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Harbinger (comics)
Encyclopedia
Harbinger was a comic book
series published by Valiant Comics
about a group of teenage super-powered
outcasts known as Harbingers
. Harbinger initially featured writing and art by Jim Shooter
and David Lapham. After Acclaim Entertainment purchased the rights to the Valiant catalog for $65 million in 1994, the characters were rebooted in Harbinger: Acts of God to make them was more easily adaptable to video games. They continued to appear in many Valiant titles - most prominently the Unity 2000 series. Harbinger was one of the best selling Valiant titles with total sales in all languages of over five million comics. Harbinger debuted with Harbinger #1 in January 1992.
In 2008, Valiant released a deluxe hardcover entitled Harbinger: The Beginning, collecting the first seven issues. Harbinger: The Beginning reached #2 on Amazon’s graphic novels sales charts and within the top #300 of all books sold on Amazon.
Harada is an Omega Harbinger: he commands the full spectrum of psionic abilities, including telepathy, telekinesis, mind-control, and many other talents. He uses these powers to create a multinational corporation and amass a large fortune. Fearing the world is on a course to destroy itself, he plans to take it over and mold it to his specifications. To this end he creates the Harbinger Foundation, which actively searches for potential Harbingers (whose powers Harada triggers with his psionic abilities).
Pete Stanchek is a normal teenager until he develops Harbinger abilities. After seeing an advertisement he contacts the Harbinger Foundation. Harada is intrigued by Pete, who is the only other Harbinger to have triggered his own powers and who exhibits multiple abilities. Harada is no longer the only Omega Harbinger.
Harada tries to persuade Pete to join the Harbinger Foundation and become Harada's right hand man, but when Pete's best friend, who had been vocal about his distrust for Harada, is murdered by the Foundation Pete realizes the truth.
Pete, along with Kris (a high school cheerleader who, he later realizes, he had been unconsciously mentally controlling so that she would go out with him) become renegades. They decide to recruit Harbingers themselves, activate their abilities, and form an army capable of challenging Harada.
became involved with the Harbinger Foundation and came to oppose Harada. Each issue of Harbinger from #1 through #6 contained a numbered coupon. When a set of coupons was collected and sent to Valiant a copy of Harbinger #0 Pink Mail Away Variant could be redeemed. The book became highly sought after reaching prices as high as $300 dollars in back issue trading. A blue cover version was eventually released to meet demand. Today, the Pink Mail Away Version of Harbinger #0 is still one of the most sought after Valiant books.
that told the origin of Toyo Harada
. A new hardcover collection (Harbinger: The Beginning) features a new story by Jim Shooter
entitled The Origin of Harada which presumably fleshes out the story that appeared on the coupons.
:
acquired the rights of Harbinger, enlisting Brett Ratner
as director. Alexandra Milchan, Jay Stern, Dinesh Shamdasani, Valiant Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer, and Jason Kothari, Valiant Entertainment's CEO will produce. The film might be branded under Paramount's MTV Films
banner. Ratner was looking for an opportunity to start a superhero franchise from scratch. The filmmakers are searching for a screenwriter, while Ratner works on a number of projects.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
about a group of teenage super-powered
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
outcasts known as Harbingers
Harbingers (comics)
Harbingers are fictional characters with superhuman powers who appeared in every Valiant Comics title. Two different groups of Harbingers appeared in the comic book series Harbinger.- History :...
. Harbinger initially featured writing and art by Jim Shooter
Jim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
and David Lapham. After Acclaim Entertainment purchased the rights to the Valiant catalog for $65 million in 1994, the characters were rebooted in Harbinger: Acts of God to make them was more easily adaptable to video games. They continued to appear in many Valiant titles - most prominently the Unity 2000 series. Harbinger was one of the best selling Valiant titles with total sales in all languages of over five million comics. Harbinger debuted with Harbinger #1 in January 1992.
In 2008, Valiant released a deluxe hardcover entitled Harbinger: The Beginning, collecting the first seven issues. Harbinger: The Beginning reached #2 on Amazon’s graphic novels sales charts and within the top #300 of all books sold on Amazon.
Characters
- Toyo HaradaToyo HaradaToyo Harada is a comic book character, who has appeared in various series published by Valiant Comics. Created by writer Jim Shooter.-Fictional character biography:He is the most powerful psionic on Earth...
- The most powerful psionic on Earth, Harada commands the full spectrum of psionic abilities, including telepathyTelepathyTelepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, telekinesis, mind-control, and many other deadly talents. Fearing that humanity may eventually destroy itself, Harada decided early in his life to preserve the planet by clandestinely conquering it. To this end, he established the Harbinger Foundation to recruit others with paranormal abilities, whom Harada refers to as "Harbingers of the next step in human evolution". He seldom confronts his enemies directly, preferring to leave such dirty-work to his elite Harbinger warriors, the "Eggbreakers". With tremendous economic and political clout, Harada seems close to achieving his goals, and is ready to destroy anyone who stands in his way. - Peter StanchekPeter Stanchek aka Sting (Valiant Comics)Sting is a fictional character in the Valiant Comics superhero universe. Created by legendary writer and former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. First appearing in Harbinger #1 Sting (Peter Stanchek) is a fictional character in the Valiant Comics superhero universe. Created by legendary...
("Sting") Sting is a psionic of extraordinary power and potential. Once a student of Toyo Harada, he decided to break away when Harada arranged the murder of Pete's best friend. Together with Kris, Zephyr, Flamingo and Torque, Sting tries to thwart the plans of Harada and his Harbinger Foundation. - Kris Hathaway - Although not possessing super powers of her own, Kris is still an important member of Sting's renegades. Her level head and intelligence keeps the team together and in focus of their goal.
- Faith Herbert ("Zephyr") Zephyr, known as Zeppelin to her friends, has the ability to fly. Founder of the Harbinger Resistance.
- Charlene Dupre ("Flamingo") Flamingo has the power to generate and control flames.
- John Torkelson ("Torque") Torque was a mechanic in Georgia before Sting released his powers of enormous strength and durability. In the beginning, Torque seemed very hostile and distant, but he has proven himself a loyal and valuable member of the group.
- Amanda McKee ("Livewire") Harada recruited Amanda and other like-minded (i.e., violent) individuals into his Eggbreakers, the squad of enforcers who did Harada's dirty work. She was given the codename Livewire, due to her power to manipulate electromagnetic forces; she especially enjoyed using a length of magnetically animated cable as a weapon.
- Edward Sedgewick ("Stronghold") was a member of the Harbinger Foundation of would-be Harbinger messiah Toyo HaradaToyo HaradaToyo Harada is a comic book character, who has appeared in various series published by Valiant Comics. Created by writer Jim Shooter.-Fictional character biography:He is the most powerful psionic on Earth...
. Edward was given the nickname Stronghold and recruited into the "Eggbreakers" enforcer squad. He had the power to psionically absorb mass from objects around him and use it to increase his own size and strength to gigantic proportions. When he killed a fellow Harbinger, he realized that the Foundation was not right for him and fled with his partner Livewire. Stronghold and Livewire were later recruited by the Geomancer Geoff McHenryGeoff McHenry (Valiant Comics)Geoff McHenry is a fictional character in the Valiant Comics universe, created by Jim Shooter and Bob Layton . First appearing in Solar: Man of the Atom #10....
to battle villain Doctor EclipseDoctor EclipseDoctor Eclipse is a Valiant Comics character, a foe of Solar, Man of the Atom. He was originally Fred Bender, but after being defeated by Solar and left to die in the desert, he sought Master Darque and asked him to replenish his powers....
, a servant of Master DarqueMaster DarqueMaster Darque is a fictional character, a Valiant Comics villain that first appeared in Shadowman #8 and later became a staple villain in both the Shadowman and Second Life of Dr. Mirage comic books...
.
Plot
Toyo Harada is the first Harbinger, and unlike subsequent Harbingers he was able to make his powers manifest at will, or activate the powers of others. Other Harbingers exhibit powers only rarely and this activation is always brought on by severe stress.Harada is an Omega Harbinger: he commands the full spectrum of psionic abilities, including telepathy, telekinesis, mind-control, and many other talents. He uses these powers to create a multinational corporation and amass a large fortune. Fearing the world is on a course to destroy itself, he plans to take it over and mold it to his specifications. To this end he creates the Harbinger Foundation, which actively searches for potential Harbingers (whose powers Harada triggers with his psionic abilities).
Pete Stanchek is a normal teenager until he develops Harbinger abilities. After seeing an advertisement he contacts the Harbinger Foundation. Harada is intrigued by Pete, who is the only other Harbinger to have triggered his own powers and who exhibits multiple abilities. Harada is no longer the only Omega Harbinger.
Harada tries to persuade Pete to join the Harbinger Foundation and become Harada's right hand man, but when Pete's best friend, who had been vocal about his distrust for Harada, is murdered by the Foundation Pete realizes the truth.
Pete, along with Kris (a high school cheerleader who, he later realizes, he had been unconsciously mentally controlling so that she would go out with him) become renegades. They decide to recruit Harbingers themselves, activate their abilities, and form an army capable of challenging Harada.
Harbinger #0 Pink Mail Away Variant
Harbinger #0 is the prequel to the Harbinger series and details how Peter StanchekPeter Stanchek aka Sting (Valiant Comics)
Sting is a fictional character in the Valiant Comics superhero universe. Created by legendary writer and former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. First appearing in Harbinger #1 Sting (Peter Stanchek) is a fictional character in the Valiant Comics superhero universe. Created by legendary...
became involved with the Harbinger Foundation and came to oppose Harada. Each issue of Harbinger from #1 through #6 contained a numbered coupon. When a set of coupons was collected and sent to Valiant a copy of Harbinger #0 Pink Mail Away Variant could be redeemed. The book became highly sought after reaching prices as high as $300 dollars in back issue trading. A blue cover version was eventually released to meet demand. Today, the Pink Mail Away Version of Harbinger #0 is still one of the most sought after Valiant books.
Origin of Harada
Each issue of Harbinger from #1 through #6 contained a numbered coupon that could be collected and redeemed for a copy of Harbinger #0 Pink Mail Away Variant, the prequel to the Harbinger series. Each coupon also featured one panel of a six panel story by Jim ShooterJim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
that told the origin of Toyo Harada
Toyo Harada
Toyo Harada is a comic book character, who has appeared in various series published by Valiant Comics. Created by writer Jim Shooter.-Fictional character biography:He is the most powerful psionic on Earth...
. A new hardcover collection (Harbinger: The Beginning) features a new story by Jim Shooter
Jim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
entitled The Origin of Harada which presumably fleshes out the story that appeared on the coupons.
Collected editions
Part of the series has been collected into volumesTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- Children of the Eighth Day (collects Harbinger #1-4, softcover, Valiant, 1992)
- Harbinger: The Beginning (collects Harbinger #0-7 and new story by Jim Shooter, hardcover, 200 pages, August 2007, ISBN 0979640903)
Film adaptation
In March 2008, it was announced that Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
acquired the rights of Harbinger, enlisting Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner is an American film director, film producer and music video director. He is best known for directing the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Tower Heist. He was also a producer on the Fox drama series, Prison Break.- Early life :Ratner was...
as director. Alexandra Milchan, Jay Stern, Dinesh Shamdasani, Valiant Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer, and Jason Kothari, Valiant Entertainment's CEO will produce. The film might be branded under Paramount's MTV Films
MTV Films
MTV Films is the motion picture production arm of cable channel MTV. Founded in 1996, it has produced films based on MTV programs such as Beavis and Butt-head Do America and Jackass: The Movie, as well as other adaptations and original projects. Its films are released by fellow Viacom division...
banner. Ratner was looking for an opportunity to start a superhero franchise from scratch. The filmmakers are searching for a screenwriter, while Ratner works on a number of projects.
External links
- Harbinger at the Valiant Entertainment wiki
- Harbinger at the Valiant Comics fan site
- Harbinger: The Beginning article at Variety Online
- Harbinger: The Beginning Press Release at NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
- The Ten Most Important Comic Books of the 1990s (Harbinger is ranked #1)
- "Valiant Days, Valiant Nights - A Look Back at the Rise and Fall of Valiant by Ryan McLelland, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...