Harbinger #16 Discussion

[Keith]

... hang on to your hats, kids. If you thought last issue was weird, we're going through the looking glass on this one.

Was I surprised to find out that Torque is c'mon, this one deserves the spoilers, no? Anywho, he ain't dead, or ain't dead yet. Not really. I think the more satisfying reveal is how closely these strange events are linked to the end of Harbinger Wars. In fact, combine this with what we see over in Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps, and I think you get the sense that the "war" isn't over yet. I wouldn't be surprised if events in B&HC play a role in the next Harbinger issues.

My only complaint is with the art. Similar complaint to last issue... in some cases there seems to be a lack of inking. Characters seem sketched/cartoony. Maybe it's a style choice, but I ain't a fan.

[BugsySig]

Other than what was mentioned about some of the panels being too sketchy and undetailed, this may have been my favorite Harbinger, nae, VALIANT issue to date!

Holy Iron Maiden do I love Torquehalla! Dysart's simple brilliance in designing Torque's fantasy land blew me away. I also laughed out loud several times while reading this issue. Not the way I do when reading Q&W or A&A, but because the characters say things that fit perfectly to their "voice".

I loved that Faith figured it all out. I love that Kris is unstoppable in her desire to learn the truth. And I love hoe Flamingo is coming into her own. All around just an awesome issue.

[MoonChild]

Other than what was mentioned about some of the panels being too sketchy and undetailed, this may have been my favorite Harbinger, nae, VALIANT issue to date!

Holy Iron Maiden do I love Torquehalla! Dysart's simple brilliance in designing Torque's fantasy land blew me away. I also laughed out loud several times while reading this issue. Not the way I do when reading Q&W or A&A, but because the characters say things that fit perfectly to their "voice".

I loved that Faith figured it all out. I love that Kris is unstoppable in her desire to learn the truth. And I love hoe Flamingo is coming into her own. All around just an awesome issue.

Hey Don't call Flamingo a Hoe! She's just uhhh.....fun, yea that's it

[bygranddesign]

this was a roller coaster read for me

at first it felt like Torque is not dead ... his physical body died but he lives on somehow through his physical projection

then the emotional scene between torque and kris made me feel like ... OK, he is DEAD! ... he has come to that realization and wants Kris to figure out a way out of Torquehalla.

Then the stuff between Peter and Faith and the ending.... makes me think "Damn you Dysart! I've been DUPED again!!!"

I thought it would be the Bleeding Monk pulling the strings on this little fantasy (maybe he does play a part also) but it looks like its Harada pulling the strings and ... now I really need to re-read the ending of Harbinger Wars again ...lol. WOW

But just putting all that aside ....

Just a masterful piece of storytelling by Dysart

Love the fantasy aspect ... loved the mystery ... just a complete mind *SQUEE*

and i loved it!

9/10

[somewhatlazy]

Kris is an absolute d!ck for taking Torque's train.

[BugsySig]

Other than what was mentioned about some of the panels being too sketchy and undetailed, this may have been my favorite Harbinger, nae, VALIANT issue to date!

Holy Iron Maiden do I love Torquehalla! Dysart's simple brilliance in designing Torque's fantasy land blew me away. I also laughed out loud several times while reading this issue. Not the way I do when reading Q&W or A&A, but because the characters say things that fit perfectly to their "voice".

I loved that Faith figured it all out. I love that Kris is unstoppable in her desire to learn the truth. And I love hoe Flamingo is coming into her own. All around just an awesome issue.

Hey Don't call Flamingo a Hoe! She's just uhhh.....fun, yea that's it

Freudian slip, maybe?

this was a roller coaster read for me

at first it felt like Torque is not dead ... his physical body died but he lives on somehow through his physical projection

then the emotional scene between torque and kris made me feel like ... OK, he is DEAD! ... he has come to that realization and wants Kris to figure out a way out of Torquehalla.

Then the stuff between Peter and Faith and the ending.... makes me think "Damn you Dysart! I've been DUPED again!!!"

I thought it would be the Bleeding Monk pulling the strings on this little fantasy (maybe he does play a part also) but it looks like its Harada pulling the strings and ... now I really need to re-read the ending of Harbinger Wars again ...lol. WOW

But just putting all that aside ....

Just a masterful piece of storytelling by Dysart

Love the fantasy aspect ... loved the mystery ... just a complete mind *SQUEE*

and i loved it!

9/10

I said from the beginning that the end of Harbinger Wars for the Renegades was too good to be true. One second they are in the Belagio, surrounded by Harada's people, Pete beaten half to death (again ) and Faith missing after a missile blew up next to her...Next thing you know they're in a jeep, scott free and find Faith who barely has a scratch on her I don't think so.

[MarrowMan]

Holy frijoles what a squee'ing mindsquee!

[comicsyte95]

Couldn't wait to read this issue (and that it turned out the way it did).

[first_citizenx]

These last two issues have been nuts! (in a good way) Some good reading!

[KXXX]

First off... nanana boo, stick your head in doo-doo, I knew he wasn't dead. Go check the thread for #15. It happened.

Second, glad to see Torque's taste in beer has evolved from Coors (damn you, VH1) to MGD. Now, Miller beers as a rule a generally *SQUEE*, but MGD is high on the *SQUEE* scale.

Third, Dysart must be having an absolute blast with Torquehalla, because it's exactly what a meat-head like me would want.

[hunter_peterson]

Other than what was mentioned about some of the panels being too sketchy and undetailed, this may have been my favorite Harbinger, nae, VALIANT issue to date!

Holy Iron Maiden do I love Torquehalla! Dysart's simple brilliance in designing Torque's fantasy land blew me away. I also laughed out loud several times while reading this issue. Not the way I do when reading Q&W or A&A, but because the characters say things that fit perfectly to their "voice".

I loved that Faith figured it all out. I love that Kris is unstoppable in her desire to learn the truth. And I love hoe Flamingo is coming into her own. All around just an awesome issue.

Hey Don't call Flamingo a Hoe! She's just uhhh.....fun, yea that's it

Freudian slip, maybe?

this was a roller coaster read for me

at first it felt like Torque is not dead ... his physical body died but he lives on somehow through his physical projection

then the emotional scene between torque and kris made me feel like ... OK, he is DEAD! ... he has come to that realization and wants Kris to figure out a way out of Torquehalla.

Then the stuff between Peter and Faith and the ending.... makes me think "Damn you Dysart! I've been DUPED again!!!"

I thought it would be the Bleeding Monk pulling the strings on this little fantasy (maybe he does play a part also) but it looks like its Harada pulling the strings and ... now I really need to re-read the ending of Harbinger Wars again ...lol. WOW

But just putting all that aside ....

Just a masterful piece of storytelling by Dysart

Love the fantasy aspect ... loved the mystery ... just a complete mind *SQUEE*

and i loved it!

9/10

I said from the beginning that the end of Harbinger Wars for the Renegades was too good to be true. One second they are in the Belagio, surrounded by Harada's people, Pete beaten half to death (again ) and Faith missing after a missile blew up next to her...Next thing you know they're in a jeep, scott free and find Faith who barely has a scratch on her I don't think so.

Yeah, not to mention Kris was panicking because she was afraid Peter couldn't shield them from Harada with his injuries. Turns out she was right, I reckon. I wonder what he's done with Peter?

[Bl00dsh0t]

So I didnt pick up Harbinger #15 (and #16 obviously) as I only got on board for the HW crossover (I've been collecting BS since #1), now it looks as though Harbinger could impact upon BS down the track...I'm wondering if I should get this as a monthly too? I dont want to miss out on any awesomeness between the linkages of the two titles...

What do you guys think?

[ShadowTuga]

So I didnt pick up Harbinger #15 (and #16 obviously) as I only got on board for the HW crossover (I've been collecting BS since #1), now it looks as though Harbinger could impact upon BS down the track...I'm wondering if I should get this as a monthly too? I dont want to miss out on any awesomeness between the linkages of the two titles...

What do you guys think?

Read Harbinger!!!!!!
YOU'LL NOT REGRET IT!

[BugsySig]

Other than what was mentioned about some of the panels being too sketchy and undetailed, this may have been my favorite Harbinger, nae, VALIANT issue to date!

Holy Iron Maiden do I love Torquehalla! Dysart's simple brilliance in designing Torque's fantasy land blew me away. I also laughed out loud several times while reading this issue. Not the way I do when reading Q&W or A&A, but because the characters say things that fit perfectly to their "voice".

I loved that Faith figured it all out. I love that Kris is unstoppable in her desire to learn the truth. And I love hoe Flamingo is coming into her own. All around just an awesome issue.

Hey Don't call Flamingo a Hoe! She's just uhhh.....fun, yea that's it

Freudian slip, maybe?

this was a roller coaster read for me

at first it felt like Torque is not dead ... his physical body died but he lives on somehow through his physical projection

then the emotional scene between torque and kris made me feel like ... OK, he is DEAD! ... he has come to that realization and wants Kris to figure out a way out of Torquehalla.

Then the stuff between Peter and Faith and the ending.... makes me think "Damn you Dysart! I've been DUPED again!!!"

I thought it would be the Bleeding Monk pulling the strings on this little fantasy (maybe he does play a part also) but it looks like its Harada pulling the strings and ... now I really need to re-read the ending of Harbinger Wars again ...lol. WOW

But just putting all that aside ....

Just a masterful piece of storytelling by Dysart

Love the fantasy aspect ... loved the mystery ... just a complete mind *SQUEE*

and i loved it!

9/10

I said from the beginning that the end of Harbinger Wars for the Renegades was too good to be true. One second they are in the Belagio, surrounded by Harada's people, Pete beaten half to death (again ) and Faith missing after a missile blew up next to her...Next thing you know they're in a jeep, scott free and find Faith who barely has a scratch on her I don't think so.

Yeah, not to mention Kris was panicking because she was afraid Peter couldn't shield them from Harada with his injuries. Turns out she was right, I reckon. I wonder what he's done with Peter?

I wonder if Pete is the reason the fantasy world is falling apart? Whatever Toyo did to him, his consciousness may have escaped...possibly into Kris and/or the other Renegades. He is then working to unravel the fantasy from within.

[jmatt]

My. God. What a great title.

Dysart just turned the book up to 11. Such great character interaction.

At the end, Ingrid talks about her "experiment". Is she referring to the mere control of the Renegades in stasis, or something more experimenty?

We see four sensory deprivation-ish tanks. Not five. Looks like Faith and Torque's shell in the foreground, and Mingo and Kris in the rear. Where's Peter? Harada says he's "been taken care of".

Kris keeps going on about the sea. Does she sense she's floating in water? She and Faith seem to be trying to break away from their mind control.

So I guess Harada's had them all since the end of HW? I'll have to go back and check out the end of HW again.

Love the art. Flamingo's fire crown is so cool.

[Blood of Heroes]

First off... nanana boo, stick your head in doo-doo, I knew he wasn't dead. Go check the thread for #15. It happened.

You don't know he's alive. We could be playing Matrix rules here. You get your head caved in in the matrix, you're dead in real life.

[Blood of Heroes]

And don't tell me where to stick my head!

[bygranddesign]

I wonder if Pete is the reason the fantasy world is falling apart? Whatever Toyo did to him, his consciousness may have escaped...possibly into Kris and/or the other Renegades. He is then working to unravel the fantasy from within.

+1
Yeah, is it Peter speaking to Kris from the sea of woe trying to free them from this dream construct?

Monica/animilia is in the next issue ... I wonder how she'll fit into this. Perhaps Peter recruits her to help

[String]

I wonder if Pete is the reason the fantasy world is falling apart? Whatever Toyo did to him, his consciousness may have escaped...possibly into Kris and/or the other Renegades. He is then working to unravel the fantasy from within.

+1
Yeah, is it Peter speaking to Kris from the sea of woe trying to free them from this dream construct?

Monica/animilia is in the next issue ... I wonder how she'll fit into this. Perhaps Peter recruits her to help

Yeah, that's what I'm beginning to wonder about as well. Being the closest to him, Kris might be the most 'receptive' to his thoughts via the Sea.

All I know is, this issue and last, was amazing. Dysart is playing with all our expectations and I can't remember the last time I've read a comic with a feeling of having NO idea what is coming next. Love it.

Plus, after catching up on the trades and now this, I'm really starting to hate Ingrid.

Torquehalla rules!

[Brother Darque]

this reminds me of that Philup K. Dick book, Ubik.


and Kris looks like a Vulcan.

[pixierosa]

I wonder who is helping them break free? Someone is able to work around those psychics trying to control the matrix. Either Pete or someone else who's exceptionally powerful or has a specific skill. Bleeding Monk might be capable, but I'm not sure why he'd do that.

I keep coming back to the sea thing, too. At first I thought it was related to whomever was trying to control them or reach them, but now that we see they are floating in those isolation chambers, it could be as simple as awareness of that state. Or something metaphorical like splashing water in the face to wake up.

I've seen the cover preview for what's coming... Pete is going to annihilate anyone between him and his team.

This book was outstanding. Loved the creativity of the setting and how they told the story. It's what we expected, that they really didn't get away, but Josh did a great job of making us think that someone else was influencing them. I also enjoyed seeing the characters expand a bit. I'm glad Faith figured it out on her own, but my heart was broken for her. She's a lovesick trooper.

[Bl00dsh0t]

Decided to pick this up and Harbinger #15 - went down to my LCS only to find the shipmen has been delayed until tomorrow! Noooo... oh well, at least it's only 1 more day to wait.

[lorddunlow]

Oh man, was this a good issue. Does anyone wish that we could have three Harbinger titles (regular, 1969, and Annals of Torquehalla)?

Loved Torque's version of everyone, but especially Flamingo - fire crown, fire sword - so awesome!

I'm still really confused about what exactly is going on, but I'm afraid I may owe jmatt a Harby Gold. I thought for sure Torque was alive at first, but I agree that scene with Kris is foreboding. I'm thinking he may be in a coma at the end of this (which unfortunately for me is still alive).

Awesome issue.

[Donovan]

I hate to be cliche, but this really is the best book being published right now. Hands down.

And I loved the artwork. I enjoyed it better than Khari Evans' work at the beginning of the series. I can actually tell people apart from their faces.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Read this book late last night before bed. All I know is that I absolutely loved it! Am I confused? Sure! Intrigued? you bet! The writing is phenominal, and really has me INCORRECTLY guessing what's coming next every time! Who knows what's real, and what's not.... we need an issue explaining what happened after HW!
My only gripe is really the art. Not feeling it. Such good writing deserves equally as good art.
going to read B&HC next.