The Harbinger #2 Review Part 1

 

The Harbinger #2 Pre-Order Cover by Damion Scott

All of us know--or believe we know--the things that hold us back, and prevent us from reaching our potential. Frustration with a seeming inability to achieve our goals tempts us to lash out at others. We blame--and even hurt--ourselves.

So we clean house. We make resolutions. We adopt new life strategies. We divorce ourselves from habits, activities, and even the people around us, all to reach that elusive goal.

To be...better.

In The Harbinger #2, writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly ponder what we could accomplish if we did all those things and more. What if we lost--or could cast aside--all the memories that define who we are? Could we begin again with a blank slate? 

Would we be different from the limited individuals we are now?

Would we--could we--truly be...better?

With Faith living in California, and X-O Manowar currently camped out in New York, it makes sense that Peter Stanchek would seek a place of his own, far away from these other powerful heroes. Yet stripped of his former identity, and inhabiting the colorful enclave of Psiot City, Peter finds that he cannot escape his past.

Confronted with this dilemma, he seeks to define himself anew. But he's still Peter Stanchek. Can he navigate a better path this time?

Being as powerful as he is, people will always need him. People like Cici and Young Ago, who have likewise defined themselves anew, will look to him for strength and guidance. 

Cici and Young Ago know what makes Psiot City hum, as well as the dangers that afflict it. But should he trust them to guide his actions?

The Harbinger #2 forces Peter into a difficult situation. Confronted with a vague knowledge of his past, he knows he can potentially wreak great harm. If he acts like the hero Cici and Young Ago wish him to be, will he do a better job of it this time?

Or will he keep repeating the same pattern, and help a few, while inadvertently inflicting pain and loss upon many?

In The Harbinger #2, Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly ask some difficult questions. As in life, it's up to Peter--and us--to find the best answers.

Dragon Dave

X-O Manowar #3 Covers Part 2

 

X-O Manowar #3 Pre-Order Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli

Giuseppe contributed a terrific Pre-Order cover for Savage. This X-O Manowar cover is also super. I suppose I could try and tie it in with the Labors of Aric in X-O Manowar #3, but that would be an awfully big stretch. So I appreciate it as a purely conceptual piece, rather than trying to imagine it as Aric and Shanhara conquering the volcano, putting out southern California wildfires, or attacking the nanite swarm.

This cover makes me think of how often Aric travels through space. It reminds me of Star Trek and Star Wars, where the look of space changes as ships travel faster than light. While I'll be sad to see the era of Dennis Hopeless Hallum and Emilio Laiso end, perhaps the next era of X-O Manowar could involve more interstellar adventures?

I'd welcome that. How about you? 

X-O Manowar #3 Sword of Shanhara Cover by Dustin Weaver

As I was preparing this post, my wife happened to pass by. She noticed this cover and she remarked on its beauty. I rate Dennis Weaver highly, not only because he wisely teamed with the late colorist Justin Ponsor to create great art for Marvel, but also because he published a highly enjoyable anthology series with Image titled Paklis. Someday, I hope he can continue that series.*

I see this painting as relating to the terrific battle in X-O Manowar #4, in which Aric takes on the Ukrainian warlord Yakiov in his adopted city of New York. As this issue lays the groundwork for that final Aric vs Yakiov bout, you could view Dustin Weaver's cover as the final, unpublished page of X-O Manowar #3.

Again, these Sword of Shanhara covers were limited retailer incentives, so you'll have to hunt high-and-low to find them. Still, if these two covers are anything to go by, your search won't be anywhere near as trying as the rigors Aric undergoes daily as he defends all of us from natural disasters, man-made threats, and alien invasions.

Happy hunting!

Dragon Dave

*Someday soon, Dustin. Please!

X-O Manowar #3 Covers Part 1

 

X-O Manowar #3 Cover A by Christian Ward

While we await the stirring climax of Dennis Hopeless Hallum and Emilio Laiso's run in X-O Manowar #9, I'm looking back at how we got here. X-O Manowar #3 showcased Aric battling a Hawaiian volcano and a Southern California wildfire. It also featured the first appearances of Shanhara's new look and the nanite swarms, the latter being portions of the singularity that threatens New York City in X-O Manowar #9.

And then there's Yakiov. Yeah, you remember Yakiov. That crazy Ukrainian warlord, who's formed a personal obsession with our man Aric. Gotta love Yakiov...

Anyway, on to the covers. Christian Ward's Cover A reminds us of a significant moment in X-O Manowar #1, which is the reason Aric now resides in Tina and Desmond's home. It also pays homage to Superman's first appearance in Action Comics #1 back in 1938. Someone even calls Aric a superman in X-O Manowar #3!

I like all the lights shining behind Aric, and the blue wavy light distortion up front. I also like that he's so strong and confident that he's holding the car up with one hand. It's like he's getting reading to throw a long game-saving pass in a football game.

Incidentally, that's American football, for all you Valiant-loving international readers.

X-O Manowar #3 Cover B by David Nakayama

David Nakayama has done some terrific covers for Valiant recently. Some impressive examples include his covers for Rai #9 and Ninjak #1. The man has a gift for imbuing his covers with a strong 3D effect, as you can see.

The way Shanhara is unraveling (or reforming?) reminds me of a crucial moment when Aric is battling the wildfires, only to then be attacked by the nanite swarm. If you don't remember that scene, take a moment to give X-O Manowar #3 another read, as it's central to this run.

Sure, I'll give you a helping hand, Aric. Can you stretch a little closer to me?

 

X-O Manowar #3 Cover C by David Lopez

David Lopez's cover seems more conceptual than tied to story events. Still, it's interesting that he shows hints of red on Aric's shoulders, as well as a red reflection on his leg. So that could be hinting at the change to Shanhara's appearance that will occur in X-O Manowar #3.

Alternatively, combine the red accents with the green reflections on his side. That could suggest the wildfires and the green nanite swarm he battles in this issue.

Of course, X-O Manowar #3 came out on December 23rd last year. Why shouldn't Aric help usher in the holiday season? And if you don't have Cover C, or any of these three terrific covers, why shouldn't you hunt down a copy and place it under the Christmas tree for your favorite X-O Manowar fan?

Dragon Dave 

X-O Manowar #3 Preview Pages

X-O Manowar #3 Cover A by Christian Ward

 

With the upcoming issue #9 promising to be the triumphant climax of writer Dennis Hopeless Hallum and Emilio Laiso's epic run, I thought I'd take a look back at X-O Manowar #3 this weekend. This story picks up on the famous Mount Me'e in Hawaii. (At least, it's famous in the Valiant Universe). Anyway, it's angry, and Troy Whitaker, Aric's new Public Relations Manager, has ordered him to quiet the volcano's little tantrum. 

Enjoy!

 

As you can see, X-O Manowar #3 also gives us our solitary peek into General Yakiov's base of operations in the Ukraine, before he decided he was fed up with Aric's interference in his country's affairs, and decided to take the fight to X-O's hometown. Personally, I'm still not sure what to think about Yakiov, are you? But then, anyone who would dump hundreds of old tube TVs on Aric just to deliver a simple message definitely has issues.*

Also, with the singularity taking over New York City in issue #8, I should also mention that part of it--a nanite swarm--makes it's first appearance in this issue. So that's another reason to check out X-O Manowar #3 again.

Dragon Dave

*See X-O Manowar #2

The Harbinger #2 Spotlight: Penciling & Inking

 

The Harbinger #2 Cover B by Nik Virella

While we yearn for lots of action in our comics, it can also be nice when the characters take a little downtime for themselves, or just to hang with friends. Penciler and inker Robbi Rodriguez has shown us how he can convey a raging psiot battle. In The Harbinger #2, he also reveals a Peter Stanchek who just needs a hug.

This interlude after the opening battle certainly gives The Harbinger #2 an out-of-this-world feel. I wonder how high up in the sky Peter has flown to put distance between himself and Psiot City? The glowing moon reminds us that he has flown through space before, with only his psychic powers to help him breathe, and protect him from adverse temperatures and radiation.

The glowing light behind him casts much of Peter in shadow. Along with his desire to protect others, Peter's gaze and expression suggest the thoughts running through his head. I'm glad he's got the cat to hold and stroke while he looks back on the battle, and ponders his next move.

All-too-soon, Peter returns to Psiot City. It's time for him to get back into action, and protect his fellow psiots. The cat may be sad to see Peter go, but you can tell it appreciated its time with Peter.

Two last Wow panels before I sign off. The first is the man Peter is fighting in the opening battle. The graveyard behind him is actually a glimpse into his mindset. Meanwhile, the extras in the Pre-Order edition show the bottom panel like this, before Rico Renzi started coloring. So it seems that all that insane and colorful power rippling and exploding from Peter is Robbi's work.

In The Harbinger #2, penciler and inker Robbi Rodriguez mixes moments of introspection with (and colorful) action sequences. 

Purrrrrrr!

Dragon Dave

The Harbinger #2 Spotlight: Coloring

 

The Harbinger #2 Cover A by Robbi Rodriguez

Writer Joshua Dysart's Harbinger series opened our eyes to what it would be like to constantly hear everyone else's thoughts. Through the artists he worked with, Joshua revealed how traumatic such a life could be, and the ends it could drive a person toward.

In his novels Changeling and Madwand, bestselling and critically acclaimed writer Roger Zelazny portrayed how a wizard might see the world. Trained in his magical powers, a wizard would see colored lines, like threads in a tapestry, that he could twist and pull to influence everything and everyone around him.

In writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly's new series The Harbinger, colorist Rico Renzi brings us into the world as a psychic-enhanced mind would see it. We see the interconnections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. For the first time perhaps, we see...everything.

And it is wild. 

Overwhelmingly so.

No wonder so much power could go to a person's head. No wonder that the Kingmaker and Syphon in writer Jeff Walker's Ninjak series now seek to rule the world. The only wonder is that, unlike Toyo Harada in Harbinger, Imperium, and The Life and Death of Toyo Harada, Peter Stanchek has never sought power for its own sake. 

In The Harbinger #2, colorist Rico Renzi reveals the amazing way by which psiots would see the world, and how what they see influences what they do.

Dragon Dave

The Harbinger #2 Spotlight: Lettering

 

The Harbinger #2 Pre-Order Cover by Damion Scott

A running thread through The Harbinger series, or at least issues #1 and #2 so far, is a psychic communication between Peter Stanchek and another powerful psiot. At times, it feels as if two sides of Peter's mind are talking to each other. Letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou differentiates the two parts of this psychic dialogue with these rounded red and blue narrative boxes.

Their space age-y appearance reminds me of something you'd see on a Star Trek TV series. Then again, the second pilot of the original Star Trek series (and the first to feature Captain Kirk) spotlighted the dangers to humanity if one's psychic potential was realized.

As if the fight we see on the second and third page of this issue isn't violent enough, Hassan enhances it with these rather inelegant sound effects. They remind me of the graphiti, and the wild colors, that enliven Psiot City.

The sound effects also remind me of the sound effects Hassan used in flashbacks to Troy Whitaker's university years in X-O Manowar.

Generally, Hassan conveys the spoken word in yellow dialogue bubbles in The Harbinger. I find the way he presents the word "die" in yellow, with a hint of something above it on the upper left, and staged within an empty panel rather interesting.

What do you think he's trying to convey here?

At least there's no mystery to what the cat's saying as Peter cuddles it. Even if we have trouble relating to Peter Stanchek, we can all relate to how this cat is feeling.

As always, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou enlivens the chaos of Peter's life, and the battles in Psiot City, with his thoughtful and energetic lettering. If you don't read The Harbinger #2, and savor his contributions, you're really missing out.

Dragon Dave