Valiant MAY 2014 Solicitations

[chriskay99]

It's Polybagged for a reason.

What is this reason? Both pages I read only said 15 extra pages.

Hmmm...I wonder if the extra content will be a separate 15 page comic, and that's why it's polybagged. From a printing standpoint, I think it would make sense to print it as an extra book?

[pixierosa]

I'm not concerned about EW going on hiatus. Many non-Valiant books aren't monthly, meaning that take breaks, and don't lose their readership. Saga. Manhattan Projects.

I'm guessing the reason for this is because EW will be a part of the initial RAI story. Rather than have two books that rehash the same story (remember how people complained about HW being too similar across the various titles), they will wait and pick up EW after his bit in RAI.

I think the new A&A arc sounds fun.

Looking forward to Rai and Harbinger most of all.

I don't see what the big issue is with polybags. It has nothing to do with being retro; they simply are offering something that they don't want to get separated from the book. No big.

[pixierosa]

A wise man (Hi DAN!) just told me, it's probably polybagged to the average joe doesn't read the extra pages of content, leave it on the shelf, and buy the cheaper version.

If you tried that at my old LCS, he'd sic the cats on you. But still, that's a good reason.

It's worth the extra dollar for all that juicy goodness.

[The Noto]

It's Polybagged for a reason.

What is this reason?

For your protection.

[lorddunlow]

Polybagged?

Oh good god.

Did I step into a time machine?

Yes. For more proof, I present to you that Mike Miller went for 19 points and 5/7 beyond the arc tonight. It's mind-boggling!

[mkb28]

A wise man (Hi DAN!) just told me, it's probably polybagged to the average joe doesn't read the extra pages of content, leave it on the shelf, and buy the cheaper version.

If you tried that at my old LCS, he'd sic the cats on you. But still, that's a good reason.

It's worth the extra dollar for all that juicy goodness.

I have seen those cats! You do not want to mess with the polybags!

Mkb28

[FormerReader]

A wise man (Hi DAN!) just told me, it's probably polybagged to the average joe doesn't read the extra pages of content, leave it on the shelf, and buy the cheaper version.

Good to see someone else figured it out.

Back away from the cliff people.

[ShadowTuga]

Ok, after thinking about this for a day now, I'm less stunned by the apparent "hiatus status" of Gily's ongoing. A bit *SQUEE*, but still, if they don't want to confuse readers with 2 different POV Characters for what - I guess- it's the same storyline, well good for them. Either that or Pak's view from what 4001 should be is so far removed from Kindt's vision for RAI that VEI hopes we forget about it with the non-EW months.

And In My Honest and Humble Opinion: POLYBAGGED ISSUES WITH EXTRA STUFF THAT YOU CAN ONLY READ IF YOU FORK EXTRA BUCKS FOR THE "SAME" BOOK?
IT SUCKS, no matter how good the stories are. I don't care for this type of exclusive-stuff, I am a *SQUEE* loyal reader and I expect my copies of whatever VALIANT title I buy- AND YES, I BUY THEM ALL, IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE COPIES - to have ALL of the content that is supposed to be in there. I was actually considering stop getting A/B and pullbox variants altogether, it's just a whole lot of them and this forces me to it- although, i'll readily admit that I was going to get as many variants as possible of RAI #01, because they are damn cool.

I'll have to admit that the fact that we still don't know for sure the format of these new #1s - minis, 1 shots?- and respective future of the titles they replace is peeving me. This should have been clear from day 01 of this announcement.

Sorry if this sounds a bit Ranty, I'm not angry at VEI at all, I'm stiçll 100% certain that they are the best thing that happend to comics in a looooooooong time and that these books will hit the 50, 75 and 3 digit marks. I just hope they won't need as much theatricals in the future, because the stories alone are worth the price of their books. Just make those covers bulkier and I'll shut up for good.

[BugsySig]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

[ShadowTuga]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

Didn't he twitted about it, confirming it? I'm pretty sure I read that sowhere around here, so i consider the hiatus of EW a given.
Damn noobs.

[lorddunlow]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

+1 to all of that!

[Manaf82]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

Didn't he twitted about it, confirming it? I'm pretty sure I read that sowhere around here, so i consider the hiatus of EW a given.
Damn noobs.

Yup, he confirmed it via twitter when I asked him..He said couple of
Months because of Rai..I posted the entire tweet here..

[BugsySig]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

Didn't he twitted about it, confirming it? I'm pretty sure I read that sowhere around here, so i consider the hiatus of EW a given.
Damn noobs.

I meant the hiatus was just speculation...

[TheFallen]

I have never done anything with the Pullbox because I haven't had to. How does it work?

This would be so much easier for me if they just added the extra pages to their digital sales as well.

[Manaf82]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

Didn't he twitted about it, confirming it? I'm pretty sure I read that sowhere around here, so i consider the hiatus of EW a given.
Damn noobs.

I meant the hiatus was just speculation...

https://twitter.com/gregpak/status/435879630835167233" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BugsySig]

I have no problem with EW going on hiatus (if this is the case, remember we are just speculating here). If Pak is leaving the book, I would rather they shelve it for a month or two while the new creative team and direction is assembled rather than have a repeat of what happened on Shadowman.

When Zircher and then Jordan left that book it turned into a *SQUEE* show of disjointed storytelling, random stand alone issues, and poor quality fill in writing and art. If that can be avoided, I am all for it.

It would be nice to get an explanation, though, of what is coming to an end and what is not. We now have questions about EW, Bloodshot & HARD Corps, Quantum & Woody and Archer & Armstrong continuing as series, being cancelled, being relaunched, etc.

Didn't he twitted about it, confirming it? I'm pretty sure I read that sowhere around here, so i consider the hiatus of EW a given.
Damn noobs.

I meant the hiatus was just speculation...

https://twitter.com/gregpak/status/435879630835167233" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well I know that now...

[jaden_sai]

Any thoughts on the HARBINGER WARS DELUXE HC?

I'm torn on getting this one, I really like the Deluxe Hardcovers, but I already have 8 of the 12 issues in the deluxe format, Harbinger and Bloodshot Deluxe.

Yes, there's the 20+ bonus pages and seeing what Valiant’s chronological order is, but...

[BugsySig]

Any thoughts on the HARBINGER WARS DELUXE HC?

I'm torn on getting this one, I really like the Deluxe Hardcovers, but I already have 8 of the 12 issues in the deluxe format, Harbinger and Bloodshot Deluxe.

Yes, there's the 20+ bonus pages and seeing what Valiant’s chronological order is, but...

I'm debating this one as well...

[brucehartshorn]

I think we have to have a bit of Faith that Dinesh and his team have a specific reason for ALL of these changes and trust they they all feel these will make Valiant even better than before. Why else would they do it?

Remember that they have been doing this less than two years and are trying to gain a foothold in an ultra competitive industry. I, for one, think they have done an incredible job to date in the time they have had for this. In consideration, I am more than willing to take these changes with a blind leap of faith. Remember that this company is run by a fan who so loved these characters that he bought the company and brought them back to all of us. As such, VEI is always watching and listening to ALL input from the fans so they're trying to serve that need and desire while still doing what they need to in order to be a fiscally viable company.

They haven't steered us wrong yet and now is not the time to be second guessing their actions. Do we need to love every decision? Absolutely not. But to speculate so intently about what we frankly don't know yet and threaten to cancel all subsciptions seems very much like throwing the baby out with the dirty bathwater and is an overreation. Chill a bit. Have some faith and trust that this fan owned company will chart a course that will satisfy everyone once we learn the actual details of these changes. Until that time, continue to enjoy the stories and art that we're fortunate to have again after a 20 year hiatus.

[Phoenix8008]

Any thoughts on the HARBINGER WARS DELUXE HC?

I'm torn on getting this one, I really like the Deluxe Hardcovers, but I already have 8 of the 12 issues in the deluxe format, Harbinger and Bloodshot Deluxe.

Yes, there's the 20+ bonus pages and seeing what Valiant’s chronological order is, but...

I'm debating this one as well...

If I had the money to be buying the Deluxe Editions in the first place, then I'd buy this one too. Just so that when I wanted to read JUST this story, I could do so. If I wanted to just read straight through Harbinger or Bloodshot, I would read just those books. I can't wait to see if they actually do Deluxe Hardcover Volume #2's. If they are gonna keep going with them each year I would just about be tempted to become a waiter for those. I really do love my floppies though! That would be a painful decision. Aargh! It hurts us precious, it hurtssss!

[Captain Craig]

Any thoughts on the HARBINGER WARS DELUXE HC?

I'm torn on getting this one, I really like the Deluxe Hardcovers, but I already have 8 of the 12 issues in the deluxe format, Harbinger and Bloodshot Deluxe.

Yes, there's the 20+ bonus pages and seeing what Valiant’s chronological order is, but...

I have every issue in my XO and Harbinger Deluxes also but I do like the OHC format and when I want to look something up I like being able to flip through one volume vs guessing which single bagged book to slide out(hint: I'm a bad guesser most times).

I'll be getting every Deluxe and Masters edition they put out. Hint: I have 80% of the original VU in single issues also.

[Donovan]

I think we have to have a bit of Faith that Dinesh and his team have a specific reason for ALL of these changes and trust they they all feel these will make Valiant even better than before. Why else would they do it?

Remember that they have been doing this less than two years and are trying to gain a foothold in an ultra competitive industry. I, for one, think they have done an incredible job to date in the time they have had for this. In consideration, I am more than willing to take these changes with a blind leap of faith. Remember that this company is run by a fan who so loved these characters that he bought the company and brought them back to all of us. As such, VEI is always watching and listening to ALL input from the fans so they're trying to serve that need and desire while still doing what they need to in order to be a fiscally viable company.

They haven't steered us wrong yet and now is not the time to be second guessing their actions. Do we need to love every decision? Absolutely not. But to speculate so intently about what we frankly don't know yet and threaten to cancel all subsciptions seems very much like throwing the baby out with the dirty bathwater and is an overreation. Chill a bit. Have some faith and trust that this fan owned company will chart a course that will satisfy everyone once we learn the actual details of these changes. Until that time, continue to enjoy the stories and art that we're fortunate to have again after a 20 year hiatus.

Is this too long to quote verbatim in a signature? Because I think everyone needs to reread this. Thrice.

Fantastic post. Let's chill out, everyone.

[FormerReader]

I think we have to have a bit of Faith that Dinesh and his team have a specific reason for ALL of these changes and trust they they all feel these will make Valiant even better than before. Why else would they do it?

Remember that they have been doing this less than two years and are trying to gain a foothold in an ultra competitive industry. I, for one, think they have done an incredible job to date in the time they have had for this. In consideration, I am more than willing to take these changes with a blind leap of faith. Remember that this company is run by a fan who so loved these characters that he bought the company and brought them back to all of us. As such, VEI is always watching and listening to ALL input from the fans so they're trying to serve that need and desire while still doing what they need to in order to be a fiscally viable company.

They haven't steered us wrong yet and now is not the time to be second guessing their actions. Do we need to love every decision? Absolutely not. But to speculate so intently about what we frankly don't know yet and threaten to cancel all subsciptions seems very much like throwing the baby out with the dirty bathwater and is an overreation. Chill a bit. Have some faith and trust that this fan owned company will chart a course that will satisfy everyone once we learn the actual details of these changes. Until that time, continue to enjoy the stories and art that we're fortunate to have again after a 20 year hiatus.

Is this too long to quote verbatim in a signature? Because I think everyone needs to reread this. Thrice.

Agreed. Well said.

Fantastic post. Let's chill out, everyone.

[jmatt]

it's probably polybagged to the average joe doesn't read the extra pages of content, leave it on the shelf, and buy the cheaper version.

Cheaper? Is VEI dabbling with a $4.99 price point for the bagged version? That's a little, I dunno, abusive to the fans. Is that too strong a word? Yeah, yeah, "you don't have to buy it"... but c'mon.

[Phoenix8008]

it's probably polybagged to the average joe doesn't read the extra pages of content, leave it on the shelf, and buy the cheaper version.

Cheaper? Is VEI dabbling with a $4.99 price point for the bagged version? That's a little, I dunno, abusive to the fans. Is that too strong a word? Yeah, yeah, "you don't have to buy it"... but c'mon.

I'll happily pay the extra dollar for one issue, get a better version of my favorite Valiant cover to date, sit down at my kitchen table and rip that polybag open to read the first issue and the extra content and not feel the need to buy any other versions or variants or covers or unopened polybags. But that's me. I mean, 32 pages for $4, versus 48 pages for $5. The division isn't that hard. I'm paying less per page buying the Pullbox Plus edition.