VALIANT Post-Resurgence

[ManofTheAtom]

What would we like to see from Alien's VALIANT books after Resurgence?

Ongoing series would certainly be cool, but which ones and what direction should they go in?

Like, what could be done with Harbinger or X-O Manowar that hasn't been done yet that would be a good direction that might not just interest existing fans but bring in new ones?

[syzhang28]

What would we like to see from Alien's VALIANT books after Resurgence?

Ongoing series would certainly be cool, but which ones and what direction should they go in?

Like, what could be done with Harbinger or X-O Manowar that hasn't been done yet that would be a good direction that might not just interest existing fans but bring in new ones?

Not sure there's anything they could do to get some posters to read.

[JonesyAZ]

lol!!!!

What would we like to see from Alien's VALIANT books after Resurgence?

Ongoing series would certainly be cool, but which ones and what direction should they go in?

Like, what could be done with Harbinger or X-O Manowar that hasn't been done yet that would be a good direction that might not just interest existing fans but bring in new ones?

Not sure there's anything they could do to get some posters to read.

[possumgrease]

Not sure there's anything they could do to get some posters to read.

[TheFerg714]

What would we like to see from Alien's VALIANT books after Resurgence?

Ongoing series would certainly be cool, but which ones and what direction should they go in?

Like, what could be done with Harbinger or X-O Manowar that hasn't been done yet that would be a good direction that might not just interest existing fans but bring in new ones?

I'd like to see Harbinger get a mini-series, seeing as that's pretty much the only property left for Alien to try and tackle. I'd also like to see 1-2 ongoings. Idc what they are, but I think a continuation of Ampadu's Ninjak would be the obvious answer. A new writer/direction for Rai/4002 would be cool, preferably starring the rest of the 4002 cast.

Not sure there's anything they could do to get some posters to read.

Oof!

[ManofTheAtom]

What would we like to see from Alien's VALIANT books after Resurgence?

Ongoing series would certainly be cool, but which ones and what direction should they go in?

Like, what could be done with Harbinger or X-O Manowar that hasn't been done yet that would be a good direction that might not just interest existing fans but bring in new ones?

I'd like to see Harbinger get a mini-series, seeing as that's pretty much the only property left for Alien to try and tackle. I'd also like to see 1-2 ongoings. Idc what they are, but I think a continuation of Ampadu's Ninjak would be the obvious answer. A new writer/direction for Rai/4002 would be cool, preferably starring the rest of the 4002 cast.

If possible, I'd like them to introduce Troublemakers in the pages of a Harbinger mini series (a twist of how Harbinger was introduced in an issue of Troublemakers in the '90s).

I think the concept has potential, and it would be interesting to see more factions in the Harbinger Wars.

[Dallow Spicer1]

It depends on whether they can get credible creators on the books or not. I’d rather see 1 book with A level creators than 3 books with D listers. I’m doing re-reads of VEI Rai 4001AD, Divinity (complete trilogy) and Ninjak deluxe, I’d forgotten how good we had it. When I think of the slim pickings we’ve had since it puts into perspective how far standards have fallen.

Do yourself a favour guys, re-read your VEI stuff, it’s consistently top notch (ok yeah there’ll be some exceptions, Dead Drop, Shadowman, Dr Mirage etc but you get the picture).

[TheFerg714]

I have been rereading all of the VEI stuff for the last year or so. I just finished LaDoTH, and good god it still hit me like a truck when it finished. The wound from losing VEI still stings, and that was *SQUEE* 6ish years ago. I'll always cherish those golden years, and I don't think anything will measure up in the near future (although Ghost Machine has been absolutely killing it, but that's a whole different conversation).

With that said, idk, now that the DMG era is over and done with, I'm finding it hard to summon the vitriol anymore. I'm just happy to have new books. Sure, they haven't met the extremely high standards of the VEI era, but I'm simply not the type of person to expect that. At this point in my life, I'm very happy with base hits, and I refuse to allow negativity to creep in when Alien has overseen a massive improvement over the DMG era.

You can go ahead and continue to hold Alien's feet to the fire, and inevitably be unhappy when they don't meet the ridiculously high standards set by dino and co, but I'm going to go ahead and find some enjoyment out of what they're giving us. You can continue making false equivalencies like wanting "1 book with A level creators than 3 books with D listers," but I'm going to be over here being thankful that we've gone from 50% dogsh!t to 100% good across the board. Since Alien has taken over, nothing has dipped below the 6/10 category.

Let's just also keep in mind that people like Venditti and Dysart (and several others) were D-listers before working with Valiant too. Dino, Warren, and co just had an unusually amazing talent for finding (and cultivating) talent. In the future we might be saying the same thing about creatives like AJ Ampadu, Fernando Furukawa, and Guillermo Fajardo.

EDIT: Also, Ninjak vs. Roku, The Darques, A&A, and Punk Mambo have met VEI's high standards imo.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I have been rereading all of the VEI stuff for the last year or so. I just finished LaDoTH, and good god it still hit me like a truck when it finished. The wound from losing VEI still stings, and that was *SQUEE* 6ish years ago. I'll always cherish those golden years, and I don't think anything will measure up in the near future (although Ghost Machine has been absolutely killing it, but that's a whole different conversation).

With that said, idk, now that the DMG era is over and done with, I'm finding it hard to summon the vitriol anymore. I'm just happy to have new books. Sure, they haven't met the extremely high standards of the VEI era, but I'm simply not the type of person to expect that. At this point in my life, I'm very happy with base hits, and I refuse to allow negativity to creep in when Alien has overseen a massive improvement over the DMG era.

You can go ahead and continue to hold Alien's feet to the fire, and inevitably be unhappy when they don't meet the ridiculously high standards set by dino and co, but I'm going to go ahead and find some enjoyment out of what they're giving us. You can continue making false equivalencies like wanting "1 book with A level creators than 3 books with D listers," but I'm going to be over here being thankful that we've gone from 50% dogsh!t to 100% good across the board. Since Alien has taken over, nothing has dipped below the 6/10 category.

Let's just also keep in mind that people like Venditti and Dysart (and several others) were D-listers before working with Valiant too. Dino, Warren, and co just had an unusually amazing talent for finding (and cultivating) talent. In the future we might be saying the same thing about creatives like AJ Ampadu, Fernando Furukawa, and Guillermo Fajardo.

EDIT: Also, Ninjak vs. Roku, The Darques, A&A, and Punk Mambo have met VEI's high standards imo.

LaDoTH is definitely on my re-read list soon, that was A+ stuff.
I wouldn’t say I’ve got vitriol towards Alien and I’d love them to be a success and turn the ship around. I’m seeing a lot less hits than you are but if anything I’m becoming more indifferent now. Sure, I’m down for some online debates with you guys but without Dino or a Dino type character hyping the books it’s hard to get excited.

The Darques #1 was very good, hope to see more of that artist.

[TheFerg714]

Sure, I’m down for some online debates with you guys but without Dino or a Dino type character hyping the books it’s hard to get excited.

On a gut, emotional level, I totally understand this. I'm much more invested in Bad Idea than Alien, because I fell in love with the work that Dino, Warren, Venditti, and Dysart (etc) gave us when they were in charge of Valiant (of course, I'm also annoyed that they won't put any new books in stores anymore, but ). Alien are just the current stewards of characters that I became invested in under different leadership.

But on a logical level, I'm here for the books. Now that the DMG era is over, it doesn't matter who the creative teams are, or who's working behind the scenes. It's all about the books for me. If Alien continues to grab my attention every week, then I'm in. If every issue was as drab as Book of the Darque, I might be in the same boat as you, but fortunately they're hitting the mark for me.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Sure, I’m down for some online debates with you guys but without Dino or a Dino type character hyping the books it’s hard to get excited.

On a gut, emotional level, I totally understand this. I'm much more invested in Bad Idea than Alien, because I fell in love with the work that Dino, Warren, Venditti, and Dysart (etc) gave us when they were in charge of Valiant (of course, I'm also annoyed that they won't put any new books in stores anymore, but ). Alien are just the current stewards of characters that I became invested in under different leadership.

But on a logical level, I'm here for the books. Now that the DMG era is over, it doesn't matter who the creative teams are, or who's working behind the scenes. It's all about the books for me. If Alien continues to grab my attention every week, then I'm in. If every issue was as drab as Book of the Darque, I might be in the same boat as you, but fortunately they're hitting the mark for me.

I’ve been tuning out of Bad Idea, no releases and the quality up and down. I’d still look to buy the books if they were from VDitti, Kindt and Dysart though. Although I’d prefer to see them on monthly titles.

[The Harbinger]

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows in disappointing endings like Pyrate Queen and Odinn's Eye.

My local comic store hates Bad Idea and won't buy it after the first wave.

[TheFerg714]

Honestly, Bad Idea's quality is there for me. I loved the endings of Pyrate Queen and Odin 's Eye, and I've generally been very happy with what I've read. But yea, I've been tuning out as well. I'm not a fan of the Kickstarter nonsense. I'm just here for the comics in comic shops.

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows...

I don't get this pov. I get the feeling that they care very much about the comics medium, and aren't simply creating pitches for Netflix. What makes you think that?

[syzhang28]

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows in disappointing endings like Pyrate Queen and Odinn's Eye.

My local comic store hates Bad Idea and won't buy it after the first wave.

This is a wild hot take. You think a publisher who puts out Bunsen Beaver, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, Rocks and Minerals, Refuse, Orc Island, Tree, Inebrio Horsefeathers etc cares about pitching to Netflix? lol! Dinesh is movie and tv bonafides. He produced movies, he produces The Witcher, he knows what Hollywood is buying and he knows its not these. These are all stories only comics can tell and I applaud them for that.

Also, Pyrate Queen has one of the best endings for a comic book in years. A masterclass on how to conclude a story.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows in disappointing endings like Pyrate Queen and Odinn's Eye.

My local comic store hates Bad Idea and won't buy it after the first wave.

This is a wild hot take. You think a publisher who puts out Bunsen Beaver, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, Rocks and Minerals, Refuse, Orc Island, Tree, Inebrio Horsefeathers etc cares about pitching to Netflix? lol! Dinesh is movie and tv bonafides. He produced movies, he produces The Witcher, he knows what Hollywood is buying and he knows its not these. These are all stories only comics can tell and I applaud them for that.

Also, Pyrate Queen has one of the best endings for a comic book in years. A masterclass on how to conclude a story.

Dinesh produced the Witcher? I hadn’t heard that.

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

[Chiclo]

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows in disappointing endings like Pyrate Queen and Odinn's Eye.

My local comic store hates Bad Idea and won't buy it after the first wave.

This is a wild hot take. You think a publisher who puts out Bunsen Beaver, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, Rocks and Minerals, Refuse, Orc Island, Tree, Inebrio Horsefeathers etc cares about pitching to Netflix? lol! Dinesh is movie and tv bonafides. He produced movies, he produces The Witcher, he knows what Hollywood is buying and he knows its not these. These are all stories only comics can tell and I applaud them for that.

Also, Pyrate Queen has one of the best endings for a comic book in years. A masterclass on how to conclude a story.

Dinesh produced the Witcher? I hadn’t heard that.

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

There are few more anglophilic than I but have you seen The Only Way Is Essex? Those people are evil and British.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows in disappointing endings like Pyrate Queen and Odinn's Eye.

My local comic store hates Bad Idea and won't buy it after the first wave.

This is a wild hot take. You think a publisher who puts out Bunsen Beaver, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, Rocks and Minerals, Refuse, Orc Island, Tree, Inebrio Horsefeathers etc cares about pitching to Netflix? lol! Dinesh is movie and tv bonafides. He produced movies, he produces The Witcher, he knows what Hollywood is buying and he knows its not these. These are all stories only comics can tell and I applaud them for that.

Also, Pyrate Queen has one of the best endings for a comic book in years. A masterclass on how to conclude a story.

Dinesh produced the Witcher? I hadn’t heard that.

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

There are few more anglophilic than I but have you seen The Only Way Is Essex? Those people are evil and British.

can’t argue with that

[The Harbinger]

Honestly, Bad Idea's quality is there for me. I loved the endings of Pyrate Queen and Odin 's Eye, and I've generally been very happy with what I've read. But yea, I've been tuning out as well. I'm not a fan of the Kickstarter nonsense. I'm just here for the comics in comic shops.

Bad Idea at the end of the day has the same strategy as Antos-era DMV. The main goal is making a successful pitch for Netflix, and it shows...

I don't get this pov. I get the feeling that they care very much about the comics medium, and aren't simply creating pitches for Netflix. What makes you think that?

To be fair it's hyperbolic of me to compare it to Antos.

To me, the marketing and "bad idea" is speed running the death of comics that other companies are doing with self sabotage. It is not in the interest of the comics industry for Bad Idea to succeed, and I know that's a hot take here, but consider:
-looking at comics mainly as something to collect
-ignoring digital
-ignoring people who just don’t like floppies
-arrogance towards customers and store owners (this is the Antos comparison) and telling them to not read

[ManofTheAtom]

Post-Resurgence, I'd like to see a line composed of five core ongoing series and a rotating series of mini-series and one-shots for all other titles/characters.

The five series would be,

• Bloodshot

• Harbinger

• Rai

• Shadowman

• X-O Manowar

Archer & Armstrong, Divinity, Doctor Mirage, Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, H.A.R.D. Corps, Livewire, Ninjak, Quantum and Woody, Secret Weapons, Timewalker, Unity, etc really benefit more by doing less than more. It allows the stories to be both more epic, self-contained, and swiftly resolved.

For instance, Unity -- the team-up book -- could be a series of one-shots with epic stories that justify multiple heroes banding together against a powerful threat.

Likewise, Archer & Armstrong can work best as a series of mini-series that follow the duo to different locations in their globe-throttling series of adventures.

[The Harbinger]

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

Something about British writers. Warren Ellis's creator owned stories are all summed up as "you yanks don't know how hardcore we brits are" with a sprinkle of atheism. Loved X-Statix, but Milligan, Ellis, etc. are obsessed with deconstructing and being edgy.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

Something about British writers. Warren Ellis's creator owned stories are all summed up as "you yanks don't know how hardcore we brits are" with a sprinkle of atheism. Loved X-Statix, but Milligan, Ellis, etc. are obsessed with deconstructing and being edgy.

Yeah, I think there’s an epidemic in the West about being ashamed of our culture. Britain and America both got this bizarre mindset where we’re the bad guys

[Chiclo]

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

Something about British writers. Warren Ellis's creator owned stories are all summed up as "you yanks don't know how hardcore we brits are" with a sprinkle of atheism. Loved X-Statix, but Milligan, Ellis, etc. are obsessed with deconstructing and being edgy.

Yeah, I think there’s an epidemic in the West about being ashamed of our culture. Britain and America both got this bizarre mindset where we’re the bad guys

That’s quite the new PM you fellas got over there.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I read Pyrate Queen and thought it was ok although I though UK writer Peter Milligan self flagellate's by taking the tired and dull route of ‘the evil British’ , but I can’t remember the ending…what was it that made it a master class?

Something about British writers. Warren Ellis's creator owned stories are all summed up as "you yanks don't know how hardcore we brits are" with a sprinkle of atheism. Loved X-Statix, but Milligan, Ellis, etc. are obsessed with deconstructing and being edgy.

Yeah, I think there’s an epidemic in the West about being ashamed of our culture. Britain and America both got this bizarre mindset where we’re the bad guys

That’s quite the new PM you fellas got over there.

He seen Biden & Treadau and said ‘hold my beer (aka lager)’