My Newb Valiant Story!

[coachjamie]

My name is Jamie.....I think I may be coming addicted...not 100% sure just yet though, lol. First off, I am 39 years old and literally just purchased a comic book for the first time in October. My daughter just turned 17 at the end of Nov, and she has been getting into Super Heroes and stuff big time over the past couple of years. Well, she had been talking about wanting to get some comic books and start getting into them. So I said ok, I know of a comic book store not too far from where I work. I will take you there soon and see what it' all about.

So I was near the store one day for my work and I decided to stop in and check it out. I went in and was honestly kind of weirded out at first. This place I went into, was not actually a comic store, but a Local Gaming store that happened to have comics as well. They have a bunch of tables and stuff where people meet up and play D&D and Warhammer and stuff like that I guess. They have a small display in the back, with a selection of current issues and then some boxes set up with past issues. Well, I decided since I walked in there, I would pick up a few things to give my daughter a taste to see if it was something she wanted me to take her to and pursue this. I picked up a Thor God of Thunder, Teen Titans & an Avengers book. I read them all myself as well after I left and then gave them to her. She really liked them and wanted me to take her to the store ( was the only one I knew of at the time ). Nov came and went, we didn't go. Then I went in again in Dec and I purchased a few more for her for XMAS. I got her a few more Teen Titans, the new Harley Quinn #1, and another Avenger book. Again, I read them before I wrapped them up. My interest was also peaking.

Leading up to this, her and I had been watching a bunch of movies and stuff. I bought her a bunch of shirts, and stuff she was wanting for XMAS that was all Super Hero stuff. Since she had noticed I was also showing some interest, she got me some things as well. If any of you have a teenage daughter you know how hard it is to be able to find some things in common with them! Normally they are at the point of not wanting to be seen with you and stuff like that. Fortunately, we have a lot of things in common. I have coached her playing soccer and flag football though the years, we have always been video gamers, like going to movies, stuff like that. But I had been seeing that this is just one more thing, that her and I can do together! She is a junior in high school and plans to go away for college, so I don't have much time left with her! When she starts talking about this kind of stuff, she turns into a little girl again almost. I absolutely love that about her! So, I said, I need to get into this with her! I started looking around online and stuff, and learning what I could.

Right after XMAS I found another store. An actual Comic Book store. I went in on Dec 27 and checked it out. Wow! What a difference! Very knowledgeable staff, a huge selection and neat atmosphere! Some reason I am not really drawn to the DC or Marvel stuff. I think the main reason being is there are soooo many book series for the characters, I don't know where to begin. Or if I get into one, will I need the others to know what is going on, etc. I had read a review on IGN about Quantum and Woody #3. They gave it rave reviews. From what I read about the review, it seemed like something I thought I could get into. So, I asked the guy in the store about the Quantum and Woody stuff. So I picked up issue#1 to check out. I also picked up a new series that was on the shelf InDestructable. I went home and told my daughter about the place, and said I am taking you tomorrow to check it out. I read the Q&W issue and I really liked it.

So we went back to the store on Saturday and I picked up Q&W issue # 2 and #3. While I was in there I overheard him telling a guy about another book called God Is Dead. It sounded really interesting as well to me. So I went ahead and Picked up issue 1-4 of that. My daughter had a great time looking at everything and she picked up about 5 different books to check out. I am really glad I found that place and it was her first experience in a comic store, I think if I had taken her to the other place, she might not be as interested , idk.

So ever since I read the Q&W books, I have been trying to see what all Valiant had to offer. Reading online about Archer and Armstorng, Unity , Shadowman , X-O and Harbinger. So I am going to the store at lunch to get a few issues to check out. I found this site through my searches for Valiant info. Read alot the past few days.

So....is it too early to be addicted? Lol, if I am....oh well! I look forward to many years hopefully having something fun to read, discuss and enjoy collecting with my daughter! I think my 13yr old son will most likely get into it as well. He picked a few of mine up and was checking them out. My wife just picks at my daughter and I about it, but also is glad it gives us some Father Daughter time.

Thanks for reading if you did. If anyone has some advice for a total Comic Book newb, I am all ears!

[comicsyte95]

Welcome!

[lorddunlow]

Welcome to the boards! It's fun here. Just make sure to avoid the Canadian members like MarkRoseHFX - they have cyber-cooties.

[caniac]

Welcome to the boards

[BugsySig]

Welcome

Great story. If you like Quantum & Woody, definitely try Archer & Armstrong. I think you and your daughter would also really like Harbinger.

[coachjamie]

Welcome

Great story. If you like Quantum & Woody, definitely try Archer & Armstrong. I think you and your daughter would also really like Harbinger.

Ok. I just came back from the comic store. I purchased A&A #0 and #1, Unity #1 and #2, Shadowman #13 (the new story arc). I will check out Harbinger as well next time I go. I started to get a copy of Eternal Warrior as well. But I figured that was enough for now.

[kevinbastos]

Welcome. If you like, look for the newer ones in quarter bins - or check out the digital ones. Or TPB's.

Check it out.

And oh. dunlow=jmatt

[lorddunlow]

And oh. dunlow=jmatt

Kevin, your math is off. The more correct equivalency is dunlow=jmatt - Harbinger #1 Gold

[bobby97801]

Welcome

[MarkRoseHFX]

cool story, welcome to the board!

Welcome to the boards! It's fun here. Just make sure to avoid the Canadian members like MarkRoseHFX - they have cyber-cooties.

*SQUEE*bag

[BugsySig]

And oh. dunlow=jmatt

Kevin, your math is off. The more correct equivalency is dunlow=jmatt - Harbinger #1 Gold

[Daniel Jackson]

Great story. Very cool that you and your daughter can share a hobby. I tried numerous times to get my kids interested in comics, but no dice.

[coachjamie]

Great story. Very cool that you and your daughter can share a hobby. I tried numerous times to get my kids interested in comics, but no dice.

Yeah I am not looking forward to her going off to college, so I will take any tie with her I can get.

[Jace]

Welcome to the boards. It is exciting that you found a great hobby to share with your daughter. I tried to get my teenage son into comics a few times over the years. It wasn't until San Diego Comic Con 2011 when DC was abut to launch their NEW 52 that he finally dove in. A combination of the trip to the convention and a re-start where he felt he didn't have to read all that came before did the trick. Now SDCC is a vacation he and I take every year together. Even though he is off at college I always know we will have that time together every year. So I definitely recommend finding a good convention you can make an annual event with your daughter.

As far as collecting and reading books ... buy, collect and read what you like. Don't be afraid to try new books and different publishers. In a lot of ways we are in a golden age of comics right now. I think there are more great books to read on a monthly basis than ever before. A combination of lot of 'Indy' publishers as well as self-published, kickstarter, etc. has the whole field of comics overflowing with amazing stories and beautiful art. I believe you have done yourself a huge favor by finding this particular forum. There is a lot of friendly advice and knowledge to be found in these threads. Many threads talk about great books from other publishers and it is easy to ask about specific titles and get a response and recommendations. If the book is being published there is a good chance someone here has read it.

All that being said I think the company publishing comics today who cares the most about their fans is Valiant. It isn't even close. They care enough about their fans to put out amazing books. That may seem like a strange statement, but what I mean is VEI knew going in that they had a small but dedicated fan base that were going to buy the books regardless of quality. They also knew that in the long run quality stories and content would grow the company the right way. As much as we loved the original Valiant, mistakes were made and it was the comics that suffered. Those mistakes led to the demise of Valiant and we the fans paid the price by not having the quality books to read that made Valiant matter so much to us. VEI certainly has the fans in mind with the path they have chosen so far. Additionally a lot of the VEI guys, both staff and creators go out of their way to interact with fans. Be it signing books or coming to the SDCC trivia and poker night, these guys are accessible and it's a joy to support such a passionate group of guys.

[mkb28]

Hello Jamie:

Welcome to the Board and yes, you are addicted! The good thing is you are among friends with the same problem!

If you want to learn all about Valiant, go to this page and just start exploring all the links:

http://www.valiantfan.com/valiant/siteindex.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love how you are sharing this new experience with your daughter. My 3 kids have varying degrees of interest when it comes to comics. What a great opportunity for some father/daughter time!

Take care,

Michael
Mkb28

[coachjamie]

I appreciate all the great info. Itt is weird how I feel drawn to the Valiant books so far. Maybe because they have fresh stories not too far in that I can collect all the books I guess, makes it seem more accessible. I really liked Unity, A&A and Shadowman! I feel like I want to also check out Bloodshot and also Harbinger as well.

[mkb28]

I appreciate all the great info. Itt is weird how I feel drawn to the Valiant books so far. Maybe because they have fresh stories not too far in that I can collect all the books I guess, makes it seem more accessible. I really liked Unity, A&A and Shadowman! I feel like I want to also check out Bloodshot and also Harbinger as well.

Yes, definitely check out Harbinger and Bloodshot and don't forget X-O Manowar. Three of my favorites!

[The Noto]

Welcome

Great story. If you like Quantum & Woody, definitely try Archer & Armstrong. I think you and your daughter would also really like Harbinger.

This.

Really cool story, I love hearing about more teens getting into comics too.

[betterthanezra]

LOVE this story welcome to the Boards!!!

-Brian

[Aram]

Great story! Welcome to the boards!

I think what makes Valiant better as a company than the rest right now is mainly that it is Directed by a Fan, and it makes sure things are done right. The CEO cares completely about the books and the fans who buy them and has a dedication to quality and consistency that is setting the stage not just for good stories today, but I believe even greater books consistently into the future.

I also think you are coming in at a great time to both Valiant and comic books in general.

[Burrito Boy]

I'm a bit rusty but I think it goes something like this:

Welcome to the board.

Here, have a taco.

[BugsySig]

I'm a bit rusty but I think it goes something like this:

Welcome to the board.

Here, have a taco.

Welcome back.

Here, have a taco

[FormerReader]

Welcome!

[leonmallett]

Welcome (once again!) to the comic book hobby Jamie, and thanks for sharing your story.

I am curious to know your take after delving deeper into the VEI line of books.

[coachjamie]

Well, I have gotten a few other issues now and can definitely say I am addicted,lol. I now have Bloodshot: Hard Corps, Harbinger, XO, Unity, A&A, Q&W, & Shadowman on my pull list. The one book that got me hooked ( Q&W ) the first 4 issues, is now my least favorite. Only because the art is sooooo bad it just takes away from the book in my opinion. I am thinking of dropping this one, but will wait through this next arc I guess and see how it goes. I really like Unity! Looking forward to seeing where that goes. I have only read 2 issues of Shadowman 13&14, but it seems really interesting.

One thing that I really like about Valiant so far is how most of the titles are integrated in some way. Obviously Q&W and Shadowman are their own thing, but the others are all together. So I get a bigger part of the story and am learning more about the characters that way. A&A, I have only read #0 and #1 so far. It seems like it will be a good title to get into also. I have only read #19 & #20 of XO. I got those due to the Unity tie in. I then added that to my pull list. I will get back issues as I go I guess and catch up after I have them all. I bought the four Harbinger Wars issues. I liked that a lot.

I have yet to check out Eternal Warrior. I may do that soon. I am sure I will check out Rai and Ninjak when they come out. Overall I like what I have seen out of all the Valiant titles. There have been times I have been a bit lost on what was going on, but overall has been pretty easy to get up to speed. I am sure the back issues will clear anything else up.

I know that when I look at the Marvel and DC stuff, I feel I could easily get very lost! There are so many books the different characters, I just would not know where to start! My daughter has gotten into a few of the ones that have recently started up. I have read them all as well. Some I like, som enot so much. I still seem really drawn to the Valiant universe in general. I recently added TWD to my pull list, and I already had God is Dead and Indestructible on it as well. Just to have a few things different. Picked up a few copies of East of West, not added to my pull list though yet. I could be happy with just the Valiant titles though I guess.