QUANTUM & WOODY IN JULY!!!

[IanAlexavier]

After thinking about it over two days, I finally realized why QUantum and Woody is the next title they published. It's the one that makes the most sense from a business standpoint.

A substantial portion of the regular readers of the first five titles are fans of VH1. VEI wants to expand its market and if they go with a popular VH1 character, it would have a higher probability of causing sales attrition among the first five titles because some of the VH1 fans might not have enough funds to add another title and might be forced to drop a VEI book in order to purchase the new title. Quantum and Woody is the most popular property they have that has the least probability to cannibalize the sales of the five VEI titles and has the higher probability to bring in a set of readers that is not in its traditional VH1 fan base.

Good possibility!

So is this a case of publicity is always a good thing?

[ian_house]

Another cool move would be to publish those stories and compensate Priest, Bright etc. for publication of their original work.

You know what would be cooler? Priest and Bright doing the legwork and spending all the money to get those books published, marketed and sold and then compensating Valiant for getting them out of bankruptcy.

They were paid for the work they did. They had an opportunity to buy back the rights. They didn't. They had the opportunity to fight for them in bankruptcy court. They didn't. End of story.

I would think that in an over simplified sort of way that may hold true, but as with everything in American copyright law, just because something makes sense, doesn't mean it's true.

I think this is something that comes about in the comics industry more than anywhere else, given the well known fights for Superman, Captain America, and the soon coming to a court room near you, the Marvel Universe. In each of those cases, fans have already made their minds up, and the outrage given the questionable nature of the Q & W ownership, is reigniting those feelings. I mean is there anything more Superheroesque than the outgunned creator defeating the evil corporation for the rights to his or her creation.

Personally I feel that Priest + Brights' work are so intertwined into how I feel about that book, and that outside of them concluding their story, anything but them will read like really good fan-fiction. Thats not to say Asmus's writing will be bad, or that the art wont be as good. The art of the book looks quite nice. I hope it does very well.

-Neil

But VEI is hardly the evil corporation. Technically they are still two dudes who bought their favorite comic book characters.

If anything, they are the heroes who triumphed against the evil corporate menace once known as Ach-Lame

Ah but now they are 'the man'. Gotta stick it to them right... guys...

[BugsySig]

Another cool move would be to publish those stories and compensate Priest, Bright etc. for publication of their original work.

You know what would be cooler? Priest and Bright doing the legwork and spending all the money to get those books published, marketed and sold and then compensating Valiant for getting them out of bankruptcy.

They were paid for the work they did. They had an opportunity to buy back the rights. They didn't. They had the opportunity to fight for them in bankruptcy court. They didn't. End of story.

I would think that in an over simplified sort of way that may hold true, but as with everything in American copyright law, just because something makes sense, doesn't mean it's true.

I think this is something that comes about in the comics industry more than anywhere else, given the well known fights for Superman, Captain America, and the soon coming to a court room near you, the Marvel Universe. In each of those cases, fans have already made their minds up, and the outrage given the questionable nature of the Q & W ownership, is reigniting those feelings. I mean is there anything more Superheroesque than the outgunned creator defeating the evil corporation for the rights to his or her creation.

Personally I feel that Priest + Brights' work are so intertwined into how I feel about that book, and that outside of them concluding their story, anything but them will read like really good fan-fiction. Thats not to say Asmus's writing will be bad, or that the art wont be as good. The art of the book looks quite nice. I hope it does very well.

-Neil

But VEI is hardly the evil corporation. Technically they are still two dudes who bought their favorite comic book characters.

If anything, they are the heroes who triumphed against the evil corporate menace once known as Ach-Lame

Ah but now they are 'the man'. Gotta stick it to them right... guys...

Yup, that CEO who talks to every fan at the con and can tell you what happened on Page 8, Panel 3 of VH1 Shadowman #14...he's practically the devil.

[erwinrafael]

Another cool move would be to publish those stories and compensate Priest, Bright etc. for publication of their original work.

You know what would be cooler? Priest and Bright doing the legwork and spending all the money to get those books published, marketed and sold and then compensating Valiant for getting them out of bankruptcy.

They were paid for the work they did. They had an opportunity to buy back the rights. They didn't. They had the opportunity to fight for them in bankruptcy court. They didn't. End of story.

I would think that in an over simplified sort of way that may hold true, but as with everything in American copyright law, just because something makes sense, doesn't mean it's true.

I think this is something that comes about in the comics industry more than anywhere else, given the well known fights for Superman, Captain America, and the soon coming to a court room near you, the Marvel Universe. In each of those cases, fans have already made their minds up, and the outrage given the questionable nature of the Q & W ownership, is reigniting those feelings. I mean is there anything more Superheroesque than the outgunned creator defeating the evil corporation for the rights to his or her creation.

Personally I feel that Priest + Brights' work are so intertwined into how I feel about that book, and that outside of them concluding their story, anything but them will read like really good fan-fiction. Thats not to say Asmus's writing will be bad, or that the art wont be as good. The art of the book looks quite nice. I hope it does very well.

-Neil

But VEI is hardly the evil corporation. Technically they are still two dudes who bought their favorite comic book characters.

If anything, they are the heroes who triumphed against the evil corporate menace once known as Ach-Lame

Ah but now they are 'the man'. Gotta stick it to them right... guys...

I hope though that while we deplore those posters' unsubstantiated assumptions about VEI's actions on the copyright issue, we should not do the same in implying that Priest and Bright did not do legwork on this issue when we do not know what actually happened. Priest and Bright have never complained or even spoken about this issue so it would be unfair to make impressions about them based on the posts of people in the internet who do not officially represent them.

[ncameron]

I hope though that while we deplore those posters' unsubstantiated assumptions about VEI's actions on the copyright issue, we should not do the same in implying that Priest and Bright did not do legwork on this issue when we do not know what actually happened. Priest and Bright have never complained or even spoken about this issue so it would be unfair to make impressions about them based on the posts of people in the internet who do not officially represent them.

Whoa, slow your *SQUEE* roll man. Thats a reasonable assumption to make, you cant do that on the internets.

Though I will say, trying to use logic and debate, on the CBR forums is akin to counting all the grains of sand on a beach. Or trying to point out how a legion parody meeting the goat, does not make it continuity.

-neil

[BugsySig]

I hope though that while we deplore those posters' unsubstantiated assumptions about VEI's actions on the copyright issue, we should not do the same in implying that Priest and Bright did not do legwork on this issue when we do not know what actually happened. Priest and Bright have never complained or even spoken about this issue so it would be unfair to make impressions about them based on the posts of people in the internet who do not officially represent them.

Whoa, slow your *SQUEE* roll man. Thats a reasonable assumption to make, you cant do that on the internets.

Though I will say, trying to use logic and debate, on the CBR forums is akin to counting all the grains of sand on a beach. Or trying to point out how a legion parody meeting the goat, does not make it continuity.

-neil

That is what I am learning. I may not even post there anymore because it is so infuriating.

To the previous point, though, I assume P&B did go to court/take legal action. I mean, why wouldn't they? So assuming they did, and after 5+ years of legal battles on VEIs part they were granted full legal rights, then there would be no story. If they didn't do so, then it's on them and, again, there is no story.

[erwinrafael]

actually, there is no story. Priest and Bright has been silent. it's Kevin Maguire who is making a bg fuss.

[magnusr]

Not really relevant, but still I want to share this quote Priest wrote in 2000: "Acclaim, the most fun and, for my money, the fairest and most decent publisher in the game" (from http://digitalpriest.com/legacy/comics/ ... crete2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

/Magnus

[erwinrafael]

Not really relevant, but still I want to share this quote Priest wrote in 2000: "Acclaim, the most fun and, for my money, the fairest and most decent publisher in the game" (from http://digitalpriest.com/legacy/comics/ ... crete2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

/Magnus

And Priest's view, I think, is because Acclaim did share intellectual property rights to the creators, not just work-for-hire arrangements as Kevin Maguire claimed.

[Spylocke]

Reading the CBR forums I was surprised how many people are offended by the "let's not judge until we have all of the information" posts. There is a reason this is the only forum I discuss comics on. So far none of you have had any hysterical displays.

[BugsySig]

Reading the CBR forums I was surprised how many people are offended by the "let's not judge until we have all of the information" posts. There is a reason this is the only forum I discuss comics on. So far none of you have had any hysterical displays.

No, we have even presented the legal fact that VEI is not responsible for contracts that may or may not have existed at Acclaim, and some still insist VALIANT should be paying these guys for using their characters. One person even went so far as to say VEI purchased stolen property ignoring the half decade of litigation VEI went through to gain the full legal rights.

I am all for creator rights, but A) there is no legal issue here and B) if it was that big a deal for Priest or Bright they would have either brought it to attention during the bankruptcy or taken their work somewhere else like Image. They obviously did not mind getting paid for the work the first time, and so far do not have any issue with the new series that have been made public.

I'm sure no one wants to hear anymore from me here, but its the only place I can discuss it without being called a "troll" or exploding from frustration.

[lorddunlow]

Reading the CBR forums I was surprised how many people are offended by the "let's not judge until we have all of the information" posts. There is a reason this is the only forum I discuss comics on. So far none of you have had any hysterical displays.

I'm sure I could muster up a good hissy fit, if you'd like to see that sort of thing here.

My favorite forum was the WiiBrew.org forums for Wii Hacking. The mods on their were the worst offenders for being stupid and annoying. If any of them are posters here, total offense WAS indeed intended.

[blujay]

Well today I emailed Christopher Priest about the whole controversy, maybe if some of you guys did too we could get him to weigh in on the whole thing

Although from reading the boards it sounds like Bugsy and Manga know the situation a little better than McGuire and the other CBR posters

[manga4life]

Am I just too much, or what? LoL....

[manga4life]

Just so you guys know, I have nothing against the original creators, I'm not trashing the work they've done over at CBR and I have no beef with them whatsoever. Its just fun getting under the skin of these *SQUEE* over at the CBR forums because they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about and are so stuck to their guns its embarrassing.

With that said, Thad is a poor excuse for.... well.....anything really. What a sad individual.

EDIT: I've been infracted at CBR, lol

[BugsySig]

Just so you guys know, I have nothing against the original creators, I'm not trashing the work they've done over at CBR and I have no beef with them whatsoever. Its just fun getting under the skin of these *SQUEE* over at the CBR forums because they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about and are so stuck to their guns its embarrassing.

With that said, Thad is a poor excuse for.... well.....anything really. What a sad individual.

EDIT: I've been infracted at CBR, lol

Same. The only reason I keep going is because some people keep insinuating VEI is performing some illegal act or other wrong against Priest & Bright through this new title. I don't want those accusations to prevent anyone from picking up this book, or influencing any other opinion against VALIANT. But I guess I should trust most people are smart enough to make their own decisions and lay down my arms in this fight.

[hawkeyeps]

I hope you and Manga keep posting over there it's important to have that presence there and Valiant rules that independents board thanks to us.

I like posting here better to, but we are only preaching to the chior over here.

It was Bugsy's posts over there that brought me over here (blame him)

This has been the first major kafuffle concerning Valiant over there, usually it's a nice little booster club and help out for new fans.

[manga4life]

I just posted what I thought was a level headed and true to life reply, no more bull crap. I hope you all get to read it.

[jmatt]

Ah but now they are 'the man'. Gotta stick it to them right... guys...

Perhaps in a future issue of Shadowman we'll see the Brethren re-introduced with the rogue's gallery of evil industrial magnates representing Shipping, Chemicals, Oil and Comic Book Publishing.

But as someone else pointed out, Priest and Bright aren't making waves, Maguire is, and it's unfair of us to speak as if they are.

[BugsySig]

I had to step away for a while. Im not even defending anything related to VALIANT at this point, just reason and logic, but it's no use talking to those two or three guys who can't be reasoned with. All it's doing is giving me a headache.

Funny, though, how they have thousands of posts, and extol the rights of creators, yet I've never seen a post from any of them in the Independent's forum before They must read secret underground comics that are too cool for this lowly troll

I wonder what they will say when (for example) we find out VEI is working with Priest & Bright on those unpublished issues, or new stories for Masters collections? Oh right, nothing.

[BugsySig]

Ah but now they are 'the man'. Gotta stick it to them right... guys...

Perhaps in a future issue of Shadowman we'll see the Brethren re-introduced with the rogue's gallery of evil industrial magnates representing Shipping, Chemicals, Oil and Comic Book Publishing.

That's the best laugh I've had all day.

[BugsySig]

Well today I emailed Christopher Priest about the whole controversy, maybe if some of you guys did too we could get him to weigh in on the whole thing

Although from reading the boards it sounds like Bugsy and Manga know the situation a little better than McGuire and the other CBR posters

Let us know if you hear anything back from him. I assume many news sites and fans have been inundating him with questions, so I don't think it will be long until we hear something unless he really is working on something with VEI and they are waiting to make it official. WonderCon is this weekend as well, and I think we could get more info on Q&W and the Priest questions at that time.

[manga4life]

I wonder if Priest and Bright has visited the CBR forums to see all this mess, or are they contractually obligated not to due to some contract they claimed they signed 20 years ago with a now defunct forum that was bought by CBR?

Hmmm....

[nutflush76]

Another cool move would be to publish those stories and compensate Priest, Bright etc. for publication of their original work.

You know what would be cooler? Priest and Bright doing the legwork and spending all the money to get those books published, marketed and sold and then compensating Valiant for getting them out of bankruptcy.

They were paid for the work they did. They had an opportunity to buy back the rights. They didn't. They had the opportunity to fight for them in bankruptcy court. They didn't. End of story.

I would think that in an over simplified sort of way that may hold true, but as with everything in American copyright law, just because something makes sense, doesn't mean it's true.

I think this is something that comes about in the comics industry more than anywhere else, given the well known fights for Superman, Captain America, and the soon coming to a court room near you, the Marvel Universe. In each of those cases, fans have already made their minds up, and the outrage given the questionable nature of the Q & W ownership, is reigniting those feelings. I mean is there anything more Superheroesque than the outgunned creator defeating the evil corporation for the rights to his or her creation.

Personally I feel that Priest + Brights' work are so intertwined into how I feel about that book, and that outside of them concluding their story, anything but them will read like really good fan-fiction. Thats not to say Asmus's writing will be bad, or that the art wont be as good. The art of the book looks quite nice. I hope it does very well.

-Neil

But VEI is hardly the evil corporation. Technically they are still two dudes who bought their favorite comic book characters.

If anything, they are the heroes who triumphed against the evil corporate menace once known as Ach-Lame

But the guys at VEI are closer to the 1% than must of us, so they are considered the bad guys. Heck, even in their own books they are the bad guys!

[hawkeyeps]

Now Kurt Busiek is chiming in at CBR, that is one voliatile thread.

I'm scared to post!