Only The Valiant

The news we’ve been waiting forever for is here, Valiant Comics is launching on Free Comic Book Day 2012. Even more exciting than that, this FCBD issue will be the launch of a new line of Valiant comics, with X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and Harbinger leading the pack.

We are all pretty darn excited, so of course we discuss this news as much as possible. Listen now!

Also:

• We argue over the efficacy of lightning swords
• homonyms vs. heteronyms, though there’s nothing wrong with that!
• Grandpa tells a story that will “peak” your interest
• Stan Lee principles are applied! You new folks will not be lost!
• Harbinger Hangups, and the lack thereof
• Craigslist, new weapon of the Harbinger foundation
• The fate of the local comic shops
• Comparison of the New Valiant publishing schedule and the Dark Horse Gold Key publishing schedule
• A new “Unity” type crossover? How likely is this?
• Cops love Amarillo
• Mullets – a pretty bad disability
• Is bloodshot without lightning bolts still Bloodshot?
• Aric on the moon! Or in cotton land…
• Obligatory Star Trek reference, and a good alternative
• We introduce a new way to get off track: James Bond
• …then things go Youngblood, and we call it quits

We’re back for another comic book and Valiant Comics discussion, packed with odds, ends, bits, pieces, snippets and other such vocal sundries. We share some of your emails, which prompts some discussion:

How can the new Valiant Comics launch a universe without Magnus, Robot Fighter, or Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom? They were cornerstones of the original Valiant, after all.

Can the recent lawsuits over Superman, Angela, and Medieval Spawn help us understand anything about derivitave work and copyrights?

What ever happened to CGC graded books anyway? We never seem to discuss them anymore.

• We leave out pointless stories (sure we do…)
• Bloodshot, New Valiant super star!
• Could Solar ever get up and at them?
• In case you don’t remember, Ultraverse sucks (down with OTU)
• Solar may have more in common with Neil Gaiman’s and Todd McFarlane’s fued than you know
• Superman vs. a cheap plot device! MHHHTRRRPLLLS!
• A SECOND co-host admits they enjoy Psi-Lords
• The MAN wants us to have BAD VISION. Consipiracy! Contrails! (We might get a little coocoo)
• A sure fire way to make tens of dollars! TENS!
• The cat is fat and gluttonous
• Lowest on census – A book to be proud of
• Tens of protesters! TENS!
• Walking the (creepy) line
• Tremble at the sight of Man Faye

If you haven’t already started to download and listen, you’re doing it wrong!

By the way, are you subscribed to OTV through iTunes or your favorite podcatcher? Subscribers get the episodes earlier, quicker, and more easily. Click here to subscribe now.

Valiant Entertainment released a slate of news, Peter Cuneo is the new Chairman, Fred Pierce is Publisher, and Warren Simons is Executive Editor, and they have a new capital infusion that will allow them to publish new Valiant Comics in 2012!

… rather exciting news.

We hash out our thoughts about this news, and what it may mean for the future of Valiant.

In addition to all that discussion:

• Farewells
• Green Lantern – the movie review
• Venture capital: evil, or blessing?
• Will the Marvel model work for Valiant?
• In a world overrun by monsters, Charles Barkley is our only hope
• Sandwich ads make great comics (a grab for free food)
• A possible boon to the pouch industry
• Valiant’s cross-media action may use this franchise as a model
• Future Ottawans – how do they sound?
• Hard Corpse or Hard Cores
• Named “Palin”? Prepare to be known as SHAZAM!

In addition to all of this, listener emails and recent reads!

Sometimes, things take a while to come out. Like this show. It happens, but here we are to talk about comics, conventions, delays, singing, tigerblood, and various other sundries.

A few links we discussed:

In this episode, we talk about cons, Wondercon and SDCC, some recent Dark Horse Gold Key character books, and Wizard’s demise.

• Jim Shooter’s blog

• Jim Shooter’s twitter

Up next is our Ninjak discussion so send in your thoughts about that!

Is it really time for a new episode of Only The Valiant? Yes. The answer is yes. In this episode, we talk about upcoming Dark Horse comics, collecting habits, etc.

In addition, we have our amazing brand of banter, and…

• Will there be a mailed address call for auditions?
• Klingons fighting Star Wars fanboys.. in our dreams
• Will we get to rock, er, I mean, Turok, in September?
• How many comics makes a print run of comics “limited” in today’s comic world
• What should we do when we get down on comics?
• Do you have Comic Addiction? there is a (manga) patch for that
• When was the first appearance of Aliens?
• The best Star Wars movie, and the two best words about Jedi
• Chub Nub… sing it, Ewoks

What’s this we hear? There are rumors that a Bloodshot movie are in development. How true are these rumors? Who knows! We discuss.

Some news from Wondercon was released about the launch dates of the Magnus and Doctor Solar books coming from Dark Horse. Is this exclusive information to Only The Valiant?

Some CGC comics discussion, and other stuff from Wondercon fill out this episode. Also:

• The 1 person that likes the Punisher movies
• How do you find a wife? Should you start with a fuzzy hat>
• What is the most timeless movie of all time?
• Do ‘splodey movies make great movies?
• Turok: Babysitter
• Arguments! Who’s an apologist? Who’s a realist?
• Doctor Solar is on a cover of Wizard, and nobody cared
• Yawns are inexcuseable

Get your audio action and excitement now!

We hope everyone’s year has started out right! After taking some time off around the holidays, we’re back to talk about some Valiant news, and some good ol’ comic book talk in general. It’s been a while since we’ve all chatted, so we take some time for you to catch up with us.

Here’s some of the things you can expect to find:

• Nerd levels that approach 11
• Check out the Playing God trade Paperback!
• Who would you want to write the next set of Sandman stories?
• We take a moment to remember Puccini
• Political aspirations are announced!
• Chiclo and Quarter have incorrect opinions about the latest Star Trek movie
• Checking in on the Blackest Siege Nightly Reign Whatever blah blah from Marvel and DC

Also, we’ll be talking about the Malev War storyline in the next episode, so pull out those issues and read along!

On a day for giving thanks, we talk about why we like comics, and what appealed to us about comics in the first place. As usual, we all have a different point of view. We also manage, in our discussion, to talk about comic book movies. We discuss our favorites.

In addition, thrills and chills:

• Interesting parlays with the telecomm industry
• Who is the winner of the Great Texas Nerd Off? Hint: He may be a host on this podcast
• An interesting “alternate use” for those Final Crisis comics you have laying around – and never want to read again
• Horror stories about comics butchery
• Ebay horror stories! Bad sellers! Expensive shipping!
• A young Entrepreneurs dream of making millions by collecting comics is shattered…
• If comics exist just to make movies out of, what’s the point?
• We discuss the manliest movie of ALL TIME

Comics Podcast Theme Week is in full effect! Podcasters around the world are discussing horror in comics, and we’re there with them.

We discuss horror comics in general, touching on the 50′s and the 80′s, some of the best times for horror comics.

Valiant had some horror in their title too, and we discuss the ins and outs of horror in the Valiant universe. In other words, we talk about Master Darque and Shadowman for a bit. There really isn’t much horror in the Valiant Universe actually…

In addition, Voicemails! Listener feedback! Plus, your questions about collecting comics answered 1 by 1.

Tune in, tune out, whatever! This podcast is for you, so enjoy!

Interesting stuff is afoot in the Valiant World.

Valiant Entertainment has filed suit against Jim Shooter for allegedly monkeywrenching their plans to acquire the license to the Gold Key characters and for stealing intellectual property from Valiant.

It turns out that Jim has been the Editor in Chief of Valiant since late 2008, and has been developing stories for new comics in that time. Valiant has also been making moves to acquire the license for Magnus and Solar from Gold Key as a part of that launch.

On information and belief, we share our thoughts on this interesting development.

If you would like to read the complaint VE filed against Jim Shooter, we have a copy of it right here.

Also, exciting news! We now have a voicemail line, so you can call us up and leave us a comment. Share your thoughts on the air with us!

The number is: 270-8-NINJAK

Leave us a message!

The greatest discussion of shared comic book universes continues in this episode! We talk about the history of shared universes, and discuss how shared universes show up in other media other than comic books.

This one is an extravaganza of insight, filled with shocking turns of events, thrills, chills, and mystery.

Here is another reminder to go to FresheVenture.com, click on “Vote For The Best WordPress Design of 2009″, scroll down to OnlyTheValiant.com, and vote for us!

You are in for a senses-shattering good time, so what are you waiting for? Download it, stream it, and listen to it NOW!

Comic Book Universes! What is it about a shared universe as the setting for different stories appeals to us so much? Why do we love the Valiant Universe, Marvel Universe, and DC Universe? (plus all the others too!) We discuss the good side, and the bad side of this phenomenon that occurs mostly in super hero comics. In addition to that topic at large, we’ve got:

• What the recent changes at Marvel and DC mean to YOU, the comic book fan
• Learn when spoiler alerts are required, and when they are not, and hear Sean get spoiled (oh no!)
• The mistake that national celebrities make when on national television, and how you can avoid this one crucial mistake.
• Find out what kind of parking you can expect to find for your horse in Lubbock, Texas.
• A moment of silence for Patrick Swayze, who dirty danced his way into our hearts.
• Michael Jackson jokes!
• The ins and outs of picking a good “safe word”
• Our philosophical and psychological hacks to explain why comic universes are so gripping on our mind.
• Are you just a fair weather comic fan? Or do you know the initial line up of the Defenders?
• Best comic book pick up lines.
• What new comic book shows one of the hard limitations of storytelling in the Marvel and DC Universes

Plus, a reminder to go to FresheVenture.com, click on “Vote For The Best WordPress Design of 2009″, scroll down to OnlyTheValiant.com, and vote for us!

You are in for a mind-bending good time, so what are you waiting for? Download it, stream it, and listen to it NOW!

After a little bit of a break, we are back in full podcasting strength! In this action packed episode, we discuss the big news out of San Diego Comic-Con about the return of the Gold Key Characters, Magnus, Solar, Turok at Dark Horse Comics, helmed by none other than Jim Shooter himself. As always, we are action packed.

• Exciting stories of run ins with the local police department!
• How good are your ears? This information may help you annoy teenagers.
• Is that an elephant in the room? We discuss.
• What would happen to The Sentry if you were to stand next to him and say the word “Kimota”?
• The most frightening video game ever has a strange connection to Valiant Comics. What is it?
• The good old days of eBay are gone… [we shed a tear]
• What can we expect to see at Dark Horse when these comics roll out?

Plus, our unusually sophisticated and entertaining banter, wit, and vocabulary, as you always expect from Only The Valiant. Love us.

Announcement:

Two of us from OTV will be at San Diego Comic-Con, and we will be recording from the convention floor. We’d like to meet you and we’d like you to join us. check out the announcement for more information.

On to the show!

We broke from the Valiant talk for an episode to talk about comic books in general. We each chose a subject we wanted to discuss, and this prompted our conversation. You get Three topics for the low regular price of One podcast!

• Sean brings up Longbox digital comics, which leads into a discussion of digital comics in general. Sides are chosen. Lines are drawn. Some of us are all for digital distribution of comics, some of us will chop off their left hand before switching to digital comics
• Avergae Joe, mascarading as Batman, talks about the distribution of comics, and we talk about ways that this art form that we all love could grow and flourish in the future, and get into the hands (and hearts) of the general public.
• Chiclo brings back the fun and guides us through some good old geeky discussion of comic book villains. We choose our favorites, and talk about this whole “anti-hero” thing that seems to be all the rage with super villains these days.
• As always, we have tons of witty banter, and never miss a moment to give each other a hard time and crack a joke.

Like all our shows, this one is the best one yet! Sit back and enjoy!

Two of us saw Watchmen, and we’ve got a spoiler free review of the movie, Two of us were at Wondercon, and we talk about the convention, and we discuss the world of 4001 and 4020 as it is portrayed in Magnus, Rai, and a couple other titles.  Onward to the future!

So you have decided you want to get some Valiant comics. How should you go about acquiring them? What kind of collector are you? Where are the best places to find the Valiant comics you want? What are the tips that will help you find the diamonds in the rough? In this episode, Sean, Chiclo, and Zeph discuss the fine art of buying Valiant comics. Sit back and enjoy this episode, brought to you by collecting, compulsion, and capitalism!

This episode welcomes new co-host Zeph, as we discuss what would be required for a successful relaunch of Valiant Comics. Opinions abound as we talk about the importance of old continuity for new stories, as well as the different options of how Valiant could start creating new stories about our favorite characters. Joining us for the discussion is guest Michael Sacal, who has populated the informative Valiant Wiki for Valiant Entertainment. The wiki can be found at http://valiantentertainment.com/wiki. Michael knows Valiant continuity and stories through and through.

Valiant history, again! Chiclo and Sean continue there journey of recollection, Starting with the last of the Acclaim comics like Armorines, Shadowman Vol. 3, and Unity 2000. After this, bankruptcy, big sales, shady trademark registration by a secretive company, and the legal battle to end all legal battles (for Valiant characters).

In episode 2, Chiclo and Sean discuss the history of Valiant comics from Jim Shooter’s early days at Marvel up to Acclaim’s final publishing push, Unity 2000. The history of Valiant comics will be continued in episode 3. Also, a mention of valiantcollectorssociety.com, and some clarification and neat stuff about the X-O Manowar hardcover and the Harbinger movie.

Episode 1 now available! In the first episode, Chiclo and Sean talk about how they both became fans of Valiant comics, discuss recent Valiant news including the possibility of a Harbinger movie and the announcement of the X-O Manowar hardcover collection, and discuss what was different about Valiant comics from all other comics, and what made them stand out at the time.