shaxper
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Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on May 24, 2016 11:26:54 GMT -5
Still have the last two issues of Faith sitting on my "to read" stack. Hope they are as good as the second issue.
I still think the biggest challenge a non-Big Two superhero universe faces in 2016 is cover prices. When the original Valiant came around, it wasn't too costly to check out the various titles for an issue or two. Now it's a serious investment, especially for story arcs that take multiple issues to take shape and resolve. If people are happy enough with Marvel and DC, they aren't likely to make that kind of financial investment in a third universe. That's why I hope a movie will draw more people to the comics and make them more willing to give that universe a chance.
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Post by hondobrode on May 24, 2016 17:31:53 GMT -5
Gladly, I see Valiant is participating in Comixology Unlimited.
That won't hurt anything.
Yes, the movies will certainly help.
Bloodshot & Harbinger are the first two.
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Post by Batflunkie on May 24, 2016 19:13:35 GMT -5
Comixology Unlimited will be a real boon for the indie publishers trying to reach new audiences, Valiant included
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 20:16:06 GMT -5
Comixology Unlimited will be a real boon for the indie publishers trying to reach new audiences, Valiant included Maybe, it looks like several big name creators of creator-owned books are trying to get their books removed form the Unlimited offerings because they were never consulted about their inclusion. Image is already taking a black eye to its rep in some forums/circles for being the face of creator rights and not consulting the creators of the books before signing on with the Unlimited plan for those books. There's a real chance the books that might draw people to such a plan will be pulled before it fully launches or the whole thing could go caput before it gets off the ground and gains traction. I think something of its nature needs to be the next step in bringing comics to the mainstream audience, but they have to do it in such a way that the creators are on board, not opposed to it, or you will get something more like the music industry where the creative types resent the programs and keep their products out of circulation there. The fact they launched this without having all their ducks in a row concerning the creators whose work will be featured is not a harbinger of good things to come. Marvel, Archie, Valiant own the properties the offer in programs like this-Dark Horse, Image, IDW and others do not own most of the properties they are offering. And even creators who do work for hire-like Dan Jurgens-and not creator owned, are speaking out against this because it hurts the creators who may or may not get any royalties out of this. There's even a few creators who extreme reaction has been to ask what it takes to have their books pulled from Comixology altogether, not just the Unlimited service. So there is a lot to be settled before we can know if this is going to be a positive for publishers or something that alienates freelancers and moved them for doing work for other publishers or taking their creator-owned projects elsewhere. There has been a lot of ugliness rearing up since this Unlimited service was announced earlier today. To be fair, some publishers contacted creators and gave them a heads up and in some cases an opt-in/opt out choice for the initial offerings, but not all, and there are already mutterings of boycotting the service among certain segments of fandom (and publishers who did not contact creators ahead of the announcement). So while I think this is the future calling, it certainly has stirred up a seeming shitstorm which is clouding how this is going to affect publishers in the short and long term. It is probably the right kind of move, but if they didn't get the creative types on board for it, they are executing it poorly and shooting themselves in the foot trying to move forward. -M |
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Post by hondobrode on Jun 20, 2016 17:35:37 GMT -5
 Yes ! This issue was the third best selling non-Marvel/DC issue of May behind The Walking Dead and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ! |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Jun 20, 2016 20:55:17 GMT -5
Great cover!
The Rai limited series didn't do enough to pique my interest though, and that's sad, as the original Rai was probably my favorite of the original Valiant Heroes One premises back in the '90s.
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Post by hondobrode on Jun 21, 2016 1:18:54 GMT -5
I'm still reading The First Kingdom series by Jack Katz. Super-dense, and I like it, but it's not an easy read, and most unlike anything else I've read.
Again, I like it, and admire Katz and his scope of vision and ambition, but, I'll jump back on Valiant right after again.
Probably going to throw my weight behind Archie's Dark Circle too, as those look very good as well : The Shield, the Fox, the Black Hood, the Hangman...
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Post by Batflunkie on Jun 21, 2016 8:44:49 GMT -5
Great cover! The Rai limited series didn't do enough to pique my interest though, and that's sad, as the original Rai was probably my favorite of the original Valiant Heroes One premises back in the '90s. I lost complete interest in the original Rai book after issue seven. The fact that it had to be a secondary team up book for Magnus regarding "the all-new Rai" who was a much more pure form of Bloodshot really just rubbed me the wrong way. post-2012 Rai and Ninjak are probably the only books that I actually prefer over their original counterparts |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jun 21, 2016 8:50:29 GMT -5
I lost complete interest in the original Rai book after issue seven. The fact that it had to be a secondary team up book for Magnus regarding "the all-new Rai" who was a much more pure form of Bloodshot really just rubbed me the wrong way. I actually meant the original Rai that first appeared in Magnus #5 and was only the protagonist in his own title for the first five issues. |
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Post by Batflunkie on Jun 21, 2016 10:39:31 GMT -5
Gotcha, that's kind of why I prefer nu-valiant Rai, keeps the tone and spirit of the original intact
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Post by hondobrode on Jun 21, 2016 14:38:51 GMT -5
Current Ninjak is fantastic. I haven't gotten to read current Rai yet.
I loved original Valiant though some of the art was weak in spots.
Acclaim had some better art, but uneven quality here and there. Really loved their Shadowman though.
Current Valiant rocks hard across the entire line with very few weaks spots IMO. The one I really didn't like much was the Drop Dead mini by Ales Kot, but that's a name I've come to actively shun.
Bought some of his Zero from Image as I heard it was decent, but it was very sub-standard IMO. Even with him writing it I still gave it a chance but I dislike his work enough I'll probably pass no matter what he's doing. Pretty rare for me to feel that way about someone.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jul 13, 2016 22:38:04 GMT -5
I may not be reading much Valiant right now, but I've got to say they have the energy and marketing innovation of 1960s Marvel. It's downright exciting to watch some of the licensed stuff they're churning out:   |
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Post by hondobrode on Jul 16, 2016 17:36:39 GMT -5
I don't think it's an accident that they have that feel.
They'll be around, and they're doing what the Big Two don't have : a small, ground roots, accessible, well-defined universe and characters.
That's not to sleight either DC or Marvel, it's just observing that they've been around for over 75 years each, and things get convoluted and inconsistent.
Hopefully Valiant will be able to find a way around those negative factors and keep the characters and continuity straight and engaging.
I've thought before that you don't have to be the biggest to be the best. Not being controlled by huge Corporate Giants, let it grow organically, the right way, and still fairly accessible to the public by being the Smaller Better Company.
Maybe I'm wrong, but almost everyone has that's tried to out do DC and Marvel have failed. Valiant staying consistent and accessible with top tier quality will hopefully see them move up in sales.
As the movies and other media follow, I think they can be the solid # 3 in the publics mind if they follow this strategy.
BTW, as far as the graphics there, I am selling vinyl and supplies to sign shops and car wrap shops.
If a person likes this idea, but wants a different box (like a banker's box or a long box), you can do your own. A shop could print whatever graphics you like and supply and print them on vinyl with an adhesive backing that you can peel and apply. These shops are everywhere, even some small towns. I hadn't thought of it until now, but later will wrap my collection when Susan and I get a bigger house with a den and a dedicated wall for my collection.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Jul 16, 2016 18:51:43 GMT -5
I hadn't thought of it until now, but later will wrap my collection when Susan and I get a bigger house with a den and a dedicated wall for my collection. That sounds amazing. I expect many pictures when it eventually happens! |
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Post by hondobrode on Jul 16, 2016 19:08:04 GMT -5
I will indeed.
Probably won't be for a couple of years yet.
My collection is in storage and for all intents is practically inaccessible.
I'm also going to be able to frame and mat my art pieces. Instead of having it done, I want to find out what's involved to do it myself.
I've got more art than wall space, so I'll frame them and rotate them as I like.
Can't wait !
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