Harbinger #1 Review

The Glory (and Weirdness) of Harbinger #1

If you’ve been around the comic-collecting block, you’ll know Harbinger #1 is Valiant’s 1992 psychic-powered love letter to teen melodrama and government paranoia. Written by Jim Shooter, it introduces Peter Stanchek (codename “Sting”), a troubled telepath who can hear your inner thoughts—which is great for poker night but terrible when you discover your best mate is crushing on your mum.

This was the comic that tried to be Marvel’s X-Men but with 90s neon jackets, and instead became a cult favourite. The artwork screams “big hair, bigger shoulder pads”, and the writing has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. But honestly? That’s part of its charm.

And here’s the kicker: while it’s no Amazing Fantasy #15, copies of Harbinger #1 still command decent prices on the secondary market—especially if yours has survived the decades without being used as a coaster. If you’ve stumbled on a copy and you’re wondering whether to sell your comic books, well… let’s just say Fantasy Road would be very happy to take it off your hands.

The Story – Moody Teens vs Men in Suits

The plot of Harbinger #1 reads like the lovechild of Euphoria and X-Men: First Class. Peter “Sting” Stanchek discovers he’s a telepath, which is cool until the shady government program Project Rising Spirit decides they’d quite like to use his brain for science experiments. Cue a ragtag band of other Harbinger teens—Faith, Flamingo, Kris, and Torque—each with powers and enough drama to keep daytime soap writers employed for decades.

It’s not subtle. Peter is angsty. Faith is idealistic. Torque is basically “what if your mate from the gym turned into a comic-book character?” And Kris is the “normal” one, except her tolerance for super-powered mood swings deserves a medal.

If this sounds like your kind of melodrama, that’s because it is. And if it sounds like the exact kind of thing you’d rather sell than re-read, well—our how to sell comics guides will show you how to turn Harbinger drama into cash.

The Art – Pure 90s Chaos

David Lapham’s art delivers panel after panel of gloriously over-the-top action. Expect jawlines sharp enough to slice bread, hair that defies physics, and more spandex than a Richard Simmons workout tape.

Each fight sequence is drenched in shadow, every stare is “brooding,” and the backgrounds scream “this city is dangerous, edgy, and possibly on fire.” It’s exactly what you want from a 90s comic: no restraint, all style.

Collectors love it because it captures the era perfectly. But here’s the rub: pristine copies are rare, because most of us read them in the back of mum’s Ford Fiesta with crisp crumbs falling between the pages. If yours is somehow still in mint condition, maybe check out our guide on comic book grading and CGC values before deciding whether to sell.

Why Collectors Care About Harbinger #1

So why does this issue matter?

• First Appearances – It introduces Sting, Faith, and the original Harbinger crew. For Valiant fans, that’s gold dust.

• Valiant Speculation – Every few years Hollywood whispers about a Harbinger movie. Collectors go wild, prices spike, and then Hollywood forgets about it again. Rinse and repeat.

• The 90s Nostalgia Effect – The same reason you’re suddenly seeing Tamagotchis and Pogs on eBay. If it’s from the 90s and nerdy, someone wants it.

In other words, Harbinger #1 is the kind of book that doesn’t just sit in a longbox—it occasionally wiggles. And that makes it a prime candidate if you’re wondering whether to sell your comic collection.

How Much Is It Worth?

Now, don’t get too excited. This isn’t Action Comics #1—we’re not talking yacht money. But graded copies of Harbinger #1 in 9.8 condition can sell for hundreds of pounds, and raw copies still fetch a nice bit of pub money.

Check sites like GoCollect if you want up-to-date prices. Or, if you’re not into research and just want an offer right now, you can always contact Fantasy Road for a valuation. We’ll happily do the number-crunching for you.

Storing Before Selling

If you’ve still got Harbinger #1 stuffed between two cookbooks, stop. Seriously. You’ll want to bag and board that bad boy before you even think of selling. Check out our comic storage guide for the full low-down on keeping your comics crisp.

Because nothing kills value faster than sticky toffee pudding stains on the cover.

Should You Keep or Sell?

Let’s break it down:

• If you’re a die-hard Valiant fan? Keep it. It’s history.

• If you’re more Marvel/DC and this is just clutter? Sell it.

• If you’ve got multiple copies? Sell one, keep one, brag endlessly.

Remember—Fantasy Road buys everything from Silver Age Marvel collections to modern Funko Pop hoards. If it’s nerdy, we want it.

Final Verdict

Harbinger #1 is classic 90s chaos: moody, over-the-top, and endearingly dramatic. It’s a book that screams “keep me forever,” while also whispering “or sell me and buy something cooler.”

Either way, it deserves respect. And if you decide to let it go, remember—you can always sell comics to Fantasy Road without the hassle of dodgy eBay buyers or car-boot haggling.