Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Discuss the VALIANT comics, characters, and collecting.
PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL SPOILER INFORMATION IN YOUR TOPIC TITLE.

Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg

User avatar
tchalla8
Nanite-powered posting
Nanite-powered posting
Posts: 1406
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:48 pm
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by tchalla8 »

kevinbastos wrote:I forget what waiting a month to the next issue was like.

This is TORTURE!
It does suck....but it'll be a little easier in a few months when we have more titles to keep us occupied week to week. As it stands now we have 5 weeks until a new Valiant book. That's a looooong wait.
Spooooon!!!!

User avatar
Dr. Solar
Spanked like a 4 year old in K-Mart.
Spanked like a 4 year old in K-Mart.
Posts: 10898
Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 8:09 pm
Favorite character: Sven
Favorite title: Psi-Lords #2
Location: Los Angeles Surviving Sectors
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Dr. Solar »

Reading it in print finally, as opposed to a low-res PDF, yeah, it look's like Pete's foot crushing the pill.

What is cool is that even knowing what it is, there's still a lot of room for interpretation of why it's there and what it means.

That's pretty cool.
Image

User avatar
tchalla8
Nanite-powered posting
Nanite-powered posting
Posts: 1406
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:48 pm
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by tchalla8 »

Dr. Solar wrote:Reading it in print finally, as opposed to a low-res PDF, yeah, it look's like Pete's foot crushing the pill.

What is cool is that even knowing what it is, there's still a lot of room for interpretation of why it's there and what it means.

That's pretty cool.
apparently this is the most controversial panel in the book :P
Spooooon!!!!

User avatar
etos45
I live to be inefficient!
I live to be inefficient!
Posts: 4149
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Anywhere but here... nope, there I am.
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by etos45 »

myron wrote:
tchalla8 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:
etos45 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:I thought it was Pete's fist punching the pill Joe spit out into the ground.

Pretty sure it's a foot. That looks like a big toe in the front.

I can kinda of see that now.
I think we can call this a failed panel. But 1 out of 100 ain't bad.
I wouldn't call it a failed panel at all...just look at the discussion it's bringing.
I would only agree that it was a failed panel because people couldn't tell what they were looking at. That's not good in a comic book. It was a success as far as getting people to discuss the meaning behind the panel, it was a failure because the discussion started with, "Is it a dog's foot? Pete's foot? A button being pressed? A guy smashing a ring?". Imagine if a whole comic was that hard to decipher?

User avatar
BugsySig
I could be talking poo-doo.
I could be talking poo-doo.
Posts: 9554
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:47 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Ivar, Timewalker
Favorite title: Harbinger/Timewalker
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart/FVL
Favorite artist: Joe Quesada
Location: Central CT
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by BugsySig »

etos45 wrote:
myron wrote:
tchalla8 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:
etos45 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:I thought it was Pete's fist punching the pill Joe spit out into the ground.

Pretty sure it's a foot. That looks like a big toe in the front.

I can kinda of see that now.
I think we can call this a failed panel. But 1 out of 100 ain't bad.
I wouldn't call it a failed panel at all...just look at the discussion it's bringing.
I would only agree that it was a failed panel because people couldn't tell what they were looking at. That's not good in a comic book. It was a success as far as getting people to discuss the meaning behind the panel, it was a failure because the discussion started with, "Is it a dog's foot? Pete's foot? A button being pressed? A guy smashing a ring?". Imagine if a whole comic was that hard to decipher?
I think the real issue is the coloring. Because it is drawn as if in moonlight, Pete's foot looks grayish like the dogs instead of flesh toned. If the foot was colored as if in full light, it would not have been confusing IMHO.
Kurt Busiek wrote:Bull$#!t
Image

User avatar
etos45
I live to be inefficient!
I live to be inefficient!
Posts: 4149
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Anywhere but here... nope, there I am.
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by etos45 »

BugsySig wrote: I think the real issue is the coloring. Because it is drawn as if in moonlight, Pete's foot looks grayish like the dogs instead of flesh toned. If the foot was colored as if in full light, it would not have been confusing IMHO.
For me, the toes looked too short. That's what I thought it could be the dog's foot until the toenail thing.

User avatar
BugsySig
I could be talking poo-doo.
I could be talking poo-doo.
Posts: 9554
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:47 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Ivar, Timewalker
Favorite title: Harbinger/Timewalker
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart/FVL
Favorite artist: Joe Quesada
Location: Central CT
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by BugsySig »

etos45 wrote:
BugsySig wrote: I think the real issue is the coloring. Because it is drawn as if in moonlight, Pete's foot looks grayish like the dogs instead of flesh toned. If the foot was colored as if in full light, it would not have been confusing IMHO.
For me, the toes looked too short. That's what I thought it could be the dog's foot until the toenail thing.
Well artists say hands and feet are the toughest to draw. I would say Evans' imperfect foot is still a Da Vinci compared to Rob Leifeld.
Kurt Busiek wrote:Bull$#!t
Image

User avatar
Blood of Heroes
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
Posts: 5074
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: 619
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Blood of Heroes »

tchalla8 wrote:
kevinbastos wrote:I forget what waiting a month to the next issue was like.

This is TORTURE!
It does suck....but it'll be a little easier in a few months when we have more titles to keep us occupied week to week. As it stands now we have 5 weeks until a new Valiant book. That's a looooong wait.
5 weeks compared to the years and years of waiting? Child's play. :wink:

User avatar
jmatt
Mmm, I was drooling over Cooshie tonight.
Mmm, I was drooling over Cooshie tonight.
Posts: 11027
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA!
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by jmatt »

etos45 wrote:
myron wrote:
tchalla8 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:
etos45 wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:I thought it was Pete's fist punching the pill Joe spit out into the ground.

Pretty sure it's a foot. That looks like a big toe in the front.

I can kinda of see that now.
I think we can call this a failed panel. But 1 out of 100 ain't bad.
I wouldn't call it a failed panel at all...just look at the discussion it's bringing.
I would only agree that it was a failed panel because people couldn't tell what they were looking at. That's not good in a comic book. It was a success as far as getting people to discuss the meaning behind the panel, it was a failure because the discussion started with, "Is it a dog's foot? Pete's foot? A button being pressed? A guy smashing a ring?". Imagine if a whole comic was that hard to decipher?
Ya gotta believe Khari Evans is reading this and wondering "They think it's a dog's foot!? A ring?!" :!:

User avatar
etos45
I live to be inefficient!
I live to be inefficient!
Posts: 4149
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Anywhere but here... nope, there I am.
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by etos45 »

jmatt wrote:Ya gotta believe Khari Evans is reading this and wondering "They think it's a dog's foot!? A ring?!" :!:
Remember, when the first pages for this book came out, a lot of people (myself included) thought Harada was a girl. :lol:

User avatar
400yrs
Am I Too Old to be Licking This?
Am I Too Old to be Licking This?
Posts: 11484
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:55 am
Valiant fan since: A&A #0
Favorite character: Shadowman
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Dysart
Favorite artist: Lapham
Location: #champabay
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by 400yrs »

etos45 wrote:
jmatt wrote:Ya gotta believe Khari Evans is reading this and wondering "They think it's a dog's foot!? A ring?!" :!:
Remember, when the first pages for this book came out, a lot of people (myself included) thought Harada was a girl. :lol:

Unfortunately, the lips do make Harada look like a girl.


Regarding the pill panel, when I read it, I had no idea what it was either. I just glossed over it. So that's kind of a fail from a story-telling perspective. It could've been drawn better, but I'm betting they relied on that bright coloring to clue people in because it wasn't drawn well.

IMO, it could've been written better as well. If you swap that panel with the last panel on the page before it, that tells the story a bit better and drives the point home that this happened because Joe didn't take the pill.
ASM Crossover Home

User avatar
Donovan
...formerly The Beyonder
...formerly The Beyonder
Posts: 989
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 3:55 pm
Valiant fan since: Unity. The first time.
Favorite character: Rai
Favorite title: VEI Quantum & Woody
Favorite writer: Matt Kindt
Favorite artist: Romulo Fajardo
Location: Canada
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Donovan »

It has to be Pete's foot. In the previous panel, Irons is jumping in mid air, and those are definitely human toe nails. :P

I think the panel just might have worked better from a different angle, showing a more distinct big toe.

I miss Jim Shooter's blog. If he was still blogging and critiquing comics, this type of ambiguity would send him over the edge! :P

User avatar
etos45
I live to be inefficient!
I live to be inefficient!
Posts: 4149
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Anywhere but here... nope, there I am.
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by etos45 »

The Beyonder wrote:It has to be Pete's foot. In the previous panel, Irons is jumping in mid air, and those are definitely human toe nails. :P

I think the panel just might have worked better from a different angle, showing a more distinct big toe.

I miss Jim Shooter's blog. If he was still blogging and critiquing comics, this type of ambiguity would send him over the edge! :P
I'm pretty sure Joe was wearing shoes anyways. So, yeah, Pete's foot FTW. :thumb:

Shooter doesn't do a blog anymore?

shadowhawk2020
Working on the first full appearance of me
Working on the first full appearance of me
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:41 pm
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by shadowhawk2020 »

Loved the book for the most part. But PLEASE for the love of all things Valiant drop the "cool" teenage speak. It just seemed out of place.

User avatar
MoonChild
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
Posts: 4351
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:14 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: BloodShot
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Dysart
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by MoonChild »

I felt the teenage cool speak very current and necessary. Didn't feel out of place at all to me, that's how young people talk around here..
Image
Click the Sig, Hear Something Different!
http://www.reverbnation.com/lexmoon
Also, Check my reverbnation page^

User avatar
Blood of Heroes
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
Posts: 5074
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: 619
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Blood of Heroes »

MoonChild wrote:I felt the teenage cool speak very current and necessary. Didn't feel out of place at all to me, that's how young people talk around here..
Also, young people are morons. Of course they're going to talk like that.

User avatar
kevinbastos
I felt 'used car salesman' kind of dirty.
I felt 'used car salesman' kind of dirty.
Posts: 3868
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:34 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Rai
Favorite title: Quantum & Woody
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by kevinbastos »

I keep thinking of the Ewoks with this.

People who read 1990's Harbinger when it came out - LOVED it.

Reading it now - much tougher because all of the dated references. But that made it unique like Spider-Man was unique in the sixties. Connected to youth of the time.

It's tough connecting to kids at any time - but I think this book threads the needle nicely so far.
Hey, look! I have a podcast!
And a Website!
http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


If I win an argument, it doesn't mean I'm right. It means I'm a better arguer.

In addition, I'm right.

User avatar
kevinbastos
I felt 'used car salesman' kind of dirty.
I felt 'used car salesman' kind of dirty.
Posts: 3868
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:34 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Rai
Favorite title: Quantum & Woody
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by kevinbastos »

Blood of Heroes wrote:
MoonChild wrote:I felt the teenage cool speak very current and necessary. Didn't feel out of place at all to me, that's how young people talk around here..
Also, young people are morons. Of course they're going to talk like that.
They're no smarter or dumber than we were at their age. We were just as stupid - just in different ways.
Hey, look! I have a podcast!
And a Website!
http://www.valiantnewuniverse.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


If I win an argument, it doesn't mean I'm right. It means I'm a better arguer.

In addition, I'm right.

User avatar
MoonChild
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
Posts: 4351
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:14 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: BloodShot
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Dysart
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by MoonChild »

Yea, even the smart kids pick up on slang. Stupidity has nothing to do with it at all. It's all culture.
Image
Click the Sig, Hear Something Different!
http://www.reverbnation.com/lexmoon
Also, Check my reverbnation page^

User avatar
greg
The admin around here must be getting old and soft.
The admin around here must be getting old and soft.
Posts: 22882
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: Rai #0
Favorite character: Depends on title
Favorite title: Depends on writer
Favorite writer: Depends on artist
Favorite artist: Depends on character
Location: Indoors
Contact:
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by greg »

MoonChild wrote:Yea, even the smart kids pick up on slang. Stupidity has nothing to do with it at all. It's all culture.
Whatever, dude. :roll:









:P

User avatar
MoonChild
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
I HAVE NO INTENT ON BEING PATIENT!
Posts: 4351
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:14 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: BloodShot
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Dysart
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by MoonChild »

Ok, Mary Kate Or Ashley Olsen :D
greg wrote:
MoonChild wrote:Yea, even the smart kids pick up on slang. Stupidity has nothing to do with it at all. It's all culture.
Whatever, dude. :roll:









:P
Image
Click the Sig, Hear Something Different!
http://www.reverbnation.com/lexmoon
Also, Check my reverbnation page^

User avatar
Blood of Heroes
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
I only beat my wife when I'm sober.
Posts: 5074
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: 619
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Blood of Heroes »

kevinbastos wrote:
Blood of Heroes wrote:
MoonChild wrote:I felt the teenage cool speak very current and necessary. Didn't feel out of place at all to me, that's how young people talk around here..
Also, young people are morons. Of course they're going to talk like that.

They're no smarter or dumber than we were at their age
. We were just as stupid - just in different ways.

It scares me to think just how stupid I was as a teenager, but I stand by my statement. Young people are morons.



Now get off my lawn!!!

User avatar
Ramses818
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Posts: 2449
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:46 pm
Valiant fan since: X-O Manowar 14
Favorite character: Rai
Favorite title: X-o but maybe soon to be Rai
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart
Favorite artist: Clayton Crain
Location: Southern California
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by Ramses818 »

In regards to the pill I think it is just a way to illustrate how Pete's friend is the one holding him back. What a set up for a future villain? The scorned friend. Then Harada also appears to be a friend looking out for Pete. I was very taken back by the issue because Pete is far from a good guy like in the original. It will be fun to read what comes next though.

User avatar
cjv
A Valiant Vision-ary
A Valiant Vision-ary
Posts: 4344
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 7:31 am
Valiant fan since: Shadowman #1
Favorite character: Armstrong
Favorite title: Shadowman (VH1)
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by cjv »

Not sure if this has been suggested yet.

Pete is taking his meds to dull his powers. I initially read the comic with the assumption that Joe is a little short of a full deck.

But, in the original, Pete has the ability to release powers.

If Peter has the same ability here, and he released Joe's powers, and Joe is a little crazy...

then perhaps the significance of the pill being down there is that Joe is not dulling his powers, and we may see something happen next issue?

A crazy guy, with powers who is now free to use them...


Chris

User avatar
etos45
I live to be inefficient!
I live to be inefficient!
Posts: 4149
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:41 pm
Location: Anywhere but here... nope, there I am.
Re: Harbinger #1 question. SPOILERS!

Post by etos45 »

cjv wrote:Not sure if this has been suggested yet.

Pete is taking his meds to dull his powers. I initially read the comic with the assumption that Joe is a little short of a full deck.

But, in the original, Pete has the ability to release powers.

If Peter has the same ability here, and he released Joe's powers, and Joe is a little crazy...

then perhaps the significance of the pill being down there is that Joe is not dulling his powers, and we may see something happen next issue?

A crazy guy, with powers who is now free to use them...


Chris
That would be interesting, but it seems that if that were the case then Tull would be more interested in him. I guess it is possible that the "hospital" they were at was a way of detaining people with powers, though, and maybe Tull is the warden and he knows (thinks?) that Pete is the dangerous one.


Post Reply