IDW's Having Problems Again-Layoffs and New Bosses

[ZakuConvoy]

Hey! Here's some good news! IDW is partnering with Alien Books to help co-publish the Valiant Universe books (Bloodshot, X-O Manowar, Archer and Armstrong, Ninjak, etc).

IDW To Co-Publish Valiant Entertainment & Alien Books

IDW to Co-Publish Valiant Entertainment and Alien Books, and get them into Penguin Random House distribution.

bleedingcool.com

I think this is just an example of smaller publishers having to consolidate to get some of the new, larger comic book distributors to actually do business with them. Some reports have said that these new comic distributors don't really want to deal with dozens of smaller comic companies. You must be *this* big in order for them to return your calls.

Massive Indies' Terms To Distribute Other Publishers Through Lunar

The terms that Massive Indies requires to distribute other publishers' comics through Lunar Distribution comes with a $500 cost minimum

bleedingcool.com

Still, this isn't bad news. The Valiant Comics aren't the biggest names in the world. But, comic fans know about them. They have their fans. This is probably a good thing for IDW.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Dang, didn't see a mention of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter in there...

 

[ZakuConvoy]

Turok isn't technically a Valiant character. I'm pretty sure he's just a license they had a few times in the past. It's kind of like the situation with Marvel and Rom or the Micronauts. I think Dynamite currently has the Turok license, but I'm not sure.

Turok - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Although, he did get a nod in the recent "Resurgence of the Valiant Universe" book. He didn't show up, but they kind of vaguely alluded to him.

They probably should do more with Turok. But, I can't really blame them for not doing a lot, since it's another one of those characters who everyone knows about, but isn't always the most successful when they're around.

 

[wonko the sane?]

Too popular to die, not popular enough to pay for.

 

[Steevy Maximus]

Dang, didn't see a mention of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter in there...

As mentioned, Turok, along with Solar and Magnus: Robot Fighter, are owned by Classic Media (now owned by Universal). Given the flailing nature of the current comics industry and the fact Valiant hasn't been able to really extend its properties beyond comics (besides the Bloodshot flop) has likely meant the financials probably aren't there to secure any of those old licenses.

Too popular to die, not popular enough to pay for.

Or, because NBC/Universal now owns the IP rights, the cost to license stuff like Turok, Solar and Magnus became cost prohibitive relative to where they were 35 years ago.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Oh, didn't know that about those guys. Bummer.

Well, Turok has video games going for him (them? I'm unclear on the lore), at least.