Speculation as to why A&A is the next HC

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:30 am

If I recall, everyone was expecting Shadowman to be the next HC that was printed, not A&A.

Any speculation as to why they printed A&A next?

I am not sure about the sales figures, but after BWS left, I am pretty sure that Shadowman was a more popular figure.

A&A, of all the Valiant books, may be the least "critical" to the Universe. It is/was a comedy series, lighthearted, and not really impacting the Valiant Universe as a whole. (Shadowman, on the other hand, involved one of the major bad guys in the universe). So it doesn't seem like it could have been printed because of its importance to Valiant.

Perhaps they are still working out details for the Shadowman HC (assuming there is one)?

Perhaps they could print this one precisely BECAUSE it is somewhat detached - they don't have to worry about the continuity as much as with other titles.

Or maybe this was the plan all along - try to include something a little "lighter" after pounding out two of the "big boys".

Chris

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:11 am

I suspect that the HC release order may mirror VE’s future publishing plans. With Harbinger and X-O, the addition of A&A might make their initial offerings a bit more diverse. Keep an eye on VE’s opening splash page as there may be some clues to who they think is important. My guess is that RAI or Eternal Warrior will be the next HC after A&A.

Drift · Post by **Drift** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:17 am

With Harby and X-O both crucial to the VU it could be that they decided to publish A&A as a way of adding a bit of lighthearted comic relief. Also It shows a variety of different story telling styles when shown alongside the previous HCs so will be likely to make new readers think that they have numerous styles (which we already know) and that it wasn't all about serious stories with serious consequences.

Variety is after all, the spice of life.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:20 am

I think Archer & Armstrong will sell better, that's why they are releasing it.

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:41 am

A&A is just straight cool.

Great choice for a HC.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:42 am

Jay Tomio wrote:While I'm always hesitant (and probably more apt, against) using what seems to be net talk as something that should be taken into account when making business decisions involving comics, the two most talked about comics from VALIANT/ACCALAIM I always find to be are A&A and Quantum and Woody when it comes to talk at comic book communities I'm in.

Outside of valiantfans, I have noticed the exact same thing.

Whenever non-diehard valiant fans talk about the hardcovers, and which series they hope gets collected, Archer & Armstrong is mentioned most frequently from what I have heard.

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:49 am

Jay Tomio wrote:
If you ask me - as a fan - I'd rather have seen RAI out but Michelinie/St. Pierre combo isn't exactly dropping panties around the net either.

I thought dropping panties means you are about to get *SQUEE*ed . . .

cobra_commander · Post by **cobra_commander** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:58 am

Dr. Solar wrote:
Jay Tomio wrote:While I'm always hesitant (and probably more apt, against) using what seems to be net talk as something that should be taken into account when making business decisions involving comics, the two most talked about comics from VALIANT/ACCALAIM I always find to be are A&A and Quantum and Woody when it comes to talk at comic book communities I'm in.
Outside of valiantfans, I have noticed the exact same thing.

Whenever non-diehard valiant fans talk about the hardcovers, and which series they hope gets collected, Archer & Armstrong is mentioned most frequently from what I have heard.

I think thats a great point. A&A has a huge fan base it seems. I think it has something to do with Armstrong's *ahem*... build?

Maybe a few comicbook fans can relate?

cobra_commander · Post by **cobra_commander** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:59 am

siren3-4 wrote:
Jay Tomio wrote:
If you ask me - as a fan - I'd rather have seen RAI out but Michelinie/St. Pierre combo isn't exactly dropping panties around the net either.
I thought dropping panties means you are about to get *SQUEE*ed . . .

Whatever woman gets *SQUEED*ed EVERY time she drops her panties must have one helluva sore....

... back

Squirrel · Post by **Squirrel** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:13 am

Elveen wrote:A&A is just straight cool.

Great choice for a HC.

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:25 am

Dr. Solar wrote:I think Archer & Armstrong will sell better, that's why they are releasing it.

I would agree somewhat, except for the fact that A&A includes Unity, which isn't going to make much sense in isolation.

Chris

cobra_commander · Post by **cobra_commander** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:29 am

Jay Tomio wrote:
I signed an exclusive deal with those kind in '79.

I'd agree with that almost entirely... except for when it came to the Lakers

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:30 am

cjv wrote:
Dr. Solar wrote:I think Archer & Armstrong will sell better, that's why they are releasing it.
I would agree somewhat, except for the fact that A&A includes Unity, which isn't going to make much sense in isolation.

Chris

Unity was specifically written so that you don't have to read the crossover to enjoy the individual series . . .

Fanboy375 · Post by **Fanboy375** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:47 am

Maybe this is Dino's way to say that the new Valiant universe will contain more than Pre-Unity and Unity content (as has been speculated).

If Q&W is next, I will have to start collecting Acclaim

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:56 am

Because VEI wants to do something special on Squirrel's b-day.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:34 am

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:43 am

iggy101us wrote:Because VEI wants to do something special on Squirrel's b-day.

I hear they are going to announce Valiantfans.com brand sandpaper . . .

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:48 am

siren3-4 wrote:
iggy101us wrote:Because VEI wants to do something special on Squirrel's b-day.
I hear they are going to announce Valiantfans.com brand sandpaper . . .

I'm in! Lowest number please. Thanks.

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:52 am

Dr. Solar wrote:I think Archer & Armstrong will sell better, that's why they are releasing it.

I would agree expected sales could have been the preeminent factor.

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:24 pm

i would guess that the plans for shadowman might still be up in the air as well...it's 2008-is he dead? is the darque power gone, is there a new shadowman...so many questions...with a and a the only q is where'd they go and how'd they get back.

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:34 pm

Fanboy375 wrote:Maybe this is Dino's way to say that the new Valiant universe will contain more than Pre-Unity and Unity content (as has been speculated).

If Q&W is next, I will have to start collecting Acclaim

You should do it anyway. Some VERY good books.

etos45 · Post by **etos45** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:52 am

sanman wrote:My guess is that RAI or Eternal Warrior will be the next HC after A&A.

I personally don't think Rai would be a good choice right now. Without Magnus or Solar, I really don't think there is any reason to throw the "future" Valiant universe in there just yet, but that's just my opinion. I wouldn't mind seeing Eternal Warrior, though, and that would follow A&A better than anything.

As for why A&A? I agree with most of the people on here that VEI just thinks it will sell better than any of the other choices and maybe they're not ready to deal with the "What happens with Shadowman" issue just yet... not that they'd have to, but it would at least raise the question a little more.

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:55 am

They need to release this now because they want Jack Black to play armstrong in the movie . . .

X-O Dudeowar · Post by **X-O Dudeowar** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:05 am

cobra_commander wrote:
Dr. Solar wrote:
Jay Tomio wrote:While I'm always hesitant (and probably more apt, against) using what seems to be net talk as something that should be taken into account when making business decisions involving comics, the two most talked about comics from VALIANT/ACCALAIM I always find to be are A&A and Quantum and Woody when it comes to talk at comic book communities I'm in.
Outside of valiantfans, I have noticed the exact same thing.

Whenever non-diehard valiant fans talk about the hardcovers, and which series they hope gets collected, Archer & Armstrong is mentioned most frequently from what I have heard.
I think thats a great point. A&A has a huge fan base it seems. I think it has something to do with Armstrong's *ahem*... build?

Maybe a few comicbook fans can relate?

Jokes aside, I've noticed the same thing. I mentioned with some surprise to my mild VALIANT fan brother that A&A was going to be the next hardcover and not Shadowman, but instead of the expected surprise, he was pretty excited. "Really? A&A is great!"

Knob · Post by **Knob** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:09 am

cjv wrote:If I recall, everyone was expecting Shadowman to be the next HC that was printed, not A&A.

Any speculation as to why they printed A&A next?

I am not sure about the sales figures, but after BWS left, I am pretty sure that Shadowman was a more popular figure.

A&A, of all the Valiant books, may be the least "critical" to the Universe. It is/was a comedy series, lighthearted, and not really impacting the Valiant Universe as a whole. (Shadowman, on the other hand, involved one of the major bad guys in the universe). So it doesn't seem like it could have been printed because of its importance to Valiant.

Perhaps they are still working out details for the Shadowman HC (assuming there is one)?

Perhaps they could print this one precisely BECAUSE it is somewhat detached - they don't have to worry about the continuity as much as with other titles.

Or maybe this was the plan all along - try to include something a little "lighter" after pounding out two of the "big boys".

Chris

When you own the rights to some great work by one of comics top ten all time talents, it's a massive waste if you DON'T reprint it.

Dark Horse did pretty well with the Conan reprints of BWS work.

I think the A&A decision was largely to show that Valiant is connected with a true comics legend other than Shooter. At least that's what I'd have thought.

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Speculation as to why A&A is the next HC

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