Who here is coming into "VEI" without reading the old stuff?

[retrovideogameaddict]

I'm one of the guys who started the new Valiant re-launch last year without having any prior history with Valiant aside from a couple of random issues laying around back in the 90's and I was wondering who else is diving right into "VEI" without having a history of reading Valiant? Personally I don't have an interest in the previous incarnations of Valiant and I think that's just fine because I'm pouring money into the new stuff and I'm loving every minute of it, almost everything I've devoured from VEI has been top notch and I will continue to support them as they publish. Also, I can also see the new Valiant publishing for a long time, if not forever, as it seems the management team knows what they're doing as opposed to how things went down back in the 90's with the previous Valiant, so it's going to outlast what came before. Which is always good. So with that said I don't have any plans on picking up the hardcover editions of the old stuff nor do I have plans on buying any of the old stuff in their original form either, I hope that isn't considered blasphemous here or anything but my priority is what is going on with Valiant today and so far I'm adoring it with every ounce of my being.

So, who's "new" to the current Valiant with this relaunch and who hasn't dipped into the Valiant of old? Do you plan to?

[Shadowman99]

Hey,

I'm sort of in this club as well. I came into Valiant (and comics generally!) completely by chance last December and have become a real Valiant Fan since.

As much as some of the other members on this board might have some seriously strong fondness and love for the previous Valiant material, it's in no way a prerequisite for being a 'credible' member of this forum. I was welcomed nicely when I turned up here one day and said "Hi! I'm new! I have lots of questions!"

And it's important that people know this, because as long as Valiant keep turning out the killer books they have been to date and gaining new readers, the 'Old Guard' on the forum here are frankly just going to have to get used to having new people on this forum who're exclusively reading and appreciating the new stuff without any regard for the older books. Having said that, I'm sure we'll all get on nicely anyway, because they're all enjoying the new comics too

So you're right: It *is* totally fine that you're enjoying the new Valiant material and "pouring your money into the new stuff" without any regard for the old books, because that's your preference. If you end up feeling like you want to read the older stuff one day for some reason, it's all out there one way or another and you're at liberty to do that as well But people 'hatin' on you' just isn't going to happen just because you don't want to read the old books.

Going back to myself, in answer to your question at the end of your post; I've only read a tiny bit of the old stuff. I did read the entire run of the original Valiant and Acclaim Shadowman series, because I really wanted to read *everything* there was about that character, and I'm also hoping one day to take a look at the old Valiant Bloodshot series too because I've primarily come to love the new version of the character, and I *really* liked the #0 and #1 issues of the original series. But that's as far as it's going to go. Aside from those two titles I really couldn't care less about anything else that Valiant/Acclaim published back in the day.



But it is kinda funny that as the 'retrovideogameaddict' you've written a thread about only being interested in contemporary comics. It's a bit ironic

[Chiclo]

I got a couple of kids in my boy scout troop to read the new X-O Manowar. I let them borrow the first trade and they are eager for more, I just can't find my other X-O Manowar comics.

Fittingly for a thread started by retrovideogameaddict, I am paying one of them to mow my lawn a couple of times with a Magnavox Odyssey 2.

[mkb28]

Once I learned that VEI was coming out with new books, I decided to collect all the VH1 and Acclaim books and I nearly have a complete set. My goal was to read all the VH1 books, but I was falling behind in keeping up with the VEI reading, so I gave up. Someday, I would like to read all the Pre-Unity and Unity books because I have heard from others on the Board that they are the best stories that Valiant put out. I decided to sell my entire Acclaim collection, with the exception of Quantum and Woody and Unity 2000, to help pay for the rest of my VH1 collection.

Michael
mkb28

[FormerReader]

swtor1091. He doesn't read the old stuff.

[MoonChild]

I feel for any valiant fan who never reads all of pre unity and the entire unity crossover. Acclaim blodshot q&w and shadowman III as well

[jmatt]

No need to feel guilty about not reading the original VH1 line.

[String]

Sometimes I get the strange notion that to truly appreciate Valiant, I must have some form of nostalgia and love for the original run. I do my best to dissuade myself of this perception since it certainly has no basis; VEI is doing wonderful stories with great art and have it made it rather easy for complete newcomers to jump right into their universe.

I'm glad that the members here who do have that sense of nostalgia for the original run are able to apply that sense towards their love for the new titles but I really don't feel an obligation to read all or any of that original run. That being said, I am interested in reading some of it.

Phoenix8008 was gracious enough to send me extra copies he had acquired of various issues of various titles of the original run to kinda jump-start my reading. Surprisingly enough, so far, my favorite 90s Valiant title has been Magnus. Rai and the Future Force has been fun as well, the Malev War has been a terrific story so far.

I do want to read the original Unity though. Everyone seems to have favorable memories of it, but being, what, 18 parts long, how well does this crossover hold up over that span?

My other choices of original titles that I'd want to check out more are X-O and Eternal Warrior.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

I have never even heard of Valiant or any of its characters before about a month before the relaunch. I saw CBR mention the return of X-O Manowar and I thought it looked like some comic adaption of some crappy 80s cartoon. And now I have been reading every single book VEI has put out since the beginning and loving it. Especially Harbinger and Archer and Armstrong. But I am getting and will continue to be getting everything they put out. I don't read any Marvel or DC books, I mostly read Image, IDW, Dark Horse, and other creator-owned books, so it's nice to have this large comic universe to get to read every month.

[jmatt]

so far, my favorite 90s Valiant title has been Magnus. Rai and the Future Force has been fun as well, the Malev War has been a terrific story so far.

Woot! Magnus was king!

I do want to read the original Unity though. Everyone seems to have favorable memories of it, but being, what, 18 parts long, how well does this crossover hold up over that span?

It's great. You can prolly find a full set in a single auction on Ebay for like $20.

[Big Red]

I do want to read the original Unity though. Everyone seems to have favorable memories of it, but being, what, 18 parts long, how well does this crossover hold up over that span?

It's great.

Seconded!

[Man Of The Atom]

I have never even heard of Valiant or any of its characters before about a month before the relaunch. I saw CBR mention the return of X-O Manowar and I thought it looked like some comic adaption of some crappy 80s cartoon. And now I have been reading every single book VEI has put out since the beginning and loving it. Especially Harbinger and Archer and Armstrong. But I am getting and will continue to be getting everything they put out. I don't read any Marvel or DC books, I mostly read Image, IDW, Dark Horse, and other creator-owned books, so it's nice to have this large comic universe to get to read every month.

Welcom to the board!
I like that there are so many people who didn't read the old stuff that are enjoying VEI. Having any knowledge of the old stuff is necessary to appreciate Valiant, but alot of it is really good.

[Peter]

I think for the most part it is the new readers that Valiant are probably going after.

Let's put it this way, everyone who read and liked Valiant first time round and is still reading comics, would most likely come back to VEI, so Valiant already have that captured audience, but to increase the readership they have to continually bring out the good stories with good artwork, that would appeal to everyone who has no idea of these past storylines.

I reckon they are doing this very well and more and more readers will join the ranks as these titles continue to grow, and their reputation for bringing out these good stories continues. I for one can't wait for this future. There is going to be some great reading ahead.

I read 15 titles originally plus the crossovers and such, but I never read Archer and Armstrong originally except for the Eternal Warrior crossovers (I am rectifying that now) , yet it was the second title I started reading from VEI, so it is definitely not a pre-requisite, more like something just fun to do.

[lorddunlow]

There is also this.

[ShadowTuga]

Well, I'm one of the new VEI fans who don't read the old stuff, except for a dozen issues (Shadowman, Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong) that I bought on ebay and comixology, AFTER I got into the New Stuff. I like'em but I still have to find something that awes me the way that "New" Harbinger or even "New" X-O did.

Exception: so far, I think I like "Old" Shadowman (the character, setting and tone of the book) better, I'll have to admit...

[grendeljd]

Glad to see so many fans of only the New Valiant are also making their way to this board. Other than some all-in-good-fun ribbing of swtor about not reading the old stuff [its become a bit of a running joke for some, in a well-intentioned way], there is no reason anyone should be concerned about only being a fan of the new.

The fact that they are trying very hard to respect the best aspects & spirit of the original runs of VH1 books is very satisfying for us fans of the old along with the new, but that feeling merely translates into awesome stories that are fresh & fantastic for all you 'only new' fans.

We all get along so good around here...

[Bl00dsh0t]

I'm new to Valiant, having only really read Avengers in the 90's. I got into Valiant due to Duane Swierczynksi writing Bloodshot (I'm a huge fan of Duane's work, both comic and novels) and snapped up #1 when it came out last year. Have been hooked ever since.

I've bought around 20 or of the previous comics - most of them being Shadowman (love the old stuff) and Turok (would love to see him in the new Valiant U). Also have the comic where Bloodhsot first appeared in HARD Corps, got it as a prelude to Bloodshot HARD Corps. I enjoy the old stuff but generally favour the new.

As it stands my 'regular' monthlies are Bloodshot, Quantum & Woody, and Shadowman with Unit added from November. I tend to pick up XO when there is a feature character for some reason (#4-8 and #15-16). I'm also getting A&A current arc each month but will revert to the trade of Sect Civil War as I want that in one edition.

Harbinger Wars has been the real highlight so far. I got that and the cross overs - loved having 3 comics that tied into Bloodshot each month.

Can't wait to see Unity turns out.

[retrovideogameaddict]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is reading VEI who didn't read the old Valiant stuff, I have nothing against it or anything but I'm just not interested in it. My focus is the new shared universe and I am really enthralled by it thus far, can't wait for more titles.

[swtor1091]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

[kjjohanson]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

I can understand not having time to read the old stuff. I can understand not having money to read the old stuff. I can understand not having the interest to read the old stuff. I cannot understand being proud of not reading the old stuff.

[Burrito Boy]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

I can understand not having time to read the old stuff. I can understand not having money to read the old stuff. I can understand not having the interest to read the old stuff. I cannot understand being proud of not reading the old stuff.

+1

[MoonChild]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

I can understand not having time to read the old stuff. I can understand not having money to read the old stuff. I can understand not having the interest to read the old stuff. I cannot understand being proud of not reading the old stuff.

+1

X's 10

[Bl00dsh0t]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

Some of it is pretty good. Shadowman as an essence that the new version hasn't yet captured. Well worth a look. That said, if you dont want to read the old stuff, that's cool too - just enjoy the new Valiant U I'm probably not going to track down anymore of the older comics unless I can pick them up cheap (living in Australia the costs are way inflated).

[swtor1091]

as anyone here can tell you... i proudly do not read the old stuff

I can understand not having time to read the old stuff. I can understand not having money to read the old stuff. I can understand not having the interest to read the old stuff. I cannot understand being proud of not reading the old stuff.

[hunter_peterson]

I got into the new Valiant when there was a sale on Comixology early on- the first issue of A&A had just come out. I'd sort of seen some stuff on CBR about the relaunch/reboot and it sounded kind of good, with favourable reviews and good design. I thought the names ranged from cool (Harbinger) to a little bit dorky (XO Manowar), but they've grown on me a lot since then. But I was intrigued, largely because my first comics were Ultimate books so I have a soft spot for reboots. Then I heard Dysart was the writer of Harbinger and, having loved his Unknown Soldier, knew it would be great and was not disappointed. Total Valiant fanboy ever since.

That said, while I researched everything to do with the old books, I haven't read much of them. I read several of the old zero issues and was a bit put off by the word-vomit style some had, but I really enjoyed Quantum & Woody, which I'd've read all of. I like the sound of Shadowman a lot and Magnus sounds pretty kick-*SQUEE*, but I've not gotten around to it because of work and university.

But yeah... I've read enough about the stuff to have favourite concepts, characters, settings and that kind of thing. When stuff is referred to, I mostly get the reference. And when stuff is teased or announced, I get excited more fine cause of that familiarity. So I have the best of both worlds!