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Post by starbrand on Apr 8, 2008 11:54:56 GMT -5
What would push them if the relaunch fails? Ive heard rumors of a movie, but what if the relaunch collapses and there never is a movie? The relaunch could fail, or it could be enormously successful. There's no way to handicap that which I'm aware of. Things just have to play out. Same with the movie thing, but I think I heard somewhere that 2/3 of movies that are optioned are made. Anyone confirm that? I think the odds are something's going to happen somewhere along the line to bring Valiant characters into the public's eye beyond what's already happened. Let's say all VEI does is publish 3 or 4 hardbacks a year for the next several years. That alone would help back issue demand, though not nearly as much as a wildly successful relaunch, of course. There's a decent chance, I think, more of their characters are going to be optioned for movies. Look how quickly Harbinger was optioned. What was it, two months after the lawsuit was settled? There's a good chance the relaunch may be moderately successful. It may not take much. Not much has happened already and look at demand for Harbinger. That's based just on a possible movie and possible relaunch. What if something actually happens? Also, I think the Valiant universe is the most important comic book universe created since the Marvel universe. The Valiant keys are some of the most important modern keys whether anything ever comes out again or not. I've been buying up Valiants for the last twelve months based solely on how important I feel the books themselves are. A lot of key Valiant sales were made over the last year before the lawsuit was settled. I think the importance of the Valiant universe to comic book collectors goes beyond anything new being released. Wizard started listing some Valiants in their magazine a year or so ago. They were seeing positive price activity back then that had nothing to do with VEI. I think anytime you can put money somewhere with very little downside and tremendous upside you have to consider it. What's the worst that could happen buying Valiant keys right now? They steadily increase over time? What's the best that could happen? We're already seeing glimpses of that.
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Post by G on Apr 8, 2008 13:26:17 GMT -5
Im not trying to take a view that is totally against everything you are saying. Perhaps you are right and I hope it does play out. But there are some areas of concern... Let's say all VEI does is publish 3 or 4 hardbacks a year for the next several years. That alone would help back issue demand, though not nearly as much as a wildly successful relaunch, of course. I think there has to be more than hardcovers that are basically reprints. While it does get them back in the eye, it cant be expected to keep interest going in my opinion if that kept up for too long. I think they need new material as far as comics are concerned. I dont feel these hardbacks are a longterm answer. And short term, I feel will be diluted as more of these come out. Its almost like a VfVSS. There's a decent chance, I think, more of their characters are going to be optioned for movies. Look how quickly Harbinger was optioned. What was it, two months after the lawsuit was settled? There's a good chance the relaunch may be moderately successful. It may not take much. Not much has happened already and look at demand for Harbinger. That's based just on a possible movie and possible relaunch. What if something actually happens? If it is true who knows how high prices for cherry #1's could go. But, it would be like what....at least 2 years from now until then before the movie actually came out? Most Ive heard so far is rumors. Im not real up on Valiant, but I think a signed deal to go into production would make the books skyrocket, but if no positive news keeps coming, the prices could trickle back down again. But thinking ahead now (or before now) could pay off. Also, I think the Valiant universe is the most important comic book universe created since the Marvel universe. I had a hard time with that quote, but when I thought about it, I have a hard time thinking of anything else as important either. But, I dont look as Valiant as wildly successful either. They may be the most important thing since Marvel....but, Marvel never suffered a death of its company even temporarily. We are a long ways from Valiants heyday. Heck, even after Unity, Valiant had tons of books coming out, but they had grown cold. That's more than what we have now. The Valiant keys are some of the most important modern keys whether anything ever comes out again or not. I've been buying up Valiants for the last twelve months based solely on how important I feel the books themselves are. A lot of key Valiant sales were made over the last year before the lawsuit was settled. I think the importance of the Valiant universe to comic book collectors goes beyond anything new being released. Wizard started listing some Valiants in their magazine a year or so ago. They were seeing positive price activity back then that had nothing to do with VEI. I think anytime you can put money somewhere with very little downside and tremendous upside you have to consider it. What's the worst that could happen buying Valiant keys right now? They steadily increase over time? What's the best that could happen? We're already seeing glimpses of that. I will agree they have been steadily increasing for sometime now, but I dont think the worst that can happen is they continue to do so. Sometimes Im not always under the belief that Valiant is in the proper place or best hands to succeed at this point. It could peter out and never get much beyond a few hard covers. If the momentum doesnt keep going...I think the worst is they go back to being books any of us could get for low to moderate dollars and hold onto for a long time hoping for glory days again. I think the worst that can happen is we look at now and dont cash in when we had seemingly another chance on some of these books. There is plenty of potential for a best case scenario as well. But, I would be more excited if I knew of stronger backing.
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Post by cfs on Apr 8, 2008 14:23:36 GMT -5
There is no short supply on Valiant books. The high prices are high because of a self-fulfilling prophecy...."I'm going to buy them because I think they should be worth more". There are a handful of people saying this and driving the prices up for themselves. Once everybody had a copy and the prices stagnated, now people are saying "I think high grade should be worth more so i'm going to go out and pay more." There is no increase in demand. I haven't seen ANY Harbinger TPB's for sale in my area. Store owners couldn't care less. Yeah, a few collectors are buying up every back issue they see. Even I was doing that. I've stopped and I'm ready to start getting rid of it.
Bob is probably offended because Harbinger was the first property optioned. Bob insisted that Harbinger never even be published. He and Jon Hartz didn't want it in the Valiant universe. Add the insult that VEI changed his art without consulting him... that's pretty disrespectful by my standards and I wouldn't even go that far. I'm the king of having no respect for people if they don't earn it.
cfs
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Post by starbrand on Apr 8, 2008 22:26:16 GMT -5
Guys, I've enjoyed reading your posts on this thread. I'll post something now and hopefully do a more in-depth response in the next day or two. I will say I believe nostalgia drives prices up in comics, and there's plenty of nostalgia involving Valiant. What was hot at one time could be hot again due to people fondly remembering the old days, and if I'm right about that Valiant nostalgia could and should keep prices increasing steadily regardless of what VEI does. I also firmly believe key Valiants are key, and that's that. Name another company that has been a dead universe for any period of time that has a message board with anywhere near the following Valiant does. Nothing's even in the ball park. You guys make good points. I happen to believe strongly Valiant back issues will perform well in value over the next several years regardless of what VEI does. I think if VEI does anything even relatively significant, whether it be in publishing comics or having a movie actually being produced, the sky's the limit.
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Post by starbrand on Apr 10, 2008 23:41:39 GMT -5
I've always thought this is one of the most underrated of all modern comics. The fights were short, but absolutely historic, since they had actual winners. I've sold hundreds of this book at 7.99 ea plus 3.00 shipping. I decided to drop my price a couple days ago to 4.99 for awhile and moved one copy at that price today with another guy in England telling me if I won't sell him one he'll be absolutely crushed. I expect that sale tomorrow. You read that right, I've sold hundreds of this book at 7.99 each. I bought almost all of those from Mile High and Mycomicshop and just kept listing them. Those guys have finally priced me out on the book, but I was fortunate to pick up another 20 in gem condition for less than a buck each including shipping on the Bay recently.This book is severly underrated by almost everyone. cgi.ebay.com/Marvel-VS-DC-3-Hulk-VS-Superman-GREATEST-FIGHTS-EVER_W0QQitemZ320238678154QQihZ011QQcategoryZ98022QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemBTW, if you look at my recent feedback you'll see I recently sold a Life With Archie #285 for 7.99 plus shipping. Hard to find next to last issue.
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Post by comickings on Jul 28, 2008 21:16:23 GMT -5
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Post by starbrand on Jul 28, 2008 22:01:54 GMT -5
Whoa. I'm a bit upset at myself. When I got back into selling I targeted the Watchmen series as undervalued and did nothing about it. I can still smile, though, and I'll prove it. lol
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Post by starbrand on Aug 17, 2008 16:29:02 GMT -5
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Post by starbrand on Aug 17, 2008 16:48:43 GMT -5
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Post by G on Aug 18, 2008 8:17:29 GMT -5
Ive been meaning to pick some of these up for a long time. I used to have a few of these and now I have none. It used to be so easy to get. Now I have a hard time paying the prices being asked, but I also feel I need to get them before they get worse. Thanks for the heads up!
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