Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer

[leonmallett]

Just a reminder... Fred Pierce said this is like Harbinger #0 Pink. How much did it cost to read Harbinger #0 Pink when it was released in the 1990s?
$100+ if you bought it from a dealer.
At least $12 (plus taking scissors to Harbinger #1-#6) if you got it by coupons.
There were less than 7,000 people who could read it at a time that Valiant sold 150,000 books a month.

Is the Legends of the Geomancer $100+?
Will you need to cut up six other Valiant books to get it?

And finally... did Harbinger #0 Pink destroy Valiant?

I didn't own a copy of Harbinger #0 Pink until just recently. So I read the issue by purchasing the alternate reading option that was offered, the 0 issue included with the trade paperback (which I had to pick up to read issue #4, which I missed when it hit the stands).

As of now, there is no indication that there will be an alternate way to read this book (legally). Also, just because something has been done before doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Harbinger #0 Blue (February 1993) was released six months after Harbinger #0 Pink (June or July 1992). There can't be any real comparison between Harbinger #0 and LotG #1 until an affordable version of LotG exists.

I'm all for what an earlier poster said. Let there be a limited incentive version so that the collectors' can finally find some meaning in their lives and have a mass produced version so I can read it for cover.

[leonmallett]

I'm starting to rethink my stance on Valiant altogether now. I've been trying to read everything, but the constant rebranding of titles (which my LCS is incredibly bad at ordering for me) and now this stunt has really soured me. Oh, well...

The constant rebranding of titles doesn't have to be a problem. At the moment I think it's fairly affordable to pick up every Valiant comic from my LCS every month, and I'm a student for God's sake...

I just tell my LCS to order ALL Valiant titles BAR NONE - that saves any confusion when things like "Oh, it says on his pull list 'Quantum and Woody', but this comic is 'Quantum and Woody Must Die', does he want this one?" crop up. The rebranding isn't really a problem if you just set out a clear arrangement with the staff at your LCS.

That is my approach too (same with Dark Circle Comics or any line i buy all of, including imprints within a line). Makes it easier, with only 1 hiccup I can vaguely recall.

[leonmallett]

I don't particularly think its that funny that between now and release day people who want Legend of the Geomancer are going to come to the realization may not be able to get it.

Thats another two months of disgruntled fans.

Theres no way everyones going to realize whats going on by the time Initial orders are due in two weeks or so!!

I think you are right Paul, and the mixed response from retailers does underscore that.

[String]

With all this angst over LotG, I feel this incentive is overshadowing the main event, which should be BOD.

I'm still looking forward to reading BOD and it's tie-ins but as far as LotG is concerned, I'm opting out. If you feel comfortable paying $20+ for $8 bucks worth of comics, go right ahead, that's your money. Myself, I cannot justify it. I've stated how I feel about this, how VEI is dismissing the digital market for this event and as a primary digital consumer, I'm left in the backwash of this event.

Sure, it may be end up being good exposure for VEI and I'm not quitting on them because of this one promotional event, but I haven't bought a physical copy of a Valiant monthly issue in over a year or two. My LCS isn't all that local, it's over 45 minutes away from my home. I stop by there about once every two months but based on the very limited amount of business I bring them, I feel awkward and unjustified in trying to sell them on this promotion, all in the hopes that I can pay extra for one book. (And for the record, every time I do stop by this store, they do have quite a selection of Valiant titles available, both on the rack and in backstock. But like Dunlow mentioned with his LCS I think, this store also does a huge gaming business, of which comics are just a part)

Yes, I may be able to order a copy online, but again, why should I be forced to instead of simply hitting the 'Buy Instantly' key on Comixology? VEI is forcing me to choose to undertake a speculator hunt if I want to read this story.

As another poster mentioned a few pages back, not everyone reads everything that Marvel and DC publishes and/or prints. I don't and I feel comfortable about that. So If VEI wishes to join the ranks of the Big Two, then I may have to start applying the same logic, that there are going to be certain VEI titles that I don't or can't read. LotG appears to be joining that list (a list which, frankly, Q&W is already on).

[paradise]

As another poster mentioned a few pages back, not everyone reads everything that Marvel and DC publishes and/or prints. I don't and I feel comfortable about that. So If VEI wishes to join the ranks of the Big Two, then I may have to start applying the same logic, that there are going to be certain VEI titles that I don't or can't read. LotG appears to be joining that list (a list which, frankly, Q&W is already on).

Nor should a publisher be putting out a product that appeals to 100% of its audience, because they should be going after other audiences. Q&W in our stores sells to non-Valiant readers. These guys won't pick up Bloodshot but love Q&W and A&A. And i am sure in the future VEI will want to diversify more. I am not necessarily talking "creator-owned comics" because I think that's a mistake for them, no reason to fight it out with Image, Boom and IDW. But genres that will move to the left and right of the main superhero/sci-fi universe.

[agent_graves]

I wanted to read this series, but if I have to beg and plead with my store to get a copy of it for me by over ordering issues they don't want to get, then I have to pay $20 for each issue....I'm out. Apparently Valiant doesn't want me, a fan who has been along since X-O Manowar #1 to read this series by making it so damn hard to get (and at an affordable price; which $20 per issue is NOT).

I'm starting to rethink my stance on Valiant altogether now. I've been trying to read everything, but the constant rebranding of titles (which my LCS is incredibly bad at ordering for me) and now this stunt has really soured me. Oh, well...

Here we go again!

[mietha]

Interesting comment on Facebook re: DCBS on this. Now this is a poster reporting what DCBS said, so read into that what you will, as well as how the poster has couched it (and accepting that the reply from DCBS may have been taken out of context):

https://www.facebook.com/ValiantComics/ ... %22R%22%7D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I contacted DCBS about it and asked THEM to contact valiant concerning this, which they actually did. They basically blew them off. Since DCBS has pushed Valiant HARD since the very first new book, X-0 #1, and is a LARGE part of why Valiant has done as well as they have, well, that's really all I need to know. $110 million has apparently made them think they can do whatever they want. They have learned nothing from the history of their own company or the industry as a whole. If they are not bankrupt and out of business in 5 years, I will be VERY surprised. I have cancelled my titles and will laugh when their comics fail and their movies bomb. They basically just slapped their ***** across the faces of the people who put them in the position to be given the DMG money. I hope they enjoy while it lasts, because it WON'T last.

OK, so first of all it's someone's comment about what someone said, and then that first guy's opinion about it. I doubt DCBS feels left out by VEI as they make a ton of money on VEI books. And it's not about the DMG money. Anyone thinking that is an idiot (sorry if it's someone here too). VEI wants to continue the tradition established by original Valiant of pushing the crap out of the envelope on promoting the brand. This is one of their many attempts to do something different. There will be others, and not everyone will like every one of them. I don't see anyone complaining about the gold books.

Here is the thing. It is NOT VEI's fault that DCBS did not look at the order form which clearly listed the book as a 1:25 incentive right in the solicitation. VEI were made aware that DCBS and a couple of other sites were selling the Legends book as a regular cover price book. I am sure they did not want DCBS to look bad, and I would assume contact was made, and the listing was fixed. So that's on DCBS. I hope nobody expects DCBS to honor that $2.00 price or anything like that. They may still do it, but they don't have to. It was an honest mistake.

Here is my final thought on this matter, I will not post in this thread any more:

One more time:

- It's really cheap to order the books ($20 for 25 copies)
- They are returnable, but at that price, any retailer who does not try to sell them is an idiot, refusing $3.20 mark up on 80 cents
- There are 5 covers to choose from, to promote buying multiple copies
- There are 1:10 and 1:20 variants to help offset the tiny cost.
- There is a guy (Atom) who will call for you personally and try to convince the store.

Any retailer who can't sell one of each cover plus 2 variants and Legends (7 books) for $25 and still have 20 extra books for free does not deserve to have a store, whether they return books or not.

And if you will read everything from them except this book, your world will not end. And if you think that it will, then go ahead and quit, because you have bigger problems, it seems. And you are punishing yourself more than you are punishing VEI by quitting, so I don't expect anyone to do it.

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in. I understand why they are having to charge $20 for the issue. Most of the people on this board will, as well. Do you think MOST of their customers will? No. No they will not. And they will think that it is, at least in part, DCBS's fault, which it certainly is not. And of COURSE it's about the DMG money. If they didn't have that to play with, do you think they would take that risk? If this promotion is SUCCESSFUL, it could COST them a VERY large sum of money (if everyone that bought Ninjak #1 (their best selling book from the most recent diamond list), bought BOD:LOG and BOD, that would leave 600,000 copies unsold and would be a LOSS of $480,000). Marvel has BILLIONS and wouldn't take that kind of gamble. Do you think IDW or Zenescope would? Of course not. They were given 10 million dollars to increase their distribution. This is one way they will be wasting it. And you really don't think that MAYBE Valiant should have contacted DCBS, and the other major retailers, about what they were doing BEFOREHAND? I mean, obviously, DCBS should have caught that they were doing an insane, never before done, promotion... They very likely DID see what was listed and assumed that no normal listing was a mistake (which it is, but not in that way) that would be corrected later. And, no, they aren't honoring the $2 an issue price, and I don't think anyone faults them for that. And, buddy, you might be a little biased there. LCSs are pretty much the only people this COULD work out for, and unless your title is a lie, that is what you are.

[mietha]

I don't particularly think its that funny that between now and release day people who want Legend of the Geomancer are going to come to the realization may not be able to get it.

Thats another two months of disgruntled fans.

Theres no way everyones going to realize whats going on by the time Initial orders are due in two weeks or so!!

I think you are right Paul, and the mixed response from retailers does underscore that.

Yeah, good point. This entire BS is based around everyone noticing what they are doing MONTHS in advance and acting upon that. Most RETAILERS aren't going to catch it in time, not to mention customers. I've not dealt with a LCS for my monthly comics in about 14 years nor their customers in about 15 (I worked at one for a few years before that), but I'm going to guess that the VAST majority of LCS customers don't read previews, don't keep up with news, and don't order specific issues months in advance. If they wanted to do that, why the hell are they dealing with a LCS? Most won't even know the comic exists until it is advertised in the other comics (and you KNOW it will be), and then they'll go to their LCS and go "well, how do I get this" and their LCS will answer "well, you don't". So they'll either not get it, or pay $50 or more on ebay for it. If you think you'll be able to buy a copy for anywhere NEAR $20 day of release, you need a reality check. Personally, if I were an LCS, I'd order all I could afford. You'll either make money or get your money back. All it will cost you is tying up money for however long that takes, time, and hassle. Valiant WILL lose money, and probably customers. Fans WILL be violated. LCSs will, at worst, come out even, so MAYBE comic shop owners opinions on this topic should be taken with a grain of salt...

[mietha]

Just a reminder... Fred Pierce said this is like Harbinger #0 Pink. How much did it cost to read Harbinger #0 Pink when it was released in the 1990s?
$100+ if you bought it from a dealer.
At least $12 (plus taking scissors to Harbinger #1-#6) if you got it by coupons.
There were less than 7,000 people who could read it at a time that Valiant sold 150,000 books a month.

Is the Legends of the Geomancer $100+?
Will you need to cut up six other Valiant books to get it?

And finally... did Harbinger #0 Pink destroy Valiant?

I didn't own a copy of Harbinger #0 Pink until just recently. So I read the issue by purchasing the alternate reading option that was offered, the 0 issue included with the trade paperback (which I had to pick up to read issue #4, which I missed when it hit the stands).

As of now, there is no indication that there will be an alternate way to read this book (legally). Also, just because something has been done before doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Harbinger #0 Blue (February 1993) was released six months after Harbinger #0 Pink (June or July 1992). There can't be any real comparison between Harbinger #0 and LotG #1 until an affordable version of LotG exists.

I'm all for what an earlier poster said. Let there be a limited incentive version so that the collectors' can finally find some meaning in their lives and have a mass produced version so I can read it for cover.

Harbinger #0 was designed to A: if you bought issue 1, give you a reason to buy 2-6 B: was designed to sell copies of the TPB at a time when such sales were not common and C: was conceived when the company was STARTING. This is three years into this version of the company. This is designed to get retailers to order MASSIVE numbers of a single title, which both parties are fully aware will not sell. If they were REALLY doing what they claim, it would have been a 5:1 or 7:1 incentive, not 25:1. They KNOW those comics aren't selling, they're just trying to snag a high position on the diamond chart, and pay a high price (in more ways than one) to do it. Voyager had no way of knowing anyone would give a crap about Harbinger #0, much less pay hundreds of dollars for it. When they did figure it out, they did a reprint. Valiant is flatly stating there will be no reprint and a future digital version is a maybe. I'm not really seeing how you can compare the two on any level.

[magnusr]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

[Donovan]

Harbinger #0 was designed to A: if you bought issue 1, give you a reason to buy 2-6 B: was designed to sell copies of the TPB at a time when such sales were not common and C: was conceived when the company was STARTING. This is three years into this version of the company. This is designed to get retailers to order MASSIVE numbers of a single title, which both parties are fully aware will not sell. If they were REALLY doing what they claim, it would have been a 5:1 or 7:1 incentive, not 25:1. They KNOW those comics aren't selling, they're just trying to snag a high position on the diamond chart, and pay a high price (in more ways than one) to do it. Voyager had no way of knowing anyone would give a crap about Harbinger #0, much less pay hundreds of dollars for it. When they did figure it out, they did a reprint. Valiant is flatly stating there will be no reprint and a future digital version is a maybe. I'm not really seeing how you can compare the two on any level.

Yeah, a Harby #0 incentive would just reach COMPLETELY different goals from what they are trying to do here. The two can't even be compared.

[mietha]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

They are, for the most part, very, very good, but I will completely agree with you in that, when they miss a solicitation, it is somehow NEVER their fault. I usually get the "the publisher failed to fill the re-order", which is funny, because why did there NEED to be a RE-order when everything is supposed to be PRE-ordered... But, on the other hand, I order around 150 books a month from them and I can only think of a small handful of issues that they've failed to fill in almost 4 years I've been dealing with them. They did forget to mail my package once as well. To be fair, though, I know one of the missing issues, and I believe the missed mailing as well, came during the mailordercomics acquisition transition, which I don't think was a particularly wise move on DCBS's part, but I'm sure MOC's customers appreciated it. I've felt the burn when a mail order company folded (UCI), so I'm glad those people didn't have to suffer through that.

[paradise]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

They are, for the most part, very, very good, but I will completely agree with you in that, when they miss a solicitation, it is somehow NEVER their fault. I usually get the "the publisher failed to fill the re-order", which is funny, because why did there NEED to be a RE-order when everything is supposed to be PRE-ordered... But, on the other hand, I order around 150 books a month from them and I can only think of a small handful of issues that they've failed to fill in almost 4 years I've been dealing with them. They did forget to mail my package once as well. To be fair, though, I know one of the missing issues, and I believe the missed mailing as well, came during the mailordercomics acquisition transition, which I don't think was a particularly wise move on DCBS's part, but I'm sure MOC's customers appreciated it. I've felt the burn when a mail order company folded (UCI), so I'm glad those people didn't have to suffer through that.

No retailer, whether it is DCBS, myself or any other, can possibly blame VEI for that solicit, and not knowing that it was going to be an incentive. Take a look at the Previews catalog solicitation, how could anyone miss it? There is a box that says" RETAILERS!!!!!

[erwinrafael]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

They are, for the most part, very, very good, but I will completely agree with you in that, when they miss a solicitation, it is somehow NEVER their fault. I usually get the "the publisher failed to fill the re-order", which is funny, because why did there NEED to be a RE-order when everything is supposed to be PRE-ordered... But, on the other hand, I order around 150 books a month from them and I can only think of a small handful of issues that they've failed to fill in almost 4 years I've been dealing with them. They did forget to mail my package once as well. To be fair, though, I know one of the missing issues, and I believe the missed mailing as well, came during the mailordercomics acquisition transition, which I don't think was a particularly wise move on DCBS's part, but I'm sure MOC's customers appreciated it. I've felt the burn when a mail order company folded (UCI), so I'm glad those people didn't have to suffer through that.

No retailer, whether it is DCBS, myself or any other, can possibly blame VEI for that solicit, and not knowing that it was going to be an incentive. Take a look at the Previews catalog solicitation, how could anyone miss it? There is a box that says" RETAILERS!!!!!

I see that the Previews catalog very clearly states the returnability clause, the discounts, etc. How could any retailer miss those important terms?

[Paul Nolan]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

They are, for the most part, very, very good, but I will completely agree with you in that, when they miss a solicitation, it is somehow NEVER their fault. I usually get the "the publisher failed to fill the re-order", which is funny, because why did there NEED to be a RE-order when everything is supposed to be PRE-ordered... But, on the other hand, I order around 150 books a month from them and I can only think of a small handful of issues that they've failed to fill in almost 4 years I've been dealing with them. They did forget to mail my package once as well. To be fair, though, I know one of the missing issues, and I believe the missed mailing as well, came during the mailordercomics acquisition transition, which I don't think was a particularly wise move on DCBS's part, but I'm sure MOC's customers appreciated it. I've felt the burn when a mail order company folded (UCI), so I'm glad those people didn't have to suffer through that.

No retailer, whether it is DCBS, myself or any other, can possibly blame VEI for that solicit, and not knowing that it was going to be an incentive. Take a look at the Previews catalog solicitation, how could anyone miss it? There is a box that says" RETAILERS!!!!!

I see that the Previews catalog very clearly states the returnability clause, the discounts, etc. How could any retailer miss those important terms?

Completely agree. My supplier is currently waiting on a reply from Diamond UK as to details of returnability on these shores.

[paradise]

Completely agree. My supplier is currently waiting on a reply from Diamond UK as to details of returnability on these shores.

Paul, if you can't work it out with your guy (I really do hope you do) I can sell you a set. I already offered it here in this thread to anyone abroad (for now) so PM me if and when you are interested.

[leonmallett]

I've talked with them further about it. I've never claimed that they felt "left out", but that are NOT happy about being put in the position that they have been put in.

It is sad to see how DCBS always feel they have to blame someone else to discuss problems. When they forget to mail a package, it's the post office that has not picked it up, when they don't want to admit what a service rep has written, then they pretend the email doesn't exist and when they miss a solicitation, then they claim "the publisher failed to note the item correctly".

I don't know if you are quoting them or just giving an approximate recap of what they told you, but it sure sounds similar to how they blamed VEI when I talked to them, and in my case it was easy to see that their answer was infactual (making me suspicious about some previous communications from them, so I gave up on them).

In short, DCBS has put themselves in the situation they are in, and no communication from them should be used as a factual argument in any discussion. Having said that, it is very clear now that Valiant should have been even clearer, but that must be discussed on its own merit, without obfuscation from DCBS.

/Magnus

They are, for the most part, very, very good, but I will completely agree with you in that, when they miss a solicitation, it is somehow NEVER their fault. I usually get the "the publisher failed to fill the re-order", which is funny, because why did there NEED to be a RE-order when everything is supposed to be PRE-ordered... But, on the other hand, I order around 150 books a month from them and I can only think of a small handful of issues that they've failed to fill in almost 4 years I've been dealing with them. They did forget to mail my package once as well. To be fair, though, I know one of the missing issues, and I believe the missed mailing as well, came during the mailordercomics acquisition transition, which I don't think was a particularly wise move on DCBS's part, but I'm sure MOC's customers appreciated it. I've felt the burn when a mail order company folded (UCI), so I'm glad those people didn't have to suffer through that.

No retailer, whether it is DCBS, myself or any other, can possibly blame VEI for that solicit, and not knowing that it was going to be an incentive. Take a look at the Previews catalog solicitation, how could anyone miss it? There is a box that says" RETAILERS!!!!!

I see that the Previews catalog very clearly states the returnability clause, the discounts, etc. How could any retailer miss those important terms?

Completely agree. My supplier is currently waiting on a reply from Diamond UK as to details of returnability on these shores.

My understanding is that they should have a better idea of how Legend of the Geomancer will be available in the UK early this week, and local retailers should have the details shortly after that.

[mietha]

Well, so far, DCBS is $20 and Midtown is $34. Lone star and Mile High still have it listed at normal price, but I'm assuming that's simply because they haven't noticed yet. Having dealt with both subscription services in the past, there is basically zero chance they are honoring those prices. And to Mr. Super Defender of Valiant Idiocy Retailer, have you bothered to ask the conditions for issues 2-4? We know they will be 1:10 instead of 1:25, but as far as I know, that is ALL that has been revealed about them. I'm betting those are neither 80% off or returnable. The conditions for #1 are obviously VERY retailer friendly. I just don't see them doing that for all 4 issues. I have a feeling there are going to either be a LOT of unsold sets of Book of Death or quite a few rather unhappy customers. They say they are trying to artificially recreate Valiant's past, and, in my opinion, they are, but the past they are re-creating is Deathmate not Harbinger #0. You won't be able to buy a blind lot of comics on ebay for years without multiple copies of Book of Death in it.

[Intrepidxc]

Well, so far, DCBS is $20 and Midtown is $34. Lone star and Mile High still have it listed at normal price, but I'm assuming that's simply because they haven't noticed yet. Having dealt with both subscription services in the past, there is basically zero chance they are honoring those prices. And to Mr. Super Defender of Valiant Idiocy Retailer, have you bothered to ask the conditions for issues 2-4? We know they will be 1:10 instead of 1:25, but as far as I know, that is ALL that has been revealed about them. I'm betting those are neither 80% off or returnable. The conditions for #1 are obviously VERY retailer friendly. I just don't see them doing that for all 4 issues. I have a feeling there are going to either be a LOT of unsold sets of Book of Death or quite a few rather unhappy customers. They say they are trying to artificially recreate Valiant's past, and, in my opinion, they are, but the past they are re-creating is Deathmate not Harbinger #0. You won't be able to buy a blind lot of comics on ebay for years without multiple copies of Book of Death in it.

Ok, I haven't weighed in on the whole Legends of the Geomancer issue but I've had enough of the hostility that is present in this thread. It's obvious that people have different views on LOG and that's ok. We don't need to resort to name calling, etc. Just discuss your opinions (and they really are opinions at this point on both sides). There is no need to get heated or frustrated with each other over a comic book.

[lorddunlow]

Wow. This thread sucks.

I blame Canada.

Really cool of Ed to offer packages of the book to international members.

I do have one question for you, Ed: I know of the deal you're offering to us here to obtain the book, but I'm not willing to plop down $70 for essentially 2 books (plus various incentive covers). Don't get me wrong, you're running a great deal, but it's not for me.

For your loyal in-house customers, are you allowing them to purchase LotG at an a la carte price? You've said yourself that it is a no-brainer for our LCSs to do so because of returnability and discounts and making up cost by selling the incentive covers and such. If so, what are you planning on charging them? I'm just curious.

Regardless of what anyone else thinks of this promotion, it has soured me some. It may be irrational, but it is what it is. I've already decided that if my LCS didn't pull Dead Drop for me, I'm not going to even bother with it judging by the comments in the published issues thread. I'm also out of on anything associated with Q&W.

To be honest, I've been less active on here because of this stupid thread. It *SQUEE* me off when I see it, and then many of the posts are so hostile and circle-jerky that it has failed to have a point.

There have been about 150 posts since I last checked in on it. Nothing has been added to the discussion except Ed offering to sell to international members (which is awesome). I'm going to see if Ed responds to my question above and then I'm going to avoid this thread.

It is clear that VEI have accomplished one thing with this, though - they've divided the most rabid fan base into two warring factions. That doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

[Intrepidxc]

Wow. This thread sucks.

I blame Canada.

Really cool of Ed to offer packages of the book to international members.

I do have one question for you, Ed: I know of the deal you're offering to us here to obtain the book, but I'm not willing to plop down $70 for essentially 2 books (plus various incentive covers). Don't get me wrong, you're running a great deal, but it's not for me.

For your loyal in-house customers, are you allowing them to purchase LotG at an a la carte price? You've said yourself that it is a no-brainer for our LCSs to do so because of returnability and discounts and making up cost by selling the incentive covers and such. If so, what are you planning on charging them? I'm just curious.

Regardless of what anyone else thinks of this promotion, it has soured me some. It may be irrational, but it is what it is. I've already decided that if my LCS didn't pull Dead Drop for me, I'm not going to even bother with it judging by the comments in the published issues thread. I'm also out of on anything associated with Q&W.

To be honest, I've been less active on here because of this stupid thread. It *SQUEE* me off when I see it, and then many of the posts are so hostile and circle-jerky that it has failed to have a point.

There have been about 150 posts since I last checked in on it. Nothing has been added to the discussion except Ed offering to sell to international members (which is awesome). I'm going to see if Ed responds to my question above and then I'm going to avoid this thread.

It is clear that VEI have accomplished one thing with this, though - they've divided the most rabid fan base into two warring factions. That doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

It's always Canada's fault.....um yeah!

[kjjohanson]

I'm going to see if Ed responds to my question above and then I'm going to avoid this thread.

That's what Ed said too, about a half dozen of his posts back.

I think the popular response to those threatening to quit anything was, "You'll be back."

It is clear that VEI have accomplished one thing with this, though - they've divided the most rabid fan base into two warring factions. That doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

And that's the primary reason, objectively, that I don't think this promotion is a good idea.

[Donovan]

And to Mr. Super Defender of Valiant Idiocy Retailer...

[kjjohanson]

I'm going to see if Ed responds to my question above and then I'm going to avoid this thread.

That's what Ed said too, about a half dozen of his posts back.

I think the popular response to those threatening to quit anything was, "You'll be back."

It is clear that VEI have accomplished one thing with this, though - they've divided the most rabid fan base into two warring factions. That doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

And that's the primary reason, objectively, that I don't think this promotion is a good idea.

Or at least, not so much the fan vs fan, but I think the general hostility between various elements due to a disparity in access to the book.

[iggy101us]

I'm going to see if Ed responds to my question above and then I'm going to avoid this thread.

That's what Ed said too, about a half dozen of his posts back.

I think the popular response to those threatening to quit anything was, "You'll be back."

It is clear that VEI have accomplished one thing with this, though - they've divided the most rabid fan base into two warring factions. That doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

And that's the primary reason, objectively, that I don't think this promotion is a good idea.

Or at least, not so much the fan vs fan, but I think the general hostility between various elements due to a disparity in access to the book.

This just in . . . for every 25 copies of LoG #1 ordered, retailers can order 1 copy of Book of Death: The Geomancer Wars - a special 40-page comic reprinting the heated discussions on VF.com regarding Valiant's variants program.