Question on Collecting

Free Form · Post by **Free Form** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:50 pm

Hey guys, newbie Valiant fan here. I've wanted to start collecting for a while now, and finally came into some extra cash that gave me the chance. I've picked up a lot on Ebay over the past month, and have nearly full runs of the ongoing titles. Now, though, I'm trying to get a handle on some of the smaller Valiant publications, and if they're worth hunting down, story-wise.

-What is the X-O Database? Is it tech specs, like Iron Man's Iron Manual, or Punisher's Armory?

-The Unity: Lost Chapter -- what's the story?

-Secrets of the Valiant Universe, Valiant Reader, and Valiant Era Companion -- what are they? Are these original stories, or just catch-up summaries for other stories, or what?

Thanks for any help you all can offer!

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:58 pm

Free Form wrote:Hey guys, newbie Valiant fan here. I've wanted to start collecting for a while now, and finally came into some extra cash that gave me the chance. I've picked up a lot on Ebay over the past month, and have nearly full runs of the ongoing titles. Now, though, I'm trying to get a handle on some of the smaller Valiant publications, and if they're worth hunting down, story-wise.

-What is the X-O Database? Is it tech specs, like Iron Man's Iron Manual, or Punisher's Armory?

-The Unity: Lost Chapter -- what's the story?

-Secrets of the Valiant Universe, Valiant Reader, and Valiant Era Companion -- what are they? Are these original stories, or just catch-up summaries for other stories, or what?

Thanks for any help you all can offer!

Pretty much correct on the XO. As for Unity-Lost Chapter, it's an XO story, in large part. Valiant Reader and Era companion are sort of side bits that you don't really need to get the whole story. Secrets, however, is needed. Particularly part 2, which has a major storyline from the Chaos Effect crossover contained within it. All 3 "Secrets" have something interesting in them. As with any collection....get em all

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:03 pm

As cheap as most of the books are that you're asking about, you can't go wrong getting them all.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:06 pm

welcome to the valiant world

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:24 pm

Welcome abroad!

-slym

maraxusofkeld · Post by **maraxusofkeld** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:29 pm

Welcome

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:53 pm

Welcome

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:21 am

Hola compadre.

dave · Post by **dave** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:01 am

you mmight as well decide to get them all right now and get it over with-just don't pay an arm and a leg for anything. if you've got money to buy valiants right now, it's a great time to score some good deals.

and welcome!

dave · Post by **dave** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:01 am

don't forget to try buy sell trade right here on this board-you'll get much better deals than e-bay, i'd say.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:23 am

Good suggestions, Dave.

Free Form · Post by **Free Form** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:32 am

Thanks for the welcome and the info, people!

Ebay's actually been pretty good to me. The reason I finally gave in and starting buying Valiant is I stumbled across this guy selling huge lots of Solar, Magnus, Harbinger, and X-O for dirt cheap. Even with some other bidders weighing in, I got over 170 different comics from that seller at about 80 cents per issue. I did my calculations the other day, and now I'm at 624 Valiant comics and I'm still only at $1.09 an issue over all. The only single issues I've had to pay over $5 for apiece are X-O #2, Solar #4 and 11, and Magnus #0 and 12. Worth it.

I might start trading here soon, though. I'm mostly down to looking for some Post-Birthquake issues, which seem to get ridiculously high prices (for scarcity, not value, as I understand it).

I have another question: what's the best way to read the first 10 issues of Solar? Should I read the 10 Alpha & Omega parts first, back-to-back, or read each issue and the insert one at a time, like they were published?

Fanboy375 · Post by **Fanboy375** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:56 am

Free Form wrote:I have another question: what's the best way to read the first 10 issues of Solar? Should I read the 10 Alpha & Omega parts first, back-to-back, or read each issue and the insert one at a time, like they were published?

Get the TPB and read it, then read 1-10 neglecting the A/O inserts

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:34 am

Free Form wrote:Thanks for the welcome and the info, people!

Ebay's actually been pretty good to me. The reason I finally gave in and starting buying Valiant is I stumbled across this guy selling huge lots of Solar, Magnus, Harbinger, and X-O for dirt cheap. Even with some other bidders weighing in, I got over 170 different comics from that seller at about 80 cents per issue. I did my calculations the other day, and now I'm at 624 Valiant comics and I'm still only at $1.09 an issue over all. The only single issues I've had to pay over $5 for apiece are X-O #2, Solar #4 and 11, and Magnus #0 and 12. Worth it.

I might start trading here soon, though. I'm mostly down to looking for some Post-Birthquake issues, which seem to get ridiculously high prices (for scarcity, not value, as I understand it).

I have another question: what's the best way to read the first 10 issues of Solar? Should I read the 10 Alpha & Omega parts first, back-to-back, or read each issue and the insert one at a time, like they were published?

The best way is to read the 10 Alpha and Omega parts together and then Solar 10. There's time travel involved, so the chronology is a bit unusual. For Solar, the chronology is Alpha and Omega followed by 1 - 10, but chronologically, it's Solar 1 - 4, Alpha and Omega (sort of, 4 and part 1 of A and O overlap) and then 5 - 10.

That little analysis probably didn't help anything.

turborip · Post by **turborip** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:36 am

Fanboy375 wrote:
Free Form wrote:I have another question: what's the best way to read the first 10 issues of Solar? Should I read the 10 Alpha & Omega parts first, back-to-back, or read each issue and the insert one at a time, like they were published?
Get the TPB and read it, then read 1-10 neglecting the A/O inserts

That's how I'm doing it. Doesn't hurt that I only have the TPB and still need Solar 1-10!

Oh, and welcome to the boards!

Lightning Strike · Post by **Lightning Strike** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:40 pm

Welcome

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:42 pm

It's perfectly ok to read the books as they came out...which is what Shooter et al intended. You won't miss anything important.

Then, go back and RE-READ Alpha and Omega (the inserts) after you've read Solar #10 for some added layers and flavor.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:01 pm

Welcome to the bored! Have you heard there is a podcast about valiant comics?

ZephyrWasHOT!! wrote:It's perfectly ok to read the books as they came out...which is what Shooter et al intended. You won't miss anything important.

Then, go back and RE-READ Alpha and Omega (the inserts) after you've read Solar #10 for some added layers and flavor.

I agree with ZephyrWasHot!! on this one. I think it is more interesting to read 1-10 in order, reading the alpha & omega chapter along with the regular issue. I like it that way because Solar 1 starts off kinda in the middle of a story, and you have little idea who the guy is, where he comes from, or what his deal is. As you read 1 - 10, it becomes more clear what happened before Solar 1 in the A&O chapters. I like the slowly unfolding story.

Just my 2 cents. Either way, Solar 1 - 10 rock the house. If you have never read them you are in for a treat.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:19 pm

Fanboy375 wrote:
Free Form wrote:I have another question: what's the best way to read the first 10 issues of Solar? Should I read the 10 Alpha & Omega parts first, back-to-back, or read each issue and the insert one at a time, like they were published?
Get the TPB and read it, then read 1-10 neglecting the A/O inserts

That's what I did.

BTW Hello there.

VEI Reborn · Post by **VEI Reborn** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:54 pm

Welcome!

MoonChild · Post by **MoonChild** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:09 pm

Welcome, The Solar Trades are a Must have for your Valiant Collection, well worth the money.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:13 pm

MoonChild wrote:Welcome, The Solar Trades are a Must have for your Valiant Collection, well worth the money.

For sure.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:24 pm

Dr. Solar wrote:Welcome to the bored! Have you heard there is a podcast about valiant comics?

ZephyrWasHOT!! wrote:It's perfectly ok to read the books as they came out...which is what Shooter et al intended. You won't miss anything important.

Then, go back and RE-READ Alpha and Omega (the inserts) after you've read Solar #10 for some added layers and flavor.
I agree with ZephyrWasHot!! on this one. I think it is more interesting to read 1-10 in order, reading the alpha & omega chapter along with the regular issue. I like it that way because Solar 1 starts off kinda in the middle of a story, and you have little idea who the guy is, where he comes from, or what his deal is. As you read 1 - 10, it becomes more clear what happened before Solar 1 in the A&O chapters. I like the slowly unfolding story.

Just my 2 cents. Either way, Solar 1 - 10 rock the house. If you have never read them you are in for a treat.

You're still underselling those books. Truly excellent reads

JustCallMeAric · Post by **JustCallMeAric** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:41 am

Whatever you do dont read Unity: the Lost Chapter. Its horrible.

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