Harbinger #8 discussion

[vaevictis]

So far the story hasn't lent itself to any kind of full on romantic interest between Kris and Pete. Sure Pete likes Kris, but I don't think it's too much more than him trying to hold onto something from his past. kris looks like she is starting to understand Pete and have compassion for him. Eventually I think it will happen that the two of them will be a couple but Kris will likely always wonder if Pete is forcing her into it. Then the writer has to flush that entire thing out for a while, getting the reader to care about it, THEN throw the monkey wrench in ala Torque. All this could take years to play out.

[iwantvaliant]

I liked the book but wasn't amazed by it like everyone else was. The art was very good, except Pete looked really different to me. I like Torque, but I didn't feel that this was a Torque book like the others have been more specific to the character featured in previous issues.

So to summarize, this was my least favorite issue in the best series on the market right now, and when I type that out I sound like a whiner. Can't wait for the next issue.

[pixierosa]

The Livewire/Harada scenes were very good and gave a lot of insight to harada's character, as well as Amanda's. I think I gushed about them during preview time but didn't mention it for this review.

This story started out with lots of gray - Harada was an unknown but not a definitive bad guy. Pete was definitely not a white hat. We've seen Pete grow up some and evolve, and we're seeing Harada without his candy coating. I despise him immensely. Abuse of power, whether it's physical, financial, mental -- I cannot tolerate it. Add in his self-righteousness and means to an end attitude... I want to perform a mind *SQUEE* on him. Rawr!

Back to Livewire - I can't wait to see what they develop for her. I really like her, especially now that she's not being the "badass" bodyguard. I enjoyed seeing her true personality this issue.

Think I've said it before, but Harada's attitude about her background (orphan) is offensive and confusing, considering he himself was an orphan. Maybe he despises it so much because he hates that part of his own history. Harbinger 0 will be an eye opener.

Goodness, I'm really hating on Harada today. Guess I have a problem with authority

[myron]

The Livewire/Harada scenes were very good and gave a lot of insight to harada's character, as well as Amanda's. I think I gushed about them during preview time but didn't mention it for this review.

This story started out with lots of gray - Harada was an unknown but not a definitive bad guy. Pete was definitely not a white hat. We've seen Pete grow up some and evolve, and we're seeing Harada without his candy coating. I despise him immensely. Abuse of power, whether it's physical, financial, mental -- I cannot tolerate it. Add in his self-righteousness and means to an end attitude... I want to perform a mind *SQUEE* on him. Rawr!

Back to Livewire - I can't wait to see what they develop for her. I really like her, especially now that she's not being the "badass" bodyguard. I enjoyed seeing her true personality this issue.

Think I've said it before, but Harada's attitude about her background (orphan) is offensive and confusing, considering he himself was an orphan. Maybe he despises it so much because he hates that part of his own history. Harbinger 0 will be an eye opener.

Goodness, I'm really hating on Harada today. Guess I have a problem with authority

He needs to be a hateable guy...they're doing that really well

[BugsySig]

The Livewire/Harada scenes were very good and gave a lot of insight to harada's character, as well as Amanda's. I think I gushed about them during preview time but didn't mention it for this review.

This story started out with lots of gray - Harada was an unknown but not a definitive bad guy. Pete was definitely not a white hat. We've seen Pete grow up some and evolve, and we're seeing Harada without his candy coating. I despise him immensely. Abuse of power, whether it's physical, financial, mental -- I cannot tolerate it. Add in his self-righteousness and means to an end attitude... I want to perform a mind *SQUEE* on him. Rawr!

Back to Livewire - I can't wait to see what they develop for her. I really like her, especially now that she's not being the "badass" bodyguard. I enjoyed seeing her true personality this issue.

Think I've said it before, but Harada's attitude about her background (orphan) is offensive and confusing, considering he himself was an orphan. Maybe he despises it so much because he hates that part of his own history. Harbinger 0 will be an eye opener.

Goodness, I'm really hating on Harada today. Guess I have a problem with authority

Between disguising his appearance (young to old or old to young we still don't know) and lying about being born activated, the guy obviously has issues with himself/his past. It wouldn't surprise me if very few people new about his youth other than surviving the bomb. I think the Zero Issue will give us a lot of insight here.

[swtor1091]

So when torque died in the original how did it happen and what happend next?

[Phoenix8008]

Especially if Torque still has his 'wimpy' form between power uses, he might be a more sympathetic and 'regular good guy' which Kris might fall for emotionally (eventually, and if he isn't too much of a conservative) while Charlene may be hot to trot over his 'buff' form. Could be very tangled if they can give it time to run its course.

[BugsySig]

So when torque died in the original how did it happen and what happend next?

20 Year Old SPOILER ALERT!

He was stabbed by another super strong Harbinger--one of Harada's Eggbreakers--bleeds out and dies before Pete can save him. They had an issue dealing with his death and how the rest of the team dealt with it, then they were off to the Lost Land for Unity. Kris popped out a kid, that she admits to Pete was Torque's, and the baby gets taken to the future by Solar and becomes Magnus: Robot Fighter. End Torque.

[grendeljd]

The Livewire/Harada scenes were very good and gave a lot of insight to harada's character, as well as Amanda's. I think I gushed about them during preview time but didn't mention it for this review.

This story started out with lots of gray - Harada was an unknown but not a definitive bad guy. Pete was definitely not a white hat. We've seen Pete grow up some and evolve, and we're seeing Harada without his candy coating. I despise him immensely. Abuse of power, whether it's physical, financial, mental -- I cannot tolerate it. Add in his self-righteousness and means to an end attitude... I want to perform a mind *SQUEE* on him. Rawr!

Back to Livewire - I can't wait to see what they develop for her. I really like her, especially now that she's not being the "badass" bodyguard. I enjoyed seeing her true personality this issue.

Think I've said it before, but Harada's attitude about her background (orphan) is offensive and confusing, considering he himself was an orphan. Maybe he despises it so much because he hates that part of his own history. Harbinger 0 will be an eye opener.

Goodness, I'm really hating on Harada today. Guess I have a problem with authority

Between disguising his appearance (young to old or old to young we still don't know) and lying about being born activated, the guy obviously has issues with himself/his past. It wouldn't surprise me if very few people new about his youth other than surviving the bomb. I think the Zero Issue will give us a lot of insight here.

I think megalomaniacs are hugely motivated to act out against personal issues, finding a way to take their mania out on the world somehow. Their state of denial about it is so strong that they probably have no clear idea they are acting this way.

Being a survivor of The Bomb and the hardships he faced would be a major emotional scar, and a key motivator for his personal vision. It's great writing, even if he is clearly lacking in the morality we all take for granted, he isn't just a one dimensional 'evil guy'. There is going to be room for pathos for this character upon seeing his origin. Can't wait for #0!

[lorddunlow]

Offtopic, but I keep thinking about Grave of the Fireflies as we talk about Harada and every time his origin is brought up. Great movie.

[Blood of Heroes]

Great issue. I like the new take on Torque. The diner scene was good as well. Charlene mentions that Huxley is still alive. I guess she isn't a murderer after all. Not yet, at least.

I say this at the risk of sounding like I'm off my rocker....

I freaking shed a couple tears when big Torque saw little Torque in Torquehalla and said "Come on, little man. I'll take care of you."

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Then when he emerged with that huge smile and started thrashing PRS... man, I was there with him. Epic moment.

The rest of the book was great but that scene touched me in a way not many comics do.

Hell of a job to Dysart.

Right there with you.

[ShadowTuga]

I am *SQUEE* speechless. I've just read GREATNESS in comic format. Wow, wow, wow.

[erwinrafael]

We got shorted. Sigh.

[BugsySig]

We got shorted. Sigh.

Oh man... ...you really should go digital, at least as a backup.

[erwinrafael]

We got shorted. Sigh.

Oh man... ...you really should go digital, at least as a backup.

I am hesitant to switch to digital only because there are only around three comic book chains remaining here in the Philippines and we buy from them so that it would help keep them afloat.

[MarrowMan]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

[erwinrafael]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

To be fair, Marvel and DC have good books just like the Valiant line now. They just suffer from having too many books which they need to coordinate and whose quality they can not maintain. Let us hope VEI can maintain the same level of quality once they expand the line.

[hawkeyeps]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

To be fair, Marvel and DC have good books just like the Valiant line now. They just suffer from having too many books which they need to coordinate and whose quality they can not maintain. Let us hope VEI can maintain the same level of quality once they expand the line.

I agree...Hawkguy, Bro..Hawkguy

[manga4life]

I "LOL'd" at the first page, some of the things that Torkelson was saying was hilarious. Man, what a great issue, there was so much great story and action to take in and the introduction of a new Psiot was really cool, I feel like this team is becoming well rounded. I'm wondering if Livewire is going to join Peter's group over time, I have the odd feeling as if she will break free from Harada and do so. I actually really liked the fill-in art in this issue, if this artist was the full-time artist I wouldn't mind one bit, though I still really love the main artist. All around awesome stuff this month!

Can't wait for the next issue, I'm betting it's going to be a real barn burner!

[manga4life]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

I agree.

While DC has done some good work with the "New 52", I've yet to read anything from DC that could stand up against a book like Harbinger or X-O......and maybe even Bloodshot and Shadowman. And don't get me going about that pile of dung known as Marvel Comics, I hate that company to the core and wouldn't hesitate to cheer if their main office burned down and took everyone with it.

Okay, that last part was a bit harsh, but you can at least see my hatred now.

[BugsySig]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

To be fair, Marvel and DC have good books just like the Valiant line now. They just suffer from having too many books which they need to coordinate and whose quality they can not maintain. Let us hope VEI can maintain the same level of quality once they expand the line.

I agree...Hawkguy, Bro..Hawkguy

Hawkeye, the new Young Avengers and FF are all pretty good and different from the mainstream. Of course that means they eventually will get cancelled.

[Phoenix8008]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

To be fair, Marvel and DC have good books just like the Valiant line now. They just suffer from having too many books which they need to coordinate and whose quality they can not maintain. Let us hope VEI can maintain the same level of quality once they expand the line.

I agree...Hawkguy, Bro..Hawkguy

Hawkeye, the new Young Avengers and FF are all pretty good and different from the mainstream. Of course that means they eventually will get cancelled.

Not till they get up to issue #10 or 12 though. Then it's time for a new #1 issue!

[manga4life]

The Valiant Writers have some kind of magic that Marvel and DC couldn't pull out of their a$$es if the tried. Dysart is genius.

To be fair, Marvel and DC have good books just like the Valiant line now. They just suffer from having too many books which they need to coordinate and whose quality they can not maintain. Let us hope VEI can maintain the same level of quality once they expand the line.

I agree...Hawkguy, Bro..Hawkguy

Hawkeye, the new Young Avengers and FF are all pretty good and different from the mainstream. Of course that means they eventually will get cancelled.

Not till they get up to issue #10 or 12 though. Then it's time for a new #1 issue!

That's another thing I hate about Marvel. How many times have they relaunched Captain America or The Avengers since "Heroes Reborn"? Something like 5 times each, which is just absolutely silly and a ploy to beef up numbers with more company wide mega-events that serve NO purpose. I'm so sick of that crap.

[KXXX]

I say this at the risk of sounding like I'm off my rocker....

I freaking shed a couple tears when big Torque saw little Torque in Torquehalla and said "Come on, little man. I'll take care of you."

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Then when he emerged with that huge smile and started thrashing PRS... man, I was there with him. Epic moment.

The rest of the book was great but that scene touched me in a way not many comics do.

Hell of a job to Dysart.

Yeah, man.... my *SQUEE* was hanging out a little after than part. We describe them as manly tears.

[somewhatlazy]

So when torque died in the original how did it happen and what happend next?

20 Year Old SPOILER ALERT!

He was stabbed by another super strong Harbinger--one of Harada's Eggbreakers--bleeds out and dies before Pete can save him. They had an issue dealing with his death and how the rest of the team dealt with it, then they were off to the Lost Land for Unity. Kris popped out a kid, that she admits to Pete was Torque's, and the baby gets taken to the future by Solar and becomes Magnus: Robot Fighter. End Torque.

It was Rock, the Eggbreaker leader, who stabbed Torque, and he stabbed him from behind. Then the Eggbreakers hijacked the ambulance Torque was in and poisoned him to make sure he died. Peter and Torque also have some intense dialogue in Torque's head as he passes away. This happened at the end of Harbinger #6. The next issue, where the rest of kids deal with Torque's death, is one of the best of the original Valiant.