Valiant Variants - Enough!

[tevans333]

I always liked that valiant was more innovative than the rest of the industry. VEI is just joining the rest of the industry by doing so many variants.

Ironically I was just reading Solar #5 and the Jim Shooter page at the end had this to say, "5 different variations of the same book is just blatant greed." he went on to talk about how Valiant innovates instead to increase readership. Those are some of the qualities I wish VEI would bring back, be the different comic book company, not just more of the same.

[possumgrease]

I don't have much to add to the conversation other than to add my voice to those who would prefer that there not be multiple variants on each and every issue.

I take this position because I've decided it's time to complete my valiant collection by having a copy of each book/cover and this will make that task more difficult.

Now, if they wanted to do a variant (1:20 or 1:50) that had something more to it than a cover (like say 10 pages of story that will later be collected in a trade), I think I would support it. But just a cover? Lame.

[geocarr]

Any retailer who is SMART should be trying to sell someone 5 unique $3.99 comics, instead of a $20 variant. That's just math, if they continue to pick 4 comics up, long term, that's much MUCH more revenue for the retailer.

Draco has been saying this or years when it comes to variant covers. In some cases, a company cannabilizes itself by printing 40,000 copies of a book and then printing 800 even more desireable copies of the same book. I bought one 1:50 and one 1:20 of X-O #1. Had there been no variant covers at all, I would have bought 5 copies of X-O #1 and all the other #1 issues. In my opinion, both VEI and the retailer lost money from me as an individual customer. How many others are like me? I don't know.

Harbinger #1 has an estimated print run of 48,000. There was no variant. Every one of those copies in VF or better are desireable as well as some of the lesser grades. I will buy every VF+ or better copy I can find for $25 or less and be excited about the characters and books.

I have been collecting comics since 1978. I reached a point in recent years where 90% of the floppies I buy now are in the hopes of value appreciation. I buy HC's and TPB's to read and keep for myself. As you can probably guess, I don't buy many floppies anymore. I haven't bought any of VEI's new Harbinger #1 because I wasn't willing to buy the 1:20 or 1:50 for DCBS's price and I know I'm going to buyt he HC or TPB for reading.

I'm sure I haven't articulated my logic in the best way and I'm sure there are some faults to my logic, but it is how I think about the variant topic. Like paradise said above, retailers make more money when publishers produce great books and readers buy more non-variant books long-term which increases readership which increases demand for the publisher to produce more books and thrive.

[cjv]

Four covers for XO #5. Four.

Yikes! Where did you see that!

Edit: The other thread. Just read it.

Potential issue with the variants - by having so many, Valiant is turning off people on trying to get them all. If people aren't trying to get them all, then the LCS, which ordered 20 issues (or whatever) will now be stuck with extra issues AND a variant cover that people aren't trying to get.

Chris

[Zaphod]

In some cases, a company cannabilizes itself by printing 40,000 copies of a book and then printing 800 even more desireable copies of the same book. I bought one 1:50 and one 1:20 of X-O #1. Had there been no variant covers at all, I would have bought 5 copies of X-O #1 and all the other #1 issues. In my opinion, both VEI and the retailer lost money from me as an individual customer. How many others are like me? I don't know.

This is an excellent point, I think. That "normal-*SQUEE* cover" printing isn't going to be collectible. At all. I have to imagine that it is a double edged sword and VEI could quite easily fall into the 25 cent bin after the initial feel of newness fades away.

It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. Shooters editorial page from 20 years ago speaks volumes as well, imo.

[StarBrand]

I've seen regular covers become collectable and go up in value a number of times, even when there were variant covers of the comic. It just depends on demand if the regular cover is collectable. I think the regular covers of the new Valiants will, indeed, be collectable once this line has been up and running for a bit.

[paradise]

I always liked that valiant was more innovative than the rest of the industry. VEI is just joining the rest of the industry by doing so many variants.

QR Variant was not innovative? REALLY? First ever talking cover?

[paradise]

Harbinger #1 has an estimated print run of 48,000. There was no variant. Every one of those copies in VF or better are desireable as well as some of the lesser grades. I will buy every VF+ or better copy I can find for $25 or less and be excited about the characters and books.

Harbinger #1 had no variants, but Zero (real #1 if you think about it) had a Pink sendaway variant. Valiant had a TON of variants, golds, platinums, pinks, reds, clears, blues, .... There was a different distribution method BUT that has more to do with the new and evolved marketplace. Diamond would not distribute these before and now they do. Diamond did not share data with publishers before, now they do. Everything about the distribution model is different now then it was in the 90s.

[paradise]

I've seen regular covers become collectable and go up in value a number of times, even when there were variant covers of the comic. It just depends on demand if the regular cover is collectable. I think the regular covers of the new Valiants will, indeed, be collectable once this line has been up and running for a bit.

^ Exactly. A lot of collectors do not consider variants 1st prints of the regular books. We did an exclusive variant for Hell Yeah #1. 500 total made, with an exclusive cover, shipped same day as regular. A week later, Hell Yeah #1 was $15 on ebay, our cover would not sell for more than $9.99. Same thing with many others.

[Paul Nolan]

You should have seen my comic shop bloke face when I asked him to put aside Variant 41 of issue #1 of IDW's new Mars Attacks series next week.

[caniac]

If Greg is as wise as I think he is, at least XO #6 will have no variants

[caniac]

And if that is the case, this discussion has become mute

[greg]

If Greg is as wise as I think he is, at least XO #6 will have no variants

That's totally VEI's call... I don't know squat about it.

[etos45]

And if that is the case, this discussion has become mute

Are you trying to silence us?!

[caniac]

There is only 1 XO#6 listed in the inventories...

But I have been known to jump to conclusions before Que Mat...

[caniac]

And if that is the case, this discussion has become mute

Are you trying to silence us?!

No I've been in on the convo too...I just want to know when they will stop!

[greg]

There is only 1 XO#6 listed in the inventories...

But I have been known to jump to conclusions before Que Mat...

All that means is "no announcement so far". Same situation for Bloodshot #3.

[Heath]

I've seen regular covers become collectable and go up in value a number of times, even when there were variant covers of the comic. It just depends on demand if the regular cover is collectable. I think the regular covers of the new Valiants will, indeed, be collectable once this line has been up and running for a bit.

Read this thread to see Greg bust that myths.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33950" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[etos45]

And if that is the case, this discussion has become mute

Are you trying to silence us?!

No I've been in on the convo too...I just want to know when they will stop!

Probably 5 issues after all of there fans run out of money and can't afford to buy any issues anymore.

[caniac]

There is only 1 XO#6 listed in the inventories...

But I have been known to jump to conclusions before Que Mat...

All that means is "no announcement so far". Same situation for Bloodshot #3.

awe shucks

[GGSAE]

And if that is the case, this discussion has become mute

Are you trying to silence us?!

No I've been in on the convo too...I just want to know when they will stop!

I think it's safe to say that the Variants probably aren't going to stop. I would like them to do the A&A company-wide variant type, where a retailer that orders 100 of all Valiants over a month would gain one. I think it's a neat idea, it wouldn't risk flooding the retailers shelf, which in turn makes it attainable; and it wouldn't turn the buyers off as much because it would be on a title rotation, so those not reading that title wouldn't feel the need to go out and buy it.

[tevans333]

I always liked that valiant was more innovative than the rest of the industry. VEI is just joining the rest of the industry by doing so many variants.

QR Variant was not innovative? REALLY? First ever talking cover?

It was innovative, but the majority of comic buyers will never know about it since it was on a 1:50 variant. Thats the real shame, it really would have benefited them more if it was the regular cover. Then people would have talked about it and checked it out that would't have otherwise. I bet a ton of people would have picked it up and tried it out on their phones and then bought it, read it and loved it becoming monthly customers. Now those same people may have no idea what X-O Manowar or Valiant is. These innovations should be used to create buzz. Unfortunately this won't make an impact on many if they can't interact with it. Mostly only Valiant fans will get a chance to interact with and see this one in person,

Valiant of the 90's did some variants, but nothing in the order of the other companies back then or what VEI is doing today. I don't mind some variants, especially for special issues like #1, #50 etc., but not every issue. Hopefully this is just a summer of Valiant deal and will only be for the first 4 series.

[steverino]

I just didn't buy any variants. I've got other stuff to spend my money on. I've bought 4 copies of X-O Manowar 1, one as a gift to Childres, and the others I kept.

I do have to agree with Heath's posts. Having a rarer copy of XO 1 out there does take away a little of the specialness that comes with collecting.

[jmatt]

Four covers for XO #5. Four.

Yeah. I probably won't be doing that.

[Rubiks-Q-Bert]

All this :rant:ing over variants. Look at the big picture. Valiant is back. Let them make 4 variants a cover if it keeps the retailers buying. Keeps em in business so they can keep supplying us with new stuff.