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Post by G on Aug 7, 2009 10:28:36 GMT -5
Obviously the biggest news in comics in the last month and apparently in a while is the news that Shooter is going to work on Gold Key characters which include Valiant characters Magnus, Solar and Turok. This seems to have the Valiant world in a buzz as they have been jonesing for new material for their favorite characters for a long time. But which is bigger? Is Shooter coming back to work on Valiant characters bigger?
Or is Valiant Characters coming back bigger?
The reason I ask this, is my impression would have been that the Valiant group particularly wouldn't have cared who brought them back as long as their characters they knew and loved came back. Secondly, if the Dark Horse announcement had Shooter coming back and working on new characters but none of the Valiant/Gold Key characters would be included, would this news be so big?  What if Shooter was given free reign to create another Universe much like Defiant and Broadway but done his way with full backing to ensure no production problems using characters of his making. Would this be as well received? If Valiant comic characters came out with VEI making them as monthly comics using the properties they have and hiring big name artists and writers to churn out comics month after month, would the Valiant fanbase be as aflutter over that news as they are this? So which is it? Is it Shooter that makes this news big or is it Valiant characters coming back to new monthly stories that makes this big??? |
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Post by G on Aug 7, 2009 14:15:45 GMT -5
I have mixed emotions about this. While I think its cool some Valiant characters are coming back, the Valiant side of this doesn't excite me that much. Being in the hands of someone who can handle them at their best excites me more. But also, sometimes I wish Shooter can obtain the success he received with Valiant with other projects not involving Valiant characters.
Im excited to see if Shooter and Dark Horse can change the standard of comics and send comics into a newer more quality driven direction. Im hoping it will make the competition hunker down and devote itself to a bigger picture and produce more quality product than there has been for the past many years.
Its good comics has something to be excited again and if it takes reviving Valiant characters to do it, than so be it. But truthfully the thought of seeing Shooter oversee something big excites me more than the return of Valiant characters. But that is just me.
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Post by defiant1 on Aug 8, 2009 8:49:43 GMT -5
So which is it? Is it Shooter that makes this news big or is it Valiant characters coming back to new monthly stories that makes this big??? The news has three elements that all contribute to it's importance. 1) A stable company that has proven it's ability to survive 2) A proven writer/editor that has shown he can manage a comics line or just tell a good story 3) Well known characters that have a built in audience already made for them. VEI consists of: 1)Under-funded, under-capitalized,start-up company that can't release reprint product on time. 2) Inexperienced "kids" running a company that know nothing about making comics other than throwing money at it. 3) Convoluted characters that started out good, were abused to hell and back, and through poor storytelling bankrupted a company the owners had valued at 65 million dollars. If anyone is excited over what VEI is doing, I think they are crazier than I am... and that's saying a lot. Defiant1 |
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Post by G on Aug 8, 2009 16:00:52 GMT -5
So which is it? Is it Shooter that makes this news big or is it Valiant characters coming back to new monthly stories that makes this big??? The news has three elements that all contribute to it's importance. 1) A stable company that has proven it's ability to survive 2) A proven writer/editor that has shown he can manage a comics line or just tell a good story 3) Well known characters that have a built in audience already made for them. VEI consists of: 1)Under-funded, under-capitalized,start-up company that can't release reprint product on time. 2) Inexperienced "kids" running a company that know nothing about making comics other than throwing money at it. 3) Convoluted characters that started out good, were abused to hell and back, and through poor storytelling bankrupted a company the owners had valued at 65 million dollars. If anyone is excited over what VEI is doing, I think they are crazier than I am... and that's saying a lot. Defiant1 It does appear to be a total beat down. I would seriously wonder what Shooter's impression with VEI was when he worked on his small Hardcover story for them? |
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Post by defiant1 on Aug 8, 2009 16:20:01 GMT -5
The news has three elements that all contribute to it's importance. 1) A stable company that has proven it's ability to survive 2) A proven writer/editor that has shown he can manage a comics line or just tell a good story 3) Well known characters that have a built in audience already made for them. VEI consists of: 1)Under-funded, under-capitalized,start-up company that can't release reprint product on time. 2) Inexperienced "kids" running a company that know nothing about making comics other than throwing money at it. 3) Convoluted characters that started out good, were abused to hell and back, and through poor storytelling bankrupted a company the owners had valued at 65 million dollars. If anyone is excited over what VEI is doing, I think they are crazier than I am... and that's saying a lot. Defiant1 It does appear to be a total beat down. I would seriously wonder what Shooter's impression with VEI was when he worked on his small Hardcover story for them? I trust all the tidbits that have filtered in. I was told Jim did the Harbinger story as a favor to Walter Black. A "favor" implies to me it's something that can't be bought. It implies to me he never had any intention of working for them but he wished them well in their ventures. It was also hinted to me that Jim thought they were in over their head. I don't remember what was said specifically, but it reinforced my belief that Jim had no intention of working for them. Defiant1 |
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Post by G on Aug 8, 2009 16:28:04 GMT -5
Just think how monumental it would have been for VEI if Shooter signed to work on their books for them. It would have made VEI appear a lot more legitimate. Instead exactly 2 years since the Harbinger Hardcover was released, Shooter signs with Dark Horse which basically puts a "Checkmate" on VEI.
The irony for me is overwhelming.
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Post by G on Aug 12, 2009 14:25:09 GMT -5
It concerns me that the Shooter comeback seems so directly related to the Valiant comeback. I like that he is coming back and working on Valiant characters again, but I think people are not looking outside the "Shooter/Valiant" box. Sure he has unfinished business with Valiant, but how much of this comeback and recreation is going to represent what we saw back in the early 90s? We also have new characters coming in.
I have to say Im hoping this version doesn't resemble the Valiant the way we remember it at all. Maybe the characters can have the same look and histories, but I hope its so far unrelated to the Valiant universe that it won't resemble it and people will have to look at this from a brand new starting point.
I'm actually looking forward to Shooter creating a new universe with his new cast of characters. Its sad that it takes Valiant for fans to get excited about Shooter. I would have been just as happy if Dark Horse (on anyone else) would have given Jim ROYAL backing to create and run another universe the way he sees fit. Not existing properties or universes, but rather his own fully funded project. Sometimes it seems Jim had to spend just as much time worrying about the financial side of things as he did the characters he created and how they would be used. If the backing is fully funded and he no longer has to worry about pleasing the stakeholders as much as he did 15 years ago, I would be pleased to see what Shooter could come up with with any characters if someone just said "Do what you want". The Valiant spin seems to both excite and worry me at the same time.
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Post by G on Aug 20, 2009 14:01:59 GMT -5
To me it's Shooter, but I'd be more than willing to pick up a new Harbinger title if they had the right creative team. Sometimes I don't think it matters who does it as long as someone keeps their beloved titles coming, the herd will buy it. |
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