Harbinger #2
July 11th, 2012
Valiant Comics
Story; Joshua Dysart
Art; Khari Evans, Ian Hannin
1:20 cover
1:50 cover
I’m not a fan of authors who hand us, the readers, answers we’re looking for without making us work for results. Where’s the fun in that? I want to be made to think about the ramifications of a characters’ actions, the future implications of those actions and whether or not those actions will affect other characters within their respective fictional universe. But I’m also not a fan of a long, drawn out story with very little bang for my buck. That being said, Joshua Dysart’s exceptional mastery over the art of storytelling is bringing the adventures of Pete Stancheck back for a new generation of readers, while keeping faithful to those same characters that many people, like myself, grew up with.
What initially drew me to Valiant Comics back in 1993 was it’s creators ability to tell fantastic stories set in a world that could potentially be real. The newly revamped Valiant Comics of 2012 has continued to draw us in to a world just slightly parallel to our own, full of fantastic characters and out-of-this-world adventures.
Joshua Dysart’s story for Harbinger is helping to build apon the foundation that was layed down with the release of X-O Manowar #1 in June. While establishing a new universe for a new generation, Dysart, along with fantastic art by Khari Evans and Ian Hannin, is crafting a new story using familiar characters, while not rehashing old ideas.
The second issue of Dysart’s Harbinger continues the story of a young man trying to find his place in the world, all the while trying to maintain some semblence of normalcy while dealing with a power that he has yet to comprehend. This is the Pete Stancheck and Kris of the 21st century, the generation that has nothing.
Stancheck’s friendship with Joe is put to the test, as are the consequences of playing with Kris’ mind, all while dozens of armed men under Mr Tull’s orders have their sights on the fugitives. Pete also has a heart-to-heart with Toyo Harada, the end results of which will change Pete’s life forever.
Dysart also links Bloodshot to Harbinger by expanding the sinister web of Project Rising Spirit.
Dysart and Evans have continued to enthrall new readers with a story that can only be told in the new Valiant Universe.
The stories being told here will be heralded as the new Golden Age of Comics. An exceptional 5 out of 5 for Harbinger #2.
