1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 21

HARBINGER # 21
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Clayton Henry & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open to find where the Renegades have been staying since what happened in “Perfect Day.” It seems that @X isn’t the only new person that the Renegades have picked up. As we get to learn why @X hacked into Project: Rising Spirit, members of the group are dealing with Cabin Fever and getting ready for the repercussions of @X’s actions.

ART:

                Henry’s art is absolutely exquisite this issue. The lines are nice and clean. Great panel composition. The backgrounds are varied. Everyone has a distinct look and figure. Henry pulls off some great visual angles this issue as well as giving us some really appealing, emotional moments that are caught well by us.

                Reber’s colors only make Henry’s work stand out more, giving each panel a good amount of color and adding mood to Henry’s already astonishing pencils. This is sequential art at its best.

WRITING:
                Dysart continues what is becoming, in my mind, one of the greatest runs of comics of all time. The amount of character development this issue was astounding and solid. Everyone of the Renegades, including their two new members, got to shine this issue.

                This issue was mostly used for character development and set, which works out just fine.  We see some insecurities amongst our Renegades as well as just how serious the situation is. Dysart molds this issue well; showing us that our protagonists are not only still very human … but are not full ready for what may come.

                Dialogue this issue feels very authentic. Particularly two conversations involving Faith this issue. I really applaud Dysart for making dynamic, fully realized characters who understand their importance. The pacing of the issue was perfect. The various scenes in the book just gave a lot of insight on the characters and the situation they are in. There was definitely a lot of growth with just about all the characters and It feels very real. I applaud the evolution of these characters as Dysart makes sure that each evolution is clearly aligned with what has gone on before. Some of the best work we have seen from him yet. 

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                Stellar issue. Fantastic art. Characters you can relate to. Gripping story. Amazing visuals. This is how comics should be.

RATING:

                Harbinger # 21 gets a solid 10 out of 10 from me! Buy it when it comes out February 12^th. 

HARBINGER # 10 Review

HARBINGER # 10

Written by Joshua Dysart

Art by Matthew Clark, Alvaro Martinez, Dimi Macheras, Brian Thies & Stefano Gaudiano

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            The book opens the way last issue ends with Faith getting Pete free. Pete though comes up with a plan to save the others just as Project: Rising Spirit arrives to collect them. Pete’s plan goes into action as he is able to take control of at least 2 people on his plan transporting him while Faith is charged to rescue the others.

            As for the rest of what happens … I am not telling you. :P

ART:

            I am gonna cut to the chase. Dear God, there are so many  artist this issue and you can barely tell there is a difference between all of them. Seriously, most of the artist seem to match Matthew Clark’s style enough that it seemed like he did the entire issue with only slight variations. Each of the pencils pour plenty to all of the panels and pages. Great visuals were rendered this issue from Faith flying, to Pete’s own battle on his plane to Flamingo’s landing.

            There was so many interesting things to look at. Gaudiano does an outstanding job inking the works and help bring about artistic cohesion. The nice sharp lines really bring out the best of all of the pencilers while also shaving the pictures to help them look the same. Really tremendous job by the art team.

WRITING:

 

            Joshua Dysart wrote a thrilling, engaging and action packed ending to the Renegades story arc. While most of the issue is Pete, we do get to see the others shine throughout the issue. I literally laughed outloud when Pete told Mr. Tull that he is his son … and lying about that. There was so many things happening in the issue but Dysart really paced all the stories so well.

            We learned how far Pete has come since the first issue and seeing what the others would think and feel about either staying together or going there separate ways. I am extremely surprised that Pete did NOT want the group to stay together after this. And Dysart handles those feelings and reactions extremely well with the narrative.  Dysart writes a nearly seamless story that ends the Renegades arc while setting up for Harbinger War and I loved every second of it.

OVER ALL IMPRESSION:

            Strong writing. Great art. Intriguing characters that do grow and develop and we are there watching. The Renegades have come together and it has been a wild, enjoyable ride. I look forward to what is to come from them and what else will come of it. At the same time, the strong art really help show Pete’s development and gave us a great action scene. Great job from the entire creative team.

RATING:

            Harbinger # 10 was exquisite and I give it a 9 out of 10. It was near perfect. 

Harbinger # 9 Review

HARBINGER # 9
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Pere Perez & Ian Hannin
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Picking up from the events of # 8, the new Renegades are under attack by Project Rising Spirit and the man known as Tull. (Remember him from the first few issues?). All of the Renegades are captured … save for Faith. And as Faith goes into “super hero” like narration, we see her origin story and how his girl decided to be the way she is.

            We also see Faith meeting Peter and some other lead points as Faith decides to rescue her fellow Harbingers … seemingly alone. Although, we also get an interesting conversation with Kris and Tull which leaves every answer leading to bigger questions.


ART:

            Pere Perez style definitely fit this issue. The panels dealing with Faith’s past, done in traditional comic book style really fit with the exposition (which was Faith narrating) of the issue. Faith looked like a girl with some extra pounds who could fly. And was done so beautifully at every angle. There was an energy in his pencils & inks alongside Hannin’s colors that really seem to project Faith … as a character and how we can relate to her.

            A lot of great shots of Faith. It was nice seeing a full-figured woman in comics getting such great screen time. And Pere Perez really let the energy and optimism of Faith guide his art for the issue. Hannin’s colors were perfect, reflecting this woman who has truly over come in a colorful way. A great job by the art team this issue.

WRITING:

            It is sooooooooooo refreshing to have a character like Faith. She has over come tragedy but not allowed herself to be muddled by darkness. Instead, she decides to see the light and Dysart gave us a beautiful character in faith. That no matter what, she will keep going and be happy.

            I was so pleased to see REAL LIFE things being referenced. From Superman to Lord of the Rings to the Avengers. Really glad that we didn’t get some fake movies/comics that were only available in that world. It was a great touch to make readers feel more attuned to Faith.

            Faith’s origin was sympathetic and her reactions believable to the point that it may inspire others to look at writing more characters like this. Faith’s struggles are external, not internal.  The more you read this issue, the more you become a fan of her and the book.

            The conversations between Kris & Tull and later Tull and a mindscrewed Peter were also entertaining. Tull dealing with a clean slate. No memory. Little emotion.  And it definitely works. Lots of smart writing done this issue, even though we see little of Torque and Flamingo. Yet, this was Faith’s time to shine and definitely delivered there.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Harbinger has definitely stepped their game up. This issue brings a lot of tears, cheers and mysteries that keep you captivated. Dysart is crafting Harbinger to be a solid book about the characters with great powers … not super people with powers and little character. This issue was a nice slam in the face to any one who believed that a character could only be interesting if they got through tragedy and was all angsty about it.

            This notion turned that idea on its behind then punted it out the window. A wonderful character piece that still helped grow the main plotline. Harbinger is proving one of the best character driven books out there.


RATING:

            I give Harbinger # 9 a solid 9.5 out of 10. The art and story were masterful and I can’t wait for next issue.