HARBINGER RENEGADE #1
I just read Harbinger Renegade #1 and I think I’ll have a strange love and hate kind of relationship with this comic. It looks like a more problematic group of teen heroes than we got in Generation Zero, but a more human one. By the way, Faith Herbert is included!
This could be a really good story if it wasn’t for the safe bets the book takes in the beginning. In only a couple of pages I saw two overused cliches that I cannot stand. Sure, this may be a personal issue, but it was enough to sour some of the experience.
“Harbinger Renegade #1 is a comic book that is comfortable with taking risks in an industry that isn't.”
Because of this, Harbinger Renegade #1 gets off to a slow and predictable start with no real surprises. There was nothing that makes me think the future will be much different. Throughout the comic we see a little more about what kind of world we will experiencing and what we get in that respect is very promising.
The script as a whole has a number of ups and downs, but I think there’s enough material here to work with in order to make Harbinger Renegade a good story with interesting characters. The best part is that Faith, a Valiant character I consider very solid and well developed, is picked to be part of this team, and that’s already one good motivator to keep an eye on it.
Maybe the ending in Harbinger Renegade #1 could be considered a little weird, and just looking at the image we end on still gives me chills. It also shows readers that this might not be a conventional comic like we have been lead to believe. It takes some risks that could really pay off if handled right. It will be interesting to see how things evolve from here on out.
And just like the script, the art is also into a bit of risk-taking. Graphic, vivid, and pretty different from the norm. I saw a mix between main stream comic style and a different, more personal, indie touch here and there within the book.
It reminded me of Survivors’ Club that I reviewed some time back, and it was those comics that introduced me to horror comic stories and that unique art. Harbinger Renegade #1 has managed to capture something special and I can’t wait for the art to development more.
There are some pages overfilled with panels and others with dialogue that feels a bit crammed. This doesn’t happen all the time, but it does feel like they tried to cram too much in because of pacing issues they were facing. Still, there are also slow and calmer pages so they can clearly do both well.
To summarize: If you like different stories with unique proposals, as well as something that can, and probably will make you feel a little uncomfortable while reading, then Harbinger Renegade #1 is the right choice for you. It’s not perfect, but I really want to see how this continues.
- Alan D.D.