Finally getting around to posting my Valiant story.....
Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg
Finally getting around to posting my Valiant story.....
Greetings to the community!
Wow, where to start....
Comics have always been a part of my life here and there but Valiant comics is what really got me into comic frenzy in the early 90's. My story may be of a little interest since I've experienced it from the inside! I was an intern at Valiant in it's early years. I vaguely remember it must have been around the release of Magnus robot fighter #2 or so. I was in my last year of Highschool, and have always been artistically inclined so I thought this would be a great experience. I never wanted to be a comic book artist though, I was always more interested in digital design & 3D graphics. I'd be curious to see if any of the old timers in Valiant can actually remember or guess who I am from this story.
So in the early days, I remember the people mainly around were Jim Shooter, Don Perlin, Bob Layton, Janet Jackson, Kathryn Bolinger, Steve Massarsky, Kevin Van Hook, Jon Hartz, Jade Moede and a bunch of people from administrative (Randy, really nice person). There were others, but these are the names that pop the most. Everyone was great! Bob Layton was an exceptionally laid back and cool guy, he was always making things fun around the office. Jim shooter was also a great guy despite his rep, he always made time to talk to me and always gave a high school kid the time of day. Don Perlin was another great character, always friendly though upon first sight, one might be intimidated by him. I usually worked closest with Bob L., Janet J. Kathryn B. & Jade M. The others like Massarsky, Van Hook or Hartz I actually only saw when I emptied the trash cans.
Besides the usual intern duties, I remember Bob starting me on basic coloring and inking. Of course I only stuck to simple tasks and inking non-organic things like background machinery in Magnus RF. I remember inking machinery in Magnus #4, that was pretty fun. There really isn't much juicy gossip I can contribute, as everything was usually pretty calm and healthy as far as a working environment goes. I started collecting comics religiously even after I left Valiant, naturally supporting Valiant titles as much as possible through my local comic shop. I eventually stopped collecting comics in the mid 90's, and haven't really revisited reading my Valiant comics, but I did recently go through them at my parents house where I store them. It really is time to open up some space!
Some interesting tidbits I remember about Valiant:
I remember Bob Layton played the guitar, Jade played another instrument (drums maybe?) and there were occasions where they set up a band performance in the office.
Jim Shooter & collaborators actually named Rai after me (Rai's real name), unless it was sheer coincidence, but I'm pretty sure that was confirmed.
Bob Layton drew me in one of the panels in Magnus RF. I can't remember which issue it was, maybe #4 or #5 where there is a jailbreak scene. I am one of the prisoners.
I originally brought Yvel Guichet on board at Valiant, we were good friends in college and he is an amazing artist! Thus began his stint at Valiant as a penciller. Unfortunately I have long since lost touch with him, though we are both still in NY. I need to hunt him down at some point and get back in touch with him.
I also went to college with Bernard Chang. He's another great guy and immensely talented illustrator. He was introduced to Valiant independent of me, it just happened to be coincidence that we went to the same college and lived in the same dorm building. Last I spoke to him was via email a few years back.
This is all I can remember for now!
T
Wow, where to start....
Comics have always been a part of my life here and there but Valiant comics is what really got me into comic frenzy in the early 90's. My story may be of a little interest since I've experienced it from the inside! I was an intern at Valiant in it's early years. I vaguely remember it must have been around the release of Magnus robot fighter #2 or so. I was in my last year of Highschool, and have always been artistically inclined so I thought this would be a great experience. I never wanted to be a comic book artist though, I was always more interested in digital design & 3D graphics. I'd be curious to see if any of the old timers in Valiant can actually remember or guess who I am from this story.
So in the early days, I remember the people mainly around were Jim Shooter, Don Perlin, Bob Layton, Janet Jackson, Kathryn Bolinger, Steve Massarsky, Kevin Van Hook, Jon Hartz, Jade Moede and a bunch of people from administrative (Randy, really nice person). There were others, but these are the names that pop the most. Everyone was great! Bob Layton was an exceptionally laid back and cool guy, he was always making things fun around the office. Jim shooter was also a great guy despite his rep, he always made time to talk to me and always gave a high school kid the time of day. Don Perlin was another great character, always friendly though upon first sight, one might be intimidated by him. I usually worked closest with Bob L., Janet J. Kathryn B. & Jade M. The others like Massarsky, Van Hook or Hartz I actually only saw when I emptied the trash cans.
Besides the usual intern duties, I remember Bob starting me on basic coloring and inking. Of course I only stuck to simple tasks and inking non-organic things like background machinery in Magnus RF. I remember inking machinery in Magnus #4, that was pretty fun. There really isn't much juicy gossip I can contribute, as everything was usually pretty calm and healthy as far as a working environment goes. I started collecting comics religiously even after I left Valiant, naturally supporting Valiant titles as much as possible through my local comic shop. I eventually stopped collecting comics in the mid 90's, and haven't really revisited reading my Valiant comics, but I did recently go through them at my parents house where I store them. It really is time to open up some space!
Some interesting tidbits I remember about Valiant:
I remember Bob Layton played the guitar, Jade played another instrument (drums maybe?) and there were occasions where they set up a band performance in the office.
Jim Shooter & collaborators actually named Rai after me (Rai's real name), unless it was sheer coincidence, but I'm pretty sure that was confirmed.
Bob Layton drew me in one of the panels in Magnus RF. I can't remember which issue it was, maybe #4 or #5 where there is a jailbreak scene. I am one of the prisoners.
I originally brought Yvel Guichet on board at Valiant, we were good friends in college and he is an amazing artist! Thus began his stint at Valiant as a penciller. Unfortunately I have long since lost touch with him, though we are both still in NY. I need to hunt him down at some point and get back in touch with him.
I also went to college with Bernard Chang. He's another great guy and immensely talented illustrator. He was introduced to Valiant independent of me, it just happened to be coincidence that we went to the same college and lived in the same dorm building. Last I spoke to him was via email a few years back.
This is all I can remember for now!
T
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Re: Finally getting around to posting my Valiant story.....
So, is your name Rentaro, Tohru, or Takashi?83green wrote:Jim Shooter & collaborators actually named Rai after me (Rai's real name), unless it was sheer coincidence, but I'm pretty sure that was confirmed.
Hmmm... no jailbreaks in Magnus #4 or #5... but I'm sure we'll find you eventually.83green wrote:Bob Layton drew me in one of the panels in Magnus RF. I can't remember which issue it was, maybe #4 or #5 where there is a jailbreak scene. I am one of the prisoners.
Welcome aboard!
Re: Finally getting around to posting my Valiant story.....
Great story, Tohru, thanks for sharing.
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Daniel Jackson
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Re: Finally getting around to posting my Valiant story.....
Hehe, it's Tohru.So, is your name Rentaro, Tohru, or Takashi?
Hmm, I can't really seem to remember, I have none of my comics where I live now, all at the folks home so I can't go and dig it up...I keep thinking it is MRF#4, where Magnus is leading what's her name out of a big riot. There is a panel with a crowd of guys that I remember being prisoners wreaking havoc. Bob inked me in bigger than I actually am in person, but the hair was pretty similiar. He also made it a point to give everyone knicknames, mine was drawn on the tshirt in that panel. I guess lets see if anyone can find it!Hmmm... no jailbreaks in Magnus #4 or #5... but I'm sure we'll find you eventually.
T