Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer

[Aram]

Ok.. for all you people who say VEI needs to do this and needs to do that..


5,000,000+ people will watch the Bloodshot movie either in theaters or on video..

I'm guessing at least One in 100 people will likely look into valiant comics afterwards if the movie is good (not even GREAT)..

5,000,000/100= 50,000.

What will VEI look like with 50,000 NEW people looking into back issues, tpbs, digital copies and monthlies?

DOOM and GLOOM!~!

[Dr. Solar]

I love that so much passion comes from these books.

I look forward to reading this book.

This is going to sound snarky, but there is no way to make it not sound that way. I promise this is not snark:

Of course you do. You will get a digital copy to review for OTV and as such will not have any problem or bear any expense to obtain it. (And I do realize that you pay to buy your own personal copies of VEI books to support the company - this is not a slight at you or OTV)

Don't jump to conclusions.

I don't expect us (or anyone else) to receive digital review copies of this book.

I expect to have to fork out good money, just like everyone else, to read this story.

EDIT: I expect to pirate this, just like everyone else, to read this story.

[Aram]

This book series is for the hardcore fans and not the average readers. I believe this is something Dinesh is tossing us before the VEI world explodes to the public eye as it did with UNITY and Valiant in 1992.

Does that mean it's going to be like SAGA or TWD? No.

But even a quarter of that readership with a continuous successful movie franchise is going to make all those lower print variants and lower print VEI issues become the new Pre-Unity for collectors.

[Brapbrap]

So it looks like "Legends" will be allocated on a 1:25 basis for #1, and subsequently at a 1:10 ratio for the subsequent issues...

Okay. So, FWIW, here's what I'll be doing...

I'll be dropping all of my Valiant titles prior to the "Book of Death" event, which is all nine monthlies, and walking away for good.

Why?

Because it's the principle of the thing, this pandering to speculation, this blatant unfairness to loyal readers everywhere, and what I consider to be extraordinary short-sightedness on the part of VEI, which does not bode well for the future.

I like lorddunlow's suggestion that "Legends" be distributed on the basis of 1 copy for every order for all nine monthlies. That's fair to loyalists, and even to those among us who crave scarcity. But I doubt it will happen.

So, unless things change, I'm out.

Look at where I live. My comic shop phone VEI? Forget it.

Total "SQUEE" all the way.

And maybe Dinesh should remember what it was like for him back in Causeway Bay and how he would have reacted to this back then...

Boy you sure are dramatic. Have you thought about taking up acting?

It is a comic book you will be able to purchase on ebay for $10 shortly after it's release.

Some of you guys are ridiculous as fans. "The company didn't do everything they way I wanted so now I don't like them anymore". Whatever happened to the excitement you get from the chase of trying to find the exclusive issues? What happened to just not buying the issue if you don't like it?

the problem is that I very much do like Fred van Lente writing about Geomancers, I don't like paying extra money for it (likely with shipping from America on top) and not having it collected in trade

Harbinger #0 Pink - 3,500 copies earned... when readers were around 50,000+.

Harbinger #0 Blue - 100,000 copies... always a one dollar book, even today.

Same story in both books.

Fred Pierce said this Geomancer book is like Harbinger #0.

So... what's the real problem?

the difference is that I had no problem owning a printed version of Harbinger #0 as it is contained in the Harbinger Wars trade and the Harbinger Deluxe HC Vol. 1

they have specifically promised not to release this mini in trades

[greg]

Harbinger #0 Pink - 3,500 copies earned... when readers were around 50,000+.

Harbinger #0 Blue - 100,000 copies... always a one dollar book, even today.

Same story in both books.

Fred Pierce said this Geomancer book is like Harbinger #0.

So... what's the real problem?

the difference is that I had no problem owning a printed version of Harbinger #0 as it is contained in the Harbinger Wars trade and the Harbinger Deluxe HC Vol. 1

they have specifically promised not to release this mini in trades

I was talking about Harbinger #0 from 1992.

[Brapbrap]

even that comic has been released in the valiant masters trade by VEI

[depluto]

Don't jump to conclusions.

I don't expect us (or anyone else) to receive digital review copies of this book.

I expect to have to fork out good money, just like everyone else, to read this story.

EDIT: I expect to pirate this, just like everyone else, to read this story.

[agent_graves]

Whatever happened to the excitement you get from the chase of trying to find the exclusive issues?

+1

10char

[lorddunlow]

I love that so much passion comes from these books.

I look forward to reading this book.

This is going to sound snarky, but there is no way to make it not sound that way. I promise this is not snark:

Of course you do. You will get a digital copy to review for OTV and as such will not have any problem or bear any expense to obtain it. (And I do realize that you pay to buy your own personal copies of VEI books to support the company - this is not a slight at you or OTV)

Don't jump to conclusions.

I don't expect us (or anyone else) to receive digital review copies of this book.

I expect to have to fork out good money, just like everyone else, to read this story.

EDIT: I expect to pirate this, just like everyone else, to read this story.

I just assumed the press (including you guys) would receive a review copy since it is a book that they are publishing. Do you guys not receive review copies of all the published stories?

That would also be weird if no one receives a copy to review. This is just an all around weird idea. I really hope it works for them. I do not expect it will.

[SJS4]

Can't speak for others, but i derive -0- joy from chasing down issues. I love to read them though. And for books i really like i enjoy getting sone ofbthe variants.

[Dr. Solar]

I just assumed the press (including you guys) would receive a review copy since it is a book that they are publishing. Do you guys not receive review copies of all the published stories?

That would also be weird if no one receives a copy to review. This is just an all around weird idea. I really hope it works for them. I do not expect it will.

We do get review copies of all published stories.

Valiant would be smart to not distribute review copies of this book, however. It would completely defeat the purpose.

Personally, I would like to receive review copies of this. Taking my personal preference out of this, however, I do not think Valiant should make this available to the press. If they are really gonna do this, they should do it all the way, so that the story is truly something exclusive and special for the fans that acquire it.

[paradise]

I just assumed the press (including you guys) would receive a review copy since it is a book that they are publishing. Do you guys not receive review copies of all the published stories?

That would also be weird if no one receives a copy to review. This is just an all around weird idea. I really hope it works for them. I do not expect it will.

We do get review copies of all published stories.

Valiant would be smart to not distribute review copies of this book, however. It would completely defeat the purpose.

Personally, I would like to receive review copies of this. Taking my personal preference out of this, however, I do not think Valiant should make this available to the press. If they are really gonna do this, they should do it all the way, so that the story is truly something exclusive and special for the fans that acquire it.

I agree, it's not in Valiant's interest to produce pdfs of a book they don't want getting out there. I am sure they will let fans do that, instead

[lorddunlow]

It is a comic book you will be able to purchase on ebay for $10 shortly after it's release.

Hopefully. No one knows what it will be available for. The market will dictate. A market that is now primed with speculators due to today's movie news who give not a *SQUEE* about the story inside these issues. And why should I have to wait until "shortly after its release"? That's just idiotic. Like Sean said, I'll be pirating this if I cannot get a copy on release date for a reasonable amount ($10 is not reasonable for 24 pages of story, sorry)

Whatever happened to the excitement you get from the chase of trying to find the exclusive issues?

I'm not 12 anymore and I'm more fiscally responsible. I'm not paying more than $5 for 24 pages of story content.

What happened to just not buying the issue if you don't like it?

How am I supposed to know if I don't like it? I have no way of obtaining it through traditional means. I've bought literally every story VEI has put out. Even the ones I hated. I don't want extra copies of a book just to "earn" this one. I don't feel it is right to make it a secondary market only book.

Can you honestly say that if VEI said in their solicit that Legends of the Geomancer would be 24pgs each with a cover price of $9.99 you'd be happy about that?

[iwantvaliant]

Wow! So this is what happens when I don't check in on the boards for just one night?

I think everyone is right (except those who say they aren't going to buy any Valiant anymore). Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

Here's my situation: Comics are expensive. They are a luxury item. I have a mortgage and two kids. I'm saving up to buy a business. My wife has student loans. I have a monthly comic budget. It's small, but it gets me what I want. I had to make the decision early last year to stop buying variants because I just can't afford them. And I'm okay with that. I knew one day Valiant would produce more titles than I could afford as well. And I'm okay with that too.

I think it's great that guys that can afford the variants are able to purchase them and get in on the ground floor of this incredible journey of a tiny comic book publisher, to a media company that announces a five movie deal the day we're all screaming at each other about this book. To me, the debate about whether I get this item or not is really about whether I can afford it or not. It would never occur to me to be angry or upset because an item is harder to find, or because I can afford it but I don't want to pay more. The only decision Valiant has to make is whether they're okay with people who don't make as much money as others not being able to read a story. And the only decision I have to make is whether I can afford it.

I love Valiant. I love Fred Van Lente. I'll probably love this story. Whether I can afford it when it first comes out, or a few months down the line, or never, I'm still happy for Valiant, and for my level of participation with the company.

[Brapbrap]

Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

its not that simple when valiant decides to make it difficult for me to buy a book that *does* interest me

[lorddunlow]

Can't speak for others, but i derive -0- joy from chasing down issues. I love to read them though. And for books i really like i enjoy getting sone ofbthe variants.

QFT

I am a reader, 100%. If I were a collector, I wouldn't be wasting my money on new VEI issues, as they depreciate in value more than any other books I read. I could literally buy every issue I have from VEI for probably 1/10th of what I have invested in them. I pay a dollar more for VEI issues than for any of the other books I buy with similar page count. I do not complain about this, because I am paying for great stories.

If I want to chase something down, I'll chase ASM issues that will retain their value.

I want VEI books to READ. I won't be able to read this unless I pay waaaaay more than the value of said story has for me. I don't want to have to pay a premium to be one of the cool kids that gets to read it on the day of release.

[lorddunlow]

Wow! So this is what happens when I don't check in on the boards for just one night?

I think everyone is right (except those who say they aren't going to buy any Valiant anymore). Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

Here's my situation: Comics are expensive. They are a luxury item. I have a mortgage and two kids. I'm saving up to buy a business. My wife has student loans. I have a monthly comic budget. It's small, but it gets me what I want. I had to make the decision early last year to stop buying variants because I just can't afford them. And I'm okay with that. I knew one day Valiant would produce more titles than I could afford as well. And I'm okay with that too.

I think it's great that guys that can afford the variants are able to purchase them and get in on the ground floor of this incredible journey of a tiny comic book publisher, to a media company that announces a five movie deal the day we're all screaming at each other about this book. To me, the debate about whether I get this item or not is really about whether I can afford it or not. It would never occur to me to be angry or upset because an item is harder to find, or because I can afford it but I don't want to pay more. The only decision Valiant has to make is whether they're okay with people who don't make as much money as others not being able to read a story. And the only decision I have to make is whether I can afford it.

I love Valiant. I love Fred Van Lente. I'll probably love this story. Whether I can afford it when it first comes out, or a few months down the line, or never, I'm still happy for Valiant, and for my level of participation with the company.

You made my point much better. (Only I am mad about it.)

[iwantvaliant]

Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

its not that simple when valiant decides to make it difficult for me to buy a book that *does* interest me

I'm glad that's the one sentence you took out of my post to respond to.

[iwantvaliant]

Wow! So this is what happens when I don't check in on the boards for just one night?

I think everyone is right (except those who say they aren't going to buy any Valiant anymore). Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

Here's my situation: Comics are expensive. They are a luxury item. I have a mortgage and two kids. I'm saving up to buy a business. My wife has student loans. I have a monthly comic budget. It's small, but it gets me what I want. I had to make the decision early last year to stop buying variants because I just can't afford them. And I'm okay with that. I knew one day Valiant would produce more titles than I could afford as well. And I'm okay with that too.

I think it's great that guys that can afford the variants are able to purchase them and get in on the ground floor of this incredible journey of a tiny comic book publisher, to a media company that announces a five movie deal the day we're all screaming at each other about this book. To me, the debate about whether I get this item or not is really about whether I can afford it or not. It would never occur to me to be angry or upset because an item is harder to find, or because I can afford it but I don't want to pay more. The only decision Valiant has to make is whether they're okay with people who don't make as much money as others not being able to read a story. And the only decision I have to make is whether I can afford it.

I love Valiant. I love Fred Van Lente. I'll probably love this story. Whether I can afford it when it first comes out, or a few months down the line, or never, I'm still happy for Valiant, and for my level of participation with the company.

You made my point much better. (Only I am mad about it.)

Does that mean I'm the non-angry lorddunlow? If I was I would say sentences like "I don't prefer Canadians" or "I like my family when they're not around."

[lorddunlow]

Wow! So this is what happens when I don't check in on the boards for just one night?

I think everyone is right (except those who say they aren't going to buy any Valiant anymore). Buy the books that interest you, don't buy the books that don't.

Here's my situation: Comics are expensive. They are a luxury item. I have a mortgage and two kids. I'm saving up to buy a business. My wife has student loans. I have a monthly comic budget. It's small, but it gets me what I want. I had to make the decision early last year to stop buying variants because I just can't afford them. And I'm okay with that. I knew one day Valiant would produce more titles than I could afford as well. And I'm okay with that too.

I think it's great that guys that can afford the variants are able to purchase them and get in on the ground floor of this incredible journey of a tiny comic book publisher, to a media company that announces a five movie deal the day we're all screaming at each other about this book. To me, the debate about whether I get this item or not is really about whether I can afford it or not. It would never occur to me to be angry or upset because an item is harder to find, or because I can afford it but I don't want to pay more. The only decision Valiant has to make is whether they're okay with people who don't make as much money as others not being able to read a story. And the only decision I have to make is whether I can afford it.

I love Valiant. I love Fred Van Lente. I'll probably love this story. Whether I can afford it when it first comes out, or a few months down the line, or never, I'm still happy for Valiant, and for my level of participation with the company.

You made my point much better. (Only I am mad about it.)

Does that mean I'm the non-angry lorddunlow. If I was I would say sentences like "I don't prefer Canadians" or "I like my family when they're not around."

Exactly!!!

[Nameless7]

I am a reader, 100%. If I were a collector, I wouldn't be wasting my money on new VEI issues, as they depreciate in value more than any other books I read. I could literally buy every issue I have from VEI for probably 1/10th of what I have invested in them. I pay a dollar more for VEI issues than for any of the other books I buy with similar page count. I do not complain about this, because I am paying for great stories.

If I want to chase something down, I'll chase ASM issues that will retain their value.

I want VEI books to READ. I won't be able to read this unless I pay waaaaay more than the value of said story has for me. I don't want to have to pay a premium to be one of the cool kids that gets to read it on the day of release.

I agree here with what you said. I could care less about the market value of some comic I have in a box somewhere. I love to read them and they are valuable to ME for the joy they bring me. I keep them in hopes to be able to share that joy with my kids later in life - not because I believe they will make me a millionaire. I also love to get variants for the same reason. Makes my collection more enjoyable to me and I certainly would never consider selling something I worked this hard to get.

Having said that I will be getting a copy of this particular comic and I will likely pay a little more for it - so be it. I know I will be able to get one at my local LCS because I have spent some 6 months promoting and gifting valiant comics there and have picked up a few more readers.. I am sure we are in the mid 20's by now. The owner knows I am the most hard core valiant fan in a hundred mile radius so I know he will reserve me his 1 copy of this.

I do know how you feel as 6 months ago I couldn't get a single 1:20 variant of anything at my LCS so I see your frustration in not being able to obtain what you want when you want it.

But please consider that although I do not particularly like this move from valiant, like you, I can't do anything about it; but on the plus side we are part of the awesome community of fans out there and surely, if you asked, someone would arrange for your to be able to get the issue digitally the day after release day. All I am saying is that is alternatives to being angry and there are plenty of people here willing to help a fellow valiant fan full of passion such as yourself.

my 2 cents.

[cray_ws]

I guess it's no big deal to be jobbed by your favorite publisher. Just roll with it I guess.

Perspective my *SQUEE*, anyone defending this marketing shtick is drinking way too much kool-aid.

It's common sense that making a product more accessible increases the chances of long term sales. It's also common sense that selling deliberately rare comics under the guise of exclusive rewards is short term plan and ultimately fosters elitism. It's niche market that cannibalizes itself over the long haul. Seriously...the rarest comics are only bought by the exclusively rich, and it's not like Sotheby's is having comic book auctions every day. It's a rare occasion we see the sale of mint Detective Comics #27 or mint Action Comics #1. Of course that's putting this to extremes with Legends of Geomancer book, but point is this decision was not well thought out at all. Dumb and greedy...I really had higher hopes for Valiant to not do something like this.

Comics should be accessible and affordable regardless of their quality of storytelling.

[jeremycoe]

this decision was not well thought out at all.

You personally not liking something does not equal "not well thought out at all".

[Brapbrap]

this decision was not well thought out at all.

You personally not liking something does not equal "not well thought out at all".

*SQUEE* off a decent portion of the people who have bought your comics and spread the word about your business is not a well thought out business strategy ever

[Ricomortis]

Guys! Jeez!

When I was a kid I tried to get every Star Wars action figure out there. Well guess what?
Didn't happen! Did I get *SQUEE* off? NO... Did I take it out on the Star Wars franchise? No!

Was I *SQUEE* that I wasn't included or have access to NUMEROUS products that were limited or through certain retailers in the 70's? No!

But what it DID help do is create 1 more long time collector. Story was awesome... Just as VEI. Products were awesome.... Just like VEI. Could I get all products of either? Maybe. Point is... I desired all the products back then (just as many desired the Valiant Pre-Unity back in the day but could not find nor afford). Awwww but now... I sure as hell am trying to find everything I wanted in the best condition possible.

Rico