Wishful Thinking now shoot it down.

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:29 am

MASK was a action figure? Before Dark Horse put it out?

Tsk, tsk, tsk.... what kind of 80's child confuses MASK with The Mask?

Actually, I should have clarified my comments first. Presumably VEI goal is to publish comics (or some other media, but hopefully comics). Many of those things you listed (Transformers, GIJoe, He-man) started off as action figures, and once they were very popular, presumably branched out into comics and cartoons. But my guess is that they didn't start off with the goal of "let's start with an action figure, then move to media).

No matter what VEI does, the VALIANT characters will have ALWAYS have started off as comic books that were published a decade ago.

VEI making a toon, a toy line, a tv show, or a movie based on any of their properties and then release a comic after that would be a smart business decision, not a sign that they don't want to make comics.

If they can get a Hollywood studio or a toy company to give them tons of cash for the license to produce an X-O Manowar movie, a Harbinger TV series, a Rai toon, or Troublemakers action figures before they release a monthly comic, then they could make comics without having to worry about the bottom line, which would give them more freedom to make comics long term without the dread of their getting canceled.

IMO, there is a difference between an action figure that becomes so popular that they want to make more money with cartoons and comics, and using an action figure to drive popularity for a future planned release of comics.

The problem here is marketting the VALIANT concepts as mainstream media, be it toys, movies, or cartoons.

Something like Bloodshot or Eternal Warrior might work on HBO as a live action series, but that's not mainstream, that's obscure. What VEI needs is to implant the concepts in the mind of the mainstream buyer WITHOUT dumbing them down (which is what VH 2 did).

Whether they do that by doing a comic first, or a toy first, or a movie first, or a toon first, or a tv show first is really not that important, long as something gets done.

Rom might have followed that latter model, because if I recall, the comic started coming out right around the same time as the action figure, right?

ROM was before my time, so I can't comment about it.

cjv · Post by **cjv** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:51 am

Oh ah, I vaguely recall MASK now.

Just a little.

Chris

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:56 am

M.A.S.K. was so cool, but I never had any of the toys. I always wanted one of those flying cars, though!

ManofTheAtom · Post by **ManofTheAtom** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:57 am

Heath wrote:M.A.S.K. was so cool, but I never had any of the toys. I always wanted one of those flying cars, though!

I still have a ton of those. They're not in good conditions, though, but I have them.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:03 am

cjv wrote:I want an Armstrong with a "raising arm" action button to bring beer to mouth.

Chris

Hahaha...great idea. They could also make it so he burps when he puts his arm back down.....

Knightt · Post by **Knightt** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:32 am

Action figures ?

How about if we just request a few 'comics' for now.

Dr. Solar · Post by **Dr. Solar** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:41 pm

I hope they don't spend time on action figures, because I don't really care about action figures*. I would not consider them part of a complete Valiant set.

*Except for my old school GI Joe and Star Wars action figures.

TKWill · Post by **TKWill** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:48 pm

cjv wrote:
MASK was a action figure? Before Dark Horse put it out?

At least you didn't think of Rocky Dennis and Cher.

Phoenix8008 · Post by **Phoenix8008** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:16 pm

While I agree that it would be great to see action figures, or movies, or TV shows of Valiant characters...for now I'll be happy with seeing some comic books. Of course, if they can get some money from people by making the toys/movies/etc to help fuel the company and do the comics, then that would be great! As long as they don't end up owing anybody or giving up control over the characters or the company.

The Unknown Spider · Post by **The Unknown Spider** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:23 pm

I think everyone has made a valid point. But there have been some trends that are successful inspite of the marks against them. It's easy to take the worst of a character and say it's not for kids. Obviously they won't promote incest in action figures even made in jest that's a really negative way to view things. The Punisher was no less violent than the Bloodshot and he's had at least 6 action figures made in the last 10 years. the Pitt had only a handful of comics but was the center piece build a figure for wave 1 of Legendary Comic book heroes a line based on independent comic book characters (who didn't have to give up any of their rights to the characters) who have not been successful compared to Marvel and DC characters. It sold very well. Judge Dredd who's only real exposure to an American audience was a movie 10 years ago, Judge death his enemy also was also in the line. Madman was in the first wave he has virtually no audience outside of specialty comic shops. The most famous of the characters in this line is conan. Outside of him the line is image heavey Savage Dragon, Star, Superpatriot Cyber Force's Rip Claw, Stryker(who have not had a regular series in years). Also we have no idea when they are going to release new comics. It might be sooner than we think. The toyfare showcases the toys for the entire year. If there were some it wouldn't mean they were coming out before the books. It might be a double threat! Well no one knows. But it will be fun to find out!