XO Manowar #2 and Harbinger #1 Discussion **SPOILERS**

**Piratelion** · 06-09-2012, 05:17 PM

I really loved X-O Manowar #2, the story has been interesting and the art has fitted the story. I like Harbinger but not as much as X-O, the art was kind of messy on some pages. I still on board for the relaunch at least still first arc for Hanbinger, im in the long run for Manowar.

**Knight of Steel** · 06-09-2012, 07:00 PM

I picked up Harbinger #1 not knowing anything about its past (Valiant) series. Have to say this was a change of what I normally get, but I really liked it. The art was definitely solid and the story's intriguing enough to want me to come back for the next issue. I didn't pick up X-O Manowar but after hearing all the positive things about it (and not just on this thread) I'm tempted to hop onboard and grab the first two issues!

**HsssH** · 06-10-2012, 01:16 AM

So did anyone NOT like this relaunch? Its very hard to find some downright negative posts or reviews about these new books. I think this tells a lot :)

**BugsySig** · 06-10-2012, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by HsssH

So did anyone NOT like this relaunch? Its very hard to find some downright negative posts or reviews about these new books. I think this tells a lot :)

There are a few who have commented negatively, but they tend to focus on certain issues (like Harbingers art or XOs pacing) and not the books as a whole. I think that is very telling and bodes well for future books and sales. Hopefully Valiant will be around again for a long time.

**Tobias March** · 06-10-2012, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by HsssH

So did anyone NOT like this relaunch? Its very hard to find some downright negative posts or reviews about these new books. I think this tells a lot :)

Well I did review Harbinger today, which yes I loved - very strong opening for a new book (http://themomusreport.blogspot.com.a...7-june-12.html) but X-O Manowar I have to say I'm not really grabbed by.

It looks fantastic, gorgeous work from Cary Nord, but the story is just a bit ho-hum to me.

http://themomusreport.blogspot.com.a...-3-may-12.html - my take on the book is the last item. It's a shame really, I like the premise of the book, the story itself just moves too slow for me. Might tradewait this one.

**Dark-Flux** · 06-11-2012, 08:50 AM

Im completely new to Valient but after X-O #1 impressed me ive decided to try out all 4 (eventually 6) titles.

Really liked Harbinger :)
I wasnt really expecting too much as i felt id read the whole "telepathically troubled teenager" a hundred times before but i found the dialogue to be smart enough that the issue really sucked me in.
Not really loving the art, colouring was a bit garish but i dont feel to strongly enough about it for it to detract fom the experience. Its servicable at least.
Looking forward to #2!

Still waiting on X-O #2...

**gwydion** · 06-11-2012, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by md62

Next two are Eternal Warrior (later this year) & Rai (Spring 2013).

Works for me. Just so long as Shadowman and Ninjak are on the list.

**BugsySig** · 06-11-2012, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by gwydion

Works for me. Just so long as Shadowman and Ninjak are on the list.

Those are the most likely books to follow based on various interviews, tweets, etc from Valiant.

**Destro777** · 06-11-2012, 11:42 PM

Long time Valiant fan and loved Harbinger #1. This is a darker Pete Stanchek and the different take on Kris was super cool. Things were very current too - cool seeing these characters in today's times. Harbinger felt packed with content and dialogue - a nice lengthy read. Dysart nailed the indecision readers are supposed to have about Harada "is he good or bad". Very impressed.

**Manga4life** · 06-29-2012, 06:52 AM

I re-read Harbinger #1 for a 3rd time this morning and realized I never gave my opinion of it until I sat down to write it right now, lol. Well, all in all this was one of the best comics I've read since it's release (if not the best) and the way the story was crafted with Peter being the main focus was great and his relationship with Joe and his former childhood friend Kris was really done exceptionally well. I can't wait to see what happens with Tull's hunt in issue #2, I'm guessing Peter probably gets away and goes with Toyo for his training.....or at least I hope he does, I'd hate to see him get caught and be totally betrayed by his friend Joe. And speaking of Joe, I hope he really was let loose and followed and not involved in a plan to trap Peter, I'm really wondering how this will all turn out in the second issue....

Oh and by the way, the art was FANTASTIC, seriously, the art was way better than I was actually expecting and I loved some of Peter's facial expressions throughout the first issue. Kudo's to the creative team for making what I'm sure will be my favorite Valiant book as it progresses, could Valiant make a run at moving Dynamite from my favorite publisher spot in 2013? I guess time will tell!

**havok1977** · 06-29-2012, 07:41 AM

I'm just loving the XO Manowar relaunch, Cary Nord's art is a perfect fit for it and the story is faithful to the original classic while building things in an even more interesting way; I'm so glad Valiant is back in such a strong way.

**Manga4life** · 07-01-2012, 07:38 AM

So, the Harbinger book is going to eventually turn into a team book, correct? I get the feel like this book is eventually going to kind of end up with the girl from the beginning, Peter, and a few other members of a team that will be guided by Toyo who will go after certain villains throughout the run of the book. I'm kind of excited to see where it all goes, so far it's off to a huge bang with the well written and wonderfully illustrated #1!

**BugsySig** · 07-01-2012, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Manga4life

So, the Harbinger book is going to eventually turn into a team book, correct? I get the feel like this book is eventually going to kind of end up with the girl from the beginning, Peter, and a few other members of a team that will be guided by Toyo who will go after certain villains throughout the run of the book. I'm kind of excited to see where it all goes, so far it's off to a huge bang with the well written and wonderfully illustrated #1!

Well if it follows more or less the plan of the original, Pete will go to Harada for help/training, but grow to distrust and eventually split from him. In the original he recruited other Harbingers after the split (which involved Toyo trying to have him killed). This time around it looks like he will be training with others and then split off. The main theme of the original was Pete's Rengades trying to take down Harada...which is likely to be the case again based on interviews with Joshua Dysart...it just may take longer for the split to occur this time around.

**Manga4life** · 07-01-2012, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by BugsySig

Well if it follows more or less the plan of the original, Pete will go to Harada for help/training, but grow to distrust and eventually split from him. In the original he recruited other Harbingers after the split (which involved Toyo trying to have him killed). This time around it looks like he will be training with others and then split off. The main theme of the original was Pete's Rengades trying to take down Harada...which is likely to be the case again based on interviews with Joshua Dysart...it just may take longer for the split to occur this time around.

So it's a book more about Peter and not so much a team book like I thought it to be?

**Proyas** · 07-01-2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Manga4life

So it's a book more about Peter and not so much a team book like I thought it to be?

The original Harbinger was a team book, I expect this one to be also. But the main focus of the first 25 issues in the original was quite Pete(and his merry band) vs Harada centric.