Showing posts with label Harbingers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harbingers. Show all posts

Friday, March 15, 2013

VALIANT June 2013 Solicitations


VALIANT Solicitations for JUNE 2013



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HARBINGER WARS #3 (of 4)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131270)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE (APR131271)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (APR131272)
Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131273)
 
Introducing…H.A.R.D. Corps!
 
Las Vegas is burning, and the situation on the ground is about to go from bad to worse. With the firefight between the Harbinger Foundation, Bloodshot and the Renegades spiraling out of control, Project Rising Spirit has only one desperate option left to prevent the conflagration from spreading. It's time to bring the deep-black weapons development project – designation H.A.R.D. Corps – back online. But are they a scalpel or a sledgehammer? And can they be trusted with the enormous power they wield? What happens in Vegas may just destroy the rest of the Valiant Universe!
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 12th!

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HARBINGER #13 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART 
Art by KHARI EVANS
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131274)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (APR131276)
8-Bit Variant also available (APR131275)
 
HARBINGER WARS tie-in! The Renegades vs. Bloodshot!
 
At last, the battle you've been waiting for! But the Harbinger hunter called Bloodshot is a much more dangerous – and much more clever – foe than Peter Stanchek and the Renegades ever could have anticipated. Plus: what is the secret of Toyo Harada's first Harbinger War?
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 19th!
 
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BLOODSHOT #12 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by BARRY KITSON
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY (APR131277)
Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131279)
8-Bit Variant also available (APR131278)
 
HARBINGER WARS tie-in! It's payback time!
 
After Dr. Emanuel Kuretich freed Bloodshot from Project Rising Spirit, he promised Bloodshot that the answers to his identity would be found inside PRS' secret Nevada facility. He lied. Instead, Bloodshot discovered two dozen super-powered psiot children – children that Kuretich then manipulated him into setting free. Now that the kids are out and have ignited a Harbinger War in the middle of the Vegas strip, Bloodshot is all that stands between them and the opposing forces of Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek.  But Bloodshot hasn't forgotten about Kuretich. And he's about to reap his revenge.
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 19th!
 
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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #10
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (APR131281)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by JUAN DOE (APR131282)
Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON (APR131284)
8-Bit Variant also available (APR131283)
 
ALL-NEW ARC! Archer and Armstrong and Aliens. Oh my! 
 
Mary-Maria, Archer's arch-nemesis/love interest/adopted sister is back, ready to take over The Sect – by any means necessary. And what better way to seize control of the secret society of secret societies than by unlocking their most secretive of secrets on the secretest place on Earth? And who but the Valiant Universe's premiere team of conspiracy-busters can possibly stop her? Just when you thought this book couldn't get any weirder, Archer & Armstrong storm Area 51…and things get weirder still! 
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 5th!

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X-O MANOWAR #14
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by ARTURO LOZZI (APR131288)
8-Bit Variant also available (APR131289)
 
He has conquered. He has killed. But can he reign over PLANET DEATH?
 
Aric of Dacia came to Loam to exact his revenge against the alien race that captured and tortured his people. Now, Aric must make a choice that will affect both him and the future of the Valiant Universe forever. Don’t miss the jaw-dropping conclusion of PLANET DEATH and this monumental moment for the ongoing saga of X-O Manowar!
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 26th!

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SHADOWMAN #7
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN 
Art by NEIL EDWARDS
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131285)
Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (APR131287)
8-Bit Variant also available (APR131286)
 
There’s a dark light dawning over New Orleans. 
 
Doctor Mirage talks to the dead. And right now, the dead are screaming, caught between the sinister will of Master Darque and the power of Baron Samedi. Will Shadowman and Mirage be able to defeat them both, or will New Orleans fall to the dead?
 
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE JUNE 5th!

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BLOODSHOT VOL. 2: THE RISE & THE FALL TPB 
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by MANUEL GARCIA, ARTURO LOZZI & MATTHEW CLARK
Cover by ARTURO LOZZI (APR131280)
 
Assault on Project Rising Spirit!
 
Bloodshot is finally free of the memories that have haunted him since his awakening – but now even greater mysteries remain. Who was he before he was transformed into a walking weapon of mass destruction? And does he have a real family out there somewhere? Unfortunately, the only man with the answers is the former mastermind of Project Rising Spirit, the quasi-governmental science division that created him – and he’s just struck a devil’s bargain with Bloodshot. “Destroy your creators and I’ll reveal everything.” Well, almost everything…
 
Collecting BLOODSHOT #5-9 by acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski (Birds of Prey) and artists Manuel Garcia (Black Widow), Arturo Lozzi (Immortal Weapons), and Matthew Clark (Avenging Spider-Man), Bloodshot's brutal, bullet-riddled tour of duty through the Valiant Universe continues right here in the second shock-inducing volume of the series that Complex calls "hard and heavy with each issue."
 
“A damn fine read…” – Ain’t It Cool News
“Beautiful… Bloodshot has proven its mastery.” – PopMatters

$14.99/T+/128 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-03-2
Collecting BLOODSHOT #5-9
ON SALE JUNE 26th!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Comic/Game News: Valiant's HARBINGER WARS Goes 8-Bit




This summer, Valiant's Harbinger Wars crossover event will be delivering 8-bits of awesome to iOS and Android devices everywhere!
 
Kotaku today debuted the first look at Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas – an 8-bit side-scrolling video game tracing the events of Valiant's upcoming summer crossover! Following the release of Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) on April 3rd, the game's first level – colliding the casts of the Bloodshot and Harbinger ongoing series against one another – will be available as a free download via the iOS App Store and Google Play in mid-April.
 
Developed by Storm City Entertainment, Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas offers fans the chance to follow nanite-enhanced commando Bloodshot or teenage telekinetic Peter Stanchek as they fight their way out of a classified Project Rising Spirit compound and into a psiot-occupied casino on the Vegas strip. Following the release of each of Harbinger Wars' four issues, fans will be offered the opportunity to download new levels, each based around plot developments and settings presented in the Valiant mini-series by writers Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski and artist Clayton Henry. In-app purchases will also allow users to acquire a variety of new weapons and characters as the game progresses, including Toyo Harada, newly introduced members of the H.A.R.D. Corps, and more.

 
"Following on the heels of our partnership with USA Luge, this is just the latest in a series of programs we have in the works to strengthen the Valiant brand in comics and beyond," said Russell A. Brown, Valiant's President of Consumer Products, Promotions and Ad Sales. "Our characters have a history in the gaming community and this is the start of a brand new chapter for the Valiant Universe."

"We are extremely excited to be working with Valiant Entertainment on their first foray in mobile gaming. Valiant's creative staff is incredibly keen to combine the print and digital mediums, and bringing the events of the Harbinger Wars mini-series to mobile is a unique opportunity to do precisely that," said Storm City President Steve Newton.
 
"With Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas, we're striving to achieve the perfect synergy of gameplay and story," said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "The events of the Harbinger Wars series will be reflected monthly in the game itself and we'll also be paying homage to the 8-bit style with a line of non-incentive 8-bit covers for our June comic releases. This has been a tremendously fun initiative to work on, and one that we think fans and retailers will respond to as well."
 
To mark the game's release across the rest of Valiant's publishing line, Valiant is also offering 8-bit variant shelf covers by artist Matthew Waite for each of its ongoing titles this June – X-O Manowar #14, Harbinger #13, Bloodshot #12, Archer & Armstrong #10 and Shadowman #7.
 
  
  

Look for Valiant's 8-bit variants in finer comic shops everywhere this June – and jump into the Harbinger Wars this April with three new standalone entry points into the Valiant Universe in Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) on April 3rd, Harbinger #11 on April 10th, and Bloodshot #10 on April 17th!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

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.




Wednesday, January 23, 2013

First Impressions: Harbinger #8




HARBINGER # 8
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Lee Garbett & Moose Baumann
Valiant Comics



FLIPPING THROUGH:

            This issue opened with interesting imagery narrated by our new cast member, Torque. With interesting imagery that was an homage to a cult film with a great use of the main plot to move all the characters along definitely make this issue feel nice and meaty.

            Harada meets up with his Benedict Arnold, Livewire, who helped Peter escape earlier on in the series.

            Meanwhile, Flamingo and Kris have a chat about her joining the cause. The truth behind Torque gets revealed when Peter goes to see him. And Faith … kinda just floating around.  Things get really crazy towards the end of the issue … and that is after Torque making out with Mermaids in the first page.


ART:

            Lee Garbett does a great job this issue with the pencils and inks. Yet, the slight problem with the issue is that there are a few panels that seemed hurried in comparison to the rest of the book. Yet, there are some really strong pencils & inks this issue. From some wonderful panels in the first page to Peter shielding Kris in this issue.

            My main issue with Garbett is like I said, a few panels seemed a bit hurried and did not look as good as the rest of the issue. The art consistency could be attributed to a few things. Overall, Garbett does a solid job this issue.


WRITING:

            This issue feels nice and full. There is a lot that happens and nothing feels shoehorned in. Dysart really seems to be getting into the heads of these characters and really fleshing them out. His use of cult classic Heavy Metal animated movie as a story device to move the issue along while developing Torque as a character was definitely one of the most inventive thing I have seen in a while. While I have seen this device used before, I have never seen it done this well before. It fits seamlessly with the other “real life” scenes that help move the story & characters along.

            Torque makes a great debut here in a strong, relatable way. Flamingo and Kris really start to flesh themselves out here, developing as character. And while Faith was there merely as a plot device, she still was a welcome addition. Peter is starting to come into his own as a leader. These are all characters I feel invested in. I want to see the Renegades in action. I want to see them succeed.  And it is nice to see this turning into a David vs Goliath scenario consider that Livewire stated that Peter would go for the “weakest” of the Harbingers. After this one issue, I really, REALLY REALLY want to see the pay off.

            Strong writing by Dysart.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Torque makes an explosive and creative debut this issue. Dysart and Garbett delivers a strong issue that moves along ongoing plot while being a very strong single issue. The characters are interesting and you see growth. The challenges seem to keep raising steadily. The art was good … with only some inconsistencies in some panels. The pacing and overall story was superb. This was a strong issue.

            Harbinger is becoming an epic of youth, super powers and standing up for what you believe in (or “the Man”).


RATING:
 

            Good Art. Great Writing. Spectacular Characters. Wonderful & Inventive Imagery. I give Harbinger # 8  an 8.5 out of 10.

Keep it Up!

 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Comic News; 1st Valiant X-Over HARBINGER WARS Coming in April


HARBINGER WARS #1 – BLOODSHOT and HARBINGER Go Head-to-Head in VALIANT's First Family Crossover!
 
This April, the children are our future. HARBINGER WARS is coming!
 
Valiant is proud to announce HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of a four-issue limited series that will set off the first-ever family crossover for the all-new Valiant Universe! Then, the Harbinger Wars saga continues with new jumping-on points in BLOODSHOT #10and HARBINGER #11 – the beginning of brand new, standalone story arcs that will cover the collateral damage of the Valiant Universe's first full-scale conflict.
 
For decades, Toyo Harada's Harbinger Foundation and the government's own Project Rising Spirit have been waging a secret war over the rarest resource known to man – the unwieldy superhuman telekinetics known as harbingers. Over the years, they've each collected a small army of these empowered children to inflict their agendas on the world. But now the reformed harbinger hunter known as Bloodshot needs to atone for his crimes – and he's going to start by releasing two dozen of the most volatile harbingers from their PRS prison and into the world. 
 
Bloodshot wants to lead them. Toyo Harada wants to control them. And, Peter Stanchek, a teenage renegade with immense powers of his own, wants to give them free rein. But the runaway children of PRS have their own ideas for the future…and, as the body count rises, the Valiant Universe will realize that power this immense cannot be contained. It must be exercised. Who will survive the Harbinger Wars? 
 
"HARBINGER WARS #1 will mark a pivotal moment for the Valiant Universe as three of our heaviest hitters go guns-blazing into a conflict unlike any they've ever faced before," said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. "Joshua and Duane have crafted a character-driven story that will make the Valiant Universe a very dangerous place for a hero in 2013."
 
"The Harbinger and Bloodshot ongoing series will push full steam ahead, documenting the massive repercussions of the very first clash between Bloodshot and the Harbinger renegades," added Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "We're designing each component to stand on its own, and we couldn't be prouder of the three creative teams that will be making Harbinger Wars a crossover unlike anything else on the stands."
 
Beginning in HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4) by Joshua Dysart (Harbinger), Duane Swiercyznski (Bloodshot) and Clayton Henry (Archer & Armstrong), Harbinger Wars will encompass 12 issues of all-out action by some of comics' premier talents:
 
•HARBINGER WARS #1-4 by Joshua Dysart, Duane Swierczynski & Clayton Henry
•BLOODSHOT #10-13 by Duane Swierczynski & Barry Kitson
•HARBINGER #11-14 by Joshua Dysart & Khari Evans
 
This April, the entwined destinies of Bloodshot, Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada will finally collide…and the most powerful forces in Valiant Universe will be drawn into a battle without sides, without rules and without mercy. Do not miss the first shot fired in HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4) – coming this April from Valiant!
 
HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4) – ON SALE IN APRIL!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
 
BLOODSHOT #10 – ON SALE IN APRIL!
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by BARRY KITSON
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
 
HARBINGER #11 – ON SALE IN APRIL!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART 
Art & Cover by KHARI EVANS
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.


Friday, October 5, 2012

Preview: How It All ENDS in HARBINGER # 5


It All Ends In HARBINGER #5
 
Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Harbinger #5, from New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart and Harvey Award nominee Khari Evans! The first storyline of one of the year's most acclaimed series concludes with a bone-breaking, psyche-smashing battle for the fate of the Valiant Universe on October 17th!
 
It has all led to this. Peter Stanchek tried find peace within the Harbinger Foundation, but instead has found the ultimate betrayal. In their crusade to control Peter's untold power, the foundation's psychic shock troops have spilled innocent blood. Now Peter will unleash his full potential against their leader and the most powerful harbinger of all, Toyo Harada. Will this unavoidable collision transform Peter into a great destroyer - or will he be the tempest that finally topples Harada's dominion over the human race?
 
Alpha and omega. Teacher and student. Hero and villain. On October 17th, the boy who has nothing will go to war against the man who has everything. And soon the Valiant Universe will discover that everything must end - even the world. Steady yourself for the cataclysmic battle of Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada in Harbinger #5 - in stores the same day as X-O Manowar #6!
 
And go behind the process that revamped and re-envisioned Valiant's greatest heroes for a new generation with the Harbinger #5 Character Design Cover, featuring exclusive art and design work by comics visionary David Aja (Hawkeye, Immortal Iron Fist). 
 
HARBINGER #5 - ON SALE OCTOBER 17th!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by KHARI EVANS with MATTHEW CLARK & JIM MUNIZ
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (AUG121332)
Character Design Cover by DAVID AJA (AUG121333)
$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.

"Renegades" Part I: Kris in...
HARBINGER #6 – ON SALE NOVEMBER 21st!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by PHIL BRIONES
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (SEP121225)
Variant Cover by MATTHEW CLARK (SEP121226)
$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.

"Renegades" Part II: Flamingo in...
 
HARBINGER #7 – ON SALE DECEMBER 19th!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by PHIL BRIONES
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (OCT121235)
Flamingo Variant by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO (OCT121236)
$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.


Monday, July 9, 2012

First Impressions: Harbinger #2

You are not imaging things. He's talking to a dog.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Harbinger # 2Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Khari Evans & Lewis LaRosa
Valiant Comics

Review by Frankie Rodriguez 



INTRODUCTION:

     We all know the story of Valiant. The original Harbingers featured Peter Stanchek, later called Sting, going to a place in the Harbinger Foundation that was ran by Toyo Harada. It ended with the two of them fighting each other. But that was then. It's 2012, Harbinger # 1 features Toyo Harada starting out as a woman, later a fully grown man. Also, meet 17 year old Peter Stanchek. He and his best friend Joseph Jones have been on the run. Joseph's a paranoid schizo while Peter can't control his powers. They include telepathy, telekinetics and more. In the first issue, they double back to Pittsburg where he goes to find his first love ... who forgot him ...kind of. Peter, wanting to find love with said her, makes her love him. The 3 of them squat in a house together till they are found by military force, lead by Dr. Trull; who followed Joseph back to the house after interrogating him. And now ... Harbinger # 2.


FLIPPING THROUGH:

      # 1 was good, compelling set up. This issue ... wow. The payoff is very enjoyable to watch. There are multiple things happening character wise with Peter and Joseph during a major attack from a military group. And Peter is talking to a dog ... who is actually being used to channel Toyo Harada. Peter gets an offer to join Harada ...yet, he would have to give up his friends to do so. This is, again, during a military group is going after them ... even shooting at him and his friends. Ah ... the joys of youth.


WRITING:

     Joshua Dysart really lets us get some interesting pay off right away. Building upon last issue with Joseph, the military force arrived to get Peter. And what do you know ... they (the military force) were from Project: Rising Sun. (that was mentioned in Bloodshot #1; so take note readers). The personal relationships between Peter, Joseph and even poor, love induced Kris were examined fairly well with terrific pay off.  Dysart managed to build upon his first issue while also making this issue stand out with a right blend of action and character development. Readers who did not read the first issue would be able to follow along as we were reminded how important Kris and Joe were to Peter. Even the reality of the world and their situation was brought to light not only by Harada but by Peter's actions; which really helped grab me. The emotions and dialogue felt real; authentic given the situation.

    The pacing was excellent. The dialogue realistic. The characters were very believable and just great to watch. And Dysart gives more bits and pieces to a bigger puzzle on top of other plots, to really make me want to learn more.


ART:
 
  Khari Evans is a find. The artist has produced panels full of life and emotion. The style looked and felt unique, with very sharp, distinct faces and backgrounds. Yet, the flow of the art, alongside LaRosa's work, made the book feel almost cinematic in a way. There was this feeling that the artists were trying to blend the epicness of the widescreen comic format and merge it with the old school storytelling in terms of looks, panel work and expression.

  Evans and LaRosa's fusion of realistic art, current detail savvy comic book art & bits of manga really brought out a unique depth to the book that made it so much fun to look at. Ian Hannin and Moose Baumann work on colors really helped the book give it the grandiose, near cinematic feel that the book need. Even the shading and colors of the scene made it better.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

  I cannot find anything wrong with this book. And I tried. For nearly an hour. But everything about the book really works for it. While, not the ideal book to start with, certainly catch up quickly enough and the payoff displayed here made me want more. This issue was better than #1. If I was reviewing #1, that would have gotten a 4. But I am reviewing issue #2.

 So, let me say this; for the first time in Broken Infinite/Comic Book Clash history, I am about to give Harbinger #2 ... a 5 out of 5. The third 5 out of 5 in books I have reviewed from the same company in a row. That's historic.

  So with that, Valiant has returned strong. But beware Valiant ... I'm keeping my eye on you. Enjoy the book everyone.