2021 marked the return of Valiant heroes Ninjak and Shadowman, so it should come as no surprise that Harbinger's readied to emerge. In a 2020 interview on Valiant's relaunch of The Harbinger, writer Jackson Lanzing shared, "This first year of The Harbinger is all about establishing a new status quo for the psiots of the Valiant Universe." He and fellow writer Collin Kelly, along with artist Robbi Rodriguez are off to a great start doing just that in The Harbinger #1, a fascinating and thrilling reintroduction to Valiant's most powerful heroes.
The Harbinger #1 opens with Peter Stanichek waking up in an abandoned building in a dystopian Chicago. He's wiped of his memories, but he is keenly aware of the incredible power he feels coursing through his veins. Even though Peter has forgotten his identity, the people of Chicago recognize him almost immediately and are quick to point this out to him. Before Peter can process his apparent notoriety, a group of militant police surround him and draw their guns. Luckily for Peter, he is powerful enough to stop bullets. After his close call, Peter travels deeper into the city looking for answers about his identity and the state of the world.
Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, who also worked together on Marvel's Kang the Conqueror, center the action-packed narrative of The Harbinger #1 around a dialogue between Peter and an unknown antagonist. This narrative style allows for Peter to fill the audience in on plot details in an intimate and conversational way while charging full speed ahead into the strange and hostile city. Throughout his journey, the hero seems to be haunted by a barely remembered past. Kelly and Lanzing hint at this throughout the comic, and it seems that Stanichek dealing with his painful past will be a central theme in this new, updated Harbinger. Kelly and Lanzing's excellent and naturalistic characterization of Peter makes this first issue a great entry point for new Harbinger readers, but still has plenty to offer to long-time fans as it seems to take place after the events of Valiant's Imperium by Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans.
Robbi Rodriguez's art incorporates the character designs that made the original Harbinger so engaging into a frenetic new world. His linework conveys a sense of constant motion that complements the frantic and disorienting events of this first issue perfectly. While this intense energy culminates in the dynamic action sequences, it bleeds out to every element of the world. Rodriguez's cityscapes are as daunting and chaotic as his depictions of explosions.
In all the chaos of dystopian Chicago, the emotional lives of the characters manage to shine through on the page. Rico Renzi's colors add a layer of sci-fi psychedelia to Rodriguez's already fantastic work. The stunning array of soft blues and neon pinks makes every page at once alarming and welcoming.
The Harbinger #1 ends with a burst of action and a twist that will leave the reader with some urgent questions. Kelly and Lanzing utilize the history of Harbinger without leaving new readers in the dark and leave plenty of room for Rodriguez and Renzi to dazzle the audience with their stunning art. While much is left uncertain about Peter Stanichek and the rest of Valiant's psiots, one thing is clear -- The Harbinger is back and better than ever.
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