BC Refugees Blog

From the official press release . . . . . Valiant is proud to announce that HARBINGER #22 – the FIRST ISSUE of "Death of a Renegade," the devastating new story arc from New York Times best-selling creators Joshua Dysart and Clayton Henry – has sold out at the distributor level just one week after its initial release, and will return to stores with a red-hot second printing on May 28th! United by their unique abilities, five teenage misfits have come together under the leadership of dysfunctional runaway Peter Stanchek – a psionically-powered “psiot” forced to self-medicate to keep his immense powers in check. Recruited into the Harbinger Foundation – a secret academy where others like him are trained for the betterment of the world – Peter studied to become the protege of Toyo Harada, a wealthy business magnate and the only other "psiot" capable of rivaling Peter's incredible telekinetic capabilities. But teacher and pupil clashed when Peter discovered the true ...

Portland, OR (April 30, 2014) – Oni Press is thrilled to announce that Charles Soule and Alberto Jiménez Alburquerque’s hit ongoing series LETTER 44, has been picked up for development for television by SyFy! The series, which launched last year to critical acclaim and a slew of sold out issues, weaves the intertwined stories of President Stephen Blades, the United States’ newly inaugurated President, and the intrepid crew of The Clarke, a spaceship investigating a possible alien threat in our solar system. "As I see it, we're in the midst of a golden age for serialized television drama, and I could not be more thrilled at the prospect of seeing Letter 44 translated into another medium,” said Soule. “Seeing President Blades and the crew of the Clarke brought to life, and watching their respective journeys unfold, will be a truly amazing thing. Go space!" Produced by Oni Press’ sister company, Closed on Mondays, SyFy’s LETTER 44 will be a Universal Television and Univer...

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Once I get through the HARBINGER titles, I most likely will be following X-O MANOWAR and the new ARMOR HUNTERS series.  You can pick up a free preview of some of these books during Free Comic Book Day this Saturday.  Details  below . . . . . from the official press release . . . . . . . . . .   Armor Hunters Trailer at You Tube   On June 11th, Earth will be the greatest hunt of all!           Valiant is proud to debut the official video trailer for ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of VALIANT FIRST’ s action-packed summer crossover event by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti ( X-O Manowar , Green Lantern ) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite ( Unity , Justice ).           When Aric of Dacia returned to Earth with the stolen X-O Manowar armor of an alien race, he thought he finally found a weapon to guard the peace and k...

  Editor’s Note:  Me?  I will be at my usual stomping grounds (although I frequent many comic book stores in the area and also during my business travels).  You can find me at CAPTAIN BLUE HEN COMICS in Newark, Delaware.  (Just in case you’re needing that autograph! Ha!)  I decided this year instead of being the usual spectator, I would look at things from the other side of the counter.  Yes, I volunteered my services to help out the good Captain with the anticipated massive turnout of customers. I may even end up writing about that here.  In the meantime, if you are a local PA/DE/MD resident, there are plenty of comic shops to visit, including THE COMIC BOOK SHOP in Wilmington, DE.  Hey, why not make it a day and go to as many different shops as you can!  Here’s some info on their event, which is a two-day celebration   . . . . . . . . . Address: THE COMIC BOOK SHOP  1855 Marsh Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19810  st...

            So, what exactly is this 12 issue cross-over event that winds through issues of HARBINGER WARS mini-series , HARBINGER , and BLOODSHOT all about?  Prior to the beginning of this story, Bloodshot freed a group of psiot (super-powered) adolescents from a Project Rising Spirit (P.R.S.) experimental research facility.  Toyo Harada wants the escapees to join the ranks of the Harbinger Foundation.  Peter Stanchek and the Renegades want to keep the children away from Harada’s influence and control.  Since Bloodshot was a part of the initial capture and confinement of the children, he now feels responsible for their protection.           As my own preface, I’m going to repeat my answer to the question: “Why should I read any Valiant books?  And that answer is: because they consistently pack a full load of story and character development into every issue and acco...

  EDITOR’S NOTE:  Following the recent announcement that Issue #25 will end the current series, we continue to explore the HARBINGER title from Issue #1 forward as a tribute to the best Valiant title  - - so far.  Here’s hoping something just as special replaces it.          The second story arc wrapped in Issue #8 with the formation of the Renegade team and subsequent pursuit of them by forces of Project Rising Sun.  HARBINGER #9  (Valiant Entertainment, February 2013)  Writer:  Joshua Dysart.  Art:  Pere Perez.  Color Art:  Ian Hannin.  Lettering:  Rob Steen.                     This issue focuses on Faith Herbert, with an in-depth exploration of her character and psyche.  She is certainly one of the more complex members of The Renegades, overweight, lonely and insecure, but ver...

EDITOR’S NOTE:  With just four issues to go, many new and curious readers will want to know if this is a proper jumping on point to check out this title.  It absolutely is.  I’m also reading this book out of sequence, and I had no trouble picking up the story and following it easily.  We’ll tell you just enough here to whet your appetite, and avoid spoilers.  Our regular exploration of this series will continue after this brief intermission . . . . . . HARBINGER #22  (Valiant Entertainment, April 23, 2014 release date)  Writer: Joshua Dysart.  Art: Clayton Henry.  Color Art: Brian Reber.  Letters:  Dave Sharpe.  Covers: Michael Walsh, Zach Montoya, Barry Kitson           The credits page of every Valiant issue is a model of economy. Every book manages to summarize the story up to the current point in just a few paragraphs.  Even if a reader has never picked up a HARBINGER b...

. . . . . From the official press release . . . . . April 23, 2014 Max Brooks and Avatar Press have announced Legendary Television and Digital optioned the New York Times Bestselling Author Brooks’ Extinction Parade as an original property for development as a new television series. Brooks is closely tied to the development of the project and will be writing the Pilot episode. “I only brought the idea to one company, Legendary, because they do the kind of quality work of which any writer would be proud." stated Brooks. "Max Brooks is a visionary with an incredible ability to tell stories that deliver a fresh approach to the horrors that haunt our nightmares. His work on Extinction Parade has been a stunningly rich tapestry of cultures in decline and a biting indictment of the perils of privilege. It will make the perfect television series to appeal to fans who have until now settled for thinly veiled soap operas parading as horror,” said William Christensen, Pu...

REVIVAL Vol. 1 Writer: Tom Seely Artist: Mike Norton Image Comics | graphic novel | $12.99 Image  is one of my favorite publishing companies. Along with  Vertigo  and  Dynamite , Image is a great place to find creator owned, non-capes and tights stories that are consistently compelling.  Revival  is the latest breakout hit from the same company that brought us such fan favorites as  Fatale ,  Elephantmen ,  Invincible  and  Saga . You might know  Tim Seely  as the writer of  Hack/Slash  and as the penciler of the  New Exiles .  Mike Norton  has illustrated extensively for  DC  and has his own webcomic,  Battlepug . Revival is the story of a small town in  Wisconsin  where the dead are returning to life but it’s not a  Walking Dead  wannabe. When the dead rise they are just as you remember them, a doting grandmother, a son taken too soon or a dearly misse...

Editor’s Notes:  Today marks the beginning of the end for the current HARBINGER series, with part 1 of a 3 part “Death Of  A Renegade” story arc in HARBINGER #22 that leads up to the final issue in July with HARBINGER #25.   I am still in shock to learn that my favorite Valiant title is going away, but also a little giddy with anticipation as I expect things to wrap up in a very big way.   If you haven’t been following the HARBINGER stories, I will review them all here so you can catch up.  Just make sure you score a copy of Issue #22 today! Wednesday, February 6, 2013 HARBINGER 2: A Valiant young Harada           The new Valiant books are all worthwhile, combining engaging story and intriguing art. The best of the bunch is HARBINGER , which recently supplanted X-O MANOWAR as my favorite of the new titles based on recent issues.  Get them both - - but if you’re on a tight budget then pick up HARBI...

EDITOR’S NOTES:  As we begin the final story arc of HARBINGER tomorrow with Issue #22 (April 23, 2014 release date) it’s time to revisit this landmark Valiant title.  If you aren’t already familiar with this book, maybe this reprint of a BC REFUGEES blog from January 08, 2013 will encourage you to check it out . . . . .   ******************************************************************************** PGHHEAD PICK for Best of 2012: HARBINGER            Every single one of the Valiant character revivals in 2012 was excellent.  I cannot say the same for all of the revived DC and Marvel titles of 2012 - - likewise for the other comics companies whose books I read last year.  So, Valiant was my choice to select as a “pick” for 2012 - - but which book ?  That was a tough choice.  While X-O MANOWAR was an early frontrunner, HARBINGER started out amazing and just got better with each issue.  So, ...

(Editor’s Note: I’ve been  a big advocate for HARBINGER as Valiant’s best title, not an easy choice to make as all their books are high quality.  After reading the first story arc multiple times (and loving it) I stock-piled the following issues, planning a marathon reading binge at some future point. After learning of these two upcoming developments, I feel the urge to begin reading HARBINGER again as soon as possible. Here’s the first announcement  - - only second in importance due to the nature of the next announcement. Without that, this would probably be an even bigger deal.)           Per the official press release, writer Joshua Dysart  “has made no bones” about his plan to kill a member of Valiant ’s beloved teenage heroes, the Harbinger Renegades . . . . . but who will fall?   The devastating answer will be revealed in a three-part milestone called “Death Of A Renegade”.   This begins this We...

from the official press release . . . . . . . . . . JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV KICKS OFF A NEW CHAPTER AT DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT.  THE DEVILERS ARRIVING IN JULY FOR ONLY $2.99. April 18th, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ :  Dynamite is proud to present the first book in a series of creator driven comics, featuring all new characters from the industry's best and brightest.  The Devilers is written by the acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov, working with Dynamite for the first time, and accompanied by the incredible art of Matt Triano.           Single issues in this line will be priced at $2.99, allowing fans the opportunity to affordably try all of the new series.  And to help retailers stock up with confidence, each launch issue will be completely returnable.  To sweeten the deal for fans and retailers alike, The Devilers #1 will feature covers by Eisner Award Nominee Jock and a beautiful retailer incentive by the masterful M...