I have been thinking about starting a Booktube for about a year now and I always seemed to talk myself out of it for some reason. Finally after watching this video I told myself that I should just dive in and do something that I know I’ll really enjoy and that will allow me the opportunity to make great friends. To start out I’m just using natural lighting and my phone but I think hopefully as…
So, now that everyone has heard the news that Faith Herbert a.k.a. Zephyr of Valiant Comics is getting a mini-series, everyone is just wondering who this character is and what’s she from. Well, being that I’ve been following the books she’s in since the beginning, figure I’d share my knowledge of what things to look for Faith in.
So, just some questions:
What is Harbinger?
Harbinger is the book that Faith originally appeared in. My basic description of it is “Imagine X-Men but…you know…not kinda crappy”. That may sound snobbish, but I’m serious. It is about superpowered young adults who are out to save the world, but it goes against the whole “oppression/discrimination for 7th graders” and is much more grey, philosophical and political savvy with much more character depth.
Faith was the shining light of goodness and optimism in that series.
Where to start with Faith and Harbinger?
Your best bet to understand the core fundamentals of Faith is in the one-shot Harbinger: Faith #0. It’s completely self-contained and a load of fun.
As for the rest of Harbinger itself. There should be something of note. Harbinger started in 2012 under writer Joshua Dysart and he is still writing the Harbinger side of the Valiant universe. It’s all one big story but worth your patience and hard work.
So, get to your Amazons or digitals and what not. Here’s the full reading list:
Harbinger Vol 1: Omega Rising Harbinger Vol 2: Renegades Harbinger Wars & Harbinger Vol 3: Harbinger Wars (Valiant’s first “event” comic. You can read either or and still get a good story) Harbinger Vol 4: Perfect Day Harbinger Vol 5: Death of a Renegade Armor Hunters: Harbinger (Tie-In to Armor Hunters event that Faith, Torque and Generation Zero are in) Harbinger Vol 6: Omegas
After vol 6, Act II of Dysart’s story begins with the book Imperium, a book that examines supervillain tropes like Harbinger examined superhero tropes: Imperium vol 1: Collecting Monsters
Imperium vol 2: Broken Angels
What is “Book of Death”?
You may be hearing rumblings about this “Book of Death” story that Valiant is currently in the middle of. Well, I’ll give you some explanations on that.
Book of Death is essentially the sequel series to the mini-series, The Valiant.
In BoD, the Eternal Warrior is protecting a Geomancer (essentially
guardian of the planet) that came back from the future. She also came
back with the titular “book” which is a record of the future of the
Valiant universe. Each of the “Fall of” one-shot tie-ins tell the tales
of the last days and death of those characters.
Now, “Fall
of Bloodshot” and “Fall of Ninjak” were relatively self-contained
because Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt respectfully are so early in their
solo runs with the characters. “Fall of Harbinger” is a bit less
self-contained because Josh Dysart has worked on the book and forged the
Harbinger side of the verse since 2012. You could read “Fall of Harbinger” first, but the emotional resonance wouldn’t be anywhere near as great.
There. I hope this gave you all some looks into where to start with this wonderful character and the amazing world Joshua Dysart and Valiant comics has been crafting.
Also, since we all willed in a Faith mini, could we use some of that mental will to get us a Generation Zero ongoing? C’mon ya’ll!
ya lit meme: six locations [2/6] Courts of Prythian
“The six other courts of Prythian occupied a patchwork of territories. Autumn, Summer, and Winter were easy enough to pick out. Then above them, two glowing courts: the southernmost one a softer, redder palate, the Dawn Court; above, in bright gold and yellow and blue, the Day Court. And above that, perched in a frozen mountainous spread of darkness and stars, the sprawling, massive territory of the Night Court.”
“My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I’m in the book.”
The library at Mafra National Palace in Portugal. Where, to keep books from being damaged by insects, they uses 500 bats! The bats are kept in boxes during the day but at night they are let out and eat up to double their own body weight in insects. (Info taken from this article at bookwire. Thanks to amygarvey for telling me about it!)
I think I need to go there. Do you think they’d notice if I moved in?
Cauldron save you. Mother hold you. Pass through the gates, and smell that immortal land of milk and honey. Fear no evil. Feel no pain. Go, and enter eternity.
