I might be out on Valiant

String · Post by **String** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:34 am

I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Part of the reason why is the basis for this thread apparently. I get what some others are saying and thinking, overall the VEI line may not seem that stable nor interconnected and the stories that are ongoing may not be all that enticing to you as a reader or your expectations for that character(s).

And the sad part is, during that absence, I found that I didn't miss it. I don't have the long-standing appreciation/love for Valiant that some of you here have, it's nothing like my long-standing love for Marvel yet over the time that I have been reading this line, I've grown to love and appreciate these characters, the strength of the stories and characterization as well as the dynamic art.

Still, that feeling bothers me. I'm not sure what the root cause is for it. But now that things are back on the upswing, I find that my enthusiasm for Valiant to be returning and my interest to catch back up. I still think Valiant is a strong publisher. DC continues to be a mess and Marvel is all too happy trying to make their long-standing comic universe as similar to their multi-billion dollar movie franchises as possible.

Yet here's Valiant still chugging right along nary missing a step. Yes, the news of X-O's cancellation is disheartening, X-O has been one of the my favorite titles. Imperium was very fascinating but if that's ending as well, then I just see that as just part of Dysart's next step for these characters in whatever title of his comes next.

But for now I have quite a few trades to acquire. And the best advice given throughout this thread remains, 'Buy what you like'. I may not buy every single Valiant title but it's time to give them their fair shot again and see what's been cooking.

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:15 am

Insert to my previous post...

Keith wrote:Man, after reading today's offerings (Bloodshot, Div 2, X-O),

"And seeing the FCBD teasers over in the Published Issue Discussion section"

Keith wrote: I can't see anyone bailing on this line.

mkb28 · Post by **mkb28** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:59 am

String wrote:I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Part of the reason why is the basis for this thread apparently. I get what some others are saying and thinking, overall the VEI line may not seem that stable nor interconnected and the stories that are ongoing may not be all that enticing to you as a reader or your expectations for that character(s).

And the sad part is, during that absence, I found that I didn't miss it. I don't have the long-standing appreciation/love for Valiant that some of you here have, it's nothing like my long-standing love for Marvel yet over the time that I have been reading this line, I've grown to love and appreciate these characters, the strength of the stories and characterization as well as the dynamic art.

Still, that feeling bothers me. I'm not sure what the root cause is for it. But now that things are back on the upswing, I find that my enthusiasm for Valiant to be returning and my interest to catch back up. I still think Valiant is a strong publisher. DC continues to be a mess and Marvel is all too happy trying to make their long-standing comic universe as similar to their multi-billion dollar movie franchises as possible.

Yet here's Valiant still chugging right along nary missing a step. Yes, the news of X-O's cancellation is disheartening, X-O has been one of the my favorite titles. Imperium was very fascinating but if that's ending as well, then I just see that as just part of Dysart's next step for these characters in whatever title of his comes next.

But for now I have quite a few trades to acquire. And the best advice given throughout this thread remains, 'Buy what you like'. I may not buy every single Valiant title but it's time to give them their fair shot again and see what's been cooking.

Glad to hear that things are on the upswing for your health!

Mkb28

Tony_H · Post by **Tony_H** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:30 pm

mkb28 wrote:
String wrote:I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Glad to hear that things are on the upswing for your health!

Mkb28

+1, sirs.

Shadowman99 · Post by **Shadowman99** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 5:48 am

Tony_H wrote:
mkb28 wrote:
String wrote:I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Glad to hear that things are on the upswing for your health!

Mkb28
+1, sirs.

Agreed, I'd been wondering where you'd got to! Good to hear from ya

ShadowTuga · Post by **ShadowTuga** » Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:03 pm

String wrote:I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Part of the reason why is the basis for this thread apparently. I get what some others are saying and thinking, overall the VEI line may not seem that stable nor interconnected and the stories that are ongoing may not be all that enticing to you as a reader or your expectations for that character(s).

And the sad part is, during that absence, I found that I didn't miss it. I don't have the long-standing appreciation/love for Valiant that some of you here have, it's nothing like my long-standing love for Marvel yet over the time that I have been reading this line, I've grown to love and appreciate these characters, the strength of the stories and characterization as well as the dynamic art.

Still, that feeling bothers me. I'm not sure what the root cause is for it. But now that things are back on the upswing, I find that my enthusiasm for Valiant to be returning and my interest to catch back up. I still think Valiant is a strong publisher. DC continues to be a mess and Marvel is all too happy trying to make their long-standing comic universe as similar to their multi-billion dollar movie franchises as possible.

Yet here's Valiant still chugging right along nary missing a step. Yes, the news of X-O's cancellation is disheartening, X-O has been one of the my favorite titles. Imperium was very fascinating but if that's ending as well, then I just see that as just part of Dysart's next step for these characters in whatever title of his comes next.

But for now I have quite a few trades to acquire. And the best advice given throughout this thread remains, 'Buy what you like'. I may not buy every single Valiant title but it's time to give them their fair shot again and see what's been cooking.

All the best for your health, String.

grendeljd · Post by **grendeljd** » Mon May 02, 2016 6:44 pm

Shadowman99 wrote:
Tony_H wrote:
mkb28 wrote:
String wrote:I stopped buying all Valiant titles for over 8 months........

.........It wasn't due to any perceived loss of quality but due to rising medical bills in regards to the medical treatments that I needed during that time. I had to make some serious deep cuts to my pull list and the Valiant titles I was following became part of the casualties.

Glad to hear that things are on the upswing for your health!

Mkb28
+1, sirs.
Agreed, I'd been wondering where you'd got to! Good to hear from ya

+1 to all that, hope you stay healthy man!

MarkRoseHFX · Post by **MarkRoseHFX** » Wed May 11, 2016 6:13 am

lorddunlow wrote:Just read the X-O news. It's not related to this, but...

I'm currently waaaay behind on reading Valiant and just picked up my LCS order. I've been thinking for about 6 months of cutting down on my pull list. I've been thinking of going mostly digital and just picking up when sales happen since I'm not keeping current on anything other than Chew and East of West. The hesitation I've had is because I want to support VEI. However, I'm losing faith that the company is going anywhere. The books are literally worth less than I pay for them and that's getting old.

The thing that actually prompted all of this was a closet remodel in the closet I store my comics. Even after that, I'm running out of space. I just don't have the room.

VEI just fails to hold my interest. The sad thing is I want a shared universe and VEI seems less and less like a fully fleshed out world. It seems like disparate worlds by different creators who are forced to work together sometimes. Marvel does a better job currently, which is sad.

If X-O is over at 50,then maybe I won't feel so bad dropping all but my favorite VEI books. (Although I have no idea what those are since nothing lasts more than 25 issues.)

This makes me sad.

does that mean you might leave the board too

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Wed May 11, 2016 10:35 am

MarkRoseHFX wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:Just read the X-O news. It's not related to this, but...

I'm currently waaaay behind on reading Valiant and just picked up my LCS order. I've been thinking for about 6 months of cutting down on my pull list. I've been thinking of going mostly digital and just picking up when sales happen since I'm not keeping current on anything other than Chew and East of West. The hesitation I've had is because I want to support VEI. However, I'm losing faith that the company is going anywhere. The books are literally worth less than I pay for them and that's getting old.

The thing that actually prompted all of this was a closet remodel in the closet I store my comics. Even after that, I'm running out of space. I just don't have the room.

VEI just fails to hold my interest. The sad thing is I want a shared universe and VEI seems less and less like a fully fleshed out world. It seems like disparate worlds by different creators who are forced to work together sometimes. Marvel does a better job currently, which is sad.

If X-O is over at 50,then maybe I won't feel so bad dropping all but my favorite VEI books. (Although I have no idea what those are since nothing lasts more than 25 issues.)

This makes me sad.
does that mean you might leave the board too

Glad to see you insult me immediately upon your return. Where the hell ya been? The only reason I figured you weren't dead is a see you log onto your ps3 to watch Netflix.

grendeljd · Post by **grendeljd** » Wed May 11, 2016 10:48 am

lorddunlow wrote:
MarkRoseHFX wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:Just read the X-O news. It's not related to this, but...

I'm currently waaaay behind on reading Valiant and just picked up my LCS order. I've been thinking for about 6 months of cutting down on my pull list. I've been thinking of going mostly digital and just picking up when sales happen since I'm not keeping current on anything other than Chew and East of West. The hesitation I've had is because I want to support VEI. However, I'm losing faith that the company is going anywhere. The books are literally worth less than I pay for them and that's getting old.

The thing that actually prompted all of this was a closet remodel in the closet I store my comics. Even after that, I'm running out of space. I just don't have the room.

VEI just fails to hold my interest. The sad thing is I want a shared universe and VEI seems less and less like a fully fleshed out world. It seems like disparate worlds by different creators who are forced to work together sometimes. Marvel does a better job currently, which is sad.

If X-O is over at 50,then maybe I won't feel so bad dropping all but my favorite VEI books. (Although I have no idea what those are since nothing lasts more than 25 issues.)

This makes me sad.
does that mean you might leave the board too
Glad to see you insult me immediately upon your return. Where the hell ya been? The only reason I figured you weren't dead is a see you log onto your ps3 to watch Netflix.

Mark Rose sighting!!

Returning in fine form, too

Shadowman99 · Post by **Shadowman99** » Wed May 11, 2016 3:30 pm

grendeljd wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
MarkRoseHFX wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:Just read the X-O news. It's not related to this, but...

I'm currently waaaay behind on reading Valiant and just picked up my LCS order. I've been thinking for about 6 months of cutting down on my pull list. I've been thinking of going mostly digital and just picking up when sales happen since I'm not keeping current on anything other than Chew and East of West. The hesitation I've had is because I want to support VEI. However, I'm losing faith that the company is going anywhere. The books are literally worth less than I pay for them and that's getting old.

The thing that actually prompted all of this was a closet remodel in the closet I store my comics. Even after that, I'm running out of space. I just don't have the room.

VEI just fails to hold my interest. The sad thing is I want a shared universe and VEI seems less and less like a fully fleshed out world. It seems like disparate worlds by different creators who are forced to work together sometimes. Marvel does a better job currently, which is sad.

If X-O is over at 50,then maybe I won't feel so bad dropping all but my favorite VEI books. (Although I have no idea what those are since nothing lasts more than 25 issues.)

This makes me sad.
does that mean you might leave the board too
Glad to see you insult me immediately upon your return. Where the hell ya been? The only reason I figured you weren't dead is a see you log onto your ps3 to watch Netflix.
Mark Rose sighting!!

Returning in fine form, too

So this has gone from the 'I might be out on Valiant' thread to the 'I've already been out for a bit but now I'm just poking my head in for a moment to let everyone know I'm okay, and then I'm out again for a bit until I come back again next time' thread?

ShadowTuga · Post by **ShadowTuga** » Wed May 11, 2016 4:24 pm

Shadowman99 wrote:
grendeljd wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
MarkRoseHFX wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:Just read the X-O news. It's not related to this, but...

I'm currently waaaay behind on reading Valiant and just picked up my LCS order. I've been thinking for about 6 months of cutting down on my pull list. I've been thinking of going mostly digital and just picking up when sales happen since I'm not keeping current on anything other than Chew and East of West. The hesitation I've had is because I want to support VEI. However, I'm losing faith that the company is going anywhere. The books are literally worth less than I pay for them and that's getting old.

The thing that actually prompted all of this was a closet remodel in the closet I store my comics. Even after that, I'm running out of space. I just don't have the room.

VEI just fails to hold my interest. The sad thing is I want a shared universe and VEI seems less and less like a fully fleshed out world. It seems like disparate worlds by different creators who are forced to work together sometimes. Marvel does a better job currently, which is sad.

If X-O is over at 50,then maybe I won't feel so bad dropping all but my favorite VEI books. (Although I have no idea what those are since nothing lasts more than 25 issues.)

This makes me sad.
does that mean you might leave the board too
Glad to see you insult me immediately upon your return. Where the hell ya been? The only reason I figured you weren't dead is a see you log onto your ps3 to watch Netflix.
Mark Rose sighting!!

Returning in fine form, too
So this has gone from the 'I might be out on Valiant' thread to the 'I've already been out for a bit but now I'm just poking my head in for a moment to let everyone know I'm okay, and then I'm out again for a bit until I come back again next time' thread?

This thread is already awesome because it brought us HFX.
WELCOME BACK, MY FRIEND!!!!

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Wed May 11, 2016 4:53 pm

well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Wed May 11, 2016 5:03 pm

ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Wed May 11, 2016 5:53 pm

lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.

i would love a 50 issue run of doctor mirage.

possumgrease · Post by **possumgrease** » Wed May 11, 2016 6:37 pm

ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Hardcovers are what got me back in. It's just a better reading experience, for me at least.

mkb28 · Post by **mkb28** » Wed May 11, 2016 9:29 pm

possumgrease wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.
Hardcovers are what got me back in. It's just a better reading experience, for me at least.

Totally agree!

Trades and HC's work best for me too!

Mkb28

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Wed May 11, 2016 11:21 pm

mkb28 wrote:
possumgrease wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.
Hardcovers are what got me back in. It's just a better reading experience, for me at least.
Totally agree! Trades and HC's work best for me too!

Mkb28

Shadowman99 · Post by **Shadowman99** » Thu May 12, 2016 3:29 am

lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.

Have you read the second mini yet?

jmatt · Post by **jmatt** » Thu May 12, 2016 10:59 pm

grendeljd wrote:Mark Rose sighting!!

Returning in fine form, too

The Haligonian returns. Welcome back.

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Thu May 12, 2016 11:59 pm

Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.
Have you read the second mini yet?

That's what I caught up on.

Shadowman99 · Post by **Shadowman99** » Fri May 13, 2016 4:21 am

lorddunlow wrote:
Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.
Have you read the second mini yet?
That's what I caught up on.

Ah right, didn't know whether you'd only just caught up on that or the first mini.

Thought I'd ask because personally I really, really enjoyed the first mini, but found the second a bit... Er... Not sure how to say it really. Lacklustre?

What was it about the second mini that you really liked? (Genuine question, not trying to get your back up

)

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri May 13, 2016 5:51 pm

Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.
Have you read the second mini yet?
That's what I caught up on.
Ah right, didn't know whether you'd only just caught up on that or the first mini.

Thought I'd ask because personally I really, really enjoyed the first mini, but found the second a bit... Er... Not sure how to say it really. Lacklustre?

What was it about the second mini that you really liked? (Genuine question, not trying to get your back up )

Dark fantasy is my favorite genre. Jen Van Meter is crafting a wonderful dark fantasy story. I really like the magic elements. The characters are wonderful. I did like the first one more, but the second mini was almost at the same level.

It does, however, seem completely disconnected from the VEI universe. Honestly, rename the characters and this could be an Image book by Van Meter.

To be honest, I can't figure out why Doctor Mirage and Divinity are being released as minis but Rai is an ongoing. All have pauses between arcs for the artists to catch up, then resume the story in the next arc. Just weird. Constant number 1s...

Shadowman99 · Post by **Shadowman99** » Sat May 14, 2016 4:59 am

lorddunlow wrote:
Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
Shadowman99 wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:well i might be back in.

i'm halfway through reading the book of death hard cover. it's great! maybe i'll just stick with hardcovers.

Same. I caught up on a lot on my vacation. I'll report here when I'm completely caught up.

But: WOW, CAN WE GET A FREAKING DOCTOR MIRAGE ONGOING????? Best book VEI produces by a huge margin.
Have you read the second mini yet?
That's what I caught up on.
Ah right, didn't know whether you'd only just caught up on that or the first mini.

Thought I'd ask because personally I really, really enjoyed the first mini, but found the second a bit... Er... Not sure how to say it really. Lacklustre?

What was it about the second mini that you really liked? (Genuine question, not trying to get your back up )
Dark fantasy is my favorite genre. Jen Van Meter is crafting a wonderful dark fantasy story. I really like the magic elements. The characters are wonderful. I did like the first one more, but the second mini was almost at the same level.

It does, however, seem completely disconnected from the VEI universe. Honestly, rename the characters and this could be an Image book by Van Meter.

To be honest, I can't figure out why Doctor Mirage and Divinity are being released as minis but Rai is an ongoing. All have pauses between arcs for the artists to catch up, then resume the story in the next arc. Just weird. Constant number 1s...

Dark fantasy/horror is definitely what attracted me to Valiant in the first place, with Shadowman being the first comic I picked up and then everything else from there

I guess that's why I was a little disappointed that Shadowman never maintained momentum and eventually went on hiatus, but that's a bit by-the-by in this conversation. I definitely like what Jen's doing with Dr. Mirage as a whole, and the look that the artist(?) is giving her corner of the VU, very strong style there

I think I just found the second mini a little 'stock' I guess, a little Scooby Doo in a way, with the 'team' tracking down the one ghost and foiling its evil plans

Still, FAR from a bad/poor story.

True on the character renaming bit. I appreciate though that VEI have something a bit 'different' within their own stable though, keeps things fresh, and I don't mind that Shan and Hwen have stayed within their own playground for the time being - I'm sure there's plenty of opportunity for crossover in the future (if Shadowman can cross into Ninjak then there's hope for any other VEI crossover combination I'd say!)

You make a good point about the renumbering issue. I guess it's literally just business with the number ones, but like you say, if they can continue Rai after breaks, why not Dr. Mirage (etc.)? Makes sense to me.

All in all I definitely enjoyed the first D.M. mini more than the second, but I'll definitely be keen to see what happens next when a new book gets announced

ShadowTuga · Post by **ShadowTuga** » Sat May 14, 2016 9:21 pm

Just wanted to add someting positive to this.
I went to my LCS today and picked up the 2016 Valiant FCBD issue. Great times are ahead of us, or at least I'm excited about it.
I can not wait for the "return" (it's in the hashtag, right?) of Savage

, Shadowman- and Bloodshot Island looks just awesome tons of fun comic book bada**ery. Loved the preview.
Never read Psi-Lords, but I'm aware of the concept. Have no idea where they will appear or how. Again, excited!

I entered the LCS a lot less excited about VEI's output for the next months, due to "old friends" saying goodbye (X-O, Imperium) but I came out trusting this company, renewal-style.
We had our Dead Drops and whatnots (Sorry if i'm offending any DD fan, but that stuff was IMO horrible) but the line, in general, looks very healthy for the near future, or at least, a little less ill than what I thought it would be, missing it's longest running title and all that.

A little note: the RPG/board game apparently has a card that looks a lot like one of the Magic:The Valiant set- the H.A.R.D. Corps arriving. Could have been my impression but it looked very familiar.

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004

I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant

Re: I might be out on Valiant