What if VEI "BrandNewDay-ed" Valiant?

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:19 pm

So I was thinking ....

Let's say that VEI is ready to publish new books. The $ is in place, it is all ready. They have hired their creative team and the business people, all they need is the direction for the new books.

So they are trying to decide what to do with a bunch of issues: what about Shadowman (is Jack dead? is there a Shadowman?), what about X-O #68?, What about Rai #0?, what about the future characters? What about Pete? the Harbinger? the Visitor? what about the Acclaim characters?)

So...... what if they decided to "BND" the Valiant Universe? What if they just started over. Same characters, but they stated fresh. Maybe Solar (or Phil S. just re-started the entire universe?)

I am not saying that I WANT that to happen. But what if it did?

Basically, they just started over with the background of the characters.

maraxusofkeld · Post by **maraxusofkeld** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:30 pm

That doesnt seem to bad to me, or if they could get shooter, have him essentially take the books in the direction he wanted after Unity.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:42 pm

You mean, re-boot the universe? It could be done, but it would tick off a lot of the old-school VALIANT fans (like MotA.)

IMHO, I hope DNV won't go this route, but wouldn't hold it against them if they did. I'll buy anything they print at first, but I'd rather they start out as VH-1 never ended and now it's so many years later. The Acclaim stuff, well... I am not a fan. But again, I'd be happy to see DNV printing anything new at all. If they go the Brand New Day, route, I kind of hope they start back right after Unity...

-slym

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:46 pm

It would be cool to see the way VEI would redo the Valiant universe after Unity! Just leave off Deathmate

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:46 pm

Well, since it appears that the GK characters are in the Dark Horse camp , it has certainly made things a bit more difficult. It will be interesting to see what direction they plan to go in now.

Whether they choose to pick up after Unity or start all over, I think both ideas have merit.

If VEI wants to start over, they could have the opportunity to merge some of the Acclaim characters and premises into the new VU. I would love to see Shooter work on another big event that tie things up and starts a new continuity like we saw in the early days of Valiant.

If VEI chooses to pick up after right after Unity, I do think they would have to be very careful that they don't repeat the ugliness that happened with the Valiant titles later on though. It would be very easy for them to fall into that trap. Also, I imagine the Acclaim characters would have to be kept in a separate line of books like Armada or something. It would be a chance for them to see what the readers will respond to in this new age of comics.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:57 pm

Daniel Jackson wrote:Well, since it appears that the GK characters are in the Dark Horse camp , it has certainly made things a bit more difficult. It will be interesting to see what direction they plan to go in now.

Yeah, the GK3 have always been a big part of what direction DNV can go in the future...

If VEI wants to start over, they could have the opportunity to merge some of the Acclaim characters and premises into the new VU.

After being around here so long and seeing some of the ideas, I can't say I am averse to this route. Jack dies and Mike LeRoi becoming the new Shadowman sounds OK, but I don't know about all the Deadside stuff (never read it.) And how would the ever popular Quantum & Woody fit into a "world outside your window" comic universe? The only way I can see is that if they are a comic book inside DNV's comic book universe. And I have no problem with that, either.

-slym

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:58 pm

I'm tied of retcons and reboots.

Is it too much to ask that we just have a great comics by great creators on time and reasonably priced?

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:00 pm

Cyberstrike wrote:I'm tired of retcons and reboots.

Is it too much to ask that we just have a great comics by great creators on time and reasonably priced?

Reminds me of an old Stones song.....

-slym (just hopes we get what we "need")

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:04 pm

slym2none wrote:
Daniel Jackson wrote:Well, since it appears that the GK characters are in the Dark Horse camp , it has certainly made things a bit more difficult. It will be interesting to see what direction they plan to go in now.
Yeah, the GK3 have always been a big part of what direction DNV can go in the future...

If VEI wants to start over, they could have the opportunity to merge some of the Acclaim characters and premises into the new VU.
After being around here so long and seeing some of the ideas, I can't say I am averse to this route. Jack dies and Mike LeRoi becoming the new Shadowman sounds OK, but I don't know about all the Deadside stuff (never read it.) And how would the ever popular Quantum & Woody fit into a "world outside your window" comic universe? The only way I can see is that if they are a comic book inside DNV's comic book universe. And I have no problem with that, either.

-slym

I would highly recommend reading the Deadside issues. The premise adds whole new interesting depth to the Shadowman story. Although in order to make the most sense out of things, I would give the V2&3 Shadowman books a read as well.

robb77 · Post by **robb77** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:06 pm

i suppose the way that x-0 ended it might happen

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:24 pm

At this point for me, I would almost take any new books.

I think without the GK3, and re-do might be in order. Really, Turok is not needed. And while I really liked Magnus (and so did a lot of other consumers) they coudl do with out him. But no Solar is most def. difficult.

Maybe a re-starting over would work. Maybe in the first book, they could allude to Solar, have some black hole occur (again) and Solar decide to go it to it (or something like that) and then we could "start over". It could be very similar to the early books with some slight differences...... and the Geos woudl know things are different.... but then they could go from there.

The differences would be caused by the lack of Solar.... so it would make sense.

It would for sure put more emphasis on X-O and Pete, as they would become the most powerful "good guys" in the Univ. It would also give Toyo and Darque more sway without Solar to worry about.

dave · Post by **dave** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:51 pm

they could do have phil make the choice for the BND, and his choice is his life versus the universe or some such thing...the geomancers could refer to the fact that something was amiss, and that way if they ever get the rights to the GK guys back they could invent a storyline to bring them back.

they way things ended up, i'm not sure that there is any one answer that would fix everything, at least not one that would do these characters justice, they could easily do the "bobby's in the shower" routine but that would be a tremendous cop-out that i don't think they are intending to do.

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:52 pm

I would also leave out Dr Eclipse as well,unless they would introduce someone more on his power level for good,maybe another Omega.

dave · Post by **dave** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:55 pm

they so wrecked dr solar anyway. he coulda been pretty cool. they should've left him as "venom".

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:00 pm

Elveen wrote:At this point for me, I would almost take any new books.

I think without the GK3, and re-do might be in order. Really, Turok is not needed. And while I really liked Magnus (and so did a lot of other consumers) they coudl do with out him. But no Solar is most def. difficult.

Maybe a re-starting over would work. Maybe in the first book, they could allude to Solar, have some black hole occur (again) and Solar decide to go it to it (or something like that) and then we could "start over". It could be very similar to the early books with some slight differences...... and the Geos woudl know things are different.... but then they could go from there.

The differences would be caused by the lack of Solar.... so it would make sense.

It would for sure put more emphasis on X-O and Pete, as they would become the most powerful "good guys" in the Univ. It would also give Toyo and Darque more sway without Solar to worry about.

If VEI could use Phil Seleski, Joshua Fireseed and Torque (and I don't really see why they could not) then the GK 3 void could be somewhat filled. Granted it's not a perfect solution, but if they made the characters interesting and the stories compelling, it could work.

Personally, I liked Phil Seleski better than Solar anyway. I also liked the premise Acclaim used for Turok with the light burden better than what Valiant was doing with Turok. They could just use the Joshua character and create a new namesake for the mantle of Turok. Magnus would be the hardest to replace though. There was just something about that character that would be very hard to replace.

Darn you Dark Horse, give Magnus back!

geocarr · Post by **geocarr** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:12 pm

Elveen wrote:So I was thinking ....
So...... what if they decided to "BND" the Valiant Universe? What if they just started over. Same characters, but they stated fresh. Maybe Solar (or Phil S. just re-started the entire universe?)

I think they should hire Jim Shooter and Jeff Gomez to "re-start" the universe. Between Shooter's post-Unity ideas and Jeff Gomez's plan to tie the Acclaim universe to the Valiant universe, they could put out a really awesome set of work.

TKWill · Post by **TKWill** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:20 pm

I don't see a problem with pulling a BND on the VU. It has been 10 years since a book came out and 15+ since it all began. I just feel that is too much time to just pick up and try to explain the decade's worth of time that is missing. Sure there would be grumbling from many fans but you can't please everybody all of the time.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:22 pm

TKWill wrote:I don't see a problem with pulling a BND on the VU. It has been 10 years since a book came out and 15+ since it all began. I just feel that is too much time to just pick up and try to explain the decade's worth of time that is missing. Sure there would be grumbling from many fans but you can't please everybody all of the time.

That might be the way this finally shakes out. Is it optimal? Maybe, maybe not. But, if it would get books on the shelves and SELLING? I am for it.

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:50 pm

I don't think VEI can (or plan) to BND VH-1 due to the HCs. They won't be able to BND starting from Unity either because A&A HC went past Unity. Well, they could but what's the point of the HCs then?

Personally, I don't think VEI should do a reboot. I am sure they can think of a creative way of addressing (or maybe just not addressing) the past.

X-O HoboJoe · Post by **X-O HoboJoe** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:56 pm

Cyberstrike wrote:I'm tied of retcons and reboots.

Is it too much to ask that we just have a great comics by great creators on time and reasonably priced?

Read Playing God! At least you're sure to get your money's worth.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:58 pm

TKWill wrote:I don't see a problem with pulling a BND on the VU. It has been 10 years since a book came out and 15+ since it all began. I just feel that is too much time to just pick up and try to explain the decade's worth of time that is missing.

I agree, trying to keep everything in "real time" doesn't make much sense.

Also, keeping the drek and acknowledging it as continuity is not a great idea either. I would just as soon forget about Birthquake, Deathmate and the X-O bike.

Pick a good point to continue from or redo everything.

TKWill · Post by **TKWill** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:26 pm

Daniel Jackson wrote:
TKWill wrote:I don't see a problem with pulling a BND on the VU. It has been 10 years since a book came out and 15+ since it all began. I just feel that is too much time to just pick up and try to explain the decade's worth of time that is missing.
I agree, trying to keep everything in "real time" doesn't make much sense.

Also, keeping the drek and acknowledging it as continuity is not a great idea either. I would just as soon forget about Birthquake, Deathmate and the X-O bike.

Pick a good point to continue from or redo everything.

Everyone could come out of Unity and be placed in present time.

I wonder how people would react if the child that became Magnus were to become a new character since Magnus is off the table for the time being. Phil can always just be Phil, but they would need a new title for the book. What would be a good alternate title for Phil's book.

It would be nice for VEI to become an imprint under DH so that they could keep the Mags and Solar characters but retain the autonomy, as others have mentioned.

JustCallMeAric · Post by **JustCallMeAric** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:54 pm

no problem to me

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:26 pm

I'd be fine with it as long as it produces good stories like Brand New Day has.

Today's comic readers don't even give a crap or even know about Valiant so the main thing is that they need to make good stories. If that means abandoning continuity and *SQUEE* off maybe 100 - 200 fans like MOTA, well..... screw them.

The difference between Valiant and Spider-man when considering a "Brand New Day" is that Spidey has tens of thousands of dedicated fans who have been reading Spidey stories for 10, 20, 30, 40 years now and feel like they know what Peter Parker would do and get *SQUEE* when that's not how the story goes.

Valiant, in comparison, does not have that die-hard loyalty from the nearly same number of fans as Spidey. So BND'ing Valiant would cause MUCH less debate / fanboy hatred than doing it to Spidey.

MoonChild · Post by **MoonChild** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:20 pm

I just hope they use all the great characters that they own and stay true to them. Only thing I know for sure is if and when they do start releasing new issues It will be a good tool/bargaining chip [or at least a leg to stand on] to get some deals going with Movie/Toy/Video Game Companies and really make Valiant Shine the way that we all know it should and could.

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004

What if VEI "BrandNewDay-ed" Valiant?

What if VEI "BrandNewDay-ed" Valiant?

Re: What if VEI "BrandNewDay-ed" Valiant?