Newbie, Well Sorta...Maybe Not....Ok I need some help LOL

Druthu · Post by **Druthu** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:25 am

Hello everyone....

I started collecting comics as an investment (when I had the cash) back during Valiant's day. I am a huge fan of X-0 Manowar.
Last x-mas, I was talking to Joe (a relation thru my wife) and he is a huge comic book fan and a huge Valiant comic fan. We got to talking and I was really jazzed to try and complete my X-O Manowar collection and read them this summer from start to finish. Right after X-mas I finally tracked down all of the books I needed for the run.....I am going to start reading next week or so.

Well exciting news, is that I went to a flea market in Pa this weekend. As I am walking thru I see a guy with comic boxes, I thumb thru and see some Solar Valiants and X-O Manwar....I just went thru the box this morning and I have a complete run of Solar's (just missing #33 & #34). I was very happy to see that. So now tonight I am going to go Visit my father and see if by some chance I have those two issues of Solar, and if not...well at least they should be cheap to pick up.

I am more of a collector to read and not to stick in a plastic case and not touch. I learned a long time ago....collect what you love, don't mindlessly collect. I had always wanted to pick up Solar, but I never had access to all the low numbers and would have a lot of ground to cover.....

So...wait I had questions....LOL....
I have some splatters of different Valiant books, and I am going to pick them up tonight to organize and see what I have. I know I might have a close full run of Shadowman, and a few Bloodshot, Archer and Armstrong and Rai. The funny thing is I first picked up these books with disposable money and now I just want to read the stories.

1. What do you guys (and gals) recommend for reading out of the Valiant comics? I have X-0 Manowar and Solar covered hehehe.
So out of : Archer & Armstrong, Rai, Shadowman, Bloodshot...
Well what are your opinions?

2. Harbingers.....I know zero about them, how are the books and /sigh how tough is putting a reading set together?

3. I WILL have doubles of X-0 Manowar, Solar, and a few other comics...Where do you guys trade books on the site? Thru PM's or the trade section?

4. Is there a thread for people who want to trade books, I read one thread where someone is asking for help to fill holes in their collection. What would be the best way to fill the holes in a collection?

Thanks,
D.

and thanks for the spark Joe............
Doug.

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:46 am

Hola Compadre.

Archer and Armstong #0-12 is one of the best comic runs you can read period.

Shadowman stayed good until the end.

But if you have not read any Valiants, you have got to start with the pre-uni books.

StarBrand · Post by **StarBrand** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:58 am

Welcome to the board.

Druthu · Post by **Druthu** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:15 am

Elveen wrote:But if you have not read any Valiants, you have got to start with the pre-uni books.

Do they cross over into each other? Or...this is just the place to start hehe.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:17 am

welcome to the board

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:21 am

Welcome. As for reading suggestions, A&A is something you can't go wrong with, particularly #0-12. Bloodshot was a solid title. Shadowman was great and one of the few titles that just got better and better as it went along. Issues 1-3 aren't too hot, but once Unity starts up, you get a great ride and then Bob Hall starts as the writer/artist and you're locked in for a terrific run.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:24 am

Welcome to the board, Doug.

Feel free to start your own thread in the Buy/Sell/Trade section of the board. List the books on your needs list and the ones you wish to trade or sell.

As far as other recommended reads...Shadowman, Magnus, A&A, Bloodshot, Eternal Warrior, Harbinger. They are all part of the foundation that made Valiant great back in the day. Unfortunately a lot of the titles start to lose that magic after a certain point, but most are good up until the 30's or so.

The Valiant trades are a great way of sampling the Valiant Universe, so if you can find a lot on ebay for cheap, that would certainly be a great way to start off.

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:25 am

Druthu wrote:
Elveen wrote:But if you have not read any Valiants, you have got to start with the pre-uni books.
Do they cross over into each other? Or...this is just the place to start hehe.

I would also recommend reading the Pre-Unity issues first, followed by the Unity crossover.

The Pre-Unity issues crossed over a little bit, nothing major. For example Harbinger appeared briefly in X-O, Solar appeared in Harbinger, and Shadowman made a cameo appearance in X-O #4.

Welcome to the board!

Escaflown4 · Post by **Escaflown4** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:29 am

Welcome to the boards!

Yeah the buy / sell / trade section will be your best friend if you're looking to complete holes in your collection.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:43 am

I'd say start with the low numbers. I cannot properly describe how good Magnus 1 to 4 and Solar 1 to 10 are.

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:48 am

Chiclo wrote:I'd say start with the low numbers. I cannot properly describe how good Magnus 1 to 4 and Solar 1 to 10 are.

x 2

hulk181man · Post by **hulk181man** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:54 am

JonesyAZ wrote:
Chiclo wrote:I'd say start with the low numbers. I cannot properly describe how good Magnus 1 to 12, Rai 1-7 and Solar 1 to 10 are.
x 2

Fixed it for you guys...btw, welcome Doug

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:15 pm

Elveen wrote:Hola Compadre.

Archer and Armstong #0-12 is one of the best comic runs you can read period.

Shadowman stayed good until the end.

But if you have not read any Valiants, you have got to start with the pre-uni books.

Ditto!

Of course, don't stop until you finish Unity!

Second_Death · Post by **Second_Death** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:18 pm

Elveen wrote:
But if you have not read any Valiants, you have got to start with the pre-uni books.

"So let it be written. So let it be done!"

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:00 pm

Welcome!

I'd work on putting a pre-Unity through Unity collection together and then expanding from there.

Druthu · Post by **Druthu** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:04 pm

Wow....
I really didn't expect all of the responses.
Thank you for all the information.

I have my work cut out for me trying to get some issues together. At least I know I have a box sitting at my fathers to go thru and pull comics from. It is going to suck because the attic it is in, is like going into the 9th layer of hell this time of the year. Good think I brought my bathing suit to hit the pool afterwards LOL.

I don't think I have any Magnus. /cry Maybe #25, the one that is silver. Other than that I don't think I have any.... But I will get a doubles list to post on the trade forum...and like I said before I will have doubles in my X-O Manowar collection, I think the only book I would be looking for in X-O Manowar would be the Pink #15 X-O. Yea I will be posting in the trade area soon.

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:41 pm

Druthu wrote:Wow....
I really didn't expect all of the responses.
Thank you for all the information.

I have my work cut out for me trying to get some issues together. At least I know I have a box sitting at my fathers to go thru and pull comics from. It is going to suck because the attic it is in, is like going into the 9th layer of hell this time of the year. Good think I brought my bathing suit to hit the pool afterwards LOL.

I don't think I have any Magnus. /cry Maybe #25, the one that is silver. Other than that I don't think I have any.... But I will get a doubles list to post on the trade forum...and like I said before I will have doubles in my X-O Manowar collection, I think the only book I would be looking for in X-O Manowar would be the Pink #15 X-O. Yea I will be posting in the trade area soon.

By all means, bro

I have some Pre-Unity doubles that I received in error awhile back. They're yours for free if you will need them

In regard to your surprise for all the responses, you have hit forum paydirt with this site, friend

I am a noob to Valiant as of last year, and this forum has become my official online family. The books and stories that we've shared with each other is unlike any other, bro

Here's to hoping you stick around for a long, fun time

tmcneil82 · Post by **tmcneil82** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:20 pm

Druthu,
I have a ton of unity/post unity valiant extras. I would be more than happy to trade with you and just give you what you need for shipping cost.

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:40 pm

Chiclo wrote:I'd say start with the low numbers. I cannot properly describe how good Magnus 1 to 4 and Solar 1 to 10 are.

Except that Magnus 1-8 is just Fab-ulous...and Magnus stays great to at least #20. Great, I say great.

Oh, I see that hulkman already took care of that...good call on adding Rai to the mix.

Seriously, to read I would get every trade that Valiant put out there. It will be easier, cheaper and faster than getting all of the individual books, but I recommend getting the books as well. The great thing about the trades is the fact that you don't feel bad about re-reading them, which you will want to do, more than likely.

scottmellum · Post by **scottmellum** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:03 pm

Harbingers.....I know zero about them, how are the books and /sigh how tough is putting a reading set together?

Harbinger 0-7 (Children of the Eighth Day) has been collected just recently in a hard bound edition. If you want the individual comics, they are pretty easy (and cheap) to find. This storyline is excellent and is some of the best of the early Valiant stuff. Anything pre-Unity is worth a read (as is Unity itself).

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:45 pm

scottmellum wrote:Harbingers.....I know zero about them, how are the books and /sigh how tough is putting a reading set together?

Harbinger 0-7 (Children of the Eighth Day) has been collected just recently in a hard bound edition. If you want the individual comics, they are pretty easy (and cheap) to find. This storyline is excellent and is some of the best of the early Valiant stuff. Anything pre-Unity is worth a read (as is Unity itself).

I agree, and if you're going to read Valiant you should get to know Harbinger because:

1. It was arguably the best book, at times, in the opinion of more than a few

2. The "harbingers" themselves are key to the Valiant Universe

3. You will love it (Issues 0-25 at least)

4. It will help you understand Episode 10 of the Only The Valiant podcast better!

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:08 pm

I like reason 4

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:14 pm

Yeah, I'm really diggin the podcasts.

Maybe too much! If I can't control myself I'll be begging for new episodes like everyone else!

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:24 pm

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:08 pm

dave wrote:
scottmellum wrote:Harbingers.....I know zero about them, how are the books and /sigh how tough is putting a reading set together?

Harbinger 0-7 (Children of the Eighth Day) has been collected just recently in a hard bound edition. If you want the individual comics, they are pretty easy (and cheap) to find. This storyline is excellent and is some of the best of the early Valiant stuff. Anything pre-Unity is worth a read (as is Unity itself).
I agree, and if you're going to read Valiant you should get to know Harbinger because:

3. You will love it (Issues 0-25 at least)

Yeah, go beyond issue #25 at your own peril......