The Harbinger #1: All The Covers & Why You Need Them

 

The Harbinger #1 Cover A by Robbi Rodriguez

The man formerly known as Peter Stanchek no longer wears the Harbinger garb he and his fellow Renegades once stole from Toyo Harada's organization. The fact that he's wearing it on this cover seems an homage to the rich history of the series. With this cover, interior artist Robbi Rodriguez portrays the frenetic action in the early half of this issue, as well as Peter's struggle to cope with the unique mental powers he rediscovers.

The Harbinger #1 Cover B by Rod Reis

I don't remember this psiot clad in Harbinger garb from the issue. But then, so much goes on in any Valiant comic these days, that it's easy to miss things. This is especially true of The Harbinger #1, which introduces us to the man once known as Peter, the young lady who calls herself Cici, and a group of very strange-looking people who terrorize Psiot City.

As Cici explains in the middle portion of this issue, the sectioned-off area of the city is peopled by psiots, and those identified for their potential psychic abilities. Perhaps the gentleman hovering above the streets represents a former member of Toyo Harada's worldwide operation, who now keeps the peace for whatever government rules this psiot enclave.

The Harbinger #1 Cover C by Cris Delara

Cris Delara's Cover C portrays Peter's new friend, and the bond that quickly forms between them. Everyone else may be afraid of Peter, due to the things they've heard he's done in the past, but Cici isn't. She welcomes Peter into her world, and willingly shares her resources and knowledge with him.

I look forward to seeing how their relationship may develop as the series continues. As Peter has the ability to activate latent psiots, I can't help wondering if he will unlock Cici's mental powers in later issues.

The Harbinger #1 Pre-Order Cover by Damion Scott

Not all is peace and love in this new world the psiots have created. Cut off from traditional law enforcement, a nefarious gang terrorizes its citizens. The isolated and ruined nature of their enclave, and the criminals who arise to impose their will on others, reminds me of John Carpenter's classic film "Escape From New York." 

So does the man flying through the city, seemingly tossing aside cars and even city buses in his wake, represent someone who preys on his fellow psiots, or someone charged with protecting them? There's so much is going on in this cover that it's hard to tell. I guess I need to read The Harbinger #1 again, and study this cover more closely, once it arrives in my comic shop next month. 

Wow! Four beautiful covers. Four compelling images that tell their own stories. So many great choices for The Harbinger #1. How could anyone, with or without mental superpowers, possibly choose between them?

Dragon Dave