Will DC's $3 books hurt Valiant

[jshelton2001]

I'm still not feeling great about A&A. I think I'm completely dissatisfied with the art. I hope that's what's keeping me from enjoying it.
I mean, I hate the art so bad, I can't tell if the writing is good or not... It makes me worry about Harbinger: Renegades.

I've felt the same way about the art on this title. I don't hate it - Lafuente is a pro, but I don't like the silly cartoon vibe it gives the series.

I have been able to visualize it drawn differently when I read it - and I think it would have been a much better reading experience in the hands of Clayton Crain, Francis Portela or Pere Perez again. This style completely ruins my natural desire to suspend disbelief & enjoy a book that is actually set in a 'realistic' [or at least somewhat grounded] fictional setting where the rest of the Valiant characters exist. Looks like Lafuente only drew the first arc though, so I'm happy to carry on giving it a chance to keep getting better under another artist.

I think the writing has been pretty good overall with only a few nitpicky exceptions. Going off the way he wrote this character arc for Aram, I'm sure Rafer Roberts will have the range of skill to handle Harbinger Renegades in a different tone than A&A too.

+1

I did not like the art at all at first, but I accepted it after issue 2 since the story was so good and it is always interesting to see a new take on some of my favorite characters.

Of course I'm apparently also a big weirdo because I just might have liked a few artists more than BWS on the original A&a run.

Mike Norton is doing the next arc, which I'm looking forward to - I think that's the same Mike Norton who is doing Revival at Image, which is a really good comic. I like his work.

Yeah.. Same Mike. I really enjoyed his work on Green Arrow. He also done an issue of Guardians Team Up. I know he also did the covers of the first several issues of Agents of Shield. Ill be seeig him at the Memphis Con later in the year & hope to get an A&A sketch. I have really enjoyed Wrath & A&A.. Even though I may be in the minoritity. The art in A&A isn't my cup of tea, but I don't hate it, & the story has been fun.

[grendeljd]

I'm still not feeling great about A&A. I think I'm completely dissatisfied with the art. I hope that's what's keeping me from enjoying it.
I mean, I hate the art so bad, I can't tell if the writing is good or not... It makes me worry about Harbinger: Renegades.

I've felt the same way about the art on this title. I don't hate it - Lafuente is a pro, but I don't like the silly cartoon vibe it gives the series.

I have been able to visualize it drawn differently when I read it - and I think it would have been a much better reading experience in the hands of Clayton Crain, Francis Portela or Pere Perez again. This style completely ruins my natural desire to suspend disbelief & enjoy a book that is actually set in a 'realistic' [or at least somewhat grounded] fictional setting where the rest of the Valiant characters exist. Looks like Lafuente only drew the first arc though, so I'm happy to carry on giving it a chance to keep getting better under another artist.

I think the writing has been pretty good overall with only a few nitpicky exceptions. Going off the way he wrote this character arc for Aram, I'm sure Rafer Roberts will have the range of skill to handle Harbinger Renegades in a different tone than A&A too.

+1

I did not like the art at all at first, but I accepted it after issue 2 since the story was so good and it is always interesting to see a new take on some of my favorite characters.

Of course I'm apparently also a big weirdo because I just might have liked a few artists more than BWS on the original A&a run.

Mike Norton is doing the next arc, which I'm looking forward to - I think that's the same Mike Norton who is doing Revival at Image, which is a really good comic. I like his work.

Yeah.. Same Mike. I really enjoyed his work on Green Arrow. He also done an issue of Guardians Team Up. I know he also did the covers of the first several issues of Agents of Shield. Ill be seeig him at the Memphis Con later in the year & hope to get an A&A sketch. I have really enjoyed Wrath & A&A.. Even though I may be in the minoritity. The art in A&A isn't my cup of tea, but I don't hate it, & the story has been fun.

Nice! If you do get a sketch, be sure to share on the boards!

I don't think you're in a minority of fans for likin Wrath or the current A&A book - Wrath has been excellent & I think people in general are giving A&A pretty positive reviews overall. Personally, I'm only trying to separate the art from the writing in terms of what I like & don't like about the book. I think it's a good book so far overall.

[Shadowman99]

I've enjoyed A+A so far. The story's been amusing and I like that the art is different to anything else that's come from VEI so far. The plot is obviously pretty out there and I think the zany cartoon art style suits the it well.

[whovian]

Valiant might be hurt slightly, though I think Marvel will suffer the most damage. DC usually gives 20 pages of story and art for $2.99, while Marvel charges $3.99 for the same. Valiant, though also $3.99, usually has 22 pages of material. Frankly, Marvel gives less bang for the buck than pretty much every publisher out there -- and their super-hero books are so awful I can't understand why anyone buys them. DC's latest relaunch could change that if they play it smart.

[Phantom]

In Australia a 4US comic costs 6.50 while a 3US goes for 5AU so there's that.

WOW, that puts it in perspective for me. Growing up in Australia (now in UK) buying the Phantom for $1.50 now its $3.50. Glenn Ford taking over from Jim Shepard.

Always thought the US comics where over priced in Australia.
I think comics are over priced in general anyway for the entertainment value. except the Frew Phantom thats a great read for its money.
If DC keeps its price at $3 I think its a great move to get people buying more product. Their is such a choice on the market people can afford to buy more product with the same money.

Valiant core fans are different ~ they will buy. But as it goes, mini series, short runs at valiant ~ maybe the occasional reader or potential new reader will think, for the same price I can get more books elsewhere. Picking up the trade latter if they are interested in the character.

Will DC lowering their price get me to buy Animal man or swamp thing or Hellblazer? No. Why, because it will reboot after a year and I am sick of their crap. I promise myself to by it off ebay (the last reboot before the last reboot) cheap to contunie my long run with the charactors ~ but never do.

[Bl00dsh0t]

...with DC I KNOW I'm going to get a book each month featuring the characters I WANT to read about - I don't get that month to month stability with Valiant unfortunately.

This statement has piqued my interest a bit. I can't really think what you mean here, so can you explain this a bit more? I'm interested to know what's happening here for you with VEI comics.

Hi, little late with the reply.

With DC, a Flash book (for instance) is solicited every month. I love the character and want to read comic books each month featuring that character.

At Valiant my fav characters/books are:

Bloodshot - which went a few months without a book
Shadowman - still nothing this year, should be back next year if FCBD issue is anything to go by
XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)
Harbinger - so we had Imperium but I wanted the Renegades - which we've got coming up but (like Gen Zero), the heat on this has died off.
Quantum & Woody - I loved this series and had hopes of it lasting longer than it did. nothing on the horizon.
Ninjak - Will likely end at 25 (as Valiant have stated with their slate of on-goings) which will likely result in another period of months with Ninjak

Due to the rotating publishing schedule you can't depend on a Valiant book each month on a consistent basis which is a shame. As I mentioned above, I'd still be buying Harby, and Gen Zero but the break in-between dilutes my interest. with DC releasing cheaper books which are consistent in their monthly publishing, I'm switching to a few titles - the $3US means i could try 3 DC books/month for the same price as 2 Valiant books pretty much (in Australian $ that is) and have confidence month to month in getting the product/character i want.

[jmatt]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

[Bl00dsh0t]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

Haven't heard that...Have Valiant ever mentioned a specific period for a hiatus / soft reboot? 1.5yrs seems a long time to have a marque character on the sidelines I would've thought...

[Sunlight on Snow]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

Haven't heard that...Have Valiant ever mentioned a specific period for a hiatus / soft reboot? 1.5yrs seems a long time to have a marque character on the sidelines I would've thought...

Taken from WonderCon 2016: The Countdown to X-O MANOWAR #50 Begins in June! (03/2016):

“Robert Venditti’s run on X-O MANOWAR is one of the finest in Valiant’s storied history,” said Valiant Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons. “From his very first issue with artist Cary Nord through PLANET DEATH, UNITY, ARMOR HUNTERS and beyond, Rob’s work on X-O MANOWAR helped cement Valiant as one of the leading publishers in comics today and his contributions to the fabric of the Valiant Universe will continue to resonate for decades to come. But he won’t be leaving X-O MANOWAR quietly. What we have in store for X-O MANOWAR’s grand finale as we head toward issue #50 might just be Valiant’s most audacious turn to date. As Valiant prepares to celebrate X-O Manowar’s 25th anniversary in 2017, ‘LONG THE LIVE THE KING’ will be a colossal turning point for the character…and foreshadow even bigger changes yet to come in the future.”

So at least there will be another super-sized Special in February 2017!

[Shadowman99]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

Haven't heard that...Have Valiant ever mentioned a specific period for a hiatus / soft reboot? 1.5yrs seems a long time to have a marque character on the sidelines I would've thought...

Taken from WonderCon 2016: The Countdown to X-O MANOWAR #50 Begins in June! (03/2016):

“Robert Venditti’s run on X-O MANOWAR is one of the finest in Valiant’s storied history,” said Valiant Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons. “From his very first issue with artist Cary Nord through PLANET DEATH, UNITY, ARMOR HUNTERS and beyond, Rob’s work on X-O MANOWAR helped cement Valiant as one of the leading publishers in comics today and his contributions to the fabric of the Valiant Universe will continue to resonate for decades to come. But he won’t be leaving X-O MANOWAR quietly. What we have in store for X-O MANOWAR’s grand finale as we head toward issue #50 might just be Valiant’s most audacious turn to date. As Valiant prepares to celebrate X-O Manowar’s 25th anniversary in 2017, ‘LONG THE LIVE THE KING’ will be a colossal turning point for the character…and foreshadow even bigger changes yet to come in the future.”

So at least there will be another super-sized Special in February 2017!

"The X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY will continue all summer long across all issues of “LONG LIVE THE KING” – including the oversized, blockbuster issue #50 finale!"

Wouldn't this have been a better quote to use to support that statement?

[Sunlight on Snow]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

Haven't heard that...Have Valiant ever mentioned a specific period for a hiatus / soft reboot? 1.5yrs seems a long time to have a marque character on the sidelines I would've thought...

Taken from WonderCon 2016: The Countdown to X-O MANOWAR #50 Begins in June! (03/2016):

“Robert Venditti’s run on X-O MANOWAR is one of the finest in Valiant’s storied history,” said Valiant Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons. “From his very first issue with artist Cary Nord through PLANET DEATH, UNITY, ARMOR HUNTERS and beyond, Rob’s work on X-O MANOWAR helped cement Valiant as one of the leading publishers in comics today and his contributions to the fabric of the Valiant Universe will continue to resonate for decades to come. But he won’t be leaving X-O MANOWAR quietly. What we have in store for X-O MANOWAR’s grand finale as we head toward issue #50 might just be Valiant’s most audacious turn to date. As Valiant prepares to celebrate X-O Manowar’s 25th anniversary in 2017, ‘LONG THE LIVE THE KING’ will be a colossal turning point for the character…and foreshadow even bigger changes yet to come in the future.”

So at least there will be another super-sized Special in February 2017!

"The X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY will continue all summer long across all issues of “LONG LIVE THE KING” – including the oversized, blockbuster issue #50 finale!"

Wouldn't this have been a better quote to use to support that statement?

No! I wasn't talking about X-O #50 but whatever Valiant will release next year - another super-sized special or whatever.

The current series and LLTK arc will end in September 2016 and X-O's anniversary will be in February 2017.

That's less than 18 months and I believe I used the proper quote to back my statement.

[Shadowman99]

XO - that stops at 50 with no word on a return (given it's early, i know, but if history is anything to go by this will have a few months off)

I seem to recall 18 months being mentioned. Or am I mis-remembering?

Haven't heard that...Have Valiant ever mentioned a specific period for a hiatus / soft reboot? 1.5yrs seems a long time to have a marque character on the sidelines I would've thought...

Taken from WonderCon 2016: The Countdown to X-O MANOWAR #50 Begins in June! (03/2016):

“Robert Venditti’s run on X-O MANOWAR is one of the finest in Valiant’s storied history,” said Valiant Editor-in-Chief Warren Simons. “From his very first issue with artist Cary Nord through PLANET DEATH, UNITY, ARMOR HUNTERS and beyond, Rob’s work on X-O MANOWAR helped cement Valiant as one of the leading publishers in comics today and his contributions to the fabric of the Valiant Universe will continue to resonate for decades to come. But he won’t be leaving X-O MANOWAR quietly. What we have in store for X-O MANOWAR’s grand finale as we head toward issue #50 might just be Valiant’s most audacious turn to date. As Valiant prepares to celebrate X-O Manowar’s 25th anniversary in 2017, ‘LONG THE LIVE THE KING’ will be a colossal turning point for the character…and foreshadow even bigger changes yet to come in the future.”

So at least there will be another super-sized Special in February 2017!

"The X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY will continue all summer long across all issues of “LONG LIVE THE KING” – including the oversized, blockbuster issue #50 finale!"

Wouldn't this have been a better quote to use to support that statement?

No! I wasn't talking about X-O #50 but whatever Valiant will release next year - another super-sized special or whatever.

The current series and LLTK arc will end in September 2016 and X-O's anniversary will be in February 2017.

That's less than 18 months and I believe I used the proper quote to back my statement.

Fair enough. Wasn't really come across clear to me but there y'go.

I don't see why there can't be another oversized issue to celebrate an anniversary, but I'll get excited about that once there's been an official announcement.