VEI is doing things right!

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:33 pm

After reading one of Greg's post, I realized he had a point. With the discussion (complaining?) about the variant covers, we are ignoring a lot of what Valiant is doing correctly - both for fans, for publishing, for the stories and art, for long term success, etc. So this thread is not allowed to have any complaints. It is to offer kudos to VEI for doing things correctly.

For my case, I would like to say I love the pull box variants. I also think that giving away the special comics at SDCC and Heroes is a great show of thanks to the fans!

I also want to thank Dino and the Valiant crew for letting us send in our XO QR covers for the signatures. I am eagerly awaiting mine to get sent back to me! For all the griping, Valiant has been very fan friendly so far and I think they are doing a lot for carrying on that tradition from the original Valiant (now maybe we can get this website to have official reviewers so that we can get preview copies..

).

The story lines are compelling so far. I will be honest, Bloodshot was far from my favorite title in the original Valiant - but I really liked what I read in Bloodshot 1 today. Harbinger 2 really moved the story along a LOT from the first issue, and I am now eagerly awaiting the next issue of that comic as well. XO 1 and 2 are moving along nicely, and I am earner to see Aric in the XO armor in issue 3.

I like the different style of art in each of the books. Each books seems to have a specific feel to it, through the combination of writing and art. Maybe I am reading into it too much, but it really seems like Valiant attempted to find artists whose style "paired" with the type of story they were going to be telling in the books! The focus on quality art and quality story telling is great!

I am happy to see Valiant is starting slowly with only four issues. I think more than that would overwhelm people while they are still uncertain about giving this new (old) publisher a chance. With four issues, people are getting a taste of the new Valiant universe, and the month by month roll out (as opposed to all four in one month) allows for a buildup of interest to occur.

Good job so far Valiant!

Chris

dbngaa · Post by **dbngaa** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:44 pm

Well said. And I agree. Really, really enjoying everything VEI has done so far.

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:50 pm

I totally have to agree! I may not like all the variants and maybe been too negative about that. But I am absolutely loving everything else they are doing! The contents of the books have been the best I've read in ages and I am totally stoked to read each new issue. I'm even anticipating what they have in store for Shadowman! GREAT JOB, VEI!!!

drmirage · Post by **drmirage** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:16 am

VEI did an awesome job for participating in this years Free Comic Book Day. It costs $ to give away those free books.

VEI also did a great job by supporting Ed from Collectors Paradise who is a big supporter of Valiant. VEI was able to offer signatures of Josh, Atom! and Dino who got in the Harbinger Package deal at no additional cost.

Lastly, even if I did not get the X-O QR sent in. Dino mentioned that VEI will be sending the books back for free. Postage might not be $, but it can add up quick as an expense..

Dino also made an extension to those who weren't able to make the May deadline for submitting the QR on time.

greg · Post by **greg** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:18 am

VEI provided ValiantFans.com members with the ability to purchase 25% of the print run of what MIGHT be the lowest printed book thus far
(a book that's not available to retailers through Diamond)... the Blank Cover Con Exclusive X-O #1 / Harbinger #1

drmirage · Post by **drmirage** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:22 am

greg wrote:VEI provided ValiantFans.com members with the ability to purchase 25% of the print run of what MIGHT be the lowest printed book thus far
(a book that's not available to retailers through Diamond)... the Blank Cover Con Exclusive X-O #1 / Harbinger #1

Totally forgot about that. This is staring to become a great topic.

In forgot to mention that Dino did mention to me back in June that he wanted to do something special for Valiant Fan members.

greg · Post by **greg** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:28 am

It was mentioned in another thread tonight, but I'm going to mention it again here for this discussion...

Valiant's first book of the new line was the C2E2 Valiant 2012 Summer Preview, with preview pages from X-O #1 and Harbinger #1.

Being the "official first book" could someday be an important piece of Valiant history, and every single copy in existence (under 10,000) was given away.

They were given away at C2E2 and a small amount of leftovers were given away at Heroescon.

Valiant's first move was to put a book physically in the hands of anyone who was interested and not ask for a penny.

ckb · Post by **ckb** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:42 am

I'm holding off being too critical of anything VEI is doing right now.

I can't even imagine the situation they must be in. How many years did they run the company without selling much of anything? 4? Longer? How deep in the hole do they have to be right now? $5Mil? More?

Just keep that all in mind.

depluto · Post by **depluto** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:47 am

Hell yeah, I am rooting for these guys. I'll buy every book they put out, but that's an easy call since I love what they are doing.

Aram · Post by **Aram** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:48 am

Well at first i was going to be a smarta$$ and complain about the no complaining rule... But I agree this thread is needed.

No matter how much I may complain about things in these forums there is no doubt in my mind that VEI is the best publisher on the market today. They care more about their products and their customers than anyone out there.

I have seen Dino and the crew do amazing things for others and even myself and I have this to say to them;

"Keep up the amazing work, because I believe you in guys, that you are all amazing and you are changing the status quo in this industry unlike anyone before, including the original Valiant. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you."

drmirage · Post by **drmirage** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:02 am

Let's also add that Dino and Atom! Looked through their own stock and replaced some of the Harbinger QRs that were severely damaged in the Harbinger deal with CP.

I haven't heard of any publisher replacing any damaged books before. I'd have to give VEI credit. It does show that they care about their products and their customers.

magnusr · Post by **magnusr** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:41 am

cjv wrote:After reading one of Greg's post, I realized he had a point.

You make it sounds like you're surprised

drmirage wrote:the Harbinger deal with CP

Valiant's participation in signing projects generally deserves a mention.

/Magnus

deway81 · Post by **deway81** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:56 am

Another shout out for the announcement of the Bloodshot HC, featuring the all new story from VanHook. The first issues of the original Bloodshot will always be near and dear to me.

Paradigm38 · Post by **Paradigm38** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:00 am

On many levels things are being done right by Valiant. Colectors are getting the "hard to get" variant (speculators will... speculate), the "OG" crew is happy to have anything new (I know I have been waiting forever), and a whole new demographic is picking up Valiant (my LCS is doing right by them AND not overordering).

now, if a new tat gets me a gold book, I'm game!

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:42 am

Thanks for bringing the real world to the books so far and not staying away from the darkness within it.
Thanks for blowing me away with Bloodshot #1 as that gives me some faith that Ninjak won't be totally lame.
Thanks for being accessible to the fans.
Thanks for not giving away everything that's upcomping in the books (surprises are nice and needed).
Thanks for the second print cover to X-O #1. That cover *SQUEE* rules!

BugsySig · Post by **BugsySig** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:46 am

How about going day and date digital from day 1? With some exclusive digital content to boot.

That was a great move for a guy like me who has transitioned to almost 100% digital.

And they are offering classic Valiant issues throu Comixology as well. Another great move.

depluto · Post by **depluto** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:38 am

Last night @ValiantComics was tweeting trivia questions every inning at the Yankees game; winners were picked at random from everyone who had the right answer and each winner got a variant cover. And for each Yankees HR they gave away a set of all four Bloodshot variants (two were given away). I didn't win anything but I saw a couple of guys from the boards get variants.

Cool promotion, and they asked for nothing in return.

Oh and Darrell Hammond looks like James Spader dressed up as Truman Capote. I should have won that one.

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:22 am

ckb wrote:I'm holding off being too critical of anything VEI is doing right now.

I can't even imagine the situation they must be in. How many years did they run the company without selling much of anything? 4? Longer? How deep in the hole do they have to be right now? $5Mil? More?

Just keep that all in mind.

From one of the interviews (can't remember where, unfortunately) it sounds as if VEI has some deep pocket investors, we're talking in the 8 digits, behind them already. This makes it sound to me that they are in this for the long haul, that is a very good thing.

They have very promising creative teams and they are building slow. I was late to the Valiant game, as most of us probably were but going back just last night and checking publishing dates, I didn't realize how slow they built the first time around.

I think going with 4 titles for the first year can work, it already has once. Valiant was a slow build, as much as the market has faded in the last 20 years and for as much as I harp on what they do wrong, they are still doing this the right way.

I think that is why I feel comfortable voicing (printing) my gripes. It isn't to be negative, it is to let Valiant know how their readers feel about the product they are putting out.

IanAlexavier · Post by **IanAlexavier** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:54 am

Yes, yes and yes!

4 titles to start! Yes!
Digital same day! Yes!
Great art and great stories! Yes!
Sketch cover! YES!(thanks Greg!)

Digital is looking great on my Comixology account!

BugsySig · Post by **BugsySig** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:10 pm

depluto wrote:Last night @ValiantComics was tweeting trivia questions every inning at the Yankees game; winners were picked at random from everyone who had the right answer and each winner got a variant cover. And for each Yankees HR they gave away a set of all four Bloodshot variants (two were given away). I didn't win anything but I saw a couple of guys from the boards get variants.

Cool promotion, and they asked for nothing in return.

Oh and Darrell Hammond looks like James Spader dressed up as Truman Capote. I should have won that one.

I had that last question, but was thwarted by autocorrect. According to Apple the immortal brothers are Aram, Ivan and Gilda.

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:55 pm

BugsySig wrote:According to Apple the immortal brothers are Aram, Ivan and Gilda.

R Daneel · Post by **R Daneel** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:25 pm

BugsySig wrote:How about going day and date digital from day 1? With some exclusive digital content to boot.

That was a great move for a guy like me who has transitioned to almost 100% digital.

And they are offering classic Valiant issues throu Comixology as well. Another great move.

This goes for me too - I found a LCS and threw every possible issue on my pull list. They did a half-assed job of it so I have been buying digital. Not variants for me ... just buying the regulars as a show of support I guess.

I did snag quite a few of the blank cover books but I dunno why I did besides it was a great thing to have for future shows and commissions.

BugsySig · Post by **BugsySig** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:01 pm

R Daneel wrote:
BugsySig wrote:How about going day and date digital from day 1? With some exclusive digital content to boot.

That was a great move for a guy like me who has transitioned to almost 100% digital.

And they are offering classic Valiant issues throu Comixology as well. Another great move.
This goes for me too - I found a LCS and threw every possible issue on my pull list. They did a half-assed job of it so I have been buying digital. Not variants for me ... just buying the regulars as a show of support I guess.

I did snag quite a few of the blank cover books but I dunno why I did besides it was a great thing to have for future shows and commissions.

I have ordered all the regular and pull box covers through DCBS for the number 1s as a show of support as well, and visited my LCSs to search out a few of the variants, but I am all over the digital. 10/11:00 rolls around on Wednesday and I just download the new books...it's awesome. I was soooo happy when Valiant announced their Comixology deal.

caniac · Post by **caniac** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:17 pm

Thank you VEI for giving me the emotion of a gitty impatient school girl...making me tremble a little as I hold a new comic with a new story that leaves me longing for the next issue.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:25 pm

Glad to see everyone is getting excited about Valiant again (after a looooong wait...). It's very cool to see all of the great reviews and positive buzz going on. Can't wait to see what the future holds. I think Valiant is in the right hands.

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004