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.  

1st Impression: HARBINGER # 18

HARBINGER # 18

Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Barry Kitson, Riley Rossmo, Mark Pennington, Brian Level & Ian Hannin

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue, we see what Peter’s Perfect Day is and that Harada is handling it himself. Unfortunately … Harada is getting overwhelmed. Meanwhile, back in Torquehalla, the girls decide that this realm might not be for them.  Faith wants out but not sure how that is gonna happen. And finally, Harada’s lack of sleep catches up to him.

ART:

                This issue’s art was split with pencils by Rossmo and Kitson. Also, there was some style/inking changes that were also put between the real world and Torquehalla. And while normally, the styles here might not work well, Kitson and Rossmo’s work really work well in telling the story. Pete’s Perfect Day by Rossmo while Kitson switched his style a little between the real world and Torquehalla. The grimmer style works for Torquehalla parts while Kitson’s more polished style worked well in the real word. The Rossmo’s pages worked to give an innocence that Pete had lost since the beginning of the series.  Level and Pennington give some solid inks; giving Kitson a rougher style for Torquehalla. And Hannin does a great job with colors … even mimicking the classic dot style for Pete’s Perfect Day pages. It was solid art this issue.

WRITING:

                Dysart continues to develop our Renegades and Harada further this issue. Faith steps up which really is great to see. Torque’s paradise seems to not be so perfect. The characterizations this issue were really enjoyable as we definitely can relate to many of the characters feelings. Pete’s want of innocence. Torque’s realizing things are not so greener on the other side. I also love how Dysart is able to develop all the Renegades and Harada without any of the characters being neglected or overshadowing other characters. It is a testament to his writing.
                The overall plot lines go smoothly and don’t over power the other. And we get a strong cliffhanger there at the end. A great job by Dysart.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The series just gets better and better as Perfect Day builds up to be a signature storyline for Dysart and Harbinger. The art was good and wasn’t afraid to take chances while the story was absolutely exsquisite. Another great issue.

RATING:
                Harbinger keeps getting better and this book proves it. I give Harbinger # 16 a 9.5 out 10.

Preview: HARBINGER # 16

"PERFECT DAY" Darkens in HARBINGER #16!

 

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Harbinger #16 – the next mind-bending chapter of"Perfect Day" from all-star creators Joshua Dysart and Barry Kitson! Heading west, the Renegades have found themselves at the end of Route 66 in a little town called Los Angeles, California. And now, like the decades of wannabe starlets and rockers before them, Peter Stanchek and the Renegades are about to find out that having your dreams come true is severely overrated.

 

After the harrowing ordeals of the past several weeks, the Renegades found themselves enjoying a perfect beachside day and a much-deserved rest. Then it all went horribly wrong. Kris Hathaway, seemingly experiencing a psychotic break and claiming to be following instructions from troubling voices inside the ocean itself, managed to violently attack Torque, bludgeoning him beyond recognition. Has a member of the Renegades murdered one of their own? And if so…why?

 

The shocking saga of "Perfect Day" continues as a teammate falls – and reality sets in – only inHarbinger #16, on sale September 18th!

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

 

HARBINGER #16

Written by JOSHUA DYSART

Art & Cover by BARRY KITSON (JUL131319)

Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA (JUL131320)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 9/18/13

Preview: Renegades Unite in HARBINGER # 10

The RENEGADES Come Together in HARBINGER #10
 

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Harbinger #10 from New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart and fan favorite artist Matthew Clark! As "Renegades" races toward an unforgettable climax, Peter Stanchek is about to face his toughest choice yet – lead or die.

 

Trapped between the opposing forces of Toyo Harada’s Eggbreakers and Project Rising Spirit, Peter Stanchek and his wayward band of renegade telekinetics are about to find themselves in a vicious, three-way firefight. Can they put aside their fears and do battle as the team they’ll need to be to survive? The Renegades are about to make their big debut – and, when the smoke clears, the Valiant Universe is going to be a very different place.

 

With Harbinger Wars just over the horizon, meet the team of superhuman revolutionaries that will change everything on March 20th, only in Harbinger #10!

 

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

HARBINGER #10 - ON SALE MARCH 20th!

Written by JOSHUA DYSART 

Art by MATTHEW CLARK

Cover by MICO SUAYAN (JAN131310)

Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (JAN131311)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

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.