"There's a reason for Valiant's comeback."
Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg
"There's a reason for Valiant's comeback."
Hey, guys. I originally posted this in the Fanboy Radio forums.
You guys can see it below. Check it out, then tell me what you think.
Also, remember to check out Fanboy Radio. It's an awesome radio show.
Thanks,
CLA
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THERE'S A REASON FOR VALIANT'S COMEBACK
11/04/04
NEVER BEEN A FAN OF MR. LEE OR MR. TURNER
The comic books from the big names of today fail to obtain my interest and money. I occasionally buy a title which is acclaimed to be good, but I always conclude my reading of the last panel with distress because I wasted my $2.50 and my time attempting to comprehend a story that was nothing more than mildly amusing and had to contemplate artwork that was a tawdry imitation of the achievements fashioned by the ingenious minds of the Silver Age. Considering the comic book titles that have been produced since the late 1980s, our times could be properly described as "The Gilded Age," a term coined my Mark Twain to describe the facade of the industrial 1900s that hid the poverty and anguish of thousands. The term is appropriate here when one reflects on the thick, constant amount of pitiable products polluting the local comic book store when fan magazines and [what many readers heed as] improving material are thriving.
I PREFER TO CALL IT DESTINY
Six months ago, I walk into my comic book store with six whole dollars and I'm expecting to purchase an enjoyable read. (Hell, I'm cheap.) I actually spent about six hours in search of something appealing and economically convenient. The store was damn hot and I couldn't find anything that was not associated with Marvel, DC, or voluptuous women. When I realized that my chances of finding something—both acceptable and in the range of zero-to-six dollars—were unlikely, I would attempt to waste my money wisely. So I, brave and embarrassed, decided to advance to the back of the store where the bargain comics were located. The patrons there nick-named the discount boxes "The Box o' Shame." Hurts the self-esteem. I quickly scanned through such classic titles as Avengelyne, Youngblood, Glory, Deathblow, and Darkchylde. I stop when I see a bagged trade paper back with an opaque cover. I can't tell the name of the book, so I turn it to the spine: this was published by Valiant, it's titled Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega, and it's $9.95 cover price, which is half with the discount. I'm interested and I could afford it, so I take it to the counter, wait for service from the incompetent young man and pay for the book. I don't find time to read it until a weekend some weeks later.
THIS IS VALIANT
Truly, it was something unforgettable. One of the best comic book scripts I've ever read. Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega, published in March 1994 and written by Jim Shooter and embellished by Barry Windsor-Smith's moving, thoughtful pencils. It is a collection of the mini-series within a series inserted in Solar, Man of The Atom #1 through #10. In Alpha & Omega, were are introduced to Dr. Phil Seleski, a witty, likeable character whose enticement is his divergence with the comic book characters that many of us are acquainted with. Dr. Seleski, later known as Solar, is an atheist who imbibes an extraordinary and destructive force during an accident in a nuclear facility. Dr. Seleski becomes arrogant and, always fascinated by his own power, comes to the conjecture that if there is no god, then he must be.
This new Dr. Seleski is a powerful and pretentious being. In the beginning his efforts are quixotic as he decides to prevent the accident that made him from occurring again. But as he gains confidence in himself, he realizes he is no longer an individual, a human, but is all that exists at once, an omnipotent entity.
Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega is an epic story of introspection as well as an allegory: if we obtain grandeur—whether it is in power, or control—we are still missing the human necessity of affection.
"THANKS FOR MAKING VALIANT YOUR COMIC BOOK COMPANY"
This collaboration of Mr. Shooter and Mr. Windsor-Smith was a very memorable one, both literary and artistically. Something that also deserves praise is the convenience of the trade paper back, which refrains the reader from opening and closing ten comic books and provides the story with fluency and pace. Alpha and Omega must've had a great impact on me because I've been reading and collecting Valiant Comics since then.
Those who are not familiar with Valiant, Alpha and Omega is the finest representation of the quality of work that Valiant published in its early years. This is a highly recommended book that everyone should find in their comic store's bargain bin. Don't let it stay there; this belongs in your bookshelf.
Yes, I'm aware of the temptation to buy a popular book, like The Death of Superman Trilogy, consisting of more than 800 pages worth of a meaningless storyline at a pricey $40.00. And it's incomparable to Alpha & Omega.
CLA
You guys can see it below. Check it out, then tell me what you think.
Also, remember to check out Fanboy Radio. It's an awesome radio show.
Thanks,
CLA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THERE'S A REASON FOR VALIANT'S COMEBACK
11/04/04
NEVER BEEN A FAN OF MR. LEE OR MR. TURNER
The comic books from the big names of today fail to obtain my interest and money. I occasionally buy a title which is acclaimed to be good, but I always conclude my reading of the last panel with distress because I wasted my $2.50 and my time attempting to comprehend a story that was nothing more than mildly amusing and had to contemplate artwork that was a tawdry imitation of the achievements fashioned by the ingenious minds of the Silver Age. Considering the comic book titles that have been produced since the late 1980s, our times could be properly described as "The Gilded Age," a term coined my Mark Twain to describe the facade of the industrial 1900s that hid the poverty and anguish of thousands. The term is appropriate here when one reflects on the thick, constant amount of pitiable products polluting the local comic book store when fan magazines and [what many readers heed as] improving material are thriving.
I PREFER TO CALL IT DESTINY
Six months ago, I walk into my comic book store with six whole dollars and I'm expecting to purchase an enjoyable read. (Hell, I'm cheap.) I actually spent about six hours in search of something appealing and economically convenient. The store was damn hot and I couldn't find anything that was not associated with Marvel, DC, or voluptuous women. When I realized that my chances of finding something—both acceptable and in the range of zero-to-six dollars—were unlikely, I would attempt to waste my money wisely. So I, brave and embarrassed, decided to advance to the back of the store where the bargain comics were located. The patrons there nick-named the discount boxes "The Box o' Shame." Hurts the self-esteem. I quickly scanned through such classic titles as Avengelyne, Youngblood, Glory, Deathblow, and Darkchylde. I stop when I see a bagged trade paper back with an opaque cover. I can't tell the name of the book, so I turn it to the spine: this was published by Valiant, it's titled Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega, and it's $9.95 cover price, which is half with the discount. I'm interested and I could afford it, so I take it to the counter, wait for service from the incompetent young man and pay for the book. I don't find time to read it until a weekend some weeks later.
THIS IS VALIANT
Truly, it was something unforgettable. One of the best comic book scripts I've ever read. Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega, published in March 1994 and written by Jim Shooter and embellished by Barry Windsor-Smith's moving, thoughtful pencils. It is a collection of the mini-series within a series inserted in Solar, Man of The Atom #1 through #10. In Alpha & Omega, were are introduced to Dr. Phil Seleski, a witty, likeable character whose enticement is his divergence with the comic book characters that many of us are acquainted with. Dr. Seleski, later known as Solar, is an atheist who imbibes an extraordinary and destructive force during an accident in a nuclear facility. Dr. Seleski becomes arrogant and, always fascinated by his own power, comes to the conjecture that if there is no god, then he must be.
This new Dr. Seleski is a powerful and pretentious being. In the beginning his efforts are quixotic as he decides to prevent the accident that made him from occurring again. But as he gains confidence in himself, he realizes he is no longer an individual, a human, but is all that exists at once, an omnipotent entity.
Solar, Man of The Atom: Alpha and Omega is an epic story of introspection as well as an allegory: if we obtain grandeur—whether it is in power, or control—we are still missing the human necessity of affection.
"THANKS FOR MAKING VALIANT YOUR COMIC BOOK COMPANY"
This collaboration of Mr. Shooter and Mr. Windsor-Smith was a very memorable one, both literary and artistically. Something that also deserves praise is the convenience of the trade paper back, which refrains the reader from opening and closing ten comic books and provides the story with fluency and pace. Alpha and Omega must've had a great impact on me because I've been reading and collecting Valiant Comics since then.
Those who are not familiar with Valiant, Alpha and Omega is the finest representation of the quality of work that Valiant published in its early years. This is a highly recommended book that everyone should find in their comic store's bargain bin. Don't let it stay there; this belongs in your bookshelf.
Yes, I'm aware of the temptation to buy a popular book, like The Death of Superman Trilogy, consisting of more than 800 pages worth of a meaningless storyline at a pricey $40.00. And it's incomparable to Alpha & Omega.
CLA
Last edited by CLA on Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:38 am, edited 8 times in total.
"...[Wizard Magazine] regularly cheapens and poisons our field."
—FRANK MILLER
—FRANK MILLER
-
ZephyrWasHOT!!
- Chief of the Dia Tribe
- Posts: 22415
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:55 pm
I'm beginning to agree with Zephyr on this. Until there are *good* new valiants being published (I don't count the semi-annual Turoks over the last 4 years as such), it's dead.
Examples: Atlas comics from the 70s: damn hard to find in VF/NM or higher. Cool set to own. Never be worth much except as a footnote (and it has its own fanboy website too!)
Tower Comics. Been waiting for these to be licensed & published anew for a decade now.
The nostalgia factor will always keep Valiants on my short-list, but because they became so valuable so quickly, I still believe the vast majority of pre-unity copies & golds are in high grade stockpiled in collections somewhere (several board-members can probably attest to this)
Who won that set of 12 NM X-O # 1s on Ebay last night? There's more out there, folks.
Examples: Atlas comics from the 70s: damn hard to find in VF/NM or higher. Cool set to own. Never be worth much except as a footnote (and it has its own fanboy website too!)
Tower Comics. Been waiting for these to be licensed & published anew for a decade now.
The nostalgia factor will always keep Valiants on my short-list, but because they became so valuable so quickly, I still believe the vast majority of pre-unity copies & golds are in high grade stockpiled in collections somewhere (several board-members can probably attest to this)
Who won that set of 12 NM X-O # 1s on Ebay last night? There's more out there, folks.
Ryan wrote:whoa. That was a good read
Thanks, guys. I appreciate that.ckb wrote:Well done.
ZephyrWasHOT!! wrote:I'll believe it's a genuine 'comeback' when the characters are being published again, and Valiant is featured on the covers of the trade journals.....until then...it's just a nostalgiac bump.
I agree with you guys. The title was merely an attention-getter and was based on Valiant's slow, but noticeable waves in the price guides. What did you guys think of my post in that site?Rai-fan wrote:I'm beginning to agree with Zephyr on this. Until there are *good* new valiants being published (I don't count the semi-annual Turoks over the last 4 years as such), it's dead.
"...[Wizard Magazine] regularly cheapens and poisons our field."
—FRANK MILLER
—FRANK MILLER
-
R Daneel
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1048
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 11:01 am
- Valiant fan since: 1991
- Favorite character: Solar, Magnus
- Favorite title: VEI Harbinger
- Location: Frisco, TX
Don't call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear
Makin the tears rain down like a MON-soon
Listen to the bass go BOOM
Explosion, overpowerin
Over the competition, I'm towerin
Wreckin shop, when I drop these lyrics that'll make you call the cops
Don't you dare stare, you betta move
Don't ever compare
Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced
Competition's payin the price
I been here for years
Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear
Makin the tears rain down like a MON-soon
Listen to the bass go BOOM
Explosion, overpowerin
Over the competition, I'm towerin
Wreckin shop, when I drop these lyrics that'll make you call the cops
Don't you dare stare, you betta move
Don't ever compare
Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced
Competition's payin the price
Hey, that's slick, man. Did you make it up?R Daneel wrote:Don't call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear
Makin the tears rain down like a MON-soon
Listen to the bass go BOOM
Explosion, overpowerin
Over the competition, I'm towerin
Wreckin shop, when I drop these lyrics that'll make you call the cops
Don't you dare stare, you betta move
Don't ever compare
Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced
Competition's payin the price
"...[Wizard Magazine] regularly cheapens and poisons our field."
—FRANK MILLER
—FRANK MILLER
-
greg
- The admin around here must be getting old and soft.
- Posts: 22880
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:39 am
- Valiant fan since: Rai #0
- Favorite character: Depends on title
- Favorite title: Depends on writer
- Favorite writer: Depends on artist
- Favorite artist: Depends on character
- Location: Indoors
- Contact:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/llcoolj/ ... ouout.htmlCLA wrote:Hey, that's slick, man. Did you make it up?
-
R Daneel
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1048
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 11:01 am
- Valiant fan since: 1991
- Favorite character: Solar, Magnus
- Favorite title: VEI Harbinger
- Location: Frisco, TX
greg wrote:http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/llcoolj/ ... ouout.htmlCLA wrote:Hey, that's slick, man. Did you make it up?
Shhhhhhhh!