Valiantentertainment.com: What do you think???

BloodOfHeroes · Post by **BloodOfHeroes** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:12 am

Guys, I really believe that the comics are going to be the smallest part of VEI's developments. As many comics insiders point out: publishing comics is a generally a money-losing proposition. It's the licensing that brings in the money.

It seems to me (but what the heck do I know?), that VEI is re-publishing the big guns that can best be adapted into other media. They'll, of course, keep their hard-earned, rightfully acquired, properties alive as they need to, but I don't hink we'll see a line of monthly comics for a while yet.

Let's let the company get some cash back on their investment and see where the roads lead after that, huh?

BoH, already saving up for multiple Rai HC's

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:58 am

BloodOfHeroes wrote:Let's let the company get some cash back on their investment and see where the roads lead after that, huh?

But they need to do something with the properties, other the HC, to get some cash back on their investment.

The HC's are great but I don't think they are making any money of them. Most likely breaking even.

They needed a blockbuster announcement to go along with that shiny new website.

Makes good business sense.

But what do I know about running my own business..

BloodOfHeroes · Post by **BloodOfHeroes** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:04 am

Hey, there's a reason I'm a wage slave, workin' for "the Man."

I have faith that there's plenty in the works, but I would imagine 1) securing rights and b) gauging interest are parts of the overall strategy.

I hope that the HCs are breaking even. That would be might cool.

The press and amazingly favorable reviews they've gotten since producing the HARBINGER HC will surely make some people take notice in a way that just saying, "Hey! We own these characters now!" wouldn't have.

Remember: we were promised big-screen treatments of the VALIANT characters during VH-1 AND VH-2. Somehow, I think VEI will get it done.

We watched what too many titles, too quickly did to both runs. Slow and steady definitely seems to be the way to go, as slow as that might be.

BoH, hoping for a Rai wall clock

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:11 am

BloodOfHeroes wrote:We watched what too many titles, too quickly did to both runs. Slow and steady definitely seems to be the way to go, as slow as that might be.

I'm all for them taking their time and giving us the best possible product that they can.

But with all the hype surrounding the website they needed to give the public an idea as to where they are going.

BloodOfHeroes · Post by **BloodOfHeroes** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:22 am

jedimarley wrote:But with all the hype surrounding the website they needed to give the public an idea as to where they are going.

I'd just speculate/hope that there might be some ink drying out there.

Believe me, I'd wishing I knew what they hope to do with Bloodshot (Kevin VanHook writing a tale for the HC?). But (and, yes, I'm the king of rationlization) is that they're waiting to tell people definites instead of "hope to bes".

But it is a mite frustrating, I agree.

(and the Wiki is a genius of an idea!)

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:05 am

As I looked over the new site when it went live, it hit me that the TBA sections were not totally blank, that they did give descriptions of the "type" of person they wanted but rather avoided giving names. I have a sneaking suspicion that whoever is lined up is likely under contract to another company and will be taking over their new duties upon the end of the old contract. Or, at the very least, they are just waiting for the right time.

This is much like the college coach who accepts the job in the pro leagues but remains through the last few weeks of the season and the post-season/bowls/what have you. DNV is going about this absolutely the right way, imo. You don't play all your cards at once and you don't make certain announcments during uncertain times. It avoids negative feelings and failed promises. So far, everything that VEI has said has come true-except the site being delayed 6 weeks, but that's nothing

The new VALIANT is not the old ACCLAIM. I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:16 am

One step at a time. The website alone with hints on the next hardcovers is big enough for one step. I mean c'mon they just finished a tough legal battle, let them get their feet underneath them and some momentum built up before we expect them to unveil some huge re-launch plans. As Paul Wall says, "it's chess moves, not checkers".

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:28 am

Ryan wrote:One step at a time. The website alone with hints on the next hardcovers is big enough for one step. I mean c'mon they just finished a tough legal battle, let them get their feet underneath them and some momentum built up before we expect them to unveil some huge re-launch plans. As Paul Wall says, "it's chess moves, not checkers".

100% accordance

Rubiks-Q-Bert · Post by **Rubiks-Q-Bert** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:22 pm

Ryan wrote:One step at a time. The website alone with hints on the next hardcovers is big enough for one step. I mean c'mon they just finished a tough legal battle, let them get their feet underneath them and some momentum built up before we expect them to unveil some huge re-launch plans. As Paul Wall says, "it's chess moves, not checkers".

The rapper?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:47 pm

Rubiks-Q-Bert wrote: The rapper?

he's a fountain of wisdom dontchaknow

TKWill · Post by **TKWill** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:28 pm

I never thought that I would ever see a Paul Wall quote anywhere, let alone this site. Nice one, Ryan.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:58 pm

xodacia81 wrote:I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.

YEARS have already passed.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:10 pm

jedimarley wrote:
xodacia81 wrote:I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.
YEARS have already passed.

I think you're dismissing the short stories from the hcs far too easily.

Sure, they're not the same as having a line of eight monthly comics, but they are much better than having VEI go through what happened with someone like Crossgen, which came out with a loud bang and vanished with a whimper.

VEI's advantage over publishers like Crossgen is that they have a previous history to build on.

Like VALIANT before them, which built their universe on the Gold Key characters, VEI is able to build their universe on the VALIANT characters.

Ideally, they'll follow Shooter's example and build their universe keeping the previous continuity intact... and if the stories in the hcs are a reflection, they do appear to intend to do just that.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:13 pm

ManofTheAtom wrote:
jedimarley wrote:
xodacia81 wrote:I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.
YEARS have already passed.
I think you're dismissing the short stories from the hcs far too easily.

Sure, they're not the same as having a line of eight monthly comics, but they are much better than having VEI go through what happened with someone like Crossgen, which came out with a loud bang and vanished with a whimper.

VEI's advantage over publishers like Crossgen is that they have a previous history to build on.

Like VALIANT before them, which built their universe on the Gold Key characters, VEI is able to build their universe on the VALIANT characters.

Ideally, they'll follow Shooter's example and build their universe keeping the previous continuity intact... and if the stories in the hcs are a reflection, they do appear to intend to do just that.

Why couldn't they have said that.
A statement like that would have went a long way if it coincided with the website launch.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:21 pm

jedimarley wrote:
ManofTheAtom wrote:
jedimarley wrote:
xodacia81 wrote:I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.
YEARS have already passed.
I think you're dismissing the short stories from the hcs far too easily.

Sure, they're not the same as having a line of eight monthly comics, but they are much better than having VEI go through what happened with someone like Crossgen, which came out with a loud bang and vanished with a whimper.

VEI's advantage over publishers like Crossgen is that they have a previous history to build on.

Like VALIANT before them, which built their universe on the Gold Key characters, VEI is able to build their universe on the VALIANT characters.

Ideally, they'll follow Shooter's example and build their universe keeping the previous continuity intact... and if the stories in the hcs are a reflection, they do appear to intend to do just that.
Why couldn't they have said that.
A statement like that would have went a long way if it coincided with the website launch.

It might have, but I agree with MOTA here. I'm eager to find out, but if the quality of the coming stories, whenever they arrive, is anything like the short one in the Harby HC, then it will worth. Well worth it.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:48 pm

Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:00 pm

jedimarley wrote:Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???

It was a VALIANT story without a goat, Faith with double Ds, or a guy holding excrement in his hands.

It was the first true VALIANT story in over a decade.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:13 pm

ManofTheAtom wrote:
jedimarley wrote:Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???
It was a VALIANT story without a goat, Faith with double Ds, or a guy holding excrement in his hands.

It was the first true VALIANT story in over a decade.

While I think many of us wish there had been more length to the story or even more of a "World-shaking" event, I for one was pleased to read a solid, story and CHARACTER based comic. It was the first time I'd felt the "Pre-Unity" vibe in ages. There is just somethng about the concept of the arrangement between Toyo and his wife which I found simple yet amazing. It was not a "black/white" story, but instead showed us all that the shades of grey were the reasons the stories spoke to us. At least, that is a major reason why I enjoyed them. So yes, it was the first TRUE story to come along in many a moon.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:14 pm

xodacia81 wrote:
ManofTheAtom wrote:
jedimarley wrote:Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???
It was a VALIANT story without a goat, Faith with double Ds, or a guy holding excrement in his hands.

It was the first true VALIANT story in over a decade.
While I think many of us wish there had been more length to the story or even more of a "World-shaking" event, I for one was pleased to read a solid, story and CHARACTER based comic. It was the first time I'd felt the "Pre-Unity" vibe in ages. There is just somethng about the concept of the arrangement between Toyo and his wife which I found simple yet amazing. It was not a "black/white" story, but instead showed us all that the shades of grey were the reasons the stories spoke to us. At least, that is a major reason why I enjoyed them. So yes, it was the first TRUE story to come along in many a moon.

Geomancer · Post by **Geomancer** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:51 pm

jedimarley wrote:Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???

To me what was great about it was

a: New Valiant material - at a time when I had begun to wonder just how many years, if ever, that would happen.

b: New Valiant material by Jim Shooter - a hopeful indicator of what kind of valiant universe will emerge back in print.

Hope transformed into an actual published product.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:28 pm

jedimarley wrote:Um..What was so great about the short story in the Harby HC???

I think the response you'll get from most members around here is that 1) It's new Valiant material and 2) It's by Shooter.

Was it good? Yeah, it was ok. Nothing spectacular, but what can you really accomplish in 8 pages? Most members will love it and totally geek out because they love it because it's Valiant and many don't even read new books today, so they don't have anything contemporary to compare it to.

It was Valiant good. That much, I think can be said. IMO, however, even the pre-unity stuff doesn't hold up compared to the better stuff that is being put out now from most companies.

For example, Harby and A&A were my favs back in the day. However, when I've reread Harby lately, it actually seems much more like an X-Men knock-off than it did back in the day. Rai tends to put me to sleep as it always has. Pre-unity Shadow-man is okay..... To me, the only book that has gotten better with age is Magnus and maybe Solar. I haven't reread X-O lately, so I can't say on that book.

The reason that I brought this up is that I don't really see much point in putting something out.... in this case, the Harby HC, when frankly, it may not hold up to the contemporary TPBs that are available on the shelf. Yes, you will get the Valiant loyalists, like us, to buy it.... especially if there is a page or two of new stuff, but how did the HC REALLY do overall? Probably not so super. Hopefully the resolicitation in Diamond will change that...... Hopefully.

I just don't really get the point of the HCs when looking at if from a non-fanboy perspective. Can anyone explain why the HCs are being put out?

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:31 pm

400yrs wrote:I just don't really get the point of the HCs when looking at if from a non-fanboy perspective. Can anyone explain why the HCs are being put out?

The HCs work to reintroduce the characters to a new audience without having to do a reboot, which would have accomplished the same exact thing but retold the story with a new plot, nothing more and nothing else.

It also spared us from having to put up with reinterpretations of the characters that would have been as dumb as Double-D Faith.

jk20000 · Post by **jk20000** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:38 pm

400yrs wrote:
The reason that I brought this up is that I don't really see much point in putting something out.... in this case, the Harby HC, when frankly, it may not hold up to the contemporary TPBs that are available on the shelf.

I disagree, Harbinger stands up today and is still being ripped off ahemHEROESahem. But then I think the pre unity books are still better than most of whats being put out today, especially whats being put out by Marvel and DC.

400yrs wrote: Can anyone explain why the HCs are being put out?

Because there is no collection available currently in stores, many would disagree that these are not good stories, it creates talk about Harbinger and Valiant, introduces new readers to the stories, reintroduces old readers who haven't thought about valiant in a while to valiant etc

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:42 pm

400yrs wrote:It was Valiant good. That much, I think can be said. IMO, however, even the pre-unity stuff doesn't hold up compared to the better stuff that is being put out now from most companies.

And that's a big problem with the new Valiant. Can they compete with some of the great comics that are on the shelves today?

This is not 1992 when all they had to compete with was the crap that Marvel and DC was putting out.

greg · Post by **greg** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:42 pm

jedimarley wrote:
xodacia81 wrote:I don't think we need to worry about what will happen, unless YEARS pass with nothing.
YEARS have already passed.

How exactly do you hire an architect for a universe when you've got
legal questions surrounding the pieces of the universe?

The legal problems were just solved two months ago.

You can't hire the "right guy (or gal)" when your interview process
includes the lines, "we're confident that legal issues will be solved,
and that you will have the ability to build your universe with our
full stable of characters and copyright... just trust us."

Would you sign up to be the captain of that ship?