Harbinger #11 discussion

[grendeljd]

Alright, lets fire it up!

I thought this was another incredible issue - tons to process, excellent character moments all over the place.

Torque was awesome in his obnoxious demeanor - its so cool that he simply does not understand what he is!

Every one had their moment to shine, I absolutely loved Faith this issue. She will be so much more important to this group than she was in the original, I feel.

Loved the vibe of the 1969 scenes, the beginning of the connection between Harada & PRS - and what juicy tidbits we got about PRS... they've been around since the 1850's?!

All the artwork was absolutely stellar here - Hairsine rocked the 60's, and I was ever so pleased to see Khari back on the book. Loved every page.

[Keith]

I was surprised just how character driven this issue was! Aside from Torque punching out a jukebox, I'd be hard pressed to consider any of this issue as action based. It was so well rounded though, with each of the Renegades getting their moment... though maybe Flamingo suffered a bit there. But I agree, Faith had the best moments. "Wow, Faith... new 'tude. Nice."

But I loved loved loved all the backstory, not just with the Harada/PRS 1969 scenes but with the Harbinger Wars story overall. The Bleeding Monk actually calling Harada into the telepathic conversation with Peter, for example.

The mystery with Project Rising Spirt deepens! The Monk can't foresee them at all?? And, hopping over to Archer & Armstrong, they have some connection to the Boon! Craziness! They are a clever strain of scumbaggery!

[KXXX]

I did a double take, thinking Torque had just flattened the R2-D2 in the bar, only to realize it was a jukebox. Phew.

I'm curious about Harada's 'people' that visited PRS with him... didn't Livewire say she was his first? Or does he say that to all of them?

[cavemold]

a nice 2 parter story here:)

[greg]

I did a double take, thinking Torque had just flattened the R2-D2 in the bar, only to realize it was a jukebox. Phew.

I'm curious about Harada's 'people' that visited PRS with him... didn't Livewire say she was his first? Or does he say that to all of them?

I took it to mean that Livewire was his "first in command".

[greg]

and what juicy tidbits we got about PRS... they've been around since the 1850's?!

The first thing that made me think of was Darque... not sure that's what was implied. 1850 could be the first Shadowman, though.

The Monk said his government found out about psiots around 1750 and took action (wiping them out)...
Did the U.S. government find out in 1850 and set up a group to monitor them?
Was P.R.S. set up in response to an 1850 Null situation?
Gilad knows P.R.S., perhaps he's known them that long...

Does the 1850 reference allow for P.R.S. to be involved in the Lincoln assassination in 1865?

[jmatt]

and what juicy tidbits we got about PRS... they've been around since the 1850's?!

The first thing that made me think of was Darque... not sure that's what was implied. 1850 could be the first Shadowman, though.

Same here. I was thinking more along the lines of Shadowman... but it could have nothing to do with it at all.

[BugsySig]

Great issue. Dysart manages so much character development in a single issue, its amazing.

The art was stellar, too. When Evans isn't rushed and has appropriate coloring, his work really stands out. And Hairsime just killed it. Please put him on Shadowman or one of the new books pronto

"Brobarian" was amazing.

Rising Spirit has to have an Asian influence...Perhaps whoever (or whatever) was responsible for the slaughter of the Monks in the 1700s, helped start PRS in 1850...Could they have (or have had) their own Monk? That could explain why the Bleeding Monk couldn't read them...Could this have been the person the Nanites where harvested in/from? The first Rai?...

[greg]

Rising Spirit has to have an Asian influence...Perhaps whoever (or whatever) was responsible for the slaughter of the Monks in the 1700s, helped start PRS in 1850...Could they have (or have had) their own Monk? That could explain why the Bleeding Monk couldn't read them...Could this have been the person the Nanites where harvested in/from? The first Rai?...

Well, what was the Bleeding Monk doing from 1750 to 1850?

[grendeljd]

Rising Spirit has to have an Asian influence...Perhaps whoever (or whatever) was responsible for the slaughter of the Monks in the 1700s, helped start PRS in 1850...Could they have (or have had) their own Monk? That could explain why the Bleeding Monk couldn't read them...Could this have been the person the Nanites where harvested in/from? The first Rai?...

Well, what was the Bleeding Monk doing from 1750 to 1850?

Good question. I also was intrigued by the fact that Harada specifically refers to the scene around the chest wound on the monk as the "source of the never healing wound"... This feels like a more pronounced & intended link to Bloodshot & his never quite healed chest mark. It is possible that 'Rising Spirit' has a fuller origin linked to the Monk.

[pixierosa]

Another great Harbinger book. Really enjoyed the character development, and even though I had seen previews, they didn't diminish the story for me. Loved the further insight into Bleeding Monk's psychic conference call with Pete and Harada. Thought they did a great job of moving between the two time periods, too -- both in where they made the time "jumps" and with the art to reinforce the notion.

It was nice to see Pete continue to show personal development and a sense of responsibility. Faith, of course, proved herself to be the best human being. She has the true heart of a hero and will be the team's heart. They seem to be setting up Torque and Flamingo to be shallow jerks, but I think they are overdoing this on purpose to show growth once they step up and help the children.

PRS is growing even more interesting. I love how they illustrate the general attitude not only with his words but with his body posturing -- the super relaxed, have a drink look versus Harada's more rigid approach. Also interesting is Harada's personal involvement with one of his lieutenants. Even more interesting is how he so easily confided in her. If she knew how to shield her mind, she would have been an excellent mole in his organization.

So glad we learned more about the Bleeding Monk, his abilities and purpose. They've teased us just the right amount of information to keep us wanting more.

Harbinger remains my favorite Valiant title by far.

[Zaphod]

Harbinger remains my favorite Valiant title by far.

AINEC

Great story, great dialogue, nice use of humour. The flashback scenes reminded me of all the good parts of X-Men: First Class.

[hawkeyeps]

Yes fantastic issue and very cinamatic with art changes (good call with Xmen FC), I can see Harbinger being a great movie or TV show.

Harbinger Wars is turned up to 11 and we have all the PRS talk in A&A which is surely setting up something big!

Both books this week were exhilarating reads with big reveals and nice set ups, this is why I read comics.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

First off, the art. This has been my favorite issue that Khari Evans has done. Was never that big a fan of his work, and was pleasantly surprised by his finesse on this issue. I was also very happy with Trevor Hairsine's work as well! I didn't care for his X-O stuff, but this was top notch IMO.
One thing I noticed was that Faith basically came to terms with death, making me feel like she'll be the sacrificial lamb of VEI's Harbinger, the way Torque was for VH1. I know everyone thinks that they won't do that, but she may have more power as a martyr, showing how Harada can kill such a good person, hence officially turning him into a villain, and giving the Renegades something to truly rally around, as they seem to be split in their ideologies at the moment.
One thing I didn't like was how much this story overlapped with Harby Wars #1. I understand overlapping it to set the timeframe and all, but it just felt like a little too much to me. Minor gripe.

Loved the '69 storyline all the way. Very cool stuff. Actually, loved the whole character development of Torque as well. He's never been out of his house! And now he's a tank! Very strange for him to have to deal with all of that. Very cool and can add plenty of depth to that. That, vs. Peter's almost paranoia on the whole situation, and Kris mediating it all. Hitting all the bases. Everyone has their place, and of course with Faith as the heart.

Loving this book all the way since issue 1. Thank God Dysart's exclusive, and not going anywhere. This book is the pinnacle of comics.

[bygranddesign]

Loved this issue

Dysart is a genius (yada yada yada)

Haisine and Evans were great (Yes ... get Hairsine his own book!)

Peter and the Renegades are cool as *SQUEE* and have personality up the *SQUEE*

But Harada continues to be the STAR (among the stars) for me .. i know he's the "bad guy" but he's also fascinatingly complex and a brilliant character study of someone with immense power shouldering the responsibility of trying to create a better world. It's sort of turn of the superhero/spiderman phrase of "with great power...". Toyo's has a twisted vision ... but it's not without reason. Loved seeing him in his younger days and loved his confrontation with the PRS leader. Great dialogue.

One thing that i'm surprised hasn't been mentioned in this thread is the woman at the end of the issue with Harada. - I feel a bit foolish but should I/we know who Griffon is? I'm trying to think whether she is a character at the Harada foundation (obviously she would look a lot older now) or is she a brand new character just introduced?

Its nice to see a romantic moment in this book even if it is with Harada and no, mind rape does NOT count

I have a feeling she is going to be an important character moving forward ... Maybe Harada had some kids? Maybe something happened to her that helped shaped Harada's world view like the atomic bombs that devastated his country and killed his mother.

**EDIT - just realized that she is also the PSIOT that accompanies Harada to confront PRS in this issue. Maybe she bites the bullet in the first Harbinger Wars..

[hawkeyeps]

Or maybe Griffon works for PRS

A big mystery here is still the method of activation of all these Psiots, I'm thinking will see that in HW Harbinger issues and it will really set things up.

[grendeljd]

Or maybe Griffon works for PRS

A big mystery here is still the method of activation of all these Psiots, I'm thinking will see that in HW Harbinger issues and it will really set things up.

Considering how many psiot-related inventions PRS has come up with, and now that we are seeing how far back their link with Harada goes...

I think they made the machine that Harada uses.

[hawkeyeps]

Or maybe Griffon works for PRS

A big mystery here is still the method of activation of all these Psiots, I'm thinking will see that in HW Harbinger issues and it will really set things up.

Considering how many psiot-related inventions PRS has come up with, and now that we are seeing how far back their link with Harada goes...

I think they made the machine that Harada uses.

I can see that and that would be a big motivation to get Pete because of his ability to activate.

Maybe Griffon and Hunter were activated by PRS and approached young Harada as fellow Psiots in order to infiltrate his organization.

[Elveen]

Loving this book all the way since issue 1. Thank God Dysart's exclusive, and not going anywhere. This book is the pinnacle of comics.

Yes.

[Zaphod]

I can see Harbinger being a great movie or TV show.

I think it has probably been attempted too many times to work outside of a HBO, FX, AMC channel attempt.

Heroes (at least the 1st season, imo) and Alpha's (terribly underrated show, ended very prematurely) were good attempts. Probably a few others that I am missing but the downward trend of those types of sci-fi's recently probably means it will never happen on network television and would be a hard sell to any others.

[BugsySig]

I can see Harbinger being a great movie or TV show.

I think it has probably been attempted too many times to work outside of a HBO, FX, AMC channel attempt.

Heroes (at least the 1st season, imo) and Alpha's (terribly underrated show, ended very prematurely) were good attempts. Probably a few others that I am missing but the downward trend of those types of sci-fi's recently probably means it will never happen on network television and would be a hard sell to any others.

The CW is doing "The Tomorrow People" which has many similarities to this version of Harbinger, though the original predates VH1 harbinger by 20 years.

Superheroes just haven't don't well on Network TV outside of DC mainstays like Smallville and Arrow. A more adult version on a cable channel might have a chance, though, like Zaphod said.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I can see Harbinger being a great movie or TV show.

I think it has probably been attempted too many times to work outside of a HBO, FX, AMC channel attempt.

Heroes (at least the 1st season, imo) and Alpha's (terribly underrated show, ended very prematurely) were good attempts. Probably a few others that I am missing but the downward trend of those types of sci-fi's recently probably means it will never happen on network television and would be a hard sell to any others.

Or Netflix originals... could be a perfect market for that!

[manga4life]

Harbinger #11 was so wonderfully illustrated and well written I could just burst out into cheer. Seriously, this was a great issue that really gave us a chance to see the human sides of some of these characters and really helped to bring us closer to them, I really love these kinds of issues. I liked the tie-in to Harbinger Wars (although it was light) and I liked the Toyo interactions with the PRS unit, all in all the story here was fantastic. Faith standing up for herself and getting people back on track was well done too, the team really needed that it seemed and now they're all on the same page for the most part, you got to love Faith.

[Zaphod]

I can see Harbinger being a great movie or TV show.

I think it has probably been attempted too many times to work outside of a HBO, FX, AMC channel attempt.

Heroes (at least the 1st season, imo) and Alpha's (terribly underrated show, ended very prematurely) were good attempts. Probably a few others that I am missing but the downward trend of those types of sci-fi's recently probably means it will never happen on network television and would be a hard sell to any others.

Or Netflix originals... could be a perfect market for that!

Good suggestion, I don't know how the finances for that work and I don't use netflix myself but this would definitely get me into it.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Another great issue. More Harada/PRS back story plus current day developments too. As always, this feels like a much bigger read than other books (eg Shadowman, A&A) which is undoubtedly down to Dysart's skillfull writing (great news about his exclusive deal with VEI. Another reason maybe because there no unnecessary splash pages which, most of the time, feel like a waste of story space.

Really enjoying Tork as a character, he should have his own book Bro!

4.5/5 Great issue!