Kickin’ It Old School: Harbinger #2

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another new edition of Kickin’ It Old School, our weekly column in which we look to the past and review books from the original Valiant universe! This week, I’ll be discussing Harbinger #2.

Harbinger #2

Published in February 1992
Written by Jim Shooter
Penciled by David Lapham
Inked by John Dixon
Colored by Janet Jackson, Maria Beccari & Co.

Synopsis

We start off with Pete abusing his powers to get Kris help in a hospital. After being unable to force anybody to help her, he decides to use his powers to remove the bullets. Doctor Heyward, who Pete attempted to force into removing the bullets offers to help if the crew behaves. He allows them to stay at his house while Kris recovers.
While there, Pete shows off the strength of his powers to Dr. Heyward, lifting all of the water out of the pool and holding it in the air. While Pete’s with the doctor outside and Torque and Charlene are fooling around inside, Faith sneaks out to go back to the scene of their last fight. She gets jumped and Pete shows up to save her. He gets some info out of Harada’s goons and investigates with Faith, which eventually leads them to one of Harada’s headquarters. They all go together and find Harada and crew waiting for them.

They quickly take down the rest of Pete’s group, but Harada underestimates of what Pete is capable. He uses an unconscious Flamingo’s powers to start a fire and brings in water in from a pool to revive Torque and Zeppelin. Torque utilizes the water to drown Lump, whom he couldn’t defeat by simply beating him. Zeppelin takes down Sparrow by slamming her down. Pete effortlessly casts Weasel away. They look up to discover that Harada has fled. They head up to the top floor to discover Harada’s office. They break into his safe to discover tons of money, and that’s where the book ends.

Review

This issue has done a lot to show Peter’s character growth.  The scene in which he removes the bullets to save Kris was emotional and intense and showed his strength of will and determinedness, while also showing his emotion and compassion for Kris.  We also see some development in Faith’s character.  She’s excited to have powers and be part of something, but she’s still frustrated at being the odd man out in the group, while Charlene and Torque flirt and Pete and Kris are intensely focused on what to do next.  She’s being called Zeppelin instead of Zephyr, a shot at her weight, and she puts up with it in order to be able to be part of the group.  Torque and Charlene are still completely flat characters, though.  Jim Shooter tries to add depth to Torque by having Pete repeatedly explain the inner fear behind Torque’s obnoxious behavior, but you can’t explain character growth.  It has to be illustrated through behaviors.

Kickin’ It Old School: Harbinger #1

Originally from ValiantCentral.com