Post by G on Mar 13, 2013 9:39:35 GMT -5
Let me first start by saying that I regard the Pre-Unity Valiants as a high water mark in the comics industry. Not only did they reinvent previously B-Grade at best characters from the Silver Age by Gold Key, they also invented their own line of characters who fit right in with some of the most dynamic covers of its time as well as one of the most cohesive universes ever amassed since Marvel created it's cohesive universe dynasty back in the 1960's.
But just like I no long hold reverence to Marvel based solely on its past, I can also no longer hold Valiant to such a high level some 20 years later. Sure, both companies still produce titles, but for the most part, I find neither holding a candle to their former selves. I will say that the Valiant relaunch showed some promise when it came out last year. I was enjoying the way some of their covers were going. They did look a bit more dynamic than most books we've seen in the past 20 years, however, I have noticed a decline in their quality the longer they are out and just over on the CGC boards, I visited a thread where Valiant intends to introduce 8 bit video game cover versions of their books coming this June. Both DF1 and myself were the only ones who heaped any disgust at them. The rest were met with "Oh! This is SOOO Cool and FUN!!!!"
Just like I have mentioned, Marvel no longer holds a candle to their former self. Every time I got into a Marvel title in recent years, which was rare btw, they found a way to totally muff it up and change everything I ever thought of the character. Combined with the sheer dilution of its characters since Disney came on board and the total lack of cohesion between titles which used to be the best in the Industry. I can no longer look at Marvel and say, hell yes....Just because it is a Marvel. As such, I can no longer do that with Valiant as well.
I applaud Valiant and its fans for keeping the torch lit. Especially during the late 90s and early 2000s. When Greg created his Valiantfan's board, it seemed sincerely to be a board with the appreciation for what was great about Valiant. But unfortunately, the Valiant fans themselves became in my mind, an ugly clique of elitist who got snarky and tag teamed anyone who had anything disparaging to say about Valiant. Gone are the days where you can either like or dislike aspect of Valiant. You either like along with the herd, or you get the boot!
In this ugly atmosphere, I have grown a disdain for Valiant comics. Including the beloved Pre-Unity Valiants. While I'll admit they were great for their time, its been 20 years plus now since the heyday of those comics. And I don't see lightening happening twice with that company. Instead I see another slow, painful death on the horizon with angry mafia fans wanting to take on anyone who has a negative thing to say.
The sheepherding and hive mind mentality that is Valiant comics has reached ugly levels and I have thought so for the last 5 plus years now. So much so, that I don't even care to own any of my Valiant comics anymore. Anytime I sell one, it feels like a relief. I actually long for the day when I own no more Valiants. Unfortunately, I have about another 5-6 boxes to go before that happens. I think the people themselves has done more to make me dislike Valiants than the actual books themselves. I'm tired of the in your face attitude about them. All waiting for the 1st blockbuster movie to come to life and have them all say "I told you so!" They just disgust me these days.
And it's like no other company exists. You see them. They are on CGC, with the Valiant avatars and their Valiant books in their Signature lines with their 9.8 CGC copies proudly listed below as status symbols in the Valiant army. I'm sorry, I prefer to let comic collecting be a free-flowing affair where I can float from 1 comic company and genre to another without being involved in the cult status that can only be found among Valiant fans.
I ask....is it just me? Or are Valiant fans just brainwashed?
But just like I no long hold reverence to Marvel based solely on its past, I can also no longer hold Valiant to such a high level some 20 years later. Sure, both companies still produce titles, but for the most part, I find neither holding a candle to their former selves. I will say that the Valiant relaunch showed some promise when it came out last year. I was enjoying the way some of their covers were going. They did look a bit more dynamic than most books we've seen in the past 20 years, however, I have noticed a decline in their quality the longer they are out and just over on the CGC boards, I visited a thread where Valiant intends to introduce 8 bit video game cover versions of their books coming this June. Both DF1 and myself were the only ones who heaped any disgust at them. The rest were met with "Oh! This is SOOO Cool and FUN!!!!"
Just like I have mentioned, Marvel no longer holds a candle to their former self. Every time I got into a Marvel title in recent years, which was rare btw, they found a way to totally muff it up and change everything I ever thought of the character. Combined with the sheer dilution of its characters since Disney came on board and the total lack of cohesion between titles which used to be the best in the Industry. I can no longer look at Marvel and say, hell yes....Just because it is a Marvel. As such, I can no longer do that with Valiant as well.
I applaud Valiant and its fans for keeping the torch lit. Especially during the late 90s and early 2000s. When Greg created his Valiantfan's board, it seemed sincerely to be a board with the appreciation for what was great about Valiant. But unfortunately, the Valiant fans themselves became in my mind, an ugly clique of elitist who got snarky and tag teamed anyone who had anything disparaging to say about Valiant. Gone are the days where you can either like or dislike aspect of Valiant. You either like along with the herd, or you get the boot!
In this ugly atmosphere, I have grown a disdain for Valiant comics. Including the beloved Pre-Unity Valiants. While I'll admit they were great for their time, its been 20 years plus now since the heyday of those comics. And I don't see lightening happening twice with that company. Instead I see another slow, painful death on the horizon with angry mafia fans wanting to take on anyone who has a negative thing to say.
The sheepherding and hive mind mentality that is Valiant comics has reached ugly levels and I have thought so for the last 5 plus years now. So much so, that I don't even care to own any of my Valiant comics anymore. Anytime I sell one, it feels like a relief. I actually long for the day when I own no more Valiants. Unfortunately, I have about another 5-6 boxes to go before that happens. I think the people themselves has done more to make me dislike Valiants than the actual books themselves. I'm tired of the in your face attitude about them. All waiting for the 1st blockbuster movie to come to life and have them all say "I told you so!" They just disgust me these days.
And it's like no other company exists. You see them. They are on CGC, with the Valiant avatars and their Valiant books in their Signature lines with their 9.8 CGC copies proudly listed below as status symbols in the Valiant army. I'm sorry, I prefer to let comic collecting be a free-flowing affair where I can float from 1 comic company and genre to another without being involved in the cult status that can only be found among Valiant fans.
I ask....is it just me? Or are Valiant fans just brainwashed?
