May 2014 Sales Discussion

[leonmallett]

numberzzzzzz me no read numberz. me like little smiley face that tell me it ok

[wwise03]

There has been far less discussion about the numbers since the numbers were actually published.

This thread reminds me of the bs analysis we hear every month from CNBC regarding the jobs report. They talk for an entire week before the numbers are posted about how the next report will be the most important report in the history of ever, and then when the numbers are posted and they are the same as last month's, they move on to something else within 3 minutes.

So when do we start the June 2014 sales discussion? It seems a bit late...

[BugsySig]

So when do we start the June 2014 sales discussion? It seems a bit late...

You just did

[lorddunlow]

So when do we start the June 2014 sales discussion? It seems a bit late...

You just did

[leonmallett]

So when do we start the June 2014 sales discussion? It seems a bit late...

You just did

Good start!

[StarBrand]

This thread reminds me of the bs analysis we hear every month from CNBC regarding the jobs report.

[leonmallett]

I am now hoping that this one thread becomes its 'own thing' on the VF board and livers a long, happy, slightly deranged life....

[nycjadie]

I just read this thread this morning. Hilarious! In all seriousness, I appreciate Tim's comments.

Just a note on those TPB's, there is very little meat on the bone with those sales. For everyone buying from Amazon (self included), Valiant is probably only making a dollar or two, if that. While the content is there, it still needs to be packaged, which costs money. I don't see a ton of money there in the short term.

It's a tough time to be in publishing. I look at these numbers, and I worry about the Shadowman and Bloodshot titles, among others. I'm having a hard time being an optimistic fanboy. I'm voting support with my wallet - I'm buying all titles, all covers. I want to see them succeed.

[Phoenix8008]

I just read this thread this morning. Hilarious! In all seriousness, I appreciate Tim's comments.

Just a note on those TPB's, there is very little meat on the bone with those sales. For everyone buying from Amazon (self included), Valiant is probably only making a dollar or two, if that. While the content is there, it still needs to be packaged, which costs money. I don't see a ton of money there in the short term.

It's a tough time to be in publishing. I look at these numbers, and I worry about the Shadowman and Bloodshot titles, among others. I'm having a hard time being an optimistic fanboy. I'm voting support with my wallet - I'm buying all titles, all covers. I want to see them succeed.

I do buy all titles as well. If I could afford it, I would buy all covers, all trades, all hardbacks, all shirts, all plushies, and anything else they could throw at me to take my money. Sadly, I have yet to win the lottery.

[Carson]

Yeah, I spent about $4000 on valiant in the first year (summer 2012- summer 2013) and then decided I should probably reign that in a bit

I still buy all books, all regular price covers, all TPBs, HCs, some shirts and an occasional 10:1 or bigger cover if I love it and can afford it that week.

I LOVE the brand and LOVE the books, as do most of us on here. I hope they are publishing for decades.

They seem to be doing well, with the recent announcement about Warren taking the Editor in Chief title. Growth was mentioned more than once.

[Elveen]

This is quite a thread.

I'll add a few things....

1) (I am fully aware of the "nanny-nanny boo boo" situation so I don't often talk about stuff that I have "heard" cause I don't want to come off nnbb-ish, but I probably still do....) but I can tell you with 100% certainty that VEI is doing fine financially. They have other ..... um.... "backers" and "supporters" than Mr. Cuneo, so they are OK with the Cash situation. I have questioned about this topic more than a few times, so please believe me, they are OK.
(on a side note, from my small experience with Mr. Cuneo, he is passionate about Valiant and way down for it!)

2) I am NOT speaking for VEI, but stating my perspective of what I have heard the principal members of VEI say..... they have a long plan. This is not some Dynomite re-launch of the GK3 that is already..... um... fizzling, or the Dark Horse Gold Key books. They have a long plan. They have quality, passionate, smart people at all the right places and they continue to get more.
VEI = long plan.

3) I believe that i have a unique perspective in the comic marketplace as a vendor setting up a shows. I have not counted, but I've probably set up more than 20 times in less than 2 years. do you know what are my best sellers at EVERY show (regardless of size or location)??????????
Batman
Spider-Man
Deadpool
Venom
X-Men/Wolverine

Do you know what will be my best sellers next year? and the year after that? I'd guess the same list.
Do you know how many customers buy Saga books at every show? I'd say the average is One, or less than one. Saga is a GREAT book that has TONs of fans and TONS of heat in the "comic marketplace", but VERY little sales on the back issue market at shows. I did a major show (Wondercon) when Manifest Destiny was HOT HOT HOT on ebay.... do you know how many people asked me about that book at Wondercon? A few, like maybe 3.
Scalped #1 BLEW UP on ebay when the show was announced, I had some nice sales on ebay, but at shows..... not much.
My point is that sales are tough for non-name books. I don't know much about then marketplace back in the 90s, but it is very different numbers now.
Bottom line.... VEI has to earn each fan, one at a time. Which leads me to ....

4) VEI has to earn each fan one at a time.
I can also tell you that from my perspective (talking to comic fans at shows) that, slowly (and I mean slowly) new people are getting interested. I have given out (literally) over 40 lbs of single VEI issues and I have had people come back and tell me that "hey I liked that ______________ (VEI book, usually Harby or XO) and I added it to my pull." It's not like VEI can put Ninjak on a cover and instantly get sales (like Marvel can with DEadpool/Wolverine), they have to get each reader one at a time.

5) VEI has shown great decision making and the ability to grow
They picked V-Ditti to launch XO Manowar (at the time..... who???????????) Now he is writing almost 1/3 of the Justice League (it's too late to figure out the % )
Dysart is writing the BEST harbinger story that has been written (this is of course my opinion) and I believe (my opinion) that he is one of the BEST writers in all comics. They signed Cary Nord as an exclusive (along with others) they had other respected professionals in the market place working for them (I'm not going to list all their creators). Basically They had a great core of creators working for them.


Then they brought in Matt Knidt, a WELL respected and recoginized creator in the industry. And he is not just doing like 4 books then he's out..... he is a BIG part of VEI and their plans for the future. I bring this up to show VEI's ability to recognize talent and bring in new talent, and keep new talent.
Don't you think they can and WILL do it again? I DO!!!!! ( ...... ..... )

6) I love this thread!
Fans and peeps come in all sizes.
I remember all the doubters and (some might say haters) back BXOM (before X-O manowar). there were lots..... go back a check out the threads and posts. I was in a fortunate geographic position that I got to hear from the principal characters from VEI (I was not the only one, I was just one of the peeps that were right place right time) so I knew what was coming (VEI #0 was in Blood's Living room and Dino sat there and shared and talked for like 3 hrs about what was going to happen.)
VEI seems to me.... to have a pattern and history of following the plan. I DO understand why some peeps might see the sales #s and be concerned. I can ALSO be a person that can think on the not as good (I always seem to remember the handful of customers that I think I could have served better at the shows and not the tons of others that all went good).
Bottom line, I'm glad that all of us are here. It's a crazy place, and threads like these add to the sabor.

VEI = slow burn to success

(I hope this is coherent..... I'm sleepy)

[RogueJedi74]

Thanks for an awesome update.

This is quite a thread.

I'll add a few things....

1) (I am fully aware of the "nanny-nanny boo boo" situation so I don't often talk about stuff that I have "heard" cause I don't want to come off nnbb-ish, but I probably still do....) but I can tell you with 100% certainty that VEI is doing fine financially. They have other ..... um.... "backers" and "supporters" than Mr. Cuneo, so they are OK with the Cash situation. I have questioned about this topic more than a few times, so please believe me, they are OK.
(on a side note, from my small experience with Mr. Cuneo, he is passionate about Valiant and way down for it!)

Great news! I don't care if Valiant books are being outsold and can't crack the top 100. I just want VEI to be successful and profitable so we can keep getting quality books

2) I am NOT speaking for VEI, but stating my perspective of what I have heard the principal members of VEI say..... they have a long plan. This is not some Dynomite re-launch of the GK3 that is already..... um... fizzling, or the Dark Horse Gold Key books. They have a long plan. They have quality, passionate, smart people at all the right places and they continue to get more.
VEI = long plan.

Well, here is hoping that Dynamite stops doing the books or loses the license. I personally would like to see Matt Kindt add Magnus to the 4001 era or someone work Solar into the Universe.

4) VEI has to earn each fan one at a time.
I can also tell you that from my perspective (talking to comic fans at shows) that, slowly (and I mean slowly) new people are getting interested. I have given out (literally) over 40 lbs of single VEI issues and I have had people come back and tell me that "hey I liked that ______________ (VEI book, usually Harby or XO) and I added it to my pull." It's not like VEI can put Ninjak on a cover and instantly get sales (like Marvel can with DEadpool/Wolverine), they have to get each reader one at a time.

Very true. I was explaining to a co-worker the valiant universe and he was very intrigued. He only reads trades or large hardcovers (10 to 20 printed issues at a time). I pointed him to Harbinger Deluxe HC and he said he would check it out. I believe that we as Valiant fans also need to push the brand as much as possible.

Once again thanks for a great update and helping keeping the fans informed.

[Keith]

Great post, Elveen. Thanks for your perspective!

[grendeljd]

Great post, Elveen. Thanks for your perspective!

+1