Re-reading: Harbinger #1

xoken · Post by **xoken** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:46 am

As promised here are the first 3 Harbinger books.

(See "Re-reading: Eternal Warrior #1" for a description of this re-reading project and the voting)

Harbinger #1

dave · Post by **dave** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:14 pm

CHI-huahua! i can't even keepup with the ew and a&a!!!

xoken · Post by **xoken** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:21 pm

dave wrote:CHI-huahua! i can't even keepup with the ew and a&a!!!

This is the big weekend update. No more till Monday

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm

Great book, I loved the story and the artwork. To me, this is not just another "Superkid team book". It deals with the real emotional issues of young people who learn they have unusual abilities. Valiant at it's best.

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:25 pm

Like Eternal Warrior 1, in only one issue we get our villian and all our heroes defined with space left over for some truely inspired fight scenes. The Harbinger kids are just great characters with real depth and have a great chemistry together. And I loved the different take they had on psychic abilities , right down to the fact you can't see Sting's TK abilities (unlike most comic psychics that have glowing energy coming out of their head). Great, great stuff. A 10.

depluto · Post by **depluto** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:27 am

A great intro to the series, and a beefy read. The kind of story it takes six comics to tell nowadays.

It's sad, because this book had so much potential, and all of that is evident after the first few pages. And then it gets even better.

Definitely a 10 in my book.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:50 am

One of THE BEST books Valiant put out. Great art Great story.
One of the true gems of pre-Unity Valiant.

SO much better then Unity Red!

xoken · Post by **xoken** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:55 pm

Interesting opening. Definitly haven't seen that done in that way before.

The first fight is a bit weak, and a little too comic-like. Back in the day I remember it was much more realistic than other books but today it could be a little more realistic. Especially since Pete's talking to helicopter pilots (not supervillians) when a costumed character bounces in.

Having re-read 4-6 first really lets you see how far and fast Lapham progressed. His work here is good (especially the depth of field and detail) but by the end of this arc its magic.

Love the flying is for the birds panel. The purse in the car bit and that both have messed up hair because of flying.

The realistic situations really add to your identifing with Pete and Kris - the motel, the dinner, the post office...nothing crazy.

I wonder what would have happened to Zeph had Harbinger got her letter.....

Hmm, I didn't like that the poster on Zephs wall and the bed change from panel to panel....

The first page in the junkyard is my favourite part of the book. GREAT character stuff and Lapham put so much thought into those panels

That and Kris's threat on the next page are what makes me love this book.

enter Flamingo and Torque. The team is put togther is the best amalgam of the avengers and dirty dozen. This would make such a fun film.

Re-reading the book, its telling that Kris was the one that wanted to go see torque and that she was the one that didn't mind when he was normal. Pete was against the idea the whole time.

Nice tension built with torque as a possible spy that leads into a very cool release of his powers. And just in time for a big fight.

What would arnold do!!!

The first team battle is hardly a success but it unites them.

Very very solid first issue. Lapham starts the book well and ends it great. I honestly expected to give it a 9 but it really is a 10.

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:52 am

I would lend this book out to friends to read and get them hooked on Valiant. (until the tpb came out)

The first one is always free . . .

The rest has all been said - 10

Valiant OCD · Post by **Valiant OCD** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:45 pm

I just re read this book tonight, (thanks Whetton!). I enjoyed it almost as much as the first time. It did occour to me however that the first time I read this book I had already read #0. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts about what it was like to read this book (#1) first? would'nt that be confusing?

Shooter really does throw you into the deep end there! Did that turn anybody off at all? Other than that The book is an amazing read. I aggree with a previous poster. This book tells a story that todays books would spread out over 6 issues!!!

xoken · Post by **xoken** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:01 pm

Valiant OCD wrote:I just re read this book tonight, (thanks Whetton!). I enjoyed it almost as much as the first time. It did occour to me however that the first time I read this book I had already read #0. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts about what it was like to read this book (#1) first? would'nt that be confusing?

Shooter really does throw you into the deep end there! Did that turn anybody off at all? Other than that The book is an amazing read. I aggree with a previous poster. This book tells a story that todays books would spread out over 6 issues!!!

The first time I read Harbinger I read #1 before #0 and I wasn't really into the book until Pete and Kris got to the motel. From then till the end of the issue is, in my opinion, the strongest writing in the Valiant universe (except for Steel Nation).

VH69 · Post by **VH69** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:28 am

A classic. Nothing less than a 10

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:05 pm

I finally got to read this issue - outstanding work! It was as if I were reading it for the first time, because even though I had read this before (years ago) I couldn't remember a thing about it. It was this kind of stuff that hooked me on the X-Men when I was 11 (1982) and Harbinger does it in spades - I give the book a 9! I liked all the early Valiant stuff, but I think this book could make me re-think my position that Rai is my fave Valiant title... almost.

-slym

xomanowarfan · Post by **xomanowarfan** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 2:32 am

The best Valiant book period. A 10!

oldjello · Post by **oldjello** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:04 pm

Not too many books will get "instant classics" in my eyes, but this one does. It still remains one of the best-- all time.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:10 pm

Agreed. It's one of those books that gets you hooked instantly after reading the first issue.

siren3-4 · Post by **siren3-4** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:47 pm

Looks like I'll be re-reading this in a few months . . . along with # 0,2,3,4,5,6,7 & a Harada origin story . . .

10 again . . .

myron · Post by **myron** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:20 pm

siren3-4 wrote:Looks like I'll be re-reading this in a few months . . . along with # 0,2,3,4,5,6,7 & a Harada origin story . . .

10 again . . .

and again...all the pre-unity harbies are top notch...

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:50 pm

slym2none wrote:I finally got to read this issue - outstanding work! It was as if I were reading it for the first time, because even though I had read this before (years ago) I couldn't remember a thing about it. It was this kind of stuff that hooked me on the X-Men when I was 11 (1982) and Harbinger does it in spades - I give the book a 9! I liked all the early VALIANT stuff, but I think this book could make me re-think my position that Rai is my fave VALIANT title... almost.

-slym

I stand by this today.

-slym (can't believe he went right by his 2-year anniversary here at VF.com)

The Harbinger · Post by **The Harbinger** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:27 pm

does this mean slym2none will finally have a new avatar?

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004

Re-reading: Harbinger #1

How would you rate this book?

Re-reading: Harbinger #1