Is VEI dead or dying?

[Draco]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

[daydreamscomics]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

[xodacia81]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

My one concern in all this has been VEI getting around the small press blockade that the illegal cartel of DIAMOND/MARVEL/DC/IMAGE/DARK HORSE has placed upon the market. Yes, I called it an illegal cartel.

[Drift]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

My one concern in all this has been VEI getting around the small press blockade that the illegal cartel of DIAMOND/MARVEL/DC/IMAGE/DARK HORSE has placed upon the market. Yes, I called it an illegal cartel.

Yeah the cartel is holding on so strong that small print guys like Boom! Studios haven't been able to break out at all with their extremely high quality stories and art, their unknown EIC (some guy called Mark Waid) and their expansion to include a kids line.

[Phantom..]

I have vented perviously here, as at collectors site.
Hey, we are fans of valiant and we are here to support., well I am.
Just want something, anything.

Not an offical press release, just somene dropping us line here and saying ~ were working on things give us time.

I have been arround about for a while, and was accessing the site for over a year before I registared. Thats why I take your word (daydeream)that things are happening.

Nb ~ the ittle fanboy in all of us, is still an impatient kid waiting for his favorite comic each month

[xodacia81]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

My one concern in all this has been VEI getting around the small press blockade that the illegal cartel of DIAMOND/MARVEL/DC/IMAGE/DARK HORSE has placed upon the market. Yes, I called it an illegal cartel.

Yeah the cartel is holding on so strong that small print guys like Boom! Studios haven't been able to break out at all with their extremely high quality stories and art, their unknown EIC (some guy called Mark Waid) and their expansion to include a kids line.

I stand corrected. But I also recall reading something about Diamond having a "rule" about a company having to have X amount of market saturation/print run, before they will do certain things? The point was not that smaller press companies get totally shut out, but that Diamond makes it difficult for startups. I think Boom! is an exception to the rule, due in part to the presence of a big gun like Waid.

[Drift]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

My one concern in all this has been VEI getting around the small press blockade that the illegal cartel of DIAMOND/MARVEL/DC/IMAGE/DARK HORSE has placed upon the market. Yes, I called it an illegal cartel.

Yeah the cartel is holding on so strong that small print guys like Boom! Studios haven't been able to break out at all with their extremely high quality stories and art, their unknown EIC (some guy called Mark Waid) and their expansion to include a kids line.

I stand corrected. But I also recall reading something about Diamond having a "rule" about a company having to have X amount of market saturation/print run, before they will do certain things? The point was not that smaller press companies get totally shut out, but that Diamond makes it difficult for startups. I think Boom! is an exception to the rule, due in part to the presence of a big gun like Waid.

And the fact that they are awesome.

[xodacia81]

Im liking most of what you are saying dude, but i dont think theres an abundance of impatient people venting angrily here.
Passionate supporters sure and this thread in particular has offered some good discussion IMO.
Some good points made from both sides of the fence.

I particulary like what you mention of the 90's and Tom, Dick & Harry banging books out like nothing.
There must be so many pitfalls in the industry today for many, many reasons, so its encouraging to hear it all put so positively.

Forward planning is a must and the current climate in many areas is appaling, so best be 110% sure you have your *SQUEE* together or bust real fast.

Plus i really liked how Leon put his points across and didnt think he in particular came across negative or impatient, but very factual.

Overall its the lack of any information no matter how small that frustrates widely i think.

Im cool to wait for as long as it takes, but in general folks here will always want to talk possibilities in positive and negative when left to do just that, especially when no offical word is put out to say otherwise.

Being passionaite and being impatient are a thin line it seems. None of my posts are meant to cast a negative light on anyone being either, they are more to point out things some people just don't think about. Being in the comic book business, these are things I think about every day. How to advertise, how to order, how to get the word out on quality books/creators, what types of books/stories sell well vs ones that don't. I think this is what VEI is trying to nail down, before they get ahead of themselves and make promises they then can't keep. I would find that far more infuriating than having to continue waiting.

My one concern in all this has been VEI getting around the small press blockade that the illegal cartel of DIAMOND/MARVEL/DC/IMAGE/DARK HORSE has placed upon the market. Yes, I called it an illegal cartel.

Yeah the cartel is holding on so strong that small print guys like Boom! Studios haven't been able to break out at all with their extremely high quality stories and art, their unknown EIC (some guy called Mark Waid) and their expansion to include a kids line.

I stand corrected. But I also recall reading something about Diamond having a "rule" about a company having to have X amount of market saturation/print run, before they will do certain things? The point was not that smaller press companies get totally shut out, but that Diamond makes it difficult for startups. I think Boom! is an exception to the rule, due in part to the presence of a big gun like Waid.

And the fact that they are awesome.

A good effort by Waid always results in awesomeness

[400yrs]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I would hope it's the good *SQUEE*. If the people you are talking to ain't dishing out the good *SQUEE*, then they shouldn't be with the company.

I still can't rationalize any way that they can sustain themselves as a comic publisher.

Marvel has movies.

DC has its parent company and movies to a smaller extent.

Dark Horse has licensed properties which sell very well and I'm sure help to keep the Company afloat.

Image has an entirely different business model which puts the risk on the creators.

IDW and Dynamite have licensed properties which are the main sellers for the companies.

What does Valiant have? The fact that they optioned the Harby movie once?

I can't figure out how they are going to be successful in this comic market trying to just do it with comic titles that have failed twice now and still have the ire of many comic shops and readers. I want to be positive about things again, but I'm having trouble finding that light at the end of the tunnel.

[Zaphod]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

thats not what I've been told.

[Drift]

If I'm getting smoke blown up my *SQUEE*, then it's some pretty good smoke.

I don't think 98% of people on here have ANY concept of what goes into the process of relaunching a company/universe. You can't just snap your fingers and POOF new comics.

This isn't the 90's when new companies were popping up left and right. If you look at the majority of small press companies that do pop up in Previews nowadays, 2-3 months later they have no solicitations. Why? Because they haven't planned ahead. They get ahead of themselves, run into problems, can't put out their books, and are gone before anyone nows they existed.

You also don't have the mass market of people buying comic books up like you did in the 90's. The amount of people buying is smaller, and people aren't buying everything coming out. People are much more selective.

Just because they haven't made announcements doesn't mean they aren't going to. Someone pointed out they haven't made any major announcements in 2009: Last time I checked, 2009 still has almost 6 months left to it. Just because there was no news on January 1st isn't a reason to lose all hope.

As far as making an announcement at SDCC, it's the last place I would want to make an announcement as a new/revamped company. You're going to be overshadowed by EVERY other publisher out there, not to mention all the attention now focused on the movie side of the business. It would get lost in the shuffle. It's not like the only time people hear about news is at cons. That's what the internet is for...

Seriously, why is everyone so impatient these days?

thats not what I've been told.

I have heard these same rumours.

[Phantom..]

Porn and music

[robb77]

mostly porn

[daydreamscomics]

In response to the Diamond blocking out small press publishers:

The ecomonic woes of the country have hit pretty much everyone, and comic shops are no exception. Many shops being hit the hardest are no longer able to pay their Diamond bills, which in turn is costing Diamond money. The fact that they just dropped who knows how much money on a brand new warehouse also has to play a role in Diamond's financial situation.

I've heard from more than one reputable source that Diamond is losing money, and fast. The owner has been selling his houses (don't see why he needs more than one) If you have thought that Previews magazine the past couple months have seemed to be a little light, it's not your eyes playing a trick on you. Diamond has instituted new plateu levels for small press pusblishers to be included in Previews. If I recall, it's $2500 just to be able to advertise in Previews, and don't think that takes into account the design aspect of being in the magazine. I know it's a pretty significant jump, which means less companies are going to be able to afford to get their name/products into Previews.

I've heard (not from reputable sources) that Diamond is also close to being bankrupt, and that DC has shows interest in buying them out. Again, I can't lay any sort of reliability to this fact.

What is interesting is that recently we have been receiving a smaller catalogue with all independent companies in it. It's from a smaller distibution company, or a series of companies networking, trying to get around the recent changes set forth by Diamond.

Will this have an affect on upcoming Valiant products? Probably. But not stopping them.

[Draco]

The culling of smaller press indy titles as harsh as it seems is necessary.
If you are tiny and you want to go through Diamond there is no way they can make money from you, so why should they do this with hundreds of small publishers and lose lose lose?
They are in a business to make money not to support smaller businesses at a cost to themselves

All these small guys can still get themselves out there though using smaller distributors etc that are geared up exactly for this.

On Diamond changes, the new deal is you have to have a $3,000 minimum order at Diamond prices.
Diamond charge 60% of the books cover price for their services (Advertising is more, much more) and the $3,000 limit is based on the discounted price not full cover price.

So if you are small press and not able to print and sell say 2,000 copies you are going to have to find an alternative to Diamond.

News of Diamond possibly going under would be bad considering how far their reach stretches out, but most people i have ever spoken to about this want competion anyway.

[greg]

Obviously, one possible view (pessimistic) of VEI is to ask "are they dead or dying"?

Another possible view (optimistic) would take what we know and assume the best.

Here's what we know, VEI is looking to hire an unpaid intern.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/mar/1177128254.html

To a pessimist, it's easy to say, "Look! They are looking for FREE help! They're in trouble!"

To an optimist, you could take the actual intern job posting and see if you could determine
what VEI was working on... or at least, what they are planning.

Date: 2009-05-18, 3:03PM EDT

Valiant Entertainment, a growing comic book/graphic novel publisher and licensor, has an immediate opening for a full-time office intern. Candidate must possess excellent communications skills, ability to multi-task, and be very organized. Candidate will be exposed to a broad range of work experience from marketing to film development.

This is an exceptional opportunity for the right person with a real desire to work with comic books and graphic novels. Potential duties include helping to develop marketing campaigns and recommendations for new comic products, market/competitive research, in-store product review, working on the development of major digital marketing initiatives and the unique opportunity to take part in the process of developing comics with the industry's top talent and some of the comics most popular characters of all time.

Additional experience includes exposure to the development of entertainment deals, including film script review and coverage.

This is a non-paid, full time internship. Please submit cover-letter and resume.

- Proficiency in HTML and image editing software (any Adobe software) a plus.
- Knowledge of, or interest in, comic book content and the business of the industry.
- Detail oriented and able to work independently and manage own workflow.

We've given lots of discussion to the WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO...
that is, that VEI is dying (or already dead) and this intern job posting
was the final "desperate plea for help" before VEI went belly-up,
or they will soon be dead.

Plus, it's just an intern... who cares about an intern? That's true.
I don't care about the intern either... but I do care about VEI's description
of what's happening in the office where that intern will be working.

Just as an experiment, let's assume the BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO for VEI and base
those assumptions on the "official" wording of this VEI job posting.

Valiant Entertainment, a growing comic book/graphic novel publisher and licensor, has an immediate opening for a full-time office intern.

An optimist might conclude that VEI:
- is growing
- is planning to publish comic books and/or graphic novels
- is planning to license properties
- has an office where people already work full-time

Candidate must possess excellent communications skills, ability to multi-task, and be very organized. Candidate will be exposed to a broad range of work experience from marketing to film development.

An optimist might conclude that VEI:
- has enough people and projects in the full-time office to require strong communication and organization skills
- is planning both marketing and film development

This is an exceptional opportunity for the right person with a real desire to work with comic books and graphic novels.

Again, VEI appears to be planning comic books and graphic novels.

Potential duties include helping to develop marketing campaigns and recommendations for new comic products, market/competitive research, in-store product review, working on the development of major digital marketing initiatives and the unique opportunity to take part in the process of developing comics with the industry's top talent and some of the comics most popular characters of all time.

VEI appears to be:
- developing marketing campaigns
- brainstorming and/or selecting new comic products
- doing market research and competitive research
- planning in-store product sales
- developing major digital marketing initiatives
- developing comics
- working with the industry's top talent

Additional experience includes exposure to the development of entertainment deals, including film script review and coverage.

VEI, again, appears to be:
- developing entertainment deals, including film scripts

- Proficiency in HTML and image editing software (any Adobe software) a plus.
- Knowledge of, or interest in, comic book content and the business of the industry.
- Detail oriented and able to work independently and manage own workflow.

Finally, it appears that VEI is working on:
- Website needs (HTML) and graphics
- Comic book content
- Comic books for the industry
- enough things that an intern needs to handle their own workload

SO, what could we conclude using VEI's own words from May 2009,
if we were so inclined as to be an optimist?

VEI is growing.
VEI is developing comic books and is planning to publish them.
VEI is planning to license properties.
VEI is currently working full-time in an office in NYC.
VEI is developing film scripts and actively reviewing them.
VEI is planning marketing campaigns and developing or planning to develop films.
VEI is planning new comic products.
VEI is planning in-store product sales.
VEI is developing major digital marketing initatives.
VEI is working with top talent.
VEI is working on the website.

Since all of that would probably be good news to the members of this messageboard,
and since I have posted in the "Is VEI dead or dying?" topic, I guess I should
stop pointing out VEI's own words to everyone and let the discussion get back to
digging VEI's grave based on the "silence" that is most certainly bad news.

Pessimists are never disappointed, only pleasantly surprised.

[Drift]

Once again hard but simple facts make the most sense.

[BloodOfHeroes]

Greg,

We salute YOU, our Half-Inflated Dark Lord!

Oi!!

(sorry--new Spinal Tap album this week!)

[robb77]

nice

[Elveen]

Greg droppin science.

[Zaphod]

With respect, Greg we can read almost anything into that posting. I'm not interest in spinning words positively or negatively but I am interested in action.

For all intents, there has not been any for months. So-and-so said, or I heard from someone in the employ of doesn't amount to much.

I can only speak for myself, I haven't given up hope but I am discouraged by the lack of progress.

VEI isn't dead or dying until:
1. the company files for bankruptcy
2. the properties are back up on the auction block.

Its poor form on either side of the fence to assume or read too much into anything less than an official statement from the company. It is the lack of those that is troubling to at least myself.

[greg]

Its poor form on either side of the fence to assume or read too much into anything less than an official statement from the company. It is the lack of those that is troubling to at least myself.

It's also poor form to say anything that isn't publicly available when you have been sworn to secrecy.

I'm not necessarily saying that I've been sworn to secrecy on anything,
but I am pointing out that all I have said here is publicly available.

[steverino]

I personally think Valiant is dead. I'm sorry to say, but I have no faith in a reboot or in new stories. If Valiant comes back, it will be in form of a reboot, especially if Hollywood gets it's hands on it, then everything that VEI does will probably be in direct response to whatever the filmmakers do creatively. And I don't think VEI will do anything without a possible movie deal coming around to help promote the comics. But how long can they wait? Hollywood can keep a movie in limbo indefinitely. Just look at Spider-man!

If they were going to do something, then they should have done it by now. We fans are now too skeptical about whether or not VEI has their stuff together.

But that's just what I think.

[steverino]

Of course, it would be terrific if I was wrong!

[geocarr]

What is interesting is that recently we have been receiving a smaller catalogue with all independent companies in it. It's from a smaller distibution company, or a series of companies networking, trying to get around the recent changes set forth by Diamond.

I would like more information about this smaller catalogue if you have it and are willing to share it. Thanks!