We’re a week late with this one, but we didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to talk about Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans’ new “Harbinger” #1 for Valiant Comics. So join my Valiant (Re)visions co-host Chad Bowers and myself as we chat about the relaunch of my favorite Valiant series of yesteryear.
Written by Joshua Dysart
Illustrated by Khari EvansTeenager Peter Stanchek is on a dangerous path, but wields an even more dangerous power. Skipping across the country in a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, Pete is quickly realizing that he’s a psionically-powered “harbinger” with the potential to control minds, manipulate matter, and forever alter the course of human history. But behind the scenes and half a world away, Pete’s plight has not gone unnoticed by respected philanthropist and fellow harbinger, Toyo Harada. Will Harada offer Pete the chance at the things for which he’s longed — family, inner peace, control? Or will this unlikely hero find himself inducted into a secret network of conspiracy and subversion?
Read minds. Bend steel. Break all the rules. This June, the foundations of the Valiant Universe will shake as Peter Stanchek learns the true price of power, only in Harbinger #1 – on sale June 6th!
David: So we’re back with another edition of Valiant (Re)Visions, as Chad and I are here to take you through another Valiant #1. This time, it’s the return of my personal favorite book of yesteryear, Harbinger. This iteration comes from writer Joshua Dysart, a champ with some great previous work like B.P.R.D. 1946 and Unknown Soldier, and art from Khari Evans. Given that you’re less of a fan of the original, I’m very curious as to your thoughts on this book. So tell me Chad, what did you think…and can you read my mind as to what I thought?
Chad: Sadly, David, I took my meds today, so reading your thoughts ain’t happenin’ this time. Although if I had to guess, I’d say you probably like this one, or at least I hope you did, because I kind of loved it.
Like you said, I was never a big Harbinger guy before, which looking back, is sort of weird considering how into New Mutants, Teen Titans, Gen 13, I was. All of those books kind of covered the same stuff… but yeah, Harbinger never grabbed me for some reason. But one issue, and I’m completely hooked on this new take by Dysart and Evans.
There’s a darker tone to the book I wasn’t quite expecting, but I really dug it. And I like that maybe we’re not supposed to like this new Peter Stanchek at first; that right from the top we understand exactly why everyone else in the book thinks he’s nuts and are afraid of him. Kicking things off with a slightly questionable lead character is a pretty neat way to open a series, and it really worked for me.
But what about you, DH?
David: You know, I liked it. I’m not sure if I’d go as far as saying I loved it, but I have to agree with you entirely on one part – Dysart has a killer grasp on Stanchek as a character. He was always such a wild card who seemed like he could be bad at any moment in the original, and in this, he does some rather horrible stuff and it makes him a far more fascinating character than he has any right to be after one issue. It was a very strong first issue, but I think the two parts that I didn’t love were his traveling partner – whose name escapes me – and I liked, not loved, Evans’ art. It was really solid in parts with a lot of things that I really liked, but overall, I wasn’t bowled over by it.
What about you? What’s your take on his work?
Chad: I actually really enjoyed Evans’ work on the issue. It was better than I was expecting, honestly, and I don’t mean that as a dig against the guy, but I just didn’t really know what to expect from him. And so I wasn’t looking for much beyond the story, so I was pleasantly surprised by what we got. There were maybe a few spots here and there where I wish his characters’ faces were a little more, I don’t know, distinctive? But overall, I like what he’s doing here and think his storytelling is sharp and strong and very effective. I especially like the opening with Harada’s journey and the Bleeding Monk. That was just the right amount of weird, and creepy, and it hooked me into things right away, because again, not what I was expecting from the first few pages of a Harbinger reboot, y’know?
Continued belowWhile we’re on the subject of art, I think it’s worthwhile to point out how distinct each of the new books — XO, Harbinger, and what we’ve seen of Bloodshot — look. As a kid growing up, even then, I felt like Valiant’s “house” style was a little dated and sometimes too similar from title to title. And I love all of those early guys, like Bob Layton and Don Perlin, I do. But for me, the writing was the strongest part of the original Valiant books, which I attribute to Jim Shooter’s vision, mostly. So it’s nice to see that with this new initiative, they’re diversifying the look more, and giving each series something of a distinctive visual tone, and I’m pretty excited about that.
Now, David, I read some of Harbinger back in the day, but was never a regular. Hard Corps, yes. Harbinger, no. Which is weird, seeing has how HC was totally a spinoff, but I digress… So catch me up on what Harbinger USED to be about, and what it looks like Josh Dysart’s doing differently with this new take.
David: Well, honestly, my memory isn’t as cohesive as it used to be about that book, but it basically boils down to two people: Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada. So he has a good start here – he’s focusing on the right things and going from there.
The funny thing is Valiant is, at least so far, showing how to properly relaunch books, while DC has been pretty terrible at it. To me the key to a relaunch is to trim the fat of the narrative and focus on just the key attributes. Dysart did a great job on that in this first issue, and I like that he’s establishing the history of the Harada clan and developing the tie to Stanchek early.
As far as the art though, I have to agree with you. Both books definitely feel different. They stand out on their own visually, and that’s something I think you need, especially given the massive differences between Harbinger and X-O Manowar. Avoiding a house style is a very good thing in my mind. Why would you ever do that if you were a publishing house? It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Chad: I suppose, maybe, there’s something to be said for your readers knowing what they’re getting, and trying to keep things looking relatively consistent, but yeah… with comics — where the art can definitely make or break a book — I think diversity and art appropriateness is key, and it seems like this new Valiant’s got it figured out.
But getting back to Harbinger #1, judging by the pace and roll out of characters, it looks like Dysart’s going for the slow burn with this new take, so I wonder what we’ll see next issue? Like, do you think the cast will be growing? Do you think we’re going to see the rise and inevitable fall of Harada’s Harbinger program, and sort of get the parts of the program’s origin that we didn’t necessarily see in the original series? Also, will the kid’s get codenames?
David: Based off both this and X-O Manowar, I’d say Valiant as a whole is going slow burn. Decompression is alive and well here.
I think the cast will definitely keep growing. I mean, there is only so long you can have a book with a lead that is kind of a dick like Peter before people get burned out. You need a balance. I assume that we’ll eventually see either the same characters as before or a few new ones, and sooner rather than later. I’m not sure of the depths of Harada’s organization we’ll get into, but I do think the next issue will a) explore his relationship with Peter much more and b) introduce at least one new character.
And of course the kids will get codenames. What do you think? What’s next here?
Chad: Like you, I feel pretty sure we’ll get at least one new kid next issue, and I’m hoping for codenames, too. Unless Dysart does a complete overhaul and this thing becomes Peter’s story, and makes him the sole harbinger. I hope not, though, as I really like teen superhero comics, and quite frankly there’s not one coming out right now that’s doing it for me, so this is me hoping Harbinger becomes that book.
Continued belowAs far as decompression goes, yeah. I figure we’re looking at six issue arcs for all of these books now, as is the norm, and a nice little vol. 1 collection when it’s wrapped. But by the end of this first arc all of the pieces should be in place and we’re on our way, and we’ll know what new Harbinger’s all about. But the good news is, as openers go, and as set-up issues are concerned, Harbinger #1 did the trick and it nailed it. I like this book a lot and am really anxious to see where it goes.
David: So what would you give it on a ten point scale? And also, would you say this was a step up from X-O Manowar, about the same, or a slight drop in quality?
Chad: On our newly minted Valiant ReVisions 1 – 10 scale? I’d give Harbinger #1 a solid 8.5. Maybe not the most amazing thing I’ve ever read, but a very enjoyable and intriguing first issue, and I’ll definitely be back next month. As far as how it compares, I guess I maybe liked Harbinger as much as I liked XO, if maybe not just a little more. Not necessarily because of quality, but simply because I kind of know what XO’s deal is going in, whereas Harbinger is something brand new and completely fresh. No nostalgia to sway me in any one direction, and I like reading new stuff, so yeah… Harbinger #1 comes with a high recommendation from me!
David: For me, I liked this book but didn’t love it. Liked Dysart’s writing way more than I liked Evans’ art, and I’m going to give it a “Buy” rating of 7, but the version of it that is the nexus between “Buy” and “Browse.” I think it will improve throughout, but I can’t say it resonated with me big time. Yet.
