Dark Key Concerns

[rjrjr]

I am very excited about the Dark Horse Gold Key revival, but I do envision a scenario that could be detrimental to this line's success before it starts. To me it seems like too many people are more concerned with the value of the books (will my Valiants go up in price?, what Gold Key title should I be buying?, which Dark Horse limited edition will be worth more?, how many copies do I need to buy?) than with the stories. I've seen it happen for the past few years with the Valiant comics. Maybe it's just me (I don't think it is though) but this fixation on the value of these comics before the line has even been released is a huge downer. It kinda reminds me of the whole Chew phenomena. I honestly cannot tell if people are reading and enjoying Chew the comic book, or more interested in how hot the comic is and how much money the early issues fetch. Nobody I've talked to who "read" Chew can tell me anything about the actual storyline in the comic, but instead want to talk about how much Chew fetched this week on E-Bay.

It's troubling to think about it, but it does appear that the speculators are back in the hobby and many comics today are sold on how much they are going to be worth again, not on the content. How else can you explain the ever increasing variant covers. Despite what everyone says about Dark Horse limiting the multiple covers, they have more and more frequently put out variant covers lately. From the looks of things, they are going to do variant covers at least on all the first issues of the Gold Key revival titles and I won't be surprised to see variant covers on all the issues.

I hopeful this revival is going to be a success based on good stories and art. I'm excited about all 3 titles and have very high hopes we'll get some good stories because of Jim Shooter's involvement. Will we get a universe or will the titles be self contained? What other Gold Key characters will be introduced? Will Solar be front and center as a superhero, or will he be seen more as a myth to the general public? Is Magnus raised by A1? Will there be one Timeless Land or will Turok travel between several Timeless Lands similar to the Gold Key comics?

I cannot help but be troubled when I read that people plan on order 5, 10, etc. copies of these titles. Did we not learn anything from the 90s? Heck, even I got so caught up in the excitement, I ordered 5 copies of the FCBD issue. In hindsight however, I don't see how that will help this revival if all we do is horde the comics and talk about the value of the books instead of talk about the stories being told.

I know, its too early to be talking about the storylines, right? There is no reason to speculate on the storylines, so why not speculate on which issue will be worth more long term and who is going to horde the most issues?

Thanks,
Ron

[Drift]

There are always going to be speculators no matter what you tell people and how well you try to educate them about the detrimental effects of what they are doing. I do not currently know enough to try and talk people out of this nasty habit but there are others that talk about it a lot.

There are a few people on these boards who are known to speculate and they have been given all the right information but it doesn't do any good at all. As with any problem, they have to recognise it as such themselves before anything can be done about it.

[ian_house]

As Drift said there are always going to be speculators. Its just another side to the comic collecting hobby.

Plus there is a difference between hoarding and speculating. Some of the guys here hoard books that are worth nothing and will never be worth anything. It just brings them happiness!

It kinda reminds me of the whole Chew phenomena. I honestly cannot tell if people are reading and enjoying Chew the comic book, or more interested in how hot the comic is and how much money the early issues fetch. Nobody I've talked to who "read" Chew can tell me anything about the actual storyline in the comic, but instead want to talk about how much Chew fetched this week on E-Bay.

What do you want to know? Chew is ace, really enjoying it. Two arcs in and its a high concept piece that is holding up really well. There are a funky bunch of characters and the art is very different to the norm (in a good way). I can talk more about the story if your interested but would advise you to just get the first trade as its pretty cheap and well worth the dollaaaaaas!

[Second_Death]

There are probably several members here who will support the return of the Gold Key characters by purchasing extra copies. Their motivation, like mine, won't be for speculation but to enhance the bottom line for DH and help promote the return of these characters.

When I purchased multiple copies of VEI's recent hardcover collections it certainly wasn't motivated by $'s. I've personally purchased more than 10 copies of each of those releases and most have been given to friends and family. VEI needed our support as it's hardcore base of fans. Likewise, DH needs our support to ensure Jim Shooter's return to mainstream comics is a success. They make money and we hopefully get to enjoy long title runs with our favorite Valiant alum at the helm.

[ian_house]

VEI needed our support as it's hardcore base of fans.

Pity they've never shown any appreciation of this.

yet

[Second_Death]

VEI needed our support as it's hardcore base of fans.

Pity they've never shown any appreciation of this.

yet

Agreed. The action against DH and Jim was particularly unsettling. I wish they were as vigilant at producing new material as they are at filing legal documents. Maybe they can refocus and pay more attention to their fans rather than those they consider adversaries................maybe.

[Crow331]

Good point rjrjr .... I agree!

Let me throw something else out there, off topic. Does anyone think that Valiant hasn't "dropped" their lawsuit against Shooter, but are just waiting for these new Dark Horse comics come out so they can see how closely this universe resembles what Jim was working on with Valiant before it all fell apart? Then they have more ammunition to re-launch their lawsuit again??

"Your honor, look at all the similarities between this Magnus story and the story Jim was working on at VEI before he jumped ship".

Hopefully the difference is huge where it's not an issue, but I can see VEI making another fuss, especially if this re-launch turns out to be successful

[UnknownTales]

You are supporting their movie production, not their comic production.

There are probably several members here who will support the return of the Gold Key characters by purchasing extra copies. Their motivation, like mine, won't be for speculation but to enhance the bottom line for DH and help promote the return of these characters.

When I purchased multiple copies of VEI's recent hardcover collections it certainly wasn't motivated by $'s. I've personally purchased more than 10 copies of each of those releases and most have been given to friends and family. VEI needed our support as it's hardcore base of fans. Likewise, DH needs our support to ensure Jim Shooter's return to mainstream comics is a success. They make money and we hopefully get to enjoy long title runs with our favorite Valiant alum at the helm.

[StarBrand]

There are probably several members here who will support the return of the Gold Key characters by purchasing extra copies. Their motivation, like mine, won't be for speculation but to enhance the bottom line for DH and help promote the return of these characters.

Very good point. I'll be buying extra copies out of thanks to Dark Horse for giving Shooter this chance, whether it succeeds or not. I'm very grateful to Dark Horse.

[StarBrand]

[StarBrand]

You are supporting their movie production, not their comic production.

I don't think there's any chance we can say for sure VEI isn't going to make comics. Why was Shooter invovled with VEI...to make movies? Why is Bill Jemas involved with VEI? To make movies?
I guarantee Shooter and Jemas weren't involved with VEI to make movies, but rather to make comics.

[StarBrand]

Nice to see a new Dark Horse thread today.

[dave]

"Your honor, look at all the similarities between this Magnus story and the story Jim was working on at VEI before he jumped ship".

From what I read though, everything Jim was working on was on that laptop that they accused him of stealing, and then that had all been removed when they got it back, so I don't know how they would even allege such a thing.

I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt. I think they made a knee-jerk reaction, and have decided to move forward instead (with what-I don't know anymore than you)

[UnknownTales]

I believe they are waiting as well. Is difficult to comprehend that they "hired" him without him EVER mentioning any plans, ideas, or concepts. There must be an email trail of some kind with conversations. I can't believe that VEI deleted EVERY single email communication between Jim and their company.

Look to see some more action after the lawyers have reviewed the available published issues.

[superman-prime]

Dark hourse does a good job on most of their stuff im expecting more of the same