HARBINGER # 25 Review !!!

HARBINGER # 25
Written by Joshua Dysart, Justin Jordon,  Vivek Twary,  Dan Goldman & Lucy Knisley
Art by Lewis Larosa, Khari Evans, Clayton Henry, Lucy Knisley, Romulo Fajardo, Brian Reber, Dave Lanpher, Rafer Roberts & allen Passalaqua
Valiant Comics



This will be a spoiler free review

                We look back several times this issue as to what happened before with the origin of the Renegades, the team a car talking about Fan Fictions, sharing personal moments with Peter and Kris and how one of Harada’s inner circle came to be part of his group.
                The main event story is, however, is a look at a new status quo for Harada and that one snippet from Harbinger #21 comes back to haunt us now as things have changed … for everyone.

ART:

                Since this issue had a diverse amount of art, I am just going to run by things quickly. Rafer Roberts was entertaining in his own right with his cartoony style. LaRosa does some really nice, detailed work that is clean with help from Fajardo, Reber and Lanphear. Knisley has a great moment as well with some okay art there for her tale. Yet, Henry and Evans clearly steal the issue with their powerful, detailed art.  Evans and Henry, who have drawn the majority of the Harbinger issues, give some of their best work this issue with great perspectives and detail. Overall, the art was from okay to excellent.




WRITING:

                This issue packed an emotional wallop that would not be denied. From the change status quos, to memories of characters long gone, to knowing that the group of people we have come to know will not be together again the same way  … ever. Jordon’s story brought much needed levity and a great sense of nostalgia of our heroes on the road. Knisley showed us the heart of our girl, Faith. Twary and Goldman gave us some powerful memories of a character who has been long dead but still in the minds of two of our main characters. Each of those stories were good, solid and ran their course.

                Yet, Dysart writes his masterpiece finale for this first chapter. Yep. It says in the end of the main story of the issue “End of Chapter 1.” If all of this was chapter one, all I can say is that I am looking forward to chapter 2 and onward. This issue gave a terrific climax to all that had occurred before as well as gave us new plots for things to come while sending off our original team. It is over. The Renegades as we knew them are done … gone possibly forever.  It was a send off that was heartfelt and Dysart grabbed every last one of our emotions this issue … both the characters and the readers. We got some significant development for our main cast as we say goodbye to the rest of our crew … leaving only two left.  And Harada and Stronghold both get significant characterizations as the status quo had changed. Dysart crafts these changes well, making them grandiose and impactful. The pacing was perfect and the overall weight of everything as palpable. Everything Dysart has written in Harbinger has worked up to this … and it was the end … the end of the beginning it seems. Like graduating college, it was time to move to the next phase and Dysart captures that feeling with this issue completely. The dialogue was rich and the overall construction of the story was perfect. THIS is comic book writing at its best and I will claim this as Dysart’s greatest work in comics ever … till he tops it.

FINAL VERDICT:

                This was a great celebration of what Harbinger was, is and will be. The stories were entertaining, powerful and full of a cascade of emotion. The art was good to excellent. This issue excelled at giving fans a great look into Harbinger and its evolution. Dysart continues his prolific work with a great end … to chapter one.  Yet, all Harbinger fans should buy and read this book. It really is comics at its best. Harbinger # 25 gets a 4.5 … out of 5.  

Previews: HARBINGER # 23

HARBINGER #23 (“DEATH OF RENEGADE” – PART 2)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (MAR141414)
Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA (MAR141415)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141416)

Dead. Means. Dead.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/28/14 (FOC – 5/5/14)

1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 22

HARBINGER # 22
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Clayton Henry & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                The Renegades decide it’s time to strike. The seven members devise a plan to strike at Toyo Harada and expose him even more than they already have but attacking and getting data from Harada’s school in Pittsburg. While it looks like Harada has caught up with our merry band of rebels, all are not what it seems. Plus, Torque goes through some changes.

ART:

                We are look at Henry’s best art of his career. The level of detail and expression has been increased and Henry is really starting to shine within these pages. From backgrounds, to the various body types in the book, Henry has not shyed away from presenting a fully, realized world and character.  From the somber opening pages to the gripping final panel, Henry renders it all beautiful. Great sense of action, perspectives and proportions, Henry truly gives his best work yet. 
                Reber backs him up as always with some strong colors and tones to match the mood of the scenes within the book. The colors really enhance Henry’s stunning work, making it look masterful on each panel. The opening page really captures mood well because of Rebel’s color alongside Henry’s art.
                Overall, a beautiful book.

WRITING:

                Dysart continues to write a gripping story and starts laying groundwork for the end. We get some particular character development on Torque and Faith while Dysart evens out the rest of the character moments between the rest of the Renegades, except for Monica. Monica did not get much development this issue at all. Yet, everyone else got some good character moments.
                Dysart writes a smart script as always, giving readers multiple surprises this issue; allowing for misdirection and some great character moments. As we see the continuing development, the title of the story line “Death of a Renegade” is definitely getting hinted out a few times this issue; giving some very creepy assumptions on which character is gonna die during the course of the storyline.  Dysart paces the entire issue well with a strong beginning, very captivating middle and a gripping end.
                Dysart builds the beginning of the end here and does it with style. Another well written issue.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The issue was a great start to a very pivotal character and story related arc. Henry, Reber and Dysart are delivering the best work of their careers and it will only get better.  “Death of a Renegade” is off to a smart and strong start and can only get much better from here. And that will make it that much more heartbreaking for when we lose one of our characters.

RATING:

                I give Harbinger #22 a magnificent 10 … out of 10. Pick it up this Wednesday!

First Look: "Death of a Renegade" Begins in HARBINGER # 22

First Look: "DEATH OF A RENEGADE" – Everything Changes in HARBINGER #22!

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of HARBINGER #22 – the FIRST ISSUE of DEATH OF A RENEGADE, a devastating new turning point for Valiant's acclaimed superhero series from New York Times best-selling creators Joshua Dysart (Harbinger Wars, Unknown Soldier) and Clayton Henry(Harbinger Wars, Incredible Hercules)! Peter. Kris. Flamingo. Torque. Zephyr. Anyone can be killed – and, on April 23rd, one of the Renegades's own will begin an inescapable collision course toward the ultimate sacrifice. 

Peter Stanchek and his wayward team of teenage Renegades thought they had found freedom. They thought they could get their old lives back. They thought they could bring down Toyo Harada and the Harbinger Foundation. They were wrong. And, soon, one of them will die.

“It’s not hyperbole to say that EVERYTHING will change after this,” Joshua Dysart told USA Today. “People say that, but in the past we’ve proven that we mean it. And this time I think people will be very surprised as to what’s going to happen in this book.”

Jump on board the series that The Onion/A.V. Club calls "the crown jewel of Valiant's line-up" withDEATH OF A RENEGADE, on April 23rd in HARBINGER #22 – the opening chapter of the most important Harbinger story ever told…and the beginning of a milestone moment that will define everything that follows in its wake.

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, on Tumblr, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

HARBINGER #22 ("DEATH OF A RENEGADE" – PART 1)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICHAEL WALSH (FEB141479)
Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA (FEB141480)
Variant Cover by BARRY KITSON (FEB141481)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 4/23/14 (FOC – 3/31/14)

HARBINGER #23 ("DEATH OF RENEGADE" – PART 2)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (MAR141414)
Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA (MAR141415)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR141416)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/28/14 (FOC – 5/5/14)

HARBINGER #24 ("DEATH OF RENEGADE" – PART 3)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (APR141430)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (APR141430)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 6/18/14 (FOC – 5/26/14)

Preview: HARBINGER # 21

HARBINGER #21 ("RESISTANCE" – PART 2)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (DEC131329)
Interlocking Variant by ZACHARY MONTOYA (DEC131330)

“Resistance” ratchets up the stakes! Peter and the Renegades wanted information to be free, but now they’re about to pay a very steep price.

Once again, the Renegades are on the run with the combined forces of the Harbinger Foundation and Project Rising Spirit closing in on all sides. This time, however, the team’s newest member, Ax, has left a trail of leaked classified information that could could win the day – but also put the few loved ones they have into dire peril. And now the moment has come when they must choose between their fate and their families…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 12th!!

1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 20

HARBINGER # 20
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Clayton Henry & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Harbinger # 20 starts with a bang as it seems that Harada has revealed himself to the military  …  Then we flashback to the present as a hacker named Ax leaks Project: Rising Spirit files about Harbinger Foundation … And with that, the real fun begins.

ART:

                It is great to see Henry back … and with a full issue.  Henry and Reber do a sensational job of giving striking visuals that grab you from the word go. From Harada on an aircraft carrier to Psiots in the sky to Ax making a hasty retreat, there was a lot of impact, detail and style. Everything looked distinct and the action was kinetic.

                Reber’s colors shower the pages with strong, bold colors that help give depth and life to Henry’s strong pencils. This was definitely some of Henry’s best work yet.

WRITING:

                Dysart gives us a very impactful first issue of “Resistance.” There are definitely moves being made as Ax and Harada seem to be trapped in a chess game. In the meantime, Ax himself makes one of the most striking debuts; already making him an important, key player within a mere 3 pages. Dysart gives wonderful dialogue stacked with some really deep scenes as there are things from the UN to soldiers chasing Ax in a park. Dysart gives us an opening shot for this next story leaves a lot of weight to it as Ax’s intentions is revealed and Harada is now playing a whole new game.
                The pacing was great as always and dialogue feels nature. Another great issue in the can.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Strong first impressions leave me wanting more. It will probably do the same to you with great art and story.

RATING:

                I give Harbinger # 20 gets a 9.5 … out of 10. 

Preview: HARBINGER # 20

HARBINGER #20 (NEW ARC – “RESISTANCE”)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Interlocking Pullbox Variant by ZACHARY MONTOYA
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

MUST READ VALIANT! All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! Joshua Dysart and Clayton Henry launch “RESISTANCE” – and end the Renegades war against Toyo Harada once and for all.

Peter Stanchek and his team of teenage superhuman outlaws have decided that the best defense is a strong offense. Pursued from coast-to-coast by their would-be overlord in the Harbinger Foundation, the Renegades are about to launch a strategic strike on Harada’s secret empire – and they’ll start by revealing to the world just what kind of power they’ve been hiding all along. The ace up their sleeve? A seemingly normal teenage hacker named Ax…who knows exactly what Harada has been up to since day one…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JANUARY 15th, 2014!!!

Preview: ARCHER & ARMSTRONG # 17 (Sect Civil War Finale)

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #17 ("SECT CIVIL WAR" – FINALE)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by KHARI EVANS
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by MICHAEL WALSH


The SECT CIVIL WAR reaches its earth-shattering climax!

(…and for once we mean that literally)! ARCHER versus ARMSTRONG! An incredible second identity for MARY-MARIA! Obadiah Archer gets a bold new role – and mission! The secret of the MASTER BUILDERS revealed! We were kidding, before but now we’re serious: This one changes EVERYTHING, and the Valiant Universe will never be the same again!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JANUARY 15th, 2014!

First Look: Harada Goes Public in HARBINGER # 20

First Look: HARBINGER #20 Makes Headlines as HARADA Goes Public


 

As revealed today by the Associated Press, the landscape of the Valiant Universe is changing forever this January in the Harbinger #20 – the FIRST ISSUE of "RESISTANCE," an all-new story arc from New York Times best-selling creators Joshua Dysart (Harbinger Wars) and Clayton Henry (Suicide Squad)!

 

A whistleblower named Ax has just unleashed a secret with the potential to change the course of human history – superhumans walk among us…and billionaire philanthropist Toyo Harada may just be the most powerful of them all. As a "psiot" with nearly unlimited telekinetic potential, Harada and his secret Harbinger Foundation have shaped the world from the shadows for more than half a century, using their abilities to secretly control the balance of power. Treason. Conspiracy. Mass murder. Harada's crimes are too numerous to count…but he won't be held accountable by the laws of mortal men. Instead, he's about to seize the opportunity to inflict his agenda on the governments of the world…and his former protege Peter Stanchek will soon become humanity's only hope of nullifying a tyrant from whom no secret is safe.

 

The Valiant Universe discovers the true of face of its very first super-villain – and meets the Renegades who would oppose him – when "RESISTANCE" ushers in humanity's next great upheaval beginning on January 15th in Harbinger #20!

Read the complete coverage here at the Associated Press.

For more information on Harbinger and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com. 

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit Valiant.CinderBlock.com.