Harbinger #1

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Valiant (1992)
1st Appearance Harbinger

Harbinger #1 (1992) from Valiant isn’t just a key issue—it’s one of the most important and most valuable comics of the entire 1990s. It sits at the top of the Valiant collecting world and has cultural, historical, and financial significance.

 

1. First Appearance of the Original Harbinger Team

Harbinger #1 introduces several major characters who form the backbone of the Valiant universe:

• Peter Stanchek (Sting)

• Faith (Zephyr) – fan-favorite, later becomes one of Valiant’s flagship characters

• Kris Hathaway

• Torque

• Flamingo

• Toyojitsu (in cameo)

• First appearances connected to Harada (the series’ core antagonist)

This is a huge cluster of first appearances—almost unheard of in a single issue.

 

2. One of the 1990s "Big Three" Valiant Keys

Along with:

• Magnus #0

• Rai #0

Harbinger #1 is considered a foundation stone of Valiant collecting.

It’s the must-own Valiant comic.

 

3. The Famous “Pink Mail-Away Coupon”

This is where things get really interesting:

Inside Harbinger #1 is a mail-away coupon.
If you tore it out and mailed it in, you received Harbinger #0—one of the most valuable 1990s comics ever produced.

This creates two versions of Harbinger #1:

+ With coupon (most valuable)

- Without coupon (less valuable)

Most kids ripped the coupon out to get Harbinger #0, so intact copies are MUCH rarer.

This is one of the biggest price-difference “coupon books” in the hobby.

 

4. Beginning of the Harbinger / Harada Mythos

Harbinger #1 starts one of:

• the most adult

• the most grounded

• the most emotionally heavy
  stories of the early 90s.

It introduced:

• teenage superpowered runaways

• moral ambiguity

• trauma, mental illness, and manipulation

• the conflict between Peter Stanchek vs. Toyo Harada
  (which drives Valiant lore for decades)

This book helped Valiant build a universe that felt more literary than Marvel or DC at the time.

 

5. Created By Jim Shooter During Valiant’s Golden Era

Jim Shooter—former Marvel Editor-in-Chief during the full 80s—founded Valiant and personally crafted Harbinger.

His storytelling style gave Valiant:

• tight continuity

• character realism

• universe-building that rivaled early Marvel Silver Age

Harbinger #1 is one of his crowning achievements.

 

6. A Top 1990s Grail

Among 90s collectors, the hierarchy usually goes:

• Harbinger #1 (with coupon)

• New Mutants #98

• Spawn #1 (still common but iconic)

• Malibu’s Ultraverse #1 keys

• TMNT Adventures keys

Harbinger #1 continues to rise because Valiant reboots and adaptations keep the property relevant.

9.4 NM
Pages: White
CGC 1215607019

Art: Jim Shooter story David Lapham & John Dixon art David Lapham & Bob Layton cover


Key: 1st appearance of Harbinger (Sting, Kris, Zephyr, Flamingo & Torque). Harbinger #0 mail-order coupon included.