Review: Harbinger #15

Coatesvillain | August 15, 2013 | Comics | 1 Comment

Creative Team:
Writer: Joshua Dysart
Penciler: Barry Kitson
Inkers: Stefano Gaudino, and Mark Pennington
Color Artist: Ian Hannin with Sotocolor
Letterer: Simon Bowland

The Issue:
In the aftermath of the Harbinger Wars, Peter Stanchek and his Renegades attempt to unwind. Where we’ve seen the characters act irresponsibly earlier in the series here we see the characters having room to be young. They spend time on the beach, going to concerts, and in the case of Faith and Peter spend time flying.

This issue comes as a much welcomed change of pace after the last few months were chock full of action. Despite being in these quiet moments you get to see that the characters aren’t necessarily heroes. They have great power but no direction and continue to act in ways that defy ethics (such as taking cars using Peter’s telepathic powers).

While the issue was a quiet change of the pace it came close to the dreaded land of filler. We see Kris and Charlene grow closer together and share a surprise kiss. Faith and Peter seem to share a sincere moment while flying that builds on the crush she had that was established earlier in the series. All this happens while Torque is on his own still trying out what he thinks it is to be a man.

Something happens to Kris while at the concert and she feels an overwhelming sadness. After sharing the kiss with Charlene, she finds herself going to Torque and asks for him to comfort her. He tries but finds himself uncomfortable. She attempts to reach a more intimate bond and begins to talk to him making him take off his psychic form. Just as he does that she smashes his head in. It is then that we realize that something has taken over her.

What I Liked:
One thing that was established throughout the Harbinger Wars is that Faith is the moral core of the group. She’s selfless, she’s caring, and most of all she wants to help people. On top of that she loves her friends. Before the team she was left alone but now she has a purpose. What she also has is a crush on Peter which was established when she first had him. Her flying with him allowed her to finally connect with him in a way she never thought possible. It was a really sweet moment that got to the core of the character.

Another strong part was how Torque was handled. He grew up with his brother there was no love. He tries to be what he thinks a man is and it’s so far off base that it’s sad. You see the team tolerates him. I think how Dysart handled Torque was so effective because when the scene happens with Kris at the end you feel like someone is finally reaching him. And he when he cries it feels like there is a moment, but… no!! That moment alone bumped the issue up at least a grade.

What I Didn’t Like:
I think Dysart’s strength in this series has been handling Peter, Faith, and Torque. There are moments with Kris, but Charlene really doesn’t have much going on. It’s hard to juggle this many characters so it’s hard to blame him too much. That is until Kris and Charlene hang out. How many times have we seen two female characters hangout and then out of nowhere they kiss. Sometimes it’s earned, but here it didn’t feel that way. It felt like something had to happen and they settled on this.

They didn’t exactly mention how long after the Harbinger Wars this took place but it was long enough for Peter’s jaw to be healed. While I understand kids want to be kids wouldn’t more than just Kris be feeling the after effects of all they’ve seen in this short period of time?

Grade: