Comic Roundup: Rachel Rising, Myths & Legends and Harbinger

Welcome one and all to yet another edition of the Comic Roundup, where the reviews are honest and the opinions mine. This week we pull back the curtain on the new issue of Rachel Rising, the final issue of Myths & Legends and the return of the zero issue to Valiant with Harbinger.

Harbinger #0
By Joshua Dysart, Mico Suayan and Pere Perez

If you remember Valiant Comics from their first go around, then you remember that no one did zero issues like they did. Most of the time they were special promotional comics that ended up on eBay for insane sums of money that featured “untold” tales of the characters in the Valiant Universe. Well, you just knew they would return when Valiant made their comeback last year and now the first has arrived: Harbinger #0.

Harbinger #0 gives us the origin of Toyo Harada and why he is so determined to save the world from itself. It’s an emotional story that hits hard, much harder than you think it’s going to. That is a tribute to Dysart and what he has accomplished with Harbinger.

What started as a retooling of the original concept has now become something all its own, something much more interesting and fully realized. The art by Suayan and Perez is detailed, dynamic and looks incredible, just what you would expect from a Valiant title.

I have heard that the plan is Valiant wants to do zero issues for all the new titles that they are currently publishing. If they are all as good and entertaining as Harbinger #0, they will have no problem living up to the legacy that came before them.

Rachel Rising #14
By Terry Moore

After missing after a few issues because of the holidays and a hurricane, we now return to our regular Rachel Rising reviews with issue #14. In the last few months, we have seen the conclusion of second arc of the storyline and some of the questions about what the hell is going on with Rachel and the rest of the cast have been answered. As the third arc opens, things are only getting creepier and more disquieting.

Rachel and Earl are trying to figure out what to do with the unresponsive Jet while more questions are raised about Zoe and what the deal is with her. Oh, and Mary Scott comes to visit to try to make Rachel remember the details of her true “past”.

Yep, just another Rachel Rising creepfest. What is it about this book the makes me almost dread reading the new issue? It’s like when I’m reading The Walking Dead; I can’t stop myself but I so wish I could because I know something bad is coming.

However, issue #14 also includes a small glimpse at that Terry Moore humor that fans remember so well from Strangers in Paradise. It’s a welcome break from issue after issue of dead people, demons, talk of necrophilia and snakes coming out of peoples’ mouths.

Rachel Rising is still arguably the best comic on the stands right now. If you haven’t tried it yet, I implore you to do so. You don’t know what you’re missing.

Grimm Fairy Tales: Myths & Legends #25
By Troy Brownfield, Raven Gregory and Josh Hood

When I first began writing the Roundup a few years ago, Zenescope’s Myths & Legends was one of the first books I wrote a review for and as a result, the title has always held a special place in my heart. Now, with issue #25, the book is ending, much too soon in my opinion, but ending nonetheless. But if this is to be the final issue, what a great sendoff it is.

Issue #25 is the finale of the Summoning arc, a storyline that has promised to bring big changes to the Sela, Samantha and crew. And for once, a comic has lived up to the hype. The final issue of Myths & Legends does indeed send the Grimm Universe is some very new and unexpected directions, all brought to life by a great creative team.

Brownfield and Gregory do a great work here giving the story the weight and importance it needs but also finding time for a light moment here and there. Hood’s artwork is top notch, the first few pages alone enough to make you stand up and pay attention. The issue is not short on spectacle and I hope we will get to see his work again sometime soon.

Myths & Legends #25 turned out to be a very important (and very good) comic is the continuing story of Zenescope’s Grimm Universe. Any fan should definitely pick up a copy and bid farewell to one of my personal favorite comic book series that I’m very sorry to see go.