http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=127072 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 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.
