Valiant’s HARBINGER #1 set to release
on October 27th, 2021
After being teased since late 2019 and following the shifting landscape of comics publishing due to the global pandemic, it seems we finally have a definitive release date and even a first look at some covers for Valiant Comics’ upcoming new HARBINGER series! Check out the main cover by Rodriguez below!
The Harbinger #1 Cover by Robbi Rodriguez
In an exclusive reveal through Screenrant, Valiant’s The Harbinger #1 is set to release on shelves and digital platforms on October 27th, 2021. The Harbinger features a stellar creative team including Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Robbi Rodriguez, Rico Renzi and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and is going to follow Peter Stanchek and his role as a hero in the greater Valiant Universe.
On bringing this character to life in a new series, Lanzing gave some details about how he was inspired by his own real-life anxiety saying…
“Three years of work on THE HARBINGER began with two words: be better. From there, Robbi, Collin and I funnelled every bit of our anxiety about the state of the world and our own shattered psychology onto the page – and found in the storm a story about responsibility, redemption, and renewal. This isn’t just a relaunch of Valiant’s most powerful hero and it’s not just “punk rock superhero Akira,” though it certainly is both those things. At its heart, THE HARBINGER is an examination of how guilt, fear, and self-judgement – those things that so often pull us down to earth – can provide us a glimpse into ourselves that can help us fly. This is a story that gives Peter Stanchek a new mission, a new community, and a new sense of self… if he’s strong enough to face up to and reconcile with the worst parts of himself along the way.”
As for working with the creative team, Lanzing had this to say about the visual storytelling unfolding in The Harbinger…
“As for the visual storytelling, the team that Valiant has assembled around The Harbinger is just incredible. Robbi Rodriguez is known for his wild style, but you’ve never seen him do anything like this. Rico Renzi’s colors are stellar, vibrant, and groundbreaking when t comes to visualizing psiotic power – and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is bringing every word to life with characteristic boundless creativity. From story to art to letters, the whole team is dedicated to making The Harbinger unlike any superhero book on the shelves.”
Collin Kelly had this to say about Peter Stanchek’s quest to becoming a better hero…
“To help Peter capture this new sense of self, we needed to take apart who he’s been. When we meet Peter he’s naked and alone, with no memory of who he is, or of the life that he’s led. As a blank slate, he will re-engage with the amazing power at his fingertips… and discover the responsibility he has towards Chicago’s psiot population, a population that has been isolated by the city, the police turning a blind eye to their safety. When a new group of “heroes” start turning this community into their personal hunting ground – and a dark figure begins haunting his steps – Peter will begin a quest to discover who he was, who took his memories… and how he can be better.”
The Harbinger #1 Cover by Rod Reis
The Harbinger #1 Cover by Chris Delara
The Harbinger #1 Cover by Damion Scott
With Valiant’s lineup of impressive titles including the recently concluded Savage, the currently releasing Shadowman and this week’s release of the new Ninjak series, it looks like The Harbinger will be the next Valiant title to keep you eyes on when the first issue releases on October 27th, 2021!