Best and Weakest #0 Issues

riftt · Post by **riftt** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 2:26 pm

I might get killed for this but I think that Harbinger 0 is really, really weak. All the pertinant information in there was conveyed well enough in the first few issues of Harbinger that it made the issue pretty useless. Also it was one of the only times in early Valiant that the cover had nothing to do with the comic inside.

In terms of best zero issues, Rai immediately springs to mind. I havent read some of the later issues though.

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:00 pm

All the Shooter era ones were very enjoyable and really did add something to their series. I thought the way Sting abused his powers in Harbinger 0 was very interesting and added volumes to his character.

The ones after Shooter almost always didn't jive with what had been established before or just rectonned stuff outright.

X-O would've been my example of zero an issue that really added nothing readers didn't already know (I learned what from that issue? That the map giver was Elvis?).

I didn't enjoy most of the post-unity zero issues except Shadowman 0 which was good once you get past the continuity contradictions.

myron · Post by **myron** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:36 pm

Rai has basically become the "bible" of sorts...but I voted for A&A...what a great issue...

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:50 pm

I voted Magnus because of the unique promotion to get one and the gorgeous action packed cover. Next on the list would probably be Archer & Armstrong because it really did convey a sense of pre-series and finally rai 0 as the bible. Harbinger 0 is worthy of mentioning only if it's pink.

Where's the Unity 0?

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:52 pm

Oh, and the rest stank like poo on a shoe.

Unblessed · Post by **Unblessed** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:58 pm

Todd Luck wrote:I thought the way Sting abused his powers in Harbinger 0 was very interesting and added volumes to his character.

True.

And Magnus #0 was more of a tribute to Gold Key in my book.

~The Unblessed Sou.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:06 pm

I always felt Rai#0 was more like "The Valiant Universe #0" because it explored all the Valiant characters .
Harbinger #0 and Archer & Armstrong #0 would be my choice.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:24 pm

I voted for Rai because of it's importance in the Valiant Universe and for the great story. Harbinger and Magnus would be my second and third. I'll also chime in here with whett, where is Unity#0?

soundoftheuniverse · Post by **soundoftheuniverse** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:14 pm

I voted Magnus 0

The cover conveys perfectly the war to come in steel nation. Just a classic cover. Gotta love the tunic

DJSpecter · Post by **DJSpecter** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:23 pm

Lets do a run-down:

Magnus-adds to the character of 1-A, someone that shooter essentially left for dead; excellent story, necesary to understand most of the Magnus story line.

Harbinger- As it was said, kinda weak in its story-telling. Adds an element. But not runner up for best 0 issue.

Rai- Interesting. Slightly missplaced. Most of the information is mostly irrelevant to the real story being told (the link between Bloodshot and Rai). Best 0 issue? not really. fantastic story? you betcha. maybe even the best issue period, but not best 0 issue.

Bloodshot- I don't remember a Bloodshot 0. Oh, the one with Gilad, of course. Very interesting. Almost more interesting than most of the series. Critical to his background. This one stands a shot at best, I think.

X-O- Why do people not see the relevant information in this one? This is the story of his youth, and the creation of the armor itself. maybe it should have ended a page or two earlier, but I thought it was all new information.

Shadowman- Not a 0 issue on the character but on the concept. Should have been a yearbook. Good story.

Timewalker- Essential 0 issue. If you believe in Valiant after unity, this is a necesary ellement of understanding all of the immortals.

Turok- Wasn't my favorite, and once again, I think it was in the wrong forum for the story. Should have been a yearbook.

Archer & Armstrong -You can't understand Archer without this book. I've only read it once (at a friends house), but that's a very strong story. Has a shot at #1 in my book.

Ninjak- Even though I was not a fan of the series this was an excellent story. Once again essential to understand where the characters in Ninjak (including Alcott, and Jessica) came from. Maybe a #1 for best 0. Certainly the #1 double 0.

anybody else wanna make a list?
-Dave

riff13 · Post by **riff13** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:12 pm

I had to vote for Archer and Armstrong because I just loved the chemestry between those two characters.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:28 pm

Yeah, I had to vote for A&A #0, too. Anyone who survives witnessing their parents in a sadistic sexual tortue/murder situation, then survives said parents trying to burn him to death by using his power to 'he shoots...he scores!' save himself....

Plus, it was the first #0 Valiant released as a regular issue...

AND....it's BWS! Start to finish!

(the last reason is probably the real reason I love it so much.

)

Glad to see it's high on the list!

dave · Post by **dave** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:15 pm

i voted for the harbinger 0 issue-even though many of the elements therein had been doled out earlier- i was going to vote for a&a 0...i totally agree with most of what has been said-rai nummber 0 should not have been titled rai. it was more bloodshot than rai-but it could've been valiant bible #0 or something lame like that...the older 0's stunk. those ninjaks-man...they never should've done ninjak...make him a bad guy, and let bloodshot kill him...

dantheman · Post by **dantheman** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:14 am

dave wrote:i voted for the harbinger 0 issue-even though many of the elements therein had been doled out earlier- i was going to vote for a&a 0...i totally agree with most of what has been said-rai nummber 0 should not have been titled rai. it was more bloodshot than rai-but it could've been valiant bible #0 or something lame like that...the older 0's stunk. those ninjaks-man...they never should've done ninjak...make him a bad guy, and let bloodshot kill him...

Ouch, I loved Ninjak.. I voted for it (although it was a toss up between that and A+A, but Ninjak didn't have any votes yet so..) and the character always had a special place in my heart.. I really liked the #0 story... guess I'm weird, but I really Ninjak.

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:47 am

dantheman wrote:I really liked the #0 story... guess I'm weird, but I really Ninjak.

Wow, I didn't know Ninjak could be used as a verb

...

You know the 0 issues were the only stories in the series I actually found interesting. I've only got most of the first year but the characters just came off flat and unidentifiable and what little back story that got mentioned in the series just seemed like boring cliches. But actually seeing the history of those characters was intrigueing, it made them breath a little. I actually forgot about the Ninjak 0's when I said Shadowman was the only post-Shooter zero issue I liked..

dantheman · Post by **dantheman** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:33 am

Todd Luck wrote: Wow, I didn't know Ninjak could be used as a verb ...

I'm just good like that...

RyanMcLelland · Post by **RyanMcLelland** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:36 am

I think Harbinger #0 would have been alot better if the original Shooter script was used...but I believe he said that when he left the company David Lapham agreed not to use the Paramount script and go off a bit from it. I think this is one of the weakest...perhaps Ninjak also.

The best? Solar and Magnus are easily tied...though Solar's really wasn't a true zero issue. Both rocked tho...

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:42 am

oo, solar 0 hands down.

RyanMcLelland · Post by **RyanMcLelland** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:51 am

Yeah...why isn't Solar up here on this poll????

THIS WHOLE POLL IS A FRAUD BECAUSE IT IS CLEARLY BIASED AGAINST SOLAR!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why? Because a man destroyed a couple of universes you all become haters????

If you had the last name Seleski, what would YOU all do???

HUH????

riftt · Post by **riftt** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:24 am

solar wasnt really a 'true' zero issue

and the poll wouldnt accept enough spaces for armorines 0, ninjak 00, or unity 0

RyanMcLelland · Post by **RyanMcLelland** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:02 pm

Haters...

X-O HoboJoe · Post by **X-O HoboJoe** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:11 pm

RyanMcLelland wrote:If you had the last name Seleski, what would YOU all do???

I'd destroy more than just two universes . . .

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:57 pm

dantheman wrote:
Todd Luck wrote: Wow, I didn't know Ninjak could be used as a verb ...
I'm just good like that...

Actually "guess I'm weird, but I really Ninjak" is now offically my favorite typo

. Just imagine the fun you can have using "Ninjak" as a verb:

I Ninjak you!

I'm going to Ninjak you up!

Oh, to Ninjak or not to Ninjak? That's the question...

greg · Post by **greg** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:10 pm

Well, at least it's a little less disturbing than when these guys
were talking about having to take a Deathmate.

dino · Post by **dino** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:12 pm

XO #0's my fav. I loved seeing how aric the barbarian became X-O Manowar. The art was fantastic and so was the cover gimmick.
Magnus #0 follows close behind for me.

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