VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT's HARBINGER HC CANCELLED BY DIAMOND

[MattBrady]

In the latest development in what has seemingly become a quagmire of intellectual property rights and legalities over the former Valiant characters took another twist this past week. The Harbinger: The Beginning hardcover, originally due to go on sale this Wednesday from Valiant Entertainment, LLC. collecting the original 1990’s Harbinger #0-7 along with an all-new "Origin of Harada" story by Harbinger creator Jim Shooter, has been cancelled in the Direct Market. Retailers who have called their Diamond Comics Distributors representatives to inquire about the availability of the hardcover have been told that the item was canceled Friday due to "legal reasons."

Tuesday retailers were informed by Valiant Entertainment that the volume (which already was sold earlier this month at Wizardworld: Chicago) will still be available for sale, directly from the publisher. Responding to Newsarama’s inquiries about the cancellation and “direct sale” offer, Valiant Entertainment issued a press release addressing the development.

“After careful review and discussion, Diamond Comics and Valiant Entertainment mutually agreed that Harbinger: The Beginning will be distributed via the ‘Valiant Retailer Direct’ program and not through Diamond Comics Distributors,” reads the release.

“The Valiant Retailer Direct program ensures that Valiant readers receive Harbinger: The Beginning within a few days of its scheduled release date, while removing the unnecessary burden on a third party distributor until a current legal dispute is resolved and giving Valiant Entertainment the opportunity to form relationships directly with valuable retail customers,” said Walter Black, Senior Vice President & Publisher of Valiant Entertainment, in the release.

According to the publisher, the “Valiant Retailer Direct” program allows retailers to purchase the new hardcover collection directly from Valiant Entertainment, as opposed to via Diamond, and at a 56% discount off the suggested retail price of $24.95. The discount given through "Valiant Retailer Direct" is higher than that which retailers would have seen through Diamond alone.

The volume will apparently also be available through other retail means and as of Monday evening was available for order on Amazon.com

While neither Valiant Entertainment nor Diamond provided specifics about the “legal dispute” that led to the volume’s Direct Market cancellation, speculation will of course center on the ongoing conflict between Valiant Entertainment, LLC, and Valiant Intellectual Properties, LLC. Click here for the full known details of that dispute.

Look for more information on this development as it becomes available.

[DennyColt]

Wow, this is gonna piss quite a few people off.

[CParadise]

Well, better stores, (like mine) will order it directly through Valliant and will have them for their customers. Not a big deal, just a different sales channel for retailers to go to.

I do think a press release like this should be edited before placing it into public view because information such as discount given to retailers should be a private matter between the company and retailers. I hope this is just an omission.

[pta391]

Originally Posted by DennyColt

Wow, this is gonna piss quite a few people off.

that would be me thats VERY pissed now...lousy thieving no good rassa frassa...

[bkbirge]

The Curse of Valiant strikes again.

[J. Dincauze]

I'm confused. How is this even an issue? Retailers will still get the book, and it'll still be in stores. Is this really even in that much of demand?

[panicbxmb]

people who want the book will get a 56% discount if ordering directly from the publisher... WHERE'S THE PROBLEM!?

you get the book, AND you save a nice amount of cash. win-win!

[comics4me2]

Sounds like a non-issue to me.

If a retailer wants it... done deal

Sounds like a better deal for retailers when you think about it.

[comics4me2]

WOW.
BOY! This is really newsworthy.
Books get cancelled all the time.So Diamond doesn't send it out.
Retailers can still order it.

What's the deal?
Newsarama looking for news?
Sad.

THANK YOU
Valiant Retailer Direct

[Dalarsco]

It isn't that it was canceled that it was news, but the reasons for which it was canceled. It wasn't something normal like pages not being in. It was because of some assholes tying up the rights to the names while someone else has the actual characters. Diamond decided not to deliver to avoid taking a side.

[CParadise]

Originally Posted by comics4me2

Sounds like a better deal for retailers when you think about it.

IT's actually not a better deal for several reasons, but, yes, availability is there, so, close enough, no biggie. It does delay the in-store date, but not by much.

[adamcasey]

Originally Posted by CParadise

I do think a press release like this should be edited before placing it into public view because information such as discount given to retailers should be a private matter between the company and retailers. I hope this is just an omission.

Teehee!

The veil of secrecy on the business of comics was lifted long ago (as well as many other industries.) Most comic fans know that comics are sold at approximately 50% off the cover price to retailers.

[wespierce1]

Normally, I would say something about how once again Diamond hit the retailers in a negative way, but this time I have to admit it's probably better in the long run for them legally with everything that's going on right now. Am I pleased that My store will not be getting it's copies from Diamond as planned? NO. Am I hopeful that we will be able to obtain some from the Valiant program? Yes.

Hopeful, but doubtful.

So sad.

Such is life.

[CParadise]

Originally Posted by wespierce1

Normally, I would say something about how once again Diamond hit the retailers in a negative way, but this time I have to admit it's probably better in the long run for them legally with everything that's going on right now. Am I pleased that My store will not be getting it's copies from Diamond as planned? NO. Am I hopeful that we will be able to obtain some from the Valiant program? Yes.

Hopeful, but doubtful.

So sad.

Such is life.

Instead of being sad, ask the store to do it through the program, tell them you are guaranteeing your sale, pay up front, do something that will make them reconsider. Being sad wont help this item do well, and this is the ONE item that will be the barometer by which people will judge if the new Valiant succeeds or fails. Stop being sad, start being pro-active. That is the point of this release.

[CParadise]

Originally Posted by adamcasey

Teehee!

The veil of secrecy on the business of comics was lifted long ago (as well as many other industries.) Most comic fans know that comics are sold at approximately 50% off the cover price to retailers.

Do you think I dont know that? Just because everyone knows, it does not mean it should be constantly repeated. Retailers sign contracts with manufacturers and the numbers in those contracts are not for being flaunted around. It's a matter of courtesy to retailers, many of who frequent this site. That is all. Not trying to be evil, deceiving or anything else you may think. This is about Valiant, the HC and making it available, not about how much discount a retailer gets.

[xomanowarfan]

Originally Posted by CParadise

Well, better stores, (like mine) will order it directly through Valliant and will have them for their customers. Not a big deal, just a different sales channel for retailers to go to.

I do think a press release like this should be edited before placing it into public view because information such as discount given to retailers should be a private matter between the company and retailers. I hope this is just an omission.

I agree. A site as popular as Newsarama should note be releasing this kind of information.

[xomanowarfan]

Originally Posted by panicbxmb

people who want the book will get a 56% discount if ordering directly from the publisher... WHERE'S THE PROBLEM!?

you get the book, AND you save a nice amount of cash. win-win!

Not a problem for retailers. A small problem for people like me...I now have to go tell me retailer about it and convince him to order the book.

by the way, here is what i found at www.valiantfans.com

After careful review and discussion, Diamond Comics Distributors and Valiant Entertainment have mutually agreed that Harbinger: The Beginning will be distributed through the Valiant Retailer Direct program only and not through Diamond Comics Distributors.

Valiant Entertainment is launching Valiant Retailer Direct, a new program that will allow Valiant to distribute directly to retailers and fulfill orders for Harbinger: The Beginning.

What can you do to ensure you get your copy? Contact your local comics store and make sure they have received the Valiant Retailer Direct information we have sent them. If not, send your retailer's email address and phone number to us at inquiries@valiantentertainment.com with the subject: Valiant Retailer Direct and we will be sure to send them the appropriate information.

The book will not be in stores on August 29th as originally scheduled but will be in stores 10 days following your retailers' order of the book via Valiant Retailer Direct. Please note that Valiant Retailer Direct is for retailers only and we cannot distribute directly to consumers.

In addition, Harbinger: The Beginning is in stock at Amazon.com and can be ordered at http://www.amazon.com/Harbinger-Begi.../dp/0979640903

We appreciate the support from Valiant fans and apologize that circumstances didn't allow for normal distribution channels. We hope you enjoy Harbinger: The Beginning!

-Walter Black, Senior Vice President & Publisher

[strangernpar]

I just emailed my local shop to make sure they were getting it. if they won't I guess I can order from Amazon. I'd rather give my money to the local guy tho

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally Posted by Dalarsco

It isn't that it was canceled that it was news, but the reasons for which it was canceled. It wasn't something normal like pages not being in. It was because of some assholes tying up the rights to the names while someone else has the actual characters. Diamond decided not to deliver to avoid taking a side.

Well, ANYONE could have legally trademarked those names once Valiant allowed the TM to lapse.... It's on Valiant as much as those you despise.

[HeX111]

It's a "cover your ass" move by Diamond so that it doesn't get dragged into the existing lawsuit between VIP and VE... because it could be construed as collusion between Diamond and VE to subvert VIP's publishing rights to the characters...

I was kinda suprised that this wasn't announced when the lawsuit was announced a while back... I figured that Diamond would have jumped ship back then rather than get dragged into it... it was just later, rather than sooner

[DBHughes]

Originally Posted by Kevin T. Brown

Well, ANYONE could have legally trademarked those names once Valiant allowed the TM to lapse.... It's on Valiant as much as those you despise.

Personally, I view this attitude as though one said, "If you didn't want your house robbed, you should have put a lock on the door" or "If you didn't want to be raped, you should have worn less promiscuous clothing."

Such cold "business" logic can be applied all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that VIP is a collective bunch of slime with a despicable agenda.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally Posted by DBHughes

Personally, I view this attitude as though one said, "If you didn't want your house robbed, you should have put a lock on the door" or "If you didn't want to be raped, you should have worn less promiscuous clothing."

Such cold "business" logic can be applied all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that VIP is a collective bunch of slime with a despicable agenda.

The lock on the door makes sense; the rape analogy... not so much. Especially since there's no correlation between a woman getting raped and the clothes she wears. (And let's not go down that road.....)

Look, someone dropped the ball at Valiant and there was someone else there to pick it up. LEGALLY VIP were and are within their rights. I'm neither agreeing nor disagreeing with their methods, just pointing out the lagality of it all. No matter how much people think it sucks. If Marvel allowed their TM on, say, Captain America lapse, don't think for a moment that DC wouldn't come in and claim it.

[DBHughes]

Originally Posted by Kevin T. Brown

Especially since there's no correlation between a woman getting raped and the clothes she wears. (And let's not go down that road.....)

It's the same; you're just not comfortable with the example because it's stark. Many, many people wrongly argue that women who dress "sexy" are asking for it just as people who don't put a lock on their door are asking for it. And as those horrible people bask in the glow of being "correct", the simple fact is that something despicable happened no matter how it is sliced.

So dropped the ball? Yeah; I would buy it if VEI had lost just one name or maybe two. VIP registered ALL OF THE NAMES THEY COULD. It's an obvious shake down - extortion. VIP knows they don't own the characters; they're just holding the trademarks over VEI's head.

[Michael Mayket]

Originally Posted by xomanowarfan

I agree. A site as popular as Newsarama should note be releasing this kind of information.

And I disagree. There should be more transparency in business. Consumer's should know what the mark-up is that they are paying.

[MattBrady]

Guys - no matter what anyone says here, this discussion is not about rape, and it's amazingly, stunningly insensitive and boorish to make that comparison.

Let's stop it before the thread veers into that direction.

Given the topic, there's going to be enough passion, allegations and, apparently, name-calling to go around.

MattB