Is Harada a Villain? UPDATE: Josh Dysart approved!

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Jace
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Is Harada a Villain? UPDATE: Josh Dysart approved!

Post by Jace »

As some of you may not be aware of, The Comic Source episode every Sunday is focused on Valiant. This week, in light of the recent announcement, we will be discussing Toyo Harada. Specifically is he a hero or a villain. I am looking for some people on both sides of the argument to join. We will be recording Saturday morning at 8 am PST I know this isn't a lot of notice, but I thought I might find a few people who are interested, so let me know!

TIME EDIT -

This is actually going down at 8 PM Pacific time Saturday night March 3rd if anyone is still interested. Still a few hours left to let me know.
Last edited by Jace on Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:16:21 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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DirtbagSailor
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast

Post by DirtbagSailor »

I discussed the 1990's version of Harada not long ago. Will do an updated modern Harada take soon.
Harada intended to study Harbingers, and learn the full extent of their potential and powers. In time, Harada discovered that he was (what he dubbed) an "Omega Harbinger" (a Harbinger who possessed a full range of Harbinger potential). Harada decided to use his knowledge, vision, resources, and powers to build a better world for humanity. Ethically, Harada subscribed to the core consequences of the philosophical stance known as Utilitarianism; a philosophy which holds that you judge the rightness or wrongness of one's actions by the principle of making the most people happy ("the greatest good for the greatest number of people"). In a quote, Harada's utilitarian belief might say "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" (Note: This same logic was most famously used by Dr. Spock in Star Trek II, The Wrath of Khan when he sacrificed himself for to save the crew of the USS ENTERPRISE). As the "Omega Harbinger" Harada decided that it was his personal responsibility to build this better world, at any cost. Harada possessed supreme imperium of the Harbingers; the power to command his army of super beings (The Harbinger Foundation) that would change the face of humanity. Harada began recruiting Harbingers from around the globe, creating programs and processes that could teach them how to effectively and efficiently use their powers.

"On ne saurait faire d'omelette sans casser des œufs..."
(French:"You've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelet..." )


- François Athanase de Charette de la Contrie

The most skilled of these recruits became "Eggbreakers", Harada's elite enforcers charged with containing renegade Harbingers, among with other things. The term was based on the 18th century French quote, "on ne saurait faire d'omelette sans casser des œufs..." which is often attributed the French Royalist soldier and politician, François Athanase de Charette de la Contrie, and literally means "you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelet...". In practice, Harada (and his Eggbreakers) understand that there are many obstacles (and people) that might prevent a better world from being built, so regretfully, such things must be eliminated (for the greater good).

In the early 1990s, The Harbinger Foundation discovered the existence of Pete Stanchek, who was the only Omega Harbinger other than Harada that existed (at the time). Harada hoped that he would be able to personally guide and teach Pete; mentoring and developing him into his lieutenant or greatest ally for building a better world. However, this did not occur, as Pete discovered the size and scope of Harada's ultimate plan after his close friend Joe (who was outspoken against The Harbinger Foundation and their methods) was murdered by Harada's Eggbreakers; in addition to an attempt to kill Pete as well. Harada recognized that Pete was both immensely powerful and terribly dangerous, as he lacked the maturity and vision that (he believed) was required of an Omega Harbinger. As Pete's loyalty to Harada's plan for a better world was uncertain, Pete represented perhaps the greatest threat to that same plan.

Pete escaped the Foundation with his girlfriend, Kris Hathaway, and decided to that is would become their purpose and mission to stop Harbinger Foundation from reaching its goals. To this end, they found and recruited other Harbingers and made efforts to undermine Harada's plans in any way they could.

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DirtbagSailor
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast

Post by DirtbagSailor »

Is Harada a hero or a villain?

He is both depending on who is making the judgment of his actions.

In Alan Moore's Watchmen, technically speaking Ozymandias (Adrian Veidt ) is the hero of the story. Yet, he also kills millions of innocent people to save billions of innocent people.

Rorschach (Walter Kovacs) is also a hero, though he himself acts as judge, jury, and executioner based on his own personal sense of morality and judgment.

Is the Punisher (Frank Castle) a hero? He administers his own brand on justice completely outside of the law, and yes, many people "agree" with it; but many people do not agree with it. To the families of the his victims, and to the law of the land perhaps the Punisher is a horrific and terrifying villain.

------------------------------------------------

Historically, Alexander of Macedonia was considered a hero. However, the people he conquered might have seen it differently. Napoleon Bonaparte; Genghis Khan; Attila the Hun; Richard the Lionheart; Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton; heroes or villains? Vladimir Putin? It really depends on which side you were on.

In the biblical "Battle of Jericho" Joshua and his spies executed recon prior to the Israeli army laying siege to the ancient city of Jericho and subsequently invading. This occurred because they believed it was the will of their God, and therefore their God-Given right. The people of Jericho were killed in battle; except for Rahab the prostitute (and her family) who had aided the spies during their recon.

From the perspective of the people of Jericho, the Israelis were an invading army of villains who intended to destroy everything that they had built; and all that they ever would have.

From the perspective of the people of Israel, the people of Jericho were an evil people who illegally occupied their promise land.

------------------------------------------------

You have to ask yourself, who has benefit humanity more? Pete or Harada? Who has saved more lives? PRS or The Harbinger Foundation?

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Jace
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by Jace »

Changed the time 8 PM Pacific Saturday March 3rd if you are interested.

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DirtbagSailor
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I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by DirtbagSailor »

I will be calling in and joining the podcast tonight.

Please tune in for all the excitement!? :high-five:

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Jace
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by Jace »

What a great episode! Big thanks to DBS for joining. He brought so much to the episode. I'll go ahead and post a link to the episode when it goes live tomorrow

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DirtbagSailor
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by DirtbagSailor »

And Valiant Entertainment’s superpowered mastermind Toyo Harada? “He’s essentially a socialist living at the height of capitalism,” says Valiant editor-in-chief Warren Simons. “He’s a socialist with a cause. He’s going to bring peace to humanity by any means necessary other than war.” In an age of forever wars and growing global income inequality, there are more than a few comics readers who might find such a villain more than a little persuasive.


http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/valiant- ... arada.html

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Jace
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by Jace »

Here's the Episode Link if anyone would like to listen;

http://thecomicsourceblog.com/episode-246/

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Dallow Spicer1
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Re: Is Harada a Villain Podcast TIME CHANGED

Post by Dallow Spicer1 »

Jace wrote:Here's the Episode Link if anyone would like to listen;

http://thecomicsourceblog.com/episode-246/
I’ll be checking this out :thumb:

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Juki
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Re: Is Harada a Villain? EPISODE NOW LIVE!

Post by Juki »

I haven't had a chance to listen to this yet. But, I am hoping the consensus is that Harada is more of a villain. At least I think that is the way the Cinematic Univese needs to portray him.

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DirtbagSailor
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
I only know how to fish, f^%k, fight, and throw rocks
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Re: Is Harada a Villain? EPISODE NOW LIVE!

Post by DirtbagSailor »

Full disclosure; this was a decent discussion breaking down a multi-dimensional character.

Take a few minutes and give it a listen. :thumb:

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Jace
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Re: Is Harada a Villain? UPDATE: Josh Dysart approved!

Post by Jace »

Imagejd by The Comic Source, on Flickr

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possumgrease
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Re: Is Harada a Villain? UPDATE: Josh Dysart approved!

Post by possumgrease »

Awesome episode and compliment by dysart.


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