Is VEI dead or dying?

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:56 am

Its the great valiants charlie brown

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:19 pm

Phantom. wrote:how long since Jesus?
Keep the faith.

Best "don't be discouraged by waiting forever for something" line...ever.

Phantom.. · Post by **Phantom..** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:54 am

I'm English, I love waiting in line.

Phantom.. · Post by **Phantom..** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:57 am

sorry misread your post.

But the above is still true.

I would rather not be wrong, but I would prefer if most of you where

yardstick · Post by **yardstick** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 11:55 am

leonmallett wrote:
Think about it this way - if you invested $1,000,000 in something, then wouldn't you work at that investment to make it work rather than do nothing with it?

If I recall correctly, when Valiant originally began, didnt they start out by trying to license WWF and Mario stuff? ANd when that didnt work, Shooter used the GK3 to create the Universe we all appreciate so much...?

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:37 pm

yardstick wrote:
leonmallett wrote:
Think about it this way - if you invested $1,000,000 in something, then wouldn't you work at that investment to make it work rather than do nothing with it?

If I recall correctly, when Valiant originally began, didnt they start out by trying to license WWF and Mario stuff? ANd when that didnt work, Shooter used the GK3 to create the Universe we all appreciate so much...?

The Nintendo and WWF stuff was Massarsky's idea. Jim just went along with it to appease him. Jim's original plan all along was to use the GK characters.

geocarr · Post by **geocarr** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:08 pm

Faith and optimism cost Phantom nor any of the others including myself holding onto it anything and we will likely not be any more disappointed than those of you without it currently are if VEI never publishes anything. Our faith and optimism also don't cost anything to those of you without it.

Burrito Boy · Post by **Burrito Boy** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:08 pm

superman-prime wrote:Its the great valiants charlie brown

Todd Luck wrote:
Phantom. wrote:how long since Jesus?
Keep the faith.
Best "don't be discouraged by waiting forever for something" line...ever.

x 10,000

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:11 am

geocarr wrote:Faith and optimism cost Phantom nor any of the others including myself holding onto it anything and we will likely not be any more disappointed than those of you without it currently are if VEI never publishes anything. Our faith and optimism also don't cost anything to those of you without it.

True - but it isn't you guys we are calling to account really.

It is VEI - not that I expect them to answer the questions asked of them, but that doen't mean they shouldn't or mustn't be posed.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:31 am

leonmallett wrote:
geocarr wrote:Faith and optimism cost Phantom nor any of the others including myself holding onto it anything and we will likely not be any more disappointed than those of you without it currently are if VEI never publishes anything. Our faith and optimism also don't cost anything to those of you without it.

True - but it isn't you guys we are calling to account really.

It is VEI - not that I expect them to answer the questions asked of them, but that doen't mean they shouldn't or mustn't be posed.

This part is such a shame, being that Dino was a big part of the board when it was younger.
To be tied up in legal whatnot and not being in a position to say anything must be hard, but it was the time before when there were no legal issues that they cannot excuse, especially having the big man himself as an employee.
I know it would have been the best news of all time had they pulled it off, no doubt hailing them the saviours of the Valiant universe and loved them in a similar fashion that we all love Jim.
However given the way it seems to have panned out over the last 24 months since i joined, the lack of news has been nothing short of excruciatingly painful and there cant be much said that shows them to be saviours of anything is there?

I like that so many people still want to look on the bright side and that some members here are friends with the owners, but if my friends were messing up in any way i would stand by them sure, but i would also admit when they were in the wrong in any way and have no problem telling them what they might not want to hear.
Over the past 20 years i have screwed up in every way imaginable, but still had faith in myself and a few people did too, so sure there is still hope for anyone in any situation, but without communication of any kind you can & should expect all manner of things said about you, with it only getting worse over time.

Why also has Dino posted elswhere (unless im wrong on this point) instead of here considering (and this is not a pop at anyone elses site) this is the main place to be for and kind of Valiant anything right?

Were there reasons for not wanting to be part of this site anymore other than attempting to be secretive on a whole new level?

If there is any chance VEI can put new product out, its been so damaged before it is even announced, that in today's marketplace they would do well to survive regardless of how cool we all still think the product is, with some people sitting out altogether, to what would have been quite large pre orders maybe being now in single digits.
If (and again correct me if i'm wrong here) the people here, no matter that we are still only several hundred strong, could be capable of helping re ignite interest in Valiant with our combined enthusiasm, contacts and so on, it still might not have been enough as we know how mad the industry is nowadays, so after the events of the last year how much less likely would they be to succeed now.

We always say no other DU has the following that Valiant has and probably never will, but i think 12/24 months ago the people here really could have helped make a difference in the survival of a new Valiant comic line, just look at the enthusiasm towards the GK3 line already.
Now though im sitting on the Dying and almost dead side of the fence and i dont like it.

BloodOfHeroes · Post by **BloodOfHeroes** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:14 am

I'll hang out with you, Phantom. The cool part is that those with less faith won't be disappointed when proven wrong, I think.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:17 am

BloodOfHeroes wrote:I'll hang out with you, Phantom. The cool part is that those with less faith won't be disappointed when proven wrong, I think.

Dude, me personally, ive been proven wrong so may times in my life, im glad i learned to swallow my pride so long long ago.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 4:00 pm

same here, hope is free

X-O HoboJoe · Post by **X-O HoboJoe** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:32 pm

superman-prime wrote:same here, hope is free

Obama nuts . . .

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:22 am

BloodOfHeroes wrote:I'll hang out with you, Phantom. The cool part is that those with less faith won't be disappointed when proven wrong, I think.

You are right to a degree BOH: I won't be disappointed if proven wrong. I will support any new comic books published by VEI without reservation. I will happily stand corrected if proven wrong. I hope that happens.

I just don't have a great deal of faith (in VEI) for the reasons I have mentioned in many previous posts.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:46 pm

Big O

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:15 pm

Still nothing. Unfortunately.

Do you know what would be for the most interesting thing to happen now (based on the assumption that VEI continue their trend of not really producing comics, only legal actions) in my mind? It would be for a comics journalist to write an article summing what has happened from the 2005 auction onwards.

I mean, you couldn't make this story up, yet it is fascinating in its own way. Like an accident in slow motion. Very slow motion.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:30 pm

leonmallett wrote:Still nothing. Unfortunately.

Do you know what would be for the most interesting thing to happen now (based on the assumption that VEI continue their trend of not really producing comics, only legal actions) in my mind? It would be for a comics journalist to write an article summing what has happened from the 2005 auction onwards.

I mean, you couldn't make this story up, yet it is fascinating in its own way. Like an accident in slow motion. Very slow motion.

Well it could have both a negative or positive effect couldn't it.
Where no news can be considered good news, but to be not in the news at all is bad news, so maybe if someone were to produce a piece as you suggest, it may have a positive effect were they genuinely planning to produce some work.
If on the right site it would get enough hits that a monster amount of previously unaware comic buyers would suddenly be up to date and who knows how much interest that could generate for new sales.

Unlikely of course, but oh how we like to dream.

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:14 am

Abiding by my commitment to post here in this thread each month until VEI starts doing something, and I mean really something, with these characters.

So where are we now?

- the VEI website; no new news items since December 2008
- the VEI website; no new press releases since September 2008
- the VEI website; no transparency to the company structure (see below)
- the VEI website; no public indication of further hardcovers or upcoming new comic books
- Bill Jemas may have joined the company: I honestly don't believe there has been any official confirmation of his appointment or involvement, nor that of Fred Pierce, can anyone point to any such official announcement? Furthermore, where is Walter Black in all of this?
- the VEI-Jim Shooter lawsuit debacle seems to have quietly gone away; something I see as a good thing since it seemed to serve to make both parties look bad, and VEI as pretty amateurish in some ways
- there are rumours of 'stuff happening'; those in the know are party to 'stuff happening' that will please us as fans of the properties, and occasionally allude to this - so no change there then; does VEI only operate its 'publicity' via rumour these days? Worse still, those rumours of 'stuff happening' have been around for quite some time now and still nothing to show on VEI's behalf
- there may be a mixed bag of past VALIANT creators who don't intend to work with VEI, and a smaller number of VALIANT alumni who have said they would do so; of course they need something to actually work on to do so

So it is February 2010, I can only see significant financial losses for VEI's investment, and really no concrete sign of forthcoming publication of comic books. In other words my low opinion of VEI remains, based on their lack of activity in publishing anything. They may be great guys personally, I don't know because I don't know them, but in executing a comic book publishing business (if that was ever their primary intention) then I have have massive doubts about their capabilities and/or intentions.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:43 am

leonmallett wrote:Abiding by my commitment to post here in this thread each month until VEI starts doing somethin, and I mean really something, with these characters.

Dude, stop doing this to yourself. You are putting up more effort than VEI.

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:54 am

400yrs wrote:
leonmallett wrote:Abiding by my commitment to post here in this thread each month until VEI starts doing somethin, and I mean really something, with these characters.
Dude, stop doing this to yourself. You are putting up more effort than VEI.

Ouch!

myron · Post by **myron** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:30 am

leonmallett wrote:
400yrs wrote:
leonmallett wrote:Abiding by my commitment to post here in this thread each month until VEI starts doing somethin, and I mean really something, with these characters.
Dude, stop doing this to yourself. You are putting up more effort than VEI.
Ouch!

yeah, truth hurts...

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:58 am

VEI also hired Mark Frangos at some point per blog and pic below (about middle of page). I am guessing that he's in marketing since that was his role for Virgin Comics. No official announcement, just based on blog and pic.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog ... -to-apple/

"On the left, Mark Frangos; on the right, Fred Pierce, two of the folks behind the newly re-launched Valiant Comics. In the middle — their Diamond rep, whose name we have forgotten. More details on the venture soon." . . . 10/20/2009 . . . PW The Beat Blog.

leonmallett · Post by **leonmallett** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:06 am

iggy101us wrote:VEI also hired Mark Frangos at some point per blog and pic below (about middle of page). I am guessing that he's in marketing since that was his role for Virgin Comics. No official announcement, just based on blog and pic.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog ... -to-apple/
<image snipped>
"On the left, Mark Frangos; on the right, Fred Pierce, two of the folks behind the newly re-launched Valiant Comics. In the middle — their Diamond rep, whose name we have forgotten. More details on the venture soon." . . . 10/20/2009 . . . PW The Beat Blog.

So have VEI actually announced any appointments?

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:12 am

leonmallett wrote:
iggy101us wrote:VEI also hired Mark Frangos at some point per blog and pic below (about middle of page). I am guessing that he's in marketing since that was his role for Virgin Comics. No official announcement, just based on blog and pic.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog ... -to-apple/
<image snipped>
"On the left, Mark Frangos; on the right, Fred Pierce, two of the folks behind the newly re-launched Valiant Comics. In the middle — their Diamond rep, whose name we have forgotten. More details on the venture soon." . . . 10/20/2009 . . . PW The Beat Blog.
So have VEI actually announced any appointments?

No, I don't think so.