Harbinger Wars #1 Discussion

[chriskay99]

Really loved this issue. Great kickstart to the Harbinger Wars. Loved all of the art, too - didn't mind the transitions between the different art styles. Very well written and put together.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Alright, Dysart is a master. There was so much goodness, it's hard to comment on all of it!
Question: Is the Bleeding Monk alive? If he was impaled through the chest, how is he still talking to Harada and Pete? Is he just a soul, or mind that they can communicate with?
Also, was it in purpose, or did anyone else notice that Pete looked like a young Harada during the scenes with the Bleeding Monk in some, not all of the panels?
Can't wait to go back to Bloodshot #1 and see what they were referring to. Such a cool reference, and seed planting!
Clayton Henry is a BEAST! Loved his art. the others were great too, but Henry is SIIIIIIICK!
Must go back and re-read this issue to fully absorb goodness!
A+

[manga4life]

Really good first issue of the mini-series and crossover, especially the art within the first several pages which just blew me away. Seriously, the first 5 pages or so were masterfully illustrated and I would rank it among some of my favorite interior art of the past several years. As for the story, it was superb! I loved the kids at the beginning and the interactions between the Monk/Harada/Peter while he was out cold in the desert, it all blended nicely and Peter's visions were intense. It was a little weird though bouncing between what was obvious different artists......why can't Valiant just have the issue be drawn by one solitary artist? Other companies do it.....

That's my only complain. As for the issue itself it was really well done, I loved seeing Peter actually discussing with the Bleeding Monk and I can't wait to see more of Bloodshot in this book. I thought he was going to possibly go against the Renegades but now I could totally see them teaming up together after fully meeting, or at least I'm hoping that's what will eventually happen.

[Spylocke]

If a comic can get a smile or a laugh out of me I find it worth the money. After the "Child of Nas" line I had to pause from reading to smile and chuckle for a few minutes. I'm grateful Pete isn't a fan of the Wu Tang Clan because "Child of Ol' Dirty B*stard" might have caused my heart to stop due to laughter. That and Telic's vague instruction on how to fly were little humorous moments that made something great even better. A lot of writers mix in humor but usually not this well.

I don't read Bloodshot consistently so could someone clear something up? Were the nanites incubated inside of a host? Do the timelines match up so that Hive absorbing that virus could be a precursor the nanites?

Nice to see that there are other Psiots around and that various governments know about and weaponize while keeping them a secret.

[TheFallen]

I keep forgetting the HARD Corps are still set to show up. I am not really sure everything can be contained in 4 issues.

[BugsySig]

If a comic can get a smile or a laugh out of me I find it worth the money. After the "Child of Nas" line I had to pause from reading to smile and chuckle for a few minutes. I'm grateful Pete isn't a fan of the Wu Tang Clan because "Child of Ol' Dirty B*stard" might have caused my heart to stop due to laughter. That and Telic's vague instruction on how to fly were little humorous moments that made something great even better. A lot of writers mix in humor but usually not this well.

I don't read Bloodshot consistently so could someone clear something up? Were the nanites incubated inside of a host? Do the timelines match up so that Hive absorbing that virus could be a precursor the nanites?

Nice to see that there are other Psiots around and that various governments know about and weaponize while keeping them a secret.

No, it doesn't match up. I think the Grey Goo incident in Nevada where the Nanites were incubated in a host and became sentient was at least three years ago.

[erwinrafael]

It was a little weird though bouncing between what was obvious different artists......why can't Valiant just have the issue be drawn by one solitary artist? Other companies do it.....

The artist changes is a storytelling technique in this book to reflect the different moods. Clayton Henry's panels reflect the story of the NOW and the recent past (Bloodshot breaking into PRS). Clayton Crain's panels reflect the more distant past of the other psiot kids, the painted artwork complementing the "recollected" atmosphere that that part of the story is trying to convey. Mico Suayan's panels on the other hand has a darker tone, which complements the darkness of the atmosphere in the psychic meeting between the Bleeding Monk, Peter and Harada.

This storytelling style has been used in Harbinger #0 (Mico Suayan telling the dark past of Harada, Pere Perez telling the experience of Darpan in an ironic lighter tone to reflect the more innocent outlook of Darpan), the early Harbinger issues (Khari Evans doing the now, Lewis La-Rosa telling the Darpan-related/induced flashbacks with a monochrome and uninked style to reflect the vagueness of the recalled memories) and the first arc of Bloodshot (Manual Garcia's grim and gritty art reflecting the "real" world, Arturo Lozzi's shiny and refined art reflecting the fake memories).

It's actually very cool. Very visual storytelling. It is an example of using multiple artists with a storytelling purpose.

[jmatt]

the bleeding monk was awesome (how he experiences parallel realities)...

I said this a month or so ago and this issue makes me believe it even more. Just scroll down a bit to see my Monk notions...

Wonderful issue, just top notch in every way imaginable.

[bygranddesign]

It was a little weird though bouncing between what was obvious different artists......why can't Valiant just have the issue be drawn by one solitary artist? Other companies do it.....

The artist changes is a storytelling technique in this book to reflect the different moods. Clayton Henry's panels reflect the story of the NOW and the recent past (Bloodshot breaking into PRS). Clayton Crain's panels reflect the more distant past of the other psiot kids, the painted artwork complementing the "recollected" atmosphere that that part of the story is trying to convey. Mico Suayan's panels on the other hand has a darker tone, which complements the darkness of the atmosphere in the psychic meeting between the Bleeding Monk, Peter and Harada.

This storytelling style has been used in Harbinger #0 (Mico Suayan telling the dark past of Harada, Pere Perez telling the experience of Darpan in an ironic lighter tone to reflect the more innocent outlook of Darpan), the early Harbinger issues (Khari Evans doing the now, Lewis La-Rosa telling the Darpan-related/induced flashbacks with a monochrome and uninked style to reflect the vagueness of the recalled memories) and the first arc of Bloodshot (Manual Garcia's grim and gritty art reflecting the "real" world, Arturo Lozzi's shiny and refined art reflecting the fake memories).

It's actually very cool. Very visual storytelling. It is an example of using multiple artists with a storytelling purpose.

well said ... i agree. I think the 3 artist worked great .. and just to add more pats on the back for Dysart but the subtle changes in storytelling tone for each artist helped make it all come together.

[manga4life]

I didn't dislike the multiple artists completely, I just feel that this book (or any book) would have been more enjoyable to me if there was just one artist doing the chores. But again, it isn't like I disliked the issue, I loved it to death actually, I just would have preferred one artist. Preferably the first one.

Still, like I said earlier, this book was fantastic from front to back and really whetted my appetite for the kick-off of this epic tale.

[GGSAE]

Very pleased with both art styles in the book. Loved it

I felt the artwork was some of the best yet, I wasn't sure who's style it was, it it felt very unique! Overall a great issue, easily the most content out of any issue to date. I thought the powers of the kids to be a little 'out there', but we'll see how it progresses.

[jenkinsMachine]

I keep forgetting the HARD Corps are still set to show up. I am not really sure everything can be contained in 4 issues.

so those kids in the starting weren't current versions of the H.A.R.D corp? i was really confused on that, there were some similarity like the chip that could kill them if they disobeyed.
also i read alittle of the old H.A.R.D and i thought they had access to a number of powers thru communication.

[Xtianhardy]

Great art in this issue from all the contributors. Loved the introduction of the new characters. Little let down by the slow start to this miniseries though. Clearly the tie-ins are going to be essential reading in order to get the full story, as there's no way they can tell a complete story in 4 issues after an issue that basically just recaps things we already know from a side perspective (those of the new psiot kids we're introduced to). This is shame considering Harbinger Wars is Valiant's most advertised book yet and yet it's neither self-contained or new reader friendly.

That said, I'm hoping some of these new kids form the cast of a new book, maybe written by Dysart? Yes please.

[Blood of Heroes]

I keep forgetting the HARD Corps are still set to show up. I am not really sure everything can be contained in 4 issues.

so those kids in the starting weren't current versions of the H.A.R.D corp? i was really confused on that, there were some similarity like the chip that could kill them if they disobeyed.
also i read alittle of the old H.A.R.D and i thought they had access to a number of powers thru communication.

It's still unclear, but I don't think so.
Originally Project Rising Spirit only referred to the experiment that created Bloodshot. The HARD Corps were operated by Omen Enterprises.

How they do things this time around remains to be seen.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Just went back and read Bloodshot #1. The first time it made no sense to me at all. After reading Harby Wars, it made a LOT more sense! The girl in the middle of the road was deployed by Harada Global. Pretty sick reveal after a whole year!
Oh, and re-read Harby Wars 1. Friggin EPIC! The writing is A+, and Clayton Henry is one of the best artists I've EVER seen!

[jmatt]

Just went back and read Bloodshot #1. The first time it made no sense to me at all. After reading Harby Wars, it made a LOT more sense! The girl in the middle of the road was deployed by Harada Global. Pretty sick reveal after a whole year!
Oh, and re-read Harby Wars 1. Friggin EPIC! The writing is A+, and Clayton Henry is one of the best artists I've EVER seen!

+1. Clayton Henry is crazy good, as is everything else in this issue. Love the painted sequence too.

[lorddunlow]

Whoa. Best VEI issue to date, by far! Story was awesome, and while I usually care very little about the art as long as the story is good, I found myself lingering on pages just soaking up the beautiful art from all three artists. Crain's pages were breathtaking. I wish we could have this art team as the permanent Harbinger artists!

Telic is now my favorite supporting character (unless Pulse somehow survives). She's just plain awesome!

As far as the Bleeding Monk scenes go, I'm thrilled to get so much insight, but I'm still completely confused about his motivation for using Pete. He had started to seem benevolent during his conversation with Pete, but that comment to Harada of "I will succeed with him where you failed" seemed a little foreboding.

VEI hitting it out of the park!

[blujay]

This was a great start, I wouldn't say it was a monumental issue for me (it felt like a lot of recap/stuff I already knew which is excusable) but it was a lot of fun. I have high hopes for #2

[ValiantReader]

Great issue! I loved the Bleeding Monk sequence by Mico.
Here's the original art scans I got from his rep.

DAN

Wow now that is some cool art! they should release a uncolored variant version... yea that be cool.

[Mandrakk]

I just loved this issue,it was pure awesome especially the Bleeding Monk part and it's mentions of a previous psiot assembly in a monastery(which begs the following question:who or what activated those).Also I am now convinced that Harada is pretending to need other people's help so they feel useful and so that his ennemies underestimate him.Anyhow can't wait for what comes next.

[bygranddesign]

As far as the Bleeding Monk scenes go, I'm thrilled to get so much insight, but I'm still completely confused about his motivation for using Pete. He had started to seem benevolent during his conversation with Pete, but that comment to Harada of "I will succeed with him where you failed" seemed a little foreboding.

Yes, it's interesting.
In the first arc, The Bleeding Monk had visions of Peter being the Destroyer. Harada was trying to help Peter take a different path (With i'm sure with his own selfish motivations in mind) ... but he "failed".

Bleeding Monk might be referring to Harada's "failure" to change Peter path to eventually becoming "The Destroyer". The Bleeding Monk even says he doesn't really care about the Psiot children ... he just cares about Peter and perhaps giving him a purpose that will change the course of his life.

I'm trying to decide if The Bleeding Monk is being truthful and trying to actually help Peter or maybe he is leading him on a path to be destroyed.

[Bl00dsh0t]

Best Valiant issue yet imo. Loved everything about it. Cant wit for Harbinger Wars #11 to see how it fits in.

I haven't been reading Harbinger but will get the x-overs. Loving Bloodshot.

Harbinger Wars - to early to call it the best mini of 2013? Probably but I will any way

[pixierosa]

Might as well add my voice to the chorus. This was an outstanding issue and left me wanting to read more right away. Dysart did a great job with a large cast of characters - none of them felt overlooked. Humor, emotional range, good dialogue writing and a great plot. Excellent art and good use of different artists to help propel the story.

Also, those scans are gorgeous. Once the crossover is completed, a bound edition of all 12 books would be outstanding.

[erwinrafael]

I am not reading a review in CBR anymore unless its the Pipeline column. Geez, the CBR reviewers are really bleh.

[manga4life]

I may have to start doing individual issue reviews just to give readers the real deal on what a real comic book is or isn't, CBR was simply too way off on their Harbinger Wars #1 review.

Ah, screw it. We know better anyhow.