HARBINGER #9 DISCUSSION

[grendeljd]

Also cool to see it confirmed that the new Torque is projecting himself as a powerhouse. As I think I said in the discussion of #8, this is a great idea and flows better with the running concept of all psiot powers being based on mind over matter in some way.

I'm curious about this aspect of Torque's powers. Does this mean that when he isn't using his powers he is a bed ridden cripple? Can you use your powers 24/7?

I'm more curious at his "uniform". Can he just "think" himself a new outfit, or even an entirely new appearance, or is he kind of locked into this one form? What about that cap he wears? Can he take it off, drop it somewhere, and pick it up again, or would it disappear as soon as he lets go of it? I think about these kind of things too much.

Not at all - I love that these books are so good they are firing up everyones imagination. I would expect he will figure out that since he is projecting 'Torque', he can alter the look at will. I think we will see him change the look to what we are seeing on the covers, if the whole Renegade crew follows Faiths new example and they all wear Harbinger attire.

Interesting thought about the cap... We don't yet know if the projection has an actual physical substance or if its strictly a mixture of 'mind-tricks' - i.e. levitation to walk/jump/fly, image projection into the minds of those who are seeing him for appearance, & really potent telekinesis for his super-strength. I think that if he deliberately set his cap down, he would therefore be projecting the image of the cap separate from himself and it would still be seen. I am willing to bet, following this theory, that the cap couldn't be knocked off his head because it's part of a static image & technically non-existent.

Boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Boy: Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

[greg]

So the machine that Pete is hooked up to....is it using one of the Bleeding Monk's blood canisters?

[400yrs]

This was one of my favorite issues so far. Faith's story was amazing. Anyone who's ever lost someone or been through difficult times can relate.

I agree. This may even be better than the Kris issue which I thought was exceptional. Aside from my ongoing issue with Faith's face being too large in some of the panels, I loved the art in this issue. It was a step toward cartoony in some spots and I think it looked great! My favorite page was that last page where we saw things through her eyes. I'd love to see more of that. The flashback pages with Grandma were excellent as well.

This verison of Faith, in one issue is already a much stronger and better character than we got in VEI. Great background story. A brilliant touch was marking the timeline not by years and months, but when pop culture movies and TV shows came out. That was brilliant.

I haven't read my other books yet, but I don't see how anything can beat this issue for my POTW at ifanboy. In fact, I'm going to re-read this issue again before I read anything else.

Thanks for the great book!

[400yrs]

I put up a review at ifanboy.com:

Although Harbinger is Valiant’s team book, Josh Dysart has been doing some fantastic character work within these pages. Starting with #6, each issue has featured the background story of a certain character. This one featured Faith Herbert who is an over-weight happy-go-lucky type of pop-culture nerd. Within the 22 story pages, Dysart does a fantasticly touching job carving out exactly what made Faith who she is today.

If you aren’t reading this book, you are missing out on a great character driven action book. Although it is pricey at $3.99, it’s a nice meaty read where I definitely feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth. It’s one of the very few books that I will re-read a few times before putting it away because it is that good. Give it a shot, ifanboys!

Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent

[jmatt]

Can we keep Pere Perez as the regular artist? If the parade of artists in the past issues is an audition, he would be top on my list.

I haven't put them side by side to compare but I will agree that the art was outstanding.

Maybe it's THAT GREAT PAPER STOCK THEY USED THIS MONTH. Oh my, did I just shout that? I wonder if they heard it all the way down on 33rd Street.

[manga4life]

First off, amazing cover for this months issue. Seriously, the covers over the past several months have been damn awesome. Unfortunately the interior art has been passable and not spectacular like it has been. Whoever this guest artist is (or maybe he's full-time now) isn't as good as Evans was but the art isn't totally horrible or anything.

Great story this month (like every month), I especially loved the third degree from Kris to Tull when she was captured, it made me chuckle a bit. Faith is really growing on me, she's really digging deep and finding her courage over the past few issues and this months offering really put her in the limelight. Awesome! Man, I can't wait for next month to come, this story has me at the edge of my seat month in and month out and I'm drooling to see what happens next.......damn month long wait........mumble.....grumble....

[nonplayer]

Other than flying what is faiths abilities?

[hawkeyeps]

Other than flying what is faiths abilities?

Faith?
Optimism?
Loyalty?

Those are pretty good powers

[manga4life]

I'm so connected to Faith right now it isn't even funny, seeing the story about her parents unfold and how she came to be alone just touched me so much. I've read this issue 3 times in the past hour and a half, that's how good of a freakin' story this is, that's how top notch this title really is.......phenomenal.

[erwinrafael]

Can we keep Pere Perez as the regular artist? If the parade of artists in the past issues is an audition, he would be top on my list.

I haven't put them side by side to compare but I will agree that the art was outstanding.

Maybe it's THAT GREAT PAPER STOCK THEY USED THIS MONTH. Oh my, did I just shout that? I wonder if they heard it all the way down on 33rd Street.

I don't think it's just the paper stock. I've been studying technical comic book storytelling and Pere Perez has shown the best storytelling sense of all the artists so far. Best layouts that actually contribute to the story.

[BugsySig]

Other than flying what is faiths abilities?

I was thinking about this the other day. I feel like Dysart wants to bring more depth to these basic silver-age powers the Renegades have (tank, flight, fire, telepathay) and put a spin on them, like he has done with Torque.

So what if Faith's power isn't flight, but mass or gravity manipulation? She was described a few times as "floating" more than "flying" by Kris. As seeming "light". If this were the case, and she could eventually expand her abilities beyond her own body, it would create some interesting possibilities.

[lorddunlow]

This issue was so great! I can't wait to see what's next.

[SJS4]

Other than flying what is faiths abilities?

I was thinking about this the other day. I feel like Dysart wants to bring more depth to these basic silver-age powers the Renegades have (tank, flight, fire, telepathay) and put a spin on them, like he has done with Torque.

So what if Faith's power isn't flight, but mass or gravity manipulation? She was described a few times as "floating" more than "flying" by Kris. As seeming "light". If this were the case, and she could eventually expand her abilities beyond her own body, it would create some interesting possibilities.

Interesting concept. It actually makes more sense (under the general suspension of disbelief associated with "mental powers") than simply the ability to fly.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Also cool to see it confirmed that the new Torque is projecting himself as a powerhouse. As I think I said in the discussion of #8, this is a great idea and flows better with the running concept of all psiot powers being based on mind over matter in some way.

I'm curious about this aspect of Torque's powers. Does this mean that when he isn't using his powers he is a bed ridden cripple? Can you use your powers 24/7?

I thought that was the most interesting panel of the book. Showing that when Torque is "powered down", he's his normal self, not a big, invulnerable hulk.
This issue totally made me fall in love with Faith. It honestly made me sympathize with, and get behind her. I wonder if they'll refer to her as Zephyr? Or that's just her own name for herself?
The panel where Pete is flying through the bullets is SIIIICK!

And I think Pere Perez out Khari Evan'd Khari Evan. Even though it's Khari's book, I've been preferring all the other artists. Sorry!

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Can we keep Pere Perez as the regular artist? If the parade of artists in the past issues is an audition, he would be top on my list.

He did a wonderful job. On an incredibly tight deadline even according to is facebook post a couple weeks ago.
DAN

I did like his art very much, But I thought Lee Garbett has been the best artist so far. I'd love to see him continue with the book, or ANY Valiant title! I loved his work on X-O also.

[sonicdan]

I did like his art very much, But I thought Lee Garbett has been the best artist so far. I'd love to see him continue with the book, or ANY Valiant title! I loved his work on X-O also.

I think Garbett is doing the next XO arc after Nord. We may see him do something with Shadowman as well...
DAN

[Phoenix8008]

First off - loved the heavier paper on this and the new X-O! Loved all the action and what sticks out to me is just how smart Kris is again. I think she totally nailed it that Mr. Tull works for Harada and doesn't even know it! That would totally be wicked. I don't know that he would be the mole Harada was on the phone with, but that could be possible as well I suppose. Even better though is if Tull is actually under Harada's control, then looking back at issue 2 or 3 when Harada was warning Pete about how dangerous Tull and PRS are takes on some different meaning. Harada playing both sides against the middle? Sounds about right.

[swtor1091]

Loved the Issue but Flamingo's was my fav I'm just wondering who the next issue will focus on... Peter Perhaps

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I think Garbett is doing the next XO arc after Nord. We may see him do something with Shadowman as well...
DAN[/quote]

That's so awesome! I'd read anything he drew!

[400yrs]

Well, my review finally got the guys at ifanboy to talk about Valiant, which is what I was hoping. FF to 49:21 for that.


http://ifanboy.com/podcasts/02-24-2013- ... lazer-300/

Paul reads this and X-O. I think Josh may still be reading A&A.

[myron]

Well, my review finally got the guys at ifanboy to talk about Valiant, which is what I was hoping. FF to 49:21 for that.


http://ifanboy.com/podcasts/02-24-2013- ... lazer-300/

Paul reads this and X-O. I think Josh may still be reading A&A.

nice job Lee

[Phoenix8008]

Also loved the confirmation that Torque is still a cripple when not actively using his powers. I laughed during my first reread when the only thing we hear from him after that is "This sucks!" It's not all bad though, considering where he's laying by Charlene!

[pixierosa]

So the machine that Pete is hooked up to....is it using one of the Bleeding Monk's blood canisters?

I think Dan is onto something here. We theorized many issues ago about the canisters that seemed to be running on a machine in the background of the Bleeding Monk's chambers. I'm pretty excited about this - what is it about the blood that can manipulate a psiot's powers? I don't think that his power is to be a null, because that's what Hidden Moon was, and look how that turned out But it does seem like they are combining is blood with something else to make a strong narcotic for psiots.

If it is the Bleeding Monk's blood - then what is PRS doing with it? Guess that proves Kris' theory correct about the PRS/Harbinger tie.

But wait, there's more! If PRS/Harbinger are connected somehow, then who was the original Harbinger war with?!? And why would PRS be stealing Harbinger children?

[BugsySig]

So the machine that Pete is hooked up to....is it using one of the Bleeding Monk's blood canisters?

I think Dan is onto something here. We theorized many issues ago about the canisters that seemed to be running on a machine in the background of the Bleeding Monk's chambers. I'm pretty excited about this - what is it about the blood that can manipulate a psiot's powers? I don't think that his power is to be a null, because that's what Hidden Moon was, and look how that turned out But it does seem like they are combining is blood with something else to make a strong narcotic for psiots.

If it is the Bleeding Monk's blood - then what is PRS doing with it? Guess that proves Kris' theory correct about the PRS/Harbinger tie.

But wait, there's more! If PRS/Harbinger are connected somehow, then who was the original Harbinger war with?!? And why would PRS be stealing Harbinger children?

I'm not sure if there was a canister of the Monks blood involved with the machine. Tull did a pretty good job describing it as producing beta waves and basically inducing a coma like state.

Of course, Harada had to be doing something with the blood. At the very least he couldn't just have it leaking all over his office building, so he must be collecting it.

In Harby #1, when Harada first finds the Monk, his blood is flowing throughout the temple and outside through gutters or irrigation channels. Was that to just dispose of the blood, or was there another purpose?

I think we still have a lot to learn about the first Harbinger War, but I do believe it was between Harada and PRS. Only PRS may not know that Harada won...

[pixierosa]

One of the canisters that was hooked up the "wave" machine was drawn to resemble those in the monk's chambers, and it even had a red liquid with bubbles in it just as they were in Harada's headquarters.

Could be coincidence, or might be something else.

I think Harada has infiltrated PRS, which is why some of the psiot children were able to be kidnapped by Bloodshot from various safehouses around the world. I thought it odd that there wasn't better protection in place, or at least one or two psiot adults.

I'm ready for Livewire to get back into the mix.