Will we ever get the official scoop on who VIP was/were?

[Geomancer]

I'm very curious as to whether we will be getting more details as to who VIP was. I mean officially and for the record.

I'd rather discuss new upcoming valiant material of course, but for historical reasons I'd be interested in full disclosure.

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm very curious as to whether we will be getting more details as to who VIP was. I mean officially and for the record.

I'd rather discuss new upcoming valiant material of course, but for historical reasons I'd be interested in full disclosure.

VIP is a company owned and represented by cowards, so in all likelihood their identity will remain a mystery.

[Geomancer]

I'm hopeful somebody will crack.

Maybe it will come up in Lying in the Gutters or can be the subject of a Comic Book urban legend.

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm hopeful somebody will crack.

Maybe it will come up in Lying in the Gutters or can be the subject of a Comic Book urban legend.

Why don't you submit the question to the urban legend guy?

Make sure to point out that Dynamic has already denied it, so that he doesn't point you toward the interview at Newsarama as an answer. Make it clear that you're looking for information that hasn't appeared at Newsarama about who the people behind VIP were.

Do mention Priest' comments from Rama where he said that he had worked with them before, as well as all the other clues that have been discussed on this board.

[Vault-Keeper]

I still think it was connected to Dymanic Forces in some way. Was this ever disproved?

[ManofTheAtom]

I still think it was connected to Dymanic Forces in some way. Was this ever disproved?

At Newsarama, though I don't believe the guy for a second.

[Geomancer]

I'm hopeful somebody will crack.

Maybe it will come up in Lying in the Gutters or can be the subject of a Comic Book urban legend.

Why don't you submit the question to the urban legend guy?

Make sure to point out that Dynamic has already denied it, so that he doesn't point you toward the interview at Newsarama as an answer. Make it clear that you're looking for information that hasn't appeared at Newsarama about who the people behind VIP were.

Do mention Priest' comments from Rama where he said that he had worked with them before, as well as all the other clues that have been discussed on this board.

Since I submitted it, I didn't put those later comments/qualifications in.

But perhaps you or someone else could make a follow up comment that includes those additional points. Its under the latest Comic Book urban legend article.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.co ... ealed-142/

[ManofTheAtom]

I think you have to email the suggestion to him

Feel free (heck, I implore you!) to write in with your suggestions for future installments! My e-mail address is cronb01@aol.com.

Send it with the new comments

[Geomancer]

I've sent an email to that address, too.

I think an answer would provide a bit of closure and help in the process of moving forward.

In any case, that Valiant is moving forward [finally] is the crucial thing.

[ManofTheAtom]

I've sent an email to that address, too.

I think an answer would provide a bit of closure and help in the process of moving forward.

In any case, that Valiant is moving forward [finally] is the crucial thing.

[Geomancer]

PS MOTA, if you have additional, more specific points or clarifications to make or want to see happen, why not just make them yourself?

[ManofTheAtom]

PS MOTA, if you have additional, more specific points or clarifications to make or want to see happen, why not just make them yourself?

It's Saturday, I'm watching 24 on the DVD... far too lazy to check back threads and Newsarama to gather the (circumstantial) evidence and send a proper email, heh.

I think that the way you phrased it on the board works for the email as well.

[Geomancer]

This is the email I sent:

Hi Brian,

As a comic book fan, I really enjoy your articles. As an amateur historian, I appreciate them even more.

I have what is perhaps a delicate question. With the legal wrangling over the Valiant Comics properties now resolved, I am hoping someone [perhaps yourself] can finally settle the variety of urban legends surrounding the identity of Valiant Intellectual Properties" or VIP.

I don't see why this should ever have been a delicate question or allowed to become that way and yet only the lawyer representing them has ever truly been revealed and/or interviewed to my knowledge.

Can this story now be told?

Thankfully,

Andrew
[Geomancer]

[cinlach@aol.com]

Will we ever get the official scoop on who VIP was/were?

no.

VIP acted so unethically, and put such a bad taste into so many industry mouths that it's no surprise that part of the settlement with VEI was the retention of their anonymous status.

dynamic forces can deny that *SQUEE* all they want...but the circumstantial evidence is daunting.

i mean, if you knew "company a" was doing something perfectly legal but yet morally ambiguous, and they weren't ready to have it become public knowledge yet, what would they tell you if you asked?

"no, of course we're not doing that."

that's right, they'd lie.

it's no different that what, in this man's one opinion, dynamic forces is doing.

dynamic tries to make the solar litho, using VEI characters on it...it suddenly and mysteriously gets cancelled/recalled.

dynamic makes the solar statue, based off a pose from the cover of a valiant comic, and with the valiant "solar" logo on it.

priest mentions, "these are people we've worked with before" and it's well known that both quantum and woody creators had extensive dealings with dynamic forces.

dynamic launches "dynamite entertainment", a line of comics consisting solely of existing IP's like the lone ranger, highlander, and others showing their entire publishing business model is to take existing properties, say like the valiant universe for instance, and make new comics out of them

numerous VIP "tr"ashcans sold in san diego late last year came in bags bearing the freakin' dynamic forces hologram for pete's sake.

so yeah...i firmly believe that VIP = dynamic forces.

the dude who runs it, who if i remember correctly, isn't exactly the most popular man in the industry anyway.

jackoffs like dynamic forces are the reason we've had to wait nearly 2 years to even get to a point where new material was even a remote possibility.

[ManofTheAtom]

This is the email I sent:

Hi Brian,

As a comic book fan, I really enjoy your articles. As an amateur historian, I appreciate them even more.

I have what is perhaps a delicate question. With the legal wrangling over the Valiant Comics properties now resolved, I am hoping someone [perhaps yourself] can finally settle the variety of urban legends surrounding the identity of Valiant Intellectual Properties" or VIP.

I don't see why this should ever have been a delicate question or allowed to become that way and yet only the lawyer representing them has ever truly been revealed and/or interviewed to my knowledge.

Can this story now be told?

Thankfully,

Andrew
[Geomancer]

[cinlach@aol.com]

also, several of us have looked at the art in the VIP "tr"ashcan and said, "damn...that looks a lot like jae lee."

check this link homeskillet...

http://books.monstersandcritics.com/com ... ed_in_July

Dynamic Forces president Nick Barrucci said he was proud to have helped bring Hellshock back to comic-reading audiences.
"Jae is not only a top talent in this business, but he’s also a close personal friend," said Barrucci. "Working with him on this project, and presenting a completed HELLSHOCK to the fans has been a truly rewarding experience."

it's been my experience that 1 + 1 almost always = 2.

"hey jae, remember when i helped publish that hellshock book for ya? how about knocking out some 5 minutes sketches for me! you da man pal!"

suck on that VIP.

[xodacia81]

I think we can all agree here that Dino, Walt and the rest of VEI have handled this entire legal battle with nothing but integrity, including an inhumanly amount of patience and preserverance. I for one welcome the return of VALIANT and appreciate the approach they are taking. As much as my curiosity about who VIP is, I don't believe it utlimately matters as the proper owners were vindicated.

Looking over the history of the VIP/VEI battle, here, Newsrama and elsewhere, I've come up with some crazy ideas, but few of which would probably be true. I think the most realistic scenario is that someone, either plain greedy or with an axe to grind against VALIANT, was the "force" behind VIP. In other words, if the gang behind VEI had failed in their bid, VIP would have messed around with whoever DID end up with the material because I truly believe it was a money squeeze. If we find out who they are, great. If not, just as well. Let them rot where they sit.

[Geomancer]

Its in large part thanks to the excellent arguments laid out in this community forum that I am this interested in knowing how close to the mark it was.

I do not expect the new Valiant itself to squander any time thinking or dealing with anything VIP-related, nor would i expect them to spill the beans -- especially if there is some court ordered non disclosure agreement.

However, I also know that over time discretion is harder and harder to maintain. With no pending legal case anymore, it is inevitable that someone involved - or more exactly someone peripheral to those involved will say something - if they haven't already.

[Draco]

I think alot of what has been mentioned in this thread may well point to Dynamic forces and it would make sense as they are scum of the earth.

Every now and then im forced to order something for a customer but it sickens me and as of now i will simply say no and make that stand.

I saw that prick selling on QVC ages ago and cant believe anyone with any decency can support them.

He simply stands in front of the viewers and lies to their faces and people think this is ok?

The one i saw shocked me and i wanted to scream but carried on watching for five more minutes just so i never forget what a slimey piece of sh*t that guy is.

"get this red hot signed book now as they are selling out fast and itll be your only chance ever to own this rare item"

the item in question is irrelevant as it was just an ordinary book signed by ordinary people for a bumped up price that could never hold that value even if every other copy in existence was burned.

Scum sucking leach who gives nothing to the industry but takes a lot away.

All that money spent on that crap should go towards good honest hard working creators books that get overlooked.

However we are instead met by greedy publishers and retailers pushing that over hyped dogsh*t on a stick instead of doing something proactive which in the long term benefits us all.

ok rant over.

cheers

[greg]

Hypothetical question...

Because VIP made their move just prior to the auction,
and because the only industry knowledge of the Valiant auction
pointed to John Taddeo being the odds-on-favorite to win...
and because Taddeo actually had the first (priority) bid,
but did not agree with the conditions of the sale
(that is, a battle with VIP would be necessary)...

...does anyone find it a little strange that if Dynamic Forces
had absolutely nothing to do with it, why did John Taddeo,
king of the variant covers with his Zoom Suit series
NOT have a single variant cover released through
Dynamic Forces, the other king of variant covers?

Wouldn't the variant guys be natural friends?

Why wouldn't Taddeo, who used every possible avenue
to get Zoom Suit into the minds and hands of collectors,
also use Dynamic Forces for one of the variant covers?

Do they not get along for some reason?

[betterthanezra]

Will we ever get the official scoop on who VIP was/were?

numerous VIP "tr"ashcans sold in san diego late last year came in bags bearing the freakin' dynamic forces hologram for pete's sake.

No they were not with DF logo's on the back at SDCC last year I found them at a single dealers table who got them directly from VIP's Lawyer.

he got 10 of them....sold them for $40 dollars each from what I understand he sold 8 of them at the show NO other dealers had this ashcan. They showed up at www.comiccentral.com after the show for $50 dollars each. The URL is the same dealer that had them at SDCC.

Ones that had the DF logo on the back side of the bag showed up at Wizard in Chicago I think...anyone?

-Brian

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

Wouldn't the variant guys be natural friends?

Oh please....variant guys are sworn Blood Enemies....

EVERYBODY knows that.

[greg]

Will we ever get the official scoop on who VIP was/were?

numerous VIP "tr"ashcans sold in san diego late last year came in bags bearing the freakin' dynamic forces hologram for pete's sake.

No they were not with DF logo's on the back at SDCC last year I found them at a single dealers table who got them directly from VIP's Lawyer.

he got 10 of them....sold them for $40 dollars each from what I understand he sold 8 of them at the show NO other dealers had this ashcan. They showed up at www.comiccentral.com after the show for $50 dollars each. The URL is the same dealer that had them at SDCC.

Ones that had the DF logo on the back side of the bag showed up at Wizard in Chicago I think...anyone?

-Brian

The ones with the DF logo on the back were closely related to Graham Crackers Comics,
who is rumored to have had the books printed on behalf of VIP in the first place.

[greg]

Wouldn't the variant guys be natural friends?

Oh please....variant guys are sworn Blood Enemies....

EVERYBODY knows that.

Right because they both hate profit.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

Will we ever get the official scoop on who VIP was/were?

numerous VIP "tr"ashcans sold in san diego late last year came in bags bearing the freakin' dynamic forces hologram for pete's sake.

No they were not with DF logo's on the back at SDCC last year I found them at a single dealers table who got them directly from VIP's Lawyer.

he got 10 of them....sold them for $40 dollars each from what I understand he sold 8 of them at the show NO other dealers had this ashcan. They showed up at www.comiccentral.com after the show for $50 dollars each. The URL is the same dealer that had them at SDCC.

Ones that had the DF logo on the back side of the bag showed up at Wizard in Chicago I think...anyone?

-Brian

The ones with the DF logo on the back were closely related to Graham Crackers Comics,
who is rumored to have had the books printed on behalf of VIP in the first place.

Keeping in mind that ANYONE can get their hands on DF hologram stickers, and apply them, at any time, to the back of any bag.

*I* have a couple handfuls of unused DF stickers.

I could bag up Harby HC, stick one of the DF stickers on the back, and claim it came directly from them....

Would somebody buy that story...?

You know, I kinda have the feeling somebody would.

But I digress.