Tony Bedard's comment on Bob Layton

tanord · Post by **tanord** » Tue May 25, 2004 5:19 pm

He was talking about Crossgen but he mentions Valiant. I think he was just joking though. You'll have to scroll towards the middle of the page.

here's the link:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13

myron · Post by **myron** » Tue May 25, 2004 5:26 pm

doesn't seem like joking in context...

Ghetto D · Post by **Ghetto D** » Tue May 25, 2004 6:05 pm

...umm...yeah...I gonna have to agree with Myron on this. I could pick up real distaste in his tone. I read it a few times to TRY to get a jovial mood out of it, and it just wasn't there. What's up with this? Was this guy there when the house of cards came tumbling down or what?

cinlach@aol.com · Post by **cinlach@aol.com** » Tue May 25, 2004 7:19 pm

he was...tony was like the head writer...i believe anyway.
vanhook would know more about that then i would.
but i'd definately say things are not well between him and bob.

betterthanezra · Post by **betterthanezra** » Tue May 25, 2004 7:31 pm

Nothing joking on his side of that comment no doubt about it.
interesting why of all 7 companys he worked for whould he single out Bob?

It's still fresh in his mind after all these years. Too bad.

-Brian

cinlach@aol.com · Post by **cinlach@aol.com** » Tue May 25, 2004 8:43 pm

valiant is probably the most well known (other then crossgen).
i had never heard of him before valiant. crossgen had turned into the valiant reunion house...

bart sears
andy smith
tom ryder
tony bedard
ron marz

all worked at valiant together. there was even talk at one point that alessi was going to get the rights and start new magnus and solar books.

he said so on one of his bulletin board posts.

Jaknife · Post by **Jaknife** » Tue May 25, 2004 9:18 pm

are there any millionaires on the boards?! if so, buy the rights to every character and just restart valiant. ahh, wishful thinking.

Ghetto D · Post by **Ghetto D** » Tue May 25, 2004 11:55 pm

You know it might not be as hard as you think.

Aside from Turok, Acclaim has no use for Valiants characters and what is Whitman or who ever it is that owns Magnus and Solar going to do with them.

I think that if you purchased the comic book right you might have something. Acclaims characters would increase in value while collecting licsensing fees. Same goes for Whitman or whoever.

You might have to agree not to kill off some or all of them.

I think getting the character rights wouldn't be that expensive...now for starting a publishing company...that's tough. Maybe Eric Larsen would pick it up for Image.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Wed May 26, 2004 12:57 am

Ghetto D wrote:You know it might not be as hard as you think.

Aside from Turok, Acclaim has no use for Valiants characters and what is Whitman or who ever it is that owns Magnus and Solar going to do with them.

I think that if you purchased the comic book right you might have something. Acclaims characters would increase in value while collecting licsensing fees. Same goes for Whitman or whoever.

You might have to agree not to kill off some or all of them.

I think getting the character rights wouldn't be that expensive...now for starting a publishing company...that's tough. Maybe Eric Larsen would pick it up for Image.

Self publishing is relatively easy nowadays. But, with the name recognition of Valiant, you wouldn't need to go that route. One of the big boys would be HAPPY to pick it up under an imprint, IF....IF...there was a solid team of people dedicated to making it work.

I've said it before, I am an administrative whizkid, I can do the business end of things, I'm a solid editor, and can even write a bit.....art I can't do to save my life (Stick Figure Solar takes on...the Sun!)....and the particulars of the biz I'd have to learn, but I'm a smart guy, and I learn quick. I'm the go to guy when there's logistics that need working out, and I put the fire under everyone else...it's what I do best. And you all KNOW how anal I am about details just from reading my posts.

I'm also one of those crazy people who never begins a sentence with 'we can't', but always 'how can we....?'

I would GLADLY volunteer a year of my time (20-30 hours a week) to the cause, provided I get a part if it succeeds. But I can't do it by myself.

cinlach@aol.com · Post by **cinlach@aol.com** » Wed May 26, 2004 6:17 am

from what i understand, the reason none of the other magnus/solar relaunches have worked is due in part to western publishing not wanting to be involved in comics again.

acclaim will probably never give up the rights to these characters because they're so poorly managed that they don't realize they're sitting on some a goldmine. all they want are video games and if they sell the rights to valiant they'll want a ton for them because they paid out the *SQUEE* to buy them in the first place.

the key here is the magnus reprints from dark horse and the new magnus graphic novels. if those sell good it will generate attention for the other stuff.

Ghetto D · Post by **Ghetto D** » Wed May 26, 2004 11:49 am

That's why I suggested licensing. Western Publishing doesn't have to be involved, they just get a check if a profit is turned. Acclaim makes out even better. They get the same paycheck, but since awareness is built in their properties, they can turn around and make a video game for...say...Bloodshot or Ninjak. Each company still owns the rights to the characters, so its not like they are giving anything up, except potential profits (which they both are not interested in pursuing) and the headache of producing comics (which again neither are interested in).

X-O MattOwar · Post by **X-O MattOwar** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:44 pm

I really think they will sell the characters soon. The great thing about the period of time we live in right now is its the Golden age of pop culture. Everything that ever had any success gets a second, third and fourth chance. Acclaim is poorly managed but not stupid they can sell partial licenses or lend the license for temp time without actually relinquishing control which is probably something that on its way. I believe the Fan base and the Characters themselves are just to good to let die. Where there is money to be made someone will grab it. Look at Adult swim and the renaissance of those old retooled characters. Its only a matter of time.