Swierczynski Readies Bloodshot For Harbinger Wars

Harbinger Wars is a 12-issue crossover event that will be the defining Valiant Universe storyline of the year. Written by Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski with art by Clayton Henry and Clayton Crain, Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) (FEB131152) will hit stores on April 3rd.

Then the action continues with all-new jumping-on points in Harbinger #11 and Bloodshot #10 – the first issues of new standalone, four-issue story arcs chronicling the fallout of the Valiant Universe's first full-scale superhuman conflict.

Swierczynski has been planning for this moment since writing the first issue of Bloodshot back in July 2012 and took some time to tell us about what we can expect when the battle begins!

---

PREVIEWSworld: Talk about the process of teaming up to write a crossover book, while also continuing to write your individual titles for Valiant?

Duane Swierczynski: Well, for me the process has been about being aware of two different story lines -- one overt, and one covert. Bloodshot's mission from the beginning has been simple: staying alive long enough to figure out his identity. But woven throughout the first nine issues of his series, there's been a subplot gathering steam. Though it's not even fair to call it a subplot; the events that set Bloodshot off on his quest are very much at the heart of HARBINGER WARS.

PREVIEWSworld: Harbinger Wars has been planned from the start of both Bloodshot and Harbinger. Explain how the crossover story came about?

Duane Swierczynski: Classic Valiant always had this amazing interconnected universe, so naturally we wanted to do something similar with the newly-relaunched titles. We've been planning this since the beginning, and it's kind of giddy fun to finally those seeds bloom in the crossover.

PREVIEWSworld: Let's dive more into the miniseries and talk about the battle between Bloodshot, Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek. They all have different plans for the Harbinger children found at the Nursery?

Duane Swierczynski: Absolutely. Bloodshot raided Project Rising Spirit -- the secret government facility that created him -- expecting to find his name. Instead, he found a "nursery" full of psiot children. Something huge happens to Bloodshot at the end of #9, completely changing his worldview. Suddenly, it's not all about him anymore -- it's about being a hero and protecting these kids, no matter what. And at this moment, he's not even aware of the cold war between Harada and Stancheck. But he will soon...

PREVIEWSworld: So he discovered the young psiots, but his intent was to go there to learn his true identity. How will that quest continue within Harbinger Wars?

Duane Swierczynski: The quest for his identity will absolutely continue -- that' s not something you can just brush aside, you know? But his immediate concern in the Harbinger Wars crossover is keeping those kids safe. Problem is, Bloodshot thinks he's just keep them safe from PRS. He has no idea that he's stepped into this huge war that's been brewing for decades.

PREVIEWSworld: Finally, tell us why Harbinger Wars is a crossover event that will standout?  

Duane Swierczynski: I think readers will like that it's a self-contained crossover (12 issues) that can be enjoyed in three separate arcs (Bloodshot, Harbinger, and Harbinger Wars). Bloodshot readers will have a complete story if they just stick with the next four issues of the series -- but of course, I'm hoping they'll want to pick up the other threads of the story in both Harbinger and Harbinger Wars. (And likewise!)

---

In other Harbinger Wars news, Valiant announced that superstar artist Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage) is joining Joshua Dysart, Duane Swierczynski, and Clayton Henry for Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) – the FIRST ISSUE of Valiant's first family crossover!

"Clayton Crain is a phenomenal talent and we're extraordinarily happy to have him joining Valiant for Harbinger Wars #1," said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons.  "He will be handling a pivotal sequence introducing Generation Zero, the strike force controlled by Project Rising Spirit that inadvertently sets the Harbinger Wars in motion."

See interior art from Clayton Crain and Clayton Henry below!

Harbinger Wars #1 Interior pencils by Clayton Henry! Click to see larger size.

Harbinger Wars #1 Interior art by Clayton Crain! Click to see larger size.

 

LIKE PREVIEWSworld on Facebook!