Point/Counterpoint: Will The Dark Horse Launch Be A Success?

[StarBrand]

I want to use this thread to explain why in my opinion I think it is likely this launch Dark Horse is doing will be a success, and to hear from those who agree and disagree. Of course, only time will tell if it is a success or not. Don't worry, there's plenty of crow flying around the desert skies of Phoenix in case I'm wrong. Some of them are pretty darn big too.
First, though, I'd just like to say I'm very surprised few board members here seem to be bullish on this launch. Why is that?
Being bullish on this launch in my eyes would mean expecting similar success to early Valiant once fandom started realizing how good they were, and print-runs rising accordingly. I'm not predicting print-runs to reach Valiant heights at their peak or anything like that, but if the product equals or surpasses early Valiant I'm expecting significant bumps in print-runs at some point.

[Drift]

What do you mean by being bullish?

Do you mean that you expect all of us to rush out and buy multiple copies of each of the titles and show a false level of interest that will cause a temporary rise in prices on the secondary market in the same way we have seen recently with the RRP preview book with those that can't afford them at that point losing interest before things have even gotten going and resulting in a premature dropping of the line?

Or would you prefer we show our support by not speculating, picking up one copy (or 2 if it is a 50/50 split standard issue) and promoting the books on their own merit after we have had a chance to read them and causing a natural growth and therefore continuance of the line?

I know which one I would prefer and as always it is the option which promotes longevity of the industry and not short term artificial gain and subsequent burnout.

[dave]

expecting similar success to early Valiant once fandom started realizing how good they were, and print-runs rising accordingly.

That is what I am expecting.

[StarBrand]

What do you mean by being bullish?

Do you mean that you expect all of us to rush out and buy multiple copies of each of the titles and show a false level of interest that will cause a temporary rise in prices on the secondary market in the same way we have seen recently with the RRP preview book with those that can't afford them at that point losing interest before things have even gotten going and resulting in a premature dropping of the line?

Or would you prefer we show our support by not speculating, picking up one copy (or 2 if it is a 50/50 split standard issue) and promoting the books on their own merit after we have had a chance to read them and causing a natural growth and therefore continuance of the line?

I know which one I would prefer and as always it is the option which promotes longevity of the industry and not short term artificial gain and subsequent burnout.

By being bullish I don't mean speculating. I mean the possibility this could be everything Valiant was and more exists, and I don't see that being discussed much here.

I think we all remember what happened with Valiant, myself included.

[StarBrand]

The one thing about this launch I can see that really points to long-term possibilities for this line is that Shooter will likely be involved with it longer than he was involved with Valiant. Also, I think he's going to have editorial support from Dark Horse and production support he didn't have with Valiant.

[400yrs]

I'll make my judgment after reading the FCBD issue. Alot is going to depend on how that goes over.

[maraxusofkeld]

I'll make my judgment after reading the FCBD issue. Alot is going to depend on how that goes over.

The thing is the FCBD cover looked phenominal but the interiors were only so-so ,in my opinion, which bums me out.

[400yrs]

I'll make my judgment after reading the FCBD issue. Alot is going to depend on how that goes over.

The thing is the FCBD cover looked phenominal but the interiors were only so-so ,in my opinion, which bums me out.

Read it. I agree the cover was pretty awesome and the interiors were completely different from the cover and each other. I prefer the Magnus style better.

In regards to if the line can be a success....... Well, it depends on what you call success.

If you are talking "can they publish this type of stuff for 2 years or more" success, then yes. Based on reading the two stories, there's probably a market for both. Solar, to my surprise read a bit better than Magnus in comparison to contemporary comics.

If you are talking " this is going to set the world on fire like VH1 did back in the day!!!!". Then, IMHO, no. This stuff will probably find a market, but there's no way it's going to capture the entire comic world like Valiant did back in the day.

This book just didn't have a "Holy crap!! This is amazing!!" type feel like other books have for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at the thought boxes in Solar (I've grown to dislike them) and actually skimming through parts of the techy wordiness in Magnus.

[superman-prime]

dark horse is good at most everything i give it a 75 percent chance of winning at this launch

[dhudson1]

I wonder:
Does Jim have a long term contract?
How many copies do they have to sell to keep Dark Horse publishing?

Whar really matters os how DH defines success

[Unblessed]

What's the market for comic books these days? How many issues go out each month? How many acutally get sold?

I dunno.

I'll read this tomorrow and give my $0.02 on it.