Valiant Covers

wwise03 · Post by **wwise03** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:23:58 pm

Before I start my rant, I love Valiant. More specifically, I love the Valiant stories.

What I don't love is the Valiant covers. They are atrocious. I am sick and tired of paying $4 for a cover that has been crinkled, crumpled, scratched, torn, etc. It is laughable how bad they are. How can a company that puts out such well thought out stories produce comic books that look like they've been mutilated?

I am so frustrated with this week after week that I am about set to just dump the whole universe from my pull list. This coming from someone who has literally every VEI issue since X-O Manowar #1. The company will never grow if it can't even produce comic books that are at least tolerable in terms of mintness.

Rant over.

David_Cody · Post by **David_Cody** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:12:37 pm

I don't know how you can blame VEI for that. I have had very few issues you have described. Must be how they're being shipped to your LCS.

hawkeyeps · Post by **hawkeyeps** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:20:39 pm

I watch this like a hawk, I agree there was a printer defect on the A,B and C covers of Rai #6.

I will photo this and report it to VEI, to be fair they have got a lot better. The last time I noticed a major printing defect prior to this was the XO #0 Mann cover. They all had the same big dent on the cover in the same place.

With Rai #6 there was consistent cover dents across the bottom third of the book. Ironically the books in the best shape were Q2 much to my chagrin. Dr.Mirage was okay too aside from Diamond damage, I got one copy with 2 spine dings and another that was pretty clean. All the Rai #6s were about the same though and I went to 4 different shops looking for a nice one with no luck. Those defects are definitely printer related.

Don't drop Valiant, I'm on it!

x-omatic · Post by **x-omatic** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 11:01:16 pm

wwise03 wrote:Before I start my rant, I love Valiant. More specifically, I love the Valiant stories.

What I don't love is the Valiant covers. They are atrocious. I am sick and tired of paying $4 for a cover that has been crinkled, crumpled, scratched, torn, etc. It is laughable how bad they are. How can a company that puts out such well thought out stories produce comic books that look like they've been mutilated?

I am so frustrated with this week after week that I am about set to just dump the whole universe from my pull list. This coming from someone who has literally every VEI issue since X-O Manowar #1. The company will never grow if it can't even produce comic books that are at least tolerable in terms of mintness.

Rant over.

I hear you.
I have been saying this since Valiant started. I can never seem to get copies without some kind of "flaw". My store returns at least one book a week to Diamond because of damage.
It is extremely frustrating. It has even happened on the trades. It took 3 tries to get the RAI without a spine bend and crease.
I feel like I am buying used books instead of new books.
Doesn't seem to be a problem with any of the other companies I buy.

nycjadie · Post by **nycjadie** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 11:36:26 pm

I can live with flaws on a $4 book, but I'm having a really hard time with the variants. I got one last night that had several spine breaks. There can't be many of these in circulation. Diamond seems to mangle them. At that price, I'm just frustrated. I realize the dealers are at the mercy of production and distribution, but the spine breaks and corner blunts are terrible.

I will say I haven't seen the major interior defects that I saw early on. There were some severe creasing of the interior pages, that were not visible on the cover. Those were pretty bad.

krylox · Post by **krylox** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:51:30 am

add this to the discussion about the x-o omnibus and vei hardcovers in general and you can see that vei has a production management problem on it's hands.
if, as a publisher, you cater to a group of die-hard collectors, who are willing to put a lot of money down for limited variants and are willing to double and triple dip with tpbs and hardcover collection later on, those products you sell should be FLAWLESS.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:12:36 am

Lets keep in mind that these things are made out of trees sliced into paper-thin slices.

The form factor of this delightful medium does not promote durability.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:14:19 am

Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:56:14 am

come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.

Bring your own

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:01:32 am

ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...

Beware Cyclops · Post by **Beware Cyclops** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:10:41 am

lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...

He's obviously in the UK reading your Tweets before heading out to work.

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:16:23 am

Beware Cyclops wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...
He's obviously in the UK reading your Tweets before heading out to work.

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:17:02 am

Beware Cyclops wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...
He's obviously in the UK reading your Tweets before heading out to work.

You're like my own personal Twitter stalker...

Beware Cyclops · Post by **Beware Cyclops** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:25:06 am

lorddunlow wrote:
Beware Cyclops wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...
He's obviously in the UK reading your Tweets before heading out to work.

You're like my own personal Twitter stalker...

Someone's got to keep an eye on you for Venditti.

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:39:05 am

lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...

PST

But where's the joke

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:47:25 am

Beware Cyclops wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
Beware Cyclops wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...
He's obviously in the UK reading your Tweets before heading out to work.

You're like my own personal Twitter stalker...
Someone's got to keep an eye on you for Venditti.

This is true...

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:49:20 am

ilzuccone wrote:
lorddunlow wrote:
ilzuccone wrote:come on guys they are comics. Fold the *SQUEE* up and put it in your back pocket.

Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.
Bring your own

You're in California, right? Just trying to see what time zone you're in...
PST

But where's the joke

Is there supposed to be a joke?

ilzuccone · Post by **ilzuccone** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:08:19 am

Intrepidxc · Post by **Intrepidxc** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:17:50 pm

Tim wrote:Also, while I'm super grateful for VEI's generosity at conventions, I REALLY wish they'd put gold books in AT LEAST a bag and board. It's pretty hand to get them out of a crowded con without some dings.

That's why I bring mylite2s and fullbacks to the cons with me. I've also not been afraid to ask to look through the Gold covers and find the best condition book. VEI doesn't seem to mind...or maybe I'm an ungrateful jerk?

TheFerg714 · Post by **TheFerg714** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:50:03 am

Holy crap, I have a s**t ton of Valiant issues and I haven't noticed a single problem with the covers...

Dallow Spicer1 · Post by **Dallow Spicer1** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:27:16 pm

hawkeyeps wrote:I watch this like a hawk, I agree there was a printer defect on the A,B and C covers of Rai #6.

Ahh....hence the name 'hawkeye'!

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 3:26:02 pm

ilzuccone wrote: Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.

Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. Discussion is OVER. Guys, please read my next sentence and then re-evaluate all your comments above.

VALIANT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEFECTS YOU ARE SEEING NOR DO THEY HAVE ABILITY TO AFFECT ANY CHANGES ON HOW PRINTER PRINTS OR PACKAGES, HOW SHIPPER SHIPS TO DIAMOND, HOW DIAMOND PACKS AND SHIPS THE PRODUCT TO THE RETAILER, AND HOW EACH INDIVIDUAL RETAILER DISTRIBUTES THE PRODUCT TO YOU.

Sorry for the caps, but after 3 years of this, it should finally sink in that it's not VEI problem, they print books at the same printer that Marvel and Dc do, among many others.

lorddunlow · Post by **lorddunlow** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:03:21 pm

paradise wrote:
ilzuccone wrote: Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.
Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. Discussion is OVER. Guys, please read my next sentence and then re-evaluate all your comments above.

VALIANT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEFECTS YOU ARE SEEING NOR DO THEY HAVE ABILITY TO AFFECT ANY CHANGES ON HOW PRINTER PRINTS OR PACKAGES, HOW SHIPPER SHIPS TO DIAMOND, HOW DIAMOND PACKS AND SHIPS THE PRODUCT TO THE RETAILER, AND HOW EACH INDIVIDUAL RETAILER DISTRIBUTES THE PRODUCT TO YOU.

Sorry for the caps, but after 3 years of this, it should finally sink in that it's not VEI problem, they print books at the same printer that Marvel and Dc do, among many others.

Is it because they are shipped in small (sometimes single issue) orders instead of stacks/cases of Marvel/DC?

I do have to admit that only VEI books suffer from this issue at my LCS.

hawkeyeps · Post by **hawkeyeps** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:33:45 pm

paradise wrote:
ilzuccone wrote: Also I really don't think the folks at vei have much to do with the damage.
Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. Discussion is OVER. Guys, please read my next sentence and then re-evaluate all your comments above.

VALIANT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEFECTS YOU ARE SEEING NOR DO THEY HAVE ABILITY TO AFFECT ANY CHANGES ON HOW PRINTER PRINTS OR PACKAGES, HOW SHIPPER SHIPS TO DIAMOND, HOW DIAMOND PACKS AND SHIPS THE PRODUCT TO THE RETAILER, AND HOW EACH INDIVIDUAL RETAILER DISTRIBUTES THE PRODUCT TO YOU.

Sorry for the caps, but after 3 years of this, it should finally sink in that it's not VEI problem, they print books at the same printer that Marvel and Dc do, among many others.

I disagree, this is printing damage not handling damage-

It's the exact same damage across 4 separate covers of the same title and I checked 5 different shops and all the copies were the same. Also this is inconsistent with typical handling damage such as spine dings, tumb stabs and box roll.

I'm sorry to say Ed but I believe this is a legitimate problem that occurs from time to time, not all the time. I remember when the first Delinquents blank came out and the cover stock was glossy, you swore up and down the cover stock was fine even though I had copy in my hand and could see that it was clearly the wrong stock for sketch covers. Within a week or two Valiant had corrected it and re-released them with correct cover stock. I have copies of both and there is definitely a big difference.

Mistakes happen an there is nothing wrong with bringing attention to it. How else do problems get solved?

GammaJosh · Post by **GammaJosh** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:26:24 am

My copies of Rai #6 (acquired in Virginia) all have the same wavy line impressions about 2/3rds the way down the cover.

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