Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant story

How did you become a VALIANT collector?

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TheeBaldMoose
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
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Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant story

Post by TheeBaldMoose »

Comics, to me, were always a mystery. I was a card collector when I was a kid, somewhere in my hoard of cards I have a rookie Wayne Gretzky (in poor shape, cuz I was a damn kid!). Mainly, I collected football cards. I figured, I played football, that was one thing I could easily relate to. Girls, Military, Video Games, and the over-watering of cards back in the 90's kind of killed my remaining love for cards and collecting.

I do remember Superman's Death, and was intrigued! I wanted to read about his death, wanted to learn about it, but I was young and impressionable. Dad already coughed up some money to get me started on cards, he wasn't going to open THAT can of worms too.

Military. I was good at that. I could teach, I could yell. They said, go become a Basic Military Training Instructor (Air Force Basic Training), so I did. Met thousands of kids, taught them all, made an impression. Some maintained contact (after their careers started and FB became a thing).

Emerald City Comic Con (Seattle), been going for the last 4 or 5 years, absolutely love it! Started with a few Crossed, didn't last. Year after year I went, mainly for the art and the local comic book talent (still love the Scottish Ninjas). One of the guys I put through Basic Training that I still talk to asked me to hook him up with a few things this year, especially if they were free. Sure I said, If it's for free, it's for me, I'll check it out. He tells me that Valiant was hot back in the 90's, but fell apart in the early 2000's. Started making a huge come back around 2012 in a big way and he was starting to really get back into them. Said he would send me some of his old comics my way as part of a trade. OK, sounds like fun, I'll swing by and take a look. I spent some time studying the history of Valiant (who is this Dinesh character? Acclaim? Movies?).

First stop Thursday AM was at the Valiant table (ECCC is 4 kick *SQUEE* days!), best to see what I can get for free early. Started talking to this short guy with a "Nerd Boss" baseball cap on, and joked that I thought his hat was funny. "Yea, I'm the boss of all these nerds here, even if they don't want me to be (or something of that sort)". OK, I'm still not sure who this guy is at first. I tell him about the guy I put through the military, how he is a big fan, I was curious. I bought a few books (5 for $15 was a good deal), then it donned on me. *SQUEE*, that's the CEO! This whole time, I just thought this guy was the head guy for this table, not the FREAKIN CEO! Honestly, I thought he looked way to young to be a CEO.

So, how is Dinesh evil? Simple, he gave me free crap! Wrath of the Eternal Warrior Gold was the first hook he sank into me. But before he decided to hand it to me, he said "Hey Robert, sign these real quick please" (yea Robert Venditti). He then turned to me and said "This one is for you, and this one is for your friend, tell him I said thank you." Was it a lack of coffee? Second hand smoke (it's legal here)? It didn't click in at all. Many interactions later, purchased T-shirt, Panels, Faith, A&A, Imperium, and Wrath Gold #1's and I was utterly hooked! Set up a pull list a mile long that next Wednesday! Damn you Dinesh (because I know he will read this)! My whiskey allowance (two bottles a month) has now become my comic allowance, and I love (and miss) whiskey!!

Seriously, if a company's CEO spends as much time as Dinesh spent with me, well they have earned my loyalty. Mad Love, Much Respect!
Last edited by TheeBaldMoose on Tue Jun 21, 2016 3:29:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Moose

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TheeBaldMoose
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Posts: 2451
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:03:41 pm
Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
Favorite artist: All of them, really
Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by TheeBaldMoose »

Sorry, I'm a bit of a story teller, I know it's long....


Well, now I know what this *SQUEE* thing is
Moose

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iggy101us
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by iggy101us »

Welcome to the board. Thanks for sharing your story.

There's only one true evil . . . and his name is evil greg. :evil:

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Ricomortis
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by Ricomortis »

That is a kick *SQUEE* story!

Welcome!

And THIS is why Valiant will succeed. (At least one reason)

Rico
Image
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Check out my Gallery for this year: A year in the life of Ricomortis (2018) http://www.valiantfans.com/forum/viewto ... 35&t=50927" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Check out my Gallery for last year: "A year in the life of Ricomortis (2017)" http://www.valiantfans.com/forum/viewto ... 6#p1056798" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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TheeBaldMoose
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
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Posts: 2451
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Valiant fan since: ECCC April 2016
Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
Favorite artist: All of them, really
Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by TheeBaldMoose »

Ricomortis wrote:That is a kick *SQUEE* story!

Welcome!

And THIS is why Valiant will succeed. (At least one reason)

Rico
I totally agree! Kind of felt a little like family, or at least the type of family that may be a bit distant, but still welcome you with a cold beer and a "how have you been". Kind of seems the same way with this website, been feeling quite welcome.

Heck, Paradise is already helping me with some specifics regarding some comics I am searching for, wwise03 selling me his XO Manowar run, I'm enjoying myself!
Moose

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JCP
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by JCP »

Welcome! And yes, Valiant is an addiction without a means to a cure. Would you even want the cure?
Egad, a base tone denotes a bad age!

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bobby97801
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by bobby97801 »

Welcome :thumb:

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grendeljd
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by grendeljd »

Welcome! Enjoy being a part of one of, if not *the* best fan communities around! Nice to hear you got hooked in from the top man himself. The Nerd Boss rules. :thumb:
I like to draw stuff... http://grendeljd.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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paradise
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by paradise »

Great story there, many of us know the Nerd Boss rather well, which NEVER happens at any other company. We have been a community since way before VEI and most of us feed the same addiction, even some of us who are retailers and should know better. You will do well here. Welcome.
Edward
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betterthanezra
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by betterthanezra »

Welcome :thumb:

This is one fun club you're in

-Brian
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https://twitter.com/#!/shadowsip" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My Valiant story here

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by DirtbagSailor »

Welcome!

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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by comicsyte95 »

Welcome! :thumb:
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FormerReader
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by FormerReader »

Welcome! Great story. :clap:

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TheeBaldMoose
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
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Favorite character: Bloodshot/Ninjak/Divinity
Favorite title: Divinity/BS Reborn/Britannia
Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Roberts
Favorite artist: All of them, really
Location: Tacoma
Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by TheeBaldMoose »

paradise wrote:Great story there, many of us know the Nerd Boss rather well, which NEVER happens at any other company. We have been a community since way before VEI and most of us feed the same addiction, even some of us who are retailers and should know better. You will do well here. Welcome.
I have to agree, I've NEVER met a CEO who is as open and as friendly as he is. Totally gets the collecting part of comics. I found this out when I met him and he let me pick the Gold #1's he gave me so that I'd be happy.
Moose

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jmatt
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by jmatt »

TheeBaldMoose wrote:I have to agree, I've NEVER met a CEO who is as open and as friendly as he is. Totally gets the collecting part of comics.
Dinesh is awesome because he's a Valiant fan that also happens to be their CEO. And this forum is a great place to hang. I offer a belated welcome!
Last edited by jmatt on Sat Jul 16, 2016 11:22:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Jace
You gotta have Faith!
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by Jace »

Welcome! As others have said you have discovered the best comic publisher that exists today. Dinesh, Atom!, Andy, Hunter, Josh Johns, Warren, Fred .... Man I could go on and on, but let's just say as a company, to man, they all genuinely care about their fans and about putting out the best books possible. It is indeed a family. Hope you can make it out to SDCC some time or I get to go to ECCC. It's always great to meet new Valiant fans/VF Board members.

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QUARTZ
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Re: Military, Friends advice, Dinesh is evil, my Valiant sto

Post by QUARTZ »

I might be one of those kids you yelled at (was in basic '98). ;)

Welcome to the board! Looks forward to reading your take on the new comics.


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