David let’s start with Harbingers #13 by Joshua Dysart, Khari Evans and Trevor Hairsine. This is a book that we both tend to enjoy. What did you think of this months offering David?
David: Looks like it’s Harbinger’s month to repeat the story! This issue offered effectively nothing new and nothing of interest on top of the glory that was Harbinger Wars #3. That’s been something that they’ve struggled with throughout the run of Harbinger Wars, and you’d think this would be coordinated enough to avoid redundant storytelling…yet here we go.
I’m curious if you agree with that sentiment.
Brandon: Yeah, I would agree with that. It does get really redundant. I enjoyed this issue more than some of the other redundant issues of the event but it still doesn’t excuse the constant repetition. I understand they want to make sure to cater to the reader base that isn’t reading the whole crossover but this is not the way to do it. With a crossover like this I am not sure if there is a way to cater to that group. This should have played more like Messiah Complex in my opinion. Have each issue be a different chapter with the mini itself being where the important story beats really hit. They should be the exclamation marks, if you will.
David: I couldn’t agree more. If you’re going to tell such a small, insular story, make these tie-ins part of it. I thought that was something smart that Messiah Complex did (and older crossovers), and that helps with these tie-ins. Makes them more viable. I understand why Valiant did it this way – Harbinger Wars can stand alone enough that it could be an introduction to the rest of their books – but it’s really undermining the value of books like Harbinger and Bloodshot.
Was there anything that stood out as particularly interesting about this issue? I liked the little moments with Faith – with her grandma passing away, and her unknowingly figuring out there is more to her powers. Those were nice bits.
Brandon: The moments with Faith were heartbreaking. Those moments really worked because of the great character work that has been done with her. If they hadn’t killed those previous moments like they did it wouldn’t have felt so real. I wouldn’t have genuinely felt so bad for a character.
For me I actually enjoyed the stuff with Harada and getting a little more on his lackeys and seeing what makes them tick. I enjoy that despite the repetitive nature of the book they still found time to do some character work and add some layers to the book.
What did you think of the art?
David: I wanted to touch on the Harada stuff too. I think that’s the best part of the Harbingers tie-ins, as they add a story within the story that might ultimately be of value. Gotta love that.
As for the art, honestly, I don’t have a ton to say. It was certainly solid work, but ultimately, I know both Evans and Hairsine have done work that stood out far more for me as a reader. It wasn’t bad work at all, but nothing in it really stood out. Brandon, this was just kind of a flat issue. Not bad, it just didn’t really stand out as something I was floored by. Am I off base on the art? Am I a jerk? Am I just Dwyane Wade sitting on the floor complaining about being fouled instead of getting back on D?
Brandon No, I wouldn’t say that you’re being unreasonable. I would agree entirely that overall this issue was alright but nothing special. I feel like there was plenty within the book that could have been touched on more but they opted to retread instead. I think that really hurt the enjoy-ability of the book for readers like us who are reading all of the books involved with Harbinger Wars.
Continued belowDavid: Yeah, absolutely.
Well, let’s not delay the inevitable, as we have one more tie-in to review this week. What would you give this? I’m calling it a 6.0. It was just too vanilla and redundant for my tastes.
Brandon I’d give it a 7.0. It wasn’t horrible and had some moments that were good but they sadly got lost in the redundant portions of the book.
David: Fair enough. I just didn’t think there was enough of value to give it a buy rating.
Brandon: I thought this issue was pretty solid. I actually really enjoyed Bloodshot going nuts in the butcher/meat packing plant. I thought the internal stuff was great with him taking control of the nanites. I don’t think it was the best issue of the series but I thought it was a lot better than Harbingers in the way that it ties into the event. At least this issue.
How about you?
David: I dug it. It was entertaining and had great art, plus it had a tremendously awesome moment in faceless, armless Bloodshot crawling and saying “Hi, Girls.” to a bunch of cows he’s about to eat (their response, “Moo?” That made me laugh, man. I am entertained by this comic sometimes, and this was certainly an entertaining issue.
Brandon: The hello girls line may have been one of the best things to come from this book since Gamma. That was hilarious. I had a serious laugh out loud moment with it.
I also really dug the action. The book tends to always come through with that portion though. Faceless Bloodshot has got to be an action figure at some point. I want it so bad!
David: Bloodshot has to be the only comic character who gets more awesome the more body parts he is missing. Well, besides Arms Fall Off Boy.
Brandon Yeah, he sometimes is more enjoyable the more body parts are severed. It’s pretty amazing. It’s like when Eeyore loses his tail but times a gazillion. He’s like a crash test dummy in that way I suppose.
David: That’s a pretty accurate statement.
The story itself gave us resolution on the Kuretich storyline and put us on to the path Bloodshot was at in Harbinger Wars #3. It was a good example of how a book should tie in to an event, and I still think it’s really astounding how we haven’t had a single month where both Bloodshot AND Harbinger weren’t redundant. So weird.
What did you think of Kitson’s art in this issue?
Brandon Do you think they drew straws to decide who the redundant book would be each month?
I thought the art was solid. Kitson killed the action as well as the more subtle moments like Bloodshot and the cows. He really mastered the big and epic and the small and nuanced. He has been an incredible addition to the book. I enjoyed the previous artists but Kitson is getting better and better each issue and had already started from a solid starting point. What did you think about the art?
David: I just think it’s night and day since he took over. He’s such a refined, excellent artist. I think there were situations where someone like Manuel Garcia fit the book, as his dirtier, grimier art fit some of the more hardcore situations. But ultimately, Kitson is light years more advanced and I couldn’t be happier that he’s on the book.
Got anything else to add about this bad boy…or should I say…moo?
Brandon: I think Kitson is a better more refined artist, without a doubt. I did enjoy Garcia’s work on the book and would welcome him back if he were to come back.
I’ve got nothing else to add except the usual, needs more Gamma!
What would you rate this bad mother?
David: I’ll give it a 7.5. It was a really solid issue, but besides the cow moment, it wasn’t super spectacular. It was just a rock solid Bloodshot issue with quality art from Kitson. Damn enjoyable book. What about you?
Brandon 7.5 works for me as well. Good but not great.
