trying to keep everything in perspective.

Ok but the person rumored to be attactched as the director had Nothing to do with the X-Files Bomb thats out right now. Brent Rathner has been the only name attached to the Harbinger film so far. Chris Carter directed the X-Files movie.

Hellboy was a comic property in the same vein and I think that Harbinger has more Mass appeal to it then that Character.

-Brian

Sorry-- brain fart...
X-men Last Stand.
Too many XXX's.

In fairness, Rathner was brought in to finish a trilogy that someone else had started. I think that Rathner could do a much better job if it is his project from the start. The same can be said for anybody.

That and the fact that the screenplay and use of some characters was total nad-cheese.

[Zaphod]

IMO what VEI need to be doing is looking at what void they can be filling in the market. Its the model that Stan Lee and co. did when they were trying to take the superhero market from DC. It is the model Jim Shooter used when he launched Valiant the first time around.

DC and Marvel have changed their format to emulate a "more realistic" model, similar to what Valiant was. Not the same, similar. What can a new Valiant universe bring to the industry that nobody else has.

I suppose one of the same premises that it had before: Dead is dead. From a purely investment, marketing POV it is a detrimental facet to allow marketable characters to die but I imagine the hardcore fan would crap on Valiant if they ignored that modus operandi.

But more than that, what do people think Valiant can bring to the table to be the Anti-Marvel, Anti-DC, Anti-Image, Anti-Dark Horse?

Keep the characters as regular people first, and superheroes second. Write the stories as such, that they use their powers when they must, rather than all the time...

sounds like Heroes to me. Not that that would be a bad thing, either. Like Heroes, the X-Men movies, and like Smallville (bear with me here) I'd prefer that Valiant "keep it real." No need for colourful uniforms, it would be ridiculous in an actual combat situation. Artistically I can see it being detrimental though.

But I agree.

[Zaphod]

As a poster stated earlier, if a 60 million dollar Harbinger film is to be made, how will it be marketed? Will it be billed as an older comic story, or will that hang in obscurity? Sometimes associating films and comics can drive away potential viewers.

I see this as being a film with a very narrow audience (if it's ever to be made). I equate it to Serenity with its loyal fan base. I'm not taking anything away from it, but for the Valiant films franchise to keep moving, the first film needs to have amazing publicity, meaning the hype better be there.
Will it be "Children of the Eighth Day?"
The director slated (rumored) to direct the film has just bombed with the newest X-Files remake. I'm trying to keep everything in perspective.

Ok but the person rumored to be attactched as the director had Nothing to do with the X-Files Bomb thats out right now. Brent Rathner has been the only name attached to the Harbinger film so far. Chris Carter directed the X-Files movie.

Hellboy was a comic property in the same vein and I think that Harbinger has more Mass appeal to it then that Character.

-Brian

Sorry-- brain fart...
X-men Last Stand.
Too many XXX's.

X-Men Last Stand actually did very well in theaters, better than the 2 before it. So I think we need to redefine what you consider a bomb?

[yardstick]

That and the fact that the screenplay and use of some characters was total nad-cheese.

I like how your statement implies an intimate knowledge of such substances...

[Daniel Jackson]

That and the fact that the screenplay and use of some characters was total nad-cheese.

I like how your statement implies an intimate knowledge of such substances...

Eww....

[oldjello]

As a poster stated earlier, if a 60 million dollar Harbinger film is to be made, how will it be marketed? Will it be billed as an older comic story, or will that hang in obscurity? Sometimes associating films and comics can drive away potential viewers.

I see this as being a film with a very narrow audience (if it's ever to be made). I equate it to Serenity with its loyal fan base. I'm not taking anything away from it, but for the Valiant films franchise to keep moving, the first film needs to have amazing publicity, meaning the hype better be there.
Will it be "Children of the Eighth Day?"
The director slated (rumored) to direct the film has just bombed with the newest X-Files remake. I'm trying to keep everything in perspective.

Ok but the person rumored to be attactched as the director had Nothing to do with the X-Files Bomb thats out right now. Brent Rathner has been the only name attached to the Harbinger film so far. Chris Carter directed the X-Files movie.

Hellboy was a comic property in the same vein and I think that Harbinger has more Mass appeal to it then that Character.

-Brian

Sorry-- brain fart...
X-men Last Stand.
Too many XXX's.

X-Men Last Stand actually did very well in theaters, better than the 2 before it. So I think we need to redefine what you consider a bomb?

Are you asking or telling me?
Anyway-- my hopes are optimistic that a good film can be made. It seems that if people realize that the seriousness of the Batman film can be implemented in the Harbinger film-- this could bode well for future Valiant endeavors.

[tarheelmarine]

Not making monthly comics....

[Brother J]

Not making monthly comics....

did you read the rest of the thread?

I'm a fan too. As a fan, I want new comics. We are going to do them right. To clarify the previously released statement, we will begin generating new comics by years end.

And we are currently ahead of that schedule.

[superman-prime]

still can't wait

[tarheelmarine]

Not making monthly comics....

did you read the rest of the thread?

I'm a fan too. As a fan, I want new comics. We are going to do them right. To clarify the previously released statement, we will begin generating new comics by years end.

And we are currently ahead of that schedule.

I think DH will have comics out before VEI, but should I be wrong I will certainly pick up a VEI book, until then I will continue to read dellamorte's awesome book being produced on this fine website.

[siren3-4]

X-Men The Last Stand:

On IMDB

User Rating: 7.0/10
(79,978 votes)

That is not a failure . . . 7.0 with that many votes is actually quite good . . .

[etos45]

I think DH will have comics out before VEI, but should I be wrong I will certainly pick up a VEI book, until then I will continue to read dellamorte's awesome book being produced on this fine website.

I think you're wrong there. DH's announcement was vague at best, if they were planning on releasing anything in the near future I think they would have been more detailed about their plans. It sounds to me like they are planning to finish their HCs first and then release a series afterwards. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think they're close to that goal yet. What I am REALLY curious about is where Magnus will fall in this. Since Valiant's picked up where Gold Key left off, would DH waste it's time repeating these stories?

[BloodOfHeroes]

We make announcements on done deals. Not promises we hope to keep.

And THAT's the mark of a true professional!

[leonmallett]

I think DH will have comics out before VEI, but should I be wrong I will certainly pick up a VEI book, until then I will continue to read dellamorte's awesome book being produced on this fine website.

I think you're wrong there. DH's announcement was vague at best, if they were planning on releasing anything in the near future I think they would have been more detailed about their plans. It sounds to me like they are planning to finish their HCs first and then release a series afterwards. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think they're close to that goal yet. What I am REALLY curious about is where Magnus will fall in this. Since Valiant's picked up where Gold Key left off, would DH waste it's time repeating these stories?

I believe the Dr Solar HC's are done, as also Magnus (I think). No announcments re: Turok archives or similar for any other properties (Dr Spektor?), and the only TPB for Turok isn't GK material.

So if that is the case they may press on, since any post-GK continuity is effectively irrelevant for them. I wonder if we can expect books pitched to a slightly more 'mature' audience since that would seem an obvious niche given some of the weirdness of the original concepts.

[ncameron]

X-Men The Last Stand:

On IMDB

User Rating: 7.0/10
(79,978 votes)

That is not a failure . . . 7.0 with that many votes is actually quite good . . .

I think the problem was that it's not a failure in the public's eyes, but most people even partially familiar with the Dark Phoenix saga be it through comics or even the old cartoon from the 90's felt that the movie did not even come close to translating the story properly.

-neil

[Drift]

X-Men The Last Stand:

On IMDB

User Rating: 7.0/10
(79,978 votes)

That is not a failure . . . 7.0 with that many votes is actually quite good . . .

I think the problem was that it's not a failure in the public's eyes, but most people even partially familiar with the Dark Phoenix saga be it through comics or even the old cartoon from the 90's felt that the movie did not even come close to translating the story properly.

-neil

I do tend to go over the top when I slate X3 but on the whole it wasn't a bad film if you just want a super-powers film. It just wasn't an X-men film.

After the success of the first 2 movies, it was a disappointment.

The first movie was so fun and the characters interacted in such a way that it made up for the fact that it wasn't a good movie.

X2 was superb. One of my favorite super-hero movies.

They made the mistake of trying to much, too fast in the 3rd (Morlocks, Dark Phoenix, reemergance of the Brotherhood, the cure) because of this everything had to be dumbed down and cut short. They should have stuck to one or two points and expanded on them. Hell Juggernaut should have (a) not been played by Vinnie Jones and (b) been brought in as a bad guy in his own right for a movie.

X3 should have really been X3: Brotherhood, X4: Dark Phoenix, X5: Juggernaut, X6: Morlocks with the cure thrown in as a sub-plot of one of them.

[Sensationalcomics]

It's very clear that those who own VEI are interested in recouping some of the $1 million dollars spent (and whatever the cost of the legal fight) first and foremost. Think of it like this, anyone who went out and just slapped $1500 down on their credit card for a new TV is going to be concerned about paying that money back asap before penalties and interest are initiated. It's called 'covering your *SQUEE* and staying out of debt'. Or as I like to call it, 'being responsible adults'.

So VEI will obviously seek the most likely path to recoup the cost of purchase by license the characters to movie companies, TV networks (perhaps a cool Solar Saturday morning cartoon on Cartoon Network?) and toy companies.

This is not how companies work, and displays a woeful ignorance of the corporate world.

Sorry to be so blunt, but corporations DO NOT operate the way households do.

I really don't know how you can use the terms "very clear" and "obviously", when neither of those things is true. You have no idea the financial situation of VEI, LLC. and neither does anyone else that that information has not been given to, because it has not been made public.

Until and if it ever does become public, it's not "very clear" or "obvious" what they intend to do with their "debt" at all.

Zeph, while he may have oversimplified and generalized corporations, it’s no reason to start calling him ignorant.

The simple fact is that the goal of “most” corporations is to be profitable and make money.

That VEI has been around over a year and are still mum about their plans instills no faith in the company for me. In over a year, they still have no marketing director or VP, no creative director, editor etc… This does not give the impression of a company who is interested in putting out a line of comic books. A starting corporation tries to attract investors, generate interest in their products and their company. What have we seen and heard from VEI, not much, just some repacked old books with “new” stories that were written 15yrs ago by the original owner’s staff. Look at the advisors for the company listed on the website, all movie and video people, not a single comic publisher or editor among them. VEI has done nothing to generate any interest in the books that they have put out, of the 15 or so comic shops in my area none of them were aware that Valiant was even back in business let alone published anything, not even 1 store. That for a starting comic company is unheard of. The only thing they have done is cut a deal on the rights for a Harbinger movie and with their list of advisors that is no shock.

So what does this point to, them trying to make a quick buck off the properties with movies and who knows maybe a MMORPG down the road, but comics I doubt it.

[etos45]

Zeph, while he may have oversimplified and generalized corporations, it’s no reason to start calling him ignorant.

The simple fact is that the goal of “most” corporations is to be profitable and make money.

That VEI has been around over a year and are still mum about their plans instills no faith in the company for me. In over a year, they still have no marketing director or VP, no creative director, editor etc… This does not give the impression of a company who is interested in putting out a line of comic books. A starting corporation tries to attract investors, generate interest in their products and their company. What have we seen and heard from VEI, not much, just some repacked old books with “new” stories that were written 15yrs ago by the original owner’s staff. Look at the advisors for the company listed on the website, all movie and video people, not a single comic publisher or editor among them. VEI has done nothing to generate any interest in the books that they have put out, of the 15 or so comic shops in my area none of them were aware that Valiant was even back in business let alone published anything, not even 1 store. That for a starting comic company is unheard of. The only thing they have done is cut a deal on the rights for a Harbinger movie and with their list of advisors that is no shock.

So what does this point to, them trying to make a quick buck off the properties with movies and who knows maybe a MMORPG down the road, but comics I doubt it.

I disagree with you on quite a few things here. The obvious one is that the new stories are 15 years old... though they may take place back then, they are new stories. I think that they are using those as a means of establishing a direction in which they are planning to take the comics.

As far as the idea that VEI has no intentions in publishing comics seems a little ludicrous. They are, in fact, a comic company and just because they are looking into ventures such as movies and possibly video games doesn't mean that they aren't planning to publish comics too. I mean, how are they going to generate interest in the movies and games if they don't have the comics for the basis? I would also point out that even though they aren't 100% new, or even a large percentage new, VEI is publishing comics. It's just in the form of HCs right now.

As far as comic dealers not knowing about their return... all the ones in my area know. If they don't in yours, then I suspect someone isn't doing their job very well. Just a thought...

On to the corporate side of things and directors this, VPs that... I don't know what they have. I thought they had an art director, but I could easily be wrong on that. I suspect that the companies primary focus is stability and that they are building up the company in a way that will best promote that. That being said, though, business isn't my strong point.

[Crow331]

As far as comic dealers not knowing about their return... all the ones in my area know. If they don't in yours, then I suspect someone isn't doing their job very well. Just a thought...

I inquired about the new Valiant and the new books here in Los Angeles at two comic book stores and they looked at me like I was crazy ... like they hadn't heard the name Valiant in a decade. The word is definitely not "out there" that Valiant is back. This company needs more promotion for sure.

[Sven]

what are they up too?

I better be involved!

[etos45]

As far as comic dealers not knowing about their return... all the ones in my area know. If they don't in yours, then I suspect someone isn't doing their job very well. Just a thought...

I inquired about the new Valiant and the new books here in Los Angeles at two comic book stores and they looked at me like I was crazy ... like they hadn't heard the name Valiant in a decade. The word is definitely not "out there" that Valiant is back. This company needs more promotion for sure.

I don't know that promotion is really all that important right now... there isn't that much to promote. I see your point to an extent, but I still can't see how you can run a comic book store and not notice the hardcovers. If they're keeping up with comic news, Valiant's name is getting mentions. Both with the hardcovers and the movie.

[slym2none]

VEI - what is their ultimate goal?

To take over the world, natch.





-slym

[leonmallett]

VEI - what is their ultimate goal?

To take over the world, natch.





-slym

Once you have achieved that goal, then what do you do?

[Drift]

VEI - what is their ultimate goal?

To take over the world, natch.





-slym

Once you have achieved that goal, then what do you do?

Step up the pace and go for the Universe.

Upon completion of that goal you begin to create your own universes from navel lint for the sole purpose of taking them over one by one.

You are new to the maniacal conqueror thing aren't you?

[jedimarley]

That VEI has been around over a year

It's been a lot longer then that.

look. I have a woody