As I studied the panel schedule at last year's Wondercon, one title leapt out: Star Trek Year Five. Despite not following a Star Trek comics series since the '80s, I've loved the original TV series all my life. The hour sped by as authors Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and the other panel participants held us every bit as much captive as a Tholian Web.
While Kelly and Lanzing plotted out the series, and served as primary writers, they also opened the series to other authors. This allowed Jody Houser, beloved Faith scribe for Valiant (and current Doctor Who scribe for Titan), to lend her passion for storytelling to the original Star Trek universe.
Great writers attract great artists, and this has proven true for Star Trek Year Five. Preview art of a Tholian world made it clear to me that my primary directive must be to pick up issue #1. Fourteen issues into Kelly and Lanzing's series, I'm still looking forward to the next issue. So you can imagine my surprise when this announcement from Valiant showed up in my email.
THE
HARBINGER #1 ARRIVES IN 2021 FROM
ROBBI RODRIGUEZ, JACKSON LANZING, AND COLLIN KELLY
October
5th, 2020 – Ahead of the feature film that’s in
development at Paramount, Valiant Entertainment is incredibly proud to
reveal the vivid new direction that will kick off next summer with THE
HARBINGER #1.
Co-written by JACKSON LANZING and COLLIN KELLY (Green
Arrow, Gotham City Garage) and featuring art by ROBBI
RODRIGUEZ (Spider-Gwen, Batgirl), the upcoming
series introduces new readers to Peter Stanchek, the most powerful telepath on
the planet, and the sole being capable of activating powers in others like him.
THE HARBINGER will trace Peter's path from the most feared man in the world to
one of its greatest protectors. This character-driven journey will
introduce new allies, new villains, new costumes, and a new meaning for the
title of Harbinger.
Despite having immense superpowers, Collin believes that Peter's story is incredibly human and reminds us that we always have the potential to be better. "Like many of us, Peter has made mistakes. People have been hurt. We have no interest in ignoring that part of the character's history." The co-writer added, "By acknowledging those mistakes and taking responsibility for them, Peter will become the person – and the hero – he has always had the potential to be. Peter Stanchek will be more than a hero; he will be a harbinger for the world we want to see."
"THE HARBINGER is the next big step forward in the Valiant Universe and Peter Stanchek's promised rebirth as a hero, a leader, and a revolutionary," said Jackson. "It's unapologetic in its politics, diverse in its cast, and intimate in its drama. Collin and I love to tell stories that balance character deconstruction and social analysis, and there's no one in comics who needs a little deconstruction and social awareness more than Peter."
"When Collin, Jackson, and I first started mapping out this project, we weren’t expecting the themes we are tackling to be as relevant in our own lives as they have become," stated Robbi. "As we see everyone facing more each day, people can feel a change is coming. It makes it all the more fitting that it’s called 'Harbinger', the herald of change."
THE HARBINGER #1 arrives in Summer 2021. For more information, visit The Hollywood Reporter, and keep an eye on ComicBook.com, Screen Rant, CBR, and AIPT for additional interviews and artwork throughout the week.
After I discovered Matt Kindt's Ninjak series, I dived into the discount bins to investigate what Valiant was all about. One of the first series I collected and read was Joshua Dysart's Harbinger series, which introduced new Valiant fans to the character of Peter Stancheck in Issue #1, and Faith in issue #3. I've since read the series through several times, and recommended it to others. So in addition to seeing how Robbi Rodriguez' finished and colored artwork breathes life into Peter Stanchek and his fellow Psiots, I'm looking forward to seeing what Kelly and Lanzing, who have proven themselves so able in their Star Trek Year Five series, can contribute to the Valiant universe.
Dragon Dave
P.S. As always, many thanks to Valiant Entertainment for sharing this welcome news with us.
About DMG Entertainment
DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.
About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
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