VEI Success?

FormerReader · Post by **FormerReader** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:09 am

I've been reading several of the threads dealing with the return of Valiant in 2012.

My question is, how would you define success? Is it getting all the titles released again? Is it getting the sales numbers?

Does anyone think Valiant 2012 can reach the success of Valiant 1990's?

raymondsolar · Post by **raymondsolar** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:26 am

There is absolutely no chance of Valiant 2012 reaching its 1990's peak sales figures. The best selling comic book from the big two (DC and Marvel) failed to crack 100,000 copies in sales this past month and DC Comics are publishing two iconic characters that gave birth to the superhero industry as we know it, Superman and Batman.

FormerReader · Post by **FormerReader** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:32 am

I should have stated before posting, but I've been out of collecting for 17yrs.

Since sales will never reach 1990's levels, how would everyone define a successful return of Valiant comics?

A percent of the market comparable to 1990 levels? A quality of the stories comparable to the 1990's?

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:54 am

Knock either IDW or Dark Horse out of the top 5

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 1:13 am

IMO, success = sustainability.

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:33 am

As Elveen says, its gotta be sustainable. And gotta be able to please at least a few of us moaning gits.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:11 am

Maintaining decent sales numbers enough to attract attention to get things going in other media - toys, movies, tv, books, video games.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:12 am

I sure don't envy the task of trying to launch a new comic book company in today's climate. I just hope they are paying attention to the way Dark Horse has been handling the GK books and know that you cannot expect a line to survive that way.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:14 am

400yrs wrote:Maintaining decent sales numbers enough to attract attention to get things going in other media - toys, movies, tv, books, video games.

Yep. If they can maintain not just numbers but a certain level of quality-which can be hoped to help with the numbers-they will be doing well. I would assume the earliest merchandise we'd see would be things like stickers, buttons, rings and pens/pencils given away or sold very cheaply at comic shops. Then in a few years, we'll probably see either a movie or a video game. I'm thinking A&A has the biggest potential as a live action series.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:20 pm

BruceReville wrote:Knock either IDW or Dark Horse out of the top 5

They might wanna start smaller first like passing Boom Studios in quality and sales.

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:34 pm

Draco wrote:
BruceReville wrote:Knock either IDW or Dark Horse out of the top 5

They might wanna start smaller first like passing Boom Studios in quality and sales.

Sorry - But I Want To Think BIG! - We need something better than the status quo we have had lately.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:52 pm

BruceReville wrote:
Draco wrote:
BruceReville wrote:Knock either IDW or Dark Horse out of the top 5

They might wanna start smaller first like passing Boom Studios in quality and sales.

Sorry - But I Want To Think BIG! - We need something better than the status quo we have had lately.

Oh for sure, i was just being a realist, they haven't announced creative teams for the non existent books yet, so to be producing a top 10 publishing schedule is way off, but a good place to start.
Worry about the really big boys in a few years when the comic world stands up and shouts 'I love Valiant' from the rooftops.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:55 pm

In terms of sales, outdoing Boom! would be nice. In terms of quality, well...if they were better than DC or Marvel-not a huge challenge, I know-but at least that would be better than what DH managed with the DK line and a damn sight better than much of Acclaim.

My real hope is they can become the best written line of superhero books in the business.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:58 pm

xodacia81 wrote:
My real hope is they can become the best written line of superhero books in the business.

Amen.

cplsimon · Post by **cplsimon** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:00 pm

Daniel Jackson wrote:
xodacia81 wrote:
My real hope is they can become the best written line of superhero books in the business.
Amen.

Yep yep.

Draco · Post by **Draco** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:12 pm

xodacia81 wrote:In terms of sales, outdoing Boom! would be nice. In terms of quality, well...if they were better than DC or Marvel-not a huge challenge, I know-but at least that would be better than what DH managed with the DK line and a damn sight better than much of Acclaim.

My real hope is they can become the best written line of superhero books in the business.

It is possible, moreso for us and of course we are biased, but with the right creative teams they sure can.
I think someone at VEI said they had been inundated with requests to work on books/characters, which i believe, we have to remember the creators are all fans too and something like Valiant wasnt just known for gold covers.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:13 pm

Can I just say right now that there ain't no way in hell these books are ever coming out?

That way if they do come out I can buy and enjoy them and if they don't I will finally be able to convince everyone that my cynicism transcends mere snarkyness and approaches actual precognition.

greg · Post by **greg** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:31 pm

Tim wrote:Can I just say right now that there ain't no way in hell these books are ever coming out?

That way if they do come out I can buy and enjoy them and if they don't I will finally be able to convince everyone that my cynicism transcends mere snarkyness and approaches actual precognition.

I've often said that pessimists can never be disappointed.
They are either proven correct or become pleasantly surprised. Win-Win.

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:14 pm

i dont think that VEI has to beat DC or Marvels sales figures to be sucessful.All they would have to do is make some well written books that have some nice art on both the covers and inside(quality speaks for itself).

Also get the books out with few delays if possible ,(and if not keep the fans a heads up when not possible)and advertise to get new readers to start buying their comics as well as a cue to older fans when to buy them.Those points are what what i believe they need to be a real sucess even if they dont sell allot of books at first.

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:49 pm

Jay Tomio wrote:
i dont think that VEI has to beat DC or Marvels sales figures to be successful
I don't think anyone does because it's not even a realistic possibility in its formative years.

Thats for sure,but ill be reading VEI comics over DC or Marvel any day!

IanAlexavier · Post by **IanAlexavier** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:24 pm

I think I would consider VEI successful once they've published 5 titles, with tight continuity, enjoyable stories, and reasonable art for 4 years with taking a small chunk of the market. I dont think they need to have a HUGE market share, just enough to keep their universe rolling along, people enjoying their books and making some cash on their investment.

Im really hoping that VEI has been in the planning stages for over 5 years and already considers themselves successful based on their business plan.

A big part of me hopes that I will feel they are successful when I have that same feeling I had 20 years ago. Im not hoping for the SAME EXACT magic.. but a SIMILAR magic to enjoy.

FormerReader · Post by **FormerReader** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:09 pm

Can anyone tell me what type of talent is being brought in for the release?

How do the current artists are writters compare to those of 20yrs ago.

I missed half the 90's and all of the 00's, so I still remember how good Valiant was and I'm fairly optimistic at this point.

etos45 · Post by **etos45** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:07 am

Elveen wrote:IMO, success = sustainability.

That's pretty much my estimation for success. If they are printing comics (on time) and continue to print comics (of quality) then VEI is a success. I just want a Valiant back that makes me feel the way that old Valiant did (continuity and quality stories)... if they can do that and continue to do that then they are a great success in my book and I will buy all of their titles.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 3:01 pm

BruceReville wrote:Knock either IDW or Dark Horse out of the top 5

Dark Horse=MAYBE

IDW=NO WAY.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:48 pm

I thought Image was the weakest of the top 5.