WC14 EXCLUSIVE: Dysart Closes the Book on "Harbinger"

[jaden_sai]

WC14 EXCLUSIVE: Dysart Closes the Book on "Harbinger," Heads to "Omegas"

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=52217


Joshua Dysart will end the current volume of Valiant Entertainment's "Harbinger" with the series' 25th issue on July 16.

[Paradigm38]

[cdgodin]

While I am very shocked that the book is ending, the way Dysart talks about it makes it sound like it'll be back either late this year or next year as a relaunched book with either the same title or maybe even a different one.

[bygranddesign]

I think i'm gonna puke

can't even get myself to read this article .. i read enough to know that Dysart doesn't even want to talk about this ... and that was enough for me to stop. I think i'm just going to enjoy the next few issues and try to not even speculate the future .. but this is pretty sad

[BugsySig]

It sounds like there will be more after #25 and the two minis (all together that's 9 months worth of books) but in what form they haven't decided yet. The original Harbinger series totally shifted gears after issue #25, so in some ways this is an homage to that I guess.

It is disappointing, but Dysart really seems to care about these characters and what happens to them, so I suspect they will return. I don't take his not wanting to talk about it as some kind of frustration, but rather trying to keep the plans for the next few months under wraps for now. It also sounds like, if he had a choice, this would just end Harbinger Volume 1 and it would continue as Volume 2.

[bygranddesign]

I like the homage cover by Sean Chen

And the Mico cover ... for some reason I don't see it in the article but if you click on the sean chen cover and go to the next page - you'll see it

or just click here

mico cover

ok i'm going to go back to being sad now...

[KXXX]

The original Harbinger series totally shifted gears after issue #25, so in some ways this is an homage to that I guess.

This is probably one of the best ways to look at this.

Aside from that, there's a LOT going on in the coming months, a lot of converging points that would only serve to be re-hashed were all series to continue monthly. It seems as though Armor Hunters is going to run headlong into almost everything, and the developments with Harada point towards him becoming a player across the universe as well. It's entirely possible this is just a way of keeping everything stable and easier to manage properly.

Why the *SQUEE* it couldn't be Shadowman, though, is beyond me.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I can't get my head around this decision! Harbinger had consistently been in the top 2 VEI books since it launched. We need a better explanation on this? Why would we get invested in new series from VEI if they don't last beyond 25 issues!?

[Intrepidxc]

Lets hope there is something more, but I love the homage cover! I will definitely have to buy a couple!

[AnthonyF]

Nooooooo

... Though the homage cover to #25 is sweet.

Bring on the Harbinger

[drmirage]

No one panic. Marketing guys are clearly on top when making these press releases to create buzz.

Ending in Issue #25. Restarting with a few #1's (mini or continuing - next arc / another new volume etc)
Also creating a new #1 issue will create higher sales (more publicity) than continuing with Issue #26.

So there will be a 2nd Hardcover for sure. I won't be surprised if X-O gets the same treatement. (ending and a new arc / new volume) maybe in issue #36 or something.
Each hard cover equals 12 issues. Each arc creates 1 trade. (3 arcs to a hard cover) makes sense.

Do you guys think Harbinger will really be ending.... I don't think so.

Harbinger OMEGAS!

[betterthanezra]

I hope it doesn't mean the end of the title for good it's still my favorite book...

Maybe we can get some clarification on a few details this weekend at WC

-Brian

[BugsySig]

No one panic. Marketing guys are clearly on top when making these press releases to create buzz.

Ending in Issue #25. Restarting with a few #1's (mini or continuing - next arc / another new volume etc)
Also creating a new #1 issue will create higher sales (more publicity) than continuing with Issue #26.

So there will be a 2nd Hardcover for sure. I won't be surprised if X-O gets the same treatement. (ending and a new arc / new volume) maybe in issue #36 or something.
Each hard cover equals 12 issues. Each arc creates 1 trade. (3 arcs to a hard cover) makes sense.

Do you guys think Harbinger will really be ending.... I don't think so.

Harbinger OMEGAS!

Sounds about right to me, but these announcements could backfire on VEI. The cynics and doomsayers are already out in force on other boards declaring the demise of VALIANT after this and the yet-to-be-determined status of Shadowman, EW, A&A, Q&W, Bloodshot and HARD Corps after Armor Hunters.

I have no problem with some reshuffling to try to grow readership going into year three, but there is something to be said for consistency. Right now many readers are feeling uneasy, whether warranted or not, and I hope VEI addresses these issues sooner rather than later.

[bygranddesign]

No one panic. Marketing guys are clearly on top when making these press releases to create buzz.

Ending in Issue #25. Restarting with a few #1's (mini or continuing - next arc / another new volume etc)
Also creating a new #1 issue will create higher sales (more publicity) than continuing with Issue #26.

So there will be a 2nd Hardcover for sure. I won't be surprised if X-O gets the same treatement. (ending and a new arc / new volume) maybe in issue #36 or something.
Each hard cover equals 12 issues. Each arc creates 1 trade. (3 arcs to a hard cover) makes sense.

Do you guys think Harbinger will really be ending.... I don't think so.

Harbinger OMEGAS!

Sounds about right to me, but these announcements could backfire on VEI. The cynics and doomsayers are already out in force on other boards declaring the demise of VALIANT after this and the yet-to-be-determined status of Shadowman, EW, A&A, Q&W, Bloodshot and HARD Corps after Armor Hunters.

I have no problem with some reshuffling to try to grow readership going into year three, but there is something to be said for consistency. Right now many readers are feeling uneasy, whether warranted or not, and I hope VEI addresses these issues sooner rather than later.

Agreed. I think this is the new model of trying to stay profitable in comics today. Marvell just rebooted Daredevil with the same exact creative team - DD just went to a new city. Like Elery said - its about maintaining that juice. If Valiant wants to maintain a 10 title a month minimum then they need to squeeze as much juice from those 10 titles as possibile - Crossovers, Events, Mini-series and ultimately a few re-launches or spin offs. They want to maintain profitabilitty with trades and hardcovers also... and unless you are the walking dead the trades are going to lose juice as the title goes on and on.

But I also agree with keeping the FEAR of "this is the end" at bay. They definitely need to clarify the fate of all these books - including A&A, BS, Shadowman, EW ... it could turn people off if they don't know the status of these titles long term.

[bygranddesign]

Looks like Mr. Justin Jordan is writing a story for issue #25

Great to see him contributing to these anniversary issues

[lorddunlow]

I'm telling you guys. Something big is coming. I can feel it.

I think we're going to be blown away.

[Shadowman99]

Dunlow dude, that is a massive euphamism if ever I saw one. That's going in the quotes thread for sure

I definitely agree that VEI are trying a new business model with these mini series popping up all over the place. It seems to me though, with Q+W and A+A crossing over, and now placing more emphasis on the Gen 0 kids, that instead of simply renumbering the comics Valiant are at least trying to add some credibility to this process by genuinely changing things when they renumber.

It seems to me that if comics genuinely die out as they go on and on (declining TPB salesetc) then there really is no choice other than to renumber. So at least VEI are trying to be genuine about doing it by changing the content of the book significantly. If they just renumbered without refreshing, marvel style, you know everyone'd be rightly *SQUEE* about it.

It's disappointing to see the end of this Harbinger as we know it, but I think Dysart's statement at the end of the interview is very important: He more or less says that he's taking a breather to plan what's happening next. He seems to indicate strongly to me that he's not finished with these characters at all yet, so it'll be interesting to see what happens in the future with the Harbinger corner of the VU.

[bamaphilosopher]

I'm telling you guys. Something big is coming. I can feel it.

I think we're going to be blown away.

Quit it! I'm going to be all excited and then let down.

You're starting to get me excited about it...the feeling is contagious! So I hope you're right.

[Shadowman99]

I'm telling you guys. Something big is coming. I can feel it.

I think we're going to be blown away.

Quit it! I'm going to be all excited and then let down.

You're starting to get me excited about it...the feeling is contagious! So I hope you're right.

You guys are so *SQUEE* gay.

[ShadowTuga]

I trust VEI on rheir plans for the future, I really do.
But this SUCKS. I am *SQUEE*. Very much.

[Shadowman99]

I trust VEI on rheir plans for the future, I really do.
But this SUCKS. I am *SQUEE*. Very much.

Talk to Bama and Dunlow. They'll probably offer you a relaxing massage or something...

[bamaphilosopher]

I'm telling you guys. Something big is coming. I can feel it.

I think we're going to be blown away.

Quit it! I'm going to be all excited and then let down.

You're starting to get me excited about it...the feeling is contagious! So I hope you're right.

You guys are so *SQUEE* gay.

Excited about the STORY, not about Dunlow. He's too Canadian for me anyway.

[lorddunlow]

I'm telling you guys. Something big is coming. I can feel it.

I think we're going to be blown away.

Quit it! I'm going to be all excited and then let down.

You're starting to get me excited about it...the feeling is contagious! So I hope you're right.

You guys are so *SQUEE* gay.

[ShadowTuga]

I trust VEI on rheir plans for the future, I really do.
But this SUCKS. I am *SQUEE*. Very much.

Talk to Bama and Dunlow. They'll probably offer you a relaxing massage or something...

They're on the Finers side, then.
I'm a Gloomer, right now. Just my pessimistic self speaking louder. I don't get all these changes this year, I just don't. Of the 4 SoV '12 books only X-O will continue it's numbering. Industry dictates or whatever, I guess.
If it works for them, I will be very happy- I want this line to stay for (Lassard's voice) "many, many years". The more of us, more Valiant to read every month.

Buuuuut...
My favourite comic is going to end in months. It *SQUEE* SUCKS! X 1000

[FormerReader]

As a fan of the books I don't like that VEI feels they need to do this. As a fan of the company and someone who wants to see them succeed so I can be reading their books for years to come I'm glad to see them taking a proactive approach to the current state of the industry. They have not sat on their hands since the relaunch saying we've done our best, but it's just too challenging. They instead continue to come up with ideas to survive in the market and make a name for themselves.

Whether we read Harbinger #26 or Harbinger Volume 6 #1, as long as we are reading the book I'm happy.