New VALIANT series by Matt Kindt

[leonmallett]

Id like to see valiant slowdown a bit and work on the titles that are current.

Business-wise, perhaps not the ideal strategy for VEI though. They need to build their profile and their sales, and more books are a key component to that.

[Phoenix8008]

Id like to see valiant slowdown a bit and work on the titles that are current.

Yeah, the current titles suck. Who wants to read them?

I totally understand where you're coming from, man. However, other than Q&W, every title is at it peak performance IMHO. Bring on more books!

I think VEI is going slow and steady enough. A few new titles each year is fine IMHO. I would like to see the art become more consistent, but story wise they're all doing well enough I think. EW & the new Shadowman arc/team don't have enough there to judge them negatively yet so I'm cool with waiting to see where they go.

What do people think would be a good plateau for VEI to get to and stop adding more titles at (if there is a # limit)? 15 titles? 20 titles? Or is it just a matter of 'however many titles they can do while still maintaining or improving their current quality'? I don't see them getting to 50+ titles like Marvel/DC anytime in the next 10 years, but I wouldn't be opposed to it eventually if they could somehow keep up the quality. Is that even possible though?

[leonmallett]

Id like to see valiant slowdown a bit and work on the titles that are current.

Yeah, the current titles suck. Who wants to read them?

I totally understand where you're coming from, man. However, other than Q&W, every title is at it peak performance IMHO. Bring on more books!

I think VEI is going slow and steady enough. A few new titles each year is fine IMHO. I would like to see the art become more consistent, but story wise they're all doing well enough I think. EW & the new Shadowman arc/team don't have enough there to judge them negatively yet so I'm cool with waiting to see where they go.

What do people think would be a good plateau for VEI to get to and stop adding more titles at (if there is a # limit)? 15 titles? 20 titles? Or is it just a matter of 'however many titles they can do while still maintaining or improving their current quality'? I don't see them getting to 50+ titles like Marvel/DC anytime in the next 10 years, but I wouldn't be opposed to it eventually if they could somehow keep up the quality. Is that even possible though?

I think there will be a natural limit (not sure what the limit would be, but meaning substantially less than Marvel or DC per month) unless VEI can have a breakthrough property. Each of Marvel and DC have a few key characters or teams that tent-pole their publishing.

[Captain Craig]

What do people think would be a good plateau for VEI to get to and stop adding more titles at (if there is a # limit)? 15 titles? 20 titles? Or is it just a matter of 'however many titles they can do while still maintaining or improving their current quality'? I don't see them getting to 50+ titles like Marvel/DC anytime in the next 10 years, but I wouldn't be opposed to it eventually if they could somehow keep up the quality. Is that even possible though?

I wouldn't say stop, I'd say suspend adding titles.

Somewhere around 10-12, which may be in year 4 or 5 depending on how much they add this year AND assuming nothing gets cancelled. They are at EIGHT titles now and we all now RAI is coming, lets call it NINE for simplicity even if thats 4-5months away.

I'd still like to fill those 3 slots with: Timewalker, Geomancer and Psi-Lords.

Timewalker can bridge between present and future. He's running from "sentient cities" recall.
Geomancer can interact with all 3 Ana Padda brother books, deal with the Faraway and of course her own independent crises.
Psi-Lords is your link to Harbinger in the present, ties with RAI and related Bloodshot histories, the sentient cities etc.

I think they've been fairly daring by relaunching and maintaining core popular characters within the VEI Universe. Also by relaunching one of the Acclaim titles and perhaps most daring, launching an all new title never done before--UNITY.

[hunter_peterson]

What do people think would be a good plateau for VEI to get to and stop adding more titles at (if there is a # limit)? 15 titles? 20 titles? Or is it just a matter of 'however many titles they can do while still maintaining or improving their current quality'? I don't see them getting to 50+ titles like Marvel/DC anytime in the next 10 years, but I wouldn't be opposed to it eventually if they could somehow keep up the quality. Is that even possible though?

I wouldn't say stop, I'd say suspend adding titles.

Somewhere around 10-12, which may be in year 4 or 5 depending on how much they add this year AND assuming nothing gets cancelled. They are at EIGHT titles now and we all now RAI is coming, lets call it NINE for simplicity even if thats 4-5months away.

I'd still like to fill those 3 slots with: Timewalker, Geomancer and Psi-Lords.

Timewalker can bridge between present and future. He's running from "sentient cities" recall.
Geomancer can interact with all 3 Ana Padda brother books, deal with the Faraway and of course her own independent crises.
Psi-Lords is your link to Harbinger in the present, ties with RAI and related Bloodshot histories, the sentient cities etc.

I think they've been fairly daring by relaunching and maintaining core popular characters within the VEI Universe. Also by relaunching one of the Acclaim titles and perhaps most daring, launching an all new title never done before--UNITY.

I'd prefer some more books than that, personally. We need a Doctor Mirage book and there's lots of great unused Valiant properties left that could carry ongoings, the most obvious being Ninjak. I could see the Summer of Valiant adding/refreshing books for a number of years. I mean, they refreshed Bloodshot with the addition of HARDCorps, so it would be strange if they didn't spin off on their own in a year or two.

[BugsySig]

I think 12, then 16, are good numbers to shoot for and pause at for a while. 12 would fill out the current line up with most of the major VALIANT IPs. 16 would then allow for several new concepts to add to the line up.

[Shadowman99]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

[krylox]

it has to be rai.
and we will know how many vei books the market can carry when the first one gets cancelled. any bets, which one that will be?

[Captain Craig]

I'm not predicting a cancellation of any title till after year 5.
Dinesh said they had a business model in place that allowed for 5years before profitability became a strong factor per title. I'm paraphrasing but feel that was the boilerplate of it all.

Bring this back up in 2015. Title strength may have fluctuated by then vs what the answer(s) might look like now.

[krylox]

I'm not predicting a cancellation of any title till after year 5.
Dinesh said they had a business model in place that allowed for 5years before profitability became a strong factor per title. I'm paraphrasing but feel that was the boilerplate of it all.

Bring this back up in 2015. Title strength may have fluctuated by then vs what the answer(s) might look like now.

i don't really think they would continue publishing any series, regardless of the print run. i mean, it's not only about the money, but why waste talent and effort on a title nobody wants to read, if you can launch a new one?
my guess is that eternal warrior in this form won't last another year. but they could also do it the marvel way and just reboot after one year, i guess we'll wait and see.

[Captain Craig]

My guess is you are wrong...about Eternal Warrior.

Sure, once the ROI per title becomes an issue I wouldn't dispute your first point but we aren't there yet and the current titles are maintaining a healthy enough distribution ratio at present.

Eternal Warrior went 50 issues he's got a following. The book will crest issue 12 or 15, where ever it is your starting point is for "another year". It'll hit issue 25 at minimum, bank on it.

[krylox]

My guess is you are wrong...about Eternal Warrior.

Sure, once the ROI per title becomes an issue I wouldn't dispute your first point but we aren't there yet and the current titles are maintaining a healthy enough distribution ratio at present.

Eternal Warrior went 50 issues he's got a following. The book will crest issue 12 or 15, where ever it is your starting point is for "another year". It'll hit issue 25 at minimum, bank on it.

i sure hope you're right. but the trend looks very bad three issues in:

SEP / Eternal Warrior #1 17,224
OCT / Eternal Warrior #2 11,984 | - 30%
NOV / Eternal Warrior #3 9,628 | - 20%

[Captain Craig]

It's a leveling off cycle. All the books go through it.
Not sure where the thread was that shows the average for VEI is about 9-12K for all titles across the board.
I'd look for EW to be close to flat for issue #4, even spike with #5 as it's the 4001 A.D. arc which many suspect is a harbinger of the return of RAI.

[Phoenix8008]

It's a leveling off cycle. All the books go through it.
Not sure where the thread was that shows the average for VEI is about 9-12K for all titles across the board.
I'd look for EW to be close to flat for issue #4, even spike with #5 as it's the 4001 A.D. arc which many suspect is a harbinger of the return of RAI.

+1

Don't look at stats for the first 3 issues and judge that in a vacuum. Issue #1 is always much bigger from people buying for 'collectability'.
Then issue #2 is lower and 3 lower still. X-O Manowar didn't really stop dropping till after issue 12, and even that was a temporary flattening for a few months.
Here, check this out...


See, they all drop by half or more from issue #1 and then usually some more from 2 to 3. Give EW some time to flatten out.

[hunter_peterson]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

[Bl00dsh0t]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

I would also love to see a Dr. Mirage book, however, I'd like some closure on her unfinished cameo in the second arc of Shadowman first.

[krylox]

It's a leveling off cycle. All the books go through it.
Not sure where the thread was that shows the average for VEI is about 9-12K for all titles across the board.
I'd look for EW to be close to flat for issue #4, even spike with #5 as it's the 4001 A.D. arc which many suspect is a harbinger of the return of RAI.

+1

Don't look at stats for the first 3 issues and judge that in a vacuum. Issue #1 is always much bigger from people buying for 'collectability'.
Then issue #2 is lower and 3 lower still. X-O Manowar didn't really stop dropping till after issue 12, and even that was a temporary flattening for a few months.
Here, check this out...


See, they all drop by half or more from issue #1 and then usually some more from 2 to 3. Give EW some time to flatten out.

you are right. still, eternal warrior #1 didn't start with impressive numbers (and therefore leeway down) in the first place.

[Shadowman99]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

I would also love to see a Dr. Mirage book, however, I'd like some closure on her unfinished cameo in the second arc of Shadowman first.

Those are some pretty sound reasons, can see how a Dr. Mirage book can fill in a few gaps that the Valiant U is currently missing. I'm not convinced that specifically not having a crime book or a book focused on a couple's relationship are really all that important in the grand scheme of things, but I'd definitely agree that the other aspects mentioned are more than adequate reasons to include a book that caters to those missing elements in Valiant's current offering.

[hunter_peterson]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

I would also love to see a Dr. Mirage book, however, I'd like some closure on her unfinished cameo in the second arc of Shadowman first.

Those are some pretty sound reasons, can see how a Dr. Mirage book can fill in a few gaps that the Valiant U is currently missing. I'm not convinced that specifically not having a crime book or a book focused on a couple's relationship are really all that important in the grand scheme of things, but I'd definitely agree that the other aspects mentioned are more than adequate reasons to include a book that caters to those missing elements in Valiant's current offering.

I agree, I really only included those things to illustrate how a Dr Mirage book could offer a lot of things we don't have yet. Would be cool. Though I'd also like to see her built up a bit first, hopefully she appears in Shadowman down the road.

[Phoenix8008]

It's a leveling off cycle. All the books go through it.
Not sure where the thread was that shows the average for VEI is about 9-12K for all titles across the board.
I'd look for EW to be close to flat for issue #4, even spike with #5 as it's the 4001 A.D. arc which many suspect is a harbinger of the return of RAI.

+1

Don't look at stats for the first 3 issues and judge that in a vacuum. Issue #1 is always much bigger from people buying for 'collectability'.
Then issue #2 is lower and 3 lower still. X-O Manowar didn't really stop dropping till after issue 12, and even that was a temporary flattening for a few months.
Here, check this out...


See, they all drop by half or more from issue #1 and then usually some more from 2 to 3. Give EW some time to flatten out.

you are right. still, eternal warrior #1 didn't start with impressive numbers (and therefore leeway down) in the first place.

EW started with about the same numbers as Q&W or Harbinger Wars which are from preceeding months. I'd say that's due to saturation of titles and a coolling of the Valiant speculation as they've been around for a bit now. It's the new normal, but I'd say that just means it's closer to 'real' numbers, but not there really until 4-5 issues or more.

[Phoenix8008]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

I like these reasons and I'd very much like a book that hit these points with this character I think. If they don't do a full 4001 Summer of Valiant in 2014, I now hope Dr. Mirage gets this kind of a book alongside a new Ninjak book. Maybe you should submit a pitch to VEI to write this kind of story, and if not, hopefully another good writer sees this and goes in this direction!

[Captain Craig]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

You are speaking of the old Dr.Mirage here. We have no solid proof that the current Dr is even involved with anyone, let alone living with them and maintaining a relationship. The rest of the points still hold though.

[leonmallett]

We need a Doctor Mirage book...

Why do we need a Dr. Mirage book?

She's barely surfaced twice in Shadowman, so why is it so important that she gets her own book? I'm really curious about your thought process here.

Because the magic corner of the Valiant U is barely fleshed out as opposed to the immortal and harbinger parts if it, there are no female led books, we don't have a crime noir book and we don't have a book focusing on a couple's relationship. It fills a lot of niches that aren't being filled at the moment.

All pretty good reasons, even if not definite aspects for a hypothetical Dr. Mirage book as others have noted.

The key to me diversifying the types of book a little more, even if it does not fit a specific genre such as crime or noir.

Ultimately, a character that could do with more exposure, in her own book or elsewhere. But then there is a clamour for Ninjak, and he isn't seeing his own solo title yet.

[Shadowman99]

Ultimately, a character that could do with more exposure, in her own book or elsewhere.

I do agree that it seems very odd to have introduced this character to the universe, and then barely used it for half a year

[leonmallett]

Ultimately, a character that could do with more exposure, in her own book or elsewhere.

I do agree that it seems very odd to have introduced this character to the universe, and then barely used it for half a year

Agreed.

Kind of like things got derailed. I suspect she would have been more prominent, but was pushed out of Shadowman for story space and no-one else has yet really seen a way to use her since then (she is a character who could easily fit into Archer and Armstrong, as well as further Shadowman - even as a way to offer more exposure; hell Unity if Harada can see some use for her is a sound vehicle, even if as a cameo).