LET'S TALK: Valiant

[BadDeacon]

Bought the Harbinger trade and digging into it. I'm really liking it so far as it does feel like x-men a little. Dysart's dialogue is flowing nicely and the art is getting better with each issue. So far, I'm enjoying my journey into Valiant comics!

One of us...

[the1captain]

http://onlythevaliant.com/2013/02/one-d ... m-valiant/

For the one year anniversary of the relaunch Valiant is making all the #1's a dollar. Similar to what image has done with a lot of their #1's. This is one of the things I love about Valiant. Their marketing gimmicks are not designed to create a quick bump in the recent month's sales only to fall back next month. Rather they are designed to make it easy for new readers to try their product. Even smarter is have these out in time for free comic book day. People already in the store grabbing free comics to try something new. An extra 5 dollars to try a whole line of comics isn't that big of a stretch. Hopefully Valiant is working with the retailers to encourage them to display these books where they'll stand out. Especially on FCBD.

[Perry]

Hopefully Valiant is working with the retailers to encourage them to display these books where they'll stand out. Especially on FCBD.

Yes, I hope so. Great deal on a great product. Could be a win/win for future sales.

[BobBretall]

Cross-post from the Previews thread....

Interesting that they're doing ZERO issues for A&A and Shadowman. Looks like interesting subject matter. I'm also glad they're doing these instead of the regular issues for the month instead of in addition to.

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #0
The true story of the Epic (Fail) of Gilgamesh! Original series artist and Harbinger Wars superstar Clayton Henry returns to tell a tale of the early days of the man known as Armstrong! How early? How's ancient Ur sound? For the first time, the 100% true story behind the Epic of Gilgamesh can be told... A tale of three warrior brothers, the Anni-Padda or as you may know them, Armstrong, the Eternal Warrior and Timewalker on a quest to the mysterious Faraway to bring back its immortal Boon. What they find is a lost land full of danger, excitement and the greatest secret of the Valiant Universe! Plus: this issue tees up the next arc of A&A, beginning this June in issue #10!

SHADOWMAN #0
The end has always been near.
Twenty five years ago, Josiah Boniface was the Shadowman, and he had more problems than simply Master Darque: things from beyond are trying to eat the world, the police are trying to send him to jail and now he's got to rescue Helena LeBretton from a murderous cult, whether she likes it or not. A special standalone issue.

[Perry]

I would rather Valiant done an annual or some such and stayed away from the whole "zero issue" thing. Whats wrong with companies having "specials"? Remember those?

Yes, nit-picking, as it is essentially the same thing, I know. But the closer Valiant gets to doing what other companies do, the more scared I become.

[BobBretall]

I would rather Valiant done an annual or some such and stayed away from the whole "zero issue" thing. Whats wrong with companies having "specials"? Remember those?

They already did a Harbinger #0......

I don't mind them doing zero issues as long as they are good. The problem with these numbering stunts from other companies is the content is usually pretty lousy and reeks of being the bald-faced cash-grabs that they are.

[Perry]

They already did a Harbinger #0...

Yeah, I was just hoping it was a one-off thing. But they dipped the toe in the water and found it warm enough to jump in to at least waist deep.

I don't mind them doing zero issues as long as they are good. The problem with these numbering stunts from other companies is the content is usually pretty lousy and reeks of being the bald-faced cash-grabs that they are.

It all starts somewhere. What else is a zero issue but a cash grab? Not saying they are going to take a trip down the same road as other publishers, but it seems as though they are at least checking the oil in the car and making sure the tire pressure is at the correct PSI.

[boshuda]

Zero issues feel like gimmicks to me. Just tell the story you want to tell. It's an origin story? Great - it's an origin story. It doesn't need to be a zero.

[Perry]

Exactly.

[BobBretall]

What else is a zero issue but a cash grab?

To me a cash grab is a company trying to get EXTRA $$$ out of you in any given month. Jacking up the price of a key issue to $7.99 (as in ASM #700 or GL #20) or by adding an extra Zero issue in a given month so you buy the zero issue and the regular issue (this can also be done with Point 1 issues or "AU" issues).

In this case, the zero issues are being done instead of the regular issue. You are paying no more $ to Valiant than any other month when you get the titles you collect that have the zero this month (much like DC's Zero month).

In this case, it may be ill-advised, bad marketing, or whatever, but it is NOT a cash grab since there is no extra cash being grabbed.

[Perry]

Good point, although that would make HARBINGER #0, solicited for and coming out the same month as HARBINGER #9, a cash grab, correct?

[ctowner1]

Zero issues feel like gimmicks to me. Just tell the story you want to tell. It's an origin story? Great - it's an origin story. It doesn't need to be a zero.

agreed! Plus I never know where to file those in my collection! lol

e
L nny

[BobBretall]

Good point, although that would make HARBINGER #0, solicited for and coming out the same month as HARBINGER #9, a cash grab, correct?

The case could be made there, yes.

I wonder if they decided not to double up on these zeroes because of feedback about cash-grabbing on Harbinger 0?

[the1captain]

I don't care if it's technically a cash grab or not. Based on past performance we can expect a very good issue to enjoy. Numbered 0 or not.

And to be frank. For a small company that has gardnered a lot of good will with its slow and steady roll out and across the board consistancy, I would gladly succumb to the occational "cash grab" to help them out.

[SpideySavestheDay]

I don't care if it's technically a cash grab or not. Based on past performance we can expect a very good issue to enjoy. Numbered 0 or not.

Maybe the term cash grab is being used too strict. With issue 0, Harbinger is on pace to produce 13 issues this year. Admittly I am a little behind on my reading, but if 0 is of the quality as the overall Valiant line and contributes to the main plot, then it should be seen as a bonus to the readers. I welcome an extra issue to a great story.