Harbinger: Omegas, the future of the Harbinger series?

[Shade]

I just heard about this and I'm not sure if this is the correct place to talk about this, but I couldn't find a topic for it so whatever.

Apparently Harbinger is ending after issue 25. I guess this is old news but I just found out about this. Super bummed. Omegas is supposed to be a mini-series that starts after but I wonder if this means there will no longer be a Harbinger ongoing, or if the mini-series is just a way to give pause and keep hidden what exactly is going to happen with the future of the series.

I can't imagine Valiant ending it's best book. They must be opting for the renumbering stuff that Marvel is doing. IDK maybe I'm just in denial. Kind of shocked to hear this tbh, I'm a little thrown

Can anyone set me straight?

[BugsySig]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

[lorddunlow]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

Dysart also led us to believe Torque was killed by Kris. He can't be trusted.

[betterthanezra]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

Dysart also led us to believe Torque was killed by Kris. He can't be trusted.

-Brian

[Elveen]

Harbinger, in some form, will continue after Omegas.

[bygranddesign]

we'll also be getting a double dose of Dysart written Harbinger during the summer time

July:
Harbinger #25
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #1

August:
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #2
Harbinger: Omegas #1

September:
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #3
Harbinger: Omegas #2

October:
Harbinger: Omegas #3

After that, not really sure ... but Dysart has assured us that Harbinger isn't ending and that the "next chapter" will begin.

You can also read more in this thread (and see us freak out at the news at that time )
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43146" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BugsySig]

With omegas going until October, expect the next wave of announcements in late July/early August on the November titles. That's also when we should hear about EW, A&A, Q&W, etc.

[Shade]

we'll also be getting a double dose of Dysart written Harbinger during the summer time

July:
Harbinger #25
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #1

August:
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #2
Harbinger: Omegas #1

September:
Harbinger: Armor Hunters #3
Harbinger: Omegas #2

October:
Harbinger: Omegas #3

After that, not really sure ... but Dysart has assured us that Harbinger isn't ending and that the "next chapter" will begin.

You can also read more in this thread (and see us freak out at the news at that time )
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43146" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the heads up.

I'll be double-dipping in Harbinger all summer

[AnthonyF]

That's huge! Two Harby books a month! Last summer we got that during Harby Wars, with the Gen Zero kids. So happy they are doing it again!

[Phoenix8008]

That's huge! Two Harby books a month! Last summer we got that during Harby Wars, with the Gen Zero kids. So happy they are doing it again!

Indeed! It's going to be great. I really don't wanna wait till July or August to hear what's coming next for some of these series. That's going to be a LONG wait.

[paradise]

Can't we all just assume at this point that Dinesh and co. know what they are doing and won't really end the well selling and favorite titles?

It's pretty obvious, at least to me, what is going on. In this market you have to get attention, sometimes with #1 issues. Armor Hunters gives VEI a natural reason to re-focus the books and relaunch them. Some will continue with reg. numbering, some will relaunch with #1s. There is marketing savvy here. The big books will get their issue #25 specials, a great way to get attention, and then some will get a couple of #1s due to mini-series, and then a re-branding with new ongoing #1s.

There is a huge fight for the customer, and publishers are forced to re-invent their products much more often than in the 90s. At least VEI does it somewhat organically, unlike NEW 52 and Marvel's NOW, NOW2, NOW3, ALL NEW NOW, and whatever else garbage names they come up with.

[Phoenix8008]

There is a huge fight for the customer, and publishers are forced to re-invent their products much more often than in the 90s. At least VEI does it somewhat organically, unlike NEW 52 and Marvel's NOW, NOW2, NOW3, ALL NEW NOW, and whatever else garbage names they come up with.

"Next up... Marvel.Tommorrow.Is.Today!!! The literal FUTURE of comics! But today, because if it was only available tommorrow you'd never actually be able to buy it, ya know?"

[bamaphilosopher]

Can't we all just assume at this point that Dinesh and co. know what they are doing and won't really end the well selling and favorite titles?

It's pretty obvious, at least to me, what is going on. In this market you have to get attention, sometimes with #1 issues. Armor Hunters gives VEI a natural reason to re-focus the books and relaunch them. Some will continue with reg. numbering, some will relaunch with #1s. There is marketing savvy here. The big books will get their issue #25 specials, a great way to get attention, and then some will get a couple of #1s due to mini-series, and then a re-branding with new ongoing #1s.

There is a huge fight for the customer, and publishers are forced to re-invent their products much more often than in the 90s. At least VEI does it somewhat organically, unlike NEW 52 and Marvel's NOW, NOW2, NOW3, ALL NEW NOW, and whatever else garbage names they come up with.

Agreed. Great post!

I personally don't like restarting with number one issues, but DC and Marvel obviously do it and Valiant is forced to play the game too.

But, I guess as long as the stories continue I'll be happy.

[leonmallett]

....
There is a huge fight for the customer, and publishers are forced to re-invent their products much more often than in the 90s. At least VEI does it somewhat organically, unlike NEW 52 and Marvel's NOW, NOW2, NOW3, ALL NEW NOW, and whatever else garbage names they come up with.

I don't see much difference with VEI to be honest: how many new number 1#s will they be publishing this year in proportion to their monthly number of discrete issues?

VEI naturally have goodwill around here - and so they should - but that does not mean that they are not aping the practices that are seen negatively in other publishers.

As for the organic argument, well that is debatable too....

[bygranddesign]

As for the organic argument, well that is debatable too....

what's with the wink? Are you hitting on him?

If you have a point about them NOT being "somewhat organic", make your point..

[leonmallett]

As for the organic argument, well that is debatable too....

what's with the wink? Are you hitting on him?

If you have a point about them NOT being "somewhat organic", make your point..

My point is there is nothing really that organic about swapping a mini series for Shadowman in place of ongoing issues. There is nothing organic about having an event series with a number of mini-series hanging off it, especially as they too simply replace ongoings with mini series, and again may involve some of the same creators. The Event and branch mini model of publishing is pretty entrenched now, and therefore far from an organic outgrowth of plans.

That is what the wink was for.

[bygranddesign]

Can't we all just assume at this point that Dinesh and co. know what they are doing and won't really end the well selling and favorite titles?

It's pretty obvious, at least to me, what is going on. In this market you have to get attention, sometimes with #1 issues. Armor Hunters gives VEI a natural reason to re-focus the books and relaunch them. Some will continue with reg. numbering, some will relaunch with #1s. There is marketing savvy here. The big books will get their issue #25 specials, a great way to get attention, and then some will get a couple of #1s due to mini-series, and then a re-branding with new ongoing #1s.

There is a huge fight for the customer, and publishers are forced to re-invent their products much more often than in the 90s. At least VEI does it somewhat organically, unlike NEW 52 and Marvel's NOW, NOW2, NOW3, ALL NEW NOW, and whatever else garbage names they come up with.

Agreed. Great post!

I personally don't like restarting with number one issues, but DC and Marvel obviously do it and Valiant is forced to play the game too.

But, I guess as long as the stories continue I'll be happy.

+1 to Paradise and Bama

I'm happy with the stories and that's what matter most - this last month the quality was VERY high for every title. Its probably one of the best months of quality storytelling VEI has put out there. I understand the marketing is going to have this power - from the reboots to the mini's to the chromium to hyping events - but as long as they somewhat walk hand in hand with the content and the talent/storytellers - i'm ok with it.

I'm not sure how Dysart would tell the story of Harbinger without editorial and marketing as part of the equation. Maybe it would be better - maybe it would be worse. Maybe having these "restrictions" pushes him creatively and makes him a better writer. I do know that even though he has voiced his concerns about the business - the comic is still GREAT and the issues have been better than ever, IMO.

[bygranddesign]

As for the organic argument, well that is debatable too....

what's with the wink? Are you hitting on him?

If you have a point about them NOT being "somewhat organic", make your point..

My point is there is nothing really that organic about swapping a mini series for Shadowman in place of ongoing issues. There is nothing organic about having an event series with a number of mini-series hanging off it, especially as they too simply replace ongoings with mini series, and again may involve some of the same creators. The Event and branch mini model of publishing is pretty entrenched now, and therefore far from an organic outgrowth of plans.

That is what the wink was for.

I actually agree with you to a point about Shadowman: End Times. The first issue felt like an extension of the ongoing. But I think this is an example of marketing and content working hand in hand. VEI wants to bring in new readers and they also want to bring everyone's attention to a mini-series that looks like will lead to a lengthy hiatus for Shadowman. Maybe the end of Shadowman as we know it.

In regards to Armor Hunters, I think this is also another example of creative and marketing coming together successfully. I think they learned from the Harbinger Wars crossover - which I thought was great - but most of us felt like Bloodshot ongoing took a back seat and wasn't as strong overall. A lot of repeating of plot action. This time they bring in a new writer with his own ideas - build a miniseries within the event - and I think there is a chance for it to be very successful - marketing/sales and creatively.

Harbinger: Armor Hunters - will be written by Dysart but the focus will be completely different from the ongoing. Its all about Generation Zero. This story should have its own mini-series - completely different main characters and the Armor Hunter (not Harada) are the main threat. This story would not fit in the ongoing Harbinger title.

And Paradise said "somewhat organic" - most of us realize that marketing/sales pushes some of the agenda and storytelling in certain directions.

[lorddunlow]

As for the organic argument, well that is debatable too....

what's with the wink? Are you hitting on him?

Well, we can't get him to take his top off at the water park, so we're left trying to imagine what kind of man he is under that...

[kjjohanson]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

Dysart also led us to believe Torque was killed by Kris. He can't be trusted.

No. Dysart led you to believe Torque was killed by Kris.

[lorddunlow]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

Dysart also led us to believe Torque was killed by Kris. He can't be trusted.

No. Dysart led you to believe Torque was killed by Kris.

Ouch. That burned.

[jmatt]

Omegas will be a miniseries. After that the book will continue, but in what form hasn't been announced yet.

Keep in mind, Harbinger #23 isn't even out yet, and then there's the miniseries. Solicits aren't released until about 3 months prior, so we are likely not to hear about how it is continuing until the end of the summer.

Dysart has promised it will be returning.

Dysart also led us to believe Torque was killed by Kris. He can't be trusted.

No. Dysart led you to believe Torque was killed by Kris.

[jmatt]

I actually agree with you to a point about Shadowman: End Times. The first issue felt like an extension of the ongoing.

Same here. There was a page or two of backfill for new readers, but it was completely an extension of ongoing continuity.

I don't mind them breaking things out into minis if need be, but it should read like a mini, not pick up exactly where the last issue left off.